Sweet & Sour Spells

Baking Up a Magical Midlife #4

by Jessica Rosenberg

How much heat can Cassie take before she's forced out of her kitchen?

Now that her father has moved in, her daughter is finally settled, and her bakery is everything she dreamed it could be, Cassie should be able to sit back and enjoy her new life as a magical baker. But a string of disasters are disrupting business, her magic is going wonky, and her burgeoning relationship with the deputy sheriff is threatening her already shaky stability.

With her dream life at risk, her magic misbehaving, and a nemesis on the rampage, Cassie once again has to rely on her friends and family for help. But this time, when everything goes up in flames, she’s not the only one poised to lose everything.

Sweet and Sour Spells, is book 4 of the five-star Baking Up a Magical Midlife Paranormal Women’s Fiction series.
Grab a cup of coffee and settle in to keep Cassie and her friends company as they fight to hold on to the lives they love.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Fiction, Paranormal, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Mystery

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2023

About the author

Jessica Rosenberg is the queen of cozy witchy #FriendshipCore fiction that makes readers feel like they're having coffee with their best friends. She lives on the foggy Central Coast of California with her two wonderful teens, two playful dogs, and a mischievous orange cat named Persimmon for obvious reasons.

When she's not weaving magical tales or getting lost in a good book, Jessica can probably be found strolling along the beach, searching for sea glass treasures even though she should probably be tidying her office.

Sign up for email updates at blueoctopuspress.com. (free treat for anyone who signs up!)

Reviews

[Aditi]

I was really excited for this book, having loved the last 3. However maybe I was too excited and hence easily disappointed. There was not enough of the brewhahas and the light banter which I loved in the last few books. I understand why, but it still felt like far too much focus was on Cassie singularly by herself and not enough of the fun interactions.

Overall the plot was also almost identical in broad strokes to the last 2 books, maybe perhaps with a more encouraging outcome.

I look forward to the next book perhaps it will be from Juliette's perspective or just have something different happening.

[Marita · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I have enjoyed this series, I was always honest about its flaws. This is the book where the protagonist, Cassie, officially became annoying. I've found her endless snarkiness tiresome, but the problem in this book is that she became juvenile.

The overarching narrative continues of Cassie and her tween daughter, Aurie, adjusting to life in their small, witchy, New England town. Her feud with the oldest and most powerful witch in town escalates here but it seems that it keeps slipping Cassie's mind as she obsesses over other things. Her new obsession, and the thing that made her annoying to me, is her burgeoning relationship with Sam, the hot deputy sheriff. Now, Cassie is 40-years old, not some virginal 18-year old. But the constant description of her stomach flip-flopping, and her heart hammering, and her blushing(!) whenever Sam is around is simply ridiculous. I know new love is exciting, but come on! This weak-kneed nonsense also seems to have afflicted her cousin, Jessica, who will be the protagonist for the next series of books.

Up until this book, I was willing to follow Rosenberg because I enjoyed the message of the importance of strong women friendships especially in midlife. But some of the women are so underwritten - basically Cassie's supporting players. And their girlish response to any handsome man who glances their way is unbelievable. Women who are their age and have been around the block a time or two don't devolve into blushing teenagers with the vapors just because a man gives them a sultry look or touches them.

So I'll probably take a break from Rosenberg. Maybe she, too, was tired of Cassie and she'll find her second wind with Jessica. The thing is, Jessica is already annoying so Rosenberg will have to rehabilitate her quite a bit to make me interested in continuing. Here's hoping the first part of the Cassie series wasn't just a flash in the pan.

[Lida · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sweet and sour in title only. The story is super sweet and a joy to read. I could hardly put it down. The conflict between Cassie and Margie coming to a head was really well portrayed, and it opens up a series about Juliette perfectly. I can't wait!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I continue to struggle with Cassie's whiny demeanor and Juliette has started to get equally dramatic and pitiful, so from that aspect I'm glad I'm done with the series. However, the camaraderie between the Brew Ha Has and the magical elements of the book made it a fun read. I loved the descriptions of the different types of witches...... I'd be a garden witch or a kitchen witch or hybrid of both I think! I was a little shocked at just how evil Margie was too.

Overall the series and most of the characters were enjoyable and I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it. Just be warned that if you don't like hang-wringing drama queens, you might have the same difficulty with Cassie.as I did. Some of that could be the narrator though, she was really good at portraying each character's personality (and generally I liked her) so it's very possible had I read the physical or ebook I wouldn't have been as annoyed by either of them.

Basically, if you like cute stories about witches, but not whiny women, maybe don't read the audiobook. Otherwise check it out. The story itself was interesting and I loved the relationships. You probably will too!

