Sarah Hogle is a talented author known for her book "You Deserve Each Other." However, her most recent release "Just Like the Movies" showcases her amazing ability to create magical and enchanting stories. In "Just Like the Movies," Hogle takes readers on a whimsical journey filled with love, laughter, and a touch of magic. The story follows Bea, a young woman who finds herself stuck in a rut and longing for more excitement in her life. Bea often escapes into romantic comedies, imagining herself as the heroine in these films. One day, while at a movie theater, Bea encounters a strange woman who hands her a magical ticket.
"Sarah Hogle's Just Like Magic is a brilliant and totally bonkers romance told with hilarious, effervescent charm. Imagine spinning in blissful abandon amongst sparkling lights and rollicking music, then being caught by steady arms before you fall. That's what reading this book is like. It's sheer joy and true heart and utterly glorious pandemonium, and I adored it." --India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
Just Like Magic gives us the most unlikeable heroine and the most unlikely hero, and by the end you want nothing more than for them to find happiness together. Hogle has the unique ability to take an absolutely bonkers premise and spin it into an instant classic--this will be a keeper on our holiday shelf for a long time.
One day, while at a movie theater, Bea encounters a strange woman who hands her a magical ticket. This ticket has the power to transport Bea inside her favorite romantic comedies, allowing her to live out her fantasies and experience love in all its grandeur. Excited and curious, Bea decides to take a leap of faith and embarks on a thrilling adventure through various movie worlds.
Review: Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
When I’d read Sarah Hogle’s debut novel You Deserve Each Other, I fell hard and fast for her work. Her writing managed to both tickle my funny bone and track a good bucket full of tears down my cheeks. After reading the synopsis for Just Like Magic, I was intrigued by the nature and premise of the story that the book promised.
When the book begins, you find your heart heavy and your emotions tangled, unsure how to feel for the protagonist and her situation. You feel sorry for her… but you don’t particularly like her. For a good thirty percent of the book, Hogle quietly sets a stage that we don’t see the beauty of until the very end.
My biggest advice for any reader who picks up Just Like Magic is: trust the author and stick to the book. The author’s writing is what makes this whole book work. The concept of the book is bizarre, but Hogle’s words make it wonderfully so. As the pages turn you start to see deeper meaning, painful wounds and a search for love and acceptance. And who can’t relate to that? Hogle’s writing is certainly what sets her apart and can elevate any normal story to something special.
The set-up and plot is all that the blurb promises it to be. It’s about an accidental conjuring of a holiday spirit and the comical and heart moving results of it at a family Christmas holiday. However, that’s not all the book is about. The book has layers of emotions, mystery, lots of characters that you somehow grow to love, a sunshine and grump trope between the protagonists, comical lies and their even more comical consequences and most importantly: humour and love. Also a dollop of emotion that will guarantee tears during the last twenty percent of the book.
The characters in the book are aplenty, to the point that sometimes some names blur. However, Hogle intends it that way, adding humour to it and making us laugh about the confusion. She has a certain trick that she uses in her books. She writes her characters initially by shining light on all their faults—be it the protagonists or the secondary characters. Then somehow (even the reader isn’t sure when) the characters showcase parts of themselves that endear us to them. Suddenly you know everyone’s name, their favourite colour, how they take their tea and you see their vulnerabilities and their kindness. She does this with the protagonist and she does this with every single person you may have had a problem connecting with in the story.
The book never particularly felt off in its pace but post 30% it certainly feels like more. More lovely, more warm, more funny, more endearing, just more. It’s a strange happening where the reader is caught up in the protagonist’s emotional mind space; so when she’s happy you’re happy when she’s sad, you’re crying, when the things around her are in a flurry you’re flustered and when she stops to look at the sky, you breathe the quiet air right with her. I stand by my statement: Hogle’s writing is her greatest most precious asset.
In fact Just Like Magic was so beautiful to me that for the first time in my life, I wasn’t even looking for a “perfect ending”. Wherever the heroine was at that very moment felt perfect to me. That’s a great feat to achieve for me as a reader who’s constantly looking to read a typical HEA.
