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Under Your Spell
The daughter of an aging rock star finds herself working for the hottest musician on the planet and is shocked when sparks start to fly—especially since she swore she’d never, ever date a celebrity—in this unputdownable romance that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.
She wants three things. He isn’t one of them...
Dumped by her cheating ex, fired from her dream job, and about to lose her Clementine Monroe is not having a good day. So when her sisters get her drunk and suggest reviving a childhood ritual called the Breakup Spell, she doesn’t see the harm in it.
But now Clemmie has accidentally ruined a funeral, had her first one-night stand, and she’s stuck with a new job she definitely doesn’t want—spending six weeks alone with the gorgeous and very-off-limits rock star, Theo Eliott.
He’s the most famous man on the planet. Her life’s a disaster. As their summer together turns into its own kind of magic, is Clemmie cursed to repeat the mistakes of her past—or will her future see all her wishes come true?
She wants three things. He isn’t one of them...
Dumped by her cheating ex, fired from her dream job, and about to lose her Clementine Monroe is not having a good day. So when her sisters get her drunk and suggest reviving a childhood ritual called the Breakup Spell, she doesn’t see the harm in it.
But now Clemmie has accidentally ruined a funeral, had her first one-night stand, and she’s stuck with a new job she definitely doesn’t want—spending six weeks alone with the gorgeous and very-off-limits rock star, Theo Eliott.
He’s the most famous man on the planet. Her life’s a disaster. As their summer together turns into its own kind of magic, is Clemmie cursed to repeat the mistakes of her past—or will her future see all her wishes come true?
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2024
About the author
Laura Wood
19 books896 followersLaura Wood is the winner of the Montegrappa Scholastic Prize for New Children's Writing and the author of the 'Poppy Pym' and 'Vote for Effie' middle-grade series and YA novels, A Sky Painted Gold and Under a Dancing Star.
She loves Georgette Heyer novels, Fred Astaire films, travelling to far flung places, recipe books, Jilly Cooper, poetry, cosy woollen jumpers, Edith Nesbit, crisp autumn leaves, Jack Gilbert, new stationery, sensation fiction, salted caramel, feminism, Rufus Sewell's cheek-bones, dogs, and drinking lashings of ginger beer.
She loves Georgette Heyer novels, Fred Astaire films, travelling to far flung places, recipe books, Jilly Cooper, poetry, cosy woollen jumpers, Edith Nesbit, crisp autumn leaves, Jack Gilbert, new stationery, sensation fiction, salted caramel, feminism, Rufus Sewell's cheek-bones, dogs, and drinking lashings of ginger beer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,010 reviews
August 18, 2024
writing: loved it | plot: solid | ending: awwww | 4.5 rounded up
my opinion
I'm a fool for not reading this earlier because WOWOWOWOWowowowowow. My second banger of the year!!!!
I think I put this off because I was like ugh if he's gonna be one of those artsy fartsy musicians I'm gonna be so annoyed. But the stereotypical musician personality was toned down, and I appreciated that Clemmie (short for Clementine, unfortunately) took the piss out of him serenading her: ... if I could think of anything cringier than a grown man appearing at a campfire with an acoustic guitar I'd have been hard-pressed to give you an answer. LMAO MOOD.
Laura Wood can craft an ensemble of characters, lemme tell you. She added a unique spin of "rockstar with several baby mamas" by making said several baby mamas be besties who lived on a compound and raised their Irish daughters together. Each sister was distinct and had a clear voice: Clemmie was a classic middle child (although I can't remember if she actually is lol), Lil was the whimsical, adorably ditzy musician, and Serena was the tough-as-nails, cynical, career gal. Even the baby mamas were easy to differentiate. Theo was definitely the weakest of the bunch. I had a hard time believing he was almost 40 and had been in the music game for nearly 20 years. His neurotic and exacting assistant outshone him, IMO.
Clemmie's backstory and character was well fleshed out. She had daddy drama, work drama, and of course relationship drama and each thread was naturally tied up. I especially liked how the daddy drama was handled (no spoilies).
I had so many notes on my Kindle that were basically just "lol" "lmao" "lmfao". This book was FUNNY. The funeral scene made me cackle—okay that sounds bad, but just read the book. I loved Clemmie's sarcasm and wit. The dialogue was well-written and punchy, adding to the overall humour. It's tough to maintain the jokey jokes throughout, especially as the drama ratchets up, but she made it work. Now I'm unsure if all of the jokes are blue-haired hoe approved, but it was certainly approved by this brunette hoe.
Was Clemmie a little daft when it came to Theo's feelings? Definitely. Theo practically built her a house with nothing but his bare hands and his six-pack of abs and Clemmie was like "why are you being so nice to me?" GWURL. He wants to wear you like a sweater. I appreciated that after little resistance, he was open with his feelings and wanting a relationship. I did NOT like his so-called solution to an issue near the end, which is why I gave this a 4.5 instead of full 5 with chest, but otherwise I didn't have any qualms with their relationship. YES, it is insta-lovey but NOT in an insta-lust way. They actually had bants and spent time doing non-sexual things without heavy sexual innuendos.
All in all, I loved this one so much, I even bought a paperback copy. I NEED MORE LAURA!!!! Stop with the historical romances and drop another banger ASAP. RESPECTFULLY. Or not. Whatever motivates you more.
pros & cons
pros: well-written, HILARIOUS, unique characters, FMC Clemmie was well-developed, loved the bants between Clemmie and Theo, fast-paced despite being on the longer side, good vibes overall
cons: Theo's solution to a prickly situation was.... nah, Theo's character was the weakest and it should be illegal for grown men to wear a red silk suit jacket with nothing underneath it and matching trousers. wtf is THAT??
__
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my opinion
I'm a fool for not reading this earlier because WOWOWOWOWowowowowow. My second banger of the year!!!!
I think I put this off because I was like ugh if he's gonna be one of those artsy fartsy musicians I'm gonna be so annoyed. But the stereotypical musician personality was toned down, and I appreciated that Clemmie (short for Clementine, unfortunately) took the piss out of him serenading her: ... if I could think of anything cringier than a grown man appearing at a campfire with an acoustic guitar I'd have been hard-pressed to give you an answer. LMAO MOOD.
Laura Wood can craft an ensemble of characters, lemme tell you. She added a unique spin of "rockstar with several baby mamas" by making said several baby mamas be besties who lived on a compound and raised their Irish daughters together. Each sister was distinct and had a clear voice: Clemmie was a classic middle child (although I can't remember if she actually is lol), Lil was the whimsical, adorably ditzy musician, and Serena was the tough-as-nails, cynical, career gal. Even the baby mamas were easy to differentiate. Theo was definitely the weakest of the bunch. I had a hard time believing he was almost 40 and had been in the music game for nearly 20 years. His neurotic and exacting assistant outshone him, IMO.
Clemmie's backstory and character was well fleshed out. She had daddy drama, work drama, and of course relationship drama and each thread was naturally tied up. I especially liked how the daddy drama was handled (no spoilies).
I had so many notes on my Kindle that were basically just "lol" "lmao" "lmfao". This book was FUNNY. The funeral scene made me cackle—okay that sounds bad, but just read the book. I loved Clemmie's sarcasm and wit. The dialogue was well-written and punchy, adding to the overall humour. It's tough to maintain the jokey jokes throughout, especially as the drama ratchets up, but she made it work. Now I'm unsure if all of the jokes are blue-haired hoe approved, but it was certainly approved by this brunette hoe.
Was Clemmie a little daft when it came to Theo's feelings? Definitely. Theo practically built her a house with nothing but his bare hands and his six-pack of abs and Clemmie was like "why are you being so nice to me?" GWURL. He wants to wear you like a sweater. I appreciated that after little resistance, he was open with his feelings and wanting a relationship. I did NOT like his so-called solution to an issue near the end, which is why I gave this a 4.5 instead of full 5 with chest, but otherwise I didn't have any qualms with their relationship. YES, it is insta-lovey but NOT in an insta-lust way. They actually had bants and spent time doing non-sexual things without heavy sexual innuendos.
All in all, I loved this one so much, I even bought a paperback copy. I NEED MORE LAURA!!!! Stop with the historical romances and drop another banger ASAP. RESPECTFULLY. Or not. Whatever motivates you more.
pros & cons
pros: well-written, HILARIOUS, unique characters, FMC Clemmie was well-developed, loved the bants between Clemmie and Theo, fast-paced despite being on the longer side, good vibes overall
cons: Theo's solution to a prickly situation was.... nah, Theo's character was the weakest and it should be illegal for grown men to wear a red silk suit jacket with nothing underneath it and matching trousers. wtf is THAT??
__
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September 27, 2024
I laugh, the sound bright and scattered in the darkness. "I love you," I blurt, because at this point
not
saying it is a lot harder than saying it. I feel like I swallowed the sun and I'm trying to hide it from everyone, including myself.
Not anymore.
Theo exhales softly, a sound of relief. He pulls me across his lap, wraps his arms around me, presses a kiss next to my ear. "Clemmie, I am so in love with you," he whispers.
This was an enjoyable read if not a little long. Both characters are likeable and have their quirks, and there were several times I laughed out loud or grinned like an idiot while reading.
But nothing here really blew me away. The storyline was entertaining, though it's different than what I was thinking coming into it. I thought it would maybe have a little more angst and little more going on since she's working with a rockstar. But most of the book is actually very mellow and seemed slow at times.
I could see the third act breakup coming a mile away, but it was still frustrating. This would have been a really good scenario to see the two of them band together, figure out what they should do together, and my favorite thing, COMMUNICATE.
But I would recommend for anyone looking for a contemporary romance.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Not anymore.
Theo exhales softly, a sound of relief. He pulls me across his lap, wraps his arms around me, presses a kiss next to my ear. "Clemmie, I am so in love with you," he whispers.
This was an enjoyable read if not a little long. Both characters are likeable and have their quirks, and there were several times I laughed out loud or grinned like an idiot while reading.
But nothing here really blew me away. The storyline was entertaining, though it's different than what I was thinking coming into it. I thought it would maybe have a little more angst and little more going on since she's working with a rockstar. But most of the book is actually very mellow and seemed slow at times.
I could see the third act breakup coming a mile away, but it was still frustrating. This would have been a really good scenario to see the two of them band together, figure out what they should do together, and my favorite thing, COMMUNICATE.
But I would recommend for anyone looking for a contemporary romance.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
March 1, 2024
Have I got the PERFECT rom com for you!! 💖 Thank you sooo much @atriabooks for sending this gorgeous gifted copy my way!! 🥰 This is my first book by @lauracwood and I adored it!! Let me tell you about Theo 🔥… OH I mean the book! 😂 Pub date is June 25th!! 🥳🥳🥳 Don’t miss this one!! 😍
They met… at a funeral..😳… which turned into… a one night stand.. 😳🫢…never to be seen again??? 🤔🤔 Is this it for Clemmie and Edward??
Okay you know they are going to see each other again… 😂 … What I didn’t know is that our girl Clemmie is going to find herself working for one of the hottest rock stars ⭐️ out there!! 🎸🎤… None other than Theo Eliot… 😍… Nobody is more shocked than Clemmie.. Rock stars make her skin crawl after her dad… one of the most famous rockers 🤟 EVER…
OMG this was adorable!! Forced proximity… friends to lovers?? Enemies to lovers?? Not sure what Clemmie thought they were! 😂 I can tell you… I am still thinking about Theo!! 😂😍
I honestly haven’t been so wrapped up in a rom com like this since The Bodyguard..which this is completely different but if you enjoyed that… I think you will LOVE this!! 💖 Highly recommend!! 😍
They met… at a funeral..😳… which turned into… a one night stand.. 😳🫢…never to be seen again??? 🤔🤔 Is this it for Clemmie and Edward??
Okay you know they are going to see each other again… 😂 … What I didn’t know is that our girl Clemmie is going to find herself working for one of the hottest rock stars ⭐️ out there!! 🎸🎤… None other than Theo Eliot… 😍… Nobody is more shocked than Clemmie.. Rock stars make her skin crawl after her dad… one of the most famous rockers 🤟 EVER…
OMG this was adorable!! Forced proximity… friends to lovers?? Enemies to lovers?? Not sure what Clemmie thought they were! 😂 I can tell you… I am still thinking about Theo!! 😂😍
I honestly haven’t been so wrapped up in a rom com like this since The Bodyguard..which this is completely different but if you enjoyed that… I think you will LOVE this!! 💖 Highly recommend!! 😍
February 1, 2024
Speechless. This is one of the best rom coms I’ve read in a long time, and it will definitely make the top 2024 list. My heart was bursting with happiness the entire time and I’m not sure if a smile ever left my face… well maybe just during the 3rd act break up
What I loved:
▪️The writing captured me right from the start and was so uplifting
▪️The tropes: celebrity romance, forced proximity, one night stand turned more, cinnamon roll hero
▪️Theo. My new book boyfriend. He has the biggest heart and was always honest about where he stood with his feelings
▪️Clemmie’s character growth as she navigated through her complicated past
▪️The humor was laugh out loud funny without trying to be forced and the banter had me swooning
▪️The sister dynamics. I got Hocus Pocus/ Charmed vibes with the “spell” they casted and while no witches were involved, the story felt magical just
▪️The English countryside setting (especially the beach walks and family birthday bbq)
▪️This story had numerous subplots that were well developed, and Wood tied up all lose ends
▪️The album writing and the way Theo’s work comes full circle in the end
I will probably continue to update this list as I process my thoughts!!
Thank you Atria for the ARC!
What I loved:
▪️The writing captured me right from the start and was so uplifting
▪️The tropes: celebrity romance, forced proximity, one night stand turned more, cinnamon roll hero
▪️Theo. My new book boyfriend. He has the biggest heart and was always honest about where he stood with his feelings
▪️Clemmie’s character growth as she navigated through her complicated past
▪️The humor was laugh out loud funny without trying to be forced and the banter had me swooning
▪️The sister dynamics. I got Hocus Pocus/ Charmed vibes with the “spell” they casted and while no witches were involved, the story felt magical just
▪️The English countryside setting (especially the beach walks and family birthday bbq)
▪️This story had numerous subplots that were well developed, and Wood tied up all lose ends
▪️The album writing and the way Theo’s work comes full circle in the end
I will probably continue to update this list as I process my thoughts!!
Thank you Atria for the ARC!
July 7, 2024
This was just so cute and wholesome. It's a book with a musician where I actually loved the character. I loved the MMC, loved the sisters, loved the moms, loved the story... (this is me realizing I want to bump it up to a 5 because why not).
- Musician mmc and he is so cute
- Forced proximity
- He took care of her when she was sick
- The best family (excluding one person but they try?)
------------------------------
Definitely a 4+, maybe a 5. I'm still debating.
- Musician mmc and he is so cute
- Forced proximity
- He took care of her when she was sick
- The best family (excluding one person but they try?)
------------------------------
Definitely a 4+, maybe a 5. I'm still debating.
June 18, 2024
I loved this book so much! I felt as though it had cast a spell on me since I was compelled to read it all the way through!
Despite being the daughter of a rock star, Clementine would to live a private life. She does not know of Theo's celebrity when they first meet, and he does not know who her father is. After their one-night affair, Clementine leaves, believing she won't see him again. She did not anticipate seeing Theo when her sister offered her the job of hosting a rock star. As their connection grows and they spend more time together, she begins to realize she's falling deeply.
The main characters had incredible chemistry with toghether. Theo is not your usual rock star; he's such a cutie. He's sweet, kind, and caring, and I just can't help but adore him. I love how he looked for Clementine and care for her feelings.
I appreciate that the book focuses not only on the romance between the main characters, but also on the great friendship between the sisters and their mothers. I adored the closeness and dynamic that Clementine, Lil, and Serena had. It was wonderful to see how the author also addressed topics to which people can absolutely connect and how Clementine managed to deal with them.
It was my first book from this author and it will not be my last! Highly recommended!
Despite being the daughter of a rock star, Clementine would to live a private life. She does not know of Theo's celebrity when they first meet, and he does not know who her father is. After their one-night affair, Clementine leaves, believing she won't see him again. She did not anticipate seeing Theo when her sister offered her the job of hosting a rock star. As their connection grows and they spend more time together, she begins to realize she's falling deeply.
The main characters had incredible chemistry with toghether. Theo is not your usual rock star; he's such a cutie. He's sweet, kind, and caring, and I just can't help but adore him. I love how he looked for Clementine and care for her feelings.
I appreciate that the book focuses not only on the romance between the main characters, but also on the great friendship between the sisters and their mothers. I adored the closeness and dynamic that Clementine, Lil, and Serena had. It was wonderful to see how the author also addressed topics to which people can absolutely connect and how Clementine managed to deal with them.
It was my first book from this author and it will not be my last! Highly recommended!
June 27, 2024
the setup…
Clementine (Clemmie) Monroe has hit rock bottom. She’s losing the job she loves, her ex just left her for a woman he’d been seeing for months (he even took her cat!) and soon she’ll lose her flat. It’s a bad day and her unconventional sisters come to her rescue with libations and the resurrection of their childhood game, the Breakup Spell. Clemmie, Lil and Serena each place a curse on the ex and all announce their biggest wish for Clemmie. Then Serena comes up with a lucrative six week job for Clemmie where she has to babysit her label’s rock star Theo Eliott in an isolated location and make sure he finishes the new album. Clemmie’s reluctant since all three of them are the daughters of a rock star and she’s vowed to never be part of that world. But the biggest surprise is yet to come.
the heart of the story…
Clemmie might seem like a sad sack because of her circumstances but she’s smart, loyal and extremely talented (she has a PhD!). She only lacks confidence in herself because of her Daddy issues (well earned). But Theo’s not Rip and he’s not only gorgeous but a very decent man devoted to his family. He and Clemmie have sort of a history and it was lovely to see their relationship blossom from friendship to something more and have that affect his music. An added bonus is the relationship between the three sisters. They share the same father but have different mothers who were committed to them growing up together. They’re three very different women and are deeply devoted to each other.
the narration…
Heydon was absolutely delightful in her performance! She gave Clemmie real depth and I loved how she delivered the story.
the bottom line…
Many thanks to friends who raved about this story as I probably would not have listened to it otherwise as I tend to steer clear of rock star romances. But this is special as Clemmie and Theo are wonderfully designed characters, individually and in partnership. The sisters aren’t just minor characters either, both part of the magic that made this one of my favorite romances. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Clementine (Clemmie) Monroe has hit rock bottom. She’s losing the job she loves, her ex just left her for a woman he’d been seeing for months (he even took her cat!) and soon she’ll lose her flat. It’s a bad day and her unconventional sisters come to her rescue with libations and the resurrection of their childhood game, the Breakup Spell. Clemmie, Lil and Serena each place a curse on the ex and all announce their biggest wish for Clemmie. Then Serena comes up with a lucrative six week job for Clemmie where she has to babysit her label’s rock star Theo Eliott in an isolated location and make sure he finishes the new album. Clemmie’s reluctant since all three of them are the daughters of a rock star and she’s vowed to never be part of that world. But the biggest surprise is yet to come.
the heart of the story…
Clemmie might seem like a sad sack because of her circumstances but she’s smart, loyal and extremely talented (she has a PhD!). She only lacks confidence in herself because of her Daddy issues (well earned). But Theo’s not Rip and he’s not only gorgeous but a very decent man devoted to his family. He and Clemmie have sort of a history and it was lovely to see their relationship blossom from friendship to something more and have that affect his music. An added bonus is the relationship between the three sisters. They share the same father but have different mothers who were committed to them growing up together. They’re three very different women and are deeply devoted to each other.
the narration…
Heydon was absolutely delightful in her performance! She gave Clemmie real depth and I loved how she delivered the story.
the bottom line…
Many thanks to friends who raved about this story as I probably would not have listened to it otherwise as I tend to steer clear of rock star romances. But this is special as Clemmie and Theo are wonderfully designed characters, individually and in partnership. The sisters aren’t just minor characters either, both part of the magic that made this one of my favorite romances. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
January 23, 2024
It has been a while since I read a romance that I could not put down, so I am happy to report that this book hooked me from the first chapter. Clemmie and her sisters really stole the show for me, and the sweet romance that developed between Clemmie and Theo was the icing on the cake 🍰
This book has:
-The one-night stand and rockstar romance tropes 👩❤️👨
-Mistaken identity 🔎
-Forced proximity
-Boy fall first!!
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
This book has:
-The one-night stand and rockstar romance tropes 👩❤️👨
-Mistaken identity 🔎
-Forced proximity
-Boy fall first!!
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
July 3, 2024
Under Your Spell by Laura Wood
Contemporary romance.
Clementine Monroe was once dumped by a musician and decided to stay away from them in the future. And her most recent ex cheated and then took all the furniture and their cat! So Clemmie and her sisters wish for “hot sex” for her. Meeting a super hot man at a funeral turns into a one-night stand and it’s only after agreeing to a job set up by her sister that she realizes is the same man. Famous rock star Theo Eliot is the hottest musician on the planet and working in the same house everyday with Clemmie is not going to remain hands off for long.
Sisters, soul mates, and best friends. They plan, they support, they tease and they know. And Clemmie’s two sisters know Theo is the one for her. Their breakup spell guaranteed it.
I loved the closeness of the sisters. Their father is quite a trip but certainly comes through in the end. The hero is quite grumpy but turns to scrumptious soon enough.
Amusing and sexy. Romantic and dreamy.
I received a copy of the from NetGalley.
4.25
Contemporary romance.
Clementine Monroe was once dumped by a musician and decided to stay away from them in the future. And her most recent ex cheated and then took all the furniture and their cat! So Clemmie and her sisters wish for “hot sex” for her. Meeting a super hot man at a funeral turns into a one-night stand and it’s only after agreeing to a job set up by her sister that she realizes is the same man. Famous rock star Theo Eliot is the hottest musician on the planet and working in the same house everyday with Clemmie is not going to remain hands off for long.
Sisters, soul mates, and best friends. They plan, they support, they tease and they know. And Clemmie’s two sisters know Theo is the one for her. Their breakup spell guaranteed it.
I loved the closeness of the sisters. Their father is quite a trip but certainly comes through in the end. The hero is quite grumpy but turns to scrumptious soon enough.
Amusing and sexy. Romantic and dreamy.
I received a copy of the from NetGalley.
4.25
March 23, 2024
The only spell I’m under, is whatever Laura Wood put in this book because I am completely obsessed! 😍
We first meet Clemmie, who is recently dumped by her boyfriend Len of four years-who also took her cat. #justicefortuna
So as you can see, Len is just no good and clearly the only way to manage a broken heart is obviously, to cast a spell.
This is where The Weird Sisters come in! Side note: I adore these sisters and am actively looking for an application to join their adorable coven.
Clemmie, Serena and Lil cast a spell called The Break Up Spell and it’s just adorable! Seriously. I was grinning ear to ear during the whole thing.
After the spell is cast, Clemmie doesn’t think much of it because surely, it won’t work. But what if maybe it did work 😱
Clemmie soon becomes the housekeeper at Granny Mac’s house. Which also happens to be a seculded summer home, high up on the Northumberland coast. Gorgeous back drop for falling in love, am I right?!
Oh wait, did I forgot to mention that Clemmie is also staying at this home with Edward, I mean, THEO. (You’ll understand when you read the book 🙃)
Theo and Clemmie stay together at Granny Mac’s home, for six weeks while Theo finishes his highly anticipated album. Shoot, did I also forget to mention that Theo also happens to be the biggest rock star on the planet?! *swoon* 🥰
Not only did Theo and Clemmie’s banter and love story have me smiling, giggling and kicking my feet at every turn of the page. But pair that with the added bonus of Clemmie’s sisters and this book is so easy to fall for-no spell needed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
We first meet Clemmie, who is recently dumped by her boyfriend Len of four years-who also took her cat. #justicefortuna
So as you can see, Len is just no good and clearly the only way to manage a broken heart is obviously, to cast a spell.
This is where The Weird Sisters come in! Side note: I adore these sisters and am actively looking for an application to join their adorable coven.
Clemmie, Serena and Lil cast a spell called The Break Up Spell and it’s just adorable! Seriously. I was grinning ear to ear during the whole thing.
After the spell is cast, Clemmie doesn’t think much of it because surely, it won’t work. But what if maybe it did work 😱
Clemmie soon becomes the housekeeper at Granny Mac’s house. Which also happens to be a seculded summer home, high up on the Northumberland coast. Gorgeous back drop for falling in love, am I right?!
Oh wait, did I forgot to mention that Clemmie is also staying at this home with Edward, I mean, THEO. (You’ll understand when you read the book 🙃)
Theo and Clemmie stay together at Granny Mac’s home, for six weeks while Theo finishes his highly anticipated album. Shoot, did I also forget to mention that Theo also happens to be the biggest rock star on the planet?! *swoon* 🥰
Not only did Theo and Clemmie’s banter and love story have me smiling, giggling and kicking my feet at every turn of the page. But pair that with the added bonus of Clemmie’s sisters and this book is so easy to fall for-no spell needed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 27, 2024
I absolutely adored this one. Best rom-com that I have read in a while. The daughter of an aging rock star finds herself working for the hottest musician on the planet and is shocked when sparks start to fly—especially since she swore she’d never, ever date a celebrity. This book is so much fun, and I adored the focus on music as well as the forced proximity story line. For fans of engaging and sweet romances as well as well-crafted characters.
This is one of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide Preview selections. Check out the preview for more great summer reads: https://www.thoughtsfromapage.com/blo....
This is one of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide Preview selections. Check out the preview for more great summer reads: https://www.thoughtsfromapage.com/blo....
July 23, 2024
Under Your Spell is one of my favorite summer romances of 2024. It was funny, had that quintessential British irreverence, but ultimately it was the charm of the characters that won me over. This couple had chemistry for DAYS.
I was worried. There are several plot devices that on paper.....are just not my cup of tea.
One Night Stands, celebrity romances, multiple open door scenes are just not what I gravitate towards these days.
BUT...
Under Your Spell is a perfect example of what I always say....any trope can be written right, so don't count it out! This book is full of sassy sisterly dynamics and characters that have a lot of forced proximity.
Our main character has been burned by musicians in the past, but when she accidentally finds herself falling in love with a famous musician, she learns that not all men in music are the same. Even though this book begins as a one night stand, what results is a delicious slow burn with pining for what they know could be.
I love laughing in a book and found this one to be genuinely funny. The grand gestures were absolutely LOVELY, and the conflict between the characters just made sense.
This is a book that just made me happy and excited about the romance genre again and honestly this year that's all a girl can ask for.
I was worried. There are several plot devices that on paper.....are just not my cup of tea.
One Night Stands, celebrity romances, multiple open door scenes are just not what I gravitate towards these days.
BUT...
Under Your Spell is a perfect example of what I always say....any trope can be written right, so don't count it out! This book is full of sassy sisterly dynamics and characters that have a lot of forced proximity.
Our main character has been burned by musicians in the past, but when she accidentally finds herself falling in love with a famous musician, she learns that not all men in music are the same. Even though this book begins as a one night stand, what results is a delicious slow burn with pining for what they know could be.
I love laughing in a book and found this one to be genuinely funny. The grand gestures were absolutely LOVELY, and the conflict between the characters just made sense.
This is a book that just made me happy and excited about the romance genre again and honestly this year that's all a girl can ask for.
February 16, 2024
This was such a fantastic read! It hooked me right away and I found myself saying "just one more chapter" over and over again. It's a slowburn friends to lover romance, but the heart of the book is Clementine's growth and her relationship with her wonderfully eclectic family. Because of this, I would classify Under Your Spell more in the women's fiction genre rather than romance.
Things to look forward to:
- Witty and heartfelt writing and some of the best banter I've encountered
- Ride or die sisters, who are intensely loyal and give as good as they get. I loved the relationship between Clemmie, Serena, and Lil. The Weird Sisters forever! They had me laughing so hard with their antics and they balanced each other so well. Truly a highlight of the book!
- tropes like: forced proximity, one night stand, rockstar/celebrity, found family, caretaker/sick bed, cinnamon roll hero, etc
- Main characters in their 30's who talk and try and solve their problems (even if some of it may be in a roundabout way)
- Theo. *swoon* He was such a sweetheart and I loved how thoughtful and careful he was. I normally dislike rockstar MC's, but he was basically the anti-rockstar since he got that all out of his system early on in his career. He was actually an adorkable nerd to start and those roots run deep! ;)
- Clemmie. Her character arc was quite satisfying and I loved that she didn't get it right all the time. Her past has made her extremely guarded and it was beautiful to see her make her way through.
- A tender and quiet romantic progression. After a quick start and stumble, I really appreciated how things unfolded organically. It made the big and small moments so much more romantic and meaningful. The caretaker/sick bed scenes were soooooo good. There are also some absolutely swoony moments that had me smiling at my kindle. The steam isn't overly descriptive and fades to black, but it still felt very sensual and sexy.
