Jinxes and Drumsticks

by Amanda Cessor

When Lillith Nightingale decides to leave her apothecary to finally go see her favorite metal band play at a local venue, she never expects that the night will end in the calamitous loss of her late grandmother's necklace.



She also never expects that the wickedly good-looking drummer of her favorite band, aptly named Damien Devastation, would fall head over heels infatuated with her.



The attention would be most welcome if it weren't for one her grandmother's necklace isn't just a treasured family heirloom. It also protects her from the effects of a 200 year old curse placed on her bloodline by a smarmy demon intent on getting the bride he was promised.



When Damien doesn't accept her half-hearted rejections, he gets caught in the crossfire of the misfortune surrounding Lillith, all while making her fall devastatingly in love with him. She's so certain that he is the one for her, but when her curse starts to get in the way of his success as an up and coming musician she faces the reality that she may have to break his heart-and her own-to protect his dreams.

Genres: Fantasy

634 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2026

Reviews

[Amanda]

Hi there! I am the author of this book and I would love to tell you a little bit about why I wrote it and what it means to me.

My husband is a drummer, a really talented one. We've been married for three years, but together for thirteen. From the moment I met him, his number one passion has been music. Music was one of the things we first bonded over. Music is what he talks about 70% of the time when we're together. He lamented being unable to do drum corp because of the expenses associated with it. He drummed along to every song we listened to on his lap. He watched drummeo videos and talked about his years in drumline.

And for the first 10 years of our relationship he didn't touch his drum kit. Not even once. He felt he needed to lock in and provide and be a man. But he was miserable. And I was miserable too for my own reasons. And it's very hard for two miserable people to be happy together. My life got better when I started to throw myself into writing and his got better when he started thinking about how to play drums again.

Three years ago, he timidly told me that he didn't think any career made sense for him except for drumming. I told him that I wholeheartedly agree. One year ago, after 12 years being together, I got to see him play with a band for the first time. And my heart just...fluttered and soared for him. In that moment I was so proud of him and so in love with him. (I mean, I always am, but there is something so wonderful about seeing your spouse do the thing they love most in the world.)

The idea for this book sparked for me in that moment. I started writing it straight away and it poured out of me so easily.

Damien is not based off of my husband. While they share traits of perfectionism and viewpoints about the craft of drumming, my husband is not chasing me through the forest and...well..I digress. I just wanted to write a story that was fun, and funny and sexy, but also acknowledged the part of love that really is the hardest. That you have to keep choosing your person again and again, not because of some vow or some misguided sense of obligation. But because some people in your life, if they are very special, are worth the hard times. They are worth being devastated over.

The right people come together then stuff gets hard. And my spouse has always shown up for me when it matters.

I hope you consider reading this book, and that if you do, you enjoy it. I had a blast writing it. Thanks so much for considering it.

[Rebecca]

This book had me instantly hooked
the don't threaten me with a good time when they used flirty bannter
The fact not 1 but 2 band member where wanting her and the fact they planned to share one or twice with her permission of course

The whole band member banter one mind there bro's the next there telling each other to f themselves but they always work it out like a little family

They way dame words of praise and gratitude towards the fml was just so sweet to read
From the beginning he pulled her into his space but still gave her room to run or say no he alway checked in and asked permission

Love how he talked her through
The dom parts and could switch between sarcastic/ dom personality and his normal personality he enjoyed doing after care big plus
he alway was a gentleman and had protection on him

My Favourite part was his 2 nicknames for her sweetheart and little bird

Lillith was abandoned by her mother and raised by her grandmother she didn't fit in human school and was bullied this left her with a self lothing personality alway thinking the worse was going to happen

she is one of the 3 legends family for the underground city where vampire, fae , whiches ,werewolf,and ghost exist all under witchy shop

Her 2 best friends are bastion and wern they are all a little strange but they care for one another when it matters
Expect i dislike wren sleeping habits poor satoshi

The demon who holds the nightgale curse only wants true love after a deal got made 9 generations ago he just after a wife well turns out he gets one

The cliffhanger at the end
one year with dire consequences at stake clocks ticking can't wait to see what happens

[Adri]

3.5⭐️ rounded.

This book was definitely a wild ride! I went in a little blind thinking I was getting a rock romance with witchy vibes, but it turned out to be far more centered on Celtic/Gaelic mythology and folklore - I think👀.
On the positive side, I really appreciated the dynamic between Lillith and Damien. Their communication was strong, and I loved his understanding of her condition and acceptance of her. Damien's found family was also a standout feature for me—it was a great contrast to Lillith's family dynamic, which felt much more conditional, whilst I was reading.
On the flip side, some elements felt superfluous to the main story. They ended up feeling a bit out of place in this part of the series maybe?
Overall, a solid read with really strong character connections!

[Madeline Day]

Tropes & Themes
* Body modification
* Centuries old curse
* Cozy, coastal town
* Dual POV
* Epilepsy rep
* FMC in her 30s
* Found Family
* Instant attraction/connection
* Kink exploration
* LGBTQ+ rep
* Modern witchcraft
* Musician x fan
* Primal play

While waiting outside the venue to see her favourite metal band play, Lillith Nightingale has a chance meeting with the drummer, Damien Devastation. While Lillith’s night starts the way every fangirl dreams, it ends with the tragic loss of her family heirloom necklace. The two fall hard and fast for each other. But Lillith has to be careful, because that family heirloom was protecting her from a 200 year old family curse. With the help of her magical friends, Damien, and eventually his bandmates, Lillith searches for the answer to breaking her curse and finally getting to leave the quiet little beach town it binds her to.

I really enjoyed this book, it was like adult wattpad fanfic in the best way!
Lillith and Damien are extremely likeable, and so are all of their friends; even Satoshi has his moments. I loved the instant connection between Lillith and Damien, and the way their love grows. I also loved that Damien isn’t afraid of anything she throws at him, and neither of them let her disability define her or stop her from achieving her goals.
The personal growth Lillith experiences throughout the story is beautiful; she learns that she can lean on others and her upbringing doesn’t have to define her. I loved all the existing friendships that grow and the new ones that bloom throughout the story. These characters really are each other’s found family, and that family grows bigger and stronger throughout all the challenges they experience together.
Damien is the kind of love interest we all deserve; someone who’s willing to be open with their feelings and take the time to really get to know you on a deeper level. He’s also very attentive to her interests and needs; he remembers the songs she sings in the shower most, foods she enjoys and how to spot when she’s going to have a seizure. In the bedroom Damien makes it clear that consent is key and anything Lillith doesn’t want to do, won’t happen. He pays attention to all her non verbal cues, in and outside the bedroom, so that he can be what she needs, when she needs it.
As the reader, you learn about the magic system alongside Damien, as Lillith slowly introduces him to it all, and as it slowly consumes more and more of the storyline. This way of introducing the magic system was perfect for me. It gave me the opportunity to understand it before it took over the storyline completely. I have read other books that throw everything at the reader all at once which leads to a lot of confusion, and I’m very happy that wasn’t the case in this one.
I truly did not see that ending coming and I’m still processing it… While the majority of things were resolved, I still have a few questions. There’s one relationship in particular that I think we needed more information about before it was ended and a new one started. Additionally, the book ends with one friendship on the rocks and no clear resolution in sight. Then there’s the one big question that’s left unanswered…That question gives me hope there will potentially be a second book where we find out the rest. 🤞🏻
I also feel that more explanation about the curse and her mother would’ve enhanced the story and potentially made a few things clearer.
All in all I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a spicy, magical and modern romance!
3🌶️
4.5⭐️

[Scarlet]

Perfect spooky vibes for Halloween being right around the corner. In this book follow Lillith Nightingale (fmc) who is waiting to outside the venue to meet her all time favorite metal band. She then gets a chance to meet her favorite drummer Damien Devastation (Mmc) but she soon realizes that her necklace is missing. This isn't any ordinary necklace but an heirloom which was protecting her from a 200 year old family curse. You'll have to read to see what happens next! I absolutely adored this read from the modern witchcraft to how in depth the magic system was and how you learned about it with Damien side by side. This book enthralled me to the point it's 6am and I haven't slept a wink so if you're looking for a page turner that you can't put down then this is the read for you. Highly Recommend! I got this via the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Kimmi Seiter]

I was blessed with an advanced reader copy of this book, I absolutely adore how obsessed Damien is with Lilith. They’re so cute and cheesy together. I also really like the magic system within this book and I would love to explore it more. I also love the fact that the spicy scenes didn’t pull me out of the story of the book and it flowed very nicely with the plot. I am hoping for a sequel because I need more of these two and of the band.

[Grem Reeds]

An ARC was freely provided to me by the author - thank you!

I saw the cover, read the blurb, and couldn't not request an ARC. Jinxes & Drumsticks is a bit outside of my usual genres, especially being lighter and comedy-ish, but I'm really glad I picked it up!

⭐⭐⭐ (3.25) | 🌶️🌶️ (2)

Please keep in mind that although ARCs don't often change much, if at all, before publishing, this review is based on pre-released content.

It was a wild ride, to say the least. I was NOT expecting genuinely stressful, high stakes. I was fine with insta-lust, cool, which then transitions pretty quickly into instant deeeeeeep infatuation - not always a fan of that tbh - but it read so easy, which I think is a mark of good writing, and the author having a really solid grip on her characters. Once I was presented with our leads - Lilith and Damien - I had them. They are so solidly written, they just evolve. By the end of the book I was devastated to leave them. 😭

That said, I had both an amazing time with the writing - and a tough one. The storytelling is good, and so long as you go in knowing the relationship is a quick burn while the plot is a slower burn, you should be good. The pacing definitely tripped me up at first, but once I recognized the cadence of the story, I could buckle in and enjoy. The pace of the romance is ZOOMING. It's immediate, like, chapter one. It ramps up quickly without feeling too quick to care about the characters. The dilemmas are solid. The hesitancy is logical. Both characters fall FAST, and they fall HARD, and it is DELICIOUS.

Damien is, by his own admission, kind of a fuckboy, and he falls fast for women, but when he does, he really does have good intentions. He just… He finds people easy to love, and he's not willing to pass up the chance (so long as all parties are into it) to see if they capital-w Work. In return, he himself is very easy to love. I fell for him immediately, that's for sure. He's just a sweet golden retriever that's been shuffled from home to home, always too much to handle, or losing his novelty. But Damien! Deserves! A forever home!! He's full of humor, always down for the bit, and protective of those he considers his people. He's not perfect by any means, and because of that he feels so real. His jealousy didn't feel toxic; it felt misguided but reasonable. In almost every case I was upset right beside him. The absolute euphoria he felt? So did I.

Lilith is wonderful. I found her so relatable, and her internal thoughts are reliably hilarious. The author straddles the line of Lilith's being caught in this whirlwind of a love story - fear over it not lasting, the hope that it will; trying to keep herself and her heart safe, while still allowing herself to be loved. Her relationships outside of the MMC were varied, and while I'd have loved to see them more in depth, they didn't feel 2D.

What made my reading experience tough were some aspects of the plot: the villain and such. It's difficult to express without dipping into spoilers, but. A change happens that feels MUCH too easy, everyone seems to not bat an eye at something I felt lowkey unbelievable. I felt like I missed something MASSIVE, like a skipped chapter, where I was left suspicious while the story carried on its merry way.

I also wasn't delighted with some of the “end” of the plot, and how it worked out. It just… doesn't make much sense. Again, I was left feeling like I missed something. 😕 The story ends with a decent HEA - or a HFN (Happy For Now); it can be read as a stand alone, but there's a planned sequel (which I'll absolutely read!) so it's obvious Damien and Lilith's tale isn't over. It's not THAT that bothers me, I actually really enjoyed the ending! It's more the final confrontation type situation that left me confused.

Jinxes and Drumsticks has a planned publication date of September 22, 2026!

[Isabelle Nachtsheim]

I went in thinking I’d get a cutesy witchy romcom, and while I did get that, I also got some heavy-hitting magic and lives being put at stake. Majority of the book falls more into that former category but I will admit to getting a bit emotional when we got to the heavier scenes. There’s also hot musicians so that’s a bonus. Lillith and Damien make great MCs and experience a fairly epic love story with some quality spice mixed in. Would recommend if you enjoy goth aesthetics, musicians, witchy vibes, and some high-stakes magic. A great fall read.
Rating: 4 stars
Spice: 2.5 chili peppers (some light to medium kink)

I should clarify that while the “what didn’t work well for me” section is longer than the “what I loved” section, I really did enjoy the book! I just tend to get more verbose with my critiques.

What I loved:
-While I enjoyed the found/chosen family aspects for both Lillith and Damien, I appreciated the complexity of Lillith’s relationships the most. The relationships between Bastion, Wren, and Lillith feel more complex and gave them more depth.
-The main secondary characters were really enjoyable!
-Lillith and Damien were good MCs, if a bit obsessed with each other
-I loved the magic and wish there was more of it! I always find magic in books so interesting and this one had some cool elements to it.

Neutral (?) things:
-For some reason, I just didn’t expect the book to get as intense as it did. This isn’t necessarily bad, I just think I was expecting a different kind of book.
-Relatedly, and again I don’t know that this is necessarily a bad thing, but the first 80% of the book is a totally different vibe than the last 20%. It maybe felt a bit discombobulating? Like the stakes get very high very quickly and almost seems to change genres from a more lighthearted paranormal romance to intense romantasy.

What didn’t work so well for me:
-The book didn’t need to be this long. There were multiple minor parts to the storyline that didn’t seem necessary or weren’t explained. That first 80% again just kind of dragged a bit before getting to the hard-hitting stuff and maybe the book wouldn’t have felt as disjointed if there was more of a balance between the two aspects and there was less fluff in the first part.
-Mild plot inconsistencies
-The magic wasn’t always well explained. Like towards the end when they’re trying to come up for a solution for Lillith, an explanation is offered but it doesn’t really make sense. This is somewhat related to the book feeling like it’s two different parts. The majority of the book is a bit more lighthearted and has some magic, though it’s not described in a ton of detail, so when you get to the part with more heavy-hitting magic, it doesn’t always make sense. I think more world building around the magic would’ve been helpful.
-I think Damien was TOO understanding at the beginning of the book. I understand why Lillith acted the way she did, but her actions clearly hurt Damien and he just accepts it over and over. Like, he’s allowed to get upset and that doesn’t mean he’s a bad partner or wants to leave you.
-Lillith did some magic things that I think should’ve warranted a discussion with Damien first

Thank you to the author, Amanda Cessor, for my ARC! This review is entirely my own opinion


SPOILER OPINION BELOW







My spicy heart was mildly disappointed that there was an allusion on the author’s part that there would be some “sharing”, and this was hyped up in the book as well, but it didn’t really happen so it was more of a tease and kind of felt like false advertisement?

[Rachel ☆]

2.5 stars ⭐

I thank Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an e-ARC of this book.

I want to preface this by saying that I enjoyed part of the book. It kept me fairly entertained. However, there are a few things that annoyed me.

Firstly, I find Damien and Lilith's relationship unrealistic. They fall for each other instantly. I was not expecting that. They were all over heels for each other by the first 20 pages. If that isn't textbook insta-love, I don't know what is.

It fairly makes sense because Lilith was a fan of Damien's band already when the story starts. What it doesn't is how fast Damien falls. Although, he does say that he falls easily for others, which has ensured a few heartbreaks over the years.

Another element of their relationship I didn't like was that Lilith struggled to tell him the true nature behind her hesitation to leave her house. I mean they were already doing big declarations of love by that point (not with the three words, though). Yet, I understand that her trauma prevented her from doing so.

Secondly, this book is way too long. We have both of their POVs so it is dynamic but drags too much. It is a romance book, yes, so it focuses on their relationship, both romantic and sexual. I can get behind that, which is why I requested an ARC. However, if you're going to introduce a plot with such potencial as Lilith's curse, you cannot just leave it to fill merely 70 pages out of 430.

The author does a great job at showing that life simply doesn't stop when something happens, I have to give them that.

Thirdly, I hated that ending. Not because it is kind 0f open, I rather like those, it leaves things to the reader's imagination. I hate it because of everything I said previously, the interesting plot aside from their relationship, it's cut short, not resolved. It doesn't reward us any resolution and it angered me. I just can tell there probably will be another book that might revolve around that plot and I kind of hate that. I much prefer a standalone. Nonetheless, a part of me doubts there will be another because of the happy ending (for now) that we have.

Alright, I'm not a hater. I liked other things. The found family aspect was a big part of that, it gave the story some depth, like the protagonists aren't alone in their lives. I just wish that we got more time with the side-characters and feel like they are fully fleshed out, instead of accessories for the plot to move forward.

What I liked the most of the book is that Lilith is let to feel: grief, trauma, sadness, and every other positive feeling. Same goes for Damien, which is rare to see even in romance books. Both of them validated their feelings and comforted each other if necessary. And I liked that even though Lilith cried a lot (I feel fully seen by this fact), she was portrayed as powerful. Because women can cry on a daily basis and still be goddamn powerful.

Yet, I didn't quite like that she was put in a position of damsel in distresss, someone to be saved. I would have loved if she was able to find something in her to fight back a little bit more. But the thing with this book is exactly the contrary, that some times you have to trust others to save you or help you. And I think Lilith learned that the hard way, but it's a great lesson to leave.

If you're a person that undoubtedly likes romance, sexual content and witchy vibes, I think you will like this book.

[Jesse]

Arc review, possible plot points mentioned below (SPOILERS ARE POSSIBLE BELOW, you have been warned)

Usually books that's are just romance are not my thing but I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book so much. I didn't realize there was going to be real magic in the book so I was mildly caught off guard when actual demons started showing up and portals were being opened but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Almost every character we meet is personable and enjoyable to read more in depth about, even Satoshi and Bastion eventually - obviously other characters in the story are not redeemable but we're not supposed to like them anyways so who cares about them. 🤷
There's a nice balance between character flaws / obnoxious personalities and enjoyable moments that make a character more dimensional. I really enjoyed Satoshi and Bastion more towards the end when they start to open up into being more genuine less assholey characters while not straying too far from who they really are.

Now to what I cared most about this book is Lillith's seizures and aura. I don't personally have seizures but my migraine auras are similar to the beginning of her seizures which I really appreciated how it was depicted. I love seeing a rise in different chronic illnesses and disabilities having a spot light in books, it really helps create spaces where people can feel seen.

Also before I forget, it was very clever having her name be Nightingale while depicting her feeling stuck in a cage as she cannot leave her town nonetheless her literal house and then an actual cage later on. I feel like Nightingales in particular are often tied to stories of cages and captivity.

Now to why it's not a five star -

1. Personally I could live without the sex scenes, especially the park part. However it is literally a book about romance and sex so obviously it will be in the book so that's on my personal taste itself. I don't mind sex in a book, I think the scenes in this one just wasn't for me which is fine, it's all up to taste.

2. What actually caused a slightly lower rating than a 5 was I hate modern references in books and this was packed with every famous musician and tiktok and so on that you could imagine. I get wanting a modern setting but listing every single artist you can think is a bit much and takes me so far out of a story. Naming one artist I'm like meh, wish I didn't have to read about Taylor Swift in every modern book but whatever (an example bc she has literally been in so many books recently - I don't think she was listed in this particular book however). Listing every artist on your Spotify plus tiktok videos is a bit much. You can write a good story without needing to name drop every big name and brand, I mean Hell, the main band in the book is made up - I just think we could be a bit more creative in connecting with a modern audience without word vomiting to connect with young people.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and the direction it was taken in. I never expected any of the plot twists or the magic, I thought it was going to be a simple romance story between a girl and her crush on her favorite band.

I thank the authors and publishers for giving me a chance to read this book.

[Rebecca]

LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
1- I haven’t had a 5⭐️ read in SO long!
2- I knew from the blurb that this book was going to be great but was not expecting this ARC to be this AMAZING!!

I cannot gush over this book enough!! My millennial emo heart 🖤 was in love the entire time while reading this! This book had me feeling ALL the feels!

The author did so well navigating so many diverse characters and themes! They/them baddies (Thaddies 😉), autistic spectrum, aromantic, epilepsy, foster care, therapy, kink exploration, primal play, new to BDSM. I mean just SO much and in a very tasteful manner 👏🏼.

FMC- Lillith, a 33 year old witch who owns and runs the Odd Bird Apothecary, goes to see her favorite metal band and just so happens to meet her crush, drummer of the band, Damien Devastation 😍. They hit it off RIGHT away and have the best first date ever right after the show! Of course, the world needs balance, so every high moment needs a low. That night her family heirloom necklace that protectors outside the safety of her own home is lost and the 200 year old curse that haunts her family’s bloodline is coming to claim her! This doesn’t and can’t stop her from seeing and being around Damien though. She’s scared to tell him she’s a witch, like a REAL witch 🧙🏻‍♀️ What she doesn’t expect is for Damien to take the news so well and want to help her! 🥰 He’s so smitten by her he’ll do ANYTHING to be with her! Lillith wonders if the feelings they have for each other is worth the expense of his career and his future. She has to protect him all while saving herself.

MMC- Damien, hot, tattooed, pierced drummer who instantly falls in love with Lilith. His friends/band mates make fun of him with what a “simp” he is but he doesn’t care because despite Lillith constantly trying to push him away for his own good, he loves her and would do anything for her! Damien is a walking green flag in my opinion 🥰😍. He’s so sweet, caring, funny, and honest with Lillith. He wants to take care of her and protect her as much as she does him. What also pulls at my heart strings is he was a paramedic before becoming a rockstar so he is always tending to Lillth’s health. Not just her physical health but her mental health as well, he is in therapy and helps Lillith cope with uncertainties and worries of the future. Not to mention he’s a “pleasure dom” and introduces Lillith to BDSM, primal play and kink w/ consent 😉 All the filthy banter between these two is just so deliciously fun!

I’m telling you this book had it all for me! Long review because I loved it so much! First time reading a book from this author and I will be coming back for more! Thank you

[Rose]

This book was pretty unexpected. Based on the marketing, blurb, and cover, it was so much more than I thought it was going to be, but I’m not upset by that at all, more like pleasantly surprised by the depth and intricacies of the characters and the plot.

As far as the characters go, I felt like Lillith and Damien were so well developed that everything they did, together and alone, just made perfect sense in my head, and I really wasn’t questioning anything about them. Considering this was insta-love, I feel like that is really impressive. And when I say insta-love, I really do mean instant. These two had an instant connection with each other, and their relationship progressed very quickly. I loved them, though, and that’s a tough thing for me to achieve in an insta-love romance read! There were plenty of funny, vulnerable, and cute moments, but the spice was also so good. Everything about these two just worked for me.

The plot had such an incredible amount of depth to it as well. I loved all the witchy elements and paranormal lore surrounding this small town and Lillith’s family, and it was all incredibly intriguing. But the pacing felt a bit off. The first part of the book was very focused on Lillith and Damien, with some subtle hints at something deeper, which is exactly what I thought this book would be overall. But since Damien and Lillith’s relationship becomes serious so quickly, I don’t feel like the plot moved naturally with the romance once it became more of a center piece later. I felt like we were only focused on one thing at a time, either moving the plot forward or getting a day-in-the-life of Lillith and Damien. And some things that felt a bit mundane or not entirely important to the story were dragged out a little too much, while other things I would have thought were more important were breezed over a bit. In that regard, I feel like this might have been a bit too long overall, but if I told you I didn’t enjoy spending time with Damien and Lillith at any point during this read, it would be a bald-faced lie 😂. I was obsessed with them.

