ARC provided by NetGalley for a fair and honest review

This was a very cute story, and I think it would’ve received a higher rating if I was just a bit more into modern romance. This was a great palette cleanser between fantasy books but there wasn’t a whole lot of high stakes that kept me coming back to read for hours at a time. I will continue this series, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, light read.

This author is quickly becoming a favorite because from the two books I’ve read, I JUST LOVE SO MUCH.

They are light hearted, but also serious at times but not an overload, I loved the banter and the chemistry between characters and side characters.

Also anything that is aimed for Charmed fans, I will love.

Could not want to get through this book no matter how hard I tried.

The idea of the story was fine, if not cliche. I love getting to watch characters develop, but I didn’t care more for these characters in the end than I did in the beginning. The three sisters seemed to be stereotypes of what sister relationships are like. The “peacekeeper,” the “reckless one,” the “boring eldest.” I also wanted to see how the relationship between them evolved instead of just being told, “welp, everything is better because everyone conquered their one flaw that was holding them back!”

The relationship between Calliope and Lucien was confusing and awkward. “I hate him, I love him. I can’t stand to be around him. He grounds me.” It didn’t seem natural or healthy. It didn’t seem natural or healthy. The relationship didn’t develop that much in my eyes, so sacrificing the whole thing to start over was probably one of the better ideas.

The pacing of the story is I think what I enjoyed about the book the least. It was painfully drawn out in some places and then skipped over the parts I was interested in. I don’t know if this was to avoid filling in any gaps or holes, but it took me out of the story a significant amount of the time. I think some of the pacing may have been trying to build tension, but sometimes brief is better. If things are dragged on for too long, anxiety slips into apathy. Once I got to about 75%, it was much easier to stay engaged for longer periods of time.

The story was there and I enjoyed the glimpses of originality that come with a generational family feud. Sadly, I enjoyed the summary of how the Dark Oak came to be more than undoing it. And though I won’t be reading this story again, I would be happy to read something else from this author, perhaps the prequel.

5 stars. No notes. This book was super cozy, with enough action and mystery to keep you turning pages just to see what happens next. An enemies to lovers, slow burn romance with so much banter I couldn’t help but giggle at some interactions. There’s amazing character development for every character, not just the main love interests, with a major focus on sibling relationships that feels very authentic (at least from my eldest sibling perspective). And there’s a non-binary character who is totally awesome which makes my little NB heart sing! 🥰 can’t wait to see what happens next in this magical world.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things
by Breanne Randall
Pub Date: Mar 04 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the small town of Gold Springs, Calliope Petridi and her two sisters carefully guard the secret of their magic and the price they must pay to practice it: memories. Luckily, all Calliope wants to do is forget: the mother who left without a trace, the sisters from whom she feels increasingly distant, and most of all, the way the love of her life shattered her heart two years ago.

But when an ancient evil awakens, the fragile thread that holds the sisters together breaks. As their magic slowly begins to fade, Calliope accidentally binds herself to the handsome leader of a rival coven infamous for their ruthless pursuit of power. Battling the sizzling chemistry with a man she can’t trust, Calliope must confront painful memories of her past, dark family secrets, and ancient magic in order to protect the town and all she loves. But will she have anything left of herself?

A cozy small town witchy fantasy. Calliope Petridi is a Lightcraft witch. She has two other sisters, Thalia and Eurydice. They run a tea and bookstore, called the Tea and Tome, in their small town. Their mother disappeared 15 years ago and the eldest, Thalia had turned 18 that year so they were covered.
I really did like the Magic system. I felt it was very unique among all the other Magic systems that I’ve read about across other fantasies. I really liked the atmosphere of the book cozy is always something that is something I prefer more in the winter time so I’ve saved this book until right now in December to read so it was perfect for me. I also always love it when it is more fall/winter and reading about witches. I found that I do really like Breanne Randalls writing. Though this author only has two books out so far I have liked them both rating them 3.75-4.5 stars. I will definitely be reading more!

Review of Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall

What happens when Pride and Prejudice meets Charmed in a world where magic comes at the cost of memories? Breanne Randall's Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things explores this intriguing premise with a blend of small-town charm, sisterly bonds, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that will appeal to fans of cozy witchy fantasy.

The story follows Calliope Petridi, a Lightcraft witch grappling with the lingering scars of her mother's sudden disappearance 15 years ago. Alongside her sisters, Thalia and Eurydice, she runs a quaint tea and bookstore in their magical hometown. However, their ability to wield magic comes at a steep price-they must sacrifice precious memories. When the enigmatic Shadowcrafter, Lucien, and a series of unsettling events threaten their guardianship over an ancient magic, Calliope must face the challenge head-on. As tensions escalate, she finds herself magically bound to Lucien, forcing the two to overcome their differences to protect their loved ones.

While the premise held immense promise, the execution left me with mixed feelings.

Strengths:

* Word-Building: Randall excels at crafting an atmospheric, small-town setting brimming with charm. The combination of witchcraft, family dynamics, and local traditions imbues the story with cozy, magical vibes.
* Unique Magic System: The idea of magic requiring memory sacrifices is fresh and thought-provoking, adding emotional stakes to every spell cast.
* Supporting Characters: Thalia, Eurydice, and Lucien stood out as the most compelling characters. Their individual quirks and dynamics brought depth to the narrative.

Weaknesses:

* Dialogue and Characterization: The banter between Calliope and Lucien, while intended to be witty, often felt forced and jarring. Calliope's relentless stubbornness and martyr complex made her difficult to connect with, leaving me more invested in the supporting cast.
* Pacing Issues: The narrative alternates between being overly fast-paced-glossing over key moments-and dragging through slower sections. This imbalance made it difficult to remain fully engaged.
* Plot Convenience: Several plot points, particularly involving the sisters' aunts, felt too convenient and lacked the emotional or narrative weight needed to be satisfying.

Final Thoughts:

Despite its flaws, the book finds redemption in its ending, where the chemistry between Calliope and Lucien finally comes alive, and the stakes feel more genuine. However, the journey to this point was uneven, leaving me wishing for a stronger, more cohesive story.

While this book wasn't a favorite for me, I recognize its appeal to readers who enjoy witchy romances with lighthearted small-town vibes. Fans of Charmed and cozy fantasy may find it more to their liking, especially given its inclusive representation and unique magical elements.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things offers an intriguing premise but ultimately left me wanting more refinement in its execution. My thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and the author, Breanne Randall, for the opportunity to review this book.

ARC Review: Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things

Set in a charming, magical town full of unsuspecting residents protected by secrets and sacrifices, this story follows the FMC through a journey of love, loss, and self-discovery intertwined with her sister’s struggles.

If you grew up loving Charmed, this book will feel like coming home. The dynamic between the characters is reminiscent of Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, and I was completely here for it.

From the moment I received the ARC, I couldn’t wait to dive in—and it did not disappoint. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, making me laugh, cry, and gasp as twists unfolded. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story surprised me in the best way.

While I wish the FMC and MMC had more page time together, it only makes me more excited to see how their story develops in future installments. Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is an enchanting, heart-tugging read that I highly recommend for fans of magical, character-driven tales.

This book started a little slow but I still think it's a cute story. Once Lucien comes in, things get real interesting, real fast. Watching the saga unfold was very entertaining. The moment Lucien and Calliope share at the end is so sweet, it almost makes up for the sadness I had when they had to sacrifice to save the town.

This witchy fantasy romance is a good read. It started off slow, but paid off in the end. The magic system used is interesting and the romance is a slow burn. The characters were relatable and the storyline interesting.

Witches, family, and of course a shadow daddy. How can you not be excited about those things. This book made for a fun read with small twists and mini cliffhangers at each chapters end. Absolutely enjoyed and will recommend

Firstly I want to thank Breanne Randall and Dell for the eARC! I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book early.

I really enjoyed the story, I thought the magic systems were interesting. The pace of the story progression felt a little off to me but I can’t pinpoint what it is so that truly might be a me problem. I do wish Calliope hadn’t had to sacrifice her memories and for Lucien, especially since those feelings are what helped her move past the prejudices she grew up with.

☆3 Stars☆

I enjoyed this cozy fantasy—it was a good mix of magic and romance. The author has a really creative take on the magical element, but though there were a few times when I felt like things were a little slow or overly detailed. Still, the descriptions were really well done and I could easily picture everything in my head. What really stood out was the sense of family, friendship, and love—it felt like stepping into a world that was easy to get attached to.

Lucien is both mysterious and sweet, and Calliope is strong, quirky, and unapologetically herself. Their friendship with Danny felt so relatable, though I wish there had been more of it. The themes of family and self-sacrifice hit home for me, and the grimoire added a fun little twist. While the book was decently enjoyable overall, it didn’t fully sweep me away.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Breanne Randall for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was such a cozy read! I love anything that has to do with magic and witches, but I really loved the fresh take that this book had on that concept. The writing was very smooth and lyrical, and very well-paced as well. Perfect spooky-season read.

