Kind of a slow start didn't really get me hooked in but it's good for people who enjoy that level of slow burn more for the plot than any romance

Although I enjoyed a lot about this book, it felt like there was something missing. The character felt younger than their ages (at times it sounded like YA). Bastian never really gives Emma the groveling I felt that was deserved - Emma forgave him way too easily. Otherwise, the writing was really good. I just could not connect with Emma or Bastian.

So this was a fast read. It was cozy, witchy with a bit of second chance romance. However it just didn't blow my nickers off.

The author created a fun romcom with a witchy vibe. It was a cute world and magical system. But its a simple read. Not a lot of investment into the characters. It was a great filler read to break up some of my heavier reads. So if your looking for a quick, fun and easy rom com with a witch then this would fit the bill. Its a tame one on the steam I would have loved a bit more but i'm a greedy reader what can I say ha ha.

Fast paced writing and I love a witchy romance. I'm not the biggest fan of the miscommunication wrench that romcoms love to use but I'll deal with it.

The Witch is Back is a complicated but interesting paranormal romantic comedy which I enjoyed immensely. It’s not your typical lighthearted fantasy, but has more depth and thought provoking moments than most. Emma and Bastain have great chemistry, but also a deep friendship from childhood, which makes their romance special. I also loved their friends and family, as they are quirky and fun. I’m glad this was a series starter and I can’t wait to read more.

I had such high hopes for this story. I love witchy books, romcoms, fake relationships but this fell short. I want to enjoy a story and not have it feel like a chore. It was very boring and I felt meh while reading.

I generally enjoy cutesy little magical books, which is exactly what "The Witch is Back" was presented as. Unfortunately it was too tropey and not cutesy enough for me.

The Witch is Back is a story of former love interests who fake a relationship even though they have a whole lot of emotional damage and baggage between each other. At times it was cute and I enjoyed it but then too many things that annoy me happened. There were too many tropes that I don't generally like (misunderstandings, people who don't just admit to their feelings and worries) and characters that were over the top. It was less characters and more caricatures.

Overall I just didn't really like this book and all and have read similar things that were written much better.

Books like these really indulge my sense of whimsy. It’s so cute and so fun and does not pull punches on the steamy and romantic bits. Loved it.

DNF @ 47%

I pushed myself to try and finish this book but I just don’t feel like it’s worth it for me. I didn’t love either of our main characters and I am not in any way rooting for their romance. I don’t like how he treats her or how she takes it, and at almost half way I want *something* from them :/

The writing wasn’t necessary bad, but as a character driven reader there’s just nothing in this book for me.

Something about this didn't exactly work for me and thats okay! I didn't like our FMC all that much. I don't really understand how she can accept someone leaving her without an explanation and then not ask for one when they return? Like she just...took him back.. Okay.

The MMC was just kind of terrible? I wasn't rooting for the couple much at all.

I enjoyed Morgan's writing, however, and I think with a much more polished story I could really enjoy something by her. But not this.

3.5 stars rounded down

This witchy romance was jam packed with tropes, though some of them were not my favorites, making it an overall difficult read for me.

Emma Bluewater and Bastian Truenote have been betrothed since childhood, as one does in the upper classes of witch society, but before they could marry Bastian ran away, leaving Emma humiliated. Running from her cold, calculating mother, Emma starts a new life in Chicago with her found family of friends, and is happily living a mundane existence until Bastian reappears, claiming to want her back. Their magical marriage contract was riddled with hidden curses and clauses, one of which is causing his mother to get sicker and sicker until the contract is fulfilled. They decide to go through with the marriage as a sham, but all the secrets of their past threaten the union once again. This was a little heavy for a witchy romance, with deeper family themes and trauma, and it was sometimes hard to follow all the layers of this witch society. The miscommunication and virgin FMC tropes are always a little 😬 for me, plus throwing in the found family, childhood friends to enemies to lovers, second chance romance and marriage of convenience tropes just felt like a bit too much for one story. This might be a case for me where I would like consequent stories in the series better now that all the characters have been introduced and the world has been built, and there was certainly plenty of friends and relatives to continue with.

There was something about this book that just wasn't for me, even though witchy vibes are totally my thing. Maybe it was the sense of humor? The jokes just didn't really land for me.

This book did take awhile to get through. I wasn’t sure if there’s too details or something but this book i did enjoyed but also there were parts of it i felt it dragged a bit. This second chance romance was unique in a way that i haven’t read before which does involve magic and drama mixed in together. Had there been more world building, i would’ve enjoyed it a bit more. Overall, i liked it but i felt my expectations were a bit high for this.

Thank you to netgalley for the e arc of this book*

This was adorable and steamy! I also love that it was a supernatural romance and the family dynamics were so intriguing. I also think that the opposite attracts dynamic was well done and it was believable.

Emmaline Bluewater had never felt like she'd fit in to witch society, but had done her best to be enough for Bastian Truenote, the man she'd hoped to marry. But when he breaks her heart and disappears without a word, Emma makes a life for herself in the mundane human world running her bar, Toil and Trouble. When Bastian returns after seven years and wants to pick up where they left off, Emma is sure of one thing: she will not place her heart in his hands again.
This magical contract romance is great for fans of love, magic, and stories from high society.

Thank you to HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) and NetGalley for the eARC.

Recently, I have been on a roll with three-star ARC reviews, and I'm afraid this one is no different.

My BIGGEST pet peeve (and lazy writing, honestly) is the miscommunication trope, and this book had it in SPADES. If I had the actual book in my hands while reading, it would have been thrown against a wall and stomped on.

The portrayal of the main characters was also not my favorite—plain, pushover Emmaline vs. gorgeous, prick-ish Bastian.

Overall, another book that didn't hit the mark for me.

This was an enjoyable read that fell short of reaching its magic. Full of commitment issues, awkward banter, and a storyline that felt both rushed and far too slow, this novel fell flat on many accounts. That being said, it would be great for those who enjoy cozy fantasy and are looking for a quick read with fun magic and second-chance romance.

The Witch is Back is utterly delightful. There was so much tension. Highly recommended as a cozy fantasy.

THE WITCH IS BACK initially grabbed my attention with the adorable cover, and description, and I was so excited to read it. It was an entertaining read for me, with plenty of steam, and was a great start to my witchy romance reading.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher

I thought that this book was fun and I'm so glad that I stuck through to the end to read this book. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Emma and Bastian, because it seemed like the reveal took way too long on why Bastian had left. I am really glad for their happy ending and I can't wait to read more by Sophie H. Morgan.

Thank you to Harlequin for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.