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Witches of West Harbor #2
The Magic We Made
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26She doesn’t believe in magic. He is magic. But when they meet, a spark is lit, and neither will ever be the same—in this charming new stand-alone in the Witches of West Harbor series from New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot.
Frankie
A trained therapist, Francesca Giovanni knows there’s a scientific explanation for everything. Unfortunately, she lives in West Harbor, CT, a town that’s recently exploded in popularity thanks to “witch tourism.” Suddenly, witches are everywhere, offering locals their psychic services. Frankie’s fine with this…until aspiring teenage witches begin to disappear, and strange things start happening in the lake house next door. Frankie begins to suspect not all newcomers to West Harbor have the good of the community in mind—especially not her new neighbor, Ash Merit.
Ash
Ash Merit finds lost things—and people—for a living. All he wants is to help his clients, and maybe get to know the stunningly beautiful (and newly single) Dr. Frankie Giovanni a little better. But thanks to some troublesome young witches—not to mention his often faulty psychic “superpower”—everything goes wrong. If only Frankie wasn’t so distractingly attractive…and so unwilling to admit there might not be a logical reason for everything, including the flames that ignite whenever the two of them kiss. Ash hopes to change that, but first he and Frankie have to find the missing girls, as well as the truth about what’s happening in West Harbor…a truth that could change everything they thought they knew about themselves—and the magic of love.
Frankie
A trained therapist, Francesca Giovanni knows there’s a scientific explanation for everything. Unfortunately, she lives in West Harbor, CT, a town that’s recently exploded in popularity thanks to “witch tourism.” Suddenly, witches are everywhere, offering locals their psychic services. Frankie’s fine with this…until aspiring teenage witches begin to disappear, and strange things start happening in the lake house next door. Frankie begins to suspect not all newcomers to West Harbor have the good of the community in mind—especially not her new neighbor, Ash Merit.
Ash
Ash Merit finds lost things—and people—for a living. All he wants is to help his clients, and maybe get to know the stunningly beautiful (and newly single) Dr. Frankie Giovanni a little better. But thanks to some troublesome young witches—not to mention his often faulty psychic “superpower”—everything goes wrong. If only Frankie wasn’t so distractingly attractive…and so unwilling to admit there might not be a logical reason for everything, including the flames that ignite whenever the two of them kiss. Ash hopes to change that, but first he and Frankie have to find the missing girls, as well as the truth about what’s happening in West Harbor…a truth that could change everything they thought they knew about themselves—and the magic of love.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 11, 2026
17 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Meg Cabot
184 books35.4k followersLibrarian note: AKA Jenny Carroll (1-800-Where-R-You series), AKA Patricia Cabot (historical romance novels).
Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign. Fortunately she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where few people were aware of the stigma of being a fire horse -- at least until Meg became a teenager, when she flunked freshman Algebra twice, then decided to cut her own bangs. After six years as an undergrad at Indiana University, Meg moved to New York City (in the middle of a sanitation worker strike) to pursue a career as an illustrator, at which she failed miserably, forcing her to turn to her favorite hobby--writing novels--for emotional succor. She worked various jobs to pay the rent, including a decade-long stint as the assistant manager of a 700 bed freshmen dormitory at NYU, a position she still occasionally misses.
She is now the author of nearly fifty books for both adults and teens, selling fifteen million copies worldwide, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, most notably The Princess Diaries series, which is currently being published in over 38 countries, and was made into two hit movies by Disney. In addition, Meg wrote the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You? series (on which the television series, Missing, was based), two All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written entirely in email format (Boy Next Door, Boy Meets Girl, and Every Boy's Got One), a mystery series (Size 12 Is Not Fat/ Size 14 Is Not Fat Either/Big Boned), and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble.
Meg is now writing a new children's series called Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls. Her new paranormal series, Abandon, debuts in Summer of 2011.
Meg currently divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City with a primary cat (one-eyed Henrietta), various back-up cats, and her husband, who doesn't know he married a fire horse. Please don't tell him.
Series:
* Airhead
* The Princess Diaries
* Mediator
Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign. Fortunately she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where few people were aware of the stigma of being a fire horse -- at least until Meg became a teenager, when she flunked freshman Algebra twice, then decided to cut her own bangs. After six years as an undergrad at Indiana University, Meg moved to New York City (in the middle of a sanitation worker strike) to pursue a career as an illustrator, at which she failed miserably, forcing her to turn to her favorite hobby--writing novels--for emotional succor. She worked various jobs to pay the rent, including a decade-long stint as the assistant manager of a 700 bed freshmen dormitory at NYU, a position she still occasionally misses.
She is now the author of nearly fifty books for both adults and teens, selling fifteen million copies worldwide, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, most notably The Princess Diaries series, which is currently being published in over 38 countries, and was made into two hit movies by Disney. In addition, Meg wrote the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You? series (on which the television series, Missing, was based), two All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written entirely in email format (Boy Next Door, Boy Meets Girl, and Every Boy's Got One), a mystery series (Size 12 Is Not Fat/ Size 14 Is Not Fat Either/Big Boned), and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble.
Meg is now writing a new children's series called Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls. Her new paranormal series, Abandon, debuts in Summer of 2011.
Meg currently divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City with a primary cat (one-eyed Henrietta), various back-up cats, and her husband, who doesn't know he married a fire horse. Please don't tell him.
Series:
* Airhead
* The Princess Diaries
* Mediator
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
February 7, 2026
✨ Bookish Thoughts
This was such a weird book for me, which genuinely surprised me because I usually love Meg Cabot. It is still hard to fully articulate what felt off, but I will do my best. The story could not decide if it wanted to be a fun paranormal romance or an investigative mystery. At several points, I honestly questioned whether there was actually magic in this town at all.
The FMC, Francesca, felt odd and off putting almost from the very beginning. She came across as unlikable. The dialogue overall felt forced, and the interactions did not feel natural. I really wanted to like this one, but even the ending fell flat for me and felt disappointing and anticlimactic.
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 2.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
📝 Thank you to Avon Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a weird book for me, which genuinely surprised me because I usually love Meg Cabot. It is still hard to fully articulate what felt off, but I will do my best. The story could not decide if it wanted to be a fun paranormal romance or an investigative mystery. At several points, I honestly questioned whether there was actually magic in this town at all.
The FMC, Francesca, felt odd and off putting almost from the very beginning. She came across as unlikable. The dialogue overall felt forced, and the interactions did not feel natural. I really wanted to like this one, but even the ending fell flat for me and felt disappointing and anticlimactic.
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 2.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
📝 Thank you to Avon Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
November 4, 2025
Magical romance, kittens and a murderous teenage girl cult.
I really liked these main characters.
Both Frankie and Ash have good personalities, and their relationship had a pretty smooth development, which I liked.
I want to call this enemies to lovers, but it’s not really. It’s more “I don’t like you that much” to lovers?
But in my head, it still counts as an enjoyable trope.
I wish we got to see more romantic moments between them though! But I get that a lot of the story is focused on a bigger part of the plot, by design.
I will say that I thought some of this was maybe a little bit stretched. Nothing too bad, but there were a few moments where things felt overdramatized and unrealistic- even for a book about witches and cults.
I also thought there were some basic and corny parts, that really reminded me of something like the Disney movie Hercules.
I’m not really noting this as a “bad” thing.
I do think some people would probably like that- especially if they’re into mythology.
I love reading stories with witchy themes and major occult vibes and some parts of this story are giving that exactly.
This is like something you would watch in a cult documentary. It gave me of weird, kind of creepy and kind of “how could you possibly fall for that?” feelings.
(But seriously… I can’t believe they fell for that! Social media influencer culture will be the death of me.)
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and author Meg Cabot, for providing me with the eARC of “The Magic We Made”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 11, 2026
I really liked these main characters.
Both Frankie and Ash have good personalities, and their relationship had a pretty smooth development, which I liked.
I want to call this enemies to lovers, but it’s not really. It’s more “I don’t like you that much” to lovers?
But in my head, it still counts as an enjoyable trope.
I wish we got to see more romantic moments between them though! But I get that a lot of the story is focused on a bigger part of the plot, by design.