[Joanne Valdez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will give this 2.5 star. I could not get in to this book and it was upsetting as I enjoyed the other 3. I will say I did look at reviews when I wanted to give up. I did push through but felt like the ending was unfinished.

What happened to the evil grandmother was her Magic Bound? Did Cassie and Sam start dating? Does Cassie bring her mom to live near her or bring her dad to see her? Does the dad ever tell Cassie why he left? My guess is she started to develop her magic and the mom thought it was because he was there.

It seemed like this was a bridge book between the 2 cousins stories.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointing.

[Tchipakkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was as wonderful as the previous three books in the series. The developments, both supernatural and psychological, were all realistic. I'm glad Rosenberg finally explained the absence of Stacy's daughter, but I've expected Aurie to start asking the minute Stacy showed up. I love the character development shown in Juliet, and would really have looked forward to reading more about the other characters' lives. I am left wanting to know more about this magical version of Revere (beach town 40 minutes from Walden Pond), and hope Cassie takes Aurie to meet her fox friends. I also was hoping that they would help break through the paradigms that seem to 'simplify' magick to the point that it's missing something. Since one of my daughter's psychic/ magickal abilities is finding things, I am looking forward to Juliette's series. I love that the characters are more important to the plot than the 'fun' part of otherworldly dressing. Yes, these "discover your inner power" in magick books are about women claiming their power when they'd lost it, but more than other books, Rosenberg seems to understand that it's the inner programming that's the big issue, not that they didn't have the ability to blink and make things happen.
I'm looking forward to Juliette's series, and hope that she continues to write about this town and these characters.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sort of using this book to review the entire series.

I really enjoyed it, and overall found it to be a delightful and fun read.

However, the characters feel unfinished. By book 4 we still don't know much about Sam, or his background. I'm assuming his mother and grandmother are witches, but we hear nothing about him. Nor do we ever really learn anything about him

Similarly, we meet Amy, and yet, we get to know very little about her. It strikes me that we get very little character development or insight about any of Cassie's friends - I know there are books that are told from Juliette's perspective, which is great, but it seems like we only know very surface level information about each of the brew-hahas. Hattie is an animal witch and has a pet shop, Crystal is good with coffee, Christina has a brother that is protective and can make good bread, Amy makes jewelry and is dating Crystal, and only recently found out she's a witch. I feel like that's literally all we know about each woman. Sure they are supportive and great friends to Cassie, but the lack of knowing anything at all about these characters became increasingly frustrating. I kept thinking we'd learn more and more.

I also found Margie's descent into pure evil to be a bit......over the top.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through this book in 3 short sessions. I loved the first 3 books in the series and Sweet & Sour Spells lives up to the others. Cassie and the Brewhahas get up to all sorts of fun mischief once again. It was entertaining to see Cassie and Aurie experience their first winter as I deal with yet another one in my real life.

I loved seeing Cassie’s cousin Juliette finally get what family should be to each other. In some respects, Cassie learns that lesson as well. The underlying message is family, those we are born into and those we choose.

Without giving away any spoilers, it’s great to see characters get what they deserve, both good and bad. Start with this book or the first in the series, Butter, Sugar, Magic and you will be glad you did. I’ve enjoyed all the books in the series and I’m especially looking forward what is in store for Juliette next. She’s started on the new path but she’s got a long way to go. Looking forward to the next installments.

Keep up the great writing Jessica!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet & Sour Spells - Book Four
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Grab a cup of coffee and settle in to keep Cassie and her friends company as they fight to hold on to the lives they love.

The last book in the series definitely didn't disappoint me, another cosy, enjoyable read - just very sad that there is no more 😥

Cassie continues to fight to keep her bakery and herself going, what with Margie out to get her, Aurie and Willow and generally making her life difficult.

After a terrible incident at Juliettes (Cassies cousin) bookshop involving Margie (Juliettes grandmother) both women are left upset and lost.. however the bakery soon helps to heal the wounds and fix everything, or does Cassie come up against Margie again???

So in the final book does Cassie fund love with Sam? Will her father stay? Does Juliette find her dream bookshop? Will Margie finally get what is coming to her? The best thing to do is read the book to find out.

