Give me witches, romance, and tension, and I am sure to love it. This book is such a cute romance filled with the witchiest vibes. It is the perfect light read, especially for the fall season. I will say, there were times where I lost interest or found issues with the writing. Because of that, I wouldn't read again, but enjoyed it nonetheless. 3.5/5.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Kate Johnson. This fake relationship turned very really, captures the hearts of readers, not to mention the amazing witchy lore. A great/easy overall read with loveable characters and a fun narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book to read and review. This did not affect my rating.

I swore I reviewed this book when I finished it way back in August, but apparently not. I will try yo jog.my memory by looking at my notes, but this will not be my most thorough review. It does not help that I didn't enjoy the book much and my reading journal shows it took me a month to read.

I have been enjoying 2nd chance romances this year, so this should have been right up my alley with regards to reading, but it wasn't. I have noted "WHY am I not liking or connecting with this story?!. which I feels is my summary of my feelings for this book.

Emma is left broken hearted whe. Bastian leaves town very unexpectedly and without saying goodbye. Emma's hurt is shattered! 7 years later Bastian walks back in and everyone acts like all is fine. I get books lead you to suspend reality but this is a bit crazy. In my family you can't even take too long at the grocery store without my family searching for you.

I just couldn't stick with this book and stopped reading often. I completed several books while trying to complete this one. Maybe I am.just not read 2nd chance romance books.

2.5 stars.

I love a cute witchy rom-com! This one was good and cute. The second chance was done well and I liked the storyline. I enjoy fake dating a lot!

Good banter, good spice!

Do you like romance? Do you like magic? Do you like the fake dating trope? Then do I have an amazing book for you! Filled with all the silly, sappy moments you want to find in romance books, plus the added spark of something magical. A delightful story that feels like a warm, cuddly hug.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for a digital ARC of The Witch is Back!

Emma was born a witch society, but prefers to live around humans. Seven years ago, a man she was arranged to be married left her without warning. But now that man, Bastian Truenote, is back and says he wants to keep their formal contract and marry her. Both of them are keeping secrets from each other and Emma is determined to not let Bastian back into her heart. They must learn to trust each other and heal old wounds to move forward.

The main issue was the miscommunication between the main characters. Everything could have been solved with a simple, truthful conversation. I did enjoy the romance and interaction between the characters. I loved the dog.

It's a lighthearted, witchy romance that will have you intrigued to keep reading.

I'm going to start my review with the fact that I almost DNF'd this book at 10%, 25%, 50%, and 98% because it was that bad that I simply did not think I could get through it to the end. And when I was finally at the end I didn't know that I even WANTED to say I finished this book. But I did.

Spoiler warning, this review is gonna be filled with spoilers. But this will just save you the time reading the book. So you're welcome

I think my biggest issue with this book is that it leaves me with SO many questions as to why the characters did what they did. For instance, why didn't Emma try talking to Bastian to figure out what he heard in the garden, instead of letting him go on for 7 years with a silencing hex? Why was the biggest plot point in the story that Emma had to keep Sloane a secret from her mother (arguably this was the BIGGEST point because it was what motivated Emma's EVERY move) just for it to be revealed in the second to last chapter that her mom already knew!? And of course there was no explanation of how or when she found out (maybe it did but I blacked out if that ever happened).

Let's also talk about the fact that Bastian just left, with no explanation or reason to literally anyone, but he still wrote her cards every year for her birthday? Like homie you LEFT, and the whole book you were talking about how much you hated her and her family for lying to you and deceiving you about the marriage contract. You didn't miss her my guy. Then not to mention he spent every single page talking about how ugly and plain Emma was and how the only good thing she had going for her was how meek and mild she was. Like bruh doesn't even LIKE Emma. And thank god for Tia being the voice of reason and reminding Emma that HE ONLY CAME BACK TO SAVE HIS MOM. He doesn't care about emma, doesn't care what happened to her and her reputation after he left, he does. not. care. about. emma!!!

Her mom is a bitch and I wish people could write the evil mother without the LITERAL abuse. Like. Put a trigger warning on the dedication page or something!

Hey did you know the dog is Emma's familiar? I certainly hadn't caught on by the 75 times it was mentioned 25% of the way into the book.

The fact that 99.9% spells can be and ARE cast without words makes the TWO times that they are cast with spoken spells feel that much more out of place. Like an editing error.

WHAT SANE PERSON SIGNS A CONTACT WITHOUT READING IT!? I am looking at you Diana and Alistair. Because What. The. FRICK.

This book was just not good. The plot line was horrible and there was no real reason for either person to get married, BECUASE OF COURSE the only reasons either of them had for getting married (to save his mom or for her mom to steal his power) were null and void. These people should not be together. They do not trust each other. They have 0 chemistry. Just bad.

The Witch is Back was a cute and fun second chance witchy read.

Emma still struggles to fit in in witchy society, which wasn't helped with Bastian left her instead of marrying her. I loved seeing them work through all their issues (including a magical spell that prevents Bastian from talking about his reason for leaving). The community that Sophie H. Morgan brought together is absolutely delightful (except for Emma's despicable mother).

