Thank you to Berkley Publishing for this eARC! I can't believe I have read the final words of the Thistle Grove series. Lana Harper has crafted such a loving and warm town for us all to sink into. This was a fantastic installment to go out on too because it felt like a big final boss fight that brought all of the families in the town. Dasha and Ivy already having a history and getting to just fall back into each other while they battled this final big magic thing together was so comforting and lovely. Also one last time, the intimacy and the spice level did NOT disappoint oh boy was I fanning my cheeks! Thank you thank you Thank you to Berkley for making Paybacks A Witch the very first ARC I was ever given and for the honor of getting to read all these installments early. What an incredible series, what an incredible town Thistle Grove is.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for this eARC. This is my honest review.

I must confess, I'm sad to see this is going to be the last book in the Thistle Grove series. Does that mean we're never going to get books in this universe? I'm certainly not the one to answer that (a book/series about the Fae in Chicago hinted at in the last book maybe?), but we are certainly ending this series on a high note.

This one isn't always an easy read. A lot of Dasha's story hints at suicidal ideation and depression. That alone means it's not going to be to everyone's taste. And while I had no problem with it personally, getting to the romance really isn't the driving force (or maybe 'of equal weight' would be a better way to put it) of this story as it has been with other books in the series, Dasha and Ivy get together really quickly and you never really think that they won't. This is also the first time in I don't know how long since I've read the fifth book in a series, and I forgot how much built up information (not to mention names) you have to wade through the further into a series you get.

However, that said, I think Lana has pulled this one off very well. While the 'mystery' wasn't that mysterious, I still thought it was presented in an interesting fashion. She finally had more than one sex scene within a sapphic pairing, so that was nice. And most importantly, the climax to the challenge was imo stronger than any of the others. I felt the weight of what Dasha has to go through, and to a lesser extent, the way the rest of the town helps out.

This is a second (well, actually third) chance romance between Dasha and Ivy, and as stated above, they get together very quickly...or at least, very easily. There's a little bit of push back from Ivy at the start, but then something happens and from that point they're basically together. I personally had no issue with this, but I could see others finding it annoying. I did love both their characters. I was filled with hope to see more of them after the last book, and this didn't disappoint. I would kind of liked it if we'd have gotten a book from a Thorn's POV, but I guess I'll just have to dream about that. Still, as an upgrade from supporting character to love interest, I still absolutely adore Ivy Thorn. She was wonderful and caring, but didn't let people walk over top of her. Dasha for her part is so incredibly damaged, and I loved how sensitively it was explored. Her flirting with the other side was both like suicidal ideation, and also like an addiction, and for the most part it was treated as such (except when they needed to use her of course).

I won't go too in-depth about the villain except to say that his description, as the most attractive male specimen ever (I'm paraphrasing), brought up a weird thing I noticed that Lana seems to favour. The 'queer woman who prefers women but...'. Now, to be clear, Dasha doesn't actually state what she identifies as, nor does she need to spell it out on page. But I just found that Lana mentioned that in book one (with Talia), book 3 with Nina, and now with Dasha with this one. I don't know that I'm for or against this, it just seemed like a strange thing to continuously point out. I dunno.

Anyway, very few complaints. I really enjoyed this ending to the series, and give it 4.5 stars.

Oh, Thistle Grove. I'm not ready to let you go. This fifth and final book in the series introduces us to Daria, called Dasha-- a half Harlow half Avramov witch with an unusual talent for eating demons. This unique power, combined with her ability to pass easily through the veil into a dead world where she feels intoxicatingly alive, marks her as the only person equipped to save Thistle Grove from its most existential threat yet. Dasha has barely survived a string of losses in her life. Both her parents are gone and she has pushed away Ivy Thorn, the love of her life. When a powerful demonic entity with ties to the lifeblood of her community intrudes on the Cavalcade, an important festival that dates back to the founding of Thistle Grove, Dasha must take on an impossible burden. With her entire community behind her, and a rekindled love waiting for her, Dasha must make it across the veil, and hope that she recognizes herself if she is able to return. Thistle Grove con, when? Thistle Grove TV show, when? Lana Harper, wherever you go, I will follow.

Another banger from Lana Harper. Can't believe this series is over, but I am excited to see what else Harper puts out! This book delved a lot into grief, trauma, suicidal ideations, addiction, and second chances. Overall, this was a heavy, hot, and fabulous read. I will be posting to my personal account soon and will most likely cover the entire series for the Feminist Book Club closer to pub date.

Lana Harper did it again! I love her world building and the plot in this book was very good. And as always she gives all the witchy vibes. Everytime I read her books it reminds me of the show “charmed” but in a better way! Can’t wait for the release to have this book on my shelves and to reread it during spooky season 🙌🏽🥰 Definitely a five star read

An enjoyable paranormal romance set in the magical world of Thistle Grove. However, by the fifth book in the series, the plots feel more like a Monster of the Week, instead of something new and different.

The Witches of Thistle Grove can do no wrong, and Rise and Divine was no different. I love this series so much.
I adored Dasha and Ivy and this second chance romance. This was paranormal, magical and sapphic and I loved it. I hope this series never ends.

I was hoping for more romance but even with this being a third chance romance it didn’t quite hit for me. The writing was lovely and I love this world, but there was still something left to be desired by the time I finished.

This was fine! It's not the worst book in the series, but it was pretty mid. I felt like the relationship between Ivy and Dasha was kind of rushed and underdeveloped, so this felt less like a romance than previous books.

I have loved every single one of these and this one was no exception. They keep getting better and better! I loved everything about this one, truly. This one is probably my favorite so far.