3.5 stars

Under Her Spell by KL Terra is a creepy thriller that follows Liv Edwards as she returns to her hometown to investigate her high school best friend Sam’s disappearance after receiving a creepy note from her. During her time back home her mom and sister set her up at a highly sought after bridal boutique for a dress fitting — she soon realizes that this shop is run by two witchy girls from high school who have been roommates with Sam. The boutique is unconventional in the way it handles customers - giving a lengthy questionnaire to the bride and groom to be to assess the longevity of their marriage. This exercise has Liv second guessing her decisions all the while trying to figure out what the heck happened to Sam.

There’s a big theme in this book about what it means to be a woman - many women end up giving up their careers to be mothers or ending up in marriages to fulfill what is expected of them. As a new mom, I certainly could relate to the overwhelmed Penny, Liv’s sister, juggling two twins and feeling as though she’s totally lost her identity to motherhood. I think this book encourages women to not put themselves in a box or feel forced into a life unless it’s truly what they want - some of the characters have trauma surrounding their childhood which causes them to feel critical of marriage and childbearing.

I found the story to be interesting, but the ending definitely leaves much to be desired. I didn’t feel like the execution of the story was as good as the premise and there are definitely some loose ends even with an “8 years later” epilogue - it felt a bit thrown together in the last 20%. It was hard to really feel a deep connection to any of the characters.

I will say that this book is simply written and easy to read without over the top world building or magic systems - I would recommend this book to readers who want a quick fantasy thriller to sink their teeth into.
If that sounds like you then certainly grab a copy on September 10, 2024!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review. I would be interested in reading more from this author.

3.5 stars

Under Her Spell is a dark and creepy story about a girl who goes back to her hometown after receiving a cryptic note from her estranged best friend, only to find once she arrives that her friend is now missing.

This was an easy, thrilling read that handles some heavy subjects such as abusive relationships and the difficulties women face when starting a family. The dual timelines kept things mysterious and had me wanting to know more. The bridal boutique storyline was really unique and actually a little more morbid than I expected. Overall the story was decent but I will say the ending left something to be desired.

Thank you to Random House for the ARC!

To this Gen X reader, the 90s teen aspect was awesome and I enjoyed the chapters set in the past a lot. The creepy undercurrent of magic was really well done, and it built throughout the story so that the dread kept getting ramped up before a reaching a truly shocking end. But the epilogue felt a little off to me, and there were big chunks of the middle that didn’t make sense (Why didn’t she ask for proof? Why didn’t anyone else notice something off about this wedding business? Why did Nathan become a completely different person out of the blue!??) as well as some reliance on big words that weren’t quite used correctly (“ostensibly” was a big one, and it was jarring in places where other words would have made way more sense). But I still read this fast and enjoyed the creepiness and the mystery and that reveal. This one should be a winner for fans of Rachel Harrison.

I feel like if there was a bridal American Horror Story this would be the narrative. I enjoyed the weird, but I think I was more pulled in by the witchy girls than the main character.

This was a dark and twisty book about the choices we make and the often-unexpected consequences. Liv is at a crossroad in her life when she receives a mysterious note from her high school ex-best-friend, Sam. Liv decides to go visit her mother and check in on Sam only to find that she was reported missing shortly after sending the request for help. We slowly learn what caused the end of their friendship as we meet other people from her high school. Very spooky vibes happening through-out the story!

I was drawn to this book by the promise of a magical element to it. It was a bit darker than I anticipated--definitely not one of those magical books where those who have power use if to benefit others.

I came to really like the main character. Liv seemed to have it all, but then the cracks started to appear: mostly the way she would hurt herself when dark thoughts came up. On the other hand she wanted desperately to make amends with an old friend--so she had a mix of dark and light within her. She also was at a crossroads with decisions she needed to make about where she should go as far as employment and whether or not she really wanted to commit to her longtime love, Noah. Moreover, she felt a lot of angst about leaving work to be stay-at-home mother to the children she might have with Noah.

