The Magic of Us is a heartfelt young adult coming-of-age story about first love, found family, and the courage to be seen for who you really are — set in a snow-covered town in Indiana that feels as real and comforting as home.
When a blizzard hits West Lafayette, Cody doesn’t expect his quiet shift at the café to change his life. But when he finds Jamie — cold, alone, and running from something he can’t quite name. What starts as a single act of kindness evolves into a friendship, and then something more profound. Something Cody never thought he could have.
As Christmas approaches, the boys find themselves surrounded by warmth — from Tom, the café’s gruff but kind-hearted owner, and from Cody’s family, who show Jamie what belonging can feel like. But secrets don’t stay hidden forever, and Cody soon faces the most brutal truth of all: that being honest about who you are might cost you everything… or finally set you free.
The Magic of Us is an emotional and hopeful story about love, identity, and the quiet magic of being accepted just as you are.
Why You’ll Love This Book
• Tender and True: A coming-of-age story full of hope, honesty, and heart.
• Holiday Atmosphere: Snow, cocoa, Christmas lights, and the warmth of found family.
• Authentic LGBTQ+ Representation: Characters discovering identity and love in tangible, heartfelt ways.
• Relatable YA Voice: Perfect for readers of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and They Both Die at the End.
• Hopeful Ending: Because everyone deserves their own happily ever after.
Themes: First love • Found family • Acceptance • Holiday magic • Small-town life • Courage and coming out
West Lafayette Magic Series
In the quiet heart of Indiana, the town of West Lafayette holds more than just snowy streets and small-town charm—it has magic.
Not the kind found in fairy tales, but the quiet, life-changing kind that happens when someone sees the courage to be fully themselves.
The West Lafayette Magic Series follows a group of LGBTQIA+ teenagers as they discover love, truth, and a sense of belonging in unexpected ways. From first confessions to found family, each story captures the messy, beautiful process of growing up—and the magic that comes from being seen and loved exactly as you are.
Book 1: The Magic of Us – Cody’s coming-of-age journey of courage, love, and living truthfully.
Book 2: Brent’s Magic Reckoning (Coming soon) – Brent’s story of self-discovery, acceptance, and finding his own version of happily ever after.
Heartfelt, affirming, and filled with hope, the West Lafayette Magic Series reminds readers that sometimes the most extraordinary magic is simply being real.
