Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - Back in a Spell

Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

3 reviews

emilywemily6's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I was disappointed by this book, especially because I loved the first one. There were a lot of things I would have changed. I feel like the conflict in Nina’s family was talked about but never shown; there was only one confrontation between Nina and the older generation and it didn’t really explain why Nina felt so broken. I also didn’t really like Morty. He was kind of snarky and inconsistently passionate about certain things and aggressive. And I honestly hated the romance. It went from zero to 100 super fast (spice level was HOT- hotter than the other books) after a first date where they basically hated on each other. It wasn’t just awkward or two unlikely people having a hard time connecting; they were both insulting and rude and openly judgy. So the fact that they had a physical (and magical) connection didn’t feel like enough to overcome all that. All of a sudden, they were kind to each other. I could not get behind their relationship. Some people complain about the non-binary representation, but I felt that while it could have been more dramatic of a characterization, it still felt genuine. Nina asked Morty which pronoun he preferred, and I felt like his specific gender expression was consistent and realistic and nuanced. The story, although it was interesting to learn about what was happening, was over-the-top dramatic and wild, and the lore didn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the series. I also felt like the consequences of Nina’s actions did not realistically fit the outcome or intent of her actions (like she got off really easily and the conflict resolved too nicely). I also hated how much people despised the Blackmores and Nina never bothered to correct anyone when people made assumptions about her or her intentions because of her family. It made me angry- give credit where they are due but don’t treat them like they are evil. Ugh. I will read the next book still, but I really hope it’s better.

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just_one_more_paige's review against another edition

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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

dissociationstation's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted reflective fast-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

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