Emmy Harlow really hadn’t ever planned on coming back to Thistle Grove, especially after Gareth Blackmoore, breaker of hearts and destroyer of dreams, dumped her. It does mean that she isn’t much of a witch these days after years spent away, but she can live that. But the combination of parental guilt and the spell casting contest for which her family serves as judges have brought her back home. And her first night back in Emmy runs into not only Gareth Blackmoore but also Talia Avramov, an adept of the darker arts and the reason Emmy knew she was bi. Talia’s just broken up with Gareth as it turns out after she found out he was using her to two time Emmy’s best friend, Linden Thorn. Linden and Talia want revenge. The only question is does Emmy want in? Of course this means spending lots of time with Talia, and even though she’s out of Emmy’s league, Emmy can’t deny their chemistry. But Emmy’s leaving once the Guantlent of the Grove is over, so whatever they have between them can’t last, can it?
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, the plot is great and well executed. I was easily hooked, and it was a fun, fast read. The developing relationship between Talia and Emmy is lovely. It was great having two bisexual main characters. The setting is fascinating, and I would definitely read more books set in Thistle Grove. The problem is I didn’t find the ending completely satisfying. Without giving away too much, Emmy’s character growth is great, however, it felt like there should be something more to justify the decisions she makes in the end. But I also may be overthinking it. I enjoyed it while I was reading it, and I’ll probably pick up other books in this series. Three out of five stars.
