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A review by moriarty94
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Parts of this book were fun and cute - it was like a witch AU of a hallmark movie. The writing was flowery, full of similes that often felt excessive.
For the first quarter of the story, I enjoyed the herbal/botanical/traditional witchiness. But as the family arrived, it felt like they were suddenly the Madrigals, with all kinds of fancy obvious magic and a house that interacts with everyone. I love the idea of infusing food with magic through I gradients and intention. I didn't love that the chrysanthemum scones literally drugged someone enough to forget a whole conversation??
They also glossed over a pretty dark story about sexual assault and murder, and it was weird to me that everyone just kind of...brushed it off? The first and second halves of the book felt almost like two different stories, and I think the lead-up to the ritual could have been tightened up.
I also found it interesting that the main character believes in a Christian God and mentions going to church - it's not something the witches I read about usually do. There was some gender role stuff I didn't love, like the aunts "banishing the men and children outside" while all the women cooked (even though at least one notably cannot cook).
I will say Gigi's passing really resonated with me. It definitely hit the hardest of all the emotional scenes. The situation was similar to my own and felt very real.
Anyway. This was an easy and lighthearted read if you grew up watching Practical Magic and currently enjoy Hallmark or Lifetime movies. I enjoyed that there are recipes at the end of every chapter, though there are only a few I think I'd actually try.
For the first quarter of the story, I enjoyed the herbal/botanical/traditional witchiness. But as the family arrived, it felt like they were suddenly the Madrigals, with all kinds of fancy obvious magic and a house that interacts with everyone. I love the idea of infusing food with magic through I gradients and intention. I didn't love that the chrysanthemum scones literally drugged someone enough to forget a whole conversation??
They also glossed over a pretty dark story about sexual assault and murder, and it was weird to me that everyone just kind of...brushed it off? The first and second halves of the book felt almost like two different stories, and I think the lead-up to the ritual could have been tightened up.
I also found it interesting that the main character believes in a Christian God and mentions going to church - it's not something the witches I read about usually do. There was some gender role stuff I didn't love, like the aunts "banishing the men and children outside" while all the women cooked (even though at least one notably cannot cook).
I will say Gigi's passing really resonated with me. It definitely hit the hardest of all the emotional scenes. The situation was similar to my own and felt very real.
Anyway. This was an easy and lighthearted read if you grew up watching Practical Magic and currently enjoy Hallmark or Lifetime movies. I enjoyed that there are recipes at the end of every chapter, though there are only a few I think I'd actually try.