14 Apr Book Review: Significance by Shelly Crane

Significance is pure YA paranormal romance, the kind of story that leans heavily into soulmates, mystical bonds, and teenagers thrust into supernatural legacies they didn’t ask for. If you’re into romance with a supernatural twist and don’t mind a bit of wish fulfillment, this one delivers on that front. It’s the first book in a series, so the world-building is just getting started, but the central relationship takes up most of the spotlight from the jump.

What’s it about?

At the center of the story is Maggie Masters, a high school senior whose life has taken a sharp turn for the worse. Her mom left, her dad has checked out emotionally, and she’s basically raising herself. She’s withdrawn, struggling to care about graduation or college, and emotionally running on empty. Enter Caleb Jacobson.

Caleb is attractive, confident, and strangely intense—and when Maggie saves him from being hit by a car, something strange happens. The two of them touch, and in that moment, something shifts. Maggie feels it in her bones: a bond forms between them. And not just metaphorically. It turns out Caleb is part of an ancient and secretive race called the Aces, people with special abilities passed down through bloodlines. What Maggie experiences with him is called “imprinting.” It’s a magical, biological connection that links their souls, making them not just romantically connected but spiritually bound.

The idea is that each Ace has a true match, and when they find them, the bond enhances their powers, solidifies their identities, and makes them stronger. But imprinting is rare, especially for someone like Caleb, who’s from a powerful family with high expectations. When he and Maggie imprint, it’s a big deal—and not everyone is happy about it.

As Caleb introduces Maggie to his world, she’s pulled into a hidden society where families have rivalries, magic is real, and danger lurks around the edges. Some Aces don’t believe Maggie is worthy of Caleb or the bond, and others have darker reasons for wanting to disrupt their connection.

Meanwhile, Maggie starts developing powers of her own—something that isn’t supposed to happen, at least not so quickly. The more time she and Caleb spend together, the stronger their bond grows, and with it, the more questions arise about why they were brought together and what role Maggie is meant to play in the Ace world.

The book follows their deepening relationship, complete with swoony moments, emotional vulnerability, and an increasing sense that their love isn’t just about them—it might be tied to something much bigger. Along the way, there are threats, family drama, and hints at a larger conflict waiting to erupt in later books.

What This Chick Thinks

The romantic chemistry takes center stage

Let’s be real—this book is all about the romance. If you’re not into insta-love or the idea of soulmates being tied together from the first meeting, this might not be your thing. But if you are, Maggie and Caleb’s relationship gives you everything: protective instincts, deep emotional talks, constant closeness, and the kind of breathless connection that defines YA paranormal pairings.

It leans hard into the fantasy of being chosen, of being someone’s everything, which definitely has its appeal, especially when you want to get swept up in something a little over-the-top and escapist.

The paranormal world is intriguing but undercooked

The Ace mythology has potential, and the idea of imprinting adds an interesting layer to what could otherwise feel like a standard high school romance. There’s a lot of mention of abilities, rival families, and deeper traditions, but most of that remains background noise in this first book. The focus is squarely on the romance, and while that’s not a bad thing, I found myself wanting more detail and development around the world itself.

There are hints that Maggie might be more than just a human brought into this world, and those threads are promising—but they’re not fully explored yet. I suspect the sequels go deeper into all that, but here, it’s more about laying the emotional groundwork than fleshing out the supernatural stakes.

Maggie’s transformation is believable, if a bit fast

Maggie starts out understandably closed off and wary, and her emotional thawing over the course of the book feels earned, even if it happens quickly. Her voice is easy to connect with, and I liked that she doesn’t instantly become fearless or completely confident just because she’s bonded with someone powerful. She’s still figuring things out, and her hesitations feel honest. That said, some of her development—especially around her newfound powers—felt a little rushed and convenient at times.

Final Thoughts

Significance is a romantic, comforting dive into a paranormal world where love is fate and fate brings power. It’s definitely more romance than fantasy, but if you’re craving a story where emotional connection drives the plot and the supernatural is more of a backdrop than the main event, this will scratch that itch. It’s the kind of book you fly through in a weekend, and if you’re hooked on the relationship, you’ll probably be reaching for book two right away.

Rating: 7.5/10

Try it if you like

• Fallen by Lauren Kate – Another love story driven by fate, secrets, and supernatural bonds.
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick – Dark romance with a mysterious, brooding male lead and a human girl caught in a world she doesn’t understand.
• The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith – Classic paranormal romance with layered mythology, angst, and an irresistible central relationship.