In a rural town surrounded by a vast forest, four sisters with unusual abilities investigate the mysterious disappearances in their secluded town and discover secrets best left buried. In the rural town of Cabal Hollow, the James women are all gifted with special abilities.The story follows Linden James, one of the sisters who had disappeared for a night and returned with no recollection of what happened to her... but now another girl has disappeared in a sequence of events that were similar to what happened to Linden... except she is dead and Linden is alive. Linden is determined to uncover what happened to the girl and what happened to her, but that means getting the help of her ex best friend, the golden boy of the town and the mayjor's son Cole, the same boy who broke her heart after she returned from her incident. Linden has the ability to taste people's feelings. Their town is surrounded by rumors of the Moth-winged Man, said to haunt the Hollow... but the more she digs the more secrets unravel and when the truth comes out, will she be able to handle it? This one is the first book in a series and while it's a small town mystery with a tiny bit of romance, it just felt lackluster to me. I wasn't that invested in the mystery and the story features four sisters but they all kind of blend together and we barely get any moments with Cole and his relationship with Linden and he was the most interesting aspect of the story. While the first book wraps up in a way that could be ended without having to go onto the second one I was intrigued by Hadrien and his potential story but didn't care for his relationship potential with Rowen (seriously she really just wasn't that interesting and I wanted to like her so much). Overall, this book just felt kind of slow and bland despite it being a mystery set in a small town with supernatural elements. I don't think I'll be continuing on with the series but if you enjoy small town mysteries with second chance romance and a bit of supernatural elements, give this a go, maybe you'll have a better time with it than I did.

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

How do I put into words how enthralled and immersed I felt myself reading this book? It is a murder mystery, thriller and whodunnit entwined with witchcraft and folklore of Appalachia. It is reminiscent of “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” and “Practical Magic.” If you liked those stories, you might find yourself loving this one.

It’s a short review because there isn’t anything I didn’t like about it. I truly enjoyed every page, every word, and every turn in the plot that happened. I would definitely tell you to find it, pick it up, and read it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books and Kate Pearsall.

This cover is so pretty! Set in Appalachia, I am in! Add in the magic and the moth man and I needed this book! I was not disappointed at all. It was such a ride! I did not see the twists coming. I had suspicions but was a tad bit off. I love the James women. They are a close family even if they are stubborn and have secrets. All families have secrets. I highly recommend this one. I cannot wait to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I did not get to read this book before it expired on my NetGalley app but I did think it sounded like a book I would like. I will probably buy a physical copy to read.

This novel was okay. There was a unique take on a magical family that felt similar to Practical Magic. It did a pretty good job of misdirection that allowed the reveal of the killer to feel a tad surprising. The lore with the Moth Winged Man had great potential, and the reveal of being the killed boy was a shock. The killer was very ruthless, and I enjoyed how the stakes were amped up. The tension just took to long.

Honestly, it was hard to push through because the entire first half needed to be condensed, if not cut. I only became invested at her friend's funeral. Starting the novel with the cooking scene wasn't the hook it needed. It took me a week to get through the first 10%. The novel would have been stronger starting at the festival. It may have been even stronger emphasizing a show not tell style. There was too much stating what the audience should be concluding. Furthermore, the characters lacked a sense of personality. There was a lot of comparisons to House of Hollow but this novel didn't hit as well.

The novel managed to have too much going on while simultaneously having nothing going on. I gave some grace since it's YA, but it isn't something I'd reread.

I appreciate your trust, and can't wait for the next one.

Very reminiscent of The House of Hollow and Wilder Girls, Bittersweet in the Hollow will have you trying to understand what is actually is happening in this town and who really is evil- people making decisions they think will help their loved ones but not fully understanding the consequences.

I loved every second of this story. I wish I could go back and start it over again. The sisters relationship was so fun- loved when they did chores together.

Big thanks to Putnam's Son Books For Young Readers, and author Kate Pearsall to advanced copy for honest review.

In the small town of Caball Hollow, which is nestled in the beautiful National Forest of West Virginia live four sisters, the James Sisters. They try and live their lives low key, just running the diner, The Harvest moon and staying out of way of rumors of the townsfolk. Trying to uncover what happened to her in the woods a year ago, Linden's friend goes missing on the anniversary and now its time to figure what people are hiding. What does her family and the small town have in common? In this whodunnit, twisty tale with a dash of magical realism, there are just some things that need to be kept secret. 5 stars, highly recommend and love the added gardening tips!

If you're a fan of Erica Waters (known for The River Has Teeth and Ghost Wood Song), this novel is a must-read for you. It masterfully Mothman lore with a small-town mystery.
Linden James, despite her family's strong ties to witchcraft and her father being the sheriff, can't remember the previous summer's events. Haunted by nightmares and pushing away those closest to her, Linden's world takes a sinister turn when her childhood best friend returns to their hometown for an annual festival. This friend hints that Linden's story is far more complex than she realizes, but she vanishes before she can reveal the truth, later turning up dead.

Determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding her friend's death, a decades-old missing persons case, and the connection to her own lost memories, Linden embarks on a mission for the truth, even seeking assistance from her former love interest.

I loved the rich portrayal of Appalachian folklore and landscapes. The powerful witch family also has unique abilities and Linden's ability is to taste emotions--which is a fresh way to change up interpersonal interactions. The author also employs a brilliant narrative technique by beginning some chapters with what resembles a witch's Farmer's Almanac. These sections describe the month, moon phases, seasonal garden varieties, and even a sort of horoscope, providing a unique perspective on the passage of time.

This YA thriller didn't disappoint!

Linden cannot remember the events of the previous summer solstice. And when a similar situation takes place and her friend is found dead, she starts to think was also a murder target. As she tries to uncover the mysteries surrounding her missing memories and her friend's death, she finds a connection with a long missing boy from her community and the urban legend of the Moth-Winged man. How many secrets can people keep before the truth comes spilling out?

I found this to be quite the compelling read, and the small town story interlaced with urban folklore and closely held secrets always speaks to me. I eat it up every time.

Thank you to the Penguin Young Readers and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC

This is the perfect mix of a dark fantasy and horror that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Deep in Caball Hollow live the James women who have all inherited mysterious powers, which they must keep secret from the people of their small town. Linden, who can taste what others feel, disappeared last summer only to reappear 24 hours later with no memory of her missing time. This year another girl has gone missing, but when she is found in an unusual way she won’t have any memories, because she is dead. Linden and her family are soon pulled into a mysterious dark tale of a Moth-Winged Man who has been rumored to haunt the town.

This is a great YA dark fantasy with elements of horror. The way the author describes the setting is so vivid and clear, it definitely added to the overall ambiance of the story. The plot was enjoyable and the characters were interesting and I felt invested in their stories. There was plenty of suspense, mystery, and a dash of romance.

My only issue is it took about 100 pages before I really felt invested into the story, the beginning was a little slow for me. At the end there were a few times when I had to reread a paragraph because the point the author was trying to get across came out a little messy.

Bittersweet In The Hollow is a perfect spooky season read! Linden James may not remember what happened to her last year but when her former friend goes missing the same night she did one year later she starts to have flashbacks of that night.

I absolutely loved all the twists and turns this book had. The author did a fantastic job of keeping me on my toes and in my feelings the whole books. I had a hard time putting this one down!

I highly recommend it!

Four sisters live in the forest of Caball Hallow. The James women are born with unnatural abilities. A girl goes missing and the sister use what they can to find the mystery around these disappearances and the rumors of a Moth winged man.

This was part mystery with mixes of magic and intrigue… A dark fantasy. The magic system was really unique and I like that it added to the story. The characters were also relatable. The atmosphere was desirable with that tinge of creepiness to make it more than just another basic disappearance mystery. And the twists kept me guessing.

If you’re looking for something refreshing and different for spooky season, than look no further. You’ll definitely be captivated by this story.

Bittersweet in the Hollow is a phenomenal start to an exciting new series by Kate Pearsall.
This book is very atmospheric. I believe I read this is record time.
Kate Pearsall has created a story that is mysterious and engaging.
The small West Virginia town of Caball Hollow was beautifully described.
This book was absolutely phenomenal! I was hooked right from the deliciously dark prologue to the brilliant ending.
The imagery was phenomenal, and it was compelling and well-paced, with gothic vibe to it.
A beautifully dark contemporary, fantasy, mystery and all the witchy vibes!
Overall, an enthralling YA, of four sisters with unusual talents investigate a mysterious disappearance in their secluded Appalachian town.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

ARC REVIEW: I was absolutely hooked from page one! Having grown up in the Appalachian Mountains, nothing got me more excited than a spooky book set in the hollows and hills. The legends of the Moth-Winged Man, the mystery, and the magic were beautifully crafted. Kate Pearsall has a lyrical way of writing so much emotional depth that I laughed and cried with the characters and couldn't put the book down.

It's interesting to me that the one of the comparable books mentioned is House of Hollow because imagine that sisterly bond but with a more straightforward story and with the close dynamics of a small town with a dense, complicated history nestled in the already mystical Appalachians of West Virginia. Everything about that sentence makes me want to snuggle under a blanket by the fire and read this - while it takes place in the summer, everything about this is autumn vibes. And if the Mothman is your favorite cryptid? You're gonna love it.

Linden, our lead, is the third of four sisters, born into the James family - and the James women have always had abilities. They are one of the families in the town of Caball Hollow that goes back a few hundred years, and during that time they've run their farm, opened a diner called the Harvest Moon, and existed in a liminal space of belonging within the town. The rumor says the James family are witches, and they're as feared as they are needed.

