3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for providing me with a digital arc of this book.

The Charmed List is a cute, YA romance whereby we follow Ellie who, along with others, is able to see a secret magical world that operates alongside the non-magic world. When [redacted] happens, Ellie finds herself on a road trip with her nemesis, and ex-childhood best friend Jack, rather than her now-best friend Lia. To spice things up, Ellie (a social wallflower) created her anti-wallflower list to complete with Lia during their trip.

Jack and Ellie need to survive a road trip down the Californian coast to get to a Magical Convention and meet their parents. Along the way they'll make deliveries for their parents, find magical cottages, and Ellie will question everything she thinks she knows about Jack.

Objectively, I liked this book. I devoured it in 2 hours, and it had me smiling at my Kindle multiple times. However, it wasn't anything I would personally write home about. The magic system was extremely interesting, and I loved seeing how it integrated with the non-magic world. I liked Ellie and Jack, the conflict between Ellie and Lia didn't really hit home for me, but I appreciated that the book explored familial loss, grief, and moving on. There were definitely hidden meanings about miscommunication, the meaning of family, and being there for your loved ones. The miscommunication grated on me a little, but I reminded myself that the characters were Juniors (16/17?? my non-American arse is playing mathematical gymnastics right now, but you get the gist) so I was able to move past it.

If you enjoy middle level YA romances, I would definitely recommend this book. It was light and fluffy and the exact distraction I needed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in YA romance or magical realism.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

A YA book where there is magic, but it is subtle real-world magic, it all takes place in places I know and grew up in, and there is a ton of diversity in characters? Yes, thank you, I will read this book now! This book is a great summer friends to enemies to lovers read, it is not overly long/drawn out, and incredibly realistic for a book that has fantastical elements. Or are they really so fantastical? I will happily read this book again when I need something on the lighter side but still want to be drawn in to a complex story. I will note, that there is quite a bit of discussion related to parental death, and so if that is something that can upset you, be aware of that. It is important to the plot, but I think it was handled in a really great way. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading other things Julie Abe writes!

This was a cute and quick read but still blended in some nice themes along the way. I appreciated the growth shown by the characters through the book and thought the magical pieces were sprinkled in perfectly. Thank you to Julie Abe and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited to pick up The Charmed List, but this book ended up not really hooking me like I hoped. I felt like the characters were a bit flat and one note. The writing seemed aimed for a younger audience that typical YA, so I think middle grade readers might enjoy this more.

I enjoyed this super cute story and the magic within it as well as the friendships & humor within it. The family dynamics were also really great and even with there being some grief, it didn't feel too much to handle. I also loved how Julie payed homage to other authors & their books throughout. I just incredibly light while reading this book, which has been a breath of fresh air in these chaotic times. I think that kids would really enjoy this story as I did.

The Charmed List was super adorable. A perfect summer romance with the right amount of chemistry. Who doesn't have or had a bucket list in their life? I've had numerous of them, especially summer bucket lists. This is the story of Ellie working through her summer Anti-Wallflower List while struggling with the ups and downs of past relationships and new relationships making the story just float among the stars. I loved the sweet twist of magic sprinkled through the lives of Ellie and Jack and how their second chance at what the stars hold for them is sweet and perfect. A great romance story for any summer night.

What a sweet YA romance! I've been wanting to read Abe's Eva Evergreen series for quite a while, so I was excited to learn that she had written a Young Adult novel as well. This book was sweet as a macaron! Ellie and Jack's friends to enemies to something else was very cute and endearing. However, the plot also pulled a lot of really emotional punches in the best way possible. I loved the touches of magic and charm that wove through the story. Definitely a good comfort read!

