MAGIC AND MISCHIEF AT THE WAYSIDE HOTEL by Elizabeth Everett delivers a fun, light-hearted tale of a magical hotel building, mythical creatures, and a single mom doing the best she can to raise her young son after his father’s death.

Josphine LaChiusa is twenty-eight, works in the financial aid department of a private university, and is in search of a cheaper apartment for her and her four-year- old son, Amos. She stumbles upon the Wayside Hotel with a room for rent. Pax is the hotel manager of this unusual place that welcomes Josie and her son. Josie is unaware that the Wayside is the fifth of sixth World Travel Hubs where magic abounds, and travelers from other worlds stop on their way through the universe. There are gargoyles, faeries, werewolves, vampires, gnomes, zombies, shifters, and ghosts. Some of the tenants are more dangerous than others. As Josie and Amos settle into their new home, Josie realizes the other tenants are not normal, and the hotel manager she is falling in love with is actually an Army of Light Knight. Pax is sworn to protect, but can he keep Josie and Amos safe from the more nefarious creatures at the Wayside? And can Josie stand up to her in-laws and carve out a new family and place for her future?

MAGIC AND MISCHIEF AT THE WAYSIDE HOTEL is delightful in many respects, but falls a little short on plot. There is an overarching fear of the Wayside as its health is dependent on Josie and Amos. Whether it wants a human sacrifice or something else is unclear until the ending. Josie and Pax’s relationship develops nicely, and Amos adds levity and relatability as Josie struggles with providing a good life for her son. The emotional aspects of the story ring true, and the magic adds some creative and fun moments – especially when building a garden, attending a tenants' meeting, or causing an explosion at a museum. The characters play off each other and create endearing chaos. MAGIC AND MISCHIEF AT THE WAYSIDE HOTEL is a little light on suspense and tension, but staying at this unusual place of magic and community was a pleasant retreat after all.