Cute and sweet! I liked the way they weren’t explicitly mean about the fatphobia but it was obvious in everything that went unsaid. This was beautiful drawn. I loved that this world had so many diverse royals! I also liked that the park owner was alive, well, and still creating new stories. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Disney, romance, fairy tales, or plain old YA romances. Tabi was a delightful protagonist and I loved her never-give-up spirit! She refused to let anything keep her down long.

Having known someone who worked at D*sney, I felt very in with this landscape. I knew a lot of the backstage lore already and although the references were often subtle, I really liked the ways it poked fun at the big D. It was smart and clever without dragging it too harshly (Definitely deserves worse criticism but that’s not for this book). I especially appreciated how Tabi called out her coworkers for their cynical downtrodden way of complaining about the park.

This graphic novel was such a cute love letter to theme parks like disneyworld and how to be true to yourself. It had important themes like body image and fat shaming that alot of teens go through in their daily lives. The romance between the characters was also really cute. The ending had me all teary eyed and made me miss disneyland.

Anyone familiar with Disney will be able to tell that We Could Be Magic is set in a Disney-esque theme park. I definitely saw a bunch of references to stuff that I've heard Disney employees mention on fun facts about the parks and interviews and what not so that was kind of cute and fun to see. For example, throwing in the tutorial that every employee, even characters in costume, are meant to help keep the park clean by picking up trash but that there's a certain way to do it.

I also really liked that this wasn't just your basic "find summer love in a theme park job" type of story but that there was also the added element of Tabitha's determination to get a character role even though she was heavier than said character was in their movie. The whole concept of keeping things the exact same was put to the test when Tabitha not only proved that she could do the role but had to in a last minute moment.

I also liked how even though it was a short graphic novel that it took the time to really show the evolution of the characters and how they grew over the summer. I really liked Tabitha's interactions with her roommate and the two guys she was interested in.

Overall I very much enjoyed the book and though it was very sweet and fun.

We Could Be Magic follows Tabi Laurie, a die-hard theme park fan who lands her dream summer job at Sommerland, only to discover that their idea of a “perfect princess” doesn’t include someone who looks like her. Reassigned to a nacho stand instead of a royal role, Tabi must find her voice, lean on new friends (and a sweet new crush), and create her own kind of magic to rewrite the fairy tale on her terms.

This story gave me all the warm-and-fuzzy feelings I was hoping for. In such an approachable and heartfelt way, Meyer explores the toxic side of princess culture and the unrealistic beauty standards that are often pushed by peers and institutions. At its core, it’s about doing the work to feel secure in who you are and embracing what you’re capable of.

I absolutely adored Tabi and James. Watching their relationship grow was such a joy. It was everything I hoped for—sweet, supportive, and sincere. James, in particular, stood out with how confident he is in himself and how deeply he supports Tabi.

And I can’t forget the artwork by Joelle Murray. The illustrations were gorgeous, detailed, and perfectly matched the story’s tone. I especially loved how much representation and diversity were included throughout, even in the background characters. It made the whole world feel rich and real.

This book was absolutely precious, and I loved almost every minute of it. It was like a huge Disney hug. However, the very end rubbed me a teeny bit the wrong way, and I would hope that plus size teens reading this know that they can dress like whoever they want, regardless of body size. They don't need a special fat character made just for them.

Tabitha is so sweet. I love how she just gets going when she figures out what she wants and how to get it. And I was also a little frustrated that she struggled to ask for help or to acknowledge out loud that the place was upholding very limiting beauty standards that specifically excluded her. Because she didn't look how they imagined a princess would. Tabitha keeps preparing for the next audition though. Along the way, friendships are formed along with a little romance, of course.

The graphic novel is completely captivating and the bts view into what it might be like to work at a place like Disney or any theme park that has characters and role play teams that come each season.

If you really love Disney and/or Disney Land then this is absolutely the book for you. It was cute and sweet, and the ending absolutely got me. That said, if Disney isn't a big thing for you, or like me you liked the movies as a kid but feel a little more neutral about the company now, "We Could Be Magic" is an okay story with some fun characters. As a coming of age YA graphic novel, it does its job and would be a great read for a teen looking for a fun summer story with a romance element.

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a princess, We Could Be Magic is the graphic novel for you! Tabitha has always longed to work at Somerland, the ultimate fairytale theme park—and when her dream finally comes true, it’s everything she imagined… almost. While she brings boundless energy and heart to the role, there’s one obstacle she didn’t expect: fitting in (literally) among the other performers.

What follows is a sweet, inspiring story about chasing your dreams, standing out by being yourself, and working hard to shine in your own way. Tabitha’s journey is filled with magical moments, a dash of drama, and maybe even a little romance along the way.

The graphics are vibrant and charming, perfectly capturing the spirit of Somerland and the sparkle of Tabitha’s world. It’s a feel-good read with a great message, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

Final thoughts: Colorful, charming, and confidence-boosting. A magical pick-me-up with heart!

3.5/5!!! this was sooooo cute awh! i usually do not read graphic novels but i made an exception for Marissa Meyer hehe. such an adorable little book.

I really enjoyed the comic! It’s a quick read, the story pulls you in, and the characters quickly grow on you—especially James and Tabitha! I also liked the artwork and how the colors captured the magic. Still, it felt a bit too short, and I wish the story had more time to develop. That’s why I hope a sequel is coming. Though I wouldn’t complain if Marissa Meyer decided to write a novel about Sommerland either—I’m sure it would be a great read!

