To Have and to Pretend

Magnolia Cove Magic #4

by Noel Bailey

A fake dating pact. A best friend I can’t stop thinking about. And one wedding season that could ruin everything.

Owning a magical flower shop in Magnolia Cove should be enough to keep me busy—and it is. Mostly. Between crafting enchanted bouquets, dodging my mother’s matchmaking attempts, and pretending I don’t still think about kissing Tom Bryson in a sunflower field when we were thirteen, my hands (and heart) are full.

Then Tom walks in with a problem. He’s been roped into planning a bachelorette party, and I… well, I need a date to avoid my family’s endless “perfect match” dinners. So we make a I’ll help him plan the party, and he’ll be my plus-one to Ethan and Alex’s wedding. It’s the perfect arrangement. Just two old friends, fake dating for a few weeks, no strings attached.

Except somewhere between porch stargazing, stolen glances, and the kind of quiet moments you can only have with someone who’s known you forever, pretending stops feeling pretend.

I can’t lose him—not as my best friend, not as my safe place—but I can’t seem to stop wishing for more, either. And in Magnolia Cove, where the magic always has its own plans, I have a feeling our little pact is about to change everything.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2026

About the author

Noel grew up with her nose buried in the worlds of Anne Shirley and Elizabeth Bennet, falling for Gilbert Blythe and Mr. Darcy long before she knew what "dreamy literary hero" even meant. Now, she channels that same love of romance and banter into her own cozy, feel-good stories filled with music, baked goods, and a pinch of magic.

When she’s not writing, Noel can usually be found reading her way through stacks of romance and fantasy novels, listening to Hozier and Fleetwood Mac, or hiking through fairy tale forests. She believes life is always better with a sprinkle of fairy dust, a perfect cinnamon roll, and a HEA.

Reviews

[Kimberly Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noel Bailey does it again! She’s successfully made Magnolia Cove a destination I reach for time and time again. To Have and To Pretend was a pleasant surprise for me as I didn’t know it was coming out! I don’t know how I I missed it, but when the notification showed up in my email that I had an opportunity to read it early (thanks to Book Sirens), I RAN. It was so good I devoured it in a day.

Our favorite magical pocket community of Magnolia Cove is buzzing with nervous energy as Ethan and Alex’s wedding is quickly approaching. Local florist and owner of Petal Pushers, Iris, is balancing wedding orders, an opportunity to be featured in Coastal Living, and the unrealistic and overbearing expectations of her parents: big players in the high society of the magic scene. Tom, our favorite business owner, baseball coach, former tuba player, and overall good guy, is over his head as a bride man in the wedding… not to mention his grandparents seem to be up to something. The two strike a deal to help each other, but feelings they’ve kept hidden since childhood make things just a little more difficult. Can they overcome their fears and finally realize their dreams?

I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I can’t get enough of Noel Bailey’s writing. Her character development is top tier, and she’s made me fall in love with the entire community of Magnolia Cove. If you haven’t read the first 4 installments of the series, you should ABSOLUTELY do that before diving into To Have and To Pretend. There are so many special details and Easter eggs within the story that won’t make sense if you haven’t. With every book, it feels like I’m coming home to a group of friends in a world that was made for me. I also really love that Bailey writes romance in a suggestive and romantic way. Don’t get me wrong, explicit spicy scenes have their place, but it’s really nice to have a deeper connection and tasteful romance.

I’m really hoping that I’m on the right trail of the focus for the next book (please please please tell me there will be a next book) but I’m not spoiling that. I’m not ready to leave Magnolia Cove. I highly recommend checking this out when it releases.

[tati_sofiaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A cozy, magical, emotional ride that I happily devoured.
We’re back in Magnolia Cove for book four, and honestly? I ate this up just like the previous three.
Small town? ✔️ Cozy vibes? ✔️ Magic, love, friends/family energy? ✔️
This series continues to deliver exactly what it promises.

