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Sisters of Light and Shadow #1
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things
A young witch cursed with sacrificing memories to cast spells must decide how much she’s willing to lose to save her town in this thrilling tale of magic, love, and self-discovery—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic.
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. The more powerful the magic, the greater the memory required.
Luckily, all Calliope wants to do is forget. Forget the mother who left them without a trace. Forget the cracks in her relationships with her judgmental oldest sister, Thalia, and her distant middle sister, Eurydice. Forget about the very cost of her magic. And most of all, forget the way the love of her life shattered her heart two years ago.
But when an ancient evil awakens in their town, the fragile thread that holds the sisters together breaks. As their magic slowly begins to fade, Calliope accidentally binds herself to an annoyingly handsome leader of a rival coven infamous for their ruthless pursuit of power.
Battling a sizzling chemistry to a man she can't trust, Calliope needs to confront her sisters and the painful memories of her past, dark family secrets, and ancient magic in order to keep the town and all she loves safe. But will she have anything left of herself?
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. The more powerful the magic, the greater the memory required.
Luckily, all Calliope wants to do is forget. Forget the mother who left them without a trace. Forget the cracks in her relationships with her judgmental oldest sister, Thalia, and her distant middle sister, Eurydice. Forget about the very cost of her magic. And most of all, forget the way the love of her life shattered her heart two years ago.
But when an ancient evil awakens in their town, the fragile thread that holds the sisters together breaks. As their magic slowly begins to fade, Calliope accidentally binds herself to an annoyingly handsome leader of a rival coven infamous for their ruthless pursuit of power.
Battling a sizzling chemistry to a man she can't trust, Calliope needs to confront her sisters and the painful memories of her past, dark family secrets, and ancient magic in order to keep the town and all she loves safe. But will she have anything left of herself?
386 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2025
583 people are currently reading
73391 people want to read
About the author
Breanne Randall
2 books1,504 followersBreanne lives in the sleepy foothills of Northern California with her husband, two daughters, and a slew of farm animals. When she’s not writing, you can find her wandering the property searching for fairy portals or serving elaborate stuffed animal tea parties.
As a journalist, her work has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Fit Pregnancy, Disney Family, Bustle, Brides, et. al. A seasoned traveler, she imbues her stories with the magic and culture collected from the over forty countries she’s visited.
As a journalist, her work has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Fit Pregnancy, Disney Family, Bustle, Brides, et. al. A seasoned traveler, she imbues her stories with the magic and culture collected from the over forty countries she’s visited.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 791 reviews
August 24, 2024
I haven’t read this book but saw that it got a one star review on Netgalley for having an LGBTQ character.
Here’s my five star review for having an LGBTQ character.
Here’s my five star review for having an LGBTQ character.
December 1, 2024
(Please note: I read an advanced reader copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. #SpellsStringsandForgottenThings #NetGalley)
2 Stars - ⭐⭐
Young Lightcraft witch, Calliope, continues to reel from her mother's sudden disappearence and abandonment, even fifteen years later. She and her two sisters, Thalia and Eurydice, manage a cozy life in their hometown as owners of a local tea and bookstore, but their inability to do magic without sacrificing memories puts a painful twist in the reality of their situation.
When a Shadowcrafter named Lucien and disquieting signs point to the upheaval of the sisters' guardianship over an old and dark magic, Calliope takes it upon herself to protect her family's magic, the town and her sisters. But, she finds herself accidentally bound to Lucien, who has an agenda of his own. Together, they need to face their prejudices toward one another to use magic to save the ones they love.
Author Breanne Randall enlists the curious premise of magic at a cost in this enemies-to-lovers, "Pride and Prejudice" meets "Charmed" inspired novel. "Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things"is her second novel.
Cutting right to it, unfortunately this book was not for me. My thanks still go to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Breanne Randall for the opportunity to read this, but the list of reasons for me to like it did not beat out the growing gripes as to why I didn't. This book was hard for me to enjoy. Craft of writing wise, there was simply too much for me to excuse and as a reader, there were disorienting decisions made that for the sake of honesty and professionalism, I think need to be addressed.
The magic system in this, while intriguing in theory, relied too heavily on cliches and missed the mark one too many times due to over explanation and plot convenience. The mix of formal, magic-forward language with the modern banter and bickering, between Calliope and Lucien most of all, was often jarring and made it difficult to get into the story. The dialogue and character voices were two dimensional or completely unrealistic, lacking the entertaining element I think it was meant to have, to a point I noted several times "Who talks like this?". Calliope in particular, characterized for her ceaseless talk, stubbornness, and self-made martyr from suffering of her own creation, was hard to like. The most compelling characters, in my opinion, are Thalia, Eurydice, and Lucien, so I was frustrated with how this story overall was executed.
The plot itself was frustratingly predictable and drawn out unnecessarily. The pacing varied from too rapid —skimming over key action by barely describing what was happening to get to the next thing without fully processing what was going on— to so slow it was dragging on with no end in sight. The highs barely stuck around, so it didn't allow enough time to escalate again to root for the main characters during the lows. It was a whiplash of "Someone's died" to "Here's some more banter", that it made it hard to care about the characters, their wants, needs, and goals.
Specifically relating to the latter in terms of poor timing, the spicier scenes need to be addressed. The smut is forced. "The world is ending, let's f***" got real old real fast. It felt out of nowhere and it was clear that bickering is just their foreplay, when the real foreplay should have been character development. The romance is fickle given that you can't tell if it's because of their bond or because they are truly falling in love. The two hot and heavier scenes were well-written sure, but what purpose did they serve in the larger picture of the plot? Calliope's whiplash attitude from charming to infuriated constantly was incessant, and reading "Little Muse" over and over made it lose its meaning that I wanted to throw my phone any time it came up again. I didn't feel that draw or wave of blush with the two of them. (Also SPOILER: him making flowers literally bloom when he makes her climax was positively ridiculous.)
The "________" meets "_______" formula got old for me very quick. It was too reliant on nostalgia and popular media that it missed opportunities for originality that could have truly driven the literary craft side of things that I think this was going for. It was like this book can't make up its mind as to whether it wants to be a cozy genre fiction or dark academia fantasy epic. It felt like a weak market grab, especially since I could see the ACOTAR influences here. I think this ended up being a way to stay up to date with the current market and that was disappointing as a reader. I understand that three sisters and Shadow Daddy's aren't exclusive to ACOTAR, but simply calling Lucien a shadow daddy doesn't make him one.
Lastly, without spoiling anything, the bit with the aunts was infuriatingly convenient and felt careless. It seemed like a matter of plot convenience, and all in all, the whole book felt like a Plot Stew: just throw in whatever you want and assume it will taste good without any thought for what might /actually/ taste good.
The redeeming factor of reading this for me was the end. It was the only time I felt a proper sense of characterization and chemistry, and made me wonder if there was a different, better story that could have been started there instead. I understand that two more books are in the works for this series now, and unfortunately, I will not be reading them. Like I said, this wasn't for me but I hope others can enjoy.
2 Stars - ⭐⭐
Young Lightcraft witch, Calliope, continues to reel from her mother's sudden disappearence and abandonment, even fifteen years later. She and her two sisters, Thalia and Eurydice, manage a cozy life in their hometown as owners of a local tea and bookstore, but their inability to do magic without sacrificing memories puts a painful twist in the reality of their situation.
When a Shadowcrafter named Lucien and disquieting signs point to the upheaval of the sisters' guardianship over an old and dark magic, Calliope takes it upon herself to protect her family's magic, the town and her sisters. But, she finds herself accidentally bound to Lucien, who has an agenda of his own. Together, they need to face their prejudices toward one another to use magic to save the ones they love.
Author Breanne Randall enlists the curious premise of magic at a cost in this enemies-to-lovers, "Pride and Prejudice" meets "Charmed" inspired novel. "Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things"is her second novel.
Cutting right to it, unfortunately this book was not for me. My thanks still go to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Breanne Randall for the opportunity to read this, but the list of reasons for me to like it did not beat out the growing gripes as to why I didn't. This book was hard for me to enjoy. Craft of writing wise, there was simply too much for me to excuse and as a reader, there were disorienting decisions made that for the sake of honesty and professionalism, I think need to be addressed.
The magic system in this, while intriguing in theory, relied too heavily on cliches and missed the mark one too many times due to over explanation and plot convenience. The mix of formal, magic-forward language with the modern banter and bickering, between Calliope and Lucien most of all, was often jarring and made it difficult to get into the story. The dialogue and character voices were two dimensional or completely unrealistic, lacking the entertaining element I think it was meant to have, to a point I noted several times "Who talks like this?". Calliope in particular, characterized for her ceaseless talk, stubbornness, and self-made martyr from suffering of her own creation, was hard to like. The most compelling characters, in my opinion, are Thalia, Eurydice, and Lucien, so I was frustrated with how this story overall was executed.
The plot itself was frustratingly predictable and drawn out unnecessarily. The pacing varied from too rapid —skimming over key action by barely describing what was happening to get to the next thing without fully processing what was going on— to so slow it was dragging on with no end in sight. The highs barely stuck around, so it didn't allow enough time to escalate again to root for the main characters during the lows. It was a whiplash of "Someone's died" to "Here's some more banter", that it made it hard to care about the characters, their wants, needs, and goals.
Specifically relating to the latter in terms of poor timing, the spicier scenes need to be addressed. The smut is forced. "The world is ending, let's f***" got real old real fast. It felt out of nowhere and it was clear that bickering is just their foreplay, when the real foreplay should have been character development. The romance is fickle given that you can't tell if it's because of their bond or because they are truly falling in love. The two hot and heavier scenes were well-written sure, but what purpose did they serve in the larger picture of the plot? Calliope's whiplash attitude from charming to infuriated constantly was incessant, and reading "Little Muse" over and over made it lose its meaning that I wanted to throw my phone any time it came up again. I didn't feel that draw or wave of blush with the two of them. (Also SPOILER: him making flowers literally bloom when he makes her climax was positively ridiculous.)
The "________" meets "_______" formula got old for me very quick. It was too reliant on nostalgia and popular media that it missed opportunities for originality that could have truly driven the literary craft side of things that I think this was going for. It was like this book can't make up its mind as to whether it wants to be a cozy genre fiction or dark academia fantasy epic. It felt like a weak market grab, especially since I could see the ACOTAR influences here. I think this ended up being a way to stay up to date with the current market and that was disappointing as a reader. I understand that three sisters and Shadow Daddy's aren't exclusive to ACOTAR, but simply calling Lucien a shadow daddy doesn't make him one.
Lastly, without spoiling anything, the bit with the aunts was infuriatingly convenient and felt careless. It seemed like a matter of plot convenience, and all in all, the whole book felt like a Plot Stew: just throw in whatever you want and assume it will taste good without any thought for what might /actually/ taste good.
The redeeming factor of reading this for me was the end. It was the only time I felt a proper sense of characterization and chemistry, and made me wonder if there was a different, better story that could have been started there instead. I understand that two more books are in the works for this series now, and unfortunately, I will not be reading them. Like I said, this wasn't for me but I hope others can enjoy.
Want to read
July 20, 2024Pride and prejudice meets charmed, where the protagonist has to sacrifice memories to power her magic and there’s a shadow daddy rival coven leader love interest WAS THIS BOOK WRITTEN JUST FOR ME ?!!?!
March 10, 2025
"A young witch cursed with sacrificing memories to cast spells must decide how much she’s willing to lose to save her town in this thrilling tale of magic, love, and self-discovery"
THANK YOU, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell, for providing me with this ARC! ♥
what to expect:
🪄small town
🪄enemies to lovers
🪄atmospheric
🪄cozy & magical
🪄witches x shadow crafters
This book had a lot of potential but ultimately fell short for me; it felt more average compared to others in the genre. I really enjoyed the overarching setup of the storyline, which combines elements of "Charmed" and "Pride and Prejudice." The prologue immediately hooked me, and I appreciated the logic of the magic system - using memories to craft magic is alluring and clever. The dynamic between the sisters was also enjoyable, along with the concept of 'shadow crafters.' There’s plenty of action throughout, making it engaging and fun. However, I’m not sure how this story will span a trilogy. Some stories are meant to be stretched out, but others, like this one, would work better as a standalone or at most a duology.
3.5 stars, but rounding down for consistency on GoodReads.
THANK YOU, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell, for providing me with this ARC! ♥
what to expect:
🪄small town
🪄enemies to lovers
🪄atmospheric
🪄cozy & magical
🪄witches x shadow crafters
This book had a lot of potential but ultimately fell short for me; it felt more average compared to others in the genre. I really enjoyed the overarching setup of the storyline, which combines elements of "Charmed" and "Pride and Prejudice." The prologue immediately hooked me, and I appreciated the logic of the magic system - using memories to craft magic is alluring and clever. The dynamic between the sisters was also enjoyable, along with the concept of 'shadow crafters.' There’s plenty of action throughout, making it engaging and fun. However, I’m not sure how this story will span a trilogy. Some stories are meant to be stretched out, but others, like this one, would work better as a standalone or at most a duology.
3.5 stars, but rounding down for consistency on GoodReads.
November 3, 2024
I wanted to love this book so bad. I even pre-ordered it before I was approved for the ARC because I loved The unfortunate side effects of heartbreak & magic so much. But this book did nothing for me 😫 it was overly descriptive and I found the FMC juvenile and annoying. This book is described as “Charmed meets Gilmore girls” which is 100% accurate, but too accurate. It followed the Charmed series way too closely and felt like a repeat episode.
This book could have easily been 100 pages less and I would have enjoyed it more. The over description of every mundane moment dragged this story out longer than needed. To the point I just didn’t care any more and had to skim to the good parts. And if had to read how Lucian smelled of apples, cinnamon and amber ONE MORE TIME I was going to throw my kindle 😑
The story itself has a lot of potential. I know that this will be a trilogy so I think there is time for the series to be redeemed. However, I will not be continuing it. If this wasn’t an ARC waiting for my review, I would have DNF’d at 25%.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.
This book could have easily been 100 pages less and I would have enjoyed it more. The over description of every mundane moment dragged this story out longer than needed. To the point I just didn’t care any more and had to skim to the good parts. And if had to read how Lucian smelled of apples, cinnamon and amber ONE MORE TIME I was going to throw my kindle 😑
The story itself has a lot of potential. I know that this will be a trilogy so I think there is time for the series to be redeemed. However, I will not be continuing it. If this wasn’t an ARC waiting for my review, I would have DNF’d at 25%.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.
October 25, 2024
I’ll start by saying that I genuinely dislike giving negative reviews. I understand that a book is like someone’s baby, and it makes me uncomfortable to express unfavorable opinions.
However, this particular book was simply not for me. I found it challenging to engage with the story and had to push myself to get through it.
I have several reasons for my feelings, and although I want to avoid being overly critical, I’ll say that I REALLY disliked nearly every single character. The main character was just… annoying, self centered and almost impossible to empathize with. Her relationships were all toxic, and although we were told her and her sister had this deep, complex bond, it really just seemed unhealthy. The love story made ZERO sense, and honestly I just didn’t get it. I literally had to draggg myself to finish this one.
I truly wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it really didn’t resonate with me. It's always disappointing when a much-anticipated read falls flat, and I really hope others may find something in it that I missed.
But for me it’s simply a hard no.
However, this particular book was simply not for me. I found it challenging to engage with the story and had to push myself to get through it.
I have several reasons for my feelings, and although I want to avoid being overly critical, I’ll say that I REALLY disliked nearly every single character. The main character was just… annoying, self centered and almost impossible to empathize with. Her relationships were all toxic, and although we were told her and her sister had this deep, complex bond, it really just seemed unhealthy. The love story made ZERO sense, and honestly I just didn’t get it. I literally had to draggg myself to finish this one.
I truly wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it really didn’t resonate with me. It's always disappointing when a much-anticipated read falls flat, and I really hope others may find something in it that I missed.
But for me it’s simply a hard no.
December 29, 2024
3.5 🌟
Finished this one! Overall, I had a great time with it!! It was super charmed vibes. V cozy romantasy!!! The way Lucien would speak to her was very pride & prejudice coded!!! While, I did enjoy it I wasnt super invested in the characters or the storyline. At the beginning I was but it kinda dragged for me a little at the halfway mark. The last 100 pages got a little crazy so overall good time! If you love witchy books a good read! 💗
It was also super slow burn!!!!!
Finished this one! Overall, I had a great time with it!! It was super charmed vibes. V cozy romantasy!!! The way Lucien would speak to her was very pride & prejudice coded!!! While, I did enjoy it I wasnt super invested in the characters or the storyline. At the beginning I was but it kinda dragged for me a little at the halfway mark. The last 100 pages got a little crazy so overall good time! If you love witchy books a good read! 💗
It was also super slow burn!!!!!
March 5, 2025
Breanne Randall is a new author for me. I pick this book up because the title grabbed my attention and it has a beautiful cover.
Description:
For as long as history can remember, there have been three Petridi sisters. Three sisters whose legacy is to protect the town from dark magic and other covens of ill-intent. For where magic gathers, there will be those who seek to claim it.
It's a thankless task for a town that knows nothing of magic, and the price of the sisters' magic is memories. The more powerful the magic, the greater the memory required.
Luckily, all Calliope Petridi wants to do is forget. Forget her judgmental oldest sister, Thalia, who refuses to do magic because of the cost. Forget how her other sister Eurydice only uses small magic for small memories, yet her spells are still more powerful. Forget about growing up with a grimoire that was more of a parent than their mother or father. Forget about the very cost of her magic. And most of all, forget the way the love of her life shattered her heart two years ago.
But something is coming. Something that is slowly fraying the strings of protections that generations of Petridi sisters have put in place...
My Thoughts:
This was a fun adventure, although somewhat dark. There's a curse and a feud between the Lightcraft and Shadowcraft witches that lies at the heart of the story. Things get difficult when Calliope, a Lightcraft witch accidentally binds herself to a Shadowcraft witch. I was fascinated by how the strings worked. The romance in the story was enjoyable with all the hurdles. The story was paced well and the characters were well drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories of magic and witchcraft.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
For as long as history can remember, there have been three Petridi sisters. Three sisters whose legacy is to protect the town from dark magic and other covens of ill-intent. For where magic gathers, there will be those who seek to claim it.
It's a thankless task for a town that knows nothing of magic, and the price of the sisters' magic is memories. The more powerful the magic, the greater the memory required.
Luckily, all Calliope Petridi wants to do is forget. Forget her judgmental oldest sister, Thalia, who refuses to do magic because of the cost. Forget how her other sister Eurydice only uses small magic for small memories, yet her spells are still more powerful. Forget about growing up with a grimoire that was more of a parent than their mother or father. Forget about the very cost of her magic. And most of all, forget the way the love of her life shattered her heart two years ago.
But something is coming. Something that is slowly fraying the strings of protections that generations of Petridi sisters have put in place...
My Thoughts:
This was a fun adventure, although somewhat dark. There's a curse and a feud between the Lightcraft and Shadowcraft witches that lies at the heart of the story. Things get difficult when Calliope, a Lightcraft witch accidentally binds herself to a Shadowcraft witch. I was fascinated by how the strings worked. The romance in the story was enjoyable with all the hurdles. The story was paced well and the characters were well drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories of magic and witchcraft.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell through Netgalley for an advance copy.