***DNF at 18%***

I think this is a classic case of "It's not you, It's me." THE CHARMED LIST by Julie Abe is a YA contemporary romance with an urban fantasy flair. While I typically love urban fantasy, I did not enjoy it here. It's the start of summer break and Ellie is looking forward to a magical convention down in San Francisco that her family attends every year with all the other witches and covens in the area until she learns that her nemesis Jack will also be attending and somehow winds up roadtripping with him down to the convention. This is where the book succeeded in being a YA contemporary romance. There were plenty of romcom moments in the part that I read between Jack and Ellie. Where it failed for me is the magical component. It felt like an afterthought and a gimmick to make the book stand out among all the other YA romances. It was not a fully thought out magical system, like who has magic, why do they have magic, how does it work, etc. If the fantasy component (which was light to begin with) was thrown out, I'd have enjoyed the book a lot more.

The Charmed List was on my most anticipated reads of the year list — and it did not disappoint!

I absolutely adored this book — it's charming, oh-so cute and down right lovely. Julie Abe is definitely on my radar as a new favourite young adult contemporary/romance author!

I loved the characters and the overall story. It's sweet and charming and full of magic — both in the true sense of making magic happen, and in the feeling you get while reading.

I can't wait to recommend this read to my friends!

The Quick Cut: A girl decides to get off the sidelines and stop being such a wallflower when she's stuck on a road trip with her former childhood friend.

A Real Review:
Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing the ARC for an honest review.

It's natural for people to grow apart as they get older. Sometimes common interests fade or distance makes it hard to remain close. On some occasions, the other person chooses to distance themselves. For Ellie, Jack is that person - someone who used to be his best friend and is now an enemy in this contemporary romance story.

Ellie has always been a bit of a wallflower, but she's determined to change that. With the help of her best friend, Lia, she wants to take on a list that will help her break out of her usual barriers and share her art with the world. Unfortunately, one of the items on the list goes wrong and ends with her in trouble. The consequences? She has to take her summer road trip with enemy Jack instead of best friend Lia. Can Ellie get her childhood friendship with Jack back? Or is there too much bad blood to go back?

A good story has an unspeakable magic that pulls the reader in, but this story has more than that. It's not only an enjoyable contemporary romance story with enemies forced to work together, but it also has a magical element added to the world this story takes place in. The author took a realistic environment and added magic to it's world in such a way that it feels possible to actually exist. Rather than the magic being powerful and life changing, it's limited and small and minor in nature. It's a brilliant addition that adds intrigue to an already great storyline.

Ellie and Jack are adorable in the way they compliment each other well, but don't see it for themselves. As they interact with other characters, it's clear they have issues to work through but still have strong feelings for one another. Seeing them fight and bicker and argue until they're willing to be honest with each other makes you want to see them be on solid ground again. With the personal journey that Ellie takes, it also makes you want to see her share her art with the world as well.

An enthralling contemporary romance with magic galore.

My rating: 5 out of 5

This is a YA read with the classic once enemies now friends and eventually love storyline with a side of magic. Admittedly, I wasn't sure about the magic element as that's not typically my jam, however it was written in a way that really normalized it and worked. The story centers on Ellie who is tired of being a wallflower and decides to write a list of 13 things that she believes are guaranteed to break her out of her shell throughout her summer. But then, things take a turn, and she ends up having to road trip with her once friend now enemy Jack. As you might infer, this time in car means Jack and Ellie have to talk to one another and work through some things. This was a good little read - light and fun while also having some feels throughout. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this recent July 2022 release!

Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of how whimsical and over the top sweet this was.

I feel like had this idea been given to an adult romcom without the teenage angst/drama this would have worked out better, at least for me.

That being said, I thank the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this! I don't normally gravitate towards magical realism books, but I loved the 'subtle' nods to it! And the characters were great!

Jack and Ellie used to be best friends. However, after Jack’s mother passed away, he started ignoring Ellie, quickly becoming a stranger in her eyes. When a harmless prank goes horribly wrong, Jack and Ellie are forced on a road trip together. With a sprinkle of magic at every turn, The Charmed List will surely have readers swooning over the duo as they journey together.

I didn’t quite expect the magical elements of the plot. Of course, this is a side effect of skimming the synopsis and picking up the book wholly based on vibes. While unexpected, I found I enjoyed the whimsical elements of the world. Magical realism isn't my thing so I was nervous at first that that was what The Charmed List was going to introduce. Instead, the magic reminds me of all the whimsy of the classic Sabrina the Teenage Witch. There's even an adorable dog (that, unfortunately, doesn't talk) named Mochi too!