I struggled a bit at times with the level of secret keeping, I also didn't care for the virgin heroine, but to each their own there.

This was my first book to read by this author but it won't be my last! This was a beautifully written novel that evokes so many emotions. Don't miss out on this one!

All I can hear in my head is "The Witches Are Back" from HP2. The perfect soundtrack for this fun, witchy story! This was a really fun book to bring in spooky, witchy season. I liked the fake dating/marriage angle, and both characters were lovable.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

A solid second chance, friends to lovers romance novel with a cute, albeit predictable, story line. The characters were great and I enjoyed the supernatural a slant. A good spooky season read. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with an ARC.

FANTASTIC!! It took me awhile to get to this one, but I'm sooo glad that I did!! It's very plot-driven with lots of character development, and sweet romance. It's different from my normal reads a bit, but I LOVE IT!! I'll be telling everyone!

It is my own fault for not enjoying this one because I have recently discovered that I am just not a fan of second chance romances and I also haven't really been enjoying cozy witchy romances either. Everything about this book was fine and I am sure the fans of these things would end up enjoying this one. It just wasn't the book for me.

Such a fun witchy rom-com! Emma wasn't your stereotypical witch (but oh my, why ARE so many witch moms just...stereotypically controlling/nasty!)

While I'm not always a fan of the miscommunication trope - and if you aren't either, this will grind your gears - i thoroughly enjoyed the story because Ms Morgan DID put a lot of other unexpected twists in the book.

It was a quick and enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

This was a good Halloween romance and had the hallmark kinda feelings I loved this and thought it was cute I’m definitely buying a copy for my shelves next time I go to the bookstore! She was a very relatable character!

Yay for witchy romances! This book was sweet and funny and hit all the right notes!

There’s nothing wrong with being a wallflower. Not to Emmaline Bluewater, anyway. Emma may have been born into witch society, but her days of trying to fit in where she doesn’t belong are over—they ended seven years ago, when the man she’d hoped to marry left town without a word. She’s much happier now, living a delightfully mundane human life in Chicago and running her bar, Toil and Trouble.

Until Bastian Truenote walks through the door and announces that he wants her back.

Bastian had his reasons for leaving—even if he can’t tell Emma what they are. Now, to win Emma’s heart, he’s got to face down an adorably goofy dog familiar, a best friend who’s all too eager to hit him with a carefully aimed hex, and a woman who’s far from the meek witch he remembers.

Magical contracts aren’t easily broken, but as far as Emma’s concerned, not even a marriage of convenience will have her falling under Bastian’s spell again…

Thank you so much to Netgally and Harlequin for letting me read an eARC of The Witch is Back! I thought the cover was super cute, so I was the most excited about actually reading it!
The Witch is Back 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads: Love is a hex of a thing. Former childhood sweethearts fake a relationship in this charming, witchy romcom.
There’s nothing wrong with being a wallflower. Not to Emmaline Bluewater, anyway. Emma may have been born into witch society, but her days of trying to fit in where she doesn’t belong are over—they ended seven years ago, when the man she’d hoped to marry left town without a word. She’s much happier now, living a delightfully mundane human life in Chicago and running her bar, Toil and Trouble.
Until Bastian Truenote walks through the door and announces that he wants her back.
Bastian had his reasons for leaving—even if he can’t tell Emma what they are. Now, to win Emma’s heart, he’s got to face down an adorably goofy dog familiar, a best friend who’s all too eager to hit him with a carefully aimed hex, and a woman who’s far from the meek witch he remembers.
Magical contracts aren’t easily broken, but as far as Emma’s concerned, not even a marriage of convenience will have her falling under Bastian’s spell again…
The Witch is Back was such a fun witchy read! I really enjoyed Emma and Bastian as main characters. The way that the magical world worked was super interesting. I really loved Emma’s bar (Toil and Trouble is such a fun name for a bar owned by a witch, especially when no one really knows that she’s a witch) and her friends. The whole miscommunication angle and the silencing spell were definitely annoying- as a reader, I enjoy some ambiguity, but not knowing key plots got a little annoying. We were able to make up for bits of it with other aspects though, such as Bastian standing up for Emma with her family, Emma’s brother’s interactions with her friends, Bastian’s parents- overall, The Witch is Back was a fun time and a great fall read! For sure pick it up today!

A witch gets engaged (once again) to the man who broke her heart seven years ago. This was a quick, easy romance for the witchy season. This is a cozy romance that should be an excellent book for anyone looking for something to get into the witchy romance gene. The marriage of convenience to a guy who broke your heart years ago is always a good time, and I loved seeing the characters give into the "it's always been you" trope.

- Second Chance
-Forced proximity
- Marriage of Convenience

I was provided an arc of The Witch is back, and I have purchased my copy. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this. It was such a cute, fun, fall/Halloween read. The characters were great as was the story line. I always love a good rom-com with some magic built in. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC. 4 stars.