This was a little witchy and a lot family drama with excellent characters. Salem, MA made a very fun setting for this family story with a good dose of romance as well. ( )

Willow has felt untethered since her parents' divorce, even more so since her dad in NYC remarried and must deal with toddler triplets, effectively taking all his spare time. Her mother, now running a very successful event planning business on the west coast, has become distant, more like a robot than a mom. Willow's dream is to travel the world, but deep down, she really wants to find a spot that feels like 'home.'
When her mother receives a mysterious letter from relatives in Salem, MA people Willow has never heard of, it is the beginning of a mysterious, sometimes painful, but marvelous journey. It involves a star-loving foster teen named Mason who is searching for something equally important. Fate brings them together and they play detective to unravel the mystery surrounding why Willow's mom refuses to tell her anything about her past in Salem. It also leads them to unravel Mason's own painful quest, while making them realize they're a big part of what each is searching for. Secondary characters are intriguing, and the sparks between Willow and Mason are exquisitely portrayed. A stunner of a book in the best possible way. ( )

Spells for Lost Things is a quest through family history that links past, present and future. As young Willow learns about an old curse that hovers above the Bell women, she does everything she can to pierce that centuries secrets. In the process, she meets Mason, a foster teenager passionate by the stars. As both work together to link the clues, they find answers to their own prayers.

I really loved this story. This young adult novel is a perfect cosy read for October. It is extremely sweet, full of magic and mystery, and a pinch of romance. The Salem and witchcraft background is perfect. Without being overwhelming, it is a perfect background to Willow and Mason stories. Both are teenagers with difficult relationships with their families. Willow has a distant mother, and dreams to travel the world. Mason is separated from his mother, and placed in a foster family. For both, Salem is a new start, and a place of hope. ( )