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A review by printedpapertraveler
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall
4.0
Magic comes at a price. With a strong foundation in both magical realism and emotionally charged character dynamics, the novel crafts a captivating narrative that feels deeply human despite its supernatural undertones.
Sadie has always been willing to bear the burden of her family's magical curse. A curse that demands four heartbreaks in exchange for the power she wields. But when her grandmother, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the structure of Sadie’s life begins to unravel.
The return of Sadie’s estranged twin brother, Seth, and her first love, Jake, injects both tension and nostalgia into the plot. Seth’s return brings long-buried family secrets to light, forcing Sadie to confront truths she had long ignored. At the same time, Jake’s presence rekindles feelings that Sadie thought were behind her, complicating her emotional journey as she approaches the final heartbreak foretold by her curse.
The relationship between Sadie and her grandmother is tender and poignant, providing the novel with much of its emotional depth. Meanwhile, the sibling tension between Sadie and Seth adds layers of complexity, as the novel unravels the family’s history and the secrets they’ve kept from one another.
Overall, this is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that balances the mystical with the deeply personal. It’s a tale of love, loss, and the lengths we go to for family.
Sadie has always been willing to bear the burden of her family's magical curse. A curse that demands four heartbreaks in exchange for the power she wields. But when her grandmother, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the structure of Sadie’s life begins to unravel.
The return of Sadie’s estranged twin brother, Seth, and her first love, Jake, injects both tension and nostalgia into the plot. Seth’s return brings long-buried family secrets to light, forcing Sadie to confront truths she had long ignored. At the same time, Jake’s presence rekindles feelings that Sadie thought were behind her, complicating her emotional journey as she approaches the final heartbreak foretold by her curse.
The relationship between Sadie and her grandmother is tender and poignant, providing the novel with much of its emotional depth. Meanwhile, the sibling tension between Sadie and Seth adds layers of complexity, as the novel unravels the family’s history and the secrets they’ve kept from one another.
Overall, this is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that balances the mystical with the deeply personal. It’s a tale of love, loss, and the lengths we go to for family.