Tag: magical realism

Book Review: Signed, Sealed, and Smitten (Only Magic in the Building) by Melanie Jacobson

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 330 pages
Author: Melanie Jacobson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 16th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The last thing she needs is another off-limits work romance. He’s fine playing the friendly flirt . . . until he falls for real.

Embarrassing breakups at work cost you promotions. Phoebe learned that the hard way. So when a patron’s will names her as the director of a new museum in Serendipity Springs, she jumps at the chance to prove her professionalism.

Her new plan: focus on work. Ignore distractions. Definitely ignore men. Easy peasy.

But then the mailbox in Phoebe’s quirky apartment building starts delivering a series of old love letters written between strangers…sixty years ago.

She can’t afford the distraction, but she also can’t ignore the letters, so she enlists the help of Jay, the flirty heir to her benefactor’s fortune, to help her solve the mystery of who they belong to.

Jay is exactly the history pro she needs, but he’s also the kind of handsome charmer Phoebe always falls for, and since he’s on the museum board, she’s not about to risk her recovering reputation. Despite their sizzling chemistry, she quickly sends Jay to the friend zone.

Until the mysterious letters from the past lead them to surprising discoveries in the present, and serendipity steps in with an irresistible nudge and a memorable, magical kiss.

HERE’S THE LET DOWN.

This is the first book in this Only Magic in the Building series that I have struggled with. My positives were that many of the romance based scenes were sweet. I do think that Jay and Phoebe had chemistry. They cared about each other and that was evident. And some of the museum content was fine too.

What bugged me were some of the dialogue choices. Things like Hot Prof, hottie with a body, and more are just not my cup of tea. And I found the whimsy aspect with the letters dry. I didn’t want to read another letter and then hash out all of these details. Combine that with the ever present presentations Phoebe was trying to get through and this felt work/life balance was skewed.

It’s a sweet story, just not one that I loved.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Off the Wall (Only Magic in the Building) by Julie Christianson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 328 pages
Author: Julie Christianson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s in search of her soulmate. He avoids love at all costs. These neighbors are a total mismatch … until serendipity steps in.

Nori Sinclair has two goals in find the husband of her dreams, and purchase the beloved tea shop in her hometown, Serendipity Springs.

So when Nori finds herself short on funds to land a business loan, she joins a dating app that pays her to be their featured single in a month-long ad campaign.

Per her contract, all men are off-limits, except those matched for her by Swipe Rite.

This seems simple enough… until she keeps seeing herself in every mirror holding hands with Cash Briggs.

AKA her aloof, unavailable neighbor.

After a career-ending injury, ex-baseball player Cash is on a mission to help others who’ve been shattered like he was, inside and out. With his sights firmly set on a job in Los Angeles, he doesn’t have time for family or friends, let alone a relationship where he’d only get burned. Again.

Continually having to rescue Nori—his flustered neighbor, who seems desperate to avoid him—was not part of his plan.

While Cash and Nori fight their growing attraction, magnetic elements in their magical building draw them together, until they’re forced to choose between breaking all the rules or breaking both their hearts …

REALLY SWEET.

This book just made me smile. I feel like all of these books have brought the smiles. This series has been such a delight!!

I loved both of the main characters, Nori and Cash. I thought there was charming banter and chemistry from the beginning. The way Cash constantly found ways to be around Nori (even when he was resisting his feelings) was my absolute favorite. I love when a man is GONE.

The mirror aspect didn’t quite click for me, I felt like I never understood what was happening? I’m not sure it was needed for this book. (**I’ve also noticed that this is the third book in this multi-author series with the same dating a bunch of guys format and that felt a little repetitive**).

I enjoyed the Cash and Nori overcame their problems and started to lean on each other. There were really great characters ARCs. This was sweet and romantic and easy recommend.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: loss of parents (off page, brief)

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Book Review: Misfortune and Mr. Right (Only Magic in the Building) by Savannah Scott

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 324 pages
Author: Savannah Scott
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When your nemesis is your next-door neighbor, falling for him is not part of the plan … but fate may have other ideas.

Olivia Pennington has spent her whole life competing with Logan Alexander—and losing. From spelling bees to science fairs, he’s always been one step ahead, snagging the trophies, titles, accolades, and now … he’s after the promotion she desperately wanted. As if that’s not bad enough, Logan also moved into the apartment she had her heart set on.

