What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 17:10:58
20 copies available
U.S. only
We Could Be Magic
Not yet published
Expected 3 Jun 25Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 17:10:58
20 copies available
U.S. only
A swoon-worthy young adult graphic novel about a girl's summer job at a theme park from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer.
When Tabitha Laurie was growing up, a visit to Sommerland saved her belief in true love, even as her parents� marriage was falling apart. Now she’s landed her dream job at the theme park’s prestigious summer program, where she can make magical memories for other kids, guests, and superfans just like her. All she has to do is audition for one of the coveted princess roles, and soon her dreams will come true.
There’s just one problem. The heroes and heroines at Sommerland are all, well� thin. And no matter how much Tabi lives for the magic, she simply doesn't fit the park's idea of a princess.
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. . . without getting herself fired in the process.
With art by Joelle Murray, the wonder of Sommerland comes to life with charming characters and whimsical backdrops. We Could Be Magic is a perfect read for anyone looking to get swept away by a sparkly summer romance.
When Tabitha Laurie was growing up, a visit to Sommerland saved her belief in true love, even as her parents� marriage was falling apart. Now she’s landed her dream job at the theme park’s prestigious summer program, where she can make magical memories for other kids, guests, and superfans just like her. All she has to do is audition for one of the coveted princess roles, and soon her dreams will come true.
There’s just one problem. The heroes and heroines at Sommerland are all, well� thin. And no matter how much Tabi lives for the magic, she simply doesn't fit the park's idea of a princess.
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. . . without getting herself fired in the process.
With art by Joelle Murray, the wonder of Sommerland comes to life with charming characters and whimsical backdrops. We Could Be Magic is a perfect read for anyone looking to get swept away by a sparkly summer romance.
256 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2025
21 people are currently reading
19.8k people want to read
About the author
Marissa Meyer
98books129kfollowersI live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at .
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
February 27, 2025
I won a goodreads giveaway for this ARC!!
I think it's a super cute and very wholesome book! I'd highly recommend it, it was just a bit too short. I love the characters--- it's such a sweet and cute plot. The art style is so fun and colorful and really does capture the magic of the setting.
One sentence summary: Tabi is so full of excitement to finally be working at her dream summer job, but there are many different things that break her perfect dream of what working there would be like.
It’s a lovely and body-positive book� I would have loved this growing up.
I think it's a super cute and very wholesome book! I'd highly recommend it, it was just a bit too short. I love the characters--- it's such a sweet and cute plot. The art style is so fun and colorful and really does capture the magic of the setting.
One sentence summary: Tabi is so full of excitement to finally be working at her dream summer job, but there are many different things that break her perfect dream of what working there would be like.
It’s a lovely and body-positive book� I would have loved this growing up.
March 19, 2025
Okay, I loved this!! Such a cute and wholesome graphic novel with a plus size main character who finds love and goes after her dreams. For anyone who has loved Disneyland and dreamed of working there (of course, for copyright reasons this theme park has a completely different name and different princesses, but basically Disney) We Could Be Magic has a character who does just that.
Tabi has dreamed of playing her favorite princess since she was a little girl and lives for the magic of the parks. So getting into a summer employment program is a dream. Or...it starts out that way. Because the truth is that not everyone wants to be there or cares about making magic for guests, and no-one thinks a plus-size girl could play a princess. But Tabi will do whatever it takes to prove them wrong, even as she becomes a little disillusioned with parts of it.
This was exactly what I would have wanted to see as a teenager who loved going to Disney parks every few years with family, and who really could have used this kind of body-positive representation with an adorable romance. If this sounds like your thing I definitely recommend it! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Tabi has dreamed of playing her favorite princess since she was a little girl and lives for the magic of the parks. So getting into a summer employment program is a dream. Or...it starts out that way. Because the truth is that not everyone wants to be there or cares about making magic for guests, and no-one thinks a plus-size girl could play a princess. But Tabi will do whatever it takes to prove them wrong, even as she becomes a little disillusioned with parts of it.
This was exactly what I would have wanted to see as a teenager who loved going to Disney parks every few years with family, and who really could have used this kind of body-positive representation with an adorable romance. If this sounds like your thing I definitely recommend it! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
March 9, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
i’ve missed marissa meyer’s writing style, and i really enjoyed joelle murray’s art style!
this was a sweet, wholesome, and inspiring graphic novel about a fictional theme park based off of disneyland, and it was interesting to see the behind the scenes/innerworkings of the cast and characters you see throughout the park.
i really enjoyed the message meyer/murray put forth: work hard, and never let the magic of your dreams dim �
i’ve missed marissa meyer’s writing style, and i really enjoyed joelle murray’s art style!
this was a sweet, wholesome, and inspiring graphic novel about a fictional theme park based off of disneyland, and it was interesting to see the behind the scenes/innerworkings of the cast and characters you see throughout the park.
i really enjoyed the message meyer/murray put forth: work hard, and never let the magic of your dreams dim �
March 9, 2025
This is the first book I've held in my hands to read in a long time and I absolutely loved the experience! I won an ARC of this graphic novel in a ŷ giveaway. This cute tale set in a theme park was whimsical, enchanting, and had me rooting for the main character Tabi the whole time. What a sweet, feel-good, thoroughly enjoyable story! ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚
January 22, 2025
This was absolutely perfect in every way!!!!
