A great debut of magical realism and family drama and dilemmas. And of course, love, unrequited and requited, quirky magical family members, and a countdown to disaster. Enjoyable!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!

DNF-
I want to start off by saying that this isn’t normally the genre that I go for, but I was drawn to it by the description of ‘Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls.’ Unfortunately, that was not the case. There were very small parts that were reminiscent of these things, but it was portrayed as a bigger part of the story in the description than in reality. I was disappointed. It was also very religious for a book that does not mention religion in its description at all. I tend to stay away from religion in my readings, so I wouldn’t have picked it up at all if it was portrayed as such. The writing style also wasn’t for me. This book didn’t suit my tastes, but it doesn’t mean that it won’t suit yours!

While this book was out of my comfort zone, I found that I did really enjoy myself. The magic was fun and charming - pun intended!

Absolutely could not get into this one. The book has too much plot and tries to be too much at once. Gilmore Girls without the wit and Practical Magic without the charm.

I requested this book because it was touted as being a cross between Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls. I unfortunately did not find similarities to either. For me this book lacked an identity and I was left wondering what I had read. Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an ARC.

This book was everything. I love the cover, i love the cozy witchy vibes. This is sure to be a crowd please for fall reading

Ever since Sadie Revelare was told about her four heartbreak curse that accompanies her magic, she’s never doubted the price wouldn’t be worth it. But when Gigi, her grandmother, is diagnosed with cancer and only has weeks to live, and her first heartbreak, Jake, returns after being gone for a decade, Sadie’s life feels like it’s unraveling and her magic can’t fix it. Even more, upon hearing about Gigi’s diagnosis, Sadie’s estranged twin brother, Seth, returns as well, uncovering family secrets that will tear her world apart.

Gigi has been the backbone to the Revelare family for generations, and with her death, Sadie must try with everything she’s got, to not only keep her family together, but her magic as well. As her feelings for Jake begin to respark, Sadie must decide if love is more important than her magic.

I don’t actively go about reading romance books, but this had the tagline “for fans of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls” and I decided to give this a shot. I absolutely called the ending pretty early into the book, especially once everything was established. Though I was a little confused about Sadie’s curse… I still am to be honest. Also - witches who go to a christian church? What?

Overall, the book was okay. The premise of it was excellent, but it fell short for me.

*Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Gilmore Girls gets a magical twist in this wonderfully cozy story. Brew yourself a cup of tea, curl up somewhere cozy and prepare to read a book that feels like a warm hug.

This book wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be and I think if I knew what I was getting into before I started reading, I would've liked it more. I was expecting a cozy, delightful, fall read but it turned out to be a lot darker than anticipated which, at the time I read it, I was not in a dark and gloomy reading mood.

This was an interesting read. Sadie loves her small town and runs a cafe with her gran, but she’s dealing with heartbreak from over 10 years ago when her boyfriend, Jake, left her behind and also with her twin brother recently leaving town. On top of that, she comes from a family of witches!

The family drama in this in pretty intense and gripping, even without the added witchy issues! The romance plot actually is quite secondary to it all! I desperately wanted Sadie and Jake to work things out, even with all the heartbreaking obstacles in their way. I also enjoyed Seth and Raquel’s relationship - at one point I thought we were headed for a second book about them but because they did get together in this one, I wish we’d seen more of them. I think there might be a sequel though? As it finished on a wee bit of a cliffhanger.

I was gutted there wasn’t an epilogue though, as Sadie established that she wanted a family of her own and especially given the significance of the house Jake bought… I was hoping to read about her and Jake being finally settled down and to get a glimpse of their life together!

What to expect:

- family drama
- witches
- second chance romance
- slow burn

Content Warnings: Christian Themes, Suicidal Ideation, Loss of a Loved One

I wouldn't classify this one as a cosy fantasy it's a little too high risk. I would forewarn the CW to the auidience so people know what to expect before reading. Like I wouldn't say I was feeling like I was receiving a hug reading this book but I did experience many emotions. I audibly gasped multiple times, I sobbed like a baby, and I laughed. I picked up this book because it was pitched as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, now I didn't really get those vibes. Like sure, I got the darker side of the practical magic. This book was one of those books that I felt like I wash just punched in the gut over and over. I was expecting something fun and happy but I was sobbing for a lot of the book.

The book kind of felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be. Did it want to be about a small town romance, friendships, family based. We have a curse, a grandma dying, ghost, broken sibling relationship, love interest returns to small town, lots of characters we never hear from again. This book felt like it was written for Hollywood to be on the big screen because of all the drama, not really for someone wanting to just feel the good feelings.

I do wish Sadie showed just a smidge more of character growth like seeing her show a little bit more emotion regarding her feelings on love since her curse made her hold back to hold onto her magic but the book progressed so well on the plot itself that character growth for Sadie didn't really take anything if at all away from the story.

