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’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 problem: because Archer never planned to fall in love or stay in Serendipity Springs forever.

Thoughts
A fun little magical story. This was a cute read that is lighthearted while still dealing with heavy topics like anxiety. I would have loved for there to be a little more relationship buildup instead of 60% of the book they are acquaintances and then all the sudden in love, but I still enjoyed it.

Magical apartment with closets that are portals?!
I was hooked since the beginning. This was such a cute read with a grumpy billionaire and a sunshine baker. You can already tell their chemistry was chemistrying from their meet-cute, it was magical indeed ;)

The Serendipity is a laugh-out-loud, charming romance full of heart, whimsy, and loveable characters.

Archer and Willa's story is so sweet and tender. I love the juxtaposition of their personalities and how they each bring so much light and joy to the other. I love how the anxiety rep was handled and how the characters respond to each other's struggles with it.

The magical realism is fun and quirky, but more than that, I love how the author used it, in a sense, as a way to force Archer to come to some realizations about Willa and his feelings for her.

Bellamy is a gem of a character and I love that we get a little bit more with him in the bonus scene!

This book set the stage perfectly for the rest of this series! Now I just have to find the patience to wait until the others are released.


Favorite Quotes:

"Can you really trust a man who refuses a cookie? No. You can't."

"Hello, Willa the person."

"She makes a little sound when my fingers reach into her hair. Not a whimper, not a moan. A new sound, uncategorized by labels and definitions. An elusive, rare new species I'll name and keep completely to myself."

"You're the one in control here, Willa. Not me."

"I'm Archer Gaines, and I'm going to pretend I'm not nervous to meet you even though I want to run right back out the front door." With that adorably honest statement, he handed my dad the bottle of wine, let my mom give him a hug, and basically won my entire heart.

"You are a wonderfully beautiful contradiction I never knew I needed.”

"For one kiss from you right now, I would give up any secret. Reveal any thought. I'd trade the world for you, Willa. Don't tempt me."

*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️ We are off with a bang! This is described as a whimsical romance, and it absolutely delivers that. Super cute with a simple magical element causing one of my favorite tropes of forced proximity. Willa and Archer are fabulous. Loved the anxiety rep in both of them. If this is how the whole series is going to be, I’m even more excited.

Archer has bought a historic apartment building, The Serendipity. The previous owner kept everything the same for years. Even rent prices. His plan is to change everything no matter what people say about the folklife of the building.

Willa doesn’t really believe in the magic of the building. She has bigger things to worry about. She has cookies to bake and a life to figure out. But when the building has other ideas, she is transported right into Archer’s closet.

QOTD: Do you enjoy magical elements in your romances or whimsical romances?

Thank you so much @kikimojo and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book. #onlymagicinthebuilding #theserendipity #emmastclair #arcreview #netgalley

An absolutely adorable start to a new series. I was introduced to Emma St. Clair through the last multi author series she participated in, the Sweater Weather series. I have read a number of her book since and enjoyed every single one. All of those Sweater Weather authors are back plus one new one to introduce The Serendipity, an apartment building in the small city of Serendipity Springs, which going by context clues is somewhere in New England.

Every resident is a character and more importantly, tiny magic abounds. I don’t think I would call it magical realism, but magic is real in small ways. And seemingly centered on the titular apartment building. Our main character characters are literally pushed together by a portal connecting their closets. I love that the premise isn’t anything huge or fantastical, if anything, it’s easier to believe that the world is full of tiny magic that is helping the right people to find one another.

Willa and Archer are definitely an opposites attract pairing, but they complement one another and each has strengths to support where the other may not have them. But I think what I most appreciate is that they both suffer from anxiety, although it is expressed in different ways. Anxiety isn’t just one thing and can have major impacts on how people live their lives. Archer and Willa’s are not the same but feel absolutely authentic. It’s wonderful to see anxiety representation.

Aside from that their story is just adorable and a sweet introduction to what I’m sure will be equally adorable magical moments in the rest of the series.

Well, worth a read, particularly if you’re looking for:

-opposites attract
-billionaire romance
-anxiety rep
-grumpy/sunshine
-cozy magic

This is the first in a multi-author series, and I think it's going to be so good! The Serendipity is an apartment building that is rumored to be magical with a tendancy for matchmaking. I live this premise and that little touch of magic!

In this story, Willa and Archer are complete opposites, but they grow closer as the building throws them together in hilarious ways. There are so many funny moments, and because it's an Emma St. Clair book, there's a hilarious animal encounter! Also, Willa is a sugar cookie baker and sugar cookies are one of my favorite treats, so of course I had to bake some!

