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The Enchanted Elements #0.5

Root of Time and Treasure

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She’s looped through time before. And she will again. But breaking the cycle will break her heart.

Adeline Refaire never had to save a life before. But until she can successfully protect a young boy, she's stuck repeating the same Tuesday. And when this shopkeeper with a gift falls for the boy's half-brother, it puts more than her mission in danger.

Christopher Reynolds just needed coffee. His spontaneous search for caffeine was meant to be a distraction from a twenty-year-old cold case. But the no-nonsense crime blogger can't figure out why he finds Adeline so intriguing, or why visiting her store fills him with dread.

When Adeline discovers that Christopher’s mystery and her looping Tuesday are related, she must earn his trust to break the cycle. But as their attraction grows and they uncover the truth, it leads to risks that could break her heart. Or worse, leave her stuck in time forever.

Root of Time and Treasure is the first book in the Enchanted Elements fantasy romance series filled with pirates, mythic creatures, and New Orleans flair. If you like time loops, insta-love, and opposites attract low-steam romances then you’ll adore JB Lassalle’s exciting new world.

Read Root of Time and Treasure today to start an epic, romantic quest.

92 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2023

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About the author

Jen B. Lassalle

27 books142 followers
Jen Lassalle is a writer of paranormal women's fiction and midlife fantasy fiction under the pen name JB Lassalle. She likes strong females who are more than just a bit awkward, dimensional males who roll with the punches, and found family friendships that triumph over nuanced bad guys you love to hate.

Jen is a New Orleans resident. The city, and the surrounding areas, serve as a rich backdrop for a world where magic exists and mystical creatures are not only real, but live among us.

When Jen isn’t writing, she’s hanging with her family and friends at a local park or coffee shop. She likes working out, which is kind of weird, loves yoga, and plays video games. Of course, she reads.

Jen and her husband have two kids. One is an avid competitive swimmer (which sucks up all their weekend time). The other is a daydreamer like Jen who plays the Mega Man theme on his guitar and binge watches Stranger Things.

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5 stars
26 (20%)
4 stars
49 (38%)
3 stars
32 (25%)
2 stars
16 (12%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Amanda Mercedes.
698 reviews9 followers
August 8, 2023
This was short, fast-paced, and enjoyable read. It’s novella length (about 90 pages), so it can be read in one sitting. Being a New Orleans resident myself, I love to read about books set here; the fictitious location of Illusion Square was magical (pun intended) and I wish it really existed here. I would definitely be visiting those shops.

Adeline is stuck in a time loop. Everyday is Tuesday, and will continue to be until she gets what is meant to happen that day right. The tragedy centers around two brothers. At first, the younger brother, Joey, always dies unless Adeline saves him. But once she successfully starts saving Joey, the older brother Christopher is the one who dies. And so Tuesday keeps looping. Christopher studies cold cases and tries to either solve it or bring new evidence to light. The days start to feel like déjà vu to the brothers and they start changing up their patterns. As Christopher opens up to Adeline, and she realizes the Tuesday tragedy and the cold case Christopher is working on may be connected, she has to figure out a new way to keep the brothers from getting killed and help solve the case as it is the answer to stop the loop.

This one also included a low simmer romance between the two leads, Christopher and Adeline. The epilogue threw me for a second, but I see how it intertwines with what is to come based on what was revealed at the end of the book, and can’t wait to see what happens next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for BookSpokenly.
109 reviews48 followers
August 14, 2023
This was a very fast and fun read. It is more of a novella than a novel, but it worked well.

Adeline Refaire repeats days when there is an outcome that needs to be altered. Until she reaches the correct outcome, she will continue to repeat the same day. This story opens with her having repeated the same Tuesday around twenty times. Every time two brothers show up at her store and a red car attempts to run them over. Having tried every variation of the scenario she can think of, she is at a loss and unsure what she needs to change to move time forward again. Over the course of her repeating Tuesday, Adeline begins to have feelings for the older brother, Christopher, which is complicated since only she is aware that the fateful Tuesday is repeating itself.

