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Windy City Magic, Book 1: The Best Kind of Magic
Windy City Magic, Book 1: The Best Kind of Magic | Crystal Cestari
24 posts | 21 read | 77 to read
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.
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review
BarbaraJean
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This was a light, fun YA read—just what I needed in the midst of some heavy Old Testament reading! It‘s an interesting concept—a matchmaker who can see everyone else‘s true love, but not her own. I loved Amber‘s sarcasm & wit, balanced by her firm belief in true love. I also enjoyed the way the book explores enjoying the present, and whether love is worth it if it might not be forever. A great pick if you enjoy YA with a dash of magic & romance.

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BarbaraJean
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Errors in published books are one of my pet peeves... no doubt my fellow Littens can sympathize. I‘m enjoying this book, but then I came across this. Seriously?!? 🤯😡 I want to quote Princess Bride: “I do not think it means what you think it means.”

TheBookgeekFrau I love finding mistakes, they make me chuckle 🤷‍♀️ 5y
BarbaraJean @C.Perone It depends on the mistake for me! Sometimes they make me laugh, sometimes they‘re easy to excuse, but somehow this one really bothered me—probably because it conveys the opposite of its intended meaning! 5y
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Than/then is hard... but not as hard as affect/effect 5y
See All 6 Comments
Tamarity Maybe he‘s masochistic and after his time alone he hangs out with his ex-girlfriends and former employers...🤫 (edited) 5y
BarbaraJean @Tamarity 😂 Exactly! Because I do enjoy hanging out with people who don‘t value me, but only after some time alone. (edited) 5y
ShyBookOwl Lol I usually laugh or huff angrily, but then I have to tell myself to relax. Editors and proof readers are people too. 5y
45 likes1 stack add6 comments
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BarbaraJean
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”If you are someone who enjoys group projects, then you are probably the reason they are the worst.”

😂🤣

Leftcoastzen 😂👍 5y
M.V Hahaha 😂 5y
AlaMich Ha! I thought it was just me!! 5y
60 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Mimi28
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@Jas16 Thanks for the #jb #justbecause Litsy TBR surprise!! It really brightened my weekend. I got it Saturday but I have been sooo exhausted. Thank You for your kindness and the inspirational post card. I really appreciate it. I will be sending you something shortly. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Here‘s #Ozzie #catsoflitsy

Jas16 I am so arrived. I have been thinking about you. ❤️ 5y
Mimi28 @Jas16 Thanks for your support I really appreciate it. It really brightened my weekend!! ❤️❤️ I hope all is well with you too!! 5y
Dragon 😻 5y
65 likes3 comments
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BarbaraJean
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Such a lovely #FallingForFallSwap box from @Shadowfat !! Thank you so much!! The hot chocolate looks yummy, the candles smell fantastic, and such a cute tote & pair of socks! And these sweet books from my TBR are just perfect. (Both are #blameitonLitsy, of course!) This is a wonderful way to kick off the fall season (and it will be cool enough for hot chocolate here eventually!!). Thank you again!

Avanders ❤️🧡💛🎃🍁🍂😍 6y
67 likes1 comment
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maximoffs
Pickpick

This book was HELLA cute. I loved that it seemed like Harry Potter in the way that the real world still exists, and magic hides in the most obvious places. This was such a great book and I can‘t wait for the second.

55 likes2 stack adds
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kate_reads
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I‘m helping Disney Hyperion with a Valentine‘s Day promo and the books are the cutest 🤗 #bookmail

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TracyReadsBooks
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Pickpick

Amber Sand was born into a family of powerful witches. The problem is she isn‘t much of a witch. Her only power, in fact, is matchmaking—she can find your perfect match & is always right except about herself. She can‘t see her match & that complicates things when the mayor‘s son asks her for helping finding out what happened to his dad‘s missing girlfriend. A fun, quick read perfect for the younger end of YA. The Chicago setting is also great.

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TracyReadsBooks
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From turn-of-the-century Chicago to the present day city. Instead of farmers, witches, and, I suspect, lots of shenanigans. I‘m expecting a quick, fun read—assuming I can finish it before my daughter swipes it!

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teayako
Pickpick

This book was awesome! It was plot driven and the characters were interesting!

