Peasreads: The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

 

I was so excited to read this book. The description sounds fun, right? Magic, family, romance. Jake the MC's love interest returning after a decade lead me to believe that the MC would be a lot more mature. She has a strong family connection, and she runs a lovely cafe. Yet Sadie seems so immature to me. Jake, ugh. Such a coward, wrapped in "I'm honorable and want to do the right thing". I'm big on honesty and I felt that he lead Sadie on.

The book got off to a slow start. Lots of things happening, and the introduction of characters but no real substance given to them until later made it a bit confusing. Once it picked up I came to really like Sadie's grandmother. Her family is where the beauty of this book was for me. I loved reading about their dynamics and love for each other. I was able to see the charm in the house and the town. As one other reviewer said, it's more of a quaint southern town feel. The story with Sadie and Jake's romance as a side thought was a good read. 

 Description from the publisher:

For fans of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls, The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is a debut novel that explores the shields we build around our hearts to retain our own magic.

Sadie Revelare has always believed that the curse of four heartbreaks that accompanies her magic would be worth the price. But when her grandmother is diagnosed with cancer with only weeks to live, and her first heartbreak, Jake McNealy, returns to town after a decade, her carefully structured life begins to unravel.

With the news of their grandmother's impending death, Sadie's estranged twin brother Seth returns to town, bringing with him deeply buried family secrets that threaten to tear Sadie's world apart. Their grandmother has been the backbone of the family for generations, and with her death, Sadie isn't sure she'll have the strength to keep the family, and her magic, together.

As feelings for Jake begin to rekindle, and her grandmother growing sicker by the day, Sadie faces the last of her heartbreaks, and she has to decide: is love more important than magic?

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 I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are on my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”