Thank you Jessica Rosenberg for taking me to another place of witchy, magical reading, I have thoroughly enjoyed every page of this series.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like the heroine of this series, Cassie. It's about a recent divorce with a tween daughter leaving Atlanta and claiming an inheritance in a small, northern, sea-side town. That inheritance comes with the unveiling of their dormant witch powers, both mom and daughter, and a magical bakery/apartment building. The new matriarch of the town (after Cassie's aunt died) is a bully, and ends up very upset with Cassie at the end of book one. (Which didn't make sense at all considering that Cassie's snooping unveiled that the bully WASN'T to blame for the death of her long-ago love. You would have thought she'd be relieved, but instead, she was so embarrassed she went nuts for the rest of the books, doing increasingly horrible things that nearly kill people by books 3 and 4. Two of the books are about Cassie's ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law trying to get the tween daughter into their clutches. Book 4 has the beginning of a romance that is not backed up by much in the prior books. One of the books has Cassie being reunited with her dad. Cassie has several friends that are very tight knit almost the second she moves in.

What I really hated about the writing and the heroine is the way the bully, husband, and mom-in-law were painted as ultimate evil. There was no personal responsibility taken by the heroine, no acknowledgement of her own part in the disillusion of that marriage. It was men-as-enemies-feminism, and I really disliked the tone.

[Nightwitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, but plot-wise the stakes got too high and it felt like a deus ex machina by the end. Margie once again coercing Juliette into hurting Cassie and her bakery through nothing but the power of guilt and intimidation felt repetitive - and I didn't feel very kindly towards Juliette for that, it just seemed wildly spineless and less forgivable than Cassie seemed to find it. Also, given how totally unchecked Margie and her dark magic were, the sudden announcement at the end that the Witch Council would totes handle her felt way too deus ex machina; the entire book, Cassie felt frustratingly stuck, as everyone was bewitched to not believe her that Margie was behind everything, and she was plagued with self-doubt. To announce at the end "oh here's a definitive solution" is just annoying.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but...

I've enjoyed this series. The stories are interesting, and the characters are people that I'd love to hang out with. The dialogue is well written. My only issue with the stories is that the characters occasionally do something that's idiotic and out of character. Each time I've told myself "Okay, maybe that could happen, on a day of really poor judgment.". But these women aren't stupid, because if they were I wouldn't be interested in reading about them. And this story took it way past the edge of stupidity, and I find that I'm actually offended on the part of the character! I finished the book, yet I'm angry that I let it aggravate me. Yes, it's just a book. But when we read it does affect our emotions, good or bad. Why else give a pastime so much of our lives?

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific book with great characters and a wonderful story! I strongly recommend this series. Can't wait to read the next one!

Amazon synopsis:
Now that her father has moved in, her daughter is finally settled, and her bakery is everything she dreamed it could be, Cassie should be able to sit back and enjoy her new life as a magical baker. But a string of disasters are disrupting business, her magic is going wonky, and her burgeoning relationship with the deputy sheriff is threatening her already shaky stability.

With her dream life at risk, her magic misbehaving, and a nemesis on the rampage, Cassie once again has to rely on her friends and family for help. But this time, when everything goes up in flames, she’s not the only one poised to lose everything.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't read the 4th book in a series without reading the others before it, but I did this one and I loved it! I can't wait to go back and read the other 3 in the series.

The writing was wonderful, and it kept my attention right up to the last page. I can't remember what chapter I read but it really ramped up the suspense factor. I was on the edge of my seat reading it well past my bedtime.

The characters are well thought out, I could see myself having a cup of tea and a muffin while talking to the Brewhahas (I hope this is right). A magical town and residents who couldn't ask for anything better. I love magical towns.

If you like magical midlife paranormal books, then I highly recommend Sweet and Sour Spells. You won't be disappointed.

Highly recommend! Did I say I loved it!? Because I did!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love It

This series has been such a fantastic read. I love all the characters- Cassie, Aurie, Crystal, Hattie, Stacey, Juliette, Sam and Hugh all fit together very well. The ladies feel like the kind of friends we all need! The story is always interesting, so much so that I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting. This is the 4th book in the series and I am uncertain if it is the last one about Cassie’s life ( I hope not ), but I do know that the author has started a spin-off series revolving around Juliette that I can’t wait to read. I can’t recommend this series enough!

[Vicky Coughlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m glad this series is over and no I won’t be reading the “next” trilogy. This book 4 was even more annoying than the previous ones. Cassie has just become a bigger winger always overthinking every little thing… this is an almost 40 years old woman who doesn’t seem to have a clue about what’s going around her. That insane dash in the night in the winter to go “rescue” her daughter…. What kind of reasonable and sane adult would just jump into a car without even thinking first what she would need to wear to be protected from the cold and second why didn’t she ask her friends for help? No no no this MC has lost it.

