we’re back!!! thistle grove is a place full of magic and wonder and I love being immersed back in this world. I a loved seeing more about Ivy and Dasha’s lives and powers. I truly appreciated how it felt like commentary on mental health and healing. I only wish that this series would never end

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to PRH Audio for an ALC*

I love Thistle Grove! As always, the book expands on the lore from the previous books as we learn more about Bellisama and the founding of this town. We also get to go deeper into the Avramov powers beyond the veil - demons and devils alike should fear Dasha Avramov and her devil-eating ways. It's fitting that she's paired with a scion of life magic in Ivy Thorn, but I liked how she was portrayed as a light in Dasha's life. Dasha spends so much of her life wanting to be on the other side of the veil, especially after the death of her parents. It felt like a metaphor for the cloak of depression that occurs when you're grieving. And when her support system pulls her out (literally and figuratively), I felt that.

Is this the end of Thistle Grove though? I'm unsure.

Rise and Divide by Lana Harper is a beautifully spooky second chance romance. This is book #5 & the final book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series but it could be read as a standalone. I’ve only read book #1, Payback’s a Witch & I really enjoyed it & feel like it made it easier to understand this word, so I do recommend checking out the series!

Rise and Divide is great for fans of…
🖤 Sapphic Romances
🖤 Witches
🖤 Second Chance Romance

This novel encapsulates atmospheric writing that showcases a fascinating magic system in a paranormal world that takes place in the coziest small town. I loved the dichotomy of the cozy cup of hot chocolate fall vibes that are balanced with the scary horror moments that create this spectacularly spooky novel.

I will say the longer writing style mixed with my skipping the second through the fourth novels in this series had me have a little bit too much distance from this romance, where I struggled to connect as much. My ADHD didn’t let me get lost in this story as much as I did with the first one, but I still enjoyed it.

This is a cute & spooky romance that is great for fall!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Daria "Dasha" Avramov is a devil eater and it's complicated her life in any number of ways. First, demons do NOT taste good. In fact, they are downright nasty. And eating them makes her thirsty. Really, really thirsty. And her ability makes it so that it is very easy for her to be pulled across the veil. In many ways, she'd actually prefer to be there. But Ivy Thorn isn't there.
Ivy knew that Dasha had a complicated past. Well, and that her current life is complicated. Her future probably will be as well. That's why the broke up. But she is incredibly hot. Which is why they got back together. But then they broke up again. Ivy would have said they were never, ever, ever getting back together but then things start happening

Four stars
This book comes out August 20, 2024
The Witches of Thistle Grove #5
Follows In Charm's Way
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group
Opinions are my own

I’ve really loved this series by Lana Harper, and Rise and Divine is a wonderfully vulnerable, sexy story that also perfectly wraps up all the previous stories featuring the founding families of Thistle Grove.

Daria (Dasha) Amrarov tends to self-sabotage her relationships. Her draw to the other side of the veil has been so strong since childhood. As the first death eater in generations, she is often not well-understood. Ivy Thorn has already given her two chances - who is Dasha to think that she deserves a third?

When Thistle Grove is in danger from an unknown evil force, it’s up to Dasha and Ivy - and the whole of Thistle Grove - to protect their future. And if they fall back in love at the same time, who is Dasha to complain? I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

I'm so sad that the Thistle Grove series is ending but what a way to go out! I enjoyed reading Dasha's journey of self-discovery and her second-chance romance with Ivy. It was clear that they loved each other very much from other books in the series and that they could never just get it right due to Dasha's (understandable) emotional baggage. I also loved seeing how other characters had matured and how the families, despite their rivalries, understood that Thistle Grove was for all of them and that they would always come together to save it.

Again so sad that this series has come to an end but I'm eager to see what Lana has in store for us next.

Rise and Divine is the final book in Lana Harper’s The Witches of Thistle Grove series follows Dasha, the event planner at the Arcane Emporium. Dasha is a devil eater, a rare witch with a natural ability to banish demons and to travel through the veil. Although definitely still a romcom, I thought this book felt a little darker than the earlier books as Dasha is still dealing with the loss of her parents and is also so drawn to what is on the other side of the veil. I loved watching Dasha work with Ivy, who she had always regretted breaking up with. It’s clear they aren’t over each other and I enjoyed their chemistry and their spicier scenes as they moved toward a reconciliation.

I also loved being back in this world and watching all of the magical families from the earlier books work together to banish the evil that infiltrates this book. I’m sorry that this is the end of The Witches of Thistle Grove series, as it has been one of my favorite witchy reads of recent years, but it has been a heck of a ride!

This is the last book in the Witches of Thistle Grove series, and I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I feel like there could be so many more stories, so many more romances, but I have to say Rise and Divine did end on the perfect Thistle Grove celebration. Every book has revolved around a different witchy holiday or celebration, along with a delightful romance. Rise and Divine caps the series with a celebration that celebrates the town’s founding and the four founding witch families while also offering a really lovely sapphic romance peppered with heavy grief.

The Cavalcade is upon Thistle Grove, a celebration that occurs every two decades and lasts the month of September. It’s a huge tourist draw, but it also serves to highlight the four founding families and offer healing to the goddess Belisama, of which a piece of her resides in the nearby lake and offers magic to the four families. Dasha Avramov, the Avramovs’ event planner, is prepared to ensure everything goes well, but it’s not easy when Ivy Thorn is serving as event planner for the Thorn family. Their relationship has been rocky, deeply affected by the intense grief Dasha still struggles with from losing her parents no matter how much she loves her stepmother and half-sister. It doesn’t help that Dasha is a devil eater and can step across the veil, a place where she feels the most alive. But Dasha and Ivy have to team up, otherwise Thistle Grove and their goddess could be destroyed because someone decided to summon a powerful demon, drawing out Belisama and possibly endangering everyone.

Rise and Divine perfectly celebrates Thistle Grove and its magical roots. All four families get to show off to tourists for a whole month, and the glamour that prevents normies from seeing the magic is temporarily removed so the families get to offer truly incredible spectacles every weekend. I loved that all the families got a chance to shine, especially with this being the last book. I didn’t feel they were all treated fairly, but it was still really nice to see all of them, and to see the scions and Elders gather together. Their witch community has undergone a lot of changes over the past few years, and this was kind of a culmination of it all. I just wish the previous characters were given more time so the reader could see how far they’ve all come. I was also missing the Blackmoores as they only got one book and this is the second pairing a Thorn and an Avramov. But it was fun to see them, and see them working together.

I really enjoyed the romance between Dasha and Ivy. There’s a definite pull between them, but Dasha’s grief over the loss of her parents was just too much for them to overcome twice before. Now Ivy is reluctant to get tangled up with Dasha for a third time, and Dasha is absolutely certain her heart wants no one by Ivy. Dasha’s grief is heavy and hard, and she does a fantastic job of working through it and learning to let Ivy in, not that Ivy makes it easy for her. But they’re perfect together. They slot together wonderfully, and it was just wonderful to watch them really learn about each other. Even though it felt like they flipped a switch a little too easily, it’s impossible to not see just how much they belong together, just how much they want to be together, and just how earnest Dasha is.

Dasha is the one telling the story. The reader gets a deep dive into her mind and feelings. It’s sometimes heartbreaking, but she has an inner strength whether she sees it or not. I loved just how strong she proves herself to be, and how willing she is to try. I felt for her all the way through, and really delighted in the lighthearted moments she got to enjoy. She was really a lot of fun to follow around, and it was easy to see just how much she loved Ivy. Ivy came off as a little too perfect, but I could definitely believe that of a Thorn. With her life magic, she’s really grounded and is practically overflowing with love and is just the perfect counterpoint to Dasha, making them an incredible pairing.

While Rise and Divine mostly focuses on the romance, it also has a demon problem that needs to be solved. On the first day of the Cavalcade celebration, something is affecting things, eventually manifesting as a massive demon. Even though Dasha is explicitly told to not investigate, how can she not? After all, she’s been crossing the veil since she was a child and has been eating demons just as long. Not only that, she’s the one who discovers a young woman by the lake with no memory at all of who she is or why she was at the lake, and Dasha decides to take care of her and try to figure out the mystery of her. Of course that means she pulls in Ivy to help her figure it out. I did find it a little easy to figure out who was likely behind it, but I found myself mostly captured by the witchier side of it. It really tapped into the history of Thistle Grove, with new information emerging and an incredible being making their presence known.