Even though I didn't love the drama towards the end, I felt that it was necessary to bring Clemmie full circle. I don't think the HEA would have been possible (or sustainable) without confronting those feelings and fears first. Their decisions were understandable given their histories. The ending made my heart so happy and I can't wait to read more from this author. Under Your Spell is a feel good romance that celebrates friendship, family, and finding your joy. Don't miss this one!
CW: cheating and manipulative ex (past), aggressive paparazzi, slander & libel, job instability and financial concerns, grief, death of loved one (past), parental abandonment and neglect, parental infidelity
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Things to look forward to:
- Witty and heartfelt writing and some of the best banter I've encountered
- Ride or die sisters, who are intensely loyal and give as good as they get. I loved the relationship between Clemmie, Serena, and Lil. The Weird Sisters forever! They had me laughing so hard with their antics and they balanced each other so well. Truly a highlight of the book!
- tropes like: forced proximity, one night stand, rockstar/celebrity, found family, caretaker/sick bed, cinnamon roll hero, etc
- Main characters in their 30's who talk and try and solve their problems (even if some of it may be in a roundabout way)
- Theo. *swoon* He was such a sweetheart and I loved how thoughtful and careful he was. I normally dislike rockstar MC's, but he was basically the anti-rockstar since he got that all out of his system early on in his career. He was actually an adorkable nerd to start and those roots run deep! ;)
- Clemmie. Her character arc was quite satisfying and I loved that she didn't get it right all the time. Her past has made her extremely guarded and it was beautiful to see her make her way through.
- A tender and quiet romantic progression. After a quick start and stumble, I really appreciated how things unfolded organically. It made the big and small moments so much more romantic and meaningful. The caretaker/sick bed scenes were soooooo good. There are also some absolutely swoony moments that had me smiling at my kindle. The steam isn't overly descriptive and fades to black, but it still felt very sensual and sexy.
Even though I didn't love the drama towards the end, I felt that it was necessary to bring Clemmie full circle. I don't think the HEA would have been possible (or sustainable) without confronting those feelings and fears first. Their decisions were understandable given their histories. The ending made my heart so happy and I can't wait to read more from this author. Under Your Spell is a feel good romance that celebrates friendship, family, and finding your joy. Don't miss this one!
CW: cheating and manipulative ex (past), aggressive paparazzi, slander & libel, job instability and financial concerns, grief, death of loved one (past), parental abandonment and neglect, parental infidelity
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
March 12, 2024
Under Your Spell is a well written, fun, and feel-good rom com. It's the story of Clementine "Clemmie", the daughter of a super-famous rockstar who has decided to live her life out of the spotlight, FAR away from music (and especially musicians)… until she lands a job "babysitting" rockstar Theo Elliot.
For a romantic comedy, I found this quite addicting and read it in just a few days. Rom coms can be a little bit predictable, but I appreciated how this one had some unique aspects. The character development was excellent, particularly for Clemmie, and I could totally relate to some of her struggles. Also, I always love books that include body positivity! Theo, the love interest, was charming and sweet- we love a man who can communicate 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 In my opinion, the best part of the book is the relationship between Clemmie and her two sisters, Lil and Serena. They have such a fun and believable bond, and I absolutely loved reading the banter between them. Laura Wood is such a skilled writer and created amazingly well rounded characters that made me SO invested in their journey.
If you're looking for a heartwarming, feel-good read with a little bit of (literal) magic sprinkled in, then this is the book for you! I would now like to petition for follow up books with both Lil and Serena's stories!
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books!
For a romantic comedy, I found this quite addicting and read it in just a few days. Rom coms can be a little bit predictable, but I appreciated how this one had some unique aspects. The character development was excellent, particularly for Clemmie, and I could totally relate to some of her struggles. Also, I always love books that include body positivity! Theo, the love interest, was charming and sweet- we love a man who can communicate 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 In my opinion, the best part of the book is the relationship between Clemmie and her two sisters, Lil and Serena. They have such a fun and believable bond, and I absolutely loved reading the banter between them. Laura Wood is such a skilled writer and created amazingly well rounded characters that made me SO invested in their journey.
If you're looking for a heartwarming, feel-good read with a little bit of (literal) magic sprinkled in, then this is the book for you! I would now like to petition for follow up books with both Lil and Serena's stories!
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books!
September 23, 2023
Laura Wood has found her calling in life. Under Your Spell is the natural successor to the romance novels of Eva Ibbotson and Nancy Mitford. This is filled with English country houses, recalcitrant heroes, oblivious heroines and interfering sisters galore, all amped up with a modern sprinkling of sex, magic and social media. Laura Wood has certainly cast a magic spell on me.
July 3, 2024
3.75⭐️
This book was really cute! It started out super strong with a group of sisters casting an old breakup spell they used to do in high school. The results were really fun to read about but I did feel like the book lost a bit of its purpose in the middle. I enjoyed the ending but just wanted there to feel like there was more of a point to the story in the middle of the book. Overall a very solid romance!
This book was really cute! It started out super strong with a group of sisters casting an old breakup spell they used to do in high school. The results were really fun to read about but I did feel like the book lost a bit of its purpose in the middle. I enjoyed the ending but just wanted there to feel like there was more of a point to the story in the middle of the book. Overall a very solid romance!
August 8, 2024
4.5 stars!
I’ll admit, the start was super cheesy but goddamn it got goood 🤩
The relationship between Clemmie and Theo was such a sweet build up it was easy to root for them.
Clemmie’s struggles with being a musicians daughter and her other issues with celebrity and mental health were well addressed and explored.
I’ll admit, the start was super cheesy but goddamn it got goood 🤩
The relationship between Clemmie and Theo was such a sweet build up it was easy to root for them.
Clemmie’s struggles with being a musicians daughter and her other issues with celebrity and mental health were well addressed and explored.
September 11, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️
recensie volgt nog!
recensie volgt nog!
January 7, 2024
Thank you Netgalley & Simon and Schuster for access to this title in exchange for an honest review. 🤍
Unfortunately this fell very flat for me. I enjoyed it in the beginning and had high hopes for the story, however it just started to drag. This may be due to the circumstances in which I read this book in.
