I love everything I have read by Julie Abe, including The Charmed List, which isn’t exactly a prequel to this story, other than it is set in the same universe, and Remy know the two characters of that book, and is going to meet them, along with her “best friend”, Cam, in Japan.

So, while the Charmed List took place in a magical version of California, and Palo Alto, this one takes place in Japan, as Remy is trying to get into a magical university, and Cam goes along so he can see his brother.

And no, they are not in love. They are just best friends, and that is what they keep telling themselves. But Remy wants to confess, if she could only find the right time.

But when she is told her fortune and it says he doesn’t have a Soul Mate, she gets all flustered. Even if she hasn’t told Cam that she loves him, how could her tea leaf reading say that there is no one in the world for her.

And then she finds a 200-year-old love potion. And they are against the law to drink. But, she is desperate, and of course that is what starts things down a bad road.

I do like the description of Tokyo in this book. Although I only was there for a week, and it was over 30 years ago, some of the ways things are describes does give me the vibe of being there.

And although it is annoying that Remy can’t speak up for herself, it turns out, of course, that there are two in this relationship, and it may not just be Remy that is pushing so hard.

A fun fantasy rom-com, set in Tokyo, in the winter.

Thanks to Netgalley for making tis book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 12th of December 2023.

I saw this on NetGalley and thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. are my and Cam are best friends. They are on a trip going to Japan before they start university. But, are my secretly is in love with Cam. She wants to tell him, but it seems that their memories of each other is wiped the following day. Sooo, they being around one another they have to retrace their steps to jog back their memories. Can this work? “ I’ve lost my memories of our friendship. I’ve been fine. He drilled that into her, pushing her to take the antidote.” This reminds me of the movie It’s always sunny in (Philly) Omg I forgot the name. But this is a cute rewind of how these two characters are best friends, potential lovers, but if they don’t take the antidote that stops them forgetting their past they’ll never remember one another.

Julie Abe creates a fun world where magic exists and is a part of the world for those aware. This cute young adult novel follows Remy and Cam, two high school seniors, on a trip to Tokyo over winter break. Their best friends, but are afraid to tell each other in case it destroys their friendship. When they stumble upon a magic apothecary and take a soul mate potion, things go awry and Cam forgets Remy completely. They spend their trip trying to get Cam's memories back and get the courage to share their feelings. Will true love prevail?

This book had some fun magical moments and told a very sweet romance. I was so excited to go back to this world and read about Remy and Cam. That said, I didn't quite enjoy this book as much as The Charmed List. This is a friends to lovers story. I found myself getting annoyed at just how many opportunities they had to tell each other what they were thinking and feeling but chose not to. I was not a fan of the twist toward the end either.
If you like magical realism, and friends to lovers this might be worth checking out. I do recommend reading The Charmed List first. It focuses on their siblings and will give you more information about the magical world and their family backstories.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars.

This was just okay for me. I didn't love it, I just couldn't find a rhythm for it and struggled with trying to stay focused on the story.

Let me start by saying I love everything Julie Abe writes, she's amazing! I loved the first book of this "series" even though I know it's not connected it was useful to know Ellie and Jack's story and family dynamic because it added to Cam and Remy's journey. I will say though that I was less impressed with this story. Don't get me wrong I loved the Cam and Remy bits, plus the magical Tokyo was amazing, but the additional love interest for Remy and the hint of it for Cam just made their love not as strong to me. Plus the stuff with the Old families and the New families seemed thrown in at the end, and not really explained. I think if Taka had been just a friend to Remy instead of her "soulmate" then I may have liked the overall story more. It just felt like he was getting in the way of Cam and Remy finding each other and like he was being set up for another book to be made following his story, which I didn't really like. I still like the writing, and I think that the magical aspects of the story were very clever, such as the pop up tea shop, the magical house, and the going into books for university. I would recommend this book to readers, but I think I would get them to read The Charmed List first so that the world could be set, because this book just jumps in as if you have an understanding of the magical world already.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and comments are my own.

First I want to say that the cover drew me in. I think it’s very simple and pretty.

I really loved Remy and Cam’s friendship. I think they were very cute. I love the plot idea but I just didn’t like the writing that much but that’s probably just personal preference. This is a YA fantasy but there just wasn’t much fantasy in it other than the love potion. Nothing magic wise was really explained in my opinion.

I did love the friends to lovers trope though. I thought it was adorable. The characters were great except Beni; I didn’t like him much lol. I think Taka was a decent person but I’m glad she didn’t end up with him. I’m glad it ended well for Remy and Cam and that they got to be together in the end and didn’t forget one another, so that’s a plus.

All in all, it wasn’t a bad book just really simple.

3 stars!

Our Cursed Love is so charming - it's like watching a well put together J-Drama, but instead you're reading it. I've had the privilege of staying in Tokyo, so I was over the moon about the very familiar and accurate depictions written in the book. It's easy to tell the author wrote from experience and not just research, and, for me, it was like traveling back and experiencing the city again.

I loved the idea of the way magic worked too! Like snow falling after moments of joy, and those who can see it can then gather and use. Very cute!

The story really pulls at your heartstrings, in both an affectionate and sad way. The bond and chemistry between Cam and Remy is undeniable, and as they struggle with their memories of each other, I felt that tug of heartache too.

The story is familiar, which I think was the intention. It seems to follow the recipe of Japanese dramas; one main love interest, seemingly unrequited love/miscommunication, other potential and sidelined love interests, subtle touches and bashful moments. I could easily envision some parts of the story as if on the television, with a shocking moment that's followed by dramatic end of episode music. That's what I mean by familiar, and I don't think that's at all bad, because I think that's what this story was meant to be.

But because of that, it was very predictable. Even the surprising twists, which in my opinion, were small, because while you might not have seen it coming, it's something that, again, matches the story formula. Part of me was hoping it would run off course a bit, just so I could feel like there'd be something that really stuck with me.

All said, if you're a fan of J-Drama, this book is right up your alley and it would be a very satisfying read!

But, excuse me, I will RIOT if Taka doesn't get his own book! Haha!

I just couldn't get over the point of view. I wish I could because I'm really interested in the story!!!

This was a cute read with a few unique moments along the way. Remy loves Cam, but is afraid to speak up. It makes sense; she's 18. Their older siblings are already in a committed relationship with each other, so that opens up convenient situations for the younger duo to see the older pair AND to be treated like adults.

Some random connections are made, some magic occurs, and wrenches are thrown into the story (because no decent romance can be linear). Cam forgets Remy and has to fight to get his memories back as Remy slowly loses hers. Will others come between them? Will their years of history become mere cliff notes to their bigger love story? Or will love prevail?

Nothing over the top. Nothing to hate. Just a quick, feel good read.

Overall: 4 stars

I'll tell my students about: language, sex, magic, parent death, mental health/trauma

**Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

A magical and sweet YA romance set in Japan. Loved Remy and Cam’s journey of rediscovery. 4 stars!🌟

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is super cute. It’s got the Miyazaki feeling with magical realism and super sweet interaction between the two characters. I adore magical realism. The ending is clearly predictable, but the journey getting there is so well done. The writing was easy to follow, the plot was interesting and kept me on my toes. This book read naturally and didn’t try too hard like some other young adult novels. It was genuine and heartfelt. I wasn’t bored with this book and I’d recommend it to Young Adult readers who want a little magic in every day life.

Thank you Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press Wednesday Books and Julie Abe for allowing me to read this book.

A wonderful love story. (Friends to lovers) I really enjoyed this book. It’s about finding your soulmate. Two friends afraid to say how they truly feel.

Cover is absolutely stunning.

I was excited to read this because I really enjoyed The Charmed List and was looking forward to the same whimsy and cute romance. I also loved Remy and Cam as side characters in The Charmed List, so I was looking forward to reading a story about them.

