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The Magic of Us
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.
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.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2026
About the author
Beth Merlin
10 books197 followersBeth 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
May 19, 2026
1st half made me mad. Second half made it worth it
June 1, 2026
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
DNF at 38%. I don’t know what that was, but it was terrible.
May 6, 2026
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.
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.
June 9, 2026
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.
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.
July 15, 2026
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!
June 6, 2026
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!
June 10, 2026
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.
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.
July 20, 2026
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.
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.
June 8, 2026
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced e/arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 31, 2026
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.
June 1, 2026
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.
August 2, 2026
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.
Read
May 8, 2026I loved this book!!!!!!! This had great advice on life in general!!!! Very fast paced!
May 18, 2026
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.
August 9, 2026
It's like a 4.25. Very cute, romantically, funny read.
May 14, 2026
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.
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.
June 14, 2026
This healed a piece of me - cute and easy read
June 26, 2026
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 😭
He's attentive. He listens. He remembers Elliot's favorite things. He plans thoughtful dates. And he's a total family guy! I. AM. SOLD. I giggled so hard
The novel lost a little momentum toward the middle, however. the story never quite regained the confidence and rhythm it had during the middle portion. I also have a prose-related nitpick 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.
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's a total family guy! I. AM. SOLD. I giggled so hard
The novel lost a little momentum toward the middle, however. the story never quite regained the confidence and rhythm it had during the middle portion. I also have a prose-related nitpick 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.
May 14, 2026
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.
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.
June 9, 2026
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.
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.
June 12, 2026
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: readers who love contemporary romance, second chances, complicated families, messy characters, and stories that ask “what if life had gone a little differently?”
I went into The Magic of Us expecting an easy, sweet romance. Something light to curl up with and enjoy for a while.
And it was that.
But it also gave me a little more to think about than I expected.
The little touch of “what if?” magic was such a fun idea. Not because it arrived to wave a wand and suddenly make life perfect, but because it threw everything into chaos and opened the door to a different perspective.
Sometimes seeing another path does not mean it was the right path. Sometimes it just helps you understand the one you are already walking.
Elliot and I definitely had our struggles along the way. I understood why she had built her walls, but there were also moments where I wanted to sit her down with a cup of coffee and tell her that being hurt does not mean you are the only person who can be hurting.
But that was also what made her feel human.
People are messy. We protect ourselves, we make mistakes, we convince ourselves we are doing the right thing. And watching all those tangled little threads slowly unravel was what kept me listening.
And then there was Leo.
Sweet, patient, vulnerable Leo, who somehow managed to have the emotional maturity most people spend a lifetime searching for. Almost suspiciously so. 😂 But I loved the softness he brought to the story, and there were moments between them that genuinely made my heart feel things.
If you look too closely at the “what if?” twist, you might find a few questions hiding between the pages, but sometimes a story is less about solving every little detail and more about where the journey takes you.
I came looking for an easy little summer romance, and while I found that, I also found a story that quietly asked a few more questions along the way.
✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• A simple “what if?” twist that opened the door for reflection
• The way it explores healing, choices, and the messy parts of being human
• A romance filled with patience, vulnerability, and second chances
🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• The “what if?” twist works best when you follow the feeling instead of questioning every detail
• Elliot’s walls and choices definitely tested my patience at times
• Some family dynamics made me want to pull up a chair and demand a proper conversation
⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
A little thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for opening the door and letting me wander into this story. All thoughts, feelings, and bookish ramblings I brought back are entirely my own. 📖✨
I went into The Magic of Us expecting an easy, sweet romance. Something light to curl up with and enjoy for a while.
And it was that.
But it also gave me a little more to think about than I expected.
The little touch of “what if?” magic was such a fun idea. Not because it arrived to wave a wand and suddenly make life perfect, but because it threw everything into chaos and opened the door to a different perspective.
Sometimes seeing another path does not mean it was the right path. Sometimes it just helps you understand the one you are already walking.
Elliot and I definitely had our struggles along the way. I understood why she had built her walls, but there were also moments where I wanted to sit her down with a cup of coffee and tell her that being hurt does not mean you are the only person who can be hurting.
But that was also what made her feel human.
People are messy. We protect ourselves, we make mistakes, we convince ourselves we are doing the right thing. And watching all those tangled little threads slowly unravel was what kept me listening.
And then there was Leo.
Sweet, patient, vulnerable Leo, who somehow managed to have the emotional maturity most people spend a lifetime searching for. Almost suspiciously so. 😂 But I loved the softness he brought to the story, and there were moments between them that genuinely made my heart feel things.
If you look too closely at the “what if?” twist, you might find a few questions hiding between the pages, but sometimes a story is less about solving every little detail and more about where the journey takes you.
I came looking for an easy little summer romance, and while I found that, I also found a story that quietly asked a few more questions along the way.
✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• A simple “what if?” twist that opened the door for reflection
• The way it explores healing, choices, and the messy parts of being human
• A romance filled with patience, vulnerability, and second chances
🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• The “what if?” twist works best when you follow the feeling instead of questioning every detail
• Elliot’s walls and choices definitely tested my patience at times
• Some family dynamics made me want to pull up a chair and demand a proper conversation
⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
A little thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for opening the door and letting me wander into this story. All thoughts, feelings, and bookish ramblings I brought back are entirely my own. 📖✨
June 7, 2026
To Find Love You Have To Take A Chance
The Magic of Us by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi is a story of romance, family dysfunction, and a touch of magic. Interesting that one of the authors has the name Merlin.
Elliot Rose West is a radio advice and talk show host. The name of her show "Love is a Four Letter Word" describes it well. El makes it clear she doesn't believe in love. She only indulges in fleeting relationships. The fact that her dad left her mom for his secretary when El was only two, was the first step in her fear of love development. That relationship failed but her dad married another secretary a couple of years later and went on to raise a second family and a life that didn't include Elliot
The second step is that El's mother was a serial bride. Sonja has had three failed marriages and is now planning a fourth marriage. This makes El furious because she's left to pick up the pieces when her mom falls apart after the marriages fail.
The final step to seal her life's love path is when her high school and college boyfriend Matty cheats on her. Matty is the son of Sonja's best friend Izzy Adler
Elliott goes to Myconos on a business trip and meets Leo Kindel who is with a group celebrating a wedding bachelor's party. Leo seems to really see her and she enjoys spending time with him. He extends his stay by a week and a half and asks her to promise to meet him in Paris, by the Eiffel Tower on December 24th so they can see if their feelings continue. El chooses to continue her anti love book and program and stands Leo up
When El is at a program where she's sharing her book with an audience, she's approached by a Medium who says she would like to do a Tarot card reading on Elliot in gratitude for her having enjoyed El's program. The card reading moves the medium to do a Love spell for El. Because of the spell, El wakes up to find Leo in her bed and evidence that she met him in Paris after all. The way the rest of the story unwinds is a great study in family dynamics and how we might be unaware of some of our own self defeating traits
The Magic of Us by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi is a story of romance, family dysfunction, and a touch of magic. Interesting that one of the authors has the name Merlin.
Elliot Rose West is a radio advice and talk show host. The name of her show "Love is a Four Letter Word" describes it well. El makes it clear she doesn't believe in love. She only indulges in fleeting relationships. The fact that her dad left her mom for his secretary when El was only two, was the first step in her fear of love development. That relationship failed but her dad married another secretary a couple of years later and went on to raise a second family and a life that didn't include Elliot
The second step is that El's mother was a serial bride. Sonja has had three failed marriages and is now planning a fourth marriage. This makes El furious because she's left to pick up the pieces when her mom falls apart after the marriages fail.