Logan’s been secretly falling in love with Olivia since the third grade. His strategy? Stay close, win her over. But, the more he foisted himself on her, the bigger mess he made. Now Logan’s back in town, and he’s determined to settle the score. He’s over his crush, so he thinks. And he just wants to bury the hatchet, preferably not by Olivia chucking it at him.

When a string of mysterious fortune cookies starts appearing, hinting at a match between Logan and Olivia, Logan’s all in. Olivia? Not so much.

But in this building, fate isn’t merely a suggestion—it’s practically written on the walls. If you thought Mr. Darcy had a hard time convincing Elizabeth of his good intentions, just wait until you watch Logan attempt to win Olivia’s heart—one stubborn, banter-filled battle at a time.

Enemies-to-lovers meets a sprinkle of magic in this laugh-out-loud, heartfelt romcom with a Pride and Prejudice vibe.

LEGIT SURPRISED.

I have read three previous Savannah Scott books and I have not loved any of them. Something has just never clicked with the writing and yet I found myself determined to read every book in the series leaving me worried about picking this one up.

BUT. I will say, this is the best book I’ve read of hers. If you’ve been wanting to try her books, start here (all of these books can be read as standalones).

I really adored Logan. He was such a sweet heart and had some Mr. Darcy vibes I could get behind. I liked his gentle nature and his passion too. He really looked out for others and had genuine self reflection. I didn’t mind Olivia either. I do think she was a bit childish at times about things that happened years ago, but I suppose it all worked out well enough.

There were still a few plot/writing quirks that didn’t sit well with me. And the third act based around miscommunication had me hitting my head against a wall. I am grateful that this was more of a win than anything else though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Clean Out of Luck (Only Magic in the Building) by Carina Taylor

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 264 pages
Author: Carina Taylor
Publisher: Lit and Write LLC
Release Date: April 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Six months to find love. One overprotective menace (who’s way too handsome for his own good). And a building that might have the final say.

Scarlett Fernsby holds the world record for shortest relationships. Mostly thanks to overprotective parents and an interfering brother, every attempt at dating has been a disaster.

When her whole family is out of town for six glorious months, she knows it’s time to find love.

What she didn’t count on was Wade Hendrix. Her older brother’s best friend.

He’s even worse than her brother. He’s soon crashing every date of hers, and Scarlett’s beginning to wonder if he’s made it his life’s mission to annoy her.

Wade is a firefighter with a hero complex; she doesn’t want to be his pity problem. Especially when she’s starting to misinterpret those fiery looks of his.

Scarlett doesn’t know what to do with this newfound attraction to him, and though she’d like to scrub him out of her life, the building she lives in has a very different plan.

Wade Hendrix has a problem. His best friend asked him to keep an eye on his little sister. But Wade has trouble keeping his eyes off of her.

What starts out as a favor for his best friend soon turns into pure torture: watching Scarlett date other men right in front of him.

Wade would love to tell her how he feels—but he knows she doesn’t feel the same.

Or does she?

After an especially disastrous date that Wade ruins—and with the help of a very special mop that likes to grant wishes—Scarlett tells Wade that he owes her a goodnight kiss.

But one kiss isn’t enough. Wade wants forever. Now he just has to convince Scarlett that just maybe, love has been right in front of her all along.

SO FLIPPIN’ CUTE.

This book just made me happy. I had a giddy little smile on my face because I was smitten with Wade (who’s a firefighter, you can’t resist) and Scarlett. They had insane chemistry and the banter was incredible. It’s cheeky and humorous while also being laced with attraction and heat.

My one small thing is the plot lacked something more. It was basically Scarlett going on a bunch of dates…that’s it. Minus that, I was charmed. There’s many swoony moments and the kissing scenes will light your kindle on fire.

I also loved all of the friendship moments too. I loved the sense of kindness and helpfulness that was woven throughout. It’s a short read and will absolutely brighten your day!!

(And if you’re not a big magical realism fan this book of the series had the least amount so far, the *mop* in question was barely mentioned/used).

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance + magical realism
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings; mentions of a past car accident

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