ARC Book Review: The Serendipity (Only Magic in the Building) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 276 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 5th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s a no-nonsense businessman. She’s a free-spirited baker. But the magical building they live in seems to think they’re a perfect match…

When billionaire Archer Gaines needs to escape his father’s corrupt shadow and a related scandal, he purchases The Serendipity, a historic apartment building far from New York City.

He believes in bottom lines and big business deals, definitely not in the local folklore surrounding the town of Serendipity Springs. So he’s eager to move forward with plans to flip the building into luxury lofts.

But The Serendipity doesn’t particularly care what Archer believes, and the building has plans of its own.

Willa never believed in the rumors about her “magical” building. But that was before she walked into her closet looking for a sweater and found herself in another apartment altogether–in the penthouse closet of the grumpy and unfortunately attractive new building owner.

This is less of a meet cute than a meet ugly, and things only go downhill from there.

When Archer announces sweeping changes that include a rent increase, he becomes public enemy number one for the residents. And by charging Willa for use of the commercial kitchen, he puts her fledgling baking business at risk.

With his progress being (magically) blocked at every turn, Archer grows desperate for help.

But the bewitching woman he found hiding in his closet seems to present both the answer and a larger because Archer never planned to fall in love or stay in Serendipity Springs forever …

The Serendipity is a standalone book in the Only Magic in the Building series. These closed door, whimsical romance books are all set in the same historic building, which has a habit of playing matchmaker with its residents. There are light magical elements, but no spells, shifters, or dark magic of any kind.

Thank you to the author for the eARC.

THIS WAS SWEET.

I’m very excited for this multi-author series and getting my hands on the first book was a must. I love Emma St. Clair and this was another great read. The magical realism aspects were charming and didn’t overwhelm the book. I liked how it played out and it was easy to love on this magical building.

The romance is low angst but filled with some fiery banter. Willa and Archer come from completely different walks of life and clash a bit as they find their footing together. I loved all of the late night chats and I think the second half did a wonderful job of showing off the romance. I appreciate when things aren’t blown out of proportion and when communication is an important factor.

There were some good topics and themes discussed throughout. I liked understanding more about agoraphobia and the impact it can have on your life. The positive therapy points fit in well to the plot too. Add in a few fantastic kisses and this was another gem for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: agoraphobia, emotional distant parent

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Book Review: The Will of the Many (Hierarchy #1) by James Islington

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 630 pages
Author: James Islington
Publisher: S&S/Saga Press
Release Date: May 23rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.

AUDI. VIDE. TACE.

The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.

I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.

And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.

To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.

And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

Not reading this book clearly. I am glad this has been rectified. I loved it. If you’re a Red Rising fan, I think this a must to try out too. I saw some small similarities but it is very much its own story and I loved that. I loved the dark academia setting and the Roman influence throughout.

The magic system is really interesting and I love how it wove back into the world building. It’s intricate while being easy to consume and I can’t wait to explore this world more. There were a lot of good twists and reveals that had me on the edge of my seat and I thought the action was written incredibly well.

I loved the audiobook and I’m excited to see where this story continues to go.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Exes Don’t (Fall in Love #3) by Leah Dobrinska

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Christmas Sports Romance
Length: 292 pages
Author: Leah Dobrinska
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 8th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A fast-paced and fun sports and spy romantic comedy…let the games begin!

Rose Kasper has a secret. A big one. She’s a spy. Okay…not exactly. She works as an undercover security specialist. For a decade, she’s used dry humor, deflection, and self-deprecation to keep herself distanced from her sisters and friends in order to hide her double life. But when a man she dated for the job years ago—the same man she foolishly let herself get close to—is in danger, she must place herself in his playing field yet again. Whether he likes it or not.

Anton Bates has a full life juggling his roles as star quarterback of the Green Bay River Foxes and Prince of Penwick, a small island nation off the coast of Norway. He’s slow to trust, having been used for his position—both of them—on more than one occasion. So when Rose Kasper, a woman whom he loved and lost, sweeps back into his life, he wants nothing to do with her. Or does he?

Anton audibles and decides to use his unexpected reunion with Rose as an opportunity to prove to her that the two of them together are a touchdown. Rose knows she doesn’t deserve Anton—not with all the lies and deceit. But his gameplan is working, and she starts to believe that if she’s honest with him, maybe things between them can be different this time. But when the truth comes out and Anton’s life is at risk, their second chance looks like it’ll end in a loss.

Because exes don’t fall in love…do they?

MY KRYPTONITE.

I don’t know what it says about me that one of my favorite tropes is a man obsessed. But it is what it is and it’s really easy to win me over at that point. I loved this book, it’s my current favorite of the series and I had such a blast with it (especially after just finishing Wind and Truth, IYKYK).

The quarterback/prince dynamic took a little more suspension of my reality than I prefer, but the author made this work. It’s quirky and you don’t have ALL the information, yet the romance really shines and I loved that this had just the right amount of flashback chapters to add to the history between Rose and Anton.

Also, praise dual POV. I loved seeing both of their mindsets and personalities behind all of the hard decisions that were being thrown at them. I loved all of Anton’s teammates and Rose’s sisters. Strong support systems make a book really sing for me.

The confession of love about melted me through the FLOOR. Oh gosh it was perfect. I loved all of the heated kisses and mounting tension that broke away for a second chance and a true relationship. The drama played well into the finale and it’s a quick, lighter read that even has a little bit of holiday cheer.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content Warnings: brief gun violence

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Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 (The Unselected Journals #5) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 261 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 24th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I took Treasure Island to church with me as a talisman.
“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.
“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.
I do not believe the psalmist wrote,
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum. The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Readers have compared Beth Brower’s writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L.M. Montgomery.

CHARMING AS ALWAYS.

I love this series and how every time I’m cranky about a book slump (or a string of bad reads) this series cures me every time. These book are a delight. I love how quick they are to read but how the time moves slowly as you watch Emma grow and learn.

This had some beautiful themes of working through grief and strong friendships. I love all of these characters and look forward to continuing this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), depictions of grief

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