[Lynn Victorson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to Finally See a Backbone

I have followed the series from book one. Love the way the Store adapts to the needs of those it considers family and bonding occurring between the characters, which adds a feel good element to the series. That said, the constant theme of self doubt and near self loathing of Cassandra and now Juliette is more than tiresome. Self confidence and spunk are more fun to read than perpetual, whiney self doubt. Would like to see a little more fun in the series. That said, I look forward to Juliette’s story.

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For once, it seemed she put her daughter first—but how could Cassie have been so stupid not to have realized when she didn't see anybody looking for her lost daughter that maybe she had already been "found" and was on her way home? I love the magic shop that creates new apartments and new shops as needed. I love most of the secondary characters, but I still don't like the main character. If the story is going to shift over to Juliette, I'll stay with it for awhile to see what happens, but I have had more than enough of Cassie. I hope we finally find out what made Juliette's grandmother such an evil old witch. I never quite understood her over the top hatred towards Cassie and Aurie and their little dog, too.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in the Baking Up a Magical Midlife series - a cozy fantasy about a recently divorced mom inheriting a magical bakery in a charming small New England town.

In this book everything is going wrong for Cassie - kitchen mishaps, plumbing problems and her temper keeps getting her in trouble. Plus she’s worried about her date with Sam and her cousin Juliette is acting strange.

This is is a lovely end to this series. Cassie has settled into town a found a great group of friends. The next series picks up with that same group of friends and tells Juliette's story.

[Cheryl Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Margie be stopped?

Cassie continues to be harassed by Margie, with each new challenge becoming more and more serious. She still doesn't understand why Margie hates her so much. At least her friendships continue to grow stronger. Her relationship with her cousin Juliette continues to have its ups and downs, but it is also growing stronger. She is enjoying having her father around, but there are still things to learn about each other. Romance is entering her life through Deputy Sam. Now, if Margie would stop making her life so much harder.

[Jenn Belden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book in this easy to read series! Cozy mystery with a dash of magical realism - two of my favorite escape reads combined.

I was happy to see Cassie AND Juliette get a bit of a backbone (Cassie's ex really has done a number on her self confidence, and Juliette just can't seem to break free of a witch pushing family fealty). The story arc in this one felt a little...flatter, perhaps, or maybe rushed, but it was still enjoyable.

[Adria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun magic and cute foxes

Rosenberg uses book 4 to expand the characters and lead into the story about our favorite book worm and bookstore owner, Juliette. This book does resolve, perhaps, the evil doings of the oldest witch in Portnoy. It also introduces the Georgians, Cassie, Aurie, and Stacy to snow but not necessarily in the best of ways! I am looking forward to even more development of the residents of Portnoy.

[Janice E. Ryberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Sour Spells: Baking Up a Magical Midlife Book 4

What an amazing story! And even more so, an amazing ending. Glad Cassie was rescued from the frozen forest and saved from the broken ankle. I couldn't be more thrilled that evil Margie was kept from harming Cassie and her cousin and Sam changed her venue from their DA. Hugh and Caesar's cousin Juliette joined partnership in the book store , so every one lives happily ever after. Need more of this story!

[Terri Van Steen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in this series! This one had a lot of suspense and had me uttering the words “oh no” out loud several times. I absolutely hate Margie and I’m not quick to hate anyone so she is a very well written character. There were a couple of minor spelling/grammar mistakes I noticed but nothing major and nothing to put me off reading it. Loved it! I couldn’t recommend this series enough!

[Angie Pachniak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storyline going downhill

When series go into the 4th book, I tend to get skeptical. This one lived down to my expectations. The ignorance of the maim character at Walden Pond just had me shaking my head. I'm not really sure I want to read any more in this series.

Also, I had noticed grammatical/typographical errors in previous books and they have been increasing as the series continued. This book was the worst.

[Jennine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica the single witch, is a book store owner. Two great words there, Witch and Book!! Add to that a pet Racoon, witch friends that can talk to animals, one of which owns a local pet store with a talking parrot familiar and not to forget Jessica's twitchy finger ability to find lost objects their owners. Now how can you pass all that up? Just to recap: Fun, entertaining, clean, witchy series for those of any age. RECOMMENDED.

[Megan Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is pretty much exactly what the last two have been, which made it less enjoyable. The characters aren’t really experiencing much growth from book to book and seem to repeat similar cycles. If you go into it expecting it to be pretty much exactly what it is, it can be enjoyable, but it’s difficult to understand what is motivating different people or why they are acting they way they are.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only issue with this book compared to the rest of the series is that Cassie's story felt rushed? There was so much that could have happened with Hugh being around, but no, he was a background character like you could take him out of the story, and it wouldn't change anything. Same thing with the new witch, Amy.

I really disliked that the last chapter was from Juliette's POV. This book also made me dislike her.