Member Reviews

The Magic Apartment building is up to its matchmaking ways again!

Love this best friends story! It was just so cute and cozy and had so many great scenes! These two are such great best friends and I love how they support and are just so comfortable with each other!

A great addition to the series!

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Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book.
This is the third book in the series and it did not disappoint
Sophie has missed all the signs for years about the feelings her bff Peter has had for her. She has a gardener and he's a nerdy MIT and loves legos. I really loved this story.

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Petals and Plot Twists is so much fun! This is book three of Only Magic in the Building series, but each title can also be read as a standalone book. This is my favorite Jenny Proctor book and I can't wait to try out the new-to-me authors in this series. Katie Bailey and Falon Ballard fans will enjoy this title.

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Petals and Plot Twists by Jenny Proctor follows long time friends Sophie, a gardener and landscape architect, and Peter, a data scientist and lover of LEGOs, as Sophie searches for her one true love through Operation Soulmate. With the help of Peter and a magical Love Flower, Sophie begins working her way through a list of men hoping to find her soulmate when that man might have been right in front of her the whole time. This is my first Jenny Proctor Novel and I found it to be humorous, whimsical, romantic and highly relatable. The details she uses to devote her character’s personalities, stories and relationships in this book really hit home. As a avid gardener myself, I am married to my best friend who is a lover of LEGOs and a NASCAR fan so to me of course you have to go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame when you are in Charlotte, NC haha… but it is these details that helped me as the reader get invested in the characters and truly root for their relationship.
Going into the book, I was a little skeptical of the magical Love Flower. I love both Fantasy and Romance novels… but typically I do not enjoy when aspects of fantasy enter into books set in the modern everyday world. Proctor did an excellent job of using the magical flower as a unique element to the book without making the story corny and unbelievable.
Ultimately this was a lovely friends to lovers romcom that left me smiling and feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I will highly recommend it to fans of author Sarah Adams and those readers who enjoy an emphasis on the love in the relationship with a few literal Plot Twists thrown in for excitement. Lastly I want to thank Jenny Proctor Creative for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book review will be shared via my Bookstore's Instagram Account @BooksByTheGarden, My good reads Account, My personal Facebook Account,, Amazon and B&N all today 3/24/25.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/petals-and-plot-twists-jenny-proctor/1147156015?ean=9781967500000

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHmIrgChd7I/?igsh=bDFraW81Y3MwY3Zn

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7425548792

I submitted a review under the book but I’m assuming it is under review so I am unable to copy a link to it at this time

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PETALS AND PLOT TWISTS is part of the Only Magic in the Building - multi author collaboration and was a read in one sitting, friends to lovers romance. Normally I do not gravitate towards this trope but this series calls to me and I happily became a fan for this one book. Sophie and Peter are friend goals and watching them become more made for an enjoyable read. I liked the fact that he was smitten with her from the word go and was willing to put himself on the line. All in all this was a fun read. I’m giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

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“Petals and Plot Twists” is a sweet, spring romance with a magical touch. Sophie has not seen much success of love in her family or her own life. So when a magical love flower appears in her garden, she takes her chance to use the flower to find her soulmate. (Which honestly, I would do the same!) Although, her best friend Peter has been harboring feelings for her and will not rely on a flower to foretell their relationship.

For those who love:
🌸Friends to Lovers
🌸Magical Realism
🌸Forced Proximity
🌸Dating Scheme
🌸Closed Door
🌸Connected Series

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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“Love isn’t magic. It’s an action.”

Plant-loving, rooftop gardener Sophie sees herself as side-kick material but the beautiful best friendship she shares with Peter, the nerd-next-door, is the absolute sweetest. I loved the light, magical elements that fringe this story that is all about choices and destiny, hugged with a delightfully charming friends-to-more romance.

Jenny Proctor brings these characters to life in this story. Their quirks and shortcomings are neatly balanced by a strong, solid loyalty that warmed my heart. I loved the snippets of connection with other characters in the series, but the self-discovery and connections are what really sold me. I loved every near-miss, as well as every accidental slip. These two together are harmonious and dynamic.

The mysterious flower drew me in but it was the plot twists that kept me reading.