Twenty years ago, a little boy named Elam McCoy disappeared on the summer solstice, and the loss of him reshaped the dynamics of the town. A year ago on the summer solstice, Linden disappeared. She returned with a concussion and no memory. This year on the solstice, Linden's friend is murdered. Linden suspects that everything is connected, and she dives into both the human and the mythical history of Caball Hollow. Something someone doesn't want her to do, and it puts her in harms way.

And she does all of this while dealing with her complicated feelings for her estranged best friend Cole Spencer - son of the Mayor, member of one of the founding families, town golden boy. Did I also mention her complicated family dynamics?

It takes a moment to warm up to this book, but once I did, I loved it. I loved the sisters and their relationship to one another, the complicated nature of being in a small town like Caball Hollow that can provide support and condemnation in equal measure, and the fact that the end was harrowing and emotional but ultimately did not destroy my heart.

This is a perfect fall cozy read - with enough beauty for a crisp, sunny day, and enough mystery for a rainy afternoon.

I love a good atmospheric book. Bittersweet in the Hollow is exactly that. Witchy, mysterious, and just a little off-putting. It's perfect for the season and the cooling weather. I really enjoyed it and will absolutely be recommending it to anyone who loves these types of books.

Four sisters, their mother, and their grandmother all have special abilities. And a book of secrets that has been hidden away. They work hard at their cafe and on the garden that supplies produce for the cafe. They all live in the same house, in a small town, that has secrets and a mysterious legend about a moth-winged man. Some say he can be summoned.

Over the years, there have been disappearances, attempted murders, and murders. The people become scared and suspicious of each other, but particularly of the women who are reputed to have strange abilities.

When Linden survives a near murder, and another murder does take place in town, Linden and her sisters want to investigate strange disappearances from the past.

This is a different sort of mystery and thriller, with unknown forces aiding both the sisters, and the evil that lives in town. I recommend it for people who like to read books that make them feel uncomfortable, or even a bit scared.

The ending certainly surprised me.

This is the second book set in Appalachia that I've read recently and unlike Midnight is the Darkest Hour, I feel like Bittersweet in the Hollow is a beautifully written book that discusses similar themes and elements without parodizing the Appalachian people.

I read another review about this book and someone described it as the Appalachian witch book of their dreams and I can get behind that assessment.

Bittersweet in the Hollow tells the story of Linden and her three sisters who spend their days working in their family diner and listening to stories of their gran's secret mountain magic. Each of the sisters has a magical ability and Linden's is taste - specifically, she can taste other people's emotions and later on this evolves into her infusing the things she makes with emotion.

The magic is subtle and so lushly described. I really appreciated the inclusion of pages for each month - in season produce, each month's moon, a little spell to cure small ails.

Linden has a hole in her memory. Once, she went into the woods, the very same woods where it's whispered people have been taken by the Moth-Winged man, and when she came out bleeding she can't remember what happened. When an old friend, Dahlia, is found dead in the same woods, Linden reconnects with a past love to pull on the thread of that mystery.

I don't read a ton of young adult anymore, but if I was recommending anything to anyone, it'd be this book. I found the writing to be so immersive and interesting.

Looking forward to reading anything this author comes out with in the future! 4.5/5 stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA suspense

Similar Books:
Together We Rot
Wilder Girls

Synopsis:
4 sisters with a touch of magic try to solve a town’s murder

This YA was a perfect mashup of mystery, magical realism, suspense, and horror. The story telling and world building were excellent and it sucked me right in. It has mothman vibes without being too scary. It is the perfect spooky fall read. If you enjoy YA supernatural suspenseful books, check this one out!

Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! 🖤

Real rating 2.5/5 rounded down.

I just want to say, I understand completely why people would be intrigued by this book. I too was sucked in by the gorgeous cover and interesting synopsis about a family of sisters who have special abilities and are witches (lack of a better term) and there’s a mystery to be solved. Unfortunately almost everything in this book for me fell absolutely flat.

There was definitely things I loved. The spell castings, the sisterly bond, the moth winged man was interesting and I liked some of the reveals, but other than that I was incredibly, Incredibly bored. I struggled a lot to even finish this, I was about to DNF this ARC. The writing was kind of dull, the build up to the reveals was boring, predictable but somehow simultaneously confusing. I felt like there were peaks and flatlines constantly of interesting things happen.

I couldn’t really connect with many of the characters, even the main character was not interesting, they were written at face level. I wanted the sister’s powers to be more prominent in the story. There was no diversity in this book, well there was a cop that was POC (only one that I know for sure, the character descriptions were little to none) and Sissy was LGBT, she barley was in the book. The lack of diversity was disappointing like most of this book.

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me, it will for someone else. This “Dark” Fantasy, mystery thriller left me feeling very lacklustre and I don’t know If I will be continuing to the next book in this series.


Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, Penguin Teen, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.