I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
I received this book via the publisher Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on 2022-09-27
Length: 368 pages
Reviewing Hardcover from the publisher Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2022 New Release Challenge, COYER 2022
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato comes a poignant and romantic 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 natural 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?
An enchanting summer mystery that is the perfect step into fall book, Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch follows two lost souls as they attempt to settle in Salem, Massachusetts and possibly find themselves along the way. Told in dual POV, my personal favorite, the story unfolds around Willow and Mason.
Willow is the child of divorced parents, flitting through life without much care. She has a wandering spirit, looking for a place to call home ever since her home was ripped from her. With her mother focused on her career and her dad focused on his new family, Willow feels alone and the only thing that grounds her is her dreams of traveling. Mason is a foster kid, his dad never in the picture and his mom missing from his life for over 8 years. Mason breaks my heart in more ways than one, but his story is also the one I connected to in the book. I’m not sure I would’ve been able to finish it if told exclusively from Willow’s perspective. We find Mason newly placed in Salem with his mother’s childhood best friend. The reminders of his mom hurt, but also help to ground him, and for the first time in his life Mason begins to feel at home.
I really enjoyed this story. It’s a sweet, summer romance – slow building, lots of shy looks, friends to crush status. What really drew me into the story though was the setting of Salem. Welch intertwines Mason and Willow’s story over the rich history and contemporary whimsy of the town. I loved the bit of magic and fantasy that enters the story because of it. This book is perfect for YA readers of all ages. I appreciated how different Mason and Willow are and yet how similar as well. They are so easy to relate to.
Overall, I really enjoyed Spells for Lost Things. The setting of Salem adds a magical element to this otherwise contemporary YA. The romance is sweet and full of first love and friendship. It is sure to leave you smiling by the end. Readers of all ages will enjoy Willow and Mason’s adventure.
About Jenna Evans Welch
Jenna Evans Welch was the kind of insatiable child reader who had no choice but to grow up to become a writer. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato, Love & Luck, and Love & Olives. When she isn’t writing girl abroad stories, Jenna can be found chasing her children or making elaborate messes in the kitchen. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and two young children. Visit her online at JennaEvansWelch.com.
Tour Wide Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveawayGiveaway Details:
- 1 winner will receive a physical copy of SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS, US Only.
- Ends October 15 th , Midnight EST
Tour Schedule
Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour for more chances to enter the giveaway.
Week 1:
9/12/22 Kait Plus Books
9/13/22 Kayl’s Krazy Obsession
9/14/22 Just Another Teen Reading Books
9/15/22 Stacialovestoread
9/16/22 A Dream Within A Dream
9/17/22 Ya Books Central
Week 2:
9/18/22 booksaremagictoo
9/19/22 Mom with a Reading Problem
9/20/22 wiltedpages
9/21/22 Lisa Loves Literature
9/22/22 @enjoyingbooksagain
9/23/22 OneMoreExclamation
9/24/22 My.Bookish.Mind
Week 3:
9/25/22 popthebutterfly
9/26/22 Nerdophiles
9/27/22 onemused
9/28/22 pluvioreads
9/29/22 @booksrn_rashi
9/30/22 Novel Novice
10/1/22 Star-Crossed Book Blog
Week 4:
10/2/22 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
10/3/22 A Blue Box Full of Books
10/4/22 Book-Keeping
10/5/22 Momfluenster
10/6/22 Celia’s Reads
10/7/22 The Momma Spot
10/8/22 @jacleomik33
Week 5:
10/9/22 The Moon Phoenix
I loved this one too! Glad you enjoyed it as well. Great review!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Release Blast Review: The Secret Roommate (Accidentally in Love #4) by Sara Ney
The book looks like a fantastic read, thank you for the chance to win a copy.