Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Payback's a Witch

5 stars for this wonderfully witchy book! Reading about Emmy Harlow’s return to Thistle Grove was magical, reading about why she left made me mad, and reading about what happens after her return had me smiling.

All the different relationships between the characters was lovely and angering at the same time. Some people were good and kind, others were complicated, and some were just the worst and I loved to hate them!

I can’t wait to continue with this series!

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graceev's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

3.0

3.5

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augustar14's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

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boba_n_books's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this story quite a bit! The magic aspect was fun, and the characters and feuding families made the story come alive.

The main theme of the novel seemed to be coming home for yourself, and I think the author hit the nail on the head with it. It was well executed and showed how you can want something for yourself while also wanting to be with the person you love.

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takarakei's review against another edition

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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

3.5

witch families
small town
WLW bisexuals
contemporary fantasy romance
bonding over hatred of a man

I thought the concept of this quirky witchy tourist town was cute. I wasn't wholly invested in the outcome of the characters beyond their goal of taking down this trash of a man (which honestly, fine!). The tournament plotline is a bit generic, but heck if you're looking for a witchy queer romance with some spice, it's a fun time!

3/5 🌶️

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oliverreeds's review

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adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

eh. the characters and their motivations felt weak, a bit too contrived. and the dialogue was stylized in my opinion to a fault. also why would three grown ass women dedicate their lives to revenge? i get the economic standpoint i guess but idk. that felt like an add on. felt like smthn trying to be woke but just wasnt great storytelling

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thaliareads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

I loved the premise of this book and the idea of this interfamily competition. I also appreciated Emmy's desire to get away from what she knew growing up and to go explore a wider world despite the consequences on her use of magic coupled with the desire to be there for her family and her town.

In addition, the "revenge pact" that the main trio makes and that guides the plot along through the various stages of the competition makes for a lot of fun antics.

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