Book Review: In Charm's Way
Lana Harper’s Witches of Thistle Grove series has become one of those cozy, spooky-season comfort reads ever since the release of Payback’s a Witch back in 2021. Now, with the fourth book, In Charm’s Way about to hit shelves, it’s safe to say the series has grown past its sexy Halloween-Hallmark vibe (though very crucially, has not lost that vibe) and is becoming a larger, more intricate story surrounding the magical families of Thistle Grove.
In Charm’s Way follows Delilah Harlow, first seen as a secondary character in Payback’s a Witch, and most recently seen in Back in a Spell, where she suffered a devastating - if unintentional - blow to her memory. Not ideal for a magical records-keeper. Now working with Nina Blackmoore to restore the damage done to the family bookshop Tomes and Omes, Delilah is growing increasingly frustrated with the fact that her memory can’t quite bounce back. When the combined magic of the town’s other witches can’t seem to help, Delilah turns to an old, dangerous spell instead. One that helps, but also begins to draw supernatural creatures to the town. Enter Catriona Quinn, a half-fae monster hunter who arrives in time to save Delilah’s life - and who Delilah finds herself inconveniently attracted to.
Like the others in the series, In Charm’s Way is, of course, a romance novel. All we need to see is Delilah rendered speechless at Cat’s arrival to know how this particular story will turn out. But what made In Charm’s Way so compelling is the emphasis it places on Delilah and her journey. This is a character we’ve seen before, but only through the eyes of others, and what those others (specifically her cousin Emmy and later Nina) perceive her to be. This book shows her grappling with that same idea - she doesn’t even really know who she is until she restores her memory, and then the fallout causes her to question even more about herself.
Through Delilah’s point of view, we follow a young woman on her journey to healing, to grappling with very justified anger, and to finding her place in her community when the whole thing becomes precarious. The romance with Catriona is sweet and steamy, but also serves to further this self-discovery mission of Delilah’s. It also opens the world of Thistle Grove up to some much larger implications, one that I hope Harper will continue to explore in her absolutely addictive, delightful series.
In Charm’s Way hits shelves on August 22. Special thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the advance copy for review purposes.