Regardless, the way this ended gives me hope that I will be able to spend more time with Damien and Lillith, considering the HEA-for-now we were given. I am also really intrigued by the other side characters, namely Wren and Fletcher, and would 100% read a book about them if they get one!

[Bre]

I was EXTREMELY lucky to get to an ARC copy of this book. I was on a roll with reading it and then fell sick and not having the energy to finish up for weeks was absolutely killing me. I NEEDED to know how this story ended, and as I got closer and closer to the end I was scared for Lilith and Damien’s story to be over — only to happily be left with a set up for a second book!

Lilith:
I adored the character, and felt attached from early in the story because a lot of things in her life, I can relate to in mine. Thankfully, I don’t have an actual curse on my life, but the feeling of no control over most aspects, feeling like there’s few people I can trust and rely on; finding love unexpectedly and wholeheartedly and quickly. Lilith learns how to rely on the love of her life slowly and with some learning curves, instead of relying on herself all the time. It reminded me a lot of my own growth process with my now-husband. The way the growth of their love is written is so relatable, and human and real.

Damien:
An absolute masterpiece of a character, and one that I’ll always be comparing other male characters to from now on. He’s the perfect mix of the excitable, golden retriever boyfriend and an excellent representation of a healthy dom that properly cares for his partner. He’s believably human.

Overall:
This book was written with love, care and compassion to convey what may be a fast paced relationship, but a healthy one. Where both partners aim to do what’s best for the other, where they are human and make mistakes but listen and work through them and communicate healthily, and come to compromises instead of fighting. There’s no immature arguments where misunderstandings aren’t worked through before things get out of hand.

The story itself follows a standard flow of storytelling but it’s engaging and truly enjoyable. Some stories become predictable, but this story’s elements were unique in their design in a way that eliminated some of that predictability.
The “demon” simply being a man that was corrupted by greed, power and lust was one of my favourite discoveries of this story.
I wish I could go in and read this again for the first time.

[Ꭵ r ᥲ ᥲ ⊹ ࣪]

5⭐ | 4🌶️

wdym by 'THE END'??! 😭 i want moarrr of 'em!!

well, the plot and characters were so UNIQUE. tbh, i’ve never read anything quite like this before, and i absolutely loved it.

80% of the book was filled with fun, flirting, love, and all the sweet, spicey moments, and then the plot twists hit me like a freaking train... i literally cried 😭 but the last chapter and epilogue healed me a little, for now... at least! 🥲 i’m truly hoping they’re gonna have a second book!! 🤞🏻

ngl, i loved every positive character in this book sm. our drummer boy Damien is freaking hilarious and, of course, HOT. like... the man had no business being THAT funny AND attractive. 😭

and Lillith—the hottest witch 🧙‍♀️🔥—is honestly so lovable. her chemistry with Damien??! INSANE. chemistry, biology, maths, physics... literally every subject was giving between these two 🤏🏼 lol.

also, Lillith, Bastion, and Wren's friendship is so heartwarming. in the end, Aemon won my heart too. on the other side, Oren really was Damien's BEST FREAKING FRIEND 😭 like, the way they made me so emotional in chapter 44... ahhhh! i also loved the other bandmates too.

what i loved most was how open and honest they were with each other. they never played unnecessary mind games or kept their feelings bottled up.. they just communicated and said exactly what was on their minds!! their healthy communication made their relationship and the whole story so much more enjoyable to read.

overall, the book was such a fun, unique, and WILD emotional rollercoaster for me. i had the best time reading it 💅🏼

& i definitely recommend it if you're into magic, witches, faes, demons, and a hot drummer boy who's basically a golden retriever in human form and freaking hilarious and so many plot twists!! like, what more could you ask for?! 😭 just make sure to check the CWs before you start!! :3

thanks so much to @amandacanwrite for giving me the chance to read it early! <3

[Katie Perkins]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy!
Ok, I have many mixed feelings about this.
What I liked:
It's metal music, tattooed characters, and witches. I'm already sold just based on that. I generally liked the cast of characters, and I'd be interested in seeing some things from their POV in other books. The magic system for the book was very well done, I thought. I liked that Lilith had more that she liked about Damien than just the fact that he was in a band she liked. I adore the art for the cover on this. Damien's instant acceptance of magic was honestly pretty great, I liked how he was so immediately on-board with everything. Especially given that he gets to actually see some magic in person, that then it makes sense that he's like "well, guess I'm gonna roll with this now".

What I was middle of the road on:
The relationship between the main characters. I know, I know, the main point of the book and I can't decide if I like it or not. They make a cute couple, but dear lord the insta-love was killing me. I don't mind that they got together really quickly, but the sudden head-over-heels, instantly trusting, fully invested in each other, tooth-rotting fluffiness of their relationship starts to wear thin after a while. We get it, the other one is just so perfect. The writing style was fine, it was at times a little too informal for my tastes but I also think it really fit with the vibe of the book.

What I didn't like:
Sathoshi's entire character was frustrating because I couldn't figure out with his attitude WHY the band was all still friends with him. I could feel why several of the band members liked each other and were friends, but with him I just kept wondering why they've kept him around so long. Another thing I didn't like was the constant name dropping of pop culture characters, movies, and the like. I'm not sure what it is, but that always grates on me when I'm reading. And then the secrets! I felt like this conflicted with the insta-love so much. Like, I get it, Lilith has trust issues that stem from her past, but it felt like there were no repercussions for her not being fully honest with Damien.

In all, I think this'll be a hit amongst romance readers, especially people who are into witchy stuff as well. This is like a 3.5 for me, but rounded down since there aren't half stars.

[Rachel Woodward]

*I received an advanced copy of this book; the following review is my genuine opinion.

