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hphilly286's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
sheabuckley's review
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
I liked the vibe of this book - it was a bit more of a simple/classic romantic story than I've been reading recently. Like very "girl returns to her hometown that she swore she'd never go back to and falls in love enough to stay" story line, but even with that predictable plot, the addition of magic and the family secret revealed at the end kept me engaged. Overall I enjoyed it.
catasitges's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
buzzabelle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
sandrasbooked's review
1.0
1.25 ⭐️’s (dnf)
I decided to DNF this book about 60% of the way through.
Let me start by saying this book is 1.25 ⭐️’s because Talia in my head was so gorgeous, and seemed so attractive. I'll really only miss her character.
I will say first off that I did not like the writing. It felt like the author was trying a bit hard to fit into how people talk in present day, but it didn't work. None of the dialogue felt natural. Her writing felt stiff most of the time, in my opinion.
The characters did not feel realistic as well. I could not connect with the characters for this reason. They did not feel their age in the slightest. I do not see anybody being in their mid to late 20's acting the way the characters did, or having the conflict and issues the characters have. It did not feel like something people of that age group would hold a grudge over, or even drive them away from the people they love for a long period of time (you'll understand if you read the book). I had to keep remembering they were in their mid to late 20's and not 19. It felt like a YA book with adult aspects into it. Also, the chemistry was not good between the two main love interests. I loved Talia, as I mentioned above, but I did not like her with Emmy.
Also, I did not have super high hopes for this book, but I had enough hopes for it to be a fun & quick read, at least a 3 star. I was interested by the paranormal and supernatural aspect of it, which I love in entertainment. It is also a gay/bisexual romance book, specifically with the main characters, and I was interested by that as well, and it reminds a bit of the teenage movie John Tucker Must Die, with a mix of like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Harry Potteresque (Goblet of Fire) with the tournament. These reasonings drew me to the book, and I thought I would find something that made me find the book entertaining, but I didn't.
Now, people might think why didn't I just read this during Fall, it probably would’ve been better (maybe they’re not thinking this; they’re most likely not)? I do not think my opinion would have changed. These vibes are something that I feel most of the year, and want to feel most of year, so me not waiting to read this until later in the year does not affect how I feel.
edit: now I’m in a reading slump
I decided to DNF this book about 60% of the way through.
Let me start by saying this book is 1.25 ⭐️’s because Talia in my head was so gorgeous, and seemed so attractive. I'll really only miss her character.
I will say first off that I did not like the writing. It felt like the author was trying a bit hard to fit into how people talk in present day, but it didn't work. None of the dialogue felt natural. Her writing felt stiff most of the time, in my opinion.
The characters did not feel realistic as well. I could not connect with the characters for this reason. They did not feel their age in the slightest. I do not see anybody being in their mid to late 20's acting the way the characters did, or having the conflict and issues the characters have. It did not feel like something people of that age group would hold a grudge over, or even drive them away from the people they love for a long period of time (you'll understand if you read the book). I had to keep remembering they were in their mid to late 20's and not 19. It felt like a YA book with adult aspects into it. Also, the chemistry was not good between the two main love interests. I loved Talia, as I mentioned above, but I did not like her with Emmy.
Also, I did not have super high hopes for this book, but I had enough hopes for it to be a fun & quick read, at least a 3 star. I was interested by the paranormal and supernatural aspect of it, which I love in entertainment. It is also a gay/bisexual romance book, specifically with the main characters, and I was interested by that as well, and it reminds a bit of the teenage movie John Tucker Must Die, with a mix of like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Harry Potteresque (Goblet of Fire) with the tournament. These reasonings drew me to the book, and I thought I would find something that made me find the book entertaining, but I didn't.
Now, people might think why didn't I just read this during Fall, it probably would’ve been better (maybe they’re not thinking this; they’re most likely not)? I do not think my opinion would have changed. These vibes are something that I feel most of the year, and want to feel most of year, so me not waiting to read this until later in the year does not affect how I feel.
edit: now I’m in a reading slump
foolishdahlia's review
3.0
this was a cute read! i absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book, the witchy and autumn feel that it had. i thought the romance and revenge storyline was nice as well, i just was not as invested as i thought i would be :(
i would definitely pick up the next book though because i enjoyed reading about Thistle Grove!
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
i would definitely pick up the next book though because i enjoyed reading about Thistle Grove!
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
lauracthornton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elliemvbrown's review
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