August 31, 2024
You know a book is good when you immediately message the author and ask if a sequel is in the works because 🥹🥹🥹 I really loved this. The author promised Charmed & Pride and Prejudice vibes, and she absolutely delivered. This was so atmospheric and had twists that actually gave me goosebumps. There were so many reveals that genuinely made me gasp!
This was so unique, yet it vividly felt like an episode of Charmed. The central romance was swoony, and I fell in love with these characters. This is an open-door romance, but I don’t think the spice was overdone whatsoever. To be honest, I would have enjoyed a few more scenes because these two were hot 🥵 felt a tiny bit like Phoebe and Cole (because this is a forbidden romance) and I was SO here for it.
I loved the magic system, world-building, and character development. This was such an intoxicating witchy romance with the sweetest small-town vibes combined with action-packed magic scenes. This was everything I was looking for, and I cannot wait to read the next book this author releases! My only complaint is that I wanted more!
If you’re a Charmed fan and you loved the early seasons because of the bond the sisters shared, and if you love the episodes where they explore the past/meet their ancestors, then you will love this.
Thank you Dell Romance and NetGalley for this amazing ARC! Also to the girl who gave this a 1 ⭐️ review for having a LGBTQ character and not putting a “trigger warning”, you can go kick rocks. What were you even doing picking up a witchy romance in the first place? Girl, get out of here ✋🏻
This was so unique, yet it vividly felt like an episode of Charmed. The central romance was swoony, and I fell in love with these characters. This is an open-door romance, but I don’t think the spice was overdone whatsoever. To be honest, I would have enjoyed a few more scenes because these two were hot 🥵 felt a tiny bit like Phoebe and Cole (because this is a forbidden romance) and I was SO here for it.
I loved the magic system, world-building, and character development. This was such an intoxicating witchy romance with the sweetest small-town vibes combined with action-packed magic scenes. This was everything I was looking for, and I cannot wait to read the next book this author releases! My only complaint is that I wanted more!
If you’re a Charmed fan and you loved the early seasons because of the bond the sisters shared, and if you love the episodes where they explore the past/meet their ancestors, then you will love this.
Thank you Dell Romance and NetGalley for this amazing ARC! Also to the girl who gave this a 1 ⭐️ review for having a LGBTQ character and not putting a “trigger warning”, you can go kick rocks. What were you even doing picking up a witchy romance in the first place? Girl, get out of here ✋🏻
Read
April 9, 2025This Greek witch be putting herself on a bullet train to dementia town so she can bedazzle her boots bruh
2.75⭐️
2.75⭐️
February 21, 2025
Oof.
Just like a good writer can fully flesh out a story and characters within a novella, there are authors who overwrite and overembellish their story to the point that the plot gets muddled and the characters cannot breathe.
This book needed a different editor, one who could say, "look, 25% of the book is just repetitive and useless descriptions" because holy crap, this was bad.
So much wasted space on belabored details and not enough to make the main character well rounded.
All vibes, no substance.
Just like a good writer can fully flesh out a story and characters within a novella, there are authors who overwrite and overembellish their story to the point that the plot gets muddled and the characters cannot breathe.
This book needed a different editor, one who could say, "look, 25% of the book is just repetitive and useless descriptions" because holy crap, this was bad.
So much wasted space on belabored details and not enough to make the main character well rounded.
All vibes, no substance.
March 31, 2025
I love basically anything with magic, and Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall swept me away to a small town where 3 sisters are witches and barely anyone knows about it. I’m so happy this is the start to a new series, and I could tell by the ending that the next book is going to get really interesting! This has a blend of more serious topics as well as some humorous moments (thank you Danny for the comedic relief and insightful comments!) and we top all of that off with an enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved the tension between Calliope and Lucien that lasted the entire way through, and their chemistry jumped off the page for me.
The audiobook is the best way to experience this book in my opinion and Saskia Maarleveld was the perfect narrator to voice it. She brought Calliope alive for me and made her feel like a real person as opposed to ‘just’ a character in a book. The premise with the loss of memories was incredibly unique and I loved that there was LGBTQ representation on top of it. This would make an excellent miniseries or movie, and I would love to see it come to life onscreen. I do think we get thrown into the storyline a bit and would have liked to see a tiny bit more world building, but I caught on quickly and loved how immersive Randall’s writing was. Also, not included in the audiobook: don’t miss the recipes at the back of the book!
Read this if you are looking for forbidden romance, family secrets, and whimsical elements!
Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook is the best way to experience this book in my opinion and Saskia Maarleveld was the perfect narrator to voice it. She brought Calliope alive for me and made her feel like a real person as opposed to ‘just’ a character in a book. The premise with the loss of memories was incredibly unique and I loved that there was LGBTQ representation on top of it. This would make an excellent miniseries or movie, and I would love to see it come to life onscreen. I do think we get thrown into the storyline a bit and would have liked to see a tiny bit more world building, but I caught on quickly and loved how immersive Randall’s writing was. Also, not included in the audiobook: don’t miss the recipes at the back of the book!
Read this if you are looking for forbidden romance, family secrets, and whimsical elements!
Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 4, 2025
This is for everyone that loved the witchy vibes of the early 90’s.
Three sisters with magical powers in charge of protecting the great oak that protects their town. The only catch? In order to use their magic they have to sacrifice their memories. Because of this, only Calliope practices. Her other sisters don’t feel like it’s worth the cost.
Their mother disappears under mysterious circumstances, in fact everything is mysterious when you can’t remember.
Insert Lucien, a handsome and mysterious shadow caster. The arch nemesis to Calliope and her light magic. In a turn of events no one could predict ever, Calliope has a spell go awry and ends up bound to Lucien. Catch me by an oak tree trying to get myself a shadow daddy.
If you like:
Charmed
Pride and Prejudice
Gilmore girls
Shadow daddy’s
Magical realism
Then you will love spells strings and forgotten things!
Oh also the spice is as delicious as Lucien is.
Thank you PRH audio for the ALC of the book. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the story to life.
Three sisters with magical powers in charge of protecting the great oak that protects their town. The only catch? In order to use their magic they have to sacrifice their memories. Because of this, only Calliope practices. Her other sisters don’t feel like it’s worth the cost.
Their mother disappears under mysterious circumstances, in fact everything is mysterious when you can’t remember.