Holy cow, I devoured this book! What a genuinely fun concept. Our story follows our witch, Lillith (who also happens to be a HUGE fan of a metal/rock band) as she meets the drummer of her dreams, Damien. Unfortunately, their first date ends with Lillith falling into a seizure, triggered by the demon familiar that she believes cursed her bloodline eight generations ago.

The story that follows takes us on a wild journey filled with magic, love, friendship, and incredibly deep lore. The spice was *spicy*, the emotional connections had me grinning and kicking my feet, and the plot twists were GLORIOUS. As someone who has always been a fan of emo/punk/rock music, and longs for a world where magic is real, this story was so fun and will hold a place in my heart.

Things I loved:
- I genuinely loved the Dual POV style of writing. Getting into our characters' heads added to the thrills in the story
- I loved the duality of Lillith being both a total badass and also having fear and anxiety and worry and being soft. I love the reminder that those things are both super valid and wanted by the right person
- I loved the worldbuilding that was done here. There were things I didn't fully understand but definitely got explained throughout enough to get the gist.
- The romance, the spice, the aftercare, and every other part of Lillith and Damien's whirlwind relationship. Just *chef's kiss*

Possible spoilers coming?
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Things I didn't love throughout but didn't mind in the end:
- I wanted to be more clued in to the details of Lillith's Nightingale family curse. We eventually got detail but even to have information from Lillith herself during her POV sections, even incomplete information would have been helpful to me.
- The ending felt rushed and I wanted to linger more on the important plot points that were happening towards the end. The epilogue did help, though!

[Autumn]

I really enjoyed this book overall; it was a great palate cleanser after the heavy fantasy reads I’ve recently finished. The author introduces us to a strong, independent apothecary owner and the drummer of a touring band, who meet in a unique town where not everything is as it seems.

Major Fan x Drummer 🥁
Dark Romance 🖤
Magic ✨
Secrets 🫢
Plot Twist 🥀
Curses 🗡️

Lillith was such a fun character to follow.
She’s independent, knows what she wants, and is perfectly content running her apothecary—until Damien Devastation crashes into her life. Their chemistry was one of my favorite parts of the story, especially watching Damien completely fall for her while Lillith does everything she can to keep him at arm's length.

And Damien… I mean, drummer of a metal band AND ridiculously attracted to Lillith? Say less. 🥵🥁 Their relationship had that perfect mix of spice, tension, and sweetness; I loved seeing their connection grow throughout the story.

The magical elements were a fun addition, too. Between the curse, the secrets surrounding Lillith's family, and the mystery of her grandmother's necklace, there was always something lurking beneath the surface. I definitely had moments where I thought I knew where the story was headed, only for another twist to come along and prove me wrong.

I especially loved how the curse wasn't just a background plot device—it had real consequences for both Lillith and Damien and forced them to make tough choices. The push and pull between following your heart and protecting those you love added emotional depth to their romance.

Altogether, this was such a fun, quirky, witchy romance with rock-star vibes, mystery, magic, and plenty of romantic tension. If you're looking for something hot and entertaining after a string of heavier fantasy books like me, this one definitely fits the bill! 🎶✨🖤

Thank you to NetGalley and the author!

[Lilith's_Library_]

A book called Jinxes and Drumsticks?! Excuse me while I immediately abandon my responsibilities because WHAT is happening here?! 😂🪄🥁

I knew I was going to have fun with this one from the title alone. Give me magic, mayhem, ridiculous situations, and a little romantic chaos, and apparently I am the easiest reader alive to please. 😂💜

Jinxes and Drumsticks had such a wonderfully playful energy. I loved the feeling that things could go sideways at literally any moment, because let's be honest… when magic is involved, someone is definitely about to make a questionable decision. 🪄👀

The story had a really fun mix of whimsy, magical shenanigans, character chemistry, and chaos, and I found myself enjoying the lighter tone. It was the kind of read that made me want to curl up somewhere comfy and just let the magical nonsense happen.

And the title? Still obsessed. 😂🥁

There were a few places where I wanted a little more depth and development, which is what kept me at four stars, but overall this was such a cute and entertaining read.

If you love witchy stories, magical mishaps, quirky characters, romance, banter, and the kind of chaos that makes you say “oh no…” while eagerly turning the page, definitely give this one a spot on your TBR. 💜✨

Did everything go according to plan? Probably not.
Did I enjoy watching the chaos unfold? Absolutely. 😂🪄

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC! 📖💜

🪄💜 Tropes & Vibes

🧙‍♀️ Witchy Vibes
✨ Magical Shenanigans
🥁 Quirky & Playful Energy
💜 Romantic Chemistry
🔥 Romantic Tension
😂 Magical Chaos
🪄 Spells & Jinxes
👀 Questionable Decisions
🌸 Whimsical Atmosphere
💕 Feel-Good Romance
✨ Quirky Characters
💫 Lighthearted Fantasy
🥁 Pure Magical Mayhem

[arcticperiwinkle]

An insta-love story, but I liked the vibe. It felt very different from other books I've read (yay).

I read an unfinished version, so I’m assuming there’s some typos and such that will be fixed. I’ll just ignore the editing in this review and focus on the story and writing in general.

Again, I really liked it. I liked the main characters. The drummer and the witch. The alt-vibe they had going. Bonding over music. The epilepsy representation. Also, ethical BSDM representation (too rare these days). The witchy stuff was so cool too. I liked the magic system. It got a little complicated towards the end, but it made sense once I’d thought about it some more.

There was a host of diverse side characters to love as well. The only character who felt a little undeveloped/ shoe-horned into the story was Aemon. I’m assuming there might be more books in the series and I’m curious to see if we will follow the side characters more. Usually, I prefer a 2-person POV more than multi-POVs, but the author did such a good job of giving us crumbs of the side characters’ lives making me want more.

This might be a small personal ick, but why did the primal play have to happen on the night they were dressed up to the nines? He was super supportive to her spending hours getting ready, he made the effort to change and preserve his own clothing, and not least of all; he felt the need to support her while she walked everywhere thanks to her 4 inch heels, but then decides so ask her to run around in nature? That’s just not safe. If he had the foresight to grab extra shoes, then she deserved a clothing change too. If he’s going to respect the glam, he should respect it.

