Reviews for Back in a spell
Publishers Weekly
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Harper’s charming third Witches of Thistle Grove romance (after From Bad to Cursed) continues to plumb surprising emotional depths while maintaining a lighthearted rom-com vibe. Responsible pansexual witch Nina Blackmoore agrees to a blind date with spontaneous nonbinary bartender Morty Gutierrez, not realizing he’s from the same Gutierrez clan that her powerful family have been harassing into selling the bar. The date’s a disaster—but mystical forces are at work to keep this duo from calling it quits. After witnessing an apparition in the town lake, Nina wakes to find her powers are wildly magnified. Worse, somehow Morty now has powers of his own. The only way he could have acquired magic overnight is if the pair of them are witchbound, the metaphysical equivalent of marriage. Though Nina is desperate to regain control over her power and halt the connection rapidly growing between her and Morty, she also welcomes the unexpected benefit of the bond: having someone she can be herself with, who helps her to confront the damage her self-centered mother has wrought on her life. Harper doesn’t hold back in showing the effects of being raised by a narcissistic parent, grounding the witchy story in heartfelt reality. This is sure to enchant series fans and new readers alike. Agent: Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary. (Jan.)
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
In the third Witches of Thistle Grove tale, following From Bad to Cursed (2022), Nina Blackmoore—a powerful witch and descendant of sorceress Morgan le Fay—is still depressed a year after the woman she loved dumped her a week before their wedding. Her normie (non-magical) best friend advises her to pick someone on one of her dating apps who could be fun but offers no potential for a serious relationship. Morty Gutierrez looks like the "embodiment of a dare," a nonbinary normie who should be a good time. But she learns on their first date that Morty hates the Blackmoore family and lawyers, and since Nina is both, they're done. Then Nina has a dream about a goddess at the bottom of the lake who gives her a coin. The coin follows her into the real world, magic goes awry at the Blackmoore's entertainment business, and Morty suddenly and scarily acquires magic. With catastrophe for Thistle Grove in the making, Morty and Nina must cover new ground. With each book in the series, Harper's characters and community inspire more delight.
Library Journal
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Powerful witch Nineve "Nina" Blackmoore is reeling from a broken heart after being dumped by her fiancé. After a night at the bar with her best friend, she agrees to a blind date with Morty Gutierrez, the nonbinary owner of a local pub, the Shamrock Cauldron. After an awkward first date, Morty, who previously knew nothing of the magical world, begins to develop magical powers, and Nina finds that her own abilities have become stronger. The two must navigate their newfound powers while delving into the truths of long-held family secrets. Harper's third installment in the "Thistle Grove" series (following From Bad to Cursed) is a delightful and heartfelt romance full of passion and sorcery. Narrator Carlotta Brentan brings the entire cast of characters to life by deploying different voices and mannerisms for each. Her portrayal of the undeniable connection between Nina and Morty is especially affecting. Listeners looking for romance that also shows personal growth will enjoy, as Harper focuses not only on romantic love but also on platonic love between friends. VERDICT Harper's thoughtful yet action-packed story is a must-add to any romance collection. Recommend to fans of Elizabeth Bass and Karen F. Williams.—Elyssa Everling
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Reeling from heartbreak, a witch finds new love with someone entirely unexpected and has to decide who she truly wants to be. Nineve “Nina” Blackmoore steps into the spotlight in the third installment of the Witches of Thistle Grove series. Dumped by her fiancee, Nina feels unmoored, and the winter season is adding to the blues. She is convinced by her best friend to go on a low-stakes date to get back into the groove, and bar owner Morty Gutierrez, pansexual like Nina and fluid with his gender expression, fits the bill. Although they're attracted to each other, the date doesn't go well. But the next day, when Morty—hitherto unaware of the existence of witches—wakes up with magical ability and Nina’s own magic is inexplicably stronger, the pair are thrown together once more. As they explore these new powers, their feelings grow, and Nina starts to evaluate other relationships in her life. The delightful lore of charming Thistle Grove continues to grow in this evocatively written story, although this tale is quieter than the previous installments, with most of the focus on internal emotions, personal growth, and response to trauma. The bond between Nina and Morty allows them to experience the other’s emotions, which amplifies their connection and also makes the bedroom scenes sublimely hot. While the romance is important, the meaningful and inspiring broader story is of Nina learning about herself and choosing what to stand up for. Another enchanting visit to Thistle Grove. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
