Rated 3 stars by reviewer

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones, Lex Croucher (Review by Lindsey Dennis)

The Gloss member ratings

()

Buy the book:

Become a member to review books

Book review

The story begins at a slower pace, but once Briar and Seb reunite after years apart, the book truly comes alive. Their connection is easily the strongest part of the narrative, and I found myself eagerly waiting for every scene they shared. Even when they weren’t on the page together, I wanted more of their dynamic, which speaks to how compelling their relationship is. While Briar’s interactions with the supporting cast didn’t resonate with me as strongly—and I occasionally mixed up characters due to multiple names—the core romance more than made up for it. The tension between Briar and Seb is engaging and heartfelt, and it’s what kept me turning the pages. I would have loved to see deeper emotional exploration during the group’s adventures, as well as a more fully developed magic system. The magical reveal near the end was fascinating, and I found myself wishing it had been introduced earlier so it could shine even more throughout the story. That said, if you enjoy magic, a touch of suspense, and a second-chance romance, this book has a lot to offer. Briar and Seb’s journey back to each other is satisfying, and their bond is what made the story memorable for me.

Gloss Members rating

()

Brilliant books, meaningful conversations.

We start the conversation around books, but it always leads to something deeper: real connection, meaningful friendships, and a place where everyone belongs.

What's on your list?

Reading is our love language

The Gloss has been bringing people together and reading great books since 2008. With members in 15+ countries, now is a great time to join.