SOO good! I loved this book and it was the perfect thing to get me in the mood for fall. I will be reading more from this author.

DNF. I tried. I did. This hit my buttons when it said Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, but it was trying too hard to be both and not filling wither for me.

This book has beautiful writing and makes you feel like you are in the town. The magical realism is wonderful and I really enjoyed the recipes included between chapters. This book is perfect for fall!

I'm a sucker for magical realism with witchy vibes. This cover and synopsis caught my attention straight away. I enjoyed the recipes included in the story but sadly that's where my enjoyment stopped. I dnfed this book at 20% The small town felt too Practicle Magic for me and the main character's hold on her past from her youth was annoying I don't understand people who can't get over their teen years and heartbreak. It's not worth dwelling on. People are immature as teens and they grow so move along and stop letting it drag you down She wasn't a likable or engaging character to read about I forced myself to read that far and I just had no desire to be back with these characters. I

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall is an enchanting narrative that delves into the realms of love, loss, heartbreak, and hope. This captivating tale immediately captivated my attention, drawing me into its mystical world.

The story explores the profound impact of heartbreak and the unexpected consequences that arise when magic intertwines with human emotions. Randall skillfully weaves a narrative that effortlessly combines these elements, creating a truly mesmerizing experience for readers.

From the very beginning, the story casts a spell on its audience, immersing them in a world where love and loss coexist. The author's adept storytelling transports readers to a realm where emotions run deep, and the consequences of heartbreak are far-reaching.

Furthermore, the narrative delves into the intricate complexities of hope, offering a glimmer of light amidst the darkness. Randall's portrayal of hope as a guiding force amidst despair adds depth and richness to the story, leaving readers with a sense of optimism even in the face of adversity.

In addition to its captivating plot, the writing style employed by Randall is both professional and engaging. The author's command over language allows for a seamless flow of the story, ensuring that readers remain engrossed from start to finish. The prose is elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that brings the characters and their emotions to life.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is a remarkable piece of literature that effortlessly combines the elements of love, loss, heartbreak, and hope. Breanne Randall's masterful storytelling and captivating writing style make this book a must-read for anyone seeking an enchanting and thought-provoking tale.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is a romantic fantasy. It a story of love, of family, of friendship. It’s a story of forgiveness and acceptance of things you cannot change. It’s also about sacrifice and overcoming grief and fear. There’s some romance, some loss, and a bit of philosophical musing.

I completely fell in love with Gigi and Jake. Sadie’s entire family was wonderful. While this story has serious aspects, it’s not all serious. There are humorous and light moments.

This book touches on some sensitive subjects, including: death, mental health, and attempted suicide, There’s some crude language in the book, but not so much that it’s annoying. The writing is quite good, but I felt that the continuous analogies were overdone. The ending may have you shedding a tear or two.

There are recipes at the end of each chapter, which is a nice touch. While my family can’t eat most of them, they all sounded good. There’s even one recipe for a salve to use for small injuries.

I’ll be honest; until I hit the 30% mark in this book, I wanted to quit reading. However, at that point, the story became more interesting and developed into a page-turner. I think, I hope, this is the first book in a new series, and I’m looking forward to book two.

For those sensitive to such things, this book has a death and an attempted suicide. The death is explained thoroughly, and makes sense. The attempted suicide is used as a personal sacrifice in hopes of saving someone else. Both fit the story and are not shocking or done lightly.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

Continuing with the witchy reads today! I’m not sure why, but I always delve into these kinds of reads a few times a year at random points, and this book really didn’t disappoint. I requested an e-ARC on NetGalley based on the cover and title alone. Breanne Randall does a lovely job of intertwining the real world with magic, and the characters are so well fleshed out it’s hard to believe it’s a debut. If you’re looking for a fluffy and happy read, I’d recommend opting for the Linsey Hall book I reviewed previously, as this book does get quite deep. My first gripe is that the ARC I read didn’t contain said trigger warnings, but hopefully the finished book will.