On a brighter note, I enjoyed the sister relationships that were depicted and the plot had a lot of potential to be great.
2.5 ⭐️
Unfortunately this fell very flat for me. I enjoyed it in the beginning and had high hopes for the story, however it just started to drag. This may be due to the circumstances in which I read this book in.
On a brighter note, I enjoyed the sister relationships that were depicted and the plot had a lot of potential to be great.
2.5 ⭐️
March 8, 2024
OH MY GOD YOU CANNOT CONVINCE ME THIS ISN’T HARRY STYLES FAN FIC
anyway, I’m smitten and kicking my legs and squeeing with delight.
anyway, I’m smitten and kicking my legs and squeeing with delight.
June 29, 2024
Things are NOT going well for Clementine. Growing up as the daughter of famous musicians, she avoids dating any celebrities or (shutter) musicians. She had a traumatic childhood and she will NEVER date anyone slightly reminding her of her father. In her journey to find a new job, her sister has a 6-week project that she needs help with. It seems simple enough, keep an eye on a famous musician while he writes his new album in a remote cabin. Before accepting the job, she has a steamy one night stand with no names. She soon finds out who she was with—now she doesn’t want the job but she needs the money…
I enjoyed this, it was a very fun (and funny) read. I fully appreciate Theo’s (the MMC) openness about his feelings so that there wasn’t any confusion and he was so sweet! The ending had me laughing and cheering, Clemmie really stands up for herself and starts to mend (and burn) the bridges she needs to.
*Provided an ARC (advance reader copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this, it was a very fun (and funny) read. I fully appreciate Theo’s (the MMC) openness about his feelings so that there wasn’t any confusion and he was so sweet! The ending had me laughing and cheering, Clemmie really stands up for herself and starts to mend (and burn) the bridges she needs to.
*Provided an ARC (advance reader copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
August 27, 2024
I don't know what happened. I started off absolutely loving this. A one-night stand (unknowingly) with a rockstar leads to an unexpected job opportunity for Clementine Monroe—spending six weeks alone with the very same man: the handsome, tattooed, and wildly famous Theo Eliott.
As the daughter of a famous musician, Clementine has no interest in the limelight, which has already caused plenty of havoc in her life. Normally, I don’t gravitate towards celebrity romances, but her connection to that world made this feel more grounded in reality. I could have read an entire book focused solely on the dynamic between her hilarious two half-sisters, their loving mothers, and their disconnected father—it was so entertaining.
The six weeks of forced proximity with Theo seemed promising. The banter was great, the tension was steadily building, and there's even a really great caretaking scene. Theo was genuinely a great guy—sincere, selfless, and utterly devoted to Clementine. He’s the definition of a simp, willing to inconvenience his entire life for her. It was all wonderfully romantic, but dare I say, he was too perfect for me? Unfortunately, I found myself getting bored with it all shortly after the halfway point.
(heat level: a few open-door scenes, mild to moderate details)
As the daughter of a famous musician, Clementine has no interest in the limelight, which has already caused plenty of havoc in her life. Normally, I don’t gravitate towards celebrity romances, but her connection to that world made this feel more grounded in reality. I could have read an entire book focused solely on the dynamic between her hilarious two half-sisters, their loving mothers, and their disconnected father—it was so entertaining.
The six weeks of forced proximity with Theo seemed promising. The banter was great, the tension was steadily building, and there's even a really great caretaking scene. Theo was genuinely a great guy—sincere, selfless, and utterly devoted to Clementine. He’s the definition of a simp, willing to inconvenience his entire life for her. It was all wonderfully romantic, but dare I say, he was too perfect for me? Unfortunately, I found myself getting bored with it all shortly after the halfway point.
(heat level: a few open-door scenes, mild to moderate details)
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March 16, 2024this started off REALLY strong and i was so excited to read it: british musician, former boy band member now making it big as a solo artist, tattoos -- i mean, remind you of anyone? how could i not be excited about this.
and then.. it just kind of fell flat. i felt like there weren't enough moving parts in terms of plot to keep me inverted. the writing was fine but i felt like it wasn't leading up to anything or giving me a reason to keep reading.
i do think this will work for a lot of people: the MMC is dreamy and if you like forced proximity this might be for you.
thank you to the publisher for the eARC!
and then.. it just kind of fell flat. i felt like there weren't enough moving parts in terms of plot to keep me inverted. the writing was fine but i felt like it wasn't leading up to anything or giving me a reason to keep reading.
i do think this will work for a lot of people: the MMC is dreamy and if you like forced proximity this might be for you.
thank you to the publisher for the eARC!
June 22, 2024
I absolutely ADORED this rockstar romance about sisterhood, finding true love and messy family relationships!! When Clemmy gets dumped by her boyfriend who steals her cat to boot, her sisters band together to curse him and cast a love spell for her.
What follows is a hot one night stand with a stranger who later turns out to be her new assignment. Her sister Serena begs her for a favor to help 'watch' a famous singer/songwriter struggling to write his latest album only to find out its the man from her one night stand.
Full of delicious forced proximity goodness, a swoony caretaking scene, lots of drama and intimate moments. I loved how Theo is the one man in Clemmy's life who finally doesn't disappoint or use her and the way he shows his love for her had my heart melting!!
Great on audio narrated by Heather Long, this is a new favorite rockstar romance story for me and I can't recommend it enough! Perfect for fans of books like Scandalized by Ivy Owens or The happy ever after playlist by Abby Jimenez. Many thanks to NetGalley and @Simon.Audio for an early digital and ALC copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: mostly fade to black, some mild details
What follows is a hot one night stand with a stranger who later turns out to be her new assignment. Her sister Serena begs her for a favor to help 'watch' a famous singer/songwriter struggling to write his latest album only to find out its the man from her one night stand.
