Member Reviews

SQUEALS.

I’ve been a huge fan of Laura Wood’s novels ever since I picked up “A Sky Painted Gold.” She writes such swoon-worthy, sweet, clever and emotionally resonant love stories, filled with memorable characters and sparkling dialogue. And her adult debut is no exception. I really, really loved this book.

I am a complete music nerd, so I loved how integral it was from the start. I adored the bond Clementine shared with her sisters Lil and Serena and their mothers (the Stevie Nicks vibe was strong with these ladies!). The focus on mental health - and becoming as fearless as possible - was important. I was so proud of Clemmie for being able to work through traumatizing and tough moments, growing so much in the process. The resolution of the complicated relationship with her father Ripp (who I imagined as resembling Mick Jagger) was truly a joy. That scene - what it encompassed and why it happened - was one of my favorite moments in the book!

And that brings me to Theo. HELLOOOOO THEO. He’s definitely become one of my new favorite fictional fellas. I just adored him so very much! How sweet he was. 100% a cinnamon roll. The way he was described - in looks and also his boy band beginnings - instantly brought to mind Harry Styles (I’m glad I am not the only one who thought so!). He and Clemmie were marvelous together. I really didn’t want the story to end as I was flipping pages so quickly, also eager to know what happened next.

Happily ever afters are the best, and Laura Wood knows how to craft them in a magical way!! I can’t wait to see what comes next from her.

My heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC!

Was this review helpful?

I requested this book based on two things: the cover and title. I thought it was a supernatural cozy. based on those things. I was pleasantly delighted to find out it was a rom-com rockstar romance.

This was a stay-up-all-night read. So satisfying. Clemmie, daughter of a flighty rockstar dad, won’t date a rockstar. But finds herself alone in a house by the sea with a hot and sweet rockstar Theo. There are also great family dynamics at play and it’s both funny and romantic. Would recommend to any HEA lover.

I’m happy this is a one and done book, but considering Clem has two sisters, I initially thought we might get a trilogy. Still, looking forward to more adult books by Laura Wood.

Thank you, Atria Books, for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Overall, this was a really fun and enjoyable read. Fans of forced proximity, mistaken identity, and rock star tropes will love this!

It started off SO STRONG and then lost me a little in the middle. I adored Clemmie’s family dynamic! It’s so unique and something I’ve never come across before. The mums were amazing and the sisters!! CHEERS TO THE WEIRD SISTERS!! I loved their humour, support, and love for our FMC. We got to know them well and I was rooting for all of them 🫶🏼

There were moments during this read that actually had me laughing out loud and the writing flowed beautifully. It’s smart, funny, witty, and relatable.

Theo was adorable. Total cinnamon roll MMC. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop primarily into friendship. Building that trust and bond before taking things even further.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC

Was this review helpful?

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Clementine Monroe, the daughter of a famous rocker and two siblings in the music industry, is the odd girl out finding her way in the academic world.

However, when her life comes crumbling down, a lost job, a cheating boyfriend, she and her two sisters cast a spell for three wishes to bring some good fortune to her life.

Enter a six week job babysitting the very famous rockstar, Theo Elliot. Will her wishes come true?

This started of a tad slow at the start, but soon found the plot and characters found their pacing, and I loved it.

The romance, sibling relationships, mother relationships, and the fun of the bossy personal assistant, David.

Was this review helpful?

So enchanting and charming. I found myself rooting for the main couple and feeling so deeply for both of them. The tension was immaculate.

Was this review helpful?

It started off SO GOOD. I was swooning for this guy. I meannn-- British singer, former boy band member who's solo career takes off, flowy hair, tattoos, rings on all his fingers, baby of the family, I think you know where I'm going with this?? And then... suddenly I hit a wall and the story turned sour for me. I didn't like who the characters turned into- Theo becomes such a simp and the two lose that flirty energy and confidence that was at the start.

Overall, it's a fun premise and the romance is sweet. Fans of a cinnamon roll MMC and forced proximity will eat this up and it's worth giving a shot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Fun, readable rom-com that I really enjoyed despite it not being my favorite trope set. This was really well written, well executed romance book that I think a lot of people are really going to enjoy. I read it very quickly as the pace was super fast, I just wanted to see what was going to happen. It is not my favorite kind of book but I enjoyed it very much anyway!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advanced readers copy of this book published in June 2024.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this. It's charming, sweet, and humorous with great main characters who really connect. The writing was well done and engaging. The relationship between the three sisters is entertaining, interesting, and fun. I'd love to read more about them. The concept is a familiar trope but it's executed well. A lovely read.

Was this review helpful?

As a music lover, I was very intrigued about this celebrity musician romance from the moment I read the description. While a dazzling love story is at the centre of the story, Under Your Spell is also a beautiful story about finding yourself and embracing sisterhood & family. I was committed to this story from the beginning - the characters felt real and the writing style was a perfect mix of heartfelt emotion, quirky dynamics, witty humour and tasteful spice. While the concept may be a little far-fetched, it is just the perfect amount to have you hooked until the end and truly believing that fairytales can happen in real life. I think I may just have found a new favourite author for myself and anyone who is a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid meets Emily Henry.

Was this review helpful?

My brain is still short circuiting from how much I am obsessed with, “Under Your Spell.” From the character work, charming dialogue, amazing tension and build up, and my GOD the satisfying steam, this book really has it all.

Forced proximity is always a solid romcom trope, but the unique spin Laura puts on it really made this such a fun book. I loved, loved, LOVED Theo. He’s the epitome of Labrador-Sunshine Boy energy, while simultaneously having the knack for causing heart palpitations and butterflies in your stomach. The sisterly bond between Clementine, Serena, and Lil was adorable, and even side characters like David had me eager for more.