I will say that I thought some of this was maybe a little bit stretched. Nothing too bad, but there were a few moments where things felt overdramatized and unrealistic- even for a book about witches and cults.
I also thought there were some basic and corny parts, that really reminded me of something like the Disney movie Hercules.
I’m not really noting this as a “bad” thing.
I do think some people would probably like that- especially if they’re into mythology.
I love reading stories with witchy themes and major occult vibes and some parts of this story are giving that exactly.
This is like something you would watch in a cult documentary. It gave me of weird, kind of creepy and kind of “how could you possibly fall for that?” feelings.
(But seriously… I can’t believe they fell for that! Social media influencer culture will be the death of me.)
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and author Meg Cabot, for providing me with the eARC of “The Magic We Made”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 11, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a cozy, comforting read with just enough heart and magic to make it feel special. Meg Cabot does what she does best here: warm small town vibes, complicated family dynamics, and a touch of romance wrapped in gentle witchy charm.
West Harbor feels like the kind of place you want to escape to when life is heavy. The magic in this story is soft and emotional rather than flashy, rooted in relationships, grief, healing, and choosing yourself even when it is hard. I really loved how the story explored what happens when old wounds resurface and how love, both romantic and familial, can evolve instead of staying frozen in the past.
The romance is tender and slow burn, full of history and longing, which made it feel earned and realistic. I also appreciated the focus on found family and generational magic, especially how the women in this story carry strength, secrets, and resilience in different ways.
If you like cozy witchy stories with autumn vibes, second chances, emotional depth, and a hopeful tone, this is absolutely worth picking up. It feels like a warm mug of tea, a crackling fire, and a reminder that magic can be made again, even after loss.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
West Harbor feels like the kind of place you want to escape to when life is heavy. The magic in this story is soft and emotional rather than flashy, rooted in relationships, grief, healing, and choosing yourself even when it is hard. I really loved how the story explored what happens when old wounds resurface and how love, both romantic and familial, can evolve instead of staying frozen in the past.
The romance is tender and slow burn, full of history and longing, which made it feel earned and realistic. I also appreciated the focus on found family and generational magic, especially how the women in this story carry strength, secrets, and resilience in different ways.
If you like cozy witchy stories with autumn vibes, second chances, emotional depth, and a hopeful tone, this is absolutely worth picking up. It feels like a warm mug of tea, a crackling fire, and a reminder that magic can be made again, even after loss.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
December 8, 2025
This isn’t the first Meg Cabot book I’ve read (I love you, Avalon High), and it won’t be my last! This book was genuinely so much fun to read, and I’ll happily recommend it to people who are looking for a little spooky romance next season!
It is an interconnected standalone, so you don’t have to read the first to jump into the world of West Harbor. However, as someone who hasn’t read the first book in the series, this one might be more enjoyable if you read them in order.
I tend not to be the biggest fan of dual POV books; however, I loved how Cabot managed to do this one. Having three POVs, the FMCs, the MMCs, and the missing girl's POV to keep readers engaged in that plot was so brilliant. The missing girls were never pushed off to the side in any of the other POVs, but I found that whenever I was going to call it a night with reading, I always read one more chapter if I was going to end on Emma’s POV, I needed to keep going.
Everything about this book is so fun, from the cast, the dialogue and the plot. It was so easy to become invested in the town of West Harbor. Cabot’s writing is still as warm and witty as what I remember all of those years ago. For such a big cast of characters, Cabot did such an amazing job at making everybody stand out in their own way. I would love to see more of the Giovanni family as the series progresses. Of all the unique personalities throughout the book, Ash is hands down my favorite character, and how could he not be when he comes from a divine family? I think his magic is so unique, and I love how we see his own arc come together so perfectly in the end.
My only qualm with the book is how quickly Frankie and Ash go from hating each other (though it was only Frankie who hated Ash) to saying I love you in just a few days. I’m a sucker for slow burn, and I know that not every book is going to scratch that itch. Even then, how quickly Frankie and Ash admit their feelings for each other doesn’t ruin this book for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
It is an interconnected standalone, so you don’t have to read the first to jump into the world of West Harbor. However, as someone who hasn’t read the first book in the series, this one might be more enjoyable if you read them in order.
I tend not to be the biggest fan of dual POV books; however, I loved how Cabot managed to do this one. Having three POVs, the FMCs, the MMCs, and the missing girl's POV to keep readers engaged in that plot was so brilliant. The missing girls were never pushed off to the side in any of the other POVs, but I found that whenever I was going to call it a night with reading, I always read one more chapter if I was going to end on Emma’s POV, I needed to keep going.
Everything about this book is so fun, from the cast, the dialogue and the plot. It was so easy to become invested in the town of West Harbor. Cabot’s writing is still as warm and witty as what I remember all of those years ago. For such a big cast of characters, Cabot did such an amazing job at making everybody stand out in their own way. I would love to see more of the Giovanni family as the series progresses. Of all the unique personalities throughout the book, Ash is hands down my favorite character, and how could he not be when he comes from a divine family? I think his magic is so unique, and I love how we see his own arc come together so perfectly in the end.
My only qualm with the book is how quickly Frankie and Ash go from hating each other (though it was only Frankie who hated Ash) to saying I love you in just a few days. I’m a sucker for slow burn, and I know that not every book is going to scratch that itch. Even then, how quickly Frankie and Ash admit their feelings for each other doesn’t ruin this book for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 20, 2026
I’m not really sure what to make of this one. There were parts I really enjoyed but a lot of it left me feeling confused. This book is advertised as a stand-alone, but I feel like maybe I missed something by not reading the first book set in this world.
This book is told from three POVs. Frankie is a recently divorced psychologist who enjoys spending her time alone. She especially hates Ash and everything about him, despite there being no narrative to substantiate this hate. Ash is Frankie’s friendly neighbor she sees about once a year. He is financial advisor and also has a special power to help find lost things. Emma is the lost girl he is looking for, who is suspected to have run away from home to join a coven of witches.
The romance between Frankie and Ash just fell a little flat for me. It felt rushed and I didn’t feel much connection beyond their physical attraction to one another. I found Emma’s storyline to be the most interesting part of the book, but it kept getting more far fetched and confusing as it went on.
Despite the holdups I had, this is by no means a bad book. I really liked how fast paced and suspenseful the book was. It kept me engaged and I finished it in one day. I just wish there had been a little more clarity with the magic, deities, and witches.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is told from three POVs. Frankie is a recently divorced psychologist who enjoys spending her time alone. She especially hates Ash and everything about him, despite there being no narrative to substantiate this hate. Ash is Frankie’s friendly neighbor she sees about once a year. He is financial advisor and also has a special power to help find lost things. Emma is the lost girl he is looking for, who is suspected to have run away from home to join a coven of witches.
The romance between Frankie and Ash just fell a little flat for me. It felt rushed and I didn’t feel much connection beyond their physical attraction to one another. I found Emma’s storyline to be the most interesting part of the book, but it kept getting more far fetched and confusing as it went on.
Despite the holdups I had, this is by no means a bad book. I really liked how fast paced and suspenseful the book was. It kept me engaged and I finished it in one day. I just wish there had been a little more clarity with the magic, deities, and witches.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2026
The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot is such a fun, cozy read. She did a great job of combining a love story with a little bit of magic.
Frankie is a therapist who hardly ever leaves her house and doesn’t believe in magic at all. Ash is a self-confident man who does believe in magic. When girls start going missing in the witchy town of West Harbor, Ash is on a mission to help one family find their daughter. During this time, Frankie, who doesn’t like Ash at all (even though Ash really likes her), gets pulled into his world.
As they spend more time together, they figure out they’re truly compatible and quickly fall in love. This is not a slow-burn romance, but I truly enjoyed the evolving relationship between the two characters and the dual POVs.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC read!
Frankie is a therapist who hardly ever leaves her house and doesn’t believe in magic at all. Ash is a self-confident man who does believe in magic. When girls start going missing in the witchy town of West Harbor, Ash is on a mission to help one family find their daughter. During this time, Frankie, who doesn’t like Ash at all (even though Ash really likes her), gets pulled into his world.
As they spend more time together, they figure out they’re truly compatible and quickly fall in love. This is not a slow-burn romance, but I truly enjoyed the evolving relationship between the two characters and the dual POVs.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4/5 ⭐️
Romance: Closed Door
This is the second in the Witches of West Harbor series, but honestly, it could be read as a standalone. I read the first book 2 years ago, and barely remember any of those details.
This is a cute romance story told in 3 POVs. Getting the Emma POV takes any mystery or thriller aspect out of the story, so it is just a fun cozy read. This story is perfect for those that love a quick low-stakes paranormal romance.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC!
Romance: Closed Door
This is the second in the Witches of West Harbor series, but honestly, it could be read as a standalone. I read the first book 2 years ago, and barely remember any of those details.
This is a cute romance story told in 3 POVs. Getting the Emma POV takes any mystery or thriller aspect out of the story, so it is just a fun cozy read. This story is perfect for those that love a quick low-stakes paranormal romance.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Francesca "Frankie" Giovanni hates nothing more than her neighbor Ash Merit. He is loud (especially his ridiculous truck), always on his phone, and he put speakers on his deck that a guest once used to play Jimmy Buffet at insane levels for several days.
Ash Merit has a gift. Lost things will find him, so he goes to his cabin to hopefully locate a lost girl. The fact that he will be right next door to the beautiful Francesca is just a bonus.
But, Frankie does not believe in magic, and Ash knows it exists. Can the two find a common ground or are they destined to fall apart before they even begin?
Frankie is a skeptic but also a romantic at heart. She is smart, capable, and level headed. I love that she is 37, established in a career, owns her own home. Mybe she is a little grumpy at first but she quickly comes around.
Ash comes across as flighty, but he is willing to admit when he is wrong. He is funny, self-depricating, and intent on finding the missing girls. And on winning Frankie's heart.
Meg Cabot has written a fun mystery laden romance with witches, goddesses, influencers, Italian food, a mischievous gang of children and several newborn kittens. I enjoyed every minute.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the Advanced Copy of this book.
Ash Merit has a gift. Lost things will find him, so he goes to his cabin to hopefully locate a lost girl. The fact that he will be right next door to the beautiful Francesca is just a bonus.
But, Frankie does not believe in magic, and Ash knows it exists. Can the two find a common ground or are they destined to fall apart before they even begin?
Frankie is a skeptic but also a romantic at heart. She is smart, capable, and level headed. I love that she is 37, established in a career, owns her own home. Mybe she is a little grumpy at first but she quickly comes around.
Ash comes across as flighty, but he is willing to admit when he is wrong. He is funny, self-depricating, and intent on finding the missing girls. And on winning Frankie's heart.
Meg Cabot has written a fun mystery laden romance with witches, goddesses, influencers, Italian food, a mischievous gang of children and several newborn kittens. I enjoyed every minute.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the Advanced Copy of this book.
December 6, 2025
One of my most anticipated books of the year! It’s not often you pick up a book and it’s everything you wanted it to be -this was the perfect witchy read -I immediately hit preorder after reading my galley and can’t wait to reread next spooky season.
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Full review to post week beginning 12th July
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With thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyage for the free e-ARC in exchange for sharing an honest review.
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Full review to post week beginning 12th July
——
With thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyage for the free e-ARC in exchange for sharing an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved this book. While I cannot purchase it for my elementary library I will definitely recommend it to my secondary colleagues.
After reading one cannot help but wish that magic were real!
After reading one cannot help but wish that magic were real!
November 30, 2025
Description says it is a standalone novel. I felt like if I were to have read the first book in the series, I’d feel less disappointed about my experience with this book.
The magic didn’t exist to me. It was a concept that was promised, but never actually executed. I waited and waited for SOMETHING to happen, and when it did, I was so confused. Things made little sense. A lot was being revealed, but you just couldn’t seem to understand where this was coming from. It was so out of the blue and outrageous. I had anticipated so much just to be let down.
The “romance” between Frankie and Ash should’ve been kept out. I don’t think this plot line was necessary to the story. If you’re going to imply spicy time, you might as well leave it out all together. There was no point to this. Sex should not be the ONLY thing that brings two characters closer together. This was their catalyst, an empty, meaningless plot device.
Their demeanor when they were together was off putting. The entirety of their interactions were of them either ogling the other, or wondering if the other was thinking about ogling them. Ash mentioned the way Frankie’s ass looked THREE times in one chapter. How was it possible that these two could have had ANY chemistry, when they spent so much time noticing how the other looked and not on what truly mattered-their values, morals, etc!!! Their love didn’t feel real or believable.
The only thing that worked with this book was the plot centered on the missing girls. I loved reading Emma’s chapters. I wish we would’ve gotten more.
Also, the other only thing I LOVED WAS THAT CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you were looking for something magical and interesting, this might not be it for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc. This is my honest review.
The magic didn’t exist to me. It was a concept that was promised, but never actually executed. I waited and waited for SOMETHING to happen, and when it did, I was so confused. Things made little sense. A lot was being revealed, but you just couldn’t seem to understand where this was coming from. It was so out of the blue and outrageous. I had anticipated so much just to be let down.
The “romance” between Frankie and Ash should’ve been kept out. I don’t think this plot line was necessary to the story. If you’re going to imply spicy time, you might as well leave it out all together. There was no point to this. Sex should not be the ONLY thing that brings two characters closer together. This was their catalyst, an empty, meaningless plot device.
Their demeanor when they were together was off putting. The entirety of their interactions were of them either ogling the other, or wondering if the other was thinking about ogling them. Ash mentioned the way Frankie’s ass looked THREE times in one chapter. How was it possible that these two could have had ANY chemistry, when they spent so much time noticing how the other looked and not on what truly mattered-their values, morals, etc!!! Their love didn’t feel real or believable.
The only thing that worked with this book was the plot centered on the missing girls. I loved reading Emma’s chapters. I wish we would’ve gotten more.
Also, the other only thing I LOVED WAS THAT CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you were looking for something magical and interesting, this might not be it for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc. This is my honest review.
December 3, 2025
First and foremost, thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review:
Meg Cabot has done it again! As someone who grew up loving The Mediator series, I dove into The Magic We Made without reading the first book in the series—and I'm happy to report that it absolutely works as a standalone (though now I'm rushing to grab Enchanted to Meet You because I need more of this world).
What I Loved
The Character Dynamics: The real magic in this book lies in the chemistry and interactions between
the two main male characters. Cabot has a gift for creating relationships that feel genuine and engaging, and the dynamic between these characters kept me turning pages. Their banter, their conflicts, and their growth throughout the story felt authentic and compelling.
The Witch Timeline Mystery: The subplot involving the missing teenage witches added an intriguing layer of suspense that elevated the story beyond a simple romance. I found myself genuinely invested in unraveling what was happening in the witches' timeline, and Cabot wove this mystery throughout the narrative in a way that kept me engaged without overwhelming the character-driven story.
Cabot's Signature Style: The writing is exactly what I've come to expect and love from Meg Cabot—witty, warm, and effortlessly readable. It's cute without being saccharine, and she strikes that perfect balance between humor and heart that made The Mediator series so special.
Why Not 5 Stars?
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there were a few minor elements that kept it from being a perfect read for me. However, these didn't significantly detract from my overall enjoyment, and Meg Cabot once again proved why she's been a favorite author of mine for years.
Who Should Read This?
If you loved The Mediator series, you NEED to read this. Cabot brings the same charm, engaging character work, and supernatural intrigue that made us fall in love with Suze and Jesse to this adult romance series. It's the perfect next step for fans who grew up with her YA work and are looking for something with similar heart but aimed at an older audience.
Final Thoughts
The Magic We Made is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and magic that showcases why Meg Cabot remains one of the most reliably entertaining authors in the genre. Whether you're coming from her YA backlist or discovering her for the first time, this book delivers exactly what you want: engaging characters, an intriguing plot, and that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from a well-crafted story. I'm already looking forward to going back to read book one and continuing with this series.
Meg Cabot has done it again! As someone who grew up loving The Mediator series, I dove into The Magic We Made without reading the first book in the series—and I'm happy to report that it absolutely works as a standalone (though now I'm rushing to grab Enchanted to Meet You because I need more of this world).
