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Our Common Thread: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26In this enchanting tale of modern love and timeless romance, a young woman’s extraordinary discovery whisks her away to alternate timelines―a multitude of possibilities, a singular love story.
Disconnected and listless, Mattie Bridges is fraying at the edges. Working as a wardrobe assistant on a charming Christmas movie in an even more charming small town should be a balm to her turmoil. But she still can’t find her footing.
And after getting lost in her own closet, her life―or more accurately, her lives―becomes a lot more unsteady.
Following a passageway hidden behind her clothes hangers, Mattie uncovers a portal to all the paths her life could have taken. Each reality sees her in a different career, different headspace, and sometimes, a different romance.
Meanwhile, in her current reality, she’s trying to untangle her feelings for her coworker, charming actor Austin Farrow. Between professional decorum and past trauma, Mattie doesn’t feel ready to explore that story further.
But if she’s been paying attention, she might see that her multiple realities aren’t that different after all. There’s a common thread running through them, and Mattie needs to decide whether to knot the thread, or let it unravel.
Disconnected and listless, Mattie Bridges is fraying at the edges. Working as a wardrobe assistant on a charming Christmas movie in an even more charming small town should be a balm to her turmoil. But she still can’t find her footing.
And after getting lost in her own closet, her life―or more accurately, her lives―becomes a lot more unsteady.
Following a passageway hidden behind her clothes hangers, Mattie uncovers a portal to all the paths her life could have taken. Each reality sees her in a different career, different headspace, and sometimes, a different romance.
Meanwhile, in her current reality, she’s trying to untangle her feelings for her coworker, charming actor Austin Farrow. Between professional decorum and past trauma, Mattie doesn’t feel ready to explore that story further.
But if she’s been paying attention, she might see that her multiple realities aren’t that different after all. There’s a common thread running through them, and Mattie needs to decide whether to knot the thread, or let it unravel.
319 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 7, 2026
About the author
Kahli Scott
1 book8 followersKahli Scott was born in the freezing north of Canada and raised on the subtropical east coast of Australia, where she completed her BFA in creative writing at Queensland University of Technology. She now lives in Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island (Te Waipounamu), working as the manager of the regional film office and writing as the sun rises over the mountains. Our Common Thread is Kahli’s first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Our Common Thread by Kahli Scott is an emotional romance with a magical element that charmed and delighted me. In this strong debut the author tells a story that will resonate with many readers , after all who has never imagined how differently their life might have turned out if they had made different choices, and here we get to see that play out for Mattie, a wardrobe assistant on a film set on location in a small town perfect for the cosy Christmas vibes of the movie. Following a messy break up that leaves her questioning her taste in men the job seems like the perfect time for Mattie to take stock of things in both her personal and professional lives, a process that is unexpectedly helped by a portal in her wardrobe that opens on to different versions of her life, where different choices lead to some surprising outcomes. However it does seem that in every version of her life the one common thread is her attraction to Austin Farrow, an actor, something that she is fighting not only for professional reasons but because of her past experiences.
I appreciated the blend of whimsy and reflection that the author brought to this story, I found myself rooting for Mattie and hoping that she would make the right choices to bring her both personal and professional happiness. The development of the relationship between Austin and Mattie was beautifully handled, it progressed in a way that felt believable and had me excited for their happily ever after. It is not all sweetness and light however, there is discussion of grief, alcoholism and coercive or abusive relationships, but again the author handles it sensitively and with a delicate touch.
I really enjoyed this story of love, magic and destiny .
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .
I appreciated the blend of whimsy and reflection that the author brought to this story, I found myself rooting for Mattie and hoping that she would make the right choices to bring her both personal and professional happiness. The development of the relationship between Austin and Mattie was beautifully handled, it progressed in a way that felt believable and had me excited for their happily ever after. It is not all sweetness and light however, there is discussion of grief, alcoholism and coercive or abusive relationships, but again the author handles it sensitively and with a delicate touch.
I really enjoyed this story of love, magic and destiny .
