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

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

5.0

When I saw this recommended for Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls fans I knew I had to add it to my fall TBR, and after reading I think that’s a very good comparison. 

The main character is Sadie who runs a cafe bakery with grandmother Gigi who raised her and her twin brother, baking magical treats. The entire family has different magical gifts, but they each come with their own cost.
The story opens with a series of signs and it all starts pointing towards some of those coming due.

The heartbreak in this book is no joke, the parts that hit just right meant there was *so* much crying. I was a bit of an emotional mess by the end, but I loved it. Ending on the right hopeful note was so necessary, and I think the author nailed it.

There were many recipes scattered between the chapters, all tying to the story, a couple of which I really want to try.

My only complaint - and it’s an incredibly superficial one - the grandmother calls *everyone* the same strange nickname. And often.  Shouldn’t have been a big deal but it felt really weird to me?

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC

(Check your CWs on this one!)
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