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Branwen
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This book looks so sweet and fun! I couldn't resist it in the bookstore today! :-) And it's good to know that Roxas approves too! ;) #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #readingcompanion

JazzFeathers And what about that sweet kitty? 😍 7y
Branwen @JazzFeathers Roxas is my little troublemaker! I'm always impressed when he sits still for pictures! :-) 7y
JazzFeathers @Branwen l belive cars knows how to pose for picture. They are born top models 😉 7y
Branwen @JazzFeathers Hahaha! I think you're right! :-) 7y
kspenmoll Your kitty looks like my Poe - rabbit ears! 7y
31 likes5 comments
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Jas16
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Pickpick

I loved this YA about a teenage matchmaker. Amber works in her mother's magic store in Chicago and is able to tell someone who their true love is, or isn't, after a few moments of direct eye contact. The only match she cannot see is her own. A great cast of characters, a world sprinkled with assorted magical beings from sirens to trolls, and a sarcastic teenaged heroine mean I have a new series to follow.
#Litsyatoz

48 likes6 stack adds
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nicholes.book.nook
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I seem to be fighting for time to cozy up with a book these days. I'm moving in less than two weeks (packing) and I have an energetic toddler.
I'm currently enjoying this fun little #arc I got a bit back from #NetGalley
YA + magic + 💕= happy me! So far, it's a sweet and fun read. I'm really enjoying it during my short reading allowances!

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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Pickpick

This book was adorable!

It was eary to see my high school social organization and my attitude of heavy sarcasm displayed. The banter involving Amber was so near and dear to my heart and is how I tend to communicate as well.

The romances are cute and complex and there's variations in each of them which I loved.

Well written and I'm really curious to see what the plot for the sequel will be. It's kind of fantasy but also magical realism

150 likes9 stack adds
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SassenachTheBookWizard
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So excited to read this one. It came in last months ShelfLove Crate box (which was amazing). The cover is awesome and I lovvvvvvve me some witches

Mimi28 Magic, here in Chicago?! Sold!! 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @Mimi28 lol that's why it's called Windy City Magic. Made sense after I read it was based in Chicago 7y
Mimi28 Yep! We are the Windy City! lol I don't know the nicknames of any other cities except New York - The Big Apple, lol 7y
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Kshakal That cover is gorgeous!! 7y
LuLeeBelle So pretty 😍 7y
DimeryRene Isosnshduwjyicnsh *excited noise.. stacked because of the cover. 7y
Lyn-Mara I want that cover on my shelf! 😍 7y
142 likes11 stack adds7 comments
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Lonopia
Best Kind of Magic | Crystal Cestari
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Loved the unique take that Crystal took with her book. It was fun and magical and completely unique. I couldn't help but relate to the main character and can't wait for book 2. If you want a light fun summer read, this is it!❤️

6 likes2 stack adds
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lauras.enchanted.library
Best Kind of Magic | Crystal Cestari
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Pickpick

I LOVED this book!!

Witty banter, fabulous plot, and amazing characters, this book was literally perfect.

I couldn't get enough of it ♥️♥️

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SassenachTheBookWizard
Best Kind of Magic | Crystal Cestari
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Another book added to the TBR pile! It was included in the ShelfLove Crates May box

[DELETED] 206653737 That sounds really good, I've stacked it! 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Beautiful cover! 7y
CaitZ That looks really interesting and it's set in Chicago. Onto my TBR list it goes 7y
MimiLovesToRead Love this cover! 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @MimiLovesToRead right?! How do publishers have covers like this and then release books with those stupid cheesey covers? 7y
98 likes9 stack adds5 comments
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crystalcestari
Best Kind of Magic | Crystal Cestari
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Coming this spring! ✨This magical realism story follows Amber Sand, a matchmaker who can actually see true love. Trouble is, she can't use her Cupid's arrow on herself, so when she starts having feelings for someone who is clearly matched with another, Amber starts to question her steadfast beliefs in destiny and fate. Follow this salty but sweet heroine as she follows her heart!

[DELETED] 1409720085 Yay! So exciting! 7y
crystalcestari @emilydecato thank you! Cant wait 😭 7y
SignedBooksJunkie That sounds super cute!! Where do I get this book? 7y
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crystalcestari @SignedBooksJunkie thank you! It debuts this May! 7y
StaceyKondla Congratulations on your forthcoming book!! And thank you for the follow - YA books are my guilty pleasure 😊 7y
crystalcestari @StaceyKondla thank YOU! 🌈 7y
Tinethereader Congratulations!!😊 7y
29 likes9 stack adds8 comments
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crystalcestari
Best Kind of Magic | Crystal Cestari
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OH HEY! It's a cover ... for a book ... that I wrote! Wow! I so cannot wait to share my story about a magical matchmaker who can see true love, just by looking in a person's eyes. With a salty but sweet heroine who can't help but follow her heart, this is a story about believing in the magic of love. Coming spring 2017! ❤️

BookishMarginalia Congrats! 8y
7 likes1 stack add1 comment