Evoking the joy of the happiest place on Earth, Sommerland is a theme park that brings every guest magical moments and one-of-a-kind characters. Which, in turn, is why children grow up dreaming of being those characters. As adults, they reach for those nostalgic moments to bring back the memories of what made them special.
That’s exactly what happens for Tabi, who in the summer before her senior year in high school, applies to work for her dream job at Sommerland, with the hopes of becoming a character actor� a princess, to be precise. But every time she tells someone or mentions her dreams, they suggest a costumed character, with their face hidden away.
It’s definitely obvious from early on why they’re all in disbelief on why she isn’t understanding. It’s all about her weight. Which is confirmed later in the book when one of the princesses, who up until now have all been vapid and had a chip on their shoulders, tells her that she’ll never fit in the costumes.
As someone who loves a theme park, it would be so incredible if for once, there really was more representation in character actors, especially face ones. I get that we are stuck with this horrible beauty standard that we’ve grown into, but a small .001 percent of the world fits that. I’d like to see more plus size actors� but that is a tangent, which obviously fits in with the theme of the book, but is neither here nor there.
We Could Be Magic had all the magic and beauty I expect to see when thinking about the themes, but also the jaded attitudes and hate spewing from the mouths of minimum wage employees for a big corporation. It feels almost as if the author and/or illustrator has worked for D!$ney and know exactly what it’s like.
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of the book. I can’t wait to reread it when it’s released!!!
Evoking the joy of the happiest place on Earth, Sommerland is a theme park that brings every guest magical moments and one-of-a-kind characters. Which, in turn, is why children grow up dreaming of being those characters. As adults, they reach for those nostalgic moments to bring back the memories of what made them special.
That’s exactly what happens for Tabi, who in the summer before her senior year in high school, applies to work for her dream job at Sommerland, with the hopes of becoming a character actor� a princess, to be precise. But every time she tells someone or mentions her dreams, they suggest a costumed character, with their face hidden away.
It’s definitely obvious from early on why they’re all in disbelief on why she isn’t understanding. It’s all about her weight. Which is confirmed later in the book when one of the princesses, who up until now have all been vapid and had a chip on their shoulders, tells her that she’ll never fit in the costumes.
As someone who loves a theme park, it would be so incredible if for once, there really was more representation in character actors, especially face ones. I get that we are stuck with this horrible beauty standard that we’ve grown into, but a small .001 percent of the world fits that. I’d like to see more plus size actors� but that is a tangent, which obviously fits in with the theme of the book, but is neither here nor there.
We Could Be Magic had all the magic and beauty I expect to see when thinking about the themes, but also the jaded attitudes and hate spewing from the mouths of minimum wage employees for a big corporation. It feels almost as if the author and/or illustrator has worked for D!$ney and know exactly what it’s like.
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of the book. I can’t wait to reread it when it’s released!!!
March 22, 2025
I think this was super cute and I liked the representation! I know it's a graphic novel but the pacing felt soooo fast.
March 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC!
This book is SO cute and heartwarming! As a fat girl who wanted to be a part of theater, but was told I'd never have "the look" this one hit close to home. I love how confident Tabi is, and how she is willing to work hard for her dream. The romance unfolds pretty naturally and is pretty darn cute. I got a good chuckle our of all the silly little nods to and pokes at Disney.
The artwork is lovely, all soft pastels and whimsy.
I can't wait to get this book into the hands of my readers!
This book is SO cute and heartwarming! As a fat girl who wanted to be a part of theater, but was told I'd never have "the look" this one hit close to home. I love how confident Tabi is, and how she is willing to work hard for her dream. The romance unfolds pretty naturally and is pretty darn cute. I got a good chuckle our of all the silly little nods to and pokes at Disney.
The artwork is lovely, all soft pastels and whimsy.
I can't wait to get this book into the hands of my readers!
January 9, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced review copy
THIS WAS SO CUTEEEEEEEE
This is a YA graphic novel about our MC Tabi who dreams of playing a princess at her local theme park, and is dismayed when she is put at the nacho stand instead. But with the help of her new cute friend, she decides to shake things up and chase her dream anyway.
I loved everything about this, from the plus size rep to the Disneyland vibes to the cutesie little romance.
I’d say it’s good for fans of Hot Dog Girl, Pumpkinheads & just a good old time
THIS WAS SO CUTEEEEEEEE
This is a YA graphic novel about our MC Tabi who dreams of playing a princess at her local theme park, and is dismayed when she is put at the nacho stand instead. But with the help of her new cute friend, she decides to shake things up and chase her dream anyway.
I loved everything about this, from the plus size rep to the Disneyland vibes to the cutesie little romance.
I’d say it’s good for fans of Hot Dog Girl, Pumpkinheads & just a good old time
April 14, 2025
I just finished an amazing book, and despite the multitude of amazing releases yesterday, I turned to my ARCs to see what I should read next, and I was certainly not disappointed!
