This is a cute witchy romance read featuring the 2nd chance romance trope. Emma has always been in love w/ Bastian and was even contracted between their 2 covens to marry him. But he broke the engagement, leaving Emma high and dry. She leaves witchcraft, opens a bar and generally tries to forget about Bastian. But he comes back into her life 7 years later and announces he wants her back. Bastian had his reasons for leaving (even if Emma isn't aware of them), and he now must win Emma back.
Now, if these 2 had just communicated in the first place, I guess it wouldn't have been much of a novel. But it was cute and I'm glad I got to read it early.

*Special thankst to NetGalley and Harlequin for this e-arc.*

This is a brilliant book and I will gladly add to the pile of praise this book is getting. Although written with humor and fun, there are so many heartfelt moments, human moments in this book that my heart was tugged at every page. I was immediately invested in both characters, and while there was some a lot of miscommunication it made sense for the story and their characters that I can't begrudge it. With a dual POV there is so much potential for taking the easy way, but there was a beautiful balance of showing and telling the story as well as seeing the same moment from a completely different point of view.

The world building is just enough - it was paced through so it didn't feel like a huge infodump, nor was I left wondering/baffled about the magic system, politics, or culture (all of which were easily picked up and woven through with then other storylines).

I was also so impressed with the handling of the emotionally manipulative and abusive parent. Adding such a dark element to a generally light book could have been difficult to balance, but it was handled deftly at each stage, giving the book an added depth.

The whole cast of characters, from main to friends to family and even the wedding planner are all well written full characters with lives, flaws, and quirks. I cannot wait to meet more of them and this world in future books. If there are not more books in this series (Leah, Tia, and please the wedding planner too!), that is a great opportunity missed.

This cute cover is a good start to this story. The beginning of the book creates the world where witches alongside mortals who are unaware of their powers. Emmaline Bluewater and Bastian Truenote (names are a bit much), were childhood friends and were contracted to marry by thier parents. But Bastian bails shortly before his the wedding and disappears leaving Emmaline abandoned. When he walks into her bar seven years later and announces her fiancee is back she doesn’t know how she feels.

Turns out there is a lot of EXTRAs in the marriage contract. His mother is dying because of a penalty clause. It is the only reason that Emma agrees the wedding is back on. Bastian decides to stay with her at her apartment (starting on the couch) to give them time to get reacquainted. Lots of things are happening in this story. She has an evil mother. The marriage would improve her family standing in the witching world. Miscommunication. Hexing. It is all a lot.

It is hard to like Bastian when he comes back as the golden boy everyone loves, who devastated Emma by leaving. But it turns out is his kind and genuinely likes Emma. There were reasons he can’t explain his leaving. But the complications are a bit contrived. Why would his parents sign a contract with so many negative for he and their family. I understand the mother’s impression but they were still the more powerful family. Some things just didn’t make sense for me story wise. But I just went with it. Overall I enjoyed it enough to round up because of the core relationship between Bastian and Emma. But almost too much is left for a late reveals.

Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC via NetGalley and I leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

I liked this story and all the characters were great but it dragged a little and quite frankly, the issues in the relationship between the two main characters were annoying by the end. I get the story arc but it made me like the heroine less in the end which isn't a good sign. Still, solid paranormal romance and I look forward to more if it becomes a series

This was an enjoyable book which takes you into a the world of witchy society. The two leads Emma and Bastian were very likeable and had really good chemistry and believable tension between them. I liked how they both navigated their way through their reconnection and the strange circumstances of the wedding contract that tore them apart and brings them back together. You get to read both their perspectives and get an insight into their feelings as the story, various secrets and events unfold which made it easy to root for both of them to figure things out. SM’S writing style is quite engaging and I felt the story flowed really well. Some likeable supporting characters as well which means I hope we see more of this world and Tia, Leah and Kole’s stories in the future. (3.75 ⭐️ rounded up)

Seven years ago, Bastian Truenote walked out on Emmaline, the woman he was contracted to marry, with no explanation. Now, Emma has rebuilt herself from the ashes Bastian left behind, and she has a life of her own in Chicago, far from the New Orleans home she once knew. But the contract that connected the two contained a curse that now threatens the life of Bastian’s mother, and the only way to remedy the damage done and save her life is to fulfill the contract and wed after all. Emma is not the girl she used to be, however, and mending the broken bridges of the past may not be as simple as Bastian assumes. This romance contains all the elements of sultry connection that readers have come to expect from the Harlequin imprint. The underlying regret and despair left from Bastian’s unexpected departure forms the foundation of the fragile relationship he and Emma are now required to build, and it is through this pain that the most beautiful of flowers can bloom. And, of course, mixed in with magic, strong friendships, and occasional snarky language is the intense romance readers crave. Told from both perspectives—that of Bastian and that of Emma—the narrative offers readers greater insight into the truths the two protagonists are hiding and enhances the sympathy they generate throughout the story. Interestingly, the book feels like a sequel thanks to all the mentions of events that took place before, but it is a novel that stands alone. And while the overall plot may be far-fetched at times, it satisfies the romantic desires of the reader in all the right ways. This is a fun and satisfying novel for mature young adult and older readers to enjoy with a delightful drink in their favorite locale.

I loved this! Such a fun book and it had me hooked. A meager witch that’s always been told she’s not good enough is contracted to marry a handsome and powerful warlock. But then he flees unexpectedly, returning 7 years later. Is it for love or to fulfill his end of the bargain? Only one way to find out. Loved the humor, fantasy, & steamy scenes.

A sweet, witchy romance is what everyone needs this year. I loved watching Emma and Bastian grow both individually and together. Friends to lovers and second chance romances are some of my favorite tropes and I am always so excited to read about them. The author did a great job writing the various plot lines and it flowed seamlessly. I really enjoyed the softer moments between Emma and Bastian. It really made you feel their romance. I could definitely see this book as the beginning of a series with spin off stories from the side characters!

Sebastian Truenote leaves Emmaline Bluewater at the altar despite their love and years of childhood friendship. What Emmaline doesn't know is that he'd lose his power and be hexed from a medieval clause if he goes through with the marriage. Fast forward 7 years and Emmaline has moved on when Sebastian shows back up with excuses of why he vanished in the first place. This is a paranormal trope-tastic novel filled with second chances, enemies to lovers, and slow burn. If you love paranormal/witch fiction and romance, than you won't be disappointed by this fun book by Sophie H. Morgan.

This was a cute witchy rom-com. This book was a second chance romance with a fake marriage. I love a second chance romance, it's one of my favorite tropes! This book would be great to read during spooky season!

Funny and entertaining. This book is everything you’d want to see in a witches/paranormal book. Witty, lots of adorable characters and a good plot.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. This was a pleasant surprise. I truly enjoyed this book. It was a quick fun read. I think if you enjoy paranormal romance you might enjoy this one. The characters are likeable and interesting. I really liked when Emma stood up for herself-and I know that this can be difficult. Her mom is a true terror. Bastian is just a nice guy. 3.5 stars

This was my first Sophie Morgan book and it was a delight to read. I am a sucker for a good witch book and you've added on some of my favorite tropes. This was fun and cute and I really enjoyed the storyline. The characters were great and I loved how she built them. Definitely will check out more of her books.

ARC REVIEW

The Witch is Back
By Sophie Morgan

Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Ok.
This wasn't for me, AND THATS OK!!!

*Creating summaries for books I didn't enjoy is a challenge for me, so here is the Goodreads blurb*

Love is a hex of a thing. Former childhood sweethearts fake a relationship in this charming, witchy romcom.

There’s nothing wrong with being a wallflower. Not to Emmaline Bluewater, anyway. Emma may have been born into witch society, but her days of trying to fit in where she doesn’t belong are over—they ended seven years ago, when the man she’d hoped to marry left town without a word. She’s much happier now, living a delightfully mundane human life in Chicago and running her bar, Toil and Trouble.

Until Bastian Truenote walks through the door and announces that he wants her back.

Bastian had his reasons for leaving—even if he can’t tell Emma what they are. Now, to win Emma’s heart, he’s got to face down an adorably goofy dog familiar, a best friend who’s all too eager to hit him with a carefully aimed hex, and a woman who’s far from the meek witch he remembers.

Magical contracts aren’t easily broken, but as far as Emma’s concerned, not even a marriage of convenience will have her falling under Bastian’s spell again…

REVIEW
Honestly? I think witchy romcoms aren't my jam?I keep wanting to love them, but each one I read just.... isn't doing it for me.

This was a book that I never felt "connected" to. Because of this, I felt like I was constantly missing a crucial part of the story.

I unfortunately didn't like the plot or the characters. I found Emma annoying and didn't like the miscommunication issue that is a big part of the book.

Remember, just because this wasn't for me, doesn't mean it won't be your next fave read!!

Thanks to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for the Arc! Always appreciative!

After Bastian left her before their wedding, Emma created a new life for herself in Chicago, outside of Witch Society. She is running a successful human bar with Leah and her witch friend Tia, when Bastian comes back and asks her to marry him to save his mother's life. Secrets are revealed as feelings are shared, but in the end, Emma must share her biggest secret and risk losing the man she's grown to love.

Emma was devastated when Bastian broke their engagement and left the country years ago. She has since moved away from her hometown and witch society when suddenly Bastian shows back up in her life proposing marriage again because his mom is dying to due a clause in their betrothal contract.

I had a pretty difficult time with this book - the world building was pretty non existent and then all of a sudden new things would be randomly introduced with no explanation or having any set up. The whole book was set up on a miscommunication which we only found out after 50% through was because of a silencing hex and Bastian was literally unable to tell Emma the truth. One of my book pet peeves is when characters know something, have alluded multiple times to a secret, but the reader is still in the dark. This whole book was built upon miscommunications and keeping secrets. We spend a majority of the book not understanding the characters motivations which doesn't lend well to the likability of either character.

I thought both Emma and Bastian needed to do some serious growing up. I sort of believed their chemistry but man both of them need some serious therapy and communication classes. I could see the third act breakup coming from a mile away.

Things I did like: Emma's friend group, Emma's brother, the writing itself was okay too. I also liked that Bastian stood up to Emma's mom which in turn gave her the confidence to finally do so also.

Ultimately this just wasn't for me, though it might have been had there been less miscommunication and better world building. I actually think this would have worked much better as a marriage of convenience rather than...whatever it was that we got here.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Not quite the funny, flirty rom-com I was expecting. There are some humorous moments but I would call it more of a lighthearted family drama than a rom-com. Still, I overall really enjoyed this one.

Emma and Bastion were cute together and the growth of their relationship, and themselves, was really well done. They both had reasons to distrust the other and I like that this wasn't instantly resolved in the first few pages. However, this lead into one of my least favorite tropes: lack of communication. Yes, there were reasons but ugh, not a fan.

I have to admit - I was a little worried at first.

Emma initially came across as a doormat. I was SO worried that she was only allowing Bastien back into her life because of her inability to stand up for herself. But the whole progression of character development and how the story unfolded was perfect. The slow burn to fiery hot relationship, the unexpected source of the hex, and Bastien's true character revealing itself, added to the story as a whole.

I really hope that this turns into a series!

This one wasn’t for me.

I’m gonna be honest, I skimmed…a lot. I didn’t like the FMC, Emmaline or the MMC, Bastian. I mean, they’re supposed to marry and he runs off. Then he comes back almost a decade later and asks her to marry him to save his mother and she’s just like, okay!

No.

She’s a doormat. Pushover. Her personality was flat.
He’s a self-entitled prick.

The plot seemed everywhere because I wasn’t into it enough to pay attention.

But the writing was pretty good and lacked major flaws. For that, I give it 3 stars.

Thanks NetGalley & the publisher for gifting me an arc for an honest review.

I had a hard time with this. I thought this was going to be a second chance romance filled with witchy vibes, good grovel and a guy trying to get back his girl but this was really different and fell very flat for me. This is another case of the "bones" of this story being good but the execution just not doing it for me.

My biggest issue is Emma and Bastian as individuals and as a couple. Bastian can't communicate and expects to just show up out of the blue one day and for things to be back to normal? He shows various times how selfish and emotionally unintelligent he is. How am I supposed to root for a MMC like this? Emma is supposed to be a "wallflower" who moved away and who is suddenly sassy now and won't fall for Bastian but she does. The author made Emma's character revert back to a total doormat vs shy. Also I am so tired of people using shy as a negative word or connotation when it is just a way to describe a personality trait. Her character is a bit more complex and has gone through quite a bit of trauma but what girl really needed was therapy.

Don't even get me started on the relationship these characters had in the past. This is a spoiler free review but let's just say I feel like they already didn't have a very solid foundation to work of off.

Actually, both these characters probably needed therapy vs being in a relationship with each other. They are both very emotionally stunted and showed minimal growth by the end of the story and it was not enough to convince me of their chemistry. When I am not rooting for the main people to be together, that's when a romance book really is not for me.

Thank you, Harlequin and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.