Cackle features little character development and even less plot as recently dumped Anne tries to make her way in a new town in upstate New York. Annie befriends beautiful and intriguing Sophie who just happens to live in a mansion and get her way everywhere she goes in their small village. Annie and Sophie spend all of their time together -- drinking, eating, talking, and playing dress up as Annie nurses her break up and Sophie works her hardest to convince Annie that she doesn't need her ex-boyfriend in her life. Sophie, however, isn't entirely human, and Annie notices this more and more. Will she choose to keep Sophie as a friend despite what she is or will she go running back to her ex-boyfriend?

I had a really hard time liking the main character. She drank like a fish. Her emotions were way out of control. She made poor choices. And then all of a sudden she had an epiphany and all was right in the world. Personally I didn't like her much after her sudden reversal either. This just wasn't the book for me.

When I started this book, I wasn't sure if I could get through it with my arachnophobia. But as I kept reading, I soon discovered that it wouldn't be a problem! I really liked The Return so I knew I needed to read this one immediately. I really liked the premise of this one and the writing was really great. The story was really propulsive and although I did not care for the ending when I first finished this one, upon further reflection, I think it ended really well. I would recommend this book to my customers.

Advanced reader copy thanks to NetGalley. So much fun. Magical realism with an emphasis on the magical. Heartbroken teacher, Annie, who’s spent a life putting too much emphasis on the importance of a man in her life, moves from the city to upstate New York where she takes a new job in a small, idyllic town. She quickly makes friends (or is friend seduced?) by the town witch, who’s had something of a love hate relationship with the townsfolk for, oh, hundreds of years. What ensues has the potential to be spooky, but stays at potential. It’s fun and light with beautiful and evocative details.

If you have ever felt the deep hurt of a long-term relationship breakup, you will empathize with Annie. Still bereft, and still in love with her ex, she moves from the city to a small upstate New York town that is beautiful, quaint, and populated with very friendly people. On her first day she meets beautiful, vivacious Sophie, who becomes her best friend. While the townspeople seem to fear Sophie, spiders seem to love her, and Annie begins to realize just what makes Sophie so special.

Cackle presents us with a character who is feeling weak and damaged, but finds she has some pretty tough choices to make. How best to move on and become the person she was meant to be? Does her future lie with reuniting with the boyfriend she has been pining for, or following the powerful path laid out by fascinating Sophie? This book has a fun vibe despite it’s definitely fitting in the horror genre. I enjoyed the witty dialogue, the suspenseful build-up of the plot, and the improbable friendship Annie has with a spider named Ralph. I also appreciated the various stabs at examining what makes a mutually-satisfying relationship, and perhaps I even learned a little along the way.

I read a pre-published copy of this book for free, but I absolutely recommend it for anyone looking for an entertaining read! Call it “horror lite” or just a great page-turner, but buy a copy and decide for yourself what choices you might make if given the chance! #Cackle #Netgalley

Cackle was a quick fun read. I enjoyed watching Annie come into her powers as she learned to believe in herself and trust her intuition. I would love to read a story about Sophie's back story, to learn more about what lead her to where she is now.

As Halloween approaches every year, besides the traditional tricks, treats, and crazy hyped up children buzzing around faster than Leatherface’s chainsaw goes, you can count on a few spooky, creepy, nightmarish gems to pop out of my personal favorite genre - the scarefest terrorland of horror. And what cackling lady of broomstick flights and child eating delights lives there? Why witches of course! While not a “horror” story per se - this witch tale did not disappoint.

These characters are relatable and ones you will find yourself rooting or cheering for. You have a taste of that age old love story- girl meets boy, girl falls in love with boy, girl and boy move in together- now girl becomes super clingy and boy secretly convinces and persuades girl to take a job in a new town, far away, by herself… cause he needs time … so away she goes, eyes down turned, no self confidence, knowing no one - as boy is secretly cheering, hitting the bars and conveniently dodging her calls … how romantic!!

We’ve all been told be careful who you talk to. So what happens when you accidentally friend the town witch - and you had no idea the town even HAD a witch?! Being new in town is rough enough, but what about all those side glares as you’re bopping around with your new bestie? I mean, yeah… maybe a few people in town told you she might be dangerous …

But she’s your friend isn’t she ? She cares about you doesn’t she? I mean, what’s a creepy ghost or two…or more… between friends. She wouldn’t hurt YOU would she? And all the spiders!! Full disclosure - as I have a true arachnophobia, the appearance of the spiders all over her new apartment that she kindly talked to and put outside ??? Yeah… I’d have burned that new apartment to the ground. The spider parts were my horror story! Except Ralph, now he was a super cute spider! Yet, I digress … trapped in the spider webs …

What happens when you may not be ready to call it quit quits with the ex boyfriend, but in not dumping him from your thoughts and worse… your cell phone … , you inadvertently make that witch killer mad … yikes!!

