The Magic of Us

by Beth Merlin, Danielle Modafferi, Caroline Hewitt (Reading)

Listening Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes

When a magic spell rewrites her past, a love-skeptic radio host must decide whether to protect her heart or finally risk it.

Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love. On her hit radio show, she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells, and for Elliot, it’s paid off big-time.

But when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off…until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn’t recognize. Leo, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye.

Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother’s fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she’s built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn’t know she was waiting for.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Contemporary, Fiction, Magical Realism, Paranormal, Contemporary Romance

9 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 1, 2026

About the author

Beth 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.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliot is jaded and cynical. I get being hurt, but that girl had a lot of trauma from just her father, mother and one previous relationship. More than I feel was necessary. She had no problem hurting other people. I'm glad she finally came around and ended up with Leo. It was just a long road of hatefulness to get there.

[Wordsbetweencups ( Grace) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! it pleasantly surprised me. I was expecting something light and fun, but instead, the plot addressed deep emotional themes, including childhood traumas, as was the case with Elliot, her insecurity in relationships predated her boyfriend's betrayal, stemming from the emotional abandonment she suffered due to poor parenting, her story deeply moved me, I really connected with the character, who was very well-developed, and I could feel her pain and resentment for the bad parenting, her boyfriend's betrayal and her distrust of love. She didn't consciously hurt people, but in her eagerness to protect herself, to avoid emotional pain, she hurt others. That's why I enjoyed seeing how the character evolved throughout the story, how she was able to break down her barriers, forgive her parents, her ex, and begin to build better relationships. I also liked that she found love. My favorite characters were Leo and Marin; in fact, I would love to have a friend like her. It's the first time that even the most exasperating characters seemed human, and I really enjoyed the story. It's definitely a book I recommend to anyone who likes to read about family, second chances, love, and forgiveness, and not just about romance.

[Kiirsten McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st half made me mad. Second half made it worth it

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute read! the concept was fun & definitely pulled me in. elliot is a radio show host who basically built her brand around rejecting love, but after a magic spell rewrites her past, she’s forced to see how different her life could’ve been.

elliot did frustrate me at times. she holds onto a lot of hurt from her past, & there were moments where i just wanted her to let things go already. but truthfully, i could understand where she was coming from. when you’ve been hurt before, letting people in & being vulnerable isn’t always easy.

overall, i enjoyed the narration & the story. it was a sweet, fast-paced read with a fun concept & lovable characters. leo & marin were easily some of my favs.

𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
♡ rom-com
♡ second chance
♡ paranormal elements
♡ heartwarming story
♡ forgiveness & growth
♡ love & trauma

thank you netgalley, brilliance publishing, & beth merlin for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[ELIZABETH · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Sara Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 38%. I don’t know what that was, but it was terrible.

[Shaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love is many things, according to the main character Elliot: overrated, a myth, and a sure-fire waste of time and emotional resources. A love cynic through-and-through, she hosts a popular radio show shattering the illusion of love for her listeners. She is at the top of her game: a popular radio show, a book deal, a legion of fans. All from her jaded experience and observations of love from her own life and from the lives of those closest to her. Until of course, she is magically thrown into another reality that shows her the other, more positive extreme of love despite it all.

The radio show soldifying Elliot’s success and personhood was an amazing character introduction and backdrop for this novel. That alone helped to not only build her character, but also show us glimpses of her past in an organic way. The interviews she does with her fans was a fun way of seeing her worldview.

Some of the characters had reactions that did not make sense or were confusing given the context— but I chalk this up to the ‘magic’ aspect of the story and was intentional. They did not have agency per se. Perhaps they were slightly puppeteered by magic. You could say love is a bit of ‘magic’ too so perhaps throught the power of love (magic) these characters act in confusing, illogical ways.

This book reads like a Netflix romantic comedy from start to finish. There are silly, awkward moments, slightly funny lines, a picturesque backdrop, a supportive best friend, and the main character getting caugh up in embarassing or cringe situations. By its conclusion, it is a feel good, optimistic book that is effective in evoking positive emotions by its end — a contrast to the pessimism at the start.

The book neatly closes all gripes Elliot has with love through interactions with everyone she had drawn inspiration from when writing the script for her radio show. In doing so the book ends with an uplifting tone — that love takes bravery, and that means forgiving those who’ve wronged us and working through disagreements by showing up.

