I had wanted to read Spells For Forgetting by Adrienne Young since I first heard about it. It sounded so mysterious, so atmospheric, I knew it was going to be right up my street. And I absolutely loved it!

Saoirse is an insular island. The people have magic, their own traditions and superstitions. They don't like outsiders, and yet depend on the mainlanders who come every autumn to pick apples from the orchard. It's what keeps them afloat. Fourteen years ago, Emery and August were going to leave. They were going to escape and find futures of their own, rather than accept the roles that had been given them.But on the evening before they're due to leave, everything changes. The orchard caught fire, risking the island's livelihood, and Lily, Emery and August's friend, is murdered. The truth about the fire and the murder are never uncovered, but August was the prime suspect. Never changed, he was nevertheless tainted by the accusation, and no-one trusted him. Except Emery. But when the island turns their back on you, and makes your life a misery, there's only one option. August and his mother leave the island - without Emery. Fourteen years later, the island is still haunted by that night. With the return of August to bury his mother's ashes, the hatred and suspicion bubbles up again. And with his return comes strange, unnatural occurrences on the island. It seems Saoirse is finally ready to reveal the truth.

Spells For Forgetting is mainly told in dual perspectives from Emery and August's points of view. Occasionally we get chapters from their perspectives from when they were teens, and occasionally we get chapters in the present day from other characters. This is such a stunning book! You know not everyone is being honest, that people at least know things that have yet to be revealed to the reader. You question everyone, including Emery and August; are they unreliable narrators? #AdrienneYoung has a brilliant way of keeping the reader in the dark, hinting at just enough to keep you turning the pages, with secrets and lies, things just below the surface, without really giving anything away. What actually happened that night? Who killed Lily? What is everyone hiding? It's so beautifully written, and so atmospheric, it was just gorgeous! Plot aside, I really enjoyed simply reading this book, revelling in it. It's all vibes, and those vibes are everything I want. Plus there's Emery and August's relationship. Their love was all encompassing. This epic love alongside Young's writing, it's just stunning. The yearning! The heartbreak! The chaos! I adored it!

As I said, Young manages to keep everyone's cards close to their chests until it's time to reveal them, so you're turning the pages wondering what the hell is going on. When the answers do come, there are some, "Ooooh!" moments. I did have a strong theory as to what happened to Lily, which was correct, but I never figured out the how or the why. And there were other aspects I found quite shocking. It's the kind of book that will always stick with me because of the vibes, so I've been thinking about it the past few days, and I have to be honest, there are something that just don't hold up to scrutiny. It doesn't make sense to me, given who the people on the island are and what is their norm, that the cause of Lily's death was never a consideration in the first place. Once you're aware of certain details, I feel like it's pretty obvious, but it isn't to anybody on the island. And with the other reveals, I had other questions. I could maybe understand the reasons behind certain things that happened in the past, but not about what happens present day. An antagonist's motivations in the present day just felt kind of flimsy, given the situation they find themselves in. Unless it was because of obsession, and they just couldn't let it go.

But it's not exactly clear, because the reveal happens so quickly, and then we're at the epilogue. Which I found quite frustrating, because I was left with certain questions. The real and actual truth comes out, and I would very much like to have known what the consequences of that were for the wider community of Saoirse, and all the other reveals that would have an impact, but we're never told. The focus is more on Emery and August, and what the truth means to them - for them. And yes, I was satisfied with that. But I definitely feel like there should have been more of a conclusion. So much is left open. Perhaps there are plans for a companion novel, I don't know. But that would definitely be my hope, because I want those answers. And there was another smaller thing that I was slightly disappointed in, and that is, for an island where the women have magic and family spell books, and real earthy witchcraft, there is quite the lack of magic actually taking place in this story. Honestly, I feel the magic could be removed, and certain elements rethought to a degree, and the story would still stand. I just expected and wanted more, especially with Spells in the title.

If you want a book that has a real thought out mystery that's tightly plotted and makes sense, and a lot of witchcraft, maybe give Spells For Forgetting a miss. However, if you're looking for a book that is all vibes and atmosphere and stunningly beautiful writing that you can float away on, Spells For Forgetting isn't one to miss. For all my issues with it, I bloody loved it, and I'll definitely read more by Young if she writes more books in a similar vein.

Thank you to Quercus via NetGalley for the eProof.

