Jaime Reviews... The Best Kind of Magic (Amber Sand #1) by Crystal Cestari
By Crystal Cestari
Published on May 16, 2017
Published by: Disney-Hyperion
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
Published by: Disney-Hyperion
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family Wicca gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific magical talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber's pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone's soul mate.
Amber works at her mother's magic shop--Windy City Magic--in downtown Chicago, and she's confident she's seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one--her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor's son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father's missing girlfriend, she's distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can't see her own match, she can see his--and it's not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn't her match?
The Best Kind of Magic is set in urban Chicago and will appeal to readers who long for magic in the real world. With a sharp-witted and sassy heroine, a quirky cast of mystical beings, and a heady dose of adventure, this novel will have you laughing out loud and questioning your belief in happy endings
The Best Kind of Magic...
This was EXACTLY what I needed! It was lighthearted and sweet and made me laugh. I needed that desperately. Crystal Cestari has written a very, well... magical story!
Amber Sand is a Matchmaker. Give her the chance to look into your eyes, and she will tell you who your true soulmate is. And she has never been wrong. She loves her magic, but there are some problems that come along with it. First of all, she comes from a long line of very powerful witches. She is the first Sand to become anything less than POWERFUL. According to her, and many others, Matchmakers are very low on the magic totem pole. And her very witchy mom doesn't do much to make Amber feel more confident. The very biggest problem about her talent? She can't see her own match. So if she tries to date, all she can see is that persons real soulmate, and what's the point of starting a real relationship.
She was okay with this until Charlie Blitzman waltzes into her life, asking for her help. As Amber starts to realize there is more to Charlie than being the most-wanted, handsome mayor's son, she starts to fall for him. But every time she looks in his eyes, she sees his match. Major bummer! What ensues is a race to save Charlies dad from himself, battling feelings Amber is scared to feel, the ups and downs of BFF's, and mother/daughter relationship drama. And it is all so very fun!
Amber is a hoot! She is sarcastic, funny, and proud of her gift regardless of the stigma. Her relationship with her BFF Amani is a wonderful addition to the story. I also adored the slow growth in Amber and her mothers relationship. And the friendship to maybe something more relationship between Charlie and Amber was just precious.
The Best Kind of Magic is definitely about magic and magical beings, but even more than that it is about relationships and the struggles, changes and triumphs that come from them. I loved both aspects of the story in equal measure.
The end of the book is tied up quite nicely, but I am very happy to see what comes in the next Amber Sand adventure. All I could hope for is more wonderful Charlie and Amber moments, fun and sassy BFF moments for Amber and Amani, and more growth in the Sand family relationship. For some strange reason, I don't believe that Ms. Cestari is going to disappoint!!
Jaime Lynn