Insert Lucien, a handsome and mysterious shadow caster. The arch nemesis to Calliope and her light magic. In a turn of events no one could predict ever, Calliope has a spell go awry and ends up bound to Lucien. Catch me by an oak tree trying to get myself a shadow daddy.
If you like:
Charmed
Pride and Prejudice
Gilmore girls
Shadow daddy’s
Magical realism
Then you will love spells strings and forgotten things!
Oh also the spice is as delicious as Lucien is.
Thank you PRH audio for the ALC of the book. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the story to life.
Want to read
August 18, 2024Mystery memory magic? A sexy but untrustworthy wizard? Could this book be anymore earnest in it's promise to toss my emotions all about like a toddler with a broken yoyo??
August 2, 2025
A world of teas, baking and magic is the village that these three sisters make their home. These three witches. A moving tale that speaks of the strong bonds of sisterhood, love and the deceptive lie of prejudice. Well worth a read. My only warning would be that the main character is very, very dumb.
March 15, 2025
This one just didn’t hit for me. I enjoyed the sisterhood and magic, but it wasn’t told in a way that was endearing or gripping. I also felt like Danny was an extremely useless character that was only brought in so that it would be relevant to the left. Have gay characters, that’s fine, but it was much too forced and the character didn’t add to the story.
March 24, 2025
Some things seem very obvious, some things should be better explained, the attraction kinda happens out of nowhere, and most of all, it never, ever feels as though it’s a sacrifice for her to give up a memory.
Also, I can’t take any more metaphors or similes.
DNF about 4 hours into the audiobook.
Also, I can’t take any more metaphors or similes.
DNF about 4 hours into the audiobook.
April 27, 2025
Physical Copy: 3/5
Audiobook: 3.5/5
I honestly think this book is perfectly described by its blurb, which is funny because there are so many times now when book descriptions don’t match the story at all. That’s not the case here. When it says this book is filled with "magic, love, and self-discovery," that’s 1000% accurate. Now, when it describes itself as a "thrilling tale," that really depends on your definition of thrilling. It didn’t necessarily have the level of thrill I personally look for, but I have no doubt that there will be readers who find excitement in the relationship between Lucian and Calliope.
Lucian fits the big, tall, grumpy, protective trope, and Calliope is that bratty, spirited girl who balances him out perfectly. There’s definitely something there for readers to sink their teeth into as we watch their connection develop. And I can’t lie—there were moments when my feet were kicking. I'd say the spice level is about a three out of five, which blends well with the larger themes at hand. Any more spice would’ve risked pulling the reader out of the story, so I appreciated the restraint.
My favorite part of this book is the magic system. I love when magic comes at a cost—whether emotional or physical—and here it’s psychological. We see Calliope’s magic require sacrifice, specifically sacrificing her memories. Early on, we see her find ways to finesse this, but we also see how it’s left her slightly detached from real emotion and relationships. The fear of losing her most precious memories adds weight to every choice she makes.
We also get to experience Calliope’s relationship with her sisters. Much of this book is about sisterhood, reconnecting, and discovering family secrets to move forward. As well as learning one’s worth It reminded me a lot of shows like Charmed—the dynamic between the sisters, the serious threat looming in the background, and the need to come together to navigate dangers they don't fully understand yet.
Since I went into it knowing this was more of a cozy read and that romance would be a huge part, I wasn’t too disappointed by the ending. However, the epilogue did feel like something the author added to appease readers who like a neatly wrapped, happy ending. Personally, I would’ve preferred the story to end without the epilogue. (Spoilers ahead!) I thought it was really powerful that Calliope had to sacrifice the love she built with Lucian to save the day. That sacrifice made a beautiful ending that set things up perfectly for the next book. The epilogue, where Lucian returns and they reunite, was sweet but unnecessary for me. I would’ve liked to see that reunion saved for the next book, especially since this is clearly the start of a series.
That said, I’m definitely intrigued to see where Randall takes things next. It feels like there's a possibility the next book might shift focus to one of the other sisters—kind of a Bridgerton approach—while still keeping returning characters. There are still unresolved plot points too, like finding the sisters' mother and dealing with Lucian’s father, who’s still a threat.
For an entry book into a new series, Randall does a great job of giving readers a little bit of everything—magic, romance, sisterhood, and mystery—to keep them interested in picking up the next one. In the next installment, I’m personally hoping for even more magic, a little more suspense, and maybe a little less romance so that the danger feels heavier and riskier, rather than getting swept away by hookups and kisses (even though those moments were definitely fun too).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-galley of this read, and to Dell for the physical copy as well!
Audiobook: 3.5/5
I honestly think this book is perfectly described by its blurb, which is funny because there are so many times now when book descriptions don’t match the story at all. That’s not the case here. When it says this book is filled with "magic, love, and self-discovery," that’s 1000% accurate. Now, when it describes itself as a "thrilling tale," that really depends on your definition of thrilling. It didn’t necessarily have the level of thrill I personally look for, but I have no doubt that there will be readers who find excitement in the relationship between Lucian and Calliope.
Lucian fits the big, tall, grumpy, protective trope, and Calliope is that bratty, spirited girl who balances him out perfectly. There’s definitely something there for readers to sink their teeth into as we watch their connection develop. And I can’t lie—there were moments when my feet were kicking. I'd say the spice level is about a three out of five, which blends well with the larger themes at hand. Any more spice would’ve risked pulling the reader out of the story, so I appreciated the restraint.
My favorite part of this book is the magic system. I love when magic comes at a cost—whether emotional or physical—and here it’s psychological. We see Calliope’s magic require sacrifice, specifically sacrificing her memories. Early on, we see her find ways to finesse this, but we also see how it’s left her slightly detached from real emotion and relationships. The fear of losing her most precious memories adds weight to every choice she makes.
We also get to experience Calliope’s relationship with her sisters. Much of this book is about sisterhood, reconnecting, and discovering family secrets to move forward. As well as learning one’s worth It reminded me a lot of shows like Charmed—the dynamic between the sisters, the serious threat looming in the background, and the need to come together to navigate dangers they don't fully understand yet.
Since I went into it knowing this was more of a cozy read and that romance would be a huge part, I wasn’t too disappointed by the ending. However, the epilogue did feel like something the author added to appease readers who like a neatly wrapped, happy ending. Personally, I would’ve preferred the story to end without the epilogue. (Spoilers ahead!) I thought it was really powerful that Calliope had to sacrifice the love she built with Lucian to save the day. That sacrifice made a beautiful ending that set things up perfectly for the next book. The epilogue, where Lucian returns and they reunite, was sweet but unnecessary for me. I would’ve liked to see that reunion saved for the next book, especially since this is clearly the start of a series.
