I don't know what I was expecting from this book, but it was really not the right fit for me. This book was way more focused on romance than it is on fantasy. I wish I had known that going in. I also wish I knew that it was a straight romance because the first book was queer.

Like the first book, I enjoyed the world though still have questions about how their magic works and the town. They still have not answered that if this town is magical, what happened to the native Americans who lived there before? I think that's something that they probably should address, especially like in this book they did start talking about modern issues like racism and misogyny.

The characters were just okay in this book. I liked Rowan well enough, even if we didn't learn much about his thoughts and thought process. Isidora was a little too petty and immature. She also was way too horny way too fast. They needed more time to develop an actual relationship than what we got. This also happened in the first book, but now I know I guess this is just the author's style. Also, they never contradict that having anxiety or anxiety attacks is a weakness. I thought they were going to address that at the end that she's now going to therapy, taking medicine, or realizing she needs help, but it's never addressed. Yes, Rowan seems to have the right opinion, but Isadora never reflects on it. I also rolled my eyes so badly about her secret from her family. it seemed very dumb compared to like coming out.

I will say that the steamy parts were well done, and I enjoyed the mystery aspect. I did guess what happened, but it still was an interesting idea. Also, love the atmosphere of the different witches' nights and celebrations.

Overall I realize this series is not for me it's just too much focused on romance versus fantasy.

it was fine, i liked the romance but it focused a lot more on the mystery which is fine but like… i’m reading a romance not a mystery book.

In this second book from Lana Harper of the Thistle Grove witches follows Isadora Avramov as she investigates an attack on another witch from Thistle Grove. But she has to work with Rowan Thorn, her sworn enemy. After they tried to work together several years ago and he kept her from staying at the animal shelter. They are tasked with figuring out who attacked Holly Thorn at the first celebration of Spring. But Isa is having her own problems. Though she loves working her family’s haunted house and planning each one with her cousin, she really wants to do fashion design for normal people. As she and Rowan work together they get closer and come to a different conclusion about their time working together and their feelings for each other. But the family histories run deep in this town and they discover something that is a threat to everyone. In this book of the Thistle Grove series, we have a mystery to solve and two people from opposite types of magic have to work together to figure out who the threat is. I’ve enjoyed the first two books now and I can’t wait to read the third one. It’s a great read for a cold weekend.

I am so glad to be back with these characters and getting to experience the romance blooming between Issa and Rowan. I adored this magic-packed adventure. I can't wait to see what Lana Harper created next. I never want to leave Thistle Grove!

Harper has created an amazing spell in Thistle Grove. Just as immersive as Payback's a Witch and will definitely recommend this to romance readers that depend on fully fledged and dependable world building.

This was okay. It started off really good but fell a bit flat for me towards the end. I don’t know if I’d recommend.

I had a different idea of how the characters would be from what I saw in book 1, so it was a little bit of a surprise and a letdown. I had pictured more darkness and more angst and enemies in this book than what we received.

The romance scenes were good, and the increased insights into the magic world of Thistle Grove were good I like seeing another family from behind the scenes. But the story wasn't enough for me.

This is the second book in the Witches of Thistle Grove series, and in my opinion, Lana Harper can do no wrong. I've loved every one of her books so far and am eagerly awaiting the third in this series, Back in a Spell, which comes out in January.

Isidore Avramov loves her family and town but dreams of becoming a fashion designer and moving away, leaving her family’s witchy business behind.

But when the Avramov family gets cast under suspicion following a dark magic accident, Issa joins Rowan Thorn in investigating the matter. The only problem is, she can’t stand Rowan…at least that’s what she’s always thought.

Rowan Thorne is by-the-book in everything he does, and he and Issa have been archenemies for years. Can they put aside their differences to get to the bottom of this dangerous mystery before anyone else gets hurt?

I adore a good enemies-to-lovers story, and throw in a family feud and you’ve got me hooked. The pacing of this book was spot-on, and discovering more pieces of the puzzle as Issa and Rowan worked to solve the mystery was so much fun. Even though the two of them were clearly going to end up together, getting to know them on a deeper level, as they learned more about each other was really wonderful. I can’t wait to read more from Thistle Grove!

This was the perfect October read, I can’t recommend it enough, so if it’s not already on your TBR you need to change that.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get passed the narration style. I don't mind modern/slang being used in the narrative but when it's constant, it gets old pretty quickly and that's how I felt about this book and the way it was written. I know some people really DO like that when reading so I'm sure there's an audience for it, but I'm just not part of it.

This book has it all! Enemies to lovers + forced proximity + witchy romance. Everything I love. I loved being back in this series and back in Thistle Grove. I also loved the diversity and representation in this book. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

This was a lot of fun and the perfect witchy read for October! I enjoyed being back in Thistle Grove and even though this story was more mystery than adventure, it was still the same vibe and feeling.

A delightful romp, back in the world of Thistle Grove, & its witchy families. This was a lot of fun, and I really enjoy learning more and more about the town, it’s history, and it’s traditions. These Thistle Grove books are becoming “must reads” for me, and I can’t wait for the next one!

It’s great when the second book in a series is as fun as the first! In this installment, Issa is paired with her arch nemesis Rowan to find out who is throwing curses at the Thorn family. Favorite characters from book one make appearances- Emmy, Talia etc but you don’t have to have read the first book- this is complete on it’s own. Thanks Netgalley for the arc- looking forward to book three!

Forget your teenage magic schools — I yearn to visit a witch-themed bar with artisanal cocktails, ghostly guests and opinionated magical trees.

Isidora Avramov delights in her family’s demon-summoning, ectoplasm-manipulating, ghost-communicating death magic. But when someone uses an heirloom Avramov curse to attack one of the witches of the rival Thorn family, Isidora is determined to prove it’s a frame-up job. Even if that means teaming up with her archnemesis Rowan Thorn, a too-handsome witch and veterinarian, whose empathic life-centered healing magic is as far from Issa’s as you can get.

This book puts the romance in necromancy: Issa is a sharp and impulsive narrator, and it’s wonderful to get a new angle on Thistle Grove and its history. And much as I love a tragically orphaned governess heroine, there’s always room for more “I love my family and they’re ruining my life” in romance. A mother who insists her way is the only right one, a daughter so invested in appearing strong that she hides the things she most needs help and comfort with — these are hammers to the heartstrings, and the reader reverberates in sympathy.

Paranormal romance has always been one of my favorites, and it’s been especially wonderful to see how many queer variations have appeared in this latest wave. Harper’s got her hooks in me now, along with C.L. Polk, Olivia Atwater and Freya Marske. As we move into fall and the fading of the year, we need a bit of magic to see us through.

I thoroughly enjoyed another visit to Thistle Grove for Payback’s a Witch's sequel From Bad to Cursed By Lana Harper. This time around it spring in Thistle Grove and time for the annual spring traditions of the founding witch families. However a malevolent force is at work and brings the opening festivities to a halt when a hex strikes an unassuming witch from the Thorn family. Polar opposites Rowan Thorn, whose family practices life & healing magic, and Isidora Avramov, whose family practices necromancy are appointed to investigate who is responsible for casting the hex. Unfortunately, Rowan and Issa don't work well together, as Issa holds a grudge against Rowan for getting her fired from her volunteer job at an animal scheduled shelter years earlier. This is an enemies to lovers romance, and in a make believe town of Thistle Grove, I totally believed and enjoyed the progression of Rowan and Issa's romance as they hunt down the source of the evil hex.

I love spooky season reading. I think one of my new annual traditions is picking up a book by Lana Harper. From Bad To Cursed is the second book in the Witches of Thistle Grove series. This story was such an excellent way to delve into the season. Although it isn’t set during autumn, it still gives the witch vibes and filled me with the serotonin hit that I needed.

From Bad To Cursed opens up with Isidora Avramov summoning a demon and messing it up. Things take another turn when a witch from the Thorn family is attacked by a hex during an annual event. The Avramov family is under suspicion given their affinity for necromantic magic. In the interest of fairness, however, a member from the Thorn family – Rowan Thorn and a member from the Avramov family – Issa – pair up to get the the bottom of who was behind the hex. While they hated each other in the past – there’s now some clear chemistry between Issa and Rowan despite being total opposites. Will they get to the bottom of what happened? Obviously – but the journey to the answer is well worth it.

Lana Harper’s latest is so enjoyable. While I am not really a chaotic person too much anymore, Issa is absolutely chaotic good and I love her. She is fun to read about. Plus, she does have her moments of relatability — as she suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. I loved that Rowan was so calming and just a really good person. He comes across as rigid/lawful, but there’s a reason. I also liked being able to see what Emmy and Talia were up to as well. Additionally, we got to explore a little more of Thistle Grove and their traditions. This is really a great book for anyone who likes stories about witches with a diverse and compelling cast of characters.

This was fun, light and punchy, very much along the same lines as the first novel in this series, Payback's a Witch. I, however, significantly preferred the voice of this second installment and found the character of Isidora much more enjoyable to read about than Emmy. The "wild child" main character lent the prose a slightly darker edge, and Harper seemed to have found her voice in this second release. My only true disappointment was upon figuring out that this was not a sapphic romance like the first novel was! Either way, I greatly look forward to the third release in the series next year.

Another witchy romance book perfect for the fall!

I liked Paybacks a Witch, but I enjoyed this one even more. I liked the mystery plot, it kept me entertained and curious & a big part of why I liked this book more than the first. And the ongoing family feud between the Thorns & Arvamovs? I was here for it!

I loved Issa & Rowan! I really enjoyed the tropes included in this book when it came to main couple — enemies to lovers vibes & being forced to work together are two of my faves so I ate this up!

If you liked Paybacks a Witch or The Ex Hex I think you’d enjoy this!

In Payback’s a Witch we are left wondering why there seems to be bad blood between Rowan and Issa. In this installment of The Witches of Thistle Grove series we get to read the story that fills in that gap and follow these two as they try to solve the mystery of who is behind the efforts to sabotage the Beltane festival.

If you enjoyed the first book this one was a fun read!

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Lana Harper’s second novel in her Witches of Thistle Grove series, Isidora Avramov is hiding from her necromancer family that she doesn’t want to be involved in their Arcane Emporium business anymore. She no longer finds fulfillment being the artistic director of their haunted house. What she really wants to do is be a fashion designer. But she can’t tell that to her mother, matriarch of the family.

During a town celebration before the Beltane festival, someone unleashes an attack of dangerous dark magic, seriously injuring a member of the Thorn family. Since suspicion falls on the Avramovs because of the necromantic nature of the spell, the family is allowed to have a representative in the investigation, and Issa’s mother chooses her. Worse yet, the Thorn representative is Rowan, her archnemesis.

Issa and Rowan have loathed each other for years. She sees him as a pompous do-gooder; he thinks she is a smart-mouthed rule-breaker. The town’s different magic families have never been close, jealously guarding their separate powers.

Issa and Rowan agree to work as a team to find the source of the dark spell. Despite their initial animosity, a powerful attraction grows as they investigate together. As they get closer to the answer, they find themselves in danger, with Rowan becoming the next target.

Lana Harper has created an enthralling witchy world, filled with wonderfully offbeat and diverse characters. The rom-com is spiced with moments of danger and horror and is an entertaining read.