Take a photo of a barcode or cover
lindsaymck 's review for:
A Little Magic
by Lindsey Lanza
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nostalgia and deep emotional ties bind Eliana (Ellie) Klein and Theo Fox together as their love story unfolds between present day moments and the sentimental chapters of their past. This dual timeline and dual POV story has such a unique structure as we slowly uncover the truth behind what broke this couple apart almost a decade ago and how they can heal their broken hearts after all this time. When Ellie’s travel blog job, a massive snowstorm, and Theo’s cozy cabin put them face-to-face with the soulmate they lost in the magical place where it all began between them, they can finally seize the second chance they both want more than anything.
Ellie and Theo met as children in Sugar Valley Village, his family’s winter fun attraction, when she was 9 and he was 11. A secret friendship builds as they support one another through chronic illness and unimaginable loss, both of which are handled with such care and tenderness. It’s important to note that the shift in their relationship as they age is NEVER creepy - Theo is a cinnamon roll who is basically a part of her family and would never mistreat her. In fact, he pretty much treats her better than anyone in her family! Soon their hidden glances and stolen moments escalate into the type of first love that puts butterflies in your stomach and hearts in your eyes. Their bond perfectly captures the magic of a first love and how that honesty, vulnerability, and connection is often unmatched.
Theo may be Ellie’s first love, but he also happens to be her older brother’s best friend. Ezra struggles with a lot of resentment for the attention and favoritism Ellie gets from their parents because of her lupus and is definitely possessive over his best friend. Little does he know that - right under his nose - Ellie and Theo’s friendship grows into the love of a lifetime.
Unfortunately, even soulmates are susceptible to a miscommunication trope. Now a retired NHL player who purchased his family’s winter wonderland, Theo is finding that the only thing missing is the one person he wants to share it with. Ellie escaped her overbearing parents who treated her like she was made of glass and the distant brother who never wanted her around to claim her independence on the opposite side of the country. Although Theo and Ellie both achieved what they set out to do, they are realizing that there is no feeling whole and fulfilled without the other. The family drama at the root of the heartbreak is layered and complicated, but is given enough attention to show growth and hope… and maybe even fuel for another book/redemption arc!
There is a balance between sensitivity and candor between Ellie and Theo that just makes it feel like they were meant for each other. That’s really freakin hard to accomplish on top of navigating the timelines, emotional intimacy, and family drama. Lindsey Lanza made their bond feel as simple and natural as it was epic and rare while weaving this complex narrative over 9 flashbacks of Christmases/birthdays and 8 present-day nights of Hanukkah. 👏🏼
I will never not be thinking about the cute collective animal nouns, SNOW GLOBES, and letters. Theo makes sentimentality an ART.