4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy historical fiction and classic novels with a bit of a dark theme.

This was a very quick read for me, which historical fiction usually isn't! I liked that this book reminded me a bit of a classic spooky novel like Rebecca or Jane Eyre, but was also set with a bit of horror and fantasy. I really enjoyed the complicated family relationships, the setting, and the opulence captured in the time period. Bits and pieces reminded me of Little Women with the sisterhood, balls, and playing make believe. I enjoyed that the fantasy/horror element was so classic. It's hard to tell if it is real, imagined, brought on by a stimulant, etc. Very interesting. While this book was rooted in family drama and the time period, there was also a bit of romance which I enjoyed. Overall I feel like this was a very strong debut novel!!

Haunting, romantic, and atmospheric—Hester Fox’s The Witch of Willow Hall is a deeply engaging gothic historical fiction novel that explores the notion of how we choose to become who we are. Set in the small community of New Oldbury, Massachusetts in the 1800s, this book has a cast of characters that will make you forget where you are and feel like you are part of this town.

About the Book

The Salem witch trials are long past when the Montrose family arrives in New Oldsbury in 1821. Now the thing that terrifies communities is the hint of a scandal that could besmirch their good name. The Montrose’s are the victims of such a scandal, cast out of Boston and into New Oldsbury, where they take up residence in their new country home, Willow Hall.

But gossip still clings to sisters Catherine, Lydia, and Emeline Montrose. Broken engagements, a shattered business relationship, and the shunning of their social circle have left the Montrose’s with no choice but to start over. But all isn’t lost. There are two eligible men in New Oldbury that may just make the Montrose sisters forget about their troubles. And yet, the events of their past haunt the Montrose sisters…

As the series of events set off by that rumor in Boston begin to unfold, a darkness seems to creep in on the family. But there may still be one witch left in Massachusetts—Lydia Montrose. And Lydia will have to learn about her strength as a person, as well as her strength as a witch, if she hopes to save those she loves most.

Reflection

I must admit, I am completely captivated by this book. I found myself forgetting where I was, being transported to that weeping willow tree beside the pond outside of Willow Hall, with the forest looming around me. Though there is a haunting, gothic setting to this novel, it is more historical fiction with a dash of romance than ghost story. But don’t think you’ll escape this book without a few ghosts!

One of my favorite parts of this book are the characters. The sisters themselves are so different and well-developed. The shallow eldest sister Catherine, who may seem narcissistic but has much more depth of character than we first think. The youngest sister Emeline, who desires to be one of the older girls and feels left out by her age. And the middle sister Lydia, taught to believe herself to be plain and only desirable due to her father’s money, only to learn that she has a strength of character and heart that goes beyond the rest of her sisters. Mr. Montrose, who is stoic to the point of seeming absent, until it matters most and we see the love of a father for his family. Mrs. Montrose, whose body has failed her in the wake of a broken spirit following the shame of her family.

And then we have Mr. Barrett and Mr. Pierce—New Oldbury’s most eligible bachelors. Mr. Barrett is as quiet and proper as Mr. Pierce is charming and alluring. If this book delves into any topic, it may be that first impressions may be deceiving, and that outward appearances may only be skin deep. I loved the dynamics between Mr. Barrett, Mr. Pierce, and the sisters. It added a surprising and welcome story line of romance and courtship that was delightful to read!

This book is incredibly atmospheric. Hester Fox has a talent for descriptive writing that really made this book outstanding. The woods were filled with shadows and secrets, pressing in around Willow Hall and becoming a daunting force to enter and leave the manor. And then there was the willow tree by the pond, where so many important points in the story occur. The nature in this book was a character in itself, threatening to work with or against the characters, depending on how they engage with it.

And finally, we have the ending. I won’t spoil anything about the book but I want to state how much I loved the way the ending of this book was written. The last chapter in particular was truly fantastic! It left the perfect tone to end the story on, and left me wanting more from Hester Fox.

Book Besties Approved

I read this book with the 6 Book Besties and we all enjoyed different things about the book! I hope you check out their reviews at the links below. We want to thank the amazing team at Harlequin books for partnering with us on this book. I hope you enjoy it!

