The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic by Linsey Hall - Book Reviews

Series: Charming Cover #1 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 02nd June 2023

Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Lighthearted and fun 

*****

Aria is a magical disaster. She’s a witch but cannot control her magic, putting her in complex situations. She does her best to avoid using her magic but ends up messing things up anyway. When Aria’s granny asks her to come back home to Charming Cove to participate in a competition, Aria is sure she’ll fail. 

However, she has to win the competition to save their shop, Seaside Spells. If only her magic would cooperate. Of course, things get annoying when Callan Hawthrone is back in the town and a fellow competitor. She hates this rich guy, even if it is not always ‘hate’.  

Can Aria learn to control her magic, win the competition, and maybe find her HEA?

The story comes in the first-person POV of Aria (more %) and Callan. 

My Thoughts: 

After my previous read, I wanted something light and enjoyable. I couldn’t have picked a better book. This is sweet, lighthearted, entertaining, and fun. There’s nothing intense about the book, so go into it with the right expectations. 

The small town setting is magical and beautiful. Witches are common here, and people have varying degrees of magical powers. Though we don’t meet a lot of the townfolk, those we come across are supportive and friendly (except for a mandatory person). 

The book deals with topics like bullying, loss, self-worth, finding oneself, and love. However, almost everything is on the surface level. This is an advantage and a disadvantage. Only Aria trying to overcome her insecurities and understanding her magic is detailed.  

There’s a sort of enemies-to-lovers trope, but it’s resolved too easily and is based on a weak misunderstanding, so it doesn’t really count. Callan is a sweet guy and easy to like. 

The supporting characters, Gran, Tabhata, and Catrina are a treat to read. Catrina is my super favorite. Who doesn’t like a confident seven-year-old witch in two pigtails? I love this little girl. 

My favorite part of the book is when Aria understands her magic and learns to work with it. The concept is so simple yet poignant. It aligns with the indigenous way of life, where people co-exist in harmony with nature. 

The climax has some action but is resolved quickly enough to not feel boring. The ending has HEA of sorts, though we’ll see more of it in the coming books. 

I’m not sure about Callan’s first-person POV. He has a few chapters, but I found it confusing to distinguish between his voice and hers. A limited third-person would have been better for him. 

Though I wanted a lighter book, I still wish this one went a little deep to explore the character’s emotions. I couldn’t connect with the characters despite liking them. Things were a little too superficial. 

However, the pacing is steady (surprising since Aria tends to ramble), and something or the other is always happening to keep the story moving. 

Boris the Badger is fun (must say, authors are coming up with creative witch familiars), though I hope his arc won’t be restricted to eating, sleeping, and a few one-liners. The pinklings are cute, and I’d like to meet them again! 

I like the fantasy elements and magic system in this one. While it’s not fully explained, I have an idea of how it works. Hoping the elements will be explored in detail in the coming books. 

To summarize, The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic is a cozy, sweet, and simple witchy story set with a small-town feel. Grab it if you want a breather from heavy reads. There’s a mini mild steamy scene (just 2-3 paras). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bonnie Doon Press, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheModernGirlsGuidetoMagic