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The Unwritten Rules of Magic
Not yet published
Expected 27 Jan 26For fans of
The Midnight Library
and
In Five Years
,
The Unwritten Rules of Magic
is a spellbinding novel that blends magic and memory in an unforgettable journey through love, grief, and the hidden cost of perfection across three generations of women.
Emerson Clarke can’t remember a time when she felt in control of her life. Her father—a celebrated author—blew in and out of her childhood like a hurricane until he got Alzheimer’s. Her mother numbed loneliness with gin. And recently, her teen daughter has shut her out without explanation. The only place Emerson has ever been in charge is in front of the keyboard where, as a ghostwriter, she dictates everything that happens on the page. If only she could arrange reality the same way, life could be perfect. An impossible fantasy—or so she believes until she makes a startling discovery.
After her father’s wake, Emerson steals her father’s vintage typewriter—the very one he’d forbidden anyone to touch—and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. After it comes true the very next day, she tries another. When those words also spring to life, she becomes obsessed with using the typewriter to engineer happiness for herself and her daughter. Easier said than done.
As Emerson shapes her real-life circumstances, she uncovers disturbing truths about her family’s history and the unexpected cost for each story-come-true. She should destroy the typewriter, but when her daughter's secret finally emerges, Emerson is torn between paying the price for bending fate and embracing the uncertainty of an unscripted life.
Emerson Clarke can’t remember a time when she felt in control of her life. Her father—a celebrated author—blew in and out of her childhood like a hurricane until he got Alzheimer’s. Her mother numbed loneliness with gin. And recently, her teen daughter has shut her out without explanation. The only place Emerson has ever been in charge is in front of the keyboard where, as a ghostwriter, she dictates everything that happens on the page. If only she could arrange reality the same way, life could be perfect. An impossible fantasy—or so she believes until she makes a startling discovery.
After her father’s wake, Emerson steals her father’s vintage typewriter—the very one he’d forbidden anyone to touch—and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. After it comes true the very next day, she tries another. When those words also spring to life, she becomes obsessed with using the typewriter to engineer happiness for herself and her daughter. Easier said than done.
As Emerson shapes her real-life circumstances, she uncovers disturbing truths about her family’s history and the unexpected cost for each story-come-true. She should destroy the typewriter, but when her daughter's secret finally emerges, Emerson is torn between paying the price for bending fate and embracing the uncertainty of an unscripted life.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 27, 2026
23 people are currently reading
17914 people want to read
About the author
Harper Ross
1 book79 followersHarper Ross’s debut magical realism novel, The Unwritten Rules of Magic, releases with St. Martin's Press on January 27th, 2026. She's eager to meet every bookworm who picks up her work and hopes they’ll stay in touch via social media or email.
Harper has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with the dramatic story worlds in books and movies. After leaving her legal practice, she discovered her own creative side and began writing novels that explore friendship, family, and forgiveness. Because she also appreciates the magic in everyday life—from the spark of attraction to those serendipitous moments we all experience—you’ll find a dash of that in her work too. When she’s not at the keyboard, she’s likely to be singing badly in her car, dancing in her kitchen, or walking her adorable dog, Mo. She’s also a lucky wife and mother to a very patient and supportive family.
Harper has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with the dramatic story worlds in books and movies. After leaving her legal practice, she discovered her own creative side and began writing novels that explore friendship, family, and forgiveness. Because she also appreciates the magic in everyday life—from the spark of attraction to those serendipitous moments we all experience—you’ll find a dash of that in her work too. When she’s not at the keyboard, she’s likely to be singing badly in her car, dancing in her kitchen, or walking her adorable dog, Mo. She’s also a lucky wife and mother to a very patient and supportive family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
November 13, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Single Mom Emerson Clarke is a “perfectionist” who can’t remember the last time when she actually felt in control of her life.
As a ghostwriter for a successful Romantic Suspense series, she feels as if her success has paled in comparison to her father’s-as he was a celebrated author of two bestselling series-written under his own name.
And, now he has passed away after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s, and she is juggling her mother Dorothy’s alcoholism which has become a serious problem, and her teen daughter, Sadie suddenly shutting her out without explanation.
IT’S A LOT!
After her father’s wake, as a memento, Emerson takes her father’s vintage typewriter—which he called his “lucky charm” and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. When it comes true, she types out another. When life also seems to mimic those words, she becomes convinced it is the typewriter’s doing.
No wonder she was FORBIDDEN to touch it!
Excerpts from her father’s journal will shed light on what wishes typed out on the 1935 Underwood typewriter CAN and CANNOT do.
The first half of the book, as Emerson experiments with the typewriter was actually much lighter and more enjoyable than the second half-despite her father’s death, but any whimsy ended here.
The second half focused on Emerson’s VERY complicated relationships with both her mother and her daughter, and they did ring true, but how you perceive this book may depend on if you sympathize with Emerson or if you find her too controlling. It did get a bit preachy, and SOME of her choices and opinions may offend some readers.
It is a story that in the words of the author reminds us to FEEL our way through life, instead of THINK our way through the ups and downs.
Seeing the three generations of women come together by the end was satisfying, and a wonderful white cat named Mopsy was a bonus too.
A buddy read with Marilyn, DeAnn and Mary Beth. Be sure to watch for their reviews for additional thoughts!
Available January 27, 2026
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
Single Mom Emerson Clarke is a “perfectionist” who can’t remember the last time when she actually felt in control of her life.
As a ghostwriter for a successful Romantic Suspense series, she feels as if her success has paled in comparison to her father’s-as he was a celebrated author of two bestselling series-written under his own name.
And, now he has passed away after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s, and she is juggling her mother Dorothy’s alcoholism which has become a serious problem, and her teen daughter, Sadie suddenly shutting her out without explanation.
IT’S A LOT!
After her father’s wake, as a memento, Emerson takes her father’s vintage typewriter—which he called his “lucky charm” and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. When it comes true, she types out another. When life also seems to mimic those words, she becomes convinced it is the typewriter’s doing.
No wonder she was FORBIDDEN to touch it!
Excerpts from her father’s journal will shed light on what wishes typed out on the 1935 Underwood typewriter CAN and CANNOT do.
The first half of the book, as Emerson experiments with the typewriter was actually much lighter and more enjoyable than the second half-despite her father’s death, but any whimsy ended here.
The second half focused on Emerson’s VERY complicated relationships with both her mother and her daughter, and they did ring true, but how you perceive this book may depend on if you sympathize with Emerson or if you find her too controlling. It did get a bit preachy, and SOME of her choices and opinions may offend some readers.
It is a story that in the words of the author reminds us to FEEL our way through life, instead of THINK our way through the ups and downs.
Seeing the three generations of women come together by the end was satisfying, and a wonderful white cat named Mopsy was a bonus too.
A buddy read with Marilyn, DeAnn and Mary Beth. Be sure to watch for their reviews for additional thoughts!
Available January 27, 2026
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
September 1, 2025
The synopsis for this book says it’s for fans of “The Midnight Library”, and “In Five Years”- which are two of my favorite books of all time. So of course I couldn’t wait to read this book. I wouldn’t say that I’m a huge fan of magical realism, but I do enjoy reading it from time to time, and I thought this book would be filled with it. Well, the storyline was very well written, and the story did start out with some “magic”, but then about halfway through there was no more magic, and just some heavy, real-life issues…
In this story we have Emerson Clarke, who is dealing with the recent passing of her very famous novelist father, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Emerson feels very emotionless after the funeral, and is having a hard time dealing with her mother who is an alcoholic, and a teenage daughter who seems to be pulling herself away from her.
After the funeral, Emerson begins to clean out her father’s personal office and comes across his typewriter that no one was allowed to touch. Emerson takes the typewriter home, and decides to test out the keys and writes out a paragraph- a wish if you will- and then the things start to come true. Is it magic? Or merely coincidence?
In the mix of this story we get to read pages of Jefferson Clarke’s (Emerson’s father), journal entries. He called the typewriter his good-luck charm, and perhaps it was. I always looked forward to reading those entries throughout the story.
I really did enjoy this story. However, I do feel that some parts did drag on a bit- especially with Dorothy (Emerson’s mother). I think I was looking for more magic, more typewriter. We got some chapters that were too long, and some issues were discussed that probably aren’t going to sit very well with some readers toward the end.
This is the author’s debut novel, and I think she had some great messages she was trying to deliver in this book. I especially enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end. I also resonated with that of our main character, Emerson. With that being said, I do plan on reading more from this author.
(3.5 stars)
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Read
June 4, 2025Dear Reader,
One of the things that first drew me to writing was the sense of control it offers. On the
page, I can shape the world to be exactly as I want—with neatly resolved conflicts,
characters who say the right thing, and endings that make sense. It's a comforting
contrast to real life, where outcomes are rarely guaranteed.
That desire—for clarity and certainty—was this book's first building block. Like Emerson,
I had been working hard to keep all the plates spinning, always looking ahead, worrying
about what came next, and wishing for a crystal ball to guide my family toward the
"right" choices. I was great at doing but not so great at being.
It wasn't until a routine surgery became a medical crisis—and I spent nine days in a
hospital bed with an NG tube down my throat—that I was forced to stop. Stripped of
control, I was left with stillness. And in that stillness, I realized how much of life I'd been
missing by constantly living in the future instead of the now. That epiphany became the
seed for the typewriter's magic: what it gives . . . and what it quietly takes away.
As I wrote, the story shifted—from one about control to one about letting go. Emerson's
journey pushed me to reflect on how we try to shape the people we love and where the
line falls between helping and holding too tightly. As a parent, that question felt
incredibly personal. More and more, I'm learning that love isn't about scripting
someone's life—it's about walking beside them as they write their own.
What began as a story about managing uncertainty became a reminder: life doesn't
have to be tidy to be beautiful. Imperfection isn't something to fix. And sometimes, the
most meaningful growth happens in the moments we never planned for. Most
importantly, we shouldn't fritter the time we are blessed with today by constantly looking
ahead.
Thank you for spending time reading this story. I hope it meets you in a moment when
you need it—and leaves you with just a little more grace for life's messy middle.
Warmly,
Harper Ross
One of the things that first drew me to writing was the sense of control it offers. On the
page, I can shape the world to be exactly as I want—with neatly resolved conflicts,
characters who say the right thing, and endings that make sense. It's a comforting
contrast to real life, where outcomes are rarely guaranteed.
That desire—for clarity and certainty—was this book's first building block. Like Emerson,
I had been working hard to keep all the plates spinning, always looking ahead, worrying
about what came next, and wishing for a crystal ball to guide my family toward the
"right" choices. I was great at doing but not so great at being.
It wasn't until a routine surgery became a medical crisis—and I spent nine days in a
hospital bed with an NG tube down my throat—that I was forced to stop. Stripped of
control, I was left with stillness. And in that stillness, I realized how much of life I'd been
missing by constantly living in the future instead of the now. That epiphany became the
seed for the typewriter's magic: what it gives . . . and what it quietly takes away.
