Recent Reads: In Charm's Way by Lana Harper

Source: From the Publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

In Charm's Way  by Lana Harper  

Series: The Witches of Thistle Grove #4
Publisher:  Berkley
Publication Date:  January 3, 2023

 

Format: Paperback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A witch struggling to regain what she has lost casts a forbidden spell—only to discover much more than she expected, in this enchanting new rom-com by New York Times bestselling author Lana Harper.

Six months after having been hit by a power surge that nearly obliterated her memory, Delilah Harlow is still picking up the pieces. Her once diamond-sharp mind has become shaky and unreliable, and bristly, self-sufficient Delilah is forced to rely on friends, family, and her raven familiar for help. In an effort to reclaim her wits and former independence, she casts a dangerous blood spell meant to harness power with healing capacities.

While the spell does restore clarity, it also unexpectedly turns Delilah into an irresistible beacon for the kind of malevolent supernatural creatures that have never before ventured into Thistle Grove. One night—just as things are about to go terribly sideways with a rogue succubus—a mysterious stranger appears in the nick of time to save Delilah's soul.

Gorgeous, sultry, and as dangerous as the knives she carries, Catriona Quinn is a hunter of monsters—and half-human, half-fae herself, she is the kind of sly and morally gray creature Delilah would normally find horrifying. Though Delilah balks at the idea of a partnership, she has no choice but to roll the dice on their collaboration. As the two delve deeper into the power that underlies Thistle Grove, they uncover not only the town's hidden history but also a risky attraction that could upend Delilah's entire life.

Review: 

This review may contain spoilers for previous books.

This installment follows up book 3 nicely - Nina Blackmoore accidently/ somewhat purposefully wiped the memory of another witch in town. Delilah Harlow has been trying to regain her memories but hasn't had any luck, andnow the council has told Nina that she has to work with Delilah to fix the wards that she also broke down. Delilah loathes Nina. This installment follows her as she tries to regain her mind, but also as she meets and interesting new visiter named Cat. 

Cat is in town to "follow a succubus" and with her arrival many other supernatural creatures start lurking into Thistle Grove. 

This was a weird and fast way to introduce monsters into the world of witches. It was like the author need more character archs so why not just plop them into this world without really talking about then any time before this. It felt very off and strange and I didn't love the idea. If this had always been her plan, why not slowyl introduce through the other stories? Given that they were just plopped in, there was little to no explanation, just HERE WE ARE, and the world building around them was very limited.

Even though this was written as another romance, I never trusted Cat, she seemed sus from the beginning and even in the end I had bad feelings about her and her affection for Delilah. 

What this book did ok - was that there was a focue on rage holding you back, both mentally and physically. You can't properly heal with that kind of rage. I am glad that this was addressed even if it was quick. It was interesting but sadly never really fuilly fleshed out that that Lila did the same thing Nina did - it was all self-preservation based.

Overal it was cute, and the plot development for the overall town was interesting and good. I liked the Harlow's new theories and plans.