Spells for Forgetting: Book Review
Mystical, dark, and dripping with atmosphere, Spells for Forgetting is a hauntingly beautiful novel about the secrets we keep and the ties that never truly break. It’s the perfect addition to your fall reading list—just in time for spooky season. Adrienne Young’s latest release is one of the most immersive reads I’ve picked up in a long time, full of magic, mystery, and small-town lore. Read on to discover why this witchy tale deserves a spot on your autumn TBR!
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Quick Look
- small-town setting
- second chance romance
- earth magic
- grief & loss themes
Published September 27, 2022
Thanks Delacorte Press for my advanced reader copy!
Publisher's Synopsis
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.
"I'd been eighteen years old. I'd known nothing about suffering or responsibility or loss, but somehow, I'd known this soul-deep kind of love that I now wondered if most people never found."
-August Salt, Spells for Forgetting
My Review
What a fabulous book, y’all! I literally couldn’t put it down—I was hooked from page one, desperate to uncover the truth and find out who did it. Spells for Forgetting truly has something for everyone. The central mystery is both gripping and well-paced, and Adrienne Young masterfully weaves between past and present in a way that keeps you constantly on edge. She might just be the queen of the cliffhanger—her chapter endings had me flying through the pages. And the rotating points of view added so much depth, making the island community feel intimate, layered, and real.
At its heart, this is a story about first love—a trope I absolutely adore. My own first love was intense and unforgettable, and the connection between Emery and August felt just as raw and lasting. Young captures that early magic so beautifully, it feels like you’re standing beside them, watching it all unfold. And when August returns to the island after fourteen years, the emotional tension is palpable. You can feel the island—and the reader—holding its breath, waiting to see what will happen between these two soul-tied characters.
One of my favorite things about Spells for Forgetting is the setting. The fictional town of Saoirse doesn’t just serve as a backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right. This small Pacific Northwest island is brimming with secrets, steeped in folklore, and feels equal parts enchanting and ominous. Once known for its apple orchard and whisperings of magic, the island is shaken by a young girl’s mysterious death—an event that casts a long shadow over the community. But that death is only the beginning. If you love stories with rich settings and plot twists, you’re in for a treat.
And let’s talk about the witchy vibes—because they are chef’s kiss. While this isn’t your typical spell-slinging witch novel, the magic here is subtle, earthy, and deeply rooted in tradition. Tea leaves, spell books, herbal remedies, and generational knowledge are delicately threaded through the narrative, giving it just the right amount of mystical atmosphere. It’s more about mood and ancestry than flashy magic, but that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. For fans of witchy reads and contemporary fiction, Spells for Forgetting is a perfect blend.
My Rating
Overall, Spells for Forgetting is an unforgettable journey into the heart of a small town where secrets simmer beneath the surface and first love never truly fades. Adrienne Young delivers the perfect mix of mystery, drama, and a touch of magic—creating a story that feels both atmospheric and emotionally rich. With its haunting setting, layered characters, and slow-burning suspense, this novel is the kind of book that lingers long after the final page. Whether you're drawn to stories of lost love, enchanted places, or hidden truths, Spells for Forgetting offers a little bit of everything. I truly can’t say enough about this beautiful and immersive read. Do yourself a favor and add it to your fall TBR—you won’t regret it.
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