That said, I’m definitely intrigued to see where Randall takes things next. It feels like there's a possibility the next book might shift focus to one of the other sisters—kind of a Bridgerton approach—while still keeping returning characters. There are still unresolved plot points too, like finding the sisters' mother and dealing with Lucian’s father, who’s still a threat.
For an entry book into a new series, Randall does a great job of giving readers a little bit of everything—magic, romance, sisterhood, and mystery—to keep them interested in picking up the next one. In the next installment, I’m personally hoping for even more magic, a little more suspense, and maybe a little less romance so that the danger feels heavier and riskier, rather than getting swept away by hookups and kisses (even though those moments were definitely fun too).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-galley of this read, and to Dell for the physical copy as well!
September 27, 2024
2.5 rounded up to 3.
I truly wanted to love Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things, but unfortunately I had to force myself to finish it. The story itself was fine, but the writing style was just not for me. I hated how the author over-explained everything, especially the magic system. Parts of the plot development felt lazy and convenient, and I think the entire thing was drawn out far too much. A hundred pages could have easily been shaven off this book without leaving out anything important.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I truly wanted to love Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things, but unfortunately I had to force myself to finish it. The story itself was fine, but the writing style was just not for me. I hated how the author over-explained everything, especially the magic system. Parts of the plot development felt lazy and convenient, and I think the entire thing was drawn out far too much. A hundred pages could have easily been shaven off this book without leaving out anything important.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ 4.25-Star Book Review: Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things (Sisters of Light and Shadow #1) by Breanne Randall
Breanne Randall, bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, returns with Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things, the mesmerizing first installment in the Sisters of Light and Shadow series. This spellbinding novel weaves together magic, memory, and sisterhood in a Southern gothic setting that is as enchanting as it is eerie.
In the small town of Gold Springs, Calliope Petridi and her two sisters harbor a dangerous secret: they are witches whose magic comes at a steep cost—memories. The stronger the spell, the more of themselves they lose. For Calliope, that sacrifice feels like a blessing. Forgetting means numbing the pain of abandonment, strained family bonds, and heartbreak. But when a long-dormant evil stirs in their town and the sisters’ magic begins to unravel, Calliope must face everything she’s tried to erase.
The emotional weight of the story is anchored by Randall’s nuanced portrayal of sisterhood—especially the complex dynamic between Calliope, her controlling eldest sister Thalia, and the emotionally withdrawn Eurydice. As their once-united front begins to splinter, secrets bubble to the surface, revealing wounds deeper than magic alone can heal. Enter the leader of a rival coven—arrogant, infuriating, and undeniably magnetic—who’s unexpectedly bound to Calliope by a magical accident, complicating everything.
Randall’s prose is lyrical and atmospheric, capturing the bittersweet beauty of both place and emotion. While some pacing issues arise—certain revelations come quickly while others linger—the overall arc is compelling and emotionally satisfying. The romantic tension, the mysterious town history, and the aching question of how much of yourself you’re willing to lose for the people and places you love make this novel stand out.
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a gorgeously written, emotionally rich journey through memory, magic, and the bonds that define us. A must-read for fans of Practical Magic, The Bone Season, and The Nature of Witches, this is the kind of story that lingers long after the final page.
Breanne Randall, bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, returns with Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things, the mesmerizing first installment in the Sisters of Light and Shadow series. This spellbinding novel weaves together magic, memory, and sisterhood in a Southern gothic setting that is as enchanting as it is eerie.
In the small town of Gold Springs, Calliope Petridi and her two sisters harbor a dangerous secret: they are witches whose magic comes at a steep cost—memories. The stronger the spell, the more of themselves they lose. For Calliope, that sacrifice feels like a blessing. Forgetting means numbing the pain of abandonment, strained family bonds, and heartbreak. But when a long-dormant evil stirs in their town and the sisters’ magic begins to unravel, Calliope must face everything she’s tried to erase.
The emotional weight of the story is anchored by Randall’s nuanced portrayal of sisterhood—especially the complex dynamic between Calliope, her controlling eldest sister Thalia, and the emotionally withdrawn Eurydice. As their once-united front begins to splinter, secrets bubble to the surface, revealing wounds deeper than magic alone can heal. Enter the leader of a rival coven—arrogant, infuriating, and undeniably magnetic—who’s unexpectedly bound to Calliope by a magical accident, complicating everything.
Randall’s prose is lyrical and atmospheric, capturing the bittersweet beauty of both place and emotion. While some pacing issues arise—certain revelations come quickly while others linger—the overall arc is compelling and emotionally satisfying. The romantic tension, the mysterious town history, and the aching question of how much of yourself you’re willing to lose for the people and places you love make this novel stand out.
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a gorgeously written, emotionally rich journey through memory, magic, and the bonds that define us. A must-read for fans of Practical Magic, The Bone Season, and The Nature of Witches, this is the kind of story that lingers long after the final page.
March 4, 2025
This book had everything I was looking for- enemies-to-lovers, magic, cursed witches, cozy vibes, and so much more. The world building and character development were absolutely amazing. The portrayal of family dynamics and chosen family were some of the highlights for me.
There were so many twists and turns that it kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time. The way the main characters fought fiercely to protect their loved ones and the nostalgia they experienced made me feel like I was right there with them, sharing their emotions. It made me laugh and cry, and I’m really hoping we get another book, especially with that ending leaving so much potential.
So if you’re searching for something similar, I highly recommend this book!
4.25⭐️
There were so many twists and turns that it kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time. The way the main characters fought fiercely to protect their loved ones and the nostalgia they experienced made me feel like I was right there with them, sharing their emotions. It made me laugh and cry, and I’m really hoping we get another book, especially with that ending leaving so much potential.
So if you’re searching for something similar, I highly recommend this book!
4.25⭐️
November 29, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a cozy fantasy novel with some romance elements. I definitely enjoyed the author's creative vision with regard to the unique magical elements. Sometimes it read a bit slow for some reason and that made it difficult to stay engaged. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a cozy fantasy book with relatable characters and a lot of cool magic.
This book was a cozy fantasy novel with some romance elements. I definitely enjoyed the author's creative vision with regard to the unique magical elements. Sometimes it read a bit slow for some reason and that made it difficult to stay engaged. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a cozy fantasy book with relatable characters and a lot of cool magic.
April 9, 2025
AHHH I hate giving negative reviews but the characters were pretty one dimensional, the writing was repetitive, and there were soooo many over explanations. The dense writing took away from the story and made it even more predictable. Sometimes there were characters that were introduced for what seemed to be no reason. I kept reading because I wanted it to get better, and conceptually it could’ve been good.
June 7, 2025
Thank you netgalley for the arc. I was surprised by this one as it seems a comp title for my own book with the vibe and three sisters (also sharing two of the same names of my characters haha) I liked the atmosphere and the idea of this magic that takes your memories when you use it. The strife between the sisters and their arc into rebonding is great. There were two main things I thought were unnecessary though and one being the smut. It just didn't suit the atmosphere to me in this one and kind of took away the impact of the story to me. It just suddenly started and then felt like it overtook the plot a bit by the end when I thought we were mid-climax and then they take a break to screw? it just didn't vibe with me. The other was the character named Calliope wondering why someone would call her "little muse". Like seriously? You don't know the origin of your own name? I found that REALLY hard to believe and it just took me straight out of the book.
Otherwise the rest of the plot and story was great. I really liked the differences in character between the sisters and their own individual character arcs. That was probably my favorite part of the book. I just wish more adult writers would realize that you don't have to inject so much smut into a romance to make it sell. This would have been a five star read for me without it. That's not to say smut can't be in any books, I just don't think it fit with the overall vibe of this one in particular. It could have had the same, even more impact if the door had been closed or if the romance had been less about the sex and more about their emotional connections without the physicality.
Otherwise the rest of the plot and story was great. I really liked the differences in character between the sisters and their own individual character arcs. That was probably my favorite part of the book. I just wish more adult writers would realize that you don't have to inject so much smut into a romance to make it sell. This would have been a five star read for me without it. That's not to say smut can't be in any books, I just don't think it fit with the overall vibe of this one in particular. It could have had the same, even more impact if the door had been closed or if the romance had been less about the sex and more about their emotional connections without the physicality.
October 10, 2024
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things is a beautiful story of love, hardship, and the resilience found within both. From the very beginning, with Joni Mitchell’s music setting the scene in a quirky small Stars Hollow-esque town outside of a cozy tea shop/bookstore, I was completely drawn in. The immersive descriptions evoked the warmth of chamomile tea in a mug, the comforting atmosphere of cascading plants, and the smell of freshly baked pastries—so much so that I had to light a candle and grab a mini Bundt cake while reading! The balance of cozy and ominous elements added a lot of depth to the story. One moment, you’re rifling through Calliope’s messy sock drawer, watching her choose yet another mismatched pair (I really need to go back and make note of all the different socks she wore—she’s got quite the collection); the next, you can practically hear her stumbling through the woods, her foot crunching through a deer skull, sending a shiver down your spine. This contrast between the comfy and the unsettling kept me captivated—not to mention the tall, dark, and handsome, enemies-to-lovers romance sprinkled in! A special note for readers who enjoy sensory experiences: every meal, pastry, and beverage mentioned throughout the book is so detailed and vivid that you can practically taste it—and to top it off, there’s a recipe section at the end, so you can bring those flavors to life in your own kitchen. I look forward to flipping through the recipes to decide what I’ll make for release day on March 4, 2025, and rereading this book!
This book is not just a story; it’s an experience. The immersive world-building, the complex emotions, and the anticipation of what’s to come make Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things a standout. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next! I am immediately adding Breanne Randall’s previous book to my TBR! Thank you to NetGalley and Breanne Randall (@houseofrandall) for my very first ARC!
This book is not just a story; it’s an experience. The immersive world-building, the complex emotions, and the anticipation of what’s to come make Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things a standout. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next! I am immediately adding Breanne Randall’s previous book to my TBR! Thank you to NetGalley and Breanne Randall (@houseofrandall) for my very first ARC!
August 14, 2025
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall is a cozy, witchy small-town romance with just enough mystery to keep you hooked and just enough heart to make you ache.
Calliope Petridi is one of three magical sisters living in Gold Springs, where casting a spell costs you a memory. For Calliope, that’s a fair trade — she’s got plenty she’d rather forget. But when an ancient evil begins to stir, her magic starts to fade, and her sisters begin drifting apart, she’s forced to confront the very things she’s been trying to erase.
Then there’s Lucien — moody, handsome, and part of a rival coven. When Calliope accidentally binds herself to him, things get complicated… and very emotionally charged.
Tropes you’ll find:
✨ Small town magic
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Sibling dynamics & family secrets
✨ Found family
Final thoughts: A witchy, atmospheric romance that’s as much about healing as it is about hexes. If you love magical towns, emotional depth, and enemies-to-lovers tension with real heart — this one’s a must-read. 🧙♀️✨
Calliope Petridi is one of three magical sisters living in Gold Springs, where casting a spell costs you a memory. For Calliope, that’s a fair trade — she’s got plenty she’d rather forget. But when an ancient evil begins to stir, her magic starts to fade, and her sisters begin drifting apart, she’s forced to confront the very things she’s been trying to erase.
Then there’s Lucien — moody, handsome, and part of a rival coven. When Calliope accidentally binds herself to him, things get complicated… and very emotionally charged.
Tropes you’ll find:
✨ Small town magic
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Sibling dynamics & family secrets
✨ Found family
Final thoughts: A witchy, atmospheric romance that’s as much about healing as it is about hexes. If you love magical towns, emotional depth, and enemies-to-lovers tension with real heart — this one’s a must-read. 🧙♀️✨
October 10, 2024
*I was given an advance copy of this book to read*
I enjoyed this story. I loved the world building and the descriptive exploration of the characters and their surroundings. This was a sweet and fairly easy read and I do recommend for lighter weight fantasy lovers. My favorite part of Breanne Randall’s books remains the included recipes! Such a lovely added detail.
I enjoyed this story. I loved the world building and the descriptive exploration of the characters and their surroundings. This was a sweet and fairly easy read and I do recommend for lighter weight fantasy lovers. My favorite part of Breanne Randall’s books remains the included recipes! Such a lovely added detail.
April 8, 2025
3.25⭐️s rounded down for Goodreads
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things was cozy-adjacent, cute, and a bit spicey. I love a witchy read. We've got a Rivals to Lovers trope, a sister dynamic (is this where the trilogy comes in, following each sister?) that throws down fun nods to greek mythology. The memory magic felt original and was a favorite plot point for me, along with Lucien.
