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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.5)

Billionaire Archer Gaines buys The Serendipity to escape scandal and flip it into luxury lofts—except the building has other plans. Willa never believed in its so-called magic until she walked into her closet and landed in Archer’s penthouse. With the building residents against him and fate intervening, Archer may be stuck in more ways than one.

Well-written in a cute, quippy way, with resonant character depth in a poignant way. And you already know I love a man in a suit while adoring his down-to-earth muse. All these elements built up my expectations for something, well, magical.

And while the story was fine, none of the plot points felt particularly special. I was hoping their chemistry would add more allure, but those moments felt a little dim.

Don’t get me wrong—this book is still worth the read if you want a clean billionaire romance that thoughtfully portrays anxiety with hints of feminism. I’m just more excited about some of the side elements I hope to see more of in the series:

✨ Sophie’s bubbly personality
✨ Spunky residents (everyone is required a Bellamy cameo)
✨ The Serendipity’s undeniable charm

Available on Kindle Unlimited! #kindleunlimited #ku

Thanks @netgalley for the eARC 🥰

Perfect for you if you like:
Billionaire in small town
Magical realism
Mental health and anxiety rep
Equal relationship

Similar to:
So Into You by Kathleen Fuller
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Uneasy Street by Becky Wade

⛔️kisses only
⚠️anxiety, mental health, parental neglect

What a delightful read. This is a multi author, stand alone but connected series and I can not wait for the rest of them. It's got a touch of the magical but not fantasy or spells or anything of that sort. I'd consider it a whimsical, grumpy/sunshine romance. I blew through this one so fast because it had a great hook, humor, and questions to keep me intrigued. No book slump here! The two main characters had great chemistry. I loved the heroine's inner voice. fyi content info. clean and closed door, some kiss scenes could perhaps lean toward pg-13 but nothing detailed or graphic, no language. But definitely there's connection and romance. Emma St. Clair is an auto read for me and I wasn't dissapointed in the least with this one.
Favorite scenes
:Lobster's and the grocery store
Meet cute!
*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title. Opinions are 100% mine own.

Emma St Clair is my go-to for a good read, so when this new series came out I just had to give it a chance. I’m not interested in fantasy stories, but this just barely walks that line. The Serendipity building has a way of getting two people to fall in love. Archer buys the building for something to do anywhere but in NYC as his father’s appeal hearing is looming. Willa can’t seem to leave the small city of Serendipity Springs due to a severe case of agoraphobia. Will Archer ever believe how Willa came to end up in his closet - probably not! For those that enjoy a quirky “Only Murders in the Building” vibe! No worries - no murders just a fun read!

That was a very cute love story! If you love a closed door romance with little to nospice this is the one for you.

If you are looking for a sweet, cozy romcom with a dash of magic and no/low spice, then you might enjoy this book. It left me smiling.

Emma St. Clair is a great writer - I've read a few of her other books and enjoyed them (even if they did not contain the amount of spice that I usually read). She writes sweet characters with great banter.

The spiciest this book gets is when the Archer and Willa kiss -- but it's very PG-13 with no groping.

I gave it 3 stars because it was sweet but it didn't hit a cord with me. There was magic but not enough magic. There was conflict but it didn't feel like true conflict to me. There is a 3rd act break up - which always diminishes my enjoyment.

The Serendipity, by @kikimojo

4.5/5✨
Romance

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book as an advanced copy! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Willa Smith, a cookie business owner, has heard tales of the folklore sorrounding the town of Serendipity Springs since she was a child but never believed in it, until she walks in her closet and finds herself in another apartment, which happens to be the penthouse of the new building owner, billionaire Archer Gaines. Then, he starts enforcing new rules on the historic building, like rent increases, and he also starts charging Willa for the commercial kitchen, putting her businness, Serendipitous Sweets, at risk. But the building has other plans for Archer, blocking his progress at every turn, and he needs to seek help from someone who truly knows the town, someone like Willa.

🎀 First of all, The Serendipity is the first book in the Only Magic in the Building series, eight interconnected closed-door standalones written by different authors.

