A review by unawake0442
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have to first address the absolutely deranged description of "the city" where children are on heroin and in gang wars on every corner. I simply cannot get over how out of touch this entire part is. I open with this because this string of ideas seeps into other aspects of the plot. For instance, the idea that it's better to have a household where two parents don't love each other at all and are actually in love with someone else is better than simply co-parenting apart feels so disappointingly stuck in the 50s. I completely understand not wanting to abandon a child and wanting to make things work, but it took away from the plot. It felt like the author needed a reason for the central romantic conflict, but the solution is painfully eye-roll-inducing. 

The story is fine enough, but details like that ultimately cheapened the writing. Then there's the magical conflict and it was almost as painful to read because it is so extremely obvious what is supposed to happen. The "twist" isn't a twist at all. It simply leaves you yelling "FINALLY!" at the main character when she eventually gets it. Not only did this make the protagonist seem stupid, it also removed all stakes or intrigue.

It was cute and I enjoyed it enough, but it was more disappointing than not, unfortunately.