I was absolutely ecstatic when I received the approval for Adrienne Young's book, as I'm a big fan of her work.
Unfortunately, my heart was squeezed with disappointment.
On one hand, I adored the atmosphere that was gripping and intriguing.
The plot idea was brilliant, and I loved how the island was portrayed as a magical thing by itself.
Alas, the result got me underwhelmed, and I wished it was more.
I would've loved if the magic was a more dominant thing in the story and the island should've got a bigger role.
The lyrical deviations in my opinion were too much to the point where I started to struggle to keep track on the plot and dragged on unnecessarily the whole story.
Sadly, from the beginning, I couldn't feel the connection between Emery and August.
We get their backstory much later, so we can't feel and grasp the significance of all that is unfolding between them in the beginning when he's back on the island, and that leaves you as a detached spectator.
I absolutely hate and try to avoid negative reviews because behind every book that we get there's a lot of work. But I am sad for the missed opportunity with this interesting story.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book, and despite my disappointment, I remain a huge fan of Adrienne Young's work.

A solid 4.5🌟
Omg what did I just read! This book sucked me in from the first page. Go gripping. This book is very dark and atmospheric. Full of twists turns and lots of secrets I absolutely loved Emory and August's story and the mystery of the island. This was my first book by Adrienne Young and I can't wait to try more I loved her writing style.

I read this via Net Galley.

I absolutely adored everything about this book! I don't know what it is, but Young is just able to capture my little heart and bundle it up in a little blanket and keep it cosy!

This book was based on a mysterious plot that gradually found us at the ultimate point of twists and turns. I enjoyed the magical aspect of the book and how it really felt like a coming-of-age story, you had the younger generation and then the older generation, the distinction between them worked really well for the plot.

I liked the romance, and I was just all round hooked! I can definitely see myself picking this up again.

I’d probably rate this 3.5/4 stars.

I really enjoyed the spooky, autumnal vibes it game me. It follows the story of Emery and August and a horrible fire that killed their best friend. August leaves Emery on the island and returns years later .. not is all as it seems on the island and though August is thought to have been the killer .. is he?

I didn’t know what was going on for most of the book which made it very interesting and I desperately wanted to find out what had happened..

It perhaps felt a bit anticlimactic/dramatic when everything came to light but I did enjoy the spark between Emery and August.

This book has become a contender for favourite book of the year!
The way Adrienne Young has crafted this magnificent specimen is astounding. The vibes - immaculate. The island being its own character - flawless. The secrets, the magic, the angst - perfect.
When I was reading this book it was like I was watching a movie play out in my head!
I really hope Adrienne Young writes more adult books because omg this book was everything.

Ironically, Spells for Forgetting is a rather unmemorable book.

I don't have too much to say about Adrienne Young's Adult debut. I've had mixed experiences with her work in the past – I loved Fable but Sky in the Deep was mid – but I was hoping to enjoy this a lot more than I did.

In short, I didn't care for any of the characters. Sure, we're given backstories and information about all of them, but I wasn't given a reason to care. There was no connection, no attachment there. Likewise, Adrienne made several comments before publication that this was her most romantic book yet, but aside from a few sex scenes, I really can't see it.

The murder mystery aspect of the book was the most compelling, but as is the theme with Young's work, the ending was rushed and everything wasn't as fully explored as I'd have liked it to be. I'll give credit where it's due though: it was atmospheric, and I enjoyed the small town setting.

Another gripe I had with this book isn't entirely Adrienne Young's fault, but I hate that this book was marketed as a contemporary fantasy. Yes, it has some (very few) fantasy elements, so I can see why her team did that, but personally I think it's a disservice to the book. I'd likely have struggled less to get through this if it was pitched as what it really is: a murder mystery.

I like Adrienne and I've followed her for years, so I'll probably give her 'Red Door' Adult Fantasy a try, but Spells for Forgetting definitely doesn't cement her as an auto-buy author for me. :(

Overall, I definitely wouldn't rush to recommend Spells for Forgetting. I'll likely be unhauling my copy from my shelves very soon.

↠ 3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-Arc of this book!

This book was really intriguing, I found the first 25% hard to get into but after that I couldnt put it down. The mystery, the magic system and the small town cozy feel really gripped me.

It is perfect for autumn! I really like Adrienne Youngs YA books (all of which I have given 5 stars in the past) but her adult writing really adds something remarkable to the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-Arc of this book!

This book was really intriguing, I found the first 25% hard to get into but after that I couldnt put it down. The mystery, the magic system and the small town cozy feel really gripped me.

It is perfect for autumn! I really like Adrienne Youngs YA books (all of which I have given 5 stars in the past) but her adult writing really adds something remarkable to the book.

This was a tremendously atmospheric book. If you’re drawn to the magic of nature and ritual, this will really appeal to you.

The island of Saoirse is a small and an intense world unto itself. It is ruled by a town council which for someone like me, feels like a little American novelty, further transporting me. Maybe this feels familiar to you and you’ll love it because of that? There are some intense themes of protecting your own, bitterness between old bloodlines and a both beautiful and eerie final page.

Ultimately for me this book was about how love can be both pain and joy.
“There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting.”

Very atmospheric, but didn't hold my attention. Somehow the magical realism started wearing me down so I'd lose interest.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the short snappy chapters with multiple points of view and I loved the mystery! I was so excited to see a favourite YA author branch out of the YA genre. Although this one is advertised as a magical fantasy, I would say it’s more of a mystery/suspense with a splash of magic/spells here and there with it becoming more prominent near the end. The start felt a little slow for me, but picked up as the book went on. There is a lot of heartache, secrets, and mystery of the island!

Thank you to the publishers for an ARC copy of this book! I got 100 pages in and the book released as I requested my copy fairly close to publication so I ordered my copy and finished reading on the physical copy as I needed it for my Adrienne Young collection! ☺️

This book really intrigued me. At first it was hard to get into but then about 30% in I was hooked and could not put it down. I shed a few tears and my god, it was just a beautiful book.

https://lynns-books.com/2022/10/18/spells-for-forgetting-by-adrienne-young/
3.5 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Murder Mystery with ancestral magic

Well, yesterday I was reviewing a cosy horror story(Cackle) that was about finding oneself and discovering magic along the way. Today I’m reviewing a book that takes place on a small island where the inherited magic is so deeply rooted than no one questions the reality of it, in fact it’s as natural and everyday to the inhabitants as breathing, although some of them are trying to move forward and live without it (the magic,not the breathing). What Spells for Forgetting has is an abundance of atmosphere and a very easy to imagine setting.

As the story begins we meet August as he returns to Saiorse Island to bury the ashes of his late mother in accordance with her last wishes. This isn’t a happy return. August and his mother left the island 14, or perhaps more, years ago under something of a stormcloud. A young girl called Lily had died on the same night that the Island suffered a terrible fire. August was the main suspect for a time but lack of substantial evidence prevented any further action.

Emery was Lily’s best friend. She was also August’s girlfriend and the two shared an intense relationship, plotting to leave the island together as soon as they could.

So, there’s the mystery of Lily’s death and trying to uncover what actually took place on the ill fated night of the fire. You could be forgiven for imagining that on such a small island it’s impossible to keep a secret but on Saiorse there are plenty of skeletons tucked away in closets. Resentments, grudges, hidden jealousies, desires and so forth. Most of the islanders are angry that August has returned believing his presence will stir up bad feelings, in fact it does appear that the island itself is rebelling and although August has no intention of sticking around longer than necessary some people are afraid that his return will stir up things from the past that should remain hidden. August also needs to see Emery and make his peace with the way things were left.

Now, I do have slightly mixed feelings for this one. On the one hand I think the writing is superb. I love the way that we jump back and forth to explore events that took place on the run up to the fateful night of the fire. I think the author does an excellent job of writing the relationship between August and Emery. On top of that the island is such an unusual place. Years of history relating to witchcraft bring in flocks of tourists, as does the orchard and it’s need for fruit pickers and, well, a murder on the Island also proves to be a curiosity for some. The magic is interesting. Emery’s family still keep hold of the grimoire that has been passed down through the generations and still uses recipes from within to make candles and soap. There’s plenty of tension and so much history between the inhabitants of Saiorse that it’s easy to see, and believe, how deeply the resentments lie.

In terms of the areas that gave me mixed feelings. The story felt a little YA to me which could be because for part of the story we flit back to August and Emery’s teenage years. Although, in actual fact, I think their early relationship is really well portrayed even if it was perhaps a little overdone and drawn out in the middle section. That being said their teenage selves were easier to get along with than the more adult versions which were a little juvenile and ill at ease (I mean I do understand that they had unspoken issues but I kind of wished they’d just decided to get on with it and have that discussion.) Which does lead me to another issue, the lack of communication that seems to exist here simply to prolong the mystery. It felt too protracted to me. I also really would have liked to have seen more use of magic, even if it had been in a way that was vague and I felt my curiosity about the actual island itself and its history wasn’t really touched upon at all.

I hope that doesn’t come across as overly critical. I enjoyed reading this. I like the author’s style and the setting is really good. The atmosphere and tension are so intense you can positively taste them and the island is like an additional character in itself.

If you fancy cosying up to a dark murder mystery story based on a strange island where tensions run deep then give this a shot.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Richly atmospheric and deeply evocative, Spells for Forgetting is a gorgeous, descriptive read.

The book is set on the fictional island of Saoirse. This is an island where old magic and folklore run riot, captivating both residents and visitors alike. The magic of Saoirse is evident in the shops and businesses of its town, but it is also practised by the locals who are deeply attuned to the island. From magical signs and symbolism to practising their own spells, magic runs through the veins of everyone who lives on Saoirse.

Aside from the magical realism aspects of the book, the island of Saoirse is a gloriously captivating setting. The descriptions are exemplary, making it all too easy to picture the island's wild surroundings in your mind's eye. It's also the perfect story to read in autumn, as the season outside matches the season described within the pages of the book.

Saoirse aside, the main (human) characters in the book are Emery and August. Both were born and lived on Saoirse, but August was driven away while Emery stayed. However, August never quite found himself free of the pull of the island. When he has no choice but to return to Saoirse, August finds things eerily unchanged and quickly falls back into old routines and the rhythm of the island. Before long, though, the past is dragged up and both August and Emery are in danger once again.

I really enjoyed this book - the mystery elements complement the magical realism excellently to create an engrossing read. The characters are intriguing and there's plenty to keep you guessing as clues get revealed gradually throughout the book.

Spells for Forgetting is a great autumnal read!

What an atmospheric and unputdownable book! If you're looking for something to put you in the mood for Autumn and/or Halloween this is the perfect read.
🍁 Setting: The story happens on Saoirse Island, in the PNW. The island is famous for its Apple Orchard and... Witches.
🍂What is it about? Murder mystery, rural life, magick, folklore, unresolved love story, and more.

Think small-town drama, but with a twist of some magic. The plot is perfectly paced, with hints and clues placed throughout, but leaving the reading guessing. Its not until everything falls into place do you release all the clues along the way. This gives you suspense, but alongside the book is also beautifully written. I knew nothing about this book going in, and I’m glad. I felt like I could have really been on the island, the descriptions flowed amazingly, and showed you things instead of telling you. The characters are also enjoyable, and leave you guessing their moralities and their reasonings throughout, adding the full murder mystery vibes,
If you need an October read, and you want to feel like you could be there, on a mystical island surrounded by magic, intrigue, daring and suspense. This is the book for you. Wrap up warm and take a hot drink to read.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this novel.

I absolutely love Adrienne Young and loved all her other novels.
Although Spells is different to her other work I absolutely loved it.

I love everything about Spells for Forgetting, the writing style, the story and characters flowed it was a great read.
I actually have 2 copies of this novel both hardback editions.

"There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting."

Spells For Forgetting was a spellbinding read, a small town drama with just a whisper of magic. The writing is beautiful and once I started reading I read it all in one sitting.

Saoirse Island is described so vivdly I could imagine myself there along with the characters. I could see how the island would appeal to tourists and found myself imagining taking the ferry to the island and travelling it's streets, and seeing locals dealing with the necessary evil of swarms of tourists.

"The people who came to Saoirse didn't just come for the apples. The town had hardly changed in the last hundred years, and there were stories about the island and the people who lived here. Most of the old shops didn't have Wi-Fi and cellphones got little reception beyond the harbour, but the tourists came in droves to walk Main Street and recount those tales.

Witches. I'd heard children from the mainland whisper the word like a secret from the time I was little, playing in my mother's shop as she worked. I'd always thought that strange, because on Saoirse, the word wasn't a secret. It was deep magic that ran through the blood of every woman on the island."

For everyone else the island is home but for August it is somewhere he is returning to reluctantly to fulfill his mother's final wishes to be burried there. August had left the island 14 years earlier under a cloud of suspicion following the death of a young girl. His mother rarely mentioned the island but he knew it was still in her blood.

"I'd grown up being told that the people on the mainland were different from us, but living among them was the first time I really understood it. Mom had gotten better through the years at blending in and appearing at first glance like other mothers. But she still spent the equinox in the woods and the solstice at the sea. She still whispered old words over her teacups and I'd caught her muttering a curse as we passed the front door of our neighbours house more than once."

Emery has spent the years since August left trying to forget the night of the fire at the orchard on the island, the night her best friend died and the town suspected her boyfriend of being invovled. In they years since August left she has found some still treat her with suspicion, believing she was somehow covering the truth for August.

Emery's family have lived on the island for generations and have the magic in their blood that has passed down through the female side. So, when the island starts behaving unnaturally she knows something unnusual is happening.

"Nearly six weeks late, and with no warning at all, every tree on Saoirse had turned in a single night.

I knew better than to dismiss such things. We all did. It was the time of year when the veil between worlds was thin, and in that moment. I could feel the tingle of the Otherworld tiptoeing lightly up my spine."

I liked the understated way the author weaves the magic into the story. It had a bit of a Practical Magic vibe to it but it was also as though the supernatural element was almost irrelevent much of the time.

People on the island rarely mention Lily Morgan and August Salt, if it is referred to it is only as 'the night of the fire', so when Emery hears August's name mentioned it is a shock. Even more of a shock when she learns her childhood love is back on the island.

For years, I'd have given anything to hear that August had come home, I'd imagined it a million times, until there were tears streaking my face and a pain cracking in my chest. But i'd cut that part from me long ago.

So why did it feel like it was hard to draw breath?"

With August arrival the secrets of the town begin to unnravel.

I was genuinely sad to finish this book and to say goodbye to the characters. Spells For Forgetting is a book about magic, about lost first loves and about small-town secrets. It is a genuinely superb book with an excellent turn of phrase.

Let it be known that I went into this book totally blind, knowing only that I adored the Fable duology and the authors writing.

What I got here was the most suspenseful, beautifully written, magical murder mystery I’ve ever read.
I was stunned by this book.
I’m glad I knew nothing of the premise of the book and urge others to simply dive in without doing too much research.

Within pages, I was transported to the island of Saoirse, where I was spell bound, and I absolutely did not want to leave.

With a host of deep characters, deep love romance, magic AND a murder mystery, there really is something in here for everyone.

I’m in absolute awe of this book and it’s easily become an instant favourite of mine.

first off i would like to say a very big thankyou to Quercus book and netgally for this totally amazing book .


I'm going to try keep this spoiler free as I know so many people will want to read this book ,

I read so many of Adrienne books which I've always enjoy , but this hit very different in the best way , even more phenomenal , I was griped from beginning to end ,I promise you this you will be sucked in to this book and your brain will stay there for days , I would dream about what was happening no book has ever really done that ,

The book it self I would say is a lot darker than most of her others oh and the magic is amazing it creeps up on you when you least except it to , I would say the book defiantly has that creepy feeling to it as well .

The characters was all just to brilliant there was times where I thought is this character more morally grey than they seem but things can turn round quickly and surprise you .
we also know I love a good plot twist and wow yep that hit me like bricks I sign of great writing

a brilliant witchy with magically realism and a bit of romance to , will have you on edge of set


I give it 5 magic stars