Rating 4.5/5
Plot 4.5/5
Spice 3/5
Character Development 5/5

[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]

“From Bad to Cursed” is the second book in Lana Harper’s “Witches of Thistle Grove” series. This book tells the story of Isidora (Issa) Avramov and Rowan Thorn. The novel follows an opposites attract and enemies to lovers trope. Issa is a wild child and thrill seeker. When she’s not working at Arcane Emporium’s haunted house, Issa secretly dreams of leaving her family’s witchy business to become a fashion designer. There has been a never-ending feud between the Avramovs and Thorns and when a member of the Thorn family gets injured due to dark and dangerous magic being used by someone, all fingers point to the Avramovs. To clear their name, Issa investigates the situation alongside Rowan. As the two foes follow clues to a staggering conclusion, Issa and Rowan realize how little they know about each other yet discover how much they are attracted to one another.

I love a good opposites attract and forbidden love story! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and had a fun time uncovering the mystery alongside Issa and Rowan. I recommend reading the first book in the series (“Payback’s a Witch”) before jumping into this one because although it’s an interconnected series, you’ll face spoilers from book one while reading “From Bad to Cursed”.

Opposites attract, enemies to lovers, family feuds - they all work well for romance, and they tend to generate some heat of one kind or another. This second visit to Thistle Grove is as much fun as the first, and the writing transported me right back there. World building is a big deal for me, and it can make or break a story. There's certainly nothing broken here. Like the first book, this place and these people feel real. Lana Harper has created an atmosphere that almost convinces me the fantastical things in this book can happen. Add to that a couple with crazy good chemistry whether they want to admit it or not, and a mystery to solve, and this is one hard to put down read. It's fast paced, witty, and loads of fun from the first line to the last. I'll leave details to be discovered and just say this is another must read book in this must read series, and I can't wait to see what's next for Thistle Grove.

This was a highly entertaining enemies to lovers paranormal, interracial romance perfect for fans of The ex hex. Issa and Rowan are from two of the founding magical families of Thistle Grove. When weird things start happening, these two agree to put aside their family's feud in order to team up and investigate what's going on. Along the way sparks fly (literally) and they have to battle demons and ghosts in order to get their small town back under control. Highly entertaining and great on audio. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy.

3.5⭐
Thank you so much to Berkley, Netgalley, and PRH Audio for providing advanced copies of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

I loved being back in Thistle Grove and with this ridiculously fun families. This town is creepy, mysterious, and enchanting. And despite their quirks, I can't help but love these families.

I went into this one expecting another contemporary-esque story but this one was much more romance heavy than the previous book - which I enjoyed! I loved getting to spend more time with the Avramov family and get to know the magic even better.

One of the things I really love about this series/world is all the world and magical building that Lana Harper puts into this. This amount of a world building is not often seen in a romance heavy fantasy but I really enjoyed getting to explore those details.

I also just think Lana Harper's writing is stunning. There's something about it that feels magical and pairs perfectly with this type of mysterious, witchy story. It makes the book feel immersive.

The chemistry between Issa and Rowan was fantastic and I was definitely rooting for them to be together. And the mystery itself was so fun!

However, I felt as though this book lost a little steam around the 60% mark. I felt as though the characters were going through the same romantic circle too many times. And something about the (suuuuper late) 3rd act conflict just didn't work for me.

I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that we only get Issa's POV, but I felt like Rowan unfairly put too much blame on Issa.

But overall I enjoyed this a whole lot. And I can't wait to get another book in this world next year!

"Opposites attract in this wickedly charming rom-com by Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback’s a Witch.

Wild child Isidora Avramov is a thrill chaser, adept demon summoner, and - despite the whole sexy-evil-sorceress vibe - also a cuddly animal lover. When she’s not designing costumes and new storylines for the Arcane Emporium’s haunted house, Issa's nursing a secret, conflicted dream of ditching her family’s witchy business to become an indie fashion designer in her own right.

But when someone starts sabotaging the celebrations leading up to this year's Beltane festival with dark, dangerous magic, a member of the rival Thorn family gets badly hurt - throwing immediate suspicion on the Avramovs. To clear the Avramov name and step up for her family when they need her the most, Issa agrees to serve as a co-investigator, helping none other than Rowan Thorn get to the bottom of things.

