The Magic of Us

by Beth Merlin, Danielle Modafferi

When a magic spell rewrites her past, a love-skeptic radio host must decide whether to protect her heart or finally risk it.

Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love. On her hit radio show, she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells, and for Elliot, it’s paid off big-time.

But when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off…until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn’t recognize. Leo, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye.

Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother’s fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she’s built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn’t know she was waiting for.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Audiobook, Magic

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2026

About the author

Beth is a native New Yorker who loves rom-coms, Broadway, and a good maxi dress. She was introduced to her husband through a friend she met at sleepaway camp and considers the eight summers she spent there to be the most formative of her life. One S’more Summer is Beth's debut novel.

Reviews

[Kiirsten McDonald]

1st half made me mad. Second half made it worth it

[bookrat_reads]

Elliot is jaded and cynical. I get being hurt, but that girl had a lot of trauma from just her father, mother and one previous relationship. More than I feel was necessary. She had no problem hurting other people. I'm glad she finally came around and ended up with Leo. It was just a long road of hatefulness to get there.

[Wordsbetweencups ( Grace) slowly catching up]

I loved this book! it pleasantly surprised me. I was expecting something light and fun, but instead, the plot addressed deep emotional themes, including childhood traumas, as was the case with Elliot, her insecurity in relationships predated her boyfriend's betrayal, stemming from the emotional abandonment she suffered due to poor parenting, her story deeply moved me, I really connected with the character, who was very well-developed, and I could feel her pain and resentment for the bad parenting, her boyfriend's betrayal and her distrust of love. She didn't consciously hurt people, but in her eagerness to protect herself, to avoid emotional pain, she hurt others. That's why I enjoyed seeing how the character evolved throughout the story, how she was able to break down her barriers, forgive her parents, her ex, and begin to build better relationships. I also liked that she found love. My favorite characters were Leo and Marin; in fact, I would love to have a friend like her. It's the first time that even the most exasperating characters seemed human, and I really enjoyed the story. It's definitely a book I recommend to anyone who likes to read about family, second chances, love, and forgiveness, and not just about romance.

[Leanne]

A fun "what if" romance!

I had a really good time with The Magic of Us. I picked it up expecting something light and a little magical, and it delivered on that—but it also had more emotional depth than I was expecting.

Elliot isn’t the easiest character to love at first, but that’s kind of the point. She’s guarded, a bit cynical, and very set in her ways, which made her feel real to me. Watching her get thrown into a completely different version of her life (and relationship) was such a fun concept, and I liked how it slowly pushed her to question everything she thought she wanted.

The romance with Leo worked for me overall. There’s history there, and it doesn’t feel overly perfect or forced, which I appreciated. The magical element is pretty light and mostly just sets things in motion, so the story stays focused on the characters and their growth. Also, the Belize wedding setting was a nice touch, it added a warm, escapist vibe without taking over the story.

This is a solid, enjoyable romance with a unique twist. If you like “what if” stories and character-driven love stories, it’s definitely worth checking out.

[Sara Ann]

DNF at 38%. I don’t know what that was, but it was terrible.

[Amanda]

this was a cute read! the concept was fun & definitely pulled me in. elliot is a radio show host who basically built her brand around rejecting love, but after a magic spell rewrites her past, she’s forced to see how different her life could’ve been.

elliot did frustrate me at times. she holds onto a lot of hurt from her past, & there were moments where i just wanted her to let things go already. but truthfully, i could understand where she was coming from. when you’ve been hurt before, letting people in & being vulnerable isn’t always easy.

overall, i enjoyed the narration & the story. it was a sweet, fast-paced read with a fun concept & lovable characters. leo & marin were easily some of my favs.

𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
♡ rom-com
♡ second chance
♡ paranormal elements
♡ heartwarming story
♡ forgiveness & growth
♡ love & trauma

thank you netgalley, brilliance publishing, & beth merlin for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Julianna Zieno]

4.25 - I really enjoyed this one! Little bit of time travel alternate dimension vibes, would have loved more of the ending but I had a great time unexpectedly!

[ELIZABETH]

5 stars, hands down. Highly recommend. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down and immediately texted multiple people about how great it was even though it was past midnight. Loved it!