I wanted to like this book, but it had so many infuriating plot devices. #1 - The scandal that is alluded to 100 times before the reveal. #2 - The girl that is so stinking blind to others' affections. #3 - Sisters fighting over the same man. These are my least favorite plot devices and they are all heavily featured in this book. If these plot devices irritate you as well, I would skip. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

In early 1800's, the Montrose family leave Boston for Willow Hall in a cloud of rumors and shame. Lydia, the middle daughter, starts to hear and see strange things at Willow Hall. As the family starts to fall apart, Lydia begins to understand how different she is from the rest of her family.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Lydia is a good person, always striving to do the best for her family and friends. She is likeable, but very insecure and willing to give up her entire life to keep her family from social ruin. Her sisters are a bit flat and her parents are disinterested, but the story is interesting and solid. The tale is a bit creepy, a bit romantic, and a lot gothic. Definitely worth the read. Bonus points because the author's name is Hester!

**Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book***

The Witch of Willow Hall is a perfect fall read: it has ghosts, unexplained paranormal happenings, and a creepy atmospheric house all mixed in with a compelling romance. It's so rare to find good Gothic suspense novels like this one nowadays (with Simone St. James being a notable exception), so I'm looking forward to reading more from Hester Fox.

The historical novel is set in the 1800's in Massachusetts (first Boston, then inland) and is told through the eyes of Lydia Montrose, the middle daughter of a family escaping whispers of scandal. Although Lydia has experienced unexplained phenomena since childhood (often with her at the center of it), once she arrives at Willow Hall, she begins seeing apparitions and hearing screams that no one else can hear. As much as she tries to downplay these happenings, she starts questioning her senses and fearing that she's losing her mind. Her developing feelings for her father's business partner, John Barrett, keep her afloat initially, but their potential romance is soon put in jeopardy by Lydia's sister, Catherine, who is scheming to land a husband of her own at any cost. Lydia must soon come to terms with her own heritage and powers and find a way to save everyone and everything she holds dear before it's taken from her.

Without getting into spoilery details, Hester Fox is not afraid to go for gut-punches and heartbreaking storylines, and also to dial up the romantic tension and drama to 11. There were several twists and turns that were unexpected and made this hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and didn't want it to end!

Thank you to Graydon House and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

After thinking about this book for a while it's most like an origin story for a witch when said witch is the least interesting character. Also a love story. Also not that interesting.
After scandal drives them out of Boston Lydia and her family move into the newly renovated Willow Hall where strange things begin to happen, family secrets come to light but hey that's not really as important as the fact Lydia's meet a boy!

Sorry.

The thing is The Witch of Willow Hall isn't really a bad book. It's got some really interesting elements but little too nothing is done with them and what is ends up in either a shoulder shrugging been there done that or a slightly agitated really, that's it?

Both Lydia's sisters are far more interesting than she is. I mean I want to murder Catherine- but still. This could have been a kickass story about sisters! There are some spirits in Willow Hall but they really just pop up. One seems malevolent by a lot but eh just kind of wanders off. I mean someone else eventually tells their story.

Even the romance suffered from the whole been there done that of missed communications and a serious lack of trust. Which does make sense because they don't really know each other. Yet it didn't bother me nearly as much as it otherwise might have and I think that was because Cyrus (Lydia's ex) is such a walking (admittedly cliche) nightmare that I spent a great deal of time hoping a ghost gets him.

The Witch of Willow Hall isn't a bad book. It's just very mediocre and it had obvious potential to be so much more! If it had followed the thread with the sisters and gone for it... If it had followed the thread of the ghosts... Oh! It could have also done something really surprising with John but nope.

Recommend: 50/50. More so if you're looking for a coming of age/romance than a gothic ghost witch story.

Oh my this was a good one. I went into this book without knowing anything about it, I didn’t read the synopsis before I started reading (not on purpose, I’m just bad at things) so everything was a surprise, but in the best way possible. This was the perfect creepy historical fiction story and if you’re into those types of books then I strongly recommend picking this one up.

