Fun and whimsical! Such a cute romcom, I think this whole series is going to be the perfect cute and cozy vibes for Spring!

Oh the cuteness and the setup for the series and the ode to murders in the building! Dual POv, anxiety representation, baker who is so sweet! And MAGIC!

Love Emma and she has such a great writing style. It did take a minute to get into the book but I feel that's more because she had to build the world of the Serendipity and the cooky cast of characters. This was so sweet and their banter was great. I wanted more banter and more grumpy before they figured it out!

Cute easy read. I loved the banter and character growth. Also this was one of my favorite tropes (grumpy sunshine) so highly recommend

Overall, I'd give this book 3 stars. It was a cute and easy read. The Serendipity seems like an ideal place to live, it'd be nice to believe a little magic. Archer and Willa were easy enough to like, especially once Willa melted through Archer's icy exterior.

Format: ebook

Thank you NetGalley and Creative If Writing LLC for the arc!

*grumpy/sunshine
*billionaire romance
*magical realism
*mental health/phobias

Sweet contemporary romance with a splash of magic! Love the idea of this series with the building using magic to help bring people together. This was a fun read but it had some depth to it with difficult family relationships and anxiety rep from both of the MCs. I love how they were able to support each other through their struggles and how Willa was able to bring out a side of Archer he had buried down deep. I enjoyed this one and I can’t wait to see what other mischief takes place for the other couples in the Serendipity!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

What a perfect start to this new series, Only Magic in the Building... I am an eternal fan of Emma St. Clair, so it is no surprise that I adored this book.

The story takes place in The Serendipity, a historic (and perhaps magical, matchmaking building!) Archer buys the building as an investment and also a way to hide out from his imploded life and the scandal back in NY thanks to his corrupt father. He meets our cookie making heroine, Willa, when she somehow ends up in his closet, seemingly transported from her own closet with no logical explanation. Either Willa is lying or delusional...it couldn't possibly be magic, or could it?

We have some of our classic tropes: grumpy vs sunshine, enemies to more, plus epic banter, chemistry that sizzles, deep, emotional backstories, hilarious antics and so much sweetness. The element of magic added another whimsical layer to the pages that was simply enchanting.

The storyline with both our main couple struggling with anxiety/agoraphobia was so well done. While I absolutely shipped Willa and Archer, I have to applaud the side characters as well. From Bellamy (please give him a second chance romance with his lost love...), Willa's parents, Sophie, and the other residents!

My only complaint is that I can't read this book again for the first time...I am still smiling. Sweet sigh. Perfection!!

Looking forward to the rest of this series!!

5 stars

I love when romances have a small magical element, like in this case a magical apartment building that creates portals between closets in order to matchmake its residences. Unfortunately, pretty much everything else in this book let me down.

I found both of the main characters to be very annoying, and in the case of Willa, badly written. She felt very much like a much older woman trying to write a woman in her 20s but only using stereotypes from five years ago. And Archer was honestly just a jerk.

My other main issue was how much of the book was centered around back story and setting up the plot. The actual love story felt so rushed in the last third of the book instead of solidly paced throughout.

Overall, this one was just not for me.

This was a cute start to the series, but I think it just fell flat in a lot of places for me. Bellamy was probably my favorite character in the book. I kept reading simply because I was hoping to get exposed to many characters that will be present across the series, but it seems like there may be only one crossover from this book. Again, I think overall the book was cute, was very respectful to the topic of anxiety, and had relatable main characters, but it just was not my favorite of Emma St. Clair’s work.

I really enjoyed The Serendipity! Emma St. Clair did a fantastic job crafting a story with lovable, well-developed characters. I especially adored Archer—his blunt yet anxious personality made him such a unique and relatable character. I also loved how he found a new family throughout the book, which added so much warmth to the story.

One of the standout aspects for me was the mental health representation. Both Archer and Willa’s struggles felt authentic and well-written—his anxiety and her agoraphobia were handled with care and added depth to their characters.

The only thing that didn’t quite work for me was the closet teleportation. While I loved the building’s magical history, that aspect felt a bit too unrealistic for my taste. However, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

This is a book for anyone who loves a heartfelt romance, especially since it keeps things sweet and closed-door. Definitely a great read for those who appreciate love stories with depth and a touch of whimsy!

A wonderful start to the multi author series about the serendipity. The book was an easy read, very cute and, although not my typical genre, a definite 5 star book. Willa the person and Archer were very adorable and the anxiety representation was wonderfully done.

Thank you so much to Emma St. Clair for a copy of this ebook! All thoughts are entirely my own!

Well this was just a magical, whimsical start to this delightful series. I loved Willa & Archer's story. Grumpy-sunshine gets me EVERY dang time. and Emma delivered with this one! :)

I loved how we say anxiety rep in TWO different ways.

Honestly, I related deeply to Archer about how he appeared before people got to know him. When you have social anxiety meeting people/new places/large groups can be so hard. I felt the author did a wonderful job showcasing how a character might appear when walking through that.

I loved the closet/whimsical element of the book. <3

A solid 4 stars for me!

Will share on social media ( @berges_books) within a couple weeks.

Overall this book was good, I loved the mix of romance, comedy and magic that took place. Archer and Willa has such an interesting chemistry together, Archer is so untrusting of everyone and just is focused on keeping his business running and get away from the bad press that his father was causing in his life. Willa is a hot mess baker who is just doing anything she can to make sure she doesn't lose her home or business. Bellamy's character added a good bit of spunk to the storyline and just was overall a good addition to the character list.

I can't wait to read more of this series. This book was a great start to this series and the magic hopefully will just get more interesting and better.

