Curses Keys and Secret Societies is a delightful cosy fantasy romance that’s the perfect blend of magic, romance, and heartwarming moments. The characters are charming and easy to root for, and the slow-burn romance feels sweet and genuine. The world-building is immersive but not overwhelming, making it an easy, enjoyable read.

There’s something deliciously irresistible about a story that opens its doors with a shiver of prophecy and a girl returning to a home that no longer feels like hers. Curses, Keys and Secrets leans into that tension beautifully, weaving a tale that feels both intimate and sweeping, like stepping into a corridor where every shadow is watching and every choice hums with consequence.

Eléa is the kind of heroine I fall for quickly — wary, wounded, and quietly powerful, carrying a secret that could crack her world open. Her return to the French countryside should have been a homecoming, but instead she finds her family estate transformed into Shadowcraft Academy, a place where ambition, danger, and old magic coil tightly together. The atmosphere is wonderfully thick: secret societies, whispered prophecies, and a headmaster father whose motives are as sharp as they are unreadable.

The romantic tension is threaded with just the right amount of ache. Alex, the first love with storm‑cloud loyalties, and Logan, all irreverent charm and unexpected clarity, pull Eléa in different emotional directions — not just romantically, but in who she might become. It’s less a love triangle and more a crossroads, and that nuance gives the story a lovely emotional weight.

What I enjoyed most is how the book balances its darker edges with a sense of discovery. The magic feels lived‑in, the stakes feel personal, and Eléa’s journey toward claiming her power is paced with care. There’s a constant hum of “something is coming,” and the book never lets you forget that destiny isn’t always a gift — sometimes it’s a price.

Shadowcraft Academy is a world I’d happily wander again: secretive, dangerous, and full of the kind of slow‑burn intrigue that keeps you reading long after you meant to stop.

With thanks to Breanne Randall, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — all opinions are my own.

Curses, Keys, and Secret Societies delivers exactly what the title promises: a moody, witchy blend of dark academia, tangled family dynamics, and secrets that unravel at just the right pace. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a French estate turned magical academy, the story follows Eléa as she returns home only to find herself pulled into prophecy, power struggles, and a world that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling.

One of the strongest elements for me was the setting. Shadowcraft Academy feels alive in that eerie, immersive way that makes you want to linger — full of hidden agendas, shifting alliances, and a constant sense that something bigger is at play. The magical system is intriguing without being overwhelming, and the slow reveal of secrets kept me turning pages.

Eléa is a compelling protagonist, balancing vulnerability with growing strength as she comes to terms with her magic and her past. I especially appreciated her character development — she’s not perfect, but she feels real, and her journey toward reclaiming her power is satisfying.

The romance adds an extra layer of tension, with a love triangle that actually feels meaningful rather than forced. Both dynamics bring out different sides of Eléa, and while I didn’t always know who to root for, I enjoyed the emotional push and pull.

If I had one small critique, it would be the pacing in the middle, which dips slightly before picking back up toward the end. That said, the final stretch more than makes up for it with higher stakes and satisfying reveals.

Overall, this is a solid, engaging romantasy with strong dark academia vibes, layered characters, and just enough mystery to keep you hooked. I’d definitely continue with the series to see where Eléa’s story goes next

I'll preface this review by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed Spells, Strings and Forgotten Things after not really enjoying Breanne's first book (everyone is allowed a first pancake). So, I was excited to go back to this world, the characters I fell in love with and the small town charm.

The fact that this story didn't follow the sisters from SSaFT and wasn't set in the same town did throw me a little bit but I was glad to find out more about Elea. I also ended up loving that we got to meet new characters and found out more about the other brand of magic in the world.

Things get a little bit darker in this book as Elea has been through it and is still dealing with a lot. I did feel that too much time was given to her moping about than it was giving more information on the secret society and what they were up to, which was a shame and also made Elea seem younger than she should be.

However, I loved the twists and turns and genuinely didn't see them coming. I knew other things were going on but didn't expect the different reveals. It made them so much more impactful and emotional.

There is an element of instalove, which I typically hate, but this is explained so well and does genuinely work. It's also not creepy at all like it can be in so many books.

I really want more from all of these characters so I hope this isn't the end of stories from this world.