SOMETHING CLOSE TO MAGIC

A cozy, funny YA fantasy about a baker's apprentice who must embrace her magical talents in a world where magic is seen as useless.

Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice in Basil's Bakery when a young lady in a full-length duster walks in, hands her a set of Seeking stones, and asks for her help. In a country where magic is seen as a useless gift and Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, it's a rare skill - but Aurelie has it. And the young lady, who turns out to be a bounty hunter named Iliana, can use it. And she won't leave Aurelie alone, despite Aurelie's fear of losing her apprenticeship and her one chance at a stable life.

Until the day when Iliana asks for her help rescuing someone in the dangerous Underwood, which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the "someone" turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named spare-to-the-spare prince, Aurelie's careful life is upended. Her only chance at saving her apprenticeship lies in getting him safely back to the palace - but the more time she spends with Hapless, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary, grueling life at the bakery.

When it turns out the palace isn't a safe place for Hapless either, Aurelie has to decide whether she'd rather lose her apprenticeship - or the prince.