Overall, a fun romance read for those looking for a feel good novel about love. Spice level very low.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐ This was a cute story. Elliott was a little hard to handle at times. I'm all for a skeptic character but at times it got to be a bit much and overwhelming. However I LOVED Leo and he absolutely made this story all the worthwhile and feet kicking, giggly of a time. This had some genuinely funny and heartwarming moments. The first half of the book takes a bit to get through but the ending makes up for all of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced e/arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Don Gubler · Rating 1 out of 5]

No, no, no. What does it mean when a writer betrays her characters? She gives them no way out to be themselves, they just become the tropes that make love so danged dishonest. And the whole love spell thing just tips it over into the garbage.

[Wild Weasel]

I loved this book!!!!!!! This had great advice on life in general!!!! Very fast paced!

[Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free kindle book that I took a chance on and I think it was just ok. Unfortunately I had just read the latest Rebecca Serle book that also had a time traveling component and this one fell flat when compared to it.

[Cindy Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The universal magic of love

This book was so truthful of explaining how one bad experience can rule your whole life. You put up barriers for yourself so you don't get hurt. As time goes on, you have shut yourself off from everyone. You have someone who enters your life that wants to walk beside you and you start to see things differently, you work through the hurt with the ones that hurt you. Magic of live blossoms and you whole perspective changes and bitterness falls away and you are among the living instead of getting by in life. I loved this book and it's deep meaning. It is worth the read 100 percent.

[Sanah Sadaruddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This healed a piece of me - cute and easy read

[Katya & the Braincells Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars!!!

🚨 NOTE: The version I received is an uncorrected proof and my review may not represent the final product.

Spoilerful review: I genuinely cannot believe I stalled reading this for weeks. Because once I actually got into The Magic of Us, it was so unputdownable.

The premise alone had me hooked: after a failed Before Sunrise-esque date with her Mykonos fling Leo Kindell, Elliot West unwittingly gets a tarot card reading with a random stranger--and a bonus "love spell" which inadvertently makes her wake up in a reality where Leo is now her boyfriend (two months, to be exact) and also lives with her. Now she's living the dream, but the problem is she's also living a life she doesn't remember making.

The Magic of Us asks a wonderfully unsettling question: if you woke up living your dream romance, would it still feel like yours? I do want to mention that the premise takes a little while to arrive; the setup from the synopsis doesn't really kick in until around Chapter Four, so the opening asks for a bit of patience. Once the alternate timeline begins, though, everything takes off. I was so glued to my reader because every chapter made me wonder how long this borrowed life could possibly last.

Being inside our protagonist's head, Elliot, was so entertaining. She's sarcastic, stubborn, emotionally avoidant, and fully committed to her public persona as the radio host who insists love is basically one elaborate scam. I know that attitude won't work for everyone, but I completely understood where she was coming from. Imagine having "love sucks" as your brand then waking up one morning with a guy you're interested in already loving you exactly the way you've always wanted, except... you weren't there for any of it. You missed every first date, every inside joke, every awkward conversation, every tiny decision that slowly built that relationship. Of course she'd feel like an imposter!

Then there's Leo. I'm sorry for applauding the bare minimum, but this man made me swoon 😭

“Okay, well, what if I told you I don’t believe in love. Like categorically don’t believe in it.”
“I’d say that some men would interpret that as some sort of challenge.”
“But not you?”
“No. In my experience, love isn’t a puzzle to solve or a prize to win.”
I swallowed, caught off guard by his certainty. “Then what is it?”
“It’s a risk. A chance. […] One you’re either willing to take, or you’re not.”
“And you’d be willing to take that kind of chance on someone you barely even know? Someone you just met a few days ago?”
He tilted his head slightly. “I think I already have.”

He's attentive. He listens. He remembers Elliot's favorite things. He plans thoughtful dates. AND he takes her to a Mamma Mia!-themed restaurant. And he's a total family guy! I. AM. SOLD. I giggled so hard when she pranked him (with her friends) by sending him a very crude, very X-rated "I want to feel you grow in my mouth" and instead of replying something dirty back he sent a polite message back like A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE CHARACTER!!!