Additionally it’s hard to write a book that’s a cross between contemporary and a somewhat fantasy trope without the latter overtaking the former. As readers we categorise books that have even a little bit of not-real elements in them, as a fantasy book in our minds. However, at some point while I was reading, I realised Just Like Magic didn’t feel like an impossible book… it felt real. Like it could happen to you. It was like a watching a Hallmark movie! A big ten on ten from me!
Just Like Magic is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Will you be picking up Just Like Magic? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
See alsoReview: Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf
Bettie Hughes once knew the comfort of luxury, flaunting a ridiculous collection of designer shoes and a stealthy addiction to CBD oils. That is, until her parents snipped her purse strings. Long obsessed with her public image, Bettie boasts an extravagant lifestyle on social media. But the reality is: Bettie is broke and squatting in Colorado, and her family has no idea.
Christmas, with its pressure to meet familial expectations, is looming when a drunk Bettie plays a vinyl record of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” backwards and accidentally conjures Hall, an unexpectedly charming Holiday Spirit in the form of a man. Once the shock wears off, Bettie knows she’s stumbled upon the greatest gift: a chance to make all her holiday wishes come true, plus a ready-made fiancé.
But as the wiles of magic lose their charm, Bettie finds herself set off-kilter by Hall’s sweet gestures. Suddenly, Bettie is finding her heart merry and light. But the happier she gets, the shorter Hall’s time on earth grows. Can Bettie channel the Christmas spirit and learn to live with goodwill toward all men? Or will her selfish ways come back as soon as the holidays are over?
From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absurdity of family holidays and the hope of new love.
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Like Loading. Tags Share IndiaAhana started reading while she was in the womb. Or so she claims. Outside of talking about herself in third person, binge watching Asian Drama and plotting to get everyone she knows addicted to it, Ahana is an avid reader and a passionate blogger. She used to be quiet, but then she started talking about books and now she can’t stop. If you ever see someone animatedly waving their hands in the air and talking about dragons, fated-lovers and magic, that’s probably Ahana. You may not want to walk up to her, because she’ll talk your ear off about her favourite read. You can find Ahana on Goodreads.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
As she navigates different romantic storylines, Bea soon realizes that not everything is as perfect as it seems. She learns that even in the magical realm of romantic comedies, relationships have challenges and are not always as idealistic as they appear on screen. Through her experiences, Bea discovers valuable life lessons, including the importance of authenticity, communication, and self-discovery. Hogle's storytelling is captivating, weaving together the charm of romantic comedies with her own unique twists. She skillfully combines humor and heartache, creating a perfect balance that keeps readers engaged throughout the novel. The way she develops her characters is also notable, as they feel relatable and genuine, making it easy for readers to connect with them. Moreover, Hogle explores deeper themes in "Just Like the Movies," such as the unrealistic expectations set by society and the importance of embracing one's true self. Through Bea's journey, readers are reminded that real life may not always mirror the enchanting world of movies, but that doesn't make it any less extraordinary. In conclusion, Sarah Hogle's "Just Like the Movies" is a delightful and enchanting read that transports readers into a world of magic and romance. Hogle's impeccable storytelling and relatable characters make this book a must-read for fans of romantic comedies and those looking for a touch of enchantment in their lives..
Reviews for "The Magic in the Details: A Look into Sarah Hogle's Writing Style"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "Sarah Hogle Just Like Magic" based on the description, but I was left disappointed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth. The so-called "magic" in the book was barely touched upon and felt like an afterthought. The plot also felt disjointed and rushed, with the conflict resolved way too easily. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and not worth the hype.
2. Jessica - 2.5 stars
I have to admit, I was expecting so much more from "Sarah Hogle Just Like Magic". The writing style was decent, but the story itself fell flat for me. The main characters, although quirky, were not believable or relatable. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. Additionally, some of the scenes and dialogue seemed unrealistic and exaggerated. I was hoping for a whimsical and enchanting read, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.
3. Ryan - 1 star
I couldn't finish "Sarah Hogle Just Like Magic" no matter how hard I tried. The writing was confusing and the pacing was all over the place. The main character's constant inner monologue was tiresome and dragged the story down. The humor also fell flat for me, and it seemed forced and overly cheesy. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end, hoping for some kind of redemption, but it never came. This book was a complete letdown and I wouldn't recommend it.