Let's be honest, I wanted to read this book because of the cover! Then when I saw who was narrating it, I was even more intrigued. AND THEN I read the description and I knew this book was going to be gold. Was I disappointed? Nope! This was everything I hoped for.
This book was super cute and magical! I love the magic aspects of this book, with the magic village and the magic cottage. It was a simple magic that still brought a powerful punch to the story. I also enjoyed the "anti-wallflower" list aspect of the story and how it helped with the characters' development both personally and romantically. This was a great light-hearted, magical, and fun enemies-to-lovers story with some beautiful character development.

audio-specific: the narration was perfect. I love this narrator and I thought she did a fantastic job bringing the characters and story to life.

content warning: mentions of past death of parents

The Charmed List follows Ellie as she embarks on a road trip with her former best friend now kind of enemy, Jack. Magic is in the world, but not everyone is aware of it. Those like Ellie and Jack are meant to keep it a secret, but when Ellie messes up, she end up stuck in a car not with her best friend but the last person she ever wanted to travel with.

So Julie Abe is a MG author, which makes sense because this felt a little too juvenile for YA. It's full of cute things, and Ellie is unbearably naive at times, which makes her come across much younger than she's supposed to. I think I understand the author's choice for her main character. Ellie is supposed to be a shy girl, a wallflower, but she's dying to come out of her shell. This has a lot of popular tropes. Enemies to lovers, the one bed. I'm sure there are people who would enjoy the way they're portrayed here, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes...a lot. And maybe this book will speak to shy girls, but it wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Natalie Naudus was a fine narrator.

4.25⭐ for the audiobook.

A cute friends to enemies to lovers teen first love magical story.

Ellie is shy and feels invisible, so she creates a summer bucket list before her planned road trip with her BFF, Lia. Something on the list goes wrong and now she's on a road trip with her former best friend and worse nightmare, Jack.

Ellie and Jack have known each other for years and each have magical abilities. They had a falling out after Jack's mom passed away and have avoided each other since.

Somewhere along the way to the Magical Convention they realize that maybe things were misconstrued. I liked seeing Ellie come out of her wallflowerness and grow into a young lady that takes chances on life and love.

Told solely by Ellie ~ I do wish we had Jack's point of view to see if he was as mad at her and she was at him.

I am happy with Natalie Naudus's narrating skills. 7 hours and 32 minutes and easy listen at 2x.

This is an author I'd be happy to read again.

The Charmed List
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance /Rom-Com
Format: Audible
Date Published: 7/5/22
Author: Julie Abe
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrator: Natalie Naudus
Goodreads Rating: The Audible is not listed on Goodreads, overall book is 3.95

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: After spending most of high school as the quiet girl, Ellie Kobata is ready to have a life-changing summer, starting with her Anti-Wallflower List—thirteen items she’s going to check off one by one. When number four on Ellie’s list goes horribly wrong—revenge on Jack Yasuda—she’s certain her summer has gone from charmed to cursed. Instead of a road trip with Lia, Ellie finds herself stuck in a car with Jack driving to a magical convention. But as Ellie and Jack travel down the coast of California, number thirteen on her list—fall in love—may be happening without her realizing it.

My Thoughts: This was such a cute listen. The perfect summer read. The story is in the POV of Ellie, from her perspective. The narrator was amazing and was able to provide the different voices of the characters perfectly. The altitudes of the voice change really made this an enjoyable listen. The characters have depth, there is witty banter, there is chemistry between the two MCs, the supporting characters really take the story to the next level, and they were creative. The story had a magical side to it and I really loved that. Ellie really comes out of her shell throughout the story and her growth is just amazing, as well as the growth that we see Jack experience. The author’s writing style was complex, very creative, inventive, and kept me engaged the entire book. The author was brilliant in describing the California coast, you felt like you were right on the roadtrip with the characters, and felt the emotions they felt. This is a first time author for me, but not a last. I really enjoyed the audio version and highly recommend that you preorder right now for the release on Tuesday!!!

What do we love more than a good friends to enemy romance? Well a friends to enemies to lovers romance, of course!

This book is so relatable! The kid you grow up with that you know so darn well. The kid that you are inseparable from. The kid you swear you’ll be friends with forever. Until you’re not friends and, worse, you’re not entirely sure why.

We see the same thing with Ellie and Jack. They were the pair of kids that everyone would have predicted to be together forever. Life has other plans though and through grief and trauma they suddenly find themselves as enemies. A twist in fate pushes them on a road trip together where their true feelings start to show and the history that tore them apart reveals itself.

A good friendship leads to the best romance.

In this sweet YA romance, Ellie Kobata has big plans for the summer before her senior year: take a road trip with her best friend and tackle the items on the Anti-Wallflower List she has compiled. But when things go awry with one of the items on the list, Ellie is forced to take that road trip with her neighbor and childhood friend-turned-enemy, Jack Yasuda, instead of her best friend. Being trapped in a car with Jack? Maybe that Anti-Wallflower List is more of a Cursed List.