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. Mattie is a fashion assistant on a movie set. On the set, we see Mattie meet and have a connection with Austin, one of the actors in the movie. Mattie is back at her apartment unwinding, when she hears a noise coming from her wardrobe. This noise gets her curious and she discovers this wardrobe is actually a portal to other timelines/versions of her life. This leads to an awkward encounter between Mattie and another version of Austin. This has Mattie questioning herself the next day about if what happened was actually real or just her imagination. She later reveals and talks to her friend, Margot, and neighbor, Florence, about what is happening with the wardrobe. This leads Mattie to follow her curiosity and enter the wardrobe multiple times to see what path she took and the different versions of herself that are revealed. One consistent in the timelines is Mattie and Austin. In each, an invisible thread seems to keep them connected/drawn to one another. This was an engaging and wholehearted read. I think the pacing in the beginning was a little slow. However, as Mattie dives more in the wardrobe, the story picks up pace and keeps you wanting to read more to see how the different timelines play out. This story has great supporting characters who provide the story and Mattie with found family, humor, healing, and love. I loved seeing Mattie grow as a character. Throughout her journey, she gains confidence and decides what she wants to make herself happy and fulfilled. If you enjoy books with romances with magical realism, this is a great read to pick up. :)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I could not put this book down – loved, loved, loved it!
Full disclaimer: the author is my sister and I was the first person in the world to read this book, however that doesn’t mean my review isn’t accurate!
This book gave me a warm fuzzy feeling, it’s cosy and so relatable. I think we can all see parts of ourselves in Mattie, her decisions and her experiences.
Mattie is a wardrobe assistant filming a Christmas movie in a small town. She’s not satisfied with her life and is considering stepping out of the industry she’s worked so hard to be in.
One night, Mattie discovers a portal in her wardrobe which leads to other versions of her life. It is all about those “what if” moments and how your life could have turned out differently based on different decisions.
Of course, as the title suggests – there is one common thread in all the versions of Mattie’s life – and it takes her experiencing all these versions for her to realise what that is.
It’s a beautiful reminder to appreciate what we have and it’s so well written – I can guarantee that you will get lost in Mattie’s worlds – all of them!
Full disclaimer: the author is my sister and I was the first person in the world to read this book, however that doesn’t mean my review isn’t accurate!
This book gave me a warm fuzzy feeling, it’s cosy and so relatable. I think we can all see parts of ourselves in Mattie, her decisions and her experiences.
Mattie is a wardrobe assistant filming a Christmas movie in a small town. She’s not satisfied with her life and is considering stepping out of the industry she’s worked so hard to be in.
One night, Mattie discovers a portal in her wardrobe which leads to other versions of her life. It is all about those “what if” moments and how your life could have turned out differently based on different decisions.
Of course, as the title suggests – there is one common thread in all the versions of Mattie’s life – and it takes her experiencing all these versions for her to realise what that is.
It’s a beautiful reminder to appreciate what we have and it’s so well written – I can guarantee that you will get lost in Mattie’s worlds – all of them!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m so glad Kahli reached out to share this book with me because I genuinely can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it.
I absolutely loved the concept of the portals and exploring all the different versions of Mattie’s life. It’s such a relatable journey, who hasn’t hit a point where you start questioning how you got where you are, and what might’ve happened if you’d made different choices? I think so many women will see themselves in Mattie.
This is a slow-burn romance, but it’s just as much about self-discovery as it is about love. It's a story about finding yourself, learning to trust your own path, and being brave enough to take risks, even when you’re not quite ready.
I was completely engaged from the very beginning and never found myself bored. It had that soft, comforting, small-town charm that’s so easy to get lost in, with just enough originality to keep it interesting.
A feel-good read with a fresh and thoughtful edge. I’d absolutely recommend.
Thank you to the author for a physical ARC. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved the concept of the portals and exploring all the different versions of Mattie’s life. It’s such a relatable journey, who hasn’t hit a point where you start questioning how you got where you are, and what might’ve happened if you’d made different choices? I think so many women will see themselves in Mattie.
This is a slow-burn romance, but it’s just as much about self-discovery as it is about love. It's a story about finding yourself, learning to trust your own path, and being brave enough to take risks, even when you’re not quite ready.
I was completely engaged from the very beginning and never found myself bored. It had that soft, comforting, small-town charm that’s so easy to get lost in, with just enough originality to keep it interesting.
A feel-good read with a fresh and thoughtful edge. I’d absolutely recommend.
Thank you to the author for a physical ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 1, 2026
I LOVED reading Mattie’s story! I’m such a sucker for the whole theme of finding your common thread, the person you’d find in every timeline. The concept of a multiverse has grown increasingly popular in the 2020s and Scott does a wonderful job with her take on this genre. Each and every character in this story is so fun to get to know!
My only complaint is the marketing seems more juvenile than the contents of the book. While the cover art is really cute, it does give a YA feel. Also, I would’ve loved more! The pacing toward the end seems so abrupt with the way Austin finds everything out.
Despite these few drawbacks, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Many parts made me very sentimental and grateful for the life I’m currently living. Here’s to romanticizing real life!
