A review by just_one_more_paige
Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

 
Back to Thistle Grove! These books are just refreshingly magical and fun. And the town of Thistle Grove is such a cozy place to keep returning to. So, I'm always happy to pick up the next book in this witchy romance series. 
 
This third book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series is the first that focuses on a Blackmoore. Nineve in the middle child of the Blackmoore family (younger sister to the horrid Gareth we all loved to hate in book one...and two, really). And although she does love the finer, and more organized, things in life, she is pretty chill by her family's standards. Coming off an unexpected breakup from a long term relationship, just days before the wedding, Nina is struggling to get back to herself. Her bestie, Jessa, suggests she try a date with someone she *knows* isn't a good match, because there will be no pressure, and Nina figures it can't hurt. Enter Morty, who just took over the Shamrock, one of Thistle Grove's cooky-est bars, from their father. A bar that Nina's family has been trying to buy from them...without success. After a spectacularly terrible first date, Morty and Nina end up connected by some outside events: Morty suddenly developing magical powers, Nina's own magic busting out of her control in a way it never has before, and an intense connection between them that is both a surprise and a comfort. 
 
Well, I loved Payback's a Witch, and enjoyed (but didn't love quite as much) From Bad to Cursed, and I'm back to loving here with Back in a Spell. This started so well, imo. I often feel like the bad first date trope is overdone or exaggerated, but the way this one went...it felt so legitimately possible. Like, not realizing who the other is (because of nicknames/app handles obscuring full identity awareness), plus misconceptions about the other based on their family (and other more superficial judgemental means), and it all came out as bad feels and vibes? That is so real. But also, not so bad that it cannot be "bounced back" from. And then, the way the magical connection between Morty and Nina happened...I was into it. Although their deeper level of understanding and sensation and feeling isn't necessarily new, in the "bonded" trope of magical romance, it was just different enough (in general and especially in an erotic way!) that I was very into. Plus, I really liked the way it was used to move past the holding back/self-conscious communication stuff that is the hallmark of "conflict" in romances (a personal *deeply* not favored point of conflict). It allowed the actual conflict to be something more meaningful and profound, which I thought added a lot to the depth of this story and I really appreciated that. The emotional connection there too, when it came time for vulnerability, was fantastic - it was great and it hurt and it was so much better for that depth. I also thought that, considering the "insta" vibe of it all, due to environment and circumstances, it was handled in a very full and convincing way and I liked that. Morty and Nina were an opposites attract pair that I felt a lot more invested in/sure of than I did for Isadora and Rowan in the last book. 
 
As for the rest, the magic and the plot, I was here for that as well. As always, learning more about Thistle Grove (and in this case, the magical lake and what dwells within) was a highlight. And magically, Nina's specialty of portal magic was very cool; the description of the “opposing convictions” of individuality and oneness with the universe required for that style of magic feels instinctually wonderful to me, just a concept that I thought was really cool. The major plot/conflict was also great. Honestly, it was almost like a villain origin story except (and maybe this is a spoiler, but also this is a romance series so like, you know the ending is happy before you start) then Nina made the moral call, and it turned into a kind of "villain origin story gone wrong," which was creative. And since the miscommunication tropes weren't there, like I said, it made that conflict that much better. It was a really well done moment of a person standing with their morals, and expecting something equally moral/good from the other, holding fast in themselves in case it didn’t happen, and then being immediately accepting by/open when it did. What a genuine, like no feelings of fabrication, conflict. Both true and difficult.   
 
As a small side note, I had not heard of the show Lost Girl before reading this, but I have now added it to my "to watch" list! It feels like just my style. But for real, this whole book was my style. A great mix of whimsical magic and heavier themes, in a way that was both emotionally intense and also fully still escapist comfort reading. And it didn't hurt that some long-standing "bad guys" of Thistle Grove got their comeuppance, as we also watched unlikely alliances(?), friendships(?), trust(?) start to form in younger generations - always a progressive and satisfying ending that I can get behind. Just a lovely addition to the series.   
 
“Then I glanced over my shoulder to see Morty's face, rapt and delighted, flickering with my own magic-made light as he laughed into the sky. And I knew that I couldn't possibly do anything that would compromise that pride, risk losing that faith and joy in me.” 
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