I really enjoyed this book and I’ll probably continue reading the series. I feel like the age range for this is around 12-14 depending on the maturity of the reader. I would say younger, but there is a mention of sex in it.

Reading this has been a simple and casual read and a nice break from more complex (is that the word?) books. I only wish it had more going on in it in terms of the plot and depth of the characters. I mean the MC is a 20 year old going to college but I kept feeling like it would have been better suited as a girl going to a special high school. I also was hoping there was more world building. I mean the whole world knows magic exists, I want to know how, why, and the politics of it! Do the non magical folk hate the magical?

All in all it was a good quick read, but just needed more. The plot was okaaay, I was hoping it would be darker and not so aggravating while reading the book. The MC doesn’t know what power she has and spends most of the book complaining about it and that others are keeping “secrets” from her. SPOILER ALERT (it’s not that big of a secret or really worth hiding)...
Thank you Net Galley and IBPA for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for the arc! I was attracted to this book due to the magical school element and of course witches! However it wasn’t really my cup of tea I DNF’d it about 20% into the book. I found it moved to quickly and was just a bit too unrealistic for me, ultimately I just wasn’t enjoying it. I will say the writing was nice so I would give another book from the author a try. If you like a really fast paced book, that comes across a bit more middle grade and doesn't have much world building than I think you may really enjoy this one!

I definitely have mixed feelings about this book. I'll be splitting this review into pros and cons, starting with the pros.

Pros: I am not usually a fan of suspenseful paranormal novels. However, this was pretty much at my perfect level of not so scary that I can't sleep, but a little creepy enough to add to the suspense. (Though admittedly, if this was a movie I would NOT be able to watch this aha).

Cons: There was a slight inconsistency with her age that bothered me initially as well as with her personality. However, leaving that aside I just found this book a little too predictable (though that did help me handle the creeps a little better ) I had guessed the majority of the plot points before even getting through the first 40% of the novel. The romance was also not convincing.

Despite the cons, I finished the novel and still wouldn't mind continuing the series, so that says something!

**I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**.

I wanted to love this book, and towards the end I almost did. It started off rough - the writing was juvenile and choppy and the backstories felt paper thin. The prose at times seemed to fall short of intended imagery, ending in piles of gibberish in both internal and character dialogue. The characters felt transparent; The main character, Autumn, is independent and off putting-ly not-like-the-other-girls, who suddenly loses autonomy as soon as a boy is involved. She makes several references to her bad history with relationships which is never expanded on, and when her Dad starts acting strange she blatantly ignores it. Wade, the requisite hot and mysterious boy who's new to town, is infuriatingly protective of Autumn and menacingly secretes testosterone if she's caught literally breathing the same air as another man. I love a good romance, but found myself thoroughly enjoying the book once he disappeared for a couple of chapters. The protagonist gives in every time he even questions her thoughts, as if they're not even her own. In 2020, this shouldn't still be a trope - but here we are. What’s more is that author could have done so much with the world-building and back story - some people are ordinary humans? Some are supernatural with a variety of gifts to choose from? The world-building felt lazy and confined to a small, dreary town and its Hogwarts counterpart. Finally, what drew me in initially as a 20 something graduate student was the description of a new adult paranormal romance touted with a college experience; and yet the author wrote it as if it were the first day of ninth grade.

Despite all of my gripes, the plot was promising and picked up towards the end of the book. I would continue to read the series as long as it resembles the second half of the book; the beginning was disappointingly slow and set up a premise that never delivered. I felt almost as if I was reading a second book by the time Autumn turned towards scouring public record for answers that (frustratingly) everyone knew but didn't feel like telling her. There was a lot going on in this novel and I applaud the author for her creativity, but she bit off more than she could chew for the plot of this first installment.

So let me start off this review with one word — ROLLERCOASTER. I love it when an author is able to pull me into another dimension, and I love it even more when they throw all these plot twists and surprises at me. There were a ton of moments where I had to take a minute to re-collect myself and my thoughts because my mind was in a whirlwind from certain situations and scenarios. I would also categorize this as a light romance/thriller kind of book. There were a lot of gasp and shock worthy parts in this book that I loved, and wasn’t expecting at all. It was so dark and twisty, and I was on the edge of my seat. It was slow in the beginning, but started picking up about a little more than halfway through. I am already dying for the next book because that’s how good the cliffhanger was. Seriously a phenomenal novel and author. If you like light romance, unexpected twists, and supernatural characters, then you’ll absolutely enjoy this book.

Autumn is a 20 year old girl leaving with her mom while saving up to go to college. She’s always been attracted/interested in the supernatural even though she might be only human.

The story starts with Autumn being accepted to the prestigious school for the supernatural and her mom is not happy about it. But the thing is, Autumn DIDN’T apply! While trying to make a decision on going to a magical school when she’s not magical herself, she meets a super hot guy that gets her “nerdy” references. They have an instant connection. He becomes both a obstacle and the push for Autumn’s decision to accept her place at Windhaven Academy.

Autumn moves in with her dad to be close to the school and that’s when the strange stuff starts. Blackwood Manor is one of the oldest houses in Windhaven and comes with all kinds of secrets. As Autumn starts school and meets new people, secrets and weird things keep being thrown at Autumn and instead of going to her dad for help she follows the breadcrumbs her new friends are putting out for her to find the truth.

I really enjoyed the story. Once I got started, I didn’t put the book down until I finished it. All the scary stuff and mysteries kept me on my toes making up my own theories as the story developed. Some of the things I didn’t get at the start of the book were cleared up at the end, which is good to tie up SOME loose ends. This is the first book or the series so obviously there has to things left to further explore.

Something that I didn’t really like was how easily Autumn and Wade started having an exclusive relationship. From a couple of times hanging to full-on boyfriend/girlfriend was too abrupt for me. The other thing that left me wondering or wanting more was the relationship between Autumn and her mom. Besides the initial conflict of the acceptance letter, mom is completely dropped from the story. Wasn’t around to have concerns about the attachment to the new boyfriend, wasn’t there see Autumn off, no text back when Autumn text her, Hopefully that gets explained in the future or explored.

I’m looking forward to see where Autumn’s journey takes her. As people have mentioned, about a love triangle, I’m not against it but I may or may not have an inclination on who should be involved 😉

Safe to say that I’ll definitely be waiting for book 2 to see what happens next !!

Secret Legacy is a promising start for a new adult /paranormal mystery series .

What I liked
1. School settings provide structure to what type of events can be expected in a story .
2. Main character hadn’t started university at the younger age most readers anticipate.
3. Despite being the start of a series the book works well as a stand alone.

What I didn’t like as much

1. We don’t get a great explanation of why she accepts the offer to attend a school she did not apply to and believes she does not belong at .

2. Instant love strikes again. While further books in the series may build the love interest up some more I do not have much invested in a relationship that forms before we have had time to even know the character.

Who would I recommend this one for ?

Readers of the throne of glass series will enjoy this female led paranormal tale.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Seeing this book available for request, I knew I had to give it a shot. Not only did I like the cover but it is about witches...which I also love(see what I did there?). I personally really liked it but I can clearly see that the reviews are very mixed when it comes to this book. People seem to either really like it or really hate it. Much like with most other books, did I like it the whole entire way? Heck no...But I liked it enough to keep going... We start with Autumn Blackwood receiving an acceptance letter from a magical school she didn't even apply to. Okay, that's kinda weird but hey, it's already paid for, why wouldn't you go? And did I mention these kids have powers? Cool, right? Autumn meets Wade in a cemetery and when they start talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I knew I might befriend them myself. :) Buffy and I go way back. So, blah blah blah, Autumn thinks about backing out of the school for this boy she literally just met and fell in love with and if THAT had happened, I would have given up right there. I cannot stand when someone gives a big thing up for anyone else. The big things are meant to happen. So she goes off to school and starts meeting new(new to her) people and learning about what powers she might have. She sees the ghost of her dead greatgreatgreatgreat grandmother who seems to be trying to tell her something. And at one point she learns something HUGE about herself...but then also learns something huge about Wade. It can't all be good right? In book two, whenever that happens, I guess we will explore what happens in that story... hopefully it isn't too far in the future as I will forget all about what is going on right now.

