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It’s a Curse Thing

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It’s not forever. It’s not freaking forever.

What’s a witch to do when her magic’s been hacked and her tongue wickedly cursed! No matter how hard Eloise Redd concentrates on keeping her thoughts to herself, she blurts them. The only option is to lie low and wait for the hacker’s ransom note —and hope the demands aren’t too steep. In the meantime, she hides out in a haunted town as a palm reader. What could possibly go wrong reading palms?

Jeffrey Bales, Chief Operating Officer of Think Tank Innovations, is excellent at peopling. What he’s not good at is fending off a multitude of women convinced he’s their souls’ missing puzzle piece. This thanks to the town’s magical palm reader. A woman whose mouth should come with a hazard warning. He has no choice but to turn his charms on her to silence those wayward words. Just a tiny, fake relationship should work…

Unless it takes place under the roof of a bewitched house. One determined to bind them together eternally. That ransom demand can’t arrive soon enough.

What if this is forever?

Published April 27, 2021

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Lisa Wells

16 books72 followers

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5 stars
58 (57%)
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31 (30%)
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9 (8%)
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2 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Erin M. Cooper.
277 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2021
Loved the Eloise and Jeff combo, seemed to go more in-depth on the witches and ghosties. Like Remington and Jason they too had a dynamic relationship. The two elder women are a hoot, Ruby Rae and Sarah Anne, are both funny and calling each other gossips. Especially the whole calling Eloise a tart, but in Ruby Rae's book, meant nothing bad at all. Was in completely in a good context. Can't wait too read the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
2,555 reviews36 followers
May 2, 2021
I haven't read the first book in the series but its characters crop up here and maybe it would be a good idea to read in order.
I got into this story rather slowly as there is a lot of backstory crammed into the first chapters, in a little heavy-handed way. Some of it is quirky and fun, some a little confusing, and some parts seemed like superfluous detail. It gets better in the second half when all the details start to fall in together.

Eloise is descended from a line of wicked witches and she used to have a magical ability to practice law, defending lots of crime lords and never losing a case (but occasionally her clients got a troublesome tummy issue after dealing with her). Somebody put a curse on her, she lost her magical skills and started blurting out inconvenient truths. She doesn't know who did it and how she can get her magic and legal ability back. Now she lives in a small town and practices palm reading, talking to her cat and ghosts. One of the ghosts is her dad who was a wizard. Oh and he was murdered by Eloise's mother. There is a demon-fireman who tells her her wiring is faulty and she has to close her shop and move in with Jeff.

Jeff owns a business that is supposed to be an innovative collection out-of-the-box thinkers and really take awesome care of its employees. The employee benefits are decent but so far they've managed to invent cannabis container that looks like a noise machine, and I can't imagine how they're earning their salaries. Jeff suspects Eloise of being a con artist, and I suspect it's really Jeff who has the blurting curse problem because he goes to her shop and tells her so to her face. He thinks Eloise is a fraud because she claims to be able to see people's soulmates or puzzle pieces in their palms, and he doesn't believe in the paranormal, but his own company is trying to design glasses you can see ghosts with so that seemed a little incongruent. They have a casual friends-with-benefits sort of arrangement. Neither of them believes it's love because Jeff has pictured a different sort of lover and Eloise has seen that Jeff is the puzzle piece for several other ladies in town. There is a bit of mystery about who hacked Eloise's magic and how she can get it back.

There are some subplots that don't get completely resolved here, like how Eloise's ghosts can cross over and stop haunting the place or what happens to her mother or her job. I'm not sure if there is to be a third book and if any of that will be featured there.

A minor odd detail was Jeff's company has an elevator that doesn't work to go down unless you have a key or somebody presses the button downstairs. I don't know about Knotty but I don't think that sort of thing would be compliant with the building codes where I live. A building that makes it so hard to get out of would be rather unsafe.

For those mindful of profanities, Eloise's familiar cat uses the F-word. Her own curse word of choice is Balls, which got a little distracting when it was repeated too much.

I got a review copy from Booksirens and i'm leaving a voluntary honest review.
344 reviews5 followers
September 13, 2021
I’m reading the Single Town books out of order. I don’t think it should matter as each book supposedly focusses on a different couple. That said, I think book three worked better as a standalone than this second in series. I had the nagging feeling there was something missing, something the author wasn’t telling me. A feeling I did not have when I read the third book.

Or it could simply be that I did not care as much about Eloise and Jeff as I did about Polly and Devlon.

I think that’s it. Eloise was OK, though her blurts weren’t very spectacular. Not enough to win my further empathy. Jeff was an ass. “My first responsibility is with the Thinkers.” It’s good that his employees are a priority, and that he is skeptic of someone that might be a con-artist, but his employees are supposed to be among the smartest of the smart. I should hope that gives them natural protection against being gullible. Don’t need protection from the COO as well.

Eloise is a witch whose magic’s been hacked and she’s been cursed with a blurting spell. Very inconvenient when you practice law. She decides to take a sabbatical and sets up shop as a palm reader. Not long after, her shop is closed down because of faulty wiring. Town matriarch/busybody Ruby Rea suggests she move in with Jeff, aforementioned skeptic and owner of a large house.

How the story continues is hardly a surprise.

I read an ARC through Booksirens.
Profile Image for Jacque.
998 reviews23 followers
August 18, 2021
Let’s start with I am new to the Singles Town series. Do I feel like I missed out on anything by reading It's a Curse Thing without reading its predecessor? No, not really. The main characters, Eloise and Jeffrey, are meeting for the first time and there is plenty of detail in the story for them. Sometimes it felt a little too detailed, especially in the first half of the book. The story did eventually find balance once everything was laid out and I was able to enjoy the book.

Eloise and Jeffrey were quite the cute, quirky pair as they sorted through their problems. Their story had quite a few laugh out loud moments. The characters of Knotty were fun and entertaining with my favorite being Charm. Cats always make the best characters and have the best line! I really enjoyed Eloise’s mystery of who stole her magic. That final reveal was quite the mind blower. Although it appears each book in the series revolves around a pair coupling up, I feel their story is not quite over with just this book. It’s going to be interesting to see how the problem with the hacker will eventually play out.

Fun, cute and sassy, It's a Curse Thing (Singles Town Book 2) by Lisa Wells made for a perfect weekend read.

Stars: 3.5
I received this book from the BookSirens. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
61 reviews
June 4, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4 stars.

When I started this book, I wasn’t sure about if I liked it.it took me about 20% of the book before I caught on and wanted to continue reading. I have a rule, I can not dnf a book before I’ve read at least 50%, and I’m really glad I stuck to that rule! I ended up loving Eloise.

The book is about Eloise, a witch and a lawyer who got her magic hacked, and now she can’t use any of it, plus she blurts everything she thinks, however inconvenient it may be. She is forced on leave from the law firm she works for and moves to Knotty and becomes a palm reader. Enter Jeffrey, one of the owners of Think Tank Innovations, located in Knotty. They employ young, enthusiastic nerds, who ofcourse love learning about love and their puzzle piece, something Eloise advertises she can tell you about. However, Jeffrey doesn’t believe in magic and palm reading and thinks Eloise is a fraud. But then there is some faulty wiring in Eloise’s store and she needs to vacate, and one of the helpful neighbors we met in the previous book offers Eloise a room in Jeffrey’s house…………

The “hacked magic” thing was weird, and the summary told me about her leading several ladies toward their puzzle piece, but she ended up sending them all towards the same guy, however, this only happened at the end of the book, so that was a bit weird. But overall I liked the book. Eloise is a badass main protagonist and although Jeffrey started with a huge stick up his behind, he took it out towards the end of the book and ofcourse there was a HEA! All romance and witchy things lovers, I recommend this book!
51 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2021
Eloise is descended from a line of wicked witches and is doing her best to be a good witch. After being tricked into a contract for 10 years defending the wicked witches from the law, Eloise has had her magic taken from her and a curse put on her. She has moved to Knotty and opened an palm reading business. Jeff is the co-owner of TTI, he doesn't really believe in the paranormal and is determined not to let Eloise con his employees.

This book brings back some of my favourites from the first book. Sarah Anne and Ruby Rae were a blast as always, they are my favourite seniors living in Knotty. Eloise and Jeff are extremely cute together and I like that they both learn from each other. Eloise's blurting problem is always funny and adds to their relationship. I laughed so much while reading this book and I couldn't put it down. I loved learning more about Knotty and its residents and I look forward to reading the next book.

I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily
Profile Image for Shannon Patterson.
893 reviews8 followers
May 16, 2021
This is the second book in the series and even though I feel you could follow along I do feel readers will benefit from reading the first book prior. We have character overlap and some have already established their "type" so having that knowledge is a bonus.

I didn't feel this book flowed as well as the last in terms of story balance. There were definitely parts that moved quicker than others but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. I liked getting a better feel for the setting and a stronger sense about our main witch as she continues to become more comfortable with who she is rather than what she thinks she should be.

The relationship between Eloise and Jeffery is quirky enough to be fun. It was my favourite part of this story. Eloise letting her mouth run wild is a close second.

I received a free copy of this story through BookSirens and am leaving a voluntary honest review.
1,725 reviews12 followers
June 3, 2021
It seems that Eloise Redd had reached Knotty still dragging the left foot. Urgent for her to discover the culprit of her misfortune before things got even more complicated and to top it off Jeffrey Bales, Chief Operating Officer of Think Tank Innovations, was already making the stinky eye at her and suspicion was the order of the day. Jeff Bales believed in the saying 'keep your friends close and your enemies even closer' so he didn't have to think about it much with Eloise. But despite his past bad experiences it seemed that there was something else that drew him to the palm reader. Enjoyed the amusing situations the protagonists were involved with ghosts, a bunch of nosy characters, witches and the mistrust turning things upside down. Eloise was not one to be messing with and poor Jeff was out of his league. Amusing and unpredictable situations, magic, spells, mystery, romance and passion. Voluntarily reviewed this copy that I received free from BookSirens and I enjoyed.

1,343 reviews8 followers
May 4, 2021
Eloise Redd has to take a sabbatical from her job as a lawyer when her magic is hacked, and she is hit with a blurt spell, which has her saying things that shouldnt be uttered alopud. She does to Knotty and sets up a palm reading service, letting people find out who their puizzle p[iece might be.,
The last thing she needs or wants is to fall in love - she needs to know who has hacked her magic so that she can get her life back!
Jeffrey Bales doesnt believce in the supernatural - and certainly isnt looking for the lve of his life either. When circumstances force them to share a house, life takes some strange twists and turns.
What do Eloise's parents have to do with what is happening to her? Will Beth find out what she needs to do to move on? Loved it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jacqulyn.
43 reviews
October 29, 2021
How about a witch lawyer that can only say the truth? Ooops. That doesn't work. Especially when the next thing that happens is all her knowledge of the law is wiped from her head. Ok, the witch becomes a palm reader telling people who their Puzzle Piece (true love) is. The big mystery is who put the curse on the witch and what kind of shenanigans can take place because of it. Let me tell you! Plenty! Between searching for who and why she was cursed, dealing with the ghosts and a possessed house in Single Town can be pretty hectic. Oh! Does she also have time for a romance with the wrong person who tries to get her banned from the town? Find out when you read this book. If you haven't guessed yet the book is whimsical and action-filled. A serious fun read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
10 reviews31 followers
January 3, 2022
I love Jeff and Eloise. Both are set in their ways but later bent to accommodate each others differences. Also like the small town setting. The gossip and the lively characters that lead the town. And of course, the magic. I adore stories of magic. So this book really hit the spot.

However, I would have enjoyed it more if there were more magic, like Eloise showing more of what she can do. It would also have been nice to know more why Eloise’s Dad did not crossover. Lastly, I felt like the romance between Jeff and Eloise was hurried.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read the other books in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for J.
2,988 reviews12 followers
September 8, 2021
A well written, spirited romance. This is book 2 in Well"s Singles Town series and focuses on Eloise and Jeff's story. I'll admit now that I'm reading these books out of order and while this can be read as a stand alone I can tell there was more that would have "clicked" had I read book 1 first. I so loved Eloise's character and Ruby Rae was an absolute southern gem! I also loved the personalities of Gwenifer and Charm and so many others. Jeff's character has the most growth. A fun, sometimes steamy, sometimes laugh out loud storyline with smooth flow that is sure to please!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
457 reviews4 followers
October 6, 2021
***4.5 stars***

Lisa Wells is back with book two in the Singles Town series. We are returned to the town of Knotty Pines with ghosts and witches. This fun, naughty, and entertaining story will have you laughing at one sassy cat and other characters in this quirky town.

Eloise’s magic has been hacked and she is laying low. Jeffrey is the COO of a company in Knotty Pines. Jeff is drawn to Eloise. These two are cute together. Enjoyed this tale and on to find the third book in this series for more laugh out loud antics from the next set of characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Gail Chianese.
Author 19 books188 followers
April 29, 2021
I loved my second trip to Knotty Pines where the residents tend to get a little naughty. Eloise and Jeff were adorable and laugh-out-loud fun.

When you need an escape from the craziness of life, It's a Curse Thing is just the route to take. The author has developed a fun, quirky, slightly off-kilter group of characters that as a reader I love and crave. Everyone from the main characters—Eloise and Jeff, in this case— to Ruby Rae and Sara Ann and even the talking, sassy cat, Charm had me smiling from the start to the finish.

Looking forward to book three when it releases.
Profile Image for Kristin .
497 reviews
May 21, 2021
Sadly, I started with this book, book 2 in the series so I was a little bit lost. However, this book was so great I am reading book 1 next. :> :>
Anyway, this was also the 1st book I've read by this delightful author.
It takes place in a town named Knotty (wink wink) Pines. The world building is very nice & the characters are very likable. I laughed so much my stomach hurt & my eyes watered like crazy. There were some sexy scenes as well that made say oolala. It was a truly enjoyable read & a page turner. I highly recommend this book & this author!
625 reviews2 followers
May 25, 2021
I have not read the first book in this series but I was able to catch on to the world the author built. The book is humorous and light hearted... kind of reminded me of the Sookie Stackhouse books but even lighter still. No particular character stood out for me but I feel like it's one of those series where the characters eventually grow on you. A perfect book for when you need some brain candy but are not wanting to take anything too seriously.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Helena Mendes.
1,370 reviews15 followers
August 12, 2021
I got this book because I love this kind of stories and the blurb to this one caught my attention, this is a new author for me, after the first chapter I just had to put it down and stop reading...I just went and bought the first book read it and then picked this one again and read it in almost one go. I just loved this characters, the storyline, the world building and the wonderful way the author writes this great story, this is one of my favorite new series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
476 reviews3 followers
August 12, 2021
This was such a fun book to read. Eloise is a witch who has had her powers taken away. Oh, and she has been spelled to blurt out things randomly, this doesn't work well for her law career at all. She takes a sabbatical and heads to Knotty for a while to be a palm reader. Then she meets Jeff and sparks really fly. Figuring out her life and who hexed her while deciding if she can trust Jeff with her heart keeps her busy. This is a fast fun read. The second in the series and they just keep getting better.
Profile Image for Fran B.
1,189 reviews4 followers
November 1, 2021
For a wicked witch Eloise sure lets people take advantage of her. She is really not very wicked at all. Eloise lives in Knotty as a palm reader and likes to talk to ghosts. This is the second book in the Knotty Singles town and I really enjoyed it. Jeffrey and Eloise make a really fun couple and there are still hauntings and lots of paranormal activity abounding in the town. It was a fun read and easy read and you do not necessarily need to read the first book in the series but I think it would help.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
76 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2021
Funny & snarky Eloise is forced to live with Jeff due to faulty wiring. Bring on the FUN for a palm reading witch and a nonbeliever! This is a fun, cute & quick read!!! It was my first in the 3 part series but I'm going back to read the first book now. & I can't wait to see what the author has in store for the next book! You will laugh and enjoy this book series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Christina M.
497 reviews19 followers
May 5, 2021
Book 2 in Singles town.

Knotty is a nice little town, a singles town, and Eloise has moved there on a sabbatical from her job as a lawyer. Her magic was hacked, she has a real blurting issue, she was spelled to say things that shouldn't be said aloud.

All in all her life is a mess.

Can it get worse? Well, go grab the book and see!

I do suggest you read book 1 before book 2, since there are many characters in book 2 that were introduced in book 1.
1,081 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2021
I really enjoyed how quirky everyone is in this novel the characters, the town, even the situations. The start of the book was a little heavy due to the author dropping a lot of information about the people, the town and everything needed however that definitely helped if you read this as a standalone as i did.

Once I got into the story I did not want to put it down. This is a town I would love to visit.
Profile Image for Rhonda Jones.
2,644 reviews12 followers
May 19, 2021
Wicked Witches Oh My

The heroine calls herself a wicked witch, but she is actually a very nice woman. Too nice really. People have taken terrible advantage of her and manipulated her into doing things she did not want to do. Just when she thinks she is finally free, she is cursed. And you will not believe who is behind it! There definitely are wicked witches in this book, and again you will not believe who they are. Great read.
Profile Image for Seashell .
155 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2021
Great story and so much fun! This is another great adventure where magic and reason collide. Eloise is so much sassy and really kindhearted despite her being a wicked witch. The quirks of the various characters, animate and inanimate creates a beautifully colourful picture. I really enjoyed reading this book and will be keeping an eye out for the third installment in this series. I received a free copy of this book.
304 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2021
What do you do when everything seems to go wonky and you're a witch? Changing her life and work doesn't help Eloise figure out what to do. It does help her make new friends and a potential long term fella. This book is more of a who done it without a murder. It has a little of the supernatural thrown in for fun. The ending wrapped up too quick for me, but it did end well.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lili.
622 reviews46 followers
July 19, 2023
I enjoy Lisa's writing style immensely - amusing, lively, honest and engaging, with a dose of spellbinding, a little bit of sarcasm and a whole lot of imagination.

Add to that a ghost of regret, on top of fate and destiny … and it still can't be described, you have to read and feel it all for yourself!

I received an advance review copy for free from BooSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Gayla Essen.
71 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2021
Laughs galore, love in the air, crazy ghosts, and a diabolical mom add up to a great read! Welcome back to Knotty the only singles town in America. Seeing ghosts, talking houses, witches, and kooky old ladies, make for a fun, quick read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
687 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2021
This is a fun, quirky, quick, sexy read! I love this town, the 21 Club and all the eccentricities of the townspeople who live there. The ghost aspect is cool and while the mystery aspect needs work the story works. I will definitely read more of this series as it comes out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
170 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2021
Silly witchery and ghosts with a twist of romance with a non-believer thrown in. Seriously laugh out loud funny! These books are a lot of fun with plenty of twists and turns and all around silliness. I look forward to grabbing the next one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Roberta (Always Behind).
586 reviews13 followers
February 23, 2022
I seem in the minority in ratings. I really liked the first book in this series. Although I am all for naughty in a storyline, there were way too many unnecessary "f bombs". I'm not a prude, but too much profanity when not needed grates on my nerves.
I did like the blurts which were funny, palm reading, the talking cat and the talking cat.
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