Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a beautiful story of love, hardship, and the resilience found within both. From the very beginning, with Joni Mitchell’s music setting the scene in a quirky small Stars Hollow-esque town outside of a cozy tea shop/bookstore, I was completely drawn in. The immersive descriptions evoked the warmth of chamomile tea in a mug, the comforting atmosphere of cascading plants, and the smell of freshly baked pastries—so much so that I had to light a candle and grab a mini Bundt cake while reading! The balance of cozy and ominous elements added a lot of depth to the story. One moment, you’re rifling through Calliope’s messy sock drawer, watching her choose yet another mismatched pair (I really need to go back and make note of all the different socks she wore—she’s got quite the collection); the next, you can practically hear her stumbling through the woods, her foot crunching through a deer skull, sending a shiver down your spine. This contrast between the comfy and the unsettling kept me captivated—not to mention the tall, dark, and handsome, enemies-to-lovers romance sprinkled in! A special note for readers who enjoy sensory experiences: every meal, pastry, and beverage mentioned throughout the book is so detailed and vivid that you can practically taste it—and to top it off, there’s a recipe section at the end, so you can bring those flavors to life in your own kitchen. I look forward to flipping through the recipes to decide what I’ll make for release day on March 4, 2025, and rereading this book!

This book is not just a story; it’s an experience. The immersive world-building, the complex emotions, and the anticipation of what’s to come make Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things a standout. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next! I am immediately adding Breanne Randall’s previous book to my TBR! Thank you to NetGalley and Breanne Randall (@houseofrandall) for my very first ARC!

*I was given an advance copy of this book to read*

I enjoyed this story. I loved the world building and the descriptive exploration of the characters and their surroundings. This was a sweet and fairly easy read and I do recommend for lighter weight fantasy lovers. My favorite part of Brianne Randall’s books remains the included recipes! Such a lovely added detail.

Maybe this was just a poorly timed read for me but I couldn’t get into the magic and it felt repetitive. I wish there was more distinction between conversations with grim and with memories, as I found it hard to follow. I agree that this could have been shortened by at least 100 pages.

I gotta dnf this one besties. I'm at 32% and have been trying to read this for nearly a week. If you love reading heavily descriptive books this may be up your alley but it is entirely too slow paced for my brain. I have continued to love the premise of Breanne Randall's books, she definitely knows how to market to my brain and heart, however, the stories just can't seem to resonate with me as I am hoping. I think this is my sign that perhaps Randall's writing is just not for me.

✨🌙Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall 🌙✨

Three sisters, one town, and a legacy of magic that comes at a cost… memory. In Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things, Breanne Randall weaves a tale of magic, sisterhood, and the sacrifices made to protect a town unaware of the darkness lurking.

Calliope, has had good relationships, but never one she was willing to share all her secrets. A walk through the woods leaves her bound to a handsome guy with dark magic. Their connection? Passionate, raw, and filled with all the complexities of light and dark magic. The tension between them was powerful. Their love felt dangerous, but also incredibly tender—accepting each other, flaws and all.

If you love a mix of magic, sisterhood, and a steamy, forbidden romance, this is a must-read. Breanne Randall delivers a beautifully crafted story where every spell comes at a price. 🌙✨

Was an ok premise. Writing was a little juvenile. Magic system was intriguing, but plot wise it was a bit uneven. Overall a decent book, just would like to little more finishing.

I loved this book SO MUCH! It was better than I could have ever expected and I’m so sad everyone has to wait until next spring to read it 😭

Born Enemies, Bonded Lovers. Together they must save Gold Springs from the Dark Oak. Though I did feel some of the writing was repetitive, it was so descriptive and beautiful I could see the settings and story play out so vividly. While magic is the main plot here, there is romance/spice and it is such a breadcrumb trail of tension and heat, I ate it up! A+ banter! Adored the sisterly love and inclusion 🏳️‍🌈Much appreciation to what I felt like were nods to Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic 🪄

Don’t even get me started on the recipes at the end! I will be buying a physical copy when this comes out next year.

Thank you NetGalley & Random House Publishing for this ARC. My favorite one yet!

“A gentle melody that sing of spells, strings, and forgotten things. Come, sisters, it called. Come see me where the shadows sing.”

This book is for anyone that grew up with Charmed or Gilmore Girls. It is a good mix of the three gifted sisters living in a small cozy town. I think it is even better, cause its cast of characters are more diverse and it has more spice than those two tv shows it is reminiscent of. This story follows three sisters; Calliope, Thalia, and Dissy in their pursuit to keep their town safe from evil forces. In comes hot shadow daddy Lucien and throws a wrench at their plans, sort of. Lucien and Calliope get into a situation where they dislike each other but are forced to work together and over time learn that not everything is at it seems. This is a cute read with some medium level of spice. Loved their interactions and can’t wait to see what will happen with the other sisters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5 stars)

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall is an enchanting blend of magic, love, and emotional depth, but its premise—centered on a witch who sacrifices memories to cast spells—truly sets it apart. This tale of self-discovery and sacrifice weaves together the complexity of family bonds, the pain of lost love, and the haunting power of forgotten things.

Calliope Petridi, the youngest of three witch sisters, has lived her life in the small town of Gold Springs, guarding not only the secret of their magic but also the price they pay to wield it: memories. As someone who’s been hurt deeply by her past, Calliope has no problem with forgetting. In fact, forgetting is what she longs for—memories of her mother’s abandonment, her growing distance from her sisters, and most of all, the heartbreak she still carries from a love lost. But when an ancient evil threatens to destroy everything, Calliope is forced to confront what she’s been running from, or risk losing even more.

Randall’s concept of memory-linked magic is fascinating. Every spell costs something precious, and this adds a sense of urgency and tension to the narrative. Calliope’s willingness to sacrifice pieces of herself to forget is both heartbreaking and compelling, making her an intriguing protagonist. The emotional stakes are high from the very beginning, as the reader watches Calliope grapple with how much she’s willing to lose in order to protect her town and the people she loves.

The story really hits its stride when Calliope accidentally binds herself to the leader of a rival coven, a man known for his ambition and ruthlessness. Their sizzling chemistry immediately heats up the page, adding a layer of romance to the already tension-filled plot. However, it’s not just their attraction that drives the story—it’s the mistrust and the constant push-and-pull between them that keeps you guessing. Can Calliope truly trust him, or will this connection be her downfall? The dynamic between them brings both fire and frustration, keeping the romance element engaging without overwhelming the main plot.

However, while the premise and relationships are strong, the pacing can feel uneven at times. The middle of the book tends to drag as Calliope confronts her memories and the story shifts between the past and present. There are moments where the action slows down a bit too much, losing some of the momentum built by the intriguing plot and the high stakes of memory magic. That said, the emotional exploration of Calliope’s past adds depth to her character, even if it comes at the cost of pacing.

Randall also shines in her depiction of the fractured bond between Calliope and her sisters. Their relationship is complex, layered with both love and resentment. As their magic begins to fade and old secrets bubble to the surface, their bond is tested in ways that feel authentic. Family is at the heart of this novel, and the exploration of how trauma and loss can create distance, even between those who love each other, is one of the story’s most poignant elements.

By the time the climax arrives, Randall deftly weaves together the threads of Calliope’s journey—both magical and emotional. She is forced to face her darkest memories and the truths she’s been avoiding, making for a satisfying and emotional resolution. However, the ending does leave a few loose ends, particularly regarding the rival coven and the nature of the ancient evil, which could have been explored in more depth.

Overall, Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a captivating read for fans of witchy romance with high emotional stakes. Its unique premise and rich character dynamics make it a story worth exploring, even if it falters in pacing at times. Calliope’s journey of sacrifice, self-discovery, and love is a magical and heartfelt tale that lingers long after the final page.

The Petridi sisters are the sole guardians of the Dark Oak and must use their magic to protect it. However, their magic comes with a delicate cost: their memories. With the disappearance of their mother and an overwhelming heartbreak, Calliope dabbles in magic for trivial tasks as all she wants to do is forget the pain and suffering she has faced.

When evil enters their town of Gold Spring, Calliope does all she can to keep her sister and the Dark Oak safe. As a result, she accidentally binds herself to one of the most dangerous rival coven leaders, Lucien Denize. While working to sever the bond, Calliope’s forced proximity with Lucien turns fierce hate into fiery chemistry. Will Calliope be able to protect those that she loves and the Dark Oak before evil prevails?

I thoroughly enjoyed the style of writing as it had beautiful descriptions of the characters worlds but also felt like perfect pacing. I enjoyed that as the characters were learning information and experiencing twists and turns, the reader was learning about them in parallel. It was fun having mystery and massive plot twist to explore throughout.

The characters in this story are incredibly inclusive which made me extremely happy to see. The main character, Calliope, is a bi female who we see with both women and men throughout the story. While she is with Lucien, the reader learns that Calliope feels accepted by him as he never questions her sexuality or asks her to explain her past, but truly loves her for who she is. The story also includes Danny, who is the Petridi sister’s non-binary best friend and eventual love interest of Thalia. There are many nationalities highlighted throughout and the reader gets glimpses of important pieces of their culture woven in. The characters also face dealing with prejudice and inherited beliefs or biases. When Calliope meets Lucien, her nemesis by inherited belief, the reader is told “she detested him on principle.” Overtime, Calliope recognizes how Lucien is nothing like the tales of evil she learned from her family, but someone who is also loving, caring, and kind.

The romantic elements in this story were not at the forefront, but I love how they were woven in delicately. Calliope and Lucien start off as enemies and realize through their forced proximity and unintentional soul bond that they actually care for one another. The banter in this book was absolutely divine and had me blushing on the train heading to work. The romance wasn’t overly spicy, but had some hot flames and steamy moments dispersed throughout. If someone talked to me the way Lucien talked to Calliope, I would be swooning.

“They kissed the way they fought, with abandon and fire.”

I loved how there was a unique magic system in play as the Petridi sisters must offer a memory to use their magic, and the more powerful the magic or spell the more important or cherished memory would be needed to do it. I haven’t seen any other books use a magic system like this. It was interesting to see how the sisters all handled their magical capabilities as they all differed. Calliope wanted to forget many things, so she used those memories to do menial tasks around the house, whereas Thalia swore off magic altogether claiming cherished memories weren’t worth the price. At the end of the story, Calliope had to sacrifice her most powerful memory to save everyone - how she fell in love with Lucien. Before she offers this memory, “she looked at Lucien with pleading eyes. ‘Make me remember,’ she said softly.”

“I think,” she said as they neared the tree line, “that I sacrificed a memory that was to big.”

This book was far more emotional than I had anticipated when I picked this book up to read. Throughout this story, Calliope is dealing with immense grief. Not only is she dealing with the disappearance of her beloved mother, but she has also lost the love of her life. I think this book shows how challenging it can be to continue on and fight for those that you love that are present in your life while dealing with insurmountable loss due to those that are no longer present. I felt like this story shows readers that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, but also that it’s okay to struggle. I think this story also shows us that while some memories may be painful, they are important in shaping who we are as individuals.

“Hope doesn’t have to be a blazing fire,” Thalia said, her voice growing gentler. “Sometimes, it’s just a flicker in the darkness, but it’s enough to guide us through.”

“But now, as she stood at the precipice of her past, she realized the true essence of being human, of being alive, lay in those little moments, the threads that wove the tapestry of her soul. Each memory was a star in her own constellation, and in her quest to protect, she had forgotten the most important magic of all - self-preservation.”

This book made my heart and soul happy; it was a cozy read laced with emotional elements. The ending of the story tied up many of the loose ends, but still left a few unanswered questions which makes me HOPE there will be a sequel to this story. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for giving me the chance to read this as an e-ARC!

This book was a well written, intricate, and well thought out book. And for some reason, I struggled with it. It may have been the main character’s self-destructive behaviors. The latter half did pick up, with some surprises and unexpected events. For me, it was a 3.5, but I’ll round up to 4.

Pros:
~Well-fleshed out backstory, with a well-thought out magic system
~Plot forward
~Great prose / beautiful writing
~Inclusivity - queer & non-binary characters
~Compelling backstory for the Shadowcrafter coven, with an intriguing and interesting main male lead
~Wrapped up well

Cons:
~Main female lead was a self-sabatogeur, and quick to jump to conclusions
~Main female lead + her sisters had complicated relationships that were overall grating and not enjoyable for most of the novel, complete with a lack of communication
~Did not enjoy magic system of Lightcasters having to give up a memory to do magic
~slower pacing

Thanks to Netgalley & Penguin Random House Publishing for the ARC version of this book. I adore this author and this was another super cute read of hers! I’m already so excited for the sequels!

3.5 stars

Spells, strings and forgotten things was a lovely book was a whimsical story that follows Calliope, a light magic witch and Lucian a shadow magic magician. It's set in the spring around Ostara but it was a perfect autumn read. The book had major Pride and Prejudice vibes. It was wonderful to get to know Calliope, her sisters, Lucian and all of the other important characters.
I personally struggled a little bit with the book in the beginning before I got a hang of how it was written but that is on me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to get more of this story in the upcoming book in the series.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

This was a fantastic book. Had I not had so much going on in life I would have finished it a lot sooner. I love the stories of the 3 sisters and how they each vary so much in personalities. It honestly reminded me a lot of me and my sister. The story was well written. Lucien was one of my favorite characters and I love the relationship between him and Calliope. The added bonus was the recipes at the end of the book…. I can’t wait to cook up some Petridi sister’s recipes!

I first want to thank Breanne Randall, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am going to keep this review as spoiler-free as I can!

