Stay for a Spell, Amy Coombe (Review by Sara D’Onofrio)

Rating: 3.0/5 Stars

The idea for this storyline sounded extremely appealing. I thought it sounded unique, exciting, and I couldn’t wait to dive in! I enjoyed how the author jumped right into the curse and she did a great job describing the bookshop. I could literally picture it in my mind, and I wanted to be right in there with the main character! As a book lover, I know I’m not alone with thinking this curse low-key sounds like a dream! I also loved the introductions to the supporting characters. Again, I really do attribute this to the author’s ability to set the scene and describe characteristics in such a detailed way. Unfortunately, that’s where my excitement started to die off. I wasn’t bored, but I wasn’t dying to keep going. I feel like my opinion just stayed status quo and neutral. It was obvious that something was going to happen with the pirate the whole time, which is fine, but there was such a missed opportunity to create much more tension and build up between them. Even the supporting characters were acting like it was so obvious he was pinning for her, when really, it felt like they were barely just friends for most of the book. Yes, he was around, and yes, he very subtly flirted with her, but it was always so quick, and their relationship didn’t seem to grow until the very end. Once Tandy’s parents came into town, things picked up and I felt the need to keep reading to see what would happen. The curse was broken with a tiny speech, and no one even knew it had happened. Her parents magically were okay with her staying there after sending all the princes and finding a sorcerer. Then, we don’t even know what happened with Tandy and Bash! Was his curse ever broken? Did they stay at the bookshop? What kind of life did they have together? I don’t like finishing a book still having questions! Overall, I just needed more oomph.