The final step to seal her life's love path is when her high school and college boyfriend Matty cheats on her. Matty is the son of Sonja's best friend Izzy Adler
Elliott goes to Myconos on a business trip and meets Leo Kindel who is with a group celebrating a wedding bachelor's party. Leo seems to really see her and she enjoys spending time with him. He extends his stay by a week and a half and asks her to promise to meet him in Paris, by the Eiffel Tower on December 24th so they can see if their feelings continue. El chooses to continue her anti love book and program and stands Leo up
When El is at a program where she's sharing her book with an audience, she's approached by a Medium who says she would like to do a Tarot card reading on Elliot in gratitude for her having enjoyed El's program. The card reading moves the medium to do a Love spell for El. Because of the spell, El wakes up to find Leo in her bed and evidence that she met him in Paris after all. The way the rest of the story unwinds is a great study in family dynamics and how we might be unaware of some of our own self defeating traits
Review of advance copy
4.5 stars really!
Okay, so I knew the name Beth Merlin, but didn’t realize maybe all her books had been written with this other author, that I now see on Goodreads listed with the other books? But I enjoyed them, so I looked forward to reading this when I saw it was the Amazon Prime First Reads option I liked for May. I totally got why Elliot felt the way she did about love. And I loved the 10 rules she had for love, they all were so true, and quite witty.
However, when for some magical reason Leo shows up in her life, and he’s perfect, not annoying, doesn’t do anything that would make a reason to not like him, she still wants to fight being with him, because it will mess up her whole radio show persona that is making her career take off. So that right there, that made me unsure if I would be able to like her because of that. And to be fair, there were times I was so frustrated with her. And I feel she did go quite over the top at times with how she treated some people, even again, if I did understand her reasons for doing it.
Of course, everyone in the story is going to surprise her. Her mother’s soon to be 4th husband, he is a good guy. Her dad and his family, maybe they can or have figured some things out. While I don’t give her ex any leeway because he should have known better than to even try to get back with her, it’s only fair that she does need to look at not keeping her hatred of him so close to her heart.
When something happens with Leo, and now she is back to how things were, she finally figures out how she does want Leo in her life, and she sets out to make it real, but only after making sure she is good with her own life. Because Leo is the perfect guy for her.
The destination wedding had so many activities, including going to a chocolate factory, and that made me remember my own excursion on my first Disney cruise where we went to a chocolate factory too. Made me want to go back. I definitely enjoyed this one, and am glad I got the chance to read it a tiny bit early!
Okay, so I knew the name Beth Merlin, but didn’t realize maybe all her books had been written with this other author, that I now see on Goodreads listed with the other books? But I enjoyed them, so I looked forward to reading this when I saw it was the Amazon Prime First Reads option I liked for May. I totally got why Elliot felt the way she did about love. And I loved the 10 rules she had for love, they all were so true, and quite witty.
However, when for some magical reason Leo shows up in her life, and he’s perfect, not annoying, doesn’t do anything that would make a reason to not like him, she still wants to fight being with him, because it will mess up her whole radio show persona that is making her career take off. So that right there, that made me unsure if I would be able to like her because of that. And to be fair, there were times I was so frustrated with her. And I feel she did go quite over the top at times with how she treated some people, even again, if I did understand her reasons for doing it.
Of course, everyone in the story is going to surprise her. Her mother’s soon to be 4th husband, he is a good guy. Her dad and his family, maybe they can or have figured some things out. While I don’t give her ex any leeway because he should have known better than to even try to get back with her, it’s only fair that she does need to look at not keeping her hatred of him so close to her heart.
When something happens with Leo, and now she is back to how things were, she finally figures out how she does want Leo in her life, and she sets out to make it real, but only after making sure she is good with her own life. Because Leo is the perfect guy for her.
The destination wedding had so many activities, including going to a chocolate factory, and that made me remember my own excursion on my first Disney cruise where we went to a chocolate factory too. Made me want to go back. I definitely enjoyed this one, and am glad I got the chance to read it a tiny bit early!
