What a fun read!! This is the first book I read of Only Magic in the Building series and now I need to go read the others!!

Oh. My. Word! The witty banter between Wade and Scarlett had me laughing out loud! They just love to get on each other’s nerves and it adds so much to the sizzling tension between them! I loved the lore of ‘magic’ that surrounds The Serendipity and how a cleaning mop brought magic to Scarlett, Wade, and even her friends Lily and Ashlyn!!

Key points of the story for me:

The witty banter
The epic first date disasters
The dual POV
Brother’s best friend
The car ride with Wade
The mop
Wade’s relationship with his friends and family

Scarlett’s brother has enlisted Wade, his best friend since childhood, to keep an eye on her while he is away for work. She now has a mission to find, date, and marry someone in 6 months so her overprotective brother doesn’t interfere. Wade has other plans and manages to interrupt her dates and sees the most embarrassing first dates ever (these dates were hilarious 🤣🤣). She is furious with Wade, he starts to back off and even promises he will not interrupt her date so she can have a good night kiss 💋 well….the date goes south and she is left with no good night kiss. A man of his word, Wade, fulfills his promise—Scarlett is left shocked and tries to suppress her feelings for Wade. He wouldn’t want his best friend’s little sister, would he?
No other date has been better than time spent with Wade…. Will they be able to get past the years of history and self doubt of what their relationship could be??

I was enthralled with this book from start to finish! Carina has such a fun writing style and I absolutely loved this book and would definitely reread it!

Carina Taylor knows how to write a fun romance book every single time. Clean Out of Luck is a fantastic brothers best friend romance that will have you eating it up in a sitting!

Scarlett doesn't have the best luck in romance and now that her parents will be out her way for a few weeks, she's ready to dip her toes into the dating world and with an overbearing brother? Well now is the time she thinks but unfortunately her brothers best friend Wade is here to step in and shoo away any potential suitors. I love how she thinks he's just being annoying and its very obvious that he's been down bad and pining for her and doing all the comical things a man in love would do like crashing dates, and frustrating her and he's a firefighter and I mean, who wouldn't fall for wade? I thought it was the perfect friends to lovers with a mix of "its always been you" and such a feel good romance that you know will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside because the romance is swoony, sweet, and has a good mix of banter, hilarious moments and a happy ending. A must read!

*3.5 stars rounded up*

I thought Clean out of Luck was a really cute book and I enjoyed reading it. It was cheesy and sweet in the best way. I really liked the banter and friendship between Scarlett and Wade and found myself giggling a few times. I’ve really enjoyed reading these books from the Only Magic in the Building series.

Also, where does one sign up to get a magical mop, because I want one! 😂

I was given an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

This was honestly really cute and funny. The slow burn was perfect and the banter was even better. you could really feel the connection between scarlett and Wade which i thought was cute. I also liked the side characters and the funny banter they brought to the plot. I do wish the magic was explored more though... i feel like we got a glimpse of it and then just never mentioned it again.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

2.5/5 Stars

*received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review/feedback*

While I did enjoy the overall premise/plot of the story, I did feel as though the writing fell flat on occasion and the banter between the FMC & MMC lacked luster and read as robotic at times. I was initially intrigued to request this book from NetGalley through the cover - which I still believe is stunning. But I was also very intrigued by the blurb - a girl who gives herself an ultimatum to finding love, and navigating the blossoming feelings she has for her brother's best friend. What actually occurred in the book wasn't completely that. I felt as though a lot more time was spent on repeatedly explaining the FMC aversion to driving/being in cars as well as the backstories of other failed dates that she's had, rather than the actualities of her navigating the dating scene and actually attempting to find love.

In the scenes that we did get the FMC going on dates and actually trying to achieve her goal of finding a life partner, we get the same premise over and over again of failed dates or dates gone wrong, and the MMC swooping in to save the day every time. Now, I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with this had the writing and banter between the FMC & MMC actually flowed. Their conversations often felt stilted and the chemistry wasn't jumping off the page. While it wasn't 'insta-love' there didn't seem to be any real conflict happening to bar them from being together. The 'conflict' that was referenced ended up being a non-issue from the get-go so I struggled to see what the issue really was.

I've still given this book a 2.5 star rating as I did enjoy the idea of where the plot was trying to go, but I feel as though the characters and the story/conflict need a bit more workshopping to get where it needs to be.

Blurb: "Wade Hendrix has a problem. His best friend asked him to keep an eye on his little sister. But Wade has trouble keeping his eyes off of her. What starts out as a favor for his best friend soon turns into pure torture: watching Scarlett date other men right in front of him."