Content: mild romance; talk of absent parents

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“Loving you isn’t work, Sophie. It’s like breathing.” 🩵🌸🪴🤓💻🛏️🩷

Thank you NetGalley and Jenny Proctor for the ARC of this delightful installment in the Only Magic in the Building series!! This is my second of the series but also my second book by Jenny, and she’s very quickly becoming one of my favorites 😍😍

When Sophie Stewart discovers a mystery flower in her rooftop garden that blooms in the presence of true love, she hatches Operation Soulmate. She has a long track record of failed dates with a “broken ick detector,” and believes this “love flower” is FINALLY the chance she’s always wanted.

Meanwhile, Sophie’s best friend, Peter Stone, is battling internally with himself on how to tell his gorgeous friend that he’s been in love with her for nearly as long as he’s known her. As feelings shift and their friendship is tested, Sophie must decide if her fate rests in the petals of a flower, or in her own heart. 🩵🩷

I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers, that’s all there is to it 🤪 I adored Sophie’s and Peter’s relationship so much. The absolute trust and adoration between the two of them was palpable, even when they needed time apart to sort out their own feelings.

I really appreciated Sophie’s journey, in understanding why she has trouble falling in love and trusting in relationships. Fun fact: I got my degree in Marriage and Family studies, and this was a topic I studied A LOT. Our backgrounds, and especially family relationships affect how we handle future romantic relationships, and Jenny portrayed that perfectly in Sophie 🩷

This is my second book set at the beloved Serendipity, and it was SO fun to revisit Willa and Archer from Emma St. Clair's book 😍😍 Someday I’ll get around to reading book #2(when it makes sense for me to have KU again lol 😅), and all the others!!

I’m having trouble remembering specifics…but suffice it to say that this book was stinkin' adorable with all the right vibes, and I can’t wait to read more from Jenny 😍😍😍

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Jenny Proctor is one of my absolute favorite authors, and just as with all of her new releases, I feel like I have a new favorite, but also how can I possibly choose a favorite (book) child!?! Part of the Only Magic in the Building multi-author series, Petals and Plot Twists is Sophie and Peter's friends-to-lovers story. Playing out one of my absolute favorite tropes, it was a slow burn, and it was such a good one! The use of forced proximity ratcheted the tension up that much more, and it made for such a satisfying resolution once feelings were finally revealed. I also loved the way the magical realism elements were woven in to develop the story. I highly recommend anything Jenny Proctor writes, and this is truly a new favorite. I also can't wait to explore more of the stories at the Serendipity!

Thank you to the author for gifting me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

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Such a cute romance! I love this magical apartment building!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

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Petals and Plot Twists by Jenny Proctor is the third book in the Only Magic in the Building Series. It is a sweet friends to lovers story with dual POV. I really enjoyed being back at the Serendipity and also seeing characters from previous books. I really liked Sophie and Peter, but found the lack of communication frustrating. But things did wrap up well and it was a really good read overall. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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I just completely adored this book! Over the last year Jenny Proctor has become an auto-buy author for me. I love her humor and she always has such great tension and chemistry and this one was no different.

I sometimes have beef with friends to lovers because I’m just so ready for them to tell each other how they feel. And while it takes a minute for these two to confess feelings, I didn’t hate it because the yearning in this one is done so well. I could feel Peter’s pain and my heart was just so achy.

I also absolutely loved the magical element in this one. If you don’t know anything about this series, The Serendipity, which is the apartment building our main characters live in, tries to match make its residents with a bit of magic. In this one, Sophie finds a flower on the rooftop garden that only blooms when a couple in love is in its presence. Since she’s always had terrible luck, she decides to use it to screen guys before she even goes on a date with them. I loved watching Sophie learn to trust her own judgement and that she didn’t need a flower to tell her how she felt.

This one was just really sweet and I adored it so much. This series has been so fun and I can’t wait to read more!

Thank you @netgalley and Jenny Proctor for the ARC!

👍🏻Read If You Like:
•friends to lovers
•magical realism
•forced proximity
•flowers and plants

🛑Content Warnings:
•parent divorce (in past)

🚪Closed Door Romance

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A love-detecting flower? Cute. Sophie missing all the signs? Classic. The Serendipity building basically playing matchmaker? Iconic.

This friends-to-lovers romance is sweeter than a bakery on Valentine’s Day, with just enough magic to keep things fun. Jenny Proctor delivers all the swoons without the spice—so if you’re here for feelings, not fireworks, you’re in the right place.

