⭐️ 3.75/5 Rating

Oh this book was cute! A magical building that match-makes its residents? HOOKED IMMEDIATELY.

I have been wanting to read this series ever since I saw the covers of the first two books (yes, I judged based on the cover and I'm not sorry). And I have to say that this book delivered an adorable romance.

Archer and Willa were your classic grumpy/sunshine couple and I loved everything about it. He's a hardcore business man and she is a baker, how much more classic could this even get? And there may or may not be a magic closet involved...

Overall, this was an adorable introduction to this series and I cannot wait to read the rest of the books!

Charming, romantic, and full of fate-filled moments ✨💘. The Serendipity is a feel-good love story about chance encounters, second chances, and finding love where you least expect it. Emma St. Clair crafts swoony tension, relatable characters, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. I adored the playful banter and heartwarming message about destiny and following your heart.

I adore Emma St. Clair so much and she knocked it out of the park with this sweet intro to the Only Magic in the Building series. Most age gap romances are a little cringey for me, but Emma does a fantastic job of making them realistic and believable. She is also just the absolute queen of adorable animal escapades. I am always so excited to see what she comes up with next in that department. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of this series after I take a small break for some summer reads.

Willa...I love how eccentric and pixie-like this girl is. She is so fun from the very beginning. For whatever reason, the depiction of her on the cover made me think of the TV show Bewitched every time I looked at it and I leaned into that with the whole premise of the series. It really worked for me! 😂 I respect how Willa had quit her 9-5 and was trying so hard to make her dream Serendipitous Sweets work. She's so determined and tenacious and I love that in a FMC. I also really enjoyed seeing her work through some pretty debilitating circumstances to claim her HEA.

Archer...Man, I really wasn't sure about this guy at the beginning. It was clear pretty early on that he had layers, but I had a hard time connecting with him until he and Willa really started to connect and interact. I love how just her presence in his life encouraged him to be his true self and have those softer edges instead of always being the shark he was in the board room. I adored how much Archer cherished Willa and how thankful he was just to be in her orbit.

Things I loved:

❤️Galentine (and all her eccentric and charming ways)
❤️Willow/Willa the Person/Boss
❤️Bellamy (the very best Alfred to Archer's Batman)
❤️Sophie (such an amazing ride or die...she never doubted Willa once...can't wait to read her book!)
❤️Archer in an apron
❤️The possum
❤️Agoraphobia rep
❤️The grocery store scene
❤️The birthday party (baby and bathroom)
❤️The rooftop garden
❤️Archer's closet journey
❤️McKitty Face
❤️Epilogue (That game of hide and seek was the absolute cutest!)

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

After months of my friend telling me to read a book from Emma, I'm so glad it was this one. It was a great introduction to her writing and story telling. I can't wait to start another one.

The Serendipity was absolutely delightful! I loved it every second with this book. Everything was perfect from the magic to the grumpy MMC to the fabulous FMC.

I often rate books on whether I'd read them again, and this is one I'd definitely read again.

This book was so unique and so fun! I really enjoyed it. The magic elements were a great addition. There was great chemistry and lots of funny situations and awesome dialogue. This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. That being said…. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.

I never I really thought I would be a supernatural type girly when it came to reading, but in the vein of seven years slip and Josie, Silver books have begun to enjoy them, and this is another one- the serendipity is a beautiful old apartment house in a town called serendipity Springs Willa is trying to make a go of her baking business, she uses the commercial kitchen in the apartment building, in trying to make ago of it, archie is the new owner of the serendipity- hes trying to get fat away from his scandal plagued father and is a profits above people kinda guy.- he sets out to make that happen, starting with getting rid of the caretaker- howver the Serendipity has its own agenda, somehow Willa keeps ending up in Archie's apartment - his closet to be exact - can Willa show Archie that money isnt everything? This is a really cute romcom, with a touch of supernatural, which is perfect for people like me who aren't all in, but like a little touch of it along with a love story. I do hope that this other keeps writing about this group of characters,especially archies, assistant and willa's best friend

Thank you net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

A really cute and whimsical love story about a grumpy and almost reclusive billionaire, a sunny baker and a weird building trying to match make his inhabitants! I liked the premise and the fact that the "whimsical" part was small but funny. And I loved the side characters! A really promising series!

I am a massive fan of this series and this is one of the best ones! It really felt like a beautiful introduction to the Serendipity and whilst it wasn't subtle about the magic or the lore, it felt wound through the story in a clever and cute way. The writing is funny and quick without being cringey or clichéd. Emma St Clair has always been a talented romance writer but this felt like it had an extra touch of sparkle!

This was super cute! Very magical and fluffy. It was very grumpy/sunshine if that’s your vibe! A good read for the fall months when you want a cozy reading day.