[Shaf]

Love is many things, according to the main character Elliot: overrated, a myth, and a sure-fire waste of time and emotional resources. A love cynic through-and-through, she hosts a popular radio show shattering the illusion of love for her listeners. She is at the top of her game: a popular radio show, a book deal, a legion of fans. All from her jaded experience and observations of love from her own life and from the lives of those closest to her. Until of course, she is magically thrown into another reality that shows her the other, more positive extreme of love despite it all.

The radio show soldifying Elliot’s success and personhood was an amazing character introduction and backdrop for this novel. That alone helped to not only build her character, but also show us glimpses of her past in an organic way. The interviews she does with her fans was a fun way of seeing her worldview.

Some of the characters had reactions that did not make sense or were confusing given the context— but I chalk this up to the ‘magic’ aspect of the story and was intentional. They did not have agency per se. Perhaps they were slightly puppeteered by magic. You could say love is a bit of ‘magic’ too so perhaps throught the power of love (magic) these characters act in confusing, illogical ways.

This book reads like a Netflix romantic comedy from start to finish. There are silly, awkward moments, slightly funny lines, a picturesque backdrop, a supportive best friend, and the main character getting caugh up in embarassing or cringe situations. By its conclusion, it is a feel good, optimistic book that is effective in evoking positive emotions by its end — a contrast to the pessimism at the start.

The book neatly closes all gripes Elliot has with love through interactions with everyone she had drawn inspiration from when writing the script for her radio show. In doing so the book ends with an uplifting tone — that love takes bravery, and that means forgiving those who’ve wronged us and working through disagreements by showing up.

Overall, a fun romance read for those looking for a feel good novel about love. Spice level very low.

[Madeleine]

This was a free kindle book that I took a chance on and I think it was just ok. Unfortunately I had just read the latest Rebecca Serle book that also had a time traveling component and this one fell flat when compared to it.

[Sawyer Steelman]

Cute but I felt like the back and forth of choosing her brand over love went on a bit too long. Overall it was sweet, and I liked that the book focused on more than just romantic love, but also Elliot's growth of accepting love in all forms.

[Manuella]

Thank you to NetGalley, Beth Merlin, Danielle Modafferi, and Montlake for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

The Magic of Us caught me by surprise. In all fairness, I chose to read this one because of the cover and the title. And I know what you're thinking, who does that?! – I do, very often. I am someone who has been in love with Paris ever since she was a child (and before I even realized what a different continent was). So whenever I see Paris things, I know I need to know and read and consume. The Magic of Us, however, might have consumed me instead.

Some books change us, some books save us – this book shook me from my comfort zone and said "pay attention, life is talking." All I knew about this story going in was that there was some magic and a second chance, but I did not think I would see my very worst tendencies so blatantly clear on a book. To a point where, yes, I was crying because the protagonist's pain made so much sense to me. As someone who was also the parent more than the kid, someone who used to also expect the worst out of everyone because her dad did the unthinkable, someone whose best friends broke her heart repeatedly? It hit too close to home.

Elliot's journey was a lot more magical and intense than mine (she had a tarot card spell, a destination wedding & a hot beau, while I have been doing therapy for three years and only fewer anxiety attacks and a new job to show for it), but I understood her in a way that was almost uncomfortable. But the book itself was great, albeit a bit more literary fiction than I expected. It wasn't a book that I sat down and binged (as I usually do), but it was a book that resonated with me – and probably will continue to do so. And isn't that what most writers wish for?

Now just waiting for my Leo to show up.... Any day now @ universe.

[Heather]

3.75 ⭐ This was a cute story. Elliott was a little hard to handle at times. I'm all for a skeptic character but at times it got to be a bit much and overwhelming. However I LOVED Leo and he absolutely made this story all the worthwhile and feet kicking, giggly of a time. This had some genuinely funny and heartwarming moments. The first half of the book takes a bit to get through but the ending makes up for all of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced e/arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kristin Eoff]

I received this Kindle book for free through Amazon's monthly First Reads program and enjoyed it but thought the male lead is too perfect to be realistic, and the ex-boyfriend is a creepy, entitled stalker who never actually does apologize to Elliot and gets off way too easily. The female protagonist, Eliot, is a bit of a basket case, understandably, and is unnecessarily sarcastic to almost everyone, but with some paranormal help, she eventually figures out what's important in her life and stops pushing away her best chance at love and happiness.

[Don Gubler]

No, no, no. What does it mean when a writer betrays her characters? She gives them no way out to be themselves, they just become the tropes that make love so danged dishonest. And the whole love spell thing just tips it over into the garbage.

