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missluciereads's review against another edition
1.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately this was a complete miss for me. I have made the decision to DNF at 35% which is earlier than I would like but I can no longer slog through a book that is clearly not for me.
I was drawn into this book by the pitch of Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, two of my favourite things. It seemed like the perfect nostalgic, cozy, witchy read. For me, it failed miserably at living up to that huge promise.
Please note that the below review was a stream of consciousness while trying to negotiate with myself to finish. It is harsh, but absolutely truthful.
—————
Sadie is an absolute nightmare. She has the emotional maturity of a 12-year-old. She is selfish, neurotic and toxic. She is constantly complaining about how Jake and Seth broke her heart by leaving but she has no concept of other people having agency in their lives. She seems to think that every decision everyone make should be based around her even though she pretends to be self-sacrificing. She wants to stay, but they want to leave and they are the bad guys. I honestly don’t blame either of them for leaving without telling her, because she seems to be the type to enforce her will on the people that she “cares about”
She has zero redeeming qualities. She literally kidnapped Jake’s dog. She admits to using what amounts to a truth spell on Jake without his consent, while claiming she loves him. She’s keeping secrets about malevolent spirit of some sort waging attacks on her home when her grandmother just told her that there is a curse that will kill either her or her brother.
The book itself is full of plot holes. Seth is a couple inches taller even though he’s only been gone for less than a year and he’s 28 years old. Raquel is at the hospital but then she’s at the house in time for Sadie to get home to hug her.
It’s over written in the sense that the setting descriptions are extremely long, which is a failed attempt at emulating the Practical Magic vibe. But it’s under written in the sense that the characters are one dimensional and underdeveloped.
The pacing is so painfully disjointed with these detailed, flowery, setting descriptions but plot developments are rushed through, and major shifts seem to happen in a matter of sentences. It’s giving me f***ing whiplash.
The attempt to make Sadie seem quirky and fun seems to be the link to Gilmore Girls, but the dialogue is completely flat, and quite frankly intolerable.
This book just seems like it’s trying way too hard to be something it’s not, and in the process has become some sort of tedious experiment.
Actual quote from me while reading “this is so incredibly juvenile”
Also, why does this book seem like a caricature of a southern small town and Southern Magic but it’s set in California?
Unfortunately this was a complete miss for me. I have made the decision to DNF at 35% which is earlier than I would like but I can no longer slog through a book that is clearly not for me.
I was drawn into this book by the pitch of Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, two of my favourite things. It seemed like the perfect nostalgic, cozy, witchy read. For me, it failed miserably at living up to that huge promise.
Please note that the below review was a stream of consciousness while trying to negotiate with myself to finish. It is harsh, but absolutely truthful.
—————
Sadie is an absolute nightmare. She has the emotional maturity of a 12-year-old. She is selfish, neurotic and toxic. She is constantly complaining about how Jake and Seth broke her heart by leaving but she has no concept of other people having agency in their lives. She seems to think that every decision everyone make should be based around her even though she pretends to be self-sacrificing. She wants to stay, but they want to leave and they are the bad guys. I honestly don’t blame either of them for leaving without telling her, because she seems to be the type to enforce her will on the people that she “cares about”
She has zero redeeming qualities. She literally kidnapped Jake’s dog. She admits to using what amounts to a truth spell on Jake without his consent, while claiming she loves him. She’s keeping secrets about malevolent spirit of some sort waging attacks on her home when her grandmother just told her that there is a curse that will kill either her or her brother.
The book itself is full of plot holes. Seth is a couple inches taller even though he’s only been gone for less than a year and he’s 28 years old. Raquel is at the hospital but then she’s at the house in time for Sadie to get home to hug her.
It’s over written in the sense that the setting descriptions are extremely long, which is a failed attempt at emulating the Practical Magic vibe. But it’s under written in the sense that the characters are one dimensional and underdeveloped.
The pacing is so painfully disjointed with these detailed, flowery, setting descriptions but plot developments are rushed through, and major shifts seem to happen in a matter of sentences. It’s giving me f***ing whiplash.
The attempt to make Sadie seem quirky and fun seems to be the link to Gilmore Girls, but the dialogue is completely flat, and quite frankly intolerable.
This book just seems like it’s trying way too hard to be something it’s not, and in the process has become some sort of tedious experiment.
Actual quote from me while reading “this is so incredibly juvenile”
Also, why does this book seem like a caricature of a southern small town and Southern Magic but it’s set in California?
izzyvc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
mndareads's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 ⭐️
Despite being a 13 hour audiobook, this felt so uneventful?? Twenty-something witch is still in love with her ex boyfriend from a decade ago and you get a free recipe with every chapter.
Despite being a 13 hour audiobook, this felt so uneventful?? Twenty-something witch is still in love with her ex boyfriend from a decade ago and you get a free recipe with every chapter.
nodressrehearsals's review against another edition
This writing style is not for me.
edusanek's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kstanga10's review against another edition
1.0
This was nothing like it was advertised. The story was all over and I couldn't care about the characters. DNF at around 40%.
lexuswilson's review against another edition
3.0
Was okay. Nothing felt fully developed. There were too many different plot line and none felt 100%
nicoleavery22's review against another edition
2.0
2.75, I was promised Gilmore girls meet witchy vibes and it did not come through. There’s too much going on (1000 different competing tropes) and also not enough(none of the characters were fully formed). I’ve also never read a book about witches where they’re also Christian? And go to church? Idk vibes were off for me.
superbeck's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was quirky and felt like real struggles people have. Made me feel like maybe i have magic deep inside me. It made me feel excited like when i read YA as a teenager even though all these characters are grown adults. Thank you for this book being on book of the month! Even though church is involved, I still loved it.
ttweise's review against another edition
1.0
To stop her brother from LITERALLY being killed, Sadie had to give up her magic. Seems like a really reasonable exchange to save your best friend/twin brother’s life right? Tell me why MULTIPLE family members were like “are you sureeeee you want to save your brother?” ????!!!!!