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kbilodeau114's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lilian_1202's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
thenameslus's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jacehan's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story, it was fun and charming, and I found the bi awakening part to be pretty on point. Where I think it was lacking was leaving so many things in the worldbuilding unsaid. Based on other reviews it sounds like this might have been in response to being too info-dumpy in an earlier version, but I think it went too far the other way, having all these terms and hinting at what they are but never getting at, why, Displaying or Divulging, etc, would be a big deal.
writtenechoes's review against another edition
4.0
I had an absolute blast reading this, why lie. Tbh it handled bi awakening and homophobia in sports really well. I also very much fell in love with Matthew while reading this and wouldn’t have minded the story being 100% from his pov. I do think there was a missed opportunity in the exploration of AB’s anxiety / issues and also in how the bond will effect them going forward but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment overall.
s_smith's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
norassick's review against another edition
4.0
AB AND MATTY <33
another hockey-adjacent romance omg I'm going to have a phd in these
another hockey-adjacent romance omg I'm going to have a phd in these
notamy's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
kaitlin_durante's review against another edition
3.0
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
The Magic Between by Stephanie Hoyt is a new standalone magical romance. AB Cerise is a rockstar who lives his life in fear of his magic being found out. He trusts his band, closest friends and his family and that’s about it. After an incident at one of his concerts he is particularly paranoid and his biggest fear comes true when it happens again over brunch. Matthew Hellman-Levoie is a hockey playing legacy and art student who believes in magical mates and true love. He never expects his magic to link him inexplicably to someone who couldn’t be more different but what’s the harm in seeing if magic has found his match?
AB Cerise has his OCD manifest in his fear of his magic exposing itself and impacting his life and career. He has such a close group of friends and family that support his decision but he never expects a stranger to come along and help him gain the control he’s always looked for. AB is out and proud of his bisexuality. He’s never hidden it and doesn’t plan to, no matter what the public tries to say. He decides that there’s no harm in getting to know Matthew better by setting boundaries and keeping it platonic. He never expects Matthew to take on such an important role in his life.
Matthew Hellman-Levoie is a legacy hockey player with an artist’s heart. He has grown up believing there is a magical mate out there meant for him that would help bring his world into focus. He is shocked when his magic reaches out to AB because he always assumed there’d be a romantic aspect to the bonding. Matthew’s never opened his mind to the possibilities beyond identifying as straight due to unwelcoming environment of the NHL towards queer people and never experiencing a connection with anyone besides women. He finds himself opening up to AB in ways he never expected but keeps from going all-in due to his impending future and the implications of their bond.
“AB” Matthew says his name so softly, so gently, AB has to bite his fist not to scream.
“All I ever needed was for you to say you want this too.”
I have aspects of this book that I thoroughly enjoyed namely all the characters and the richness of their development. The MCs had me needing to see how their relationship progressed, changed and grew. I loved AB from the beginning and Matthew grew on me as I got to know him. I also loved all the side characters who helped AB and Matthew figure out their bond and provide unrelenting support. That being said, I struggled hard with the pacing and formatting of this book. The inclusion of alternative media communications (twitter and texting) usually work for me but I found it wasn’t always easy to tell that it had changed over from the story to the text/twitter feeds. This book also dragged in certain ways because as the characters got to know each other not a lot else happened of substance that kept you interested besides the connection I felt towards AB and Matthew.
3.5 stars for two unlikely men finding their magic bonds them in unexpected ways.
The Magic Between by Stephanie Hoyt is a new standalone magical romance. AB Cerise is a rockstar who lives his life in fear of his magic being found out. He trusts his band, closest friends and his family and that’s about it. After an incident at one of his concerts he is particularly paranoid and his biggest fear comes true when it happens again over brunch. Matthew Hellman-Levoie is a hockey playing legacy and art student who believes in magical mates and true love. He never expects his magic to link him inexplicably to someone who couldn’t be more different but what’s the harm in seeing if magic has found his match?
AB Cerise has his OCD manifest in his fear of his magic exposing itself and impacting his life and career. He has such a close group of friends and family that support his decision but he never expects a stranger to come along and help him gain the control he’s always looked for. AB is out and proud of his bisexuality. He’s never hidden it and doesn’t plan to, no matter what the public tries to say. He decides that there’s no harm in getting to know Matthew better by setting boundaries and keeping it platonic. He never expects Matthew to take on such an important role in his life.
Matthew Hellman-Levoie is a legacy hockey player with an artist’s heart. He has grown up believing there is a magical mate out there meant for him that would help bring his world into focus. He is shocked when his magic reaches out to AB because he always assumed there’d be a romantic aspect to the bonding. Matthew’s never opened his mind to the possibilities beyond identifying as straight due to unwelcoming environment of the NHL towards queer people and never experiencing a connection with anyone besides women. He finds himself opening up to AB in ways he never expected but keeps from going all-in due to his impending future and the implications of their bond.
“AB” Matthew says his name so softly, so gently, AB has to bite his fist not to scream.
“All I ever needed was for you to say you want this too.”
I have aspects of this book that I thoroughly enjoyed namely all the characters and the richness of their development. The MCs had me needing to see how their relationship progressed, changed and grew. I loved AB from the beginning and Matthew grew on me as I got to know him. I also loved all the side characters who helped AB and Matthew figure out their bond and provide unrelenting support. That being said, I struggled hard with the pacing and formatting of this book. The inclusion of alternative media communications (twitter and texting) usually work for me but I found it wasn’t always easy to tell that it had changed over from the story to the text/twitter feeds. This book also dragged in certain ways because as the characters got to know each other not a lot else happened of substance that kept you interested besides the connection I felt towards AB and Matthew.
3.5 stars for two unlikely men finding their magic bonds them in unexpected ways.