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Our Common Thread: A Novel

Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26

Win a free kindle copy of this book!

15 days and 00:31:56

100 copies available
U.S. only
Rate this book
In 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.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 7, 2026

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About the author

Kahli Scott

1 book21 followers
Kahli 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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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for reese ♡.
116 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 17, 2026
Our Common Thread follows Mattie Bridges, a wardrobe assistant working on the Christmas romcom Magic Season. Feeling out of place and convinced she has no future in the industry, Mattie plans to leave film industry once this production wraps. Life on set remains uneventful, until she meets her charming coworker, Austin Farrow.

One day, Mattie gets lost in her wardrobe and discovers that it is actually a portal to alternate timelines of her life. Each timeline reveals a different path she could have taken based on the choices she made. As she explores these possibilities, she realizes they all share a common thread, and this may involve Austin.

--

You know how sometimes the right book finds you at the right time of your life? That was what I felt while I was reading Kahli Scott's debut novel, Our Common Thread.

As someone who dwells on the what ifs and the other possibilities of nearly every decision that I've made in my life, I heavily related to Mattie Bridges. I'm at the point in my life where I am starting to question myself if I still belong in the same industry that I've been since I started my career and if I am truly deserving of the good opportunities that comes to my way. So when Mattie was introduced in the book, I immediately felt connected to her.

On the other hand, Austin Farrow is such a wonderful complement to Mattie's character. The moment Austin was introduced in the book, I couldn't help but to be charmed by him. Every single time he appears in the book, he is always just very endearing and when he actually got to know Mattie, he is nothing but kind and understanding with what she feels. The misunderstanding at the end of the book, was actually a valid reaction from Austin and something that I would understand from his point of view given his family's history, it was easy to extend him the same grace he had shown Mattie throughout the story.

What I loved most was how the book reminds us that no matter what timeline we're in, every version of ourselves has their own happiness and challenges. I found comfort in the idea that no path is truly perfect, that happiness is truly not just found in a single decision that we make in life.

What makes Our Common Thread stand out is its perfect balance between whimsy and heart. The exploration of alternate timelines was really fascinating and could have easily taken over the heart of this novel, but instead, the story was truly about grief, love, and self-discovery at its core.

More than anything, Our Common Thread is a good reminder to extend ourselves the same grace we give to other people and accept that regret and fear are part of being alive. There will always be another version of ourselves who made a different choice, took a different risk, or followed a different dream. I imagine every one of those versions felt scared at some point when faced with a big and important decision.

One quote from Austin resonated with me deeply:

"We're all afraid." Austin tosses his hands in the air. "All the time. For so long, I was afraid of making any decisions. I convinced myself that a decision I made led to my brother's death. I thought if I did as little as I possibly could, maybe my decisions wouldn't have a big consequence again. But it's impossible to be alive without making choices."

I nod. "And I want to be alive," I whisper.

"Me too," says Austin. "I realize that now."


This made me realize that being alive means continuing to choose despite our fears.

This book found me at a time when I needed to hear that message the most. For that reason alone, I know Our Common Thread will stick with me for a very long time.

Thank you to Kahli Scott, Little A, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Our Common Thread will be released on July 07, 2026.
Profile Image for Annette Jordan.
2,941 reviews62 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 29, 2026
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 .
Profile Image for Amanda.
111 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 15, 2026
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. :)
Profile Image for ObscureVi.
63 reviews34 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I rarely read this type of books (gentler, where there's more focus on the self-discovery/growth of the character than the romance itself), but I think that this one found me at the perfect time when I needed something lighter and it just clicked in a way I never expected.

At some point in our lives, most of us, if not all, had at least one moment that followed with a question: What would happen if I did something else? What if I skipped school? What if I picked a different major? What if I stayed in a relationship that wasn't great for me? What if...

Following a noise, Mattie finds herself in another reality (thanks, magical wardrobe), one we could call alternate/parallel universe and soon realises that it shows her some of the outcomes on how her life could have looked, if only she picked differently. Yet, the universe itself it seemingly trying to tell her something, as all versions of her life have a common thread (hey, title drop!)

Mattie was pretty relatable and written in such a way, that I kept keeping my fingers crossed, hoping she will finally find her way. Austin on the other hand was an absolute cinnamon roll and I can't remember the last time the male main character made me feel so soft.