I definitely feel the author wrote a book that was certainly well thought out and did a good job characterizing the people within the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-copy of this book

Liv receives a mysterious note asking for help from her former best friend from whom she has been estranged for the last eight years. Liv still feels guilty about what happened between them (that is another mystery that will gradually be revealed throughout the course of the novel), so she returns to her hometown to help, and she finds out that her friend Sam is actually missing. As she digs-into Sam's life, she finds that Sam was working for a couple of women who own a bridal boutique called "Beloved." It just so happens that these two girls, Eden and Cora, also went to high school with both Liv and Sam. Liv was always fascinated by them and their "Sisterhood." Liv realizes that the only way she will be able to find out what happened to Sam is by infiltrating the "Sisterhood" by getting closer to Eden and Cora.

There's a lot more going on here than Sam's disappearance. Liv is dealing with a lot of issues herself. She is between jobs and looking into a new career, she is struggling with commitment (her fiance wants to get married and she keeps putting off the wedding), she is still recovering from the childhood abuse of her father, and she feels guilty about how she and Sam ended things. She has a lot of harmful thoughts, and she deals with this by stabbing her finger with a sharp ring she created for herself.

I couldn't put this book down. The story is compelling, and the elements of magic and the presence of witches are always appealing to me. Also: the story itself explores the idea of female empowerment through the lives of several of the characters. Some are looking for it, some feel trapped, and others are empowered and willing to help those who need help--but possibly with a price.

The only part of the story I found disappointing was the ending. I realize that typically stories like this have a rather "open" ending, but this was just not satisfying to me.

This was creepy good! Very different kind of story. Liv is at a place in her life where big decisions need to be made (does she really want to get married?). After finding a note supposedly from an old friend she embarks on a crazy adventure to find answers. What happens next is wild and unimaginable as she comes across old acquaintances that are even more evil than in high school.

A great thriller that mixes in old tropes and revives them with mystical female centered magic!

Liv Edwards is engaged and living a great life when she hears that her high school best friend is missing. Against her best interests, she travels to her home town to find out what happened to Sam. She finds a strange trail that leads her to the girls in high school that she worshipped - two of them have created a prestigious bridal boutique and Sam has begun working with them. It's not long before Liv falls into old habits and finds herself spending time with the women who have created a beautiful business that celebrates marriage. But there is a dark side to the business and Liv finds herself drawn to it.

Really fun, twisty and interesting- where is that store, I need to go!
#randomhouse #ballantine #underherspell #klcerra

Her friendship with Sam helped Liv make it through senior year at a new school in a new town. Sam was a mix of kindness and control. And ultimately her controlling nature and a secret relationship between Liv and Sam’s twin brother Everett caused a rift in their friendship. However, when Liv receives a strange letter from Sam suggesting she is in trouble, and attempts to contact her are unsuccessful, she heads back to Guilford to check on Sam.

Soon after arriving in Guilford, she learns that Sam has been reported missing. She is also very surprised to learn that the roommates who reported her missing are Eden and Cora, two members of the Sisterhood, a high school clique. Sam had disliked the Sisterhood, with special disdain for Eden, the leader. Liv discovers that Eden and Cora (and Sam) operate an exclusive bridal boutique. They extensively research the customers, and when they come across a relationship that is troubled, they use their unique “talents” to help the bride-to-be “see” what their fiancé is really like and “give” her the initiative to end the relationship before becoming stuck in a stifling relationship (or even an abusive relationship). Liv finds the Sisterhood both intriguing and disturbing, and she believes that Eden and Cora know more about Sam's disappearance than they admit. Liv is determined to stay close to Eden and Cora but joining the Sisterhood requires significant sacrifices, ones that Liv is not sure she wants or can make.

One of my favorite characters is Cora. Eden is clearly the leader of the Sisterhood and Cora is passive and somewhat subservient in her interactions with Eden. Eden can also be quite mercurial (a trait she shares with Sam), while Cora is genuinely kind and friendly. However, at times the reader will sense a fierceness and strength in Cora that belies the persona she shows the world, and contrasts with the dynamic between her and Eden.

It is very easy for thrillers to feel recycled and unimaginative. Although predictable, this book had such a unique twist on the traditional missing woman thriller and had fun witchy vibes. It explored topics of what it means to be a woman, wife, and mother. It was a quick read that I didn’t want to put down. I didn't love the ending and didn't feel that connected to any of the characters, which made me dock a star. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing for the eARC!

"Under Her Spell" by K. L. Cerra is a spellbinding read that blends dark magic with a thrilling mystery. Liv Edwards returns to her small New England hometown to uncover the truth behind her childhood friend Sam’s mysterious disappearance, and what she finds is both captivating and chilling. Cerra’s writing beautifully captures the eerie atmosphere of a quaint town hiding dark secrets, and the layers of tension and intrigue are deftly woven into the narrative. I was particularly drawn to Liv’s character—her struggle with her hidden darkness and her quest for redemption are portrayed with depth and nuance. The dynamic with Eden and Cora, the enigmatic women from Sam’s past, adds an intriguing mix of glamour and menace. The contrast between the enchanting façade of the bridal boutique and the sinister undertones of the story is both striking and effective. The way Cerra explores themes of guilt, self-discovery, and the lure of dark magic makes this book a compelling and immersive read. If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries with a touch of the supernatural and strong, relatable characters, "Under Her Spell" is a fantastic choice!

This is a dark, twisty, creepy novel. Liv Edwards returns home when she gets a note from her high school best friend Sam, whom she hasn’t spoken to in years. However, but the time Liv arrives in town, Sam is missing. As Liv digs deeper into finding Sam, she encounters old high school classmates and lots of memories. When Liv finds out two of her former classmates, Eden and Cora, who called themselves the Sisterhood in high school were the roommates of Sam, she unwittingly gets involved in more than she anticipated.

This is a freaky story and mystery and by the time, the author reveals what has happened to Sam, the reader has gone down a twisty path with some eerie results. I enjoyed this tale, the disappearance of Sam was well written and the characters especially Eden and Cora were downright creepy. If you enjoy a good old fashion, gives me the willies but I want to know more kind of read, then this book is for you. Just read it during the daylight.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

Both incredibly disturbing and completely enlightening. Glad I came across it and had the opportunity to read it.

Wow! This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. The cover is stunning! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I recieved an ARC of K.L. Cerra’s Under Her Spell, and boy was it a wild ride! When Liv’s childhood best friend goes missing she returns home to join the search for her, only to end up in a witchy cult. This was a very intriguing suspense/thriller, and may have prompted some of my own nightmares of beetles crawling over my skin. 👀 Not only was it a mystery, it explored themes of what it means to be a woman, wife, and mother. It was a fast read, truly no dull moments making it hard to put down. I enjoyed the time changes between present and past. It will be published in September and I highly recommend! 💍🔪🔮

Not my cup of tea I found the story to convoluted and just didn’t like any of the characters. And the plot rambled too much
Thanks for the review copy to net galley and the Publisher

K.L. Cerra's writing style truly holds my heart. I loved this book! The story had me hooked from the beginning, and I stayed up until the early hours of the morning to finish it. I do feel like the pacing could have been a bit better, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. Definitely recommend!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I have conflicting emotions regarding "Under Her Spell" written by K. L. Cerra. The book successfully evoked an unsettling atmosphere, particularly in the initial two-thirds of the narrative. The utilization of two timelines was mostly effective. However, my interest waned when reading about the Sisterhood. Additionally, the conclusion left me somewhat dissatisfied. As a result, I have given it a three-star rating.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Ballantine Books for the ARC to read and review.