Rise and Divine is really a fantastic conclusion to the series, keeping to its roots while also fully expanding the story and the world. I loved seeing the previous characters, even if it was only a glimpse, though I do wish they had all played a bigger role as this is the last book. But it was fantastic to see just how much things have changed over the past few years, and I had a fantastic time really getting to know all four families and to see what they were capable of. I’ve loved spending time in Thistle Grove, and I’ve adored all the romances. I appreciated everything Rise and Divine set out to do, and I leave it feeling bittersweet in the best possible way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Lana Harper’s Rise and Divine brings a bittersweet conclusion to the Witches of Thistle Grove series. With its mix of enchanting queer romance, deep emotional themes, and a vibrant magical world, this final installment encapsulates what fans have loved about the series while also presenting some new challenges.

The story revolves around Dasha Avramov, who belongs to two of Thistle Grove’s founding witch families and holds the unique, darkly fascinating power of a devil eater. As the town gears up for the Cavalcade—a month-long festival that honours the founding families every two decades—Dasha faces not only the responsibilities of organising the event but also the personal demons of grief and regret. Harper’s signature immersive prose beautifully brings to life both the festive atmosphere of Thistle Grove and the sombre, otherworldly realms Dasha navigates.

The novel is as much about Dasha’s personal journey as it is about the external threats to Thistle Grove. Harper does a great job, as always, exploring the heavy themes of grief, depression, and suicidal ideation through Dasha’s struggles. This book isn’t just about romance or magic; it delves into how Dasha copes with the loss of her parents and the guilt she carries from her previous failed relationships, particularly with Ivy Thorn. The rawness of Dasha’s emotions makes her a compelling protagonist, one whose journey is as much about self-healing as it is about saving her town.

The relationship between Dasha and Ivy is a central thread, and while their romance is compelling, it’s not without its flaws. Some readers might find their reconciliation a bit too quick and convenient, especially considering the depth of their past hurts. However, their chemistry is undeniable, and Harper succeeds in portraying the push-and-pull of their dynamic with tenderness and sincerity. Ivy, grounded in her life magic and steady love, serves as the perfect counterbalance to Dasha’s turbulent emotions. Their relationship, though not as dramatically tense as in previous books, still offers a satisfying emotional journey, showcasing a love that endures despite immense challenges.

While Rise and Divine is undeniably a romance like the rest of the series, it also has a strong plotline involving a dark magical threat to Thistle Grove. The mystery of the demon haunting the Cavalcade adds an intriguing layer to the story, though some readers might find the resolution a bit predictable. Still, the magical elements, from the devil-eating abilities to the richly described celebrations, keep the narrative engaging and add depth to the world of Thistle Grove.

For those who have been following the series, the return of familiar characters is a welcome treat, though there’s a sense that some of them don’t get the spotlight they deserve. The book is clearly focused on Dasha and Ivy, which means that other beloved characters and storylines take a backseat. This might be disappointing for fans hoping for a more ensemble-focused finale. However, the glimpses we do get of the broader Thistle Grove community remind us of the intricate world Harper has built over the series, and it’s heartwarming to see how much the town and its residents have evolved.

In terms of pacing, the book starts a bit slow but picks up as the plot unfolds. Harper’s ability to blend magical lore with the characters’ personal struggles shines through, making Rise and Divine an emotionally resonant read despite its darker themes. The climax, involving the confrontation with the demon and Dasha’s ultimate decisions, carries the weight of the entire series and provides a satisfying conclusion to the overarching narrative.

That said, Rise and Divine might not be everyone’s favourite installment in the series. Its heavier focus on grief and inner turmoil, combined with the slightly predictable mystery and the quick reconciliation between Dasha and Ivy, could leave some readers feeling it doesn’t quite reach the heights of earlier books. However, it’s still a compelling, easy, and entertaining read that wraps up the series with heart and poignancy.

For fans of the series, Rise and Divine offers a fitting, and bittersweet, farewell to Thistle Grove, even if it leaves them wishing for more stories from this magical world.

Daria “Dasha” Avramov is an event planner at the Arcane Emporium occult megastore and has the rare affinity for banishing demons and traversing the boundary between this realm and the next. She still grieves for her parents and is obsessed with that boundary. This has her avoiding relationships, especially after both of her devastating breakups with Ivy Thorn. The two must work together to plan the Cavalcade—a month-long festival celebrating Thistle Grove’s ceremonial founding. Dasha hopes that the third time might be the charm, but Ivy refuses to be hurt again. In addition to their feelings, Dasha and Ivy must also confront an otherworldly threat to Thistle Grove.

