Thrill-seeking, demon-summoning Isidora Avramov couldn’t be more different than gentle and rule-following Rowan Thorn, which has fueled their animosity for seven years, ever since a certain squirrel hex that Issa still stands by.  So of course, when weird stuff starts happening to witches in thistle grove, it’s Issa and Rowan who are forced to work together to find their cause.  Things in this town are never as simple as they seem, though, even if you’re a witch – and as the two of them dig deeper into their family history to try and save Beltane, there’s no denying that the dislike between them is becoming something definitely closer to… like.  But someone is hiding a secret that threatens what’s growing between them.  Can they overcome not just their own pasts, but generations of anger, or are they doomed from the start?

PAYBACK’S A WITCH PAYBACK’S A WITCH was one of my favorite reads last year, and I was so excited to return to sweet thistle grove.  The second book in a series is often a challenge, particularly when the first had as great a reception as paw did, and harper really delivers in fbtc.  There’s more magic, more lore, and even a touch more spice.  

One of the things that I loved about PAW was its emotional resonance – Emmy was really struggling to find her place and there was a lot of really gorgeous writing about loneliness and trying to understand yourself.  FBTC is a little lighter on this front, and I found myself really missing that.  Harper showed she was capable of some really, really lovely prose in the first book, and I wish we’d seen more of that.  The writing is still impeccable, I just found myself kind of wishing for a few gut-punch sentences here and there.

I’m never going to turn down a visit to thistle grove, and I'm already looking forward to my next trip!  

Thank you to Berkley and netgalley for the ARC! to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!