Thank you to Bramble and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

I feel like I liked the first half of this book much more than the second. I was immediately drawn to the mystery of what was going on and the way that our main characters are all desperate for something that may or may not be able to be offered to them. I loved the sinister background and the way that there was so much more going on behind the scenes. But then I felt like it might have been a little too much behind the scenes because I found myself not being able to follow as easily as I had been at the beginning.

It was definitely a fun little cozier fantasy, and I think this series is going to end up going really fun places. I can't wait to see where it goes, - I have the highest of hopes!

Remedial Magic was a hard book for me to get into. This book felt like it was all over the place. There were at least like six POV's. This was supposed to be a romance but did not feel like a romance. The premise was a good one but the execution was not there. Thank you netgalley for an arc.

This one was, unfortunately, not for me. There were several triggering plot points and no trigger warnings for this book. While the premise is right up my alley: a magical school? Secret witches? Yes please! However, with the mentions of a certain problematic wizarding world and massive issues with consent this book was very mismatched from its description. Additionally the queer representation felt like an attempt to distract from the bigger issues which is problematic in itself. The topics get dark and this has been marketed as lighter fare. I would hesitate to recommend this to patrons without appropriate trigger warnings. The writing is fluid and graceful and easy to read it's just not the book I was expecting.

With multiple POVs I had a hard time staying engaged in the book. It was much darker than I was anticipating. And due to that I’ve decided to DNF.

I am so grateful to Tor for my ARC. These are my honest views.

I unfortunately didn't really enjoy this book. It felt long winded and drawn out. i couldnt connect with the characters. Total miss for me

Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
There were just one too many times where I felt like there was not enough character development or relationship development between characters for them to do the things they did— there felt like a lot of forced romantic and sexual tension with a pacing that didn’t flow with the story. As well, there were some comments didn’t quite sit right with me i.e; one character made a comment to another that attempting suicide made them weak. I just don’t think this book was for me, maybe with more earlier development between characters for these interactions to make sense and would have made them more impactful. Unfortunately, when these story lines are introduced they feel rushed because we still barely know the characters, and what we do know is surface level.

I didn't realize this was part of a series, and now I'm anxiously awaiting the next one in order to find out what happens! (It is published now, I'm simply waiting for my copy.) I have slightly mixed feelings about this book in that it wasn't quite what I expected. However, the premise feels unique and I'm interested in finding out what happens next, so I would absolutely recommend it. Just know that it's not a standalone witchy romance novel. It's more of an urban fantasy with romance novel vibes. (The next book may determine if it's truly a romance series or simply fantasy with romance elements.)

I’m sorry, but this was really not for me. It was marketed as one thing then turned out to be a completely different thing. It was way too insta love and the characters had no chemistry.

Dnf. Too many problematic issues in this book for me. HP should never be mentioned in a LGBTQ book in 2024.

Thank you for the earc.

I love the idea of coming into magic late in life and being sent away to a magical land with a school in a castle that will teach you how to use your new magical powers. I'm excited for the second book in the series to see whether or not the rift is healed or if the community will lose their safe space, as well as see how the romantic entanglements work out.

while the characters shine, the plot sometimes stumbles. Marr’s worldbuilding is promising, but the magical mechanics feel a bit underexplored, like a spell cast before it’s fully learned. The climax, though dramatic, left some threads feeling rushed or unresolved.
Still, Remedial Magic is enchanting enough for fans of romantic fantasy who don’t mind a few narrative hiccups. With humor, heart, and a sprinkle of chaos, it’s an imperfect but endearing magical journey.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended

DNF

I could tell I was going to struggle with this one during the prologue - I wasn't engaged, couldn't keep my mind from wandering after one page - so decided to check some reviews and found this is rife with ableism. As a disabled reader, I don't have the time for that and am not risking reading anything harmful or upsetting, especially after seeing the reports about the already small number of disability rep books HALVING this year... so thanks, but no thanks.

Remedial Magic felt different from Melissa Marr's other books, but not in a negative way. I enjoyed the experience of reading the book, and I felt like I could connect with the characters.

Beautiful cover and fun concept, just couldn't connect. Writing felt a touch juvenile and I didn't connect to the characters. Wasn't not drawn in immediately from the opening chapters - looking for inciting incident earlier.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I didn’t get to Remedial Magic before it’s publishing date. However now that I have read it I gave it two stars. Wasn’t a fan.

To be honest, I toyed with DNFing this one, but it held my attention enough to keep going.

I did like the main and that she was a librarian and a mom.

But overall the story was a bit of a mess and it was just okay for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this one, but it just wasn't for me. I think others will like it, but I just couldn't get into it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.