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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
Story was kind all over the place and certain things were never explained properly. The way the MC acts wasn't consistent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
If you’re craving a sapphic witchy read go snag this one now!
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC. This rambling review is totally my own.
Things to love—
•PNR/Witchy Romance
•Fake Dating
•Sapphic —both main characters are bisexual so we love the representation
They might be witches, but you’re going to relate to Rory and Morgan. Morgan struggles with self deprecation and feelings of unworthiness that are going to hit a lot of us right in the feels. If you’ve ever felt the mounting pressure of expectations—your own or others, then Rory is going to resonate with you here. I really enjoyed the premise of this, enjoyed their two personalities together, but I did struggle with the amount of miscommunication. I think Martin handled the topics of consent, familial pressure, and emotional trauma well.
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC. This rambling review is totally my own.
Things to love—
•PNR/Witchy Romance
•Fake Dating
•Sapphic —both main characters are bisexual so we love the representation
They might be witches, but you’re going to relate to Rory and Morgan. Morgan struggles with self deprecation and feelings of unworthiness that are going to hit a lot of us right in the feels. If you’ve ever felt the mounting pressure of expectations—your own or others, then Rory is going to resonate with you here. I really enjoyed the premise of this, enjoyed their two personalities together, but I did struggle with the amount of miscommunication. I think Martin handled the topics of consent, familial pressure, and emotional trauma well.
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my god the main character is so fucking annoying!!!! I can only listen to self loathing for so many hours ffs! The fact she couldn’t consider for one second Rory’s feelings were real rather than the potion being insanely, unrealistically potent was driving me INSANE! I also predicted from the second this plot was introduced that Rory never took the potion. Partially bc Morgan is so pathetic she would never believe Rory’s feelings were real otherwise. I think Rory should have dumped Morgan just for being stupid and so awful at communication. I don’t know how this book was enjoyable for anyone- it was incredibly frustrating for me. The entire conflict in this book is a fucking miscommunication trope, I don’t even know how I finished this. The entire “conflict” could have been solved with a single conversation: “hey whoops I accidentally gave you a love potion” “oh I actually never took it were all good!” Book over. If your conflict can be solved this easily your book has no plot.
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m gonna start by saying that I typically hate a miscommunication trope. I’m not quite sure why this one didn’t bother me as much. Perhaps it’s because I related strongly to Morgan’s internalized anxiety issues and general disaster-ness, but it was less annoying than I suspected it would be. I really appreciate the depth the author went into surrounding the consent aspect of love potions prior to the book, as I think certain aspects could certainly be very triggering without knowing what you’re getting into. The modern integration of magic into our world was seamless and my favorite part of this book. I did have a little trouble getting into it and felt that the miscommunication bit was a little drawn out, but it ultimately didn’t stop me from enjoying the story
✨ Review ✨ This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
A fun witchy f/f romance for fall! Morgan's a potion-maker and sort of an agent of chaos, who's had a crush on Rory, local bar witch extraordinaire and former world champion spell caster. When Morgan offers to be Rory's fake girlfriend to take pressure off Rory at the upcoming festival of witches, she's delighted to spend more time with this girl she's fascinated with.
However, messes ensue when an accidental love potion is created and Morgan's efforts to be extra chaotic don't pay off as expected. I thought it was interesting how this book talked about love potions and other spells that might muddle consent -- that might be one of my favorite parts of this book.
I also enjoyed just the general witchiness of the book with scavenger hunts, glitter wind battles, bespelled hair dye, and other fun details! In a market that feels saturated with witchy romances right now, I don't know that this is a stand out in the feeling of being totally unique, but it definitely was enjoyable and that felt super cozy to read!
I did listen to a bit of the audio while in the car, and enjoyed it -- I thought it differentiated the two characters and portrayed their personalities well!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25)
Genre: f/f contemporary romance, fantasy
Setting: Maine and the middle of the woods somewhere
Reminds me of: Lana Harper's magical world
Pub Date: 12 Sep 2023
Read this if you like:
⭕️ sapphic witch romances
⭕️ witchy / magical world building
⭕️ fall festivals (apples and wine and music and more)
Thanks to Berkley, PRHAudio, and #netgalley for advanced copies of this book!
A fun witchy f/f romance for fall! Morgan's a potion-maker and sort of an agent of chaos, who's had a crush on Rory, local bar witch extraordinaire and former world champion spell caster. When Morgan offers to be Rory's fake girlfriend to take pressure off Rory at the upcoming festival of witches, she's delighted to spend more time with this girl she's fascinated with.
However, messes ensue when an accidental love potion is created and Morgan's efforts to be extra chaotic don't pay off as expected. I thought it was interesting how this book talked about love potions and other spells that might muddle consent -- that might be one of my favorite parts of this book.
I also enjoyed just the general witchiness of the book with scavenger hunts, glitter wind battles, bespelled hair dye, and other fun details! In a market that feels saturated with witchy romances right now, I don't know that this is a stand out in the feeling of being totally unique, but it definitely was enjoyable and that felt super cozy to read!
I did listen to a bit of the audio while in the car, and enjoyed it -- I thought it differentiated the two characters and portrayed their personalities well!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25)
Genre: f/f contemporary romance, fantasy
Setting: Maine and the middle of the woods somewhere
Reminds me of: Lana Harper's magical world
Pub Date: 12 Sep 2023
Read this if you like:
⭕️ sapphic witch romances
⭕️ witchy / magical world building
⭕️ fall festivals (apples and wine and music and more)
Thanks to Berkley, PRHAudio, and #netgalley for advanced copies of this book!
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute and lightheaded witchy romance. I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope which is the primary plot device of this book. Also the main character was way too self deprecating...