Audiobook Review: Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper

Author: Lana Harper
Narrator: Jeremy Carlisle Parker

Title: Payback's a Witch

Series: The Witches of Thistle Grove #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, LGBT
Format: Audiobook

Published: October 5, 2021
Where I Got It: Library


Summary: 

Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn't been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years. Her self-imposed exile has a lot to do with a complicated family history and a desire to forge her own way in the world, and only the very tiniest bit to do with Gareth Blackmoore, heir to the most powerful magical family in town and casual breaker of hearts and destroyer of dreams.

But when a spellcasting tournament that her family serves as arbiters for approaches, it turns out the pull of tradition (or the truly impressive parental guilt trip that comes with it) is strong enough to bring Emmy back. She's determined to do her familial duty; spend some quality time with her best friend, Linden Thorn; and get back to her real life in Chicago.

On her first night home, Emmy runs into Talia Avramov—an all-around badass adept in the darker magical arts—who is fresh off a bad breakup . . . with Gareth Blackmoore. Talia had let herself be charmed, only to discover that Gareth was also seeing Linden—unbeknownst to either of them. And now she and Linden want revenge. Only one question stands: Is Emmy in?

But most concerning of all: Why can't she stop thinking about the terrifyingly competent, devastatingly gorgeous, wickedly charming Talia Avramov?

Review:

Thanks to Libby (my library app), I found this little gem. I was digging and looking for a paranormal romance with an LGBTQ+ couple. I felt like it would be a good way to end the spooky season! Witches and love...oh my. 

Here we follow Emmy, who is back home in Thistle Grove. She has been gone for a long time, but with reason. She wants to forge her own life and leave behind the town she grew up in. However, she has to come back for the spellcasting tournament that her family serves as arbiters for. Through tradition and rules....it is her turn to take the lead. She plans to do her duty and spend time with her family and friends. Nothing more. Her life in Chicago is waiting for her. However, on her first night back, she runs into Talia. It comes out that they all have had their hearts broken by Gareth. What is the best way to get revenge? Work together so his family doesn't win the Thistle Grove tournament. 

This was a pure delight. I loved this whole Tucker Must Die meets magic was so fun.

I loved the town. How fun! 

The tournament was a lovely touch. 

I liked Emmy, but I didn't fully understand her not wanting to come back to town, especially because their magic pretty much disappears if they don't stay in town. Sure, I get going away for college and away from the asshole who broke her heart....but it felt....overdramatic to punish the whole town, her family, and her best friend. I feel like Emmy was kinda cruel for this. Don't get me wrong. I did like Emmy, but her decisions had rubbed me the wrong way.

Talia was very sweet in a dark way. Emmy and her balanced each other well. 

Spoiler, not spoiler, there is a fight between the two of them, and they make up. I felt like....it needed more time for them to talk it out. There were a LOT of hurtful things said. 

But I loved the ending. It was lovely. I love this town, and this couple was cute. I might check out book 2 if it is at the library. 

In the end, I'll give this 3 stars.  

 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #47

- Library Love #30

- Reading Romance Challenge #23 (LGBTQ+)

Book Review: A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter

Author: Madeline Hunter

Title: A Christmas Abduction

Genre: Historical Romance, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 123

Published: September 26, 2023

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. It involves an ambush of sorts, and a pistol. Yet even the best laid plans have a way of backfiring . . .

 

Once in close quarters, face to face with Adam’s unexpected chivalry, Caroline is taken aback by her own susceptibility to his charms. Yet the more determined she is to avoid falling under his spell, the less of a devil he appears to be. And fate has another surprise in store—one that may leave both their hearts captive for a long time to come 

Review:

Hehehehe. I know Spooky Season is still in session, but this caught my eye, and I wanted to read it. Oopsies Poopsies. 

Here we follow Caroline and Adam. Caroline has a bone to pick with Adam the RAKE. She has a creative plan to ensure his undivided attention. However, the best laid plans sometimes can go awry. Adam is actually nice and a gentleman....she is taken aback by how charming he is. She will deny herself falling for him until Fate has one more surprise in store. 

This was a charming little number. The banter was fun. The situations had me chuckling even though it was unbelievable.  

The big reveal was....meh. 

But overall, this was a cute little number that would be perfect for the holidays. 

I'll give this 3 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #29

Book Review: Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Title: Threshing Day

Series: The Empyrean #3.5

Genre: Fantasy, Novella, Short Stories

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 204

Published: September 29, 2026

Where I got It: My shelf (Barnes and Noble)

Summary: 

Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate―and where a single choice can forge a rider…or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader. Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend. Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower. Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector. Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester. Sawyer Henrick, the underdog. Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide. Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter. Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command. Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider. Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician. Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal. Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

Review:

I've been delaying this one a bit. Trying to save it for when I really need it. When is the next full book coming out? Goodness knows. I'm itching for it! This one really helped the itch. 

Here we have a collection of Threshing Day stories from some of our favorite characters. 

This was so fun. I loved watching a lot of faves meet and connect with their dragons. It was lovely. 

Sadly, the ending left me itching. What a good way to end this with that last story!! I want more. 

So good. So fun. Loved getting that one-on-one time with some other characters. 

5 stars. 

Book Review: One Last Job by Anise Starre

Author: Anise Starre

Title: One Last Job

Series: Flights and Feelings

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook

Pages: 382

Published: July 7, 2023

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Working late never felt so good.

When Amber Wyatt gets the opportunity to project manage a lucrative contract with The August Room, an exclusive and glamorous private members’ club, she can’t wait to get started. That is until she meets handsome managing director. Finn Hawthorne seemingly has no respect for her work, continuously undermines her and, worst of all, has the uncanny ability to charm everyone else he meets.

But launching The August Room is Finn's baby and he needs it to go well. With whispers of nepotism he needs to prove himself. Which explains why he can’t stand Amber. Not only is she charging him a small fortune, she keeps dismissing his ideas and, worst of all, she’s drop-dead gorgeous and seemingly immune to his charms.

Forced to work together to meet the tight launch day deadline, sparks begin to fly, and the fine line between business and pleasure starts to blur.

What was supposed to be a career-defining project leaves them both wanting more, but will they take it, or will this one last job destroy everything they've built?

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this one while looking for something else and this seemed fabulous. 

Here we have Finn and Amber. They are forced to work together to meet a tight launch date. When together...it seems they are too different, but they will soon learn they are perfect for each other. 

I'm going to do a divide and conquer review again. My poor brain hurts today. 

The Good

- Loved these two! Finn and Amber were great. Loved their banter

- I liked how this naturally happened. Yes, they were forced together but it took time and it felt right. 

- This is part of a series, but it didn't feel like it. It felt like a nice standalone. Sure, there might've been cameos, but I didn't notice

- The ending was lovely and was perfect. 

The Bad and the Ugly

- I don't really have any issues. ;)

Conclusion

Great read. I would def read more by this author and maybe more in this series. 5 stars from me.