Trigger/Content Warnings: This book features recreational drug use, sex shaming, sex scenes - one semi-vague & one not overly detailed, death of a parent, arson, a person being burnt in a fire, alcoholism, child abuse - violent, and domestic violence.

Spells for forgetting was a book full of suspense. I couldn't put it down. Everything was a mystery.

This book is a dark and somewhat spooky read.

I loved how Emery and August characters changed through out the book. It was great to see them both together and the apples never leaving them too.

I'm sorry, but this is a no from me.
Like I genuinely tried but I couldn't continue reading this as absolutely nothing held my attention and I never got past the 25%.
Best of luck y'all.

It was quite boring, repetitive and uneventful which is just a recipe for disaster in my opinion.
For a supposedly Adult book, it read very much like YA even though the characters are supposed to be in their early to mid thirties.
Said characters felt quite boring and honestly gave nothing to me.

The only aspect I actually did enjoy about this book is how atmospheric it is and the magical island element was a nice touch but that's about it.

I was absolutely ecstatic when I received the approval for Adrienne Young's book, as I'm a big fan of her work.
Unfortunately, my heart was squeezed with disappointment.
On one hand, I adored the atmosphere that was gripping and intriguing.
The plot idea was brilliant, and I loved how the island was portrayed as a magical thing by itself.
Alas, the result got me underwhelmed, and I wished it was more.
I would've loved if the magic was a more dominant thing in the story and the island should've got a bigger role.
The lyrical deviations in my opinion were too much to the point where I started to struggle to keep track on the plot and dragged on unnecessarily the whole story.
Sadly, from the beginning, I couldn't feel the connection between Emery and August.
We get their backstory much later, so we can't feel and grasp the significance of all that is unfolding between them in the beginning when he's back on the island, and that leaves you as a detached spectator.
I absolutely hate and try to avoid negative reviews because behind every book that we get there's a lot of work. But I am sad for the missed opportunity with this interesting story.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book, and despite my disappointment, I remain a huge fan of Adrienne Young's work.

A solid 4.5🌟
Omg what did I just read! This book sucked me in from the first page. Go gripping. This book is very dark and atmospheric. Full of twists turns and lots of secrets I absolutely loved Emory and August's story and the mystery of the island. This was my first book by Adrienne Young and I can't wait to try more I loved her writing style.

I read this via Net Galley.

I absolutely adored everything about this book! I don't know what it is, but Young is just able to capture my little heart and bundle it up in a little blanket and keep it cosy!

This book was based on a mysterious plot that gradually found us at the ultimate point of twists and turns. I enjoyed the magical aspect of the book and how it really felt like a coming-of-age story, you had the younger generation and then the older generation, the distinction between them worked really well for the plot.

I liked the romance, and I was just all round hooked! I can definitely see myself picking this up again.

I’d probably rate this 3.5/4 stars.

I really enjoyed the spooky, autumnal vibes it game me. It follows the story of Emery and August and a horrible fire that killed their best friend. August leaves Emery on the island and returns years later .. not is all as it seems on the island and though August is thought to have been the killer .. is he?

I didn’t know what was going on for most of the book which made it very interesting and I desperately wanted to find out what had happened..

It perhaps felt a bit anticlimactic/dramatic when everything came to light but I did enjoy the spark between Emery and August.

This book has become a contender for favourite book of the year!
The way Adrienne Young has crafted this magnificent specimen is astounding. The vibes - immaculate. The island being its own character - flawless. The secrets, the magic, the angst - perfect.
When I was reading this book it was like I was watching a movie play out in my head!
I really hope Adrienne Young writes more adult books because omg this book was everything.

Ironically, Spells for Forgetting is a rather unmemorable book.

I don't have too much to say about Adrienne Young's Adult debut. I've had mixed experiences with her work in the past – I loved Fable but Sky in the Deep was mid – but I was hoping to enjoy this a lot more than I did.

In short, I didn't care for any of the characters. Sure, we're given backstories and information about all of them, but I wasn't given a reason to care. There was no connection, no attachment there. Likewise, Adrienne made several comments before publication that this was her most romantic book yet, but aside from a few sex scenes, I really can't see it.

The murder mystery aspect of the book was the most compelling, but as is the theme with Young's work, the ending was rushed and everything wasn't as fully explored as I'd have liked it to be. I'll give credit where it's due though: it was atmospheric, and I enjoyed the small town setting.

