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Witches of West Harbor #2
The Magic We Made
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 03:02:46
30 copies available
U.S. only
She 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
About the author
Meg Cabot
200 books35.6k 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 259 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
March 30, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
I didn’t realize when I requested this title it was apart of a series, so I did read Enchanted to Meet You first. There are some references to the first book in this one, but you do not need to read the first of the series to read this one. However, there are spoilers in the second for the first, as you may expect. Same setting, some characters that cross paths, but nothing dependent on the other. I did enjoy the second book better.
Frankie is a very confident character and does not require the admiration of others. I do feel like she can seem set in an opinion and change it rather quickly though. The witches in this book were more compelling to me, and I enjoyed that Frankie was not one of them like I was expecting.
This was a cute, atmospheric, palette cleanser. I was not ever very compelled to pick this one back up, mainly because it all felt very surface level. It was fine, and depending on the plot lines I may continue with the series if Meg Cabot writes more.
Are other albums up for discussion or are we sticking to Speak Now? Second chance romance for Back to December next?
3.5 stars
I didn’t realize when I requested this title it was apart of a series, so I did read Enchanted to Meet You first. There are some references to the first book in this one, but you do not need to read the first of the series to read this one. However, there are spoilers in the second for the first, as you may expect. Same setting, some characters that cross paths, but nothing dependent on the other. I did enjoy the second book better.
Frankie is a very confident character and does not require the admiration of others. I do feel like she can seem set in an opinion and change it rather quickly though. The witches in this book were more compelling to me, and I enjoyed that Frankie was not one of them like I was expecting.
This was a cute, atmospheric, palette cleanser. I was not ever very compelled to pick this one back up, mainly because it all felt very surface level. It was fine, and depending on the plot lines I may continue with the series if Meg Cabot writes more.
Are other albums up for discussion or are we sticking to Speak Now? Second chance romance for Back to December next?
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!
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.
June 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the gifted ARC!
3.5 stars rounded up. This is technically the second book in the series, but it definitely works as a standalone. There are a few mentions of events from the first book, but nothing that made me feel lost going into it (I read the first one almost 3 years ago).
I really liked the setup of this one. Frankie is a therapist who wants a logical explanation for everything, and Ash is very much the opposite of that. Their dynamic was easily my favorite part of the book, especially as they go from neighbors who don’t quite understand each other to actually working together when things in West Harbor start getting weird. The romance was what kept me the most engaged, and I liked how it developed alongside everything else going on.
The mystery of the missing witches kept things interesting, and I liked being back in this quirky, witchy small town. There’s a cozy atmosphere here with the lake, the community, and all the magical tourism stuff happening in the background. I also did enjoy seeing familiar characters from the first book pop back in.
That said, this one did feel a bit all over the place at times. There’s a lot going on between the romance, the mystery, and the magical elements, and it occasionally felt like everything was competing for attention with magic, cult-like elements, and the missing girls being influencers all mixed together. I found myself a little less invested in some of the side elements than I wanted to be.
3.5 stars rounded up. This is technically the second book in the series, but it definitely works as a standalone. There are a few mentions of events from the first book, but nothing that made me feel lost going into it (I read the first one almost 3 years ago).
I really liked the setup of this one. Frankie is a therapist who wants a logical explanation for everything, and Ash is very much the opposite of that. Their dynamic was easily my favorite part of the book, especially as they go from neighbors who don’t quite understand each other to actually working together when things in West Harbor start getting weird. The romance was what kept me the most engaged, and I liked how it developed alongside everything else going on.
The mystery of the missing witches kept things interesting, and I liked being back in this quirky, witchy small town. There’s a cozy atmosphere here with the lake, the community, and all the magical tourism stuff happening in the background. I also did enjoy seeing familiar characters from the first book pop back in.
That said, this one did feel a bit all over the place at times. There’s a lot going on between the romance, the mystery, and the magical elements, and it occasionally felt like everything was competing for attention with magic, cult-like elements, and the missing girls being influencers all mixed together. I found myself a little less invested in some of the side elements than I wanted to be.
June 23, 2026
This was an enjoyable romance read. I loved the overall concept of this book and how this book blended romance, magic, and a bit of mystery. I liked how this book was told through multiple points of view. Overall this was a fun, quick read.
Read this if you like:
📖 Witchy vibes
📖 Small town settings
📖 Missing girls
📖 He falls first
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Read this if you like:
📖 Witchy vibes
📖 Small town settings
📖 Missing girls
📖 He falls first
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5
Super quick read that gave me "easy, breezy, whimsical" vibes in a good way. There's a fun mystery going on that gives cult vibes from the start, which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially because of the humor that was a blast from start to finish in all three POVs. As a side note, the three POVs really worked for me in this one; my favorite POV was Emma, the missing teen, because we got a glimpse into the culty witch vibes.
The latter half of the book was much more enjoyable for me than the first half. The second half picks up on the magic/witchy aspect, which was lacking in the first half.
The second half also adds a little more substance to the romance, though I will say that as a whole the romance didn't work for me. It felt really insta-lovey/lusty to me, which is just a trope I don't particularly enjoy. On that note, I did find it a bit frustrating and distracting how much Ash was SO sex-focused in the first half of the story (and how much he comments on her physically). I didn't really feel the spark between Frankie and Ash romantically, but I enjoyed their banter and dynamic. I also hoped for a little more depth to each of their characters.
I'd recommend going into this one less for the romance (despite it being a prominent part of the story) and more so for the lightly witchy mystery. I enjoyed the simple world-building of West Harbor! When the magic does pick up, it's fun and I found it to have surprising little spins/twists that I actually didn't see coming (though I should have - I just wasn't expecting twists!). The side characters are also a great addition that just add to the humor and fun.
