The Unwritten Rules of Magic - by Harper Ross (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Emerson Clarke can't remember a time when she felt in control. Her father--a celebrated author--was a chaotic force until he got Alzheimer's. Her mother turned to gin. And recently, her teen daughter has shut her out without explanation. If only she could arrange reality the same way she controls the stories she ghostwrites, life could be perfect. Or so she thinks. After her father's funeral, Emerson steals his vintage typewriter--the one he'd forbidden anyone to touch--and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. When it comes true the very next day, she tries another. Then, those words also spring to life. Suddenly, she becomes obsessed with using the typewriter to rewrite happiness for herself and her daughter. But the more she shapes her real-life, the more she uncovers disturbing truths about her family's history and the unexpected cost of every story-come-true. She should destroy the typewriter, yet when her daughter's secret finally emerges, Emerson is torn between paying the price for bending fate and embracing the uncertainty of an unscripted life"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

For fans of The Midnight Library and In Five Years, The Unwritten Rules of Magic is a spellbinding novel that blends magic and memory in an unforgettable journey through love, grief, and the hidden cost of perfection across three generations of women.

Emerson Clarke can't remember a time when she felt in control. Her father--a celebrated author--was a chaotic force until he got Alzheimer's. Her mother turned to gin. And recently, her teen daughter has shut her out without explanation. If only she could arrange reality the same way she controls the stories she ghostwrites, life could be perfect.

Or so she thinks.

After her father's funeral, Emerson steals his vintage typewriter--the one he'd forbidden anyone to touch--and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. When it comes true the very next day, she tries another. Then, those words also spring to life. Suddenly, she becomes obsessed with using the typewriter to rewrite happiness for herself and her daughter.

But the more she shapes her real-life, the more she uncovers disturbing truths about her family's history and the unexpected cost of every story-come-true. She should destroy the typewriter, yet when her daughter's secret finally emerges, Emerson is torn between paying the price for bending fate and embracing the uncertainty of an unscripted life.

Review Quotes

"Crisp prose, mature characters, and well-wrought emotional trials propel this introspective journey of self-discovery." --Publishers Weekly

"This debut novel is a realistic and touching family drama about acceptance, letting go, and moving forward." -- Booklist

"In The Unwritten Rules of Magic, Harper Ross taps into our deepest, and quite possibly secret, desire to control our own lives and fate through magic. At its heart this story asks us, "Should life be controlled or embraced for its uncertainties?" With vividly drawn characters and evocative imagery, The Unwritten Rules of Magic explores the cost of success, the weight of secrets, and the power of letting go. Poignant, thought-provoking, and cleverly rendered, this novel reminds us that while we can try to write what we believe is our perfect story, life often has other plans." --Patti Callahan Henry, The NYT Bestselling author The Secret Book of Flora Lea

"Is it magic or grief? A compelling page-turner about a woman trying to make sense of a world that's turned upside down. In her confident novel Harper Ross gives us a wise and wonderful book about love, grief, and the magic of hope." --Barbara O'Neal, author of The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

"Harper Ross's debut is a master class in family dynamics and my favorite kind of novel--one that's both deeply nuanced and a delightful read. With bright prose, a cast of deftly drawn characters, and a sprinkling of magic, The Unwritten Rules of Magic is a beautiful story about finding the strength to be vulnerable and the courage to embrace life's what-ifs with arms wide open." -Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books

"A rare gem of a story that shines a light on our relationship with our ambitions and desires and through that makes us dig into who we really are. Ross has a gift for delving into the most universal human failings with such honest curiosity and intelligence that the journey of these three women from three generations becomes our own. Thoughtfully crafted and filled with insight, THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF MAGIC will bend your mind and grow your heart. Highly recommend!" - Sonali Dev bestselling author of THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MIRA

"Harper Ross's THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF MAGIC is a riveting page-turner that combines a whiff of Alice Hoffman with a brilliant twist on the importance of being present and embracing life's messiness. The memorable and nuanced characters will stay with you long after the final page." --Robyn Carr, #1 NYT bestselling author

"If given the chance, who wouldn't apply a little magic to control our destinies? From the moment Emerson typed her first wish on her father's antique typewriter, I was completely captivated by The Unwritten Rules of Magic. Harper Ross's lovely prose and expertly-drawn characters had me turning the pages late into the night. I predict this poignant novel--full of secrets, moral dilemmas, and three generations of women making powerful life choices--will become a book club favorite." --Melissa Wiesner, author of The Second Chance Year

"THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF MAGIC is a spellbinding tale of love and loss, exploring how grief and secrets affect three generations of women. It begs the question: if you could bend fate to help your loved ones, would you? And at what cost? Enchanting, thought-provoking and impossible to put down, Harper Ross's debut will leave you looking for magic in everyday moments and thinking about the characters long after you turn the last page." --Ali Brady, USA Today bestselling author of Until Next Summer

"Just when you think a mystical typewriter that grants wishes would be fabulous, comes THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF MAGIC, a cautionary story about being careful for what you wish for. Brimming with reminders that family is worth fighting for, staying true to yourself is everything, and forgiveness goes a long way toward healing, Harper Ross has written a heartfelt, magical, memorable novel sure to captivate." --Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café

About the Author

HARPER ROSS has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with the dramatic story worlds in books and movies. After leaving her legal practice to raise her kids, she discovered her own creative side and began writing novels that explore friendship, family, and forgiveness. Because she also appreciates the magic in everyday life--from the spark of attraction to those serendipitous moments we all experience--you'll find a dash of that in her work too. When she's not at the keyboard, she's likely to be singing badly in her car, dancing in her kitchen, or walking her adorable dog, Mo. She's also a lucky wife and mother to a very patient and supportive family.