Mark your calendars, set a reminder, or write it on your forehead—just don’t forget to grab this book when it drops!”

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the arc. 💕

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Petals and Plot Twists is the third book I've read from Only Magic in the Building, and it has lived up to the high expectations the the previous novels set. Its a best friends to lovers book, and tells the story of Sophie and Peter, who are best friends but have never tried out romance together.

Favorite Moments:
- Sophie's mom's cruise experience
- The awkward Macros date
- The flower bloom
- Finding dream jobs
- The last chapter in Charolotte

Favorite Quote:
“Loving you isn't work, Sophie. It's like breathing.”

Overall, its a fantastic book. The entire series is excellent, so be sure to read all the books that take place in The Serendipity. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

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I was so excited to be approved on net galley as an ARC!! Thank you

I have read quite a few Jenny Proctor books, but this one is one of her best works! I was hooked from the beginning and it just got better as the book went along. The story follows Sophie and Peter who have been best friends since high school, but Peter always wanted more. The two characters have the sweetest relationship, and watching it build throughout the book tugs on your heart strings. The underlying theme of magic (flowers and flickering lights) are just an added bonus! If you love friends to lovers books this is the one for you!

-Friends to lovers
-Magical themes
-Whimsical series/Serendipity Springs/Only Magic in the Building
-Dorky MMC/Cinnamon roll FMC

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Okay this was the CUTEST ever 🥹 the friends to lovers 💕 on POINT. The magical realism 🌸 PERFECTION. Jenny Proctor absolutely knocked this book out of the park 💗

Sophie. After watching her parents failed marriage, Sophie struggles with letting herself fall in love ❤️‍🩹 throughout it all she’s had her best friend, Peter, to hold her together 🥺 so when a magical “love-flower” 🌸 appears that can “verify” if your soul-mates, Sophie sets out on a risk-free mission to find a man 👀 except, the Serendipity ✨(the magical apartment 🏙️) has another mission, and suddenly more than just Sophie’s heart is at stake 💗

Peter. Madly in love with his best friend 💘 Peter realizes it is now or never to make a move- Que magical kiss 💋but then a flower appears 🌸 making Sophie question everything, and making Peter worry that Sophie will never trust him enough to love him as more than a friend 🥺

This book has ALL of the feels 🥰 truly I cannot express how magical it felt reading it ✨ i loved all the little details and Sophie’s main character moment 🥳 YOU GO GIRL 👏🏻 I truly felt like I was watching a rom-com while reading this one 🥹🥰

I already know this entire series will be close to my heart 🥹 I need to go read the first two books and I cannot wait to read the rest!!

⚠️ CW: divorce ⚠️

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I will read anything that Jenny Proctor writes! She always produces such perfection and "Petals and Plot Twists" is no exception! Read if you like "friends to lovers" (but with zero spice, kisses only), some magical realism, dual POV, he falls first, and a clean romance. This is the 3rd book in an interconnected standalone series (Only Magic in the Building). I've read book one but not book two and loved this one. 4/5 stars--I received a complimentary copy from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

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I love that Sophie realized she could decide how to love and who to love despite the suggestions from other people and things. Peter and Sophie are so cute for each other and i loved the inclusion of Legos and Crossword puzzles. i too enjoy those things and hope to find someone that will enjoy them with me too!
I've been loving this series so far. its a little bit of a change from my usual reads. the lineup of authors though for this is spectacular and each one has their own writing style and it has made for a very enjoyable reading adventure.

i received a copy via netgalley and these are my honest thoughts

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Thank you netgalley and the author for my #gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really loved the idea of the love flower. How fun is a flower than only blooms in the presence of true love? It was fun to watch Sophie figure that part out. I loved the relationship between Sophie and Peter. The slow burn here was a little too much for me, but these two were definitely meant to be together!

This is book 3 in the Only Magic in the Buidling series and is out now. While this can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading at least book 1 in this series. The relationships were that much more meaningful. I haven’t yet read book 2, but I will be going back to read it and continuing to read the rest of the series!

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"Love isn’t magic, it’s an action . And we’re doing the work of loving each other.” Peter and Sophie's love story is a journey of friendship to more with struggles due to self confidence, fear of losing a beat friend, a dose of magic from the Serendipity building. Sweet and funny. Thansk to NetGalley for the ARC copy. This is my honest review

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