Rowan is the very definition of lawful good, so tragically noble and by-the-book he makes Issa’s teeth hurt. In accordance with their families’ complicated history, he and Issa have been archenemies for years and have grown to heartily loathe each other. But as the unlikely duo follow a perplexing trail of clues to a stunning conclusion, Issa and Rowan discover how little they really know each other...and stumble upon a maddening attraction that becomes harder to ignore by the day."

I am here for ALL the witchy rom-coms!

A great second book in this series! I think I liked this one even more than the first book - I found Isa a really interesting main character and I'm always here for opposites attract & enemies to lovers. Very fun!

A spark-inducing rivals-to-lovers romance centered on magic wielders is all I really ever want. Thistle Grove is such a well realized place, it - and all the characters and their messy legacy - feel real.

📚BOOK REVIEW: From Bad to Cursed, by Lana Harper

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

I found this book really quick and fun. I liked our two main characters, found the plot compelling (I LOVE when the actual plot of a romance is interesting and doesn’t just exist to facilitate the romance, and this book’s plot is mysterious and witchy in the best way), and was excited to be back in Thistle Grove. The book had delightful spring vibes and was overall a quick fun read.

My only complaint is that the romance felt a little underdeveloped for me. While I enjoyed each character individually, the romance developed a bit too fast. The shift from “I hate them but I’m attracted to them” to “they’re not nearly who I thought they were and I am falling for them” was just a bit fuzzy for me. I enjoyed their hatred and banter and I enjoyed them together, but the transition between those two states just wasn’t sold for me.

Still, this book was fun, fast paced, and a really enjoyable quick read. If you liked book one I think you’ll enjoy being back in Thistle Grove, and I’ll definitely be checking out the next instalment in this series!

I previously had the good luck to get an ARC of the first book in the series, Payback's a Witch, by Lana Harper, and I gave it a whopping five stars! It was witchy and funny and sexy, so obviously I jumped at the chance to get my hands on the sequel! Unfortunately, I didn't like this one quite as much.

Isidora "Issa" Avramov comes from a long line of badass, darkly-inclined witches, but has her own softer side as well, one that yearns to design her own ready-to-wear, sustainable fashion. She also loves animals, and at eighteen she worked at a shelter. Unfortunately for her, goody-two-shoes and green magic expert Rowan Thorn also worked there and certainly lived up to his name--he was a thorn in Issa's backside the whole time she was there, until finally she snapped and served up some magical retribution.

Now, Issa and Rowan see each other as enemies, just as their families have for generations. But when a necromantic curse--the Avramov family's specialty--is cast on a Thorn, leaving the girl weak and with hardly any magic, they must come together to get to the bottom of who could have the motive and means to create such deadly magic. And even more shocking, Issa thinks she might like Rowan. Like Rowan.

I was really excited to sink my teeth into this book, mostly because the Avramov's were the most fascinating of the families to me, and the heroine, Isidora, is Talia's little sister (Talia was my favorite part of Payback's a Witch!). Rowan started off a bit one-dimensional, something a lot of the characters outside of the protagonist face, and just when I thought he was getting a bit more depth, I felt he went right back to his old ways (which is pretty much perfect, might I add). They had a cute relationship, and I liked how much they talked things out to resolve conflict. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling like the mystery and history of Thistle Grove was just overall more exciting than the romance in this installment.

But please, if you loved the first one, give this one a go as well. If anything, it'll produce some laughter and sunshine for your day, along with a lot of snark and spells!

As a general rule, I do not read paranormal, fantasy, or anything of the like--I'm a contemporary romance and mystery gal at heart, and I've been reading long enough I'm pretty set in my ways. But when I read the blurb for the first book in this series, Payback's a Witch, I knew I had to pick it up--and I devoured in it a few hours. With enough romance for a contemporary romance reader like me, but tons of excitement and adventure, this book was on the edge of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Perhaps my childhood love of Bewitched is surfacing, but I love this series, and I loved this book.

In a fantastic follow-up to its predecessor, book two has Isidora Avramov working with rival witch Rowan Thorn to investigate a rouge cursing. Of course, all the time spent together brings these two closer together, but also puts a bigger target on one of their back's by the mystery curser. With the same vibes and voice coming through as in the first book, but totally new characters, mysteries, and resolution, I was loving the whole thing--and cannot wait for the next book!

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

From Bad to Cursed is a fun, charming novel, mixing magical realism with rom-com. Isidora Avramov is a member of one of the powerful family of witches living in Thistle Grove. In her day-to-day life, Issa designs costumes and storylines for Avramov’s haunted house while also dreaming of a career of her own, but when a member of the magical community is attacked and the suspicion falls on the Avramovs, Issa has to take action. She has to team up with Rowan Thorn, her arch-nemesis who is tasked with investigating the attack, but she quickly learns that the line between hate and love is very thin.

From Bad to Cursed is the second installment in The Witches of Thistle Grove series, and while I recommend reading the first book beforehand, this part also works as a standalone. I had some issues with Payback’s a Witch that I’m happy to report were pretty much resolved in this book. The stakes were much higher, the characters felt three-dimensional and we learn more about the family I found the most interesting. The relationship between Issa and Rowan was amazing, I loved how natural their growth felt and the level of spice was simply perfect. The pacing was much better and the plot, while still making space for the romance, was tense and it really pulled me in. I’m so impressed with how much more I liked this book and I can’t wait for the next part!

TLDR: From Bad to Cursed is a thrilling and bewitching novel, perfect for anyone who loves strong female characters, the enemies to lovers trope, and a unique magical world building.

From Bad to Cursed is the second book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series. It could
probably be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading Payback’s a Witch first!

Wild child Isidora Avramov gives off evil sorceress vibes, probably because she summons demons for fun, but inside she’s cuddly. Issa is living a life stuck behind familial duty and her own dreams of becoming a fashion designer. That takes a backseat when someone is casting dark magic in Thistle Grove and Issa has to team up with her archnemesis Rowan Thorn to figure out what’s going on. Rowan is lawful good and can’t help but to clash with Issa. But as they work together, sparks fly, and they realize that they really don’t know each other.

From Bad to Cursed had a perfect witchy blend of humor, steam, and seriousness. I loved how chaotic Issa was and how serious Rowan was, they balanced each other out. The sexual tension was palpable and the chemistry was written so beautifully. I loved watching these two knuckleheads realize that they probably most definitely don’t hate each other.

I loved the witchcraft elements in this book. I felt fully immersed in Thistle Grove and the story. I was frantically reading to find out who was responsible for the curse and how it was going to work out.

I cannot wait for Back in a Spell! This series is wonderful.

Thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this even better than the first one. I actually think what I like most about this series doesn't really have anything to do with the featured romances. I just like this world, and I like that Lana Harper is creating a fictional place that is not just full of eccentric townspeople and coziness, as one expects from a small town romance series, but also continues to flesh out the history of Thistle Grove, how the magic works there, and the dynamics between the four families. There is an actual fantasy plot in here, just like the first book!

Here, the romance is between Talia's sister Isidora Avramov, and Rowan Thorn, who are shoved together in an investigation after a Beltane ritual is sabotaged by dark magic. Issa has disliked Rowan intensely ever since her stint volunteering for the local animal shelter ended in her dismissal, and she was only volunteering. She knows that Rowan doesn't like her because she's an Avramov. And Issa is sick of feeling judged for being a "wicked Avramov", especially when she is feeling guilty for not wanting to be involved in the family business anymore. She wants to strike out on her own, but fears her family's reaction if she does.

I was surprised by how creepy this book was, and not that it was terrifying or super dark or anything, just much darker than I had been expecting. I liked the way the darkness here and the central mystery plot lent the whole thing stakes (Rowan and Issa are investigating who is sabotaging Beltane after Rowan's cousin is seriously injured, magically and physically). Especially since there were a couple of moments where the central pairing got less interesting for me, the plot and the town kept me intrigued even when other things were at more of a lull.

I am actually really excited for the third book, which will feature Nineve Blackmoore (who we meet in this book) and the genderqueer owner of the Shamrock bar, Morty. The premise on that one sounds super intriguing to me in a way the first two didn't, and I liked them quite a bit.

Lana Harper’s second witchy romance is a knockout winner full of chemistry, magic and hope.

It’s no secret that Lana’s first book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series, Payback’s a Witch (link to review) was one of my favourite reads of 2021. Could the second book live up to my hopes and wishes? The answer is a resounding yes. Lana takes us back to Thistle Grove where we are thrown back into the witch families that build their lives and maintain their magic in the sweetest small town imaginable. Talia, one of the MC’s from book one is still here, but it’s her little sister Isidora (Issa) who we root for in this book. Issa is feeling stuck in life; she has hopes and dreams but is feeling constrained by not wanting to let her family down by leaving. Bored and listless, she calls up demons for fun and dreams about launching her own fashion line. One thing that energizes her is her sworn enemy Rowan Thorn, a witch and a veterinarian whom Issa loves to hate. Their savagely fierce relationship is strained when they suddenly have to work together to figure out why a curse (Issa’s family specialty) is threatening the health of the Thorn family and Thistle Grove. The book is a fabulous read. Because Lana has already set up the world in Payback’s a Witch, she could really dive into fleshing out the four founding witch families in Bad to Cursed. While it’s not necessary to read book one before book two, I would recommend it.

