Be careful what you wish for…

Harper Ross’s debut is a beautifully written tale with skillfully woven clues, and complex family dynamics surrounding perceptions, love, grief, and moving forward. Her message of learning to let go, embracing the past—the heartaches and joys alike—and to live in the present filled me with hope.

THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF MAGIC captivated me from start to finish, and will have you asking, “Was it coincidence or magic?”

The premise is what piqued my interest. A magical, wish fulfilling, typewriter isn’t like any book I’ve read before. I loved that there are repercussions for the wishes. It creates that magic checks and balances and keeps it in the realm of a magical realism read.

I appreciate the complicated and complex family dynamics. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters or relate to them, and some were down right annoying to read about whenever they popped up. There was no one I was rooting for that kept me motivated to continue reading, it was really just wanting to see how things turned out.

This version desperately needs at least a line editor. There were many typos and odd sentence structures. I had to re-read parts several times because it was weirdly worded or structured.

Overall, I liked the premise and what this book could have been. It just needs some more fine tuning to become the best version it can be.

Full disclosure: like Emerson, I’m a nearly 40 year old ghostwriter with kids. I could feel those zoom calls over plot points in my soul

So it’s safe to say that I could relate to Emerson and her desire to control her life the same way she controls her stories — and at how terrifying it can be when that control is gone, or when you’re not hiding behind someone else’s name

There were some points of this book that I wish had been explored more — the romance angle in particular and the ethical concerns of using a magical typewriter to set up a love life — but mostly, this was a story about Emerson, her mother, and her daughter

A spectacular debut. Thanks to Harper Ross, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the chance to give my honest review

This had such an interesting concept, but at points I felt it hard to connect to some of the characters. I do love a magical object though. I would still recommend this!! Thank you St Martins Press and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

A magic typewriter and family love and grief. A beautiful story that will tear at your heartstrings and and make you wonder, what if.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A well written story about family, grief, achievements and integrity. Life story about choices we each make and the consequences of them, especially if magic is involved. The characters are relatable and personable.

If you had a way to change your life in any way you wanted would you take it? Harper Ross explores this question through the dynamics of three generations of women struggling with both their own lives and their bonds with each other. Their story was extremely well done; I loved watching the growth between the characters and seeing them grow in resilience and begin to trust in each other over time was heartwarming to read. The author did an incredible job of highlighting the impact of someone’s actions on those around them while also demonstrating the importance of resilience and trust in a life full of uncertainty.

I feel like I came across this book at the perfect time. as someone who struggles with accepting the messier parts of life I really resonated with the main character as she struggles with the decision of whether or not to use wishes to fix her family’s lives. I haven’t been moved to tears by a book in a long time and the story really made me sit and think about my approach to life. This book reminds you to appreciate life’s imperfections, and that there is something to learn from everything that happens, no matter how uncomfortable and messy it may be. This is my first 5 star read in quite some time and I’m super thankful for the opportunity to experience this book early. I can’t wait for the book to be published.

Rules are made to be broken as the structured life Emerson Clarke pens keeps her in the shadows of other people's dreams. While a talented writer in her own right, she ghostwrites author's bestsellers afraid to let her work speak for itself.

Raised by a librarian and a bestselling novelist, Emerson was fascinated by the written word and her father's dazzling persona. That light dimmed and a short-tempered man emerged. He belittled his wife and she sought solace in a bottle and Emerson was reduced to hiding her aspirations to avoid risking his wrath.

Raising her daughter to color inside the lines, upon Emerson's father's death, his secrets threaten to crack the carefully constructed foundation Emerson built to keep them safe. Will unlocking the truth afford stepping outside the lines and forging a new life for herself?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of "The Unwritten Rules of Magic" in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the story especially the family relationships. As Emerson rewrites her story, their lives shine brighter.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Ross for letting me read an ARC of The Unwritten Rules of Magic. The story follows Emerson Clarke as she navigates the death of her father (a celebrated author) with her daughter and mother.

Ross seamlessly weaves reality and elements of magic into a beautiful story that focuses on the control that we have over our lives. Ross’ characters are unraveling and dealing with decades of family trauma and the feeling of desperately wanting to take away a loved one’s pain. What would you be willing to do in order to create happiness for those you love? What consequences are you willing to experience?

Loved this one, the different relationships of the different generations (the middle is the main character), dealing with the recent loss of her father, her mother wanting to change her life, and sell all that is left of a life of memories. The Mc relationship with her daughter, who is also struggling in her own way. The discovery of a magical typewriter that makes wishes come true but... with a price. Very compelling story.

I'm conflicted on how to write this review. The premise of the book had me excited to read it, a magical typewriter that grants wishes. Emerson Clarke is a ghostwriter, trying but failing to follow in the steps of her famous author father. Her relationship with her father, her mother and her daughter are all under scrutiny after the death of her father. Secrets, hurts and long hidden truths are revealed as the family works their way through grief.

The book is heavy into the drama of the relationships of mother/daughter (Emerson as both a parent & a daughter), so much so I had a hard time reading the book and would stop reading for multiple days. The heaviness of the story can be overwhelming at times. If you like family drama and a bit of magical elements then you will enjoy this book.

I wanted to like this one more than I did. I love the concept so much, but I feel like it stalled somewhere around the middle. I also guessed the plotlines way before they were revealed, and no matter how much I tried, I could not make myself like the main character.

There are incidents of parent death, abortion, and addiction. The MC is trying to navigate her life coping with the grief of her father passing and the temptation of a magical typewriter. Set in the contemporary with pop culture, political, and human right references that relate to what is going on in our world today.

Honestly the book is fine. I went into this expecting a bit more of the magical element and was disappointed. The story seemed interesting and it kept me reading all the way through; however I didn’t feel very connected to the characters, especially the main character.

This book was one of the more interesting reads I’ve come across this year! The use of magical realism in books is incredible, but for this one I wished it was used a little bit more throughout the read!! Especially having more of the magic aspect of the typewriter itself! This book was well written & it felt very real. The FMC’s emotions were so spot on & not just black & white.

Near the end, it became a bit predictable for me & the ending itself fell just a tad bit short. I was expecting a little bit more drama with the events that would occur/have occurred, but it was just leaving me off with an okay feeling! This book did have a good perspective & lessons of the choices that we make can make an impact, no matter how big or small.

This was such a good book. Emerson finally gets her father's typewriter after her father passed. Her father is a well known author and Emerson has always lived in his shadow and longed for his approval..
When Emerson figures out that the typewriter can grant wishes, she goes on a hunt to figure out what the consequences are and how this affected her father.
Along the way she learns more about herself and her family.
She gets closer with her mom and daughter and finds a new lease on life.
This was such a feel good book and I was definitely rooting for these characters throughout.
This will be a great book club book.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

Emerson has had a rough couple of years - her dad is ill and then dies, her alcoholic mother wants to move far away and her only child will soon be leaving for college. Can a magical typewriter help her make everyone's lives,including her own, better. I wonderful look at the what-ifs in life.

Unique idea and great writing. The storyline did not resonate with me as much as I had anticipated but the book was still very enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Harper Ross effortlessly blends magical realism with real‑world emotion, inviting us to think about control versus acceptance in life. Emerson, her family, and the generations before her feel vivid and real—and the writing is quietly moving.
What struck me most was how grounded yet emotional the story stays. It’s not flashy fantasy—it leans into real family trauma, addiction, secrecy, and the messy toll of trying to fix everything.
That vintage typewriter is a clever whimsical touch—but the real impact comes from how the characters’ secrets reverberate across generations. As Emerson types, the stakes keep climbing, and the emotional resonance builds with each wish.
It’s thoughtful, character‑driven, and I couldn’t put it down

I didn't want this book to end! I felt the plot with the magical typewriter was fresh and the characters were all well written and complex. It is a beautiful and emotional ride of a novel.