What I Loved
The Character Dynamics: The real magic in this book lies in the chemistry and interactions between
the two main male characters. Cabot has a gift for creating relationships that feel genuine and engaging, and the dynamic between these characters kept me turning pages. Their banter, their conflicts, and their growth throughout the story felt authentic and compelling.
The Witch Timeline Mystery: The subplot involving the missing teenage witches added an intriguing layer of suspense that elevated the story beyond a simple romance. I found myself genuinely invested in unraveling what was happening in the witches' timeline, and Cabot wove this mystery throughout the narrative in a way that kept me engaged without overwhelming the character-driven story.
Cabot's Signature Style: The writing is exactly what I've come to expect and love from Meg Cabot—witty, warm, and effortlessly readable. It's cute without being saccharine, and she strikes that perfect balance between humor and heart that made The Mediator series so special.
Why Not 5 Stars?
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there were a few minor elements that kept it from being a perfect read for me. However, these didn't significantly detract from my overall enjoyment, and Meg Cabot once again proved why she's been a favorite author of mine for years.
Who Should Read This?
If you loved The Mediator series, you NEED to read this. Cabot brings the same charm, engaging character work, and supernatural intrigue that made us fall in love with Suze and Jesse to this adult romance series. It's the perfect next step for fans who grew up with her YA work and are looking for something with similar heart but aimed at an older audience.
Final Thoughts
The Magic We Made is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and magic that showcases why Meg Cabot remains one of the most reliably entertaining authors in the genre. Whether you're coming from her YA backlist or discovering her for the first time, this book delivers exactly what you want: engaging characters, an intriguing plot, and that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from a well-crafted story. I'm already looking forward to going back to read book one and continuing with this series.
December 6, 2025
I took a chance on reading this as an early copy without having read any of the author’s other books, especially the first in the Witches of West Harbor. This was mentioned as a standalone so I thought I’d be safe :)
While it seems to be a good possible standalone, I’m sure having read the first (#1 in series) might have helped me enjoy it quite a bit more.
Positives ~ I liked the witchy vibe of the town, and their claim to fame about a witchy encounter. The tourism spike helps keep the town alive and thriving, but it took me awhile to figure out if this was truly a magical town with magical interferences. The main characters, Frankie and Ash are fun and charming and some of their togetherness is very cute. Unfortunately, or fortunately? My favorite character is the cat newly named Daisy and her kittens. I’m a sucker for a cat character, and she was quite entertaining in her immediate acceptance of Ash vs. having held off Frankie for quite some time playing hard to get under the front porch 😁
Not really negatives, but things I was so so about? While I liked Ash and Frankie, for me personally I thought maybe they were just a little bit insta-love (to use a friend’s turn of phrase). There really wasn’t a lot of buildup in their relationship, it just seemed to be they meet and then fall in love so quickly. Secondly, I had a hard time figuring out if the whole side story of the book was supposed to be a magical and witchy coven, or if this was a more sinister, mysterious cult and potentially even a concern for the survival of some of the characters. All of this could truly be my fault in reading this as a standalone and not having read the first book prior to diving into The Magic We Made.
It’s still a cute, magical read, and with patience, the author provides all the answers and a fitting ending. If I am to recommend, I’d go back and read some of the authors other work, and definitely read the first in the Witches of West Harbor to see if it assists in my enjoyment of this book.
While it seems to be a good possible standalone, I’m sure having read the first (#1 in series) might have helped me enjoy it quite a bit more.
Positives ~ I liked the witchy vibe of the town, and their claim to fame about a witchy encounter. The tourism spike helps keep the town alive and thriving, but it took me awhile to figure out if this was truly a magical town with magical interferences. The main characters, Frankie and Ash are fun and charming and some of their togetherness is very cute. Unfortunately, or fortunately? My favorite character is the cat newly named Daisy and her kittens. I’m a sucker for a cat character, and she was quite entertaining in her immediate acceptance of Ash vs. having held off Frankie for quite some time playing hard to get under the front porch 😁
Not really negatives, but things I was so so about? While I liked Ash and Frankie, for me personally I thought maybe they were just a little bit insta-love (to use a friend’s turn of phrase). There really wasn’t a lot of buildup in their relationship, it just seemed to be they meet and then fall in love so quickly. Secondly, I had a hard time figuring out if the whole side story of the book was supposed to be a magical and witchy coven, or if this was a more sinister, mysterious cult and potentially even a concern for the survival of some of the characters. All of this could truly be my fault in reading this as a standalone and not having read the first book prior to diving into The Magic We Made.
It’s still a cute, magical read, and with patience, the author provides all the answers and a fitting ending. If I am to recommend, I’d go back and read some of the authors other work, and definitely read the first in the Witches of West Harbor to see if it assists in my enjoyment of this book.
January 27, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ and 2 🌶️
I received this digital ARC from NetGalley. This review and all the opinions therein are all my own opinion.
This was a magical realism romance with a mystery woven throughout. It was also enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first. It was also a bit of grumpy/sunshine where she is the grump.
This story follows Frankie and Ash. They are neighbors and she hates him because he rents his house out to summer people and those people are always bothering her. She hates him for this 😆. I thought her grumpy divorcee attitude was pretty amusing to read.
This book starts with Ash coming back to live in his house for the fall. He does this because he has been tasked by his boss to find one of the missing girls in the area. The authorities aren’t searching for these girls because they are all over 18. Ash’s boss believes there is something sinister going on.
Ash is asked to find this missing girl because lost things find him. That is his superpower…we learn later that it is more than just that but that is how he explains it to everyone. He moves into his rental house and we find out that he has been infatuated with Frankie since he bought the house and she was still married to her horrible ex. Now that she is divorced and he is in town for a longer time, he decides to start to pursue her. It is actually amusing how many times he asks her out and she pretends to have plans so she can avoid him.
Mingled into their chapters, we also get Emma (the missing girl’s) chapters. These really help us understand the ending.
The ending is wild and I didn’t expected such a magic heavy ending but it was amusing to read.
I liked the connection between the MC’s even if I do think their falling in love was fast. I think the whole book covers about 1-2 weeks. Either was nice to read about adults (high thirties) falling in love and not college students.
I received this digital ARC from NetGalley. This review and all the opinions therein are all my own opinion.
This was a magical realism romance with a mystery woven throughout. It was also enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first. It was also a bit of grumpy/sunshine where she is the grump.
This story follows Frankie and Ash. They are neighbors and she hates him because he rents his house out to summer people and those people are always bothering her. She hates him for this 😆. I thought her grumpy divorcee attitude was pretty amusing to read.
This book starts with Ash coming back to live in his house for the fall. He does this because he has been tasked by his boss to find one of the missing girls in the area. The authorities aren’t searching for these girls because they are all over 18. Ash’s boss believes there is something sinister going on.
Ash is asked to find this missing girl because lost things find him. That is his superpower…we learn later that it is more than just that but that is how he explains it to everyone. He moves into his rental house and we find out that he has been infatuated with Frankie since he bought the house and she was still married to her horrible ex. Now that she is divorced and he is in town for a longer time, he decides to start to pursue her. It is actually amusing how many times he asks her out and she pretends to have plans so she can avoid him.
Mingled into their chapters, we also get Emma (the missing girl’s) chapters. These really help us understand the ending.
The ending is wild and I didn’t expected such a magic heavy ending but it was amusing to read.
I liked the connection between the MC’s even if I do think their falling in love was fast. I think the whole book covers about 1-2 weeks. Either was nice to read about adults (high thirties) falling in love and not college students.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley & the Publisher for this ARC of The Magic We Made! I read the first book in the series (my first book by Meg Cabot) just to prepare for this ARC and was not let down.
I really enjoyed this. It matches the tone of its predecessor, Enchanted to Meet You, while giving us a different plot that doesn’t feel repetitive from the previous book. I like also that it’s beginner-friendly, and that this is a “sequel/stand alone” you can pick up without having read the first book in the “Witches of West Harbor” series. Cabot does a great job at explaining basic world lore without it feeling too repetitive to those of us who already know the vibe.
