The Serendipity

Title: The Serendipity

Series: Only Magic in the Building #1

Author: Emma St. Clair

Publisher: Create if Writing, LLC

Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomCom, 

Source: Own

My Review:

I am starting to think Emma St. Clair could write anything and I would enjoy it. The Serendipity is the first book in a multi-author series Only Magic in the Building. I am not normally a "magic" person, but, again, Emma St. Clair, plus the fact that it wasn't talking animals, or flying people, it was more teleportation and enjoying the story for what it is.

When we are introduced to Archer I was like, nope, not going to like him. I knew nothing about anyone, but I knew I didn't like the changes he was planning to make. However, in this case, first impressions were wrong.

Willa, the person, has a fledgling cookie business because she doesn't have business savvy. She is more worried about getting customers than getting paid what she is worth. So, when she meets Archer and starts learning about the changes he is planning to make, she suddenly has a backbone and strong opinions.

I loved this story. I loved hearing Archer and Willa's stories and seeing their character growth. I loved the side characters, especially Bellamy. As with all of Emma St. Clair's books, there are animal encounters that will make you laugh. As I am thinking through the story, there is nothing I would change. This is the perfect escapism book and a great beginning to a new series. I am looking forward to seeing what else this magical building has in store for us.

While I was provided an e-copy of the book by the author, I bought and read a paper book copy. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (Amazon):  

He’s a no-nonsense businessman. She’s a free-spirited baker. But the magical building they live in seems to think they’re a perfect match…

When billionaire Archer Gaines needs to escape his father’s corrupt shadow and a related scandal, he purchases The Serendipity, a historic apartment building far from New York City.

He believes in bottom lines and big business deals, definitely not in the local folklore surrounding the town of Serendipity Springs. So he’s eager to move forward with plans to flip the building into luxury lofts.

But The Serendipity doesn’t particularly care what Archer believes, and the building has plans of its own.

Willa never believed in the rumors about her “magical” building. But that was before she walked into her closet looking for a sweater and found herself in another apartment altogether--in the penthouse closet of the grumpy and unfortunately attractive new building owner.

This is less of a meet cute than a meet ugly, and things only go downhill from there.

When Archer announces sweeping changes that include a rent increase, he becomes public enemy number one for the residents. And by charging Willa for use of the commercial kitchen, he puts her fledgling baking business at risk.

With his progress being (magically) blocked at every turn, Archer grows desperate for help.

But the bewitching woman he found hiding in his closet seems to present both the answer and a larger because Archer never planned to fall in love or stay in Serendipity Springs forever …

The Serendipity is a standalone book in the Only Magic in the Building series. These closed door, whimsical romance books are all set in the same historic building, which has a habit of playing matchmaker with its residents. There are light magical elements, but no spells, shifters, or dark magic of any kind.