Interesting book, although I feel like I expected a different sort of story, based on the title. I enjoyed it though, the characters really stuck with me.

The Unwritten Rules of Magic
By Harper Ross

This is a quirky novel that hides some revelatory life lessons. It is the story of a family of three women: Dorothy, the grandmother; Emerson, the mother; and Sadie, the daughter. As the story unfolds we learn that Jefferson Clarke – their husband/father/grandfather – has died after a years-long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Jefferson has been a very successful writer, but the disease has stolen his talent and his very life.

Dorothy and Jefferson have had a tumultuous marriage with Jefferson trying to control every aspect of their lives together. This situation has left Emerson traumatized and unable to fully engage with her "now" while she tries to control her loved ones narratives.

Enter the magic typewriter Emerson finds after her father's death. It seems that a wish typed on this typewriter can come true – but always with a price to pay. Emerson's use of the typewriter and the ways her wishes affect her family make up the bulk of this book.

I would advise the reader to be sure to read the author's note at the end. In it, the author lays out clearly her ideas about helping those we love – and, when necessary, letting go.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

I enjoyed this book! It was very well written

From the title, I did expect a different vibe but it was definitely emotional and more sad that I had expected

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I look forward to reading more from this author

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

“The Unwritten Rules of Magic” by Harper Ross is a heartwarming and deeply moving story that reminds us to release our grip on what we can’t control and enjoy life as it is while you still have it.
The story revolves around a talented ghostwriter who is dealing with the current loss of her famous and beloved father, an alcoholic mother who finally feels free after years of emotional abuse, and a teenage daughter who refuses to communicate and is harboring secrets of her own. As she struggles to develop her own creative ambitions and deal with her fractured family she inherits an old Underwood typewriter that seems to have the magical power to transform her noble wishes into reality, but with powerful unintended consequences.
From reading the description of this book I thought it would be a novel filled with magical realism but instead the magical typewriter is an introspective metaphor. It is used to remind us to give up trying to control other people’s lives, that it’s never too late to reshape relationships, and to accept others without judgement. This beautifully written book inspired me to reflect on my own life and I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When Emerson Clarke's father passes away, she takes possession of his beloved typewriter. He was a famous writer and forbade anyone from touching the typewriter when he was alive. Emerson discovers that one merely needs to type out wishes with it, and those wishes are granted. Sounds lovely, but those wishes always seem to come with a price.

The Unwritten Rules of Magic, as a title, sounds like it would have a more whimsical plot, whereas in reality, it felt more like a family drama with some wishes thrown in. I found it to be well-written, but I guess I was just looking for a little more whimsy. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

This book was an emotional journey that resonated deeply with me. The storytelling was fantastic, drawing me in and bringing back so many memories from my own experiences as a caregiver, both in situations similar to each of the parents in the story. The author did a phenomenal job portraying the importance of processing grief, making room for forgiveness, and accepting mistakes. Her insight into what the daughter was going through also struck a very personal chord, as I’ve been in that same boat myself. This book was moving, beautifully written, and touched my soul in a way I won’t soon forget.

The Unwritten Rules of Magic is a poignant exploration of family, grief, and the complexities of control. Emerson Clarke, a ghostwriter, inherits her late father’s vintage typewriter—a tool that grants wishes with unforeseen consequences. As Emerson navigates the blurred lines between desire and reality, she uncovers deep-seated family secrets, questioning the true cost of manipulating fate.

Ross masterfully intertwines magical realism with emotional depth, creating a narrative that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. The characters are richly developed, and the prose is evocative, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries of magic and memory are delicately balanced.

3.5 Stars
The Unwritten Rules of Magic was a super interesting concept. The overall mood of the book is very sad, I enjoyed pieces of the multi-generational storyline, my heart broke for her daughter and the lack of empathy shown toward her at times. I feel like this could definitely be a higher rating for some people, but I just really struggled to connect emotionally to the main character, Emerson.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The comparison to THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY gave me expectations of cozy, whimsical magic, so I thought the charmed typewriter and its effect on the characters would play a larger/different role. At the core of the novel is Emerson and her desire to resolve her feelings about her deceased father, alcoholic mother, increasingly distant daughter, and her own choices in life. More of a family drama than a piece of magical realism, one could even conclude that the typewriter was never magical at all, but rather a metaphor — that the belief in its “power” simply prolonged a desire for control.

Not quite what I expected, but a quick and enjoyable read.

This is one of those books that really seems to be written for me. Just me. You can all admire it, though. It’s about the grief of losing a parent, the confusion of finding yourself an adult with no idea who you are when you’re not defined by being a daughter or a mother; coming to terms with the reality of the parent you lost and the one you still have, as Emerson is dealing with her alcoholic mother who feels free with the death of her husband — and with the absence of his emotional abuse. Abuse Emerson never understood, because to her it was just how her parents were.

