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haileyhardcover's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Listen, this book had me at the mere mention of sapphic witches. Add in a little vengeance, an air of mystery, and a magical competition, and you have an easy 5 stars from me!
I flew through this book. It’s fast paced AND has short chapters, so it’s easy to devour. Thistle Grove sounds absolutely charming, and I’m genuinely sad that it’s not a real place that I can visit. I’m looking forward to continue reading about its inhabitants in the next three books in the series, though I am a little concerned about them holding my interest, as my favorite aspect of this story was the spellcasting tournament, the Gauntlet. I guess I won’t be too disappointed if the rest are just queer witchy RomComs, but I love a good competition!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
beckyremillard's review
adventurous
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
anne_11_k's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
ilaxaria's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Infidelity, and Alcohol
laurel616's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Was this groundbreaking, or something that I will remember years from now and think back fondly on? No, absolutely not. Was this a fun, cozy-but-still-young-feeling book to read while sitting by the pool this summer? Hell yes.
This was an easy read, with good vibes all around. Happy ending, the kind of drama that I love to hear about irl, all painted over a fun, witchy, fall environment. Man, I am excited for autumn after reading this.
One thing that I will say - I, like the author, live in Chicago, and some of the parts talking about Chicago were totally odd. Some examples:
- Dissing on fall in Chicago - what?!?! Fall is great here!
- Specifically naming restaurants being nice because they have "$15 cocktails" - girl what nice restaurant are you going to where $15 cocktails seem expensive?
- Listing three "favorite go-to" restaurants that are like, the most varied locations possible. How are these the MC's go-to places that makes NO sense to me.
But, making it worse - I am from Chicago, and have strong opinions. I can only imagine as a reader NOT from Chicago how boring and little sense those sections would be read as. Either make it a love letter to Chicago that makes people want to visit or make it a less-specific downer (or mixed-bag) on a city that more people can relate too.
This was an easy read, with good vibes all around. Happy ending, the kind of drama that I love to hear about irl, all painted over a fun, witchy, fall environment. Man, I am excited for autumn after reading this.
One thing that I will say - I, like the author, live in Chicago, and some of the parts talking about Chicago were totally odd. Some examples:
- Dissing on fall in Chicago - what?!?! Fall is great here!
- Specifically naming restaurants being nice because they have "$15 cocktails" - girl what nice restaurant are you going to where $15 cocktails seem expensive?
- Listing three "favorite go-to" restaurants that are like, the most varied locations possible. How are these the MC's go-to places that makes NO sense to me.
But, making it worse - I am from Chicago, and have strong opinions. I can only imagine as a reader NOT from Chicago how boring and little sense those sections would be read as. Either make it a love letter to Chicago that makes people want to visit or make it a less-specific downer (or mixed-bag) on a city that more people can relate too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Misogyny
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, Alcohol, Classism, and Cursing
radler's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
ambarnes's review against another edition
funny
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
takarakei's review against another edition
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 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Misogyny
kaitlinnoodles's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content