I can't wait to see what other adventures happen in The Serendipity!

Whimsical, magical, impish, and rather swoony.

Those are the words that capture the essence of The Serendipity—the book title, the building, and the series.

This series is off to a great start with Willa and Archer as our first couple. Well, not a couple in the beginning—but The Serendipity wants what it wants and always gets what it wants!

And I love it!

Archer has to get out of New York, so he buys an apartment building in Serendipity Springs. He plans to show that he is a different kind of businessman than his father, who is awaiting trial for his financial crimes. Archer hears rumors that the building is magical, but that is ridiculous -- until Willa appears in his closet with a crazy story about being transported there. Still, Archer is drawn to Willa and makes excuses to be around her. Willa is angry with Archer for his changes to the building, but she also sees his struggles. She can't stop herself from trying to help. They begin dating, and it is a lot of fun. But real life is about to intrude, and they will have to face their fears to get their HEA. THe building intends to help with that.
This book is very funny, and there are a lot of crazy scenes. But there are also serious issues like anxiety and neglect. It is a good balance, and it makes it hard to put the book down. I have read a few other books by this author that I thought dragged, but this one is well paced. I really enjoyed it.

Such a cute story! This is the good cozy book for a rainy day. I really liked the characters but did feel like there could've been more development surrounding their relationship; it was almost two fast. I could definitely have used more Bellamy.

Thank you, Netgalley for this ARC!

This book has the typical Emma St. Clair sense of humor, animal hijinks, and easy to read style with a touch of magic this time. I loved the concept of this being a series about a magical apartment building and thought it was cute and fun. The first half was a little bit slow for me and I didn’t really get why Willa and Archer were interested in each other when they seemingly had lots of reasons to dislike one another. It was one of those storylines where the two main characters “can’t stop thinking about the other person” and feel an “instant attraction” they can’t ignore, which isn’t my favorite. Once they were actually in a relationship the book went much faster for me and I enjoyed it more, but the pre-relationship part felt a little too contrived and their connection didn’t really make sense. Overall it’s a cute read, and a decent start to what looks to be a promising series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Book one of the Magic in the Building series brought so much whimsy and charm, and now I cannot wait for the next entry!

Opposites attract when stern businessman Archer Gaines purchases an apartment building and meets Willa, a tenant who mysteriously appears in his closet due to possible magic in the building.

The magical realism moments were cute and unique, and I can't wait to see what else this building throws at us throughout the series! The romance builds as Willa and Archer get to know one another, and there is a ridiculously funny scene involving a potentially rabid possum that had me laughing out loud. This was a cute start to the series!

Read if you like:
💕 Opposites attract
💕 Mental health rep (anxiety/agoraphobia/panic attacks)
💕 Magical realism
💕 Kissing only
💕 Interconnected series

This is the first book in the "Only Magic in the Building" series and what a great introduction “The Serendipity” is to this whimsical series.

Archer Gaines purchased the historic Serendipity apartments in Serendipity Springs and has plans to turn it into luxury condos until a transporting closet introduces him to Willa.

Archer and Willa are complete opposites, one is grumpy while the other is sweet and kind. They may not want anything to do with one another but the building has other plans.

This is a lighthearted, sweet story that pulled me in right away and did not disappoint. You can never go wrong with a story by Emma St. Clair.

I am looking forward to reading the rest in this multi-author series!

Thank you to Emma St. Clair, NetGalley and Create If Writing LLC for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading a book by this author but this was an absolute delight and I will read more by her. Love the grumpy-sunshine trope so will be recommending this to everyone!

This was such an entertaining grumpy/sunshine billionaire novel. Archer and Willa's characters and relationship was humorous and well-developed; the magical elements made the reading experience all the more enjoyable. I also love how mental health was represented throughout the novel.

Such a great start to the series! Looking forward to the rest of the books!

Meet cute in a magical closet that transports across an apartment building? Yes please! The Serendipity by Emma St Clair is so cute. From the tropes to the characters to the feels..it's a complete feel good romance.

❤️ Neighbor to lovers
❤️ grumpy sunshine
❤️ boss Employee
❤️ enemies (?) To lovers
❤️ anxiety disorder rep in both main characters
❤️small town romance

To run away from his father's financial fraud scandal, billionaire Archer Gaines has moved to the quirky small town called Serendipity Falls and bought an apartment building called The Serendipity to remodel and sell. Willa the resident baker magically appears in his apartment's closet and he is immediately intrigued. Between struggles to save her baking business and helping the grumpy new owner as a temporary assistant, Willa falls for Archer. But their lives are worlds apart..

