⋆｡°✩ 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 ⋆｡°✩

4.25 stars | a contemporary magical realism mixed with books and second-chance romance | 1.5/3 spice, 1/3 violence, profanity, trigger warnings such as perceived su!c!de, mental health issues, and substance use | unique plot and progression, interesting ideas, and a pleasing element of fantastical and historical mystery


*:･ﾟ✧♡ 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕤 *:･ﾟ✧♡

As I feel I’ve been saying a lot recently, this book surprised me!
First, in the mystery element; I loved it! The fantasy, history, and mystery all mixed together were so cool and fun to read!
The Library of Fates and general Magic system were also soooooo cool; like a librarian that gives you the book you need?? I want to be that.
Plus the dark murder-y twist was actually really cool; unexpected, but appreciated.
And just like, in general I really liked this book! Eleanor was definitely my favorite, with Daniel in a close second; the second chance subplot was also really interesting, and with the other element of that second chance that I won’t say because of spoilers; their romance was so cute.


‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕤 ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.

I think the characters relationships in this book were sort of weird; like, I don’t know how to explain it, but they were I guess unfulfilling??? Same with the characters in general; I just didn’t feel very attached to them. I wasn’t particularly rooting for thjngs to go their way; for any of the characters, which—with characters being a pretty important aspect of a book—brought The Library Of Fates to a 4.25.


* ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕨𝕣𝕒𝕡-𝕦𝕡 * ੈ✩‧₊˚

Overall, this was a fun, quick read that I enjoyed a lot! I’d recommend The Library Of Fates for anyone looking for a lighthearted mystery book or some contemporary magical realism.


⋆˚⚡︎˖° 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 ⋆˚⚡︎˖°

The Library of Fates releases December 2, 2025!!!


˙⋆.˚𐙚 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 ˙⋆.˚𐙚

Thank you so much to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and to NetGalley for giving me a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
All thoughts are my own :D


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Margot Harrison’s The Library of Fates is a mesmerizing blend of literary mystery and subtle magic. The dual timelines are expertly woven, revealing secrets at just the right pace, while the characters, especially Eleanor and Daniel, feel deeply human and emotionally complex. The concept of a book that reveals your future in exchange for a secret is chilling. Eleanor is a deeply introspective and resilient character. Her life has been shaped by a childhood tragedy, and she’s found purpose in the library where she’s worked most of her life as an apprentice to the enigmatic librarian Odile. Eleanor has dedicated herself to helping others find meaning through stories. The library is her sanctuary. Daniel is Odile’s estranged son and Eleanor’s former love interest. Years ago, he abruptly left for Europe, leaving Eleanor with unanswered questions and unresolved feelings. His return is a shock. Daniel is intelligent and guarded as he and Eleanor team up to recover the missing book. Together, their journey is one of emotional reckoning and rediscovery. Their relationship evolves from estranged allies to something more intimate, all while they unravel the mystery surrounding the book.

Harrison’s prose is elegant, and the atmosphere she creates lingers even after the final page. A must-read for fans of introspective, genre-blending fiction.

As a lifelong book lover, "The Library of Fates" was an absolute dream to fall into. I was instantly captivated by the concept of magical realism woven into a world surrounded by books. There’s something incredibly enchanting about stories where libraries are more than just quiet places—they’re alive with secrets, spells, and destiny.

Margot Harrison masterfully captures the atmosphere of a mystical library—both eerie and comforting at once. The setting almost becomes its own character, with shelves that seem to breathe and pages that whisper fate into being. For anyone who loves books about books, this is a rich and immersive experience.

What stood out to me most was the way the author blends magic with emotion. The story isn't just fantastical for the sake of escapism—there’s depth, heartbreak, mystery, and wonder. The magic feels organic, like it truly belongs in the world she’s created. And for readers who cherish the idea that stories can change lives—or even *be* lives—this book delivers that message beautifully.

If you're a fan of magical realism, haunted libraries, or tales where books quite literally hold power, this book will leave you spellbound.

This one took me a while to get into since there were two different timelines. I feel like there was a lot of worldbuilding in the context of the book before we could actually get into the plot; however, I was very invested in Eleanor and Daniel's relationship and wanting to know what happened to them. I think the actual of the intention got a little confusing at times since there were a lot of twists and turns. Things unravel slowly, so I think you need to have a little patience when reading this book. The second half was very interesting for me.

A unique dark academia on the love of books and what it means for our own stories. Eleanor and Daniel were flawed, with full lives outside each other but always, always united over certain books, all the way through to the end. The writing is immersive and compelling, and I will definitely be checking out Margot Harrison's backlist. This one is a win!

A magic book that holds the power to direct the librarian to whatever book a patron most needs at that moment in their life, even if they don’t realize it.

If that concept sounds absolutely fascinating and delightful to you, you’ll want to read this book.

The main action is set in 2019, with 40-somethings Eleanor and Daniel, after the death of Odile — the librarian as well as Eleanor’s mentor and Daniel’s mother. Flashback scenes take place in 1995, when Eleanor and Daniel met as college students in Odile’s seminar.

Aside from the magic and fantasy aspect — which I loved — the book showed how Eleanor and Daniel had changed, excellently portraying them as adults and as students. Some books that follow characters decades later make them seem to have the exact same personality. Harrison did a wonderful job of creating believable characters and those slow developments.

From the beginning, we know there’s more to the mysterious book than even its magic abilities. So the plot is not just about tracking down the missing book, but also learning more about its creation and what it does.

I had to laugh at myself when I thought, “A whole scavenger hunt with notes is a bit ridiculous.” That I’d find a trail of clues less believable than a magical, creepy book!

The perfect amount of fantasy, and an exciting story. I loved it.

4 Stars

The Library of Fates is a book that will resonate with anyone who truly loves reading for reading's sake. It's for the readers whose favorite books make them feel seen in ways that they could never have articulated themselves.

The story was written in a utilitarian way, concerned primarily with the themes, message, and story rather than the characters themselves and their relationships with each other. I would have enjoyed lingering a little longer with the characters and exploring what lay under the surface, but it was still complete without that-meaningful and interesting, full of questions that kept me turning the pages. The Library of Fates is a love letter to the magic of reading.