Love Sugar Magic

The Logroño family is preparing for the arrival of the Magi on Día de los Reyes, but surprise visitors throw a wrench in the works in Meriano's sequel to A Dash of Trouble (2018). After the fiasco around Día de los Muertos, Leo has finally been initiated into the family bruja tradition and has begun her apprenticeship in the culinary and magical arts. As the winter holiday break wanes, Leo feels pulled in too many directions: by her mother's expectations, her sisters' advice, and the desire to maintain friendships despite her family's secrets. When she is awakened one morning by the corporeal spirit, she knows something terrible must be amiss and worries that her untrained magical abilities might be the cause. Her abuela has not crossed over alone, however; at least five others with unfinished business have arrived in Rose Hill ahead of Día de los Reyes, leaving trails of marigold petals in their wakes. Leo must find balance between family and friendships in order to return the spirits to el Otro Lado before they are cursed to wander, like La Llorona. Meriano's magical contemporary world is steeped in Latinx culture, and though Leo faces fantastical complications, her struggle to find her place is a universal adolescent experience. Leo and her sisters are half-white and half-Mexican and live in a fairly diverse small town in Texas. A sweet second helping that will leave readers hungry for more. (Fantasy. 9-13)

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November 13, 2017
In this effervescent kickoff to the Love Sugar Magic series, Leonora “Leo” Logroño is tired of being the baby of the family: her four older sisters all speak Spanish and get to help out at the family bakery, especially as they prepare for Diá de los Muertos. Then Leo discovers that her mother and sisters are actually brujas, able to bake magic spells into their pastries. “Our power comes from the magic of sweetness,” explains one sister. “Sweetness from love and sweetness from sugar.” Leo will be initiated at age 15, but she can’t wait to try her hand at magic, resulting in a love spell that goes horribly wrong. Meriano’s first novel is steeped in Mexican culture, family lore, and delicious baked goods. Readers who don’t speak Spanish will share in Leo’s confusion (the magical recipes are all written in Spanish), and those who do will enjoy being in on the family’s secrets. A warmhearted read that will satisfy readers and leave them eager for a second helping. Art not seen by PW. A Cake Literary property. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary.