There were many things I enjoyed about this story. It was well written and the magic system that was created was throughly designed to withstand the flow of the story. The backstory following the coven was very well done and it helped intertwine the main male lead as well. Strong focused plot, you knew exactly what the story was about. Sometimes it can get muddled, very impressed with the clarity.
Only “big” problem: The main female’s self sabotaging ways, were definitely not my favorite part. I found myself yelling at her more than anything.

Overall, I did think this is a fantastic start and foundation to this series.

I really wanted to love this, but I could not get past the overly descriptive writing and odd dialogue. Unfortunately I had to DNF about 20% of the way through. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As you follow these adorable three sisters through the discovery of their family history, protecting the town and its history, and their own love stories - you will uncover much more than expected! Overall, this is a cute and cozy story line that has queer characters as well as cultural differences. I enjoyed the story overall but I wish that I was more drawn to / emotionally invested in the characters. I found myself wanting to finish the book because I enjoyed the story but I found myself taking multiple breaks. I think this story has more depth than presented and some of the steamier scenes seemed forced or out of place in a way.

A book about sisterhood...say less. A book with sisterhood and a shadow daddy of a man...say more. I liked Randall's last book and this one did not disappoint.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.
I really struggled to get into this book. I ended up DNFing this book because it did not capture/keep my attention. I really wanted to love this book as the story seemed very promising.
I struggled to connect to any of the characters, which is why this book lost my interest. I just could not continue to read this book any further.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I found this book beautifully written to intertwine lost and found family with the battle of light and dark culminating in choice and love not in birth right.

The premise of 3 sisters bond slowly deteriorating as family legacy and trauma effected each differently and then outside forces testing the fabric of their bond and magic in general really brought into focus what is needed to overcome obstacles and choose the path forward. I found it very unique that while the sisters had to sacrifice memories in order to utilize magic, which was necessary to restore their bond and save their town and family, we also saw old hidden family memories and secrets emerge to help heal and redefine magic.

The symbolism of ancient wrongs righted with the sisters forgiving each other and themselves along with finding love and trust in Lucien and Elea really tied everything together nicely. I could see there being room for additional books but also felt happy with how the story ended and leaving the reader to create their own theories on what happens next as the characters together find a path forward.

Title: Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things
Author: Breanne Randall
Genre: Fantasy/romance
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, magic has a price, light vs dark magic
Format: eARC
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things centers around three Lightcraft witches, our FMC Calliope, and her two sisters, Thalia and Eurydice. Calliope is strong willed, feisty, and unapologetically herself. The sisters are the guardians of the Dark Oak and the magic within it. As the town and the magic of the Dark Oak are jeopardized, the sisters’ bond/relationships are tested as they face the difficult battle of wanting to abide by their mother’s wishes (to not use magic) and becoming their true selves and embracing their magical abilities. They know all magic comes with a price. In order to do magic, they have to sacrifice memories. The bigger the magic, the bigger the memory needed.

Lucian our MMC, is a Shadowcraft witch. He is mysterious and grumpy. Lightcraft and Shadowcraft are sworn enemies. Lucian and his coven have their own agenda and reasons for wanting/needing the power of the Dark Oak and they won’t let anyone, even the sisters guarding the oak to stand in their way.

Bonded together by accident, can these two born enemies build their trust and work together to save the ones they love?

Thoughts:
I was hooked from the beginning! I enjoyed the unique magic system, the action-packed magical scenes, and the overall character development. I loved the growth of the sister’s bond, the humor, and the slow burn, witty banter between the FMC and MMC. The recipes were a nice added touch too!

Great for readers who love small town vibes, magic, witty banter, and enemies to lovers. This book is available on March 4, 2025.

Thank you to Breanne Randall and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Reviews posted to NetGalley and GoodReads.

ARC provided by NetGalley for a fair and honest review

This was a very cute story, and I think it would’ve received a higher rating if I was just a bit more into modern romance. This was a great palette cleanser between fantasy books but there wasn’t a whole lot of high stakes that kept me coming back to read for hours at a time. I will continue this series, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, light read.

This author is quickly becoming a favorite because from the two books I’ve read, I JUST LOVE SO MUCH.

They are light hearted, but also serious at times but not an overload, I loved the banter and the chemistry between characters and side characters.

Also anything that is aimed for Charmed fans, I will love.

Could not want to get through this book no matter how hard I tried.

The idea of the story was fine, if not cliche. I love getting to watch characters develop, but I didn’t care more for these characters in the end than I did in the beginning. The three sisters seemed to be stereotypes of what sister relationships are like. The “peacekeeper,” the “reckless one,” the “boring eldest.” I also wanted to see how the relationship between them evolved instead of just being told, “welp, everything is better because everyone conquered their one flaw that was holding them back!”

The relationship between Calliope and Lucien was confusing and awkward. “I hate him, I love him. I can’t stand to be around him. He grounds me.” It didn’t seem natural or healthy. It didn’t seem natural or healthy. The relationship didn’t develop that much in my eyes, so sacrificing the whole thing to start over was probably one of the better ideas.

The pacing of the story is I think what I enjoyed about the book the least. It was painfully drawn out in some places and then skipped over the parts I was interested in. I don’t know if this was to avoid filling in any gaps or holes, but it took me out of the story a significant amount of the time. I think some of the pacing may have been trying to build tension, but sometimes brief is better. If things are dragged on for too long, anxiety slips into apathy. Once I got to about 75%, it was much easier to stay engaged for longer periods of time.

The story was there and I enjoyed the glimpses of originality that come with a generational family feud. Sadly, I enjoyed the summary of how the Dark Oak came to be more than undoing it. And though I won’t be reading this story again, I would be happy to read something else from this author, perhaps the prequel.

5 stars. No notes. This book was super cozy, with enough action and mystery to keep you turning pages just to see what happens next. An enemies to lovers, slow burn romance with so much banter I couldn’t help but giggle at some interactions. There’s amazing character development for every character, not just the main love interests, with a major focus on sibling relationships that feels very authentic (at least from my eldest sibling perspective). And there’s a non-binary character who is totally awesome which makes my little NB heart sing! 🥰 can’t wait to see what happens next in this magical world.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things
by Breanne Randall
Pub Date: Mar 04 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the small town of Gold Springs, Calliope Petridi and her two sisters carefully guard the secret of their magic and the price they must pay to practice it: memories. Luckily, all Calliope wants to do is forget: the mother who left without a trace, the sisters from whom she feels increasingly distant, and most of all, the way the love of her life shattered her heart two years ago.

But when an ancient evil awakens, the fragile thread that holds the sisters together breaks. As their magic slowly begins to fade, Calliope accidentally binds herself to the handsome leader of a rival coven infamous for their ruthless pursuit of power. Battling the sizzling chemistry with a man she can’t trust, Calliope must confront painful memories of her past, dark family secrets, and ancient magic in order to protect the town and all she loves. But will she have anything left of herself?

A cozy small town witchy fantasy. Calliope Petridi is a Lightcraft witch. She has two other sisters, Thalia and Eurydice. They run a tea and bookstore, called the Tea and Tome, in their small town. Their mother disappeared 15 years ago and the eldest, Thalia had turned 18 that year so they were covered.
I really did like the Magic system. I felt it was very unique among all the other Magic systems that I’ve read about across other fantasies. I really liked the atmosphere of the book cozy is always something that is something I prefer more in the winter time so I’ve saved this book until right now in December to read so it was perfect for me. I also always love it when it is more fall/winter and reading about witches. I found that I do really like Breanne Randalls writing. Though this author only has two books out so far I have liked them both rating them 3.75-4.5 stars. I will definitely be reading more!

Review of Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall

What happens when Pride and Prejudice meets Charmed in a world where magic comes at the cost of memories? Breanne Randall's Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things explores this intriguing premise with a blend of small-town charm, sisterly bonds, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that will appeal to fans of cozy witchy fantasy.

The story follows Calliope Petridi, a Lightcraft witch grappling with the lingering scars of her mother's sudden disappearance 15 years ago. Alongside her sisters, Thalia and Eurydice, she runs a quaint tea and bookstore in their magical hometown. However, their ability to wield magic comes at a steep price-they must sacrifice precious memories. When the enigmatic Shadowcrafter, Lucien, and a series of unsettling events threaten their guardianship over an ancient magic, Calliope must face the challenge head-on. As tensions escalate, she finds herself magically bound to Lucien, forcing the two to overcome their differences to protect their loved ones.

