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crackedspines_'s review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Rep: pansexual main character, lesbian* Chinese love interest, sapphic side character, genderfluid side character
OVERALL: There’s Magic Between Us was a sweet, enjoyable read centered on magic, self discovery, and queer joy. I had some issues but overall I loved it and highly recommend it.
PLOT: The pacing worked really nicely for this story, and the plot twists! Every one surprised me even more than the last, but there was enough buildup to each one that they felt realistic for the story + characters.
SETTING AND WORLD-BUILDING: There are two main settings, Fairbrooke/the forest and Fierborne , and they’re both so captivating. The settings and magic system are very well-developed. The magical elements are strongly present, but not so much that it’s overwhelming. I’d still categorize this as magical realism. I wish I could spend more time in the forest!
WRITING: Overall, the writing was nice. I don’t have any strong feelings about it. But there were parts that were repetitive, where I wish the author had come up with a different detail to focus on or way to describe the situation. There was also one line that felt somewhat trans exclusionary. When Lydia and Eden meet, Lydia thinks “I do sort of want to find out if she’s into girls, though. It’s always good to know if your friends are some flavor of queer or not.” It’s not blatantly transphobic or anything, but it does imply that by finding out if Eden likes girls she will inherently know if Eden is queer or not.
CHARACTERS: Lydia, the main character, is headstrong and fierce, and she made for a fascinating POV character. I loved her at the beginning of the book, but also loved seeing her development. I also loved Eden’s character; her backstory was very well-developed! But I had some issues with the Asian rep there. Eden is Chinese and is described several times as having “golden skin,” but she’s depicted as very pale on the cover. If she has gold skin, the cover should reflect that, and it’s not realistic for her to blush, which she did once towards the end of the book. If she’s pale-skinned, gold is not an appropriate descriptor.
*the word “lesbian” is never specifically used, but when the love interest is asked about what she looks for in a potential partner, she only mentions girls.
OVERALL: There’s Magic Between Us was a sweet, enjoyable read centered on magic, self discovery, and queer joy. I had some issues but overall I loved it and highly recommend it.
PLOT: The pacing worked really nicely for this story, and the plot twists! Every one surprised me even more than the last, but there was enough buildup to each one that they felt realistic for the story + characters.
SETTING AND WORLD-BUILDING: There are two main settings, Fairbrooke/the forest and
WRITING: Overall, the writing was nice. I don’t have any strong feelings about it. But there were parts that were repetitive, where I wish the author had come up with a different detail to focus on or way to describe the situation. There was also one line that felt somewhat trans exclusionary. When Lydia and Eden meet, Lydia thinks “I do sort of want to find out if she’s into girls, though. It’s always good to know if your friends are some flavor of queer or not.” It’s not blatantly transphobic or anything, but it does imply that by finding out if Eden likes girls she will inherently know if Eden is queer or not.
CHARACTERS: Lydia, the main character, is headstrong and fierce, and she made for a fascinating POV character. I loved her at the beginning of the book, but also loved seeing her development. I also loved Eden’s character; her backstory was very well-developed! But I had some issues with the Asian rep there. Eden is Chinese and is described several times as having “golden skin,” but she’s depicted as very pale on the cover. If she has gold skin, the cover should reflect that, and it’s not realistic for her to blush, which she did once towards the end of the book. If she’s pale-skinned, gold is not an appropriate descriptor.
*the word “lesbian” is never specifically used, but when the love interest is asked about what she looks for in a potential partner, she only mentions girls.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
reading_meg's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
If you like lighthearted adventure, family secrets, and sapphic romance, There’s Magic Between Us is for you! This story features a Chicago teenager ending up at her grandmas house in the middle of nowhere for a week. While trying to fill her time, she stumbles upon a mystery in the forest that leads to questions she didn’t realize she had.
Also, the best part of this book was all of the incredible descriptions of the forest! I read this in the mountains, and I’d highly recommend trying to read this one outside to help it feel even more magical!