I really enjoyed reading the book because it was an interesting story with a well written plot and good writing style. It was easy to find in the story and the characters were authentic and well described.

This was a nice solid book. I loved the characters and felt like the storyline kept me on my toes. Although I did wish that the book had a more adult vibe instead of ya.

Español:

Este libro lo solicité ya que la sinopsis me llamó mucho la atención.

Nos cuenta la historia de Autumn Blackwood, quien es admitida en Windhaven Academy sin saber como, ya que ella no llenó la solicitud. Esto la lleva a vivir de vuelta a la mansión Blackwood con su padre y a partir de allí conocerá los misterios que rondan su pasado. Ah y antes de mudarse conoce a Wade, un chico perfecto del que se enamora.

Debo decir que el concepto está muy bueno, pero creo que falló en ejecución. El cliché del instalove con Wade se sintió tan falso que nunca pude conectar con esa pareja. La relación de hermanos de Cat y Colt tampoco se siente tan real. Además quedaron algunos cabos sueltos que espero se cierren en la siguiente parte.

Vamos con lo bueno: los capítulos cortos están muy bien y la forma de escribir de la autora te mantiene atrapado y el final te deja con ganas de saber más. El personaje con más aristas y de quien me gustaría saber más es Dominic.

En fin, veremos que trae la segunda entrega.

“Netgalley me dio esta copia a cambio de una reseña honesta.”
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English:

I requested this book since the synopsis caught my attention.

This book is about Autumn Blackwood, who is admitted to Windhaven Academy without knowing how, since she did not fill out the application. This leads her to live back to the Blackwood mansion with her father and from there she will know the mysteries that haunt her past. Oh, and before moving, she meets Wade, a perfect boy she falls in love with.

I must say that the concept is very good, but I think it failed in execution. The instalove cliche with Wade felt so false that I could never connect with that couple. Cat and Colt's sibling relationship doesn't feel that real either. There were also some loose ends that I hope will be closed in the next part.

Let's go with the good: the short chapters are very good and the author's way of writing keeps you trapped and the end leaves you wanting to know more. The character with the most edges and who I would like to know more about is Dominic.

Anyway, we'll see what the secuel brings around.

"Netgalley gave me this copy in exchange for an honest review."

I loved the premise of this story. And I really think it can be great. But there are a couple of things that didn't sit well with me while I was reading. The writing itself is fairly choppy, there are some confusing inconsistencies and gaps throughout the book, and the lead character's voice is extremely juvenile to me despite being in her 20s.
I would love to see where the story ends up going, but I'm not sure yet if I'm going to commit to three more books.

I read the whole book in a few hours. It is a New Adult paranormal romance. When 20 year old Autumn is unexpectedly accepted into a university for people with paranormal abilities, she moves back home with her father to attend the school although she didn't apply and doesn't think that she has paranormal abilities.. It was interesting enough for me to read it all, and I gave it a 3 star rating on Goodreads. I hope that people enjoy it. Thank you.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Yes, it drew me in with a cool magic university and magical powers and such but I got really annoyed with how everybody but Autumn was in on a secret and they couldn't just tell her, but led her around to books and unhelpful hints. That really irritates me when that happens in books.

Other than that though, I enjoyed reading it, even though it ended on a cliffhanger and many unanswered questions. Autumn was cool (though I am iffy about Wade) and her friends Cat and Colt were neat. This was a fast read and I think I would have liked it better if the other books were out so I could get the answers.

