Spells for Lost Things
From the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato comes a poignant and “beguiling” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) novel about two teens trying to find their place in the world after being unceremoniously dragged to Salem, Massachusetts, for the summer.
Willow has never felt like she belonged anywhere and is convinced that the only way to find a true home is to travel the world. But her plans to act on her dream are put on hold when her aloof and often absent mother drags Willow to Salem, Massachusetts, to wrap up the affairs of an aunt Willow didn’t even know she had. An aunt who may or may not have been a witch.
There, she meets Mason, a loner who’s always felt out of place and has been in and out of foster homes his entire life. He’s been classified as one of the runaways, constantly searching for ways to make it back to his mom; even if she can’t take care of him, it’s his job to try and take care of her. Isn’t it?
Naturally pulled to one another, Willow and Mason set out across Salem to discover the secret past of Willow’s mother, her aunt, and the ambiguous history of her family. During all of this, the two can’t help but act on their connection. But with the amount of baggage between them—and Willow’s growing conviction her family might be cursed—can they manage to hold onto each other?
Willow has never felt like she belonged anywhere and is convinced that the only way to find a true home is to travel the world. But her plans to act on her dream are put on hold when her aloof and often absent mother drags Willow to Salem, Massachusetts, to wrap up the affairs of an aunt Willow didn’t even know she had. An aunt who may or may not have been a witch.
There, she meets Mason, a loner who’s always felt out of place and has been in and out of foster homes his entire life. He’s been classified as one of the runaways, constantly searching for ways to make it back to his mom; even if she can’t take care of him, it’s his job to try and take care of her. Isn’t it?
Naturally pulled to one another, Willow and Mason set out across Salem to discover the secret past of Willow’s mother, her aunt, and the ambiguous history of her family. During all of this, the two can’t help but act on their connection. But with the amount of baggage between them—and Willow’s growing conviction her family might be cursed—can they manage to hold onto each other?
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Community Reviews
4.25 heartwarming stars!
Spells for Lost Things, the latest book by Jenna Evans Welch, provides her signature style of charm and sweet romance, but throws in a little magic, as well. One of the things I like most about Welch’s writing is her ability to paint a story around a place. She always manages to make the setting come alive, enhancing the story in a deeper and more meaningful way. This time the setting is the historical town of Salem, Massachusetts.
When we meet Willow and Mason, they’re both quite unmoored, longing for family, a stable home, and a connection with each of their mothers. Willow’s life has felt untethered since her parents’ divorce and Mason has lost contact with his mother, being shuffled around the foster care system. They both end up in Salem for the summer and have an adorable meet cute that is the start of a friendship that leads them on a search for answers.
Willow and Mason’s easy friendship made my heart melt like a gooey ball of warm caramel. I only wanted the best for these two characters, and witnessing them finding someone to share their loneliness with was the balm for my weary soul. I had fun along with them as they searched for clues to Willow’s past, explored her aunt’s eclectic house, and stole around the town.
The side characters were the icing on the cake. I couldn’t help but compare Willow’s witch-y great-aunt’s to the aunts in Practical Magic, the house also reminding me of the house and garden, as well. And watching Mason adjust to his new foster family, which included three adorable little girls, was hopeful and pure.
I only wish this one could have been longer. I would have liked even more time with these characters in Salem. Pick up Spells for Lost Things when you need a book guaranteed to warm your heart, make you smile, and reignite your hope in humankind.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2022 (prompt #16 - A book about witches)
Spells for Lost Things, the latest book by Jenna Evans Welch, provides her signature style of charm and sweet romance, but throws in a little magic, as well. One of the things I like most about Welch’s writing is her ability to paint a story around a place. She always manages to make the setting come alive, enhancing the story in a deeper and more meaningful way. This time the setting is the historical town of Salem, Massachusetts.
When we meet Willow and Mason, they’re both quite unmoored, longing for family, a stable home, and a connection with each of their mothers. Willow’s life has felt untethered since her parents’ divorce and Mason has lost contact with his mother, being shuffled around the foster care system. They both end up in Salem for the summer and have an adorable meet cute that is the start of a friendship that leads them on a search for answers.
Willow and Mason’s easy friendship made my heart melt like a gooey ball of warm caramel. I only wanted the best for these two characters, and witnessing them finding someone to share their loneliness with was the balm for my weary soul. I had fun along with them as they searched for clues to Willow’s past, explored her aunt’s eclectic house, and stole around the town.
The side characters were the icing on the cake. I couldn’t help but compare Willow’s witch-y great-aunt’s to the aunts in Practical Magic, the house also reminding me of the house and garden, as well. And watching Mason adjust to his new foster family, which included three adorable little girls, was hopeful and pure.
I only wish this one could have been longer. I would have liked even more time with these characters in Salem. Pick up Spells for Lost Things when you need a book guaranteed to warm your heart, make you smile, and reignite your hope in humankind.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2022 (prompt #16 - A book about witches)
I loved this book so much; was teetering between a 4.5 and a 5 simply because the final act of the book feels extremely rushed ( I remember realizing I had less than 70 pages left and thinking, “there are so many loose threads here, how on earth is this going to get wrapped up?” The answer was fairly hastily, but thankfully, not wholly unsatisfactorily) I think it’s a sign of how much I enjoyed this book that I felt myself wishing it was LONGER, because I loved these characters so much (not just the two young leads, but all the secondary/tertiary characters — I’m looking at you, Marigold!!!) I love that this book truly feels like it’s written from the perspective of teens on the cusp of adulthood; it feels true to voice/emotion, but the threads of magic, whimsy, pain, and the fearful pangs of how to find your place in the chaos of a world that feels too large and harsh all weave together a beautifully tender and heartfelt narrative. Even when it felt a bit rushed or deus ex machina, I didn’t care because everyone was so endearing and things happening with magical timing and purpose was kind of the whole point. A delightful and wholesome read that balances heavy subject matter with tenderness and a desire for us to reach out to the ones who truly care for us.
cute book! I was nervous it was going to be about a whiney teen with that first chapter but I was pleasantly surprised.
Awe! I loved this one. It is definitely different than the Love & Gelato series which made it more enjoyable. I love that series don't get me wrong but it was nice to read something that felt new and fresh.
Willow didn't know her mother had such a mysterious past until she finds herself in Salem with three very eccentric aunts and letters from an aunt she never got to meet.
Mason's been searching for his mother for years and now finds himself living in a foster home consisting of his mother's childhood best friend and someone he's never known before.
I enjoyed the contemporary storyline for both Willow and Mason with all the touches of Salem. I thought their stories intertwined perfectly, the characters well developed, and it had the right amount of slow burn. I definitely recommend this to anyone who has loved Jenna Evans Welch's prior books.
Willow didn't know her mother had such a mysterious past until she finds herself in Salem with three very eccentric aunts and letters from an aunt she never got to meet.
Mason's been searching for his mother for years and now finds himself living in a foster home consisting of his mother's childhood best friend and someone he's never known before.
I enjoyed the contemporary storyline for both Willow and Mason with all the touches of Salem. I thought their stories intertwined perfectly, the characters well developed, and it had the right amount of slow burn. I definitely recommend this to anyone who has loved Jenna Evans Welch's prior books.
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