This book was magical. After a tragic end to her marriage, Mila, her mother, and her daughter move to Cornwall from London to restore an old home that they will turn into a guesthouse. Strange things happen in their valley and there is a lot of unsavory history in their home, but most everything turns out in the end.

I really enjoyed the characters and their individual stories. I loved the mythology and history of Cornwall. Something about the author’s writing kept me enraptured the whole time I read this!

I loved the mystical element of this book, and the characters, and the atmospheric writing. It took me to a different world.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster for accepting my request to read and review The White Hare.

Author. Jane Johnson
Published: 10/04/22
Genre: Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction

Good storytelling to a point. Johnson drew me in almost immediately. I was fully invested through where I think the book should have stopped, and didn't, at roughly 75-80%. The story really was over, and I was content and felt good choosing to spend my time reading The White Hare. Johnson continued to write, and I was bored. I lost interest in the tale. I sit here now and wonder if she is setting up a sequel? If so, I won't be reading it.

I am not a fan of myths and/or fantasy; should there be a sequel, I can only see the myth expanded on, and that is not for me. This had just enough where I didn't have to think too hard and I didn't over think the tales. I do attribute Johnson's writing for keeping me invested.

I do think the book was too long, prior to my 75-80% cut-off. There were a couple tangents that didn't bode well and feel like filler.

Overall, I thought the story was clever and the setting was a character in itself.

3.5 stars, not rounding up -- Sadly, there was several PC F-bombs, and they were not necessary.

This was a fun atmospheric book good for cold windy fall weather. The story of three women and their relationships full of mystery and a sence of menace.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book!

Magical realism + England setting is a good start for me. Good book for those who have a hard time settling into a single genre- there's a bit of mystery but not spooky or twisty. The plot moves a bit slow for me (maybe because of all the thrillers I've been reading recently), but with the proper mindset, I don't think the slower plot does a disservice to the book. There's a love story, some mystery, a scandal, all set among the green and misty Cornwall coast. Would be a good book for those who have like Sarah Addison Allen or Alice Hoffman books.

The White Hare tells the story of a Mila, who, in 1954 moves to the wilds of Cornwall with her mother and daughter to escape her past in London. Her mother, Gerda, has plans for the house they bought and daughter Janey sees the magic hidden in their new home and surrounding area. Beautifully written with magic and mystery, Mila finds new friends and confidence in her new spot. I enjoyed this book so much and highly recommend it.

Beautifully written. Honestly I couldn’t put it down once I started reading. The story is complex and captivating. Full of detail and wonder. There are a few things I’m tired a seeing so overplayed in stories lately but that really did not effect the overall story.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved Jane Johnson's "Sea Gate", so was super excited when I was accepted for the ARC. I felt like nothing really happened. Yes it's a historical fiction, but other than being set in the 50s that's it. A few odd comments about the War but other than that it could have been set in any era. The only time something happened was very very late (maybe 80% through?). Overall not my favourite, but I'm hoping that the next Jane Johnson can win me over again!! Did I buy a print copy cause the cover was so stinkin cute? Heck yeah man!!

Thank you so much for the ARC!!

Read if you like: second chances, new life
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Magda, Mila, and Janey leave London in the 1950s to make a new life in Wales. There’s buy an old house to turn into a guest house and as renovations begin, strange things start to happen and they learn about the ancient history of the area!
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This was an intriguing book. I loved the magical realism and ancient history aspects, as well as the strong female characters and mysteries. I wanted to keep reading to learn more about the house and its history! Highly recommend!

This absorbing, magical novel, set in 1950s Cornwall, focuses on 'all those things in life we sense but cannot know.'

In 1954 Cornwall, Mila has purchased a neglected house with an uncanny reputation in the White Valley. She, her 5-year-old daughter Jane, and her difficult mother Magdalena move there to escape scandal.

On their arrival, an enormous white hare greets them. They learn of the Lady, whose realm is the White Valley. They meet and befriend meet WW II veteran Jack Lord, whose past is gradually revealed.

The White Hare is an absorbing, magical read, highly recommended!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for e revire based upon my honest opinion.