This is the first book I've read by Carina Taylor and it was fun! I'd definitely more from her. I also am loving The Serendipity apartment building and seeing the neighbors who live there!

Scarlett has an overprotective brother who doesn't approve of who she dates, so when he leaves town for a few months, she has a plan to date a lot to find THE ONE without his meddling. However, his best friend Wade seems to always be showing up to her most embarrassing moments while on disastrous dates.

I loved how familiar the main characters were with each other. Although she found him annoying, Wade was genuinely so kind to her. He drove her when she couldn't and I always felt so relieved when he showed up when things were going badly on her dates with jerks.

The pranking and banter was fun! I wanted more pranking and the girl gang!

Things I loved about this story:
Brother's best friend trope
Magical mop that grants wishes
He's a firefighter (yes, there is a calendar)
He shows up at all of her dates
She's a court reporter
He falls first
No spice or cussing
Overprotective family
She's an introvert and he's an extrovert
Wade and Scarlett's points of view

While I loved so many things, it wasn't a five star book for me. While I liked the characters, I didn't completely connect with the FMC.

Overall, I would recommend it to any romance reader who enjoys a sweet story with a hint of magic.

Clean Out of Luck was an absolute delight to read! I found myself laughing out loud and kicking my feet often. I enjoyed the slow burn tension that built between the two main characters, Wade and Scarlett, and the dual-POV narration. Their connection felt authentic and well developed, and I adored Wade's protective nature over Scarlett. It was never domineering or awkward, and felt genuinely sweet and caring, making their dynamic all the more endearing. The side characters were also a healthy dose of silliness that added extra fun to the story without distracting from the main plot. And of course we can't forget the magical element of the apartment building which added a nice touch of whimsy, giving the story an extra layer of charm. That said, my only complaint is that I wish the magic had been explored a little more. The building itself was fascinating, but I sometimes felt as if I was being told about the magic more than being shown. I thought the magical mop scenes were amusing and sweet, but I was left longing for more of the magical history behind the building. All in all, this book was a fun read and I would love to visit The Serendipity apartment myself!

"Why does it feel so right to be holding his hand when I’m about to go on a date with another man?"

This book has been one of the best brother's best friends romance I have read. Having the brother actually support the relationship was such a fun addition. Wade and Scarlett relationship was so sweet, and I loved how well they knew each other. All they needed was a magical mop to figure out they lovd each other. Wade ruining all her dates was so funny, and honestly those men deserved it. I wish the author went into more into detail of Scarlett's trauma from her car accident. Though it was sweet seeing Wade comfort her when they drive together. I cannot wait to read the rest of this magical series!

I adored this book! I finished it within a day! Such a cute read! There were several quotes that I highlighted and plan on sharing w/ my TikTok followers. I loved the build up before the Wade and Scarlet got together. I really enjoyed how Scarlet’s brother reacted to the news! We can’t forgot the magic mop! The references to current music was a nice addition! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was my first read by this author and I plan on reading more!

📚 BookTok Review: Clean Out of Luck by Carina Taylor 💕​

Clean Out of Luck by Carina Taylor is a whimsical romance that promises humor, heart, and a dash of serendipity. Set to release on April 2, 2025, this novel follows a protagonist who embarks on a six-month journey to find love, only to encounter an overprotective yet undeniably handsome individual who complicates her plans. As they navigate their evolving relationship, the building they inhabit seems to have its own say in their fate. ​

What to Expect:
-Slow-Burn Romance: The narrative explores the gradual development of feelings between the main characters, offering readers a satisfying buildup of romantic tension.​
-Humorous Encounters: Taylor's signature wit shines through, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that keep the story light and engaging.​
-Quirky Premise: The unique storyline, involving a building that influences the characters' love lives, adds an intriguing twist to the traditional romance plot.​

Fans of Carina Taylor's previous works, such as Easy as Pie and Neighbors Like That, will find Clean Out of Luck to be a delightful addition to her repertoire. If you're in the mood for a charming, feel-good romance with endearing characters and a touch of whimsy, mark your calendars for this upcoming release.

#CleanOutOfLuck #CarinaTaylor #WhimsicalRomance #SlowBurn #BookTokRecs

If you like best friends sister/brothers best friend trope, mixed with a DASH of magical realism elements, and laughing out loud moments, this is the book for you. We have a typical protective older brother, and his equally protective friend, and the FMC who is trying to grasp back her independence in adulthood, by going on dates of her choosing and living life as she pleases. I liked that about Scarlett - she remained positive despite what she’s been through and still comes out wanting to keep trying. Wade shows true devotion throughout the whole book, to his friends and the woman he’s been fighting his feelings for. I originally didn’t see the chemistry, just because it felt like a forced proximity situation, but then we follow them along as they are naturally drawn back to one another. Overall this is a quick paced read with cute banter and side characters that help build the warm community.

