Recent Reads: Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper  

Series: The Witches of Thistle Grove #3
Publisher:  Berkley
Publication Date:  January 3, 2023

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

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?

Review: 

This review may contain spoilers for previous books.

I like that this series is kind of stand-alone but also that it helps to have read the books before them. The town and characters are all intertwined even though the main characters change throughout the series. 

This installment follows Nina Blackmore, sister and lawyer of the Blackmoore family. Her brother was the Blackmoore that lost the tournament of families in earlier books. Nina was talked about a little but she wasn't the focus. Before this book, Nina's fiance left her pretty much at the alter... and she is grieving that loss and down on herself. Nina is trying to date but still not in to it fully. The plot of this story is a bit two-fold, the first is that her bestie picks her a local date from her dating app... who turns out to be a pretty interesting guy, but also that while she is wallowing she receives the favor of the goddess in the lake that we have been hearing about book to book. With this favor, Nina gets more powerful and doesn't realize it but it is affecting the town. With her new power she is also bonded to her date a 'normie' named Morty.

This was essentially an enemies to lovers set up - Morty hates the Blackmoore family and Nina isn't interested in dating. The plot though is focused on the power/ favor that Nina is given. There are some spicy bits and romace but it was very insta-love. I liked Payback better and book 2 was more about helping community then the romance/love elements, this one kind of went further into the spicy. 

There was an underlying note about feeling powerful and Nina needed a nudge out of her depression. I think that was something great to focus on but going fully into "tada magic cures it all" was not a fun outcome. I think that this one could have come together better. It is a very good lead into book 4 though.