This was a good read, not my favourite book by this author but still I enjoyed readng it. Who doesnt' love a crumbling estate in the wilderness of Cornwall. Deep in the White Valley, the estate sits, with stories of trouble and grief, locals do not go there. When Mila and her mother, Magda, sell everything and set up home with the hopes of rebuilding and renovating the home to its former glory, the locals are sceptical and Magda has a hard time finding workers, then Jack arrives and with his help things go more smoothly. As Mila and Jack grow closer, there are strange goings on in the valley, Mila's daughter, Janey, seems to have an affinity with her toy rabbit, but is she referrring to another entity when she speaks of the rabbit, perhaps the rumored white hare. What are the secrets of the White Valley and is seeing the white hare a blessing or a curse?

I found this book was a little wordy in spots but overall a very emjoyable story.

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒
This was such a neat story. It had the feel and ambiance of a classic, but with that modern magical element twist, and it made for a very enjoyable read indeed.

Written quite descriptively, I found I had to slow down while reading this, to ensure that I was fully appreciating the tone that was being set.

While I didn’t find myself particularly invested in the characters themselves, and had a bit of whiplash from the character development of Magda, my favourite character was that of the house in White Valley and area of Cornwall. I knew little to nothing about Cornish history when starting this novel, but I was deeply compelled to look into the Celtic and Pagan traditions and themes that were explored within this book, and I’m so happy I did. I found this historical undercurrent added a layer that breathed a life and richness into this novel.

This is the type of book where I was propelled not by emotion, but by the story itself. A lore-infused historical fiction treasure.

~ 👩🏻‍🦰

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The White Hare is about Mila uprooting her life after unfortunate events and moving to the a rural Cornish town with her daughter and mother. They plan to renovate the house they've bought and turn it into a bed and breakfast type of place to start over in their lives.

The rest of the review may contain mild spoilers so read at your own risk.
Well, I really did not enjoy this book because I disliked the main character Mila immensely. I hated how she was so weak, never could stand up to her mother even she physically abused her daughter, did not take her daughter seriously even when the daughter was acting possessed and chalking it up to " oh that's just her wild imagination", not being attentive to her daughter at all and losing her multiple times, falling in love with a stalker/creepy guy WHO SECRETLY LIVES IN HER HOUSE and allowing this creepy man TO SPEND TIME WITH HER DAUGHTER.

The folklore part was okay I guess but I was so annoyed by the main character that I did not really care about the story.

This is a slowwww book where very little happens and you just get madder and madder. Wasn't for me I guess.

"The White Hare" blends magic, historical mystery, and atmospheric Cornwall in an enjoyable read from author Jane Johnson.

Three generations find themselves living together in a run-down home in Cornwall. The home renovation is a project for Magda and her daughter Mila, who is raising her daughter Janey as a single mom. Mila is still reeling from an unpleasant break-up with Janey's dad. Magda and Mila have a tense, often unpleasant relationship. The imaginative, and possibly super-naturally gifted Janey is exhibiting puzzling behaviors. Throw in a mysterious stranger or three, and the tale develops.

The novel is long and a little slow and steady in plot development. That isn't a bad thing, necessarily, as it allows the reader time to immerse themselves in the time and place.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In the summer of 1954, three generations of women moved to White Cove by the sea in Cornwall. With grand hopes of turning the home into a guest house (Magda) and fleeing scandal (Mila), this rural retreat seems ideal. But the idyllic spot is less than ideal. The valley has a long, violent history, and the land remembers.

Like many children, five-year-old Janey is attached to her stuffed animal, Rabbit. Unlike many children’s toys, though, this rabbit seems to impart the wisdom of ages and secrets of the valley.

As the three women find their place in a notoriously unwelcoming community, they find that the past can’t stay hidden for long. This is a story about mother/daughter relationships, the sacred feminine, and the power of friendship. The characters are well-developed, the plot kept me turning the pages, and I was left wanting more.

The White Hare provides a wonderful, spooky read that remains rewarding throughout. I have run up against so many books lately that begin with promise, but lose course, that I can't begin to say how grateful I am for a title that I never once considered abandoning.