Also, the best part of this book was all of the incredible descriptions of the forest! I read this in the mountains, and I’d highly recommend trying to read this one outside to help it feel even more magical!
popthebutterfly's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
Disclaimer:. I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: There's Magic Between Us
Author: Jillian Maria
Book Series: Standalone for now
Diversity: Pansexual MC, F/f romance, Lesbian love interest, Gender fluid side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adults, fantasy, fae, sapphic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 324
Recommended Age: 14+ (Language, Parental death, Teen pregnancy, Kidnapping mention, Victim blaming)
Explanation of CWs:
Synopsis: A diehard city girl, 16-year-old Lydia Barnes is reluctant to spend a week in her grandma’s small town. But hidden beneath Fairbrooke’s exterior of shoddy diners and empty farms, there’s a forest that calls to her. In it, she meets Eden: blunt, focused, and fascinating. She claims to be hunting fae treasure, and while Lydia laughs it off at first, it quickly becomes obvious that Eden’s not joking—magic is real.
Lydia joins the treasure hunt, thrilled by all the things it offers her. Things like endless places in the forest to explore and a friendship with Eden that threatens to blossom into something more. But even as she throws herself into her new adventure, some questions linger. Why did her mom keep magic a secret? Why do most of the townspeople act like the forest is evil? It seems that, as much as Lydia would like to pretend otherwise, not everything in Fairbrooke is as bright and easy as a new crush…
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and magical. I loved the characters and I really really loved how strong willed and sassy Lydia, our MC, was. I also loved the world building and the character development of all of the characters. I really loved the addition of the fae magic as well and I liked that it didn't lean too heavily on fae. I thought the plot was great and if you're looking for a quick sapphic read then this will be your book!
The only issues I had with the book is that I felt like the book had too fast of a pace for some of the moments. Sometimes I'd be reading and it felt like I was running 100mph and I'd blink and we'd be at another section of the book. I also thought the ending was too fast and I wish there was more time to have carved it out some more.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: There's Magic Between Us
Author: Jillian Maria
Book Series: Standalone for now
Diversity: Pansexual MC, F/f romance, Lesbian love interest, Gender fluid side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adults, fantasy, fae, sapphic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 324
Recommended Age: 14+ (Language, Parental death, Teen pregnancy, Kidnapping mention, Victim blaming)
Explanation of CWs:
Synopsis: A diehard city girl, 16-year-old Lydia Barnes is reluctant to spend a week in her grandma’s small town. But hidden beneath Fairbrooke’s exterior of shoddy diners and empty farms, there’s a forest that calls to her. In it, she meets Eden: blunt, focused, and fascinating. She claims to be hunting fae treasure, and while Lydia laughs it off at first, it quickly becomes obvious that Eden’s not joking—magic is real.
Lydia joins the treasure hunt, thrilled by all the things it offers her. Things like endless places in the forest to explore and a friendship with Eden that threatens to blossom into something more. But even as she throws herself into her new adventure, some questions linger. Why did her mom keep magic a secret? Why do most of the townspeople act like the forest is evil? It seems that, as much as Lydia would like to pretend otherwise, not everything in Fairbrooke is as bright and easy as a new crush…
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and magical. I loved the characters and I really really loved how strong willed and sassy Lydia, our MC, was. I also loved the world building and the character development of all of the characters. I really loved the addition of the fae magic as well and I liked that it didn't lean too heavily on fae. I thought the plot was great and if you're looking for a quick sapphic read then this will be your book!
The only issues I had with the book is that I felt like the book had too fast of a pace for some of the moments. Sometimes I'd be reading and it felt like I was running 100mph and I'd blink and we'd be at another section of the book. I also thought the ending was too fast and I wish there was more time to have carved it out some more.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
theinen's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
i am a simple woman. its casually gay and a fun read? easy five stars. I also really loved the magic forest aesthetic -- it reminded me a lot of one of my favorite books when I was a teen (fablehaven). Really the only negative thing I can say is that there isn't a lot of room for a sequel haha.
avalonroselin's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.75
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
And honestly? This book is FANTASTIC. It may just be the perfect summer read, capturing the vibe of spending a week in a small town and searching for fun... and then getting caught in in a magical quest.
