THE CHARMED LIST

Ellie is thrown together with her ex–best friend in this work that weaves light fantasy elements into a contemporary romance.

Junior year is over, and Japanese American Ellie Kobata is excited to start her summer road trip with her best friend, Lia Park. They’re driving from Palo Alto to the California Magical Retailers’ Convention in Huntington Beach: Ellie, who is from a sorcerer family, will work the trade show while Lia, who is non-magic-aware, visits family. Ellie’s family has a tea shop, and the joy charm they use gives their tea a little something extra. Ever since Jack Yasuda, her Italian and Japanese childhood best friend whose parents run CharmWorks (“basically the Walmart version of charm shops”), abruptly dropped her in middle school, Ellie began to feel invisible. She has created an Anti-Wallflower List consisting of 13 things to challenge herself and show who she truly is. Seeking revenge on Jack is on there, but when her prank goes wrong, it has consequences for Lia and their friendship, and Ellie is forced to drive to CMRC with Jack instead. The trip starts off awkwardly, but with time, Ellie sees the old Jack she remembers and realizes that there is more to him—and maybe more to their relationship. Abe’s sweet, fun coming-of-age tale incorporates themes of friendship and family in a beautifully described world with captivating details, including enchantments and secret magical cottages.

Rom-com lovers will be charmed by this magical story.