As I wrote, the story shifted—from one about control to one about letting go. Emerson's
journey pushed me to reflect on how we try to shape the people we love and where the
line falls between helping and holding too tightly. As a parent, that question felt
incredibly personal. More and more, I'm learning that love isn't about scripting
someone's life—it's about walking beside them as they write their own.
What began as a story about managing uncertainty became a reminder: life doesn't
have to be tidy to be beautiful. Imperfection isn't something to fix. And sometimes, the
most meaningful growth happens in the moments we never planned for. Most
importantly, we shouldn't fritter the time we are blessed with today by constantly looking
ahead.
Thank you for spending time reading this story. I hope it meets you in a moment when
you need it—and leaves you with just a little more grace for life's messy middle.
Warmly,
Harper Ross
July 18, 2025
This was such an interesting and captivating book to read. I for one was impressed with the authors portrayal with the emotions of the main character and the ability to relate to it. I think we can all agree that we have most likely experienced not knowing what to do with our lives and feel like we are going no where with the career we have. Overall this novel really opened my eyes.
We are introduced to Emerson who is a ghost writer and her own llife has never been easy. She has never had a good relationship with her father and of course with his death the chance of making up is very unlikely to happen. When cleanibg out his house she discovers his old type writer and decides to start using it herself
However, the great power that the typewriter holds over Emerson is of great responsibility. However, Emeraob doesn't realize that and soon her actionsand emotions become questionable and worrying.
We are introduced to Emerson who is a ghost writer and her own llife has never been easy. She has never had a good relationship with her father and of course with his death the chance of making up is very unlikely to happen. When cleanibg out his house she discovers his old type writer and decides to start using it herself
However, the great power that the typewriter holds over Emerson is of great responsibility. However, Emeraob doesn't realize that and soon her actionsand emotions become questionable and worrying.
September 27, 2025
The Unwritten Rules of Magic (releasing January 27, 2026) is a stunning novel that touched me deeply and left me reflecting long after I finished. Harper Ross weaves magical realism into a heartfelt story of three generations of women learning to love, grow, and grieve together. The book beautifully captures the challenges of motherhood, the weight of loss, and the power of grace and forgiveness as we all do our best to survive and thrive. It’s an emotional and an uplifting reminder that even in hardship, love and resilience can guide us forward. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 24, 2025
Friends, this book was not for me. I truly disliked the main character, Emerson. She was judgmental and said some things during inner dialogue that just irked me. She “indulged” in putting “an entire teaspoon of sugar” into her tea. Because she’d had a stressful day. What? And also referred to a minor character as looking like a “tomato with two toothpicks for legs”— yikes.
I enjoy magical realism but there just wasn’t a lot of it in this book. It’s more about grief and complex family relationships and the magical typewriter mentioned in the blurb just is a very small plot line.
Also; there is a alcohol/addiction/sobriety storyline in this- and while there was a ton of detail about court drama, potential charges, and a court ordered alcohol treatment plan, there was no mention of 12 step as an option. I don’t think 12 step/ Alcoholics Anonymous is the only way to get sober. And that it certainly doesn’t work for everyone, but it seemed strange to read a book that had such a big alcoholic storyline and it isn’t even mentioned as an option. Not even in a “I am not doing AA, I’m not interested because XYZ.” Not a big deal, but thought that was odd. Maybe I missed it.
Anyway, I think others may like it, not all books are for everyone. I thought the narrator did a good performance.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
I enjoy magical realism but there just wasn’t a lot of it in this book. It’s more about grief and complex family relationships and the magical typewriter mentioned in the blurb just is a very small plot line.
Also; there is a alcohol/addiction/sobriety storyline in this- and while there was a ton of detail about court drama, potential charges, and a court ordered alcohol treatment plan, there was no mention of 12 step as an option. I don’t think 12 step/ Alcoholics Anonymous is the only way to get sober. And that it certainly doesn’t work for everyone, but it seemed strange to read a book that had such a big alcoholic storyline and it isn’t even mentioned as an option. Not even in a “I am not doing AA, I’m not interested because XYZ.” Not a big deal, but thought that was odd. Maybe I missed it.
Anyway, I think others may like it, not all books are for everyone. I thought the narrator did a good performance.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
September 14, 2025
3.5 Stars- The premise of this book pulled me in. Who wouldn't take advantage of a magical typewriter?
Emerson is our main character and she is dealing with a lot. She is a single mom who just lost her father, a famous author. Her mother is an alcoholic who just wants to move past her father's death and sell the house. Emerson's teenage daughter has not been acting like herself and is now getting in trouble at school. With all of these events spiraling, Emerson just wants a little control. While cleaning out her father's office, she comes across her dad's typewriter. She types out a wish and then it comes true in an unexpected way. Emerson thinks this has to be a coincidence so she does it again. Emerson has to decide if this is the answer to her prayers or is there an even greater cost to this typewriter.
