Member Reviews

I actually came across this book on goodreads when a friend marked it as a book they wanted to read so I was so excited to find it on netgalley and then be given acces to read it early! Under Your Spell by Laura Wood is a swoonworthy romance that is sure to put you into a trance (hehe).This book felt like every fan-fiction I read growing up about falling in love with the dreamy singer, seriously I felt so giddy the whole time watching Clemmie & Theo fall in love.

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Clementine is on the brink of losing it all. She was just dumped, kicked out of her apartment, and doesn't know what to do with her life. Luckily, her sisters are here to help, and harkening back to their youth, they do a spell to bring love and luck to Clementine. She has a one-night stand with Theo, a sexy guy she meets at a party, only to find out that he's a famous rock star. For Clem, this is a no-go since her own father is a notorious rock star. Then, a job opens up working as a housekeeper for 6 weeks on the coast. Much to her surprise, she's looking after none other than Theo while he works on his new album. The two try to fight their feelings for each other, and are faced with tough questions about fame and honesty.

This book was really cute. I love anything that shows the bond of sisterhood, and the relationship between Clementine and her sisters was really special. Rock star romances also hold a special place in my heart, and this one didn't disappoint.

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Pros
- I really liked the backstory
- Very funny
- Loved the characters
- Loved the sisterhood and the chemistry with the two love interests
- A believable "I didn't know he was a world famous rockstar" trope, which is rare
- I normally hate third act break ups, but I liked how this one was handled

Cons
- I don't love sitting through therapy with a character, but author did a good job of keeping them brief

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Where do I submit my petition to become part of the witchy sisters?

What I liked:

The absolute joy that Theo is this entire book. He is so obviously gone for our girl Clementine (even if she is a little too dense to know it).

I loved the relationship between Clemmie and her sisters. They are hilarious and their love for another just melted my heart.

The mom’s were also so adorable. The side relationships in this book really shined.

What didn’t work for me:

When something towards the end of the book could’ve been solved with one conversation…that damn near killed me.

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This felt so much like a harry styles fan fiction and I don't know how I feel about that. I really hated it most of the time. I thought Clementine was annoying as fuck. I was so done and I shouldn've DNFed, I just wanted to see how it ended.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Thank you Atria for the copy of Under Your Spell, a fun romcom filled with some of my favorite tropes and settings and a nicely developed focus on sisters and family as well. A story that does not, in a good way, take itself too seriously and lets the reader just have fun with well loved, and well used, rom com tropes that offered moments of laughter, sexual tension, and hoped for happy endings.

Theo, the male main character, is a standout as a more than his reputation indicates love interest: he is caring, talented, and focused on others; I loved how the plot at times dove into his music and his career for added depth. Clemmie, even with her chaotic start to the story, is charming and funny, self aware and self deprecating even as you want to push her to be more herself. And her sisters, the whole family story, added charm to the story as did the whole weird sisters theme with the "spell" and how they interacted with each other. A fun trope loving rom com, a perfect little cinnamon roll with a little sweet spice added in, just right for your poolside reading.

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UNDER YOUR SPELL is one of the best romantic comedies I have read this year. From the banter to the plot to the characters, everything, to me, was sheer perfection. I loved this book so much that I am now going to go back and read it a second time because I want to be back in the world the author created. Honestly, I think this book is amazing and you should read it.

This book was incredible for so many reasons. The plot, while it seems a bit convoluted, WORKS, and I have to say that is because of the author. Her ability to incorporate the plot intermixed with the tension she creates, the classic romantic comedy angst, plus the fully fleshed out slow burn romance deserves a slow clap. And not only that, she also creates amazing banter between characters, character growth, and fully fleshed out side characters. It is truly a feat and incredible to behold. From the first moment I started reading, I knew that this book was something special. Every aspect of this book is done well.

To me, this book is a favorite of mine for the whole year and I’m probably going to buy a physical copy so that I have that one too. It’s filled with a slow burn romance, fully realized characters, and an engaging plot. This one is worth the read and is one you should read immediately!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Under Your Spell is an utterly delightful and charming story. I was completely invested right from the start. Clemmie is the second child of rockstar fame Ripp Harris, who had her, and her sisters, with three different women within a few months. As unusual as it was, I loved how the author wrote the family relationships, and the different dynamics between the sisters (they call themselves the "Weird Sisters").
Clemmie stays away from the music world as much as possible, until she finds out that her one-night stand is none other than rockstar Theo Elliot, also the guy she reluctantly agrees to babysit for six weeks.
Although Clemmie tries to maintain a distance from Theo, as does Theo, there is an undeniable attraction between them, and they slowly grow from the awkward we-won't-make-this-a-thing to friendship, and to something more. I absolutely loved Clemmie and Theo. Theo was green flag all the way.
Added to all of that, something that always works for me is a secondary cast that adds meaning to the story. I loved every one of them - the parents, the siblings, and the exacting and meticulous David (Theo's assistant).
Laura Wood spins a beautiful tale with an underlying wittiness that made me chuckle at the most unexpected moments.
Under Your Spell is a wonderfully wholesome story, and I enjoyed every bit of it!
Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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I absolutely adored "Under Your Spell" by Laura Wood! It's such a swoon-worthy story and the perfect summer romance. From the moment I started reading, I was hooked.

