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theespressoedition's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Classism, and Toxic relationship
augustar14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I am enjoying this series. However, the author had the chance to do much more with the genderqueer character and I found myself very disappointed with how much it felt like token representation, or just a fact tossed in/mentioned to try to be inclusive, but not actually built into the character like ones gender identity truly is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcohol, and Body horror
Moderate: Toxic relationship
stacy837's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Classism, Alcohol, and Grief
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Classism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, and Fire/Fire injury
thaliareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was an absolute delight! I really appreciated the growth Nina went through as she discovered who she could be outside of her family's expectations. I think that Morty was indeed exactly what she needed to help her grow and discover herself more fully and to find her own confidence and footing. While I do agree with some of the reviews saying that they probably wouldn't have been together if not for the unusual circumstances, I personally enjoy this sort of "fated mates" situation and I think they still grew the relationship further in a healthy way, they just sort of were given a reason to jump past their previous reservations and get to know each other better.
I do think the plot secondary to the romance was a little smaller than the previous books in the series, but again, I felt like the flow was so nice that I didn't mind and I powered through this book so fast.
What was a problem was the nonbinary representation. Other than Morty being labeled as nonbinary and a brief discussion on pronouns it seemed that they were described as a cis male with he/him pronouns for the rest of the book. The other characters treated Morty as a guy, and other than the not traditionally masculine style of dressing that Morty used, you wouldn't know or could easily forget they were nonbinary.
I do think the plot secondary to the romance was a little smaller than the previous books in the series, but again, I felt like the flow was so nice that I didn't mind and I powered through this book so fast.
What was a problem was the nonbinary representation. Other than Morty being labeled as nonbinary and a brief discussion on pronouns it seemed that they were described as a cis male with he/him pronouns for the rest of the book. The other characters treated Morty as a guy, and other than the not traditionally masculine style of dressing that Morty used, you wouldn't know or could easily forget they were nonbinary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Cursing and Transphobia
Minor: Terminal illness
Nina grew up in a very emotionally abusive household, and a good part of the book deals with her breaking free of how she was shaped by these experiences. There is a scene heavy in cursing, but not a lot in the rest of the book. The sexual content was fairly thoroughly detailed. Morty's dad struggles with a degenerative disease - not necearily immediatly terminal, just begining to more severly affect how he can live. In this case, the transphobia is tricky because some characters obviously only refer to Morty as a cis male, and while this could have been a learning opportunity, they were never corrected and Morty's identity really fell on the back burner and got ignored. None of the characters who knew Morty well and heard this misgendering never corrected the speaker or felt outraged for that reason on their behalf.krisalexcole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
headinthepages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Cursing, Grief, and Toxic relationship
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Back to Thistle Grove! These books are just refreshingly magical and fun. And the town of Thistle Grove is such a cozy place to keep returning to. So, I'm always happy to pick up the next book in this witchy romance series.
This third book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series is the first that focuses on a Blackmoore. Nineve in the middle child of the Blackmoore family (younger sister to the horrid Gareth we all loved to hate in book one...and two, really). And although she does love the finer, and more organized, things in life, she is pretty chill by her family's standards. Coming off an unexpected breakup from a long term relationship, just days before the wedding, Nina is struggling to get back to herself. Her bestie, Jessa, suggests she try a date with someone she *knows* isn't a good match, because there will be no pressure, and Nina figures it can't hurt. Enter Morty, who just took over the Shamrock, one of Thistle Grove's cooky-est bars, from their father. A bar that Nina's family has been trying to buy from them...without success. After a spectacularly terrible first date, Morty and Nina end up connected by some outside events: Morty suddenly developing magical powers, Nina's own magic busting out of her control in a way it never has before, and an intense connection between them that is both a surprise and a comfort.
Well, I loved Payback's a Witch, and enjoyed (but didn't love quite as much) From Bad to Cursed, and I'm back to loving here with Back in a Spell. This started so well, imo. I often feel like the bad first date trope is overdone or exaggerated, but the way this one went...it felt so legitimately possible. Like, not realizing who the other is (because of nicknames/app handles obscuring full identity awareness), plus misconceptions about the other based on their family (and other more superficial judgemental means), and it all came out as bad feels and vibes? That is so real. But also, not so bad that it cannot be "bounced back" from. And then, the way the magical connection between Morty and Nina happened...I was into it. Although their deeper level of understanding and sensation and feeling isn't necessarily new, in the "bonded" trope of magical romance, it was just different enough (in general and especially in an erotic way!) that I was very into. Plus, I really liked the way it was used to move past the holding back/self-conscious communication stuff that is the hallmark of "conflict" in romances (a personal *deeply* not favored point of conflict). It allowed the actual conflict to be something more meaningful and profound, which I thought added a lot to the depth of this story and I really appreciated that. The emotional connection there too, when it came time for vulnerability, was fantastic - it was great and it hurt and it was so much better for that depth. I also thought that, considering the "insta" vibe of it all, due to environment and circumstances, it was handled in a very full and convincing way and I liked that. Morty and Nina were an opposites attract pair that I felt a lot more invested in/sure of than I did for Isadora and Rowan in the last book.
As for the rest, the magic and the plot, I was here for that as well. As always, learning more about Thistle Grove (and in this case, the magical lake and what dwells within) was a highlight. And magically, Nina's specialty of portal magic was very cool; the description of the “opposing convictions” of individuality and oneness with the universe required for that style of magic feels instinctually wonderful to me, just a concept that I thought was really cool. The major plot/conflict was also great. Honestly, it was almost like a villain origin story except (and maybe this is a spoiler, but also this is a romance series so like, you know the ending is happy before you start) then Nina made the moral call, and it turned into a kind of "villain origin story gone wrong," which was creative. And since the miscommunication tropes weren't there, like I said, it made that conflict that much better. It was a really well done moment of a person standing with their morals, and expecting something equally moral/good from the other, holding fast in themselves in case it didn’t happen, and then being immediately accepting by/open when it did. What a genuine, like no feelings of fabrication, conflict. Both true and difficult.
As a small side note, I had not heard of the show Lost Girl before reading this, but I have now added it to my "to watch" list! It feels like just my style. But for real, this whole book was my style. A great mix of whimsical magic and heavier themes, in a way that was both emotionally intense and also fully still escapist comfort reading. And it didn't hurt that some long-standing "bad guys" of Thistle Grove got their comeuppance, as we also watched unlikely alliances(?), friendships(?), trust(?) start to form in younger generations - always a progressive and satisfying ending that I can get behind. Just a lovely addition to the series.
“Then I glanced over my shoulder to see Morty's face, rapt and delighted, flickering with my own magic-made light as he laughed into the sky. And I knew that I couldn't possibly do anything that would compromise that pride, risk losing that faith and joy in me.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
andloveistoolong's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Classism
Minor: Toxic relationship and Transphobia
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I've been loving the inclusive, contemporary, Millennial-made Witches of Thistle Grove series and was both eager to return to this southern Illinois town and slightly dreading this story. Because Blackmoores. Have we not learned to dislike them? And Nina Blackmoore, the uptight, sharklike attorney of the family? Blech. So, yeah, the Blackmoores aren't a great group, but I actually kind of love what Lana Harper did here — changes are afoot in Thistle Grove as a community as a new generation steps into love and leadership. Huzzah!
Nina IS an uptight, sharklike attorney, but we get to meet her in context — in a controlling and toxic family, as a supportive sister, struggling with her conscience over what she owes her family and community and trying her best to be an authentic and giving best friend, and after a brutal romantic breakup that has shaken her confidence and sense of self.
At the encouragement slash well-meaning coercion of her best friend, Nina takes a shot at a fling to help her regain some confidence. Morty has entered the chat. I had to be convinced to give Nina a chance, but I was all in for Morty, a colorful but somewhat mysterious bar owner we've met in previous books. Morty does not disappoint. (Except I wish we could've had more of them in the story.) Opposites may attract, and there's no denying the immediate connection here, but opposites are just as likely to crash and burn when they're on opposite sides of a family/business feud. First date disaster. That initial spark doesn't go away, however. When it becomes a magical bond (for reasons), complete with an empathetic connection, things get a little more complicated (and steamy, in a hot, magically enhanced way). Nina's personal journey, the fate of the town's magic, her relationship with Morty — it's all tangled up. To untangle it, Nina has to look deeply into town lore and deeply into herself.
Nina and Morty are a fun couple to root for, and I really liked the expanded understanding of the Thistle Grove founders, the magic system, the modern community, and the future direction, There's a good amount of pop culture talk and banter. I'd consider this a good fit for new adult readers, with upper YA and adult appeal.
Nina IS an uptight, sharklike attorney, but we get to meet her in context — in a controlling and toxic family, as a supportive sister, struggling with her conscience over what she owes her family and community and trying her best to be an authentic and giving best friend, and after a brutal romantic breakup that has shaken her confidence and sense of self.
At the encouragement slash well-meaning coercion of her best friend, Nina takes a shot at a fling to help her regain some confidence. Morty has entered the chat. I had to be convinced to give Nina a chance, but I was all in for Morty, a colorful but somewhat mysterious bar owner we've met in previous books. Morty does not disappoint. (Except I wish we could've had more of them in the story.) Opposites may attract, and there's no denying the immediate connection here, but opposites are just as likely to crash and burn when they're on opposite sides of a family/business feud. First date disaster. That initial spark doesn't go away, however. When it becomes a magical bond (for reasons), complete with an empathetic connection, things get a little more complicated (and steamy, in a hot, magically enhanced way). Nina's personal journey, the fate of the town's magic, her relationship with Morty — it's all tangled up. To untangle it, Nina has to look deeply into town lore and deeply into herself.
Nina and Morty are a fun couple to root for, and I really liked the expanded understanding of the Thistle Grove founders, the magic system, the modern community, and the future direction, There's a good amount of pop culture talk and banter. I'd consider this a good fit for new adult readers, with upper YA and adult appeal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Cursing
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