[Kaily]

I received an advanced copy from the Author.
Thank you for this copy. This is my honest review of Jinxes and Drumsticks.

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet so much there was a moment I almost felt like everything was too perfect for a second, Damien and Lillith were too made for each other, but as soon as the thought crossed my mind boom, they had a fight and felt like a real couple. It was timed so perfectly to my thought I was floored. Even with the split second of everything feeling too perfect there wasn't a single moment I wasn't fully rooting them on as a couple. Mutual simping done perfectly, getting to see Damien go from mega simp to Sadistic Dom and back to mega simp was an elite reading experience for me.
I loved that while this was a romance, and their relationship was the main focus, the other relationships were explored just as much. Friendship, sex inside and outside of romantic entanglements, generational trauma, all of these things get explored in a way that made this so much more than just a spicy romance novel. Every character felt like someone I want to be friends with(while having a massive crush on them obviously)
Daisy referencing Juniper made me squeal as a fan coming into this having read their other books.
This was a type of book that took me from not wanting to put it down to go to bed because it was so cute, to not being able to tear myself away from it at all, finishing it at 2am because I HAD to know what happens and how it ends. Add it having a mention of my favorite musical of all time Spring Awakening? Elite.
5 stars, can I have a sequel now please?

[Nina]

**I received an ARC from the author, thank you!**

Where do I even begin? First of all, having a badass FMC in her 30s, who is witchy and goth? Immediately fell in love right there. Lillith is amazing and such a deep character, and she had me realizing that you’re never too old to be awesome. From owning a witchy oddity’s shop, to casting legit spells, to being able to access an underground city, Lillith was honestly one of the best female main characters I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a while.

Damien on the other hand..oof. Where can I get me one of those? Hot punk/goth-y drummer? Yes please! From being an ex-paramedic to then playing in his band, Damien isn’t as cocky and full of himself as you might think. He so quickly accepted everything about Lillith, no matter what she threw at him. Also a Dom who genuinely cares? I’m all for it.

It almost felt like, as the reader, we were old friends catching up at times. While other’s felt like we were a fly on the wall looking in at this new relationship, and everything that was happening to them. The mix of magic, music, and having to figure out the curse was a perfect mix.

Lillith’s kidnapping was next level. Having to face off against the Aberrant and then everything seriously kicking off had me slack-jawed the entire time.

Overall I throughly enjoyed this book, it sucked me from the first sentence, and I’m so thankful I was able to be an ARC reader! I can’t wait until it’s published so I can have a physical copy in my collection. Also? Needing a sequel book IMMEDIATELY

[Shania Howells]

This is a review of an ARC copy provided by the author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️

Jinxes and Drumsticks overall was a great read with likable characters and a diverse cast. The romance in this book is very fast, meet cute, love at first sight, while the overarching plot is slower to develop. The plot develops mostly in the later quarter of the book and seems to move very fast from then on. There is a HFN ending with our MCs which could have been further developed. There are some spots in the book that I found to be corny early on but once you get used to the authors style it becomes charming.

The FMC Lillith is relatable even though she may feel naive or insecure for someone of her age (33) based on some of the decisions that she makes in the book. She has struggles similar to someone who has lived a relatively sheltered life who is experiencing a romantic relationship for the first time. There is great balance between her desire for her relationship to work and legitimate concerns that it will fall apart based on the circumstances they are facing.

The MMC Damien is a golden retriever boyfriend with dominate personality between the sheets. He is an absolute consent king and the book discussed real BDSM negotiations in a way that felt authentic and honored the type of dynamic that our MCs have. Damien struggles with some aspects of his masculinity when faced with challenges that make him appear to be weak or incapable of supporting or protecting Lillith. He also makes some questionable choices in the book but it's all in the name of love.
Edit Review

[Briar-Rose Schaus]

Witchy, sexy and so much fun!

This book is my jam.
I love all the witchy elements.
I love all of the musical elements.
Practical magic is also my comfort movie.
I love the bay leaf wishes in the cooking.

Damien and Lillith are way too fucking cute.

I loved Damien's pure care for Lillith right from the beginning, especially during her seizure. & Just how fast he falls for her is absolutely beautiful. I love how honest and open they were with their feelings for each other right from the very start. (Aside from when she hides some pretty important things from him, they're incredibly open with each other.) I also love how he's so reassuring to her with her past traumas.

I found it absolutely hilarious how many different names Damien comes up with for Bastian. So funny. Had me giggling each time.

I also love the inclusivity. So many great characters.

This story had so many more elements and so much more depth than I was expecting. I love the buried city. I love it all. From the sweetness to the spiciness, to the action adventures they go on, to the sadness, the fear, and the happily ever after.

I thoroughly enjoyed this & I really hope there will be a book 2. I'd love to find out if they save the Stag God's Lady Moon, if Fletcher finally gets Oren, how Wren and Lillith come back together, how Damien and Lillith's wedding goes. I need to know all the things!!

Thank you to the author Amanda Cessor for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Jinxes and Drumsticks and for taking me on this amazing journey! 🖤

[Charlie]

I, so kindly, received an ARC of this book. Potential spoilers (nothing too specific).

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

I'm going to be honest, it took like 15% of the book for me to realize that Lillith was an actual witch and that this was a paranormal book, rather than just like tee-hee witchy vibes and personality. That could be my own fault (have a baby under 1 so am sleep deprived, and read a lot of this while being awake at night), rather than explanation in marketing/in the book itself.

I very much enjoyed reading this, I thought the dialogue between characters was realistic and funny. The main characters are very much insta-love, which I don't mind, I know it's not some people's cup of tea. There was an aspect of the insta-love that I really don't care for that happened multiple times that could be a little too spoiler-y for my liking, so I'll update that once the book is released, but it is part of the reason of it not being a 4⭐️ book for me.

I got caught up in the plot a couple of times and it felt like certain things and events were skipped over and later just announced they happened. I did on multiple occasions have to go back and reread sections to make sure I understood (but that could also be because of the sleep deprivation). As well, there were aspects of the story that felt really unfinished or just forgotten. I found myself checking online and on social media to see if this was book 1 of a series or just a standalone when I finished the book.

All in all, I had a good time reading it, and I'd recommend it as a fun read.

[Lady Ky]

Jinxes and Drumsticks is one of the cuter books I have read this year! It has humor, intrigue, and spice.

Lillith lines up six hours early to see her favorite band. When a man walks up and starts shamelessly flirting. About halfway through the conversation she realize she is speaking to Damien Devastation from that very band. Normally Damien stays hidden behind and mask and is faceless on social media, but his tattooed knuckles give him away.

Damien asks Lillith to stay after the show and have dinner with him. After dinner, they decide to walk to her favorite bookstore. Lillith settles into read, but something triggers her epilepsy. While seizing she is confronted by the demon that cursed her family. The demon destroys the charm that allows her to leave the wards of her come safely.

Damien cares for her after her seizure and realizes that he most definitely wants to see her again Lillith is now essentially on house bound until she can figure out how to break the curse. She is also petrified that the curse could spread to clueless, mortal Damien.

Damien is “he falls first” personified. He shows up again and again to prove to Lillith that she can trust him with her secrets, mind, and body.

I recommend this book who like modern fantasy with mortals, witches, vampires, demons, and fae.

Tropes:
He Falls First
Rockstar
Strangers to Lovers
Golden Retriever Dom

Thank you to Netgalley, Aidoneus Publishing, and Amanda Cessor for the eARC.

[Jade Fox]

I got the chance to read this as a NetGalley arc. I absolutely loved this but giving an honest review.

This romance is an instant love between a witch and a drummer from one of her favourite bands. I do mean instant love she was in queue to his gig and they immediately flirt and kiss once she in the gig hall. The man was a simp and they are both my type so I enjoyed their romance but I know that’s not for everyone. The spice 🌶️ was great, we love a gentle dom.

Plot wise we have fading magic and a town bound curse where Lilith can’t leave. The band and her friends try and help her find a solution but when they do disaster strikes. Did I expect the twist? No did I like the villain development? Yeah. It built on the mythology of witches, the moon goddess and stag god in an unexpected way.

As for characters obviously we get a lot of the main characters, I would have loved some more insight into the side characters other than their sexual escapades and crushes. But everyone was unique in the way they talked and acted. They were all so interesting I wanted to know more! I especially want to know more about fletcher but I won’t ruin the reason why.

Honestly one of my favourite reads this year, I will be following the other on socials to stay up to date and I hope they write more for this universe because I had so much fun reading it!

[Hillary]

🥁💜 Jinxes and Drumsticks ARC Review 💜🥁

Thank you so much to Amanda Cessor for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Jinxed and Drumsticks is a standalone urban fantasy rockstar romance. Lilith has decided to take the night off from her apothecary to go see her favorite metal band in concert. But when a lost necklace causes a chance interaction with the band’s drummer, will sparks fly? Or are they jinxed from the start?

This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed Lilith and her strength in this book. She really grew into herself over this story. Damien was such a wonderful match for her and I loved his character so much. The magic system and world building were super unique and I enjoyed how the magic intertwined with the human world. This book definitely was more fantasy driven than I expected and i really enjoyed it!

Overall this was a fun five star read! I really enjoyed these characters and this world! I would love to read more in this universe in the future. This book does have some potential triggers, so please check if you’re sensitive. This book has lots of awesome spice with a splash of kink throughout so overall four flames for spice

If you’re a fan of rockstar romance with strong characters, beautiful world building, and witchy fantasy vibes, then absolutely pick this one up!

[lindsay ☆彡]

4 stars. holy insta-love. but that's not a bad thing! i can forgive a fast burn kind of romance if the characters are compelling enough, which they are. the entire premise of the story is so interesting and i was super excited to dive right in, especially after having read some more serious style books lately. but be warned that this is a FAST burn romance, so if that isn't for you then maybe skip this one. there's some grammatical and spelling errors, but a note at the beginning of the ARC assured it's going through final proofreading, so i can't comment on if they're present in the final product. i really enjoyed the characters in this, especially Wren and Lillith. the storyline itself was great and i enjoyed the little glimpses of Aemon that we got up until his full introduction. i was a bit upset about the ending with Wren, but i like that this is open ended enough to leave room for a sequel. even though there is a happy ending, i wouldn't mind seeing more of this world.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Santha Stuart]

This was an ARC!

I’ll start this review with I’m not the greatest with words and I’m new to reviewing books.

I read the blurb and was instantly excited for a good witchy romance with a hit drummer boyfriend!

Wow what can I say about this book! I freaking loved it! As a 32 year old elder emo myself I really fell in love with Lilith! Her passion for the people she loves! Now Damien what can I say about him other then what a loveable golden retriever! But his dark side “drool”.
The struggles of the constant unknown and decisions on what is best for the realm vs herself and Damien is heart breaking. I was not expecting the rollercoaster of emotions I felt reading this, the high stakes that just wouldn’t let up! But with it all Damien stood by her and accepted her for everything her had! True love happens so quickly for them!

I honestly can say I need more of the 2 of them and what happens after the year!

[Canaussi G]

**This review is based on the ARC that I was kindly provided by the author**

The first 70% of this book dragged so much I wasn't actually going to finish it but I am glad I did. In the last 30%, the book really started to kick off and the last 10% was great! I feel like if the book had focused more on this Celtic/Gods vibe that was focused on in the ending, it could have been totally different in a good way.

I struggled with the dialogue and the relationships between just about all of the characters. So many story lines and characters seemed to just disappear into the sidelines with little to no explanation or alternatively, exist for no reason which made the book feel unnecessarily long.

While the end of this book definitely saves it, it's a book that I would only recommend to a very specific audience who enjoy a very specific genre and style of writing, which unfortunately wasn't me.