With enchanting characters, a bit of magic, and a dash of romance, this is a really enjoyable read. There are a few twists and turns as Adeline starts to figure out what needs to be changed. I liked the romance aspect, I felt it really added to the impact of the overall story.

Approaching this book as a novella rather than a novel is important. I think that had I approached it from the perspective of it being a novel, I would have felt that it needed a little more information and atmosphere. However, as a novella, it is a wonderful read with just the right amount of information to make it interesting while still keeping it a short and fun read.

Even recognizing that it is a novella, I did want more of the New Orleans vibes. I think it is one of the most fun setting for a book, particularly one with magical elements. There were a few references to the location, but I was left wanting to feel New Orleans culture as I read. It almost felt that it could have been set anywhere, which was a bit of a missed opportunity in my opinion.

Overall, this was 3.5/5 stars for me. It was a really unique take on a character who is in a time loop, the hint of magic and romance was nice, but I really wanted more atmosphere of the area throughout the entire story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you so much to BookSirens and JB Lassalle for providing me with this book.
Profile Image for Céline Y..
114 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2023
Hold the front door because damn this book had me hooked from the get-go!
It's a 'read in one siting' kinda book that deserves all the hype.
Root of Time and Treasure is a quick, fast paced read filled with magic, amazing characters and mystery.

Adeline is stuck in a time-loop. It's now Tuesday twenty...three? And something has got to give. In comes Christopher -the blogger turned cold case solver- and his little brother Joey.
Ut just so happens that he can't shake the feeling that they have met before.
Adeline just wants this Tuesday to be over. Will she find a way to break the loop? How is Christopher involved in all of this?
Read to find out!

I loved this book so much. It's a real quick read you can't put down. The relationship between Christopher and Adeline is to die for. They are such a great duo. The book keeps you wanting more and just makes you want to jump into the next book.
I devoured this one and will be checking out the rest of the series soon!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Katharina.
141 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2023
Root of Time and Treasure is the first book in the Enchanted Elements series by JB Lassalle. Adeline is stuck repeating the same Tuesday until she figures out how to alter the events of the day correctly. She know the time loop has something to do with saving the two brothers Joey and Christopher, but she can't figure out what to change to break the cycle.

Root of Time and Treasure is a short and fast paced book with interesting characters. I really liked the setting in a magical square in New Orleans and how different magical elements are included. All in all I enjoyed reading this book and I am excited for the next one in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Leonor Cício.
103 reviews8 followers
December 2, 2023
Lovely story and writing; just the right tone and length. I want to know what happens next 🤔
Profile Image for RoXXie | The Art of Reading .
481 reviews63 followers
December 13, 2023
A Captivating Journey Through Time and Magic

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of reading Root of Time and Treasure by JB Lassalle, and I must say that it was a pleasant experience worthy of four stars.
I’m delighted I got this book during this year’s Stuff Your Kindle Day at the end of September.

Root of Time and Treasure - Review

Root of Time and Treasure ♦ JB Lasalle

Opinion

The novel’s unusual and intriguing magical system is one of its most notable features. Lassalle has created a world in which magic is more than just a plot device. The incorporation of magical elements into the tale adds depth and excitement, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they investigate the possibilities of the fanciful elements at work.

What actually distinguishes Root of Time and Treasure is its inventive use of the time loop concept, which is reminiscent of the classic film Groundhog Day. Adeline Refaire, the female protagonist, becomes stuck in a recurring Tuesday, a subtle homage to a well-known trope that lends an added element of mystery and tension to the plot. The author expertly navigates the difficulties of a time loop storyline, keeping it new and fascinating throughout.

The characters are well-developed and approachable, with the female heroine standing out as a dynamic and strong lead. Her voyage through the looping Tuesdays is both an exciting adventure and a touching exploration of self-discovery and growth.

The story’s pacing is excellent, with a good blend of action-packed sequences and quieter, reflective periods. Lassalle’s writing style is engrossing and fluid, making it easy to become lost in Root of Time and Treasure.

Conclusion

Lastly, Root of Time and Treasure is an engrossing novel that perfectly integrates magic and time-travel components into a riveting narrative. JB Lassalle has developed a story that will leave readers eagerly expecting their next journey within the pages of this captivating tale, complete with a strong lead character, an original magical system, and an homage to the traditional time loop motif. Four amazing stars out of five!


This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
Profile Image for Laono.
60 reviews
August 24, 2023
Root of Time and Treasure is an urban, low fantasy book featuring a time loop and a murder mystery meaning there’s something for everyone. I gave this book 3 stars because while the thoughts behind it were good, the book fell somewhat flat in its execution.

Starting off, I was excited to get into a short, stand-alone romantic fantasy but my interest waned in the beginning because the book started off rather slow and with little explanation about the occurrences. This meant that for the first few pages, it was a bit of a disjointed read and for a book of such length, drawing the reader in quickly is essential.

However, the pace quickly picked up once all the characters were introduced and the romance entered the picture and the book got even more interesting. The romance in Root of Time and Treasure is an insta-love one (which we are told of in the blurb) and for its trope, it’s fairly well done. The time loop and its accompanying mystery were intriguing but they would also be easy to suss out for anyone familiar with the genre.

Further, I found some parts of the book confusing because situations weren’t properly explained or were explained through chunks of information-dumping so it wound up feeling rushed, especially in the third act and towards the end. If this were improved in the next book, it would definitely make it a more enjoyable read all-round.

Overall, Root of Time and Treasure is a quick, engaging read that’s a good fit for you if you like any of the above genres or tropes or if you’re looking for a light read between heavy books. While it may not be perfect, it was an entertaining read and I would not mind reading book two of this interconnected series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Sarah.
76 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2023
Plot: 4.25
Engagement: 4.5
Characters: 4.5
Style: 4.24
Overall Rating: 4.38/5

Review: I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a very quick and simple read, not a full novel length, but well written and interesting. There's a time loop that our FMC (Adeline) cannot seem to escape that is tied to the MMC (Christopher). We see Adeline trying her best to figure out how to solve the issue and break the time loop. Is she a witch? We're not sure, but she certainly has some sort of gift. The characters are cute and sweet (I love Joey). There's also an underlying plot with a little bit of history given that leads into the further books in the series. I'm curious to see if these characters also play a role in the upcoming stories.

There's some flirting and a hookup in this book, but overall it's pretty low on the spice scale.

Fun, quick read. Recommended if you like: fantasy/magic, mystery, low steam.
Profile Image for Heidi Roach.
Author 2 books4 followers
August 27, 2023
It is a very fast paced book, short and sweet, low intensity, quick read. I love mysteries and this was just plain delightful. The characters were fun and somewhat relatable, even the side characters had substance. I loved the potions and magic and use of herbs.

What I liked:

--- setting is perfect

--- characters are delightful and fun

--- different types or magic/supernatural elements were extremely well done

What I didn't like:

--- too fast paced, I couldn't get as attached to the characters because of it

--- closed door scene, not a negative, just not my fav style. I'm rather an all in or all out kinda girl, and this straddled between doing it and not.


Spice:1/5…. not bad just not really existent
Plot:4/5
Character Dev: 3.5/5

Overall:4/5 and I'd definitely want to read more!
Profile Image for Sentinelle23.
2,177 reviews37 followers
September 4, 2023
❤️🌐💕A big unexpected crush!

Another Tuesday...
Adeline woke up to the sound of her phone and waved it across the room. The sound of the phone crashing against the wall motivated her to get up.

She woke up in bad shape.
Another Tuesday... she hated this day...