The novel lost a little momentum toward the middle, however. After the major emotional fallout between Elliot and Leo, the story never quite regained the confidence and rhythm it had during the middle portion. I also have a prose-related nitpick in which a few stylistic habits became noticeable over time. The repeated "No X. No Y. Just Z." construction appears often enough that, by the eighth occurrence (yes, I was keeping track), it pulled me out of an otherwise immersive reading experience, which is part of why I landed at a 4 rather than a full 5 stars. Still, I read it 'til the end, because I wanted to see what Elliot will choose.

This isn't the most groundbreaking romantic premise ever written, but execution matters. And this one absolutely worked on me. I laughed far more than I expected--by the epilogue I found myself wishing I owned a physical copy just to keep on my shelf. That's usually a pretty good indicator that a book has earned its place in my future re-reads. :))

I don't think this is a romance I'd recommend universally, but if you enjoy "what if?" rom-coms, alternate timelines, lovable emotionally constipated protagonists, and male leads who somehow become more attractive simply by being kind and emotionally mature, I think you'll have a great time.

Be prepared to keep asking yourself one question the entire way through: when the spell finally breaks... which life will Elliot choose?

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY:
When a magic spell rewrites her past, a love-skeptic radio host must decide whether to protect her heart or finally risk it. Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love. On her hit radio show, she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells, and for Elliot, it’s paid off big-time. But when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off, until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn’t recognize. Leo Kindell, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye. Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother’s fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she’s built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn’t know she was waiting for.

REVIEW:
The Magic of Us is my May 2026 Amazon First Reads pick and my first book by the writing duo Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi. When a magic spell rewrites her past, a love-skeptic radio host must decide whether to protect her heart or finally risk it. Elliot West has built her brand on rejecting love and her hit radio show is where she trashes fairy-tale endings and insists that happily ever afters are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Cynicism sells and for Elliot it's paid off big time but when a mysterious tarot card reader casts a spell on her, Elliot laughs it off, until she wakes up the next morning in a life she doesn't recognize. Leo Kindell, her summer fling, is suddenly her boyfriend, as if they never said goodbye. Soon, a family wedding in Belize forces Elliot to confront all the reasons she swore off love in the first place. Between dodging old wounds, navigating her mother's fourth trip down the aisle, and making sense of a reality where she and Leo picked up right where they left off, Elliot starts to question everything. Torn between the life she's built and a love she never believed in, Elliot must decide if this new reality is the second chance she didn't know she was waiting for.

Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi delivered an emotional rollercoaster of a second chance what if contemporary romance with a hint of magic that had me captivated from the start that I almost read the entire book in a day. Elliot is a woman that doesn't believe love is real since she had watched her mother go through several heartbreaks and she went through her own heartbreak that shaped her life until she met Leo on one of her work trips. Leo is a man that has always believed in love because his parents are the biggest example of true love but he was always been busy with his career to ever stop to find love. Though Leo isn't really apart of Elliot's life except in her alternate life that the tarot card reader sent her into which was an experience that really changed the course of her life for the better. As I was reading about Elliot's emotional journey to finding love that is real with the right person had me with real tears in my eyes in those emotional moments and just hoping that she would finally get her HEA with Leo that she deserved which thankfully she did. I'm glad that I decided to pick this book as my May Amazon First Reads pick.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magic of Us is an alternate timeline story, following Elliot West, a radio show host where her cynical takes about love have garnered her a huge following and brought her right to the point of realizing all of her dreams. If only that pesky summer fling wasn’t still lingering in her memories, making her feel something almost like regret. Elliot can’t start catching feelings now though, not when she is about to sign a contract that will launch her show globally and her book deal is all but done, because her whole brand is based on her belief that love is a hoax, a con, something to be avoided at all costs. One magical tarot card reading at a Galentine’s dinner sets something unexpected in motion, and suddenly Elliot finds herself with a boyfriend she has no memory of acquiring.

This book was a mixed bag for me. I liked the premise of Elliott waking up to how life could have looked if she had chosen differently, and even though the boyfriend felt a little too perfect at times, watching him slowly begin to change her mind was sweet. However, there was also so much of Elliott stubbornly (and rather meanly) refusing to let her mind be changed, that it made it hard for me to like her at all. After a disastrous interview things begin to fall apart, and Elliott has to decide what matters most. I think if the story had just stayed focused on that, this might have worked better for me, but we move from this to a destination wedding that takes up a significant part of the story. In order to get the character growth we needed, I can understand why the authors made the choice to get all the pertinent people together in one place with no easy way to escape. However, this was also where the story lost me as far as enthusiasm.