I loved Archer Gaines, he is such a beautiful human being, even though at the begininning he might seem just a grumpy, entitled billionaire. One thing I loved about him is that he suffers from anxiety, just like me, and in many ways I felt incredibly represented by his character: avoiding people to escape conversation, needing everything to be organized. The FMC, Willa, struggles with agoraphobia. Something I really appreciated was the realistic portrayal of struggling to accept a diagnosis, like resisting therapy, opposing a therapist's suggestions, or deciding not to go at all. It’s a sad reality, but many people feel this way, and reading about someone overcoming their fears can be incredibly meaningful. Overall, I absolutely loved the depiction of the building and its magic. I also really, really liked Bellamy and Sophie, they were great side characters!

"I wish I had the exact words to explain the way I am so impressed by her. Enamored."

It starts out with Archer who is a billonaire who buys a historical apartment building called The Serendipity but it turns out it may be more than just an apartment building and have plans of its own. The serendipitous meet cute between Archer and Willa was unique and I wanted to find out more and how that happened! There is a batman reference and Archer did give me Bruce Wayne vibes! Also, there is anxiety and Agoraphobia representation and it is handled very well!

The possum scene made me cackle!

- Billionaire Romance
- Workplace Romance
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Magic
- Cookies
- Small town

"We all need something to spark joy in life" Reading this book definitely brought me joy and I will be reading more by this author!

Thank you so much to Emma St. Clair and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Serendipity by Emma St. Clair

This book the first book series called Only Magic in the Building. There’s 8 books total and you can meet some of the characters already in this book. Which was super nice and I’m looking forward to read!

I got this book via @netgalley as eARC and heres my thoughts about it, which are all mine.

I love grumpy MMC so I was immediately so swoon to Archie. Story was so easy to read. It hooked you right away! This book is great intro for the series, giving glimpses about other characters and just the building itself.
Both main characters are suffering anxiety, which myself I’m also very familiar with. That was written very well, as it was relatable.
This book (and series) is must read and I really enjoy my time to read it!

4/5

Review published March 10th at instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHBFNZeNmOo/

This was something different then my regular clean romance reads. I like the small elements of magic. I thought this book had a good cast of characters, although it was definitely a little slow in the beginning. I'm looking forward to the other books in the series since this will be continued.

The Serendipity is a wonderful start to a new fun multi-author series. Willa & Archer are quirky characters, who meet in an unconventional way. I loved seeing their personalities develop and their relationship blossom. I do wish we got to know them a smidge more but it was still fabulous! Bellamy may have been one of my favorite aspects of the story as well.
The Serendipity had all of the fabulousness of an Emma St Clair novel & i am excited to see where the rest of this series takes us.

If there’s one thing Emma St. Clair knows how to do, it’s deliver a swoon-worthy, laugh-out-loud rom-com with just the right amount of heart—and The Serendipity is no exception! This book is like your favorite comfort movie: charming, hilarious, and impossible to put down.

From the very first meet-cute (which, let’s be honest, is more of a meet-chaotic-disaster in the best way possible), I knew I was in for a treat. The chemistry between the main characters crackles off the page, filled with witty banter, awkwardly adorable moments, and just the right amount of tension to keep you hooked. It’s the kind of romance where you want to grab the characters by the shoulders and shout, Just kiss already!—but, of course, Emma St. Clair makes you wait for it in the most deliciously frustrating way.

Beyond the romance, The Serendipity delivers on humor, heart, and that perfect small-town charm that makes you want to pack your bags and move there immediately. If you love fake dating, forced proximity, or books that make you laugh so hard you snort your coffee, this one’s for you. Seriously, don’t sleep on this gem—it’s the perfect feel-good read!

I loved this book so much! I loved the mental health aspect and how to deal with your anxiety! Love Archer and Willa the person 😉 such a great first book to the Only Magic in the Building series!
Grumpy/sunshine
Rich billionaire/ poor baker (I love this because I’m a baker haha)
Magic closet!

It was so cute! We love the mental health aspect and bringing light to anxiety and how it can look different for everyone! We loved getting to know Archer and Willa, the person 😉 such a great introduction to the Only Magic In The Building series! We definitely can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series and explore Serendipity Springs more ❤️ the next book in the series is out on March 12th by @courtneywalsh who is also one of our favorites!!

Thanks again @netgalley and Emma St. Clair (@kikimojo) for this ARC

✨grumpy/sunshine
✨rich billionaire/poor baker
✨daddy issues
✨mental health/anxiety
✨magic closet

Just to name a few 😉 now go read this cutie asap!!

#onlymagicinthebuilding #netgalley #arcreview #bookiebesties