There was lots of family drama as we got to know Emerson, her daughter Sadie, and her mother, Dorthy. I think many readers could relate to their problems and would definitely wish they had a magic typewriter to solve their problems. The consequences of the wishes did make one think, are the wishes worth it? I did figure out Sadie's secret pretty early on but it did not detract from the story. There were some moments where I was really interested in where the story was going and then other points where I just wanted to shout at Emerson to do the right thing. Overall, this book would be great for book clubs as there was a lot to unpack and discuss about the premise and choices the characters made.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Emerson is our main character and she is dealing with a lot. She is a single mom who just lost her father, a famous author. Her mother is an alcoholic who just wants to move past her father's death and sell the house. Emerson's teenage daughter has not been acting like herself and is now getting in trouble at school. With all of these events spiraling, Emerson just wants a little control. While cleaning out her father's office, she comes across her dad's typewriter. She types out a wish and then it comes true in an unexpected way. Emerson thinks this has to be a coincidence so she does it again. Emerson has to decide if this is the answer to her prayers or is there an even greater cost to this typewriter.
There was lots of family drama as we got to know Emerson, her daughter Sadie, and her mother, Dorthy. I think many readers could relate to their problems and would definitely wish they had a magic typewriter to solve their problems. The consequences of the wishes did make one think, are the wishes worth it? I did figure out Sadie's secret pretty early on but it did not detract from the story. There were some moments where I was really interested in where the story was going and then other points where I just wanted to shout at Emerson to do the right thing. Overall, this book would be great for book clubs as there was a lot to unpack and discuss about the premise and choices the characters made.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
August 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC❤️
The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross is a charming story where the reader has a chance to take a look at three generations of women. You are following Emerson, a full time ghostwriter, whose famous father just passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. She is trying to juggle being a single mom to a teenage daughter that is grieving, as well as being there for her alcoholic mother whom she has a complicated relationship with.
When going through her late father’s things, she finds his notorious typewriter. After typing a wish she has on it, she soon discovers that it can change fate and grant wishes. However, this does not come without complications. Emerson is now forced to navigate this new found impossibility while staying true to her morals and family.
Overall, I enjoyed Emerson’s character and I found myself relating to her in multiple aspects. I thought that the author’s voice was very engaging and kept me interested in the story. This is very much a character driven story with commentary on messy family dynamics. I very much enjoyed this aspect of the story as these types of books usually end up being my favourites.
At times, I found that the way Emerson was treating her daughter was irritating to me. Their conversations felt unrealistic to real people and frequently had me annoyed at our main character. She did not seem capable of emphasizing with her daughter and often outright disrespected her feelings. I also would have liked a more satisfying ending that brought all of the storylines together.
Overall, this was a fun and charming magical realism read that explored topics of grief, love, and generational voids. Perfect for fans of the Midnight Library.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross is a charming story where the reader has a chance to take a look at three generations of women. You are following Emerson, a full time ghostwriter, whose famous father just passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. She is trying to juggle being a single mom to a teenage daughter that is grieving, as well as being there for her alcoholic mother whom she has a complicated relationship with.
When going through her late father’s things, she finds his notorious typewriter. After typing a wish she has on it, she soon discovers that it can change fate and grant wishes. However, this does not come without complications. Emerson is now forced to navigate this new found impossibility while staying true to her morals and family.
Overall, I enjoyed Emerson’s character and I found myself relating to her in multiple aspects. I thought that the author’s voice was very engaging and kept me interested in the story. This is very much a character driven story with commentary on messy family dynamics. I very much enjoyed this aspect of the story as these types of books usually end up being my favourites.
At times, I found that the way Emerson was treating her daughter was irritating to me. Their conversations felt unrealistic to real people and frequently had me annoyed at our main character. She did not seem capable of emphasizing with her daughter and often outright disrespected her feelings. I also would have liked a more satisfying ending that brought all of the storylines together.
Overall, this was a fun and charming magical realism read that explored topics of grief, love, and generational voids. Perfect for fans of the Midnight Library.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 23, 2025
3.75 This one hit close to home. I’m not sure if it was too close to home- maybe that’s why I’m a little unsure of whether I loved or just liked the book.
This story explored messy family dynamics through a magical realism lens. Emerson Clarke’s father was a renowned fantasy novelist. His professional success allowed his family to live comfortably, but didn’t make them a happy family. A magical typewriter sounds ridiculous, but Emerson Clarke stumbles upon one after her father’s death. The events that occur after she types some wishes on the typewriter cannot be coincidence. She realizes words have great power. Her actions, and wishes, can control and manipulate her family- for better and certainly for worse.
The mother/daughter dynamics are real and raw. Emerson’s mom is an alcoholic (though not overtly). Emerson’s teenage daughter becomes distant. If her living family isn’t enough drama, Emerson grapples with learning that her father didn’t deserve the pedestal she put him on. Really tough themes like abortion, DUI, and death are addressed in this book.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was great. I really have no notes - other than I think I would not have been able to complete the story if it wasn’t an audiobook. This character-led story is heavy on internal monologue, which usually puts me to sleep. Emerson’s internal struggles are relatable for anyone who’s ever dealt with self-doubt and a dysfunctional family.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
This story explored messy family dynamics through a magical realism lens. Emerson Clarke’s father was a renowned fantasy novelist. His professional success allowed his family to live comfortably, but didn’t make them a happy family. A magical typewriter sounds ridiculous, but Emerson Clarke stumbles upon one after her father’s death. The events that occur after she types some wishes on the typewriter cannot be coincidence. She realizes words have great power. Her actions, and wishes, can control and manipulate her family- for better and certainly for worse.