The perfect balance of humor, spice, and emotional vulnerability, “Under Your Spell” should be on every romance fans’ TBR this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

-forced proximity
-3rd act break up
-1st person POV
- he falls first
-one night stand
-mistaken identity
-Wiccan magic
-rockstar trope

Claps for the weird sisters! This book was everything and more. I loved the dedication and the characters. Clementine and Theo are perfect for each other. Lil & Henry. Just an overall quick easy read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

Was this review helpful?

This was a slow burn romance but I really enjoyed it. There were times where it almost felt too slow but it held my interest. This was a sweet romance with minimal spice. The 'spell' portion of the book isn't an overall theme just something 3 sisters do as a cathartic way to get over a nasty breakup. I really enjoyed how sweet, caring, and considerate Theo was of Clemmie's feelings. Clemmie is the daughter of a rock star who got around, having 3 daughters within 6 months. Clemmie is wary of anyone in the industry because of her father and an ex who both cared more about the fame than about her and her feelings. And then she meets Theo. The tension between them 😘 Theo and Clemmie's relationship was built on trust and communication and I love that. They also both have therapists, so yay mental health representation! Clemmie's growth was so good and I was so proud of her by the end. I would love more books about her sisters, especially commitment-phobe Serena. Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet, slow burn romance and look forward to more by the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Under Your Spell is such a great rom-com. I adored it. The chemistry between Clemmie and Theo is off the charts and I loved their banter. I thought the whole personal assistant deal was hilarious, especially the flu thing. I loved it when Theo would say her name, I could hear him in my mind saying "Clemmie". The song lyrics were great and added to the chemistry of the two of them. I was never a rom-com reader before Netgalley and now I can't get enough. This is one of my faves. Great story!

Was this review helpful?

4.5 ⭐️

This book has so many of my favorite romance elements:
💕Character growth
💕Emotionally intelligent MMC
💕Pro-therapy
💕 Swoony MMC
💕 Supportive/lovable cast of characters
💕 Celebrity characters
💕 Adorable banter
💕 Slow burn romance
💕 A full circle ending

This will surely be at the top of any romance reader’s list for 2024. Wood really impressed me!

Was this review helpful?

I received an E-Arc from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review!

Thank you!

The beginning chapter caught my attention... Then the next and next. It is nonstop story. I could not stop reading this amazing story even when I was doing laundry! Yup it was that good.

The story dives into Clemmie who is the main character for like the 99 percent of the time. Enter Theo! He joins Clemmie in the story for a while like 90 percent of the time. The two of them have this very cool chemistry together. It's so sweet.

I love Clemmie's sisters, Lil and Serena. All three of them have such an epic family connection. Those sisters would do anything for each other!

I loved the growth in Clemmie. She learns how to cope with the emotions she has gone through in life. This shows that life is messy and yet it can be a lesson to learn from! She is amazing and real.

Theo is quite the nice man with a kind heart considering he is labeled as a rock star. A heart of gold! A talented writer! A musician! What more can I say about him?

I had so many laughing out loud moments, sweet moments with awwwing at it and drama where I yelled at the story! This book was full full of chemistry and banter.

This is a must read!!

Pick it up on June 25, 2024!

Was this review helpful?

This book was really sweet. That feels like the best word for it. I liked Clemmie. I was always rooting for her. There were a few times I almost forgot it was a rom com. It felt like it was right on the line for me of romance vs women's fiction, which can be good!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. I love rom coms and I love guitars and music but it isn't often that I find a rom com that does a musician character justice and doesn't treat them like a caricature. Under Your Spell was a wonderful read for this. Theo is a swoon worthy book love interest and I loved reading about Clemmie's relationship with him but also with her sisters and moms. The banter between Clemmie and Theo was hilarious and the secluded seaside setting for the first half of the book made me want to be there.

I adore romance books but never look forward to the third act break up- sometimes they are outrageous and over blown. The one in this book makes sense and really propels the ending. I'd recommend this book to my friends to read!

Was this review helpful?

What a cute rom com, less spice and more swoon. Theo is a rock star with a bad boy reputation. Clemmie is the estranged daughter of a bad boy rocker so she's wary of musicians. The two are paired together for six weeks as Theo works on his next album while Clemmie acts as personal manager. Their time together is just cute and sweet. There's no drawn out angst, and Clemmie's sisters are there with humor and reflection every step of the way.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the eARC.

Was this review helpful?

It is rare for me to give a book 5 stars but Under Your Spell wholeheartedly deserves it. I was hooked from the start, and crying with laughter within the first few chapters. This is more than just a witty, fun, romcom though-- there is a surprising and refreshing amount of depth to all the characters along with plenty of development of non-romantic relationships.
The writing was also superb, with the plot well paced and a unique and readble first person narration.
I highly recommend this to literally anyone-- romance fans, women's lit fans, and anyone looking for a bubbly, adorable, bingeable romcom.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC!

Was this review helpful?

3.75 ⭐
(rounded up)

Clemmie is the daughter of a rockstar who is close with his other love children, her half sisters. She has sworn of musicians (I get it, girl), but finds herself alone with one for 6 weeks. A wild premise but it was entirely believable and vastly entertaining. I love a rom-com where a character's sisters are more important than the man. This one definitely has that aspect, as well as a host of completely lovely characters who were humorous and well rounded. Points off because at times there seemed to just be a lot going on and Clemmie could be a bit insufferable. Definitely worth the read, though!

Was this review helpful?