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When I'm in Your Arms
This town was built on magic and dreams.
Hollywood, 1934: Jesse Morgan only knows struggle and hardship. But after he inadvertently impresses a bigshot producer with the magic in his dancing feet, his whole world turns upside-down. Soon he finds himself navigating the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. Even more surprising is learning he'll be working with the only movie star he's ever admired — the urbane Cal Campbell.
Cal is tired. Tired of his job, his loneliness, and the constant pressure to use his magic to calm everyone on set. So when he asks for a change of pace, he expects a vacation — not to be cast in a musical, a role he is certain will destroy his career. To make matters worse, he's been instructed to show newcomer Jesse Morgan the ropes.
As Jesse gets to know the man beneath the movie star, his admiration deepens into something more. And Cal will soon discover that being Jesse's guide may be the fresh change he needed. But it will take more trust and vulnerability than either is prepared for to dance their way to love.
Hollywood, 1934: Jesse Morgan only knows struggle and hardship. But after he inadvertently impresses a bigshot producer with the magic in his dancing feet, his whole world turns upside-down. Soon he finds himself navigating the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. Even more surprising is learning he'll be working with the only movie star he's ever admired — the urbane Cal Campbell.
Cal is tired. Tired of his job, his loneliness, and the constant pressure to use his magic to calm everyone on set. So when he asks for a change of pace, he expects a vacation — not to be cast in a musical, a role he is certain will destroy his career. To make matters worse, he's been instructed to show newcomer Jesse Morgan the ropes.
As Jesse gets to know the man beneath the movie star, his admiration deepens into something more. And Cal will soon discover that being Jesse's guide may be the fresh change he needed. But it will take more trust and vulnerability than either is prepared for to dance their way to love.
- GenresHistoricalM M Romance
282 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 3, 2026
Rep: ace MC
I love historical romance and actor MCs and this one was made even more special because it takes place in a queer normative world.
Being let go at his mailman job, Jesse is a little desperate but also very lucky to immediately get snatched up at a bar by a famous musical actor who loves his dancing magic.
Getting thrown into the glamorous world of 50s Hollywood, Jesse is completely overwhelmed, but also very lucky to get paired to act in a movie with his favourite actor.
I really liked those two together, I feel like they complimented each other perfectly and built up the other’s confidence without blinking an eye.
I have to say though that I didn’t really feel the romance a lot, Cal is so preoccupied with himself and his dancing skills that I didn’t feel him flirting or developing romantic feelings a lot until the very end.
I love historical romance and actor MCs and this one was made even more special because it takes place in a queer normative world.
Being let go at his mailman job, Jesse is a little desperate but also very lucky to immediately get snatched up at a bar by a famous musical actor who loves his dancing magic.
Getting thrown into the glamorous world of 50s Hollywood, Jesse is completely overwhelmed, but also very lucky to get paired to act in a movie with his favourite actor.
I really liked those two together, I feel like they complimented each other perfectly and built up the other’s confidence without blinking an eye.
I have to say though that I didn’t really feel the romance a lot, Cal is so preoccupied with himself and his dancing skills that I didn’t feel him flirting or developing romantic feelings a lot until the very end.
June 25, 2026
2026: 4.25
Cute, black-stripe-Ace rep
Cute, black-stripe-Ace rep
April 22, 2026
Really loved this one!
I went into this without any expectations (I didn't read the blurb at all), but having read several books by the authors it didn't come as a surprise that I enjoyed it very much.
Great setting, great (side) characters, and, as always, very nicely written. I'm ready to dive into the next one!
I went into this without any expectations (I didn't read the blurb at all), but having read several books by the authors it didn't come as a surprise that I enjoyed it very much.
Great setting, great (side) characters, and, as always, very nicely written. I'm ready to dive into the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much for the ARC!
I think my expectations of what this book was going to be is why I'm a bit disappointed. It feels less like a co stars falling in love because it barely feels like they’re in love nor on the set.The arc overall is that their love isn’t like the movies which is why it’s quiet and small, however I believe the plot is movie-like, I think I just wish it was bigger in scale rather then relaxed.