I enjoyed this one. I liked the magic woven into the story–think charms and small things, not major, life-altering (or saving) spells–and how in the process of repairing their relationship, Ellie and Jack find some healing for themselves.

This one is narrated by Natalie Naudus, who is always excellent. She captures Ellie’s excitement, hurt, anticipation, wonder, and joy.

If you are looking for a sweet summer read with a tender-hearted first love, check this one out.

Heat level: kissing only

Representation: AAPI, LGBTQ supporting characters

CW: mention of internment camps, cleft lip, grief, loss of parents

I received an advance audiobook copy from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. Review opinions are my own.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for my ARC and Macmillan Audio for my ALC of The Charmed List!

Pub date: 7/5/22
Genre: YA romance (forced proximity), magical realism
In one sentence: Ellie and Jack are friends turned enemies, but when friend Lia learns that they're part of a secret magical community, they'll be thrown together to try to make things right.

This cover is just swoonworthy, and the promise of magic drew me in! I loved getting to know Ellie and Jack - both have more to them than meets the eye - Ellie with her passion for art and Jack with the burden of family expectations. There was just the right about of magic in the book - they can do small charms that improve life, but those don't save them from your typical teenage angst.

I split my reading between text and audio, and I enjoyed both! Natalie Naudus did a great job bringing Ellie and Jack to life.

This is a closed-door romance, as are most YA romances, so there's not much steam, but it's a very sweet story. I think YA readers will enjoy this one - it's a fun, light summer read!

Ellie, a quiet girl, is ready to take risks, starting with her Anti-Wallflower list of 13 things she wants to check off during her life-changing summer.
This was a super cute YA romance with a touch of urban fantasy. I'm usually not a fan of fantasy, but this was so well done, the magic is trickling with a very light and sweet touch. This was a quick, one-sitting read, with a good plot of forced proximity romance. I recommand!
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Fun YA romance, perfect for summer. With themes of enemies to lovers; road trip; and magic. The narration here works well. The road trip itself was the best part, with the set up and wrap up a little more lackluster.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and MacMillan Audio for the Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Forced Proximity
Best Friends to Enemies to Lovers
Magic

If you love Disney Channel romances, this is the novel for you! It kind of reminded me of Wizards of Waverly Place. Ellie and jack are forced to take a road trip to the convention center for their parents' magical shops, after Ellie pranks him with fake mice and Jack accidentally exposes magic. Partway through the trip Jack finds Ellies “Anti-Wallflower List” of things she wants to get done that summer. Does she check off everything?

I read this one in less than 3 days. It was light and quick. I liked the setting the most. The magical village and the cottage were so realistic, as if this story could happen in real life. I also enjoyed how protective Jack was, showing how much he still cares. There was a lot of banter between the Ellie and Jack. However, I feel like if Ellie just breathed for a second, Jack would have been more likely or able to explain why he ‘abandoned’ her. I wish the two had more deeper conversations than about macarons. It would have been nice to hear more about what exactly happened when Jack found new friends and what they were feeling at the time.

<b>CW</b>: mentions of death of a parent from cancer, mentions of death of parents from a car accident

4.25 stars rounded down.

The Charmed List is a wonderful YA, paranormal, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, romcom with all the cutesy magic and witchy-goodness you could want.

Our two main characters were best friends throughout their early childhood years, having grown up in the magical world and working in their respective families' magical charms shops. However, their friendship drifted and turned into something negative for reasons that Ellie has struggled to understand and this shift in their relationship had a lasting impact on how she viewed herself - as a bit of a wallflower. When she writes a list of ways for her to break out of this shell and starts to tackle this list with her current best friend (who is not aware of magic), things take a drastic turn and Ellie finds herself stuck alone with Jack. The two have to work through their past and hope to come out the other side with their relationship and magic in tact.

This book was adorable, with loads of fun magic, and everyone's favorite one-bed trope. The author does a great job making the FMC relatable and the MMC redeemable, while also giving us quirky side characters with a splash of depth. While the magic system and magical politics are quickly glossed over and could use some more world building, this does not distract from the story. Think fun charms, not wands and mayhem. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a YA romcom with a touch of magic. Also, the audiobook was beautifully narrated.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Natalie Naudus, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Quick Summary: Enchanting!

My Review: I was granted an opportunity to review the audio version of The Charmed List. I ABSOLUTELY loved it!!! This teen romance/coming of age story is one of the best books I've had the pleasure of being acquainted with in 2022. It was emotional. It was sweet. It was endearing. It was magical.

The audio really brought out the characters and showcased their unique positions. I was hooked the moment the narrator started.

My Final Say: This is a keeper. <3

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T/YA
Narrator: 5/5
Keeper: Yes
Re-read: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes

Special Note: I want this Charmed story to turn into a series of books. It can be done. I know it can. I'm all for it!

Thank you to all parties who allowed me to have access to the audio version of this book. I am genuinely appreciative.