Romance is a subplot in this book, which I think is quite a nice change from these kinds of reads. It doesn’t really have much time to devoted to it, and instead we are following Sadie’s character through hardships in life and how she comes into her own as a person. While it’s not as fuzzy as other books, we do get recipes at the end of chapters, which I think is a cute way of breaking up the deep topics of this book.

What a delightful cozy escape this book provided! I dived in without much prior knowledge, lured by the enchanting description and captivating cover. And boy, am I glad I did – this departure from my usual reading choices turned out to be a true gem.

The enchantment woven throughout the story seamlessly melds with the real-world backdrop, adding a magical touch that never feels forced. I do find myself wishing we could have delved deeper into the magic of the other "founding families." While we catch a glimpse towards the end, a more thorough exploration of their powers could have heightened the overall experience.

The love story, brimming with authenticity and a healthy dose of angst, feels genuinely relatable. However, a minor quibble lies in the backstory of the male lead's return. It carried a slightly clichéd "big city bad, small town good" vibe. A simpler explanation might have sufficed, but even this small detail doesn't detract from the overall review.

The third-person narrative style, a departure from my usual reads, suits the story seamlessly. It doesn't hinder the depth of character emotions or motivations, ensuring an engaging connection.

A delightful bonus to the book are the included recipes. Their seamless integration into the story adds an extra layer of sweetness. I'm excited to try a few of them – they seem both scrumptious and perfectly fitting.

In summation, this book crafts a heartwarming tale that envelops real-world sentiments in a cozy embrace. A word of caution: tissues might be needed around the 60% mark. This poignant moment beautifully draws out the emotional essence of cherished relationships. With its magical touch, relatable emotions, and a touch of autumnal charm, this is a perfect read for the fall season.

The author's promise that this is a cross between Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls absolutely delivers.

The small town feel is charming, and characters likeable and realistic. The descriptions were lovely, without being too much. Take this for example: "She inhaled the musty scent of the old house and listened to the beams cracking, wanting the moment to last forever, the summer heat cocooning them like a secret." Without being too purple prose for my liking, the descriptions read lyrically and delicate when they're meant to.

Reading this book makes me want to warm up some tea and sit in front of a cozy fireplace.

I thought it was good. It reminded me a bit of Sabrina and Practical Magic which I loved the way that their magic was represented.

I think that I had a little trouble with Sadie and her consistent pessimistic attitude towards love and her mom even after finding out the truth about why she had to stay away. I loved Sadie’s GiGi and I thought that Randall did a great job with writing about her passing and it felt authentic and real.

The story felt a bit drawn out and long sometime in the middle. But I loved Sadie’s story and enjoyed the recipes and fun additions to the book.

"The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" by Breanne Randall is a charming blend of emotions and enchantment that swept me into a world of love, whimsy, and the unexpected twists of life. This novel is a delightful mix of romance, magic, and the transformative power of self-discovery.

Randall's writing style is heartfelt and engaging, immersing readers in a world of emotions and magical possibilities. The characters in the novel are relatable and endearing, each grappling with their own struggles and desires that contribute to the depth of the story.

At the heart of the narrative is a poignant exploration of love, heartbreak, and the way life's challenges can lead to unexpected and enchanting outcomes. The author skillfully weaves together elements of romance and magic, creating a narrative that is both touching and whimsical.

"The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" successfully balances the emotional journey with moments of genuine wonder, resulting in a narrative that is both heartwarming and captivating. The themes of healing, self-discovery, and the beauty of embracing the unknown add depth to the story.

In conclusion, "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that captures the essence of love and transformation. If you're looking for a book that offers a touch of enchantment and a heartfelt exploration of human emotions, this novel provides a charming and engaging narrative that will leave you with a sense of wonder and satisfaction.

A perfect enjoyable read. One I can’t wait to purchase for myself. I made the request for this one blindly just liking the title and cover. I can confidently say that I am pleasantly impressed and pleased with that choice.

Great for anyone who loves cozy mysteries with a fantasy sprinkle and magic. The story is one that transports the reader to the exact place to escape reality.

