**Read If You Like:**

- Witchcraft and magical realism
- Romantic entanglements with a supernatural twist
- Stories of self-discovery and confronting personal demons
- Tales of family secrets and generational curses
- Atmospheric settings with a touch of whimsy

In *Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things*, Calliope Petridi, along with her two sisters, harbors the secret of their magical heritage in the quaint town of Gold Springs. Their magic comes at a cost: each spell cast requires the sacrifice of a cherished memory. Yearning to forget her mother's abrupt departure, her growing distance from her sisters, and the heartbreak from a past love, Calliope's life takes an unexpected turn when an ancient evil resurfaces. This threat fractures the delicate bond among the sisters, causing their magic to wane. In a desperate bid to save their town and restore their powers, Calliope inadvertently binds herself to the enigmatic leader of a rival coven known for their relentless quest for dominance. Navigating this uneasy alliance forces Calliope to confront buried memories, unravel family secrets, and face formidable magic, all while grappling with her own identity and desires.

Breanne Randall masterfully intertwines elements of magic, romance, and self-discovery in this tale. The evolving relationship between Calliope and the rival coven leader adds layers of tension and intrigue, blending trust, betrayal, and undeniable attraction. The narrative delves deep into themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of familial bonds, all set against a backdrop of enchanting spells and small-town charm.

*Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things* offers readers an immersive experience, combining the allure of witchcraft with heartfelt storytelling. It's a journey of magic, love, and self-realization that will resonate with fans of supernatural romances and tales of personal transformation.

Thanks for my ARC!!!

An enchanting start to a new series by Breanne Randall.

One in three, three in one.

The women of the Petridi family have always had magic, but their magic comes with a price. To access their power, memories must be sacrificed. It's this sacrifice that keeps two of the three Petridi sisters of Gold Springs from even touching their power. This has left Calliope, the youngest, as the only one guarding the town and her family from an evil they know little about. All she does know, is that for generations Petridi women have guarded the Dark Oak and kept whatever evil it contains under lock and key.

But as something causes the enchantments to weaken and their protections over the Dark Oak wane, Calliope will stop at nothing to find a way to strengthen them and save the town. What she doesn't count on is a tall, dark, handsome stranger swooping in and making everything more complicated than it already is. Will they be able to stop whatever is happening before it is too late?

This was such a great read! This is the second book by Ms. Randall that I have read and its by far my favorite (so far.) I loved the way that sisterhood and family was at the center of this story. And the way old prejudices were overcome and new bonds formed despite years of hatred.

The shop the sisters own, Tea and Tome, sounds absolutely heavenly and I'm quite sad that nothing quite like that exists near me. I could live forever in the Petridi family shop and be quite content. I'll admit, I didn't quite see the ending coming. I don't know what I as expecting to happen, but the revelations made were not it! That being said, I'm not disappointed in the least. I think if you should decide to pick this one up you would enjoy it as much as I!

DNFing at 24%

I really am disappointed with this book - I absolutely loved the blurb and the premise, and was so excited to dive in. The concept of the sisters and family magic, a darker and lighter side, a bond between the two…all of that intrigued me. But the writing style honestly drove my eyelids to droop anytime I tried to read more than a chapter at a time. The prose felt dense - in a way that bogged the story down for me. I tried the audio and the narrator just wasn’t doing it for me either.

I’m giving this a three because I truly feel like this is a me problem and not necessarily a book problem - I’d even consider revisiting in the future.

What a lovely witchy book with cozy small town vibes! I absolutely loved the story, the characters, the setting, I enjoyed everything about it so much! It did take me a while to get immersed in the story, but I still had a great time with it.

This book was so good! While the magic world was complex, it didn’t feel overwhelming. Author slowly divulged more and more information about the magic system in the world, and it had a very easy flow. The characters were incredibly lovable. The one liners were fantastic. It was a great journey of self, grief, family, and love all wrapped into one. I really enjoyed that both the fmc and mmc each had sister(s) in which they were working to save. To save them required wading through generations of hatred and prejudice and doing their best to erase it. The way the author wrote colored the novel with the most beautiful, bright colors. Her vivid imagination really brought the story to life. The ending was perfect, and left a great opening for book 2!

I was hoping for more of a whimsical and small-town charm vibe to this story than what it turned out to be. Spell, Strings, and Forgotten Things is the story of Calliope, Thalia, and Eurydice, sisters who happens to be witches. There is a battle of good vs evil with a little bit of romance thrown into the story. It was an enjoyable book. Thanks to the author Breanne Randall, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Breanne Randall’s Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a beautifully atmospheric novel that weaves together magic, family secrets, and self-discovery in a way that kept me hooked from the very first page. As someone who loves fantasy with a touch of romance, this book delivered on both fronts while also offering an emotional depth that made it stand out.

The story follows Saoirse, a young woman who returns to the coastal town of her childhood, only to find herself unraveling long-buried family mysteries and rediscovering the magic that has always been a part of her lineage. The setting is so vividly described that I felt like I was right there—surrounded by the salty ocean breeze, the whispers of forgotten spells, and the lingering shadows of the past.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the way Randall crafted her characters. Saoirse is strong but deeply flawed, making her journey feel incredibly real. Her relationships—especially the tension-filled romance—felt natural and well-developed, adding layers to the already rich narrative. I also loved the themes of identity, belonging, and the power of embracing one’s heritage, which resonated with me throughout the story.

The pacing was well-balanced, blending moments of quiet introspection with thrilling revelations. While some twists were predictable, the emotional weight behind them made them impactful. And the magic system? Absolutely enchanting. It felt organic to the story, rooted in folklore and tradition rather than flashy spells for the sake of spectacle.

Overall, Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things was an immersive and beautifully written novel that left me thinking about its characters and themes long after I turned the last page. If you love lyrical writing, coastal witchy vibes, and a story about finding your place in the world, I highly recommend giving this one a read!

Calliope Petridi’s magic comes at a cost—her memories. The more powerful the spell, the more of herself she loses. But forgetting is easier than facing the cracks in her life: a mother who vanished, sisters she’s drifting from, and a love that left her shattered. When an ancient evil threatens Gold Springs, Calliope finds herself bound to Lucien, the infuriatingly handsome leader of a rival coven. With their town in danger, family secrets unraveling, and a battle between good and evil looming, Calliope must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect those she loves.

This book was pure cozy, magical comfort. It’s a heartwarming tale of family, sacrifice, and love—woven with Greek and French heritage, a touch of mystery, and just enough romantic tension to keep things interesting. If you love *Practical Magic*, this one leans even closer to that vibe than Randall’s last book. There’s a sprinkle of spice between Calliope and Lucien, but it stays mostly clean, focusing more on their push-and-pull dynamic as they stand on opposite sides of an age-old battle.

The plot is a little predictable, but honestly? That’s part of what makes it such a comforting read. For someone like me, who struggles with anxiety, I love a book that follows a path of magic, family, and healing while still offering just enough mystery and danger to keep things engaging. It’s the kind of book you curl up with when you need something enchanting, emotional, and ultimately, full of closure.

SPELLS, STRINGS & FORGOTTEN THINGS by Breanne Randall

Sisters Calliope (Opie), Thalia and Eurydice (Dissy - can we please get a better nickname?) are cursed with losing memories if/when they do magic. Props for the unique magic system, incorporation of music and the diversity of the characters. The cozy small town setting gave me ‘Stars Hollow’ and ‘Charmed’ vibes; I appreciate that.

However, I didn’t care for the over-explaining of everything, the multiple cliches, plot conveniences, and the (rushed, forced) “enemies to lovers” romance. There were also many references to other books/movies that took me out of the story and didn’t mesh well with the world.

In short, I liked this for the witchy-sisterhood vibes, but I wasn’t wowed by it. If you’re into all things cozy and magical, you’ll probably enjoy this series.


Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Pub Date: 03.04.25
**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & AtRandomBooks

This book had a cozy yet mysterious feel to it. We meet three sisters who, because of an ancient family curse, must give up memories to use their magic. One of the sisters gets herself "bonded" to a very handsome member of a rival coven. From there, long-buried secrets start resurfacing, and the sisters discover that things they believed to be true may not be exactly as they believe. This book made me question what I would do in the same situation as the sisters. Would I sacrifice memories to access my magic?

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc!!

If you are looking for a cozy witchy book coupled with fantasy this is the book for you! Spells, Strings and Forgotten Things was a very well written story with romance, family and some spell casting.

I felt this book was a bit slower paced for me and didn't really pick up the steam I thought it would. That said, I remain a big fan of Breanne Randall and look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC.

Spells, Strings and Forgotten things is incredibly written. The characters are relatable and real was one of my favorite things because you can't find writing like that anymore. However for myself this book wasn't for me, I'm not a fan of slow paced books. This was to slow for me. I wanted more explanation to the magic system which seemed straightforward but unless I missed it, it never said the why. I do recommend this book if you like detail, mystism, relatable characters.

Did you watch and love Charmed? You’re going to love this. This was a cozy fantasy in that the action part of the plot was rushed and didn’t always make a lot of sense. I really think that could have used some refining. Also the romance was good except there was a time when it was all of a sudden they were in love and he was talking to her in a way that seemed out of place for where they were in the relationship. But overall a low stakes cozy read.

I just love witches. I'm always drawn to stories about witches, this book being no exception.

Calliope and her sisters are witches—cursed witches, actually. In order to perform magic they must sacrifice a memory. The bigger the spell, the bigger the memory. I thought this was such an interesting concept and gave the story a bit more edge, more risk.

I am not a huge fan of romance so I felt indifferent towards Calliope and Lucien. I didn't hate the romance aspect, but I preferred reading about her sisters and especially the town. One of my favorite things about witchy stories is they often take place in these wonderful, cozy towns.

Now, there were a couple things I didn't care for. I felt the history behind the Petridis was kind of hard to follow, maybe a little too convoluted. And, this is probably my dislike for romance showing, but Lucien calling Calliope 'Little Muse' made my skin crawl. It just seemed condescending and infantilizing.

