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starry's review against another edition
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
queergoth_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
This is a lovely, fun sapphic romance. Is it kind of predictable? Yes. Is it exactly what I wanted? Also yes. It's a nice easy read and such a cheerful book. The characters were very relatable (magic asside).
I would say that is does suffer a little from what I've seen in other romance books where the other characters, particularly the best friends are super important to the character but come across a little flat. I always want to know more about their friends to make it feel more real.
I would say that is does suffer a little from what I've seen in other romance books where the other characters, particularly the best friends are super important to the character but come across a little flat. I always want to know more about their friends to make it feel more real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
imds's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Gaslighting
moeckles's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
linesiunderline's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Such fun! Witchy, magic-packed, an ode to Fall and small town life, romantic, sexy, funny a strong sense of place… I love all the things about this book. What else could there possibly be to love? It’s the first in a series! Yay! The only way I could’ve been more delighted would be if it had been a touch longer and some of the secondary characters had more face time so they could be more developed. A new October favourite for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny
msradiosilence's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rep: bisexual female MC, bisexual female love interest, queer female side character (briefly mentioned).
CWs: Alcohol consumption, infidelity, sexual content (moderate), toxic relationship (past relationship), possession by spirits.
Rep: bisexual female MC, bisexual female love interest, queer female side character (briefly mentioned).
CWs: Alcohol consumption, infidelity, sexual content (moderate), toxic relationship (past relationship), possession by spirits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
sarahmreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Emmy Harlow left her magical hometown of Thistle Grove for a reason, and wanted to lead a normal life without any magic. However, when she finds herself back there to look over the trials to determine the next leader of the town, Emmy may find more than she is bargaining for.
This story was magical in all sorts of ways! The world building is actually really well done, and painted a picture perfect image of the different families of the town, its history, and the magic that fuels it. Even at the end, like almost 90% in, you're learning something new, which is important for the end of the novel. While I understand why it was hidden from Emmy, it also just felt too late to include world building like that.
The magic system was also pretty unique in that each family focuses in on a special magic focus. However I can't really remember what the Blackmoore family had, since they were the big antagonists of the story. Speaking of, I wish we saw a bit more of Gareth because we only really get two or three interactions with him and the rest are stories of all the bad stuff he had done.
I liked Emmy as a main character. She is smart, caring, and a bit more modern than I would have liked. She actively used hashtags either in her internal dialogue or external and it felt a bit forced in to make Emmy more "in the know" since she left the town. Even I don't say hashtags when speaking unless I'm referring to a specific trend. However, Talia sometimes does it too and either way it still bothers me.
Now Talia! I loved her so much. She's charismatic, smooth, but also a bit withdrawn. I loved Emmy and Talia's relationship and its progression. They are able to get to know each other more while also having that chemistry draw towards each other. It made me root for them the entire time. Also, they don't feel the need to identify with a sexuality! I can assume both of them are least bisexual though, based on their discussions.
The side cast of characters was also unique and diverse and lovable. I felt for Linden so much as I have a friend who left our hometown and somedays I wonder if our friendship is as strong as it once was.
Payback's a Witch is a perfect queer witchy story to start off your spooky season, with lovable characters and an even more lovable setting.
This story was magical in all sorts of ways! The world building is actually really well done, and painted a picture perfect image of the different families of the town, its history, and the magic that fuels it. Even at the end, like almost 90% in, you're learning something new, which is important for the end of the novel. While I understand why it was hidden from Emmy, it also just felt too late to include world building like that.
The magic system was also pretty unique in that each family focuses in on a special magic focus. However I can't really remember what the Blackmoore family had, since they were the big antagonists of the story. Speaking of, I wish we saw a bit more of Gareth because we only really get two or three interactions with him and the rest are stories of all the bad stuff he had done.
I liked Emmy as a main character. She is smart, caring, and a bit more modern than I would have liked. She actively used hashtags either in her internal dialogue or external and it felt a bit forced in to make Emmy more "in the know" since she left the town. Even I don't say hashtags when speaking unless I'm referring to a specific trend. However, Talia sometimes does it too and either way it still bothers me.
Now Talia! I loved her so much. She's charismatic, smooth, but also a bit withdrawn. I loved Emmy and Talia's relationship and its progression. They are able to get to know each other more while also having that chemistry draw towards each other. It made me root for them the entire time. Also, they don't feel the need to identify with a sexuality! I can assume both of them are least bisexual though, based on their discussions.
The side cast of characters was also unique and diverse and lovable. I felt for Linden so much as I have a friend who left our hometown and somedays I wonder if our friendship is as strong as it once was.
Payback's a Witch is a perfect queer witchy story to start off your spooky season, with lovable characters and an even more lovable setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
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