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The Magic of Us
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26When a magic spell rewrites her past, a love-skeptic radio host must decide whether to protect her heart or finally risk it.
Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love. On her hit radio show, she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells, and for Elliot, it’s paid off big-time.
But when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off…until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn’t recognize. Leo, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye.
Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother’s fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she’s built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn’t know she was waiting for.
Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love. On her hit radio show, she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells, and for Elliot, it’s paid off big-time.
But when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off…until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn’t recognize. Leo, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye.
Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother’s fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she’s built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn’t know she was waiting for.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 1, 2026
556 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Beth Merlin
10 books177 followersBeth is a native New Yorker who loves rom-coms, Broadway, and a good maxi dress. She was introduced to her husband through a friend she met at sleepaway camp and considers the eight summers she spent there to be the most formative of her life. One S’more Summer is Beth's debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 6, 2026
A fun "what if" romance!
I had a really good time with The Magic of Us. I picked it up expecting something light and a little magical, and it delivered on that—but it also had more emotional depth than I was expecting.
Elliot isn’t the easiest character to love at first, but that’s kind of the point. She’s guarded, a bit cynical, and very set in her ways, which made her feel real to me. Watching her get thrown into a completely different version of her life (and relationship) was such a fun concept, and I liked how it slowly pushed her to question everything she thought she wanted.
The romance with Leo worked for me overall. There’s history there, and it doesn’t feel overly perfect or forced, which I appreciated. The magical element is pretty light and mostly just sets things in motion, so the story stays focused on the characters and their growth. Also, the Belize wedding setting was a nice touch, it added a warm, escapist vibe without taking over the story.
This is a solid, enjoyable romance with a unique twist. If you like “what if” stories and character-driven love stories, it’s definitely worth checking out.
I had a really good time with The Magic of Us. I picked it up expecting something light and a little magical, and it delivered on that—but it also had more emotional depth than I was expecting.
Elliot isn’t the easiest character to love at first, but that’s kind of the point. She’s guarded, a bit cynical, and very set in her ways, which made her feel real to me. Watching her get thrown into a completely different version of her life (and relationship) was such a fun concept, and I liked how it slowly pushed her to question everything she thought she wanted.
The romance with Leo worked for me overall. There’s history there, and it doesn’t feel overly perfect or forced, which I appreciated. The magical element is pretty light and mostly just sets things in motion, so the story stays focused on the characters and their growth. Also, the Belize wedding setting was a nice touch, it added a warm, escapist vibe without taking over the story.
This is a solid, enjoyable romance with a unique twist. If you like “what if” stories and character-driven love stories, it’s definitely worth checking out.
May 11, 2026
5 stars, hands down. Highly recommend. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down and immediately texted multiple people about how great it was even though it was past midnight. Loved it!
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May 8, 2026I loved this book!!!!!!! This had great advice on life in general!!!! Very fast paced!
Review of advance copy
The Magic of Us! Oh... Wow! I don't know where to start with this one. This exhilarating book by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi, is just a heartfelt book. Elliot West didn't know what L-O-V-E could be because of past relationships, family, expectations, let downs; you name it. But meeting Leo Kindell just turned her world upside down. This book makes you think you are going in one direction, for it just to detour again and again. You don't know what to expect. It is frustrating, girl power, hopeful, brave, love. Makes standing up for yourself and to everyone as an eye opening experience.
Review of advance copy
This book was such fun, loved every moment! The little bit of magical realism added beautifully to the plot but didn’t make it unbelievable. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy
A book similar to a family thanksgiving or big with an alternate reality of what could have been.
May 9, 2026
it’s ok! not great
Very hard to like and root for the FMC. Did really love Leo though, he redeemed the story in my opinion.
Very hard to like and root for the FMC. Did really love Leo though, he redeemed the story in my opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is super cute. I’ll be honest, contemporary romance is not really my thing. Like at all. This won me over, though! I really love a “sliding doors”/ alternate timeline trope.
A woman who bills her brand as a cynic and nonbeliever in love has to wonder if she should reconsider her stance and risk her career and reputation on a “what if”.
I do wish we’d gotten a little more detail on how the timelines differed. It’s more of a pop in to a timeline and then back than a “here’s how the 2 play out”.
I loved the ultimate message of this book! The end left me smiling and hopeful.
A woman who bills her brand as a cynic and nonbeliever in love has to wonder if she should reconsider her stance and risk her career and reputation on a “what if”.
I do wish we’d gotten a little more detail on how the timelines differed. It’s more of a pop in to a timeline and then back than a “here’s how the 2 play out”.
I loved the ultimate message of this book! The end left me smiling and hopeful.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews