Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I read this one early in 2024 and I really enjoyed it. The writing was well done, with realistic and laugh out loud dialogue. There were heavier topics throughout as the characters navigated through past trauma. Overall, it was a solid read for me this past year.

This was a unique and fun fall read that had me hooked from the start. I loved the main character, Clementine’s family dynamic and close relationship with her sisters. However, I had a hard time staying invested in the story after the first part of the story. I think that a lot of romance readers will love this story and the characters, but it wasn’t for me.

This was simply enchanting. This story was so sweet and wonderfully written. Clemmie is such a relatable character and Theo is so obsessed with her, it’s adorable. I loved the relationship between Clemmie and her sisters Lil and Serena. The witchy vibes were subtle and I kind of loved it that way.

This was a take or leave it sorry for me. Nothing really happened and it was super predictable which for this book it didn't really work out. The story itself was fine but it just wasn't what I would call exciting. The characters were fine as well but nothing really over the top. Overall, this was just mediocre.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Quick Summary: More than a rock star romance

My Review: Under Your Spell by Laura Wood is a 2024 women's fiction romance.

About the Book: "She only wants three things. He isn't one of them..."

Talk about an implosion of circumstances and that would just about sum up what has happened in the life of Clementine Monroe. When enough became enough, she took an explosive chance with a stranger. Who knew that the stranger would end up becoming her new boss.

My Final Say: Oh my darn! This little gem was fantastic. Can I get the audio like yesterday?! I loved it. Clemmie and Not Edward were so intense. (See what I did there?) I could feel the tension coming off the pages with these two. Their interactions were sweet and hot and curious and revealing and...

At the heart of the story, there were a few themes. Family was huge. Learning to live beyond betrayal and neglect was big. Seeking help from emotional/mental challenges was prominent. Finding love in unexpected places was present. Becoming more, beyond the struggles of life was in there. Reconciling the personhood of self with the true self was noted. It was a heaping helping of love and growth lessons.

Other: Readers who are looking for a heart and soul read with a touch of heat and a portion of harmonious partnering will really enjoy this novel.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💛💖💛

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Atria Books), and to NetGalley. It was a pleasure to read this novel. I appreciate the opportunity to review a digital ARC of this work in exchange for an honest critique. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved the premise and the sisters. I think Theo was a little too into his and her feelings for my taste. But he was a good MMC. I would have loved a couple chapters from his POV.

This was cute and fun and light. A much needed reprieve from recent current events. Clemmie and her sisters are delightful and quirky; Theo's a romance novel dreamboat; and the setting is atmospheric and filled with as much character as Clemmie and Theo and the rest of Clemmie's unconventional family, Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy - I am just sorry I waited so long to read it.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to arc read this novel!

Under your spell was a light enjoyable read where the daughter of a rock stars catches herself falling for a celebrity after promising herself that she would never go down that path.

Under Your Spell
Laura Wood
3.75⭐️

Pub Date: 6/25/2024

If you're a fan of rockstars/musicians, here's a good fall vibes read for you. 3 sisters, homemade spell to curse an ex. Kinda sounds a little like The Ex Hex for me but don't get discouraged. It was very much enjoyable still. I loved the conversations regarding therapy. Most of the characters got vulnerable with each other, not just the couple and I thought that was special. Sick Clemmie (FMC) is just the best- obnoxious and so funny! This plot made me feel giddy. The flirting were subtle until they're not. I chuckled lots reading this book. Overall, I enjoyed this one. It was a good palate cleanser from all the heavier and more complex things that I was reading at that time. There were lots of tropes and I bet you can find something you adore in this book. But yes, I thought it got to a point where there were too many tropes and event cliches in here that it reminded me of other books in the same genre. Still a thumbs up for me!

Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for a gifted e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This looked so good. I was extremely excited. Unfortunately I just can’t stand when the dialogue is one of a child and characters act like they’re four when they’re both in their thirties. No one is more disappointed than me.

This was cute and cheesy with a rock and roll twist. Side note: CLemmie is a terrible name. It is a cute romcom that covers pretty much every trope in one go and is delightful. Here is your gummy bear of a romance novel. Enjoy away!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Clementine, affectionately known as Clemmie, is facing a series of unfortunate events. After four years of being in a relationship, her boyfriend abruptly ends it and moves in with another woman. To make matters worse, her job, which she had thoroughly enjoyed, is laying her off. Additionally, she is on the brink of losing her flat. Leaving poor Clemmie jobless, boyfriend less and homeless.

In an attempt to cheer her up, Clemmie and her sisters decide to revisit a childhood tradition. They gather together and cast a spell, each sister making a single wish for Clemmie. The question lingers: will the wish work for Clemmie alone, or will it benefit all the sisters as well?

Clemmie’s story captivated me from the very beginning. I devoured the book in a single day, driven by an insatiable curiosity about how her life would unfold.

Beyond the captivating plot, Clemmie’s character is a complex tapestry of emotions and experiences. Her family dynamics are intricate, marked by both love and conflict. Her past is filled with hurtful experiences that have shaped her into the person she is today. As Clemmie navigates her life, she must confront her fears and decide whether to embrace risks and open herself up to the possibility of finding love.

One aspect of the book that I particularly enjoyed was the witty and engaging dialogue between the characters. The banter between Clemmie and her sisters was a highlight of the story, providing moments of levity and humor amidst the challenges Clemmie faced.

Adorbs. I loved the setting, loved the sisters, and loved Theo and Clemmie. This is a love story that encompasses more than just romantic love. It's about healing old wounds, facing the world with bravery, and daring yourself to be more.

Theo is a quintessential golden retriever of a human being and Clemmie is the black alley cat who isn't sure about love because of her past. I'd have liked them to figure their shit out earlier in the book and maybe more spice (this builds FOREVER and then we get like less than half a page? C'mon now)

All in all, a great rockstar romance.

This book was really, really cute. I loved the banter and had so many points where I was literally laughing so hard I woke my toddler up in the middle of the night! The relationship between the FMC and her sisters was really sweet to see, and I liked that she got the closure that she needed from her past relationships.

The relationship between the FMC and her dad felt eerily similar to my own, and it was nice that she was able to get her feelings off her chest and get some sense of closure with that too.

While I immensely enjoyed reading this, the third act break up was pretty annoying and I felt like it was rather unnecessary.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend.

I LOVED this book - I went in blind and it was so delightful. The writing reminded me of a mix of Christina Lauren and Beth O'Leary - it had the feel of a early 2000s romcom and the charm of an English romance book. Right from the beginning this one sucked me in - the writing was engaging, the characters were funny and relatable, and the story was both swoony and laugh out loud funny. It's not often that I love both romantic leads equally (what can I say, I pick favorites) but this is one of the rare exceptions. Both Clemmie and Theo were delightful - you'll be rooting for them from chapter one. I can't wait to read whatever Laura Wood writes next.

2.5/5 - There were parts of this I enjoyed, and others I didn't. It did feel unrealistic at times, and the connection between the characters didn't actually feel as profound and deep as it was portrayed to be, but their interactions were enjoyable to read, especially during the beginning. I felt that they did loose some of their spark near the end, and the conflict didn't really add any tension since it was entirely predictable but instead, made me feel more detached which resulted in the ending falling flat.

I LOVED this book!!! I genuinely didn’t know what to expect but I’m so glad I read it! Clemmie’s character was a pleasure to get to know and I loved the way her love story unfolded! I can’t wait to read Laura Wood’s next book!

I absolutely loved how close knit the sisters were as well as the moms considering how everything played out in the beginning. Strong women all around and all their for each other no matter what happens. Clemmie's love life has had some rocky moments. Being the daughter of a rock star doesn't make it easy for her to trust in the first place, but her one goal is to stay in her private little cocoon. Her sisters gather around during the latest fiasco in her life to support her and weave what they figured is a "fake" spell. Suddenly things start to turn around. Can she believe that Theo is in her life for the right reasons? Can she handle the publicity that comes with hanging around with yet another rock star? I enjoyed the sisters more than the love story but that ended up being pretty wonderful too. This is my first read from this author and I'd have no qualms reading more in the future.

Under Your Spell is a blend of humor, sisterhood, and a dash of celebrity romance. Shortly after Clemmie’s life is upended by a cheating ex and a lost teaching job, her sisters rally to perform a slightly fumbled spell, setting off a series of events tied to their three wishes: career success, hot sex, and finding soulmate love.

When Clemmie takes on a job to host rockstar Theo at her grandmother’s beach house, she’s tasked making him feel at home so he can write his overdue album. She wished for a new start, but he was the wish she never saw coming.

The book’s humor, nostalgia, and exploration of sisterhood were highlights for me, reminding me of summer days spent wild at the beach. While Theo’s reaction to the third-act conflict felt frustrating, it’s understandable in light of his character arc.

If you love a good celebrity romance with a touch of magic, this one’s for you. Bonus: the audiobook performance is fantastic! Highly recommend!

Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.