What a cozy and magical read! This is the first book I have read by this novel and it was so much fun. The setting and the world building were great and the characters, especially the shadow daddy MMC were amazing and complex and complicated and made for a very entertaining read.

The beginning of the book was slow, and the story didn't flow as well as it should have. Would have loved to hear more about, or from, the sisters perspectives. The ending left me wanting more answers. I do hope there is a sequel, I'd absolutely read it. I would still recommend giving this witchy read a try. It had some original eliminants to it that I really appreciated. Thanks, NetGalley!!!

I loved this whimsical, witchy book!

The three Petridi sisters are cursed and to use their magic they must sacrifice a memory. The characters were easy to like, the plot is incredibly engaging and was such a fun read.

Calliope Petridi has spent her life sacrificing her memories to protect the Dark Oak, an enchanted tree in the Forgotten Forest that is somehow tied to their very magic. When bad things start happening around town, she can only come to one conclusion. The enchantments are failing, and when they do, something dark and dangerous will be unleashed. To save their magic, and also each other, the Petridi sisters will have to discover the story of their lineage, the history behind their curse, and what memories they will have to sacrifice in order to break it. The romances that materalize throughout the story I loved, the banter was funny and enjoyed the interactions.

One highlight to the book I thoroughly enjoyed were the recipes, such a fun addition😊

I highly recommend for witchy/spooky readers. I can’t wait to get a physical copy in my hands!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Breanne Randall, and Random House Publishing Group for a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: March 4, 2025

Breanne writes such unique books with whimsicle storylines.
The story itself moved a bit slow, I would have loved to gain POVs from the sisters and had all mysteries/questions answered (mainly - where is Penelope) but overall this is a solid book for anyone who enjoys a shadow MMC, sisterly bonds and paranormal vibes

This book was EXACTLY what I needed. I adored the sister's relationship. The complexity that can only be described by family. The protective older sister, the peace keeping middle sister and the wild/impulsive younger sister.

And our Shadow Daddy, Lucien! Talk about the best big brother in the world! ( I have thoroughly enjoyed the amazing older brother's fantasy writers have been producing lately!)

The generational trauma is explored so well in this book and watching the characters overcome, process and grow was such a great experience. This will honestly be a book that lives rent free on my brain!

A good book to read with a cup of tea, while relaxing in front of a warm fire.

Cozy urban fantasy about three sisters in charge of guarding an old source of powerful magic. A spell book named Grim, a fortune teller tharapist, bestie named Danny who she parties with to make memories to use for spells, and that's just the beginning. Once Calliope life gets entwined with that of a dreaded Shadowcrafter named Lucien and a whole world of secrets and deep rooted magical prejudice is uncovered. Can the sisters find a way to save the magic they're destined to protect?

I loved the cozy world building; the old feel of a small town in a modern world. I found the characters in the story to be interesting with good back stories. The sisters' magic being tied to memories was well done. This book was definitely strong on the family and found family aspects. There were two spicy scenes, but they were quite mild. The violence was mild as well, for a fantasy novel.

Now for the best part: the food featured thought out the book... all the recipes are in the back of the book! Now I want to read it again and make the foods as I go.

Forgetting to be able to cast spells, genius! What an amazing book to read, especially as we prepare for the season. Sisters, magic and forbidden love! This book has all the right elements to become an instant favorite for many of us. I didnt give it a full five stars because I was a little lost at the beginning which made me lose momentum, but it was quickly fixed. There are also some unanswered questions Im hoping are left out because there may be a second book on the way.

With a slow start, this book does pick up and ends up being such a sweet read. The sisterly bonds, romance, and spice were all top notch and you can't go wrong with the magic either! Great read for the fall season.

Honestly this book has it all! The love of sisters and the fight between dark and light. The forbidden love, dark grey love interest, witches, recipes, food, cozy setting and a mystery for the cherry on top. I started this book having a hard time with being confused with the lack of memories and knowledge on curses and spells but KEEP READING!!!! It will all make sense in the end and it makes the book that much better!!! The way that there is a mystery within the learning of magic adds to this book being everything you are wanting in a witchy cozy romance!

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a cute and well rounded out story. Randall is an inclusive author with representation from the LGBT community that I loved. The romances all were cute and cozy. It's a shame that this is set for a March release since it feels SO October-y. Most "witch" based stories feel October-y to me, so take that with a grain of salt! I felt the pacing was a bit slow and I found myself putting it down often, which lead to my lower rating. The ending could have tied up some loose ends better but overall, it was a cute read.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved Breanne Randall’s first book and was excited to see her come out with another one. Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things has so many elements that I love in a book like generational secrets, unexpected love, and of course witches! I will for sure be looking forward to a sequel to this one.

