This book was so unique! It was definitely cozy and I loved the recepies included in the book and I plan on baking some of them! The family in this book was so fun and I loved their relationships in this. The relationship between Sadie and Jake definitely felt secondary to the family relationships in this but it was still sweet. This book had so many wonderful themes, including heartbreak, forgiveness, family, hope, and second chances. If you like cozy witchy books you'll like this!

I wanted a fun, cozy fantasy like Legends and Lattes and so many other good books coming out like it. This book being described as Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls fully pulled me in, but the book ended up falling flat. I was completely confused by the setting; it's supposedly in California, but it reads like a southern town cozy mystery. The characters were more like caricatures than people. This one just didn't work for me.

This book incorporates so many things that I enjoy in a book but there was something missing.

The flowery prose that peppered the book was too much for me, but that was easily ignored. The romance seemed pointless and both Sadie and Jake spent the entire time behaving in the manner that I would expect a 14 year old. So I found that really unrealistic.
I think this is more of a family saga.

This was a cozy read. I loved the atmosphere and the small town. The second chance romance in the book was well done. It was slow to start but worth the read.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic was, unfortunately, not for me.

I went into this book thinking it would be similar to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and I was very wrong. I think the blurb made me overestimate how much romance would be in the book. This book is part fantasy, part romance, part family drama, part paranormal mystery, and part cookbook. Unfortunately, I don’t think any of those aspects were quite well developed enough for me.

There were some things that I really enjoyed. I liked the recipes at the end of each chapter. I liked the idea of the magic system (even though I have no clue how it works). I like the prose.

And then, there are the things that didn’t work for me. The pacing was a little all over the place. The MC’s best friend is a bit of a walking stereotype. The resolution to some of the mysteries and questions is a bit lackluster, and the romance is really lacking a spark in my opinion. Everything feels really drawn out, and I didn’t feel satisfied by the end of the book. I also wish this book had listed the trigger warnings at the beginning, as I don’t think it handled every situation with as much care and weight as I would have liked (I have listed the ones I caught in my StoryGraph review).

This last pain point is VERY much a personal preference, but I personally despise real-world religions in my books and there was far too much for my comfort. I was really tempted to DNF when I got the chapter that was spent entirely inside a church, but somehow I kept going and I’m not sure if I regret that or not. It’s a personal boundary that I really don’t like crossing, so I wish I had known that before going into the book (I hate DNFing ARCs, so I wouldn’t have requested it).

All in all, this book is more of a literary fiction book with a fantasy element than the cozy contemporary fantasy I thought it would be, and that’s not what I tend to like in a book. If that’s what you’re looking for, go for it! Unfortunately, though, it wasn’t for me. 2.75 stars.

Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

The tagline of warm, witchy novel is perfect description of this book. A nod to Alice Hoffman's books, but more focus on the love story element. Liked the recipes too :) Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Coming soon on September 19, The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is Breanne Randall's first novel to be published, but hopefully not her last. Fellow fans of the magical realism of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Allen Addison will want to check this one out.

Sadie Revelare is happy working with her grandmother at their small café, A Peach in Thyme, but then everything seems to start to unravel when her first love returns to town and her grandmother reveals some serious medical news. Sadie believes that these heartbreaks are a side effect to the power she wields. When her estranged twin brother returns further family secrets are revealed and it will take all the Revelare's and their communities efforts to save them.

I enjoyed the whimsical magic details mixed in with the more serious topics of the story. Sadie's best friend lives with bipolar disorder and her brother suffers from depression and although neither is explored in depth since they are secondary characters, it provided representation of those living with the condition, and Sadie herself discusses plans to see a therapist for grief counseling.

You'll be left craving some of the delicious drinks and treats that are mentioned in the story, so it is lucky that each chapter ends with a recipe from Sadie's grandmother so you can try it for yourself just BYOM (bring your own magic). I made the Chocolate Pecan Pie (good for healing strength and longevity) and the Cherry Cheese Pie (helps ensure the peace, good for family gatherings) for our Fourth of July celebration this year.

I received an advanced copy of the novel from Netgalley and the publishers in order to provide an honest review.

* Thank you to Netgalley & the Publisher for sending me this eARC for an unbiased review.*

This book has been advertised as a Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic story and the influence and vibe is THERE. The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is a magical read that is atmospheric and cozy.
The recipes scattered throughout are amazing and I can't wait to try them- this book is worth grabbing for those alone. Readers of Sarah Addison Allen would especially love this.

I thought this story was 70% vibe and 30% plot which worked for me as a mood and atmosphere reader. If you're into more plot driven books, this might not be the one. The small town setting was perfect- as someone from a small, NC town myself I found it to be fairly accurate- and had a diverse set of characters. Some could argue too many characters, but I didn't mind.

I thought it was a little predictable, but it was super cozy. Some of the dialogue can be repetitive- looking at you, GiGi, but I loved the character building. Each character was their own which I appreciated. GiGi in particular struck me as a person who had someone very similar in my life- reading this was like seeing her again.

This book is an easy addition to my RA list of cozy autumnal reads, books with food, books with cozy witches, or even Sarah Addison Allen read-alikes.

It started slow paced, it cosy. Unfortunately I could not connect with the main character. And at som Epping so many things happened - family secrets, the illness and death of grandmother, heartbreaks, mental health. I think the idea of book is great but something was missing for me

Thank you to Breanne Randall and NetGalley for this arc copy of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic.

3.75/5

This was a cozy witchy read. I loved the autumn aesthetic and small town vibes. It was a comforting read, but also pulled on my heart strings. I also adored the second chance romance in the book.

Small side note: I found it interesting they didn’t want to be called witches. I enjoyed a lot of the characters, but it felt like we didn’t get to connect with them as much as I would like. I also enjoyed the happy ending, but parts also disappointed me, but could be resolved in a sequel.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves second chance romance, drama, and cozy fantasy elements! I would read a sequel if there is one.

Thank you to netgally for giving me the opportunity to read this arc.

Real rating: 2.5 stars

I love magical books and witch craft. I love cozy fantasy. I love plants and gardening. And the idea of ingredients bringing different magic and meaning into the food, I loved it!

Still, I didn't love this book, which I was rather suprised by. I thought this book would feel more magical and whimsical, which it managed at times. I also thought the love story would be more prominent, but now I'm left confused as to why the love story is there to begin with. I felt my attention being dragged in all the different directions, but my interest was seldom captured.

First off, I felt like the same sentences about emotions kept repeating themselves in many of the paragraphs. Which meant that I could skip huge chunks of text and it would still convey the same message. I think these extra explanations are there to make us understand the feelings of Sadie, but it didn't work for me. It pulled me out of what was happening in the story.

In the beginning of the book, we spend several pages visiting the town while all these omens are happening. While Sadie is in town we are introduced to a ton of names that means nothing for the story. Instead of caring about what was being told about the lives of all of these people, I wondered about the magic that was happening. I just feel that if you introduce characters on that level of detail, they should matter to the story, not just be filler or something to point at and say "See! the mc is sooo nice to all these people".

Now, the Jake love story never made sense to me at all; why he left, and what happens in the book. I don't understand how mc could still want him. Also, why is he in this story? He never really adds anything, other than messy filler drama when the story quiets down. Why does Sadie need this kind of love? I feel like a focus on the familial love could have made me care more about the family and the plot of the book.

I really liked Gigi with her snark and sass, depite having deep love for her family.

Why are the characters suddenly in church without any explanation or discussion about how the church might react to those with magic? Is their magic connected to christianity? It felt out of place, looking at the history of the church in regards to magic.

I didn't necessarily like the magical story in the book, as I felt there were stones unturned, questions not asked and some loopholes, leaving me with an unsatisfying, predictable ending.

I also felt like Sadies arc was a let down, her whole life she gives and gives, but never takes for herself, then the story ends with a conflict where she is the same in that sense.

A good cozy witchy book. Overall, it's pretty good, but I didn't love it. The blurb of "if you like x,y,z, you will love this..." is misleading. I enjoyed Gilmore girls. I loved Practical Magic. This was nothing like either. It set expectations that were not met. Although it is billed as a romance, that was more of a subplot, which was good. Overall, it's not a bad read, but there are better reads out there. I believe the author has promise.

What a great cozy book for fall! Magic, love, friendships, adorable town. What more could you want? I enjoyed this book from start to finish, and would definitely recommend this for a nice fall/autumn read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This book started slowly and picked up with the reintroduction of the "prodigal son" twin brother. Overall I found it sweet but predictable, with some added sprinkles of spice from the magical elements. The main character personifies the family-oriented / hardworking / heart-of-gold / unlucky-in-love trope, and the romantic entanglements and hijinks are entertaining but unsurprising. An easy, comforting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an arc of this book. I really enjoyed the plot and setting of the book. The characters were cute.

Just so cozy and a book to cuddle up with. I loved the characters so much.I wasn't sure what I was going to think of this or if it would be like "too magic-y", but it was so cute.

Despite this book being out of my usual genre choice, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the relationships and family, the recipes and most of all the lessons about love and hope and faith! It was well written and I would definitely recommend this witchy book. The female main character finds herself with a curse that has ruled her life and caused her much heartbreak. Her twin brother doesn't know how to tap into his magic and they all must work together to save his life before it is too late. I was given the chance to read this arc by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review and would like to thank both of them and the author .

"The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" is Breanne Randall's first book. It is a sweet and magical story about love, loss, family, and the magic that lives in all of us. This book takes readers on an emotional trip that looks at the strength of the human heart and the walls we build to protect ourselves. It reminds me of "Practical Magic" and "Gilmore Girls," which I loved.

The main character, Sadie Revelare, has a unique problem: her magic comes with a curse that says she will break four people's hearts. Sadie's carefully planned life starts to fall apart when her grandmother gets sick and her first love, Jake McNealy, comes back into her life after being away for years. Sadie is at a crossroads when her twin brother who she hasn't seen in a long time comes back with family secrets that have been hidden for a long time. She wonders if she can keep her family's tradition and her magical powers alive.

Breanne Randall's writing is both interesting and emotional. It pulls the reader into a world where magic and reality blend together smoothly. The characters, especially Sadie, have a lot of depth, which makes the book easy to relate to and like. Exploring the difference between love and magic makes the story more interesting and makes the reader think about what really matters in life.

In this sweet, witchy story, the author does a great job of showing the importance of family and the power we find in ourselves when things are hard. "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" is a fun book to read if you like stories about magic, romance, and the power of love that lasts. It would be a great addition to any library.

***A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.***

If you are looking for a good fall vibes book, look no further, you found it. I binge read this book in one sitting, could not put it down. With the close knit community vibes of Gilmore girls, Magic of Practical Magic and sweet treats is Kiki’s delivery Service, I could not get enough of this book!

Without any spoilers I will just say this book made me laugh, cry, and rage right along with the relatable main character. Something about this story tapped right into my emotions, and it will likely become a yearly fall re-read nestled on my front porch with a cup of coffee.

I was a bit underwhelmed with The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic. The characters were likable for the most part and the story had potential. I found the constant explanation of what the different ingredients in each recipe were meant to help with distracting and overdone. I was never really invested in the threat to the twins and found the ending a little bit too neat. Although I was not in love with this book, I would read more from the author because I think she does have a good sense of story. Thank you to Net Galley and Alcove Press for the advanced copy.