The mother/daughter dynamics are real and raw. Emerson’s mom is an alcoholic (though not overtly). Emerson’s teenage daughter becomes distant. If her living family isn’t enough drama, Emerson grapples with learning that her father didn’t deserve the pedestal she put him on. Really tough themes like abortion, DUI, and death are addressed in this book.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was great. I really have no notes - other than I think I would not have been able to complete the story if it wasn’t an audiobook. This character-led story is heavy on internal monologue, which usually puts me to sleep. Emerson’s internal struggles are relatable for anyone who’s ever dealt with self-doubt and a dysfunctional family.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
November 21, 2025
My first reaction to this book was is it a common practice for authors to use a ghostwriter to write their books? The main character in this story is a ghostwriter. The author gives her the ideas and outline, but she actually writes the books. I know celebrities etc. do this, but an author of novels? I found it crazy. Why wouldn’t the ghostwriter write her own books? It also feels very dishonest.
Once I got over that, I really enjoyed this story of three generations of women coming together to move on after the death of the Patriarch. There was also a touch of magic which I always enjoy in the books I read.
Once I got over that, I really enjoyed this story of three generations of women coming together to move on after the death of the Patriarch. There was also a touch of magic which I always enjoy in the books I read.
August 16, 2025
“The Unwritten Rules of Magic” by Harper Ross is a heartwarming and deeply moving story that reminds us to release our grip on what we can’t control and enjoy life as it is while you still have it.
The story revolves around a talented ghostwriter who is dealing with the current loss of her famous and beloved father, an alcoholic mother who finally feels free after years of emotional abuse, and a teenage daughter who refuses to communicate and is harboring secrets of her own. As she struggles to develop her own creative ambitions and deal with her fractured family she inherits an old Underwood typewriter that seems to have the magical power to transform her noble wishes into reality, but with powerful unintended consequences.
From reading the description of this book I thought it would be a novel filled with magical realism but instead the magical typewriter is an introspective metaphor. It is used to remind us to give up trying to control other people’s lives, that it’s never too late to reshape relationships, and to accept others without judgement. This beautifully written book inspired me to reflect on my own life and I loved it!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story revolves around a talented ghostwriter who is dealing with the current loss of her famous and beloved father, an alcoholic mother who finally feels free after years of emotional abuse, and a teenage daughter who refuses to communicate and is harboring secrets of her own. As she struggles to develop her own creative ambitions and deal with her fractured family she inherits an old Underwood typewriter that seems to have the magical power to transform her noble wishes into reality, but with powerful unintended consequences.
From reading the description of this book I thought it would be a novel filled with magical realism but instead the magical typewriter is an introspective metaphor. It is used to remind us to give up trying to control other people’s lives, that it’s never too late to reshape relationships, and to accept others without judgement. This beautifully written book inspired me to reflect on my own life and I loved it!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 24, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and honestly, it took everything in me to finish it. The pacing was painfully slow, and the story dragged on without much payoff. I also struggled to connect with the main character. Hard to root for someone who feels so unlikeable from start to finish. While I can appreciate the effort that went into the book, it just wasn’t for me.
July 19, 2025
Rating this a weak four; perhaps 3 3/4 stars. I think the fact that it took me 10 days to read is an indication that I was not compelled to read it.
I think I was at least 3/4 of the way through the book before I could say I cared about any of the characters. The primary characters - Emerson, her mother, her daughter and her best friend - were not particularly likable, or not developed in a way I would hope. In addition, at about the 3/4 mark we get thrown not one but two rather serious issues to deal with (in addition to the death of Emerson’s father early in the story).
The premise - a magical typewriter that grants wishes, with a price - is a good one. Parts of the book were enjoyable, parts felt like a lecture.
In the end, I feel like I’m a little more disappointed than I have a right to be… if that makes any sense.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
I think I was at least 3/4 of the way through the book before I could say I cared about any of the characters. The primary characters - Emerson, her mother, her daughter and her best friend - were not particularly likable, or not developed in a way I would hope. In addition, at about the 3/4 mark we get thrown not one but two rather serious issues to deal with (in addition to the death of Emerson’s father early in the story).
The premise - a magical typewriter that grants wishes, with a price - is a good one. Parts of the book were enjoyable, parts felt like a lecture.
In the end, I feel like I’m a little more disappointed than I have a right to be… if that makes any sense.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
dnf
November 16, 2025Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest review. Unfortunately, this one was not for me and I had to DNF at 25%.
I think the concept of the story was really creative but I feel like the blurb and the title didn't quite match up with the actual book. The pacing was slow, I couldn't connect with the characters and it just wasn't holding my attention at all.
But just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you!
I think the concept of the story was really creative but I feel like the blurb and the title didn't quite match up with the actual book. The pacing was slow, I couldn't connect with the characters and it just wasn't holding my attention at all.
But just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you!
September 14, 2025
Ghostwriter Emerson Clarke has just lost her father to early onset Alzheimer’s & is trying to piece her life together in the aftermath of his loss. In the process she discovers his old typewriter & learns that it’s capable of granting your hearts desires but nothing is ever free. Now she must decide what she’d be willing to lose for a chance at the life she thinks is ideal.
The story definitely didn’t go in the direction that I originally thought it would, but it was still surprisingly thought provoking. It basically ponders the question of how far a mother would be willing to go to keep her family safe & guarantee their happiness. At what point would the cost of protecting your children from life’s pain be too much. Emerson without a doubt always has good intentions but until she meets Sawyer, fails to see that the ups and downs of life are what truly make it so amazing.
To me the added bonus of the book was knowing all of the places that Harper Cross was talking about, even having worked at one of the places. It added something special to the book for me being able to truly visualize the locations as opposed to creating images solely from imagination (which I do love to do). My only gripe and probably why I gave it four stars is because the ending seemed super abrupt. Like I thought there would be another chapter because the conclusion was a little lackluster in my opinion. But overall I enjoyed it.