Oh Willa and Archer had quite the love story.
When Willa finds herself transported from her apartment closet into her new building owners closet. she can't explain.
Archer who is the new owner of The Serendipity feels like this new building is odd and has heard all the rumors.
when Archer meets Willa he feels she is lying about how she got into his apartment.
Archer finds that Willa as the person, makes him smile and enjoys being around her.
Archer has had a tough life but his assistant Bellemy keeps him in line.
Archer tries to make changes to The Serendipity but finds that this group of residents are amazing and look out for one another.
When Archer is needed in New York, he finds that Willa is there to offer support when he most needs her. Willa struggles with some issues with leaving Serendipity Springs but Archer is ready to admit he has fallen in love with Willa and Serendipity Springs.

Emma St. Clair's The Serendipity introduces readers to the whimsical world of Serendipity Springs, where magic subtly intertwines with everyday life. The story follows Archer Gaines, a billionaire seeking refuge from scandal, who purchases a historic apartment building with plans to renovate it. Unbeknownst to him, the building has a matchmaking agenda.

Willa, a spirited baker and longtime resident, becomes entangled in the building's magical antics when she unexpectedly finds herself in Archer's apartment via a mysterious closet. Their initial encounters are fraught with tension, but as they navigate building renovations and personal challenges, a heartfelt connection develops.

St. Clair masterfully blends humor, romance, and a touch of magic, creating a narrative that's both enchanting and grounded. The characters' growth, especially Archer's transformation from a stoic businessman to a more open-hearted individual, adds depth to the story.

While the magical elements are light, they serve as a charming backdrop to the evolving relationship between Archer and Willa. This novel is a delightful start to the Only Magic in the Building series, promising more enchanting tales to come.

i don’t do well with magic in real life scenarios. I think I would have really liked it if it didn't have a magic closet. But I think that is a me problem. If you like magic and sweet romances than this could be for you!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!! All thoughts are my own!

Adorable! Emma St Clair’s knack for witty dialogue always delights me. She’s also fabulous at giving our MCs the best chemistry. Her books never fail to put a smile on my face while reading.

I love the grumpy x sunshine trope so "The Serendipity" was right up my alley.
It's a fun and easy read and made me laugh out loud and swoon so many times.

When you walk into your closet and come into another room entirely, something's going on. A fun novel that includes romance, place-travel, and commitment to those around you.

You'll smile, be surprised, and get a good story between the two covers. I enjoyed all 3. Take it on your commute, read it as a summer diversion, or just enjoy it on its own.

I didn’t know if I would like the magical aspect of this new series by multiple authors, but I absolutely adored this book! I loved getting to know Willa and Archer and this quirky building and town. As someone who has dealt with anxiety, I could relate to some of their feelings and highlighted some parts that really resonated with a lot that I have learned over the years. The magical closets were a little strange but also hilarious. I know a book is good when I’m up past midnight reading and laughing out loud. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series now too!

I’ll leave you with Archer’s thoughts on bucket lists. ❤️
“Honestly, now that I know what a bucket list is, I think the whole idea is kind of morbid. I mean … a list of things to do before kicking the proverbial bucket? No thank you. I’d prefer something like a living list. Maybe it’s just semantics, but to me, it seems significant.”

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! The Serendipity is a clean romance with a beautifully written magical touch that adds warmth without overpowering the story. The setting, especially the magical apartment building, was whimsical and charming, and added so much character to the book.
I loved the dynamic between Archer and Willa. Their relationship felt genuine and well-paced, evolving from unexpected encounters to deep emotional connection. The contrast between his grumpy exterior and her lighthearted nature was so fun to read, and their personal growth added depth to the romance. It’s a story that made me smile, laugh, and even get a little emotional. Fun, sweet, and surprisingly touching. This is the kind of book that leaves you feeling good long after the final page.

This is something I think more mild folks would enjoy! This was a clean romance and filled with all of our favorite tropes. The grumpy sunshine dynamic is always a crowd pleaser, it isn't necessarily my favorite to read, but perfect for those who love a grumpy man who is secretly a softie. The sprinkling of magic in the building was good fun! I wish we could've spent more time on the magic, but that wasn't super critical to the plot. Overall a sweet read!

Emma never fails to deliver a sweet rom com that just has you swooning. This was an enjoyable read that I think everyone will want to delve into as they relax this summer. Both main characters were written in a way where you connected with them whilst quietly egging them on!

I liked the sound of this book's synopsis, and the beginning hooked me. There were all the right pieces for me to love it, but I slowly started to see some red flags for myself personally that brought my rating down for this story. The relationship worked for me, but once they fell for each other, it was insta-love. They were both baby hungry as well, which felt very off. The use of magical realism started very fun, but it flopped for me with where it ended up. I will not continue in this series.