A review by stephanieelyse
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

For the most part I enjoyed this book. I listened to the audiobook which really drove home the southern American accents which makes sense with how the dialogue is written,  but the dialogue and accents don’t really match the setting being in California. The narration was very enjoyable which contributed to my enjoyment of the story. 
I enjoy the aspects of the story around small town, family and cooking and definitely understand the inspiration of Gilmore Girls and Practical Magic, but there were a couple of things I made faces at when they happened in the story.
The love interest is engaged and thinks his fiancé is pregnant which is why he proposed, and you find out midway through the story after he’s returned to town.

Honestly the romance aspect could have been cut out and the story still would stand on its own with the family drama, so having a romantic drama as well and being that type of drama I didn’t love, I wasn’t invested in the romance.
The writing is full of similes, listening to them I didn’t mind but reading them I imagine would be a drag and may slow down the story. Not everything needs to be compared to cookie dough and ginger snaps.
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