As a whole, this didn't quite deliver as much magic/witchy-ness as I was hoping, but it was fast paced, had a fun mystery, and was full of banter and humor. Even though there isn't a ton of depth to the characters or romance, I found the mystery and campy-culty plotline of the story compelling, and it was chaotic in an enjoyable way! It definitely got better as it went on, and the magic picks up towards the end!
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Super quick read that gave me "easy, breezy, whimsical" vibes in a good way. There's a fun mystery going on that gives cult vibes from the start, which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially because of the humor that was a blast from start to finish in all three POVs. As a side note, the three POVs really worked for me in this one; my favorite POV was Emma, the missing teen, because we got a glimpse into the culty witch vibes.
The latter half of the book was much more enjoyable for me than the first half. The second half picks up on the magic/witchy aspect, which was lacking in the first half.
The second half also adds a little more substance to the romance, though I will say that as a whole the romance didn't work for me. It felt really insta-lovey/lusty to me, which is just a trope I don't particularly enjoy. On that note, I did find it a bit frustrating and distracting how much Ash was SO sex-focused in the first half of the story (and how much he comments on her physically). I didn't really feel the spark between Frankie and Ash romantically, but I enjoyed their banter and dynamic. I also hoped for a little more depth to each of their characters.
I'd recommend going into this one less for the romance (despite it being a prominent part of the story) and more so for the lightly witchy mystery. I enjoyed the simple world-building of West Harbor! When the magic does pick up, it's fun and I found it to have surprising little spins/twists that I actually didn't see coming (though I should have - I just wasn't expecting twists!). The side characters are also a great addition that just add to the humor and fun.
As a whole, this didn't quite deliver as much magic/witchy-ness as I was hoping, but it was fast paced, had a fun mystery, and was full of banter and humor. Even though there isn't a ton of depth to the characters or romance, I found the mystery and campy-culty plotline of the story compelling, and it was chaotic in an enjoyable way! It definitely got better as it went on, and the magic picks up towards the end!
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
June 11, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Avon for this eARC in return for my honest review!
I am going to be honest, I did not connect with this book at all at first. I was very excited to request this as I grew up reading some of Meg’s other books and have loved her writing style for years. This book is the second book in a series and is described as being a stand-alone novel. Having not read this first book, right off the bat I felt very confused about the magic system. It was not really explained in a way for readers that did not previously read the first book and left me feeling very confused in the beginning half of the book. However this was such a interesting book, I went into this expecting a cozy romance with magic and was definitely on the edge of my seat as the book progressed and turned more into a thriller with a romance subplot. I love when a book keeps me interested and on the edge of my seat!
I also really enjoyed the charming and cozy small town setting and I love a novel about witches!
While this book wasn’t totally for me, I would definitely recommend this to someone who has read the first book in this series or loves Halloween and unique books with lots of unexpected twists!
I am going to be honest, I did not connect with this book at all at first. I was very excited to request this as I grew up reading some of Meg’s other books and have loved her writing style for years. This book is the second book in a series and is described as being a stand-alone novel. Having not read this first book, right off the bat I felt very confused about the magic system. It was not really explained in a way for readers that did not previously read the first book and left me feeling very confused in the beginning half of the book. However this was such a interesting book, I went into this expecting a cozy romance with magic and was definitely on the edge of my seat as the book progressed and turned more into a thriller with a romance subplot. I love when a book keeps me interested and on the edge of my seat!
I also really enjoyed the charming and cozy small town setting and I love a novel about witches!
While this book wasn’t totally for me, I would definitely recommend this to someone who has read the first book in this series or loves Halloween and unique books with lots of unexpected twists!
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!
June 30, 2026
This one had such cozy, witchy small-town vibes and I loved it!
The Magic We Made follows Frankie, a super practical, science-minded therapist whose whole world gets flipped when her new neighbor, Ash, walks in bringing all this quiet, undeniable magic with him.
I loved how this story leans into healing, growth, and that push-and-pull between logic and belief. It’s soft, a little mysterious, and just has this gentle magical feel throughout.
The romance builds with a nice tension and turns really sweet and heartfelt… even if it felt a little fast at times.
Overall, such a cozy, feel-good read. Think curling up with a warm drink on a crisp night… a little magic, a little heart, and just enough intrigue to keep you hooked! Very cute!
The Magic We Made follows Frankie, a super practical, science-minded therapist whose whole world gets flipped when her new neighbor, Ash, walks in bringing all this quiet, undeniable magic with him.
I loved how this story leans into healing, growth, and that push-and-pull between logic and belief. It’s soft, a little mysterious, and just has this gentle magical feel throughout.
The romance builds with a nice tension and turns really sweet and heartfelt… even if it felt a little fast at times.
Overall, such a cozy, feel-good read. Think curling up with a warm drink on a crisp night… a little magic, a little heart, and just enough intrigue to keep you hooked! Very cute!
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!
May 12, 2026
I loved this one so much more than the first! I didn’t want to put it down while reading.
The Magic We Made was a better in all aspects. While I did enjoy Enchanted to Meet You, I liked the plot, characters and chemistry in this one more.
The main characters in ETMY are mentioned and briefly on page in this book but I wouldn’t say you’re required to read it before if you didn’t want to. I’m glad this one is dual POV. That’s something that I missed in the first one.
I really liked Ash and his “superpower”. Ash has a gift for finding lost things. It was interesting to see the items he found and how he used them.
Frankie was great except her for stubbornness when it came to magic. In the end she was still fighting the realization that magic was real even after everything that happened.
The witches coven/cult definitely kept me reading also. I’m glad we got Emma’s POV so we could see what was going on on the island.
Overall I love this town and I’m hoping there is a third book coming!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!
The Magic We Made was a better in all aspects. While I did enjoy Enchanted to Meet You, I liked the plot, characters and chemistry in this one more.
