We Could Be Magic is an adorable YA graphic novel. Both coming of age story and meet cute this title is perfect for all teen fans who still long for that Disney-like fairytale ending. Recommended for all YA graphic novel collections.

📚 Format: ARC (Graphic Novel) via NetGalley
If you believe in the magic of theme parks, the power of perseverance, and the beauty of being unapologetically yourself—this is the book for you.
I absolutely adored We Could Be Magic! This graphic novel felt like a warm hug with glitter and sparkles, with just the right dash of rom-com and a heavy dose of hope. I devoured it and honestly? If there were 10 more volumes, I’d read every single one. Sign me up!
The story follows Tabitha—Tabi—who has always dreamed of being a princess performer at Summerland, the magical theme park that helped her through tough times in childhood. She’s passionate, bright, and so full of heart. But of course, the path to her dream isn’t smooth. She’s told she doesn’t “fit the image,” and faces rejection after rejection, yet she never stops trying.
What I love most is how the book delivers a beautiful message: the right people will see you for who you are. Tabi’s journey is one of self-love, persistence, and belief in magic—both literal and metaphorical. And yes, it had me giggling and swooning over the sweet little rom-com moments (hello, James 😍). But it also gave me real chills at how it tackled body positivity, internal doubt, and resilience in such an empowering way.
Tabi is such a relatable, lovable character. She’s a little ball of sunshine who feels her emotions, keeps showing up, and always gives 100%. And the support system around her? Beautiful. Uplifting. Real. This story isn’t just about chasing dreams—it’s about believing in them, even when others don’t.
If you’re looking for a graphic novel that’s quick to read, full of heart, magical girl vibes, sweet romance, and powerful representation—We Could Be Magic is the read for you. I smiled the whole way through and wished there was more by the end.
✨ Rom-com? Check.
✨ Magic? Check.
✨ Body positivity? Check.
✨ Representation matters? Absolutely.
✨ Feels? All the feels.
Highly recommend for fans of joyful stories with real messages. This one will stay with me.


Thankful to be getting this arc through NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group!

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Netgalley for an E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story! Tabi is a dreamer that has always dreamed of playing her favorite princess at the theme amusement park. I love that the theme park was based off a beloved franchise which like Tabi would be any fangirls dream. We see her go through a lot of ups and downs while doing her summer program at the park. She is plus size and has to deal with people telling her that she can't be a princess because of it. Even so she keeps practicing and audition for her chance. I loved that when her friends saw that what other people were saying was starting to get to her in the end they were there to pick her up and tell her that she is worthy and beautiful. At times she could be a little naive but she figure her way and inspired people along the way. The Illustrations and coloring are so good in this book you could feel the characters emotions very clearly throughout the book. All in all a great graphic novel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Charming, body-positive, and full of theme park magic—We Could Be Magic is a sweet graphic novel that earns its sparkle.

Marissa Meyer’s We Could Be Magic is a delightful YA graphic novel that blends summer fun, fairytale dreams, and self-empowerment with just enough romance to make your heart flutter. With lush, whimsical artwork by Joelle Murray and a heartfelt story at its core, this is a feel-good read that also makes room for deeper truths about identity, body image, and self-worth.

🎠 Why it shines:
Tabitha is instantly lovable. Her excitement, vulnerability, and quiet determination make her easy to root for. She’s a princess in every way that matters, even if Sommerland doesn’t see it.

Body image and self-love are central, not preachy. Tabi’s journey is handled with sensitivity and realism, addressing industry standards without feeling heavy-handed.

Found family + sweet summer crush = perfection. The friendships Tabi builds at the park are warm and supportive, and her slow-burn romance has just the right mix of awkwardness and swoon.

Visuals that enchant. The art is vibrant, expressive, and full of theme park wonder—from glittering castles to nacho-stand chaos. Every page feels like a summer daydream.

Perfect for readers of all ages. While geared toward YA, the story resonates for anyone who’s ever questioned whether they belong in the storybook ending they’ve always dreamed of.

🧚‍♀️ Why it's 4 stars (not quite 5):
A bit predictable. The plot follows familiar beats, and a few conflicts resolve a little too easily—but the charm makes it easy to forgive.

Some side characters feel underdeveloped. With more room, their arcs could’ve added depth to the broader story.

💫 Final thoughts:
We Could Be Magic is a delightful blend of fantasy and reality, showing that magic isn’t about perfection—it’s about heart. If you love Heartstopper, The Prince and the Dressmaker, or just want a cozy, affirming escape, this one belongs on your shelf.

Four stars—a dreamy, empowering read with just the right amount of pixie dust.

This is a great read to add to your summer reading list. Fun and engaging!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC In exchange for my honest review.