The premise of a bucket list of goals to accomplish by a certain date, like the end of summer, is not a new idea. However, while the element can be found elsewhere like in Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney or Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson, Julie Abe puts her own spin on it by throwing magic and a road trip into the mix. Regardless of seeing the list element in other books, I must note that I adore it. If I hear about a book that has a physical list of goals the protagonist is completing, count me in. It must be the organization lover in me.

When readers think of those classic YA characters, the protagonists usually love the classics—books like Jane Austen to music like ACDC. It is absolutely refreshing to find a YA protagonist like Ellie in The Charmed List actually like books from this era. The book mentioned Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim (which is a fantastic book) and so many more.

The Charmed List has a whole lot of heart at its core. It's heartwarming and enchanting, wrapping readers in a comfortable blanket.

Ellie and Jack embark on a road trip filled with mini errands and with each stop, they get closer together. The structure of the book is absolutely lovely and endearing. It's a book about friendship and magic.

There are multiple scenes in the book where Ellie sketches her surroundings. Abe truly captures the perspective of an artist, describing the creative process in detail. It's both incredibly calming and inspirational. Plus, readers are able to receive a deeper understanding of Ellie through her work.

Road trip books are so much fun because they lead the way to so many opportunities. Authors are able to add more elements with a variety of different settings. My favorite sequence must have been the escape room challenge which sounded like so much fun. However, every time Ellie and Jack came across a magical village, I swooned. If I could live in the world Abe has created, I most definitely would.

The Charmed List by Julie Abe is the perfect beach read, complete with all the feels, romance that will have you swooning, and magic that feels both nostalgic and enchanting. Julie Abe whisks readers away on a magical road trip. You seriously do not want to miss this one.

4.5 stars

I’m sorry but this just wasn’t for me. I didn’t connect with the plot or the characters. The romance was just not good in my opinion, and the reasoning behind certain things just did not make sense to me. I wouldn’t say this was bad in any way, I think there are some who would probably really enjoy this just unfortunately was not me.

Let me start off by saying that, for the first half or so of the book, I was not particularly charmed. I felt like the book was giving cardboard cut-out vibes and that not even the Asian-American leads could make me like it. Luckily, the latter half proved me wrong as we delved more into the main characters' pasts and their relationship. I found myself genuinely caring for them at the point and rooting for a happy resolution to all their problems.

This book isn't perfect by any means, but it is a sweet rom-com with the friends to enemies to lovers trope + the only one-bed trope. I would recommend probably recommend this for the younger end of YA readers as I think it would hit best with them and also, while it has sweet moments, it has absolutely no steaminess (i.e. not even makeout sessions).

This was the cutest YA enemies to lovers read. This book had me hooked right from the start. I loved the magical elements in this book! I thought it made it so fun and unique. I thought Ellie and Jack were such sweet characters, and I loved seeing where the story would take them. This is a very slow burn romance. I would say the romance was only a small portion of the book. Overall, I thought it was a really fun YA summer read, and I would highly recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this read! I love the mix of magical in the regular world. The characters were likeable and well written. The world of the magic aware sounds like a fun one to be a part of, but don't break the rules! Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

What a sweet YA book!

Filled with young love, teen drama, frienemies to re-found friendship, and MAGIC! Magic always makes every book better!

I love the evolution of Ellie’s character from wallflower to confident young lady with the help of her “anti-wallflower list” and a long road trip with neighbor and ex-best friend Jack. Seeing their relationship blossom and rekindle through during this road trip was heartwarming!

Don’t get me started on all the Asian food and drink references! I wanted to go get a boba drink at least 30 times while reading this!

I think any teen in high school should devour this book! If I was a young teenager girl again I know I would have read it in a day!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

The charmed list.

This was a sweet cute magical story . There is great friendship then a fall out and then turn to enemies and then friends to lovers again.
I loved the magic elements which have been described well..i wanted to be a part of that world while reading it.
Recommend it to those who are looking for a light read..not much fantasy.
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.