**Thank you NetGalley & St Martins Press for the ARC**
The story definitely didn’t go in the direction that I originally thought it would, but it was still surprisingly thought provoking. It basically ponders the question of how far a mother would be willing to go to keep her family safe & guarantee their happiness. At what point would the cost of protecting your children from life’s pain be too much. Emerson without a doubt always has good intentions but until she meets Sawyer, fails to see that the ups and downs of life are what truly make it so amazing.
To me the added bonus of the book was knowing all of the places that Harper Cross was talking about, even having worked at one of the places. It added something special to the book for me being able to truly visualize the locations as opposed to creating images solely from imagination (which I do love to do). My only gripe and probably why I gave it four stars is because the ending seemed super abrupt. Like I thought there would be another chapter because the conclusion was a little lackluster in my opinion. But overall I enjoyed it.
**Thank you NetGalley & St Martins Press for the ARC**
October 27, 2025
The Unwritten Rules of Magic was more about family and relationships than magic. I liked the characters and I was happy to see Emerson, her mother and Sadie reconnect.
This was a 4 star read for me until I got to chapter 38, where the author hurled her political views and misconceptions all over the place. It was unnecessary, some of it was untrue, and it was jarring. It did not blend with the storyline, even though Harper Ross clearly wanted to justify her viewpoint. So 3 stars because of that.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
This was a 4 star read for me until I got to chapter 38, where the author hurled her political views and misconceptions all over the place. It was unnecessary, some of it was untrue, and it was jarring. It did not blend with the storyline, even though Harper Ross clearly wanted to justify her viewpoint. So 3 stars because of that.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
October 7, 2025
Emerson, our FMC, discovers a lucky typewriter left by her deceased father and learns a few lessons in life and magic.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and as a mother could relate to always wanting sound proof your parenting choices are right. While Emerson was struggling with her relationship with her daughter, she also was dealing with an alcoholic mother, past family trauma, navigating her career as a writer and finding room for love. 😮💨
While the book features a magical typewriter, I found myself wishing for a bit more magic ✨, especially for a fantasy novel. Go in knowing that the magic isn’t the central focus here. That said, as a debut, it’s well-written, easy to follow, and delivers a meaningful message about choices and their consequences.
Just a note: there’s a part of the story that could be triggering, or at least controversial, for some readers.
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley and HarperRoss 🙏
Overall, I enjoyed the read and as a mother could relate to always wanting sound proof your parenting choices are right. While Emerson was struggling with her relationship with her daughter, she also was dealing with an alcoholic mother, past family trauma, navigating her career as a writer and finding room for love. 😮💨
While the book features a magical typewriter, I found myself wishing for a bit more magic ✨, especially for a fantasy novel. Go in knowing that the magic isn’t the central focus here. That said, as a debut, it’s well-written, easy to follow, and delivers a meaningful message about choices and their consequences.
Just a note: there’s a part of the story that could be triggering, or at least controversial, for some readers.
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley and HarperRoss 🙏
September 20, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Harper Ross for providing this e-ARC book for my honest review. All opinions on this book are my own.
The description was right in comparing this to Midlight Library in that it has a self-help vibe to it, however, not quite as impactful. I also was not a huge fan of Midnight Library (I enjoyed it but not a 5 ⭐️ read for me) so I might not be the target audience for this book.
I did enjoy the way the author portrayed alcoholism in family dynamics. I think what I loved the most about this book, though, was the FMC and how realistic her struggles were as a mother and daughter. I resonated with her and her struggle with ceding control and her internal reflections on how she treated her own mother vs how her daughter treats her. It was very relatable. I also liked what happened with the daughter at the end. It was unexpected.
One thing I didn’t really enjoy was the repetitiveness of it all. It felt like the same “therapy-like” themes completely drowned out the “fantasy” portion. I was expecting much more fantasy. I’d say this was more of self help book with a TINY bit of magical realism. There wasn’t really any magical world building or whimsy. It felt off. Something was missing in the cozy fantasy aspect of the book. Close to the end, I just wanted to finish it and be done, unfortunately.
If you did not like Midnight Library then I probably would not recommend this book.
If you did, then go for it!
If you reading mainly for fantasy or a big portion of the plot dedicated to cozy magical realism, then I would not recommend.
If you enjoy self-help books, then I would recommend.
Major TWs: alcoholism
0 🌶️
* please disregard grammatical errors due to accessible voice texting. Thanks!
The description was right in comparing this to Midlight Library in that it has a self-help vibe to it, however, not quite as impactful. I also was not a huge fan of Midnight Library (I enjoyed it but not a 5 ⭐️ read for me) so I might not be the target audience for this book.
I did enjoy the way the author portrayed alcoholism in family dynamics. I think what I loved the most about this book, though, was the FMC and how realistic her struggles were as a mother and daughter. I resonated with her and her struggle with ceding control and her internal reflections on how she treated her own mother vs how her daughter treats her. It was very relatable. I also liked what happened with the daughter at the end. It was unexpected.
One thing I didn’t really enjoy was the repetitiveness of it all. It felt like the same “therapy-like” themes completely drowned out the “fantasy” portion. I was expecting much more fantasy. I’d say this was more of self help book with a TINY bit of magical realism. There wasn’t really any magical world building or whimsy. It felt off. Something was missing in the cozy fantasy aspect of the book. Close to the end, I just wanted to finish it and be done, unfortunately.
If you did not like Midnight Library then I probably would not recommend this book.
