Chapter 18: The Full Moon Festival and a Rekindled Love
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The day of the full moon arrives. Sadie spends six days baking and training with Florence to focus her magic into a totem, though she has not yet chosen one. That morning she finds a spoon from Wyoming left at the garden gate, tucked from Jake. At home, the house is eerily quiet. Sadie visits the florist and thinks about Jake, realizing she would risk her last heartbreak for him regardless of her magic. She notices the lemon tree in the yard has suddenly produced ripe fruit.
Inside, she decides on her totem: Gigi’s old pink hairbrush. She visits Florence in Gigi’s room and sees a wedding photo of Gigi with a man in white—the ghost Sadie had seen in the garden. Florence explains the ghost is Gigi’s husband, who waited for her and now projects himself when the family gathers. Sadie learns the ghost was trying to stop her from summoning Gigi’s spirit. Relieved, she chooses the hairbrush for her totem, understanding she will have to destroy it during the ritual.
The family bakes together: moon cakes, fudge, and verbena loaf cakes. Sadie tells Sage about lotus seeds symbolizing growth through adversity. At two o’clock they load cars and head to the Poppy Meadows Fall Festival. Sadie sets up her booth with jars, gourds, and lanterns. She strolls the festival with Sage, Florence, and Raquel, enjoying the sights and smells.
She senses Jake before she sees him. Florence and Raquel give them privacy. Jake pulls her behind a tent and tells her Bethany faked the pregnancy. He ended things with Bethany, who is leaving town. Jake declares he has always loved Sadie. Sadie then confesses everything about her magic and her four-heartbreak curse. Jake says he fell in love with her ten years ago and has been collecting spoons for her ever since, handing her a bag full of spoon boxes. She forgives him, and they share a passionate kiss.
Afterward, they return to the booth. Seth is anxious about the night ahead, and Sadie sends him with Raquel to Old Bailer, the ritual site. The festival ends, and Sadie helps Florence pack up. Florence expresses pride in Sadie. As the full moon rises, Sadie steels herself, reminding herself to act in spite of fear for her brother’s sake. The chapter ends with a recipe for orange-infused honey.
Key Events
- Sadie chooses Gigi’s hairbrush as her totem, knowing it must be destroyed.
- Sadie learns the identity of the garden ghost—Gigi’s husband, who has been projecting himself.
- The family bakes together, and Sadie shares the symbolism of lotus seeds with Sage.
- At the fall festival, Jake finds Sadie and reveals Bethany’s faked pregnancy.
- Jake gives Sadie a collection of collectible spoons he has been acquiring.
- Sadie confesses her magic and curse to Jake; he forgives her and declares his love.
- They reconcile with a passionate kiss.
- Sadie sends Seth and Raquel ahead to Old Bailer for the full-moon ritual.
- Florence expresses pride in Sadie’s choices.
Character Development
Sadie finally commits to a totem that holds deep emotional value—her grandmother’s hairbrush—signaling her readiness to sacrifice personal objects for love. She also learns to accept the ghost’s benign nature, releasing guilt and confusion. Her decision to tell Jake the full truth about her magic shows growing trust and vulnerability.
Jake demonstrates maturity by ending his relationship with Bethany and processing his feelings before approaching Sadie. His confession of a decade-long love and the spoon collection reveals his steadfast devotion.
Florence provides emotional support and validation, directly telling Sadie she is proud of her. This moment strengthens their bond.
Seth is visibly anxious about the upcoming ritual, highlighting the stakes for his character.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Sacrifice and Letting Go: Sadie’s totem choice—a beloved object she must destroy—embodies the theme of sacrificing personal ties for a greater good.
- Family Legacy and Memory: Gigi’s hairbrush and the ghostly presence of Gigi’s husband emphasize how past generations linger and shape the present.
- Love as an Anchor: Jake’s unwavering love and the spoon collection symbolize enduring connection despite time and separation.
- Growth Through Adversity: The lotus seed parallel—growing from mud into beauty—reflects Sadie’s journey and the festival’s communal spirit.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the emotional and narrative climax before the ritual. Sadie and Jake’s reconciliation removes a major source of tension, allowing Sadie to focus entirely on saving Seth. The revelation of the ghost’s identity clears up a lingering mystery and brings closure. Sadie’s choice of totem and her acceptance of sacrifice set the stage for the upcoming full-moon ceremony, raising the stakes for the story’s resolution.
Study Questions and Answers
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What does Sadie’s choice of Gigi’s hairbrush as her totem reveal about her priorities?
Sadie chooses an object tied to cherished memories of her grandmother rather than something powerful or magical. This shows she values family and emotional connection over raw magical potential, and she is willing to destroy a sentimental item for her brother’s sake. -
How does the ghost’s identity affect Sadie’s understanding of her own magic and family history?
Learning the ghost is Gigi’s husband—not a malicious spirit—relieves Sadie and explains his earlier interference. It reinforces that her family’s magic is intertwined with love and loyalty, even beyond death. -
Why is Florence’s expression of pride significant for Sadie at this moment?
Florence rarely voices approval, so her direct pride validates Sadie’s difficult choices. It strengthens their relationship and gives Sadie emotional courage just before the high-stakes ritual.