Sadie Revelare has lived with a curse her whole life. Only given four heartbreaks in her lifetime before the curse takes her magic. Sadie has been on a mission to guard her heart, yet it hasn’t been successful. Down to only two heartbreaks left, she can’t take any chances. But, her world is shattered when her grandma is diagnosed with terminal cancer… the ultimate heartbreak. Who will she turn to? The ex-boyfriend who caused heartbreak number one or her twin brother who caused heartbreak number two. Magic may be in Sadie’s veins, yet heartbreak will be her fall.

This was a sweet novel. Small town, second chances and magic. I loved that Sadie owned a bakery and magic was an essential part of the baking process. Plus, there were recipes added at the end of each chapter. Some things that didn’t work for me, the pace of the plot and the minimal backstory on Sadie and her ex-boyfriend’s relationship.

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for this ARC.

Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.

I love a good cozy read and this hit the spot. The story was charming and had me turning pages for hours. I can admit that this wavered off and on with the plot, but it did not affect my attention span. I think that the author did a great job describing scenes and I enjoyed the characters engagement with one another. I would say this is a good weekend read that leaves you feeling satisfied.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is an enchanting and beautiful novel and I am so, so happy I got to read it in advance! Thank you so much Breanne Randall, Alcove Press and NetGalley for the chance!

I love it when the author weaves a story and creates a world that is so magical and so wonderful that as a reader I can just let go and get swept away by the story - which is exactly what happened with this book. I could feel the heartbreaks and the fear but also the heartwarming moments and the joy and I cried both tears of sadness and tears of joy, many many times, while reading.

I fell in love with the gorgeous cover the moment I saw it and now I've fallen in love with the book and all the characters, too. ❤ Five stars.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book!

Our main character, Sadie, is having a hard time. And haven't we all? Having been born into a founding family with magical ancestry, she is both blessed and cursed. Her curse is of four major heartbreakings and to lose her magic. She is spun so tight that she might spiral if that final heartbreak hits...but what if it's also the best thing for her?

This book is bursting with love and family and finding out your own limits. I absolutely adored it and cannot wait to purchase to have my own physical copy.

Thank you to Netgalley, Breanne & Alcove Press for a chance to read this ARC. I enjoyed how the author tied in the recipes at the end of every chapter. I can see why it was pitched as Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls. I feel like it will be a hit with everyone who picks it up.

So.... unfortunately, I really, really didn't like this. From the start, this book is simultaneously over-written and under-written. I'm someone that likes some flowery prose, but there was a repetition of the type of flowery prose in this book that made reading monotonous. The characters all felt like caricatures or stereotypes. The magic was interesting but was completely unexplained. Towards the very end of the book, there were new facts being dropped about how magic worked that I was just baffled. Like, you can't put magic in the book, have it be central to the book, and just... not build on that. Especially because nothing else in the book was really built up all that much. The romance, especially, didn't work for me. I didn't like Sadie all that much and I really didn't like Jake either. I didn't see the pull either of them had to one another and, if they hadn't gotten together in the end, I probably would've liked the book a bit more.

Speaking of Sadie, I feel like she's the book's biggest problem. For one, the way the characters tell us about who she is as a person versus what we actually see is so incongruous that I felt like there was something I was missing. So when the big reveal or whatever (which really wasn't a big reveal--it was incredibly obvious) came about, it didn't feel like it meant anything.

Idk. This just felt like a lot of flourish poured into a book with little Instagram motivators (and recipes) tipped into each chapter. I'm glad other people have found comfort and meaning in this book, but I just ended up feeling hollow.

I enjoyed this book. It was cozy and atmospheric and would make a great fall read. I really liked the family dynamic and loved seeing them all gathered together. I liked watching Sadie's growth, and seeing her learn to rely on others.

I do wish there had been more back story on several of the characters and their relationships. Also, I would have liked the chapters to have been a little shorter.

All in all, it was a really good read and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a feel good read full of magic and heart.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC.

The story was predictable but however was an interesting read, I did find it difficult to get through Sadie's internal dialogu. The writing felt a little scattered and quite long and being drawn out.

The clock is ticking for Sadie Revelare. Yes, a magic grandfather clock in the hallway of her home, but also the clock of a family curse, binding her to have four heartbreaks. It's part of the bargain that allows her to have magic, which she uses to help everyone around her, whether they know it! Sadie and her twin brother Seth were raised by their grandmother Gigi, and at the cafe that Sadie co-owns with Gigi, all of her baked goods, coffee drinks, and more are infused with delicious flavors and just the right amount of magic.

But every bargain must be balanced. Seth has been missing for nearly a year, trying to find peace with his own magic. Sadie's first love, and one of the heartbreaks, Jake has come back to town. And finally, the truth that Gigi won't be around forever is writ large for Sadie.

Resourceful Sadie has to make her way through all of these emotional hurdles. But how? Her magic can help her, but only so far.

This book is similar to The Ex Hex and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches in that we see people with magic powers living in a community with a bunch of non-magic people who love them anyway. There's a community of magic people and non-magic people, but they co-exist. There's also a strong community/found family vibe here.

I really wanted to like this book. The premise is so interesting, Sadie is such a likable character, and the writing is beautiful. But there was too much going on and too many plot holes for me to really enjoy it. The action moved forward and I found myself confused, wondering how we got to this moment, or what was the motivation for this particular action.

Some really strong spots for the book:
- character descriptions. they were all so vivid
- actually, anything that required description was so well done. the garden, the home, the weather, the bakery...
- it was cute to have the recipes throughout the book BUT the recipe notes themselves were a little confusing because they were written in first person while the whole book was third person. So I was waiting for a final act reveal of who the narrator actually was, which didn't happen but was a sticky point for me.
- Sadie herself. Her journey was directly related to her magic but her struggles and internal emotion discourse could be applicable to anyone on the precipice of a big change.

Questions I still have:
- why did Sadie and Jake break up, and why did he feel compelled to leave?
- where has Seth been this whole time? How did Raquel keep his whereabouts a secret from Sadie?
- how does Florence make money? And who is Sage's father? is Sage really Florence's daughter or is that a cover story
- if Revelares always leave, but come back, why hasn't Sadie left town yet?


Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC.

Thank you Alcove Press, Breanne Randal & NetGalley for this ARC.
A book of spells, recipes and magic, but most of all family and love.

I did get Gilmore Girls vibes from the small town setting - quintessential cozy fall vibes - but not from relationships in the books. Still enjoyable - but just FYI in case that's what you're expecting.
This was definitely more cozy, kitchen-witch vibes than Practical Magic as well.
The relationships and the family home definitely reminded me of the Madrigal family in Encanto though, which was pretty amusing.

I enjoyed the plot, but it did feel a bit overlooked in comparison to establishing the world and the relationships.
The romance sub-plot did feel a bit rushed.

Enjoyable read, and would likely pick up the next one.

I absolutely fell in love with this book! The setting was so cozy and gave off fall vibes. The author did an amazing job at making the environment feel so real.
Although there were a few things I didn’t love about this story, it never took away my enjoyment. I just felt like the romance between the side characters were a little misplaced/underdeveloped. There were so many family members that left me very confused. The main romance plot just felt very rushed and I would’ve loved for it to be resolved in this book.
Overall it was a great read and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!

This book sounded so promising to me, but after 20% read, I decided to not continue. The writing was nicely descriptive and the recipes were a fun addition. However, it moved too slowly for me. It felt like nothing was really happening yet. I’m sure some will love this style, but I prefer either a faster pace or a deeper plot. Thank you for the opportunity.

I have read several novels that seem to combine magic and baking. This one is unique in that is combines a family curse, a great deal of family and heartbreak. I think anyone who enjoys complicated characters and can suspend reality would enjoy this novel. The recipes seem doable and didn’t interfere with the story.

A sweet story about second chances and family. I liked all the characters and the romance. Loved the included recipes. Story was a bit predictable at times, but it was a cozy read.

“Hold on to hope no matter the cost, because as long as there’s hope, everything else is just the unfortunate side effects of heartbreak and magic.”

Such a wonderfully magical warm little book this one is!! I remember reading that Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls in here and immediately putting in my request without reading the rest of the information and I’m glad there was no disappointment on that front. If there were to be a magical element at Stars Hollow, it would surely be exactly like Poppy Meadows.

“Magic wasn’t always spells and curses and charms. Sometimes it was the comfortable silence of a good meal, and smiling eyes that met across the room and spoke more than words.”

Apart from magic, this one has generous servings of family, friendship, and love making it an amazing recipe. And speaking of recipes, all the recipes included in the book are truly a perfect touch for the story.

Thank you for my advance copy, @netgalley

I definitely got the Gilmore girls vibe that was advertised; it’s a cute small town where everyone knows everyone, with a lot of magic involved. I think it’s a cute and lighthearted read. I just wish some thing were explored with more complexity; for example, when they’re making a potion I wish we had seen the characters find out how to make it instead of them just knowing and going along with what Sadie says.
I liked the characters, they were decent, but not that three dimensional, especially Jake. I didn’t really care for him and I wasn’t too bothered about Sadie and Jake getting together because he kind of just plops up. Sadie could’ve just as well stayed single and I kinda think that would’ve been better in some ways, since her brother is back anyway. Besides, jakes gf just did a Mrs Shuester, and he immediately goes to Sadie. It just felt very rushed.
Getting the ingredients for the potion was also very easy, he just had to climb a tree. I think it should’ve involved some sort of brain and brawn where at the end the characters and the readers are both relieved and excited after achieving and collecting them.
The mothers entrance should’ve been more dramatic maybe with everyone being really shocked and lots of tension cos it felt like they were expecting it? Idk maybe that’s just me.
I enjoyed the relationship between Sadie and Seth and Raquel too. I liked Gigi but I felt like her catchphrases were trying too hard. I also liked the magic in food aspect which I thought was very cool, and I saved a bunch of recipes which I hope to try! I liked how the recipes were at the end of each chapter, it’s very unique.
Overall I think it’s a cute and somewhat simple story that’s nice and easy to read, though it would’ve been better if there were more layers involved.

This book is for you if you're seeking for a sweet, uplifting tale that mixes magic, baking, and love. The author fulfills their promise of 'Practical Magic' and 'Gilmore Girls' in a fascinating way.

Despite the plot's potential predictability, the book's homey atmosphere is enhanced by it. When everything proceeds just as you anticipated, you'll find yourself grinning. Anyone seeking to escape into a nice environment with endearing characters should read this small-town novel.

The recipes are one of this book's highlights since they are seamlessly incorporated into the plot. They not only enhance the book's appeal overall, but they also give you the urge to start baking.

This book is fantastic all around. You won't be let down by this one if you're searching for a nice, endearing book that will make you feel good on the inside.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for this Arc!

*This book has lovely descriptions, especially of food, baking, gardening and nature. It has an incredibly cozy feel to it.
*The dialogue feels very forced at times and also repetitive.
*There are many typos throughout the entire book. A copy editor should do a closer read before going to print.
*The edition of the recipes between chapters was adorable and really connected me to the world more.
*The pacing was odd at times, with a rush to introduce the love interest and then a very long stretch between relevant plot points. The end came abruptly and was resolve really quickly for the amount of time spent preparing for it.
*One plot point that confused me was that Sadie says she hasn't eaten since morning when she comes home from the hospital after seeing her grandmother -- but they had taken her grandmother to the hospital when she fell down right after their dinner?
*The book could have been at least 50 pages shorter.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

There were elements of this book that I liked and I can definitely see other people loving it but personally this book was not my cup of tea.
I really enjoyed the recipes that punctuated each chapter! The food described sounded so amazing so then to get a little recipe for some of them was so cool!
I struggled from the beginning with the way Sadie’s anger towards the people who left her was dismissed by seemingly all her friends and family. It felt like Sadie was justified but then Gigi basically just tells her to forgive and forget and not to guard her heart??? But of course she will when people have hurt her in the past!!
It also took until about half way through for a plot to form. I understand establishing a backstory but the first half felt aimless to me and I kept thinking ‘what is actually going to come of all of this?’
I will say that the magic and curses was really interesting but I just couldn’t enjoy this book unfortunately.

The unfortunate side effects of heartbreak and magic 3⭐️

The unfortunate side effects of heartbreak and magic by Breanne Randall publishing September 2023. A book of spells, herbs and magic, but most of all family and love. This book also has recipes for delicious food. Sadie, Seth and their Gigi. Will show you how magical love is