Spells for Forgetting - Adrienne Young

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On the remote shores of Saoirse Island is an old magic—magic that some, like Emery Blackwood, feel deep in their bones when change is coming. 

For the last fourteen years, Emery has poured herself into her family’s business at Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe, Herbal Tonics, & Tea Leaf Readings. And for every moment of those fourteen years, she’s longed to forget the mysterious tragedy that struck Saoirse Island and separated her from August Salt, a boy long-gone from the island but far from gone in Emery’s heart.

For fans of Sarah Addison Allen’s early work and Shea Ernshaw’s “A History of Wild Places,” “Spells for Forgetting” is a deeply-atmospheric, truly-spellbinding read. From page one, Young paints a beautiful backdrop of the wild Saoirse Island and weaves its large cast of characters together in a story that’s part romance, part mystery, and touched with the perfect amount of magic. 

What I loved most about “Spells for Forgetting” is that despite it being a quieter story, it feels so very much like a story. Young’s writing is transportive, vivid, and emotional; though it erred a bit on the side of YA for me, particularly when POVs switched to the male characters. 

All in all, a gorgeous, magical story. This would’ve been a perfect 5 stars had it not been for so many different POVs and a rather rushed ending, but I loved it nonetheless.

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Publication Details: Out Now, Random House

*Huge thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing my review copy!*


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