Her father was the good parent, the giving parent, and now he’s gone and all she has is the legacy he left behind. The typewriter is a wonderful magical maguffin as Emerson is able to write down her wishes and come true, but the true story is in how she handles the outcomes of those wishes. The typewriter has no sense of story, no sense of good and evil, write or wrong. It’s very Twilight Zonian in that way. But Emerson is a kinder person than her father, wanting what’s best for people rather than riches or success. She wants to be happy, yes, but more than that she wants her daughter to be happy, her mother to be sober and happy, for things to go well and right.

It’s by reaching out to her mother, by being willing to see her mother as a person that Emerson begins to reach across the divide; by acknowledging to herself how her father’s desire to be the liked parent left her mother in the “unliked” corner damaged their bond and the only way to fix it is to try. To reach out and risk being pushed away; to be persistent, to be willing to be hurt, to ask for forgiveness rather than be entitled to it.

Then there’s her daughter, keeping a secret from her — or rather, being a teenager on the verge of moving on to and away to college, who doesn’t want to be babied, who has her own ideas of who she is and what she wants and Emerson is unable to control that, unable to guarantee that her daughter knows how much she loves her. Her daughter choosing not to tell her things hits Emerson as a betrayal, especially with her parents secrets slowly coming to light. Again, Emerson has to be willing to accept the choices made by other people, choices that may have nothing to do with her or what she wants. Her daughter knows she is loved, but Emerson pushing her way in leaves her daughter pushing harder to keep her out.

This is a book about relationships, healing, and the hard work of relationships. It’s about loving someone even when they’re pushing you away, about grace and acceptance and it’s beautiful. I love this book, and I’ve loved the ARC so much that I’m going to preorder a physical copy for my shelf. I really hope you give the book a chance — especially if you like complex characters and their relationships, mother/daughter relationships, and even father/daughter. It’s an emotional book, and it’s just what I needed to read.

Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

What is success worth? How do you stop when you know it might hurt you more? Does wanting to protect someone give you the right to change their life path? All of these are things to ponder as you travel this story which is so real in detailing relationships and yet with a twinge of the magic. Well worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC❤️

The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross is a charming story where the reader has a chance to take a look at three generations of women. You are following Emerson, a full time ghostwriter, whose famous father just passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. She is trying to juggle being a single mom to a teenage daughter that is grieving, as well as being there for her alcoholic mother whom she has a complicated relationship with.

When going through her late father’s things, she finds his notorious typewriter. After typing a wish she has on it, she soon discovers that it can change fate and grant wishes. However, this does not come without complications. Emerson is now forced to navigate this new found impossibility while staying true to her morals and family.

Overall, I enjoyed Emerson’s character and I found myself relating to her in multiple aspects. I thought that the author’s voice was very engaging and kept me interested in the story. This is very much a character driven story with commentary on messy family dynamics. I very much enjoyed this aspect of the story as these types of books usually end up being my favourites.

At times, I found that the way Emerson was treating her daughter was irritating to me. Their conversations felt unrealistic to real people and frequently had me annoyed at our main character. She did not seem capable of emphasizing with her daughter and often outright disrespected her feelings. I also would have liked a more satisfying ending that brought all of the story lines together.

Overall, this was a fun and charming magical realism read that explored topics of grief, love, and generational voids. Perfect for fans of the Midnight Library.

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7779830297

If you could magically control every detail of your life, would you take that power? Or would it take you? Emerson Clarke is confronted with this question as she navigates deep grief, relentless uncertainty, and the anxiety that comes from watching her family struggle too. Through her journey, she begins to realize that holding on too tightly can sometimes cause more harm than good, and that true peace comes from embracing the unknown.

The Unwritten Rules of Magic is a heartwarming, deeply human story that gently reminds us to release the grip on what we can’t control and to savor the life we have right now. Harper Ross handles weighty topics with grace and honesty, never shying away from the realities of loss and change while also infusing the story with hope. This book left me reflecting on my own need for control and inspired me to lean into the unpredictability of life. Maybe the real magic lies in letting go.

I freaking love this book, and felt connected to the characters in a way I didn’t think I would when I started this book. I hope there will be a sequel or more like it!

Okay, you have to read The Unwritten Rules of Magic. It’s about Emerson, this ghostwriter who’s always been in the background of her own life, and then she finds this old typewriter that doesn’t exactly follow the rules of reality.
I couldn’t put it down—there’s mystery, family drama, a little bit of heartbreak, and just enough magic to make you wish you had your own enchanted typewriter! Harper Ross totally nails that cozy-yet-twist-filled vibe. It’s clever, emotional, and so fun. Seriously, bump this to the top of your TBR—you’ll thank me later.

⭐️ 5 Stars

The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross was an incredibly personal and relatable read for me. If my life had taken a slightly different path, I feel like I could have been the main character, Emerson . Someone with worse control issues and who has a hard time stepping back and letting things unfold naturally.

I’ve always believed books have healing properties and that the right story finds you when you need it most and this book was exactly that for me. I struggle with intense bouts of anxiety when life feels out of my control, and I could deeply relate to Emerson’s journey.

I wasn’t expecting the story to be so triggering, but it opened up my eyes to the reality of what the need for cantaloupe can do. It became almost a mirror for self-reflection. There were times I found Emerson annoying and then I realized I was seeing my own overbearing qualities reflected back at me. That was very humbling, eye-opening, and it ultimately helped me develop more empathy, both for her and for myself. I don’t want to lose my self and those around me because of the need for control.