I absolutely adored the recipes in between each chapter and I fully intend to utilize those at some point. The ending definitely feels like a segue into a a second book which I absolutely hope there is. (Is there a book two?) *Amending to add the importance of content warnings in books as I read this long before I knew of how important it is to a reader. *

Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press and Breanne Randall for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

I couldn't finish this book. It simply wasn't for me. The voice was okay, like, I wasn't overly annoyed with the FMC, it just didn't grab me.

I'm not exactly sure how this book was marketed as Gilmore Girls -- where's the wit? Where's the banter? Where's the fierceness? I also was not expecting there to be such church-going in a book that's marketed as magic and Gilmore Girls. There are no Methodists attending church or talking about Bibles in either of those things. And I read romances with various religions centered -- but I just think you should have an idea of what you're getting into before you read. It was odd.

Thankyou so much to the publisher for the opportunity to review.
"The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" had me hooked with its magical promise and tasty descriptions of Sadie's kitchen adventures. I mean, who doesn't love some mouthwatering sweets and bonus recipes? But, here's the deal – the rest of the story? 🤷‍♀️ Umm, it's not so magical.

Sadie's grandma is sick, her first love Jake is back, and family secrets are flying around like confetti. It's supposed to be this emotional rollercoaster of love versus magic. But the storyline and plotline didn't exactly... deliver.

The "romance" bit relies on the usual second chance and forced proximity tropes, which I usually loveeee. But this one didn't do anything for me. I didn't care for Sadie and Jake at all. I saw no chemistry between them, and didn't root for them to get together in the end at all.
The family drama sub-plot was not executed properly either. I felt like I got thrown into the middle of it with zero explanation. I found myself skimming through the last bits and feeling let down, especially since I thought this was gonna be the perfect fall read, with Gilmore Girls vibes. 😭 Small Town romances/stories are one of my favourite things to read about in books. I was really disappointed :(

In a nutshell, "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" serves up some amazing foodie vibes, but the rest of the story feels like a recipe gone wrong.

The Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls mashup drew me in and I have to say it did not disappoint!

This was the perfect book to read with a cup a tea on a Fall day.

My biggest complaint was it was sloooow…I do typically prefer more of a plot but for Fall vibes alone it was spectacular!

This did not live up to my expectations. I think the comparison to “Gilmore Girls and Practical Magic” has been way overused this fall publishing season and this book fell victim to this comparison because it really didn’t have that charm this comparison makes you think of. It was cozy and an easy read, but to me was predictable and not something I will remember for long.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted ecopy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the editor for this ARC that I am way behind in review. The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is one of those books that mixes cozy small town vibes, warm magic, and just a dash of suspense. Unfortunately, this book didn't really do much for me, I was bored a lot of the time and couldn't keep up with the curses, plans and magic at play. I also really wasn't a huge fan of how far Sadie was willing to go to save Seth - it was a dark turn in what had been a cozy read.. Overall, not my favorite.

As I delved into "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" by Breanne Randall, I found myself swept away by a mesmerizing journey that blended the pain of heartbreak with the allure of magic. The author skillfully weaves a narrative that captivates and enchants, exploring the complexities of emotions and the mystical realms.
Set against a backdrop of heartbreak and magic, the story unfolds with a delicate balance between the rawness of human emotions and the enchantment of the supernatural. Randall introduces us to characters grappling with the aftermath of heartbreak, their vulnerabilities laid bare. The exploration of magic adds a layer of intrigue, casting a spell that draws readers deeper into the narrative.
The protagonist's journey becomes a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected twists that magic can bring. Randall's portrayal of emotions is both authentic and evocative, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters on a profound level. The fusion of heartbreak and magic creates a unique atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to unravel the next enchanting chapter.
I appreciate the author's ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The exploration of heartbreak is tender, while the introduction of magic adds an element of surprise and wonder. Randall's writing style is immersive, and her characters feel like companions on a personal journey through the intricacies of the heart.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this enchanting e-book. This opportunity not only enriched my reading experience but also allowed me to immerse myself in a world where heartbreak and magic coexist in a beautifully intricate dance. "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" is a testament to Randall's storytelling prowess, leaving an indelible mark on those who venture into its pages.

So beautiful, sweet and heartwrenching. This book is a wild ride from start to finish that leaves you feeling like you've found something you've been missing. Cozy, tear jerking, and just a stellar debut novel. I can not reccomend this enough.

Received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

The summary for this book stated it was for fans of Practical Magic. I just read Practical Magic and this definitely has the Practical Magic vibes! I enjoyed the grandmother’s recipes sprinkled throughout. However, I did find that the chapters/storytelling was a little long for my taste.