Is there anything better than enemies to lovers? You don’t have to answer that - in my heart the answer is always yes. And oh boy, does Lana build out an enemy to lover’s relationship that strained my heart with wicked joy. Issa and Rowan have some serious history and their mutual dislike creates such a lovely friction as we watch them stumble through working together to figure out what is going on in their town. That friction, as you can imagine, turns into a steamy burn throughout the book. While I won’t give anything away, watching Issa and Rowan fall for each other is such a delight. They are nuanced characters dealing with family expectations, dreams and desires. Could it be that instead of being sworn enemies, they are guilty of some prejudices? You’ll have to read the book yourself to figure it out. Rowan and Isidora have an interracial relationship which was thoughtfully discussed in the book. There’s a bit of a slow burn to their romance which made me feel so needy - when they did finally get together I was so darn happy for them! Lana’s love scenes are quickly becoming some of my favourite.

Both Rowan and Issa of course have some growing to do throughout the book. For me, Issa’s growth was the most profound, and I think she’ll really touch readers. Issa is 25 and going through a quarter life crisis: she has a job that she likes with her family business, and making her mother proud is one of her biggest goals in life. But she has other goals and dreams that she is afraid of following because they could fail, and she could sever relationships with her family. So instead of dealing with these fears, she self sabotages in some spectacularly witchy ways. I think a lot of people will see facets of themselves in Issa. She could have easily veered off into a dramatic stereotype but Lana layers her with heart and wit and she is very vulnerable and real. She’s a standout character for me.

Thistle Grove is quickly becoming one of my favourite places to visit. It’s a charming small town filled with witchy tourist attractions (for all the regular humans like us). We get to learn more about the four main families in town and their magical businesses in the book. A stand out scene from me is when Isidora and Rowan visit his family’s orchards and Isidora learns about the different personalities that plants, flowers and trees have.

If you like a bit of paranormal in your romance and enjoy some mystery, then you need to pick up From Bad to Cursed.

From Bad to Cursed is the second installment in the Witches of Thistle Grove series following Payback's a Witch. This sequel doesn't focus on Emmy and Talia's relationship but rather on the rivalry between Isidora Avramov and Rowan Thorn and their families. They're the opposite of each other in the sense that the Thorns practice Green Magic and all things good while the Avramovs practice Death magic and necromancy. However, when one of the Thorns is attacked by someone using death magic, the leaders of the Thorn and Avramov families force Isidora and Rowan to work together and find out who does it.

I adored Payback's a Witch and was excited when I found out there was going to be a sequel. After Payback's a Witch, I was curious about what had gone on between Isidora and Rowan and this did not disappoint. It was such a fun read and definitely left me wanting more.

I would say this book was more character-driven than the plot. Don't get me wrong I do love the characters, the budding romance, and seeing how well they complement each other even though they try to deny it. Also, I'm a huge sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope in novels.

As with the first book, I really loved how Harper continues to show us the setting through the senses and make us feel as if we're a part of this small magical town. Unlike the first book which was set in the fall, this is set in the spring and Harper makes it feel just as magical. Absolutely loved how more of the witches' history was told and gave us glimpses of festivals/rituals they partake in.

As mentioned, the book was more character-driven than the plot. The plot felt a little predictable, however, I still enjoyed myself. Overall, I was here for the romance and it did not disappoint.

From Bad to Cursed brings us back to Thistle Grove and the witches that we came to love in Payback's a Witch. This book highlights Isidora Avramov and Rowan Thorn, and while the conflict between these two was hinted when we first met them in book one I was excited to learn more about them. This is an enemies to lovers/opposites attract romance which will always be one of my favorite tropes. I loved being inside Isidora's brain as she struggled to come to terms with who she was as a person vs the expectations set upon her by her family, and who the other witches expected her to be based solely on her last name. Just like in book one, Lana Harper has crafted an inclusive cast of characters while still highlighting the struggles that these characters will go through based on their race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and more. I appreciate the care she takes handling difficult topics such as anxiety and unconscious bias.

I loved getting to learn more about the Avramov's in this book (as they are probably the family that I most identify with) but getting to learn more about (Rowan Wildlife Hero) Thorn with a side of steam didn't hurt either! I am looking forward to returning to the Thistle Grove world for future books and recommend this to anyone who is looking for a spooky/witchy new adult read. (Also is it just me or does anyone else REALLY want to try the fun cocktails mentioned in this book - Thistle Grove recipes please!)

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh wow! Lana Harper really knows how to write a book that packs a wickedly romantic punch!

I adored Payback’s A Witch. I “patiently” waited weeks for chance to listen to the audiobook. And I LOVED the book so much!

From Bad to Cursed, the second book in the paranormal romance series: The Witches from Thistle Grove series is here with all the witchy vibes. It has a slow building romance that doesn’t disappoint.

From Bad to Cursed may possibly be better than Payback’s A Witch. I did not think that was possible, but the magic, the mystery, and the thrill the story captured my attention from the first chapter. From Bad to Cursed is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story with magical powers and mystery.

Like the first book, From Bad to Cursed is a paranormal romance with all the witchy vibes and a slow building romance that won’t disappoint. Unlike the first book, From Bad to Cursed a is modern-day Romeo and Juliet story with magical powers and mystery.

The best part of this book is that you don’t have to read Payback’s A Witch to enjoy it. However, you should read it! Seriously though, go read it now if you haven’t already.

If you enjoy paranormal romance, enemies-to-lover, forbidden romance, or forced proximity then this magical world is sure to cast a spell on you!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for gifting me a copy of this magical eARC!

What happens when a prickly wild child has to team up with her grumpy, brooding arch nemesis to solve a mystery and clear her family name of wrongdoing?

Pure delight, that's what! I likes this second book even more than the first. I definitey recommend reading this magical, inclusive series!

Welcome back to Thistle Grove! The sequel to last year’s delightful Payback’s A Witch is here, and once again author Lana Harper has brought that perfect balance of magic and romance, this time with a dash of mystery to keep things interesting.

Months after the events of Payback’s A Witch, the four magical families of Thistle Grove are preparing for springtime, specifically the events leading up to and surrounding Beltane. At the first event of the season, meant to select the ceremonial Queen, a malevolent curse is unleashed, stripping one of the contestants of her magic and destroying all nearby plant life.

Tasked with investigating the strange occurrence are Rowan Thorn, cousin to the affected witch, and Isidora Avramov, whose family’s reputation for dabbling in the dark makes them the prime suspects. In the interest of fairness, Isa and Rowan agree to conduct the investigation together and agree not to dispute the verdict, no matter what they find.

Complicating matters are the fact that the two of them have something of a history. Seven years earlier, Rowan was Isa’s supervisor at the local animal shelter and according to her harboured an unreasonable grudge against her. In the time since, he has built up in her head to be sanctimonious and hard to work with.

It’s a real shame about that whole “growing attraction for each other” thing.

As with the first book in the Thistle Grove series, the magic and lore of the town is every bit as important to the story as the central romance. The histories of the families who make up the town’s magical population is examined from a new lens this time around, and draws on what the reader is already familiar with without ever feeling repetitive.

As a couple, Isa and Rowan are a delight. They feel like two sides of a coin, embodiments of dark and light, death and life. Neither side is ever presented as a negative, at least not in a way that is not later examined and dismissed. They both fill a role in the natural cycle and they love each other for it.

This time around the story still maintains its overall small-town Hallmark feel, but with a lush, fantasy feel to it, full of beautiful starlit, candlelight imagery that just adds to the sweeping, romantic, even nostalgic feel of it all.

Fans of the first book will be happy to know we do check in a little with Emmy and Talia, and with more books coming from this series, I’m happy to know I don’t have to say goodbye to Thistle Grove any time soon.

This book was so good. Just like the first book, this story is so much more than a romance. It deals with family and friendships and finding your true purpose in life.

The writing is absolutely fantastic. The descriptions are so vivid that I can see everything clearly playing out in my head. I really need this series to be adapted for TV.

This story is told from Isidora’s POV and while I generally prefer to read books in dual POV the writing was so good that I didn’t even feel like it mattered that we only got one POV.

I was really glad that we still got to see quite a bit of Talia and Emmy since the heroine in this story is Talia’s sister.

My biggest issue with this book was that it ended on a HFN, because I get the sense that we won’t get to see these characters much in the next book because the main character in that story is from the Blackmoore family.

CW: Panic Attacks