The main characters in ETMY are mentioned and briefly on page in this book but I wouldn’t say you’re required to read it before if you didn’t want to. I’m glad this one is dual POV. That’s something that I missed in the first one.
I really liked Ash and his “superpower”. Ash has a gift for finding lost things. It was interesting to see the items he found and how he used them.
Frankie was great except her for stubbornness when it came to magic. In the end she was still fighting the realization that magic was real even after everything that happened.
The witches coven/cult definitely kept me reading also. I’m glad we got Emma’s POV so we could see what was going on on the island.
Overall I love this town and I’m hoping there is a third book coming!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!
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.
Did Not Finish
May 28, 2026DNF at 38%. By that point, the two characters who are supposed to fall for each other had only interacted twice, and their conversations felt pretty surface-level, so I struggled to stay invested in their potential romance. I also found the story’s focus confusing. It wasn’t clear whether the main focal point was meant to be the romance, the mystery surrounding the missing girls, or the paranormal/magical elements.
The premise had potential: she’s a skeptic, while he has the unusual ability for lost things to find him. But with so many different plot threads competing for attention at once, I never felt compelled to keep pushing through.
The premise had potential: she’s a skeptic, while he has the unusual ability for lost things to find him. But with so many different plot threads competing for attention at once, I never felt compelled to keep pushing through.
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!
May 23, 2026
This book had SO much promise and then…the ending. There was so much build up and the premise was so interesting, and then it ends so quickly and so lackluster. I honestly am really disappointed by this one simply because of how much of a letdown it was
June 17, 2026
I really wanted to love this book, but there were just too many elements happening at once for me to fully connect with the romance.
Frankie has always disliked the man who owns the house next door, he drives a loud truck and frequently rents the property out to tourists during the season, adding to her frustration. However, when she finally meets Ash in person and gets to know him beyond her assumptions, she realizes he’s not quite the nuisance she believed him to be.
Set in a town known for witches and magic, the story takes a turn when Ash reveals his own magical abilities and his mission to find a missing local girl. From there, Frankie begins to question everything she thought she knew. The book blends magical elements, suspense, and a third POV from the missing girl, which added another layer to the story.
While the premise was interesting, I struggled to stay engaged, and at times found it difficult to feel invested in the romance or fully drawn into the mystery, even though the storyline had a lot of potential.
Frankie has always disliked the man who owns the house next door, he drives a loud truck and frequently rents the property out to tourists during the season, adding to her frustration. However, when she finally meets Ash in person and gets to know him beyond her assumptions, she realizes he’s not quite the nuisance she believed him to be.
Set in a town known for witches and magic, the story takes a turn when Ash reveals his own magical abilities and his mission to find a missing local girl. From there, Frankie begins to question everything she thought she knew. The book blends magical elements, suspense, and a third POV from the missing girl, which added another layer to the story.
While the premise was interesting, I struggled to stay engaged, and at times found it difficult to feel invested in the romance or fully drawn into the mystery, even though the storyline had a lot of potential.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Despite being someone who grew up happily reading Meg Cabot’s Mediator and The Princess Diaries series, I realized I hadn't read any of her books for adults. I stumbled across The Magic We Made, a romantic novel involving witches on NetGalley, and decided there was no time like the present. Like all of Cabot's books, The Magic We Made has her distinctive blend of humor, quirkiness, and relatability.
The novel is told from two alternating perspectives of Francesca “Frankie” Giovanni and her next door neighbor, Ash Merit. Frankie is a newly divorced financial therapist, with a massive Italian family that has lots of opinions. Though she's not one of the magical people in the novel, the amount of events she's survived in her personal life without completely falling off feels nothing short of miraculous. I immediately admired what a strong woman she is. Her irritation with her peace-disturbing neighbor, Ash, is highly entertaining.
Frankie cannot stand his sound-barrier breaking truck or his loud music, and also how he rents out his property to summer tourists. Due to their town becoming known for its witches, tourism is definitely thriving. But to Frankie’s disbelief, Ash attracts more than just mildly curious vacationers. He has a knack, or magical talent, to find lost things. More specifically, these lost things find him.
This talent is crucial, as Ash is on the hunt to find one of many missing young women in the area. Before she knows it, straight-laced, skeptical Frankie finds herself confronting two very frighteningly real possibilities: a) the first man she's fallen for since her divorce has a mental illness or b) magic is very real.
The Magic We Made is a fun read that is fast-paced, but still finds the time to flesh out its characters. Cabot tells the story in a way that makes you feel like you're reading about your best friend's life, or sitting in the main character's passenger seat. Despite the fact that I had not read the previous book in the series (and was clueless that one even existed), I was perfectly able to understand everything important in the world-building. If I didn't know the specifics of events in the first book, it felt like it was merely because Frankie wasn't there and wasn't interested in the supernatural. This prevented me from feeling like the odd one out and allowed me to better appreciate Frankie's shock at actual magic.
Though I picked up The Magic We Made primarily for the romance, I was, surprisingly, more interested in the mystery involving everything to do with the witches! I found Cabot's depiction of gods with familiar names and origins to be pretty original, and I've read a lot of them. The blend of realism and magic just feels so natural and matter-of-fact in this world. Instead of other novels that relegate magic to a hidden subsection of the world that must be kept secret, The Magic We Made provides an atmosphere that says, “well, of course gods, goddesses, and witches are real, but you still have to show up for work on Monday.” This approach felt like a breath of fresh air.
As far as the romance of The Magic We Made goes, I was a little disappointed. If you've read any of my other reviews, you know I'm a huge fan of the slow-burn. I could easily (and happily) read an entire series based on the will-they-won't-they build up. Alas, in The Magic We Made the feelings are acted upon around the 50% way mark of the book. There are plenty of readers who will enjoy the direct communication about feelings between the characters (and their immediate acting upon said feelings), but I felt like all of the anticipation was gone and had a feeling of, “well, now what?”