However, there were approximately 3 too many "Shadow Daddy" remarks for my taste (I have a delicate constitution when it comes to cringe nicknames, regardless of sarcasm😬). I also felt like there could have been more 'Show' versus 'Tell' when it came to the actiony bits.
Overall, I definitely had a good time and will continue with the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the eARC!
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things was cozy-adjacent, cute, and a bit spicey. I love a witchy read. We've got a Rivals to Lovers trope, a sister dynamic (is this where the trilogy comes in, following each sister?) that throws down fun nods to greek mythology. The memory magic felt original and was a favorite plot point for me, along with Lucien.
However, there were approximately 3 too many "Shadow Daddy" remarks for my taste (I have a delicate constitution when it comes to cringe nicknames, regardless of sarcasm😬). I also felt like there could have been more 'Show' versus 'Tell' when it came to the actiony bits.
Overall, I definitely had a good time and will continue with the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the eARC!
February 8, 2025
2.75 ⭐️ I really, REALLY wanted to absolutely fall in love with every aspect of this book - the premise, the characters, the setting - but I felt very confused, a little letdown, and a lot was left wanting more development across the board.
This book felt like it was trying to be 5 things at the same time and all at the same intensity. Smalltown ✔️ Unique magic system ✔️ Enemies-to-lovers ✔️ Food/Drink-themed ✔️ Shadow-daddy ✔️And while in theory this is all fine and possible... in execution here, it felt muddled.
We had a rich history and cultural love for Greek food and Greek heritage, but we're stuck in a small-town that's supposed to feel like family to the FMC and her sisters. It was whiplash as a reader, trying to feel such a strong connection to both places at the same time.
We had a unique magic system, but when we're constantly told "we don't know why or how it works like that, it just does" it feels less intriguing & with constant discoveries that (unfortunately) ask more questions and leave us with no answers, it doesn't feel immersive- it's frustrating. It feels like a band-aid slapped on and labeled, "it works like that because I said so."
The relationship in this story was rough for me. Insta-love? Insta-hate? Rivals-to-lovers? Enemies-to-lovers? "You're so annoying and frustrating and I hate everything you represent" for 80% of the book to quickly "F*ck me" and "I'll worship you"... I feel like the intricacies of this relationship should have been more fleshed out over the 400 pages we were given. I wanted to feel the push-and-pull right along with the characters and see them develop, but I just didn't see that happen.
If this book had spent more time in the tea shop or focused more on the shared memories and meals of the sisters, I would have felt more satisfied with how these elements were hapzardly thrown into the story as plot points. Everything sounded delicious, but it often felt out of place given the mood or surroundings.
The overuse of the term "shadow-daddy" is one thing, but the way it's played up for the MMC is almost cringe-y. He's meant to be multi-layered, incredibly powerful, and we discover deeper meanings to his motives throughout the story, yet he's constantly (and flat out called this by a character in the book) troped-up to just a dark-wielding heartthrob.
My final qualm about this book, is how it's being described/advertised. I feel labeling this as a magical, modern day Bridgerton is misleading and a more accurate description would include more contemporary terms (ex. witch-y smalltown romance, magical sisters and their whimsical tea shop adventures, generational magic & curses amidst a dark forest, etc).
I enjoyed parts of this book, truly I did, but I don't feel like what I stepped into was what I was promised before starting it. And after finishing it, the ending had me feeling very ambiguous and confused as to how so much and so little took place. Not only that, but the reader just had to accept unanswered questions that were integral to the entire plot.
I know this novel will find its place in the hearts of countless readers, I'm just sad I'm not one of them. But I wish the author all the success in the world when this book finally publishes and is reportedly being created into a TV series.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to read this book early and share my honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Netgalley, Goodreads, Fable, IG).
This book felt like it was trying to be 5 things at the same time and all at the same intensity. Smalltown ✔️ Unique magic system ✔️ Enemies-to-lovers ✔️ Food/Drink-themed ✔️ Shadow-daddy ✔️And while in theory this is all fine and possible... in execution here, it felt muddled.
We had a rich history and cultural love for Greek food and Greek heritage, but we're stuck in a small-town that's supposed to feel like family to the FMC and her sisters. It was whiplash as a reader, trying to feel such a strong connection to both places at the same time.
We had a unique magic system, but when we're constantly told "we don't know why or how it works like that, it just does" it feels less intriguing & with constant discoveries that (unfortunately) ask more questions and leave us with no answers, it doesn't feel immersive- it's frustrating. It feels like a band-aid slapped on and labeled, "it works like that because I said so."
The relationship in this story was rough for me. Insta-love? Insta-hate? Rivals-to-lovers? Enemies-to-lovers? "You're so annoying and frustrating and I hate everything you represent" for 80% of the book to quickly "F*ck me" and "I'll worship you"... I feel like the intricacies of this relationship should have been more fleshed out over the 400 pages we were given. I wanted to feel the push-and-pull right along with the characters and see them develop, but I just didn't see that happen.
If this book had spent more time in the tea shop or focused more on the shared memories and meals of the sisters, I would have felt more satisfied with how these elements were hapzardly thrown into the story as plot points. Everything sounded delicious, but it often felt out of place given the mood or surroundings.
The overuse of the term "shadow-daddy" is one thing, but the way it's played up for the MMC is almost cringe-y. He's meant to be multi-layered, incredibly powerful, and we discover deeper meanings to his motives throughout the story, yet he's constantly (and flat out called this by a character in the book) troped-up to just a dark-wielding heartthrob.
My final qualm about this book, is how it's being described/advertised. I feel labeling this as a magical, modern day Bridgerton is misleading and a more accurate description would include more contemporary terms (ex. witch-y smalltown romance, magical sisters and their whimsical tea shop adventures, generational magic & curses amidst a dark forest, etc).
I enjoyed parts of this book, truly I did, but I don't feel like what I stepped into was what I was promised before starting it. And after finishing it, the ending had me feeling very ambiguous and confused as to how so much and so little took place. Not only that, but the reader just had to accept unanswered questions that were integral to the entire plot.
I know this novel will find its place in the hearts of countless readers, I'm just sad I'm not one of them. But I wish the author all the success in the world when this book finally publishes and is reportedly being created into a TV series.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to read this book early and share my honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Netgalley, Goodreads, Fable, IG).
April 22, 2025
I liked the end a bit. It was interesting and not your standard cozy romance ending. Didn't like much about the rest of it unfortunately. Though I have come to the realization that cozy, witchy books are not for me. So if you like them, you will have a better experience, I am sure.
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