Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Saving Cottonwood by Lisa Page follows a recently divorced middle school librarian named Iris, who was seeking a fresh start in an old adobe house near the bosque. This landscape of cottonwood trees and winding riverbanks seems to hum with its own quiet spirit. In her quest for a peaceful life, Iris is instead drawn into a fight against developers who threaten to destroy the local forest preserve. Unseen forces and eerie coincidences pull her deeper into a web of secrets that, unexpectedly, bind her to the land’s history. The closer she comes to uncovering the truth, the higher the stakes become. But along the way, she meets a cast of unique characters who help her rediscover courage, purpose, and belonging. Read this empowering and whimsical story now.

Saving Cottonwood by Lisa Page is a gentle story that celebrates the quiet magic of connection and the healing power of hope. Page's tender blend of realism and wonder emphasized the living spirit of the land and made me admire the strength of a person’s heart. What truly elevates Saving Cottonwood is its deft blend of magic, nature, and destiny. These elements make the story so compelling and distinguish it from other works in the same genre. I love how the author described the setting and the landscape, particularly the cottonwoods, bosque, river, and land. Page’s writing breathes life into the land, making the landscape feel as alive as the characters themselves. The interweaving of nature and story infuses the plot with a sense of wonder, and I was unable to put the book down even for a second. The narrative is light and mystical, and the story itself is a gentle reminder that caring for the world around us is its own quiet act of enchantment.