Do you like women's fiction and stories of mothers & daughters? If so, then this is a book that you should read. Set in Cornwall, this is a story of love, magic, and what can happen when you try to restore an old home. This was a delight to read.

Thanks to Simon & Shuster and NetGalley for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

Mila thinks “We’re not living in a fairy tale,” but there are elements of folklore, legends, myths, and magical qualities that make this an engrossing 5-star read. Any book that is recommended to fans of Kate Morton and Alice Hoffman sets me up for an atmospheric story of family, old houses, secrets, and mysteries. This one has all that and more.

Mila, her young daughter Janey, and her mother Magda have invested all their money to purchase a remote and neglected old house in Cornwall above the beach, on the edge of a forest. They intend to renovate and restore it to its former glory, with Magda planning to throw glamorous parties while Mila just wants a place to rebuild her life and raise her daughter. The superstitious local villagers hint at the house’s dark reputation while imaginative Janey seems to have connected with a mystical white hare that offers protection, guidance, and perhaps even answers to the mysteries that are slowly revealed.

The novel is told from Mila’s point of view, with much of the focus on the broken relationship between Mila and her mother Magda. This drama plays out against some of the other characters’ narratives as we learn more about them and the history of the area. The lush, wild forest is almost a character itself, providing a timeless atmospheric backdrop to this story that takes place in 1954. It also includes secret stairways, an ancient cryptic symbol that keeps turning up, and the feeling of a presence. As Mila says, “It’s not threatening – not to us, anyway – but just a sense of being watched, or maybe watched over. A sort of awareness, much larger than we are.”

Themes of strong women, family, mothers and daughters, healing and forgiveness blend with the magical and mystical aspects of folklore, restorative herbal concoctions, and a bit of romance, too. I thoroughly enjoyed this rich, timeless story with a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend it.

An interesting read combining Celtic legends with post war Cornwall. Magdalena and her daughter Mila purchase a large, neglected house fairly cheaply – perhaps due to its mysterious history – with plans to return turn it to its prior glory and into a venue for parties. Mila brings her young daughter Janey who is never without her stuffed rabbit. When Janey begins spouting things that Rabbit has told her and the family at times get a quick glance of a white hare, Mila begins to wonder if some of the legends about the area are indeed true. Throw in other characters like the Rector who is all too happy to involve himself in Magdalena & Mila’s life, the young man back from the war who grew up in the area and clearly dislikes the Rector, as well as numerous locals with histories of their own.

Escaping a scandal in London, Mila and her 5-year-old daughter go with Mila’s mother, Magda, to live in an old house in Cornwall. It’s 1954, and the house has sat empty since before the war. Magda plans to renovate White Cove into a guest house, and Mila is going along with her strong-willed parent’s direction because she has no other options.

The house has a history, however, and locals are wary of the newcomers. Some in the area are also superstitious: centuries before, people worshiped the Lady, who protected the land and its inhabitants. While Christianity came in and aimed to erase the pagan ways (through bloody means), signs of those old ways remain. It’s said that the white hare is the Lady’s expression in the world, and when the little family drive into the valley the first night, Mila and her daughter think they see a white hare in the road.

Little Janey, a bright and imaginative girl, shares many stories about what she learns about the area from her stuffed toy, Rabbit. Mila is proud of her daughter and wants her to feel happy, secure and loved. But sometimes what Janey shares is a little unnerving.

They meet Jack Lord, a man who has come to the area after serving in the military during the war. He’s putting that behind him and working odd jobs to get by. Janey, Mila and Magda all like him, and he them. But Mila is having a hard time letting go of Janey’s father and her heartbreak, and Jack is not sharing much about himself or his background. Their secrets, their resistance to openness, are walls blocking the possibilities that may exist between them.

As the plot progresses, readers and the characters learn more about the bad event that took place at the house two decades before. Pieces of the mystery pop up and come together. The supernatural plays small parts to nudge along the resolution.

The story and Johnson’s writing style reminded me a lot of Kate Morton or Susanna Kearsley. The setting, the far west of Cornwall on the sea, is drenched in mystery, old magic and layer upon layer of rich history. It has such a sense of place. Echoes, imprints, of the events of the far and near past are absorbed into the land.

The White Hare is wonderfully written and just the kind of story that I love. It draws the reader in to an atmospheric setting that simply feels quietly magical, drawing upon legends, and then tells a tale of mystery and old secrets. I recommend it.

THE WHITE HARE by Jane Johnson is recommended for fans of Kate Morton (The House at Riverton and other titles) and I wholeheartedly concur. From the very opening quote, "There is no such thing as an innocent landscape," to the final page, this novel is filled with suspenseful secrets and a sense of foreboding. Three generations, stylish Magda ("don’t call me Granny"); her daughter Mila (recently jilted by a bigamist); and five-year-old Janey (wise beyond her years) are intent on beginning a new life in Cornwall during 1954. There, they plan to renovate a house know as White Cove and encourage paying guests. But the locals keep alluding to bad history associated with the house and each of the woman senses another presence at times. This is a wonderful tale with allusions to folklore and to a much more recent mystery. While it's sometimes difficult to believe that a child as young as Janey is allowed to roam so freely, the story is extremely atmospheric, the characters are genuine, and the rural setting beautifully depicted. Johnson even offers a taste of romance and utilizes the Prusiks' Polish origins to frame thoughts on belonging and acceptance. THE WHITE HARE received a starred review from Library Journal. Other read-alikes might include The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield or Eve Chase's Black Rabbit Hall.

I haven't felt this kind of connection to fiction about complicated family since Chocolat. History and superstition meld together with glimpses of the unexplained for a well-paced read about making our way through the complications of family. And family history. Ugly family history.
I loved the remote seaside setting in the rambling mansion. I loved Janey's character and her rabbit - her intuitiveness and grown-up-ness. The tension between Magdalena and Mila was palpable and raw. Identifiable. We all have people in our lives, family or not, from whom we accept scars. People we can't live with and can't live without.
This was such an atmospheric read. I would definitely pick up more from Jane Johnson.

4.5/5 Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An eerie, fantastical tale taking place in 1954 in a Cornwall valley where history and memories run deep.

Mila, her mother Magda, and her daughter Janie, buy an old run down house in a rural Cornwall valley and move in. Most of the other villagers are wary of outsiders and they find their reception varies greatly. The old house needs a lot of work and they get going. The plan is to make the place into a guest house to attract city people for a country getaway. Mila feels that her mother is treating her as a slave and young Janie is often left to explore the place on her own. There are many inexplicable occurrences involving blue/white light, a white hare, and old stone carvings; and yet there are many other odd happenings that do end up having very reasonable explanations. The valley has a history full of folklore and an unusual, haunting atmosphere at times; plus a little magical element.

The characters are well written, although five year old Janie is a little too precocious. It is a very interesting and well written story about a mother, daughter, and granddaughter trying to start a new life. Mila’s new friends in the valley are all a little odd which adds to the intrigue along with Janie’s vivid imagination. Reading this makes you want to visit, walk through the forest, and trudge down to the sea to experience it all. I really enjoyed reading this delightful tale encouraging people to look to the future and not dwell on past mistakes.

What a great fall read! The White Hare by Jane Johnson gets me in the mood to curl up under a cozy blanket and read for hours on end. It is a little creepy and spooky, but not scary. There is some witchcraft and magic, but nothing over the top. There is a mystery but things turn out well without being cheesy. This book is just fantastic!

I loved the characters and their transformations over time, especially Jack and Magda. The setting was also top notch. Now, I simply must visit Cornwall. What a place!

After reading this book, I was happy to learn that Jane Johnson has a great collection of other books. Her writing drew me in and was oh so beautiful. Can't wait to read more of her work.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy. All opinions are my own.

The White Hare has perfect timing coming out in the Halloween season. The book is not scary and has only a touch of witchcraft. There is a cemetery, a big church, and a few ghosts haunting places but they are keeping most safe. It is set in Cornwall and and that climate reminds me of fall. The Celtic mythology woven through the story. Ms. Johnson’s descriptions of the manor house and the carriage house were vivid. She makes you was to visit the Cornwall country side.

Mila, Magda, and Janie buy an old home to fix up and become a bed and breakfast type place after Mila faces a scandal and flees London. Magda is Mila’s mother. She is trying to protect her daughter and grand daughter but in the beginning she does not get it right. Mila is a good mother to Janie with great patience. Not sure how many people would be receptive to a stuffed rabbit toy with much knowledge or her daughter being taken over by a voice from many years ago. There is a mystery woven through the story that is resolved in the end so the book does not leave you hanging and waiting for the second.

There is much love and friendship in this book. Of course, there are villains past and present. It is a lovely story that will keep you turning pages.

#netgalley #JaneJohnson #TheWhiteHare

The White Hare takes place in 1950s Cornwall, when Mila and her daughter Janey are dragged there from London by Mila's mother, Magda. Mila has found out that her husband is living a double life, so her mother does what she believes is best for Mila and Janey. They move into a centuries-old house on the sea in White Cove. Once they move in and begin renovating, they have strange encounters with a hare. They also feel a strong, watchful presence that seems to be protective rather than threatening. All the while, they keep running into the strange and not always welcoming people of the town, who have their fair share of secrets.

This novel reminded me a lot of the The Lighthouse Witches, but not quite as thrilling and horrific. A great story that combines folklore with hidden secrets and treasures. As the novel goes on, a lot of secrets are unearthed about the women and other characters, making it very enthralling. I almost enjoyed reading the Author's Note at the end even more than the novel! The folklore in some of these ancient locations is fascinating. Definitely a great way to kick off the eerie Fall season!

Arriving at White Cove in Cornwall, Mila and her daughter Janey want to start their new life away from the drama of divorce. The mystical white hare appears to Janey through her Rabbit, seeming to know that both mother and daughter need protection from many hurts. Mystical and mesmerizing, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

There is something so timeless and classical about The White Hare. From the moment I laid eyes on the cover until I finished the very last page was like a trance.

The White Hare is a beautiful story. The three main characters in this book are the daughter, the mother, and the grandmother. While the two books are extremely different, this one still gave me Flowers In the Attic vibes. I adore the mother and daughter characters. I loved the way the grandmother's bad behavior is explained but not excused. We get to see her mistakes, hardships and regrets that allow us to see her as human but in a way that romanticize her behavior. This entire book is just excellently crafted. It has a great plot, a great flow, great characters, just great everything. With a hint of magic this captivating story will steal your heart and make you believe in happy endings.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoy Hallmark movies. It has everything a Hallmark movie lover could ever wish for in a book.

I found The White Hare to be a captivating, magical historical fiction that is perfect for a cozy night in. This is my first book by Jane Johnson, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
I loved how atmospheric her writing was throughout the book. I felt like I was actually at the Cornwall setting while reading. The characters were (mostly) likable and relatable, and the story kept me engrossed in the story.
The Author’s Note at the end was worth the read- I love how she wove personal experiences from herself and her family with the history, culture and folklore of the area throughout the book.
Overall, an enjoyable read, especially if you like historical fiction with a magical, witchy theme woven throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

This is one of those books that felt like it was written just for me. A novel built around setting and atmosphere, where local folklore and legends are central to the story made this the perfect read for me. Johnson does a wonderful job of crafting suspense and this, plus the setting on the Cornish coast, reminded me of Daphne du Maurier. The characters feel real and Johnson does a wonderful job of taking her time and letting the reader get to know them. We go on their journey with them as they learn to reconcile the past with the present and it is both beautiful and heartbreaking. This book was filled with magic, both real and figurative

The White Hare by Jane Johnson takes place in Cornwall in the early 1950s replete with loneliness and Cornish superstition, ghosts and all. Mila, her mother, Magda, and her daughter Janey have fled London and used the money they have to purchase this run-down house and refurbish it, ostensibly to open a bed and breakfast. Mila wonders who would be interested in wandering this far afield to stay. Plus, the house is a wreck. It was her settlement, the one her mother had wrenched out of Mila’s “husband.” It turns out he was not her husband as he already had a wife. Mila had loved him and still missed him. She didn’t get along all that well with her mother and it was obvious whose elbow grease was going to bring the house back to its former glory. Janey was a bright little thing and spent her time exploring the area. She has a constant companion, a stuffed rabbit named “Rabbit” who has seen betters days, but she loves him and often spoke through him. There also seemed to be a hanger-on at the house named Jack Lord, who actually was quite helpful, doing much of the repair work himself, as the team they had hired were pretty useless.

What they discovered and where it led them is the bulk of the story, and a terrific one it was. Some of it was “treasure,” and some of it was information. The people nearby came to consider them less as outsiders and more as residents. The plot was well thought-out and interesting. The characters fit the plot to a T and made this a very compelling story, showing how truly unfeeling and self-centered some people can be. Mila recovered from her “marriage,” Magda grew up and found purpose as well as repairing her relationship with her daughter, and Janey continued being the gem she always had been.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The White Hare by Simon & Schuster Canada, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #Netgalley #SimonAndSchusterCanada #JaneJohnson #TheWhiteHare

I really enjoyed this book! The mystery, the history, the home restorations, the family dynamics, the magic, I loved all of it. I wasn't sure about it at first it sounded kind of interesting but mostly the cover got my attention..I think the blurb could have been more exciting. But I'm so glad I took a chance on it. Now I'm going to go back and get more of her books. If you like Kate Morton you'll like this book!

I received an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this mix of history and mystery. Lots of twists and turns made this book impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a novel full of folklore and dark atmosphere, The White Hare by Jane Johnson might fill the order. The author of Sea Gate, The Court of Lions, and The Sultan’s Wife brings us a new novel set in 1954 but filled with that disquieting mood that only comes from a land filled with dark, archaic memories.
The remote, gothic mansion falling into disrepair, the village that seems lost to time and advancements, the superstitions that are very much alive, and a land protected by an ancient, unsettling, and watchful presence all make The White Hare feel like it takes place hundreds of years earlier than its actual 1954 Cornwall setting. The author’s British spelling/vocabulary also adds to the feel of bygone days, at least for this American reader.
This isn’t a scary book, but Johnson maintains a sense of unease throughout the novel. Johnson refers to the Last Stand of the Cornish in the 10th century when King Athelstan (usually regarded as the first king of England) massacred the rebellious Cornish people, their blood running red through the land to the sea. The land itself seems to hold these memories. The villagers believe the spirit of the land exists in a mystical white hare that protects the valley and those who live in it.
Here, Magda has purchased a mansion, neglected since the end of WWII. The house and tiny village are in a remote area surrounded by ancient, dark forests and sheer granite cliffs that drop to the ocean. With the help of her daughter Mila, Magda plans on bringing the house back to its former glory and make it into a Bed and Breakfast. She wants the glamor of hosting fancy parties for celebrities and the rich here. The dreary mansion’s dark secrets and villagers who aren’t welcoming to outsiders will make this a difficult task.
A selfish, overbearing mother, Madga causes family drama. She doesn’t show any love to her daughter or granddaughter. Mila does whatever her mother asks, trying to not irritate her. She came along to escape a scandal and make a better life for her young daughter Janey. When they first arrive in Cornwall, Magda drives the car off the road to avoid hitting a white hare that ran across their path. There seems to be something mystical about this hare, and after that, Janey’s stuffed rabbit seems to be more than a toy. As Mila forms relationships with some of the townsfolk, she hears their superstitious beliefs that a mystical white hare is connected with nature and the protection of the valley.
Beyond the mysteries of the mansion, Johnson adds tension through two characters: the Vicar (priest of the local parish) and a stranger. Some villagers hold contempt toward the Vicar since the church has tried to erase all traces of their ancient pagan culture. The stranger, who seems to be a transient, shows up at the mansion, and despite the mystery surrounding him, Magda hires him to help transform the house.
The White Hare by Jane Johnson is Mila's coming-of-age story wrapped up in sorting through family drama and uncovering mysteries of the past. It is available for pre-order now and will hit bookstores on October 4, 2022.
If you’re looking for other books that fit a (light) spooky mood for the fall season, check out these other books I’ve reviewed: Spells for Forgetting, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Gallant, The Lost Apothecary, and The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of The White Hare. The opinions are my honest thoughts.

Jane Johnson's The White Hare delves into folklore and magic steeped richly in a take on history and myth of Cornwall.
Positives: the underlying story of the white hare, a long suppressed goddess, and the faith and trust of a little girl was very intriguing and kept me reading. The conclusion to the conflict between Magda and Mila was satisfactory and a bit surprising, and the odd romance story for Mila flowed as expected. The whole of the plot twist was unexpected and a welcomed part of the narrative.
Negatives: Mila as the main character is slightly frustrating and weak for most of the book, and never seems to truly accept what is happening right in front of her despite having a history of doing just that, she doesn't seem to learn anything. The plot slowly drags along and in the last 10% of the book quickly wraps up everything (even things a read my not have needed), and the epilogue brings the story full circle back to the beginning of the book. I didn't really "care" what happened to any of the characters.
Overall, the book is nice, maybe just not what I expected.
If you like tales steeped in history rooted firmly in the present for the book (1950s) then you will greatly enjoy this work.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Three generations of women buy an house in Cornwall and are trying to start over their troubled lives. The house and the valley also have secrets and they are revealed with a touch of magic.