If you did, then go for it!
If you reading mainly for fantasy or a big portion of the plot dedicated to cozy magical realism, then I would not recommend.
If you enjoy self-help books, then I would recommend.
Major TWs: alcoholism
0 🌶️
* please disregard grammatical errors due to accessible voice texting. Thanks!
November 4, 2025
✨📝✨
❓If you had access to a magical typewriter that could grant your wishes, would you use it to get what you want? ❔If yes, would you still use it if you knew there was a cost to each wish?
This a story about family, hope, and relationships with a touch of magic. This story addresses tough topics including grief, strained mother/daughter relationships, control over other’s choices, alcoholism, and women’s health issues.
I felt the three female characters were well developed and the reader was able to see growth of the characters throughout the story. I do feel the pacing slowed a bit in the middle, but this did not overall impact my reading experience.
I really enjoyed the concept of the magical typewriter. As a person who likes to have control over everything, this read was very thought-provoking for me. It was a great reminder that life is meant to be messy and that is okay.
Overall, I enjoyed this debut novel and will read future work from this author. I recommend this book to those who like women’s fiction with a touch of magical realism.
I received this book as an ARC. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending this book for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
❓If you had access to a magical typewriter that could grant your wishes, would you use it to get what you want? ❔If yes, would you still use it if you knew there was a cost to each wish?
This a story about family, hope, and relationships with a touch of magic. This story addresses tough topics including grief, strained mother/daughter relationships, control over other’s choices, alcoholism, and women’s health issues.
I felt the three female characters were well developed and the reader was able to see growth of the characters throughout the story. I do feel the pacing slowed a bit in the middle, but this did not overall impact my reading experience.
I really enjoyed the concept of the magical typewriter. As a person who likes to have control over everything, this read was very thought-provoking for me. It was a great reminder that life is meant to be messy and that is okay.
Overall, I enjoyed this debut novel and will read future work from this author. I recommend this book to those who like women’s fiction with a touch of magical realism.
I received this book as an ARC. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending this book for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 21, 2025
The magic of Harper Ross compelled me to finish this book in two days. (Would've been one, but I had taken NyQuil so....)
While not a thriller, I still had to keep reading to see what would happen with Emerson, Sadie, and Dorothy. All had been manipulated by the wishes of the father, all were prey to the wishes of Emerson. At the heart of the novel lies the question, "Can you control life for others?" As it turns out, not even with a magic typewriter.
More importantly, however, this is a story of a mother who learns to take chances while also letting go, and that push-me/pull-me of emotion sustained me through the story as did the lush prose and poignant insights.
There are no easy answers to life, but Ross's debut will leave you in a hopeful place nonetheless.
While not a thriller, I still had to keep reading to see what would happen with Emerson, Sadie, and Dorothy. All had been manipulated by the wishes of the father, all were prey to the wishes of Emerson. At the heart of the novel lies the question, "Can you control life for others?" As it turns out, not even with a magic typewriter.
More importantly, however, this is a story of a mother who learns to take chances while also letting go, and that push-me/pull-me of emotion sustained me through the story as did the lush prose and poignant insights.
There are no easy answers to life, but Ross's debut will leave you in a hopeful place nonetheless.
August 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Book to be published in early 2026.
I loved this book. It deals with quite a few heavy topics but was handled with humor and care. I related to the main character Emerson as a mom and as a daughter. The touch of magical whimsy was just enough and forces you to think what if you had ultimate control of your life and the people you love. And would you risk your memories to bend life to your will? My favorite quote came from the beginning of the book.
“Hope is a foolish squatter I’ve never learned to evict “.
I loved this book. It deals with quite a few heavy topics but was handled with humor and care. I related to the main character Emerson as a mom and as a daughter. The touch of magical whimsy was just enough and forces you to think what if you had ultimate control of your life and the people you love. And would you risk your memories to bend life to your will? My favorite quote came from the beginning of the book.
“Hope is a foolish squatter I’ve never learned to evict “.
November 4, 2025
*ARC Access -- Netgalley*
I liked this book a lot, the premise of it was good (not at all like the Midnight Library and I'm offended by the comparison). The idea of someone giving into the temptation of being able to control everything around them, after not being able to control it to their satisfaction with major sacrifices is something we face daily.
It wasn't a perfect book, and that's ok! But I think our MC, Emerson, could have used a little more growth. She was so stressed about controlling everything, then it felt like she just "let it go." There were some communication issues within the book that just made me cringe, and just made me want to shake Emerson and say, "don't project onto your child!" Alas.
Overall I'd give this an 88%. Almost an A, but just missing a few things that would have made me feel 100% satisfied with the book.
I liked this book a lot, the premise of it was good (not at all like the Midnight Library and I'm offended by the comparison). The idea of someone giving into the temptation of being able to control everything around them, after not being able to control it to their satisfaction with major sacrifices is something we face daily.
It wasn't a perfect book, and that's ok! But I think our MC, Emerson, could have used a little more growth. She was so stressed about controlling everything, then it felt like she just "let it go." There were some communication issues within the book that just made me cringe, and just made me want to shake Emerson and say, "don't project onto your child!" Alas.
Overall I'd give this an 88%. Almost an A, but just missing a few things that would have made me feel 100% satisfied with the book.
September 7, 2025
3⭐️
This was a cute, light, and quick read that kept me engaged from start to finish. While I enjoyed the premise of a magical typewriter that could change reality, the story was definitely more about relationships, grief, and complicated family dynamics than about the “magic” itself.