The story follows Clemmie, daughter of a rock star. She is coming off a breakup and her and her sisters meet up at their family home to cast a spell to change their luck.

After the spell is cast Clemmie meets Theo at a funeral and has a one night stand. What Clemmie doesn’t know is Theo is a rock star, just like her Dad and crappy Ex boyfriend.

The tension between Theo and Clemmie is just magical. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their story feels so real and heartfelt. It had me smiling, sighing, and totally invested in their journey together. I was rooting for them the whole time!

Usually, I’m not a fan of books with a huge cast of characters, but Laura Wood nailed it. Every character has their own mini side story, and I loved exploring each one. They’re all so well-developed and interesting, adding so much depth to the book.

I could almost feel the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze while reading. It’s the kind of book that lets you escape into its world completely. I definitely recommend you add this book to your summer TBR!

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Very cute and very well done. Really hits that sweet spot of "I can't believe this book hasn't been written yet" while also feeling comfortably familiar.

The title AND cover are somehow both blah. (I hate to say it, but it really needed cartoon people instead of this guitar??) Ignore this and read it anyway.

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What a delightful romcom! One of my favorite tropes is the famous person + normal person romance, which this book offers a unique spin on - the "normal person" in this story is the daughter of a famous person and has made the decision to stay out of the limelight. So, what happens when she falls for someone who will place her squarely in the limelight?

The story centers around Clemmie (short for Clementine), who has just had a particularly brutal breakup with a very mediocre guy. After an evening wallowing with her two sisters (who share the same rockstar dad, but different moms - this little family of women is so wonderful!), the three decide to take matters into their own hands and cast a spell to set things right, just like they did as girls. There isn't magic in this book, more like manifesting (though it certainly *could be* magic) - just pointing this out for those who love or hate magical elements (they really aren't there). But the spell casting is a turning point for the sisters, and we get to follow along with Clemmie as their wishes slowly come true.

The love interest is Theo, who is pretty perfect, which I found just lovely, though some may roll their eyes. I felt like Clemmie needed perfect TBH. But don't take this to mean that everything goes how I thought it would - there are lots of surpises and great choices the author made. This was such a fun read, and I would recommend it to just about anyone. It's closed door, though it's pretty steamy even so.

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Clemmie has a few rules in life. Always trust her sisters is one of them. Another is never date a rockstar. But when she gets a job offer that she can't resist, she has to put aside the later.

I loved this book so much! One of my top reads of the year! Here's what I loved.

Clemmie. She was everything I want in a FMC. She's funny and devoted to her family. She's also strong and resilient. I wanted to be her friend!

Theo. My gosh. This man was amazing. He's sexy and talented. Overall, he's perfect for Clemmie. Their back and forth works so well.

The setting and the side characters. Most of the book takes place in the family cottage on the beach. It gives the book a great atmosphere. Along with that, all of the side characters were amazing. The relationship that Clemmie has with her two sisters and all of their mothers just made me happy.

All in all, this was a hilarious and little bit spicy romcom.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

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I love a good fake dating story! This was such a quick read for me! I enjoy the music background scene and over all it was funny, cute, romantic!! Something about an off limits bad boy rock star gets me every time!

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I don't usually reach for a rockstar romance but I picked this one because I really enjoy a romcom with a supernatural element. While the supernatural element was very small here I still really enjoyed this book!

Clemmie was very hesitant to be in a relationship and I loved how Theo respected that and didn't push her. He was her friend and supported her. He also made her feel special. I appreciated that Clemmie was willing to face her fears to be with Theo even though it was very difficult for her. Their relationship was surprisingly sweet for a rockstar romance.

I also really appreciated Clemmie's relationships with her sisters and that we got to see a bit of her sister's stories too (we don't get their POVs but they have small arcs). I also thought reading about her upbringing was fun!

I struggled a bit with the amount of angst in this book. I tend to prefer lower angst books and this one was medium to high angst. I especially don't like angst that I feel is unnecessary which was a bit the case here. However, I think that's more of a preference than a critique of the story.

I think fans of he falls first and a sweet romance with a bit of angst will like this one! I wouldn't pick it up looking for a paranormal romance though. It's more about self discovery and facing fears.

