I liked this book but the ending felt incredibly rushed. The slow build throughout to get to a somewhat unexplainable ending tainted the otherwise engaging mystery.

Claudia is a single parent with a child that is extremely “high strung”. She is constantly being called into the office of his school because of his behavior. She is at her wits end. But, when her friend suggests the Hawthorn School, she hopes she has found a solution.

The Hawthorn School has some unique techniques. Within the first couple of days, Claudia sees a new Henry. But, as time goes on, Claudia realizes there is more going on here than just a better behaved child.

Now…I hate to say this…and I did finish this book…but, I just didn’t like it. I don’t know if it is because it is a tad bit far fetched or if it just didn’t appeal to me. I also think Claudia is a bit gullible and that just didn’t sit well with me. I usually like “cult like” books. But, this one fell short

The narrator, Nan McNamara did a super job. Some narrators get on my nerves with the children’s voices. Nan did an excellent job with Henry.

I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.

The Hawthorne School
Sylvie Perry
Claudia Morgan is a single parent to her four-year-old son Henry. Her son is a problem and when his preschool meets with her reporting on his bad behavior, she is at a loss of what to do. There is a school close by yet in a rural area called the Hawthorne School. “Once a convent, The Hawthorne School reaches its gothic peaks toward heaven while small pale faces carved into the moldings gape in mute astonishment at the two people below.” The setting is beautiful with acres of wooded land and beautiful gardens; it is isolated and serene. When she visits the school, Zelma the Headmistress flatters her, telling her what a good parent she is. The curriculum of the school has an emphasis on art, music, and playing outdoors. She is convinced it would be good for Henry but how can she make it happen. Zelma allows Claudia to volunteer at the school to cover the cost.
Henry has a pleasant change in personality from attending the Hawthorne School; he comes home quiet instead of overflowing with resentment. There is something unsettling about the school: the building is kept cold, the headmistress is strange, Henry talks about rituals in the woods and peculiar policies. Claudia eventually grasps she is stuck in a maze of influences and control.
Author Sylvie Perry is a brilliant writer, “The Hawthorne School” is a psychological thriller that grabbed my interest from the start to finish. From the beginning of the book, I suspected there was a cult involved. I found it hard to believe that Claudia could so easily be taken in. Zelma found it easy to use behavioral modifications and menacing wordplay to indoctrinate Claudia.
Although this tale is predictable it is medieval, eerie, bleak, and frightening. It takes a while but about two thirds into the tale Claudia begins to realize all is not well; she comes across as gullible, immature, and naive.
This tale could be ripped from the headlines.

A super intriguing premise, that falls completely flat. The characters feel hopeless and unrelatable, and the plot was basically spelled out from Chapter 1. Wanted to love this one, but was just marginally entertained.

Claudia's son Henry is difficult. Wild and precocious, his teachers and mother both have a hard time taming him. On yet another visit to the classroom, after yet another frustrating day, a suggestion gets made in a moment of exhaustion. The Hawthorne School.

A mecca of alternative learning in the style of Swedish forest schools, Claudia gets an appointment at this prestigious institution. The second they walk through the doors they instantly feel at home, as though bathed in calmness and serenity. With a focus on play and music and art, this school seems too good to be true.

She's instantly drawn to the headmaster Helga, who is ready to bring Claudia and Henry in with open arms. Claudia's anxiety builds at how a single mother can afford to send her son here. The Hawthorne School has a solution for that too, in the form of volunteer hours which she happily agrees to.

But the more time she spends at The Hawthorne School, the more questions arise, as Henry starts to mention rituals the students participate in the deeps of the woods. Where are the children going, and where are the other parents?

While this is a story at it's heart about the depths a parent will go to for their child, I struggled with the naivete of Claudia. Her motivations in many situations were suspect, even acknowledging (spoiler) that she was being drugged. She's engulfed in flames asking if someone turned the heat on.

I love cult stories, and I wish that section of the novel was flushed out. I wish the characters were a little more believable. I went to an alternative school growing up so I should've been the exact audience for this one.

2,5 Stars rounded down.

THE HAWTHORN SCHOOL was a twisted suspense story that will resonate with you after you read the final page. Sylvie Perry has taken her studies in psychology and wound them tightly into the actions of the characters in her book.
Claudia is a message therapist who moves to Illinois after the death of her mother. Looking for a fresh start and some help with her unruly four-year-old son, Henry, she decides to enroll him at the Hawthorn School. The headmistress is charismatic, and the lessons include art, music, and plenty of time in nature, so Claudia's convinced it's the best place for Henry. When Henry is there, he has a calmer attitude, and Claudia thinks the school is a perfect fit for her family. However, after she has worked inside its walls as a volunteer, Claudia begins to suspect that there may be more to the school, and the people who roam its halls, than she previously thought.
I enjoyed the story. I wasn't surprised to learn that the author had experience studying manipulative behaviors.
The narrator, Nan McNamara, skillfully jumped through a cast of characters flawlessly. She spoke the voice I envisioned for Zelma Huxley so well, and the voices of the male characters did not seem forced or too deep.
I recommend the story to experienced readers who enjoy true crime, psychological elements, and suspense.
I was given a free copy of the audiobook by NetGalley and Dreamscapes Media for my honest review. My opinion of the story is my own.

