I love this cover. The story, however, was way too fantastical for me. I like a lot of realism, and maybe a few supernatural elements, but this was too much.

I enjoyed the dual timelines and the witchiness vibes though at the end it just lost me and I did not seem to care about the characters. It was good but will not stay with me long. I would give this author another try. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review

This was a great book and one I would read again. It kept me on the edge of my toes and I didnt want to put down. I had never read or heard of this author before but I want to read more from her.

I expected it to be dark, but it wasn't really to me. They really tried to drive home that marriage and kids is not it.

I think I should've paid closer attention to the "dark magic" part of the summary.

Not that I don't like dark magic, but this started out feeling more like a thriller, and a good thriller, with a delicious edge of paranormal, and then it just entirely went off the rails. Sigh.

Liv is an unlikeable narrator. We meet her as she's thinking about how easy it would be to shove her fiance in front of a subway train, which made me super interested in getting to know her. She makes jewelry, including a bird's nest ring with spiked edges to keep her from having too many dark thoughts, and as a subtle punishment for herself. Okay, okay, I'm going with this, yes, yes, yes.

Liv has a nice life. Handsome fiance, successful job sort of kind of maybe not. Then she gets a letter in the mail from her bestie Sam from high school, who she hasn't spoken to since before they graduated. Folded in the shape of a heart (a skill I used to have and which I want to look up a tutorial on how to do again), like their notes used to be.

Asking for help. Begging for help.

And then Liv finds out that Sam has gone missing, and she makes the trek back to her hometown, to find out what happened, racked with guilt from What Happened To Break Up Their Friendship.

Doesn't that sound so great? Yeah.

I had been taking tiny baby nibbles on this on break at work and during down times, and it wasn't that great at keeping my attention. I see what the author is attempting to do, especially showing off Liv's uncertainty about getting married next to her sister's absolute misery with being married to a mostly absent husband and her exhaustion and haggard appearance after having babies. And sister got fat, which. Oof. Cardinal sin.

So. much. clunk. So much behavior that a mistrustful character would never do.

I got to the big exclamation point moment while getting a tattoo, and it infuriatingly really didn't help take the pain away. Then I finished it on a car ride and I think it caused my motion sickness.

Just.

So.

Clunk.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

SPOOKY!!!!!! Perfect mystery novel to read during Halloween with the lights dimmed and a comfy blanket. Witchy vibes galore in this dark gothic novel that left me wanting more!

Another cover that grabbed my attention. I loved the dark, witchy vibes. This has a duel storyline, which I enjoyed. The writing was beautiful and the storytelling was fantastic. I did not always like the characters, but that is not a deterrent, especially when the writing holds up.
I loved how this was told. The artistic meanderings and the mystical feel are at every plot point. I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it.

K.L. Cerra has become an automatic-read author for me. Her books are just my style: dark, macabre, stories surrounding pretty girls that get caught up in the madness. This book is no different. Full of witchy secrets, it’s a fun mystery with mind-twisting bends. My favorite thing about Cerra’s books is that they’re aesthetically pleasing. Her last novel Such Pretty Flowers was full of blooming plants and a greenhouse in a beautiful home; this book has a bridal boutique cabin in the woods. They not only pack a rich story, they tantalize your senses. I felt like I could smell certain scenes and see others perfectly in my mind’s eye.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend this book for anybody that enjoys dark themes, witchy chicks, and mysteries.

This is a rambling tale that switches back and forth in time from the present time to the FMC's highschool days.

The highschool days story line tried to be spooky, but ended up disappontingly mundane. The present day mystery about Liv's missing ex-best friend did take an unexpectedly dark turn, with a few surprises.

I grew tired of the repetitive theme that marriage and children is the worst thing that can happen to a woman, that she will lose everything of her own identity. Thankfully Liv had an epiphany (eyeroll) at the end of the book, that it needn't be one or the other (duh).

It was interesting enough to keep me reading to find out the resolution of the present-day mystery, but the characters were all so unlikeable that I ultimately wasn't emotionally invested in the outcome.

I didn't love this one as much as i wanted to. Cerra is an excellent writer, but ultimately i didn't stay engaged in the story.

Loved how this was written. There was absolutely no question about the motives behind the 'big bad' but you couldn't help but watch as the MC questioned her instincts to join the group, despite knowing it was a bad decision. Part of me wishes that there was a little more ambiguity to it, but I do love how it played out.

Eerie mystery with supernatural feel. I enjoyed the story and found the characters to be believable, but I wanted something more. I felt like there were a few questions not answered. I also thought there were points in the plot that dragged a bit and I had to force myself back into the story.
Overall, a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Also, I enjoyed the narrator of the audio.

This book had an intriguing premise and a few engaging moments, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. The story moved along well, and the writing was solid, but it lacked that spark to make it truly memorable. It was an enjoyable read in the moment, but not one that will stick with me over time.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. Cerra is truly a masterful storyteller. This novel took the reader on a journey through a land and with characters that were vibrant and tragic. The story was heartbreaking and gripping in its universal story that people will go to great lengths for those they love.

Many thanks to Netgalley for this book. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This book has fantasy with some mystery elements. I didn’t really like any of the characters but I thought it was an entertaining read. I’m glad that Liv survived the sisterhood and her scar. I wish that her friend Sam had survived. The book never openly talks about witchcraft and magic but it kind of alludes to it without being obvious. I’m glad Liv finds someone else after everything with Noah and has a child too.

I had a good time with this book, but K.L. Cerra's other book, Such Pretty Flowers, was definitely a better read for me. I loved the witchy, feminist vibes and look into marriage and children, but the pacing was a struggle. I had a great time with the ending! It was grotesque, creepy, and unsettling. However, I don't feel there was enough of that throughout the first 3/4ths to have me hooked. I hate to compare to a previous book, but I didn't feel the atmosphere was as all consuming and amazing as her previous book either. Again, it came out at the end, but it was almost two little too late at that point. The characters were fine, but i wish we learned more about Eden and Cora (especially Cora, we know nothing about her). I will definitely still continue reading her books!

A fantasy novel filled with magic and mystery. I found the premise of the book intriguing and the vivid descriptions of the spells and magic drew me in. I didn’t care for any of the characters so I never really engaged with them. The pacing slowed in some areas and I felt disconnected. Still an interesting read.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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.

Under Her Spell was hard to get into. I want to reread it so I can see if I like it better the second time. I feel like it was slow to start but near the middle I could’ve put it down!

This was everything I love in one book! There's thriller, fantasy, some horror, dark & mysterious. Amazing character development, the writing style was awesome. Can't wait to read the authors other books!

Thank you netgalley for this arc!