In an effort to avoid spoilers, I won’t give too many details, but for me this wedding was a trainwreck. One of my biggest pet peeves in any story, is when the main character has experienced significant emotional trauma, and yet the other characters expect them to miraculously get over it after minimal effort on their part to make amends or even recognize their part in the damage. Her parents (and several others) were so frustrating to me that I could hardly appreciate any of the good that happened in the last half of the book. There were redemptive moments, and the authors did a good job of navigating through them in a mostly satisfactory way, I just couldn’t get past the bare minimum effort of any of these people to apologize to this woman they hurt so badly. Thank goodness for Marin, her bff, who was a delight and made for some lighter moments in all the drama.

Final thoughts: While it was heartfelt and sweet at points, it was also a little cliched and overdone at others, and I kind of felt like I was being spoon fed the points the authors wanted me to get, rather than them letting me understand them on my own. Overall it was a well written book that was good for an afternoon of reading, it’s just not one that will likely linger with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[My Fairytale Days · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: readers who love contemporary romance, second chances, complicated families, messy characters, and stories that ask “what if life had gone a little differently?”

I went into The Magic of Us expecting an easy, sweet romance. Something light to curl up with and enjoy for a while.

And it was that.

But it also gave me a little more to think about than I expected.

The little touch of “what if?” magic was such a fun idea. Not because it arrived to wave a wand and suddenly make life perfect, but because it threw everything into chaos and opened the door to a different perspective.

Sometimes seeing another path does not mean it was the right path. Sometimes it just helps you understand the one you are already walking.

Elliot and I definitely had our struggles along the way. I understood why she had built her walls, but there were also moments where I wanted to sit her down with a cup of coffee and tell her that being hurt does not mean you are the only person who can be hurting.

But that was also what made her feel human.

People are messy. We protect ourselves, we make mistakes, we convince ourselves we are doing the right thing. And watching all those tangled little threads slowly unravel was what kept me listening.

And then there was Leo.

Sweet, patient, vulnerable Leo, who somehow managed to have the emotional maturity most people spend a lifetime searching for. Almost suspiciously so. 😂 But I loved the softness he brought to the story, and there were moments between them that genuinely made my heart feel things.

If you look too closely at the “what if?” twist, you might find a few questions hiding between the pages, but sometimes a story is less about solving every little detail and more about where the journey takes you.

I came looking for an easy little summer romance, and while I found that, I also found a story that quietly asked a few more questions along the way.

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• A simple “what if?” twist that opened the door for reflection
• The way it explores healing, choices, and the messy parts of being human
• A romance filled with patience, vulnerability, and second chances

🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• The “what if?” twist works best when you follow the feeling instead of questioning every detail
• Elliot’s walls and choices definitely tested my patience at times
• Some family dynamics made me want to pull up a chair and demand a proper conversation

⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

A little thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for opening the door and letting me wander into this story. All thoughts, feelings, and bookish ramblings I brought back are entirely my own. 📖✨

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Find Love You Have To Take A Chance

The Magic of Us by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi is a story of romance, family dysfunction, and a touch of magic. Interesting that one of the authors has the name Merlin.
Elliot Rose West is a radio advice and talk show host. The name of her show "Love is a Four Letter Word" describes it well. El makes it clear she doesn't believe in love. She only indulges in fleeting relationships. The fact that her dad left her mom for his secretary when El was only two, was the first step in her fear of love development. That relationship failed but her dad married another secretary a couple of years later and went on to raise a second family and a life that didn't include Elliot
The second step is that El's mother was a serial bride. Sonja has had three failed marriages and is now planning a fourth marriage. This makes El furious because she's left to pick up the pieces when her mom falls apart after the marriages fail.
The final step to seal her life's love path is when her high school and college boyfriend Matty cheats on her. Matty is the son of Sonja's best friend Izzy Adler
Elliott goes to Myconos on a business trip and meets Leo Kindel who is with a group celebrating a wedding bachelor's party. Leo seems to really see her and she enjoys spending time with him. He extends his stay by a week and a half and asks her to promise to meet him in Paris, by the Eiffel Tower on December 24th so they can see if their feelings continue. El chooses to continue her anti love book and program and stands Leo up
When El is at a program where she's sharing her book with an audience, she's approached by a Medium who says she would like to do a Tarot card reading on Elliot in gratitude for her having enjoyed El's program. The card reading moves the medium to do a Love spell for El. Because of the spell, El wakes up to find Leo in her bed and evidence that she met him in Paris after all. The way the rest of the story unwinds is a great study in family dynamics and how we might be unaware of some of our own self defeating traits