Another gripe I had with this book isn't entirely Adrienne Young's fault, but I hate that this book was marketed as a contemporary fantasy. Yes, it has some (very few) fantasy elements, so I can see why her team did that, but personally I think it's a disservice to the book. I'd likely have struggled less to get through this if it was pitched as what it really is: a murder mystery.

I like Adrienne and I've followed her for years, so I'll probably give her 'Red Door' Adult Fantasy a try, but Spells for Forgetting definitely doesn't cement her as an auto-buy author for me. :(

Overall, I definitely wouldn't rush to recommend Spells for Forgetting. I'll likely be unhauling my copy from my shelves very soon.

↠ 3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-Arc of this book!

This book was really intriguing, I found the first 25% hard to get into but after that I couldnt put it down. The mystery, the magic system and the small town cozy feel really gripped me.

It is perfect for autumn! I really like Adrienne Youngs YA books (all of which I have given 5 stars in the past) but her adult writing really adds something remarkable to the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-Arc of this book!

This book was really intriguing, I found the first 25% hard to get into but after that I couldnt put it down. The mystery, the magic system and the small town cozy feel really gripped me.

It is perfect for autumn! I really like Adrienne Youngs YA books (all of which I have given 5 stars in the past) but her adult writing really adds something remarkable to the book.

This was a tremendously atmospheric book. If you’re drawn to the magic of nature and ritual, this will really appeal to you.

The island of Saoirse is a small and an intense world unto itself. It is ruled by a town council which for someone like me, feels like a little American novelty, further transporting me. Maybe this feels familiar to you and you’ll love it because of that? There are some intense themes of protecting your own, bitterness between old bloodlines and a both beautiful and eerie final page.

Ultimately for me this book was about how love can be both pain and joy.
“There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting.”

Very atmospheric, but didn't hold my attention. Somehow the magical realism started wearing me down so I'd lose interest.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the short snappy chapters with multiple points of view and I loved the mystery! I was so excited to see a favourite YA author branch out of the YA genre. Although this one is advertised as a magical fantasy, I would say it’s more of a mystery/suspense with a splash of magic/spells here and there with it becoming more prominent near the end. The start felt a little slow for me, but picked up as the book went on. There is a lot of heartache, secrets, and mystery of the island!

Thank you to the publishers for an ARC copy of this book! I got 100 pages in and the book released as I requested my copy fairly close to publication so I ordered my copy and finished reading on the physical copy as I needed it for my Adrienne Young collection! ☺️

This book really intrigued me. At first it was hard to get into but then about 30% in I was hooked and could not put it down. I shed a few tears and my god, it was just a beautiful book.

https://lynns-books.com/2022/10/18/spells-for-forgetting-by-adrienne-young/
3.5 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Murder Mystery with ancestral magic

Well, yesterday I was reviewing a cosy horror story(Cackle) that was about finding oneself and discovering magic along the way. Today I’m reviewing a book that takes place on a small island where the inherited magic is so deeply rooted than no one questions the reality of it, in fact it’s as natural and everyday to the inhabitants as breathing, although some of them are trying to move forward and live without it (the magic,not the breathing). What Spells for Forgetting has is an abundance of atmosphere and a very easy to imagine setting.

As the story begins we meet August as he returns to Saiorse Island to bury the ashes of his late mother in accordance with her last wishes. This isn’t a happy return. August and his mother left the island 14, or perhaps more, years ago under something of a stormcloud. A young girl called Lily had died on the same night that the Island suffered a terrible fire. August was the main suspect for a time but lack of substantial evidence prevented any further action.

Emery was Lily’s best friend. She was also August’s girlfriend and the two shared an intense relationship, plotting to leave the island together as soon as they could.

So, there’s the mystery of Lily’s death and trying to uncover what actually took place on the ill fated night of the fire. You could be forgiven for imagining that on such a small island it’s impossible to keep a secret but on Saiorse there are plenty of skeletons tucked away in closets. Resentments, grudges, hidden jealousies, desires and so forth. Most of the islanders are angry that August has returned believing his presence will stir up bad feelings, in fact it does appear that the island itself is rebelling and although August has no intention of sticking around longer than necessary some people are afraid that his return will stir up things from the past that should remain hidden. August also needs to see Emery and make his peace with the way things were left.