Rise and Divine is book 5 of the "Witches of Thistle Grove" series, but it's fine if you haven't read the prior books in this series. It's a witchy town with four main founding families and their bloodlines. Dasha is odd even from a necromancy standpoint, as she is a demon eater: she literally eats demons and the dark entities that prey on the living in addition to the necromancy magic of the Avramov bloodline. She hopes to get back together with Ivy, whom she broke things off with when she wasn't in a good headspace and had turned to physical relationships to avoid dealing with grief and crossing the boundary into the land of the dead. The Cavalcade brings the two in close proximity, and Dasha hopes to rekindle the spark the two once had. During the festivities, a bigger demon than Dasha is used to dealing with arrives, and one of the festival attendees has no memory of what happened before she was found. If the demon is set loose in the town, the people would suffer and the magic keeping the town safe could be undone.

In addition to the second chance romance of this book, there's the thread of mystery surrounding the new demon's appearance, the odd magical happenings in the town, the thefts at the Arcane Emporium, and the identity of the young woman the Dasha finds. There's a lot happening, as well as the teasing glimpses that Dasha has of the other world. She once wanted to stay there rather than remain living, which ultimately led to her chaotic behavior. Grief does a number on many of the people in town, and this creature preys on it as well as the powers that others have. Dasha tries to track down the demon using every connection she has, and it's by leaning on these connections and being vulnerable to others that gets her needs met. I really enjoyed seeing this witchy town and how the families all banded together to help each other when they really needed to.

Dasha Avramov works at her family’s Arcane Emporium occult store in the witchy town of Thistle Grove. She is also a rare devil eater, a witch who can banish demons and cross over the veil. It is a talent that proves useful, but one that has almost led her to real trouble. After the deaths of her parents, Dasha found herself drawn increasingly across the veil, losing herself to her obsession with that world and having trouble wanting to return to her regular life. It was only the strength of her family that helped Dasha finally break free of the allure of the other side, but in the process, Dasha’s relationship with Ivy Thorn fell apart.

It is now time for the Thistle Grove Cavalcade, a huge event that draws in tons of tourists and where each of the four founding witch families produce magical spectacles (that the tourists think are just good special effects). As their families’ representatives on the planning committee, Ivy and Dasha have to work together, but things are tense between them. Dasha still holds out hope that Ivy will forgive her and they can rekindle their romance, but after being hurt twice by Dasha, Ivy is leery about giving things another go. However, when a demon appears at one of the cavalcade events, it is going to be all hands on deck as everyone tries to figure out what the dangerous presence is and what it wants in Thistle Grove.

As Ivy and Dasha work together to help figure out how to stop the demon, it gives Dasha a chance to share more about her past struggles and how she has grown and changed. The women begin to rebuild their fractured relationship and explore more what could be between them. But something evil is lurking, something with increasing power on this side of the veil. With Dasha the only one who has the skills to potentially stop him, it will take all she has to save the town without losing her own life.

Rise and Divine is the fifth and final book in Lana Harper’s Witches of Thistle Grove series and it brings things to a nice conclusion. These books do build on one another across the series, and both Ivy and Dasha appear in earlier books, so I think you will get the most enjoyment out of starting from the beginning. The ending of In Charm’s Way introduces some new world building tidbits about the town that play out nicely here. We also get to see all four families working together to solve this crisis, though the Avramovs take center stage, as Dasha is the POV character. The conflict links nicely with Dasha’s own journey, as she has struggled to break free of her obsession with the world beyond the veil. It offered a contrast to the pain she experienced after her parents both died and, while she has mostly recovered and is able to live in the here and now, the world beyond the veil continues to have an allure for her. So her unique skills make her the person best equipped to handle the current crisis, but also the person who is at risk of being drawn back into that world. It gives the conflict some nice dimension and I enjoyed how it all plays out.

This story also has a lovers-reunited theme as Dasha and Ivy make their way back together. Here we learn more about their breakup and what caused Dasha to break things off between them. I won’t give away too many details, but it relates back to her struggles with the veil and an attempt to solve one problem that ends up creating another. I think Harper does a good job here setting up the conflict so that Ivy’s reticence makes sense, but Dasha’s explanation of the situation gives a reasonable path for Ivy to forgive her. I also appreciated that we see the women talking through their issues and finding a way to move forward. The relationship does feel like it takes a little bit of a back seat to the main storyline. Perhaps because they already had a history, this sort of shortcuts the relationship development a little, but I was expecting more page time dedicated to the two of them together. But there is a nice resolution here for Dasha and Ivy and I was happy to see them find their way back together.

Overall, I have really enjoyed this series and the little town of Thistle Grove. I still wish we had gotten a story from the Thorn POV. All the other founding families get POV stories (and the Harlows and Avramovs get two) and it adds a lot to the world building to learn more about their magic and their family dynamics and politics. So it seems like sort of a loss to have the Thorns skipped. But aside from that, I feel like the series really comes together well and the books work with one another nicely. I have enjoyed this magical town and these characters and can definitely recommend the series for readers who enjoy magical stories and engaging world building.

3.5/5. Look I absolutely loved this serious. It probably makes it into my top 5 favorite series I’ve ever read. However it pains me to say it but this was a really disappointing conclusion. The romance was sweet and sexy but the overall connection between the characters and the tie in with the rest of the thistle grove community just didn’t hit the same as the other books. I was looking for some bigger ending to explain the town’s magic and that the series had been leading up to and the big reveal was just kind of … meh? Also unfortunately Dasha was just… boring. Overall I’m glad I read this and glad I finished the series but this one really didn’t hit the same as the others.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for my complimentary eARC of Rise and Divine and to PRHA for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rise and Divine is the last book in the Thistle Grove Series. It revolves around Dasha and Ivy. There are multiple trigger warnings so please check them out before reading.

I enjoyed this entire series, it has great witchy vibes and representation, but Rise and Divine was my least favorite of the series. I prefer my reads to be less on the heavy and more on the entertainment.

I paired the eARC with the audiobook and Bailey Carr did a wonderful job. I listened at 2x speed and had no issues with playback.

I received an eARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is like a life-raft to me right now. I seem to be sliding into a book slump and this book is such a comforting read that I had no choice but to give it 5 stars. I love the town of Thistle Grove and have ever since book one. The Avramov family is honestly my favorite in this universe so I am so happy to revisit their family in this book with Dasha Avramov. I will say that the reunion of Dasha and Ivy felt a bit rushed, which I get but I also feel like there was more growth we could've seen there. I am very intrigued with Dasha's niece Kira and her abilities as they pertain to Maya. We learn more about Belisama in this book and her counterpart. '"Toxic relationships," Emmy quipped, arching an eyebrow. "Even the gods have them."' I hope we get more books from this series because it feels like each one I read leaves me with questions about different characters at the end and their potential future relationships.

This book is the last one in the Witches of Thistle Grove series, featuring the four founding families we’ve gotten to know over the years, the Harlows, the Abramovs, the Thorns, and the Blackmoores.

Dasha is a member of both the Abramov and Harlow families. She’s a devil eater who must go from her world to the one across the veil. It’s a dangerous place for her, it appeals to her dark side and the depression and grief Dasha has lived with since her mother’s death.

When a demon threatens both the town, and the Lady of the Lake that holds the town’s magic, Dasha must save them by taking another trip across the veil, not knowing what she might find.

I enjoyed the second chance romance sub plot with Dasha and Ivy. Their chemistry is strong and I was rooting for their HEA. Ivy is the sunshine to Dasha’s darkness.

I’m going to miss this series but I’m sure there Lana Harper has exciting books to come!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the widget for Rise and Divine! These are all my honest thoughts and opinions on the e-arc that I read!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Oh my goodness! What a fun and emotional read! I've been slowly stepping into the world of Rom-Coms and witchy/paranormal Rom-Coms have been my entryway to the genre. This one did not disappoint and if anything, its given me a high bar of expectation for the rest of the genre! I'm definitely going to need to go back now and pick up all the other The Witches of Thistle Grove titles.

Overall, this was a delightful story that pulled me in very quickly. Lana does a wonderful job setting the atmosphere of her town and this story—cozy Fall vibes with a slightly spooky undertone. It's got me itching HARD for Fall to roll in! As someone who is currently going through the grief of loss, I related incredibly hard to Dasha. I thought she was excellently written. Her themes of grief, trauma, and addiction were handled with exquisite care.

The overarching plot of the story had me—hook, line, and sinker. Any time I had to put the book down, the story ended up staying with me, hanging over me like the ectoplasm Dasha and her family works with. It had me rushing to get back to the story to find out more of what exactly is going on in Thistle Grove. Lana Harper really knows how to tease you with just the right amount of almost answers so that when the reveals hit, they are spine-tingling shocking.

