5/5 stars
A finely crafted, generously paced novel about true love coming in many forms, and that taking time to understand yourself leads to healing.

This is it, folks. A real-deal, heartfelt, joyful novel that you wished would turn into a tidal pool so you could swim in it for eternity.

Fans of the genre will be drawn in by the story idea—three quirky sisters cast a revenge and love spell—and the music industry setting. But this book is infinitely more than the sum of its parts. The writing is smart and effortless. It’s smooth, easy to meander along with as the story unfolds. The characterization too is natural—you really feel like you know the characters’ quirks and foibles pretty early on, but nothing is introduced in an info-dump/cookie-cutter style. The dialogue flows like true conversation, so the plot unfolds as easily through it as it does through Clemmie’s interior monologue.

There are similarities with books that have come out recently like Romantic Comedy (one of the main protagonists/love interests is a famous musician) and Georgie, All Along (free spirited but slightly neurotic female protagonist at a crossroads in her career). What makes it stand out from the pack (like Georgie, unlike Romantic Comedy) is the focus on the main character’s development and ultimate self-actualization. Under Your Spell is not being told for the sake of telling a fun, sexy story. We really come to understand Clemmie’s journey to understand herself: what it means for her to let her protective shell crack and take risks so that she doesn’t continue living a half life. But also her realization that she doesn’t have to have everything figured out. Her self-actualization is knowing that it’s the journey, not the destination.

If I could give bonus points for the Dante and Chaucer jokes, I would. Lit nerds, unite, and read this book.

So adorable, so much good banter, and relatable main characters. I really loved this book! It's so witty with its humour and none of the secondary characters felt forced, they were all very likeable (would love to see a book on Lil). The only reason this is getting 4-stars is because there is a third act break-up that I felt was unnecessary but other than that it was a great romance book. Would definitely read Laura Wood's next work!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for an arc in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely adored this book. The story is so fresh and entirely unlike any romance I've ever read before. An attractive stranger turning out to be the one thing you despise? Yikes! The chemistry not only between the couple but also between the three sisters was amazing. Their banter literally made me laugh out loud several times. While being romantic and funny, the story also contained several difficult themes that were handled very well, like abandonment issues. I found myself relating to Clemmie with a few of the other issues, which brought it all home for me. While these issues were not fully resolved (let's be honest - are they ever?), Clemmie worked out many things with her therapist and is on the way to working out others. I loved how real this was.

Clemmie and Theo were so freaking cute through the entire book, from beginning to end. They're chemistry was off the charts, the way they understood each other was so heart warming, and the way things ended made my heart melt. Without spoiling anything, what happened to make Clemmie realize her true feelings for him and that they were real made my heart burst into a million pieces. That is the dream.

Outside of the story, there were a few minor issues with punctuation that will hopefully be corrected prior to publishing. That was literally my only issue with this book.

I loved this book and will absolutely be purchasing my own copy when it comes out on June 24th, 2024!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC to review.

Clementine Harris/Monroe is the daughter of megastar and recording artist Ripp Harris. Ripp, infamously, fathered three children to three women in a mere four months. Plot twist: Clementine's mom divorced Ripp and all three mums and daughters were raised together. They were more like triplets than sisters.

We enter at a low point for Clementine. Her long time boyfriend Len leaves her for another woman, she loses her coveted teaching position due to underfunding (Clem has a doctorate in literature), and she is ready to lose her flat. When a close family friend and business associate of their father suddenly passes, Clementine assists hosting a funeral chock full of daddy issues and her toxic ex.

As she retreats to her childhood bedroom, the hot, unknown to her pallbearer is retreating there as well. They have a wonderful night together. Fast forward. Clem's sister Serena wants her to do an interim job for her pain in the rear music client that can't seem to get his record completed. They are to spend six weeks, alone in a remote cottage while he finishes his album. Yep...you guessed it. The artist is none other than Theo Elliot--top recording artist and Clementine's one and only one night stand (I get big Harry Styles vibes.)

This was a really cute story. Celebrity/normie is one of my very favorite tropes! Overall, this was well executed and enjoyable!