Tabi Laurie has always loved Sommerland and dreamed of being one of the princesses there. Now in high school, she is in their summer program, but things aren’t quite what she expected. Working in a nacho food stand instead, Tabi is determined to bring magic to the park visitors however she can, but she also doesn’t give up on her dream of being a princess.

This is such a sweet, positive book! I loved the illustration style. I would recommend this graphic novel for anyone looking for a light read and especially to 14-16 year-olds.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Oh my god I can not begin to explain how much I adored this graphic novel, I feel like 5 stars isn’t even good enough for it .

I adore the plus size and POC representation , it’s done so well and was really enjoyable . I enjoyed the nod to Disney and the theme parks and how magical those things can be not only for kids but also for adults .

Without spoiling the ending I will just say I absolutely adored it and I can’t wait to get my hands on more graphic novels written by Marissa Meyer.

Also I want to give a big shout out to Joelle Murray for the amazing art in the graphic novel as I absolutely loved it, it was beautiful in every single way.

Thank you Netgalley Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the arc

If this was written by an actual Black Woman or someone who is actually a curvy girl I would've liked it more. I hadn't even realized that it was the same Meyer's who wrote orientalism in the Lunar Chronicles series. What is she doing writing about a Black main character? The nods to Disneyland were also too much. So many of the cool "facts" that James talked about are actual things in the Disney parks themselves so that part felt very cheap. The message behind the story is great it should've simply been written by someone else.

I absolutely adored this from start to finish! From the writing to the art and coloring, this was perfection. Tabi dreams of making magic at Sommerland, and I loved being on that journey with her as she navigated new friendships, complicated co-workers, and chasing her dreams. The details of Sommerland made me feel like I was there, and I think the premise of the entire graphic novel will hook readers right away.

*4.5 stars

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really sweet story that is the perfect quick read for the summer. This takes place in a theme park and follows our main character Tabitha, better known as Tabi. She starts her dream job at Sommerland in the summer, where all she wants to do is create magic for others like the park has created for her. Ideally, she would like to be cast as her favorite character- a princess. However, her coworkers and managers at the park don't think she fits the image because she's plus size. Her main supporter throughout the story is James, who also believes in the magic of the park and encourages her to continue working hard. Although Tabi may have been a bit too perky and optimistic at times for me, I genuinely love that she didn't stop trying for what she deserved and didn't let others' mean words stop her. Her perseverance and dedication to inspire others was really admirable. Eventually she was able to achieve dreams she hadn't even imagined. I liked how Tabi and James' relationship blossoms from friendship to romance, and they were always uplifting each other. Some other interesting supporting characters are Kyra- Tabi's roommate, the costume designer, and the elusive park owner. At first Kyra is kind of rude and ignores Tabi, but I think she redeems herself by the end in helping Tabi. I loved the art style- the colors are beautiful and vibrant and I loved the diversity in the characters. Ultimately, this was a very enjoyable and enchanting graphic novel with themes of body positivity, friendship, romance, acceptance, and determination.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publish for providing me a with a free e ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was adorable. The art was absolutely lovely. Every character had a vibrant personality all their own. Knowing some of the people I know, Tabi's aspiration for her summer job is a very believable aspiration. The romance was believable, and there were so many choices made for the directions of some of the characters and all the right ones were made. I loved the message of this piece, on various subjects. Body positivity, friendship, even just a smidge of family in there.

That was adorable!

Tabitha has always believed in true love, even after her parents got divorced. She grew up obsessed with Sommerland magical universe and her dream is to be the cast actor for her hero, Princess Madeline.

So when she’s 17, she applied for Sommerland summer program. She’s willing to be placed anywhere because she planned to audition as a cast actor ayway. Turned out, it wasn’t as easy as she thought, especially since she doesn’t have the typical princess appearance. Still that didn’t stop her, only drove her to try harder.

It’s obvious what exactly inspired Sommerland, but since every elements related to it are made-up, it makes the setting fresh while retains the magical vibes. Tabi & James were SO cute and I’m glad they met each other! While I found some things nagged me, overall I still enjoyed the story. Absolutely wholesome and lovely.

I also want to give a shoutout to Joelle Murray because her illustrations for this book are PERFECT. Very atmospheric and eye pleasing, and most importantly I love the facial expressions🥰🥰

I’ll admit, I went into We Could Be Magic a little skeptical of how the body positivity and fat-shaming themes would be handled. But I was pleasantly surprised and found myself enjoying the story far more than I expected. It’s delightfully cute and full of heart.

Tabi is such a wonderfully positive and relatable character, her confidence and charm will resonate with so many readers. The romance was sweet and subtle, perfectly balanced as a side story that never overshadowed the core message. And the artwork? Absolutely adorable. I’m obsessed with the color palette…soft, warm, and magical in all the right ways!!

