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thehobbitbarbie's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I thought I was going to love this book and was so excited to read along as the series progresses. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for me to realize this was not the cozy fantasy romance I was looking for. While the setting was charming at times and the spicy moments delivered as promised, the main character's motivations are weak, the relationships all feel forced and awkward, and no one seems to exist past the main character's sphere. For a book that was pitched to me as having Halloween Hallmark vibes, I feel like this missed the mark on the community aspect that makes small-town romances like this successful, and in truth, it felt more like the plot of a Sims neighborhood story than a Hallmark movie. I will also admit that I have a strong bias against characters referring to themselves and each other by their last names outside of sports media, so that certainly didn't win this book any points.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Classism, and Cursing
steffiraquel's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Classism, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
ka_ke's review
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? No
4.0
I am impressed with how much I liked this book. Although the romance is fade to black, Talia & Emmy make a cute well developed couple. Its a pseudo coming of age mixed with destiny fulfillment with a light hearted energy and some inventive insults. I’ll be on the look out for more from Lana Harper.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Cursing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Classism
froyobaggns's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
this is a really fun read. it's not like, a literary masterpiece, but it is witty and the characters are sassy and badass. emmy as the main character is overdramatic, a bit of an asshole and an unreliable narrator, but it's definitely a lot of fun. and it really leans into witchy tropes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Violence
Minor: Drug use
starry's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I really wanted to like this book, but it lost me a few chapters in and never got me back. It took me over a month if daily reading to finish this book, because it just failed to grip me. My main problems with this one stem from the faults of the main character, Emmy Harlow. Emmy is a witch who left her hometown (and her magic) behind ten years ago after a traumatic breakup, but heads home to the witchy, autumnal Thistle Grove for a once-per-generation magical tournament at the request of her father. Payback’s a Witch is one of those Emma-like stories, where the main character starts off self-absorbed, pretentious, and largely tuned out to the consequences their actions have on others. Over the course of the book, they’re supposed to learn, face consequences, and make amends. The thing with this one is, Emmy realizes she’s been unfair to her family and her friends, but readers don’t ever really see her change. At the end of the novel, Emmy is still self-absorbed, unthinking of how her actions will affect her family and her friends, and she gets everything she wants, without having to sacrifice anything. Usually in a romance novel, that’s exactly what I would want. But with Emmy, it felt too easy, and undeserved.
The romance was lackluster to me, relying on sultry looks and banter that failed to evoke any reaction. I wanted more witchy autumnal town, and less of… whatever this ended up being.
Side characters were criminally underdeveloped and one dimensional, which was extra frustrating because there was so much potential for nuance in these characters and this narrative.
This was one of my most anticipated romance reads from 2021, and I’m sad to say I will not be rereading or recommending it to anyone.
One star for fun bisexual rep, and another half-star for Emmy’s dad, whose bookish stoic personality really charmed me.
The romance was lackluster to me, relying on sultry looks and banter that failed to evoke any reaction. I wanted more witchy autumnal town, and less of… whatever this ended up being.
Side characters were criminally underdeveloped and one dimensional, which was extra frustrating because there was so much potential for nuance in these characters and this narrative.
This was one of my most anticipated romance reads from 2021, and I’m sad to say I will not be rereading or recommending it to anyone.
One star for fun bisexual rep, and another half-star for Emmy’s dad, whose bookish stoic personality really charmed me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Cursing, Classism, Toxic friendship, Gore, Infidelity, and Violence
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