Really enjoyed this one! They really hit the nail on the head with the Gilmore Girls vibes. Liked the characters, an easy read.

I just couldn’t get into it but i’m sure there’s someone put there this book is for. I follow this author on instagram and the way they talk about it I was super excited but just couldn’t keep going.

This was a disappointment for me, The blurb sounded great but it was overloaded with characters which didn't allow for a full development of the characters. I really disliked the romance element, it felt forced and Sadie forgave Jake way too easily. Who runs into the arms of someone who hurt them as soon as you see them again years after?

I think the author has potential but she threw all her ideas at one story and it is very clear how influenced she was by Practical Magic. The book would benefit from an editor going back over the story to help it. I received an early advance so it is possible changes will be made before actual release.

This book was a miss for me. I do see high ratings from others but I couldn't see the appeal.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanna Randall

Thanks to Head of Zeus (Aries & Aria) for my Netgalley copy of the book!

This book was pitched as Practical Magic meets The Gilmore Girls and whilst I’ve only seen snippets of The Gilmore Girls (don’t come for me!) I LOVE LOVE LOVE Practical Magic. And so this was a must buy for me.

I really enjoyed this book. And it is most definitely filled with heartbreak and magic.

I really enjoyed the character of Sadie and her deep love of her magic. I loved how each of the characters surrounding her understood her and tried to nudge her in the right direction and how she clung steadfast to her magic and her avoidance of another heartbreak.

I loved how magical explanations were infused into everything and the explanations for each recipe shared and what they were for. It made me want magic of my own 🥰

The recipes in the book are simple to follow and add so much to the book - I feel like a separate mini book is needed as an accompaniment so that I don’t splash ingredients all over this lush story 😍

Overall if you love magical realism then I cannot recommend this book enough. Perfect for the autumnal season and will make your heart swell with love.

Described as Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls I was keen to read this. That been said, it didn't really vibe with me in quite that way.

Ok, there is small town vibes, family and magic but the family sure is dysfunctional and the magic played down.

I rounded this up to 4 stars and enjoyed this as a quick, cosy read with witchy vibes but found it had rather too many aspects I was not keen on to want to read again.

I found the main character rather annoying, and disliked that she took so rubbish from everyone in the story. 8 would have like to have seen more of the romance background story in this book. 10 years apart and not much background seemed a little way beyond second chance romance to me. And I wasnt overly keen on the whole ' I forgot to say I'm engaged' storyline.

Over all it was an ok read with elements I enjoyed

I was excited to read this based on the Gilmore Girls x Practical Magic comparison, but it quickly became apparent this wasn’t for me. I loved some of the secondary characters - Gigi was excellent, and i wish Lavender and Lace got more air time. I liked the sensory aspects of the descriptions and enjoyed the setting. I just wish the story had been a little more straightforward as I found the magic system / curses a little hard to follow.

Having seen many early reviews for this book, comparing it to Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls I couldn't wait to read it.

In The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic we follow Sadie, and her witchy ancestral line that is cursed, doomed to heartbreak if they use their magic. The setting of this is so cosy, and I enjoyed all the cafe scenes, this is a perfect autumnal read and I look forward to reading more from the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria and Aries for the chance to read The Unfortunate Side Affects of Heartbreak and Magic.

It is a cosy, small-town magical tale with an emotional mix of curses, heartbreak, magic and romance. Sadie's viewpoint immerses the reader in her fears, grief and hopes. There is detailed world-building, an authentic family dynamic and a sense of community and magic. I like the distinct small-town North American vibe with echoes of 'Charmed'.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Actual review 4.5 stars

I was super lucky to get to read an ARC from Netgalley of this novel and I’m so glad I applied for it. I definitely recommend if you’re a fan cozy magical reads!

I feel like this book nurtured me. The descriptions alone brought me back to my childhood and memories of helping my mum cook. Plus the themes of grief, death, and sacrifice are all themes I try to explore in my own writing.

I really loved the unique family members and the way they interacted with each other. I teared up throughout the book and genuinely liked our main character Sadie and especially her relationship with her grandmother Gigi. This is a very cozy yet important book which helps you explore yourself as the story drives forward.

i did enhoy this story but it isnt up there for me. i loved the characters however they definitely could have been more diverse as i feel like this genre of cozy fantasy has really brought together a community who wants to read about a diverse range of characters in their stories.
i loved the kitchen witch vibes, ive definitely been enjoying these cozy, kitchen/cafe boojs after reading legends and lattes

This is a cute and cosy Autumn read, described as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic. I've seen this all over social media, and maybe it was the hype that left me slightly disappointed that some of the main characters weren't all that likeable, but overall a great read for a cosy night in with all the recipes you could want.

Cute, cozy, witchy, packed with warmth, family love, and yummy food references.

I totally got the Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls vibes of this book, with the quirky family of witches and the town setting being similar to Stars Hollow.

The story was packed full of different elements, with romance, mystery, heartbreak, and comedy all mixed together, resulting in a plot full of elements that put the main character, Sadie, through the ringer. She seems to go on such a journey through the book, as she navigates the events unfolding.

This is the ideal book to curl up with infront of a fire this Autumn, as you get a little lost in the magic. At the end of every chapter you have a recipe that reflects what you've read, which all sound so yummy -- I definitely saved some to try later!

Overall I give this book a 4⭐, and would recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me this arc in return for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Um what the heck, this was friggin adorable. It was so cosy, and the witchy small town vibes made me so happy. There are actual recipes!! Such a delightful touch. I adored this book.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, Breanne Randall
Rated - 4 / 5 ✨

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Aria Fiction for the copy in return for an honest review 🫶🏻

It took me a few chapters to truly get into this book, however once I was in, I was captivated by it, I went through every emotion, and it was done in such a beautiful way. I cried, more than I’d like to admit.

This book was full of small town, witchy energy, it followed Sadie through her personal journey of four heartbreaks following a curse from her younger years, the return of the one who broke her heart first, but also the realities of life, grief, denial, being unable to control everything. Things we all go through.

I adored the family dynamic in this book, in fact I loved the Revelare family, especially Gigi. The support, the love, the magic from them all was so infectious.

One thing that was such a lovely touch was the recipes at the end of every chapter, each one put a smile on my face.

This book truly has heartbreak, in all forms, but it also has joy, in the most magical way. It truly was a gorgeous witchy autumn read ✨🍂

Light and humorous with a real sense of Gilmore Girls style, this is fun reading, especially with the wonderful magical realism woven through. It's clear why it's a social media favourite and hopefully reaches a wide audience who will fall in love with it.

Rating 4 Stars
Spice 0

I would like to thank Aria and Aries, as well as Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this beautiful ARC.

If someone asked me to describe how this book feels, I would answer, “it feels like receiving a warm hug from the sun on a cold winters day with a coffee”. This book is so cozy and I am here for it.

Sadie and her grandmother Gigi own a cafe in town selling scrumptious cakes, breads and pies that are spellbound. These goodies have the ability to give clarity, confidence and take away stress. Sadie’s magic is everything to her and it brings her close to the community through her baking.
Ps her recipes are in the book as well :)

Sadies’ magic is what makes her Sadie, or so she believes. When not one but 3 events tilt her world on its axis what will she do?

Breanne Randall sucked me right into this book. It is the perfect book for fall with its cozy, witchy vibes.

I really wanted to love this book but sadly it wasn't for me. I can definitely see the appeal, however I guess I was expecting more from the advertising of Gilmore Girls meets Practical magic and I felt it fell short of both of those things. The recipes slotted between the chapters was an incredibly cozy touch and the descriptions of baking in the kitchen and gathering in the garden were cozy, but the story overall left me with a deep sense of anxiety that shouldn't be so prevalent in the genre of "cozy fantasy". This book is much more high stakes than "cozy fantasy" actually is. The story is all meant to be hopeful but even half way through the book, there was nothing but sadness for the main character, and the romance seemed a bit forced and inorganic to me. I know that other people love this book and I am no way saying you shouldn't read this. However, I am saying that you should know this isn't "cozy fantasy" when you pick it up, more so "magical realism". You are in for a fair bit of pain before the main character gets any happy moments.

This book is a captivating journey through the depths of imagination. Its rich storytelling and well-developed characters kept me engaged from start to finish. With its thought-provoking themes, it transcends genres and offers something for every reader. A must-read for anyone seeking a literary adventure.

So the premise of this story was intriguing to me and honestly it rang true. It is kind of like practical magic meets Gilmore girls. It was funny and wholesome and painted such a picturesque portrait of their small town and it’s quirks. It really drew me in while being incredibly easy to read.

I loved Sadie’s love of magic and cooking and how the two connected - I guess cooking is a type of magic the results of which can be comforting.

I enjoyed the set up of the family dynamic and how the family past and backstory were brought up. I did feel that some parts were rushed under the guise of information that the reader got about past events but overall it was cute read about family, love, sacrifice and figuring out who you are.

This book was kindly provided as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5

I was expecting similar vibes to Legends and Lattes but I found the story lacked the essence to make it a comfort read. The main character wasn't particularly likeable and I felt everyone was jumping through hoops to please her with minimal character development. A predictable plot with a couple of surprises along the way. I believe the main reason I did not enjoy it as much as I wished to was due to the 3rd person's POV as I always felt at a distance from what was going on.