3.5 stars

Misunderstandings, mysteries, and magical mayhem are staples of this story, along with a little bit of spice and a lot of family secrets...

Having read Breanne Randall's first book, I had a feeling I would be in for more than a simple romance. I steeled myself for trauma, and I definitely got it. This gets pretty dark at points and has some sad twists, so don't got into this thinking it's a fun and flirty witchy romcom - yes, it's got a brooding love interest and there is a lot of tension between him and the MC, but there is also loss, abuse, and abandonment issues galore.

That being said, the story as a whole was engaging once it got going and I liked that it wasn't as simple as "good" magic vs "bad" magic. It questions the character's biases and makes the reader take note that history is written by the victor.

The beginning of this book drags massively though. I was seriously considering DNFing as I was so disconnected at the start. It's off-putting how these Greek mythologies and casual talk of magic are side by side with super modern California references. I couldn't quite figure out the setting for a bit, and the tone didn't seem consistent until the main plot kicked in.

Overall, I would recommend this if you like more emotional moments, modern fantasy worlds, or sisterhood themes, but keep in mind the world building isn't always fluid and the ending is very rushed (like, epilogue addresses the resolution sort of rushed!).

This was a slow start for me, it picked up a tiny bit at 20% but I didn’t fully get into it until around 40%.

It’s a cozy witchy book, it’s intriguing and draws you in a little during the world building and setting the scenes. I did like the concept of having to sacrifice a memory to use magic, I haven’t seen that in a book before so that was new and exciting. It did feel over explained and repetitive in some parts, I feel like it didn’t need to constantly mention what Lucien smells like for example.

While on the topic of characters, I did like Calliope she was annoying sometimes but I still liked her. Lucien is the typical broody mysterious man that I always fall for 😂 and Calliopes sisters were okay. I liked Dissy a lot more than Thalia.

Unfortunately around 60% I started to slowly lose interest, it felt super dragged out and I don’t think the writing style is for me. It was too repetitive and over explained for my liking.

This was so well written a really beautiful chemistry between MCs and the storyline ran so smoothly throughout. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down !
Thankyou for this oppurtunity

What a lovely witchy book with cozy small town vibes! I absolutely loved the story, the characters, the setting, I enjoyed everything about it so much! It did take me a while to get immersed in the story, but I still had a great time with it.

After reading The Unfortunate Side Effect of Heartbreak and Magic, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book. I'm happy to say that Spells, Strings, And Forgotten Things is a far stronger story and that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It feels much more like the author has made up her mind on what she wants this universe to be so the story and genre was far less confused. It's still chock-full of small town charm but it leans into the darkness of the plot so much more and I think the writing is better for it.

While Calliope grows a lot as a character, I won't deny that I still found her annoying at times. I was genuinely shocked to find out she wasn't an older teenager as she seems to act like that far too much. Definite baby of the family vibes but she gets far less irritating as the book goes on.

I really enjoyed the dual POV but wish it included more Lucien chapters to give more insights into who he was and not just to fill in plot holes.

I'm hoping we get more of this story as I'm now hooked. I read the book in a day as it was entertaining, the pacing was good and it really delivered on the Pride and Prejudice meets Charmed vibes.

Definitely don't judge this book based on any bad experience you had with the author's first one.

I first heard about this book on the author's instagram account. I was immediately intrigued with magic coming at the cost of a memory - the bigger the spell, the bigger the memory required to fuel it.
I got so much more than what I expected. Even though at this point I don't know what I expected. This was so well done. I love Calliope and Lucien. And that ending. Definitely a bittersweet ending.
I would 100% read more in this world. I just need more.

Witchy, Slow-Burn, and a Little Chaotic

This book had all the ingredients for a cozy, witchy read; small-town magic, a sisterly bond, a mysterious past, and a swoon-worthy, grumpy MMC (who calls the FMC “little muse,” and yes, I melted). But while I enjoyed the atmospheric writing and the slow-burn romance, I wasn't completely hooked.

The magic system was unique, but at times, it felt over-explained. And somewhere around the halfway mark, the story started to drag - until the last 100 pages, where things went off the rails in a way that had me both flipping pages and going, “Wait… what?”

Lucien, though? Absolute shadow daddy perfection. Broody, protective, a little morally grey - he carried this book for me. But I wish we got more depth from Calliope and her sisters. Their dynamic had so much potential, but they often felt like background characters in their own story. Also, some big questions about their family history were left unanswered, which was frustrating since this seems to be a standalone.

So, did I love it? Not quite. But did I have fun? Mostly, yes! If you’re into slow-burn romantasy, moody prose, and a magic system that makes you pay for spells (literally, with your memories), then this might be worth checking out. Just be prepared for a bit of a pacing rollercoaster!

Thank you Aria & Aries & Netgalley for providing me with the eARCs


#SpellsStringsandForgottenThings #NetGalley

All the reasons that book deserves 5 stars:

1. It has Charmed vibe. I loved Charmed growing up so this felt pretty nostalgic for me. There are 3 sisters running a business together.
2. Their tea/book shop ‘Tea and Tomb’. I want to go there. Seriously.
3. Their curse is interesting; having to sacrifice memories in exchange for magic.
4. The idea that the magic is only as strong as the memory that is sacrificed.
5. Yes, this is a book about love but the romance between Calliope and Lucien isn’t the only plot.
6. Mysterious shadow men 😏
7. Eurydice giving kitchen witch vibes 🌱
8. There is potential for a sequel with how much detail went into this story
9. Now I wish I was a witch, like kid me wished all along

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this e-arc. After reading Breanne Randall’s first book, I was intrigued to read another witchy book

🌳 Spells Strings & Forgotten Things • Breanne Randall 🌳
★★★

Read if you enjoy:
🌳 Romantasy
🌳 Charmed
🌳 Cosy vibes
🌳 Enemies to lovers
🌳 A sentient spell book

Calliope and her sisters Thalia and Eurydice are tasked with a generational duty to protect and uphold the enchantments keeping the Dark Oak contained. However, Calliope can feel the enchantments failing and when her sisters dismiss her concerns, she feels forced to investigate herself. Calliope finds the Dark Oak and senses its shadows seeping out through a weakened part of enchanted protection, however when she attempts to fix it, the shadows cling to her and try to absorb her life force. Desperate to save herself, Calliope accidentally binds herself to Lucien, who was drawn to the power he felt in the forest.

The author states that this is Pride & Prejudice meets Charmed and whilst I agree with the Charmed feel, I felt that the romance was more Romeo & Juliet with the feuding families. Unfortunately for me this book was far too much of a cliché. Lucien’s declarations of love felt one-sided and just-for-quotes. So did a lot of the sisters’ reassurance and validation. The connections felt forced and so I spent most of the novel uninvested. I loved the ending although I feel that there was an overwhelming amount of plot threads at play that weren’t fully explored.

I really wanted to like this book based on the author marketing it as a modern bridgerton meets charmed but that's not what the book was at all. There's not a remote connection to bridgerton at all. Not the style of writing, the family or well anything. It's a very strange ploy to gain readers that I think will back fire.

I started to enjoy the book when it gave charmed vibe buts the character development fell flat. I didn't care about any of the characters and most actually just annoyed me. The formatting of the book made it difficult to read as well as diagloge blended into one so had to guess who was talking.

Overall i found it a chore to keep reading and didn't think the plot or romance was engaging enough to finish the book.

Title: Spells, Strings and Forgotten Things
Author: Breanne Randall
Pages: 400
Rating: 2/5

"A young witch cursed with sacrificing memories to cast spells must decide how much she’s willing to lose to save her town in this thrilling tale of magic, love, and self-discovery"

Watching the author on Instagram, I was so hyped up for this release. However, with the hocus pocus Vs charmed Vs practical magic Influence meant I really struggled as all I could do was compare them and felt it just imitated rather than influenced. (I'm unsure where the brigdgerton theme is as well)

It was a sweet book. And I so desperately wanted to enjoy it. I think the problem was I got swept up in the hype.

It is a chick lit read. Predictable. Enemies to lovers romance.
It's very on current trend, with the tropes, stereotypes, and spice. I think it's down to readers preference on whether this will be an enjoyable read for them because of all the trending plot lines.

The author has recently announced that it is currently in the pipeline for a TV series.

Would you use magic if your had to sacrifice your memories??

You'll love this book if you like
- enemies to lovers
- sisterhood
- small town wishes
- sentient grimoire
- witchy romance
- small spice

I loved Breanne`s writing style aka the description of everything. I enjoyed that the characters including the main character is diverse in every way possible. I enjoyed how the magic is being described in this novel. And the arrival of Lucien is honestly perfect! The tension and the excitement and the slow born are written as such a perfect concoction. The way that the secrets and the plot unravels is so so addictive to read. The little pride and prejudice inspired snippets are just soooo perfect! I adored the character growth and just how beautiful the story develops.

The title for this novel is perfect for this fantasy read. The concept of giving up your memories to use your magic was brilliant. I also enjoyed how the 3 sisters made different choices of how, or if they would use their magic. Would you use your memories of a past love who broke your heart if you could? It really made me reflect on what I would do as a reader. Very cool concept.

I really wanted to love this fantasy novel but I found myself struggling with the pace and the relationship Calliope has with the Shadowcrafter named Lucien. I just started to not really care about the characters enough to feel invested in this world and certain parts really dragged on when they didn't need to. Definitely a year 10 plus read if you are considering it for a senior school library. I think some students will find this novel a challenge to finish due to some of the plot drawn out.