Archer comes across this arrogant cold cynic but he is really hiding lots of trauma and heartache. He didn't have a happy childhood crushed under his father's rules and tyranny. Right now he is desperate for some control and the apartment is testing him, specially in form of Willa. Sweet and adorable and cute Willa who has her own anxiety issues. Technically they are enemies because Archer is trying to change all the rules and change the building. But she also sees his little awkward broken sides. Willa lights up his world in an unexpected way. And Archer makes her want to break her own walls. This story is full of wit, swoon and laughter.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

What a whimsical story and a great introduction to the "Only Magic in the Building" series! It took me a bit to warm up to the magical realism element and the main characters, but by the second half of the book, Willa and Archer had my heart.

Read if you love:
- clean romance
- a magical meet cute
- grumpy x sunshine
- he's a billionaire
- she's a baker
- anxiety representation

The best moments for me featured an opossum, a grocery store, the hokey pokey, and a bathroom at a birthday party. IYKYK!

Triggers:
- social anxiety
- agoraphobia
- on-page panic attack

Thank you to Netgalley, Create If Writing LLC, and Emma St. Claire for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Aaamazing!!!
I loved Willa and Archer.I loved how the characters just flowed and had amazing chemistry.
I usually don't go for magical/fantasy aspect but this just left me curious and excited.

The best part of reading is being taken away to a new place and getting to close your eyes to your current environment and I have a strong feeling this entire series will be doing that amazingly! This is the first book in the "Only Magic in the Building" series and it has started off magically delicious. We are introduced to the wonderful town of Serendipity Springs, home of the historical apartment building the Serendipity. You may think this is just a normal building in a normal town but then you would be just like Archer, the newest owner of the Serendipity. Magic is all around and if you choose to not believe in it, the building will make things a little interesting for you and force you to believe.

Archer Gaines is the new owner and new to town after escaping family drama back in New York. He comes from a life of no-nonsense and profitable businesses. Life in Serendipity does not exactly match Archer's personality. But do not worry, Willa, is the perfect person to help show him the way. Even if she has no desire to help after her super embarrassing introduction.

Willa is the resident baker, who makes the most delicious and beautiful cookies. The only problem is that her business isn't quite taking off like she had wished. Profit is small and risks even being smaller after Archer plans to implement some financial changes to the residents of The Serendipity.

Archer and Willa are complete opposites, one is grumpy while the other is sweet and kind. They may not want anything to do with one another but what the building wants is our story to enjoy.

Emma does such an amazing job to bring out the personalities of the characters, the struggles each one is going through in their lives and toss in some fun pop-up situations they end up helping one another get out of like a crazy possum or is it opossum? You will find yourself swooning and laughing all throughout this journey and wishing you were a resident of The Serendipity.

If you love magic, grumpy / sunshine combos, family history, brief boss / co-worker, ex-fiancé, and sweet kisses this is the perfect book for you!

Thank you Emma, Create If Writing LLC, and NetGalley for my eBook. It was not expected for me to leave any positive feedback. These opinions are 100% my own.

“The Serendipity” is the warm hug I needed! Archie, the billionaire, just bought a historic apartment building in Serendipity Springs despite the rumors of it being magical. On his first night living there, he hears someone in his closet. Willa has somehow magically appeared in his closet, when she was only just in hers. Even though neither of them want to believe in magic, the building may have other plans for these two to fall in love. This story was the perfect mix of fun magic hijinks, friendship, a sweet romance, and character depth!

For those who love:
🩵Magical Realism
🩵Grumpy/Sunshine
🩵Billionaire + Baker
🩵Sentient Apartment Building
🩵Slow Burn
🩵Closed Door
🩵1st in a Series

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

When no-nonsense Archer Gaines purchases the historic Serendipity apartments he has plans to force the tenants out and turn it into luxury condos. Then, thanks to a transporting closet, he meets Willa who, dispite being his opposite in almost every time way, opens his eyes to a new at of living.

This was such a fun book. Willa is quirky and adorable, Archer is grumpy and sweet and Bellamy is charming and funny. Smitten Archer when he accepts that his feelings for Willa is adorable and, for someone so bad with emotions, hes so open about giving compliments and boosting her up

It's interesting how they both really appreciate the total opposites parts of each other personalities. He loves how she's such a (physical) mess in so many areas, but her cookies are precise and perfect. She loves that he such a serious grump but then also playful and sweet with her.

I also liked that all of these side character, presumably from the other books in the series, are popping up.