I'm still finding the words to express how much I enjoyed reading this book, but the best I can do is: There's Magic Between Us is the queer summer romance I always wanted to read growing up and I'm so glad that it exists.
And honestly? This book is FANTASTIC. It may just be the perfect summer read, capturing the vibe of spending a week in a small town and searching for fun... and then getting caught in in a magical quest.
I'm still finding the words to express how much I enjoyed reading this book, but the best I can do is: There's Magic Between Us is the queer summer romance I always wanted to read growing up and I'm so glad that it exists.
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping
joceraptor's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Lydia is off to visit her grandma for a week in summer. She's unfamiliar with the small town (outside of knowing it shut its gates on her own mother as a teen mom) but quickly is drawn to the otherworldly forest on the outskirts, and the cute girl, Eden, she meets there. What unfolds is a sweet and charming story of one sarcastic, pansexual city girl helping the mysterious townie find magical items in the woods.
Through the quests, more secrets come to light, but Lydia's curiosity only extends so far. She's inherited quite a bit of resentment and staunchly refuses to build lasting relationships in order to protect herself. Mostly she wants to have fun, and if she stumbles on magic and summer romance in the meantime, all the better!
I found her outlook refreshing for this brand of YA fantasy. She walks the line between too cynical and too naive well. The plot reveals aren't wholly surprising, but they worked for this story. There's a lot of cute moments between Lydia and her mom, Lydia and her grandma she's only starting to get to know, and obviously Lydia and her love interest. It was a fun time with lots of casual queerness -- there's also a genderfluid side character that shows up now and then, and grandma hasn't thought much about labeling sexuality but is also not straight. Recommended if you want a contemporary YA fantasy with a slight mystery bend.
Through the quests, more secrets come to light, but Lydia's curiosity only extends so far. She's inherited quite a bit of resentment and staunchly refuses to build lasting relationships in order to protect herself. Mostly she wants to have fun, and if she stumbles on magic and summer romance in the meantime, all the better!
I found her outlook refreshing for this brand of YA fantasy. She walks the line between too cynical and too naive well. The plot reveals aren't wholly surprising, but they worked for this story. There's a lot of cute moments between Lydia and her mom, Lydia and her grandma she's only starting to get to know, and obviously Lydia and her love interest. It was a fun time with lots of casual queerness -- there's also a genderfluid side character that shows up now and then, and grandma hasn't thought much about labeling sexuality but is also not straight. Recommended if you want a contemporary YA fantasy with a slight mystery bend.
caseythereader's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
- This is going to be less of a review of THERE'S MAGIC BETWEEN US and more of a QUEER SCREAMING post - I loved this book so much! Faeries! Quests! Pansexuality! Gender fluidity!
- Lydia is gloriously sarcastic and impulsive and a bit of a disaster and I loved that she never let anyone get away with being rude to her.
- The magic in this book is revealed so wonderfully, starting off shiny and sunlit and turning dark and urgent. The small town it's set in is also feels quite real for how short the book is.
- I loved that Lydia and Eden weren't always a perfect, meant to be match: they have misunderstandings and arguments, and they have to learn to work together.
- It's just so cute, I don't know what else to say, haha. Perfect for if you're looking for a book to devour in a weekend, or have a young person in your life who could use a queernorm fantasy to dive into.
- Lydia is gloriously sarcastic and impulsive and a bit of a disaster and I loved that she never let anyone get away with being rude to her.
- The magic in this book is revealed so wonderfully, starting off shiny and sunlit and turning dark and urgent. The small town it's set in is also feels quite real for how short the book is.
- I loved that Lydia and Eden weren't always a perfect, meant to be match: they have misunderstandings and arguments, and they have to learn to work together.
- It's just so cute, I don't know what else to say, haha. Perfect for if you're looking for a book to devour in a weekend, or have a young person in your life who could use a queernorm fantasy to dive into.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Grief, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Violence
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