Spells for Lost Things | Review

Spells for Lost Things Published by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers by Jenna Evans Welch
on September 27, 2022
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Witches, Romance, YA
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC, Paperback
Find the Author: Website, Goodreads, Instagram
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

ISBN: 153444887X
Rating:

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?

I’ve read a couple books by Jenna Evans Welch prior to Spells for Lost Things, and I thought they were just superb. However, after reading this–I believe the bar has been raised.

This is a YA novel to be sure. And lately I have been having a more difficult time reading YA. However, this novel has encapsulates everything I have ever loved about YA–and more.

The chapters go back and forth between teenagers Willow and Mason. Willow, a girl who dreams of nothing much more than seeing the world, travels to Salem, Massachusetts with her other, when it’s discovered that WIllow’s aunt (whom she never knew existed) has passed. So they have to go settle that aunt’s estate… Which turns out to be a most charming and beautiful home.

Mason, on the other hand, dreams of nothing more than finding his mother–and, perhaps, studying the stars. He is fascinated with outer space. It’s one of the few things in his life that makes him happy. Unfortunately, the mother whom he can’t find, has left him due to her issues with drugs. And Mason has spent most of his life in and out of foster homes.

Life throws Willow and Mason together and it’s instantaneous, the connection they both feel. And suddenly there is more in life that makes them both happy.

This book is filled with some mystery as Willow and Mason set out to solve a mystery surrounding Willow’s late aunt. Willow’s newfound discovery of the fact that she is a witch, is one of the best parts of this book.

This is a great book for those lovely fall vibes that many readers are searching for this time of year.

Welch blended the fantasy and realities of life perfectly in this story–it was a joy for me to read and experience.

 

 

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