The thing that made me love this book the most was the overall atmosphere. It’s got such a dark and creepy vibe and the dread is subtle but all encompassing, and it’s done in the best way. You really get the sense that there’s something not right going on but it isn’t until the end when all the little clues have been revealed that you get the full scope of the story. Because you have to keep reading to get little snippets, the book has a very mysterious quality to it, there’s so many different elements to the mystery and I couldn’t put this one down because I just needed to know what happened. With all that being said it’s probably pretty obvious that this book was SUSPENSEFUL AS HELL. And I loved it. It’s honestly one of those books that you’re just thrown into and that you need to keep reading because not finding out what happens next just isn’t an option. (Also the twists, so many and so well done.)

The other thing that made me love this book was just the characters, our main character Lydia was so well written and so complex. I loved reading her struggles with certain thoughts she had and her reactions to what was going on around her. I also really enjoyed reading all the different relationships she had with the other characters, from her conflicted relationship with one sister to her absolute love for the other and her worry and quiet love of her parents. It was just so nice to read, and added the perfect element to the book. Also this book highlighted the fact that boys just kind of suck sometimes, I know that it’s a common trope/plot device in historical fiction but wow they are dumb in this story. It did add to the story though so I’m not too mad.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star read for me was the love interest, I definitely didn’t hate the romance in this one, it was still well done, but I just felt like it was a bit lackluster. I’m not sure what was missing for me but I just felt like I wanted something a little extra. Also the miscommunication trope is something that I hate. This book is still worth it, even if you hate it as well, but it is in there just as a heads up.

Honestly I loved this book, it’s the perfect atmospheric and dark fall read with a wonderful main character and twists that prevent you from putting the book down. If you’re into that sort of thing then please pick this one up once it’s released because I need more books like this.

A slightly gothic, richly atmospheric tale of a family in the wake of a scandal. Young Lydia is trying hard to help her family after they make the move from Boston to New Oldbury. The stately manor they move into seems to have secrets of it's own though, and Lydia is caught between two worlds.

This is not as spooky as I thought it would be, but still a compelling read. I liked Lydia and John and of course, young Emmaline. Ms. Fox did a great job of bringing life to the surroundings, pun intended, while giving us a sweet love story.


**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

I seem to be reading a lot of historical fiction as of late even though it isn't one of my favourite genres. This book just called to me and is the perfect book to pick up in October (or anytime during the dark days of fall and winter). It is both romantic and mysterious; suspenseful and witchy. Gothic atmosphere in the early 1800's with no electricity or telephones makes the nighttime that much more sinister. I don't need to repeat the synopsis, as I think it lets you know the right amount of story to get you started. But be forewarned, if you are anything like me, there may be a character or two that you just want to slap (or put a curse on) while reading.

Thoroughly surprised delighted by this witchy book. Perfect fall read. I feel like he cover doesn’t do it justice, though.

"Two centuries after the Salem witch trials, there’s still one witch left in Massachusetts. But she doesn’t even know it.

Take this as a warning: if you are not able or willing to control yourself, it will not only be you who suffers the consequences, but those around you, as well.

New Oldbury, 1821

In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall.

The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline.

All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end..."

Country House and witches? YES! Gothic Halloween at it's best!

This is just the book I needed to get ready for fall. It may still be hot AF out, but I got to live my autumnal spooky fantasy while I was reading this... it's the perfect combo of spookiness, old houses, and family secrets, with a little bit of a love story thrown in for good measure. THE WITCH OF WILLOW HALL is exactly what's in the title- a ghost/witch story set in a creep old house in the early 1800s. Lydia knows she's different and knows that there is something dark inside her, but things don't come to a head until her family forced to move to their new country estate outside of Boston... and creepiness ensues! I really enjoyed the dynamics between the sisters in this story, in particular, and I think there's a lot here you could read into thematically re:the untapped power of angry or hurt women. This was EXACTLY what I was looking for when I was in the mood for something a little bit spooky but not overly gory or scary. I don't think this is one that will keep you up at night, but it is very atmospheric, and I thought the writing quality was quite high. Very much recommended as a fall read and I will be seeking out more from this author

Gosh this was a good read! It's dark, it's twisty in spots, it's got a great character in Lydia, and it's very atmospheric. Set in 1820 on the creepy estate of Willow Hall, it's written as a gothic of sorts. You but not Lydia know that she's a witch, a real witch, and it's fascinating how she discovers this. There are ghosts, there's some romance, and there are a lot of secrets. All in all, it was more than I expected. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a terrific debut with a well thought out plot and great writing. I'm looking forward to more from Fox.

Boston, 1800's. Lydia and her family are forced to move across the state seeking anonymity from scandalous and inexplicable events. Creepy castle, weird happenings, odd people.

I'm having a hard time believing this is a debut book, such a great (and clean) gothic, spooky story. Kudos to Hester Fox. There was an eeriness that created a sense of dread, although it is not a scary book.

4.25 stars

Do you ever read the summary of a book and think, "yeah, that sounds like something I would like"? That's how I felt about The Witch of Willow Hall. Normally, though, books like this languish on my TBR list, something I can never quite find the time (or interest) to read once it's been published. Months pass. Newer, more interesting books take precedence. I might eventually forget what the book was even about, only to re-read the summary years down the road and think, "meh." And maybe (just maybe), I’ll take it off my TBR altogether.

Do not make this mistake. This book cleared my skin. It watered my crops. It set up a 401K and then invested in a robust stock portfolio.

I mean, yes, Hester Fox's novel has its faults. Her characters can come off as overwrought and trope-y as hell: Catherine, the eldest sister, is not merely looking for marriage but scheming, using her hyper-sexuality to ‘trap’ an eligible bachelor. And Lydia - poor, good Lydia - is the naïve ingenue who is ‘blinded’ to reality and compares their sororal relationship as a catty no-holds-barred competition for the affections of the mysterious and dashing John Barrett. Then there’s the plot, which falls somewhere between historical romance and gothic horror but doesn’t convincingly meld the two until more than half-way through. We think Lydia is the witch referenced in the title but is there someone else? Does Willow Hall itself hold supernatural power? (So ~spooky, y’all.)

But listen. I started this book not expecting much, and I was so thoroughly surprised and delighted at the end result. Read during a week when the turning weather felt especially serendipitous, I felt literally and figuratively cozy - surrounded by the whistling wind and dreams of a crackling fire as Lydia and John got swept up in their own romance. At first pass, Fox writes everything so harshly that part of me wondered why a character’s behavior had to be taken to such extremes, why there was no gray between the black and white. But then, chapters later, an impulsive action would be re-evaluated or a character’s motivations would be explained and I would think, “oh, that’s why.” (Some readers will probably love the way the plot trundles forward but then others may roll their eyes at the heavy-handed foreshadowing. To each their own.)

I don’t think I can fully explain why I enjoyed The Witch of Willow Hall so much, not even to myself. Maybe it was the way the plot seduced me and I could think of no better activity than to keep reading. Or maybe that the stakes felt real, or that the characters were given agency, or simply that Willow Hall was so vividly realized I felt like I could drive there and visit. Maybe it was the tense, gothic elements or the acute remembrance of being eighteen and feeling everything so forcefully: the lows abysmal but the highs astronomical. Perhaps it was everything together, the sum greater than its parts.

Early in the novel, Lydia tries to articulate her feelings for John Barrett. “Suddenly sitting here beside him is not enough,” she narrates. “The empty place that I didn’t even know I contained is aching with want, trembling with fear that it may never be filled.” Same, sis. Same.

Catherine, Lydia and Emeline are the three Montrose sisters. Catherine carries a huge secret. And Lydia and Emeline have a strange bond, a beyond sisters bond. They can make things happen, especially when they are angry. The Montrose family is run out of Boston because of a terrible scandal. They move into their summer home in New Oldbury called Willow Hall. It is an odd place. Strange sounds and noises create a creepy place for the family home.

“What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”. This was the first quote that came to mind as I was reading this novel. Everyone is keeping secrets, Catherine, her mother and their dad’s business partner, John. Catherine causes all of the problems this family is having. The author keeps her secret hidden for a good while. And when it is revealed….it is cringeworthy! John has many secrets surrounding his past, a family tragedy which is not as it seems. Then there is the mother. She knows all about Emeline and Lydia and she is not sharing!

This story is not as witchy as it is made out to be. It has a good many ghosts though and I adore a good ghost story. It is beautifully written with a thousand twists and turns. This story is perfect for a cold night in front of a fire!

LOVE! This book is absolutely amazing. The writing is perfect, making this a one click read! I could not tear myself away

A gothic romance with a mysterious family tree.

The Montrose family is at the heart of this story and they have moved to the country with their three daughters to escape a scandalous family event. It is 1821 and their new estate is Willow Hall. There are stories about the home and whispers of ghosts and strange happenings. The younger sister, Emeline is quite taken with mermaid stories and now has added ghosts to her list.

The two older sisters, Lydia and Catherine are often at odds and seem to be competing with each at times. Catherine has a secret that could bring dishonor to the family and Lydia warns her to stay out of trouble, but no one can seem to control Catherine. When tragedy strikes, we learn more about the family history, hidden secrets are revealed and ghosts start appearing (one image really spooked me). There are some truly creepy happenings that made me uncomfortable and there was an eeriness that created a sense of dread, although it is not a scary book.

This was more of a gothic romance mystery than a witch story, although we do have some witchy influences. The pace is slow and steady as the story builds and the family secrets are revealed. There are some shocking twists and interesting dynamics that kept me intrigued until the end. I also enjoyed the author's wonderful descriptive writing.

Fans of gothic tales about dark family secrets with a hint of witchery should enjoy this one!

A very enjoyable, creepy fall read!

I love this period - the Gilded Age and the industrial revolution. I love the propriety and all the rules and manners, the language, the fashion, the balls. All of it! Well, not all of it - although women’s rights were just starting to take off, women were still treated as the lesser sex. But I did enjoy how we have some very strong, outspoken, intelligent leading ladies in this story.

We have a family who has moved to the country from Boston due to a scandal that has occurred, however we don’t know what has happened and learn along the way.

I love an unlikable character and this book had several, including a well drawn villain and a wicked sister. I also enjoyed the sweet romance.

As someone who likes my books based in reality, this one had just the right amount of “spooky” in it for me - enough that it was believable and not super over the top.

A great atmospheric, gothic tale!

Thank you to Harlequin Books for my advance copy, this book will be available October 2nd! This was a group read with my @6bookbesties, Be sure to check out the reviews from Holly, Berit, Mackenzie, Jennifer and Kendall.

Beautiful, atmospheric, and haunting..... this was an exquisitely told debut...Hester Fox has wovin together this Gothic story of heartbreak and hope effortlessly.... as soon as I opened the cover of this book I found myself transported into the lives of the Montrose Family... finding myself in the middle of A scandal and the gloom and magic of Willow Hall....

This was not the story of a witch, but rather the story of Lydia Who just so happens to be a witch.... The witchcraft in this book was very under played and subtle, something I felt worked extremely well... Lydia was such a remarkable and charming character... Believe me I love hocus-pocus and spells as much as the next person, but I think that would have overshadowed the quiet beauty of Lydia... she just was one of those characters that reaches inside you and grabs a little piece of your heart.... you just feel everything she feels, because she is so authentic and worthy.... any book that can evoke feelings in me about a character, is an absolute bonus in my book!

Lydia, along with her parents and two sisters Catherine and Emeline leave Boston in the wake of a scandal.... Willow Hall is where they find refuge... but is the house haunted? There is definitely an eerie air of mystery about the place....

This truly was a story of family and The complexities within.... Catherine, Lydia’s older sister was a extremely colorful character.... she was definitely a worthy villain, the sister nobody wants to have... I was fortunate enough to have an author Q & A with Hester Fox... One of my questions was: who is your favorite character in this book? and her answer was Catherine, and I can see that she would be fun to write!

This truly was a magical book, not in the way of the supernatural, but in the way of storytelling.... there really is a little bit of everything in this book.... a little romance, A little witchcraft, a little taboo, a little haunting, A little tragedy, a little scandal.... A book with a beautiful ending that will leave you heartbroken and yet still hopeful!

Absolutely recommend to fans of Gothic historical fiction, who love character driven stories with a bit of a slow burn...

*** many thanks to Graydon House for my copy of this book ***