The Serendipity is a charming and heartfelt romance that instantly captured my attention. Willa, struggling with agoraphobia, has found a sense of safety and community in her small town and quirky apartment building, The Serendipity. Enter Archer, the new building owner, whose own emotional baggage brings him to this seemingly magical place. As their connection deepens, they help each other heal and grow, all while learning to embrace their flaws and support each other through personal challenges.

What I loved most about this story was how Willa and Archer’s relationship was built on mutual understanding and respect. Both characters had their own personal battles, but they never judged each other—something that made their connection feel so real and authentic. The supporting characters, especially Bellamy and Archer’s unconventional family dynamic, added a beautiful layer to the story, showcasing that family is about love and choice, not just blood.

This book was full of whimsy, warmth, and hope. It’s the perfect read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with emotional depth. The only thing that could have enhanced the story was a deeper exploration of Willa’s emotional journey, but overall, it’s an uplifting, magical book that will stay with you long after you finish it.

So sweet! This was a super cute quick read, some forced proximity, age gap, grumpy sunshine, with a billionaire, what more could you ask for? It’s an excellent start to a new series.

Willa, the charming small-town girl running a cookie baking business out of her historic apartment building, finds herself magically transported from her apartment closet to the closet of the new owner of the building. The broody, grumpy Archer whose only goal in life is to make more money, or so it would seem. They have instant chemistry, but it’s not until a chance run in with Willa’s ex that things really start to pick up.

I had so much fun reading this book. Archer and Willa were delightful together, and the magic closet added a fun touch. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

I loved this book! The Serendipity is a whimsical book about a historic (and magical?) apartment building recently purchased by billionaire Archer Gaines. The last thing he expects is to magically find one of its residents, friendly baker Willa Smith, in his closet upon moving in. As Willa and Archer continue to magically run into each other, they start to see who the other person truly is. I loved their relationship arc and how the building keeps "helping" them.

Emma's books are always the best combo of love, humor, friendship, mistakes, forgiveness, and real people with real flaws. Love this book has anxiety and agoraphobia reps. You will adore this book and the beginning of the "Only Magic in the Building" series.

I received a copy of this book on NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Create If Writing LLC for providing me with an advanced copy for review. All opinions are my own!

This was my first book by Emma St. Clair, and I absolutely adore her writing style! From the very first page, I was drawn in by the quirky charm and lighthearted tone. The Serendipity is one of those stories that immediately feels like a cozy, magical escape, and Emma’s narrative voice made it such a fun read.

As someone who is a sucker for stories that feature a magical building, this one was an instant winner. If you’re familiar with The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, then you know exactly what I mean when I say I love a good magical building that feels like a character in its own right. In this case, The Serendipity gives us that same sense of wonder and whimsy that makes the building feel so much more than just a setting—it’s a catalyst for change, mystery, and discovery.

The charm of the story is apparent right from the start. It’s quirky, fun, and filled with little surprises that kept me grinning from ear to ear. However, what really sets this book apart is how it balances light-heartedness with meaningful depth. While the narrative doesn’t take itself too seriously, it also does a remarkable job at addressing anxiety and mental health issues in a realistic and sensitive way. I was so impressed with how these themes were woven into the plot, offering moments of vulnerability and growth that added complexity to the characters and the story.

The humor and the magical elements are what make The Serendipity such a delightful read, but the way Emma St. Clair navigates heavier emotional landscapes really resonated with me. It's not often that a book can make you laugh and smile one moment and then pause for a thoughtful reflection on mental health the next. It’s a delicate balance, and Emma does it wonderfully.

Overall, The Serendipity is a quirky, magical ride that feels like a warm hug for the soul. It was an absolute joy to read, and I’m already looking forward to exploring more of Emma St. Clair’s work. If you love a blend of whimsy, heartfelt moments, and magical charm, this one’s definitely for you!

I loved this little book- a little bit of magic, a little bit of a grumpy protagonist, and the other protagonist being a little bit of an anxious mess- there was nothing about this that I didn’t love. I can’t wait to read the rest of the only magic in the building series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the Publisher, Netgalley and Emma St Clair for the chance to read this ARC in return for an honest review.
What a start to this new series! It truly was such a sweet and whimsical romantic read! For those who prefer or only read closed door romances, this is a read for you 💕

When Archer's Father is found to be caught up in scandal - Archer does what any other Billionaire would do.... he takes himself away from New York and buys an historic apartment block - The Serendipity.

Little does he know that this purchase is going to change his life as there are tales that there is magic in the building. Willa is one of the tenants at the Serendipity and has always lived in Serendipity Springs. She happens to meet Archer in the most unorthodox way... and this definitely does not leave a good impression on either of them...

I loved this book!!! Emma St Clair really whisks the reader away into the Serendipity Apartment building and into the lives of the people there. The topic of anxiety is touched on throughout the book but is done so in a really balanced and well written way.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series!


I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series!

4.5/5

Finally finished this book! It took me three days—shoutout to my physics classes for making sure I couldn’t binge-read it in one go.

This story was absolutely wonderful—cute, magical, and completely engaging. I loved the concept of a magical building that finds your soulmate for you. Both Willa and Archer were such likable characters, and I really enjoyed their interactions.
As always, I absolutely hated the ex and his fiancée.

The only thing that didn’t sit right with me was the age gap—eight years. I don’t particularly love or hate age gaps, but this one was mentioned at least five times, which was enough to give me the ick.

Oh, and Archie, you’re not in a boardroom—no need to wear a suit all the time!

~ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange of an honest review.💕

I believe this was my first Emma St. Clair book. I can honestly say it will not be my last!

Archer and Willa had me pretty much laughing and giggling my way through!

Willa's dad! Precious!

Magical, cozy, light hearted.