Tabi Laurie makes a visit to Sommerland as a child which saves her belief in true love amidst the divorce of her parents. Now she's grown up and has been selected for a Sommerland internship at this very same park. Here, she can make magical memories for other kids, guests, and superfans just like her. No matter how much Tabi lives for the Sommerland magic, she doesn't fit the park's idea of a princess. Or does she? With the support of some new friends, a new crush, and a little magic, she just might find that her happily ever after might actually be within her reach.
I am such a sucker for a good graphic novel, and the artwork for this one is very well done. It lends whimsy to such a cute story, full of dreams and magic, just as we would imagine for these characters working in the happiest and most magical places. While this is a young adult graphic novel, I certainly feel like it would be an excellent read for most any age. I grabbed a hardcover copy so my daughters and I can read it together. The ending left it open for sequels, so I certainly hope we hear more from Tabi!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and author Marissa Meyer for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Tabi Laurie makes a visit to Sommerland as a child which saves her belief in true love amidst the divorce of her parents. Now she's grown up and has been selected for a Sommerland internship at this very same park. Here, she can make magical memories for other kids, guests, and superfans just like her. No matter how much Tabi lives for the Sommerland magic, she doesn't fit the park's idea of a princess. Or does she? With the support of some new friends, a new crush, and a little magic, she just might find that her happily ever after might actually be within her reach.
I am such a sucker for a good graphic novel, and the artwork for this one is very well done. It lends whimsy to such a cute story, full of dreams and magic, just as we would imagine for these characters working in the happiest and most magical places. While this is a young adult graphic novel, I certainly feel like it would be an excellent read for most any age. I grabbed a hardcover copy so my daughters and I can read it together. The ending left it open for sequels, so I certainly hope we hear more from Tabi!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and author Marissa Meyer for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
March 12, 2025
Thanks to Feiwel & Friends for letting me read this graphic novel early. All thoughts are my own!
This graphic novel is really sweet, but it is so obviously Disney-coded. I really liked our FMC push for her dreams and help bring about some inclusivity. Her attitude and approach to conquering her dreams as adorable. Truly a lovely story with characters you cant help but root for!
I loved the art style and illustrations and color palette of this graphic novel. It was amazing!
Other than the mouse of it all, it’s cute!
This graphic novel is really sweet, but it is so obviously Disney-coded. I really liked our FMC push for her dreams and help bring about some inclusivity. Her attitude and approach to conquering her dreams as adorable. Truly a lovely story with characters you cant help but root for!
I loved the art style and illustrations and color palette of this graphic novel. It was amazing!
Other than the mouse of it all, it’s cute!
March 30, 2025
I ADORED this graphic novel!
Marissa Meyer is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to get an ARC of her newest graphic novel. There was a wonderful message of body positivity, set against the charming backdrop of a Disney-esque theme part called Sommerland. The art style was charming and cute, and Tabi was such a sweet character. I liked that she took her job seriously but always had fun with it. The art style reminded me a bit of Pumpkinheads which I also love. I would definitely recommend this gorgeous graphic novel.
Marissa Meyer is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to get an ARC of her newest graphic novel. There was a wonderful message of body positivity, set against the charming backdrop of a Disney-esque theme part called Sommerland. The art style was charming and cute, and Tabi was such a sweet character. I liked that she took her job seriously but always had fun with it. The art style reminded me a bit of Pumpkinheads which I also love. I would definitely recommend this gorgeous graphic novel.
March 7, 2025
Magical, whimsical, just plain fun! I absolutely LOVED this YA graphic novel about a plus size teen of color who dreams of working a Disneyland Park-like amusement park as one of the Princesses and doesn't give up until she makes her dream come true! There's magic, romance, friendship and great messages about body positivity and diversity! HIGHLY recommended especially for fans of books like Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell or Love at full tilt by Jenny L. Howe. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
April 14, 2025
- Thank you netgalley for this graphic enovel arc. As a theme park girlie, I’m obligated to read this.
- Super cute, the author has DEFINITELY worked for the mouse, or heard the nitty gritty of how it works because the details were spot on
- A bit short, but a fun sugary sweet story. A total joy to read.
- Super cute, the author has DEFINITELY worked for the mouse, or heard the nitty gritty of how it works because the details were spot on
- A bit short, but a fun sugary sweet story. A total joy to read.
Want to read
March 11, 2025Just got approved for the ARC!! I’m so excited <3
April 9, 2025
This was such a wholesome story that just left me feeling so happy! I devoured this book with a smile on my face the entire time. Tabi is a wonderfully relatable character, and I loved her story. From the plot to the art, I found myself practically saying "awww" out loud. I loved all of the little details, like the hidden kitties, and not pointing with one finger (things that felt like an obvious nod to a real life mouse-run kingdom). I would be first in line if there were more books like this one -is it too much to hope for a series!?! I need to revisit Sommerland ASAP.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is one I will be purchasing.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is one I will be purchasing.
February 20, 2025
Thank you for the ARC! I really loved this book, as I had a very similar experience at a certain “theme park,� except without the happy ending. I couldn’t put this graphic novel down. It was so sweet and fulfilling! Always make magic!