In many stories where the love interests get together so soon, I feel like authors are forced to throw in a last minute conflict or miscommunication. This inevitably means the love interests we just spent all of this time rooting for get together, break up due to some contrived nonsense that was usually completely avoidable. Then they finally realize how stupid they were and reconcile by the end of the novel. I just really don't care for that type of plot line. Personally, I would just rather spend the entirety of the novel wondering if it's ever actually going to happen.
But thankfully, as it turns out, Cabot still had plenty to tell. Though the romance is doing a version of the plotline I don't like, it's handled in an adult way that does justice to the personalities of the characters. Neither character is doomed to suffer these circumstances in silence and still has full agency to make their next steps. It is at the moment that the supernatural comes to the forefront that the story between Frankie and Ash becomes less about romance, and more about love and what one is willing to believe, accept, and do in order to keep it. I don't want to give too much away, but I really enjoyed everything about how the climax of all the different storylines came together, and was even delighted at a twist that I didn't see coming.
All in all, The Magic We Made is a light and fun read that I would say feels pretty cozy. The true magic of the novel lies not in the magic itself, but in the uniqueness of how it is presented. It is a delight watching the characters, especially Frankie, rise to meet it. The Magic We Made honestly made me want to go back and read my favorites of Cabot's other works. I will definitely read more of Cabot's adult works in the future, especially in this series.
Despite being someone who grew up happily reading Meg Cabot’s Mediator and The Princess Diaries series, I realized I hadn't read any of her books for adults. I stumbled across The Magic We Made, a romantic novel involving witches on NetGalley, and decided there was no time like the present. Like all of Cabot's books, The Magic We Made has her distinctive blend of humor, quirkiness, and relatability.
The novel is told from two alternating perspectives of Francesca “Frankie” Giovanni and her next door neighbor, Ash Merit. Frankie is a newly divorced financial therapist, with a massive Italian family that has lots of opinions. Though she's not one of the magical people in the novel, the amount of events she's survived in her personal life without completely falling off feels nothing short of miraculous. I immediately admired what a strong woman she is. Her irritation with her peace-disturbing neighbor, Ash, is highly entertaining.
“So why can’t I leave it at that? Because I’m physically incapable of doing so. It’s my genetic destiny: no Giovanni can ever leave anything well enough alone.”
Frankie cannot stand his sound-barrier breaking truck or his loud music, and also how he rents out his property to summer tourists. Due to their town becoming known for its witches, tourism is definitely thriving. But to Frankie’s disbelief, Ash attracts more than just mildly curious vacationers. He has a knack, or magical talent, to find lost things. More specifically, these lost things find him.
This talent is crucial, as Ash is on the hunt to find one of many missing young women in the area. Before she knows it, straight-laced, skeptical Frankie finds herself confronting two very frighteningly real possibilities: a) the first man she's fallen for since her divorce has a mental illness or b) magic is very real.
“‘I don’t have a cape or a police scanner. I do have superpowers, though. You do too.’
‘Do I?’ She raises a single questioning eyebrow.
‘Sure. Everybody does. You should know that; you’re a therapist. It’s your job to help people figure out what their superpower is.’
She looks surprised to hear this.
‘Is it?”
‘Yes, because most people don’t know. We’ve all got a little magical gift inside of us, something we love and can do well, but it can sometimes take a lifetime to discover it, let alone trust that it’s real.'”
The Magic We Made is a fun read that is fast-paced, but still finds the time to flesh out its characters. Cabot tells the story in a way that makes you feel like you're reading about your best friend's life, or sitting in the main character's passenger seat. Despite the fact that I had not read the previous book in the series (and was clueless that one even existed), I was perfectly able to understand everything important in the world-building. If I didn't know the specifics of events in the first book, it felt like it was merely because Frankie wasn't there and wasn't interested in the supernatural. This prevented me from feeling like the odd one out and allowed me to better appreciate Frankie's shock at actual magic.
Though I picked up The Magic We Made primarily for the romance, I was, surprisingly, more interested in the mystery involving everything to do with the witches! I found Cabot's depiction of gods with familiar names and origins to be pretty original, and I've read a lot of them. The blend of realism and magic just feels so natural and matter-of-fact in this world. Instead of other novels that relegate magic to a hidden subsection of the world that must be kept secret, The Magic We Made provides an atmosphere that says, “well, of course gods, goddesses, and witches are real, but you still have to show up for work on Monday.” This approach felt like a breath of fresh air.
“Before I have a chance to assure my sister that nothing she says could ever offend me—after what she did as a child to my Barbie collection, I no longer value her opinion—Dina chimes in with, ‘A spell is definitely cheaper than therapy. Asking an online witch to cast a love spell on someone these days only takes a few minutes, and costs about twenty-five bucks. Therapy to figure out why someone doesn’t love you can take months, if not years, and cost thousands of dollars.’”
As far as the romance of The Magic We Made goes, I was a little disappointed. If you've read any of my other reviews, you know I'm a huge fan of the slow-burn. I could easily (and happily) read an entire series based on the will-they-won't-they build up. Alas, in The Magic We Made the feelings are acted upon around the 50% way mark of the book. There are plenty of readers who will enjoy the direct communication about feelings between the characters (and their immediate acting upon said feelings), but I felt like all of the anticipation was gone and had a feeling of, “well, now what?”
In many stories where the love interests get together so soon, I feel like authors are forced to throw in a last minute conflict or miscommunication. This inevitably means the love interests we just spent all of this time rooting for get together, break up due to some contrived nonsense that was usually completely avoidable. Then they finally realize how stupid they were and reconcile by the end of the novel. I just really don't care for that type of plot line. Personally, I would just rather spend the entirety of the novel wondering if it's ever actually going to happen.
