Back in a Spell (The Witches of Thistle Grove)

Product Information

If he's genderfluid (he/him pronouns are used though he's fine with they/them as well) why are we using his dick as a character trait? I enjoyed reading this one, as well as the two previous books in the series; this book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting at the beginning to get more background and world-building. It’s rooted in a traditional society with people on the fringes who are pushing for something different. I knew going in that it was the start to a duology, it’s Egyptian-inspired fantasy, and it’s taken a bit to get the second book going. In this book, the protagonist, Nina, must face the fact that she must come to terms with knowing that she does not wish to be like her family or fill the mold they designed for her.

As they spend more time together, the pair realize that they are a better fit than they initially imagined. I think a big problem is that I just really don't like the Blackmoore family, and focusing so much on them in the book was not a selling point. I would have loved to get a dual POV with his perspective, especially since he’s a non-binary person.Having enjoyed the first two entries in the Witches of Thistle Grove series of romances, I was excited to dive into Back in a Spell—especially because the love interest is a nonbinary character. These things only made Nina seem much worse in comparison and far less likable to read than the characters that came before her. I was very excited to see Hadeer share the news on her blog that her debut novel, The Daughters of Izdihar, was going to be published early this year, so I jumped on the chance to request it from NetGalley. The sexy scenes were hot, I liked that Nina was the child of a narcissistic parent (and how she had protected herself from that situation while also being ensnared in her shenanigans), but overall it was mostly a miss.

Olivia tried to hide her tracks a bit by hiding behind her belief that matches must be compatible and by trying really hard to not actually fall for Bennett. The resolution of this plotline feels random and unearned for how little space it is given on page and how little it is discussed or referenced throughout the novel. Instead, they might be the first person to help her move on from the pressure of being a Blackmoore witch.The sensitivity, humor, romance, and magic make the hours spent reading pass faster then one can say ABBRACADABBRA. Lana Harper is the author of four YA novels about modern-day witches and historical murderesses ( Wicked Like a Wildfire and Fierce Like a Firestorm from Harper, and Blood Countess and the forthcoming Poison Priestess from Amulet, written under her maiden name, Popovic). While I felt Nina’s journey was a little too drawn out and she aligned more with her mother and grandmother than she might have liked, I liked watching her grow and figure things out on her own, though it wasn’t really exciting until the end when everything came to a head. The provocative opening takes a dark turn when Lily receives a warning about Ryle’s intentions from his sister, who becomes Lily’s employee and close friend. Back in a Spell centers the story of Nineve Blackmoore, a dutiful Blackmoore family member who is nursing a broken heart from a fiancee who left her at the altar.

There is a scene in the book where Nina asks Morty about his pronouns and they say how they mostly use "he/him" because of his family but use "they/them" at bars and with friends. the rest of the story goes like this: nina ONLY uses they/he pronouns for morty and ignores their nonbinary identity ENTIRELY. I have to say I liked Giorgina better, though I appreciated that Nehal was capable of actually getting things done.There are also many points where Nina refers to Morty as a man, so overall I felt like the nb rep was just thrown in there to be used as added diversity. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself. I love the fact that when I pick up a Lana Harper book, I know I am going to be entertained from start to finish, have some sort of epiphany on life, and be able to enjoy a contemporary rom-com story. Along with connecting with the characters, I liked how the plot included a family dynamic; it made me more interested in how the book would end. Olivia and Bennett, having grown up in mixed families, are still learning the traditions themselves, just like I am.