Ok from my rating you have guessed that this wasn’t a perfect book for me but it is a promising beginning to the series. Autumn was an odd protagonist as she’s twenty years old , still hasn’t started college and has dialogue and internal monologues that felt dated as if someone much older was speaking for her. Plus the fact that she sits around in a cemetery was just such a ridiculous cliche.
Now having said all that I did like that there’s a school for those with paranormal gifts although why Autumn would accept an offer to go there believing she had no magical abilities totally baffled me. Her mother works hard for her living whilst Autumns estranged father who she decides to live with lives in relative luxury which wasn’t really explained very well. Autumn has an instant boyfriend ( honestly I rolled my eyes at that although Wade is perhaps the most interesting character ) and quickly makes friends. What completely saved this book from a lower rating was the final third because then it got really interesting and yes I would like to find out a lot more about what Autumn can do and just why Wade is really in her life.
So perhaps not exactly what I had hoped for but as a YA novel it took the idea of a magical school and gave it a new twist which I liked.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This book was received as an ARC from Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have been searching for a long time a series that's as good as the House of Night series by P.C and Kristin Cast and I can't stop smiling from ear to ear. Autumn struggles in finding herself when all her friends keep telling her she possesses the great power and as she uncovers her powers she also uncovers secrets of the Blackwood Manor that will change her life for the test of time. The discussions that will generate from our YA readers will be so intriguing that I can't wait to hear.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Nice start but somewhat lost towards the middle and nice tie in to the next novel in the series. I felt this started pretty strong and then lost me for a little bit and then picked me back up. All in all it was a good read, nice story line with interesting characters. Although enjoyable it felt a bit forced and lackluster in cohesion of events and pulling all the parts together. I do love the idea of a magical school and getting powers and belonging but felt that the characters could have been developed a bit more.

This book had me hooked, and quite quickly. The first book in the Windaven Witch Series, and it really lives up to the supernatural elements it promises

Twenty year old Autumn Blackwood is preparing to head to college when she mysteriously gets an acceptance letter to Windhaven Academy, a school for those with supernatural abilities. In the letter she is told all her fees have been paid for. Unsure if she should go, her new boyfriend, Wade, convinces her to give it a try and see what her magical abilities might be. Thus begins a new stage in Autumn's life full of secrets and unexplained occurrences. Will Autumn figure out what is happening before it's too late?

This book has an interesting premise, and I liked where it was trying to go, but it felt flimsy, with underdeveloped characters, no world building, and a number of plot holes. The MC, Autumn, gets into a magical school. She and her mom automatically know exactly where the envelope is from when they receive it in the mail. So everyone knows about the supernatural? They live side by side? What are the rules? Where is the world building that creates this setting and information? Autumn is also 20....and just going away to school? Her insta-love boyfriend (this relationship is so ridiculous), Wade, is 23...and still waiting a year to go to college? Why have they both waited years?

As the story progresses Autumn moves in with her estranged father, and makes some new friends at her new school. I was really confused about this school however. With guidance counselors, a lunch room, bells that ring to signal class changes, and no dorms....this is high school...not college. College does not work like this. The actions and reactions of the characters read as high schoolers as well, not young adults in their 20's.

The story is full of potential with family secrets and an unknown magical world, and was an easy and quick read. It just wasn't developed enough for me to really enjoy it.

*I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

🔮 this was a super quick easy read.

Autumn is living her normal life wither her normal mum in a normal town. She receives a letter with her acceptance into Windhaven and all fees paid offer. She doesn’t know if she has powers or not so she struggles when deciding what route to go down.

Just as she decides it’s time to go and see if she fits in at Windhaven she meets Wade in the cemetery. They instantly fall for each other. He’s new in town and is looking after his sick grandfather as he’s got no family left. He’ll be joining her in Westhaven next semester.

They both go to orientation day and get sent home as two girls go missing. On their way back to the car Autumns car gets keyed by a young man. She doesn’t understand what it means. Veritas vos liberabit.

She befriends Cat and Colton the twins and Dominic (the guy to keyed her car) There’s a secret and everyone knows but Autumn. She’s lead down a path and her past starts to unfold. She’s missing years of her life.

Her friends, who happen to be her old friends help her piece things together but ultimately she has to figure her gifts out herself. Dominic the vandal sees things and knows she won’t safe with wade. I’m so exciting to see what comes next for Autumn.

My first NetGally book and I really enjoyed it! Thank you so much @carissa I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Also 50% of Royalties Donated to the American Cancer Society!