But thankfully, as it turns out, Cabot still had plenty to tell. Though the romance is doing a version of the plotline I don't like, it's handled in an adult way that does justice to the personalities of the characters. Neither character is doomed to suffer these circumstances in silence and still has full agency to make their next steps. It is at the moment that the supernatural comes to the forefront that the story between Frankie and Ash becomes less about romance, and more about love and what one is willing to believe, accept, and do in order to keep it. I don't want to give too much away, but I really enjoyed everything about how the climax of all the different storylines came together, and was even delighted at a twist that I didn't see coming.
All in all, The Magic We Made is a light and fun read that I would say feels pretty cozy. The true magic of the novel lies not in the magic itself, but in the uniqueness of how it is presented. It is a delight watching the characters, especially Frankie, rise to meet it. The Magic We Made honestly made me want to go back and read my favorites of Cabot's other works. I will definitely read more of Cabot's adult works in the future, especially in this series.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Frankie doesn’t believe in magic, and Ash is magical himself. Frankie is drawn into his chaos when she ends up roped into his search for missing teen witches and finds herself discovering that she doesn’t hate him as much as she thought she did.
This was a confusing one for me. It seemed like the genre changed massively around the 75% mark. I honestly found it more engaging once it switched from cozy fantasy romance to fantasy thriller with a romance subplot, but it was still easy to read and engaging before that point. It has short chapters with a lot of cliffhangers, so you can easily become absorbed and not realize you’ve been reading for hours, and then suddenly you’re done with the book.
The vast majority of the book, however, seemed like it was playing it way too safe for a book that focused on a mystery involving a cult of teenage witches that required sacrificial magic for the leader to get what she wanted. The trigger warning list says that the author pulled in a therapist to consult on the depiction of mental illness, and you could really see that therapist’s influence in the general mood and narrative of the book, in a bad way. It did make for a realistic depiction of a therapist protagonist, but despite the therapist seriously considering putting a client in a psych hold for holding “delusional” beliefs, said therapist never reflects on that impulse and whether it was a good one and what the implication of that was for her future practice when it turns out she was very wrong and it wasn’t delusions. The book overall is wrapped in therapy-speak in a way that can get very annoying. Frankie feels like that friend a lot of people have who uses therapy-speak learned from social media to avoid everything uncomfortable and convince herself that she’s right about everything — in other words, she’s insufferable. The kind of friend who is asked to help you move and calls being asked emotional labor and tells you she doesn’t have the capacity to even have the discussion. It honestly feels like consulting a therapist when writing this book was the absolute worst choice the author could’ve made when it came to depicting mental illness with compassion.
The romance is predictable, and wasn’t particularly satisfying for me. It felt like the author was trying to make mature characters, but just made characters who thought they were mature (particularly Frankie). Since the romance was the main thing that the book was advertised as, this was disappointing. Ash is cute in the “golden retriever boyfriend” type of way, and that was a positive aspect of the book. I enjoyed his POV much more than I enjoyed Frankie’s . Frankie’s family was also a fun part of the book, but I really don’t know how they didn’t know that one of their members had joined the cult until the very end of the book — for a family that was described as being so nosy and protective, how wouldn’t they notice that?
The Magic We Made releases August 11 from Avon and Harper Voyager. Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Cabot and Avon for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was a confusing one for me. It seemed like the genre changed massively around the 75% mark. I honestly found it more engaging once it switched from cozy fantasy romance to fantasy thriller with a romance subplot, but it was still easy to read and engaging before that point. It has short chapters with a lot of cliffhangers, so you can easily become absorbed and not realize you’ve been reading for hours, and then suddenly you’re done with the book.
The vast majority of the book, however, seemed like it was playing it way too safe for a book that focused on a mystery involving a cult of teenage witches that required sacrificial magic for the leader to get what she wanted. The trigger warning list says that the author pulled in a therapist to consult on the depiction of mental illness, and you could really see that therapist’s influence in the general mood and narrative of the book, in a bad way. It did make for a realistic depiction of a therapist protagonist, but despite the therapist seriously considering putting a client in a psych hold for holding “delusional” beliefs, said therapist never reflects on that impulse and whether it was a good one and what the implication of that was for her future practice when it turns out she was very wrong and it wasn’t delusions. The book overall is wrapped in therapy-speak in a way that can get very annoying. Frankie feels like that friend a lot of people have who uses therapy-speak learned from social media to avoid everything uncomfortable and convince herself that she’s right about everything — in other words, she’s insufferable. The kind of friend who is asked to help you move and calls being asked emotional labor and tells you she doesn’t have the capacity to even have the discussion. It honestly feels like consulting a therapist when writing this book was the absolute worst choice the author could’ve made when it came to depicting mental illness with compassion.
The romance is predictable, and wasn’t particularly satisfying for me. It felt like the author was trying to make mature characters, but just made characters who thought they were mature (particularly Frankie). Since the romance was the main thing that the book was advertised as, this was disappointing. Ash is cute in the “golden retriever boyfriend” type of way, and that was a positive aspect of the book. I enjoyed his POV much more than I enjoyed Frankie’s . Frankie’s family was also a fun part of the book, but I really don’t know how they didn’t know that one of their members had joined the cult until the very end of the book — for a family that was described as being so nosy and protective, how wouldn’t they notice that?
The Magic We Made releases August 11 from Avon and Harper Voyager. Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Cabot and Avon for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot.
I'm hovering around a 3.5 rating for this second book in the series. I think new readers would generally be okay starting with this book or the first in the series, Enchanted to Meet You -- they are fairly solid standalones set among the same friend group in the small town of West Harbor, CT.
The Magic We Made is a great Meg Cabot fan comfort read. I recently also read Jen Deluca's Haunted Ever After, which has similar vibes and feels like it also has Cabot influence, so readers of that series may also find this appealing. I think this will be a great Halloween 2026 spooky cozy read for witchy vibes and romance.
