trigger warning
<spoiler> sexual harrassment, trauma, grief, being drugged, misogyny </spoiler>

The new governess is not a governess, but a magician tasked with solving the riddle that plagues this mansion and its inhabitants.

Set in the same world as Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales, we hear about characters we already know. Fittingly for having now a Victorian setting, it felt darker, more leaning towards gothic, which I've liked. While I kinda expected the solutions we were getting, I've liked the journey of getting there. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

This arc was provided by the publisher, it's just been a long time.

3.5 Rounded up. I'm normally a huge fan of Atwater's work and I'm not sure if it's the book or me in the case. I just didn't connect with the story as much as I have in the past. I loved that we were back in the world of Half a Soul but maybe it was the way the narrator read the book that I constantly felt like they were about to cry? I don't know. Something was just off. I didn't really get into the story until about halfway through and even then my connection ebbed and flowed. Maybe it's just me though and I read it at the wrong time?

Dark, magical, and utterly captivating.
Olivia Atwater weaves a gothic faerie tale set in a magical Victorian England, following governess-turned-protector Winifred Hall as she navigates a haunted manor to rescue her young charge. Full of clever twists, eerie fae intrigue, and a slow-burn romance with the enigmatic Mr. Quincy, the story balances suspense, magic, and character depth beautifully. Winnie is a smart, flawed heroine, and her interactions with faeries, familiars, and humans alike are a delight. Oliver the familiar steals every scene he’s in. A thoroughly enchanting read with a well-earned HEA.

I love Olivia Atwater’s writing - the gothic vibes of this one really worked for me and I really enjoyed the creepy elements that were incorporated they really added to the atmosphere. The romance worked really well for me and I would love to see more from this world in the future!

I can’t wait for Atwater to continue this series. I loved it so much I went back and picked up her other books for a reread.

The combination of historical romance and fantasy in this book is intriguing. In addition to the stories about fairies and how they were interwoven into the Victorian backdrop, I enjoyed the fairy world. Dark and ominous, the haunted manor was magnificent. The concept of a dual world—the real one and the one in dreams—was appealing to me as well.
Although a little icy and spiky, the main protagonist was strong and intelligent. I'd like to learn more about her abilities. Although the relationship between them was a little weak—I missed the change from adversaries to lovers—the main guy is incredibly fascinating and enigmatic. Although the story moved along at a good clip, the main plot might have benefited from more action. The climax seemed a little monotonous.

An intriguing dark fairy folk tale with underlying themes of trauma, sexual assault and how one develops a hardened persona to protect themselves. It took me an embarrassingly long time to read this book, and that is on me and my random attention span. Once I started it this time I was definitely engrossed and finished it in 4 days! I am very much looking forward to the next in the series and can not express enough how mysterious and enchanting this book was!

The Witchwood Knot was very promising, and began in a way that intrigued me. The gothic setting and the promise of faeries held my attention during the first section. Alas, the pacing or something was off for me, because I found myself not really rushing to get back to it.
I enjoyed the conclusion, but it felt like it took too long to get there for me.

Another entertaining entry into this world! It's a bit darker and more overtly Gothic, with the move from the Regency to the Victorian period, but it still feels true to the sharp, unapologetic nature of the earlier books. I wanted a little more from the romance, as it all seemed weighted to the very end of the book, but I did really love what there was, and the atmosphere was great.

Witchwood Knot is so atmospheric. The gothic, faerie world jumps off the page, making the reading experience rich and enjoyable. Our main character is superb. Winnie is one of those characters who, on paper, might come off as unlikeable, but somehow, she’s instantly endearing. She’s strong-willed, and a little sarcastic, and I loved her right from the start. The romance is a sweet, slow-burn, that unfolds in such a satisfying way. Oliver, the cat, is worth one star alone.

The only thing that held this back from being a full five stars for me was the pacing. There are a few meandering sections where my interest waned, but never so much that I wanted to DNF.

Witchwood Knot works as a standalone, but after reading the first two Regency Faerie Tales, I kind of wish I had finished the series first. It feels like the third book contains an important backstory. I would have gotten more out of Witchwood with that context.

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super interesting premise that just never got off the ground for me! I think I was hoping for more romance, and without that, it didn’t hold my interest.

Was not expecting this to be as closely connected to the regency trilogy as it was so it threw me off a bit but I liked the gothic ambience so much I kept reading.

This was a slow paced fairy tale that felt so magical. Atwater has a way of putting you in the story and making you feel as if you're really there experiencing it all with her characters. My only issue was the pacing, but that may be a personal thing.
Other than that the story was addictive and mesmerizing,

I loved this! I thought it was a great carry on from her previous books but also refreshingly new. I loved the atmosphere of the house and the unravelling of the secrets.

My students are going to love this Gothic horror story with an unexpected and masterfully crafted romance!

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

The writing is so vivid that I could picture everything as I read. The story has such a visual atmosphere as well. This is a stellar novel that libraries serving adults should have it.

This was a fun and typical read in the realm of Victorian-esque fae stories. I liked the addition of "dark" magic and Atwater's interpretation of the fae.

This book subtly and then directly discusses the theme of bodily autonomy, which is beautifully done in the context of fae. Curses, body switches, and eventually sexual assault — Atwater's writing conjures feelings of unease and empathy for the characters losing (and eventually fighting to have) their autonomy in a way I feel many books struggle with. She is never too on the nose nor flippant with the subject, but instead maintains a strong balance of tone.

Great for readers of more "traditional" fae low fantasy novels.

The atmosphere and ambience in this book was UNMATCHED!! Our main character Winifred is headstrong and sharp, ostensibly hired as a governess, but is really at the manor to investigate a curse and rescue and protect the grandson of the woman who hired her.

There is intrigue and incredible gothic atmosphere. Dark and brooding and mysterious!

The romance is such a slow burn that it really settles inside the reader and we yearn just as much as the characters do! I loved it. Cannot wait the next book.

Winifred Hall comes to Witchwood Manor as a governess to young Robert Longfell, as recommended by his grandmother, the dowager of Witchwood Manor. But Winifred is not just there to tutor the boy or keep the Lady company - she's at Witchwood Manor because of the faeries. As the conspiracy around the house and its lands unravels, Winnie is in for much more than she has expected, but for exactly as much as she is prepared to do.
I really really liked The Witchwood Knot! I loved the athmosphere, I love stories about the faeries in England and the lore surrounding all of it, I really enjoyed Winnie and Mr Quincy as characters. It took me quite a while to get through the first half but the second I inhaled. The plot and the suspense were well built and I will definitely pick up another book by Olivia Atwater, especially if it has a similar setting and athmosphere.

This is a well written book but not exactly my cup of tea. There was a lot of tensions, especially around SA in the book that made me uncomfortable.