As a self proclaimed Gilmore Girls girlie, I knew straight off I was going to love this book. If you’re into cozy with some drama, and want a book that will make you feel like you’re wrapped up in a blanket in front of the fire on an October evening watching The Good Witch, or Gilmore Girls this one is a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC

I found this book to be really engaging and I loved the premise. I'm a sucker for cozy fantasy so this story was right up my alley. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.

I really enjoyed this cozy witchy book, it was the perfect way to kick off spooky season. It is full of magic, family, grief, and a cute little romance. I absolutely loved the recipes at the end of every chapter and the mental health representation. Put this on your fall TBR asap! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

A magical witchy debut that screams fall with its mysterious cozy vibes.

What resonated with me the most was the sense of family and the sacrifices we make in life for those we love. The topic of loss and grief was executed with grace. This book had me reminiscing over memories that I had thought fled long ago. After losing my grandmother earlier this year, it was exactly what I needed.

The characters were all very charming and I was fond of each of them. I especially adored the grumpy grandmother Gigi and her hilarious banter. Companion animals you say? YES! I don't think a book can even be considered cozy without some cute furry friends. A dog is found at the beginning of the book and unbeknownst to the FMC it is her ex Jake's dog, who has suddenly returned to their hometown. Cue the second-chance romance!

I loved the way the FMC weaved her magic into the garden, bakery items, tea, and more. With each item giving a different outcome, such as to persuade others to be more open in conversation for instance. The recipes at the end of each chapter was an excellent touch. I also enjoyed the way the house seemed alive, the doors not wanting to open or the grandfather clock chiming at odd times.

Pick this book up for fall if you love cursed witches, magic, found family, second-chance romance, and charming characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for an eARC.

Sadie runs a cafe in a small town where she uses magic to help do good for people by adding magical herbs to baked goods. Jake, her high school sweetheart, returns to town and that throws any careful plans Sadie had for her life out of balance.

Overall, I liked the plot and it does have some cozy vibes, but it needs content warnings including death of a loved one, grief, depression and attempted suicide

I just reviewed The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall. #TheUnfortunateSideEffectsofHeartbreakandMagic #NetGalley

Okay lots of mixed feelings here.
2.5⭐️ rounded up

Let’s start with what I loved:
Gigi
The vibes of the café

What I liked:
The recipes
The magic
The cozy vibes
Secrets
The different meaning of the different baked goods and herbs
The extended family and their chaos

What I didn’t like:
I just did not like Sadie. She’s supposed to be this very smart and strong woman and in some ways she is. However, her internal monologue annoyed me and she continues to make dumb choice after dumb choice. What she was supposed to do after she read the letter was very obvious but she takes it so literally and does something stupid.

I did not feel the chemistry or history between the love interests.

I did not like the thing that Jake had to tell Sadie. It felt weird and so random.

The pacing of the book felt very off to me as well. I found myself skimming to get to the end.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

I love this new trend in publishing with witchy romances and books with magic in the everyday. They were quite hard to find in the past years (it has always been a favourite sub-genre for me) but now they seem to be everywhere and I'm in my element!

This was less romance and more of a family drama, with aspects of grief that really resonated with me as I am coming to terms with my own grief currently.
Sadie as a main character, felt so real to me and I saw a lot of myself in her - trying to keep the family together, trying to keep bad things from my loved ones, and not really giving herself time to process her own thoughts and feelings.

My one problem with the book was that by the end I did find the hints at christian religion a bit much, but that's a me problem and not a book problem.

Trigger warnings for:
death of loved ones, loss of a parent, rape (hinted at), cancer, mental health issues, suicide.

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic follows Sadie, who has magical abilities that come with a curse. Since she was young, she’s known that she will experience four heartbreaks in her life, each one worse than the previous, and after the last she will lose her magic forever. After already experiencing two out of the four, the book follows her as she navigates life and love and family.

I wanted to try this book because it was different from what I usually read. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it as much as I hoped. I felt like the plot kept on going, with some details not meaning anything but being mentioned multiple times, and others coming kind of out of nowhere. I liked the characters for the most part, and liked the overall story the plot was telling. I found that I had to force myself through the last 1/3 of the book unfortunately, but I did overall enjoy it.