March 21, 2025
I love Marissa Meyer, but I was a little reluctant to read this one, both because it was a graphic and because I feared that it would be about discrimination (and it was, but not in the way I thought it would be). I was delighted by the story. I grew up as a big Disney Fan, and dreamt of working at Disney World, and the behind-the-scenes setting at a theme park was the stuff I dreamed of as a girl. I read the ARC (thanks, NetGalley!) as a test to see if I should buy it for my middle school, and I will order it. It has a very sweet romance, both good and bad characters, a very hopeful heroine, and a pastels-colored theme park based on fantasy. 5 stars!
December 6, 2024
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via NetGalley. This YA romantic graphic novel has Tabitha wants nothing else but to work at the theme park Sommerland. Her goal is to get a character role, hopefully as a princess. Through strong work and determination, she truly believes this will happen. Tabitha wants nothing more than for other people to be immersed in the magic of Sommerland. However, many of her co-workers don’t have the same goals and don’t see her as the ideal princess. Tabi does meet James who shares her passion for Sommerland.
While the theme park is based off its own fantasy stories with its own creator Winda Sommers, there are definitely nods to Disney. The art style and cute characters were engrossing, the story felt magical, I just had a different hope for the ending. Very readable.
While the theme park is based off its own fantasy stories with its own creator Winda Sommers, there are definitely nods to Disney. The art style and cute characters were engrossing, the story felt magical, I just had a different hope for the ending. Very readable.
Read
January 21, 2025I feel pretty confident Marissa Meyer has not done a disney college program. Or worked for Disney. This touched on a couple of realities, but while the sentiment is lovely, I kind of want to shelve it as fantasy instead of realistic fiction. Someday, Disney (and the world) might be ready for a fat princess, but that day is far away from today. And having a traditionally skinny princess portrayed by a fat actor? The public response wouldn't be the roses and smiles that are featured here. I still can't get over the still-present uproar over the fantastic Halle Bailey as Ariel. People continue to be nasty about it when visiting Disney today.
The story is cute, but this likely wasn't the right day for me to read a book about these types of dreams, no matter how small the wishes might seem in the grand scheme of things. Ah well.
The story is cute, but this likely wasn't the right day for me to read a book about these types of dreams, no matter how small the wishes might seem in the grand scheme of things. Ah well.
April 17, 2025
*3 Stars*
Summary: A super cute amusement park romance that wears too thick rose-tinted glasses without enough substance.
Overall, I’m bummed I didn’t enjoy this one more. I’m not the biggest fan of the art style (more so of the desaturated and pastel/cool-toned color palettes) so that didn’t help, but my real gripes were with the content and story arcs themselves. More about what I did and didn’t like below.
Things I Liked:
- The Setting: I don’t think I’ve ever read anything from the perspective of/set in the behind-the-scenes of an amusement park like Disneyland. It was super unique and made for interesting scenarios and a setting for the story.
- The Romance: For the most part, I enjoyed both characters in the romance and thought their development was believable and super sweet. That’s not to say it didn’t have its faults, but I was never rooting against them! I’m sure I would’ve loved them even more in novel format. What bothered me the most was that they never once spoke about their lives outside of the park. I don’t feel like I know who the love interest is at all outside of his job. (Also, what’s his age? He’s one year out of HS, so 18/19, right? And she’s a junior, so 16/17�.???).
Things I Didn’t Like:
- Let me start with the main thing, because it’s what really took me out of the story. The amusement park in this is very blatantly meant to be a version of Disneyland, even down to the creator/owner living in the park. Now that’s totally fine, because, you know, copyright reasons. But the fact is that this fictional park is based in reality.
On Tabi’s first day, she’s bombarded by people complaining about what it’s actually like to work there (terrible conditions; boiling weather; rotten children; disrespectful adults, etc). Tabi is confused because she thinks the park is the literal happiest place on earth, so why should they complain? And then her views are backed up when the love interest enters and complains that the employees complaining are full of themselves and ungrateful that they get to work in such a magical place. Um, hello? Now, maybe it’s because I know a lot of the hidden stories behind the glitz and glam, from social media and from classes on the history of Disneyland, but I think employees are allowed to complain about terrible working conditions. I thought maybe that’s where Tabi’s general arc was going, that she would learn that her dreams (more about them later) weren’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s good to learn that. And her resolving to make the magic where she can despite the lack of perfection behind the scenes would have made a much more interesting arc. The way this story came across, we should all be praising these parks and getting annoyed when the employees don’t uphold the same beliefs. Glorifying the parks was just uncomfortable to read imo. And it never felt like Tabi was proven wrong.
- In the same vein as the above ^ � Maybe this is because the blurb spoiled the inner conflict, but how in the world does it take Tabi nearly the whole story to realize why everyone’s being so backhanded when they insist she can’t be cast as a character princess? She claims that this is her childhood, life-long dream, yet she is woefully unprepared for the auditions and doesn’t realize that in a park where “the authenticity of our characters is something [they] highly value,� none of the princesses are curvy or plus sized? How did this never dawn on her? And why wasn’t anyone being straight up with her about it at all? It’s like they were all dancing around the topic.
- The Deus Ex Machina Ending: No spoilers, but yeah. They were very convenient and unrealistic circumstances to get Tabi where she was for the finale. Also, when asked her name in a situation where she believes she’s getting fired, she has the nerve to stay in character as a princess instead of giving her real name lolllll
- Small Details: The blurb talked about how she’d be doing this with friends and a new crush, but she only ever had the new crush and one catty roommate who’s suddenly nice in the end. Also, the love interest plays a prince at one point who was drawn to be Asian throughout the rest of the book. They care so much about character authenticity, then let the non-Asian, lighter haired love interest be the prince with no talk of how that might appear? Also, they definitely pressured him into doing something he could’ve seriously gotten fired over.
- Another Small Detail: LI gives Tabi a penny for a wishing well. She says, “I can afford my own wishes,� before handing the penny back. Lol what
That being said, the overall summer and amusement park vibe was fun to read, but the story just didn’t take its own concepts and themes far enough.
Summary: A super cute amusement park romance that wears too thick rose-tinted glasses without enough substance.
Overall, I’m bummed I didn’t enjoy this one more. I’m not the biggest fan of the art style (more so of the desaturated and pastel/cool-toned color palettes) so that didn’t help, but my real gripes were with the content and story arcs themselves. More about what I did and didn’t like below.
Things I Liked:
- The Setting: I don’t think I’ve ever read anything from the perspective of/set in the behind-the-scenes of an amusement park like Disneyland. It was super unique and made for interesting scenarios and a setting for the story.
- The Romance: For the most part, I enjoyed both characters in the romance and thought their development was believable and super sweet. That’s not to say it didn’t have its faults, but I was never rooting against them! I’m sure I would’ve loved them even more in novel format. What bothered me the most was that they never once spoke about their lives outside of the park. I don’t feel like I know who the love interest is at all outside of his job. (Also, what’s his age? He’s one year out of HS, so 18/19, right? And she’s a junior, so 16/17�.???).
Things I Didn’t Like:
- Let me start with the main thing, because it’s what really took me out of the story. The amusement park in this is very blatantly meant to be a version of Disneyland, even down to the creator/owner living in the park. Now that’s totally fine, because, you know, copyright reasons. But the fact is that this fictional park is based in reality.
On Tabi’s first day, she’s bombarded by people complaining about what it’s actually like to work there (terrible conditions; boiling weather; rotten children; disrespectful adults, etc). Tabi is confused because she thinks the park is the literal happiest place on earth, so why should they complain? And then her views are backed up when the love interest enters and complains that the employees complaining are full of themselves and ungrateful that they get to work in such a magical place. Um, hello? Now, maybe it’s because I know a lot of the hidden stories behind the glitz and glam, from social media and from classes on the history of Disneyland, but I think employees are allowed to complain about terrible working conditions. I thought maybe that’s where Tabi’s general arc was going, that she would learn that her dreams (more about them later) weren’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s good to learn that. And her resolving to make the magic where she can despite the lack of perfection behind the scenes would have made a much more interesting arc. The way this story came across, we should all be praising these parks and getting annoyed when the employees don’t uphold the same beliefs. Glorifying the parks was just uncomfortable to read imo. And it never felt like Tabi was proven wrong.
- In the same vein as the above ^ � Maybe this is because the blurb spoiled the inner conflict, but how in the world does it take Tabi nearly the whole story to realize why everyone’s being so backhanded when they insist she can’t be cast as a character princess? She claims that this is her childhood, life-long dream, yet she is woefully unprepared for the auditions and doesn’t realize that in a park where “the authenticity of our characters is something [they] highly value,� none of the princesses are curvy or plus sized? How did this never dawn on her? And why wasn’t anyone being straight up with her about it at all? It’s like they were all dancing around the topic.
- The Deus Ex Machina Ending: No spoilers, but yeah. They were very convenient and unrealistic circumstances to get Tabi where she was for the finale. Also, when asked her name in a situation where she believes she’s getting fired, she has the nerve to stay in character as a princess instead of giving her real name lolllll
- Small Details: The blurb talked about how she’d be doing this with friends and a new crush, but she only ever had the new crush and one catty roommate who’s suddenly nice in the end. Also, the love interest plays a prince at one point who was drawn to be Asian throughout the rest of the book. They care so much about character authenticity, then let the non-Asian, lighter haired love interest be the prince with no talk of how that might appear? Also, they definitely pressured him into doing something he could’ve seriously gotten fired over.
- Another Small Detail: LI gives Tabi a penny for a wishing well. She says, “I can afford my own wishes,� before handing the penny back. Lol what
That being said, the overall summer and amusement park vibe was fun to read, but the story just didn’t take its own concepts and themes far enough.
March 12, 2025
Pardon me, while I loudly sob the happiest of tears.
"Sommerland may have many important rules, but they can all be broken in the name of magic."
*insert gif of Pedro Pascal sobbing here*
Thank you, Netgalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group ad Feiwel & Friends for the ARC to review. Marissa Meyer, girl, you've done it to me again! There has never been a time where you fail to make me cry--thankfully, this time it is the happy tears raining down my cheeks.
Tabi is a character many of us can see ourselves in--she may not fit the mold of the standard of beauty, but is beautiful, courageous and determined in a way that makes her so much more and better than the standard. Many fat girls have had the dream of being a princess, only to be told they're just not right for the role. Visibility, especially now, is so important. People, especially children, need to be able to see themselves in characters; to know that someone like them can be, in this case, a princess. Tabi never gives up, knows her worth (despite protestations from the saboteurs around her) and gets to be everything she wanted to be in the end. Love that so much for her. I loved the camaraderie around her, and it's okay that it took some people a little longer to support (no, really, it is okay.)
A note of praise also needs to be given to Joelle Murray for her art. It was so beautiful! The character drawings have so much personality and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. It really felt like being Disneyland-adjacent and felt truly magical (just maybe better, but that is my opinion!) The pairing of Marissa's writing with Joelle's art brings the story together so perfectly that I am just going to have get myself a personal copy to marvel at it every once and a while.
"Dreams come true here. If that isn't magic, then what is?"
For fans of: Pumpkinhead by Rainbow Rowell
"Sommerland may have many important rules, but they can all be broken in the name of magic."
Thank you, Netgalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group ad Feiwel & Friends for the ARC to review. Marissa Meyer, girl, you've done it to me again! There has never been a time where you fail to make me cry--thankfully, this time it is the happy tears raining down my cheeks.
Tabi is a character many of us can see ourselves in--she may not fit the mold of the standard of beauty, but is beautiful, courageous and determined in a way that makes her so much more and better than the standard. Many fat girls have had the dream of being a princess, only to be told they're just not right for the role. Visibility, especially now, is so important. People, especially children, need to be able to see themselves in characters; to know that someone like them can be, in this case, a princess. Tabi never gives up, knows her worth (despite protestations from the saboteurs around her) and gets to be everything she wanted to be in the end. Love that so much for her. I loved the camaraderie around her, and it's okay that it took some people a little longer to support (no, really, it is okay.)
A note of praise also needs to be given to Joelle Murray for her art. It was so beautiful! The character drawings have so much personality and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. It really felt like being Disneyland-adjacent and felt truly magical (just maybe better, but that is my opinion!) The pairing of Marissa's writing with Joelle's art brings the story together so perfectly that I am just going to have get myself a personal copy to marvel at it every once and a while.
"Dreams come true here. If that isn't magic, then what is?"
For fans of: Pumpkinhead by Rainbow Rowell
April 25, 2025
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Releasing on June 3rd, 2025!
Marissa Meyer is an auto-buy author for me ever since I read and fell in love with her series The Lunar Chronicles. I was so excited to see that she was releasing a graphic novel this year, even though I knew nothing about it.
In this graphic novel we are following Tabi as she navigates her new summer job at the theme park Sommerland. Her dream is to be a character actor as a princess, but no matter how much magic and passion Tabi has, she doesn’t fit the park's idea of a princess. With the support of new friends, a new crush, and her own magic, she is going to devise her own happily ever after.
I had such a fun time with this graphic novel. I love that Sommerland is essentially a fictional version of Disney World. I’m not sure how accurate the “behind the scenes making the park magic happen� are, but I love seeing things like that.
I love that Tabi works so hard for what she wants. She’s determined to practice and get it right and I love seeing that motivation. I love how much James believed in her, even though we didn’t see him much in the first half of the graphic novel. The budding friendship to lovers trope in this YA was done so well. I really liked James as a character and how much he believed in the power of Sommerland magic, even when he saw the things he didn’t like. Even Kyra came around to me by the end of this.
Overall, I loved this one. I am so excited for this graphic novel to be out in the world. Five stars! I will definitely be preordering!
Releasing on June 3rd, 2025!
Marissa Meyer is an auto-buy author for me ever since I read and fell in love with her series The Lunar Chronicles. I was so excited to see that she was releasing a graphic novel this year, even though I knew nothing about it.
In this graphic novel we are following Tabi as she navigates her new summer job at the theme park Sommerland. Her dream is to be a character actor as a princess, but no matter how much magic and passion Tabi has, she doesn’t fit the park's idea of a princess. With the support of new friends, a new crush, and her own magic, she is going to devise her own happily ever after.
I had such a fun time with this graphic novel. I love that Sommerland is essentially a fictional version of Disney World. I’m not sure how accurate the “behind the scenes making the park magic happen� are, but I love seeing things like that.
I love that Tabi works so hard for what she wants. She’s determined to practice and get it right and I love seeing that motivation. I love how much James believed in her, even though we didn’t see him much in the first half of the graphic novel. The budding friendship to lovers trope in this YA was done so well. I really liked James as a character and how much he believed in the power of Sommerland magic, even when he saw the things he didn’t like. Even Kyra came around to me by the end of this.
Overall, I loved this one. I am so excited for this graphic novel to be out in the world. Five stars! I will definitely be preordering!
April 5, 2025
Attracted to the fun and colorful cover, I dove into this cute slice of life graphic novel. With Marissa Meyer penning the story and Joelle Murray providing the artwork, this story was a breath of fresh air that dreams can come true if you work for it and really want it.