Now, I do have slightly mixed feelings for this one. On the one hand I think the writing is superb. I love the way that we jump back and forth to explore events that took place on the run up to the fateful night of the fire. I think the author does an excellent job of writing the relationship between August and Emery. On top of that the island is such an unusual place. Years of history relating to witchcraft bring in flocks of tourists, as does the orchard and it’s need for fruit pickers and, well, a murder on the Island also proves to be a curiosity for some. The magic is interesting. Emery’s family still keep hold of the grimoire that has been passed down through the generations and still uses recipes from within to make candles and soap. There’s plenty of tension and so much history between the inhabitants of Saiorse that it’s easy to see, and believe, how deeply the resentments lie.

In terms of the areas that gave me mixed feelings. The story felt a little YA to me which could be because for part of the story we flit back to August and Emery’s teenage years. Although, in actual fact, I think their early relationship is really well portrayed even if it was perhaps a little overdone and drawn out in the middle section. That being said their teenage selves were easier to get along with than the more adult versions which were a little juvenile and ill at ease (I mean I do understand that they had unspoken issues but I kind of wished they’d just decided to get on with it and have that discussion.) Which does lead me to another issue, the lack of communication that seems to exist here simply to prolong the mystery. It felt too protracted to me. I also really would have liked to have seen more use of magic, even if it had been in a way that was vague and I felt my curiosity about the actual island itself and its history wasn’t really touched upon at all.

I hope that doesn’t come across as overly critical. I enjoyed reading this. I like the author’s style and the setting is really good. The atmosphere and tension are so intense you can positively taste them and the island is like an additional character in itself.

If you fancy cosying up to a dark murder mystery story based on a strange island where tensions run deep then give this a shot.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Richly atmospheric and deeply evocative, Spells for Forgetting is a gorgeous, descriptive read.

The book is set on the fictional island of Saoirse. This is an island where old magic and folklore run riot, captivating both residents and visitors alike. The magic of Saoirse is evident in the shops and businesses of its town, but it is also practised by the locals who are deeply attuned to the island. From magical signs and symbolism to practising their own spells, magic runs through the veins of everyone who lives on Saoirse.

Aside from the magical realism aspects of the book, the island of Saoirse is a gloriously captivating setting. The descriptions are exemplary, making it all too easy to picture the island's wild surroundings in your mind's eye. It's also the perfect story to read in autumn, as the season outside matches the season described within the pages of the book.

Saoirse aside, the main (human) characters in the book are Emery and August. Both were born and lived on Saoirse, but August was driven away while Emery stayed. However, August never quite found himself free of the pull of the island. When he has no choice but to return to Saoirse, August finds things eerily unchanged and quickly falls back into old routines and the rhythm of the island. Before long, though, the past is dragged up and both August and Emery are in danger once again.

I really enjoyed this book - the mystery elements complement the magical realism excellently to create an engrossing read. The characters are intriguing and there's plenty to keep you guessing as clues get revealed gradually throughout the book.

Spells for Forgetting is a great autumnal read!

What an atmospheric and unputdownable book! If you're looking for something to put you in the mood for Autumn and/or Halloween this is the perfect read.
🍁 Setting: The story happens on Saoirse Island, in the PNW. The island is famous for its Apple Orchard and... Witches.
🍂What is it about? Murder mystery, rural life, magick, folklore, unresolved love story, and more.

Think small-town drama, but with a twist of some magic. The plot is perfectly paced, with hints and clues placed throughout, but leaving the reading guessing. Its not until everything falls into place do you release all the clues along the way. This gives you suspense, but alongside the book is also beautifully written. I knew nothing about this book going in, and I’m glad. I felt like I could have really been on the island, the descriptions flowed amazingly, and showed you things instead of telling you. The characters are also enjoyable, and leave you guessing their moralities and their reasonings throughout, adding the full murder mystery vibes,
If you need an October read, and you want to feel like you could be there, on a mystical island surrounded by magic, intrigue, daring and suspense. This is the book for you. Wrap up warm and take a hot drink to read.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this novel.

I absolutely love Adrienne Young and loved all her other novels.
Although Spells is different to her other work I absolutely loved it.

I love everything about Spells for Forgetting, the writing style, the story and characters flowed it was a great read.
I actually have 2 copies of this novel both hardback editions.