A big thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press for gifting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

YESSSS PERFECT FALL VIBES!

The Unfortunate Side Effect of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall is a fantasy novel that follows Sadie Revelare, who has always believed that the curse of four heartbreaks that accompanies her magic would be worth the price. But when her grandmother is diagnosed with cancer with only weeks to live, and her first heartbreak, Jake McNealy, returns to town after a decade, her carefully structured life begins to unravel. With the news of their grandmother's impending death, Sadie's estranged twin brother Seth returns to town, bringing with him deeply buried family secrets that threaten to tear Sadie's world apart. Their grandmother has been the backbone of the family for generations, and with her death, Sadie isn't sure she'll have the strength to keep the family, and her magic, together. As feelings for Jake begin to rekindle, and her grandmother growing sicker by the day, Sadie faces the last of her heartbreaks, and she has to decide: is love more important than magic?

I feel like this book was the perfect one to start spooky season with. After all it's cozy with WITCHES. You need to read this book like yesterday!

Look.
When I started TUSEoHaM I was ecstatic. I was thrilled. I was CAPTIVATED. . . and then I couldn't finish. About 25% in to the book, I was realizing that the plot was still being set up and the foods were still being described in detail. What was charming and quirky in the beginning started to feel like an anchor. To be clear, I love pithy, plot-heavy books. This just felt like the author had only one chance and one chance only to put all the book ideas she's ever had into one volume. Now, I'm still interested, but not interested enough to read much farther than the 50% in that I am, which is truly a disappointment.

2.5⭐️

This book is just not working for me. I DNF'd this book at 28%, but I think many people will still enjoy it as long as they go in with different expectations. I was expecting Gilmore Girls and Practical Magic, and I feel like I hardly got an ounce of either.

Let me start off with what I did like. This book excels in its vivid and beautifully crafted food descriptions, to the point where I found myself salivating (although perhaps I just had an intense craving for cake). I'm definitely planning to explore some of these incredible recipes this autumn. Furthermore, the prose really paints a vivid picture of both the setting and the characters.

However, I must admit that as I progressed through the book, which I only managed to reach 28% of, I began to feel that the main character and the story were becoming somewhat repetitive. Although the cozy small-town atmosphere with witches and baked goods was there, Sadie's internal musings became so tiresome to read. Moreover, the book attempted to encompass various genres, including cozy fantasy, small-town romance, mystery, coming of age, and family relationships. When a narrative tries to blend so many different elements together, it was challenging for me to decide which aspect to to care about, and unfortunately, I found myself not caring about any of them in the end.

I am certain there is an audience for this book, one that will adore it and make it their entire identity. I am not that audience. I want to first say, the marketing here was super deceptive and I was almost immediately disappointed. Nothing about this story was "Gilmore Girls"- literally, nothing. There was a huge chunk of Practical Magic in there, so much so it almost felt like the same story, adjusted. It wasn't a bad book, it wasn't poorly written, but the false marketing left me with a horrid taste in my mouth for the book. I love Gilmore Girls, I named my child after the show and watch it once a year (at least), so I was thrilled to have a book that had that vibe. This book wasn't that at all, There are also a mountain of triggers and no TW of any kind, the dynamics of the grandmother felt off, the way everyone treated the main character was shady and bad, and worst of all <spoiler> the female main character had to sacrifice her magic and her identity for a man. Lorelai would *never*. <spoiler> The conflict was rushed and the resolution was sloppy. Every character treated the FMC like she was loved for how she made them feel or how she was useful to them, her boundaries were ignored or pushed past by nearly everyone, and have I mentioned the massive triggers. SO since the author didn't include them, a few to note are death, abandonment, toxic relationships, magic bypassing consent, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, cancer, manipulation, gaslighting, murder, and relationship abuse- this is not an exhaustive list by any means but someone should put it out there.

This is a perfect witchy, autumn read. I expected a light, funny romp of a witchy book, but this is so much more. The book actually deals with some very serious subjects and had me in tears a few times.

I loved the element of family and friends who are family in this book. My favorite part was the Magic system. Infusing food with Magic and the bakery that was part of the book were so much fun. Add in all the included recipes and in was totally in..

I don’t want to spoil anything, but I would love to see a second book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC of this book.