July 1, 2026
Elliott is a complete relationship cynic. Her entire career is built around encouraging women to be independent, stop centering their lives around relationships, and realize that they do not need love to feel complete. Then she goes on vacation, meets Leo, and immediately has the kind of chemistry that is impossible to ignore.
The problem is that Elliott is given multiple chances to let herself explore this connection, but her childhood trauma and fear of being hurt keep getting in the way. There were so many moments when I wanted to yell, “Elliott, you need therapy!” Every time something started to feel real, her inner voice would take over and convince her that love was dangerous or that she was somehow betraying everything she believed in.
I am a very independent woman myself, so I understood a lot of what she was saying. But after a while, the constant “boo, I hate men” attitude started to ruffle my feathers. It leaned so heavily into the message that women do not need relationships that it sometimes felt like Elliott was using empowerment as a shield instead of actually dealing with her trauma.
What really carried this book for me was the chemistry between Leo and Elliott. Leo was patient, supportive, and never tried to force her into becoming someone she was not. The way he stood by her while she struggled through her fears was actually dreamy, which is funny because I do not think I have ever used that word in a review before. Their connection felt warm, romantic, and worth rooting for, even when Elliott was making me want to shake her.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but Elliott’s constant resistance and lack of emotional healing became frustrating. My rating is honestly based heavily on Leo, their chemistry, and the way he supported her through everything.
The problem is that Elliott is given multiple chances to let herself explore this connection, but her childhood trauma and fear of being hurt keep getting in the way. There were so many moments when I wanted to yell, “Elliott, you need therapy!” Every time something started to feel real, her inner voice would take over and convince her that love was dangerous or that she was somehow betraying everything she believed in.
I am a very independent woman myself, so I understood a lot of what she was saying. But after a while, the constant “boo, I hate men” attitude started to ruffle my feathers. It leaned so heavily into the message that women do not need relationships that it sometimes felt like Elliott was using empowerment as a shield instead of actually dealing with her trauma.
What really carried this book for me was the chemistry between Leo and Elliott. Leo was patient, supportive, and never tried to force her into becoming someone she was not. The way he stood by her while she struggled through her fears was actually dreamy, which is funny because I do not think I have ever used that word in a review before. Their connection felt warm, romantic, and worth rooting for, even when Elliott was making me want to shake her.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but Elliott’s constant resistance and lack of emotional healing became frustrating. My rating is honestly based heavily on Leo, their chemistry, and the way he supported her through everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
3.5⭐️ This was my Amazon First Reads pick this month & I really enjoyed it! 💙✨ It was, actually, pretty tough to put down and I read it pretty quickly, for me.☺️ Elliot didn’t make it easy to love her, she drove me crazy many times, but I did & I felt for her & everything she went through and I really, really wanted & needed for her to come out of the dark & heal & embrace all the love around her. That was definitely a driving force for me to keep reading & not wanting to put the book down. 😊But, also, there was Leo. 🥰 He was a dream. And I absolutely loved them together. ❤️✨ The healing journey Elliot took with Leo and with her family and Matty was rough, but touching & heartfelt & definitely necessary and long overdue. The characters, relationships & conflicts were really interesting & compelling. It was pretty emotional, I teared up several times, but quite beautiful. I will say that even though I enjoyed the family/Matty parts, I wished they were maybe a bit shorter or just that there was more story/scenes with Elliot and Leo, because I was definitely missing him/them, especially during the last part of the book. It made me even more sad to realize he wasn’t really going to remember most if it, either. And I wish there was more of the magic element, too. But, overall, I truly enjoyed this book, I was definitely invested in these characters, my emotions were activated and I love how the healing journey & relationships, family & romantic developed & were resolved. I *loved* the Epilogue! ❤️✨
Oh, also, the friendships were wonderful too, especially Marin! I love how devoted & protective she was and how she told Elliot exactly how it *really* was. I just wished Elliot listened to her, sooner. But, it’s all good. ☺️
Oh, also, the friendships were wonderful too, especially Marin! I love how devoted & protective she was and how she told Elliot exactly how it *really* was. I just wished Elliot listened to her, sooner. But, it’s all good. ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2026
This book opens with a list of "commandments" for dating, and honestly, many of them seem pretty reasonable. The focus is on building a strong, independent life rather than letting love drag you along or becoming dependent on a relationship.
