Book Review: Just Like Magic

I love a book with a really odd hook. Something that you read the back cover copy and say WHAT? That was my exact reaction when I read about JUST LIKE MAGIC by Sarah Hogle. And I have been dying to read it ever since.

I was incredible jealous when I saw all these other people reading (and loving) it, so imagine my euphoria when I WAS APPROVED FOR AN ARC. It is every weird thing you could possibly dream of and more. And did I mention it is FANTASTIC?? Because it is!

Bettie Hughes was once living the life of luxury, until she lost it all. Obsessed with her image, Bettie posts fake pictures on Instagram, pretending she is still living the good life. In reality she’s a squatter in a dead woman’s home in a tiny Colorado town where her grandparents live, but her family doesn’t know she’s there.

With Christmas just around the corner and the family all coming together, Bettie manages to play Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” backwards on a vinyl record, which summons the Holiday Spirit, Hall. He’s incredibly handsome, extremely upbeat and just a little bit odd. Bettie’s holiday cheer is very, very low so Hall’s job is to fill her with cheer.

Bettie is thrilled to realize she’s figured out a way to make her dreams come true – revenge on everyone who has wronged her, fancy presents to make her family envious and the finer things in like she’s been having to live without.

The best part is, Hall can play the part of fiance at her family’s festivities. But the longer they spend time together the more Hall’s good nature and sweetness begins to rub off on Bettie. But the happier he makes her, the sooner his time with her comes to a close.

I laughed so hard I cried in so many parts. This isn’t just like “oh hmm amusing.” This is laugh out loud funny. I also cried which is very rare for me in a book, but there you go. So many emotions in one book! And it is so over the top! But in a good way.

I loved Bettie! She’s so insanely self-centered at the beginning, it’s funny. And Hall is like Budd the Elf meets Ted Lasso meets Chris Traeger, and he’s adorable! And her whole family is so bizarre. I love them all!

This absolutely amazing gem of a book comes out TOMORROW and you must all read it!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC