While reading this book, I couldn’t get the idea of the plot until the title was written. The book is about two best friends that end up taking a two hundred year old love poison that is banned. One best friend loses their memories right off the bat. The other loses them slowly while helping the other regain them, I wasn’t going to potentially purchase this book until it got to a verse that made me cry. So, just for that I gave it another star. Originally it was going to be a two start review because it was a bad book. Just a slow climber. At the end of this book, I actually enjoy the read.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I like drama and this book had a lot of it. From magic, friends-to-lovers, potions, and even secrets. It gave me fuzzy feels and a little hope they would get what they wanted out of this adventure. Cam and Remy are sweet characters and best friends and there are no secrets between but Remy's affections for Cam. I thought it was sweet and quick read. I enjoyed it.

💫 Remy and Cam were my favorite characters from The Charmed List so I was excited for their story, but this one just didn’t work for me. I did love that this story was set in Japan and I enjoy the magical world that Julie Abe created. I found the story rather sad toward the end, though. #TeamTaka

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

This story delivers exactly what it promises: a cute, sweet love story set amidst Christmas in Tokyo. The plot is predictable but still fun and I found myself liking all of the characters, even the antagonists. I also appreciated that we got to see the relationship from both Cam's and Remy's POVs. The use of magic added a neat twist to the memory hunting.

I didn't know going in that this book is actually the second in a shared universe. I enjoyed it enough that now I want to read the first one. If you're looking for a light, feel-good love story, this one definitely hits the spot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Copies of this review also appear on Goodreads and Storygraph.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Themes: Love, friendship
Representation: Japanese MCs and SCs
Content Warnings: N/A
Tropes: Friends to lovers, Temporary amnesia, Soulmates

Premise: After finding out that she doesn’t have a soulmate, Remy takes a love potion with her best friend, Cam. Except, the love potion is cursed and now she has “six days to remember. To love or lose him forever.”

Characters: Honestly, I didn’t really have any strong feelings about the characters. I didn’t connect with them much, didn’t find them too loveable, and didn’t hate them either. I think it’s because I didn’t find the characters super deep or well-developed. In my opinion, 90% of their characterization is about being in love with each other and the other 10% is about them being worried about the future.

Yes, I did find their romance sweet and I appreciated the fact that they really cared for each other. And I love that Remy and Cam had an adorable friendship. However, I want to know who they are beyond each other. You know what I mean?

Rating: 3/5


Plot: The plot of this book follows the general plot conventions. And the author does okay with executing them. She introduces the setting and characters and the “problem” in the exposition. There’s a rising action where they are trying to figure out how to remember each other and they go on cute little adventures around Japan. The climax and the third-act conflict. The falling action is where they vow to resolve things along with the “grand gesture.” And finally… the epilogue some time into the future.

I just wasn’t super “wowed” by the plot. I thought it was flat and other than in the ending, there wasn’t much “action” that keeps the story chugging along.

Rating: 3/5


Other: I have no idea what category this goes in but… the genre wasn’t what I… expected. Anyhow, I remember the book being marketed more as “magical realism” rather than straight-up fantasy. Though I appreciated the magical world that the author built. I liked the imagery she used to describe the world. However, I don’t really think the “magic” of the world really had too much of an impact on the story.

I personally think that the elements of the story still could’ve been maintained if 90% of the magical elements of the story were removed. It might even have been a stronger story. Still, I definitely did enjoy and appreciate how much thought the author put into her magical world-building!


Final Rating

Characters: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Final Rating: 3/5
Personal Rating: 3/5

Date Read: July 23rd, 2023
Date Reviewed: July 24th, 2023

Remy and Cam have been best friends forever. On a trip to Japan, Remy finally decides to tell Cam how she feels about him. But before she can, a magical love potion changes their lives forever. The potion has completely removed Cam’s memories of Remy and he no longer knows who she is. To regain his memories, Cam and Remy must travel through Tokyo together to try and reverse the potion’s effects. Will Remy ever be able to tell Cam how she feels? Will Cam regain his memories? The two must race against the clock to save their friendship and maybe something more…?

Our Cursed Love was such a great book! Julie Abe’s writing is so atmospheric and vivid. Readers will feel like they’re also adventuring through a magical Tokyo tinged in pastels, and filled with magical sweet treats. I would love to learn more about the magic system, so I hope Abe returns to this world one day! Remy and Cam have a great relationship, even when Cam’s memories go missing. Abe’s writing is filled with charm and expertly navigates the friends-to-lovers trope. I loved the subtle references to titles like One Last Stop, Made in Korea, and more! Readers who enjoy Your Name, friends-to-lovers, and magic with lots of sweetness will love this book!

Thank you to Julie Abe, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

I want to start off this review by saying I didn’t realize it was a companion novel when I requested it, and some of my confusion with the world may be because I didn’t read the original.

Overall, this book was cute and sweet, but a bit repetitive scene wise, with characters that read very young compared to a lot of contemporary YA. While reading it, I found it enjoyable, but tended to forget about the story for long periods of time.

The magic was complex enough to be a bit confusing, the characters were likable but not particularly compelling, and despite the high concept and stakes, I didn’t really feel urgency as I read it. Overall it felt a bit under developed, like it wasn’t sure what it wanted to be—just like the characters.

That being said, there are aspects that I could see appealing to teen readers—best friends who secretly love each other, hidden magic in our world, and plenty of pop culture references—so I am sure there are others who will enjoy this more!

Good premise, but lots of internal inconsistencies with the magic system and world building, and the metaphors for candy, sugar, and sweetness on what felt like every page really lowered the overall quality. I think with much stronger editing and fewer overused phrases, adjectives, and metaphors it could have been 3.5 stars, but as it was, it felt like a hundred pages could have been cut and nothing of value would have been lost.

The cover and synopsis were giving me ‘your name’ vibes, so I immediately wanted to get my hands on this.
I LOVED this story!
This story is a cozy magical YA romance. This was such an amazing read, just right off the bat the cover and synopsis pulled me in, with the whole magic and love potions being involved while spending time in Tokyo, the best friends trope, and how high the stakes were of losing each other.
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.

This book was so cute! I normally don’t love friends to lovers but the holiday vibes, the trip to Japan, and the fact that Cam and Remy were low key my favorites from THE CHARMED LIST made this a recipe for success. I loved the romance in this story. It was so sweet and I loved that Ellie and Jack were in this story.

All I can hope now is that Taka gets a spin off because he was great.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a 3.5-4 star review for me!

I thought I was going to eat this up, but it fell flat for me. The characters needed more behind them and the story itself just wasn't my cup of tea. I wanted more from this story because it had the same vibes as 'Your Name' but make it more depressing.

I think the characters had a lot of chemistry between them but the bond just fell a little flat for me. This may be right what you're looking for, so give it a go! I enjoyed the overall vibes of the book and the plot.

Found this book slow and hard to get into. It is in 3rd person POV and although I can enjoy that at times it has to be done very well and this was not. The POV pulled me out of the story. I enjoyed the magic system and didn’t mind the love story but I found that they took away from each other. The book would have been much better as one or the other.

Return to the world of The Charmed List with new narrators, Remy and Cam was they visit Japan to explore the possibilities of life after high school. As their lives begin to change, Remy is searching for the courage to tell her best friend Cam how she feels about him. When a visit to a magical tea shop leaves Remy with a fortune that will tear her and Cam apart - the two of them pursue a magical potion to bind themselves together forever. When the potion goes awry and Cam loses all his memories of Remy, the two go on a tour of Japan, trying to recapture 18 years of friendship before their history is lost all together.

I love the quietly magical nature of this series. Remy and Cam play perfectly off one another. Both see the best in each other while being blinded to their own gifts. This is a story about love, destiny and the power of choice. I highly recommend this book - be prepared to have your heartstrings pulled.

What a lovely, cozy book. Our Cursed Love gave me big The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches vibes and I really enjoyed it! A quick read, Julie Abe's Our Cursed Love revolves around Remy Kobata and how she is so completely in love with her best friend, Cam Yasuda. This is one of those books where you may yell at the book with your fist shaking, "Just tell him already!!!!" But of course, shenanigans give way when Remy and Japan stumble upon a secret magical apothecary in Tokyo where they take an ancient soulmate elixir. Cam loses his memories of Remy and for most the book, they try to regather/trigger these lost memories. Ultimately, this was a sweet book (also full of sweets that sounded delicious) and a lovely setting.

Remy Kobata has always wished she was destined to be with her best friend, Cam Yasuda. All the way from being neighbors from birth to mixing up magical prank potions together to their “just friends” homecoming date during their senior year in high school, nothing’s a secret between Remy and Cam—except for how much she is in love with him.

Remy is trying to work up the courage to confess her feelings during their winter break trip to Japan, when she gets selected for a mystical tea leaves reading and it reveals that they’re not meant to be together. After they stumble upon a secret magical apothecary in the back alleys of Tokyo, Remy and Cam are offered an ancient soulmate elixir, created before all love potions were banned by the magical government. They each have their reasons for wanting to take it, but what could go wrong with finding your soulmate a little earlier?

I absolutely loved this swoony book. Even though I knew the premise, my jaw dropped at the twists and turns and I honestly wasn’t certain how it was going to end. Loved everything about this story. Highly recommend!

The story is cliché but kinda a light reading anyway. I did not enjoy how both MCs were wishy-washy; if Cam and Remi were more open to each other, perhaps I would not have swore so much while reading the entire book. Notwithstanding being a magical novel, the magic system did not work for me; in fact, it did not even feel like a magical book. Overall, I can say that this is a YA novel without any significant magic.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for sending me this ARC. All opinions are my own

Our Cursed Love by Julie Abe is a cozy and magical YA romance set in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan. The story follows Remy Kobata, who has always harbored feelings for her best friend, Cam Yasuda. During their winter break trip to Japan, Remy gathers the courage to confess her love, but a mystical tea leaves reading reveals that they are not meant to be together. However, after stumbling upon a secret magical apothecary, they drink an ancient soulmate elixir, hoping to rewrite their destiny.

The premise of the book is adorable, and the cover is eye-catching. The friends-to-lovers trope adds a sweet and familiar touch to the story. For readers who want more background on the characters and the world, it is recommended to read The Charmed List first, as it provides additional context.

The book has a cozy, J-drama feel, which adds to its charm. However, the magical elements and spell concepts sometimes overshadow the romance, taking away from the emotional connection between Remy and Cam. The story feels repetitive, as the characters have numerous opportunities to express their love but fail to do so.

The plot structure feels somewhat unorganized, and certain details seem like side stories rather than integral components of the main narrative. The book is marketed as a fantasy, but the fantasy elements are limited to the existence of a love potion. It may disappoint readers seeking a more intricate and developed fantasy world.

Despite these shortcomings, Our Cursed Love remains an enjoyable and simple read. The author's writing style creates a cozy atmosphere, and the book has a lighthearted and heartwarming tone. Fans of cute YA romance will appreciate the journey Remy and Cam embark on to rediscover their past and potentially fall in love all over again.

Overall, Our Cursed Love offers a pleasant and magical escape into the world of young love and the power of destiny. While it may not fulfill the expectations of those seeking a deep and intricate fantasy tale, it delivers a cozy and heartwarming romance that will leave readers with a smile.
3.6 rounded up to 4/5

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This book is a whimsical and enchanting young adult novel that seamlessly blends elements of "50 First Dates" and "Love and Gelato" into a magical tale set in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan. Julia Abe weaves a story of destiny, the consequences of our choices, and the enduring power of true love. The protagonist, Remy Kobata, embarks on a journey to confess her long-hidden feelings for her best friend, Cam Yasuda. However, a mystical tea leaves reading reveals a heartbreaking truth: they are not meant to be together. When they stumble upon a secret magical apothecary and take an ancient soulmate elixir, their lives take an unexpected turn. Cam forgets Remy, and their race against time begins to restore their memories before the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Abe skillfully paints the backdrop of Tokyo, immersing readers in its rich culture and vivid settings. The emotional depth of the characters and the rollercoaster of rediscovery make for a captivating read.

I hardly read YA novel now but I really enjoyed the little bit of magical worldbuilding. Overall, this was a cute read that is perfect for any YA reader. Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC to read and review!