-----------------------------------

A big unexpected crush when reading this incredible romantic story!

The main character of Adeline Refaire is very touching.
I also liked the secondary character of Topher.

I love reading this kind of totally unique, magical and timeless fictional story!
A big THANK YOU to the author!
70 reviews
September 13, 2023
This was a fast paced time-travel-ish, murder mystery, and magic filled little novel (it's really more novella length). It is just read to read in the evening or on your afternoon off.

The FMC, Adeline, is stuck repeating a Tuesday over and over again, until the day goes right. The MMCs are a set of brothers, the younger one Joey and the older one Christopher, who looks into cold cases and tries to solve them. The two become interconnected as the story progresses.

The ending sets up the rest of the series, and I will be checking it all out for sure!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Chris06.
614 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2023
This was a cute quick read …

Adeline is a witch that is repeating the same day over and over again. The day involves Christopher and his brother and saving them from an accident.

Day after day she tries to break the cycle … a kiss only she remembers.. a night together only she remembers. Will this cycle continue to repeat and only bring heartbreak or will she and her friends figure out how to change it?
Profile Image for TaniaRina.
1,589 reviews120 followers
August 10, 2023
Tuesday do over…and over and over
A coffee house that offers housemade craft beer next to an establishment selling organic toiletries DOES sound like an adventure. Where do I sign up?
An interesting time-loop / crime thriller / romance with a slight introduction to the main characters of ‘SOMAM’.


Next in the series are 'Sky Over Mountain and Memory' (read), ‘Bay Between Heart and Home’, and ‘Embers in Bloom and Blaze’.
I have the author’s ‘Murky Midlife Waters #’s 1-3’ to enjoy soon.
Profile Image for Ashley escapewithashe.
12 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2023
The time-loop element drew me in, but the mystery made me stay. This was the perfect length for this story. Sometimes shorter novels can leave a lot of loose ends, but I feel like this one had a solid start, middle, and end. Each chapter keeps you guessing at the next clue to figure out why the main character is stuck in this loop, and waiting to see how she is going to break the loop.
If you love time loops, cold cases, and mysterious, this book is for you.
Profile Image for Delphia  Von Heeder .
1,999 reviews60 followers
August 16, 2023
Root of Time is book 1 in The Enchanted Elements by J B Lassatte. I thought that this novella was a complex time romance. The characters are interesting and I enjoyed the story especially looking to solve a cold murder case. Enjoyed reading this happily everafter. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review volunteeraly.
Profile Image for Carmella G..
49 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2023
An engaging short read! Perfect for a quick afternoon reading session. Adeline repeats the day Tuesday over and over again and I was reminded of Groundhog Day in that sense—but the rest was a fun surprise! Well done, and I look forward to reading more from the author.
*I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily, all opinions are my own
Profile Image for Thea Daley.
114 reviews
February 6, 2026
Short, but sweet.

A time loop, cold case murder turned active murder, with a dash of romance that actually felt genuine.

The epilogue wasn't quite my jam, but we'll see how it rolls into the next book before judgement.
Profile Image for Ella.
41 reviews
September 21, 2023
Cute and fast paced story…
I’m definitely reading the next stories in the series as it made me intrigued
Profile Image for Bella.
27 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2023
This was so good!! I loved how all of the aspects came together throughout the book. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Dana F.
345 reviews2 followers
January 2, 2024
cute story

Groundhog Day all over again. Get to see the mighty oak in action once again. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
18 reviews
March 22, 2025
Good read

Interesting characters and storyline. I'm looking forward to the next in the series and all of Jen LaSalle"s books. I like her style.
Profile Image for Pooj.
1,155 reviews7 followers
October 7, 2025
honestly a very good start to the series
23 reviews
February 22, 2026
Root of Time book1

I always love a happy ending
Thank you for this one
Why do I have to write nine more words
Profile Image for Virginia.
9,263 reviews25 followers
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews