A book described as "Practical Magic" meets "Gilmore Girls"? Sign me up! I'm not sure that's how I would describe it, though. Did it have magic? Absolutely. Awkward family dynamics? Sure. A curse about heartbreak? Yup. So I guess it could very loosely fit that description. But it wasn't at all what I was expecting.

Main character, Sadie, knows that she is cursed to have four heartbreaks and the last will affect her magic. Enter Jake, her first love - and the cause of her first heartbreak - who arrives back in town just as she receives bad news about her grandmother. Add in an AWOL twin brother and a best friend who may have feelings for said twin, and you've got a pretty good cast of characters. Everyone in town seems to have their own little magical flair, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed the recipes at the end of each chapter. (Although, let's be serious, I have no talent in the kitchen, magical or otherwise, so I'll probably never make any of them.)

Long story, short, though, this wasn't really my cup of tea. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger which makes me think it is meant to be the start of a series. And I love a good series, but I don't love when the first book feels too much like a set-up for the next. Will I read the next book if it is a series? Most likely.

Bottom line - three stars for me. It kept me interested enough to keep reading, and I'd recommend if you like a book with a touch of magic.

I was so excited to get
approved for the e-arc of The Unfortunate Side Effects
of Heartbreak and Magic! ✨📖

The story follows Sadie Revelare, a young woman who
has known her whole life that her magic has come with
a curse: if her is heart broken four times, it will
disappear forever.

This novel is set in such a cosy town (Gilmore Girls
vibes!) where Sadie co-owns a bakery and creates the
most delicious-sounding cakes, pastries and other
treats that all leave the person who eats them with
magical effects. I loved the cooking and baking
descriptions, they were so vivid! 📖

But what I loved the most was the strong sense of
family and the bonds that keep us together, even during
the worst times. The relationships between the
characters (especially Seth, Sadie and Gigi 🧡) are
written in such a truthful way and each member of the
Revelare family is totally different with their own
personality, which was great!

This is a great choice for a cosy fantasy/autumnal read
with a strong emphasis on family bonds and a romantic
sub-plot 🍂✨

Oh and FYI - check out the trigger warnings for this
book on Goodreads, I didn't see any before I started
reading but think it's worth mentioning!

thank you to @netgalley @alcovepress and
@houseofrandall for the advanced copy of this book in
exchange for my unbiased review! 🫶

Sadie Revelare believes in her family curse that four heartbreaks will rid her of her magic. Her first heartbreak, Jake, comes back to town, throwing a wrench into her plans to never fall in love again. Then, her grandmother breaks the news that she has cancer, leading to another heartbreak. With her grandmother's news comes her long lost twin, Seth, and with him long buried family secrets. Sadie isn't sure she has the strenght to hold her family together, save her grandmother, and her magic, while also trying *not* to fall back in love with Jake.

This really put me in the mood for fall. It had everything I need for a comfy fall reading- magic, food/recipes, family, and romance. I loved Sadie's big family and how they all gathered together to help her. I loved the recipes that I probably could never cook but they were fun to read anyway. Wondering if this will be a series!

"The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" by Breanne Randall combines elements of magical realism and family drama, making it an engaging read for fans of the genre.
This was an anticipated book release for the autumn season. The book's strengths are enchanting magical elements, vivid descriptions, and the inclusion of recipes at the end of each chapter.
The magical bakery and the house filled with personality are indeed charming and add a delightful layer to the narrative. The author's ability to create a sensory-rich environment is admirable, drawing readers deeper into the world of the story.
I still did not read the "Practical Magic" so I cannot comment if there are similarities in the style of storytelling.
However, where the story falls a bit short is in its character development, particularly with the protagonist, Sadie. A relatable and well-developed lead character can significantly impact the reader's connection to the story. In this case, it seems that Sadie's choices and thought processes were sometimes frustrating. While some readers might find her journey relatable or endearing, others may struggle to connect with her.
I appreciate the book's ability to provide a warm and witchy atmosphere. Additionally, the inclusion of recipes at the end of each chapter added a unique and enjoyable touch to the storytelling, enhancing the overall vibe of the book.
In summary, "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" offers an enchanting world filled with magic and charm, making it a worthwhile read for those who appreciate magical realism and themes of family and love. I recommend the book for readers who enjoy food witches or witchy stories.

This is the story of Sadie, a gal with magical powers tied to heartbreak, and her life gets turned upside down when her grandma gets hit with cancer and her old flame Jake rolls back into town after forever. Plus, her long-lost twin bro Seth shows up with a suitcase full of family secrets. The book feels like a warm, cozy hug. Sadie's relatable, with all her insecurities and dreams, and her story had me hooked from the start, even if some parts were kind of predictable. The magic blends seamlessly into the real world, and the love story's got just the right amount of angst. Overall, it's a sweet, emotional read.

This was the most perfect book. I lost my grandmother this past week, so that part made me a tad more emotional then normal. But it was a fall cozy book. It was about fidnifn yourself, even if it’s different then what you expected. It’s alway about accepting family and the expectations you have for them.

This is the perfect fall read. It’s like Gilmore girls meets practical magic!

This was cute enough. I felt like it dragged a bit but the magic was cute. Overall it was an okay read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the E-ARC

Book Releases September 19, 2023

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this was a complete miss for me. I have made the decision to DNF at 35% which is earlier than I would like but I can no longer slog through a book that is clearly not for me.

I was drawn into this book by the pitch of Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, two of my favourite things. It seemed like the perfect nostalgic, cozy, witchy read. For me, it failed miserably at living up to that huge promise.

Please note that the below review was a stream of consciousness while trying to negotiate with myself to finish. It is harsh, but absolutely truthful.