Now onto my only gripes with this. Bear in mind this was an ARC, so things may be corrected in the final edition. These are just some thoughts I had about Frankie as a main character:
*The reader is never expressly told about Frankie’s swimming skills until she needs them. I won’t say more than that because it gets into spoiler territory, but I would have appreciated some additional depth into making that a characteristic of hers.
*Frankie’s career seems fairly unclear. At first the reader is led to believe she’s helping manage tenants? But then later we are told she is a Doctor. It seems a bit disjointed, but the doctoral background does match her skepticism toward magic better.
The fact that it’s only two little issues like this tells you how much I enjoyed this. I’ll be continuing reading more of Meg Cabot’s backlog and looking forward to the third installment of The Witches of West Harbor series. For those of you reading this who don’t know, Cabot is the author of The Princess Diaries. She has phenomenal writing, wit, and clearly a passion for storytelling.
I really enjoyed this. It matches the tone of its predecessor, Enchanted to Meet You, while giving us a different plot that doesn’t feel repetitive from the previous book. I like also that it’s beginner-friendly, and that this is a “sequel/stand alone” you can pick up without having read the first book in the “Witches of West Harbor” series. Cabot does a great job at explaining basic world lore without it feeling too repetitive to those of us who already know the vibe.
Now onto my only gripes with this. Bear in mind this was an ARC, so things may be corrected in the final edition. These are just some thoughts I had about Frankie as a main character:
*The reader is never expressly told about Frankie’s swimming skills until she needs them. I won’t say more than that because it gets into spoiler territory, but I would have appreciated some additional depth into making that a characteristic of hers.
*Frankie’s career seems fairly unclear. At first the reader is led to believe she’s helping manage tenants? But then later we are told she is a Doctor. It seems a bit disjointed, but the doctoral background does match her skepticism toward magic better.
The fact that it’s only two little issues like this tells you how much I enjoyed this. I’ll be continuing reading more of Meg Cabot’s backlog and looking forward to the third installment of The Witches of West Harbor series. For those of you reading this who don’t know, Cabot is the author of The Princess Diaries. She has phenomenal writing, wit, and clearly a passion for storytelling.
December 6, 2025
✨ THE MAGIC WE MADE by Meg Cabot
Witches of West Harbor #2 • Cozy, witchy, romantic chaos incoming 💜🔮
If you love your romances witchy, whimsical, and just a little unhinged, The Magic We Made is the perfect late-summer read. Think: small-town magic, therapist-meets-psychic chaos, missing witches, and a chemistry spark that literally sets things on fire.
Frankie is all logic and science.
Ash is… absolutely not.
Put them together? Instant sparks, reluctant attraction, and the funniest “this cannot be happening” energy.
✨ Read this if you love:
🔮 Cozy witch vibes
💘 Slow-burn, “I don’t like you (but actually I do)” romance
🌊 New-neighbors + shared-danger trope
🧙♀️ Magical mishaps
🔥 A broody psychic MMC who is magic incarnate
🐈 Cute animals + chaotic familiars
🕯️ Light mystery with cult-y, spooky undertones
😂 That signature Meg Cabot charm
This one reads like a mash-up of:
witchy rom-com + cozy mystery + small-town magic + soft, surprising chemistry.
It’s quirky, warm, slightly spooky, and full of that “magic is real if you’re willing to see it” heart. Frankie and Ash are adorable together, even when everything around them is falling apart (sometimes literally).
If you’re into Practical Magic meets a Hallmark witch movie with a dash of cult drama and romantic fireworks then you’ll devour this.
#TheMagicWeMade #MegCabot #WitchesOfWestHarbor #CozyFantasy #WitchyReads #RomanticFantasy #FantasyRomance #BookstagramMagic #Avon #HarperVoyager #WitchTokReaders
Witches of West Harbor #2 • Cozy, witchy, romantic chaos incoming 💜🔮
If you love your romances witchy, whimsical, and just a little unhinged, The Magic We Made is the perfect late-summer read. Think: small-town magic, therapist-meets-psychic chaos, missing witches, and a chemistry spark that literally sets things on fire.
Frankie is all logic and science.
Ash is… absolutely not.
Put them together? Instant sparks, reluctant attraction, and the funniest “this cannot be happening” energy.
✨ Read this if you love:
🔮 Cozy witch vibes
💘 Slow-burn, “I don’t like you (but actually I do)” romance
🌊 New-neighbors + shared-danger trope
🧙♀️ Magical mishaps
🔥 A broody psychic MMC who is magic incarnate
🐈 Cute animals + chaotic familiars
🕯️ Light mystery with cult-y, spooky undertones
😂 That signature Meg Cabot charm
This one reads like a mash-up of:
witchy rom-com + cozy mystery + small-town magic + soft, surprising chemistry.
It’s quirky, warm, slightly spooky, and full of that “magic is real if you’re willing to see it” heart. Frankie and Ash are adorable together, even when everything around them is falling apart (sometimes literally).
If you’re into Practical Magic meets a Hallmark witch movie with a dash of cult drama and romantic fireworks then you’ll devour this.
#TheMagicWeMade #MegCabot #WitchesOfWestHarbor #CozyFantasy #WitchyReads #RomanticFantasy #FantasyRomance #BookstagramMagic #Avon #HarperVoyager #WitchTokReaders
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.
I am a fan of Meg Cabot's work and read a lot of her YA books years ago as a teenager. This was the first time I've read something she's written for adults. I found the concept really interesting, a magical link to gods and goddesses along with a sweet small coastal town and a crazy murderous witchy girl cult, it was a little bit mystery, a little bit romance and a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the romance between the main two characters very believable - they went from enemies to eternal-love entirely too quickly. The MMC, Ash, comes off rather stalkery knowing basically everything about Frankie from barely being neighbors, and I had whiplash from how quickly Frankie went from not being able to stand him and resenting his entire being to jumping into bed with him and being willing to risk her life to save him.
I also found the storyline a bit slow at times and confusing with the addition of so many named side characters, but that's likely due to the fact that this is a series. The cat storyline and the chapters from Emma's perspective (one of the girls in the cult) was what kept me reading it! I honestly wish the whole storyline had just been her and Ash's perspective and Meg had left the romance out entirely, the mystery of it all was far more compelling.
It feels more like a YA book at its core, but it was definitely a fun read that I would recommend for Halloween or if you're into witchy magic!
I am a fan of Meg Cabot's work and read a lot of her YA books years ago as a teenager. This was the first time I've read something she's written for adults. I found the concept really interesting, a magical link to gods and goddesses along with a sweet small coastal town and a crazy murderous witchy girl cult, it was a little bit mystery, a little bit romance and a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the romance between the main two characters very believable - they went from enemies to eternal-love entirely too quickly. The MMC, Ash, comes off rather stalkery knowing basically everything about Frankie from barely being neighbors, and I had whiplash from how quickly Frankie went from not being able to stand him and resenting his entire being to jumping into bed with him and being willing to risk her life to save him.
I also found the storyline a bit slow at times and confusing with the addition of so many named side characters, but that's likely due to the fact that this is a series. The cat storyline and the chapters from Emma's perspective (one of the girls in the cult) was what kept me reading it! I honestly wish the whole storyline had just been her and Ash's perspective and Meg had left the romance out entirely, the mystery of it all was far more compelling.
It feels more like a YA book at its core, but it was definitely a fun read that I would recommend for Halloween or if you're into witchy magic!
November 30, 2025
Rounded up from 3.5
Frankie is completely skeptical about all the new 'witch' stuff in town; she thinks it's a scam. She finds herself working with Ash, the irritating but hot next-door neighbor to find some missing girls. Sparks begin to fly as they start to feel some serious magic between while they uncover the town's secrets. Frankie reconsiders what she knows about love and magic.
This book had cute overall plot and I really liked the characters of Ash and Frankie. I loved Frankie's extended Italian family with its noisy ritual of Sunday Gravy. It is obvious that Meg Cabot researched the involvement of Wicca with Gaia and Hecate. She did great at explaining the difference of being a "good" witch and a "bad" witch.
