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A review by theespressoedition
Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is officially a new favorite holiday book. You can guarantee that I'll be reading it every single December from here on out.
Imagine a festive romcom where the very snobby influencer protagonist summons the "Holiday Spirit" by playing Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You backward. That Holiday Spirit happens to be a very, very handsome man whose personality is like Buddy the Elf and whose "restrictions" are like Frosty the Snowman. It's an absolute clusterfluff of hilarity and hijinks.
I truly haven't laughed this hard while reading a book... I don't know... ever? There were a few times that my laughter was so hard that I actually cried a little bit. Even though I thought "gosh, this book is so bad" when I first started reading (namely because I don't enjoy seeing snobby influencers as protagonists, since it gives a bad rep to influencers/content creators/bloggers as a whole), it turned out to be so wildly entertaining that I stopped caring if it was "good" or "bad" and really just enjoyed the story for what it was.
There's something to be said for romantic comedies that actually provide the comedy part and do it really well. I so rarely see this being the case and especially when it comes to festive books, it should be more of a thing. I don't want any more dramatic, sad, angsty holiday books. I want something that brings Christmas cheer - and Just Like Magic definitely did that.
I honestly can't wait to read this one again. If it's on your list, prioritize it. You can thank me later.
Imagine a festive romcom where the very snobby influencer protagonist summons the "Holiday Spirit" by playing Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You backward. That Holiday Spirit happens to be a very, very handsome man whose personality is like Buddy the Elf and whose "restrictions" are like Frosty the Snowman. It's an absolute clusterfluff of hilarity and hijinks.
I truly haven't laughed this hard while reading a book... I don't know... ever? There were a few times that my laughter was so hard that I actually cried a little bit. Even though I thought "gosh, this book is so bad" when I first started reading (namely because I don't enjoy seeing snobby influencers as protagonists, since it gives a bad rep to influencers/content creators/bloggers as a whole), it turned out to be so wildly entertaining that I stopped caring if it was "good" or "bad" and really just enjoyed the story for what it was.
There's something to be said for romantic comedies that actually provide the comedy part and do it really well. I so rarely see this being the case and especially when it comes to festive books, it should be more of a thing. I don't want any more dramatic, sad, angsty holiday books. I want something that brings Christmas cheer - and Just Like Magic definitely did that.
I honestly can't wait to read this one again. If it's on your list, prioritize it. You can thank me later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Sexual content