A truly magical friends to enemies to lovers YA romance that offers a witchy world grounded in real life emotion.

The charmed list was such a cute, fast paced, magical book. I loved the romance, the build up to it and the magic. It was cozy, I loved the magical world that Ellie travels too. If you’re looking for a short quick read, I recommend this one. Imagine if it took place in the fall, it would have really hit the feelings.

It was really cute and original, I kept wishing I could be watching this since it mixes the normal world with the magical world in such a charming way.
I'm so glad I picked this one up and definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a good YA rom com! It definitely checks the boxes...(Pun intended)!

Even though I don't read YA anymore, I still wanted to give this one a shot. However, I just couldn't get into this one so I'm DNFing it early on. Nothing wrong with the book, I can just tell that it's not for me.

DNF @ 25%

This is just a case of a book being too young for me. I feel like I am aging out of YA and just feel like this one was just not for me.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Julie Abe did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

3/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Magic-aware teen Ellie Kobata is determined to break out of her shell this summer. A road trip with her best friend Lia (who is not magic-aware) seems like a perfect opportunity... until a prank gone wrong ends up changing their summer plans. Instead of hanging out with Lia, Ellie is forced to drive her family's charmed goods to a magical convention with her ex best friend, Jack Yasuda. How will she complete her Anti-Wallflower List with the person she hates the most?
I enjoyed the magic system very much -- the idea of charms as the magic form is not super common, and it was nice to see it expanded upon in this way! Especially in the later, more magically-concentrated areas like the magic convention and a few other settings I won't spoil. I wish its scale was a lot clearer, as the beginning and the end had very different ideas of what charmed goods could do.
Unfortunately, I wasn't connecting with the characters very well. I didn't outright despise anyone, but some descriptions and recurring commentary became repetitive instead of endearing or familiar. For example, Ellie was consistently talking about her wallflower tendencies. Although I was hearing about her timid, awkward nature, I feel like she was a lot more outspoken and feisty than anything else? And Jack's behavior felt disjointed at times, even with later explanations that should have clarified everything.
On a positive note, I did enjoy the heartfelt moments between the two, as well as their explorations! The different settings had very creative ideas which definitely made it feel like there was a larger magic-aware community that we only touched upon as readers.
I don't think I would reread this, but I was happy to have read it! I would be interested in reading another story set in the same magic-aware universe (with either secondary characters from this book or entirely new characters). 3 stars!

"The Charmed List" by Julie Abe is a sparkling addition to the young adult romance genre, blending enchanting magic with the all-too-real experiences of growing up and finding oneself. With its heartfelt narrative and whimsical charm, Abe has crafted a story that not only tugs at the heartstrings but also ignites the imagination, making it a delightful read for both teens and adults alike.

At the heart of "The Charmed List" is Ellie Kobata, a 16-year-old who has spent much of her high school years blending into the background, partly due to her shyness and partly because of a falling out with her former best friend, Jack Yasuda. As the summer before their senior year unfolds, Ellie decides to break free from her invisible chains by creating a list of magical and adventurous tasks she's determined to complete. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she finds herself on a road trip with Jack, offering both a chance at reconciliation and the opportunity to cross items off her charmed list together.

Julie Abe masterfully intertwines themes of friendship, first love, and self-discovery with a touch of enchantment, setting "The Charmed List" apart from conventional YA romances. The magical elements are subtly woven into the fabric of the story, enhancing the narrative's charm without overwhelming the real, relatable dynamics and challenges the characters face.

Ellie's journey is one of transformation and courage. Her character development is beautifully portrayed as she navigates the complexities of mending a broken friendship, confronting her fears, and opening her heart to the possibility of love. Jack, on the other hand, is a compelling character with depth, whose own struggles and growth complement Ellie's story, making their evolving relationship all the more engaging.

