REVIEW: The Witch is Back by Sophie H. Morgan

In The Witch is Back by Sophie H. Morgan, Emmaline Bluewater and Bastian Truenote were friends, who were entered into a marriage contract by their families. But when it was time for them to marry, Bastian took off without a trace. Now, years later, he’s returned because his mother is sick, the consequences of not adhering to the contract. He’s now determined to honor the marriage contract to save his mother, even if it may cost him his magic.

Emmaline was hurt when Bastian took off, but now that he’s back, she’s angry. When she learns about his mother, she has no choice but agree to honor the contract, but she stipulates it will be a marriage in name only. But little does she know that while Bastian agrees to it, he’s really out to win her heart again.

The majority of the issues throughout this book are due to miscommunication. Granted, Bastian couldn’t really communicate what happened due to a hex that was placed on him, but I had a hard time buying that a witch from a powerful family couldn’t find another witch to break the hex for him. Emma doesn’t even try to get an explanation for why he left though. There are also a lot of secrets, as while Bastian is keeping things from Emma, Emma is also keeping a big secret from him. The characters felt and acted younger than they were, and there was even an evil, power-hungry mother to create added drama.

I enjoyed the scenes with Emma’s friends and co-owners of their bar; one is a witch, and one is a human who isn’t supposed to know about witches but does. They were fun characters and brought humor to the story.

Despite all the miscommunications between the couple, it was a cute story. It did, at times, feel like I was reading a YA book, so if you don’t enjoy those, you may not like this one. This book would be for readers who enjoy paranormal stories, especially those that feature witches.

Book Info:

Publication: August 15, 2023 | Harlequin |

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…