Chef Sirena is having a tremendously bad October, her cooking skills are on the fritz, she didn't get the job she was after, and then just as the month is ending (thankfully) she humiliates herself at the town Halloween party (and in front of Gus, a reality star/magician who has moved to town).  She makes a wish for a do-over, a chance to fix everything that has gone wrong, and in the Halloween spirit of Groundhog Day, she wakes up the next morning and it's October 1st again and she gets a redo of the month.  While trying to make a better month and get her cooking groove back (she is a kitchen witch after all), she makes a deal with Gus - she'll help decipher his mysterious cookbook and he'll help her find her cooking magic.
I grabbed this audio widget thinking it would be fun to have a cute witchy romance (I had just listened to the Ex Hex) - but there was just too much going on here.  There is a time loop or two in addition to the magic and my little mortal brain just couldn't handle it all.  I thought since there is cooking and magic I'd love it since I like those two things but the plot was just a bit too messy for my taste.  In all fairness to the story - it is the third in the series so there is the chance that if I had read the other two I would have been more enchanted, but this one just didn't work for me.

3.25 stars

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the ALC, this book is now out!
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2.5. This was unfortunately not for me. I wasn't aware it was part of an interconnected standalone series which threw me off to begin with and I found it hard to recover from there. Not having been strongly introduced to the cast of characters I found it hard to keep track of the story at times. The last third was a bit all over the place and I found little to no reason to root for the main couple outside of the fact they were fated to each other. I can see this being for some people if you want something that is a quick read and definitely a good escape but I was not in the mood for that and I tend to like a bit more that for me was missing.

3.5 Stars A fun listen and perfect for witchy fall vibes! This cozy magical romance is an interconnected standalone in the Elemental Love series. I really liked the MCs, Selena and Gus, and how even two magical beings face insecurity. Thanks Forever for the ALC!

This is the third book in this series and each one follows a different person but they all tie together and I love that. All of the books are great cozy, romantic fall reads. This one was a lot more spicy than the first two which I was digging. This is a book that you should curl up with a warm cup of your favorite beverage, with your favorite blanket and a nice fire to read.

Deja Brew is the perfect pumpkin spice latte of a romance, cozy and heartwarming—just what you’d want for the month of October! This witchy romance was cute and full of charm, offering a light and enchanting escape for those who want a seasonal read without the horror, gore, or ghostly elements.

The production was neat and overall very enjoyable, though I think it would have added a bit more nuance if Serena’s dialogue had still been voiced by the female narrator during Gus’s POV and vice versa for Gus’s dialogue in Serena’s POV. This little touch could have made the character dynamics even more engaging.

That aside, the story itself was a delight—a fun, sweet romance with just the right amount of magical charm. If you’re looking for an easy, feel-good October read that will leave you smiling, *Deja Brew* is a great pick!

I loved it! Favorite of the series! The family, the food, the innuendo, the tension, the spice! Perfect cozy romance for Fall. Loved the dual narration! Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.

This audio was a perfect companion to this book! I thought both narrators fit their characters and were enjoyable to listen to. The emotion and tenderness of the voices were a perfidy fit for this witchy romance!

I could see how some would like this book. I enjoyed the idea of the book and the characters were fun. It just did not flow well. I felt like it jumped from scene to scene and I was confused on what was going on.

This was a very cute book. I am sad that I did not realize it was a part of a series before I read it but I will definitely be going back to read the others books because I really enjoyed the world building. I loved the magic and coziest of this book. I also love how Gus worshipped and protected Sirena - swoon. There as a LOT of spice in this one too - whew! I also love a time travel element in a book although it probably could have ended after the second October ended because I feel that the conflicts were a little unnecessary after that point. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for spooky season. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Sirena has a month to get her life back on track. After accidentally wishing for a redo, she wakes up back at the beginning of October.

Gus is a former showman and the current conservator of the local historical society. He’s seen Sirena around town but has never made a move to get to know her. He can sense that something amiss but can’t put his finger on what’s happening.

This book was cute and had super fun spooky time vibes. What it lacked was deeper character development. I really wanted to love this one but I kept finding myself drifting away from the book because the stakes didn’t feel high enough and I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to.

The audiobook narrator did a great job.


Thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for the ALC.

Sirena Caraway has a one-month do-over to get her life back on track, or risk being stuck in a time loop. She hopes maybe she can save a disastrous interview and a bad decision here or there. What she doesn't expect, is a blossoming relationship with former reality TV magician Gus. Both feel like they have lost their spark, but little do they know it's each other that could reignite the spark missing from their lives.

These books are cute fall reads. I've read all three sister's stories, but at the end of the day, they don't really stick with me after I'm done reading. I mean I might have read this 5 days ago by now and nothing really sticks out anymore.

Read if you like friends-to-lovers romance featuring BIPOC/plus-sized characters that include magical realism and Time Loops. Thanks to the publisher for the ALC in return for an honest review. This book is out now.

Thank you Forever and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this enjoyable audiobook. Deja Brew is the 3rd book in the Elemental Love series by Celestine Martin.
I have thoroughly enjoyed Sirena's and Gus's second chance love story with fall cozy vibes and magical and witchy elements. I thought the narrators for this audiobook were right on point and only added to it was already a great story. This will definitely not be the last book I read by this author!