What didn't work for me, and why my rating is hovering between stars, is that it felt like the mystery of the missing girls was overpowering the romance between Frankie and Ash. For me, Frankie and Ash's story felt very rushed and surface level instalove where both of them just seemed to fully commit after one actual conversation. As a longtime Meg Cabot reader, and as someone who read the 1-800-Where-Are-You series as a teenager dying for the main characters to kiss after several books -- I know Meg Cabot can write a story of yearning and build a romance, and I just wasn't connecting with it in this one. I think I just didn't care for Ash well through the first 40% or so of the book -- I thought the scene where he gives the baseball card to a man harassing women on the train to be a weird type of reward for a person behaving badly -- and so it really elevated all of Frankie's year+ worth of dislike of him well into the story and even after they got together - it was kind of an irredeemable scene for me, especially when Ash is just like "whoops, that's just my superpower." Then the story of the missing girls felt a bit more extreme/had more potential for violence than I would have thought a Meg Cabot novel would go with. There are a lot of warnings at the start of the novel on how she consulted with experts on some of the harmful behaviors and actions that occur in the plot, but I think the extremism of it all was sort of jarring to the cute romcom part of it and so the story felt disjointed between light/cozy and dark/unsettling themes.
I've read so many Meg Cabot series over decades now, and I think, while this one was still fun and cute, it wasn't my favorite of her works, though it may still be exactly what many of her other fans are looking for.
I'm hovering around a 3.5 rating for this second book in the series. I think new readers would generally be okay starting with this book or the first in the series, Enchanted to Meet You -- they are fairly solid standalones set among the same friend group in the small town of West Harbor, CT.
The Magic We Made is a great Meg Cabot fan comfort read. I recently also read Jen Deluca's Haunted Ever After, which has similar vibes and feels like it also has Cabot influence, so readers of that series may also find this appealing. I think this will be a great Halloween 2026 spooky cozy read for witchy vibes and romance.
What didn't work for me, and why my rating is hovering between stars, is that it felt like the mystery of the missing girls was overpowering the romance between Frankie and Ash. For me, Frankie and Ash's story felt very rushed and surface level instalove where both of them just seemed to fully commit after one actual conversation. As a longtime Meg Cabot reader, and as someone who read the 1-800-Where-Are-You series as a teenager dying for the main characters to kiss after several books -- I know Meg Cabot can write a story of yearning and build a romance, and I just wasn't connecting with it in this one. I think I just didn't care for Ash well through the first 40% or so of the book -- I thought the scene where he gives the baseball card to a man harassing women on the train to be a weird type of reward for a person behaving badly -- and so it really elevated all of Frankie's year+ worth of dislike of him well into the story and even after they got together - it was kind of an irredeemable scene for me, especially when Ash is just like "whoops, that's just my superpower." Then the story of the missing girls felt a bit more extreme/had more potential for violence than I would have thought a Meg Cabot novel would go with. There are a lot of warnings at the start of the novel on how she consulted with experts on some of the harmful behaviors and actions that occur in the plot, but I think the extremism of it all was sort of jarring to the cute romcom part of it and so the story felt disjointed between light/cozy and dark/unsettling themes.
I've read so many Meg Cabot series over decades now, and I think, while this one was still fun and cute, it wasn't my favorite of her works, though it may still be exactly what many of her other fans are looking for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this ARC copy in exchange for review.
I was so excited to read Meg Cabot's newest book! As a fan of The Princess Diaries, a witch, and a reader, this seemed right up my alley.
However, the book itself was disappointing. The thing that was most disappointing were the cringey character descriptions. It feels like Cabot was trying to make a diverse world with different ethnicities, etc, but they came across like 90s diversity, which, at the end of the day, is low key r*cist. For example, a quick scene in the book involves characters talking about Frankie's mom and Mr. Hong, and a joke is made about Mr. Hong's "orange beef". Additionally, some references are made to Ash being some sort of Middle Eastern or ethnicity with darker skin, but there's no other mentions of his culture, and his grandmother reads white, so it comes across as presentational diversity instead of well-rounded, diverse characters.
I do appreciate the content warning, and I was expecting a much jucier book because of it. Perhaps it's because I read a lot of dark, gothic romance, but it didn't seem like the content warning was needed because nothing was delved into enough to make it triggering, although there are some people who might be triggered by the events in the book. I, however, was much more activated by some of the character depictions, as mentioned above.
Past that, I feel there was too much Cabot was trying to fit into this book while also making it a love story. It's like the book was trying to achieve the "beach read" easiness of her other books while also dealing with heavy topics like extortion, cults, unethical magic use, etc, and it just didn't cover either very well. I would have preferred either beach read easiness that focused more on the love story with the happenings moving the love story forward or the main plot being the happenings with the love story as the subplot. But trying to give equal weight to both in 384 pages just made for a disappointing book.
I did enjoy the richness of Frankie's family. I felt like the writing for those characters was deep and popped on the page. The descriptions and dialogue made me feel like I was in the whirlwind of a big, tight-knit family and all of the pros and cons that come with it. The care they had for each other was palpable.
I was so excited to read Meg Cabot's newest book! As a fan of The Princess Diaries, a witch, and a reader, this seemed right up my alley.
However, the book itself was disappointing. The thing that was most disappointing were the cringey character descriptions. It feels like Cabot was trying to make a diverse world with different ethnicities, etc, but they came across like 90s diversity, which, at the end of the day, is low key r*cist. For example, a quick scene in the book involves characters talking about Frankie's mom and Mr. Hong, and a joke is made about Mr. Hong's "orange beef". Additionally, some references are made to Ash being some sort of Middle Eastern or ethnicity with darker skin, but there's no other mentions of his culture, and his grandmother reads white, so it comes across as presentational diversity instead of well-rounded, diverse characters.
