Synopsis in a sentence (or two):
Under Your Spell by Laura Wood features an endearing plot where a one-night stand evolves into a business relationship, intertwining elements of music, celebrity, sisterhood, and a forced proximity trope.

Overall Thoughts:
Under Your Spell was a delight to read. I’m not a huge fantasy reader and for that reason, I usually stay away from magical realism stories. While Under Your Spell has elements of magical realism, it reads more like a family drama mixed with a lighthearted romance.

Under Your Spell hooked me from the first few chapters starting with the one-night stand and quickly delving into a forced proximity trope. I loved that, despite the one-night stand, the romance evolved somewhat slowly, and Theo and Clementine's relationship was easy to root for. Theo, the love interest, is immediately likable as a somewhat humble, yet famous and clueless musician. I adored the MC, Clementine, who comes off as a relatable, bookish overthinker. The constant nods to Jane Austen were a highlight for me, and I couldn’t get enough of Theo’s personal assistant, David. The minor characters within this story have so many opportunities for spinoff books and I’d love to read stories with them all.

Recommended to readers who love:
-Christina Lauren, Abby Jimenez, Sophie Cousens
-sisters protecting sisters backstory
-famous/non-famous romance trope

Rating: 4.0

Thank you to Atria for the DRC. I will be looking for more from Laura Wood. All opinions are my own.


NOTES:
Review pending at Amazon - Review also added to @in.the.mo.ment IG stories

This was a cute and easy read that got me out of a reading slump. I appreciated how the main characters, Theo and Clementine communicated like adults and discussed their issues instead of just running away from them. If you’re looking for a celebrity romance with Practical vibes, this is a book for you!

Oooh I loved this one! It was such a fun romantic comedy that I’d love to watch on a big screen and it’s out today 💖

@lauracwood got my attention with A Sky Painted Gold which also felt like watching a movie across the pages so I was so excited to get an advanced look at her newest book thanks to @atriabooks and @netgalley

Clemmie and Theo go from fireworks to a slow burn and it’s so great to see it play out. The connection between the three sisters and the three moms, along with their new partners, was so well done. It makes you want to be a part of their tight knit circle.

I really enjoyed reading this one from start to finish and I really recommend that you check it out. Did I mention it’s out yet? Go get a copy! 💖

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, given that I didn't have any familiarity with Wood's young adult novels (and sometimes a YA author trying their hand at adult fiction can be a bit of a transition). But I was very pleasantly surprised! This ended up being a total delight -- I adored both the protagonists as well as every single side character. The chemistry was palpable, the slow burn was quite hot, and I found myself laughing out loud (even in the car by myself as I listened) quite a few times. As a fan of celebrity/normal people romances, this fit the bill perfectly. I sincerely hope Wood plans on writing more rom coms because she has become a new favorite. I was sad to leave Clemmie and Theo (and Clemmie's family) because I had such a fun time with them. This was great on both audio (a British narrator!) and in print.

“Big love, the unconditional, wholehearted, soul mate kind.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh, this was fantastic - hands down one of my favourite rom-coms I’ve read this year!

✨ Under Your Spell features 1989, beachy summer vibes, big family love, annnnnnd forced proximity with a rockstar-smitten-kitten-down-bad main musician of a man.✨

Clementine Monroe has quite the family history. As the daughter of an aging infamous playboy rockstar, she has sworn off musicians (and potentially any real connection in love). But after being dumped by her cheating (boring as plain toast) ex, losing her job, and her home, she’s hellbent on making a change, and maybe dosing out a little revenge. Reviving an old childhood ritual with her sisters called “the breakup spell”, Clementine makes three wishes. And when her wishes seem to lead her to spend six weeks alone babysitting the gorgeous and very-off-limits rockstar, Theo Eliott? Who she’s actually met before in a no name/no time kind of “situation” 👀? Clementine learns you should be careful what you wish for...

Disclaimer: There are no actual witches. Or real spells.
But it makes one hell of a cute story! I think marketing is making it sound far more like The Ex-Hex, when (in my opinion) it’s more Beach Read-y with Christina Lauren vibes mashed in.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. Under Your Spell is out now in North America and the UK.💕

I loved this book. It was so much fun. I loved the dry British humor and sarcasm. I thought Clemmie, Theo, and her sisters were all well fleshed out characters with interesting personalities that jumped off the page. I also appreciated Clemmie’s journey with therapy. As someone who just started seeing a therapist, it was lovely and relatable to read about her thought processes and how they evolved through her sessions. The setting was wonderful-I adore a forced proximity especially when it’s set in the English countryside. I laughed and I swooned the whole way through it. I’d give it a 4.5 rounded up. Loved it.

Wood's first adult novel, Under Your Spell is such a magical and entertaining read.

Clemmie has one of those really bad days where absolutely everything goes wrong- her boyfriend dumps her for another woman, and he takes almost everything when he leaves their flat, including her cat. She can't afford the place anymore since she just lost her job, and finds herself in need of a new place. Her sister Serena has the perfect plan- she will hire Clemmie to watch after a rock star client for 6 weeks, housing included. Clemmie has intimate knowledge of said rock stars, so these six weeks should be interesting...

I love love loved Clemmie's relationship with her two sisters and their three moms. Gimme an unconventional family that love each other unconditionally any day, and they totally fit the bill! The sisters had a tiny habit of practicing magic as kids, and they start the book casting a drunken spell that nearly sets a fire, immediately hooking me on this book.

And then there is Theo, the rock star Clemmie works with. He is top book boyfriend material, from his initial grumpy manner to his incredibly sensitive soul once we get to know him. He and Clemmie have a touch of magic surrounding them, and I for one was absolutely enchanted by their story.

The dialogue is incredibly well done, the tension builds beautifully, and even the conflict feels authentic. I adored this one and will definitely be looking for more from Wood in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Wood for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I had a really good time reading this. For something that felt like Harry Styles fanfic, it far exceeded my expectations. Theo was swoon-worthy and Clemmie felt so relatable. If nothing else, the shaving scene was vindicating because I have confused many a partner with my… let’s call it joy, while watching them shave. This was the perfect amount of forced proximity for me, and overall I’m extremely glad to have read it!

I loved this SO MUCH! It has been a long time since I read a romance all the way through without stopping. I felt like this story had put a spell on me. Or maybe it was the spell Serena, Lil and Clementine cast! Not sure, but I felt like I had a permanent smile attached throughout the entire book! Or maybe it was the tropes, celebrity romance, forced proximity, one night stand, turned more, cinnamon roll hero. Sigh!!

When we first meet Clementine “Clemmie” she has just been dumped by her boyfriend Len of four years, she is about to lose her job and her flat. And even though she is the daughter of a super famous rockstar she doesn’t have anything to do with him. She has lived her life away from the spotlight, far away from music and musicians, like her father until she lands a job, “babysitting” rockstar, Theo Elliot.

But what she doesn’t know at the time she accepts the job is, that she has met Theo already, he was her one night stand she met at the funeral. She just didn’t get his stage name, and he didn’t know who her father was.

This was such an addicting read. I loved the writing it was so uplifting. I loved all the characters especially the sisters dynamics throughout this book. Loved the spell, that they casted, together and their togetherness through thick and thin.

I loved and swooned hard for Theo. He was always so honest about where he stood with his feelings with Clemmie. Loved their sizzling chemistry. He had the biggest heart. I also loved the album writing that Theo does while they are away together.

“Darling, I have bad news for you. Falling in love is always about making yourself vulnerable. Even when it’s not with a rock star.”

Theo and Clemmie’s story was one I couldn’t put down and didn’t want it to end! This is the first story by this author and it definitely will not be my last. LOVED IT!!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

Under Your Spell-a standalone

By Laura Wood- new to me author

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publication 6/25/24 Read 6/24/24

Format: e-book, 464 pgs. kindle

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC💚! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

✔️ Women's /Adult Fic
✔️forced proximity
✔️ magic/a curse
✔️ sisterhood
✔️slow burn/rockstar romance
✔️1 night stand
✔️secret identity
✔️workplace romance

Summary- Clementine Monroe (32) has been dumped by her boyfriend of four years -Leonard. She lost her teaching job as a PH.D. candidate, and is on the verge of losing her apartment. With the help of her half sisters Lil and Serena they enact a childhood ritual of "The Breakup Spell." She makes three wishes-to get her dream job, have a 1- night stand, and to find her soulmate. She also curses her cheating boyfriend who left her for his pregnant coworker Jenny. Her wish comes true with a steamy night with "Edward," who she meets at the bar. Later, she finds out he's famous musician Theo Elliott who she'll spend the next six weeks babysitting -a job her record executive sister Serena gives her.

