Member Reviews
This was a fun adventure into fall magic! I enjoyed the narration as they brought the words to life. Will absolutely recommend!!
This audiobook was not for me. Sirena's narrator was wonderful. She brought Sirena and the supporting characters around her to life, and each of them felt like they had their own personalities and voices.
I found Gus's narrator to be significantly slower paced. I usually listen to audiobooks on 1x speed, but every time I reached one of Gus's POV chapters, I would have to speed it up just to keep it in line with the speed and pace of Sirena's chapters. The imbalance made the story feel slow. I likely would have rated this higher overall if I'd read the ebook instead of listening to the audiobook.
With that said, the story itself is perfect for fall. It's warm and cozy, romantic, and filled with meaningful family & friend relationships.
I received an ALC from NetGalley and I'm so grateful.
First of all, the narrators were perfect for this small-town romcom. I had such a great time listening to them and I feel like they really helped keep me interested in the story. When I requested this book I was unaware that it was book three in a series but I didn't feel like I was missing any information so I think they can be read as standalones. Sirena and Gus were fun characters who had nice banter and believable chemistry. The small-town aspect was my favorite. The magic was so wholesome and fun and scarily practical.
I love the way Sirena had to find her own way back to her magic and Gus had to find the courage to stand up to his family. This was the perfect cozy fall read.
It was a cute magical romance about second chances mixed with going back in time. Sirena is an ex-celebrity witch chef that has lost her touch and after a few failures in October, she wishes for a do-over to fix her errors. The next morning she realizes she is doing October all over again. Gus is a former reality star and magician who can't stand being "good time Gus" anymore after heartbreak. When their paths cross again, they realize they could help each other find their groove again before the do-over time runs out.
It was cute but not something that will be engrained on my heart. I was kind of annoyed at how it felt like she kinda teased and dragged him along. Kind of like a hot, cold, hot, cold, even after he was so kind to her. I didn't feel like I was really connected to the characters, main or surrounding as I do with my favorite books where I just don't want my time with them to end. It's a cute halloween/fall time story though!
✅ Cozy fall read
✅ Diverse, magical creatures
✅ Soulmates
✅ Hallmark vibes
🌶️ Little spicy
Deja Brew is a romcom that follows kitchen witch, Sirena and wizard, Gus. Sirena is in a rut and things seem to be going from bad to worse for the month of October. After one embarrassing night, she makes a desperate wish to have the chance to do everything over. Surprisingly, this wish comes true and Sirena has the chance to start again. This time, she enlists the help of ex-reality star and dazzling wizard, Gus who is dealing with his own fair share of troubles. After striking up a deal, the pair enter an arrangement to help Sirena regain her spark. As the story continues, our main characters wrestle with inner feelings of insecurity while simultaneously trying to navigate their budding feelings for each other.
🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
Hovering somewhere between 3.5 and 4 🖤. At only 368 pages (around 9 or so hours 🎧) , this was an easy read/listen that gave me all the cozy fall vibes. While I liked the book overall, I did find some of the dialogue and lack of actual communication between our two mains to be incredibly frustrating at times. I understand what the author was trying to do with the mutual pining, but hesitation from two scared people……. it just felt a little drawn out at times. With that being said, I really enjoyed both main character’s journeys to making peace with themselves and taking the leap of faith when it mattered. I also really liked the ending and appreciate how nicely everything was wrapped up. All in all, I think this would be a great addition to your fall TBR!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for letting me listen to this Audiobook. The narrators were fantastic and really helped set the scene for this cozy read.
Deja Brew is a book that is better on audio. These two narrators had excellent chemistry and brought Martin's cozy fall romance to life. In particular, I adored Marissa Hampton’s voice and performance---so much so that I immediately went to Audible to see what other texts she’s narrated. Contemporary Romance readers will find that she’s starred in many popular romance titles.
If you are in the mood for a low-stakes, sweet and spellbinding fall romance – this is it.
Deja Brew follows Gus and Sirena – a warlock and witch in the fictional (and very Stars Hollow-y) town of Feyre Grove—as they navigate the incredible, and magical opportunity they have re-do October. In their own way, each character must reflect on the choices they’ve made (not just in the past month, but in all those leading up to it) and whether or not those choices have ultimately made them happy (both in their professional and love lives). In this way, I think many readers will find this story relatable, despite its focus on magic and time-travel.
When I read this text, the pacing was a bit problematic. By this I mean, there was a lot to keep up with in terms of the setting and how magic was operating in this story and what felt like very little context to anchor us. However, I didn’t find the pacing as tricky while listening to the audio and will 100% be recommending the audiobook to my audience as a preferred way to read this book.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this work in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
☕️Cozy Paranormal Romance
🪄Magician MMC
☕️Kitchen Witch FMC
🪄Slow Burn
☕️Cozy Romance
🪄Time Spell
☕️Fall Vibes
I thought this book was so cozy and perfect for the season. I gave me adult Halloween Town, Gilmore Girls, Practical Magic and hallmark vibes.
I loved the narrators.
They were perfect. I was entertained throughout the whole listen. I would listen to more from them.
The world and magic system was beautiful. I loved that both main characters needed a second chance to find themselves and they got that in the form of a wish tea!
If you are looking for a cozy, fall vibes, and love spicy paranormal romances…I would recommend reading Deja Brew.
This was such a cute, cozy, steamy and witchy romcom! I listened to the audiobook and it pulled me right in. Gus and Serena were so adorable and I loved their fun adventures. The historical society setting and homey recipes and old cookbooks were so enchanting. Perfect romance read for the fall!
Chef Sirena is having a tremendously bad October, her cooking skills are on the fritz, she didn't get the job she was after, and then just as the month is ending (thankfully) she humiliates herself at the town Halloween party (and in front of Gus, a reality star/magician who has moved to town). She makes a wish for a do-over, a chance to fix everything that has gone wrong, and in the Halloween spirit of Groundhog Day, she wakes up the next morning and it's October 1st again and she gets a redo of the month. While trying to make a better month and get her cooking groove back (she is a kitchen witch after all), she makes a deal with Gus - she'll help decipher his mysterious cookbook and he'll help her find her cooking magic.
I grabbed this audio widget thinking it would be fun to have a cute witchy romance (I had just listened to the Ex Hex) - but there was just too much going on here. There is a time loop or two in addition to the magic and my little mortal brain just couldn't handle it all. I thought since there is cooking and magic I'd love it since I like those two things but the plot was just a bit too messy for my taste. In all fairness to the story - it is the third in the series so there is the chance that if I had read the other two I would have been more enchanted, but this one just didn't work for me.
3.25 stars
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ARC to review
Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the ALC, this book is now out!
-
2.5. This was unfortunately not for me. I wasn't aware it was part of an interconnected standalone series which threw me off to begin with and I found it hard to recover from there. Not having been strongly introduced to the cast of characters I found it hard to keep track of the story at times. The last third was a bit all over the place and I found little to no reason to root for the main couple outside of the fact they were fated to each other. I can see this being for some people if you want something that is a quick read and definitely a good escape but I was not in the mood for that and I tend to like a bit more that for me was missing.
3.5 Stars A fun listen and perfect for witchy fall vibes! This cozy magical romance is an interconnected standalone in the Elemental Love series. I really liked the MCs, Selena and Gus, and how even two magical beings face insecurity. Thanks Forever for the ALC!
This is the third book in this series and each one follows a different person but they all tie together and I love that. All of the books are great cozy, romantic fall reads. This one was a lot more spicy than the first two which I was digging. This is a book that you should curl up with a warm cup of your favorite beverage, with your favorite blanket and a nice fire to read.
Deja Brew is the perfect pumpkin spice latte of a romance, cozy and heartwarming—just what you’d want for the month of October! This witchy romance was cute and full of charm, offering a light and enchanting escape for those who want a seasonal read without the horror, gore, or ghostly elements.
The production was neat and overall very enjoyable, though I think it would have added a bit more nuance if Serena’s dialogue had still been voiced by the female narrator during Gus’s POV and vice versa for Gus’s dialogue in Serena’s POV. This little touch could have made the character dynamics even more engaging.
That aside, the story itself was a delight—a fun, sweet romance with just the right amount of magical charm. If you’re looking for an easy, feel-good October read that will leave you smiling, *Deja Brew* is a great pick!
I loved it! Favorite of the series! The family, the food, the innuendo, the tension, the spice! Perfect cozy romance for Fall. Loved the dual narration! Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.
This audio was a perfect companion to this book! I thought both narrators fit their characters and were enjoyable to listen to. The emotion and tenderness of the voices were a perfidy fit for this witchy romance!
I could see how some would like this book. I enjoyed the idea of the book and the characters were fun. It just did not flow well. I felt like it jumped from scene to scene and I was confused on what was going on.
This was a very cute book. I am sad that I did not realize it was a part of a series before I read it but I will definitely be going back to read the others books because I really enjoyed the world building. I loved the magic and coziest of this book. I also love how Gus worshipped and protected Sirena - swoon. There as a LOT of spice in this one too - whew! I also love a time travel element in a book although it probably could have ended after the second October ended because I feel that the conflicts were a little unnecessary after that point. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for spooky season. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Sirena has a month to get her life back on track. After accidentally wishing for a redo, she wakes up back at the beginning of October.
Gus is a former showman and the current conservator of the local historical society. He’s seen Sirena around town but has never made a move to get to know her. He can sense that something amiss but can’t put his finger on what’s happening.
This book was cute and had super fun spooky time vibes. What it lacked was deeper character development. I really wanted to love this one but I kept finding myself drifting away from the book because the stakes didn’t feel high enough and I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to.
The audiobook narrator did a great job.
Thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for the ALC.
Sirena Caraway has a one-month do-over to get her life back on track, or risk being stuck in a time loop. She hopes maybe she can save a disastrous interview and a bad decision here or there. What she doesn't expect, is a blossoming relationship with former reality TV magician Gus. Both feel like they have lost their spark, but little do they know it's each other that could reignite the spark missing from their lives.
These books are cute fall reads. I've read all three sister's stories, but at the end of the day, they don't really stick with me after I'm done reading. I mean I might have read this 5 days ago by now and nothing really sticks out anymore.
Read if you like friends-to-lovers romance featuring BIPOC/plus-sized characters that include magical realism and Time Loops. Thanks to the publisher for the ALC in return for an honest review. This book is out now.
Thank you Forever and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this enjoyable audiobook. Deja Brew is the 3rd book in the Elemental Love series by Celestine Martin.
I have thoroughly enjoyed Sirena's and Gus's second chance love story with fall cozy vibes and magical and witchy elements. I thought the narrators for this audiobook were right on point and only added to it was already a great story. This will definitely not be the last book I read by this author!