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larajgriff1's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Fun spring read, but I liked Payback's A Witch better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
taryns's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lauracthornton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
shaunie991's review against another edition
2.0
DNF @ 53%
Very disappointing, as “Payback’s a Witch” is one of my all time favorite reads. Hoping the next book in this series will be better…
Very disappointing, as “Payback’s a Witch” is one of my all time favorite reads. Hoping the next book in this series will be better…
storytimed's review
4.0
Despite my pan of the first book in the series, I still enjoyed the vibe enough to try the second. This book is about the sister of the love interest from the last book (whose name I have already forgotten) and Rowan Thorn, the brother of the best friend
I hate to admit it but this time the straight couple is better
I think mostly because they actually have a history and interaction before they start with the instalove bullshit: Isa (?) Avramov used to volunteer at the animal shelter where Rowan did his veterinary practicum, and he fired her lmao
I kind of like the way they handled the enemies part of enemies to lovers? Like they're not too aggressive towards each other — it's a lot of glaring and passive-aggressive sniping
And the conflict feels believable! They were in their late teens/early twenties!
And Isa was legitimately an annoying volunteer who didn't like doing the shit work and had a not great attitude
But also Rowan handled the thing poorly because of his prejudice against her family (he's a greenery/nature witch and she's from the goth necromancers)
They sort of dragged out the family enemies thing a little too long because they had to have a third act breakup
But I thought their dynamic was charming! She's a little chaotic and scattered, he's amused despite himself
There's a very cute bit where she always calls him Rowan Thorn, Wildlife Hero because she pictures him always saving small animals etc.
And I think the big strength of these books is the very charming community. I have my issues with lineage-bases magic systems since they do end up feeling kind of eugenics-y, but at least there's some diversity — the Thorn family is all Black, and mundanes who've married in mean that there are lots of background people of color
But every book there's a new fun witchy ritual, and cool magic abilities, and scenes of quirky small town businesses
Rowan's character type is also v appealing to me: he's just a good dude who wants to be kind but has a sense of humor about it! Also I think this is the first time I've seen a vegan male romance protagonist and it's portrayed in a chill way
dsauriol1991's review against another edition
4.0
Back to Thistle Grove we go!
Another great take on enemies to lovers here with Issa & Rowan. I really liked the slow build minus the one interruption when things were getting GOOD. I also really enjoyed how this focused a lot on the mystery that was being solved and not just the central couple getting together!
katieinca's review
3.0
I devoured this in two days and it was just what I was in the mood for. Back in Thistle Grove, where most of our characters are magic, getting two crazy kids together. There's a mystery to solve wrapped into this rom-com, but only as a plot device - the answer seemed pretty obvious to me from the get-go, but maybe I've read too many mysteries. :)
Apparently we get *another* delightful installment with two new leads in January, and I have already pre-ordered it.
Apparently we get *another* delightful installment with two new leads in January, and I have already pre-ordered it.
lynguy1's review
4.0
Lana Harper knows how to draw readers into a story with one sentence. From Bad to Cursed is the second book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series. It meshes bits of several subgenres including paranormal romantic comedy, supernatural suspense, and a mystery. Isidora (Issa) Avramov is a member of one of the four witch families that founded Thistle Grove, Illinois. Her family’s specialty is necromancy. When someone starts sabotaging town celebrations using a strong necromantic curse and a member of the Thorn family gets hurt, Issa and her nemesis Rowan Thorn are selected to serve as co-investigators.
Issa chases thrills, is pragmatic, stubborn, and bold; she’s the artistic director for the family’s haunted house, and secretly wants to design her own clothing line. However, guilt and fear are holding her back. Rowan is a by-the book type of person and has a low opinion of Issa after she volunteered at a wildlife sanctuary seven years ago while he was a veterinarian intern there. Both experience growth as their investigation unfolds, but I wanted to see a more profound change in him. The other characters are racially and lifestyle diverse and had an appropriate amount of depth for their roles.
The writing is terrific and flows so well the pages flew by. The plot is solid, absorbing, and intriguing with a storyline that definitely packed a punch. The diverse characterization and great world-building details provide insight into the town’s inhabitants and their differences. With the brisk pace, readers can feel the angst of the two main characters as they try to make sense of the circumstances they find themselves in, with perplexing clues and surprising feelings. The ending has some surprises that will likely astound some readers. A small quibble was the immaturity of the two main characters, especially during the first half of the book. They didn’t act as if they were in their mid-to-late 20’s. Themes include hatred, family, family dynamics, romance, friendship, envy, misunderstandings, family obligations versus personal desires, anxiety, and much more.
Overall, this tense and engaging novel unleashes wit, suspense, action, and romance that make it a powerful page-turner. If you enjoy excellent paranormal romances with a mystery, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in Thistle Grove. This novel works as a standalone novel, but readers will get more background if they start with book one.
Berkley Publishing Group and Lana Harper provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 17, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------
Review to be posted during the week prior to publication (per publisher guidelines).
Issa chases thrills, is pragmatic, stubborn, and bold; she’s the artistic director for the family’s haunted house, and secretly wants to design her own clothing line. However, guilt and fear are holding her back. Rowan is a by-the book type of person and has a low opinion of Issa after she volunteered at a wildlife sanctuary seven years ago while he was a veterinarian intern there. Both experience growth as their investigation unfolds, but I wanted to see a more profound change in him. The other characters are racially and lifestyle diverse and had an appropriate amount of depth for their roles.
The writing is terrific and flows so well the pages flew by. The plot is solid, absorbing, and intriguing with a storyline that definitely packed a punch. The diverse characterization and great world-building details provide insight into the town’s inhabitants and their differences. With the brisk pace, readers can feel the angst of the two main characters as they try to make sense of the circumstances they find themselves in, with perplexing clues and surprising feelings. The ending has some surprises that will likely astound some readers. A small quibble was the immaturity of the two main characters, especially during the first half of the book. They didn’t act as if they were in their mid-to-late 20’s. Themes include hatred, family, family dynamics, romance, friendship, envy, misunderstandings, family obligations versus personal desires, anxiety, and much more.
Overall, this tense and engaging novel unleashes wit, suspense, action, and romance that make it a powerful page-turner. If you enjoy excellent paranormal romances with a mystery, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in Thistle Grove. This novel works as a standalone novel, but readers will get more background if they start with book one.
Berkley Publishing Group and Lana Harper provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 17, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------
Review to be posted during the week prior to publication (per publisher guidelines).