3.5 ⭐️ this is a great cozy fall read! I love the story concept and the relationship between the sisters and their different views on magic. Definitely a great read for fans of Charmed! My rating lost a little because there were still some unanswered questions at the end of the book. Wondering if maybe there will be a sequel? Either way, it’s a great spooky season read!

Thank you Netgalley & Ballantine/Random House for approving me to read the eARC of Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall. This book started out slow for me but it really picked up about 20% of the way through, after which I became more invested in the characters. The premise of sacrificing memories in order to perform magic was really intriguing, especially seeing out willing or unwilling the sisters were in that regard. The sisterly bond was more important and interesting than the romance in this book, and I’m not convinced the main couple should have actually ended up together.

The Petridi sisters and their family have spent generations in the cozy small town of Gold Spring, but their family and community are threatened by secrets and dangerous curses as a dark power rises. Things are not as straightforward as they seem, though, and shocking revelations and unlikely allies will test their resolve. The Petridi sisters must decide what they are willing to give up to uphold their family legacy and protect what they love.

After a bit of a slow start the pacing improves and I couldn't put this down. While I would have loved some more time with Thalia and Dissy and developing their characters, this book was, at its core, an ode to sisterhood. It was beautiful and intense as it explored the prices we pay and the sacrifices we are willing to make for those that we love. You'll be hooked.

Calliope, a young witch who is cursed to loose a memory every time she casts a spell, lives in a small town, with her two older sisters who rarely use their magic. Calliope must protect the Dark Oak, a tree that is tied to their magic, accidentally bends herself to Lucien, another witch is there to try and use the Dark Oak to save his dying sister. Calliope and Lucien must try and work together despite their differences, unwillingness to trust each other and the chemistry between them.

I loved the sisterly bond, the small town charm and the chemistry between Calliope and Lucien. The storytelling was incredible, the descriptions of the sisters cozy house were so vivid I felt like I was there. However, I wished for ta little bit more closure at the end but I’m hoping there will be a sequel to answer those questions left lingering. This is a witchy cozy read with just a tiny bit of spice.

This was a fast and easy read. I enjoyed the three sisters and magical elements of it. The romance and spice level were fun. As a lover of Jane Austen, I get what the author was trying to do. However, the references and direct quotes from her work made it too obvious and cutesy for my liking. They were just too heavy handed. Subtly would have made the references land better.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, Breanne Randall, and Random House publishing for the advanced copy of Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things. All opinions are my own.

Calliope Petridi and her sisters are witches who must sacrifice memories in order to do magic. Calliope is the only one who has decided magic is worth the cost. Evil is roused in the town and the sisters must decide how to confront it. Through it all Calliope gets bonded with the leader of the rival coven. This story is sweet and I really enjoyed reading the description of various magical/medicinal items throughout the book. For example, the use of rosemary for focus or bringing back memories. Does rosemary actually help with our brains? I have no idea, but I loved this inclusion. I also enjoy the small town setting and the picture the author paints. The characters, even ones with small roles, all know each other and seem to be on each other's team, which I find lovely.
I gave this story 3 stars because I found it laggard and the character development lacking. Calliope is the heroine and is tightly linked with her sisters so I wish that her sisters had larger voices throughout the story. I also felt this book ended with too many unanswered questions, so many that I am curious if the author will turn it into a duology. I would definitely pick it up if so!
Overall, I thought this book was cute and fun and Breanne Randall will remain an "auto-read" author for me.

Chefs kiss! The inclusiveness, the magic, the romance.
I just adored this book. A sweet tale of 3 sisters bound together by their magic, family discovered and a new shadow daddy to drool over. Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things was everything you want a book to be. It had humor, love, romance, deception, twists and turns and even the Petridi recipes to try!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I loved this book. It comes out March 4th 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this wonderful opportunity to read this arc. I’ve been on a witchy/magic mood for all my reads and this scratched that itch. I saw this referred to many times as a pride and prejudice/ charmed kind of book. I could not agree more. The characters are extremely easy to like, the plot sucks you in immediately and the magic system is beautiful. I’m honestly already ready for the sequel I’m kicking my feet giggling how much I enjoyed this book. Highly recommend for witchy read/spooky readers. I can’t wait to get a physical copy in my hands.

Thank-you NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine & Breanne Randall for this eARC

Absolutely a yes from me, I really enjoyed this read.
Breanne Randall has a wonderful descriptive writing style, I felt like I was watching a movie.
This felt like an adult Hocus Pocus (🌶️ - small but appropriate amount 🙌🏼).
Cozy small town vibes and I really loved the evolution of the sisters relationship & good vs. evil.

The socks, why were the socks so enjoyable?
I thought the ending was well done and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.