But that's where I had a little issue with the book, there is a lot of explaining or defining in the book. At one point Frankie explains the meaning of the term "groupthink" to Ash; which, truthfully is pretty self-explanatory. It felt a tad condescending. The romance of Ash and Frank was a bit fast and could have been more flushed out.
But overall, a cute book with some great scenes that worked really well. I do think that reading the first book in the series prior to reading this book would be a good idea.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Meg Cabot for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
Frankie is completely skeptical about all the new 'witch' stuff in town; she thinks it's a scam. She finds herself working with Ash, the irritating but hot next-door neighbor to find some missing girls. Sparks begin to fly as they start to feel some serious magic between while they uncover the town's secrets. Frankie reconsiders what she knows about love and magic.
This book had cute overall plot and I really liked the characters of Ash and Frankie. I loved Frankie's extended Italian family with its noisy ritual of Sunday Gravy. It is obvious that Meg Cabot researched the involvement of Wicca with Gaia and Hecate. She did great at explaining the difference of being a "good" witch and a "bad" witch.
But that's where I had a little issue with the book, there is a lot of explaining or defining in the book. At one point Frankie explains the meaning of the term "groupthink" to Ash; which, truthfully is pretty self-explanatory. It felt a tad condescending. The romance of Ash and Frank was a bit fast and could have been more flushed out.
But overall, a cute book with some great scenes that worked really well. I do think that reading the first book in the series prior to reading this book would be a good idea.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Meg Cabot for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Meg Cabot delivers another enchanting witchy rom-com with The Magic We Made! As having read the first book in the Witches of West Harbor series (Enchanted to Meet You), I was thrilled to dive into this standalone story featuring skeptical therapist Frankie Giovanni and her mysterious new neighbor, Ash Merit—who happens to literally be magic.
Frankie doesn’t believe in the supernatural, preferring logic and therapy sessions to spells. But when teenage witches start disappearing in their quaint Connecticut town and weird things happen next door, she’s forced to team up with the distractingly handsome Ash. The chemistry between them is electric (literally—those kiss scenes spark flames!), blending Cabot’s signature humor, heart, and heartfelt moments perfectly.
I loved the mix of cozy small-town vibes, light paranormal elements, and a romance that feels both fun and meaningful. The mystery of the missing girls keeps you turning pages, while themes of believing in the impossible (and in love) add emotional depth. Cabot’s witty dialogue and relatable characters shine as always—it’s pure escapist joy!
If you enjoy feel-good paranormal romances with strong heroines, swoony heroes, and a touch of magic, this is a must-read. Can’t wait for more from West Harbor! Highly recommend for fans of Cabot’s adult romances.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review
Frankie doesn’t believe in the supernatural, preferring logic and therapy sessions to spells. But when teenage witches start disappearing in their quaint Connecticut town and weird things happen next door, she’s forced to team up with the distractingly handsome Ash. The chemistry between them is electric (literally—those kiss scenes spark flames!), blending Cabot’s signature humor, heart, and heartfelt moments perfectly.
I loved the mix of cozy small-town vibes, light paranormal elements, and a romance that feels both fun and meaningful. The mystery of the missing girls keeps you turning pages, while themes of believing in the impossible (and in love) add emotional depth. Cabot’s witty dialogue and relatable characters shine as always—it’s pure escapist joy!
If you enjoy feel-good paranormal romances with strong heroines, swoony heroes, and a touch of magic, this is a must-read. Can’t wait for more from West Harbor! Highly recommend for fans of Cabot’s adult romances.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Magic We Made
(The Witches of West Harbor #2)
By Meg Cabot
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this eARC!
Frankie is just trying to enjoy newly found singleness in her small town - she wants to garden in peace and swim in the lake. She does not want to deal with her neighbor, Ash. She hasn’t even met him yet, but she’s already made up her mind about him due to the noise of his car and music left on outside the house.
When Ash’s magical ability to find missing things brings him on a more lengthy than usual stay in West Harbor to track down a missing girl, Frankie realizes she might have been a little too quick to judge him. Possibly because he’s also a cat whisperer.
Frankie becomes tangled up in Ash’s mission to find Emma, the missing girl that’s immersed herself in a “witchy influencer cult”.
I haven’t read a Meg Cabot book since my Princess Diary days! She was a must read YA author in my teenage years, so I was excited to get into it! The story was fine - I just realized I’m not much into the paranormal stuff with my romances. I was cool with him finding lost cats, but once we started getting into Ash’s mystical family tree, I started losing interest.
I read this as a standalone and did fine with it - I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything, but also wasn’t inspired to pick up the first from the series.
The Magic We Made will be published August 11, 2026.
(The Witches of West Harbor #2)
By Meg Cabot
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this eARC!
Frankie is just trying to enjoy newly found singleness in her small town - she wants to garden in peace and swim in the lake. She does not want to deal with her neighbor, Ash. She hasn’t even met him yet, but she’s already made up her mind about him due to the noise of his car and music left on outside the house.
When Ash’s magical ability to find missing things brings him on a more lengthy than usual stay in West Harbor to track down a missing girl, Frankie realizes she might have been a little too quick to judge him. Possibly because he’s also a cat whisperer.
Frankie becomes tangled up in Ash’s mission to find Emma, the missing girl that’s immersed herself in a “witchy influencer cult”.
I haven’t read a Meg Cabot book since my Princess Diary days! She was a must read YA author in my teenage years, so I was excited to get into it! The story was fine - I just realized I’m not much into the paranormal stuff with my romances. I was cool with him finding lost cats, but once we started getting into Ash’s mystical family tree, I started losing interest.
I read this as a standalone and did fine with it - I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything, but also wasn’t inspired to pick up the first from the series.
The Magic We Made will be published August 11, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Voyager/Avon for the earc!
Meet Frankie and Ash.
They are polar opposites.
One believes in rational and scientific explanations.
The other believes in the supernatural (and is supernatural). One resides in the countryside by a lake, and the other resides in an upbeat city.
Frankie absolutely loathes the rental property next door to her, which is managed by Ash. All a girl wants is some peace and quiet, but life's difficult when you have renters blasting "Margaritaville" for the fifth time. However, a strange occurrence causes for the latest renter to vacate the property.
After all, there are numerous news articles floating around about these young girls that have gone missing in West Harbor, and no one seems to have found them. An unexpected tag team is soon formed between Frankie and Ash when they decide to unravel this mystery together. Where did these missing girls go? What is the connections between them?
Get ready to embark on this supernatural mystery with Frankie (the non-believer), Ash (the aggravating but wait...he's kinda cute property manager that moves in next door), a mom-to-be cat, as they search for a cult.
Right around the 70% mark? Strap in your seatbelts, readers! That plot twist is going to take you for a wild ride!
A perfect read for the autumn and spooky season!
P.S. Oh, and Richard really IS a dick!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
The Magic We Made is a cozy and charming magical mystery that blends small-town vibes with witchy intrigue, quirky characters, and just enough sparkle to keep you turning pages. Set in the peculiar and enchanting town of West Harbor, this fun stand-alone fantasy follows skeptic psychologist Frankie and her mystical neighbor Ash as they get tangled up in more than just quirky town gossip; missing girls, supernatural oddities, and a mystery that won’t stay buried.
Meg Cabot’s signature warmth shines through in her witty dialogue and easy-going pacing, making the characters feel familiar and easy to root for. Frankie’s logic-first worldview clashing with Ash’s magical perspective creates a delightful dynamic that kept me smiling, and the mystery threads gave the story an engaging backbone. While the romance was lighter and quicker than expected for some readers, the chemistry and banter still added a nice spark to the overarching story.
The blend of magic, mystery, humor, and cozy small-town charm makes this the kind of read that’s perfect when you want something fun, magical, and easy to sink into. It isn’t perfect... some plot threads feel a bit scattered, and the paranormal elements aren’t always fully explained, but overall it’s an enjoyable and uplifting adventure that left me glad I spent time in West Harbor.