I don’t feel like they’ve learned much from one another even when I’m told so. I understand why they find one another charming, but besides that I can’t see how they’ve formed any connection further than that. I did enjoy their sweet scenes and fluffy relationship! But on reflection I just don’t see how we got from meeting to falling in love so quickly.
I think the first few chapters are a wonderful set up, in fact I couldn’t stop smiling as I listened to it. But there was not enough development after. It hints at Cal's depression and lonely past but we don’t get any examples of it, we’re simply told that he has to put on a persona around others. I think I wished for more background characters or more of a contrast with how Cal is on set vs home life, because for me it seemed no different. Perhaps the conclusion was that he wasn’t so different after all for who he plays vs who he is? But I don’t think that makes sense with his internal conflict. However I did enjoy the people pleasing redemption arc for Cal as Jesse was the first person he’s never felt compelled to micromanage even while being his coach.
I do really like Jesse, we got a lot of his backstory and understood that even with so many hardships he was still an optimist.
There was a trend where dialogue was skipped a lot and we’d get the cliff notes, which I really didn’t enjoy for I wasn’t able to fill in the blanks of the dialogue because I didn’t know the characters well enough. Why can’t we hear Jesse’s fantasies in this moment that's meant to be the peak of their intimacy and how can I still feel the impact?
I think the book just had a lot of wasted potential with all things that could have happened while making a movie, it felt like we spent more time at a deli than on the movie set, which for me took away the whimsy of it all. It felt less glamorous and more mundane.
Reading this back makes my overall opinion seem very negative, which isn’t the case.
I loved the side characters but I always do in a SW/SOC book. Edie and Cals relationship was wonderful, she was so charming and fun. Hillard and Monty have won me over, from just their first scene together I was ready to pre-order their book. The world always feels full in these books and that our leads are just a small part of it, which I like. I should also say that the audiobook narrator is PHENOMINAL, he made all the characters sound so charming.
I think my expectations of what this book was going to be is why I'm a bit disappointed. It feels less like a co stars falling in love because it barely feels like they’re in love nor on the set.The arc overall is that their love isn’t like the movies which is why it’s quiet and small, however I believe the plot is movie-like, I think I just wish it was bigger in scale rather then relaxed.
I don’t feel like they’ve learned much from one another even when I’m told so. I understand why they find one another charming, but besides that I can’t see how they’ve formed any connection further than that. I did enjoy their sweet scenes and fluffy relationship! But on reflection I just don’t see how we got from meeting to falling in love so quickly.
I think the first few chapters are a wonderful set up, in fact I couldn’t stop smiling as I listened to it. But there was not enough development after. It hints at Cal's depression and lonely past but we don’t get any examples of it, we’re simply told that he has to put on a persona around others. I think I wished for more background characters or more of a contrast with how Cal is on set vs home life, because for me it seemed no different. Perhaps the conclusion was that he wasn’t so different after all for who he plays vs who he is? But I don’t think that makes sense with his internal conflict. However I did enjoy the people pleasing redemption arc for Cal as Jesse was the first person he’s never felt compelled to micromanage even while being his coach.
I do really like Jesse, we got a lot of his backstory and understood that even with so many hardships he was still an optimist.
There was a trend where dialogue was skipped a lot and we’d get the cliff notes, which I really didn’t enjoy for I wasn’t able to fill in the blanks of the dialogue because I didn’t know the characters well enough. Why can’t we hear Jesse’s fantasies in this moment that's meant to be the peak of their intimacy and how can I still feel the impact?
I think the book just had a lot of wasted potential with all things that could have happened while making a movie, it felt like we spent more time at a deli than on the movie set, which for me took away the whimsy of it all. It felt less glamorous and more mundane.
Reading this back makes my overall opinion seem very negative, which isn’t the case.
I loved the side characters but I always do in a SW/SOC book. Edie and Cals relationship was wonderful, she was so charming and fun. Hillard and Monty have won me over, from just their first scene together I was ready to pre-order their book. The world always feels full in these books and that our leads are just a small part of it, which I like. I should also say that the audiobook narrator is PHENOMINAL, he made all the characters sound so charming.
Read
June 17, 2026The situation the main characters are in:
1934 Jesse Morgan gets fired from his job, discovered to play in a musical because of his great dancing skills and suddenly meets his star crush in Hollywood: Cal Campbell. Cal has to play his dance teacher in an upcoming movie, actually can’t dance yet and is tired …
The novel is written in dual POV - and oh do I like that for one of my favourites in romance books: a little mutual secret pining without knowing how the other person feels … 🤭
This was such a comfy read!
It reminded me of spring and summer in the way how both characters‘ lives change quite a bit to the better and everything gets more exciting while they get to know each other. Jesse’s life changes from being quite poor to a completely different style, while Cal gets some new sunshine.
I saw somebody else use the word gentle when talking about this book - and that’s how the reading experience and the story basically felt to me too.
I like how this story involves a lot of knowledge about old Hollywood movies. And on top it’s happening in a queernormative parallel world (where being queer is the norm) in which people have specific individual magic and actors aren’t exploited.
The topic asexuality is introduced in a really great way and I‘d definitely recommend this book to anybody who wants to read more with ace representation!
I appreciate how inclusive this series is again (after the fae & human relations series and the meddle & mend series) and the indie authors publish it together with audiobooks.
I got an advanced reader copy AND and advanced listening copy from the authors in an exchange for an honest review. Thanks a lot for that!
The voice and the narration of the audiobook feel like it’s really happening in another world. It sounds great!
A novel that happens alongside Jesse and Cal is “Together on Parade“ which I read next 🤗 Their main characters play important roles in Jesse’s and Cal’s lives (found family incoming) and are also in the movie business. The books can be read in any order and I think that’s a really genius idea for a series.
1934 Jesse Morgan gets fired from his job, discovered to play in a musical because of his great dancing skills and suddenly meets his star crush in Hollywood: Cal Campbell. Cal has to play his dance teacher in an upcoming movie, actually can’t dance yet and is tired …
The novel is written in dual POV - and oh do I like that for one of my favourites in romance books: a little mutual secret pining without knowing how the other person feels … 🤭
This was such a comfy read!
It reminded me of spring and summer in the way how both characters‘ lives change quite a bit to the better and everything gets more exciting while they get to know each other. Jesse’s life changes from being quite poor to a completely different style, while Cal gets some new sunshine.
I saw somebody else use the word gentle when talking about this book - and that’s how the reading experience and the story basically felt to me too.
I like how this story involves a lot of knowledge about old Hollywood movies. And on top it’s happening in a queernormative parallel world (where being queer is the norm) in which people have specific individual magic and actors aren’t exploited.
The topic asexuality is introduced in a really great way and I‘d definitely recommend this book to anybody who wants to read more with ace representation!
I appreciate how inclusive this series is again (after the fae & human relations series and the meddle & mend series) and the indie authors publish it together with audiobooks.
I got an advanced reader copy AND and advanced listening copy from the authors in an exchange for an honest review. Thanks a lot for that!
The voice and the narration of the audiobook feel like it’s really happening in another world. It sounds great!
A novel that happens alongside Jesse and Cal is “Together on Parade“ which I read next 🤗 Their main characters play important roles in Jesse’s and Cal’s lives (found family incoming) and are also in the movie business. The books can be read in any order and I think that’s a really genius idea for a series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I'm In Your Arms by Sarah Wallace & SO Callagan, Powell Productions series, out 25 June 2026.
This was a lovely, quiet romance between Cal, a movie star, and Jesse, a complete newcomer to movie making and Cal’s co-star.
I really enjoyed the contrast between the frenetic pace of musical movie making and the quiet times between Cal and Jesse. Time was given for them to get to know each other.
There is an interesting power imbalance between Cal, rich and a household name, and Jesse, who comes from poverty stricken background. However I think it was dealt with well as Cal is obviously lonely and struggling with his role in the world. Jesse is also a magically gifted dancer who can literally dance rings around not very dance talented Cal.
The story touched on the relationships between Cal and Jesse and their respective families. However I felt as if some on-page interactions would have allowed us to get to know our characters a bit better.
The world itself, a queer normative world where everyone has a magical talent, was taken for granted. An interesting choice, as of course it would be obvious to the characters, but the reader is given no explanation for how the magic, in particular, works.
The supporting cast of characters is richly diverse and forms a great friendship network for Cal and Jesse. Monty and Hilliard are hilarious and poignant and I am looking forward to reading their story in Christmas on Parade.
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This was a lovely, quiet romance between Cal, a movie star, and Jesse, a complete newcomer to movie making and Cal’s co-star.
I really enjoyed the contrast between the frenetic pace of musical movie making and the quiet times between Cal and Jesse. Time was given for them to get to know each other.
There is an interesting power imbalance between Cal, rich and a household name, and Jesse, who comes from poverty stricken background. However I think it was dealt with well as Cal is obviously lonely and struggling with his role in the world. Jesse is also a magically gifted dancer who can literally dance rings around not very dance talented Cal.
The story touched on the relationships between Cal and Jesse and their respective families. However I felt as if some on-page interactions would have allowed us to get to know our characters a bit better.
The world itself, a queer normative world where everyone has a magical talent, was taken for granted. An interesting choice, as of course it would be obvious to the characters, but the reader is given no explanation for how the magic, in particular, works.
The supporting cast of characters is richly diverse and forms a great friendship network for Cal and Jesse. Monty and Hilliard are hilarious and poignant and I am looking forward to reading their story in Christmas on Parade.
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've been so intrigued to read something this different from the authors! It's atmospheric, it's immersive, and it transported me for hours.
I loved Jesse being in the right place at the right time, being sharper and more well-adjusted than the persona the studio wants him to play. It was a nice reversal of the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed new actor type.
Cal isn't your typical box office star either. He's swoony but deeply caring and a walking green flag once he realizes that Jesse can take care of himself.
It feels like Call & Jesse's relationship starts a lot earlier than either of them is willing to admit to their feelings, and it's so sweet to see. Though I don't think they're fooling anyone around them.
There is also a lot of plot going on, and both MCs have a chance at character development. If anything, I wish the book was longer and the story had a little more space to breathe.
I especially appreciated the authors' note about the creative liberties they'd taken to build a Hollywood more like what actors deserved. That they also managed to call it out with an itemized list was even better.
Also, the narrator is phenomenal and makes this book even more immersive!
A huge thank you to the authors for trusting me with an audio ARC!
I loved Jesse being in the right place at the right time, being sharper and more well-adjusted than the persona the studio wants him to play. It was a nice reversal of the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed new actor type.
Cal isn't your typical box office star either. He's swoony but deeply caring and a walking green flag once he realizes that Jesse can take care of himself.
It feels like Call & Jesse's relationship starts a lot earlier than either of them is willing to admit to their feelings, and it's so sweet to see. Though I don't think they're fooling anyone around them.
There is also a lot of plot going on, and both MCs have a chance at character development. If anything, I wish the book was longer and the story had a little more space to breathe.
I especially appreciated the authors' note about the creative liberties they'd taken to build a Hollywood more like what actors deserved. That they also managed to call it out with an itemized list was even better.
Also, the narrator is phenomenal and makes this book even more immersive!
A huge thank you to the authors for trusting me with an audio ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was excited to receive an ARC for this book after reading the synopsis. The 1930s and 1940s are my favorite eras, and I loved the idea of the story taking place during Hollywood's golden era.
Cal and Jesse were a lovely couple. I thoroughly enjoyed the dual POV with Cal providing a veteran star's perspective while Jesse provided a young newcomer's perspective. They had such opposite but complimentary personalities.
I enjoyed the demi and ace rep in this book, as well as the fact that it takes place in a queer normative world. While I don't mind closed-door physical intimacy, I was disappointed that the emotional intimacy felt like it was closed door in this book. Rather than being shown how Cal and Jesse become more emotionally intimate/fall in love, we are instead told that they had certain conversations. Had this been more showing instead of telling, this would have been a 5-star read for me.
The narrator was excellent and provided distinct voices for each character. I also enjoyed the song at the end.
Cal and Jesse were a lovely couple. I thoroughly enjoyed the dual POV with Cal providing a veteran star's perspective while Jesse provided a young newcomer's perspective. They had such opposite but complimentary personalities.
I enjoyed the demi and ace rep in this book, as well as the fact that it takes place in a queer normative world. While I don't mind closed-door physical intimacy, I was disappointed that the emotional intimacy felt like it was closed door in this book. Rather than being shown how Cal and Jesse become more emotionally intimate/fall in love, we are instead told that they had certain conversations. Had this been more showing instead of telling, this would have been a 5-star read for me.
The narrator was excellent and provided distinct voices for each character. I also enjoyed the song at the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
How lucky are we that these two authors found each other and decided to write books together?
I'm pretty sure this is my favorite so far. I absolutely love the magic system - how people have magic that doesn't always seem practical or important, but they can use it for things they love. In a world that's both queer normative and doesn't seem to have such a hierarchical system for the magic.
You can also tell the love these authors have for film and especially black and white films. I loved being on the set with the characters. But, most of all, Wallace and Callahan are amazing at writing emotions and the slow dance of softly falling in love.
Read this book with all your heart and you won't be sorry. I'm so excited to read Together on Parade and anything else they decide to write.
Thank you so much for the audio arc! (I really appreciate the opportunity and getting to choose the media - some of us make for better reviewers when we have the choice of audio book.)
I'm pretty sure this is my favorite so far. I absolutely love the magic system - how people have magic that doesn't always seem practical or important, but they can use it for things they love. In a world that's both queer normative and doesn't seem to have such a hierarchical system for the magic.
You can also tell the love these authors have for film and especially black and white films. I loved being on the set with the characters. But, most of all, Wallace and Callahan are amazing at writing emotions and the slow dance of softly falling in love.
Read this book with all your heart and you won't be sorry. I'm so excited to read Together on Parade and anything else they decide to write.
Thank you so much for the audio arc! (I really appreciate the opportunity and getting to choose the media - some of us make for better reviewers when we have the choice of audio book.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC provided
I always enjoy these authors books. I loved how they shared their love for old Hollywood and movie musicals with this book. Cal and Jesse were wonderful together, I loved how respectful Cal was of Jesse's feelings. The ACE rep was wonderful to read. It was fun to read about LA during those years too. The magical aspect was not as relevant as I'd expected it to be. Other than Cal being exhausted without even realizing it from always using his magic to make everyone else happy it didn't seem like it mattered that much. I am looking forward to reading the other book in the duology.
Audio: I totally understand why they chose the narrator but I didn't love him. He fit the time perfectly but he just sounded too old to me. He did well with creating distinct voices and with pronunciation but I had to speed it up a little because he spoke just a little too slow.
I always enjoy these authors books. I loved how they shared their love for old Hollywood and movie musicals with this book. Cal and Jesse were wonderful together, I loved how respectful Cal was of Jesse's feelings. The ACE rep was wonderful to read. It was fun to read about LA during those years too. The magical aspect was not as relevant as I'd expected it to be. Other than Cal being exhausted without even realizing it from always using his magic to make everyone else happy it didn't seem like it mattered that much. I am looking forward to reading the other book in the duology.
Audio: I totally understand why they chose the narrator but I didn't love him. He fit the time perfectly but he just sounded too old to me. He did well with creating distinct voices and with pronunciation but I had to speed it up a little because he spoke just a little too slow.