**Thank you to the author for reaching out and providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
My only complaint is the marketing seems more juvenile than the contents of the book. While the cover art is really cute, it does give a YA feel. Also, I would’ve loved more! The pacing toward the end seems so abrupt with the way Austin finds everything out.
Despite these few drawbacks, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Many parts made me very sentimental and grateful for the life I’m currently living. Here’s to romanticizing real life!
**Thank you to the author for reaching out and providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
I devoured this book. Somehow the author managed to describe the most confusing plot in a way that didn’t leave me confused at all, which is super impressive. The plot and themes are reminiscent of The 7 Year Slip, Midnight Library, and an even a bit of 13 Going on 30. This would Fans of Ashley Poston would adore this book. I really appreciated the way it discussed themes of relational trauma, learning to trust yourself, and gaining the perspective to appreciate what you have in front of you. Mattie was such a relatable character, and there are several moments that made me stop and think about my own life and how to take control of it. The only tiny thing I’d say is that I wished there were a bit more dialogue between the MMC and FMC in the beginning to add tension to their storyline. But other than that, I loved this heartwarming magical realism romance, and I can’t wait for it to hit shelves in July!
I devoured this book. Somehow the author managed to describe the most confusing plot in a way that didn’t leave me confused at all, which is super impressive. The plot and themes are reminiscent of The 7 Year Slip, Midnight Library, and an even a bit of 13 Going on 30. This would Fans of Ashley Poston would adore this book. I really appreciated the way it discussed themes of relational trauma, learning to trust yourself, and gaining the perspective to appreciate what you have in front of you. Mattie was such a relatable character, and there are several moments that made me stop and think about my own life and how to take control of it. The only tiny thing I’d say is that I wished there were a bit more dialogue between the MMC and FMC in the beginning to add tension to their storyline. But other than that, I loved this heartwarming magical realism romance, and I can’t wait for it to hit shelves in July!
April 13, 2026
An amazing debut novel with a fresh writing approach from author Kahli Scott. This time-travelling romance novel has magnetic appeal and an enchanting storyline.
Mattie the main protagonist works in the film industry as a wardrobe assistant when she meets Austin who plays a supporting role in the production being filmed.
A time portal is discovered and Mattie experiences several timeframes where she finds different versions of Austin. It is beautifully written and the plot weaves the connecting threads to bring this couple to a common understanding.
The supporting characters are also well developed and provide additional insight to the ebb and flow of the scenes. The story has a subtle complexity with a satisfying ending that ties all the elements up very nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Mattie the main protagonist works in the film industry as a wardrobe assistant when she meets Austin who plays a supporting role in the production being filmed.
A time portal is discovered and Mattie experiences several timeframes where she finds different versions of Austin. It is beautifully written and the plot weaves the connecting threads to bring this couple to a common understanding.
The supporting characters are also well developed and provide additional insight to the ebb and flow of the scenes. The story has a subtle complexity with a satisfying ending that ties all the elements up very nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
April 25, 2026
Everyone knows I am a sucker for books that involve time travel and alternative timelines, and this one did not disappoint. It follows Mattie (with two ts), a costume assistant working on a Hallmark style Christmas movie who discovers a portal to different timelines hidden inside the wardrobe of her short term rental. As she navigates these alternate realities, she begins to develop feelings for one of the film’s actors. She dismisses the idea as impractical, only to realize that every timeline seems to include some version of him. The characters are multidimensional and believable, which made the story very engaging. The slow-burn romance was not the central focus of the plot. Instead, the heart of the book is Mattie’s journey of self discovery, as she learns who she is by experiencing the many possible versions of herself across different timelines.
May 10, 2026
Before I even begin my review, let me tell you that this is one of my first solid 5/5 ⭐️ reads this year!!
The second pic has the blurb of the book, so I won’t go too in depth about the plot- but I will say that it was executed AMAZINGLY.
Our Common Thread surrounds a young woman who accidentally discovers her alternate lives, or horizontal universes if you will. During this process, she also discovers a handsome (and sweet) actor, and the romance that comes is freaking adorable. I won’t say anything about the revelations at the end bc you’ll just have to read it, but they are *chefs kiss*. It all ties together, and has the best HEA ❤️
Wholesome, heart warming, ex boyfriend punchable, scrumptious MMC- what more could you want?
P.s- I love you, Boots.
The second pic has the blurb of the book, so I won’t go too in depth about the plot- but I will say that it was executed AMAZINGLY.