Please note: I read an advanced reader copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a little while to get into this book and to understand the direction of the storyline. I am an impatient reader so that's mostly a "me" problem! However, once we met our shadow daddy, Lucien and learnt more about the rival Cohen's agenda, I was hooked! What I really enjoyed about this book was the relationship between the three sisters and the importance of their bond within the larger storyline as well as the richness of their family history and the discovery of their own family secrets. The banter and sarcasm between Caliope the main FMC and Lucien the male MMC was great and really drove the slow-burn relationship, haters to lovers type vibes. I thought the magic system was really interesting and could see how torn Caliope was when sacrificing her memories for magic, but also losing her identity and trying to piece everything together as the story progressed and the characters learnt and understood more about their ties to the tree that field their magic. I really liked the small town vibes and the magical tea shop too and that is a really sweet idea and creates a picture of the uniqueness of the family and their place in the community. The storyline was refreshing and something new and kept me wanting to read past bed time!

After too long of longing for this and pestering on social media, it delivered! Cozy, magical, and fun!

A little long winded in the beginning, but the pacing sorted and kept true! I enjoyed the memory magic system that didn’t just copy others, and added to the story well!

Another cozy read that will definitely be a re-read when spooky season comes back around.

3.5⭐️
This was such an enchanting story of family ties and love. I really enjoyed the first book by this author so knew I’d want to read this one. It was a bit of a slow start where I found myself getting a bit irritated, but when we got into the thick of it, it was fast paced.

The bond between the sisters was written extremely well and you could feel the love between them all. I especially loved Dissy and Thalia. Calliope at times could be frustrating as she didn’t act like an adult, but more of a teenage for portions of the book.

The relationship with herself and Lucien did feel a bit rushed and insta-lovey which I’m not a fan of. But I found their relationship endearing as the story progressed.

It definitely could have used some editing to shorten the story as it didn’t feel like it needed to be as long as it was. Overall I did enjoy it, but some parts felt lacking.

A superbly nostalgic read full of heart, emotion and so many cosy vibes. A must for all cosy fans, as the brilliant Breanne Randall does it again.

really great book! loved the story overall. if you like magic and kinda calm sweet things, this is perf for you! i love all of this authors books and this one fits right in!! if you liked unfortunate side effects of heartbreak and magic, you’ll like this!!

Breanne Randall's Spells, Strings and Forgotten Things is a spellbinding blend of magical realism and emotional depth, weaving together family secrets, forbidden love, and an ancient threat with masterful skill. Set in the enigmatic small town of Gold Springs, the story brims with atmosphere, intrigue, and a rich tapestry of magical lore.

Calliope Petridi and her two sisters are bound by both magic and the weight of a shared past. The central premise—that their magic requires the sacrifice of memories—is both inventive and poignant, adding a unique twist to the familiar witchcraft trope. For Calliope, who is haunted by heartbreak and abandonment, this cost feels more like a release than a burden, at least at first. Her desire to forget serves as the emotional core of the novel, drawing readers into her struggle to reconcile her past with the present danger threatening her family and town.

The sibling dynamics are a highlight of the story, particularly the strained relationships between Calliope and her sisters, Thalia and Eurydice. Their interactions are raw and authentic, capturing the complexity of familial bonds—love intertwined with resentment and misunderstandings. As their magic begins to fade, the fragility of these relationships is brought into sharp focus, forcing them to confront their shared trauma and rediscover their strength as a unit.

Adding to the tension is the arrival of a rival coven and Calliope’s accidental bond with its charismatic and enigmatic leader. The chemistry between them crackles, their mutual mistrust balanced by undeniable attraction. Randall expertly uses this dynamic to heighten the stakes, as Calliope must navigate both her emotions and the growing threat to her town.

The plot is brimming with twists and reveals that are genuinely surprising, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Randall's world-building is lush and immersive, grounding the supernatural elements in the small-town setting with an eerie yet enchanting charm. The descriptions of magic, infused with personal and familial history, make the story feel both intimate and epic.

What truly sets Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things apart is its exploration of memory and identity. The idea that magic comes at the cost of one's memories creates a compelling tension, as Calliope must grapple with what she is willing to lose to protect those she loves. The theme resonates deeply, asking readers to consider what they would sacrifice to rewrite their past—or safeguard their future.

With its evocative prose, heart-wrenching twists, and a cast of vividly drawn characters, Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is an unforgettable tale of love, loss, and redemption. Perfect for fans of atmospheric fantasy with emotional depth, this book is as enchanting as it is haunting.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

It sadly didn't do it for me. It was very slow and long, with lot of repetition and descriptions, and honestly I was getting tired to know what Calliope's socks looked like and all her process to chose them, or getting to know for the Nth time what Lucien smells like. We could get this book with a better paceing with less pages, and also the (lengthy) spicy scenes removed.

I would have loved more fantasy than romance, which happened to be the other way around. There weren't much happening magic-wide, their research was pretty slow and magicless. There were very few important moments outside of the everyday magic (like lighting candles), except towards the end with the final battle, and one trial. It's sad. Because I really loved the idea of sacrifying memories to do magic, and I also really liked the Grimoire. I enjoyed the plot twists about the aunts, it was a good call even if perhaps a bit too much (let's just say everything's possible with magic!)

I would also have loved a true double POV Calliope / Lucien, instead of having like 4-5 chapters with Lucien's POV, only when it was useful to the plot.