Tabitha has been a long time fan of Sommerland (a lawyer friendly version of Disneyland, which Marissa Meyer is a frequent visitor of) and their princesses, and she finally gets to work at her favorite park for a summer internship. However, achieving her greatest dream isn’t as easy as it looks. Tabitha was a great character and was didn’t give up, keeping an upbeat mood throughout the adventure. I like that Tabitha’s size wasn’t used as a point of trauma or pain. The romance she has is cute and adorable! It’s obvious that Meyer is a big fan of Disney Parks with a lot of shoutouts and references translated to a more Sommerland version of them. There’s some great messages of achieving your dreams no matter what you look like.
The artwork was expressive and colorful and had a Disneyland feel to it. It showed off a lot of cute things that a regular prose novel wouldn’t have been able to display, including some of the Disney Parks shoutouts!
A very fun and colorful adventure that fans of Meyer will adore, as well as Disneyland fans and those that want to go for your dreams!
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends. All opinions are my own.*
Tabitha has been a long time fan of Sommerland (a lawyer friendly version of Disneyland, which Marissa Meyer is a frequent visitor of) and their princesses, and she finally gets to work at her favorite park for a summer internship. However, achieving her greatest dream isn’t as easy as it looks. Tabitha was a great character and was didn’t give up, keeping an upbeat mood throughout the adventure. I like that Tabitha’s size wasn’t used as a point of trauma or pain. The romance she has is cute and adorable! It’s obvious that Meyer is a big fan of Disney Parks with a lot of shoutouts and references translated to a more Sommerland version of them. There’s some great messages of achieving your dreams no matter what you look like.
The artwork was expressive and colorful and had a Disneyland feel to it. It showed off a lot of cute things that a regular prose novel wouldn’t have been able to display, including some of the Disney Parks shoutouts!
A very fun and colorful adventure that fans of Meyer will adore, as well as Disneyland fans and those that want to go for your dreams!
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends. All opinions are my own.*
March 13, 2025
SO CUTE. give me all the fat princesses.
Tabi has dreamt of working as a character actor at Sommerland for basically forever. She believes in the magic and true love of the park and can't wait to help folks find that magic. But when she gets there for her summer job, a job at the nacho stand isn't what she had in mind.
It becomes fairly clear that Tabi doesn't look the way that Sommerland wants its characters to look and Tabi really is trying to find a way through to still give people the magic she knows exist.
With a new crush and a new friend, will she be able to change hearts and minds?!
Also, the artwork in this is STUNNING. there's so much detail that it's truly remarkable and you want to spend a few minutes on each page finding all the little details.
Side note, the level of feral I would be for a canonically fat Disney princess would be off the charts. I feel like as we're slowly, so slowly, getting more representation within Disney movies, fatness is not something people are willing to embrace. It's honestly really heartbreaking and I genuinely hope that we can experience a future where fat people are allowed to be wherever they want to be, princesses and all.
Tabi has dreamt of working as a character actor at Sommerland for basically forever. She believes in the magic and true love of the park and can't wait to help folks find that magic. But when she gets there for her summer job, a job at the nacho stand isn't what she had in mind.
It becomes fairly clear that Tabi doesn't look the way that Sommerland wants its characters to look and Tabi really is trying to find a way through to still give people the magic she knows exist.
With a new crush and a new friend, will she be able to change hearts and minds?!
Also, the artwork in this is STUNNING. there's so much detail that it's truly remarkable and you want to spend a few minutes on each page finding all the little details.
Side note, the level of feral I would be for a canonically fat Disney princess would be off the charts. I feel like as we're slowly, so slowly, getting more representation within Disney movies, fatness is not something people are willing to embrace. It's honestly really heartbreaking and I genuinely hope that we can experience a future where fat people are allowed to be wherever they want to be, princesses and all.
March 22, 2025
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this Arc!
Marissa Meyer does it again! I love Marissa Meyer and this graphic novel was so cute. As someone who loves Disney and did the DCP, this graphic novel was definitely relatable. I really liked the main character and like the messages around her character. She had big dreams and worked hard for those dreams, but also had to readjust the idealistic view she had of her life in Summerland. It was nice to see a character work through the reality of what her dreams look like. And not to mention, the romance was so sweet! Obviously with it being a graphic novel, the story is shorter and it can be difficult to develop a story, especially a relationship, in a graphic novel format. I felt like Marissa Meyer did a fantastic job with that. Even though it was short, I still felt like the relationship was believable and made sense. And she was able to pace it in a way that felt like the natural progression of a relationship.
Overall, the graphic novel was really cute and I would highly recommend it, especially for people who are fans of Marissa Meyer or Disney.
Marissa Meyer does it again! I love Marissa Meyer and this graphic novel was so cute. As someone who loves Disney and did the DCP, this graphic novel was definitely relatable. I really liked the main character and like the messages around her character. She had big dreams and worked hard for those dreams, but also had to readjust the idealistic view she had of her life in Summerland. It was nice to see a character work through the reality of what her dreams look like. And not to mention, the romance was so sweet! Obviously with it being a graphic novel, the story is shorter and it can be difficult to develop a story, especially a relationship, in a graphic novel format. I felt like Marissa Meyer did a fantastic job with that. Even though it was short, I still felt like the relationship was believable and made sense. And she was able to pace it in a way that felt like the natural progression of a relationship.