Full of delicious forced proximity goodness, a swoony caretaking scene, lots of drama and intimate moments. I loved how Theo is the one man in Clemmy's life who finally doesn't disappoint or use her and the way he shows his love for her had my heart melting!!
Great on audio narrated by Heather Long, this is a new favorite rockstar romance story for me and I can't recommend it enough! Perfect for fans of books like Scandalized by Ivy Owens or The happy ever after playlist by Abby Jimenez. Many thanks to NetGalley and @Simon.Audio for an early digital and ALC copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: mostly fade to black, some mild details
August 15, 2024
I have it on good authority that three sisters are absolutely pure magic and the stuff of soulmates 🥹❤️
September 8, 2024
3 ⭐️ (🎧) honestly I deserve financial compensation for going into this book believing it was about to give witchy romcom realness only to realize that the “spells” are FAKE and a JOKE between the main character and her sisters 🙂↔️
this was a quick little romance read I listened to because I’d seen it floating around on booksta, and on one hand it was super funny, adorable, & light-hearted. the build-up to clementine & theo’s relationship felt very natural and cutesy and I loved the little forced proximity moment 🤞🏼 clementine could be a little self-destructive at times (aren’t we all), but her rationale for not trusting theo because of the nature of his job made complete sense to me. like girl I’m right there with you, men ain’t shit 😔🎤
on the other hand tho… the pacing 💔 the first 20% started off so strong and I was super invested in clemmie’s quest of self-discovery, but then I swear the conflicts just kept resolving themselves way too quickly and I was left wondering at least 3 separate times how the story could possibly keep going from there. by the time I got to the third-act breakup I was pretty much just over the story and wanted things to wrap up as quickly as possible 🤐
this wasn’t a bad book by any means, but I was ~personally~ left wanting a little bit more. I also lost my libby loan on this, so the contents of the last 10% will forever be a mystery to me LMAO
this was a quick little romance read I listened to because I’d seen it floating around on booksta, and on one hand it was super funny, adorable, & light-hearted. the build-up to clementine & theo’s relationship felt very natural and cutesy and I loved the little forced proximity moment 🤞🏼 clementine could be a little self-destructive at times (aren’t we all), but her rationale for not trusting theo because of the nature of his job made complete sense to me. like girl I’m right there with you, men ain’t shit 😔🎤
on the other hand tho… the pacing 💔 the first 20% started off so strong and I was super invested in clemmie’s quest of self-discovery, but then I swear the conflicts just kept resolving themselves way too quickly and I was left wondering at least 3 separate times how the story could possibly keep going from there. by the time I got to the third-act breakup I was pretty much just over the story and wanted things to wrap up as quickly as possible 🤐
this wasn’t a bad book by any means, but I was ~personally~ left wanting a little bit more. I also lost my libby loan on this, so the contents of the last 10% will forever be a mystery to me LMAO
May 1, 2024
Under Your Spell ✨
What a way to say goodbye to April. This was such a me book. I love books that involve musicians. And it was emotional and funny and sexy and just made me so happy to read it. Theo is A+ book bf - no notes. Smiled my way through the end. Maybe will someday right a coherent review but for now just add it to your TBR. 5 ⭐️
What a way to say goodbye to April. This was such a me book. I love books that involve musicians. And it was emotional and funny and sexy and just made me so happy to read it. Theo is A+ book bf - no notes. Smiled my way through the end. Maybe will someday right a coherent review but for now just add it to your TBR. 5 ⭐️
July 12, 2024
needed something happy after sharp objects, so i jumped into this knowing nothing except the cover. so fun! shocked i haven't heard the romance girlies talking about this...
August 20, 2024
This was hilarious and heart-warming. Laura Wood raised the bar for romantic fiction with this novel.
February 14, 2024
I was SO excited when I got the ARC approval email for this book. A few years ago, I had to select my first book for the book club I'm a part of. I was so nervous and wanted to pick something that would appeal to the entire group, but that was also YA- a genre we hadn't really read much of. Someone suggested A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood, and my book clubs love of Laura was sparked. We joke that we're her largest fan club, and we hope her love of Anne of Green Gables will bring her to our little island someday.
Sometimes the transition from YA to adult fiction can be tricky- I've disliked some of my very favourite YA authors adult fantasy or romance novels. This definitely isn't the case with Under Your Spell- it is SO good. This book had me kicking my feet, laughing out loud and I even shed a few tears. More than just a romance, the portrayal of Clemmie, Serena and Lil's relationship had me feeling big feelings. I pictured Theo as Harry Styles because he's my favorite but the great thing about how he's depicted in the book is you could easily picture your favorite male musician in place of him- I know in Laura's Instagram stories she said one of his songs sounded like Hozier's Talk and that gave me a great visual (audio?) of Theo's sound. This will be a great summer beach read and I can't wait to obnoxiously tell everyone to buy it!
It's rare that I will buy a book after reading a digital arc, but this is one I've already pre-ordered as I know I'll revisit it again (and hopefully select for our book club if the timing is right!). HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ahead of all my book club pals so I can annoy them with how good it is before it comes out!
Sometimes the transition from YA to adult fiction can be tricky- I've disliked some of my very favourite YA authors adult fantasy or romance novels. This definitely isn't the case with Under Your Spell- it is SO good. This book had me kicking my feet, laughing out loud and I even shed a few tears. More than just a romance, the portrayal of Clemmie, Serena and Lil's relationship had me feeling big feelings. I pictured Theo as Harry Styles because he's my favorite but the great thing about how he's depicted in the book is you could easily picture your favorite male musician in place of him- I know in Laura's Instagram stories she said one of his songs sounded like Hozier's Talk and that gave me a great visual (audio?) of Theo's sound. This will be a great summer beach read and I can't wait to obnoxiously tell everyone to buy it!
It's rare that I will buy a book after reading a digital arc, but this is one I've already pre-ordered as I know I'll revisit it again (and hopefully select for our book club if the timing is right!). HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ahead of all my book club pals so I can annoy them with how good it is before it comes out!
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