I do appreciate the content warning, and I was expecting a much jucier book because of it. Perhaps it's because I read a lot of dark, gothic romance, but it didn't seem like the content warning was needed because nothing was delved into enough to make it triggering, although there are some people who might be triggered by the events in the book. I, however, was much more activated by some of the character depictions, as mentioned above.
Past that, I feel there was too much Cabot was trying to fit into this book while also making it a love story. It's like the book was trying to achieve the "beach read" easiness of her other books while also dealing with heavy topics like extortion, cults, unethical magic use, etc, and it just didn't cover either very well. I would have preferred either beach read easiness that focused more on the love story with the happenings moving the love story forward or the main plot being the happenings with the love story as the subplot. But trying to give equal weight to both in 384 pages just made for a disappointing book.
I did enjoy the richness of Frankie's family. I felt like the writing for those characters was deep and popped on the page. The descriptions and dialogue made me feel like I was in the whirlwind of a big, tight-knit family and all of the pros and cons that come with it. The care they had for each other was palpable.
July 6, 2026
3.25 ⭐️ | 1 🌶️ (fade to black)
Are you in the mood for a small coastal town of witches to read about? Well, this one is for you! This was a fun and charming story; from page one, I was invested in the mystery surrounding the missing girls. I was also obsessed with the black cat and golden retriever energy that so perfectly captured the dynamic of Frankie and Ash. This novel reminds me of my favorite Hallmark movies, and I mean this in the most positive way. You know what’s going to happen, but you’ll have fun as you see it all unravel. Let’s set the stage:
Frankie is a financial therapist who went through a divorce after her husband left to travel the world with his yoga instructor (yikes), and because of this, she doesn’t believe in love. Ash is her next-door neighbor, whom she loathes due to his negligence in monitoring his tenants (speaker systems be damned). Oh, and he has a magical power to find things (yes, like a Hufflepuff in Harry Potter). Their dynamic was so fun to read because it’s obvious they were on two entirely different pages. Don’t worry; it’s not a typical miscommunication trope, though — it’s better. It’s the “I’m going to make assumptions about you but secretly find you really attractive and won’t stop thinking about you” trope, aka my FAVORITE!
I didn’t realize this was book two of an interconnected standalone series, so I had not read book one. With that in mind, I found some of the magic and world-building to be a bit broad and not as clear-cut as I would have liked. I often chuckled to myself and said, “What? That doesn’t make sense,” but I was so entertained by the silliness of it all I couldn’t put it down. No, seriously, once I picked this up, I had to finish it no matter what.
It wasn’t that this was the most well-written and fantastical novel I’ve read, but it was a fun and enjoyable read. I laughed and was so intrigued by the introduction of cults, witches, and even goddesses. This also gives all the vibes of a cozy mystery, which is always a delight.
Should this spill into your TBR? Honestly, if you found the premise interesting, I’d say give it a shot! Go into it knowing it’s a vibe read, and I’ll guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself. It’s so bad that it’s good! And sometimes we need that in our lives.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Are you in the mood for a small coastal town of witches to read about? Well, this one is for you! This was a fun and charming story; from page one, I was invested in the mystery surrounding the missing girls. I was also obsessed with the black cat and golden retriever energy that so perfectly captured the dynamic of Frankie and Ash. This novel reminds me of my favorite Hallmark movies, and I mean this in the most positive way. You know what’s going to happen, but you’ll have fun as you see it all unravel. Let’s set the stage:
Frankie is a financial therapist who went through a divorce after her husband left to travel the world with his yoga instructor (yikes), and because of this, she doesn’t believe in love. Ash is her next-door neighbor, whom she loathes due to his negligence in monitoring his tenants (speaker systems be damned). Oh, and he has a magical power to find things (yes, like a Hufflepuff in Harry Potter). Their dynamic was so fun to read because it’s obvious they were on two entirely different pages. Don’t worry; it’s not a typical miscommunication trope, though — it’s better. It’s the “I’m going to make assumptions about you but secretly find you really attractive and won’t stop thinking about you” trope, aka my FAVORITE!
I didn’t realize this was book two of an interconnected standalone series, so I had not read book one. With that in mind, I found some of the magic and world-building to be a bit broad and not as clear-cut as I would have liked. I often chuckled to myself and said, “What? That doesn’t make sense,” but I was so entertained by the silliness of it all I couldn’t put it down. No, seriously, once I picked this up, I had to finish it no matter what.
It wasn’t that this was the most well-written and fantastical novel I’ve read, but it was a fun and enjoyable read. I laughed and was so intrigued by the introduction of cults, witches, and even goddesses. This also gives all the vibes of a cozy mystery, which is always a delight.
Should this spill into your TBR? Honestly, if you found the premise interesting, I’d say give it a shot! Go into it knowing it’s a vibe read, and I’ll guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself. It’s so bad that it’s good! And sometimes we need that in our lives.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4⭐️ The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot
First of all… the SECOND I saw Meg Cabot’s name attached to this, I requested it immediately. The Princess Diaries was such a huge part of my reading life growing up, so diving into another Meg Cabot story felt incredibly nostalgic in the best way. And honestly? Her writing still has that same warmth, humor, and effortless readability I remember loving years ago.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager Publishing for the ARC!
This story gives you witchy vibes, magical romance, creepy cult energy, family drama, social media chaos, and a surprisingly cozy small-town atmosphere all wrapped into one entertaining package. The vibes were immaculate. At times it felt like a spooky fall Netflix series mixed with mythology and classic Meg Cabot humor.
Frankie and Ash were such fun main characters. Their dynamic is less enemies-to-lovers and more “I absolutely do not have time for you” to lovers — which honestly worked for me. Ash especially was such a standout character, and I loved watching his arc unfold throughout the story. Their romance develops quickly, maybe a little too quickly for my slow-burn-loving heart, but I still found myself rooting for them the entire time.