Overall, the graphic novel was really cute and I would highly recommend it, especially for people who are fans of Marissa Meyer or Disney.
April 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
This graphic novel was so sweet. While it of course had a happily-ever-after, it had so many great themes and plot lines along the way. Growing up, I loved Raina Telgemeier and this was easily comparable. I really liked that the story was centered around someone who works at a place similar to Disneyworld who realizes that at first, it isn’t as glamorous as she’d expected. I think this is a reality that many people face when doing something like the Disney College Program so it was really nice seeing this represented. I also liked how persistent the main character was. She didn’t give up on her dreams after the few curveballs she was thrown. There are so many things in this book that young people can relate to. It was a quick and cute read that I really enjoyed and think many people will too come publication day.
All opinions are my own.
This graphic novel was so sweet. While it of course had a happily-ever-after, it had so many great themes and plot lines along the way. Growing up, I loved Raina Telgemeier and this was easily comparable. I really liked that the story was centered around someone who works at a place similar to Disneyworld who realizes that at first, it isn’t as glamorous as she’d expected. I think this is a reality that many people face when doing something like the Disney College Program so it was really nice seeing this represented. I also liked how persistent the main character was. She didn’t give up on her dreams after the few curveballs she was thrown. There are so many things in this book that young people can relate to. It was a quick and cute read that I really enjoyed and think many people will too come publication day.
All opinions are my own.
January 29, 2025
I enjoy this so much!!!
What I like from this book:
- The artstyle!! The colour palette?! Very eye-pleasing
- James. Must protect at all cost. I love James and Tabi dynamic is warm, and supportive🌸
- Tabi 🩷🩷🩷 our FMC. She worked so hard and so deserved to earn the magical things floored in this book. The ups and downs. The never give up!!! And as a curvy myself, I feel seen, and appreciated and it feels nice to make magic with this kind of body 🫶🏾
- Loving how the plot centred around Tabi's struggles yet her determination to reach her dream. And what she got in the end exceeding my expectations.
Read if you like:
- light magical summer romance revolving wonderland and princess and kitty!!!
- graphic novel to be read in one sitting
- Strong determined FMC
- Loveable couples
Thanks for the arc in exchange for honest review �
What I like from this book:
- The artstyle!! The colour palette?! Very eye-pleasing
- James. Must protect at all cost. I love James and Tabi dynamic is warm, and supportive🌸
- Tabi 🩷🩷🩷 our FMC. She worked so hard and so deserved to earn the magical things floored in this book. The ups and downs. The never give up!!! And as a curvy myself, I feel seen, and appreciated and it feels nice to make magic with this kind of body 🫶🏾
- Loving how the plot centred around Tabi's struggles yet her determination to reach her dream. And what she got in the end exceeding my expectations.
Read if you like:
- light magical summer romance revolving wonderland and princess and kitty!!!
- graphic novel to be read in one sitting
- Strong determined FMC
- Loveable couples
Thanks for the arc in exchange for honest review �
February 27, 2025
***I received a free eARC of this book from Macmillan through Netgalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.***
This is an absolutely magical graphic novel set in a Disney World-esque theme park where a girl dreams of being a princess cast member at the park after being inspired by the love and wonder as a child immediately after her parents' divorce. The passion she has is so infectious, and it was so beautiful to follow her story. The love story was also extremely cute, and I can't wait to recommend this to teens.
This is an absolutely magical graphic novel set in a Disney World-esque theme park where a girl dreams of being a princess cast member at the park after being inspired by the love and wonder as a child immediately after her parents' divorce. The passion she has is so infectious, and it was so beautiful to follow her story. The love story was also extremely cute, and I can't wait to recommend this to teens.
March 12, 2025
Such a magical graphic novel. Obviously inspired by Disneyland and the Disney College Program, it's a super cute story about falling in love and finding yourself and (haha) making magic. I loved the story and I really loved the art. The art was colorful and emotive and just really a joy to look at. That paired with Marissa Meyer's brand of romance? Perfection.
(I received an early copy for review.)
(I received an early copy for review.)
March 16, 2025
-There aren't any princesses who look like me.
-No, there aren't. But maybe there should be.
Perfectly encapsulates how ceaseless passion for something can be such a driving and inspirational force in your life. Tabi's a dreamer and her infectious energy automatically has you rooting for her. Thoughtful commentary on many types of representation, as well. The romance subplot had me grinning like a fool. I would love more of this universe, especially given how divine the art style is.
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the arc!
-No, there aren't. But maybe there should be.
Perfectly encapsulates how ceaseless passion for something can be such a driving and inspirational force in your life. Tabi's a dreamer and her infectious energy automatically has you rooting for her. Thoughtful commentary on many types of representation, as well. The romance subplot had me grinning like a fool. I would love more of this universe, especially given how divine the art style is.
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the arc!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.