I adored with re-discovery of Ivy and Dasha's relationship. It never really felt all that forced, but I do have a feeling that if the supernatural forces that threatened Thistle Grove never appeared, the two may have never reconnected or it would have taken a much longer period of time. This wasn't the super swoony kind of romance I expected from a Rom-Com. It was... just real. Full of hard conversations, impulsive decisions, and sweet moments of rediscovering each other.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
☆ "Third-time's-a-charm" Romance
☆ Grief, Trauma, and Addiction Representation
☆ Excellent Banter
☆ Witches galore!
☆ Cozy beginning-of-Fall vibes
☆ Small Town vibes
☆ Sapphic Romance

Overall, this was a fabulous story and I would like 100 more please. Highly recommend!

I’m just not ready to say goodbye to Thistle Grove.

Ever since the release of Payback is a Witch, back in 2021, I have looked forward to the next book in this series. They have all the coziness of a Hallmark holiday movie. The witchy vibes are off the charts - obviously, it’s a series about witches - and all the romances were distinct, even though they were mostly happening in and among the town’s four prominent magical families. That all comes to an end, though, with the release of Rise and Divine, the fifth and final book in Lana Harper’s series.

Though all the books are related by virtue of sharing a location and a supporting cast. Rise and Divine feels like a direct sequel to In Charm’s Way, leaning more heavily on the events of that book where Delilah’s best friend Ivy is concerned, and the nature of her relationship with Dasha Aramov, who also played a prominent role there.

Dasha and Ivy’s story is a second chance romance, and a delightful one at that, but Rise and Divine feels so much bigger than the small-town romance the Thistle Grove series used to be. The stakes are unbelievably, supernaturally high, but not in a way that feels unnatural for the series. In retrospect, you can see the story getting bigger and bigger, growing to the point where this conclusion feels like a completely natural one.

I’m going to miss this series. I’m going to miss these characters. But if you have to go out, you might as well go out on a high like Rise and Divine.

Rise and Divine hits shelves on August 20. Special thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advance copy for review purposes

“… ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴄᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄʜᴇᴇsʏ sʜɪᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ, ɪ’ᴍ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴋɪss ɪᴛ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴏғғ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄᴏʀɴʏ ᴍᴏᴜᴛʜ,”

Q: Are you ready for fall/Halloween?
This book has me craving fall and all things Halloween! This was such a fun read but it also tackled some pretty heavy topics. So a huge shout out to @lanalyte for writing a book that was both comforting and healing.

Dasha was such a sympathetic character, I’ve been through a grief that was absolutely debilitating so I very much resonated with certain aspects of her. Also! She is super sarcastic and funny and the relationship she has with her sister and stepmom made me kick my feet in pure joy. Watching Dasha take accountability for her actions and try to win back Ivy was just 🥹❤️

I also gotta say I liked Ivy. She didn’t just go running back to Dasha but really made her work for it and I think it was good for both of them!!

I’d definitely recommend this to my witchy, Halloween romance lovers!!

A big thank you to the author, @netgalley and @berkleypub for a copy of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

The fifth and final addition to the Thistle Grove witches does not disappoint. Dasha Avramov is a devil-eater, someone who can swallow demons whole and negate their abilities. Despite her unique and supportive family, she feels drawn to the other side, where all the life she has feels like a drug. When Ivy Thorn returns in her path, Dasha must figure out of she wants to be in the land of the living or the land of the dead. Not to mention, a weird apparition has starting showing up at the major town events, and Dasha may be the only one able to stop them.

This whole series has been both the comfort of a small town and several families and a wild ride of romance, magic, and mischief. I adored this final part in the series, the culminating factor. After meeting Ivy and Dasha in several other of our series, it was wonderful to get to meet and really delve deep into them. Their third chance romance is really lovely, albeit a smidge rushed.

Overall, a stunning read and an amazing ending to the series.

Rise and Divine is the fifth and final novel in Lana Harper's Witches of Thistle Grove Series. I had previously read the others in the series and enjoyed them all. They each feature a romance centered around a woman who is part of one of the four witch family's that settled Thistle Grove and draw power from the magical lake that is found there. The books can be enjoyed individually, but since there are parts of the overall back story revealed over time, I would recommend reading them in order.

The books feature many LGBTQ characters and in this case focuses on the relationship between two women one, Ivy, from the Thorn family whose magic comes from nature and life and the other Dasha, who is a "devil eater" from the necromancing Avramov family. The novel picks up after a previous romance between the two failed after Dasha's depression led her to pull away into a limbo other realm. Now an ancient menace is growing in strength and Dasha may be the only one to be able to save Thistle Grove, but who will save Dasha?