I really just requested way too many books to try to keep up with during this time frame didn't I. (I apologize lol - I've been so tempted to just scratch this entire profile and start a new one)

The author's writing style is beautiful, but the dark fantasy aspect really isn't up my alley. I love YA suspense so that kept me reading, but I didn't love the fantasy.

I recently had the pleasure of diving into Bittersweet in the Hollow, and the author's skillful storytelling and ability to create tension and suspense had me hooked from the very first page. The characters were well-developed and added depth to the plot.

What I particularly enjoyed about Bittersweet in the Hollow was the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The pacing was perfect, making it hard to put the book down once I started reading. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a ride filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected surprises. It's a must-read for fans of the genre!

* Thank you Penguin Randomhouse for an eARC in exchange for an honest revew."

i absolutely loved the whimsy of this soft magic system. The James family each have a gift and our MC linden the emotions of those around her. The town has always been a little uneasy of the odd family, except of someone gets sick or is otherwise in need, of course they'll ask for help.

Every year the turn holds the moth festival to honor the longest standing folklone of the turn, the moth man. He is an omen of death. And that folklore is held in even higher because 17 years ago, a four year old boy went missing. And last year, something happened to linden on the woods she still can't remember.

A small town mystery with of whimsical magic? Sign me up. This book didnt disappoint.

This is the perfect book for fall or for when you need a little all witchiness in your life.

Set in a family of witches where everyone has a special skill, this book will make you want to set, enjoy some food, and enjoy the spooky vibes. Linder's particular skill is that she can taste what others are feeling. One night she vanishes with no memories of where she went or how she got back. A year later another girl has gone missing but this time she is found dead. Now, rumors of moth man have started up. What is the truth

Set in the Appalachian mountains this atmospheric mystery will keep you turning the page long into the night. I loved the folklore and family dynamics in this book. The mystery had me hooked This is full of wittiness, superstitions, and heart.

This is an easy 5 star for me

This was a very atmospheric southern gothic tale. Set in the mountains of Appalachia, this book has a good mix of magic, mystery, and folklore.

Throughout the book, you feel like you know the characters personally because their development is so well done by the author. The plot was engaging and exciting enough to keep you on your toes.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- a stunning debut of sisterhood and the lengths one will go for family. cannot wait for the other book(s) in this series!

This was a really slow paced book for me, though I did enjoy it. It feels like a cozy, small town, magical story. I would compare it to The Unmaking of June Farrow.

I enjoyed the cozy feel, but also the murder/mystery tied in. I wish it was all little faster paced, but I thought it worked well for the story if you want something a little more subdued that you can sink into a share and get lost in.

"Bittersweet in the Hollow" by Kate Pearsall is a novel that skillfully intertwines the beauty of rural life with the complex, often painful realities of family, love, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a small town that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in the American landscape, Pearsall crafts a narrative rich with characters who are as deeply flawed as they are endearing, drawing readers into a world where the bittersweetness of life is as palpable as the morning dew.

At the heart of the novel is the protagonist, whose journey of returning to their hometown after years away serves as the catalyst for the unfolding drama and healing. Pearsall excels in capturing the protagonist's internal conflict—the pull of nostalgia for a simpler past, mingled with the pain of old wounds and the yearning for reconciliation and growth. This return to roots, both literally and metaphorically, sets the stage for a story that explores the themes of identity, belonging, and the intricate dance between holding on and letting go.

Pearsall's prose is lyrical and evocative, painting the hollow with such vividness that it becomes a character in its own right. The landscape, with its rolling hills, ancient trees, and the ever-present whisper of the wind, mirrors the internal landscapes of the characters, reflecting their joys, sorrows, and the quiet moments of revelation that guide them towards understanding and acceptance.

The narrative weaves through the lives of multiple characters, each with their own struggles and secrets. Through these interconnected stories, Pearsall delves into the complexities of human relationships—parent and child, old loves and new, friends who become family by choice. "Bittersweet in the Hollow" doesn't shy away from the hard truths of life; instead, it confronts them with a gentle but unflinching honesty, exploring themes of addiction, loss, and the scars left by the past, while also illuminating the moments of grace and redemption that can emerge from pain.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its ability to balance the bitter with the sweet, creating a narrative that feels true to the messiness and beauty of life. Pearsall demonstrates a keen understanding of the human heart, crafting moments of quiet insight and loud, life-altering revelations with equal skill. The characters' journeys toward healing and understanding are neither linear nor predictable, but they are deeply moving and filled with the kind of hope that feels earned.

In "Bittersweet in the Hollow," Kate Pearsall has created a world that invites readers to look closely at the landscapes of their own lives—to find beauty in the flaws, strength in the struggle, and the possibility of transformation in the return to places and people who have shaped them. This novel is a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit, a poignant reminder that even in the hollows of life, there is light to be found.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

This book is a great rec to those who love the ominous books aimed at girls trend that has been so popular as of late (House of Hollow is the PERFECT comp.) The appalachian region is the perfect setting for this book and I loved getting to explore that.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC. I am anticipating reading this soon and reviewing on my socials.

Bittersweet in the Hollow is an Appalachian, “old-ways” witchy mystery, centric around the Mothman lore of West Virginia. And it was a delight to read. Most of my family is from Appalachia, so this book felt like a comfortable sweater in a lot of ways. And the paranormal, folk lore aspect just really took it to the next level. There is something about small town witchy that gave the James women the same vibe to me as Practical Magic (albeit much younger witches).

I loved the atmosphere of this novel, and the paranormal aspects of it. There wasn’t a character I disliked in all of this, and really recommend this book if you are a sucker for paranormal, Appalachian folklore, or just small town mysteries.

Tremendous thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the opportunity to read this novel!

Bittersweet in the Hollow is a mix of mystery, fantasy, thriller and romance. I know that sounds like a lot but it didn’t feel like it.

This book takes place in Appalachia, which I find so fascinating. I need to read more books with settings like this.

This book was so enthralling and kept me on the edge of my seat. The town folklore and all the secrets keeps you captivated the entire time.

This reminded me of House of Hollow, a book I truly adored. If you enjoyed that one I think this would be a hit also.

I recommend going in blind. It was so fun that way.

I think the concept of this book sounds way more fascinating then the actual writing it's self. I like the talk about the witchy stuff and the talk of the forest around the town (it kinda sounds like Appalachian Mountains) but making them work together really isn't doing it for me. I think keeping the witchy stuff out and doing a Appalachian Mountains murder mystery would have probably drawn me in more to wanting to continue the story.

NOW THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A MURDER MYSTERY. I have nothing bad to say about this book. It was engaging, straightforward and so easy to understand. 10/10

3.5⭐️
The setting of this book was really cool. There’s a mix of mystery, fantasy, thriller and romance (closed door). While I do think it was a little long, the story did keep interested till the end.

I don’t think I’ve ever read any books that were sitting Appalachia, but I love that they waved it with this magical tail, and I would definitely recommend into all of my spooky book friends

When I was speaking about this book to a group of eighth graders about this book, I said that this book has something for everybody. It's a family story, it's got magic, it's a mystery, there's some romance. And even though it has all of these things, it does all of them very well. The magic aspects were perhaps more subtle, and the mystery and romance took up the larger part of the pie chart that makes up this book, but I loved how well done all of it was together.

As I got to know Linden, (love her name!) I truly loved her. I felt terrible for the loss she had experienced, for how she had to grow in her own space and time. I felt her character development was beautifully told, and I truly held my breath at various times in the novel as parts of the mystery were uncovered. I loved the twists and turns and how the book held my attention the entire time. I think teens will love this book.

This is a dark fiction just for those unaware.
This book takes place in Appalachia (which I know is a popular setting right now) 4 sisters set out to solve a disappearance. All 4 sisters each have their own unique set of abilities.
They try to live a normal life without magic working at their family diner until a friend of theirs goes missing and ends up dead in the woods.

If you like more darker fantasy, witches, and Appalachia you’ll enjoy this book!

fantastic example of appalachian folk magic at work. the characters in this story are unbelievably rich and the lore that is built up in this story is solid, compelling, and draws the reader in. by employing tenets of magical realism with horror and mystery, pearsall crafts a story that captures a glimmer of west virginia that i don't think we get to see too frequently in young adult stories, and does it WELL. it could have very easily into tropey territory, but bittersweet in the hollow portrays an authentic fantasy that shows how a hollow is so much more than meets the eye.