This is NOT a thriller. If you are like me, a mom who’s raised a couple of kids, this book might make you scream out loud. Claudia is mother to a 4 year old who, in my opinion is a complete brat. He kicks things. He puts toothpaste all over the apartment. He throws tantrums. Claudia is at her wits’ end when she hears of the Hawthorne School. At first Henry is simply a student who seems to like a new environment. But it soon becomes apparent that something sinister is going on. Parents and students are being drugged. The son of the founder is coming and he wants Henry for his own. This book stretches belief. 2.5 stars

4.25 stars

This one was suspenseful and interesting, if a bit predictable. From pretty much the first or second chapter, I wanted to scream at the protagonist that she was walking into a cult situation, but it was fun to see how it all unfolded. It wasn’t necessarily a fully unique plot line, but the ending didn’t happen exactly how I thought it would, and I did enjoy the story and characters quite a bit.

If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, right? Claudia is in need of a helping hand. Her mother just passed away. Her son, Henry, is a handful to say the least. Henry’s father took off so Claudia is all on her own in a new town with no friends. After another horrible report from Henry’s preschool teacher Claudia is frustrated. She goes to check out an Uber private school with zero chances of actually getting Henry in. After the walk through the headmistress Zelma assures Claudia they can make it work. But will it?

Super creepy setting & characters that are a little too koolaid drinking to be trusted. This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

The Hawthorne School by Sylvia Perry is just a mild psychological thriller for me. I do admire the narration by McNamara. She delivered the perfect emotions vocally which I think is very essential in an audiobook.

Claudia is a desperate single mother of Henry, age 4. She felt that something is not right and normal around Henry yet, she continued to ignore all the hints her wAy. Following an accidental advise from a former school admin, she enrolled Henry at Hawthorne school after the child’s situation and attitude towards everything became unbearable for anybody. With high hopes, Claudia is convinced that she made the best parenting decision by enrolling Henry at Hawthorne’s despite her inability to pay the institution’s financial requirement.

Though I understand what Claudia is up to, I despise her impulsiveness, her insecurity and her doubt towards her own gut feeling. But, that is what makes the story thrilling. It could easily be a five-star read for me but I am lacking of the satisfaction!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook copy in exchange of an honest review.

Overall, I enjoyed the narration for The Hawthorne School. Children’s voices done by adults often do not hit the mark for me. While the adult voices from McNamara were well suited, the child’s voices were too childish, if that makes sense.

Claudia is not my favorite character. A mother of an out of control child who knows that something is too good to be true, feels that something is off, is told by many people something is off, but continues to push those feelings aside …. it’s like the commercial of the 4 teens being chased by a masked murderer and deciding that hiding in the barn, with all the sharp farm tools, is the best decision. Major eye rolling!

What I did love is the gothic school within the story. The cover is fabulous! The descriptions of the school were so cool and creepy, I wanted more, way more! But only bits and pieces were scattered around for the reader and that was a true shame. I wanted to know what went on behind closed doors, what was happening that couldn’t be shown through just Claudia’s perception.

I feel like this easily could have been a 5 star read with this theme. Instead it felt like a non-thriller Thriller. No surprises, no twists. A main character that isn’t likable and seems to be a bit dim-witted for not catching on sooner. A plot that you can see from Chapter 1 with a journey that spends way too much time on how the character feels about what’s happening around her (literally the first 2 hours of the books she laments about …. how she wants her child to go to Hawthorne Academy but knows she can’t afford it, but takes him for a tour anyway, even though she can’t afford it and on and on).

A great concept that unfortunately missed its mark.

Saving Henry

This story hits you psychologically. It deals with mind control of children. It is very frightening as it develops very slowly and by the time you and your child are taken in by this school it is too late.

Claudia wanted the best for her son Henry. She was having trouble with him adjusting in the preschool and she was a bit overwhelmed with not knowing how to handle him to make things better. She was on her own as Henry's father was not around to help. She heard about the Hawthorne school from the preschool and then found out her neighbor's daughter attended the school. She thought it would be the best for Henry and he seemed to adjust well to it.

In order to pay for Henry to attend the school Claudia took a job there and then she went to work there. It seemed like a wonderful opportunity for her and Henry. That is until she realized what was happening to her and Henry and what the school was all about. Then it was too late and she was trapped.

