Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A magical matchmaker searches for her own true love in this magic-infused Chicago.Amber Sand descends from a long line of witchesher family goes all the way back to Salembut all she can do is look into someone's eyes and see their true love. Matchmaking is a far cry from being a witch like her mother or a precog like her best friend, Amani Sharmaor a siren like Ivy Chamberlain, the villain in an underbaked bullying plotline. Also poorly developed is Amber's relationship with her mother, summed up with her frustration that "Mom always thinks like a witch first and a mother second." Then Charlie Blitzman, one of Amber's classmates, asks for her help in finding his father's missing girlfriend. As they investigate, Amber and Charlie draw closer, but Amber can't help feeling guilty. She's falling for Charliebut she knows she's not his true love. Or maybe her matchmaking isn't sure-fire, given how Amani reacts to her predicted true love.Character development feels forced. Amber seems to act immaturely for a high school senior, and her use of sign language with Amani comes across as obtrusively quirky. Despite the use of a Swahili first name and Sanskrit surname to signal that Amani may be a person of color, there is no exploration of her identity. The conclusion clumsily sets up a sequel, one bound to blow up Amber's sweet, engaging romance with Charlie. Somewhat enjoyable provided it's not examined too closely. (Fantasy. 12-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Amber's already lowly position in Chicago's magical community is challenged when she begins to doubt her matchmaking powers. This identity crisis affects both high-school and city politics as Amber helps her classmate, the mayor's son Charlie, find his missing stepmother-to-be (while fighting off her own feelings for him). Despite plot inconsistencies, Cestari's debut fantasy is appealing, limning as many real-world issues as magical ones. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.