Deja Brew was all of the cozy, witchy fall dreams I could want in audiobook format! I hope there’s another one out next year for spooky season!

I enjoyed this little magical book. I listened to it as an audiobook and it was still just as descriptive as I imagine the book would be. I felt emersed in their little world of a mythical New Jersey and found myself longing to be there. As I always say we all know how much I love a kitchen witch situation so I loved this storyline. I do have to say though that one of my favorite parts was Lucy and Alex jumping over the broom at their wedding! As a black woman who also jumped the broom at her wedding I felt very recognized haha. Overall this was good, the audio is great and I really enjoyed this!

DNF @ 89%

Oh my gosh I wanted to love this book so much. I loved the plus-sized rep and the black characters. The small town feel was really cute as well and the spice was sizzling. However I found that I didn’t feel the emotional development as much. Since the author was trying to prove that they had a deep soulmate level connection I had an even harder time with how noncommittal Sirena was. I just really didn't buy that they were soulmates at all which was a shame because I loved both of the characters individually. They have very strong motivations and compelling backstories. I was rooting for both of them on their own but not necessarily as a couple. I also felt like the magical elements weren't tied into the story in a coherent way. They didn't feel like they made sense in the world which was frustrating. If you're looking for black main characters or plus-sized rep this might be worth a try. I just know it wasn't for me.


The dual narration was very enjoyable and honestly kept me listening to the audiobook longer than I intended to because I really enjoyed Sirena's narration especially. If you have the chance to get this book in audio I would definitely recommend it.

Deja Brew is a delightful and quirky tale that will leave you craving a cup of coffee. With her signature wit and charm, Martin weaves a captivating story of friendship, love, and the power of a good latte.

The story follows Anya, a barista who is struggling to find her place in the world. When she accepts a job at a mysterious coffee shop, Anya discovers a world of secret societies, magical brews, and a handsome barista who might just steal her heart.

Martin's writing is both witty and heartwarming, creating a charming and inviting atmosphere. The characters are quirky and endearing, making it easy to root for their happiness. The magical elements of the story are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, adding a touch of whimsy and wonder.

If you're looking for a lighthearted and fun read that will leave you smiling, Deja Brew is a must-read. It is a truly delightful story that will make you want to grab a cup of coffee and dive into the world of Anya and her magical friends.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ALC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Hachette Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!

This was the perfect book to kick off October with. A paranormal second chance romance between two people who couldn't be more different, but who, somehow, complement each other so well.

This book felt like a warm, cozy hug and I really enjoyed watching Sirena and Gus fall in love. Their chemistry was off the charts (SEVERAL spicy scenes!), and the way they supported each other was so sweet.

I loved the relationship between the 'Caraway Girls' and how they cared for one another. Female relationships in books always get me in the feels.

I will say the ending did feel a bit rushed and I wanted the characters to go just a little deeper with each other, but overall this was such an enjoyable read and I'd love to read more from this author.

Here's some of what you can expect:

- Soulmates/Fated
- Paranormal Romance
- Second Chance
- Cozy, Fall Vibes
- He Falls Hard
- Small Town

Book Title: Deja Brew
Author: Celestine Martin
Narrated by: Marissa Hampton & Christopher Hampton
Format Read: Audiobook

Deja Brew is a cute and easy magical, autumnal romance

Sirena Caraway is a magical chef witch who seems to have lost her culinary magic. She drinks a magic tea and makes a wish only to find herself reliving the entire month of October. Enter Gus Dearworth, a former reality TV star and celebrity magician, who's now working at a historical society in hopes of settling down and leaving his flashy past behind. He vows to help her find her magic and become more fun, and she'll help him with some cookbooks at his historical society.

I’ll admit, I picked up this book because the cover screamed cozy autumn romance, and I was totally on board for some pumpkin spice vibes. The title had me expecting something fun like pumpkin beer or lattes—but within a few minutes, I realized I had stepped into a paranormal romance featuring witches and magicians. Not necessarily a bad thing, but not what I was expecting.

While the magical setting is integral to the explanation behind the time loop, I felt that the world-building wasn't as developed as I’d hoped. I almost felt like I could connect with the characters more if they weren't magical. The book juggled a lot of elements—soulmates, family drama, career struggles, ex-relationships, and of course, the time loop. It made the story feel a bit scattered, as if there wasn’t a clear goal or focus for the characters.

That being said, I really loved the scenes at the historical society! Having worked at one myself, I couldn’t help but cheer when Gus started talking about the provenance of magical items—it was such a fun detail that resonated with me.

Marissa Hampton and Christopher Hampton both did a solid job bringing Sirena and Gus to life. Their voices worked well together, and they added a nice energy to the story. It was easy to listen to and enhanced the cozy vibe of the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the advanced reader copy.

Deja Brew had a really interesting universe that drew me in right away. It was the witchy read I was looking for to get into that magical fall mood. However, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. While the setting was enchanting, I didn't feel as invested in the characters or their journey, which left me a bit detached from the overall experience.

It was still enjoyable in parts, especially for the atmosphere, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression for me in terms of character development or emotional engagement.

This book has all the elects that would make it seem like the perfect read for me but I found it to be just ok. There’s a distinct possibility that I wasn’t a fan of the narration. I don’t know but it was just an ok read nothing really special.