The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall is a cozy story full of family drama, secrets, and magic.
My Overview
Sadie grew up with her grandmother, and learned the rules of the Revelare family magic from her. From a young age, she’s believed in the curse and magic that come with her family name. She’s never left her hometown and is content enough working at the café she owns with her grandmother. When Sadie least expects it, though, her world gets turned upside down and the past catches up to the Revelares. Suddenly, the family secrets resurface along with people from her past. As the story unfolds, Sadie and her family are forced to make unexpected choices. Each chapter ends with a witchy family recipe.
This story was a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed the witchy aspects and second chance romance storyline. I also appreciated the message on mental health. What I didn’t enjoy was how distracted the storyline was. Besides the family curse, magic, and secrets there’s a myriad of issues and dilemmas that take the story all over the place. Overall, there’s just too much going and nothing gets fully explored.
As an aside, I chose to read this book because it’s marketed for fans of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls. As a fan of the Gilmore Girls show, I expected witty banter, heartfelt storylines, and quirky characters. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any of that here.
My Recommendation
This is a debut novel. I’d still try something else by this author, so I’ll look forward to future book releases. I read the Kindle edition and listened to the audiobook at times. If you’re planning to give this book a try, I recommend either. If you’re interested in trying the recipes (baked goods and soups), you’ll likely want the Kindle or print edition.
Have you read this book?
Other witchy stories I’ve enjoyed:
Lark
It’s a great title! And a fun premise, too. Though it sounds like the author tried to do too much…or put too many other things in it instead of focusing on the main story? That’s too bad.
Lucy
The cover and fun premise drew me to this book. I wish it didn’t tackle so much at once.