A little over the top on pop culture references in a way that occasionally made me cringe, but this was mixed with stunning descriptions of the landscape and magic that really emphasized the gorgeous witchy aesthetic of Thistle Grove.

The characters were charming and compelling. I found myself really invested in Nina and her journey, particularly with Morty - perfect amount of romance and, yes, spice. The plot felt a little shaky, and I question some of the decisions made by Nina as her actions occasionally felt out of character, so maybe there wasn't enough set up to quite pay them off the way the author intended. Minor complaint though. That said, I liked how small of a scale the story was at - it was clear the main characters and their relationships with themselves and each other were the most important aspect of the story, and it was done super well. I never cry when I read and somehow I ended up crying twice.

Overall, a quick, enjoyable read for anyone craving a bit of spice, emotional resonance, and living vicariously though witches in the most aesthetically appealing small town I wish existed IRL.