I loved the metaphor of the typewriter, as well as the characters Emerson meets along the way, especially Sawyer, who helps her learn to let go. He shows her essentially to take it a day at a time and that there is no control only learning how to process things as they come. The story was a reminder that it’s not my job to control everything for the people I love. You can support and encourage others, but if you take over, you rob them of their own accountability and growth.

This was a story that not only entertained me but also left me with a deeper sense of self-awareness. I’ll be carrying its lessons with me for a long time. It was definitely top tier for me and I would recommend it for anybody who experiences control issues or who is an older daughter.

This is a story that’s chalk full of realistic feelings of grief, an honest approach to complicated family dynamics, and a fresh take on the age old question of ‘what if?’ The writing is great, I really connected with a lot of a lot of the story; I just didn’t connect so much with the characters.

This beautifully written story is about family, mistakes, hope, and the wish to control life's twists and turns. It is a striking, heartfelt story about loss—the loss of a loved one, lost dreams, unspoken words, and the magic that can unite people through books and stories. Emerson Clarke, a dedicated mother, parentified daughter, and creative ghostwriter, struggles to manage life's curveballs after her father's death. She is tasked with ensuring her father's published legacy is preserved while having to deal with her mother, whose drinking problem is apparent to everyone but her. She also deals with her daughter's concerning self isolation and worries about the growing distance between them. One day, while struggling to keep it all together, she comes across an old, worn-out typewriter in her father's study. Named his 'lucky charm', the typewriter's mysterious draw lures her in, and before she knows it, she becomes entangled with its unique and tempting power. Emerson quickly realizes the wishes she types on its old keys can come true. Before long, it becomes apparent that the mysterious typewriter's gift can easily become a curse to anyone who uses it. Besides discovering the mysteries of the typewriter, Emerson needs to unearth her father's secrets, which prove to be just as tricky. Things begin to happen all around her, making it difficult for her to manage the frailty of her family's feelings and her own emotions. This story leaves the reader questioning whether they'd pay the high price needed to change their fate.

This book strikes many chords and mirrors many real struggles and emotions that readers everywhere might encounter. The magical element of the typewriter is an excellent addition to what otherwise is an unfiltered and authentic story that perfectly describes the raw relationships among family members. The story is well-paced and experienced through the eyes of the main character, who displays complex emotions and struggles. It is emotionally immersive and offers many moments of connection to each character, including the deceased father. You can feel the internal conflict of the characters who feel tied to the typewriter and what it offers. The author made the story flow well through Emerson's point of view and her father's entries. The beauty of this book lies in its theme of control and what it means to be happy.

This book has become my new favorite for this year. After completing it, I'm still feeling the emotions and reflecting on the main character's journey. This story contains several layers of realism; it has a touch of enchantment, the kind we all wish we could see in our lives. It brings back the age-old question of what you would wish for if given the chance. Would you still make the wish if you knew the cost? It also brings the idea that life is ever-changing and how difficult staying in control can be. The inclusion of books made this story even more engaging and created a personal connection if you're a reader or writer. Overall, this book will be a recommendation to friends, family, and other readers for years to come.

For readers who enjoy heartfelt stories of determined writers facing difficult choices and a bit of magic that pushes those choices forward.

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is an advance reader copy (ARC) and may contain errors or changes before final publication. My review is voluntary and reflects my personal thoughts.**

I began The Unwritten Rules of Magic expecting a cozy magical fantasy — something driven by the magic components and intrigue. While there is magic in this book, I felt it was not the star of the show. Instead, Harper Ross delivers a story that's more character-driven and about complex relationships with the emotional arcs and personal development. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; character-driven novels can be deeply satisfying, but I found myself wishing the magical elements had played a larger and more dynamic role. The magical system through the typewriter, while intriguing in theory, felt underexplored and often took a backseat to relationship building and conflicts.

As for the characters, I didn’t dislike them, but I also didn’t feel especially connected to them. They were written with care, but something about the execution left me feeling more like a spectator than a participant while reading. I wasn’t emotionally invested in their choices or growth, which made some pivotal moments fall flat.

And then there’s the ending, particularly the twist involving the pregnancy and abortion. It took a sharp turn that felt oddly political and, to be honest, a bit forced. Rather than feeling like a natural development, it came across as a narrative detour that didn’t quite fit with the tone or trajectory of the story. It left me feeling more confused than surprised.

Overall, an enjoyable quiet, character-centered fantasy with subtle magical undercurrents. But I finished the book feeling overwhelmed....

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Book to be published in early 2026.

I loved this book. It deals with quite a few heavy topics but was handled with humor and care. I related to the main character Emerson as a mom and as a daughter. The touch of magical whimsy was just enough and forces you to think what if you had ultimate control of your life and the people you love. And would you risk your memories to bend life to your will? My favorite quote came from the beginning of the book.

“Hope is a foolish squatter I’ve never learned to evict “.