A Little Magic

I went into *A Little Magic* expecting a cozy, low-stakes romance, but what I got was something far richer—a story that sneaks up on you with its emotional weight. Shaina Summerville’s narration is the secret weapon here; her delivery of Ellie’s dry, self-deprecating humor and the lingering vulnerability in her voice makes the character feel like a friend you’ve known for years. Stephen Borne is equally compelling as Theo, grounding his gruff exterior with moments of surprising tenderness. The production is crisp, with a natural flow that avoids the pitfalls of over-polished audiobooks—this feels like a story being shared over coffee, not recited from a script. That said, the pacing drags slightly in the middle act when the plot meanders through Ellie’s new life in Boston, a detour that feels more like filler than necessary setup. I also wished for a bit more depth in the side characters, particularly Ellie’s roommate, whose chaotic energy could have anchored the subplots more firmly. But these are minor quibbles in a romance that otherwise delivers exactly what it promises: a warm, immersive escape where the stakes feel personal, not manufactured. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you go back to the place—and the person—you swore you’d never revisit, this audiobook will wrap around you like a familiar blanket.