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bebidocrimes's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
3.5
I like the characters and their relationships, but the mystery wasn't much of one no matter how long it took the characters to figure it out. Toward the end, the explanations and apologies kinda dragged on and I never thought a family bonding scene could be so overbearingly sweet. Plus, the C-plot of Isa wanting to break from family tradition didn't seem to have the stakes I think it was intended to. I love the writing style, but I'm not sure I need to continue on the Thistle Grove series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
hlweisshaar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death
ktmac0821's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed this book! Definitely my favorite out of the 3 released so far. I felt more connected to Isa as a character than I did to Emmy in the first book and understood her motivations more. She also acts in a similar way to how I would in certain situations, so that was definitely a plus.
The romance was fun and believable, I felt the chemistry the whole time and was overall happy with it. Rowan is definitely one of my favorite love interests in the series so far. He and Isa worked together pretty well and, while he did have some prejudice towards her because of her family, he did examine his own thinking and change his mind.
Definitely fun and overall lighthearted!
The romance was fun and believable, I felt the chemistry the whole time and was overall happy with it. Rowan is definitely one of my favorite love interests in the series so far. He and Isa worked together pretty well and, while he did have some prejudice towards her because of her family, he did examine his own thinking and change his mind.
Definitely fun and overall lighthearted!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Panic attacks/disorders
thaliareads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
A very fun sequal, once again proving that a second book can be just as good as the first. I loved Isadora and Rowan as the leads. It was nice seeing them developed into full characters after their appearances in the first book.
Teaming together to find the cause of a magical blight, Rowan and Isadora had to get past their rocky rivalry to work together as a team and find the answers. I thought I knew the way this mystery was going to play out, but boy was I wrong. I didn't see the answer until the characters did.
A very cute romance, and I thought the pacing was spot on.
Teaming together to find the cause of a magical blight, Rowan and Isadora had to get past their rocky rivalry to work together as a team and find the answers. I thought I knew the way this mystery was going to play out, but boy was I wrong. I didn't see the answer until the characters did.
A very cute romance, and I thought the pacing was spot on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol
One of the main characters does struggle with panic attacks brought on by anxiety. In particular an anxiety related to meeting familial expectations. The mysterious curse is violent leading to injuries and some time in the hospital for side characters. There are also brief mentions of alcohol use and some very explicit sexual content.cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Funny, witchy, a little dark, perfect for fall. I love Harper’s characters and the atmospheric setting she creates in Thistle Grove.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After reading (and loving) Payback's a Witch, I immediately requested From Bad to Cursed from my library to dive into. I had such high hopes and... I felt a bit let down.
While the first book has a really interesting plot along with great characters, this book had a much less interesting plot and it took the enemies-to-lovers trope to a level that I really don't enjoy. The angst was the primary focus and the banter between Isa and Rowan felt super cringy rather than funny or sexy or really anything worthwhile. I found myself just wanting things to move along so I could stop hating the two of them so much for holding grudges for almost ten years.
The last quarter of the book provided the intrigue I needed and was really the only thing that redeemed it for me. It finally brought the mystery to the foreground and while things wrapped up a little quicker than I hoped or anticipated, I did enjoy the ending. However, I never did find it in myself to really like either of the two main characters, which is a bummer.
I won't let this particular installation keep me from reading the upcoming book in the series. I think this was just filled with tropes I didn't enjoy, but I can see how it would be really appealing to anyone who lives for the bully-love kind of vibe. I look forward to reading Morty's story next!
While the first book has a really interesting plot along with great characters, this book had a much less interesting plot and it took the enemies-to-lovers trope to a level that I really don't enjoy. The angst was the primary focus and the banter between Isa and Rowan felt super cringy rather than funny or sexy or really anything worthwhile. I found myself just wanting things to move along so I could stop hating the two of them so much for holding grudges for almost ten years.
The last quarter of the book provided the intrigue I needed and was really the only thing that redeemed it for me. It finally brought the mystery to the foreground and while things wrapped up a little quicker than I hoped or anticipated, I did enjoy the ending. However, I never did find it in myself to really like either of the two main characters, which is a bummer.
I won't let this particular installation keep me from reading the upcoming book in the series. I think this was just filled with tropes I didn't enjoy, but I can see how it would be really appealing to anyone who lives for the bully-love kind of vibe. I look forward to reading Morty's story next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Violence
percervall's review against another edition
dark
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
ashlikes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexism and Racism
insomnium995's review against another edition
mysterious
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thistle Grove continues to be the small Midwestern town of your diverse, contemporary, witchy romance dreams!
In this latest installment, powerful dark sorceress Isidora (Issa) Avramov has to partner with her nemesis, the disgustingly noble and handsome, I mean… wholesome green magic user Rowan Thorn. They're investigating a decidedly unwholesome hex that badly injured a Beltane festival queen candidate. A hex associated with the Avramov family. A candidate from the Thorn family. With magics and personalities that mix like oil and water, can Issa and Rowan find a way to uncover the truth before the growing danger destroys them, their families, and the safety of Thistle Grove?
This is a fun, moderately steamy read with a main character who is allowed to be a whole complicated, strong, dark, powerful, chaotic, creative, cuddly, sweet person — who is finding her way in the world. Her love interest isn't quite as well developed but feels like a good, solid, trustworthy, swoon-worthy match. The characters are mid-twenties (I think?), but overall it reads like new adult to me — which isn't a criticism, since I think it's definitely a niche that needs filling.
In this latest installment, powerful dark sorceress Isidora (Issa) Avramov has to partner with her nemesis, the disgustingly noble and handsome, I mean… wholesome green magic user Rowan Thorn. They're investigating a decidedly unwholesome hex that badly injured a Beltane festival queen candidate. A hex associated with the Avramov family. A candidate from the Thorn family. With magics and personalities that mix like oil and water, can Issa and Rowan find a way to uncover the truth before the growing danger destroys them, their families, and the safety of Thistle Grove?
This is a fun, moderately steamy read with a main character who is allowed to be a whole complicated, strong, dark, powerful, chaotic, creative, cuddly, sweet person — who is finding her way in the world. Her love interest isn't quite as well developed but feels like a good, solid, trustworthy, swoon-worthy match. The characters are mid-twenties (I think?), but overall it reads like new adult to me — which isn't a criticism, since I think it's definitely a niche that needs filling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Possession/nonconsensual control