This time we follow Iris, the sweet flower shop owner whose magical lineage means everything to her family… just not to her. To Iris, her shop matters. Her life matters. But to her family, especially her mother, the only thing that counts is continuing the magical bloodline because of power and convenience. And that alone already had me annoyed.
Enter Tom. He works at the bait and tackle fishing shop, has little to no magic, and has been Iris’s best friend forever. They’ve been in love with each other forever too — and yes, they are both idiots about it. The fake relationship trope comes into play because Iris wants to make her mother mad, which, okay… I get it. But also: you love each other. Why are we pretending? Just say it’s real. Please.
So yes, we do wait until about 70% of the book for them to finally realize what has been obvious to everyone else since page one. That part was a bit frustrating, but still very on brand for a slow-burn, best-friends-to-lovers story.
And Iris’s mother? I hated her. Truly. Trying to bribe Tom to leave Iris alone? Absolutely not. Straight to jail. I hated her with my whole heart.
That said, the way everything unfolds in the end was incredibly satisfying. Tom buying the island, Iris receiving the trust fund from her grandmother, and both of them finding ways to build their lives and businesses — separately, but also together — was done so well. It felt earned, emotional, and rewarding.

Magnolia Cove continues to be this cozy, magical town where the magic isn’t just in spells, but in the people themselves. And that’s what makes this series so special to me.

[Julia Mauermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I return to Magnolia Cove, it feels like coming home. Reading To Have and To Pretend made me feel like I could almost touch the magic again, like I was walking those familiar streets and standing right there beside Iris and Tom.

I received an ARC from BookSirens and was able to read this book for free, and I am so grateful I got the chance to return to this beautiful world.

I was so excited to finally read their story, and it was everything I hoped for and more. There is something incredibly special about childhood crushes and first loves that never really leave you. Watching Iris and Tom pretend to date while clearly meaning so much more to each other made my heart ache in the best and worst ways. The tension, the quiet moments, the unspoken feelings — it all felt so real.

I especially felt for both of them. Iris dealing with her mother’s constant pressure, and Tom struggling with his self-worth, made their journey emotional and authentic. There were moments where my chest physically hurt for them, and yes, I absolutely cried with them.

Noel Bailey has such a gift for creating characters that feel like real people and a world that feels safe and magical at the same time. Magnolia Cove is more than just a setting — it is a feeling. It is warmth, comfort, and hope.

This book is pure coziness and magic wrapped around your heart. It is easy to fall into, easy to love, and impossible to forget. I already miss them, and I already cannot wait to return to Magnolia Cove again.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This friends-to-fake-dating romance follows a familiar and beloved trope: two friends pretend to be in a relationship to avoid persistent family matchmaking, only for those fake feelings to turn very real. While the setup is classic, what makes this story stand out is the subtle sprinkle of magic woven into the narrative.
Both main characters are the same age and already well established in their careers, which gives the romance a refreshing sense of maturity. They’re not trying to figure out who they are in life—they already know. That makes the emotional shift from friendship to something deeper feel grounded and believable.
The magical element adds a unique layer to the story. She has significant magical abilities, while he doesn’t, which creates an interesting dynamic without feeling unbalanced. Instead, it enhances their differences and highlights how well they complement each other.
Overall, this is a lovely paranormal romance that combines a comforting trope with just enough magic to make it feel fresh. If you enjoy fake dating, mature characters, and a soft transition from friendship to love, this one is definitely worth picking up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends since childhood, Iris and Tom have spent endless hours together. Iris hiding a secret crush on Tom and he on her. Her mother sends her away for high school and college where she befriends Julian whose parents have plans for him to be on the Magnolia Cove Council. Iris's mom has such plans for her, but bucking heads with her mom is running a flower shop and has no intentions of leaving what she loves doing. She is hitting success when she is chosen for a magazine cover for her arrangements. There is an upcoming wedding that her mom wants her to take Julian as her plus one. Iris and Tom come up with a plan of fake dating , boy friend and girl friend and will go to the wedding together. Her mother is still pushing Julian, who will be staying in Magnolia cove and to Iris's annoyance keep playing down her shop. The fake dating had me yelling at Iris and Tom because it is obvious to the whole town and the reader that they are in love with each other. Both think they are not good enough for the other and I REALLY hope the 'should I kiss or not because of the agreement we are just friends' made me read on, hoping the next chapter will let them speak their truth!

