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Payback's a Witch - Lana Harper

5/5 ⭐

Filled with a fantastical description, feisty characters, and a devious plan concocted by three spurned witches, this book is hard to put down. I am notorious for being picky when it comes to fantasy and romance stories, so finding one that was a combination of both that I loved was thrilling.

Emmy Harlow has finally returned home in order to fulfill a centuries-long tradition in her family. I don't know if it was just me but I could feel the struggles Emmy was facing from page one. Harper managed to make her feel alive and genuine, which I am coming to find appeals to me when reading. Emmy fled her hometown nearly 10 years earlier and the wounds are still hurting. She's a little lost, a little pissed, and a little in love.

Her homecoming is something she struggles with throughout most of the main story. The longing for a home but not knowing if it is the place she grew up in, the magical and wonderful Thistle Grove. Or if it is magicless, solitary Chicago to which she fled. This is the overarching plot we follow as she is called out again and again by other characters and the one she ultimately answers by the end of it. I did feel at points that the call out of her 'running away' was repetitive and maybe not always fully understood by others, but I think Harper did a good job tying up any loose ends in that regard.

I hate to even call them side characters since Emmy is the main character of this story, but Linden Thorn is the best friend a human could ever ask for, especially Emmy. I thoroughly enjoyed Harper taking the time to not only showcase their friendship but develop it over the pages. She doesn't make it only sunshine and rainbows between and instead shows the hurt they caused each other and gives them a chance to grow. The vulnerability between the two friends hurts in the best way and makes you want to reach out to your own best friend.

Beyond Linden was Talia, the romance interest that whoa, I needed to cool myself off with a fan at some points. The chemistry between her and Emmy was at times a little cheesy but nothing unbearable and mostly enjoyable. As I previously said, I am notoriously picky about my romance and there was the perfect amount shared here. Also, LGBTQ+ characters! Not just used as a token character right there front and center.

As for the magical part of this story, I thought it was well written and explained throughout. Any questions I had about the rules or environment were answered in the story. The only question I had left was when could I visit?

For anyone looking for a lighter fantasy romance story with LGBTQ+ main characters, this one is for you.

10/5/21

*This review was previously posted on my Google Site.

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