Snagged by Carrie Harris

Sixteen-year-old Leigh Carroll has been through it--when she lost her mom as a baby, she and her dad had to move to a small apartment in Philadelphia where they are scraping by. Leigh has an afterschool job at a hardware store and her dad works nights, so they never see each other. Despite everything, Leigh has been able to maintain her signature snark and has found an escape through something she'd never expected...cosplay.

It's in this pursuit where Leigh's life takes a turn for the supernatural--when she decides to build a costume based on a dated book series called Lady Lovely Locks. It's about a princess of the same name who, on the surface, wears frumpy dresses, lives in a magical castle, rides a horse named "Silky Mane," and has rainbow hair infested with long-tailed rodents called "Pixietails."

Leigh finds a way to re-interpret this character for the 2020s and has everything she needs, except the rainbow-streaked hair. At a comic convention, she meets a mysterious old woman selling what appears to be an authentic, vintage Lady Lovely Locks wig. When Leigh gets home and puts it on, she finds herself magically transported to Lovely Locks kingdom. And, somehow, she now IS Lady Lovely Locks. But it isn't until she finds a painting of her mom hanging in the walls of a castle that she realizes more than magic has brought her here...it's fate.

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A magical, 80s cartoon-inspired adventure with heart, humour, and a wink at all the tropes you grew up loving.

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Pre-Reading Thoughts

I wasn’t familiar with the specific cartoon it references, but growing up in the 80s (twenty years ago, thank you very much!) means I’ve lived in the aesthetic: frilly princesses, magical kingdoms, and rainbow-hued hair with “Pixietails.” I expected fun, escapism, and a little chaos - and that’s exactly what I got.

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Post-Reading

As I thought…
The story is a blast: light, entertaining, and full of heart. Leigh’s snarky voice keeps the narrative fun, and the book does an excellent job of skewering classic cartoon tropes while giving them a modern, feminist spin. The magic and cosplay elements are charming and creative, transporting the reader right into the whimsical chaos of Lovely Locks’ world.

It surprised me by…
Ending on a cliffhanger I hadn’t expected! There’s no clear indication anywhere that this is just part one of a series. While I enjoyed the ride, it did slightly dampen my enjoyment to be left hanging, especially after such a fun, self-contained adventure. Still, the energy, humour, and heart carry it far.

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Vibe Check

• Colour palette: Rainbow pastels, glitter, bubblegum pink, soft purples

• Soundtrack: Upbeat, quirky pop, 80s cartoon theme vibes

• Season: Summer convention chaos

• Mood: Playful, whimsical, slightly chaotic

• Scent: Cotton candy, warm plastic, glitter glue

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Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
🎶 Vibe Album: The Fame – Lady Gaga (early pop fun vibes)
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Carly Rae Jepsen

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Tarot Pull

🃏 The Fool – cosy witch tarot
Leigh is embarking on a new adventure, leaping into the unknown with a mix of excitement and naivety. This card perfectly embodies the joy, risk, and whimsy of stepping into a magical world and discovering your own story.

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For fans of

• Ever After High series (magical school + legacy characters)

• 80s cartoons like She-Ra, Rainbow Brite, or Lady Lovely Locks

• Modern magical adventures with cosplay, heart, and humour

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Final Thoughts

Snagged is a light, joyful, and nostalgic romp through the tropes of 80s cartoons, made modern and clever. The cliffhanger is a minor damper, but the humour, heart, and charm make it a highly enjoyable read. A perfect start to a whimsical series, and I’m eager to see where it goes next.