[Sara Abrams]

Oh, how I’ve needed a story like this! It was engaging right from the start and provided food for thought along the way. I didn’t realize until the end that the authors also wrote another favorite of mine, The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan. I love magical realism, it’s probably the best of my worlds because there’s possibilities.

[Gabrielle]

The FMC was insufferable for 75% of the book (which was probably the point) but it wrapped up nicely so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Wild Weasel]

I loved this book!!!!!!! This had great advice on life in general!!!! Very fast paced!

[Samantha Fox]

It's like a 4.25. Very cute, romantically, funny read.

[Cindy Beasley]

The universal magic of love

This book was so truthful of explaining how one bad experience can rule your whole life. You put up barriers for yourself so you don't get hurt. As time goes on, you have shut yourself off from everyone. You have someone who enters your life that wants to walk beside you and you start to see things differently, you work through the hurt with the ones that hurt you. Magic of live blossoms and you whole perspective changes and bitterness falls away and you are among the living instead of getting by in life. I loved this book and it's deep meaning. It is worth the read 100 percent.

[Sanah Sadaruddin]

This healed a piece of me - cute and easy read

[Phoebe]

SUMMARY:
When a magic spell rewrites her past, a love-skeptic radio host must decide whether to protect her heart or finally risk it. Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love. On her hit radio show, she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells, and for Elliot, it’s paid off big-time. But when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off, until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn’t recognize. Leo Kindell, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye. Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother’s fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she’s built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn’t know she was waiting for.

REVIEW:
The Magic of Us is my May 2026 Amazon First Reads pick and my first book by the writing duo Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi. When a magic spell rewrites her past, a love-skeptic radio host must decide whether to protect her heart or finally risk it. Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love and her hit radio show is where she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists that happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells and for Elliot it's paid off big time but when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off, until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn't recognize. Leo Kindell, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye. Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother's fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she's built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn't know she was waiting for.

Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi delivered an emotional rollercoaster of a second chance what if contemporary romance with a hint of magic that had me captivated from the start that I almost read the entire book in a day. Elliot is a woman that doesn't believe love is real since she had watched her mother go through several heartbreaks and she went through her own heartbreak that shaped her life until she met Leo on one of her work trips. Leo is a man that has always believed in love because his parents are the biggest example of true love but he was always been busy with his career to ever stop to find love. Though Leo isn't really apart of Elliot's life except in her alternate life that the tarot card reader sent her into which was an experience that really changed the course of her life for the better. As I was reading about Elliot's emotional journey to finding love that is real with the right person had me with real tears in my eyes in those emotional moments and just hoping that she would finally get her HEA with Leo that she deserved which thankfully she did. I'm glad that I decided to pick this book as my May Amazon First Reads pick.

[Jen]

The Magic of Us is an alternate timeline story, following Elliot West, a radio show host where her cynical takes about love have garnered her a huge following and brought her right to the point of realizing all of her dreams. If only that pesky summer fling wasn’t still lingering in her memories, making her feel something almost like regret. Elliot can’t start catching feelings now though, not when she is about to sign a contract that will launch her show globally and her book deal is all but done, because her whole brand is based on her belief that love is a hoax, a con, something to be avoided at all costs. One magical tarot card reading at a Galentine’s dinner sets something unexpected in motion, and suddenly Elliot finds herself with a boyfriend she has no memory of acquiring.

This book was a mixed bag for me. I liked the premise of Elliott waking up to how life could have looked if she had chosen differently, and even though the boyfriend felt a little too perfect at times, watching him slowly begin to change her mind was sweet. However, there was also so much of Elliott stubbornly (and rather meanly) refusing to let her mind be changed, that it made it hard for me to like her at all. After a disastrous interview things begin to fall apart, and Elliott has to decide what matters most. I think if the story had just stayed focused on that, this might have worked better for me, but we move from this to a destination wedding that takes up a significant part of the story. In order to get the character growth we needed, I can understand why the authors made the choice to get all the pertinent people together in one place with no easy way to escape. However, this was also where the story lost me as far as enthusiasm.

In an effort to avoid spoilers, I won’t give too many details, but for me this wedding was a trainwreck. One of my biggest pet peeves in any story, is when the main character has experienced significant emotional trauma, and yet the other characters expect them to miraculously get over it after minimal effort on their part to make amends or even recognize their part in the damage. Her parents (and several others) were so frustrating to me that I could hardly appreciate any of the good that happened in the last half of the book. There were redemptive moments, and the authors did a good job of navigating through them in a mostly satisfactory way, I just couldn’t get past the bare minimum effort of any of these people to apologize to this woman they hurt so badly. Thank goodness for Marin, her bff, who was a delight and made for some lighter moments in all the drama.