It was a treat to be able to read a novel about witches in the time leading up to Halloween! Although the book is set around the Spring Equinox (Specifically around the celebration of Ostara), I felt that it was still a nice read for the autumn season as well.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things follows the Petridi Sisters: Calliope, Eurydice, and Thalia. Calliope, the youngest, takes center stage (as her namesake often does among the muses in mythology)! At the beginning of our story, she is dealing with difficulties that often plague women in their 20s. She’s gone through a messy breakup and is experiencing a growing rift between her and her sisters, especially Thalia, the eldest. She is also working through challenges that are not as commonplace. She’s part of a family of witches and is the only one of her sisters to consistently use her magic. This is because it comes at a significant cost. All Petridi women must sacrifice memories to fuel their spells. Calliope has given away more and more of herself to keep doing magic and the holes in her memory have come with significant consequences. It is revealed that her sacrifices are due to her desire to find out what happened to the sisters’ mother, Penelope, who disappeared when she was a child. She must also continue her family’s protection of the Dark Oak, an ancient, ominous tree that resides in the woods near their home. This journey leads her to a mysterious Shadowcrafter, a witch who practices a kind of magic that the Petridis want absolutely nothing to do with. Calliope and her sisters go on to experience love, loss, and incredible magic as outside forces work to tear apart enchantments and oaths that have been held for centuries.

There were quite a few things I enjoyed in this novel. The Petridi family is Greek and I found that to be an intriguing feature as I do not see a lot of main characters with Greek heritage in stories I read, especially those in the fantasy genre. I enjoyed Calliope’s interactions with Grim, the family grimoire, who has acted as a mentor and friend to her. I thought the inclusion of a sentient spell book was a fun choice. I thought the town of Gold Springs was an ideal, cozy setting, with an eclectic array of residents and local shops. I liked Tea and Tome, the bookstore/teashop that the sisters run, I certainly wish I had a shop like it in my city! I appreciated how the characters all used their native tongues to perform spells, I thought this was a fantastic touch, and shows how their magic is about the intent, not the language used. There was a plot twist that caught me off guard, which I love, I did not see it coming and it really added to the story! Danny, Calliope’s best friend, is a major highlight of the novel. They provide much of the comic relief. I laughed out loud at their quips and enjoyed their ability to be direct but charming. 

I do have things that I did not like as much. I feel that many passages were excessively ornate or poetic. There were times when the figurative language added to the tone and atmosphere of the novel, but there were also times when it took me out of it. I felt that there were quite a few clichés and tropes used throughout the story that made me less excited to complete it as I felt that I already knew how some major plot points would play out. This is an “enemies-to-lovers” story and this caused me to analyze the romance and dynamic between the characters closely as I have seen this trope many times before. Unfortunately, I never truly felt that the main couple were truly "enemies." I never got the sense that they were ever true opposing forces and it felt like all of the snide remarks and banter were there simply to appeal to the trope. I also felt that things did move a bit too fast between them after one big moment of reconciliation considering the years and years of prejudice they're faced with. The use of a nickname by the MMC for the FMC never really clicked with me, I got to a point where I just really wanted him to use her name. There were some moments where the FMC hit the MMC and I did not like that as I feel like hitting your partner is not ok in any circumstance, no matter if it is a female or male doing it. I feel like the use of terms like “shadow daddy” and “golden retriever energy” may, unfortunately, date the novel and they honestly felt overly meta to me. There were also times where I felt like character growth and lessons were being spelled out to me, which I wasn’t a fan of as I felt it was unnecessary.

Overall, Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is filled with some whimsical, witchy fun but does have some hiccups that impact it. This book did keep me engaged throughout and I enjoyed learning more about the magic system and history of this world. If you enjoy witches, banter, romance, and sisterhood, I’d recommend giving this book a try!

Breanne Randall's Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things follows the story of Calliope and her two sisters, who share a magical bond that allows them to perform light magic—at the cost of a memory for each spell. The sisters use their powers to protect their town from a rival family skilled in shadow magic, with Calliope often clashing with Lucien, a member of the opposing coven. The romance between Calliope and Lucien (cuties!) develops alongside a storyline rich in family history and generational conflict.

The book offers a cozy, whimsical setting, with much of the plot centering around the sisters' tea and book shop. The magic system is fresh and unique, with the cost of magic being a standout concept. However, while the story is enjoyable and has sweet moments, I found the pacing slow. Additionally, a few characters felt under-explored, leaving me wanting more background. Overall, the book’s charm and LBGT inclusivity made it a fun and engaging read, with a great ending that hints at the possibility of a sequel.

"If you let them steal your joy, they've already won."

Thank you for the eARC!!! 🩷

3.75 ⭐️

Breanne has given us another cozy witchy romance to eat up. The love and heartbreak throughout this book really kept me hooked to see what would happen next. You never know what a witch will do when she has to sacrifice a memory for her power. Calliope really spoke to me as a character who has a hard time letting herself feel everything and is struggling to accept that life comes with hurt and hard times and running away from it doesn’t help.

Her bond with her sisters is exactly what I expected from the authors posts about this being Pride and Prejudice meets Charmed and Lucien really gives off MAJOR Mr Darcy vibes.

I had a great time getting to know Calliope and her sisters and I’m excited to read Eurydice and Thalia’s stories next! I also love the way Breanne describes scenes and food in her books. The food always makes me hungry 🤤 so I love that she includes recipes in the back! Can’t wait to make some of them.

This is a witchy fantasy that definitely pulls influence from both Charmed and Pride and Prejudice, and is a beautiful blend of them both.

I enjoyed this cozy fantasy. There were both dark and light elements, which blended beautifully. Calliope and her sisters family has been cursed to only be able to use magic when sacrificing their memories. Lucien is after the power that her family is guarding. What happens when they get bound together, despite their magic being opposing in nature?

I enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone looking for a witchy book to read with a cup of tea.

I received a free copy from Random House through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Calliope Petridi lives in a beautiful, old, magical manor with her sisters, Thalia and Eurydice, after their mother pretty much abandons them as children. Luckily for all of them, Thalia was a teenager at the time, and assumed the role of parent. (As an eldest sister, I relate to Thalia in my bones.) Calliope, who was very young when their mother left, is much more of a free spirit. She is chaos to Thalia's order, messy to Thalia's tidy, her opposite in every way. Eurydice, bless her, is the mediator between the two. Together, the sisters run a bookshop cafe in Gold Springs, and are secretly Lightcraft witches...who are also cursed.

Yes, cursed. The Petridi sisters are tasked with guarding the Dark Oak, and the immense power within, and cursed with their magic coming with a price: their memories. Any exertion of magic costs its caster a memory. Thalia never uses magic, and Eurydice uses it very sparingly, but Calliope? Calliope hands over memories like candy, willfully oblivious to the fact that it is very nearly destroying so many of her relationships.

After a series of sinister events, Calliope is convinced that the threads of magic the Petridi family has kept wrapped around the Dark Oak for generations is fraying, and, after a drunken night, she makes the mistake of going to the Dark Oak to inspect the magic herself. This lapse in judgment nearly costs Calliope her life--had it not been for Lucien Deniz. Lucien saves Calliope and inadvertently ties her life to his. Lucien is a Shadowcrafter to Calliope's Lightcraft, and needs the power within the Dark Oak that Calliope and her sisters will die to protect.

I so enjoyed this book! I feel like Breanne always does such a wonderful job of marrying "this" meets "that" (in this case, I got "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE," meets "Charmed," meets "PRACTICAL MAGIC") and her own twist to create something new that also feels familiar. It's at once so cozy, where you feel like you can just curl up in a corner of Lethe Manor and spend every day with the Petridi sisters, but also so high stakes that you'll be on the edge of your seat.

As an eldest daughter who related to Thalia so much, I spent a lot of this book wanting to shake Calliope. She's chaotic and at times so hard headed that you want to scream, "It's YOU, hi, you're the problem, it's YOU!" at her. If this girl would stop and think for 3.5 seconds, so many of her problems would never have existed!

I also really liked how diverse this book is. The main characters/cultures that come through are Greek, Turkish, and French, but there were so many other cultures referenced that you can tell that this book was written by someone who has seen and loved so many places on this Earth that aren't America alone. It's refreshing to see so many different ethnicities married together in a small town, where no one bats an eye at something "different" than them. I could feel the thought and heart that went into making Gold Springs such a magically special place to live. Plus, a Turkish Mr. Darcy, are you kidding?!

I often found myself laughing out loud, especially when it came to fandom references that the girlies will love. At one point, a character was described as "burdened with glorious purpose" (which is a Loki reference and my TikTok bio!), someone jokes that a female character has, "bewitched him, body and soul" (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, anyone?) and so many more.

Of course, in true Breanne Randall style, this book comes with recipes. Which is good for her, otherwise I'd be filling up her DMs begging her to tell me how to make orange fairy cakes.

I hate giving bad reviews, really I do… but this book just was not for me. I really, really struggled to get through it. The pacing felt very off, the characters weren’t likable and I didn’t buy the romance at all.
The technical writing was totally fine, but the story just really wasn’t for me.