The push-and-pull between Emerson, her mother, and her daughter frustrated me at times (so much miscommunication!), but it felt very real and relatable. If you’re looking for a story that blends magical realism with heartache, healing, and a touch of whimsy, this one might be for you.
Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a cute, light, and quick read that kept me engaged from start to finish. While I enjoyed the premise of a magical typewriter that could change reality, the story was definitely more about relationships, grief, and complicated family dynamics than about the “magic” itself.
The push-and-pull between Emerson, her mother, and her daughter frustrated me at times (so much miscommunication!), but it felt very real and relatable. If you’re looking for a story that blends magical realism with heartache, healing, and a touch of whimsy, this one might be for you.
Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 18, 2025
Have you ever wished you could plot your life like a story? That’s the dilemma confronting ghostwriter Emerson Clarke after her father dies and she inherits his wish-granting typewriter. Her intentions are always good – but every wish that comes true has unexpected costs and consequences.
This is a poignant, thoughtful, beautifully crafted story about the desire to "fix” things and the limits of control. (Did I relate to Emerson a little too much? Um...Maybe!) Highly recommend!
This is a poignant, thoughtful, beautifully crafted story about the desire to "fix” things and the limits of control. (Did I relate to Emerson a little too much? Um...Maybe!) Highly recommend!
Want to read
July 12, 2025Tell me this doesn’t look good? It’s in the arc queue lol <33
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the arc!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the arc!
August 5, 2025
This book ended up being very different than I had expected. I went into this expecting something witchy or magical realism but instead I got a sweet, heartwarming tale of a woman trying to hold her family together through grief, hard decisions, and tough love. What a wonderfully crafted story!
September 13, 2025
The unwritten rules of magic is a complex work that shows the layers and messy parts of life.
Emerson our main character has a lot going on from her latest book deadline for her ghost writing gig, to grief from losing her famous author father to Alzheimer’s, her mother coping with a life she’s unhappy with at the bottom of a bottle, and her teenage daughter suddenly shutting her out.
While cleaning out her father’s office Emerson decides to take home his prize possession, a type writer that she was never allowed to touch. After messing around with it she discovers it has magic capabilities that grant the writers typed wish (within reason).
She is burned out from a life of living in her father’s shadow, dealing with her mother’s drinking habits, working as a ghost writer, and everything that comes with being a mom. Shes a complex and real person. At times I didn’t like her and found myself aligning with her daughter or mother’s point of view. At others I cried with her and felt deeply connected, I even found myself cheering her on. She really does read as a real person with relatable problems.
This book made me stop and think many times. If you had the power to manipulate the world around you to your whims would you do it? Should you do it? If you could type your problems away on a magic type writer would you?
I very much enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more from this author. Overall I’d give it 4 stars!
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley!
Emerson our main character has a lot going on from her latest book deadline for her ghost writing gig, to grief from losing her famous author father to Alzheimer’s, her mother coping with a life she’s unhappy with at the bottom of a bottle, and her teenage daughter suddenly shutting her out.
While cleaning out her father’s office Emerson decides to take home his prize possession, a type writer that she was never allowed to touch. After messing around with it she discovers it has magic capabilities that grant the writers typed wish (within reason).
She is burned out from a life of living in her father’s shadow, dealing with her mother’s drinking habits, working as a ghost writer, and everything that comes with being a mom. Shes a complex and real person. At times I didn’t like her and found myself aligning with her daughter or mother’s point of view. At others I cried with her and felt deeply connected, I even found myself cheering her on. She really does read as a real person with relatable problems.
This book made me stop and think many times. If you had the power to manipulate the world around you to your whims would you do it? Should you do it? If you could type your problems away on a magic type writer would you?
I very much enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more from this author. Overall I’d give it 4 stars!
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley!
August 28, 2025
Overall 2.5 stars. I had a hard time getting through this but still enjoyed the concept. I like magical realism books but this one didn’t grip me enough.
I wish I liked and felt connected to the characters more.
I wish I liked and felt connected to the characters more.
August 22, 2025
I really wanted to love this book, but honestly it fell short. Don’t let the title fool you this isn’t gonna be a magical witchy vibe, it has a good plot and the writing style is there but it’s really missing something that I just can’t put my finger on. Some of the magic in the book seems like a last minute decision to try and make things exciting but it just really doesn’t do it. While the characters are relatable at times it just doesn’t give you enough to want to keep reading, I found it slow paced with a fairly predictable ending.
July 24, 2025
Our protagonist, Emerson, discovers her famous author father's magical typewriter during said father's funeral. Spurred by Emerson's disastrous relationships with her alcoholic mother and distant daughter, Emerson makes wishes on the typewriter, in the hopes of steering her family to make better choices. While the premise is interesting, I did not once feel an iota of positive feelings for the characters. I realize they are flawed, but they also had no depth.
I felt as though the author spent half a page exploring Emerson's feelings, and then end it with "oh well. Whatever!" comment by the main character. There were also far too many instances of name-dropping other books, mentioning real people, and bringing up politically heated topics that ruined the immersion into the story. If you enjoy emotional rollercoasters and wanting to smash the protagonist over the head with logic, then this is the book for you.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!
I felt as though the author spent half a page exploring Emerson's feelings, and then end it with "oh well. Whatever!" comment by the main character. There were also far too many instances of name-dropping other books, mentioning real people, and bringing up politically heated topics that ruined the immersion into the story. If you enjoy emotional rollercoasters and wanting to smash the protagonist over the head with logic, then this is the book for you.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!
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