4 stars cozy magic, witty banter, and a mystery that’s fun to unravel. 🪄📚
The Magic We Made is a cozy and charming magical mystery that blends small-town vibes with witchy intrigue, quirky characters, and just enough sparkle to keep you turning pages. Set in the peculiar and enchanting town of West Harbor, this fun stand-alone fantasy follows skeptic psychologist Frankie and her mystical neighbor Ash as they get tangled up in more than just quirky town gossip; missing girls, supernatural oddities, and a mystery that won’t stay buried.
Meg Cabot’s signature warmth shines through in her witty dialogue and easy-going pacing, making the characters feel familiar and easy to root for. Frankie’s logic-first worldview clashing with Ash’s magical perspective creates a delightful dynamic that kept me smiling, and the mystery threads gave the story an engaging backbone. While the romance was lighter and quicker than expected for some readers, the chemistry and banter still added a nice spark to the overarching story.
The blend of magic, mystery, humor, and cozy small-town charm makes this the kind of read that’s perfect when you want something fun, magical, and easy to sink into. It isn’t perfect... some plot threads feel a bit scattered, and the paranormal elements aren’t always fully explained, but overall it’s an enjoyable and uplifting adventure that left me glad I spent time in West Harbor.
4 stars cozy magic, witty banter, and a mystery that’s fun to unravel. 🪄📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Meg Cabot for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, my thoughts are my own.
Frankie is a therapist who lives in West Harbor, CT. She loves it there, except for her neighbor renting out his house to summer people who are loud and keep asking her questions. She is recently divorced and has a lovely Italian family. She is working through her divorce and the passing of her father. She is very scientifically minded and loves exercising and cats, but magic just doesn’t make sense to her.
Ash is magic personified, with a magical family and an ability to find things. He comes from the city to find someone important to his family. He is very attracted to Frankie who thinks they are enemies and the story really begins.
I loved this story so much and there is a reason Meg Cabot is as successful as she is, her writing is amazing! Magic and chemistry collide in this story with Ash and Frankie.. I loved the Italian family dynamics, the siblings and their banter, and the love that they have. The mystery and reveals in this story are incredible and so unpredictable it’s astounding. The pacing was perfect, the writing was witty, dynamic, and easy to read. If you haven’t read anything by Meg Cabot, what are you waiting for! She is a must read author and this book is no different. Highly recommended!
Frankie is a therapist who lives in West Harbor, CT. She loves it there, except for her neighbor renting out his house to summer people who are loud and keep asking her questions. She is recently divorced and has a lovely Italian family. She is working through her divorce and the passing of her father. She is very scientifically minded and loves exercising and cats, but magic just doesn’t make sense to her.
Ash is magic personified, with a magical family and an ability to find things. He comes from the city to find someone important to his family. He is very attracted to Frankie who thinks they are enemies and the story really begins.
I loved this story so much and there is a reason Meg Cabot is as successful as she is, her writing is amazing! Magic and chemistry collide in this story with Ash and Frankie.. I loved the Italian family dynamics, the siblings and their banter, and the love that they have. The mystery and reveals in this story are incredible and so unpredictable it’s astounding. The pacing was perfect, the writing was witty, dynamic, and easy to read. If you haven’t read anything by Meg Cabot, what are you waiting for! She is a must read author and this book is no different. Highly recommended!
December 26, 2025
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
I used to love Meg Cabot when I was 12, and unfortunately it seems she’s still writing for readers with roughly that same reading level.
This book desperately needed another round of editing. It’s overly repetitive, dull, and weighed down by long stretches of dialogue that exist purely for exposition — exposition that was already made painfully clear through context clues, only to be repeated again a few pages later. Over and over.
The pop culture commentary and banter somehow manage to be both dated and mildly problematic. Maybe that’s intentional given the small-town setting, but intention doesn’t make it any less tedious to read. I was also reminded of a long-standing irritation I had even as a kid: Cabot’s male POVs feel especially reductive, and rereading her work as an adult only made that more obvious.
You can follow this as a standalone, but you’re repeatedly beaten over the head with Easter eggs and references to the previous book — which I thankfully never read, as this one was disappointing enough on its own.
Overall, this felt like a book better suited to the tween audience Cabot excels at, rather than adult readers. There’s nothing particularly spicy, subversive, or emotionally adult here — just grown characters who don’t actually function like grown-ups.
I used to love Meg Cabot when I was 12, and unfortunately it seems she’s still writing for readers with roughly that same reading level.
This book desperately needed another round of editing. It’s overly repetitive, dull, and weighed down by long stretches of dialogue that exist purely for exposition — exposition that was already made painfully clear through context clues, only to be repeated again a few pages later. Over and over.
The pop culture commentary and banter somehow manage to be both dated and mildly problematic. Maybe that’s intentional given the small-town setting, but intention doesn’t make it any less tedious to read. I was also reminded of a long-standing irritation I had even as a kid: Cabot’s male POVs feel especially reductive, and rereading her work as an adult only made that more obvious.
You can follow this as a standalone, but you’re repeatedly beaten over the head with Easter eggs and references to the previous book — which I thankfully never read, as this one was disappointing enough on its own.
Overall, this felt like a book better suited to the tween audience Cabot excels at, rather than adult readers. There’s nothing particularly spicy, subversive, or emotionally adult here — just grown characters who don’t actually function like grown-ups.
November 30, 2025
Electronic ARC provided by Edelweiss.
I always enjoy Meg Cabot, and her Witches of West Harbor series is shaping up to be a fun setting. Like many current cozy fantasy series, West Harbor is presented as a setting for any number of loosely related stories. Generally with series like this I find myself enjoying them more and more as the series progresses and the world building deepens.
In The Magic We Made we are introduced to main characters Ash and Frankie. The two have a sort of believer/skeptic dynamic going on for much of the book (in fact, Frankie's stubborn disbelief got a little wearing at times, though I guess she does have her reasons), as they go from vaguely antagonistic (at least on Frankie's part), to lovers while investigating a local teenage witch cult.
Frankie's family was generally delightful, and it was fun to get cameos from the previous books characters. The central mystery was interesting, and it's hard to go wrong with the teenage witch cult idea. Also there are kittens.
The Magic We Made is a fun installment to this series that expands the world and provides a solid cozy fantasy/romance experience. I'm glad that Meg Cabot has chosen to play more with this world.
I always enjoy Meg Cabot, and her Witches of West Harbor series is shaping up to be a fun setting. Like many current cozy fantasy series, West Harbor is presented as a setting for any number of loosely related stories. Generally with series like this I find myself enjoying them more and more as the series progresses and the world building deepens.
In The Magic We Made we are introduced to main characters Ash and Frankie. The two have a sort of believer/skeptic dynamic going on for much of the book (in fact, Frankie's stubborn disbelief got a little wearing at times, though I guess she does have her reasons), as they go from vaguely antagonistic (at least on Frankie's part), to lovers while investigating a local teenage witch cult.
Frankie's family was generally delightful, and it was fun to get cameos from the previous books characters. The central mystery was interesting, and it's hard to go wrong with the teenage witch cult idea. Also there are kittens.
The Magic We Made is a fun installment to this series that expands the world and provides a solid cozy fantasy/romance experience. I'm glad that Meg Cabot has chosen to play more with this world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cozy New England small-town meets witchy influencer cult meets neighbors to lovers…
This was a cute read. I think it’s best suited for young adults and there’s nothing wrong with that! It’s giving if hallmark made a movie about witches/magic - our fmc, coming out of a dull marriage, is content with her life. She sees her therapy clients virtually, gardens, swims in the lake, and lives and all around peaceful life. The only problem? Her neighbor. He rents out his home to pesky tourists who are drawn to the town due to its witchy vibes and history! This causes plenty of problems for Frankie and she’s fed up with Ash despite never really having dealt with him personally. When Ash’s magical ability to find lost things draws him to West Harbor for an extended period of time due to a search for dozens of missing girls (hello witchy influencer cult?), the two are thrust into a reluctant alliance as events unfold that push them closer together.
Strait laced Frankie can’t help but find that where she once felt annoyance for Ash, she now finds him eccentric and endearing! It’s a bit insta-lovey once they are around each other but overall the vibe was cute and fun! There’s lots of occult, mystery, and mythological aspects that add an interesting layer to an otherwise rom-comy read.