To be quite honest, I thought this book was ok. I liked the concept and liked the added plot line of them being magical teens and having to hide it.

Once the plot picked up, they started the road trip and started to TALK instead of all the scoffing (which I know is there to build tension) I found it very entertaining.

My biggest problems were the slooooow beginning and rush/forced/random ending/reason they couldn't be/weren't together. I did not buy it at all (the secondary, dad related, reason) and thought it was a sort of add on to the story. It's not a very professional evaluation but I honestly felt pretty "meh" about the whole story.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an advance e-copy for my honest review.

I did not realize this was a YA novel until I started reading it but it was a cute book for the summer. Very wholesome which is nice for YA readers. I would recommend this to middle school or even high school students as it touches on not only romantic relationships but those with family and friends. The narration was very good as well.

Jack and Ellie are forced to go on a road trip together because of a number on the wallflower list going very wrong. Only problem? They are no longer friends and Ellie can not stand Jack. Hopefully this road trip goes to plan, with the help of a little magic.

This was such a cute young adult romcom! I love the friends to enemies to lovers trope, add a little magic to the story and it makes it even better. The narrator was amazing and I would love to hear more from her. I will definitely recommend this book.
Special thanks to netgalley and McMillan audio for this audio arc in return for an honest review.

This book was perfect to chill with on these warm summer nights, with trips to an amusement park, best friends, magical spells, and the brewing of first love.

Ellie Kobata is part of a secret magical world, but that doesn’t make her any less invisible at school. Luckily she has her best friend Lia. The only problem is she can’t tell Lia about the magic; she can’t tell any non-magical.

Jack, her neighbor and childhood friend, is part of the magical world, and he and Ellie were super close until they weren’t. She wants to have a great summer before her senior year - she’s even made a list, but Jack seems to be ruining things. Now Ellie wants revenge, but her plan takes a different turn.

I’m always a sucker for stories with magic in them and I thought the magical system here was unique - not your waving of wands. Ellie and Jack’s parents own shops set in California, but they sell “charmed” products, like teas and bakery items. It was fun to see Ellie and Jack, once best friends, now enemies take a road trip to a magical convention. A very charming story full of magic and young love.

Thank you @wednesdaybooks for this gifted copy.
🎧 Thank you @macmillan.audio for the audiobook.

Jack and Ellie were childhood friends and are now enemies. They must now embark on a road trip together, when partway through Jack discovers Ellie’s “Anti-Wallflower List” of things she wants to do that summer (including revenge on him).

This book is full of longing from
Both characters and dripping with magic and those sweet teenage first love feelings. It’s a really sweet, YA romance adventure sprinkled with some extra charm(s). 😉

Ellie was such a well rounded character and it was lovely to see her transformation from timid and scared to bold and taking initiative for her own happiness. I found Jack very one dimensional, he was there to be the love interest and help move along Ellie’s story but I felt that he needed more depth and background to make him as well rounded of a character as Ellie.

The audio narrator did a fine job, I have no strong opinions either way on their performance.

4 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and MacMillan Audio for the Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was cute. I liked the magic system but honestly the book was just okay. I read it a few days ago and I’m already forgetting the details. The narrator was excellent though!

If you ever wanted a peak into the secret world of magic, this cute story. This is a friends to enemies to love story. Ellie has decided that the summer before her senior year will kick off, by completing a list to remove her of her wallflower status. After a prank on her former best friend,Jack, goes wrong and Ellie's magical secret is exposed, causing a rift with her current best friend, Lia. As punishment she and Jack are forced to handle the family business on the way to a magical convention. Along the way, Ellie begins to question if her friend, Jack is still somewhere inside, cool Jack.

LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK SO FREAKING MUCH

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this review, because this book was so unique and unlike anything I had ever read before.

It’s a classic friends to enemies to lovers and was so cute and sweet, but what made it, well, magical, was, well, THE MAGIC!

The world Julie has created is just *chef’s kiss* spectacular. It made me smile, made me feel safe and cozy, and honestly I’m so upset it isn’t real (BUT ALSO MAYBE IT IS?!)

Ellie is about to start her senior year of high school and has grand summer plans to become less of a wallflower over the summer. She and her BFF make a whole list of things to do, but when she accidentally exposes herself and her family’s INCREDIBLE magical community to those who don’t know it exists, she is forced to road trip with her nemesis to a magical convention as punishment.

Jack, Ellie’s former best friend turned nemesis, has a lot of secrets he is keeping, largely around why he has distanced himself from his childhood best friend. But when he and Ellie embark on a road trip through hidden magical communities throughout California on their way to set up their families’ booths at the magical convention, those secrets start to be shared and lots of healing and feelings start flying.

Just go into this story without knowing much and I guarantee you, you will be whisked away and craving some yummy treats that may or may not have some added charms to make you feel more brave, confident and secure.

I highly recommend this quick story of friendship, adventure and young love to EVERYONE!