—————

Sadie is an absolute nightmare. She has the emotional maturity of a 12-year-old. She is selfish, neurotic and toxic. She is constantly complaining about how Jake and Seth broke her heart by leaving but she has no concept of other people having agency in their lives. She seems to think that every decision everyone make should be based around her even though she pretends to be self-sacrificing. She wants to say, but they want to leave and they are the bad guys. I honestly don’t blame either of them for leaving without telling her, because she seems to be the type to enforce her will on the people that she “cares about”

She has zero redeeming qualities. She literally kidnapped Jake’s dog. She admits to using what amounts to a truth spell on Jake without his consent, while claiming she loves him. She’s keeping secrets about malevolent spirit of some sort waging attacks on her home when her grandmother just told her that there is a curse that will kill either her or her brother.

The book itself is full of plot holes. Seth is a couple inches taller even though he’s only been gone for less than a year and he’s 28 years old. Raquel is at the hospital but then she’s at the house in time for Sadie to get home to hug her.

It’s over written in the sense that the setting descriptions are extremely long, which is a failed attempt at emulating the Practical Magic vibe. But it’s under written in the sense that the characters are one dimensional and underdeveloped.

The pacing is so painfully disjointed with these detailed, flowery, setting descriptions but plot developments are rushes through, and major shifts seem to happen in a matter of sentences. It’s giving me f***ing whiplash.

The attempt to make Sadie seem quirky and fun seems to be the link to Gilmore Girls, but the dialogue is completely flat, and quite frankly intolerable.

This book just seems like it’s trying way too hard to be something it’s not, and in the process has become some sort of tedious experiment.

Actual quote from me while reading “this is so incredibly juvenile”

Also, why does this book seem like a caricature of a southern small town and Southern Magic but it’s set in California?

I loved the premise of this book but unfortunately it fell flat for me and I couldn't finish it. I couldn't quite connect with the characters and the plot seemed to be all over the place. I did however like that Sadies magic was in her recipes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I would give this about 3.5 stars, but I’ve rounded up for the review.

I loved the magical bakery. I love the house, alive with magic and PERSONALITY! I loved the descriptive language, lush with smells and sensory details. The recipes at the end of each chapter were such a lovely addition to the story and the whole vibe of the book. The Practical Magic influence was definitely there, this books fits well within the magical realism genre.

I struggled with the characters at times, especially Sadie, our lead. I found her choices and thought processes to be irritating to the point that I almost gave up half way through! But I did finish it, and liked it.

I enjoyed Sadie's journey through discovering her resiliency and strength while grieving a loss. She discovers how integral a part of her family and community she is and allows herself to open up for the possibility of love during her journey. Not to mention the great recipes shared throughout the story.

Sadie is a witch from a family of witches. Each family member has their own unique magic, but also their own unique curse (since nature requires balance). Sadie's cursed with experiencing 4 major heartbreaks in her life until she’s so sad and bitter she will lose her magic! When the story begins, 2 of the major heartbreaks have already happened to her. On top of that, the love of her life moves back to town just to make her life even more complicated. But of course there's a happy ending so all is not lost. :)

*Special thanks to NetGalley And Alcove Press for this e-arc.*

I thought this was a cute story and an overall enjoyable read. I cannot say that I loved all the characters but I did find most endearing. I think this is a good addition to any library's collection if you are looking for romance and those nineties nostalgic-like vibes this is great fit.

You can tell this book is heavily influenced by Practical Magic although the curse is reversed. Lots of detail and descriptions, some unexpected plot twists and heartbreak and healing. It's not Alice Hoffman and it's not Amy Sherman Palladino but it's a decent read for those who like cosy quasi mysteries.

2.5 stars

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall is a delightful novel that takes the reader into the world of witchcraft and magic. Sadie believes she has been cursed with four heartbreaks and she's running out of them when her grandmother is diagnosed with cancer and and her ex comes back to town. Can she survive more tragedy? I loved this novel which swept me out of my life and into the magic 9f Sadie's life. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @ 20%

I really had high hopes for this after the description- but I was having to push through every page. It felt very flat, and while I wanted to feel engaged, I just couldn’t empathize with the main character well for some reason.

I can see how it would be really fun for some, and maybe it got better as it went, but it wasn’t hitting the right notes for me.

Thank you for the advanced cop. I really enjoyed this book - it was easy to read and I couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Sadie's doing her very best to avoid going all in because she's cursed- cursed to lose her magic after four heartbreaks. She's not had good luck with men so she keeps away from them, focusing instead on bu8ilding her business baking sweets (great recipes, btw), And then her beloved grandmother Gigi is diagnosed with cancer. And Jack turns up back in town, Can they- should they- have a second chance romance? Not a lot of surprises here and the story might seem a little slow in spots but it's got a good heart, Fans of the magic genre will enjoy this for the portrait of a woman struggling to keep her heart safe while helping others. And its got good small town vibes. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This book is good if you're looking for a cozy familial magic system with small town vibes. Very much centered around family drama and a curse that the women in that line have. Sadie must face the impending fate of her grandmother's cancer, the return of her estranged twin brother, and the heartthrob who she was in love with has returned to town as well with his own secrets all while trying to break her curse.

This book was enjoyable but I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but it just never did. The ending was kind of predictable. It was very family centric but I found myself liking the chapters more where the love interest appeared in the pages the most. The recipes at the end of each chapter were a great bonus!

This review will be posted on my Instagram the week of 9/10/23.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I quit reading at the 8% mark. The dialogue was too cutesy, and it felt like the author was trying too hard. I was also worried I'd spend the whole book watching Sadie wring her hands and fret.
I'm interested in that first cookie recipe, though!