Final thoughts: While it was heartfelt and sweet at points, it was also a little cliched and overdone at others, and I kind of felt like I was being spoon fed the points the authors wanted me to get, rather than them letting me understand them on my own. Overall it was a well written book that was good for an afternoon of reading, it’s just not one that will likely linger with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Briar Woodley]

The Magic of Us had a fun, magical premise, but it took me a long time to get invested in the story. Elliott’s cynical outlook on love and her radio show dedicated to trashing romance made for an interesting contrast, especially after a mysterious “love spell” seemingly reunited her with her summer fling, Leo.

I enjoyed the alternate reality where they finally made it to Paris and spent months building a life together—it was a unique concept that let their relationship develop in a way it hadn’t the first time around. However, the pacing felt slow, and I struggled to connect with the story early on.

The emotional turning point came after Elliott attended her mother’s fourth wedding, fought with Leo, and suddenly found herself back in reality as if he’d never existed. Watching her realize that love isn’t just about certainty but also about hope was the strongest part of the book. Her decision to call Leo and give their relationship a real chance brought the story to a satisfying close.

While the ending was heartfelt, the slow start made it difficult for me to fully fall in love with this one. A creative romance with an emotional message, but ultimately a 3.25-star read for me.

[Ashley Fischer]

I neither loved or hated this book. It was decent, but it felt like it was missing something. I love the idea of the book, just something felt off.

Elliot West is a radio host of a show all about how you don’t need someone in your life, love is scary and actually can be bad. Having her heart broken by the one person she thought would never hurt her, changed her and she’s made a career out of that heartbreak ever since.

She meets Leo in Greece and surprising they have a great connection and Leo really feels something for Elliot. They make a deal to part ways but if they both think there is something worth exploring they will beet in Paris on Christmas Eve. (This is totally my type of story and I picked the book because it had the Eiffel Tower on the cover)

After a Valentine event, a tarot reader, makes a little magic happen and boom Elliot wakes up with Leo in her bed. Elliot gets to experience what life would really be like with Leo. All until one day she wakes up and it’s back to reality.

What does Elliot do?!? Continue on her path or create new ones?

[Jayla Metzler]

This was a fun and entertaining read. Sometimes life has a funny way of bringing you back to where you're meant to be, even when you've chosen a completely different path. After all, do we ever really know what we want? Sometimes fate has a way of stepping in when we need it most.

Elliot has built her career around rejecting love and happily-ever-afters, but when a mysterious tarot card reader changes the course of her reality, she's forced to confront the possibility that maybe love isn't the fairy tale she always believed it to be.

I enjoyed watching Elliot navigate her unexpected second chance with Leo while dealing with family drama, old wounds, and the life she thought she wanted. The Belize setting added a nice touch, and the story was filled with humor, heart, and plenty of romantic moments.

While some parts were predictable, it was still an enjoyable journey about love, fate, self-discovery, and being open to the unexpected. A light, charming romance that reminds us that sometimes the universe knows what we need before we do.

[Megan - MegsMarginMusings]

The Magic of Us by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi, narrated beautifully by Caroline Hewitt, is a contemporary romance with a splash of magical realism that asks what happens when a cynic wakes up inside the love story she’s spent years mocking. This audiobook ARC from Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley follows Elliot West, a radio host who’s built her brand on rejecting happily‑ever‑afters until a tarot‑reader’s spell drops her into a reality where her old summer fling is suddenly her boyfriend.

I loved the magical realism and the layered family dynamics, especially the way the story explores healing, connection, and the messy ways people love each other. Elliot can feel a bit bitter or caricatured at times, but I still found myself rooting for her to soften and grow. If you enjoy magic‑tinged contemporary romance and watching a self‑proclaimed sourpuss get a second chance at love, this one belongs on your TBR.

[Elle]

2.5/5, rounded up. not really for me.

concept was fun. i also really loved leo, our MMC.