While the premise held immense promise, the execution left me with mixed feelings.

Strengths:

* Word-Building: Randall excels at crafting an atmospheric, small-town setting brimming with charm. The combination of witchcraft, family dynamics, and local traditions imbues the story with cozy, magical vibes.
* Unique Magic System: The idea of magic requiring memory sacrifices is fresh and thought-provoking, adding emotional stakes to every spell cast.
* Supporting Characters: Thalia, Eurydice, and Lucien stood out as the most compelling characters. Their individual quirks and dynamics brought depth to the narrative.

Weaknesses:

* Dialogue and Characterization: The banter between Calliope and Lucien, while intended to be witty, often felt forced and jarring. Calliope's relentless stubbornness and martyr complex made her difficult to connect with, leaving me more invested in the supporting cast.
* Pacing Issues: The narrative alternates between being overly fast-paced-glossing over key moments-and dragging through slower sections. This imbalance made it difficult to remain fully engaged.
* Plot Convenience: Several plot points, particularly involving the sisters' aunts, felt too convenient and lacked the emotional or narrative weight needed to be satisfying.

Final Thoughts:

Despite its flaws, the book finds redemption in its ending, where the chemistry between Calliope and Lucien finally comes alive, and the stakes feel more genuine. However, the journey to this point was uneven, leaving me wishing for a stronger, more cohesive story.

While this book wasn't a favorite for me, I recognize its appeal to readers who enjoy witchy romances with lighthearted small-town vibes. Fans of Charmed and cozy fantasy may find it more to their liking, especially given its inclusive representation and unique magical elements.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things offers an intriguing premise but ultimately left me wanting more refinement in its execution. My thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and the author, Breanne Randall, for the opportunity to review this book.

ARC Review: Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things

Set in a charming, magical town full of unsuspecting residents protected by secrets and sacrifices, this story follows the FMC through a journey of love, loss, and self-discovery intertwined with her sister’s struggles.

If you grew up loving Charmed, this book will feel like coming home. The dynamic between the characters is reminiscent of Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, and I was completely here for it.

From the moment I received the ARC, I couldn’t wait to dive in—and it did not disappoint. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, making me laugh, cry, and gasp as twists unfolded. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story surprised me in the best way.

While I wish the FMC and MMC had more page time together, it only makes me more excited to see how their story develops in future installments. Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is an enchanting, heart-tugging read that I highly recommend for fans of magical, character-driven tales.

This book started a little slow but I still think it's a cute story. Once Lucien comes in, things get real interesting, real fast. Watching the saga unfold was very entertaining. The moment Lucien and Calliope share at the end is so sweet, it almost makes up for the sadness I had when they had to sacrifice to save the town.

This witchy fantasy romance is a good read. It started off slow, but paid off in the end. The magic system used is interesting and the romance is a slow burn. The characters were relatable and the storyline interesting.

Witches, family, and of course a shadow daddy. How can you not be excited about those things. This book made for a fun read with small twists and mini cliffhangers at each chapters end. Absolutely enjoyed and will recommend

Firstly I want to thank Breanne Randall and Dell for the eARC! I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book early.

I really enjoyed the story, I thought the magic systems were interesting. The pace of the story progression felt a little off to me but I can’t pinpoint what it is so that truly might be a me problem. I do wish Calliope hadn’t had to sacrifice her memories and for Lucien, especially since those feelings are what helped her move past the prejudices she grew up with.

☆3 Stars☆

I enjoyed this cozy fantasy—it was a good mix of magic and romance. The author has a really creative take on the magical element, but though there were a few times when I felt like things were a little slow or overly detailed. Still, the descriptions were really well done and I could easily picture everything in my head. What really stood out was the sense of family, friendship, and love—it felt like stepping into a world that was easy to get attached to.

Lucien is both mysterious and sweet, and Calliope is strong, quirky, and unapologetically herself. Their friendship with Danny felt so relatable, though I wish there had been more of it. The themes of family and self-sacrifice hit home for me, and the grimoire added a fun little twist. While the book was decently enjoyable overall, it didn’t fully sweep me away.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Breanne Randall for this ARC in exchange for an honest review