This was a cute read. I think it’s best suited for young adults and there’s nothing wrong with that! It’s giving if hallmark made a movie about witches/magic - our fmc, coming out of a dull marriage, is content with her life. She sees her therapy clients virtually, gardens, swims in the lake, and lives and all around peaceful life. The only problem? Her neighbor. He rents out his home to pesky tourists who are drawn to the town due to its witchy vibes and history! This causes plenty of problems for Frankie and she’s fed up with Ash despite never really having dealt with him personally. When Ash’s magical ability to find lost things draws him to West Harbor for an extended period of time due to a search for dozens of missing girls (hello witchy influencer cult?), the two are thrust into a reluctant alliance as events unfold that push them closer together.
Strait laced Frankie can’t help but find that where she once felt annoyance for Ash, she now finds him eccentric and endearing! It’s a bit insta-lovey once they are around each other but overall the vibe was cute and fun! There’s lots of occult, mystery, and mythological aspects that add an interesting layer to an otherwise rom-comy read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t warm up to Frankie during the first third of the book. Ash, on the other hand, was lovable from page one. Frankie felt like a porcupine who had been hurt one too many times, and it took honesty (which I always love in a character) and perseverance to finally win her over.
Frankie is a serious, dedicated therapist who lives in the charming town of West Harbor. She resides in a house on the lake, and the descriptions of the scenery and changing seasons are wonderfully cozy and do an excellent job of setting the mood. Ash owns the house next door and has been renting it out to summer visitors.
Frankie is convinced she can’t stand Ash, but the feeling is far from mutual—Ash is clearly smitten from the start. What begins as her annoyance and resistance gradually turns into something deeper as they join forces to uncover the mystery of the missing young girls in their town. Enter witches, covens, cults, and magic.
This book can be read as a standalone, but reading book one first would likely add more depth and context to the characters and story. There is a lot happening in this installment—Frankie is very much her own hero—and while there is a satisfying happy ending, the author clearly sets the stage for book three.
⭐️ 3.5 bones from Herb and me.
Frankie is a serious, dedicated therapist who lives in the charming town of West Harbor. She resides in a house on the lake, and the descriptions of the scenery and changing seasons are wonderfully cozy and do an excellent job of setting the mood. Ash owns the house next door and has been renting it out to summer visitors.
Frankie is convinced she can’t stand Ash, but the feeling is far from mutual—Ash is clearly smitten from the start. What begins as her annoyance and resistance gradually turns into something deeper as they join forces to uncover the mystery of the missing young girls in their town. Enter witches, covens, cults, and magic.
This book can be read as a standalone, but reading book one first would likely add more depth and context to the characters and story. There is a lot happening in this installment—Frankie is very much her own hero—and while there is a satisfying happy ending, the author clearly sets the stage for book three.
⭐️ 3.5 bones from Herb and me.
February 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Meg Cabot delivers another charming witchy romance with The Magic We Made, the second book in her Witches of West Harbor series. Skeptical therapist Frankie Giovanni and her magical, mysterious neighbor Ash Merit are fun, flirty, and full of chemistry. While their “I don’t like you that much” to lovers dynamic isn’t a traditional enemies-to-lovers, it’s still an enjoyable trope, even if I wish for a few more romantic moments.
The story blends cozy small-town vibes, light paranormal elements, and a suspenseful mystery involving missing teenage witches. Some parts felt overdramatic or corny, and the romance occasionally leaned toward insta-love, but the quirky side characters, including a mischievous cat, added a lot of heart. The magic, witches, and coven elements are whimsical and intriguing, though reading the first book (Enchanted to Meet You) may help clarify some plot points.
Overall, this is a fast-paced, fun, and magical read with the signature humor and warmth Meg Cabot does so well. Fans of cozy fantasy, witchy romances, and small-town charm will enjoy diving into West Harbor.
Read if you like:
- Multi POV
- Mystery
- Witchy Magic
- Closed Door
- He Falls First
Meg Cabot delivers another charming witchy romance with The Magic We Made, the second book in her Witches of West Harbor series. Skeptical therapist Frankie Giovanni and her magical, mysterious neighbor Ash Merit are fun, flirty, and full of chemistry. While their “I don’t like you that much” to lovers dynamic isn’t a traditional enemies-to-lovers, it’s still an enjoyable trope, even if I wish for a few more romantic moments.
The story blends cozy small-town vibes, light paranormal elements, and a suspenseful mystery involving missing teenage witches. Some parts felt overdramatic or corny, and the romance occasionally leaned toward insta-love, but the quirky side characters, including a mischievous cat, added a lot of heart. The magic, witches, and coven elements are whimsical and intriguing, though reading the first book (Enchanted to Meet You) may help clarify some plot points.
Overall, this is a fast-paced, fun, and magical read with the signature humor and warmth Meg Cabot does so well. Fans of cozy fantasy, witchy romances, and small-town charm will enjoy diving into West Harbor.
Read if you like:
- Multi POV
- Mystery
- Witchy Magic
- Closed Door
- He Falls First
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I need to preface this by saying that Meg Cabot basically saved my life. When I had walking pneumonia, I was able to get all the Princess Diaries books (that were published at the time) from my local library and read them while recovering. The two most recent release in that series were published during difficult times in my life. Now this ARC was sitting in my lap when my last grandparent passed.
So I'm probably a little biased when I say this was a 5-star read, but truthfully, Cabot is just SO READABLE. Her story telling and pacing are incredible, her characters both endearing and realistic. This was abundently true in The Magic We Made. Ash is the MMC of my dreams, awkward but swoony, and just self-depreciating enough to not be annoying. Frankie is the perfect FMC for this book, being so completely levelheaded that she's utterly unprepared for the world around her.
The bits of humor that pop up during the most tension-filled parts of the stroy help it from getting too deep and too dark. It's a gorgeous story, with scenery and characters so beautiful and real it helps you escape life for a little while. I cannot recommend this book enough, and I'm so excited to see what charactes will be featured next in this series!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
So I'm probably a little biased when I say this was a 5-star read, but truthfully, Cabot is just SO READABLE. Her story telling and pacing are incredible, her characters both endearing and realistic. This was abundently true in The Magic We Made. Ash is the MMC of my dreams, awkward but swoony, and just self-depreciating enough to not be annoying. Frankie is the perfect FMC for this book, being so completely levelheaded that she's utterly unprepared for the world around her.
The bits of humor that pop up during the most tension-filled parts of the stroy help it from getting too deep and too dark. It's a gorgeous story, with scenery and characters so beautiful and real it helps you escape life for a little while. I cannot recommend this book enough, and I'm so excited to see what charactes will be featured next in this series!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
November 23, 2025
I had such a good time with The Magic We Made! Meg Cabot is my all-time favorite author (I will never shut up about the Mediator series), so of course I grabbed this ARC the second I could. And honestly, it was just pure magical fun.
Frankie and Ash have that perfect logic vs. magic chemistry that Meg Cabot does so well. It is fun, flirty, and a little chaotic in the best way. I loved watching Frankie try to rationalize literally everything while Ash is over here being all psychic and charming. Their sparks were so cute, and the mystery of the missing girls kept the whole story moving. I was really engaged, as I always am with her books but I love this Witches of West Harbor series.
The vibe is whimsical, cozy, and just the right amount of romantic. It feels like classic Meg Cabot but with a magical twist, and I absolutely ate it up. I love small towns, light witchy vibes, and an awesome romance, and this was such a great book by an amazing author. It is also perfect for the season and I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Cabot, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
Frankie and Ash have that perfect logic vs. magic chemistry that Meg Cabot does so well. It is fun, flirty, and a little chaotic in the best way. I loved watching Frankie try to rationalize literally everything while Ash is over here being all psychic and charming. Their sparks were so cute, and the mystery of the missing girls kept the whole story moving. I was really engaged, as I always am with her books but I love this Witches of West Harbor series.
The vibe is whimsical, cozy, and just the right amount of romantic. It feels like classic Meg Cabot but with a magical twist, and I absolutely ate it up. I love small towns, light witchy vibes, and an awesome romance, and this was such a great book by an amazing author. It is also perfect for the season and I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Cabot, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
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