Sarah Hogoe, an accomplished magician, has captivated audiences around the world with her incredible talent and charm. From a young age, Sarah displayed a natural flair for illusions and sleight of hand, leaving her friends and family in awe of her abilities. Growing up, Sarah honed her skills through countless hours of practice and dedication. She studied under renowned magicians, learning the art of misdirection and the secrets behind complex tricks. It wasn't long before Sarah's name started to make waves in the magic community. Sarah's performances are nothing short of mesmerizing.
"A hilarious holiday romp with a splash of magic." --Paste Magazine
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. by Sarah Hogle Publication Date October 4, 2022 Published by Penguin Purchase Here Buy on Amazon US - Buy on Apple - Buy on Kobo - Buy on Google - Buy at Barnes and Noble - Buy on Waterstones - Buy on Audible - Buy on Amazon UK Goodreads Genres Fiction Holidays, Fiction Romance Contemporary, Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Pages 368 Format ARC Reading Challenges 12 Books of Christmas 2022.
Sarah's performances are nothing short of mesmerizing. With each flick of her wrist and wave of her wand, she transports her audience into a world of wonder and disbelief. From mind-reading to levitation, Sarah's repertoire of magic tricks knows no bounds.
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.
What sets Sarah apart is not just her technical skill, but also her stage presence. She exudes an undeniable charisma that draws people in and keeps them on the edge of their seats. Sarah engages with her audience, making them feel like active participants in her magical journey. But Sarah's magic isn't limited to the stage. Offstage, she is also a philanthropist who uses her talent to bring joy and amazement to children in need. Sarah regularly visits hospitals and orphanages, performing tricks and spreading smiles to those who need it most. Her acts of kindness extend beyond her magic, as she often donates a portion of her earnings to various charities. Sarah Hogoe has earned a reputation as one of the most talented and beloved magicians of her generation. Her performances are filled with awe-inspiring moments, leaving audiences clamoring for more. Sarah's dedication, skill, and altruism make her a true magician, both on and off the stage..
Reviews for "Connecting with the Divine: Sarah Hogoe's Magical Artistic Spirituality"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Sarah Hogoe: Just Like Magic". The writing style felt forced and amateurish, and the plot was predictable and lackluster. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions often felt unrealistic. Overall, it felt like a hastily put together novel that didn't deliver on its promising premise. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written story.
2. Emily - 1/5
"Sarah Hogoe: Just Like Magic" was a complete waste of time. The story lacked depth and substance, and the characters were incredibly unlikable. The author seemed to rely on clichés and stereotypes, which made the reading experience frustrating and unenjoyable. The dialogue was unrealistic and often cringe-worthy. I regret picking up this book and would advise others to stay away from it.
3. Michelle - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Sarah Hogoe: Just Like Magic" but found it to be disappointing. The plot felt disjointed and poorly executed, with several loose ends left untied. The writing style was messy and confusing, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the romance aspect of the book felt rushed and forced. Overall, it didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. David - 2/5
"Sarah Hogoe: Just Like Magic" lacked originality and failed to hold my interest. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it hard to feel invested in their predicaments. The pacing was inconsistent, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me and I wouldn't recommend it.