Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall --Starting April 15 2024

[Ashley W]

For fans of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls, The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is a debut novel that explores the shields we build around our hearts to retain our own magic.

Sadie Revelare has always believed that the curse of four heartbreaks that accompanies her magic would be worth the price. But when her grandmother is diagnosed with cancer with only weeks to live, and her first heartbreak, Jake McNealy, returns to town after a decade, her carefully structured life begins to unravel.

With the news of their grandmother's impending death, Sadie's estranged twin brother Seth returns to town, bringing with him deeply buried family secrets that threaten to tear Sadie's world apart. Their grandmother has been the backbone of the family for generations, and with her death, Sadie isn't sure she'll have the strength to keep the family, and her magic, together.

As feelings for Jake begin to rekindle, and her grandmother growing sicker by the day, Sadie faces the last of her heartbreaks, and she has to decide: is love more important than magic?

Readers who love the magic of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and the sense of community found in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches will enjoy this warm, witchy novel.

[Maddie]

Thanks!

[Ashley W]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ This reminds me so much of Practical Magic. Not just with the magic, but the family curse and everything. I love that he got her a little spoon. That was so sweet. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm not sure when I'll get to this but it'll be a few books' time

[Maddie]

I'm starting this soon!

[Maddie]

I'm going to get to this as my first book of May I think!

[Maddie]

Ashley W wrote: "Chapter 2
[spoilers removed]"

Oh I haven't read/seen Practical Magic! I love the idea of the little spoons!

[Maddie]

These chapters are super long, but I love the little recipes!

49% (view spoiler)[I'm finding this fine so far. Nothing spectacular, just a cute easy simple read with a lot of food descriptions
I really respect Gigi for being such a strong woman and just expecting the big C to get her in the end. It gets most people, and it's terrible :( (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Relationship (view spoiler)[I'm not feeling any chemistry between her and Jake at all, I don't quite understand what's going on with them. It's really feeling like she doesn't care about Jake at all. But it is clear that Seth and Raquel have something going on.
I really agree with Seth when he pointed out that all it seems Sadie cares about is her magic. She doesn't want to love 'because of her magic'. Which also means she's hurting other people 'because of her magic'. I hope this gets addressed. And if she loses her magic, so what? It's not that important, all it is is food and people will appreciate the food regardless of if it's magical. Why does she feel the need to manipulate everyone with her food, it's a god complex and it's icky. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'll finish up tomorrow

[Maddie]

I feel like now I've put this book down I don't want to pick it back up... It's got not a lot going for it, cosy isn't normally my thing

[Maddie]

Finished! (view spoiler)[I loved her mother coming back and them also having a half sister! I ABHOR BETHANY SO MUCH WTF FAKE PREGNANCY NOOOOO and although I hate the cheating aspect from the start, Jake no no no boy yucky, I think Bethany doesn't deserve him anyway (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

I'm at around 30ish percent. I was really into it, but then stopped and I'm having trouble getting back into it. I'll probably pick it back up later tonight.

[Maddie]

Okay no worries! It was a nice easy read

[Ashley W]

I'm at 45% and I'm kinda bored with this one. DNFing for now. I may pick it up again in a couple weeks but I have a lot of other books to finish right now

[Maddie]

Yeah it was pretty boring, nothing great