What follows is a fun holiday fling that makes this a perfect summer read. Things get complicated when Leo returns just as the heroine's brand is built around the message that women do not need a man to be successful. She is also firmly in the "Valentine's Day is a made up holiday" camp. Faced with a real relationship, she has to decide whether to hold tightly to the image she has created or risk letting love in. One of my favorite moments comes after Leo returns when he takes her to an interactive Mamma Mia! dinner, a date that perfectly captures why Leo is such a great book boyfriend and why he is worth taking a chance on.
Unfortunately, she seems determined to Titanic her relationship straight into an iceberg. Much of that comes from unresolved childhood trauma that she desperately needs therapy to address. Rather than adding emotional depth, I found much of it came across as trauma dumping that made her seem immature and increasingly frustrating. Then, in an Ebenezer Scrooge-like twist, Leo disappears, forcing her to confront what she really wants.
I loved this book most when it leaned into its lighter, humorous side. While I wasn't expecting the heavier focus on childhood trauma, I did appreciate the underlying message that strength is not found in avoiding relationships. Whether single or partnered, women can pursue love in a way that strengthens them rather than damages them. Not quite what I expected, but a worthwhile read nonetheless.
What follows is a fun holiday fling that makes this a perfect summer read. Things get complicated when Leo returns just as the heroine's brand is built around the message that women do not need a man to be successful. She is also firmly in the "Valentine's Day is a made up holiday" camp. Faced with a real relationship, she has to decide whether to hold tightly to the image she has created or risk letting love in. One of my favorite moments comes after Leo returns when he takes her to an interactive Mamma Mia! dinner, a date that perfectly captures why Leo is such a great book boyfriend and why he is worth taking a chance on.
Unfortunately, she seems determined to Titanic her relationship straight into an iceberg. Much of that comes from unresolved childhood trauma that she desperately needs therapy to address. Rather than adding emotional depth, I found much of it came across as trauma dumping that made her seem immature and increasingly frustrating. Then, in an Ebenezer Scrooge-like twist, Leo disappears, forcing her to confront what she really wants.
I loved this book most when it leaned into its lighter, humorous side. While I wasn't expecting the heavier focus on childhood trauma, I did appreciate the underlying message that strength is not found in avoiding relationships. Whether single or partnered, women can pursue love in a way that strengthens them rather than damages them. Not quite what I expected, but a worthwhile read nonetheless.
July 18, 2026
4 ⭐️
This book was so cute to me and somewhat inspirational.
(But honestly, f*ck Mat and she shouldn’t have forgiven him, idgaf if he never stopped loving you, he f*cked up.)
Elliot is known for, and has a whole podcast, dedicated to rejecting love. But mind you, I feel like she has the right reason to, she grew up in a household where her father left the house when she was little, for another woman and then had a whole other family. Her mother is on her way to a 4th marriage because she keeps trying to find men that make her feel loved and seen, completely ignoring Elliot and not seeing how she desperately needs her mother to be a mother. And then there’s Mat, her ex (who was also her best friend since childhood) was cheating on her and caught him in the act. Everyone she’s ever loved has left, disappointed her, and completely broken her heart.
Until she meets Leo, he was only suppose to be a summer fling but he worked his way into her heart. He believed in fate and told her that if it is meant to be, they will meet again in Paris under the Eiffel Tower on Christmas. Elliot never showed up. She keeps on pushing with her podcast rejecting love, saying how it’s all a sham, until one day she wakes up (after getting her tarot cards read) and Leo is asleep next to her. She’s living the life she would have had if she had gone to Paris that Christmas. She’s confused trying to figure out what’s going on and starts to see that love isn’t really a sham, there’s so much more if you just open up and let people in. She comes back to her real life eventually and has to make some changes and decisions regarding her life, her career, and how/who she sees her future.