[Smutty Professor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up To Have and To Pretend because I wanted something cozy, and next thing I knew I’d blown completely through it. Magnolia Cove just has that comfort-read energy and I absolutely loved it.

Iris and Tom have been lifelong best-friends where literally everyone can see they’re in love except them. The fake dating is exactly what you’d expect- cute, awkward, and a little bit frustrating that had me wanting them to just say the words already. But the extreme slow burn is so good, especially because their history feels real, so the care is not rushed or forced. I really loved how Iris was trying to live her life on her own terms and Tom was being the steady, supportive guy who always shows up for her. There’s drama, but it’s low-key and emotional rather than stressful, which honestly was perfect for my mood.

And the magic in Magnolia Cove is subtle, charming, and one of my favorite parts of the book. It’s less about spells and more about people and connection, which is kind of the whole vibe here. If you like cozy small-town romances, best-friends-to-lovers, and stories that feel like a warm hug without a ton of angst, this one is absolutely worth the read!

[Gabriella Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this one! To Have and to Pretend felt like the definition of a warm hug. The cozy, small-town setting paired with soft magical realism created such a comforting atmosphere, and the writing itself was genuinely beautiful. From the very beginning, I was completely charmed, and if you’re someone who loves low-stress, feel-good reads that still have heart, this one is so easy to recommend.

This is a closed-door, spice-free romance with fake dating (my absolute favorite), long-time crush energy, a very relatable main character and a friends-to-lovers arc that felt incredibly tender. While the story is a little predictable at times, that honestly worked in its favor—it leans fully into cozy fantasy vibes rather than trying to surprise you at every turn. That said, there were a couple twists that genuinely caught me off guard. I also loved getting to see the continuation of other characters’ stories within the Magnolia Cove Magic series, which made the world feel even richer and more lived-in.

Overall, To Have and To Pretend is a sweet, comforting, and beautifully written cozy fantasy romance that I’d highly recommend to readers who love fake dating, small towns, magical realism, and closed-door romances with big yearning and big heart. Thank you so much to Booksirens and the author Noel Bailey for the opportunity to read this ARC of To Have and To Pretend!

(Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Booksprout and Noel Bailey for this advanced reader copy of "To Have and to Pretend".

I truly enjoyed returning to Magnolia Cove for this endearing romance between Tom and Iris. I also appreciate seeing the characters we met in previous installments of the series continue to grow and be in love, most notably the wedding of Ethan and Alex, the main subjects in "Whisked Away".

As for Tom and Iris, I enjoyed that they shared a history, and have clearly been in love with each other forever, but each struggles with their own insecurities. I think the way Tom truly wants what is best for Iris, even if it means letting her go, is very relatable for me. Iris struggling against family dynamics and expectations is also an understandable barrier.

Overall I truly enjoyed the story, as well as a happy ending. I hope I am right about the next love match that I see being introduced as a possibility.

[Kaitlynn Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Review*
After I the week I’ve had, I really needed something soft and cozy to read. Magnolia Cove is really good at delivering on that front. Genuine people, real relationships. Every book I’ve read so far just has the natural progression of genuine relationships without the spice.

Iris and Tom have been missing each others googly eyes for at least two decades, and in this story it finally comes to fruition in the best way possible for them. Interspersed with, intently placed updates of past characters, and the introduction of new ones, made this my favourite of the Magnolia Coves so far.

Even though they’re technically standalones, you definitely have to read the first book, Whisked Away if you haven’t before this one. The others make this one so much sweeter but aren’t technically required.

If you want something cozy, that focuses on relationships, this is the series for you.

[Sandy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for those who like protagonists who torture themselves with unrequited feelings, which in reality are reciprocated. Two friends in love are tormented, torturing themselves with wanting to be together, yet at the same time thinking it wouldn't work if they were. They also don't suspect how the other feels about them. With all that, is fake dating a blessing or a curse?
I like that Iris wants independence from family affairs and is doing her own business she loves.
It makes me feel sad that Tom thinks so lowly of himself. It's cool he's in a book club talking romance with female friends, and a bit funny as he's the only man there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gales Tales70 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so nice to be back at Magnolia Cove and although there wasn’t a great deal of ‘magic’ used around this time, it just goes to show magic can be done in other ways.