<b> Cozy witchy romance that I couldn’t stop thinking about for weeks after I read the last page! </b>

<b>Synopsis:</b> A world where you must sacrifice your most precious memories in order to perform the spells you must and save those around you? ABSOLUTELY give this story to me right now. Three sisters who were once close, are growing more and more distant due to this. Calliope, our heroine and FMC is drawn to Lucien, a member of a rival coven and the must work together to overcome the looming darkness that surrounds them, all while secretly falling for each other in a sizzling heated romance.

<b>My Thoughts:</b> I genuinely enjoyed this book tremendously. I loved Breanne’s first novel so picking up her second was a no-brainer for me. Having not normally been a fantasy or romantasy genre person, I can’t help but LOVE they was I was sucked into this novel and the world that it builds. Extra bonus, I will forever love the recipes that come along with Breanne’s novels and can’t wait to try a few for myself! I am excited that this is a series!!

<i><b> Thank you, NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. <b></i>

Wow! Even though this book took me a little bit to get into, once it picked up I was hooked! The magic and mystery, hidden stories and truths. And the ending that made it all come together! I enjoyed this wild ride. And the slow burn between Calliope and Lucien. 🔥 Loved it so much. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to start this one but it ended up being slightly disappointing, I wasn't able to finish it because the characters were too unlikeable, the sisters were very rude and the FMC was very self-centered also the romance for me didn't really make sense and felt a little forced. However the magic system was very interesting that was the main thing that I liked, I also really appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation in this book.

In Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things, sisters and Lightcrafters Calliope, Thalia, and Eurydice Petridi must come together to heal their dwindling magic and string of fate that connects them to each other to guard the Dark Oak, an ancient tree protected by enchantments casted by generations of Petridi women. When Calliope attempts to take matters into her own hands, she ends up binding herself to Lucien, a Shadowcrafter who seeks the power within the Dark Oak. They must quickly learn to set aside their prejudices and collectively use their magic to save the ones they love.

First and foremost, I loved how truly magical this book was! The witchy vibes were always on. I adored their sentient book, Grim, that contained spells, recipes, potions, and their family history. All the dishes, baked goods, and drinks made in the book sounded heavenly, and I appreciate that the author included recipes of some of these things (I look forward to trying a few). Their small town gave off a Gilmore Girls feel that made me want to visit their fictional town of Gold Springs, especially the sisters’ tearoom and bookstore, Tea and Tome. I wish their Moonlight Festival in preparation of Ostara was a real event because I’d without a doubt attend. And I wholeheartedly appreciated the diverse characters, LGBTQ representation, and sisterhood amongst them.

While there were numerous things I loved, I was left with too many unanswered questions. There was a lot of repetition, for example, the amount of times it was mentioned that Lucien smells like apples and the constant reminder of the sisters’ mother abandoning them, among other things. And while the two main characters had chemistry, the more intimate scenes didn’t feel organic. The storyline had a lot of potential but because of the repetitive nature, it felt it was a little longer than need be.

Would I recommend this book for the vibes alone? Yes. There’s nothing I love
more than a magical read. Beyond that, I don’t know that I could. However, I do hope that whoever is curious and picks this up enjoys it!

Read if you love:
Witchy romance
LGBTQ rep
Small town
Family drama
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Tattooed shadow daddy

Thank you to the author Breanne Randall, Random House Publishing Group, and
NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Calliope and her sisters are able to do magic, but at a cost - they pay for it by sacrificing memories. With the mountain of things Calliope would rather not remember, this doesn’t feel like a great loss. That is until danger comes to the town their family is tasked with protecting, and she has to confront those memories and work with someone she can’t trust, Lucien who is a shadowcrafter
As they work together sparks of all sorts fly

I liked the interactions with both their families, and how the book showed what each would be willing to do to protect those they love.
And family secrets lead to some shocking revelations
The romantic relationship runs hot and cold at times, as they fight their attraction. The burn is a little slow, but it gets there

I did feel like the magical system was a bit overcomplicated, with all the curses and secrets keeping the sides separated
And, as someone with an admittedly bad memory, I don’t know that I’d willingly given them up one by one for easily done things like warming a room or getting a drink. And I’m positive I’d be an obsessive journal to protect the bigger ones. Probably digitally so I could search it. So at times that was frustrating.

I am interested enough in the family - and where we were left in the epilogue - that I’ll likely check in on the next installment of their story

Thanks to Dell for the arc!

Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things is a witchy story filled with sisters rekindling their bond, and trying to break generational curses.

This wasn't the cozy witch story that I thought it was going to be when I first requested this ARC. I enjoyed The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, so I was hoping for a book similar to that. Though that isn't what we have, it was still an interesting story. This was more of a fantasy vibe. If you like witches, shadow daddies, and romantasy series, you'll enjoy this! Filled with some spicy scenes, you'll be left asking "what happens next?" Filled with LGBTQ+ representation, as well!