This book was honestly so mediocre from beginning to end. There was nothing particularly bad about it, but nothing stood out or was particularly extraordinary. I debated dumping it a few times and wish I had so that I could've read something else.

Adorable and steamy story of second chances! I enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend if you love steamy supernatural romances.

I love a good cozy witchy romcom and this is the perfect perfect PERFECT one to get you out of a slump and back into those good fall reads!

This book and the "second chance" aspect revolves around a miscommunication conflict that is never really cleared up very well. I found that to be frustrating. I enjoyed the fairytale elements of this and I with the relationship issues were fleshed out much more to really make this story great.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Harlequin for the gifted book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Childhood sweethearts, second chances, fake dating, introvert extrovert, steamy 🔥

Yes! I love a good witchy read, and this was great. I do wish there was less miscommunication. It lasted too long. JUST TALK. Other than that, this was very cute, cozy, and so fun. I highly recommend it!

After Bastain left her seven years ago, Emma retreated to Chicago to live a human life running her bar. When he comes back into her life, Emma finds herself agreeing to fake their way through the marriage contract they signed when they were young.

To be completely honest, I was on a “witchy romance” kick when I read this, and I can’t completely remember how I felt about it. I think it was solid - I didn’t love it, and I didn’t hate it. Basically, it’s a three star book.

2.5 stars

This book was just meh. Not bad, but not something I would drop everything to read. Long page count considering nothing really happens.

I’m not a huge fan of second chance romance. Overall this was a big miscommunication trope book.

You know I was gonna put 18+ because I think there’s descriptive spicy scenes, but I can’t remember them. I literally finished this yesterday as I write this. Oops. Oh but I do know that the MMC talked this big game and turns out he only kinda sorta was with 1 person like 6 years previous and she’s a virgin.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for this digital ARC.

I’m loving witchy romances lately and this one was filled with second chance romance and fake dating/marriage.

There is a lot of growth in these characters, which made it so incredibly special. I was rooting for Emma every step of the way.

More please!!!

I thought this book was so sweet! I was very drawn in as their stories unfolded. I think this book is a great example of enemies to lovers, and showed a lot of growth for a 2nd chance romance. I find books tend to fall flat on that, which makes it my least favorite trope.

I also absolutely melted when he adopted his familiar

Emmaline Bluewater was born into witch society, but she never felt like she fit in. Especially since the man she was supposed to marry left without a word. She now lives in Chicago where she owns a bar called Toil and Trouble with her two friends. Everything is going smoothly until Bastian Truenote, the man who left all those years ago, shows up again and says he needs her. In order to convince Emma that he had his reasons for leaving and that they need to honor the magical contract from the past. The one which results in them having a marriage of convenience.

Give me witches, romance, and tension, and I am sure to love it. This book is such a cute romance filled with the witchiest vibes. It is the perfect light read, especially for the fall season. I will say, there were times where I lost interest or found issues with the writing. Because of that, I wouldn't read again, but enjoyed it nonetheless. 3.5/5.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Kate Johnson. This fake relationship turned very really, captures the hearts of readers, not to mention the amazing witchy lore. A great/easy overall read with loveable characters and a fun narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book to read and review. This did not affect my rating.

I swore I reviewed this book when I finished it way back in August, but apparently not. I will try yo jog.my memory by looking at my notes, but this will not be my most thorough review. It does not help that I didn't enjoy the book much and my reading journal shows it took me a month to read.

I have been enjoying 2nd chance romances this year, so this should have been right up my alley with regards to reading, but it wasn't. I have noted "WHY am I not liking or connecting with this story?!. which I feels is my summary of my feelings for this book.

Emma is left broken hearted whe. Bastian leaves town very unexpectedly and without saying goodbye. Emma's hurt is shattered! 7 years later Bastian walks back in and everyone acts like all is fine. I get books lead you to suspend reality but this is a bit crazy. In my family you can't even take too long at the grocery store without my family searching for you.

I just couldn't stick with this book and stopped reading often. I completed several books while trying to complete this one. Maybe I am.just not read 2nd chance romance books.

2.5 stars.

I love a cute witchy rom-com! This one was good and cute. The second chance was done well and I liked the storyline. I enjoy fake dating a lot!

Good banter, good spice!

Do you like romance? Do you like magic? Do you like the fake dating trope? Then do I have an amazing book for you! Filled with all the silly, sappy moments you want to find in romance books, plus the added spark of something magical. A delightful story that feels like a warm, cuddly hug.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for a digital ARC of The Witch is Back!

Emma was born a witch society, but prefers to live around humans. Seven years ago, a man she was arranged to be married left her without warning. But now that man, Bastian Truenote, is back and says he wants to keep their formal contract and marry her. Both of them are keeping secrets from each other and Emma is determined to not let Bastian back into her heart. They must learn to trust each other and heal old wounds to move forward.

The main issue was the miscommunication between the main characters. Everything could have been solved with a simple, truthful conversation. I did enjoy the romance and interaction between the characters. I loved the dog.

It's a lighthearted, witchy romance that will have you intrigued to keep reading.

I'm going to start my review with the fact that I almost DNF'd this book at 10%, 25%, 50%, and 98% because it was that bad that I simply did not think I could get through it to the end. And when I was finally at the end I didn't know that I even WANTED to say I finished this book. But I did.

Spoiler warning, this review is gonna be filled with spoilers. But this will just save you the time reading the book. So you're welcome

I think my biggest issue with this book is that it leaves me with SO many questions as to why the characters did what they did. For instance, why didn't Emma try talking to Bastian to figure out what he heard in the garden, instead of letting him go on for 7 years with a silencing hex? Why was the biggest plot point in the story that Emma had to keep Sloane a secret from her mother (arguably this was the BIGGEST point because it was what motivated Emma's EVERY move) just for it to be revealed in the second to last chapter that her mom already knew!? And of course there was no explanation of how or when she found out (maybe it did but I blacked out if that ever happened).

Let's also talk about the fact that Bastian just left, with no explanation or reason to literally anyone, but he still wrote her cards every year for her birthday? Like homie you LEFT, and the whole book you were talking about how much you hated her and her family for lying to you and deceiving you about the marriage contract. You didn't miss her my guy. Then not to mention he spent every single page talking about how ugly and plain Emma was and how the only good thing she had going for her was how meek and mild she was. Like bruh doesn't even LIKE Emma. And thank god for Tia being the voice of reason and reminding Emma that HE ONLY CAME BACK TO SAVE HIS MOM. He doesn't care about emma, doesn't care what happened to her and her reputation after he left, he does. not. care. about. emma!!!

Her mom is a bitch and I wish people could write the evil mother without the LITERAL abuse. Like. Put a trigger warning on the dedication page or something!

Hey did you know the dog is Emma's familiar? I certainly hadn't caught on by the 75 times it was mentioned 25% of the way into the book.

The fact that 99.9% spells can be and ARE cast without words makes the TWO times that they are cast with spoken spells feel that much more out of place. Like an editing error.

WHAT SANE PERSON SIGNS A CONTACT WITHOUT READING IT!? I am looking at you Diana and Alistair. Because What. The. FRICK.

This book was just not good. The plot line was horrible and there was no real reason for either person to get married, BECUASE OF COURSE the only reasons either of them had for getting married (to save his mom or for her mom to steal his power) were null and void. These people should not be together. They do not trust each other. They have 0 chemistry. Just bad.

The Witch is Back was a cute and fun second chance witchy read.

Emma still struggles to fit in in witchy society, which wasn't helped with Bastian left her instead of marrying her. I loved seeing them work through all their issues (including a magical spell that prevents Bastian from talking about his reason for leaving). The community that Sophie H. Morgan brought together is absolutely delightful (except for Emma's despicable mother).

I struggled a bit at times with the level of secret keeping, I also didn't care for the virgin heroine, but to each their own there.

This was my first book to read by this author but it won't be my last! This was a beautifully written novel that evokes so many emotions. Don't miss out on this one!