Our Common Thread surrounds a young woman who accidentally discovers her alternate lives, or horizontal universes if you will. During this process, she also discovers a handsome (and sweet) actor, and the romance that comes is freaking adorable. I won’t say anything about the revelations at the end bc you’ll just have to read it, but they are *chefs kiss*. It all ties together, and has the best HEA ❤️
Wholesome, heart warming, ex boyfriend punchable, scrumptious MMC- what more could you want?
P.s- I love you, Boots.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Road not Taken meets Sylvia Plath’s fig tree analogy with a splash of Invisible String by Taylor Swift. A multiverse portal through Mattie (with two T’s) wardrobe lets her see her life/lives, had she done things a different way.
With a relatable narrator, a healthy dose of existentialism that plagues most everyone’s late 20’s, and a slow burn romance that begs the question, would we choose each other in every timeline?, this book could not be more my vibe.
This book was a quick read for me, I loved Kahli Scott’s writing style. The plot was more reflective and thought provoking than I expected, but in the best way. Truly a fantastic debut novel.
4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.
With a relatable narrator, a healthy dose of existentialism that plagues most everyone’s late 20’s, and a slow burn romance that begs the question, would we choose each other in every timeline?, this book could not be more my vibe.
This book was a quick read for me, I loved Kahli Scott’s writing style. The plot was more reflective and thought provoking than I expected, but in the best way. Truly a fantastic debut novel.
4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was so well written for a debut book. I will be looking forward to Kahli Scott’s books in the future. I love books with alternate realities, and this one does it in a unique and meaningful way. The writing was great, and the characters had a good amount of depth and backstory. There were so many throughlines that tied together throughout all the realities. It was a great book. The romance was slow-burn and almost as a sideplot which is my personal favorite. I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in the premise.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little A for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little A for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's that time of the year!
Imagine Narnia like adventure in a multiverse where you get to see your life with a different set of choices.
Mattie is a wardrobe assistant who accidently wondered off in her closet where she bears the witness to everything she could have been. Whilst questioning her identity she can't help fall for our man, Austin. He is adorable!
One thing that I loved about this book is how it summarizes that no matter whatever choices Mattie(s) is/are making in their lifetime, all converges to a single node.
I am beyond impressed that this was a debut novel.
3.75 ⭐
Thankyou NetGalley for providing ARC (love ya!)
Imagine Narnia like adventure in a multiverse where you get to see your life with a different set of choices.
Mattie is a wardrobe assistant who accidently wondered off in her closet where she bears the witness to everything she could have been. Whilst questioning her identity she can't help fall for our man, Austin. He is adorable!
One thing that I loved about this book is how it summarizes that no matter whatever choices Mattie(s) is/are making in their lifetime, all converges to a single node.
I am beyond impressed that this was a debut novel.
3.75 ⭐
Thankyou NetGalley for providing ARC (love ya!)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Our Common Thread was such a soft but meaningful read.
Starts a bit slow, but once the whole alternate lives concept kicks in, it gets really interesting. I liked how each version of Mattie still felt like her, just in different paths.
The romance is more slow burn, which I actually enjoyed, and the message about there being a “common thread” in who we are really stuck with me.
Simple, thoughtful, and a solid 5⭐️ for me.
Starts a bit slow, but once the whole alternate lives concept kicks in, it gets really interesting. I liked how each version of Mattie still felt like her, just in different paths.
The romance is more slow burn, which I actually enjoyed, and the message about there being a “common thread” in who we are really stuck with me.
Simple, thoughtful, and a solid 5⭐️ for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me access to this earc.
Oooo I'll tell you what, I am a sucker for magical realism and contemporary romance. Put them together?! Ughhh (insert chefs kiss)
If you loved Ashley Poston's Seven year slip, you NEED to pick this up! It reads like a lifetime movie with a magical twist!
Oooo I'll tell you what, I am a sucker for magical realism and contemporary romance. Put them together?! Ughhh (insert chefs kiss)
If you loved Ashley Poston's Seven year slip, you NEED to pick this up! It reads like a lifetime movie with a magical twist!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book! If you like Taylor Jenkins Reid style books, I think you’ll love this too. A well written, easy read that keeps you engaged and has a fun story line. Little bit of mystery, little bit of romance, little bit of magic keeps the story alive from start to finish. I would definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was so beautiful! It pulled me in as if it were a portal directly to Casey River. I wasn't ready to leave!!
April 14, 2026
I really enjoyed this story, it kept me guessing, surprised me and maintained a good pace. Clever, funny and really well written - I’d definitely read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews