REVIEW: The Cupid Chronicles by Courtney Walsh

In The Cupid Chronicles by Courtney Walsh, Iris Ellington hasn’t lived in The Serendipity (an historical building full of charm) for very long but she already feels at home. The elementary school art teacher is trying to turn over a new leaf. Mainly, to stop falling in love at the drop of a hat and instead be more discerning about her relationships. But Iris is a people person. So, when her neighbor Matteo Morgan’s newspaper winds up in front of her door, she brings it down the hallway to hand deliver it to him–only to have him pretty much snub her entirely. The newspapers keep showing up, morning after morning, reappearing even when Iris drops them outside Matteo’s door. And it seems that he is avoiding her. But the two finally meet face to face where the truth about the newspapers–and The Serendipity–finally comes out: they’re magic.

‘The magic still doesn’t make sense, but maybe it doesn’t have to. Maybe we’re the lucky ones for knowing we live in a world where magic exists. And maybe that’s enough.’

Chef Matteo has been dealing with the supposed magical elements of the apartment building for a few years now on his own. So, he’s not sure what The Serendipity is up to, bringing Iris into the fold and involving her in the tasks the newspapers direct him toward. Matteo would rather not have to deal with any of it. But if he has to partner up with anyone, Iris isn’t so bad. She’s funny, spunky, smart, and one of the most caring people he’s ever met. And in time, he can see himself being friends with her. Although, the more they work together, the more Matteo can tell he’s slowly falling for Iris. Something that doesn’t fit into his future plans. At all. But the building might get the last laugh when he realizes Iris has already fully worked her way into his heart.

‘I watch her, marveling at how excited she is to unroll that newspaper. It’s always been such an inconvenience to me, but Iris is treating it like a gift.’

A pleasing mix of romance, magical realism, and community, THE CUPID CHRONICLES was a heartfelt delight of a book.

“You’re not hallucinating.” I meet her eyes. “The building we live in is magic.”

CW: View Spoiler »Grief, loneliness, depression, survivor’s guilt « Hide Spoiler

Courtney Walsh’s offering in the multi author series Only Magic in the Building is THE CUPID CHRONICLES and wow, what a fun time I had reading it. It took everything I already loved about her writing: genuine emotions, offbeat but real characters, entertaining situations, and added in a touch of magic as well. And it worked perfectly. The magical realism kept the story from getting too heavy with the grief our hero Matteo was feeling and the loneliness our heroine Iris dealt with for far too long. And the slow burn romance that built between them was not only fated, but it was tender and oh so sweet.

I will note that the books in the series are standalones but they are all set in the same historical building, The Serendipity. It may sound weird, but the building as well as the newspapers Iris and Matteo found on their doorsteps instructing them to do certain tasks were magic. And not only was it whimsical and cute, but there were laugh out loud moments where poor unassuming Matteo and Iris were literally smack upside the head by the newspapers or even pranked by The Serendipity.

It was all in good fun, though. And it was done to help facilitate what amounted to good deeds, basically. There was matchmaking, job assistance, friendships formed, matching rescued animals to lonely residents, among other things. But it was mainly about *helping others* and creating a sense of family and community in The Serendipity as well as out into their neighborhood. I loved that warmth. It was cozy and made this a truly feel-good story.

QOTD: Do you like reading books with whimsical, magical realism elements? If so, have any favorites to share?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: March 12th, 2025 | Courtney Walsh | Only Magic in the Building #2

Some love stories are written . . . this one is magically delivered.

Iris Ellington isn’t looking for love. Not even a little bit. With a long list of failed relationships behind her, she’s decided to reinvent herself as a person who doesn’t fall head over heels on the first date.

New town, new job, new Iris.

But someone—or something—has other plans.

When her neighbor’s newspaper lands in front of her door, Iris has no choice but to return it. And when she does, she comes face to face with a ridiculously handsome but very grumpy chef who all but slams the door in her face.

Matteo Morgan just wants to be left alone. He’s loved and lost and has zero interest in ever doing that again. Which is why it makes no sense that The Serendipity’s magical newspaper has decided to turn him into an unwilling Cupid. Matchmaking is hardly in his wheelhouse.

And yet, for the last three years, that’s exactly what he’s done. And he’s always done it alone.

Until now.

When the newspaper pulls his bubbly neighbor into its matchmaking schemes, Matteo has no choice but to go along with it, hoping that maybe—finally—he can pass Cupid’s bow and arrow on to her.

Thrown together by fate, they must navigate the newspaper’s increasingly absurd demands while trying to resist the undeniable spark between them.

Will Iris melt the ice around Matteo’s heart and embrace the magic? Or will Matteo scare her off with his grumpy demeanor and ruin any chance of happiness? In a building where anything is possible, Iris and Matteo might just find that the greatest magic of all is finding love when they least expect it.

The Cupid Chronicles is a standalone book in the Only Magic in the Building series. These closed door, whimsical romance books are all set in the same historic building, which has a habit of playing matchmaker with its residents. There are light magical elements, but no spells, shifters, or dark magic of any kind.