***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
An awkward first date leads to a sparkling romance between one of the most powerful witches in town and a magical newbie in this rom-com by Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback’s a Witch.
Even though she won’t deny her love for pretty (and pricey) things, Nineve Blackmoore is almost painfully down-to-earth and sensible by Blackmoore standards. But after a year of nursing a broken heart inflicted by the fiancée who all but ditched her at the altar, the powerful witch is sick of feeling low and is ready to try something drastically different: a dating app.
At her best friend’s urging, Nina goes on a date with Morty Gutierrez, the nonbinary, offbeat soul of spontaneity and co-owner of the Shamrock Cauldron. Their date goes about as well as can be expected of most online dates—awkward and terrible. To make matters worse, once Morty discovers Nina’s last name, he’s far from a fan; it turns out that the Blackmoores have been bullishly trying to buy the Shamrock out from under Morty and his family.
But when Morty begins developing magical powers—something that usually only happens to committed romantic partners once they officially join a founding family—at the same time that Nina’s own magic surges beyond her control, Nina must manage Morty’s rude awakening to the hidden magical world, uncover its cause, and face the intensity of their own burgeoning connection. But what happens when that connection is tied to Nina’s power surge, a power she’s finding nearly as addictive as Morty’s presence in her life?
Back in a Spell by Lana Harper is the third book in her popular Witches of Thistle Grove series, but can be read as a stand-alone book. I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but now I must! I just loved this magical romance and the witchy world they live in.
Story Recap:
Nineve Blackmoore is an attorney for her family’s magical business. A year after her fiance dumped her, she’s finally ready to move on and at the encouragement of her friend, she tries a dating app. Since she’s not ready for a serious relationship, she decides to choose someone she could never fall for, just to keep her expectations low, before she fully enters the dating world.
Nineve finds Morty Gutierrez on the dating app and they meet for drinks, but it’s awkward and uncomfortable. But once Morty realizes that Nineve is the lawyer who tried to make him sell his bar, he gets angry and they mutually decide never to see each other again. But, later, Morty gets magical powers and Nineve’s powers become much stronger, and she has magical dreams. She finds out that the reason Morty got magical powers is that they have become a bonded pair. But, they don’t even like each other!
My Thoughts:
I loved this fun, magical story. The world-building was amazing and I became immersed in the witchy town of Thistle Grove, where witches mingle with normal folks. This enemies to lovers, opposites attract was delightful. Although at first, it appears that Morty and Nineve are opposites and not suited for each other, as they work together to figure out why they find out they are more similar than they thought at first.
Besides the romance, there is a lot of family drama in the story, with the extended Blackmore family and the feuds with the other witch families in Thistle Grove which gives the story some added depth.
I want to read the rest of this series and I’ll be looking out for the next book in this series.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Back in a Spell to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Lana Harper
Lana is the New York Times bestselling author of Payback's A Witch and the forthcoming From Bad to Cursed from Berkley Books. Writing as Lana Popovic, she is also the author of YA novels Wicked Like a Wildfire, Fierce Like a Firestorm, Blood Countess, and Poison Priestess. Lana studied psychology and literature at Yale University, law at Boston University, and is a graduate of the Emerson College publishing and writing master's program. She was born in Serbia and lived in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania before moving to the United States, where she now lives in Chicago with her family.
Sounds like a fun enemies to lovers kind of romance and I love the paranormal aspect. I’ll look this one up. Maybe I have an invite on this one. If not, library for sure. Fab review, Wendy!
This one sounds cute! Ah…the universe telling you you are meant for someone you dislike and forcing you to be with them sounds all kinds of fun for this pair.
Yes! I really want to read this one. It’s the witches, of course. 🙂 This sounds like so much fun and I’m glad to hear you liked it. Thank you for your great review.
This is a series I’ve wanted to try! It sounds like maybe you can read this one without reading all the others first? Great review!
This sounds interesting. I’m going to give the first book a try.
This sounds like a really fun spin on the enemies to lovers trope. Sounds like a cute read!
It was very cute! Thank you, Katherine.
I haven’t read any of the books in that series, but I’ll keep them in mind for October.
Thank you, Lucy. I hope you enjoy them.
This sounds like just a book I would love. Enemies to lovers AND magic – what a fun combination. Excellent review!
Thank you, Tessa!
Sounds like a fun enemies to lovers kind of romance and I love the paranormal aspect. I’ll look this one up. Maybe I have an invite on this one. If not, library for sure. Fab review, Wendy!
Thank you, Rachel!
This one sounds cute! Ah…the universe telling you you are meant for someone you dislike and forcing you to be with them sounds all kinds of fun for this pair.
Yes! It’s a lot of fun!
Yes! I really want to read this one. It’s the witches, of course. 🙂 This sounds like so much fun and I’m glad to hear you liked it. Thank you for your great review.
It was a lot of fun! Thank you, Wendy
Nice review, Wendy. The mark of a good book, when you want to read the ones you missed.
Yes! Thank you, Carla!
This sounds like a fun one with the magical enemies to lovers trope, glad it worked as a stand-alone. Great review!
Thank you!
This does sound like a fun one! 😀
It is! Thank you, Lark!
This sounds like such good fun, especially the magical elements.
Thank you, Mallika!
Awesome review Wendy. Happy to hear you enjoyed it!🤗💜
Thank you, Susan!
I’ve read the first two books in this series, and I’m definitely going to pick this one up as well! I’m glad you enjoyed this installment!
Oh that’s good to hear the other books are also good.
This is a genre I would like to start reading, this book sounds great, wonderful review 😊
I like witchy books now and then, and this one was cute!