Review of advance copy received from Autore
This was a delight; a soft slow burn, sweet and delicate. They meet to do a musical together and through dance practice and shoots, the proximity brings feelings and the will to do everything to make the other happy. There's no drama, there's little magic, and there's deep understanding of what they're experiencing, of what they need. Communication is sexy, I've always thought about that.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was exceptional. I loved the music at the beginning and at the end of the book, with a very pleasant surprise. It was lovely from beginning to end. It's impossible not to fall in love with these characters as they're falling in love with each other.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was exceptional. I loved the music at the beginning and at the end of the book, with a very pleasant surprise. It was lovely from beginning to end. It's impossible not to fall in love with these characters as they're falling in love with each other.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is hands down my favorite Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan collaboration to date. Jesse had a thing for Cal the movie star, but watching love blossom as Jesse helps Cal remember himself as a person was beautiful. My favorite part is that Cal never makes Jesse feel as though he has to compromise who he is in order for them to be together. That aspect hit very close to home, and just seeing pieces of myself mirrored in a character made me emotional. This one was special to me.
I’m interested in seeing how things unfold with Hilliard and Monty, and I’ll pick that one up as soon as it’s available.
I’m interested in seeing how things unfold with Hilliard and Monty, and I’ll pick that one up as soon as it’s available.
Review of advance copy received from Auteur
A breath of fresh air full of hope and tenderness.
I really love both main characters and how their relationship begins and grow.
As usual, with Sarah Wallace and SO Callahan, it is very funny and cozy.
The setting is brilliant! I'm very excited to read the other books of this new series.
The audiobook is a plus with THE song at the end.
Thank you so much Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan for the ARC.
I really love both main characters and how their relationship begins and grow.
As usual, with Sarah Wallace and SO Callahan, it is very funny and cozy.
The setting is brilliant! I'm very excited to read the other books of this new series.
The audiobook is a plus with THE song at the end.
Thank you so much Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hollywood, 1934: Jesse Morgan’s worked hard all his life just to make ends meet, but when he’s discovered by a bigshot actor and producer, his whole life changes. Now, he’s Hollywood’s newest star, about to make his debut musical movie with the one and only Cal Campbell, Jesse’s celebrity crush. Tired of making the same movies again and again, Cal Campbell needs a vacation. What he gets instead is a star role in a musical (he can’t dance!) with Hollywood’s latest addition, Jesse Morgan. As the two work together and Jesse helps Cal learn to dance, Cal in turn teaches Jesse all there is to know about acting and Hollywood. And maybe they also teach each other a thing or two about what it’s like to fall in love.
This was so cute and gentle! I fell in love with Jesse. He was so sweet and earnest and I just wanted to protect him at all costs. I also loved Cal, who went through a lot of self-discovery. The two of them together were adorable INSERT CUTE AGGRESSION 🩷🩷🩷 What I loved most about this book was that it’s set in a queernormative world. Imagine if Hollywood in the 1930s was openly queer? WITH MAGIC??
That’s another thing; everyone has magic in this book, which was super cool! However, I wish the magic system had been explained more. I’m still not entirely sure how it works. It felt like something very intuitive, and other people can often sense it. For example, Monty (the mc of Together on Parade - stay tuned for that review coming tomorrow!), has a charm-like magic, where he can influence others to like him. He often uses it with romantic partners. But I felt uncomfortable with that because it also wasn’t clear whether the person on the receiving end has full consent or not. If they’re being influenced to like him, how does the other person have 100% consent? And if they know he has charm magic, then they also know that the connection isn’t completely genuine, right? I have so many questions still!
