Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall
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Calliope and her two sisters have worked to guard an ancient magic their whole lives. One night Calliope accidentally binds herself to a dark rival with a pursuit for power. As she works to undo the binding she and her sisters will search for clues in their families to past to help.
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I think this story was better than the author’s previous book. The romance was done a lot better, there were a couple scenes between the two love interests that were very good.

I liked unraveling the family history and especially enjoyed the ending conflict chapters.

I did feel like the characters acted a lot younger than they were supposed to be and was frustrated with a lot of the conversations between Calliope and every other character.
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3⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things—the setting was absolutely magical and really pulled me in. The way the story blends music and magic creates such a unique and charming world that feels cozy and full of wonder. It’s the kind of place I’d love to visit!
The characters were fun and easy to connect with, and the light, whimsical tone made it a really pleasant read. If you like stories with a strong sense of place and a touch of fantasy, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

If you are a fan of Charmed, Hocus Pocus, or Sabrina the Teenage Witch. You'll love this book!

Be ready to swoon over Calliope and Lucien's relationship!

Who wouldn't want a potential bad boy, the guy you've been warned to stay away from... but calls you Little Muse!

Quote: "I would say 'I'd die for you," he said in a low voice, tracing her cheek, the line of her jaw, outlining her lips. "But what's the point in that? I would live for you."

This was an enchanting witchy romance. Magic with a bit of a twist, as three witch sisters have to give up a memory in order to cast even the simplest spell.
I really enjoyed how the author incorporated Greek mythology into the world building. The name of the Petridi sisters' family home for example was a fun subtle nod. Lethe Manor, the name Lethe after the river Lethe in the Underworld that helped the dead to forget. I really do love when authors include fun little nuggets for us readers to find..
The story itself was great, the characters are one's that I look forward to seeing again and learning more about in the sequel.
Definitely a good addition to the bookshelves of any witchy magical realism fans.
I give this one a 4.25 star rating.
Thanks so much to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for this ARC.

I enjoyed this for the most part. I wish the MFC was given a nickname that was used throughout the book instead of her clunky name. I think that it got better the second half of the book and it was a beautiful story of family, love and loss. What would you give to save someone? To change something? This was a unique currency. The magic system was interesting.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is cozy fantasy that tries to do too much. Take the family business, for example. It's a bookstore/bakery/tearoom. The shadow daddy smells like apples, cinnamon, and amber like he's a walking recipe for fancy apple pie. There are ACOTAR influences, yes, but there's also elements from just about every cozy fantasy book I've read in the past few years as well. Details were very repetitive. The memory of making baklava with mom is mentioned at least three times. The magic system introduced as paying for magic with memory is the second book I've read this month like that, but in this case Calliope sacrifices memories for something as mundane as lighting a candle like she can't just get a lighter. If you really love cozy fantasy vibes, give this one a try! It wasn't my cup of tea.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Dell for this ARC.

Three sisters are witches that must forget things to perform magic. The family bond and mystery they struggle to solve while forgetting this is interesting and the story will definitely hold your complete attention while you come along for the ride.

Who doesn’t adore a cozy witchy read every now and then? I loved the warm atmosphere and small town charm! The witchy vibes were vibing. This is such a perfect cozy fall read!

This was a very enjoyable, the romance was sweet and I thought Callopie was a relatable character. I am eager to see what else the author has out or might publish in the future. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a classic enemies to lovers story.

I enjoy this author’s writing and love ANYTHING witchy! I loved the Mr. Darcy vibes of our MMC. The sister vibes were also very sweet. I look forward to the next installment!

The Petridi Sisters have spent their lives protecting the town from dark magic and ill intent. The magic that they access however comes with a steep price. The price they must pay is memories. The town isn't even aware of all that they do for them and all that they have given up.

Like with so many books there is a feud between covens. The Shadowcraft witches and the Lightcraft witches. But Calliope a lightcraft witch finds herself accidently bound to a shadowcraft witch. Sometimes though its in the things that are forbidden that something truly magical can take place and that is exactly what Calliope and Lucien find happening.


I want to thank #Netgalley and #RandomHousePublishingGroup, #Ballantine for the chance to read #Spells,Strings,andForgottenThings by #BreanneRandall in return for a fair and honest review.

This was good, but not as good as the author's first. The relationship between the two main characters felt incredibly rushed and everything kind of left me wondering what the heck was going on in parts. Overall I enjoyed it though!

I love a good magical, mysterious story with a dash of romance. This will make a great fall read.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book!

Not something that I would adopt for the school library, however the magic, familial lore, and romance was a great read.

First of all, this cover is beautiful! It definietly made me want to pick up this book. I feel this book would make a great fall read for sure!

the Petridi sisters—Calliope, Thalia, and Eurydice—harbor a dangerous secret: their magic requires them to sacrifice memories to cast spells. For Calliope, who’s desperate to forget heartbreak and abandonment, this curse feels like a blessing—until an ancient evil awakens and their magic begins to fade.

When Calliope accidentally binds herself to Lucien Deniz, the brooding leader of a rival coven, she must navigate sizzling chemistry, family secrets, and the unraveling of her own identity to save her town—and herself.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for this spooky good ARC!

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things was such a cozy, magical surprise! The atmosphere felt like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day—full of small-town charm, witchy vibes, and a touch of mystery. I loved the blend of magic and emotion, and the story had a softness to it that made it easy to sink into. While a few plot points could’ve used a bit more depth, the overall tone and whimsical energy more than made up for it. Perfect for fans of gentle fantasy with heart and just the right amount of enchantment.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall is the kind of witchy, wildly addictive read that had me mentally twirling in a linen dress under the full moon while clutching a cinnamon broomstick and whispering “I could fix him…but I won’t.” 🕯️✨

In the spell-soaked town of Gold Springs, memory is currency—and magic doesn’t come free. Calliope Petridi is the youngest of three witchy sisters bound by blood, secrets, and the slowly unraveling threads of sisterhood. She’s the only one still practicing their ancestral craft, because every spell comes with a cost: a memory. And let’s just say, Calliope has plenty she’d rather not remember.

Enter: Lucien. A shadow caster. Arrogant. Infuriating. Devastatingly attractive. Also? The literal opposite of her light magic. When a magical mishap ties them together, the result is sizzling tension, reluctant teamwork, and one hell of a slow-burn that’ll have you kicking your feet and muttering “just kiss already” into your iced latte.

This book is for my ‘90s witchy ghouls. The Charmed hive. The Gilmore Girls fans who wish Stars Hollow had a curse or two. The romantics who want their love interests morally gray with jawlines sharp enough to cut string.

And under the swoony moments and magical chaos, there’s a heartfelt, often bittersweet thread of family—how hard it is to be known by those who’ve known you longest, and how healing it can be to choose each other anyway.

✨ Sisterhood, but make it spellbound.
🌙 Magic with a price tag.
🔥 Chemistry hotter than a Beltane bonfire.
🖤 Shadow daddies forever.

If you’re craving witchy escapism with heart, heat, and hauntingly high stakes, Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is your next must-read. Just… be careful what you’re willing to forget.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Breanne Randall’s Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a very cozy romantasy read. I love the tiny bits of nonsensical magic just existing in this world without needing an explanation. That being said, I do wish we got to learn more about how the sisters curse works because it is such a unique magic system! I love that we get to learn about Calliope’s past through her practice of magic. It makes her characterization feel a lot more organic, especially since the present circumstances are more pressing than her past. The romance in this was good, but a little predictable. I was more moved reading about Calliope’s relationship with her family.

3.5/5 stars