Six months after having been hit by a power surge that nearly obliterated her memory, Delilah Harlow is still picking up the pieces. Her once diamond-sharp mind has become shaky and unreliable, and bristly, self-sufficient Delilah is forced to rely on friends, family, and her raven familiar for help. In an effort to reclaim her wits and former independence, she casts a dangerous blood spell meant to harness power with healing capacities.

While the spell does restore clarity, it also unexpectedly turns Delilah into an irresistible beacon for the kind of malevolent supernatural creatures that have never before ventured into Thistle Grove. One night—just as things are about to go terribly sideways with a rogue succubus—a mysterious stranger appears in the nick of time to save Delilah’s soul.

 Gorgeous, sultry, and as dangerous as the knives she carries, Catriona Quinn is a hunter of monsters—and half-human, half-fae herself, she is the kind of sly and morally gray creature Delilah would normally find horrifying. Though Delilah balks at the idea of a partnership, she has no choice but to roll the dice on their collaboration. As the two delve deeper into the power that underlies Thistle Grove, they uncover not only the town’s hidden history but also a risky attraction that could upend Delilah’s entire life.

For In Charms Way by Lana Harper, the author has created a distinct and complex story. In this fourth book of the Thistle Grove series, she has focused on Delilah Harlow. If you read the previous book, you are aware of what has happened to the character. This novel addresses the aftermath of book three. And what I love is how distinct Delilah’s voice is in this novel, how different from the previous point of view characters of the other novels. I also like that her dilemma focuses on how she is recovering or in this case, not doing so well. Delilah’s issues resonate to those of us with long term health conditions, who struggle day to day. And like Delilah, most want to be independent but find that they must learn to trust and rely on others. I found Delilah’s pain and anguish over her losses compelling as she figures out how to deal with the change in her abilities. 

I also love her choices. While Delilah does get her powers back, there are consequences. I like how the novel addresses those consequences and the resolution of it all at the end of the novel. The ending is empowering. 

I also frankly love the romantic scenes between her and Cat.. Those are vivid and sensual, igniting off the pages like a flame. I also appreciate Cat as a foil for Delilah. Cat is equally complex and I enjoy that she is more of an outsider to Thistle Grove. It is an intriguing choice from the author and I like how it plays out in the book. 

If you love romances and complex characters, this is the novel for you. While it seems like a simple romance at first, the pain, the complexity and Delilah’s choices will keep you hooked and the dynamic ending will want you reading more. This novel is distinct and complex, making it just as magical as the previous three novels in the series.

Rating: 5 out of 5 malevolent books.