Glimpsed

November 1, 2020

Gr 6 Up-When Cinderella rides off with her prince, it ends happily ever after (HEA). End of story. But what becomes of the fairy godmother? High school senior Charity knows, because she is a fairy godmother. She glimpses a future Cindy's deepest desire, then uses impressive strategic planning skills, paired with a few magical nudges, to create the desired HEA. While being a fairy godmother can be lonely, as she fades into the background after each HEA, Charity, who dyes her mousy brown hair to match every mood, revels in helping her classmates achieve their wishes. But when Star Trek nerd Noah accuses her of meddling in people's lives, and when homecoming queen Vindhya's HEA turns into a public humiliation, Charity starts to reassess her work. Noah blackmails Charity into one final HEA, helping him get his girlfriend back. As the antagonistic pair work together, Noah learns that glimpses are ignored at great cost, and Charity, whose own mother is too busy saving the environment to be a parent, falls under the spell of Noah's zany, cosplaying family. Sparks fly, but will Charity allow herself her own HEA? Charity is a charming, well-honed character, who relishes being a fairy godmother. But the rigid guidelines she establishes regarding her calling-gleaned from research and family history-means she steadfastly squelches her growing attraction for Noah. Charity's happy ending is well deserved, and that it's with an adorable Trekkie is icing on the cake. VERDICT This warm, fuzzy story is perfect for middle school romance collections, but readers of all ages will root for Charity's HEA.-Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor Sch. Dist., Lancaster, PA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2020
Grades 7-10 Sometimes Charity catches a magical glimpse of a classmate's deepest wish. Like her grandmother, she's a fairy godmother; with a small amount of magic and a lot of encouragement, she's able to make people's dreams come true. When she catches a glimpse of science whiz Vindhya crowned homecoming queen, Charity snaps into action. But then disaster strikes twice: Vindhya's night ends in tears, and Charity is cornered by Noah, who's heartbroken after Holly, the girl he loved, got together with a star football player--with Charity's help. Noah promises not to out Charity if she helps him get Holly back, and while normally Charity would never undo a wish, she's starting to wonder about her destiny. Even weirder, the more time she spends with Noah--argumentative, sf-obsessed, inexplicably cute Noah--the less she wants to help him get together with Holly. Though its fantasy elements give it a bit of shine, this debut is anchored by its well-developed characters and genuine exploration of family and high-school drama. A sweetly unique romance with real heart.

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January 11, 2021
Filled with tongue-in-cheek humor, Miller’s perspective-switched take on the classic “Cinderella” dynamic augments its laughs with themes of love and personal growth. Eighteen-year-old Charity isn’t simply a popular student at Jack London High School and a member of the Poms squad: she’s a fairy godmother, charged by fate with granting the deepest inner wishes of her Cindies. It’s not easy—after “glimpsing” a case, Charity involves herself with the Cindy until their work is finished, and then fades into the background, which is the way she likes it. Navigating school, wish work, and the insufficient attentions of her neglectful parents, plus missing Hope, her sister in Thailand, fills Charity’s time—until Noah, a classmate and collateral damage from a past Cindy’s wish, blackmails her for help. As the struggle between them progresses, however, Noah’s concerns about her work begin to make sense, forcing Charity to question her convictions and the glimpses’ provenance. Miller’s lighthearted contemporary debut interrogates the age-old “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” conundrum. Vibrant characters will appeal, immersing readers in a gently fantastical world brimming with teen shenanigans. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kim Lionetti, BookEnds Literary.