The Best Kind of Magic

By: Crystal Cestari

Narrated by: Jeannie Tirado

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 listeners 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.

©2017 Crystal Cestari (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Jeannie Tirado flawlessly narrates this urban fantasy. The story features visits to Chicago's diverse neighborhoods and touristy Navy Pier, home of Windy City Magic. Amber Sands's mother is a witch who owns the magic shop where Amber works as a matchmaker. Tirado's Amber is a sweet but feisty teen. Tirado realistically portrays Amber's ever-changing emotions, especially in her school relationships - she's warm toward Imani and Charlie and icy toward Ivy, a siren who 'forces' Amber to punch her. The action escalates when Charlie asks Amber to secretly find the missing woman who will soon be his stepmother. Listeners will marvel at Amber's convincing explanation of how magic and baking (one of her passions) are alike because the ingredients must be perfectly mixed for the desired outcome. The revelation of her first love is a fun surprise since - as a matchmaker - Amber had envisioned Charlie with someone else. Most rewarding is hearing Amber mature as she realizes there are multiple possibilities in life." (AudioFile Magazine)

i loved it

I finished all 3 books, and all are cute, the love drama is more realistic, than in most of YA novels I've ever read. I would love to hear more about other magical creatures with more magical power. For me it is also the uniqueness of the book to see an "under" average (having no magic although her mother may be one of the greatest witch in the county) girl accepting who she is and not having a fairy tale happy, where everything becomes perfect at the end. I like a good detective story with little romance and magic.

A fun read

This is a sweet entertaining book geared for a young adult audience. I am a senior, but enjoy the wonder, energy, and optimism. I enjoyed listening.

Entretenido y emocionante

Me gustó mucho el libro, tanto la historia como la actuación.
Me gustó que los personajes actuaran de acuerdo a su edad.

Great book

I listened to the book in one day loved the story can’t wait to hear the other two

good story and reading but a little too teen

I really love young adult fiction. The storyline was good I enjoyed it but I feel like it would be better in a college setting versus a high school otherwise the reading was good the world created by the story is urban fantasy. I like the main character even if she is a under dog .

It’s cute but definitely YA

It’s cute, but definitely YA.
It was a bit angsty, as teenagers are and some of her choices made me agro, then I remembered she is in high school. There is zero sex and barely makes it into a “romance” genre, but still cute and entertaining.

Fun read

This is a light, fun listen on audible. The story was interesting with a couple of unforeseen twists. The main characters were relatable and likable. This is definitely more of a read for a younger audience but if you want something to just cleanse your pallet before delving into something serious this is it. I am looking forward to listening her next book.

Cute and cool

I enjoyed it! I am in middle school and this is a perfect story. Calm and relaxed, a little boring, but a neat story. Just the fact that it uses cuss words...Great listen!

what a fun looking sten!!!

I loved this so much, it was fun and sweet and kept me. I would recommend it to everyone

Something different

This was cute and unique. I didn’t care much for the main character, she was a bit annoying but it was cute.