🤔My Thoughts- I really identified with Clemmie and her daddy issues. Ripp was a narcissistic who fathered 3 children at the same time. I don't think I could do what Clemmie's mother Dee did by living with the girls and their mothers. She made sure they were all close in spite of her cheating husband. When Clemmie and Ripp had a heart to heart, I was glad Clemmie let him have it, especially with all that ex-boyfriend nonsense with Sam. Theo and Clemmie's relationship faced drama with paparazzi and people telling secrets and lies about them. Theo did try to limit his time with his family to avoid all that, but he distanced himself a little too much. I felt for him at his sister Lisa's wedding where he tried to keep the focus on her. Theo even pushed Clemmie away in a stupid attempt to protect her.

Overall I had fun with this rom-com with true sisterhood on display and a spell gone right!

I absolutely ate this book up! Such a cute story that gave me genuine belly laughs and kept me rooting for them through the whole book. Clemmie and Theo had such great chemistry. I loved their banter and silliness, it was such a treat watching their friendship bloom into so much more! Such a great read!

“For the six-books-a-week, just-one-more-page, trope-loving, library-card-owning, smutty-audio-book-in-public-listening, HEA-chasing dreamers. This is a love letter.”

I read this book dedication and instantly knew UNDER YOUR SPELL was written for me. Thank you, Laura Wood. You delivered exactly what you promised. I literally swooned over this gorgeous story.

Clementine Monroe’s life has hit rock bottom. She’s been dumped and is about to lose her job and apartment. What’s a girl to do? Well, cast the “Breakup Spell” alongside her two sisters, of course. Clemmie wishes for three things, but what she gets isn’t one of them. A job babysitting a famous - and smoking hot - rock star in a remote location is not the dream job for Clemmie, whose life as the daughter of an aging rock star has been one disappointment after another. Unless, maybe, it’s exactly what she needs.

I fell in love with Theo and Clemmie as characters and as a couple.

Clemmie is every woman who has experienced heartbreak at the hands of someone she trusted with her heart. She’s wounded and scared and so very vulnerable.

Theo. Oh. My. Goodness. Theo is a dream. The ultimate cinnamon roll.

Together they are perfection and their romance is simultaneously tender and smoking hot.

And the supporting characters? They are as much a part of the story as Theo and Clemmie.

But this is more than a love story between Theo and Clemmie. It is a story of finding the strength to take control of your life. It’s a beautiful tale of supportive and loving family, even if that family is unconventional. It’s about hope and taking chances and learning to love yourself.

This book gets all the stars from me. All. The. Stars. If it’s not on your TBR, it should be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Under Your Spell by Laura Wood
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 1 chili
Pub date: 6/25

Thank you so much to Atria Books for my gifted copy!

Clementine "Clemmie" Monroe, is the daughter of a legendary rock star, who has consciously chosen a life far removed from the music world. Her plans are disrupted when she takes on the role of babysitting the wildly popular musician Theo Elliot.

I loved everything about this! The one night stand that turns into more trope is one of my favorites, and it was done so well, here. Clemmie has no idea who Theo is when they share a steamy night together, and the way she finds out and what comes after is total perfection. There’s pining, forced proximity, and a little grumpy/sunshine where they each take turns being the grumpy one. I loved the beachy, cottage setting and how he takes care of her when she’s sick. *swoon*

Clemmie’s character development is a standout, making her struggles relatable and her growth inspiring. Theo is charming and communicative which complements Clemmie perfectly. Their friendship is adorable, the banter is witty, and I never wanted it to end.

As much as I adored Clemmie and Theo, the real magic of the book lies in the bond between Clemmie and her sisters, Lil and Serena. Their interactions are filled with believable banter and heartfelt moments, making their sisterly connection a highlight of the story. Wood's skilled writing brings these characters to life, making it feel like you’re a part of the family.

Under Your Spell offers a heartwarming escape with a touch of enchantment. It’s a perfect pick for anyone seeking a light, uplifting romance with well-rounded characters and an engaging plot. This is a book that will leave you smiling long after you turn the last page.

