The best broken heart that I have ever experienced. The witchy storyline was fun and imaginative, and the love story was hot but sweet. But…. the broken heart that I experienced can’t be topped. This is the kind of broken heart that I am here for. Surprise….. it’s better than a witchy spin on “Fifty First Dates”.

Spell strings and forgotten things. When their witchy mother left them. Three sisters are left to carry on. Only calliope is attuned enough to see the danger of the shadow walker at work

Let me start by saying that there is nothing wrong with this book, and the only reason I took away two stars is because I believe it should be marketed towards young teens and not adults. Yes, it reads very young, but it's an enjoyable story about sisters Calliope, Eurydice, and Thalia, whose magic has a very steep price: their memories. I grew up watching Charmed, and loved the way Breanne Randall paid tribute to the show that shaped my teenage years.
Honestly, if you know a teen with a love of witches this is perfect for them.

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for an ARC of this book!

I absolutely devoured this book from the very first sentence and then couldn't put it down. Pride & Prejudice meets Gilmore Girls meets Charmed; this book was a delectable treat for anyone looking for a unique magic system, familial bonds tested and made stronger, and strong FMC that learns a lot about herself as the story progresses.

I also loved getting some instances in the MMC's point of view, Lucien was a very interesting and complex character and I really enjoyed getting to see his thought process and how it changed throughout the story.

I would be hesitant to call this book an Enemies to Lovers however... While Calliope and Lucien may be on "opposite sides" of the fight between Lightcraft and Shadowcraft, they are instantly drawn to each other and there is no *real* animosity between the two. Only the aforementioned prejudice (which was wonderful to behold all the little P&P references).

If I'm reading it right, it seems like there could be a sequel with some of the threads left up in the air, but even if there isn't I'll be very happy and satisfied with the story that has been provided!

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three sisters in a manor, a powerful curse, and a cozy small town - this book does nail the Charmed meets Gilmore Girls vibes. The relationship between the FMC and MMC reminded me of Phoebe and Cole in Charmed and the kooky townsfolk were reminiscent of Stars Hollow. I liked how the author seems to know the flora and fauna of northern California, which made the setting descriptions feel more believable.

Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. In general, I think the book would've benefitted from another round of edits. The writing was overwrought and the use of metaphors and similes was excessive, to the point that I found myself skipping over paragraphs. The pacing was a challenge as well. A lot of time was spent describing their meals, their outfits, their mismatched socks, but key scenes would be over in a couple of paragraphs.

While I thought the magic system was interesting and has potential, the execution was lacking. We were told, rather than shown, everyone's relationship, wants, needs, or problems and so it was difficult to feel invested in these characters. The townsfolk were heavily described, I think to create a cozy and twee world, but they would often only appear in a scene or two and never be mentioned again. I appreciated the author's aim to create a diverse community, but it felt forced and sometimes, not well researched. Plot holes were conveniently explained away and the rules of the magic system/their memories just never seemed consistent. This may be addressed in sequels, but I don't think I'll be reading them.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is the embodiment of cozy fantasy. I've never wanted to eat scones, drink tea, and relax at a bookstore more. If that's the vibe you're looking for (albeit with a bit more danger) then this is the perfect book for you!

If you're into epic fantasies with complicated magic systems, it is not. I thought the magic was endearing but pretty simple. The magic curse for the sisters was interesting, the idea if sacrificing memories in order to access your magic was fairly new to me.

Now, the romance. Another shadow daddy has entered the the field of romantasy. And guess what! His moral compass is purely guided by a sick female relative. I'm not saying it's bad, but it's a bit played out. I didn't hate Lucien though, I just felt like I've met him so many times...

The minor romance plots with the other two sisters were SUPER cute though! Big ups for having so many LGBTQIA+ characters, and having them feel so natural.

All in all it is a good story with some really adorable elements and will definitely be loved by those who seek out cozy fantasy.

I have a tendency to gravitate towards books with **vibes**. I love feeling like a story has wrapped itself around me like a fuzzy blanket. I love writing that makes me forget that I'm actually sitting in a chair, in a house situated on a giant twirling ball suspended in space. Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things is vibes + cozy writing + a really lovely story with equally lovely characters. Breanne Randall promised Pride and Prejudice and Charmed vibes and absolutely delivered. I loved the magic system in this story, memories fuel magic and each time magic is used a memory must be given up. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who loved The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, fans of Charmed & Pride and Prejudice, those who love a little mystery, enemies to lovers, and stories highlighting the bonds (and struggles) of sisterhood.

I really enjoyed this book. I was fortunate enough to read it as an ARC. It took me a little bit to get into it, but I liked the references to their Greek heritage(FMCs) and mythology. The magic system had a certain duality to it. I prefer her first book for the cozy feels, but I enjoyed this one. I love how the author always includes recipes at the end that pertain to the story. I’m a sucker for recipes from a book. I can’t wait to try these recipes out. I dream of the day that I will get a recipe for the chocolate cake in Alice Hoffman‘s Practical Magic series.

Engaging characters with a whimsical and magical setting of light and dark contrasts. I actually liked this story a lot more than her last novel.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a delightful blend of cozy romance and witchy magic that kept me spellbound. With its small-town charm and richly layered characters, the story conjures the perfect balance of warmth and suspense. It carries the same enchanting vibes as Randall’s debut but takes things to an even more captivating level. You’ll want to savor this story by candlelight on a crisp, spooky night!

Three sisters--Calliope, Eurydice, and Thalia Petridi--are witches that have been told since birth that they must protect the wards of the Dark Oak but there magic comes at a cost. Memories for spells that leaves only one sister practicing magic and this becomes dangerous when the town is at risk of what is hiding inside the Dark Oak.

First, I have to say that I loved the LGBTQ+ representation! Breanne Randall does an excellent job at establishing a cozy setting and I liked the theme of sisterhood within this. Though, Eurydice and Thalia were more likable since Calliope acted younger than her age and it was quite frustrating to read about. The plot started off promising with the allure of magic and the unique premise of having repercussions when using magic which should be a theme in all fantasy books. Tired of every fantasy character being able to use bouts of magic upon magic without any consequences. I hated how Calliope used her magic so carelessly though since she would use it for kind of ridiculous times like drying herself or fixing her outfit. I recognize that it's suppose to show how she's more reckless but I would've rather her have some precaution like her sisters.

Also, the dialogue sometimes felt shifty between the MMC and FMC since it would go from formal talk to informal and I wish that there was a set style to their dialogue because it would've made it more enjoyable and less clunky. Plus, I didn't really like the romance between the two overall. Plus, some serious instances seemed childish and the writing for it was too rushed which made it less emotional. Most of the plot twists were cliche too and not handled well.

I'll definitely try Randall's other book and read future books in this series just to give it a shot!

Thank you Netgalley!

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall is an enticing tale of witchcraft and love. The story follows Calliope a young witch who sacrifices memories to cast spells. The more advanced the spell is the bigger the memory sacrificed has to be. Initially Calliope is okay with the cost of her life’s memories to cast spells but as the story progresses she begins to wonder if not remembering parts of her young life is worth it. This is a beautiful tale that involves witchcraft, sisterhood, and learning to love again.

**Note: In exchange for an honest, thoughtful, and relevant review based on my reading of this book, I was provided an e-ARC copy from the Publisher and Author through NetGalley, whom I thank for this opportunity.**

“Whether they needed courage or hope, a dash of desire or a drop of respite, customers would find it there,”

Three magically-inclined sisters who run a tea shop in a California small town come to face a looming threat to their home and magic abilities. The main character, the youngest of the sisters, already broken from the loss of her mother and the sacrifice of memories to power her magic, must work together with a generational enemy to uncover decades of secrets, protect her family, and save the town.

Before reading “Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things,” I had read Randall’s “The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic,” which gave me a baseline of expectations for this second installment. Randall took one of the few frustrations I had with the magic system in the first book and strengthened it in this publication. The magic system was well-developed and had “rules,” to follow (or be broken). I feel that Randall’s character-building abilities have greatly improved, though she does alter the narrator and move to a dual-perspective at what I believe was an odd spot.

One thing that I’d commend Randall on in “Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things,” would be her ability to add spicy scenes to a book without it overwhelming the plot; of course, a few spicy scenes can contribute to the growth and progression of a character or relationship, but the spice did not become the key concept in the book’s development, which I loved.

Unfortunately, I feel that when it comes to the inclusion of three sisters in any story, the characters often fall victim to a certain stereotype. The stand-offish one, who sees it as their responsibility to protect their (often younger) siblings, the quiet and dainty sister, who can sometimes be shy and probably likes flowers, and the main character, that is probably the more rebellious and always sees herself as “different” from her sisters. These tropes aren’t uncommon and are prevalent in this work, however, I can’t deny that I didn’t love the relationship Randall built between them, and the development of their individual character arcs, even as secondary characters.

Realistically, I’d probably give this read somewhere between a 4 and 4.5, given that it was an advanced proof of the book.

3.75 stars
This book was cozy and lovely
It felt l a bit like practical magic in my opinion! Not everyone will agree. I did feel at moments it was a bit slow and what not. But overall it was a fun little read!

I enjoyed this book!! Pride and prejudice meets charmed is just a total vibe. Rival coven leader who’s hot and lots of rainbow. Love is just what the doctor ordered!

“Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things” by Breanne Randall was a cozy witchy read. The story was interesting and unique and well-written. I thought the characters were well-developed and had fascinating stories and arcs. I thought that the three sisters’ in particular had very relatable characteristics. Overall, this book had a good vibe. While, I felt the plot to be a bit slow at times, the overall story was fun and enjoyable.

This one was sweet and fun. I love the vibes. I liked Lucien from the very beginning and loved him more by the end. As a Charmed fan, I loved the inspiration shown with the three sisters.

Thanks so much NetGalley for the copy of Spells, Strings and Forgotten Things.
I loved Breanne's first title so much I wanted to read this one so badly and the imagery and descriptions did not disappoint.
Breanne's love of language and storytelling is woven together so beautifully and I loved the character dynamics.

I can't wait to read more from Breanne.

As children, the Petridi sisters were told to protect the family home and enchanted tree that loomed somewhere on the property while also being told not to go near it for fear that others would find it and seek it's power. Now, years after their mother left one day never to return, the Petridi sisters are forced to address the things they've avoided for years. After the heartbreak of their mothers disappear each sister found their own way to cope - Thalia and Eurydice have opted out of using their magic in efforts to preserve their memories while Calliope has fully embraced sacrificing moments of her past for the convenience of the present. Slowly, Calliope starts getting the sinking feeling that something is wrong, she doesn't know what, but she knows that if it's about their magic it's important and once that decision is recognized things go downhill from there.

I was intrigued by the title and synopsis of this book and overall I did quite enjoy reading it. If I had to describe this book to someone I would say that it felt like a cozy and low-stakes/low-adventure fantasy (or perhaps magical realism would be a more appropriate classification). This book had magic, family bonds, a broody male love interest and a strong connection to books. While I overall enjoyed it, and would recommend it for a cozy fall read there were some parts that felt overly cliche and I can't help but wonder if this would do better in the YA genre (if the spicy scenes were excluded).

While I didn't mind the cliche portions of the book as I did enjoy this read, I did notice several things that I could tell were intentionally drawn from other pop culture references. One thing in particular that I want to address is the diversity in relation to the pop culture reference. I found that when introducing townsfolk it was very much a Gilmore Girls style layout - small, walkable town, everyone knows each other - we love it, we love the energy BUT it felt like each character we met was given a name or description intended to have diverse representation without ever getting the opportunity to build on those characters which made it feel like a name-drop/token- diversity. Now that's not to say that I didn't appreciate the effort and the likely intent in the authors writing, but I think for any future writing it would be beneficial to include more background and/or personalities of these characters to make them feel more authentic to the storyline. For this storyline that could've been done by including a paragraph or couple sentences about how the small town is quaint yet diverse and while it may not work in some places, everyone in Gold Springs is really accepting and inclusive. Perhaps not everyone would agree with me on that, but I wanted to mention either way because it really stuck out to me while reading.

If this book is going to be continued into a series I would love to learn more about the family lineage, the power intentions of Lucien's father, and the changes around Lightcraft and Shadowcraft wielders based on the outcome in this book. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy You've Got Mail, Gilmore Girls and the book The Cottage Around the Corner.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book, I have posted my review on GoodReads and will update my links as they are approved on Barnes and Noble, Target and Amazon websites as well as posting on Instagram

She’s done it again. If you want witchy, cozy, with some solid writing to boot - Breanne Randall is the place to go. Especially come fall time, this is a read you’ll want to pick up for suspense, magic, and lovely characters.

Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for my review!