One thing I really enjoyed was the multiple POV structure. The added perspective from the missing girl storyline kept pulling me forward and made the mystery elements feel more layered and engaging. I kept saying “just one more chapter” anytime those sections came up.
The magical and occult themes were also genuinely fun. There’s this underlying commentary on influencer culture, manipulation, and belonging that gave parts of the story an unsettling edge beneath all the charm. Some moments definitely leaned dramatic or over-the-top, but honestly, it kind of added to the fun campy energy of the whole thing.
I do think readers who enjoy atmospheric paranormal romance, quirky magical towns, and cozy witchy aesthetics will have a great time with this one. It reads very quickly and feels like the perfect palette cleanser between heavier books.
And while nothing will ever top the nostalgia I have for The Princess Diaries era Meg Cabot, this absolutely reminded me why her books remain so entertaining after all these years.
First of all… the SECOND I saw Meg Cabot’s name attached to this, I requested it immediately. The Princess Diaries was such a huge part of my reading life growing up, so diving into another Meg Cabot story felt incredibly nostalgic in the best way. And honestly? Her writing still has that same warmth, humor, and effortless readability I remember loving years ago.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager Publishing for the ARC!
This story gives you witchy vibes, magical romance, creepy cult energy, family drama, social media chaos, and a surprisingly cozy small-town atmosphere all wrapped into one entertaining package. The vibes were immaculate. At times it felt like a spooky fall Netflix series mixed with mythology and classic Meg Cabot humor.
Frankie and Ash were such fun main characters. Their dynamic is less enemies-to-lovers and more “I absolutely do not have time for you” to lovers — which honestly worked for me. Ash especially was such a standout character, and I loved watching his arc unfold throughout the story. Their romance develops quickly, maybe a little too quickly for my slow-burn-loving heart, but I still found myself rooting for them the entire time.
One thing I really enjoyed was the multiple POV structure. The added perspective from the missing girl storyline kept pulling me forward and made the mystery elements feel more layered and engaging. I kept saying “just one more chapter” anytime those sections came up.
The magical and occult themes were also genuinely fun. There’s this underlying commentary on influencer culture, manipulation, and belonging that gave parts of the story an unsettling edge beneath all the charm. Some moments definitely leaned dramatic or over-the-top, but honestly, it kind of added to the fun campy energy of the whole thing.
I do think readers who enjoy atmospheric paranormal romance, quirky magical towns, and cozy witchy aesthetics will have a great time with this one. It reads very quickly and feels like the perfect palette cleanser between heavier books.
And while nothing will ever top the nostalgia I have for The Princess Diaries era Meg Cabot, this absolutely reminded me why her books remain so entertaining after all these years.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Magic We Made | Meg Cabot | 2.75 ⭐️ (Rounded up)
“Yes, that’s popcorn, Daisy. You’re going to see a lot of it if you decide to stay here with me. But popcorn isn’t for cats. It’s people food. You have your own food in the laundry room—hey!” The hey was because Daisy had stuffed her entire head into the bowl and begun chowing down as if popcorn was her favorite food.
After reading the first book in this series, I was really excited to pick this one up! The first one had its flaws, but was overall a very quick and easy read. This one didn’t grab me quite as quickly as the first, though.
Character-wise, I was super happy to see some connections and cameos to characters from the first book, including (spoilers for the first book) . That made my heart so happy. For the MCs of this book, I found myself warming up to them as we went on, but initially, I found Ash to be quite dismissive of Frankie (who is very highly accomplished). On various occasions, he made comments saying that she was "trying to sound serious" or "authoratative" but he couldn't take her seriously because she was too cute or her body was too distracting. It did get a lot less frequent though once they got together. In general, I found the characters to both be much more likable and engaging when they became a couple.
I did really enjoy the missing witches plotline, and the cutaway chapters to Emma were really well done. That being said, the two plot lines (romance and mystery) felt kind of disconnected from each other until the last 25% of the book. I wish that she had tied them together sooner because that last quarter of the book was so compelling and well done.
I am a sucker for a pet in a book, and Daisy was no exception. And that's all I have to say on that.
I was very conflicted while reading this book, and even after parsing through my thoughts, I still have mixed feelings. I think that this book for sure has readers that will enjoy it because of both the mystery and romance aspects, but there were just some detail things that I got really hung up on.
“Yes, that’s popcorn, Daisy. You’re going to see a lot of it if you decide to stay here with me. But popcorn isn’t for cats. It’s people food. You have your own food in the laundry room—hey!” The hey was because Daisy had stuffed her entire head into the bowl and begun chowing down as if popcorn was her favorite food.
After reading the first book in this series, I was really excited to pick this one up! The first one had its flaws, but was overall a very quick and easy read. This one didn’t grab me quite as quickly as the first, though.
Character-wise, I was super happy to see some connections and cameos to characters from the first book, including (spoilers for the first book) . That made my heart so happy. For the MCs of this book, I found myself warming up to them as we went on, but initially, I found Ash to be quite dismissive of Frankie (who is very highly accomplished). On various occasions, he made comments saying that she was "trying to sound serious" or "authoratative" but he couldn't take her seriously because she was too cute or her body was too distracting. It did get a lot less frequent though once they got together. In general, I found the characters to both be much more likable and engaging when they became a couple.
I did really enjoy the missing witches plotline, and the cutaway chapters to Emma were really well done. That being said, the two plot lines (romance and mystery) felt kind of disconnected from each other until the last 25% of the book. I wish that she had tied them together sooner because that last quarter of the book was so compelling and well done.
I am a sucker for a pet in a book, and Daisy was no exception. And that's all I have to say on that.
I was very conflicted while reading this book, and even after parsing through my thoughts, I still have mixed feelings. I think that this book for sure has readers that will enjoy it because of both the mystery and romance aspects, but there were just some detail things that I got really hung up on.
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.
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