“Love is a four letter word. And that word…is hope.”
This book was so cute to me and somewhat inspirational.
(But honestly, f*ck Mat and she shouldn’t have forgiven him, idgaf if he never stopped loving you, he f*cked up.)
Elliot is known for, and has a whole podcast, dedicated to rejecting love. But mind you, I feel like she has the right reason to, she grew up in a household where her father left the house when she was little, for another woman and then had a whole other family. Her mother is on her way to a 4th marriage because she keeps trying to find men that make her feel loved and seen, completely ignoring Elliot and not seeing how she desperately needs her mother to be a mother. And then there’s Mat, her ex (who was also her best friend since childhood) was cheating on her and caught him in the act. Everyone she’s ever loved has left, disappointed her, and completely broken her heart.
Until she meets Leo, he was only suppose to be a summer fling but he worked his way into her heart. He believed in fate and told her that if it is meant to be, they will meet again in Paris under the Eiffel Tower on Christmas. Elliot never showed up. She keeps on pushing with her podcast rejecting love, saying how it’s all a sham, until one day she wakes up (after getting her tarot cards read) and Leo is asleep next to her. She’s living the life she would have had if she had gone to Paris that Christmas. She’s confused trying to figure out what’s going on and starts to see that love isn’t really a sham, there’s so much more if you just open up and let people in. She comes back to her real life eventually and has to make some changes and decisions regarding her life, her career, and how/who she sees her future.
“Love is a four letter word. And that word…is hope.”
July 3, 2026
Love Begins Where Forgiveness Lives
The story follows a radio host who has built emotional walls after being hurt in the past. She's cynical about love and convinced that romance is mostly a marketing gimmick. She believes keeping people at arm's length is the safest way to live. Watching her slowly challenge those beliefs was incredibly rewarding.
What I loved most was the message that forgiveness isn't about letting someone else off the hook. It's about giving yourself the freedom to move forward. The journey she takes toward realizing she's worthy of love is beautifully written and feels genuine.
The romance is sweet, but the emotional growth is what really shines. It's about learning that love isn't something you need to complete you. It's something you can choose to welcome into your life when you're ready. If you're always protecting yourself and playing defense, you never give yourself the chance to truly grow or experience happiness.
The touch of magic woven throughout the story adds just enough whimsy without taking away from the emotional depth. It complements the themes of hope, healing, and new beginnings perfectly.
This was a warm, emotional, and uplifting read with meaningful life lessons, lovable characters, and a reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is let yourself be loved. I closed this book feeling hopeful, and that's a little bit of magic all on its own.
The story follows a radio host who has built emotional walls after being hurt in the past. She's cynical about love and convinced that romance is mostly a marketing gimmick. She believes keeping people at arm's length is the safest way to live. Watching her slowly challenge those beliefs was incredibly rewarding.
What I loved most was the message that forgiveness isn't about letting someone else off the hook. It's about giving yourself the freedom to move forward. The journey she takes toward realizing she's worthy of love is beautifully written and feels genuine.
The romance is sweet, but the emotional growth is what really shines. It's about learning that love isn't something you need to complete you. It's something you can choose to welcome into your life when you're ready. If you're always protecting yourself and playing defense, you never give yourself the chance to truly grow or experience happiness.
The touch of magic woven throughout the story adds just enough whimsy without taking away from the emotional depth. It complements the themes of hope, healing, and new beginnings perfectly.
This was a warm, emotional, and uplifting read with meaningful life lessons, lovable characters, and a reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is let yourself be loved. I closed this book feeling hopeful, and that's a little bit of magic all on its own.
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