3.75 ⭐
Cute, quirky and unique

I love a good romcom! I liked the sprinkle of the magical element mixed into it. If I had a mop that granted wishes, I would have made more wishes. I like how the MC's always made sure the other was okay. I wasn't a huge fan of the brother and his best friend keeping secrets from the FMC. They treated her like a child. Which I get is part of the brothers personality but it urked me, maybe because I am a little sister who has over protective brothers. This book had been laughing, giggling and kicking my feet!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Six months to find love. One overprotective menace (who’s way too handsome for his own good). And a building that might have the final say.

Scarlett Fernsby has the worst dating track record. Thanks to her overprotective parents and meddling brother, every past relationship has ended in disaster—sometimes literally (one ex even crashed into her car after she dumped him). But with her whole family out of town for six months, she’s determined to finally take control of her love life.

Her plan? Go on as many dates as possible until she finds “The One.”

The problem? Wade Hendrix.

As her brother’s best friend, Wade has been asked to keep an eye on her while her brother is away. But Wade isn’t just watching out for Scarlett—he’s watching her date other men, and it’s absolute torture. He’s been in love with her for years, and no matter how hard he tries to fight it, he can’t stop himself from interfering. He crashes dates, scares off potential suitors, and shows up at the worst possible moments—all in the name of “protection.” But Scarlett is starting to wonder: is he just being a concerned friend, or is there something more behind those heated glances and lingering touches?

The romance is the perfect mix of slow-burn and playful tension. Told in dual POV, we see Wade’s struggle to keep his feelings in check while Scarlett slowly realizes her own. While I wish we got to see more of Wade’s personal growth, his devotion to Scarlett is undeniable. Their dynamic is sweet, funny, and packed with chemistry.

But what really makes Clean Out of Luck stand out is the atmosphere. The building itself, The Serendipity, feels almost like a character—filled with charm, magic, and an entire community of quirky, lovable side characters. From Gloria, the wise and witty older resident, to Steve, the ever-present, attentive building manager, they bring warmth and humor to the story, making it feel cozy and immersive.

Clean Out of Luck is the fifth book in the interconnected standalone series, Only Magic in the Building. However, it is not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this one. (I haven’t read them yet, and I had no trouble following the story!)

If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted, and clean romcom with a dash of magic, meddling family, and a swoon-worthy childhood brother’s best friend romance, Clean Out of Luck is the perfect read.

⭐ 4.5/5 stars – Sweet, fluffy, and full of heart! (Closed-door romance.)

Review published on Good Reads (linked below)

This book had me giggling, kicking my feet and hooked from the beginning!
The dynamic between the two main characters was just so lovely and refreshing to read, you could tell how much they cared for each other from the very first page!
I love how he validated her trauma instead of making her feel silly for it, the magical element in the book is something I’ve not found in other but I absolutely loved it, thank god for the mop!
I really resonated with the FMC and how she felt about love and everything she had been through, I loved the MMC and his quirky, funny personality and how much he loved and cared for everyone he’s around!
Couldn’t recommend this book enough if you’re looking for a cosy, funny, whimsical romance!

A spring Clean Out of Luck by Carina Taylor
romcom series of the “The Serendipity series” novel featuring Scarlett and Wade.

Scarlett young beautiful but has the worst luck when it comes to love, only 6 months until her parents return and an overprotective brother who always interferes with her dating. She can finally have a chance to go out without being interrupted what she didn’t count on was her brother’s hot best friend to get in the way as well. Wade a handsome fireman agree to look out for his best friend’s sister but after seeing her on dates he can’t help but fall for her. After multiple fail dates Scarlett has a different perspective of his brother’s best friend.

One moment and a mop that grants wishes ✨

Carina gave such a humorous novel overall I very much enjoyed reading this novel it was fast paced I am so glad I stumbled upon this novel. It’s like watching 200s romcom movies hopeful and fulfilling

Tropes 📖
Brother's Best Friend trope
He falls first
She's an introvert
Handsome Firefighter
Childhood friends
Whimsical romance

Thank you NetGalley for the advance reading

Thank you Netgalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As part of the Only Magic In The Building collection, this was a fun little rom-com that I devoured in one sitting.

Queue the tropes:

Brother's Best Friend
He Falls First
Date sabotage
Damsel not so in distress until she is!

I really enjoyed this, quick and easy read, now I'm going to dive into Carina Taylor's archives to catch up on what I've been missing.