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Clemmie has just had a terrible breakup and with the support of her sisters and their "spell" she is trying to move on with her life. When she meets a mysterious Edward at a funeral, she decides he may be the guy she wants to try to move forward with (for one night). When Clemmie meets rock star Theo (formerly of a boy band and now a solo artist) she can't believe the twists her life is taking. The relationship between Clemmie and Theo was so fun to read. I loved the premise and the way things were developed between them BUT the star of this book was the relationship between the three sisters, all daughters of an aging rockstar. The support and love they had was so fun to read about, too. I couldn't put this down and reading it made me happy. I smiled and I laughed and I cheered on Clemmie and Theo. Thank you so much netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This book is absolutely MAGIC! Cue stars in my eyes and dancing around to happy music, even as I read this book from 11:30-3:00AM! Clemmie is an amazing FMC and her story is told so well. I felt like I knew her and her sisters and I felt their close-knit bond. Their story as a family is so unique and creative but has genuine heart and real depth to it. Theo is a perfect addition to the story from the very first time the back of his neck is described. The tension and chemistry that builds between Theo and Clemmie throughout the entire story is just beyond words (in the best way possible). The supporting cast was so well done and the sister magic was so real. Even though there is a third act break (?), I loved this story and already want to read it again. Even as I finished it, I wanted more from this family and I could see this being such a perfect movie. I’ll be over here plotting the cast until I see a real one announced! 5⭐️, 1.75🌶

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I am so excited to review this ARC!! ✨
If you're looking for a musician celebrity friends to lovers romance with some witchy magic🪄, this book is for you. From the first chapter I was HOOKED! It was emotional, sexy, funny and everything in between!The chemistry between Theo and Clemmie was *chefs kiss*. I loved the sisters, how absolutely supportive they were through everything Clemmie has been through. The development of every character in this book was amazing. I really felt like I knew them personally! The humor in this book was top tier, there were multiple moments I actually laughed out loud! All in all it was a fun, easy read.🥰
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read ahead of time so that I can pester all my friends how heartwarming and funny this book is and that they need to get it ASAP!

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What a fun read! I loved the forced proximity and rockstar vibes, and related with Clemmie so much in so many different ways! I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and will definitely be looking for more books from Laura Wood in the future!

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4.5 stars. This was such a lovely book. There were different kinds of love explored here, romantic and familial, and the highs and lows of both of those. There were also themes of self-discovery and growth, career struggles and burnout, and navigating complex family dynamics.

The book opens with Clemmie having a no-good, very-bad day after a string of events have led her to a place where she’s single, jobless, and about to lose her home. In an effort to cheer her up, her sisters show up to bring back a play spell of wishes that they came up with in their teen years. By ‘magic’ or coincidence, in roundabout ways and completely against what Clemmie believes she wants, those wishes start to come true.

First, I loved Clemmie’s relationship with her sisters, Lil and Serena. The whole family situation between them and their mothers was so unique. It felt like the epitome of turning lemons into lemonade that ended up being the perfect recipe. I found the whole thing beautiful. My heart hurt for Clemmie and the way her past had played out. It was completely understandable that she had trust issues with men and also with her own instincts. The positive impact therapy had on her life was well represented and provided some lightness in humorous moments with therapist and, by extension, Theo.

Theo, Theo, Theo. It was an adventure from concealed-identity-one-night-stand to friends to lovers, but one thing was clear even without any Theo POVs—he was down bad for Clemmie from day one (even if it wasn’t clear to her). The poor, out of touch with reality rock star does not know how to handle himself. There were great sick/caretaking scenes that helped break the ice, and from that point on it was such a sweet development of their friendship with simmering emotions beneath the surface.

The pacing ebbed and flowed between spending multiple chapters on one day and then skipping ahead weeks split over four parts of the book. For the most part this worked well to advance the story while still allowing for the character development. Parts three and four felt like a lot happened in a short time, but it was still overall satisfying. I never felt like I was taken out of the story, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I was absolutely thrilled when I received the ARC approval email for this book. A few years ago, I had the daunting task of selecting my first book for the book club I belong to. I was nervous and wanted to choose something that would appeal to the entire group, but also introduce us to YA—a genre we hadn't explored much. Someone recommended "A Sky Painted Gold" by Laura Wood, and our book club's love for Laura began. We even joke that we're her biggest fan club and hope her love for "Anne of Green Gables" will bring her to our little island someday.

Transitioning from YA to adult fiction can be challenging—I've been disappointed by adult fantasy or romance novels from some of my favorite YA authors. However, this was definitely not the case with "Under Your Spell"—it is fantastic. This book had me kicking my feet, laughing out loud, and even shedding a few tears. Beyond the romance, the portrayal of Clemmie, Serena, and Lil's relationship evoked deep emotions. I imagined Theo as Harry Styles because he's my favorite, but the wonderful thing about his depiction in the book is that you can easily envision your favorite male musician in his place. Laura mentioned on Instagram that one of his songs reminded her of Hozier's "Talk," which gave me a great sense of Theo's sound.

This will be a perfect summer beach read, and I can't wait to enthusiastically recommend it to everyone. It's rare for me to purchase a book after reading a digital ARC, but I've already pre-ordered this one because I know I'll revisit it (and hopefully select it for our book club if the timing is right!). A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read this ahead of my book club friends so I can rave about how amazing it is before it officially releases!

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