Spells for Forgetting: A Novel

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - "Lush with secrets, magic, and a past that won't stay where it belongs, this novel is (quite fittingly) spellbinding."--JODI PICOULT, author of Wish You Were Here

A deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: She Reads

Emery Blackwood's life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family's business, Blackwood's Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings. But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.

August knows he is not welcome on Saiorse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother's ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed--Emery. But the town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily's mysterious death once and for all.

BUY THE BOOK

368 pages

Average rating: 7.33

233 RATINGS

|

11 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Anonymous
Nov 28, 2024
6/10 stars
It's been a while since I've picked up a book by Adrienne Young. I was delighted, because I've read her older books and loved them. Unfortunately, this didn't hit the spot for me. It was very, very slow to start. At 64% of the book, when I wanted to try telling a friend about it, I could barely think of what to say, because nothing much had happened in the book. The only words were "A girl got murdered. The suspect left the island and returned. The people of the island are not happy about that." It was after that mark that things started to unfold very quickly. I breezed through the last 1/3. If the author hadn't been Adrienne Young, I probably would not have continued, but I have to say that the last portions were worth the read, so I'm glad I stayed on.
Annie.S
Sep 22, 2024
8/10 stars
Love the sprinkle of magic and the lineage that is spread out through this story!
LMahoney
Jan 26, 2024
8/10 stars
Good book, wish there was a little more magic, but it was a good read and it kept my attention.
bessimer24
Nov 23, 2023
9/10 stars
Couldn’t put it down! Good storyline progression and character development. Unexpected twists
Mirandacakes
Oct 27, 2023
10/10 stars
This book was captivating from start to finish. It starts by introducing you to life on the quiet island of Saoirse and you find yourself nesting in the midst of the small town life. There are hints of magic and mystery that fill the chapters and nothing seems out of place. Until it does. Suddenly, a darker side of the town starts unfurling, piece by piece until it all comes to a head. Spells for Forgetting does an excellent job of immersing you in the world of the story and the characters are very well fleshed out. I found myself rooting for August and Emery, and feeling the emotions that they felt. The ending was the best we could have hoped, though I felt it all resolved itself a bit too cleanly. Definitely enjoyed reading this and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a modern day thriller with a touch of magic.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.