This was an ARC I read for feedback.

This book is a cozy, witchy read. The characters are well written, and likeable. I wish there was more to the Lavender and Lace characters, as their story seems interesting. I'd recommend this as a rainy, fall day read.

Magical recipes, a missing brother, a long lost love, and a supportive best friend all come together to help Sadie when her magic starts going haywire.

Jake, her first love, has returned with secrets, her twin brother disappears without a word, and her grandma is definitely hiding something.

Surrounded by chaotic love, Sadie has to navigate a lot while keeping her magic in check.

The Jake and Sadie romance felt off-kilter as it seemed a lot of the relationship development happened off the page and internal to the characters. The main plot is about Sadie and her family, which isn’t necessarily how this book is marketed.

Also, A LOT of information was casually tossed out in conversation and this method did not lend itself to the story as it was easy to miss several large plot points.

This novel is more about family love and less about romantic love, so if you like magic, family dysfunction, and delicious recipes check this out! If you like magic, family dysfunction, and delicious recipes check this out!

Can you think of a book idea better than, "it's Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic"? Because I certainly cannot.

I stumbled upon Breanne Randall's TikTok, like so many others, when she appeared on my For You page gushing about her new "Gilmore Girls x Practical Magic" book, The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic...and obviously I flew to NetGalley faster than my internet could carry me. Within a day or so, I was approved!

You'll immediately fall in love with Poppy Meadows, the picturesque Northern California town that is the the setting for The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, and one of its most beloved residents: Sadie Revelare. Sadie hates the term witch, but she, and her family, are descendants of the seven founding (and magical) families of Poppy Meadows. Sadie owns the local cafe and bakery, A Peach In Time, and all of her recipes tend to…make things happen. You ate one of Sadie's scones and suddenly had the courage to spill your heart to your crush? It happens!

While she lives in the picture perfect town, Sadie's life is anything but cozy. She knows that she's the victim of a curse that will leave her heartbroken not once, not twice, but FOUR times. She's experienced two of the heartbreaks so far, as she's been abandoned twice by the men closest to her: her previous love, Jake and, even worse, her twin brother Seth. Then, Jake returns to town and her grandmother reveals a terminal cancer diagnosis...and Sadie's life all but crumbles from there.

I really enjoyed this book! It got the Practical Magic vibes PERFECTLY--it's as if Sadie lives in the same town as Sally and Gillian, just with another POV. That part of the story was so insanely cozy that I found myself, a SUMMER PERSON through and through, wishing I was reading this book on a crisp fall day with a warm cup of apple cinnamon spiced tea. The Gilmore Girls nod was also there, but more muted; Poppy Meadows is so reminiscent of Stars Hollow! There's even one resident in particular that was so clearly a Mrs. Kim that it made me miss her so much it hurts--and that means it's time for another Gilmore Girls binge!

I found Sadie to be a pretty relatable main character. She's a bit selfish at times, and totally out of touch with her own needs, but my gosh do I understand her on an elemental level: I'm also the one who has to help everyone around me before thinking about helping myself. I'm working on it, and it was nice to find a character that has some of the same struggles. I refer to it as "oldest daughter" syndrome, personally, but it could also be "the twin who stayed," for Sadie. This book is also full of a diverse cast of characters! Poppy Meadows seems to be a haven of people from so many different cultures, and I felt like Breanne did a lovely job of respecting different cultures without appropriating them--and I hope that once you read it, you'll agree.

Perhaps my favorite parts of the The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic was the end of every chapter: there were RECIPES! We've discussed so many books that made us starve on my podcast, and I'd find my mouth watering over a baked good, or a fried chicken recipe, or an infused honey, only to turn the page and find that I have the recipe there and ready to make it myself! Talk about giving the people what they want!

I also had the sweetest interaction with Breanne. I knew that there were more heartbreaks coming, and then a dog was introduced, and, well, you know me. So, I did what any insanenormal person would do and immediately DM'ed the author for a trigger warning. Thankfully, she is ONEOFUSONEOFUSONEOFUS and said that she could NEVER harm a dog, so, reader be confident: Bambi and Abby are 100% totally fine throughout the entirety of the book!

Before I wrap this latest ramble up, you know I'm going to drop the content warnings. There is talk of anxiety, depression, and suicide, murder, allusion to rape that resulted in pregnancy (this may not be 100% the case, but it was my takeaway), terminal illness, cancer (including *SPOILER ALERT* death by cancer on page), and (SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT THIS IS A BIG SPOILER ALERT) a faked pregnancy.

Every Revelare has a curse. It’s the price of their magic. Sophie’s is that if she suffers four heartbreaks she’ll lose her magic. She’s already had her heartbroken twice. She’s happy to close herself off and run her bakery with her grandmother.

A whimsical book that mixes Practical Magic family magic and curses with the small town charm of Stars Hollow. I loved the world building but do wish we’d seen more of the town. This is also a hetero romance which is not normally my thing.

Trigger warnings for: Suicide attempt, death, cancer, murder, cheating.

Is cozy romance, a thing because this book felt like being wrapped in a blanket with a viper of hot chocolate. Breanne Randall wrote the practical magic inspired romance novel of my dreams. I loved the unique magic system and casualness in which everyone accepts magic in the town. I know heartbreak in its title, but I did not expect to be as sad as I was halfway through the book. Sadie and her grandmothers, beautiful relationship was truly the heart of the book. There was such a well done, full circle plot. Plus the tension between Sadie and Jake was absolutely perfect!

Thank you to #Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect witchy book. It was warm and witchy and it was just a joy to read. I fell in love with all of the characters and the world was a joy to be in. You definitely need to read this book around the spooky season. It is perfect for it. I cant wait to reread it.

Is it fall yet?? This is the perfect book for September/October!! So fun and has me feeling all the fall vibes in this 100 degree July here. So cute and so fun!

I didn't get the Gilmore Girls vibe from this book, but it was still a very lovely to read! The family relationships that are created, broken and mended are a key storyline in this book. They way Randall wrote about this family was both brutally honest and beautiful.
As for the magic, 10/10. I loved how everyone had different abilities and worked together when needed. I would LOVE to have Sade's skills in the kitchen - oh, to be able to bake a pie and have it help someone tell you the truth.
Randall did a wonderful job with the romantic storylines. My jaw dropped because of twists I did not see coming and felt my heart shatter several times throughout. The relationship she tells is filled with heartbreak that is easy to relate to, making the reader feel like they are in Sade's shoes.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Spice level: 0.5 🌶️

First things first, content warnings (they might not be complete): <spoiler>Depression, Attempted Suicide, Death, Grief</spoiler> And because those were missing in the initial arc, it's a 4.5 book for me.

Other reviewers have already mentioned it, but listen, if you want a lighthearted, bubbly, love story, please don't read this book. Read "The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic" by Linsey Hall instead.

This story is witchy and magical in that Randall is SO good in describing the small town visually and the side characters as the main characters are so vividly represented. I got truly lost in that charm. That this is Randall's debut is truly surprising to me.

Other than that we are following our witch and MC, Sadie, and experience all her feelings towards and her complicated yet heartwarming relationship with her twin brother, who ran away without goodbye's just a year ago. We experience firsthand how Sadie suffers from close people and family members who leave her and.. surprise: the unfortunate side effects of those heartbreaks (and her magic). At least Sadie has her grandmother, who practically raised the twins, but when her brother comes home, her grandmother has bad news..

The romantic subplot was cute, but it was merely a subplot and I'm happy it didn't take up too much room amongst all the heavy and important topics portrayed in this book. And yes, it's heavy. And yes, it's deep. But because of that it was not just a shallow plot to get the romance going. It's about family, friendship, <spoiler>grief</spoiler> and most importantly: character growth.

Last but not least: After every chapter you'll find a recipe for baked goods, sauces, teas and so on, all sounding magical and cozy. I have already added some of those to my recipe books and might update y'all when I tried some.

I am beyond happy I found this on NetGalley and can't wait for more books from this author.

4.5 stars! This book was absolutely a Stars Hollow type town with Practical Magic family dynamics. I loved the family and the author's portrayal of magic and how it started out more subtle and then built. The recipes at the end of each chapter made me want to make every single one and I found myself hoping that a food mentioned would be the recipe at the end.

The book really picked up half way through and I was staying up late each night because I didn't want to put it down.

I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends and am hopeful for a book two!

So this book is completely different that my typical interests. It is such a cozy fantasy with some mystery. I enjoyed the small town feel and you felt like you wanted to live there.

I enjoyed the recipes at the end of each chapter and may have to try some of them.

I thought the pace was perfect, didn’t think there was any part that dragged and I needed to know what was going to happen with everything. I just felt like I wanted more from the ending. Hopefully she will continue the story of the Revelare family.

If you like all things witchy and cozy then you will enjoy this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Breanne Randall, and Alcove Press for the ARC of this excellent book.

For fans of messier dramas (in a good way), the Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak has a more serious tone alongside the magica shenanigans one expects from witchy stories these days. I thought it added an extra layer which made me enjoy the story more deeply. The realism of the cancer relative was relatable and well handled. The love story lifted everything and held it together, which elevated it from being “too” realistic. All in all, a wonderful combo of elements for a nice story.

This is incredibly charming. Randall really knows how to create an immersive and cozy story. This is also incredibly descriptive, so much so that I could really smell and taste the recipes throughout - but they never feel out of place or unnecessary. It just adds so much feeling and such an authentic vibe. So good!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy to read.

This book is the perfect book for witchy season. The characters are brilliantly depicted. I adored Sadie, Jake, Gigi and Seth. They really come to life as you are reading it and it's a great portrayal of family life. The bonds between them all are wonderful to read.

The writing was beautiful, easy to read and descriptive. The magic was just magic.b

I found the book utterly captivating, immersive and beautiful.

I adored the recipes throughout the book.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a witchy book.

Loved it!

So cosy, full of magic, twists and turns, and fully immersive.

Reading this, I felt like I was there - able to see, taste, and smell all the witchy things mentioned.
The characters were engaging from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down.
Goodreads review to come!

When I read “For fans of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls” I knew I needed to read this. It did not disappoint.

This book was a cozy, small town, witchy story and I absolutely adored it!
The MC is relatable and lovable, the grandma is a spitfire.

I do wish there was more character/general building. I feel like some of it fell flat.

It was fun, but I don’t think it’s one I’d read over again.

Since Sadie was little she’s had magic running through her veins but it comes at the cost of a curse of four heartbreaks. Never wanting to face the reality of her curse, she’s kept herself closed off to almost everyone and has lived her life with her grandmother as her rock; until one day she’s not only faced with the reality of losing her rock but also her first heartbreak coming back into her life. Can she survive and will she keep her magic throughout it all??

This is one of those books where you can laugh and cry all within the same page. While there were definitely moments where I found Sadie utterly and completely obnoxious with how she was acting/handling things, in the scheme of the situations she was up against, I can somewhat understand her behavior. Although her storyline was the main focus, her twin brother, Seth’s, story was just as important and added to Sadie’s character development as much, if not more than, Jake & Sadie’s journey. I would absolutely love to read more about Seth’s story and see where these characters wind up.

All in all, I loved this book even when I was annoyed with how Sadie was acting. It was equal parts heartwarming, humorous & relatable. Would without a doubt read more from this author.

Thanks you #NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an ARC for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

3.5-4 stars (not for me but can tell it will defiantly be for others)

This book is pitched as being Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls and to be honest, I fully saw the Practical Magic similarities, but the Gilmore Girls was fully lost on me. Unless the GG aspect was small town coffee addicted characters. I would say this is more like Practical Magic meets the Good Witch franchise. With the town knowing something is going on with a family and bring addicted to the results that come from the items this family creates be it foods or medicine.

I came into this blind not knowing anything but it was compared to Gilmore girl and Practical magic and had witches with curses. Which made me think that it would be a cozy fantasy with laughs and heartbreak for the main character. This is more along the line of a young adult contemporary fantasy with grain of romance, dash of humor and hefty portion if drama. I say young adult because there is nothing really making this adult other than the main character bring over 20 but the main character herself lives and works with her family and the romance in this is just kissing. The adult factors would be buying a house or company, leaving when they want with the ability to drive (which any 18 year old had the ability to do) and the consumption of wine. If you like tropes like miscommunication, soulmates, family unit/found family, forbidden love, (others i cant mention due to spoilers) then this book is for you. Let it be known that i am not fully a contemporary fan due to the fact i find them slow and boring with the amount of detail that gets put into them and lack of action/ exhilaration (no real risk reward factor) and i know what needs to be done to reach the goal the whole time in the story just waiting for the character to catch on.


The story follows main character Sadie who is 28 and has always known her family had magic that came at a price. At the age of 13 they are asked if they want to give up their magic or keep it and learn about the curse that came with it. Sadie and her twin brother Seth choose to keep their magic like the rest of their family. The curses are meant to be specific for each person and when the curse it finished (or triggered) their magic will take over and will be hard to control if not leave completely. Sadie's curse happens to be that she will suffer four heartbreaks each worse than the one before it making Sadie protect her heart more than normal by not letting anyone fully in. Sadly Sadie got her first heartbreak at 18 by her first love Jake when he left without warning. and second from her brother Seth when he too left without even a goodbye leaving Sadie with only two heartbreaks more until her life is changed forever. Everything is going fine until bad omens start to pop up like daisies and according to Sadie's grandmother Gigi "seven bad omens in a row meant a nightmare was around the corner" not to mention that one of the omens was the flooding of the river that everyone knew symbolized the return of someone. So Sadie already was on edge before catching a glimpse of heartbreak number 1 walking down the street after 10 years. Things get strange and downhill from there as the story goes along involving animals, home and garden with personality, family secrets and a roller coaster of emotions.

This was still a good book maybe needs to be pitched a bit differently, so the readers know what they are getting into.. There were a few grammar errors in the book with a word being repeated or someone being one place then showing up another like they teleported or sped. It felt predictable to me but that's usually what contemporary stories feel like to me. This could also be sold as a young adult book if it wished or even a new adult since nothing children shouldn't see or read is in it other than drinking wine and the talk of death. Would i recommend this to anyone? YES. Would i reread this? probably not. Am i happy i read it? Yes.

When a book says it's similar to Gilmore Girls I always go in a bit suspicious but wow this book blew me away. The MC was loveable, flawed and relatable. The family aspect of the book makes you want to be a member of this strange little group. I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of recipes after each chapter!

Unfortunately I DNF’d this book. It did not captivate my interest as I had thought it would. I definitely think there’s an audience for this, it’s just not me.