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel! The story was sweet, and I really liked the moments where Jesse and Cal filmed some scenes together. These were extremely well written and I could clearly picture the movie in my mind! If I were to describe this book in one word, it would be gentle. It felt like a warm hug 🩷
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review 🩷
Release date: June 25th, 2026
This was so cute and gentle! I fell in love with Jesse. He was so sweet and earnest and I just wanted to protect him at all costs. I also loved Cal, who went through a lot of self-discovery. The two of them together were adorable INSERT CUTE AGGRESSION 🩷🩷🩷 What I loved most about this book was that it’s set in a queernormative world. Imagine if Hollywood in the 1930s was openly queer? WITH MAGIC??
That’s another thing; everyone has magic in this book, which was super cool! However, I wish the magic system had been explained more. I’m still not entirely sure how it works. It felt like something very intuitive, and other people can often sense it. For example, Monty (the mc of Together on Parade - stay tuned for that review coming tomorrow!), has a charm-like magic, where he can influence others to like him. He often uses it with romantic partners. But I felt uncomfortable with that because it also wasn’t clear whether the person on the receiving end has full consent or not. If they’re being influenced to like him, how does the other person have 100% consent? And if they know he has charm magic, then they also know that the connection isn’t completely genuine, right? I have so many questions still!
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel! The story was sweet, and I really liked the moments where Jesse and Cal filmed some scenes together. These were extremely well written and I could clearly picture the movie in my mind! If I were to describe this book in one word, it would be gentle. It felt like a warm hug 🩷
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review 🩷
Release date: June 25th, 2026
June 23, 2026
Thank you to the authors for an advance copy of this book! All thoughts are my own.
I liked the premise of this one a lot, adding some real magic to the glitz and glam of old Hollywood sounded so much fun. And from two of my favorite authors no less!
In reality, I think it fell short. The magic system seemed much less fleshed out than their previous series, oftentimes I felt I was being “told” instead of “shown” what was happening, we skimmed by many events that I would have loved to see, and the romance felt rushed. But really, the part that didn’t work for me was the elimination of queerphobia and racism. I love a cozy story so much, but we can’t discuss the classism of the 20s and just eliminate racism. Especially when the story starts in the south! By ignoring that all systems of oppression are interwoven, and eliminating the convenient ones, the whole world would be different. It just didn’t work for me.
I liked the premise of this one a lot, adding some real magic to the glitz and glam of old Hollywood sounded so much fun. And from two of my favorite authors no less!
In reality, I think it fell short. The magic system seemed much less fleshed out than their previous series, oftentimes I felt I was being “told” instead of “shown” what was happening, we skimmed by many events that I would have loved to see, and the romance felt rushed. But really, the part that didn’t work for me was the elimination of queerphobia and racism. I love a cozy story so much, but we can’t discuss the classism of the 20s and just eliminate racism. Especially when the story starts in the south! By ignoring that all systems of oppression are interwoven, and eliminating the convenient ones, the whole world would be different. It just didn’t work for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Set in Hollywood, 1934: Cal is a movie star looking for a change, and Jesse is a new talent trying to find his way in a new glamorous but overwhelming world. Cast as co-leads of a musical, they slowly learn more about each other and, in the process, themselves. This beautiful swoony romance has just a touch of magic, and is perfect for fans movies/musicals, queernormative historical worlds, and cozy low fantasy.
A sweet love story set in a cozy world with a touch of magic, When I’m In Your Arms grabbed my attention from beginning to end. The characters were easy to love, and their casual queer existence in a historical time period was a delight. I really enjoyed watching Jesse and Cal fall for each other and build a family within their community. The dancing was really fun as well, and I enjoyed how much time we spent with the characters on set actually making the movie. Thank you to S.O. Callahan and Sarah Wallace for an arc of your wonderful book!
A sweet love story set in a cozy world with a touch of magic, When I’m In Your Arms grabbed my attention from beginning to end. The characters were easy to love, and their casual queer existence in a historical time period was a delight. I really enjoyed watching Jesse and Cal fall for each other and build a family within their community. The dancing was really fun as well, and I enjoyed how much time we spent with the characters on set actually making the movie. Thank you to S.O. Callahan and Sarah Wallace for an arc of your wonderful book!
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