Can Claudia escape and take Henry away from the school with their lives? Will anyone else at the school help? How can she do this, no money, no job, no car how will she manage?

It is scary to think that this could actually happen to anyone, especially a single mom or dad. It was written in a way that seemed very real. It was a good story and I enjoyed listening to it. I would recommend it.

Thanks to Sylvie Perry for writing a great story, for Nan McNamara for a great narrating job and for Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for making it available to me.

This was a creepy psychological thriller. Claudia is struggling with her four-year old son's behavioral problems and when he is kicked out of his pre-school, the Hawthorne School is recommended to her as a school that might be suitable for her son's needs. After being accepted into the school, with Claudia agreeing to do substantial volunteer work in exchange for the hefty tuition, her son's behavior while at the school seems to change for the better. It is a peculiar school with most of the focus is not on academics but on spending time outdoors, and eating and drinking only healthy foods and drinks. Those smoothies and teas that seem to be the only things offered sure did make me suspicious. As the book went on, things just started to get weird and creepier.

The audiobook kept my interest throughout, although I have to say that the speed was a little too fast and slowing it down made it sound echoey. I kept it on the faster speed and was able to understand it but had to really pay attention. Overall, I really enjoyed this audiobook.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audiobook galley.

I thought it was a really good audiobook. I recommend it. Parenting, friendships, relationships, cults, what more could you ask for? Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to review this title.

I enjoyed this audio book. The narrator was excellent and kept it interesting.The other built up the suspense. Claudia may have made unpopular choices but it made the story binge-worthy !
Claudia and her young son, Henry, are new in town. Claudia works as a massage therapist and Henry is in preschool. He is more than a disobedience problem. He is a teacher’s nightmare and it is hard on his mother at home also.
Between her new friend in the apartment complex and his preschool teacher, Henry is recommended to attend The Hawthorne school.
The Hawthorne school is based on the real life Forest schools of Norway I had to research this and it’s an interesting complex.
The Hawthorne school is a creepy, complex place that takes over the lives of Claudia and Henry. Until they are living and working there. The Hawthorn school is a mystery, Gothic horror story. I recommend the book and author
Thanks NetGalley for a chance to read for my review

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I have to say that I listened to this audiobook in a day and as I was drawn to the story I just kept thinking how clueless the main character was. Ha I don't know if the author wanted her to be so clueless? Was it because she was such a young mom? But I just kept thinking how does she not see how weird this school is and how weird these people are. All in all it was an interesting story. It was just very predictable to me. I knew exactly what was going to happen.

The Hawthorne School is a slow, steady psychological thriller. The mystery develops nicely but there are no intense, edge-of-your-seat moments

The book was engaging if a little predictable. I enjoyed the story but spent most of the time wondering how the protagonist, Claudia, could be so thick. All the clues were there but she just couldn't follow any of them until 3/4 of the way through the book. Then I realized that there were dozens of victims before Claudia, which makes me wonder how they found that many people even denser than her. I had to suspend disbelief.

Claudia Morgan is a stressed out, overwhelmed, single mother. Her rambunctious four year old son Henry, is out of control, especially at preschool. When Claudia hears about a prestigious school with unusual teaching methods, that is close to her home, she believes she has found the answer to her problems.

The Hawthorn school is majestic and beautiful. She believes it had everything that Henry needs: room to play outside, arts and crafts, and music. The headmistress Zelda even offered to work out the tuition with Claudia by allowing her to volunteer at the school. Claudia couldn’t be more thrilled. In addition, Henry’s behavioral issues have become a thing of the past.

However, when Henry comes home with stories about schools strange rules and ceremonies in the woods, Claudias parental instincts kick in.

I enjoyed this creepy mystery. I listened to the audiobook which did a great job at bringing the story to life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this arc.

It was good. Mom kinda clueless but it was fun to listen too. I love cults, trying to understand them and whatnot. I was missing the creepy factor for me. I know i say this alot but it could have been so much more.

Thanks NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC.

This book drew me in with the gothic dark boarding school vibes, and the atmosphere of the book did not disappoint.

Claudia, for the most part is a single-mom and is doing her very best taking care of her 4 year old son Henry. When she meets Maggie, another single mom and learns about the exclusive Hawthorne School that has really transformed Maggie and her daughter's life, Claudia is hooked! Unfortunately, she learns that the school is very expensive, but Maggie encourages her to meet with the headmistress anyways to discuss. To Claudia's absolute surprise, they offer Henry a scholarship in exchange for some volunteer work.

From there, things get weird quickly. Unfortunately for Claudia, she does not realize these weird things that are happening. I am sure EVERYONE else could see what was happening, which was very frustrating! Overall, a spooky thriller that is worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.