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars really!

Okay, so I knew the name Beth Merlin, but didn’t realize maybe all her books had been written with this other author, that I now see on Goodreads listed with the other books? But I enjoyed them, so I looked forward to reading this when I saw it was the Amazon Prime First Reads option I liked for May. I totally got why Elliot felt the way she did about love. And I loved the 10 rules she had for love, they all were so true, and quite witty.

However, when for some magical reason Leo shows up in her life, and he’s perfect, not annoying, doesn’t do anything that would make a reason to not like him, she still wants to fight being with him, because it will mess up her whole radio show persona that is making her career take off. So that right there, that made me unsure if I would be able to like her because of that. And to be fair, there were times I was so frustrated with her. And I feel she did go quite over the top at times with how she treated some people, even again, if I did understand her reasons for doing it.

Of course, everyone in the story is going to surprise her. Her mother’s soon to be 4th husband, he is a good guy. Her dad and his family, maybe they can or have figured some things out. While I don’t give her ex any leeway because he should have known better than to even try to get back with her, it’s only fair that she does need to look at not keeping her hatred of him so close to her heart.

When something happens with Leo, and now she is back to how things were, she finally figures out how she does want Leo in her life, and she sets out to make it real, but only after making sure she is good with her own life. Because Leo is the perfect guy for her.

The destination wedding had so many activities, including going to a chocolate factory, and that made me remember my own excursion on my first Disney cruise where we went to a chocolate factory too. Made me want to go back. I definitely enjoyed this one, and am glad I got the chance to read it a tiny bit early!

[Karin O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ This was my Amazon First Reads pick this month & I really enjoyed it! 💙✨ It was, actually, pretty tough to put down and I read it pretty quickly, for me.☺️ Elliot didn’t make it easy to love her, she drove me crazy many times, but I did & I felt for her & everything she went through and I really, really wanted & needed for her to come out of the dark & heal & embrace all the love around her. That was definitely a driving force for me to keep reading & not wanting to put the book down. 😊But, also, there was Leo. 🥰 He was a dream. And I absolutely loved them together. ❤️✨ The healing journey Elliot took with Leo and with her family and Matty was rough, but touching & heartfelt & definitely necessary and long overdue. The characters, relationships & conflicts were really interesting & compelling. It was pretty emotional, I teared up several times, but quite beautiful. I will say that even though I enjoyed the family/Matty parts, I wished they were maybe a bit shorter or just that there was more story/scenes with Elliot and Leo, because I was definitely missing him/them, especially during the last part of the book. It made me even more sad to realize he wasn’t really going to remember most if it, either. And I wish there was more of the magic element, too. But, overall, I truly enjoyed this book, I was definitely invested in these characters, my emotions were activated and I love how the healing journey & relationships, family & romantic developed & were resolved. I *loved* the Epilogue! ❤️✨
Oh, also, the friendships were wonderful too, especially Marin! I love how devoted & protective she was and how she told Elliot exactly how it *really* was. I just wished Elliot listened to her, sooner. But, it’s all good. ☺️

[Jenntleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book opens with a list of "commandments" for dating, and honestly, many of them seem pretty reasonable. The focus is on building a strong, independent life rather than letting love drag you along or becoming dependent on a relationship.
What follows is a fun holiday fling that makes this a perfect summer read. Things get complicated when Leo returns just as the heroine's brand is built around the message that women do not need a man to be successful. She is also firmly in the "Valentine's Day is a made up holiday" camp. Faced with a real relationship, she has to decide whether to hold tightly to the image she has created or risk letting love in. One of my favorite moments comes after Leo returns when he takes her to an interactive Mamma Mia! dinner, a date that perfectly captures why Leo is such a great book boyfriend and why he is worth taking a chance on.
Unfortunately, she seems determined to Titanic her relationship straight into an iceberg. Much of that comes from unresolved childhood trauma that she desperately needs therapy to address. Rather than adding emotional depth, I found much of it came across as trauma dumping that made her seem immature and increasingly frustrating. Then, in an Ebenezer Scrooge-like twist, Leo disappears, forcing her to confront what she really wants.
I loved this book most when it leaned into its lighter, humorous side. While I wasn't expecting the heavier focus on childhood trauma, I did appreciate the underlying message that strength is not found in avoiding relationships. Whether single or partnered, women can pursue love in a way that strengthens them rather than damages them. Not quite what I expected, but a worthwhile read nonetheless.

[Mi-ch-elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received an early ARC from NetGalley and I am grateful for this opportunity.**

The Magic of Us explores a protagonist, El, who is shaped by deep emotional wounds from both a past romantic relationship and her father’s abandonment. These experiences harden her outlook on love, leading her to build her life and career around self-protection rather than possibility. As a result, she dismisses the idea of a “love match” almost entirely.

The premise takes a compelling turn when El is given a second-chance opportunity to experience what her life might have looked like had she chosen a different path with Leo, leading to a whirlwind romance that challenges everything she believes about herself and love.

The first half of the book was difficult to fully engage with, as the pacing felt slow and El’s emotional guardedness made it hard to connect with her journey early on. However, the second half offers a much more satisfying emotional payoff. As El begins to confront her past, soften her defenses, and move toward forgiveness, the story gains real depth and momentum.

Overall, while the beginning may test some readers’ patience, the emotional resolution and character growth in the latter half give the story meaning and heart, making it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy second-chance romance with emotional healing at its core.

Rating: 3.5

[MoonWillowArchives · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this story! I was hooked from the very beginning just listening to Elliot and her show. I laughed and agreed with so much of what she had to say.

I think a lot of people put up walls to keep pain out and don't even realize they're also keeping love out. It's a lonely place behind those walls.

I loved Elliot and Leo so much. They were sweet, tender, and impossible not to root for. Watching Elliot battle the beliefs she'd convinced herself were the only things that mattered, and then slowly open herself up to love while accepting that it can't always be painless, was such a rewarding journey.

There were so many laughs, so many great moments, and every character felt unique and memorable. I was especially impacted by Elliot's anger toward her ex. So many people have been hurt that deeply or even more, and I think the story handled them perfectly.

One of my favorite messages was realizing that some people show love in the ways they know how, and those ways aren't always what our hearts or our eyes are looking for. But if you're willing to keep looking, you might discover that the love was there all along.

There was so much to feel and reflect on while also getting to watch the romance unfold.

This was a truly enjoyable read, and I 100% recommend picking it up. You won't be disappointed!

[vlm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic of Us is a delightful blend of romance, self-discovery, and a touch of magic that had me hooked from the very first page. Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi have crafted a heartwarming story about second chances, challenging old beliefs, and opening yourself up to love.

Elliot is a wonderfully flawed and relatable heroine. As a radio host who has built her career on dismissing happily-ever-afters, she is completely thrown when a mysterious spell places her in an alternate version of her life—one where her summer fling, Leo, never became a goodbye. Watching Elliot navigate this unexpected reality while confronting her fears about love and vulnerability made for an engaging and emotional journey.

Leo was an easy character to fall for, and the chemistry between him and Elliot felt genuine and heartfelt. The Belize wedding setting added an extra layer of warmth and charm, creating the perfect backdrop for family drama, reflection, and romance.

What I loved most was how the story balanced magical elements with real emotional growth. At its heart, The Magic of Us is about taking risks, healing old wounds, and realizing that love might be worth believing in after all.

A charming, feel-good romance filled with heart, humor, and just the right amount of magic.

[Danielle Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to start off by saying 40% into this book I was enjoying this book but I was mad! Haha I hated that her "brand" is girl who hates on love. So when she's finally feeling happy in a relationship, her "friend" and producer is getting mad at her for being in said relationship. Saying she can't have it both ways. Either be in love or the brand. What kind of friend is that!