The White Hare has plot elements that are familiar: outsiders come to a small community and are made less than welcome; there's a strange man who keeps showing up, but has no known address; the local priest is determined to stamp out paganism; other members of the community practice the old ways; the sea broods; past horrors are alluded to, but never explained.

Our outsiders in this case are a trio of women: grandmother and mother are both Polish immigrants who immigrated to the UK at the start of WWII; the daughter, Janey, not quite school-age, is UK-born. The two older women are both fleeing their own traumas, but Janey remains content with her rabbit-toy best friend and eager to explore the forests and beaches near her new home. But then Rabbit disappears—and reappears—and suddenly conversations between Janey and Rabbit become more mysterious and esoteric.

One of the joys of this title is the way it steadily builds a sense of menace, but also sustains a sense of hope. I kept waiting for the moment of horror that would ruin the book for me, but—despite plenty of unworldly events—that moment never came.

If you like "gothic" (not quite the right word here, but I'll go with it) fiction, but aren't interested in bloodbaths, you are going to *love* The White Hare. The balance of unease and comfort offered by the book lets readers walk a fine edge without a sudden fall to either side.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGallet; the opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book was an interesting mix of family relationships, romance, and magical realism. I enjoyed the magical realism part the most I think, once I realized that it was the key to the book. I was a little frustrated by the relationships/romance parts, since I had a little problem with the lack of character development - particular with Mila.

I could understand Magda's nastiness, once she explained it all to Mila, although I thought her changes were a little drastic - okay, chalk it up to the magical influences of the White Hare. But Mila's behavior was inexplicable. Why in the world did she do whatever her mother ordered, including turning all her financial resources over to her mother? I realize that she had been emotionally abused by her mother for much of her life, but still....... And it appeared that she had a pattern of falling for any nice looking man who showed the slightest interest in her.

After getting frustrated by this for awhile, I decided to ignore character development, and just approach this as a mystical book, with the characters as a vehicle for the White Hare to wield her powers. This worked a lot better for me, and allowed me to just relax and enjoy the truly lovely writing.

This was a long one and I was glad I had it as an e-book so that I could read bits here and there throughout my days and make my way through it. I really enjoyed the writing and the mystery element of the plot, however the ending fell a little flat for me. Perhaps because it was such a long build that I expected more. There was a strong element of Cornish folklore and history woven into the story and for fans of historical fiction, you may really enjoy this.

I had mixed feelings while reading The White Hare. While I wanted to love the story, there were things I loved and things that were just okay.
There is quite an eclectic cast of characters that will grab the reader's imagination. I could not quite connect with the main character and totally disliked her mother. But as the story progressed I found the story entertaining. While a little slow at times, the plot was interesting with a few unexpected twists.
One of the things I loved was the atmospheric setting of White Cove that almost appeared as a character itself. The beautiful and vivid descriptions appeal to the senses, promising to draw the reader into the Cornish setting filled with mysterious folklore.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This entrancing historical fiction takes place in 1954-55, following the story of Mila, a young mother to precocious Janey, and her mother Magda. Mila's relationship with Janey's father has fallen apart and her domineering mother has decided to remove the small family to a neglected manor house in Cornwall, where she plans to open a guest house. But strange things, omens and portents, haunt the family as they begin renovations on the house, starting with a vision of a large white hare as the family first visits the house.

Deftly woven into the narrative are threads of ancient magic and the White Lady who guards the lands the house stands on, as well as some contemporary history in the post-war years. Mila's character arc is inspiring. She goes from an unsure-of-herself somewhat mousy young mother to a more confident, vibrant woman as she and her daughter come to love the house and the lands they now inhabit. The supporting cast of characters in the village, including the overly pious churchman, the artist/healer couple who continue to honor the old ways, and the intially enigmatic love interest, are all drawn with distinct personalities and contribute to the story seamlessly.

I really enjoyed escaping with this book and the author obviously knows her homeland of Cornwall, as she describes the natural world in glowing detail and tons of history, from ancient tribes to small village pettiness, from golden torcs to rock carvings, in such a way that I want to hop the next plane across the pond and immerse myself in this world. A highly entertaining book, well written, with lots to keep historical fiction fans turning the pages. Perfect for fans of Susanna Kearsley.