I absolutely adored reading Marissa Meyer's We Could Be Magic! From the very first page, it brought such a profound sense of joy and wonder that I found myself completely lost in its enchanting world. Meyer truly outdid herself with the magical touches woven throughout the narrative.

Every turn of the page felt like stepping into a fantastical realm, and the sheer creativity and charm of the story gave me a delightful "Disney World" feel. It's the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you've finished the last chapter, brimming with the warmth of a truly magical experience. A definite must-read for anyone who loves a touch of enchantment in their stories!

I could see how people who love D*sney would love this for the *magic* this book creates, but as someone who doesn't really care about that, the behind the scenes of working at an amusement park were easily one of my favorite parts of this story. Fresh out of high school I worked at a local amusement park as a costume character and I really enjoyed seeing that super niche job I had in a book! There's a special something about doing that job (even if it's not in a huge park) that people genuienly don't understand but this book got it spot on. Marissa Meyer never leads me astray and Joelle Murray's art worked perfectly with this story! This was a super quick and cute graphic novel that had a super well flushed out story and characters that were 3D.

I adore this graphic novel! It’s been a long time since a book made me cry, this one in a good way! Myers perfectly captures the joy of loving and particularly magical franchise, as well as the pain of feeling excluded from said franchise due to not fitting narrow beauty standards. The book follows Tabatha, who has always loved Sommerland and the princesses therein. She dreams of being a face character, playing a princess at the park and bringing magic to park guests. She overcomes various challenges on the road to achieving her dream, making unlikely friends and allies along the way. A true heroes quest, we could be magic as a beautiful story of hope, perseverance, and making the world a better place. The novel is beautifully illustrated with several surprising twists along the way. I will be getting a copy for my classroom library!

We Could Be Magic is a graphic novel that tells the story of Tabitha, a girl who has dreamed about working at the Sommerland theme park her entire life. When she finally gets the job, things aren’t all that she dreamed they would be.

This book offers a behind the scenes look at theme park life, and is clearly inspired by Disney. Teens who are fans of Disney will love all the little details. The illustrations are simply gorgeous.

I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

✨ Review ✨ We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer

Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

A super cute YA graphic novel where Tabitha gets her dream summer internship working at Sommerland (pretty much a renamed version of our favorite American theme park). So what if she's working making weird nachos instead of acting as her favorite princess...she's not giving up hope that this can be in her future!

This book has sweet coming-of-age elements mixed with Tabitha's hard work and passion, as well as a sweet budding romance with another character. This is perfect for middle grades readers and teens!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: YA graphic novel
Setting: Sommerland, a fictional theme park
Pub Date: June 3, 2025

Read this if you like:
⭕️ Disney and theme parks
⭕️ kids movie characters
⭕️ dreams coming true

Cute graphic novel that was on the younger young adult side compared to the author's other books. This book follows girl's journey of getting her summer job.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted e-review copy. My opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Tabitha has landed her dream job at the magical theme park Sommerland, but when she is given a not-so-regal position at a nacho food stand instead, Tabi is going to need the support of new friends, a new crush, and a whole lot of magic if she’s going to devise her own happily ever after.

Read this for:
- theme park dreams
- FMC who doesn’t fit the heroine type
- making magic
- gorgeous drawings
- challenging the status quo

My thoughts: Tabi is everything that Sommerland wants in a supporting cast member, but she dreams of being more. This is an adorable tale filled with the whimsy of theme parks and the hopefulness of being a teen who still believe in true love and magic. Marissa’s writing shines with nods back to her early work with Cinder and Sailor Moon, and Joelle’s gorgeous illustrations bring the whole Sommerland world to life.

Highly recommend for those who love Disney and fairytales, and the work that goes into making magic happen for guests.

This is a fantastic story of a young woman who has always dreamed of being a princess at her favorite theme park. Not just any princess her favortie princess. So when she get's a summer internship she see this as her dreams coming another step closer. As with most dreams though she finds the steps to achieving them are not always easy, or even. But she is determined to make the most of her time. Along the way she meets a young man who loves the park as much as she does and helps her in ways she might not have realized she needed. 


This story is about keeping your dreams and finding those friends and family that will back you up and help proove to the worlds, and some times yourself, it's not about fitting the costume; it's about making the costume fit you. 


I loved this story. Growing up a big girl I can't tell you the number of times I needed a story like this in my life. But it doesn't just apply for people who are plus sized. This is a story for anyone who has ever been told they don't fit the mold. It's a story that ultimately tells the reader you don't need to fit because adjustment and new molds can always be made.


The art is gorgeous. It is vibrant and perfect for the story and the setting.  It's also really well balanced. With the theme park setting there could be SO much going on in each panel but it's prefect. Nothing ever removed me from the story and made me pause. The textures were bold and delicate all at the same time. If anyone in this world has magic for reals, it's artists and Joelle Murray is NO EXCEPTION!!! BOW before her!


This book is labled young adult, and I agree with that. You could probably pass it on to 4/5th graders at the youngest. I know I want to show it to my eldest.

This book was just the right amount of cute for something that takes place in a magical theme park. I loved Tabi's personality and the way she didn't think her weight was a problem at all until someone else told her it was. Joelle Murray's art complements this sweet and wholesome story perfectly.

Very cute and romantic! As a former Disney kid and current Disney adult, much of this story was nostalgic and relatable. My biggest issue was how clueless the main character was about a lot of things.