But I loved the overall story especially as Elliot’s character developed and grew! Seeing her grow and open her heart really made me enjoying seeing her growth as a person. And Leo!!! So romantic and thoughtful. How could she resist him!? I just loved their relationship and how romantic he was.

I love a good romantic magical realism book. One of my favorite genres. Also two of my favorite highlighted quotes from the book:

“Love doesn’t survive in halves. Eventually it needs a whole heart.”
and

“Thou shall believe in love. Not the perfect version, but the one who puts in effort to make it work. The kind where two flawed people show up, try hard, laugh often, and hold hands anyway.”

So good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. It’s a feel-good story, but not just in a light, fluffy way — it’s really about second chances, healing from the past, and learning to let yourself be seen again.

The magical twist was fun and added an interesting layer to the story, even if it wasn’t fully explained how a tarot reading turned into an actual spell. I didn’t really mind that too much because the emotional journey was the stronger focus.

What I really enjoyed was Leo’s role in the story. He gently but persistently helps pull the main character out from behind the emotional wall she’s built around herself and makes her confront what she’s been avoiding. Their connection felt like it was about more than romance — it was about growth and honesty.

That said, the ex storyline felt a bit heavy-handed at times. A lot of the blame for his cheating seemed to fall on her because of how she was emotionally pulling away, and while her behavior added complexity to the relationship, it didn’t fully sit right that it was framed that way. Cheating still isn’t excusable.

Overall though, I really appreciated watching her finally start choosing herself. Seeing her realize that she had been protecting herself for so long that it was costing her happiness was powerful and satisfying.

This was a warm, emotional read that left me feeling hopeful and glad I picked it up.

[Briar Woodley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magic of Us had a fun, magical premise, but it took me a long time to get invested in the story. Elliott’s cynical outlook on love and her radio show dedicated to trashing romance made for an interesting contrast, especially after a mysterious “love spell” seemingly reunited her with her summer fling, Leo.

I enjoyed the alternate reality where they finally made it to Paris and spent months building a life together—it was a unique concept that let their relationship develop in a way it hadn’t the first time around. However, the pacing felt slow, and I struggled to connect with the story early on.

The emotional turning point came after Elliott attended her mother’s fourth wedding, fought with Leo, and suddenly found herself back in reality as if he’d never existed. Watching her realize that love isn’t just about certainty but also about hope was the strongest part of the book. Her decision to call Leo and give their relationship a real chance brought the story to a satisfying close.

While the ending was heartfelt, the slow start made it difficult for me to fully fall in love with this one. A creative romance with an emotional message, but ultimately a 3.25-star read for me.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book because at the beginning Elliot is sooo over the top cynical love hater and then then the tarot card reader and waking up with Leo was just a bit cringe.

Weirdly it wasn't until she heads to Belize for her mother's wedding that I started to get into this. Who amongst us hasn't wanted/needed let our loved ones know how exactly we each experienced the life we shared together. They thought they were giving you freedom, but you felt abandoned, they thought they were protecting you, but you felt stifled and belittled. In Elliot's case I grieved for her never having that Daddy-daughter dance but cried when I learned that her parents divorce happened when her mother was 22yrs old with a toddler and bills to pay, practically a child herself. Parents don't always understand the buttons that they are installing while raising their children, but as said children grow up it can be eye opening to look at how equipped were the parents, often it's not at all.

Leo is of course ridiculously perfect, as book boyfriends are.

[Ashley Fischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I neither loved or hated this book. It was decent, but it felt like it was missing something. I love the idea of the book, just something felt off.

Elliot West is a radio host of a show all about how you don’t need someone in your life, love is scary and actually can be bad. Having her heart broken by the one person she thought would never hurt her, changed her and she’s made a career out of that heartbreak ever since.

She meets Leo in Greece and surprising they have a great connection and Leo really feels something for Elliot. They make a deal to part ways but if they both think there is something worth exploring they will beet in Paris on Christmas Eve. (This is totally my type of story and I picked the book because it had the Eiffel Tower on the cover)

After a Valentine event, a tarot reader, makes a little magic happen and boom Elliot wakes up with Leo in her bed. Elliot gets to experience what life would really be like with Leo. All until one day she wakes up and it’s back to reality.

What does Elliot do?!? Continue on her path or create new ones?