This is a lovely read that I think will especially appeal to upper middle grade and YA readers. A charming story with a powerful message, wrapped in beautiful visuals.

I received a copy from NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing group.

I loved this story. It’s a great middle grade read but it’s also relatable for adults especially anyone who loves the world of fairytales and princesses and visiting those magical theme parks.

The story is simple enough. Tabi finds happiness watching Princess movies and wants to work at the Themepark as a princess. She gets into a summer program and learns how difficult becoming a princess can be but never waivers on her commitment to make park guests feel magical.

The artwork is adorable and Tabi is such a great FMC. The wholesome book doesn’t come off as to childish either. There’s a lot Tabi has to overcome so there’s a big storyline about persevering

The ending felt a bit quick is my only complaint. The story reads like a standalone with a clear ending but I can’t help but hope we get more Tabi stories she’s so precious.

4.75/5

4.5 ⭐️

Super cute and wholesome graphic novel. Tabitha has always dreamed of working at Sommerland, and she finally got her wish. she remained positive throughout the challenges thrown her way.

I loved the body positivity and how moments of doubt were handled. I liked that she didn't stay quiet and spoke out when she needed to.

This was super fast-paced, but nothing was left out. The graphics and colors used were perfect for the story.

**thank you to Netgalley and macmillan**

I adore Marissa Meyer, and this graphic novel did not disappoint! I remember as a teenager, my dream job was also to work at a very famous theme park as a princess. Life got in the way, but I still think of how wonderful it would be for my job to be making dreams come true in the happiest place on Earth. I loved seeing Tabi work hard to make her goals happen despite adversity. It was refreshing to also see a depiction of real life struggles even though the story is fictional. This was such a cute, sweet story, and it made me nostalgic for my teen years. It also made me want to spend all my money to visit you-know-where so I can remember what it is like to suspend reality for a little while and just be a kid again.

I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley in return for my honest review.

It's been a while since I have read a wholesome graphic novel that accurately represents diversity. The storyline is simple and perfect to finish in one sitting. Would definitely recommend my younger cousins to read it!

This book was so sweet and delightful. Young readers who grew up with Disney princesses will love the story. Lighthearted and fun, this will appeal to a wide variety of readers, even those who aren’t theme park fanatics.

"I like to think that she saw me and knew it was okay to believe in dreams and love and fairy tales. Just like I had when I saw Princess Madeline all those years ago." - Tabitha Laurie.

✨ A Feel-Good Fairytale With a Modern Twist ✨

✨ BLURB:
We Could Be Magic follows Tabitha Laurie, a girl who has always believed that true love exists, especially in a magical place like Sommerland. As she grows up and joins the summer program working behind the scenes at Sommerland, her dream is to become Princess Madeline. However, management insists that the princess must be thin. Determined to prove herself, Tabi works hard and comes up with her own strategy to chase her dream.

✨ MY THOUGHTS ABOUT IT:
This was such a magical read I’ll never forget! Like many kids, I believed in fairy tales and magic growing up. This book brings that feeling back, telling a modern fairy tale that shows kindness, hope, and determination. Marissa Meyer did an incredible job spreading magic through her characters, not just through the setting.

One of the things I loved most was Tabi’s determination. Despite all the mockery and obstacles, she smiled through it all, poured love into her work, and never gave up. And then there's James, who supported her endlessly and believed in the same magic she did. Their bond felt more real and swoon-worthy than any prince on stage.

We Could Be Magic is a beautiful reminder that kindness is free, being helpful costs nothing, and goodness still exists. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance, middle-grade stories, and a little bit of real-life fairy tale magic.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Feiwel & Friends for letting me experience the magical world of Sommerland with Tabitha and James.

✨WHAT I LIKED:
📌 Tabitha applying to Sommerland while waiting for the audition
📌 Tabi meeting James during the party
📌 James choosing to step down as a Prince
📌 Tabi standing up to Prince Henry
📌 Kyra’s huge character development
📌 That adorable Tabi and James kiss! (OMG!!!)

✨TROPES:
📌 Modern Fairytale
📌 Grumpy x Sunshine
📌 Supportive Love Interest
📌 Chasing Dreams
📌 Found Confidence
📌 Workplace Romance
📌 Unlikely Allies
📌 Overcoming Stereotypes
📌 No Spice

First I need yall to know that I almost had a breakdown when I fully realized the premise of this book! As a Disney College Program Alumni (and going for my second program in august) We Could Be Magic hit so so so close to home especially as a girl who ended up in the kitchen in Magic Kingdom (not anyone’s first choice lol) but Tabi held every bit of my love and nostalgia (I was there in january but still) the feelings of creating magic and James the character attendant (aka my hopeful job for my next program) exhibited exactly how to make magic. This book is truly a piece of Di-Sommerland magic!