Sadie Revelare struck me more as The Good Witch than Gilmore Girl. Though, the fictional town of Poppy Meadows does have a Stars Hollow feel and the strong family ties definitely ties to the Practical Magic angle.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is charming and quirky. Recipes from the café Sadie owns along with her grandmother, are part of the story. It makes The Peach in Thyme, seem more real. I could smell the coffee brewing and the cookies coming out of the oven.

Burning cookies on one morning, which only emphasizes Sadie’s growing sense of doom as the omens keep coming. Does something wicked this way come? Yes! Her beloved Grandma Gigi has cancer, and her outlook is not good.

The story is told solely from Sadie’s point of view who is mostly adorable, but our protagonist is no Lorelei Gilmore. Then again, who is?

Four heartbreaks, each one progressively worse until she loses her magic. Is it possible to insulate yourself from the curve balls of life? That’s what Sadie is doing all in the name of avoiding these heartbreaks. The omens are still happening though and her carefully crafted existence is about to come face to face with her first heartbreak – Jacob McNealy.

Cue “my boyfriend’s back” or ex-boyfriend in this case. The I hate him, I like him, I hate him again starts and I’m here for it. Drama, family secrets, always a little bit of magic, woven together into an enjoyable read that is perfect with a cozy cup of tea. So curl up in your favorite chair and welcome fall as the leaves start to fall from the trees and give The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic a try.

"The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" by Breanne Randall is a spellbinding novel that seamlessly blends the realms of love, family, and enchantment. Sadie Revelare, our compelling protagonist, grapples with her unique magical abilities, tied to four heartbreaks. When her grandmother falls terminally ill, the arrival of her estranged twin brother Seth and her first love, Jake, sets in motion a series of events that will test Sadie's strength and beliefs.

Randall's storytelling is a true gem, as she masterfully weaves the threads of familial bonds, rekindled romance, and the sacrifices one must make in pursuit of love and magic. The tight-knit community of the town and the meticulous exploration of magical ingredients in Sadie's recipes add a delightful layer of depth to the narrative. Gigi, the vivacious grandmother, injects humor and warmth into the tale, making her a standout character.

While the infusion of Christian elements might seem discordant in a world of magic for some readers, it is understandable, considering the author's personal convictions. The story's unforeseeable twists and turns keep readers engaged and guessing, ensuring that each page holds a delightful surprise. "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" is a must-read for those who relish stories of love, magic, and the enduring bonds of family, reminiscent of beloved stories like "Practical Magic" and "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches." This book is a heartfelt exploration of the human experience, sprinkled with enchantment, and it lingers in the reader's heart long after the final chapter

𝒫𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝐹𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒞𝑜𝓏𝓎 𝐹𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓎…

This novel is moving up the NYT Bestsellers list for good reason, and is a magical way to begin your October reading season.
Sadie Revelare is cursed. Her magic and heartbreaks are intertwined. Her brother has abandoned her, and her grandmother is terminally ill. Suddenly, her long lost love Jake returns to town- was he her first or second heartbreak? Sadie must decide what and who are most important to her.
This sweet and magical story is set in a small town, and the perfect tone for fall reading.
Can love conquer all or will Sadie lose everything?
Sadie and her grandma Gigi also run a bakery cafe and create confections with magical qualities - every chapter of this delectable story ends with a delicious recipe of its own.
4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Don’t miss 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙎𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 by Breanne Randall. 336 pages. Published September 19, 2023

I made apple crisp last night!
QOTD: What’s your favorite fall treat?

Thank you to the author, @alcovepress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my fair review.

DNF at 29%. This book has been widely shared as Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls, but it falls short of both. Witches who disavow the label of witchcraft and attend church isn’t exactly what I wanted for a read compared to Practical Magic. Plus, the grandmother calling everyone “pissants” and “shit ass” and “toot” was just cringey for me. I actually enjoyed the detail that many others have found overly descriptive, but I haven’t attached enough to any character to care about what happens to them. The dog stealing part was uncomfortable to read. Also, while I appreciate diversity in books, I felt like there was a chapter where the whole point was to showcase the diversity without actually integrating those characters in meaningful ways. It’s billed as a romance, but I’m not getting any truly romantic vibes at this point other than the fact that they have a past. I really wanted to love this book, but it reads more like a YA novel. There’s nothing wrong wit that if that’s how it is advertised, but I’m not the target audience for YA.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. It wasn’t the right read for me, but many readers have enjoyed it. I’m giving it 3 stars because I don’t think it would be fair to give less when I didn’t finish the book.

Practical Magic is amongst my favorite books and I like Gilmore Girls. I was expecting a story featuring family and magical dynamics but I felt there was a lot of sadness.
There's some lovely and fun moments but there's also anger and grief.
There's a second chance romance and I liked the small town setting.
It would be a favourite but I think that some more humour would have helped.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

a cute mix of all things autumnal mixed in one book. nothing truly groundbreaking, but ultimately cozy. could definitely see as a yearly re-read for a lot of people

I think this one was a little overhyped for me. Don't get me wrong, it's cozy and fun overall but I was expecting more.

If you are looking for a book to give you all the autumn witchy vibes as we settle into the season, this book is it! If you read this book understanding that the author hasn't settled on one specific genre you'll enjoy it just fine. I enjoyed the characters and the world but would have enjoyed it even more had it stuck within a smaller hodgepodge of genres. I look forward to future books by this author for sure.

3.5 STARS

I had a great time with this book. It carries a cozy and atmospheric charm that makes it a perfect choice for a fall read. The family dynamics were a definite highlight, and those moments when they all came together were particularly heartwarming. Sadie's personal growth and her journey toward depending on others resonated with me.

If I could change anything, I'd have wanted more backstory on some of the characters and their relationships. Also, shorter chapters would have suited my reading preferences.

In the end, it was a genuinely enjoyable read, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a heartwarming story brimming with magic and genuine emotion.

Witchy cozy for the fall season. Sadie, a witch runs a cafe with her grandmother in a town where magic is accepted or practiced. As the book opens, she starts panicking as bad omens occur and occur again at an alarming rate. Two important men return to town...her twin and a young love who broke her heart when left. While telling this story, underlying themes of acceptance, forgiveness and profound grief drive the humanity and depth to it while giving you all the witchy vibes and lore you could ask for.

I loved loved this book! The story and recipes were wonderful and exciting too
I am so happy I read this book about family, life, and magic. I want to reread this book sometime in the near future it's that good. Until next time Happy Reading!

Randall's work is a delightful and heartwarming story about a woman finding out who she is and finding love. The MC is likeable enough. I did get a little confused about her stubbornness that is mentioned a lot, because she didn't seem to be stubborn at all. Her relationship with her grandmother and best friend was very easy to relate to, and I can see this as a great draw to keep readers interested in the story. I loved the introduction of extended family, and the way the book explored the different ways people deal with grief and impending tragedy.
Overall, I see no connection to Gilmore Girls and a slight resemblance to Practical Magic as the book is pitched, but it is a good book that I will probably revisit again in the future.
Readers that are fans of family stories, magic, and a happy ending will enjoy this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

This book is very much in the world of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls. I enjoyed the cozy, witchy, fantasy vibes and the writing style. It is written so beautifully and descriptive that you are immersed in the story. It is enjoyable to read a book with a close-knit family. The recipes at the end of each chapter were a welcome surprise and looked delicious. The main reason I didn't give it five stars is due to the face that I found the romance lacking. The motivation behind Jake's interest and actions was not as believable as I thought it could be. This is still a wonderful read for someone who is looking for a read with witchy vibes.

The description drew me in, fans of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls, as I love both I couldn't resist.

Sadie Revelare beloved grandmother is diagnosed with cancer. All Sadie knows is life in the small town connected to her grandmother and the family magic. Frantic that with her grandmother's death, she isn't sure she can keep everything together.

Add to that an estranged love, Jake, has moved back into town. Can Sadie hold everything together or does it all need to fall apart?

Characters are well rounded and wonderful. Small town magic with a curse that focuses on each practitioner. The relationship between the family is rich and the pets are amazing! This books receives a 4 out of 5 stars.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I liked the idea of this but the execution fell short. The writing style was thick but also choppy. I’d read a paragraph and then start the next and it felt like a totally different chapter. I found myself re-reading parts. Not my favorite. 3 stars.