Was this good? Sure. Was it amazing? No. My favorite characters weren't the main ones, unfortunately. The plot itself was quite predictable and nothing that happened ever really surprised me. The banter made me wonder "who actually talks/acts like this?" Our FMC constantly went back and forth between being angry/resentful to being like "omg he's so charming why do I like him so much" her attitude was irritating to say the least. There was not nearly enough connection or yearning between the main love interests for me to care what happened with them. So by the time the spicy moments happened, I was like like, eh. Despite some of my negative feelings, I think the ending wrapped up nicely. I was worried where it was going for a minute there. Would I recommend this? Maybe to someone who's never read a witchy fantasy book before. But otherwise, there are better options out there. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a little bit hard to get into but once I did I had to finish it I needed to know how it ended and I loved it this is definitely on the YA genre but I still really enjoyed it

Another great hit! Absolutely loved this enchanting witchy book. It had all the wonderful things I fell in love with Randall’s first novel and then some. The found family, trials and overcoming the troubles. I cannot wait for this novel to hit stores to get my hands on the physical copy. Definitely pulled at my heart; broke me and wrapped me back up all in one go.

Unfortunately this missed the mark for me! I really wanted to love it. It was overly descriptive and I wasn't able to relate to the main character - at times I found her really childish and annoying. The plot felt really predictable, but maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace for this at the time.

Being a mood reader, I started and stopped this book a couple times before settling in. The story itself is very fitting to my preferred genre of reading. I love tales of magic and witches...and the unintentional forbidden romance that always happens while breaking a deadly curse. Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things did not disappoint in that.

The premise of the book is good vs. evil; Shadowcraft vs. Lightcraft; Dark vs. Light. The book tells the story of three sisters who are born Lightcraft witches. Their family legacy is to protect their town from the dark oak by ensuring the enchantments surrounding the tree are strong. The protections are upheld in each generation by three Petridi family sisters. Always three.

Thalia Petridi is the eldest sister who took the place of guardian when the girls' mother disappeared. Eurydice is the middle sister, even tempered and always the peacekeeper. Calliope is the youngest Petridi sister. She is reckless and broken, and wildly unafraid to practice her magic willingly. After all, practicing magic is what all witches do, right? Well, for the Petridi sisters, magic comes with a price. A memory. The bigger the spell, the stronger the memory that will be sacrificed.

While Thalia and Eurydice have stayed away from magic since their mother disappeared, Calliope has used the curse as a way to forget the painful things happening in her life. Sensing that something is wrong with the enchantments, Calliope goes to the dark oak with the intentions to repair an enchantment and ends up attaching herself to an enemy.

Lucien is a Shadowcraft witch...known rivals to Lightcraft witches due to their power-seeking agenda. When Calliope and Lucien are forced to work together to break the attachment spell, they find out that there are more serious things at play. But, is Lucien trustworthy, and is Calliope ready to face her demons instead of using her magic to forget her past.

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a wonderful journey into the bonds of family, sisterhood, and overcoming prejudices for the greater good. I loved that the characters in the book were very relatable, and their actions were appropriate to the events they were living through. There is a tremendous theme of sacrifice throughout the book, and also a beautiful theme of protection for those they love. I am always a sucker for a found family trope, and we see that throughout the story as well.

While some of the story line was very predictable, there were several instances where there was a nice twist in the plot. The biggest twist was at the end, and I was so upset to see it happen so close to the end of the book. Even though the reader knows how the characters would move forward...for the most part... I still felt like I'd been left hanging. I was happy to see the epilogue, and get a little glimpse into the future of the characters, but I would have liked everything to be tied up a little better at the end. Either that...or... another novel???

Give me a witch-y romance any day and I’m probably going to love it. As you can imagine, I was so excited to be chosen as an early reader of this book. And Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things did not disappoint.

I loved the “power of sisterhood” storyline which follows Calliope Petridi and her two sisters, witches who are tasked with guarding an ancient Dark Oak and the evil contained in it. The cost of their magic is their memories, though, and each sister deals with that price differently.

Calliope, the youngest, is all too happy to sacrifice memories in an attempt to forget the pain of her past. And when the dark magic contained in the Oak threatens to unleash, she makes a risky move that binds her to a dark and ruthless stranger who’ll stop at nothing to undo everything Calliope, her sisters and all of the Petridi women who’ve come before them have done to keep their town and the people they love safe.

As the story unfolds, the connections between Light and Shadow become more entwined. And the tension is well-paced.

I was deeply interested in each of the main characters and felt they were all relatively well developed. I didn’t want to leave them and their world. While the beginning took me a bit to get into, the pace of the story picked up quickly and I didn’t want to put it down.

The romance element was sweet with a bit of spice.

I loved the storyline and the ending was satisfying (although there’s definitely room for a sequel here, which I’d love to see).

Thank you to Breanne, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.