I do wish we got more of the build-up between Mattie and Austin, because it felt like we ended up with too little interactions between the actual (if you know, you know) couple.

Overall, I really enjoyed it to the point where I couldn't stop reading, because I wanted to know what will happen next. It was a fast read and I found the writing style light, perfect for this type of novel.
Profile Image for Neu Reads.
130 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)

Our Common Thread, a gentle and contemplative novel that explores themes of self-discovery and second chances. Centred around Mattie (2 t's!), a woman at a personal and professional crossroads, the story delves into the idea of parallel universes - that allow her to visit the consequence of life choices that she has made. I appreciated how the book uses these multiverse visits as a way to reflect on choices and growth, and the touch of magical realism that feels reminiscent of Ashley Poston’s style.

The romance was sweet and heartfelt, although I felt the chemistry was a bit understated; I would have loved to see a bit more build-up to their connection, as both characters come across as nice, but I wasn’t entirely convinced about what actually drew them together. Mattie’s background of leaving a previous toxic relationship was clear, and her journey towards valuing herself, rebuilding her confidence and moving forward is really the heart of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but felt like it was lacking in spark a bit - nice and comforting, but maybe missing that extra something to make it truly stand out. Still, I enjoyed it, and look forward to the author’s next work. I’d give it 3.5 out of 5 stars—worth a read, especially if you enjoy thoughtful stories with a touch of magic.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 30, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Kelly Powell.
356 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 15, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Cassandra York.
333 reviews9 followers
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.**
Profile Image for Noelle Winford.
19 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 16, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Annie.
147 reviews
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.
Profile Image for Talya.
150 reviews8 followers
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.
Profile Image for Pandora.
471 reviews135 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 21, 2026
It's hard to believe this book is a debut because it was utterly fantastic. The perfect kind-of whimsical magical realism paired with real world problems. I didn't want to stop reading this book from the very beginning, it had a way of pulling me right in and besides, who doesn't want a magical wardrobe in their life? It also sparks that thought in your head of what if? What if I'd not taken that job? What if I'd gone down a different path?

I could find myself relating to Mattie easily, with questioning if she was where she wanted to be in life and particularly when she was dealing with her manipulative gas lighting ex boyfriend as I've certainly been quite a people pleaser in the past. I'm glad that Mattie stood up for herself and found the confidence to know what she didn't deserve and later on, what she did deserve.
Profile Image for Monique Brooks.
244 reviews
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.
Profile Image for Chyn.
14 reviews
May 25, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Little A for the ARC!

3.75 stars

The start was a bit slow for me but once I reached 30% of the book, I was so locked in and couldn't put the book down. I thought we'll only see Dark Austin's timeline but after going all those alternate timelines with Mattie and knowing those different versions of her felt refreshing and somehow made me think so much of my "what ifs". I somehow felt like the encounter with Jack in the wardrobe trailer was underwhelming and could've been written better.

Overall, I loved the concept and the premise of this book! I enjoyed each timeline and would definitely recommend to people who likes magical realism! It was comforting, thought-provoking and so well written for a debut novel.
Profile Image for Reading Xennial.
682 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 10, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Alysia.
14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 9, 2026
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!)
781 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 12, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Loved the writing style. Kudos to the author on her debut. This was a bit too slow to start, and the ending was too abrupt, otherwise it would have been 5 stars. Once it picked up, though, I read straight through to the end. Great premise, really well done and believable. I liked that she added so many different timelines but didn't spend a ton of time in each. Loved the character growth for Mattie. I hope we see more from this author.
15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 9, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Kenzie Reads.
25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 13, 2026
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!
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 23, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Caylee.
77 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2026
Amazing! I loved the backdrop drop so much and found the main characters so endearing in the short time we had with them. In contrast to the magical elements this book has so many small details that made it feel like real life which I loved! Excited to see what this author does in the future and definitely recommend.
Profile Image for M.K. Williams.
Author 22 books102 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 5, 2026
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!!
Profile Image for Phoebe Arthur.
1 review1 follower
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.
Profile Image for Jessica.
Author 3 books93 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 25, 2026
So brilliant, entertaining, and fun. I very much enjoyed the read!
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 18, 2026
This story will take you through a world that makes you think about every choice you have made in your life. Mattie is very relatable in her journey of "What if?"
Profile Image for Heather Rae.
8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 24, 2026
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.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews