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.

I'm not sure if this one was for me. I somehow enjoyed it while also not fully enjoying it? I may have to give this one a reread

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this book!

This book was EVERYTHING. It has the most perfect atmospheric spooky vibes. I just completely ate it all up!! I felt like the perfect West Virginia small town version of Practical Magic. I could not put it down once I started.

The writing was phenomenal and the story telling was so vivid that I could see it all playing out in my mind.

Overall I loved the threads and themes of womanhood & family. The James family women are just what I would want if I lived in a small town like Caball Hollow. The twists and turns will have you switching your “who done it” the whole ride. The magic and rumors of magical beings kidnapping townsfolk will leave you reeling til the last page!

Social media review will be posted by end of 1/24!

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

The James women live in the rural Caball Hollow, surrounded by the National Forest and they have peculiar abilities. Linden can taste other's feelings and that soured her relationship with Cole Spencer, a year ago. Linden disappeared into the forest, getting out of it without memories and full of questions. Now another girl is gone and when her body is discovered, a murder investigation is open. As Linden and her sisters start to investigate what's inside the forest, the young woman has to deal with secrets about her past, Cole's relationship, her own family and what's best left buried.

Bittersweet in the Hollow is an haunting and dark story about four women with unusual talents and a murder investigation that will change all their lives. The story is absolutely captivating and thrilling and the writing style is haunting and ready to capture the readers' attention right away. You want to know what happened to Linden and her memories, with Cole, who's the Moth-Winged Man and who's looking for Linden. It's intriguing and so beautifully written, set in a very atmospheric town, haunted by the forest and its mysteries. I loved everything in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This book made me feel like I was back in my friend's basement in eighth grade watching the scene from AHS Coven where Lily Rabe's character burns to death on a stake while Stevie Nicks plays. In other words, the atmosphere of this book is incredible and haunting, lush and creepy. Pearsall is an inventive author who gives you the creepy crawlies while also portraying heartwarming sister relationships. I ultimately felt like there was too much going on plot-wise, and the romantic storyline was disappointing/predictable. However, I can't wait to see what Pearsall does next, and I hope she keeps exploring the mysteries of the James women!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. This was a wonderfully woven dark fantasy thriller book, and I loved the romance.

In Caball Hollow, a rural town surrounded by forests, the James women of Bittersweet Farm possess unique abilities. Like her family, Linden has a special gift. She can taste the emotions of others. However, that is not all that is special about Caball Hollow. There are old rumours of the Moth-Winged Man who is said to haunt the town. Exactly one year after Linden suddenly disappeared and reappeared with no memories of what happened, another girl disappears, but turns up dead instead. As Linden starts to wonder what really is hiding in the forest, whether it be the Moth-Winged Man or something else, she discovers not only the town’s secrets, but also her family’s.

I love this kind of setting. While the hot summer in a rural town seems safe, the forest poses a strong contrast, especially when something unknown is hiding there. Mixed with the James’ special recipes and abilities, there’s also a great combination between the modern setting and old traditions.

Linden is a good protagonist. Her ability is really unique and the relationships with different family members she has were well portrayed and didn’t fall flat.

The plot itself moved at the appropriate pace. I love the idea of the story, because the more magical aspect is so well combined with the sinister lore of the town without getting too dark and neglecting the comforting atmosphere of Bittersweet Farm.

I’m not quite sure what more I can say, except that I loved ‘Bittersweet in the Hollow’ and I want more stories like this, because this was literally a perfect mix and I’m a fan.

It was okay not bad not great. I felt like I got bogged down 2/3 of the way in, and there was almost too much misdirection. I actually think the story could have stood on its own by being a little more straightforward.

I haven’t read a book this fast in ages! I’ve never read a thriller either, and while this isn’t exactly a true thriller, it’s definitely spooky enough to make you want to turn on the lights and read with the spooky lights on. I really enjoyed the James women, and I’m really hoping this will become a series because I love witchy books, and this was just so good! I’ll be racking my brain for a while to think about this one. It’s a bit slow-paced at first, but then you’re off and running in the mountains of West Virginia, trying to figure out what’s going on with the James sisters. There are some twists that I genuinely don’t see coming, and there’s just enough weird fantasy to keep me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Pick this up!

Thrilling, this novel kept me completely enthralled from page one as the mystery continued to unfold!

This was really great! The world building is fantastic! This was a really enjoyable book I would recommend! Special Thank You to Kate Pearsall, Penguin and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved being transported to Caball Hollow. This was such a thrilling, dark mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. The regional folklore and family secrets kept this book interesting. Would definitely recommend if you enjoy supernatural with a southern twist.

A suspenseful and atmospheric contemporary fantasy. If you like the female family dynamics of The Raven Boys’ 300 Fox Way, highly recommend picking up this book!

4-4.5 stars. Set in the Appalachian mountains, 2 generations of James women are known for their healing and mountain magic. Each sister has an unusual ability and the family harbors secrets from their neighbors and from each other. A girl goes missing and is found dead, motivating Linden to investigate her murder as well as the family secrets. Setting, world-building, and characters are all very well done. The plot was intriguing, if a little confusing in some places. I quite enjoyed this mystery with its supernatural elements, regional folklore, and a touch of romance.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

Wanted to enjoy this one but just couldn't get into it, I'm so sorry. It sounded so good, I love stories about siblings, especially siblings united by and bonds strengthened through special talents and abilities but I wasn't interested and had to set this one down.

She’s always been a little different from everyone else outside of her family, but never felt like an outsider until the night she went missing. Even though it was only for a few hours, Linden has no memory of what happened or where she went. That night a blank space to her, and a tantalizing mystery to everyone else. The James women always seemed unnaturally gifted—but gifted enough to catch the attention of the legendary MothWinged Man?

Linden doesn’t know—doesn’t want to know. She just wants to move on. But when one of her friends goes missing on the anniversary of her own disappearance, Linden can’t ignore the connection. Could the MothWinged Man have taken them both? Then why return Linden? And why does it seem like Linden’s family holds all of the answers—and the power—to stop it from happening again?
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I absolutely loved this. An absolutely incredible read. It’s filled with magical realism, deep characters, rich Southern dialogue, engaging visualization, and quite a lot of intrigue surrounding the infamous cryptid, the Mothman. Pearsall did a wonderful job weaving this paranormal mystery together. The plot was captivating, the twists and turns were both poignant and nuanced, and the ending wrapped everything up perfectly. I loved this from start to finish. Highly recommend!

This book was like a perfect mix of spooky vibes and heartwarming moments. It's one of those reads that just grabs you and doesn't let go. The mystery and paranormal stuff in there? Nailed it. I was totally into it.

Now, let's talk family drama and generational stuff. This book dives into some deep topics, but what really got me was the relationships. The siblings and their folks – the dynamics were just gold. Slowly peeling back the layers to see how they're alike and totally different, it was like unwrapping a mystery of its own.

The plot? Solid. Twists and turns that keep you guessing, but the pace? It's a slow burn, for sure. Not complaining, though. The unraveling of the truth was worth it. This whole southern gothic/paranormal/historical vibe? Loved it. And Linden, the main character? She's a boss. Her journey, figuring out the past and present, had me hooked.

And the eerie factor? Man, it stuck with me. This book left a vibe that lingered, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. The touch of magic wasn't over the top, but it was woven in really well. If you're into gothic/horror with a Southern twist, or just love a bit of witchy magic and loads of atmosphere, seriously, grab this book.