Rating: ★★★★☆
Genre: Magical Realism/Romantasy
Available On: Amazon
From the moment I began The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic, I was drawn into Sadie Revelare’s world in the charming small town of Poppy Meadows. With one small caveat (which is why this got four stars and not five) there is something about Sadie’s voice I find ever so slightly grating. Possibly whiny? I’m not really sure to be honest, having read the whole book I still can’t put my finger on it. That being said, I’m not sure it was entirely a bad thing; it certainly made Sadie seem a lot more real. There’s a lot to love here.
Sadie lives with her grandmother, Gigi, both witches who use their magic to aid their community through their baked goods and salves. The magical realism was what attracted me to this in the first place; I love the Kiki’s Delivery Service vibes of an otherwise perfectly normal, modern world, where witchcraft is just fact. Undisputed. Unremarkable really. The setup promised a story rich with magical realism, so how could I possibly resist?
The Unexpected Dark Dive
The book initially presents itself with light-hearted charm, but it quickly dives into themes of deep emotional turmoil and resilience. Watching Sadie navigate her curse of heartbreak, particularly with the impending loss of her beloved grandmother, and the complication of an old flame, painted a profound picture of love and loss that simultaneously managed to warm my heart and break it.
Each character in the book, from Sadie’s estranged twin brother, Seth, to her first love, Jake, is crafted with care and depth, making them memorable and easy to root for. The dynamics of their relationships are complex and beautifully explored, adding layers to the narrative that kept me turning pages well into the witching hour (and several hours beyond, if I’m honest).
The Unexpected Foodie Twist
One of the novel’s unique and delightful features is the inclusion of recipes at the end of each chapter. These recipes are not just charming additions but are cleverly used to deepen the sense of community and family heritage in the story. They act as a reminder of the comforts of home and the healing power of sharing a meal, which resonated deeply with me.
This could easily have been a weird intrusion that jolted you from the narrative, but I actually found it really well done!
The Unfortunate Side Effects Of Heartbreak And Magic Is A Rollercoaster
Emotionally, this book was unexpectedly brutal on the old emotions. It manages to capture the intricacies of dealing with grief in a way that felt incredibly real and poignant. I had a loss myself roughly a year before reading this and, I have to say, this aspect of it hit me hard. Far harder than I was expecting. There were moments when the vivid descriptions of Sadie’s internal turmoil really hit home. It was far more visceral than I’d have liked. And yet, the understanding that these feelings are, in some ways, universal was oddly cathartic, if rather intense.
If you’ve recently suffered the loss of someone beloved in your life, tread carefully. Had i been closer to it when I picked this one up I think it would have been quite harrowing.
Community As Character
The setting of Poppy Meadows, with its tight-knit community vibe, enhanced the story’s charm and made the magical elements feel even more integrated into the everyday lives of the characters. The town itself felt like a character, with its traditions and collective spirit supporting Sadie through her journey.
I’m a huge fan of settings as characters, if not literally, at least in the sense that they become so well drawn they feel like a side character in and of themselves.
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is a novel that successfully combines elements of fantasy, romance, and deep emotional storytelling. It’s a book that offers both escape and confrontation of deep-seated emotions, making it a compelling read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories where magic and reality intertwine seamlessly, offering both solace and a mirror to our own lives. My only complaint is that Sadie is a little annoying at times, but again, I couldn’t quite tell you why!
What Genre Is The Unfortunate Side Effects Of Heartbreak And Magic?
This one is a contemporary fantasy and romance novel, though I think it’s probably better described as magical realism than fantasy. It blends elements of fantasy with an otherwise perfectly normal world. The focus on personal relationships, emotional growth, and family dynamics, set in a modern-day context where magical elements are seamlessly integrated into the everyday world is compelling. The genre combination allows the book to explore deep emotional themes within a fantastical setting, appealing to fans of both romantic narratives and magical storytelling.
How Spicy Is The Novel?
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is very mild in terms of romantic or spicy content. It focuses more on emotional depth, magical realism, and the dynamics of personal relationships rather than explicit scenes. The romance in the novel tends to be more heartfelt and emotionally driven, fitting more into a contemporary fantasy romance genre that prioritises story and character development over steaminess. This isn’t a bad thing in my book (no pun intended). While we all know I love the spice this particular tale really lent itself to a greater focus on the emotional over the physical.
What Tropes Are In The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic
Billed as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic I knew going in this one was drawing on the well. By which, I mean the author has clearly identified a very particular vibe they want to emulate, and as such I expected tropes galore. I wasn’t disappointed, and they were all very well handled. The big romance trope in this one is that it’s a second chance tale, but there are several other tropes that are comfortingly familiar.
Magic Realism
The novel incorporates magic realism, where magical elements are part of the everyday world. This integration suggests that the supernatural aspects are both normal and unremarkable, shaping the narrative without making it wholly fantastical.
Family Curse
A central element of the story is the family curse that affects the protagonist and her lineage. This trope adds a layer of predestined challenges and influences the characters’ decisions and life paths, intertwining their personal histories with supernatural fates.
Second Chance Romance
This trope involves the protagonist rekindling a romance with a former love interest, exploring themes of redemption, the passage of time, and the evolution of feelings. It provides emotional depth and allows for exploration of the characters’ past and present dynamics.
Estranged Family Members
The return of estranged family members reintroduces past conflicts and secrets, driving the narrative forward. This trope often leads to revelations and resolutions that are crucial for the protagonist’s development and the story’s progression.
Small Town Setting
Set in a small town, this trope leverages the close-knit community dynamics, where everyone knows each other and personal histories are intertwined. It adds charm and a sense of belonging while highlighting the impact of community on individual lives.
Witches and Magic
Featuring characters who are witches with inherent magical abilities passed down through generations, this trope enriches the narrative by incorporating elements of traditional witchcraft and modern challenges, blending them into the life lessons and growth of the characters.
Coming of Age/Personal Growth
The protagonist undergoes significant personal growth throughout the novel. This coming-of-age aspect is critical as it details her journey from a younger, perhaps more naive self, to a more mature individual who understands her own strengths, desires, and responsibilities.
Each of these tropes works together to create a complex, engaging story that blends the everyday with the magical, the personal with the universal, making The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic a comforting yet poignant page-turner.