What I loved!
-The sister relationship of it all! Goodness. I loved their witchy spells and fun banter. They were the star.
-I liked that Clementine is body positive. This I feel is a great dynamic when dealing with celebrity culture.
-Theo is flawed but very kind. We know why Clementine has a lot of celebrity hangups--he disproves them all by absolutely fighting for her honor, love, and devotion at each turn.
-David, the celebrity assistant/handler and all his eccentricities.
-The whole flu/pain killer series. iykyk.

Thankful for NetGalley and Atria books for the advanced reader in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.

*3.75/5

very nice and enjoyable romance book but, personally, i think the really close and strong relationship between the main character clemmie and her two sisters, serena and lil, was the best part of the story. i loved reading about clemmie's family and how sisterhood was a prominent part of her life: life at their big house with three girls and their mums, the "spells" they cast when they were little, the summers at grandma mac's house, how important the sisters are to each other and how they get along even if they have very different characters. i think the romance part with theo was fine, a little insta-lusty but it worked well. the book also handled with the constant invasion of privacy that came with growing up as a rock star's daughter and how difficult it was for clemmie. overall, this was a well written quick read, and i'll make sure to check out other books from the author.

arc provided by netgalley and atria books in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Wood, and Atria books for allowing me to review this ARC!

Thus book really had it all and I loved every minute of it! I couldn't put this book down. Lil, Serena, and Clemmie are half sisters born in the same year, they all share the same rock star dad. One day, after Clemmie's boyfriend breaks up with her, they resign to making three wishes like they had as kids. Over the course of the following months the wishes start to come true for all of the sisters, including Cammie who meets a rather intriguing man at a funeral. Fast-forward and this man is actually a famous rock star himself. Holed up in the countryside to appease her music producer sister and giver herself a job, Cammie and Theo star to catch feelings for each other. The problem is that Cammie isn't sure she can give herself to him after her past situations and feelings are being exposed publicly.

This story was so fun to read, fast-paced and different. I loved the "spell and wishes" aspect, the sisterly love, the rock star hot guy, and that he hopelessly fell for her when she didn't think she was worthy. Read this if you are looking for a sweet, mildly spicy romance that will give you a new book boyfriend at the top of your list!

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster UK, and Laura Wood for an ARC of “Under Your Spell”.

Laura Wood’s first foray into adult romance is wonderful. This was a perfect escape utilizing the author’s ability to write complex characters and make the reader feel deeply.

Clemmie is a woman whose boyfriend (now ex) left her and took all of the furniture, in a job that’s about to be chopped, and feeling miserable about the state of her life. Her sisters, Lil and Serena, come over and after much drink they casts a spell they did in their teens. The spell is hilarious, as is much of the writing in this book.

Clemmie and her sisters have a lot of childhood baggage from growing up the daughters (all born within four months of each other to different women) of a major rock singer. Clemmie hates the industry and paparazzi and wants nothing to do with it.

She meets Elliot/Theo at a funeral and they click. She doesn’t realize he is an ultra famous star in his own right and leaves their one night stand with a brief three line farewell. Weeks later they are thrown together again and this time she learns the truth and she is not happy.

Laura Wood’s story and writing are fantastic and definitely full of tension, tenderness, fire, friendship and love-All the great ingredients to a successful novel of this genre. I am going to check out her YA novels next and can’t wait to read her next adult one. “Under Your Spell” comes out in late June 2024.

What a great romantic read! This is a wonderfully charming love story between Clemmie and Theo, famous Rock star but it’s also a love story between three sisters who are soulmates and always have each others back.. . Clemmie’s father, rock legend Ripp, got her mom pregnant along with two other women at the same time. All born within months of each other Clemmie grew up with three moms and two other sisters close as can be. After another disastrous breakup the sisters perform their spell, guaranteeing among other things true love and hot sex. When Clemmie meets an amazing guy hiding in her bedroom during a funeral , sparks fly and they spend a magical night together. Scared, the next morning Clemmie races out not seeing him again until months later when she finds out he is not whom she thought but is Theo, world famous rock star. She, who does not even listen to music, must now babysit him for 6 weeks so he can put out an overdue album. No problem as she abhors rock stars, but Clemmie doesn’t count on their chemistry together overcoming this tiny obstacle.
Richly drawn and delightful characters along with clever dialogue make this a romance a cut above the rest.

So beyond excited to acquire and review this title. I love acquiring rockstar romances and this one has a fun supernatural theme as well. I cannot wait to share my full thoughts and review as well as bring this to readers!