The road trip serves as a perfect backdrop for Ellie and Jack's adventure, providing a sense of freedom and spontaneity that propels the story forward. Each item on the charmed list is a stepping stone in their journey, not just geographically but emotionally and personally, allowing readers to experience their highs and lows, victories and setbacks, alongside them.

Abe's writing is lyrical and evocative, with a knack for capturing the nuances of teenage life and the magic of first love. The dialogue is authentic, often infused with humor and wit, which keeps the tone light and enjoyable even when tackling more serious themes.

In addition, "The Charmed List" celebrates diversity in its characters and settings, reflecting a realistic and inclusive world view that adds another layer of richness to the story. Abe's attention to cultural details and the exploration of identity and belonging contribute to the novel's depth and relevance.

In summary, "The Charmed List" by Julie Abe is a magical, heartwarming tale of adventure, friendship, and love. Its enchanting premise, relatable characters, and emotional depth make it a must-read for anyone looking for a YA novel that's as touching as it is captivating. Julie Abe has indeed added a charming new entry to the landscape of young adult literature, one that readers will surely want to revisit time and again.

Perfect balance of magic and contemporary elements. Truly such a fun and enjoyable read for a lazy Sunday.

A light and enjoyable read! The characters are to die for! Forced proximity was great, the enemies to lovers trope wasn't as heavy as I expected it to be. A fun YA read!

Here is Julie Abe’s YA debut and it was just as magical as her MG books! I’ve been a fan of Abe’s work ever since Eva Evergreen. Was excited to find out that she was writing a YA story. It’s a very adorable story that has magic, friends to enemies to lovers, and adventure!

Something about Julie Abe’s books just puts you in a good mood. They make you smile as you read and give you a warm fuzzy feeling. The way that she is able to add these magical elements to a story is seamless. I love how this is a contemporary read, but has elements of the fantastical.

I can’t wait for her upcoming books and would really recommend this book, as well as her others, if you are looking for something fun, whimsical, and light-hearted!

“Julie Abe’s ‘The Charmed List’ is a total gem! It’s super fun and feels like a cozy, magical hug. I absolutely loved it, and it’s one of my favorites this year.

The characters, especially Ellie and Jack, are the best part. They’re super sweet together and just make you smile. Everyone in the story is so nice and fun to read about.

This was a cute and cozy paranormal romance. It was easy to follow, and provided some smiles. The plot flowed easily, and the characters were likeable enough. I would recommend this for fans of The Kiss Curse and The Fix-It Witches series.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. I adore anything magical and this made my heart so happy. I was kicking my feet because this was adorable. Highly recommend.

Such a sweet story. I loved how real the characters felt and I was captivated throughout the entire novel. Abe did a great job!

What an absolutely adorable book! The Charmed List by Julie Abe takes the sweetness of young first love and adds a touch of magic to make a great story. Ellie and Jack were best friends as children until as they grew into teenagers grew apart. The summer before senior year a magical prank goes wrong and they are forced to spend a road trip together to both of their annoyance. Add in a little bit of charms and magic and a bucket list of ways to “not be a wallflower” and you get a super cute fun summer read that will remind you of first love. Oh and did I mention there’s magic? Thank you to #netgalley for the chance to provide a review of this book! #thecharmedlist #julieabe #bookreview #booksaremylife

Abe does an excellent job of integrating magical elements into the storyline while keeping the text light and digestible. A great summer read for teens!

This was the perfect, whimsical YA read! Such a fun romance with so much heart, depth, and a touch of magic. I can't wait to read more from Julie Abe!

This was a fun read and I really enjoyed Ellie as a character. I will say the only thing I was hoping for was a bit more magic, but I can also see why the author chose to be a little more reserved. I think that this is a sweet summer read that is perfectly binge-able and can be read in a sitting.

A super cute story about best friends turned enemies reconnecting and falling in love! Ellie and Jack were a fun couple to read about and I was really invested in them working out their problems. There was so much push and pull between them. The world was super well done, I loved how the magic was subtly integrated into our world!