HOWEVER. i'm genuinely convinced the author set out to make elliot, our FMC, as annoying as possible, cause i simply don't believe you can get that awful personality of hers on purpose. my main thought at the end of this book is just, "damn, i feel awful for leo, having to end up with that".

don't even get me started on the writing... and i don't mean just the prose. i was so bored i think my eyes glazed over a few times.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea Bedoya]

A cosy book to read during the summer.
I loved the premise of the book, it felt different that your average. But although the premise kept me reading the FMC drive me crazy by the middle of the book. It turn a little repetitive the lack of growth of her part. It took to long for her to change her perspective and start problem solving. At the the end the MMC was the one who made me keep reading. He was an absolute green flag and made me wish we had his POV.
Overall I really like it and would recommend read it so you get to see the MMC.

[Katya & the Braincells Inc.]

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars!!!

🚨 NOTE: The version I received is an uncorrected proof and my review may not represent the final product.

Spoilerful review: I genuinely cannot believe I stalled reading this for weeks. Because once I actually got into The Magic of Us, it was so unputdownable.

The premise alone had me hooked: after a failed Before Sunrise-esque date with her Mykonos fling Leo Kindell, Elliot West unwittingly gets a tarot card reading with a random stranger--and a bonus "love spell" which inadvertently makes her wake up in a reality where Leo is now her boyfriend (two months, to be exact) and also lives with her. Now she's living the dream, but the problem is she's also living a life she doesn't remember making.

The Magic of Us asks a wonderfully unsettling question: if you woke up living your dream romance, would it still feel like yours? I do want to mention that the premise takes a little while to arrive; the setup from the synopsis doesn't really kick in until around Chapter Four, so the opening asks for a bit of patience. Once the alternate timeline begins, though, everything takes off. I was so glued to my reader because every chapter made me wonder how long this borrowed life could possibly last.

Being inside our protagonist's head, Elliot, was so entertaining. She's sarcastic, stubborn, emotionally avoidant, and fully committed to her public persona as the radio host who insists love is basically one elaborate scam. I know that attitude won't work for everyone, but I completely understood where she was coming from. Imagine having "love sucks" as your brand then waking up one morning with a guy you're interested in already loving you exactly the way you've always wanted, except... you weren't there for any of it. You missed every first date, every inside joke, every awkward conversation, every tiny decision that slowly built that relationship. Of course she'd feel like an imposter!

Then there's Leo. I'm sorry for applauding the bare minimum, but this man made me swoon 😭

“Okay, well, what if I told you I don’t believe in love. Like categorically don’t believe in it.”
“I’d say that some men would interpret that as some sort of challenge.”
“But not you?”
“No. In my experience, love isn’t a puzzle to solve or a prize to win.”
I swallowed, caught off guard by his certainty. “Then what is it?”
“It’s a risk. A chance. […] One you’re either willing to take, or you’re not.”
“And you’d be willing to take that kind of chance on someone you barely even know? Someone you just met a few days ago?”
He tilted his head slightly. “I think I already have.”

He's attentive. He listens. He remembers Elliot's favorite things. He plans thoughtful dates. AND he takes her to a Mamma Mia!-themed restaurant. And he's a total family guy! I. AM. SOLD. I giggled so hard when she pranked him (with her friends) by sending him a very crude, very X-rated "I want to feel you grow in my mouth" and instead of replying something dirty back he sent a polite message back like A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE CHARACTER!!!

The novel lost a little momentum toward the middle, however. After the major emotional fallout between Elliot and Leo, the story never quite regained the confidence and rhythm it had during the middle portion. I also have a prose-related nitpick in which a few stylistic habits became noticeable over time. The repeated "No X. No Y. Just Z." construction appears often enough that, by the eighth occurrence (yes, I was keeping track), it pulled me out of an otherwise immersive reading experience, which is part of why I landed at a 4 rather than a full 5 stars. Still, I read it 'til the end, because I wanted to see what Elliot will choose.

This isn't the most groundbreaking romantic premise ever written, but execution matters. And this one absolutely worked on me. I laughed far more than I expected--by the epilogue I found myself wishing I owned a physical copy just to keep on my shelf. That's usually a pretty good indicator that a book has earned its place in my future re-reads. :))

I don't think this is a romance I'd recommend universally, but if you enjoy "what if?" rom-coms, alternate timelines, lovable emotionally constipated protagonists, and male leads who somehow become more attractive simply by being kind and emotionally mature, I think you'll have a great time.

Be prepared to keep asking yourself one question the entire way through: when the spell finally breaks... which life will Elliot choose?

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.