Unfortunately, this book didn't cut it for me. I didn't feel invested in Cam and Remy's relationship at all - I probably got a better sense for it from The Charmed List. The POVs were in the same emotional state start to finish, and while there were attempts made at personal character arcs, they felt like an afterthought and fell flat. The plot meandered, which wouldn't be a problem except with the deadline to break the curse I expected a sense of urgency that I did not at all feel. This is likely because the characters did not seem to feel it either, even though by all accounts they should have. I also deeply, deeply disliked the "Taka is destined to be with Remy and has fallen in love with her" aspect.

I will say the magical world was still whimsical and I continue to like the unexplained aspect of it. I also liked how when they messed up, Remy and Cam went immediately to their siblings and their friends as a support system and told them everything instead of trying to figure it out on their own, and Jack and Ellie & co didn't judge them but rather set straight to work helping them.

Fantasy isn't a genre I usually gravitate towards but Julie Abe creates an engaging world in "Our Cursed Love" that will hold the attention of skeptics. I loved the typical teen romance plot mixed with magic and Japanese folklore. Japanese culture is another thing I don't have a whole lot of familiarity with and this book was a fun and engaging introduction. I would recommend!

The cover and synopsis were giving me ‘Your Name’ vibes, so I immediately wanted to get my hands on this.

And I think my expectations were too high. This isn't terrible, but it's super basic. Like, the premise is cute enough and I enjoyed reading about Remy and Cam's friendship, but it never made me feel anything deeper than surface-level amusement.

And what I really don't get is why this was created as a fantasy story? I think the plot would have been much better served had the curse/love potion just been a one-off touch of magical realism. The inclusion of the magical university and unexplained fact of how magic exists in today's world but only for certain people and only in Japan is just not necessary and makes everything feel super gimmicky.

So a nice concept, but not exactly the story I was personally hoping it would be, unfortunately.

Woeful tale of two teens in love that are reluctant to take the next step with their friendship. They are afraid to confess their true feelings and instead choose to 'wish on a star'. Unfortunately for them, they live in a magical world, and their wishes have real consequences. They each have a reason for partaking of a magical potion, but the potion's effect is vague, and the result is unexpected. It is a great tale of how to keep love alive by reliving the memories that mean so much, and demonstrates the power of being there in support of your partner. I loved the magical world hidden within the normal world. And, as someone that is a big fan of sweets, I enjoyed the mention of all the wonderful treats that they tried on their trip to Japan. It is a fun and upbeat story despite touching on serious matters such as broken families and parental neglect. An entertaining and heartfelt read!

This was a brilliant and heartwarming read. The character development made me root for our main characters and watch them grow over the course of the trip. I couldn't put it down!

First, a special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Right off the bat, I was so excited to read this book because I absolutely adored The Charmed List. I'd say Our Cursed Love falls solidly at 3 stars for me. The premise of the story, of finding your soulmate, was really cute. The blind love between Cam and Remy was adorable and infuriating at the same time, mainly because of how many times they both had opportunities to tell each other that they were in love and DIDN'T. And it seemed only natural that once Cam had forgotten her that somewhere down the line they should confess their love for one another but instead we had a whole book of beating around the bush. The plot definitely didn't feel very organized and there were almost too many details that really felt like side stories. I just kept waiting for something to happen. Overall, it was a mostly enjoyable read but not an all time favorite.

First, Thank You person from Wednesday Books for sending me an invite to read the eARC of Our Cursed Love by Julie Abe via NetGalley. You are wonderful 💕

This magical and absolutely sugary sweet love story of two childhood best friends who will do anything for each other; other then confess how much they love one another. 🥰

If you have not read The Charmed List...go now!

Our Cursed Love is a standalone, companion book and I definitely recommend reading Charmed first. It will make reading Our Cursed Love even more exciting bc you'll already love Remy & Cam and want to know more of their story...their future!

This book is gorgeous! The story, the cover art, the scenery & magic description...it would make an absolutely beautiful movie *hint hint*