It was lovely for Alex and Ethan to finally get married. Dean and Missy are totally in love and Dean sure knows his place 🫣 best of all was the blossoming romance with the local florist Iris and local ‘he can do everything’ Tom, childhood sweethearts, secretly fighting their love for each other, a beautiful love story, tested at times but we got the HEA.

I really hope there is a follow on where Urus and Tim get wed and maybe Julian has a little love interest with Luna ???

Thanks to Booksirens and Noel Bailey for an early copy

[Kell]

Book 4 of Magnolia Cove Magic series, focusing on Iris and Tom. I connected with Tom’s wishes, wanting to be chosen for yourself, to be enough no matter what, becoming the one who is helpful and always there to feel needed. Iris attempts to pave her own way, but with council rules, her mother m and with a little bit of fear, she is held back. I liked that Tom was willing to help Iris get all her dreams, that Iris realized that she isn’t alone and is willing to fight for Tom. I loved that they kept getting set up together, and they received support from their friends.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CORINNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily This was absolutely delightful to read very real

I love this series anything with a hint of magic this is so subtle wish I had some though!

Tom is so much fun the banter with Iris is lovely a relationship based on friendship is always good

Parents though always thinking they know what’s best for us even as adults tale as old as time they don’t but such lengths they will go to!!

Loved the flowers responding to magic I like the idea they alter with emotion

Charming ending loved it🥰

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth installment of the Magnolia Cove Magic series. The story follows Iris and Tom as they navigate childhood feelings and pressure from Iris’s overbearing parents during Ethan and Alex’s wedding preparations. The fake relationship trope creates a rewarding slow-burn realization, while the conflict with Iris’s mother adds depth to the narrative. The conclusion—where Tom buys the island and Iris receives her grandmother’s trust—is a well-earned blend of small-town charm and magic. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! set in Magnolia Cove... love Iris and Tom... this is their story... a pact... fake dating... a fun fast paced rom/com drama... they've been friends forever... have crushes on each other without the other knowing forever... and now the pact... just to get by for a few weeks... for the wedding... the bachelorette party and ... her mom and his grandparents... all of their matchmaking and more... so funny !! so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Blain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally read this book in about 90 mins because putting it down was never an option! Noel Bailey has done it again and successfully dragged me back to Magnolia Cove to read Tom & Iris' story. This one is my favourite so far, there was the right amount of past characters that I wanted to hear more of and some new ones that I'm sure will crop up again soon
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful love story with all the feels. This is a warm and cozy romance with a little tension, but not too much. The relationship between the MMC and FMC is lovely and their teams of friends are wonderful. I think I want to live there too, but can I be part of both the book club and the wine group?! I did not read the earlier books in the series, but now they are on my must read list. Loved this!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“To Have and To Pretend” by Noel Bailey

-A cozy, magical romance full of charm and heart in Magnolia Cove. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Iris and Tom’s childhood bond turns into a sweet, slow-burn love with fake-dating twists. The story balances family expectations, personal dreams, and community warmth beautifully.

Charming, heartfelt, and fun—perfect for fans of small-town magic and swoony romance. A delightful read.

[Tanvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved this town, the characters and the stories in this series. But this one seemed a little flat to me. Also I want to read something other than a third act breakup, which is the common theme with the series.

I would probably try the next book in the series (if any), but sadly if the theme continues, I will have to ditch the series.

[Letty]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was such a good book! It did feel repetitive at times, but the overall story was such a good read.

[Terena Barkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I loved the characters! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming look into Magnolia Falls. The quiet slow burn of this book was perfect. The opposing views from both Thomas and Ivy were so similar but different fears of not being enough for the other person. I love how all the characters of this town are woven quietly around with the book club and wedding and many celebrations, we get to peek into the town and really few like you are there.