Read if you like:
*rock star romance
*complicated family relationships
*single POV
*minimal steam that fades to black

This was my first Laura Wood book and it had me spellbound! You wanna hear about my boyfriend, Theo?... I mean, the book..OBSESSED. This is one of the best rom-coms I've read in ages, and it's definitely at the top of my reads this year. My heart was so full of joy the whole time, and I'm pretty sure I had a permanent smile... okay, that's a lie, I bawled like a little bitch over Theos album. We first meet Clemmie, freshly dumped by her cheating cat burgling boyfriend, Len. Enter the witchy sisters to mend Clemmie's broken heart, they cast a spell. Each sister makes a wish for Clemmie. Hot sex, a job you love, and big soul mate love.
(Seriously, can I adopt these sisters? Their wholesome relationship had me in tears too.) Clemmie, Serena, and Lil perform The Break Up Spell, and it may or may not come true for all three of them.
Fast forward, Theo and Clemmie shack up at Granny Mac's home for six weeks while Theo wraps up (or starts?) his highly anticipated album. Plot twist.... the album is all about his adventures at Grannie Macs. Theo and Clemmie's witty banter and love story had me smiling, giggling, and kicking my feet with every page turn. I'm happily married, but contemplating leaving him for Theo. Include Clemmie's sisters, and this book becomes an instant favorite-witchy business needed.
If you read anything this year— MAKE IT THIS!

The characters in "Under Your Spell" are really well-crafted and easy to relate to. Clemmie is tough and resilient, while Theo is incredibly charming, making them a great pair. The story mixes humor, romance, and some deep moments, keeping you hooked from beginning to end. This book is a page-turner that dives into love, second chances, and having the guts to go for what makes you happy.

The weird sisters strike again with a perfect breakup spell!

Clemmie has just been dumped by her cheating boyfriend of 4 years, and she is losing her job. To say her life has been derailed is under statement. Her sisters come ready to support and revive their childhood breakup spell. Ready to get her life in order seems no easy feat, first she is late to her uncles funeral and her phone loudly goes off during the service. Things start to look up when she meets a handsome stranger at the reception afterwards. Here she has her first and most perfect one night stand. And her sister, Serena has the perfect temporary job for her. Babysit a musician for 6 weeks while he works on his long overdue album. This should be easy.

Except the musician in question was her one night stand. Now he is completely off limits for so many reasons. Mostly to her aversion to music and traumatic upbringing. Clemmie is the daughter of famous musician Ripp Harris. And everything she experienced growing up, paparazzi included, as well as user of a boyfriend at 17, has turned her off anything relating to music. Only Theo isn’t like that. He is actually patient and kind.

After an awkward first week, they seem to make the turn into friendship with definite undercurrents of attraction. But what happens when their safe haven bubble of 6 weeks comes to an end?

I actually loved watching Clemmie’s journey of growth and finding her own voice. To overcome so many things that held her back. I loved Theo’s unwavering support that showed her, he was there for her. This had everything you could ask for, closure, sizzling chemistry, humor, growth, and most importantly, love.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is such a fantastic celebrity romance that you need to read! The chemistry between Clementine and Theo from their first encounter was electric, and the forced proximity tension was absolutely sizzling. Loved the celebrity/paparazzi drama along with Clementine's two sisters. This delightful romance deserves all the hype.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria, for my free book for review.

Under Your Spell is a delightful, close-proximity romance that wraps me in a warm embrace from the very first page. The bond between the three sisters is highly relatable, and I found their relationship, despite the backdrop of their shared sisterhood, to be truly admirable. I enjoyed the fun and whimsical elements, such as the sisters performing a spell from their childhood.

The main heroine, Clemmie, is simply lovable. While we learn about her past trauma, including media exploitation and daddy issues, she still has moments of pure joy and fun. The tension that builds between her and Theo, a talented yet struggling singer, is palpable, and their sizzling chemistry makes them a couple that's incredibly easy to root for.

This story strikes the perfect balance, focusing not only on the blossoming romance but also on how the characters navigate their personal issues. It touches on important themes such as the impact of past hurt, the cruelty of social media, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

Overall, Under Your Spell is a sweet, engaging read that left me feeling warm and satisfied.

If you like rockstar/celebrity romances this is the book for you! If you don't, this is still a great book! It has the fun celeb vibes but the lead isn't self-absorbed and there are tons of cute moments. There's a lot going on here- failed one night stand, forced proximity, British country side, found family, and witchy practical magic vibes. Loved it!

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley for this eARC!

I loved this book! It was sweet and funny and a great read. I read it in a day- I couldn’t put it down. I loved that Clementine was a real character who had issues like a normal person. Loved Theo- a great book boyfriend! Read this book- you won’t be disappointed!