This sets your path for a truly fun read. This is one that I will pull out again and again at Halloween, and recommend to everyone! The fun story (even with the horrific spiders …eeekkkk) and the great writing made this a 4 out of 5 star read for me.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, #BerkleyPublishing, and the author Rachel Harrison for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

If I were you I would pre-order and add this treasure to your TBR now! It’s set for publishing Oct. 5, 2021.

I hope you have a spooktacular time with this one! Happy reading my friends!

This book is fun! What a hoot! After being dumped by her long term boyfriend Annie leaves Manhattan for the charm of small town Rowan. Feeling miserable Annie meets an older woman, Sophie, who takes her under her wing. Sophie empowers Annie, teaching her life is unusual and unique helping her discover who she really is and what she really wants. A fun read filled with witchcraft, ghosts and second chances. By the end the title makes sense becoming a perfect fit.

I thought this one had some writing reminiscent of Joanne Harris, which is really beautifully descriptive; I found myself wanting a glass of wine and a piece of good bread reading this. I thought the ending was good, it wasn't what I was expecting and the author didn't take the easy way out on it.

This will be a great Halloween read. At times the setting description would feel almost like a cozy book and then a scene would come along to remind me that it definitely was not. I was anticipating the next vivid scene throughout and was delighted each time they happened. This is not a typical witch book. Its unique, its memorable and I enjoyed it.

This novel needs to be made into a movie for adult fans of Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic.

Annie, having just suffered from a break up from her partner of 10 years, has relocated to the picturesque town of (I pictured Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls in my mind, right down to the gazebo!). It’s there, while wandering the town, she meets the mysterious and beautiful Sophie.

Sophie owns a large, ornate mansion outside of town ans befriends Annie immediately. Soon they’re making pies, drinking wine and spending weekends together having fabulous times together. But something is amiss. Sophie seems wonderful…but…off.

I’m gonna go ahead and call a spade a spade and say that Sophie is an old witch with lots of magic, though it’s implied. Annie doesn’t care one way or another - Sophie’s friendship has helped her move on from her breakup and has even made her feel great about herself. In fact, she’s feeling rushes of sharp feelings too. What could they be?

This is an easy novel though I wouldn’t go by the “freighting” description used in the blurb. Nothing scary about this story. I enjoyed it and the friendship between the two women.

I struggled with the rating for this book because the beginning was rough (underlined & italicized). I'll give you a synopsis. Sam, Sam, Sam, Sam, I can't believe I'm alone, Sam, Sam. I almost put the book down and DNF. I was waiting for Pet (this is what I called Annie whenever I thought about her when not reading because she was such a forgettable character I couldn't remember her name) to break out into Olivia Newton John's song "Sam.' Then she met Sophie. I'm 150% head over heels in love with Sophie; she is the saving grace of this book. Oh, and Ralph too. His little clothes!!

Sophie is sophisticated, 400 years old, knows what she wants in life and can be your best friend or worst enemy; just what I like in a person. I want to be her friend, I want her to make me clothes and tea and roast chicken, lol. I'm sad the book is over because I don't get to see if exacts revenge on anyone like she says she loves to do.

I'm not sure why they put frightening in the synopsis, besides a few ghosts popping up, nothing scary happens. There is some humor, Sophie is very sarcastic and Ralph is very cute, but its not really belly laugh/laugh out loud funny.

I'm wondering if there is going to be a second book because of the way the author left things. Two of the townsfolk are still very much skeptical of magic and Sophie. She kind of eludes to the fact that their families have been there for generations, and she has been a victim of attempted murder by the villagers hundreds of times throughout the centuries so maybe those two try to take things 'into their own hands.' Pet also comes into contact with an old acquaintance and she wants to help her and meet Sophie but never gets the opportunity. So that could be a possible story arc.

Anyways, maybe this review will help you see why I had a hard time rating this book. Rough beginning, too much Sam, all throughout the book really not just the beginning, Pet is annoying and forgettable, but Sophie is one of the best characters I have come across in a really long time. And I need Ralph in my life.

A delightful journey into growing into one's own power and witchiness! While the ways in which Annie was hesitant to embrace her truest self were sometimes frustrating, her behavior also was completely relatable to many readers.

This was such a fun read. I really enjoyed the arc of Annie's character and how her friendship with Sophie developed and evolved. It was really rewarding to read about Annie coming to terms with what she wanted from life and to become more autonomous in pursuing it.

After an unsatisfying break-up, HS teacher Annie moves from NYC to a charming small town upstate, where she makes friends with a beautiful and mysterious woman, Sophie, who seems to inspire fear and respect from the rest of the townspeople. As Annie becomes closer to Sophie, she learns more about her past, her powers, and what may lie in store for the future...

I adored this book, it was full of charm and suspense and unexpected humor! Ralph is an amazing character, I had read several sentences out loud to friends, and I will be recommending it for sure.

#Cackle #Edelweiss #NetGalley
What a great book about female empowerment and friendship! Cackle literally makes you cackle outloud. I highly recommend this book to horror fans and those who just love a great story.