3.5 ☆
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If you're wanting a cozy, fall, witchy vibe with a dash of romance, this book is for you! Deja Brew is book three in the Elemental Love series and can be read as a standalone, which is a major plus. Now, I didn't rate this one as high because I felt like the other two in the series had a Disney retelling theme or vibe, and this book didn't have that. This is definitely a slow-paced, slow-burn romance.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬:
•Slow-Burn
•Black Romance
•Cozy | Fall Vibes
•Witchy Romance
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Oct.1
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eBook on exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this book. The concept is adorable, and while I haven't read the first two books, I felt like there was enough in the beginning to catch me up on what was happening.

But I just couldn't connect with this book. I DNF'ed around 30%. It was just so much writing for so little happening. Every thing felt over explained or described. The characters were cute, but surface level. The banter was ok, but felt juvenile for what the characters ages are suppose to be.

It could be a me thing, but I just can't do it anymore.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and the author for a copy of this ARC.

3.5 stars

Deja Brew is a great read for the fall/winter seasons and has all of the cozy vibes. I loved that Sirena is a kitchen witch and it got me excited to eat all of the yummy fall foods. I thought the time travel aspect was cool & different - Sirena makes a wish for a second chance and ends up redoing the entire month of October. She also gets another chance to spend more time with Gus, a former famous magician and ex party boy turned steward of a historical society.

While I thought the romance between Sirena and Gus was cute, I didn’t really feel any strong connection to them. I feel like the magical small town/seasonal setting was the best part of this. Regardless, if you’re looking for a cozy read with a little spice you should give it a go!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Deja Brew by Celestine Martin.

At the beginning of the story, it’s one thing after another of things not going right for Sirena. When time reverts back to the beginning of the month, Sirena has an opportunity to relive it. Gus, who is a magician and healing from a divorce, has feelings for Sirena. Through the time loop, Sirena and Gus end up working together in closer proximity.

The real highlight of this book is the couple. Sirena and Gus are absolutely adorable. I really enjoy a romance where one or both characters don’t think they’re able to commit to anything serious but they can’t help being drawn to each other. Gus is a top tier book boyfriend, with so much support and belief in Sirena.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable fall witchy romance, this is a book to check out.

I looove my time in Freya Grove with the Caraways! I also read Witchful Thinking and Kiss and Spell so I couldn't wait for the this book but you absolutely can read this one on its own, I have to admit I think this one might be my favorite!!

Sirena and Gus are amazing and I just loved them! They're so relatable as middle children finding themselves and they have the best energy! I'm a sucker for childhood/second chance love so I ate this right up. Their chemistry and banter is EVERYTHING! There is a ton of character development and these two are sooooo sweet together and then we have the witchy, slow burn, fantasy, magical elements and it was ALL I wanted!

Celestine has dazzled us again with her world building, phenomenal writing and a perfect cozy autumn read!

Deju Brew is such a feel good, witchy romance that had me ready to grab a comfy blanket and settle in to enjoy. Sirena is a kitchen witch who can't connect with her magic and starts to doubt herself. . . Which I can 100% relate to. I felt that Celestine Martin did a really good job resenting those feelings authentically and respectfully. Gus is so sweet and I instantly fell in love with his sweet and sensitive heart ❤️ Their love story was a fun strangers to lovers with forced proximity and it is a perfect romance for fall 🍁🎃

Thank you Forever, Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

I DNF’d at 33% because I just couldn’t continue anymore. I rarely quit a book but I felt like I was reading the conversation between two school age children. The banter was shallow and juvenile. I did not read the previous 2 books in this series and I’m not sure if that made any difference because i didn’t feel like I was missing much. The author did a great job with filling in the backstory of certain subjects.

A sloth outran the pace of this slow burn. At 33% it legit was going no where. I really couldn’t care less about how this was going to end. I had to stop when they went to get ice cream and they were “playing a game” and she wouldn’t talk until he bought her a root beer. What are they 9? That was my final eye roll.

Thank you Forever Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review

Thank you for my early copy of Deja Brew. I enjoyed this magical story about two people who fall in love with a little bit of magic. It was such a sweet story. I enjoyed seeing these two explore, learn about each other, and fall in love.

This book felt like the perfect fall day in all the best ways! I loved how Gus and Sirena grew both together and as people on their own journeys. Not to mention this book had my two favorite kinds of spice: pumpkin spice and toe-curling spice!

I can’t wait to read the other books in this series!!

3.5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Forever pub for this arc!

Sirena is a kitchen witch who is down on her luck. She makes a wish to re- do October and wakes up on what should be November 1st to find it’s October 1st again.

She and Gus navigate their magic and connection with their repeated October. I wanted Sirena to recognize their love sooner! But it’s a little magical and has bewitching fall events.

What a PERFECT book for the fall. And I mean- PERFECT. This book is the coziest, cutest, most aesthetic autumnal romance I have EVER read and even though it's still summer as I write this, this book made me LONG for farmer's markets and apple cider and seeing pumpkins on front porches. If you live/love/pumpkin spice latte ADORE autumn like I do, then this book will be a special treat that you will likely want to revisit every year when the weather grows gloomy and you switch out your flip-flops and bathing suits for boots and sweaters. I cannot adequately convey how much this book felt like a warm hug just from the lush autumnal aesthetic alone....

But, guess what? That's not all.

Background: I have read all of Celestine Martin's books to date (I'm a Black, New Jersey native who also loves magical romance as much as she does so her books just scratch a much needed ). However, Deja Brew is absolutely my favorite to date in the series. There's something about Sirena and August that just does it for me. Their love story is SO realistic for two middle children struggling with their identities while also wanting to find true love. I adored the character arcs for both of them and thought the character development was realistic and well executed. I loved seeing these characters learn to trust themselves, their community, and their gifts. The love story was also very swoonworthy. It was clear how much these characters enjoyed spending time together and the backdrop of golden leaves, fall ice cream flavors that had my mouth watering, and cute autumnal dates just made it even better. Additionally, it was nice seeing the other characters from past series in this book! Honestly, I found them even more lovable in this novel!

I don't want to give a spoilery review so I won't give specifics but- I was VERY pleased with the sexy scenes in this novel which is surprising because I am a chronic "skipper over" of all sexy scenes. I loved the romantic scenes because they offered surprises. There were unexpected moments that kept me hooked and each of these moments were infused with love and intentionality that I'd like to see in more romances. The magical components of the novel offered some (ahem) quite pleasing sexy moments as well. Very well done!

BOOKTOK and BOOKTUBE and BOOKSTAGRAM. PUT THIS BOOK ON YOUR FALL LISTS! We need more Black Love cute sexy fall stories.

3.75 ⭐
1.5 🌶️
Tropes- Slow burn, mutual pining


Deja Brew is a whimsical, cozy romance perfect for kicking off your fall reading.


It has been a disastrous October for Sirena Caraway. November is just around the corner but all the former celeb chef wants is a second chance to get her life- and cooking skills- on track. She makes her wish and when she wakes up the next day, Sirena discovers the clock has turned back to Oct 1st, giving her the chance to redo all her mistakes.


After a run in with former reality star turned town historian Gus Dearworth, determined to make the most of this opportunity, Sirena enlists his help to get her cooking powers back.


Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for fall reading. I thought the supernatural world building was really interesting, especially since I haven’t read a book with a magician in it. I loved the cozy fall vibes and how neither MC’s have a “perfect” body. (Especially Gus!! We need more stories where the guy has a regular body)


That said, I felt like the beginning of the book lacked cohesion. I often felt confused as to how their relationship progressed and at times changes seemed to come out of left field. It took me until about 25% in until I felt like I could consistently follow what was going on.


I also have mixed feelings on how the book transitioned from October to November. Part of me thinks it should’ve ended on Nov 1, and dragged a little bit, but the “build up” of her reliving Oct was well done and needed something else to finish the story so it didn’t stop abruptly.


Finally, and I guess this is a pet peeve of mine- I disliked the need to continue to point out that Sirena was “curvy”. I appreciate plus size rep but so many authors turn it into a trope and that just makes it insulting and othering. Honestly I usually avoid reading books with a curvy FMC because of that. IMO It’s one thing to explain the FMCs body type during the character development at the beginning but further pointing it out makes it a thing. Can we just talk about hips without them being skinny or generous? Or bodies without them being slender or plump? If you have to keep pointing out that the FMC is not the “standard”, is it really that supportive and inclusive?

Thank you to netgalley for my copy of this one!

This was the perfect cozy romance to start off the autumn season for me! I did not read the other two books in this “series” prior, but I also didn’t feel like I missed anything by not reading them. I enjoyed the vibes and the romance overall, but the plot was a bit slow moving, which is why I didn’t rate the books any higher.

Let me begin by saying that I also read witchful thinking and kiss and spell, so when I saw there was a 3rd book in Freya Grove focused on Sirena in October, I knew I had to check it out and I was not disappointed. Like the other two before this one, the slow burn and character development is chefs kiss. This one quite literally is kitchen witch magic. It was cozy, but kept me sucked in. I hope there's more storytelling from Freya Grove!

Small town magic. Childhood friends.
These two are both on an internal journey.
I enjoyed the overall story but there were some big issues with editing.

This is an amazing quick and cozy read for fall! The setting is so perfect for October. I had trouble connecting with the characters, I felt like the setting and atmosphere were the stars and the character development took a backseat. I'm not sure this one was for me, but I know it's going to do well this fall!

A solid second chance/childhood friends romance. Sweet and steamy and delectably witchy! Sirena is a kitchen witch trying to rekindle her spark and Gus is a famous magician trying to heal from life in the spotlight and a very public divorce.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for an ARC.
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This was a fun, flirty and witchy read that is perfect for fall. Just the right mix of spice with a cute premise and likeable characters.

A cute fall romance. I really enjoyed the cozy vibe of this book. It read a bit like a Hallmark fall movie and I don't mean that in a bad way because I love those. I really loved the characters and the character development along with the romance.

Such a cute read for fall - this one may not be for everyone but I overall enjoyed it. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!