This book is so many things I shouldn't like: paranormal, YA, romance. But somehow it really comes together and works! All the kids are troubled in a variety of ways and have been sent to one of those wilderness therapy programs. Hiking and camping for 51 days. Sure glad it wasn't me! Even before the paranormal stuff starts happening, the kids start learning about each other and themselves. I love the character development! And then once the weird stuff starts happening, the true test of character and relationships begins! It was a thrilling story to follow with a satisfying ending.

Hey Siri- Please play Teenagers by My Chemical Romance

What the Woods Took is a powerful narrative about survival, friendship, and confronting personal trauma. Gould handles sensitive topics with a remarkable amount of care and nuance, and it’s evident that a great deal of research went into crafting this story. The way the author explores the psychological and emotional layers of the characters’ experiences, especially in the face of trauma, is both thoughtful and poignant.

The author's writing is masterful, creating an intensely atmospheric experience that pulls the reader deep into the heart of the forest. As a group of teens ventures further into the woods, the tension is palpable—I could almost feel the dense, claustrophobic forest closing in around them, amplifying the sense of danger and uncertainty. Every twist and turn in the narrative kept me on the edge of my seat, with suspense hanging over every page, as I never quite knew what to expect next.

The character development is truly exceptional. As the layers of each camper’s backstory and inner struggles are gradually revealed, I found myself deeply invested in their individual journeys. Each character felt fully realized and complex, and I couldn't help but root for them as they navigated the harrowing challenges they faced. Devin and Sheridan were especially compelling, their personalities jumping off the page with raw emotion and authenticity. But what truly impressed me was the growth of Ollie—this character's arc was a standout for me. Watching Ollie evolve over the course of the story added an emotional depth that made the experience even more impactful.

This is a story of survival and monsters, but at its heart, it’s a poignant tale of found family—one that reminds us that the most unexpected bonds can be forged in the most unlikely of place.

✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & St. Martins Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨

4.5 stars

Going into this book, I had no idea what it was about. Having read this author's books before and enjoyed her work, I didn't read the synopsis, and I'm glad I didn't because this story is so much bigger than an extreme version of group therapy.

The story kicks off with a bang, as the main protagonist, Devin, is taken away in the night from her foster home. She quickly learns that she is now part of the REVIVE Teen Rehabilitation Journey, set in remote woods for 50 days. Camping and therapy? I can't think of a worse combination, although I get the reasons behind it (no distractions, focused healing time). However, the lack of food and shelter, and the fact that the group almost had casualties early on, didn't bode well. Just how experimental was this program?

The teens in this group have been sent away, as their parents/caregivers last resort. As such, there's early tension in the group, particularly between Devin and Sheridan. However, when things begin to go South, the group, which also includes Ollie, Aiden and Hannah, begin to come together.

As a reader, I knew the precise moment that something wasn't right. The woods became quiet. Too quiet. I won't get into why, but there's a definite creepy factor, and it made trusting one another that much more difficult.

I loved the growth of each character in this story, particularly Sheridan, who was unbearable at the beginning. And I liked how the author took the idea of therapy, turned it upside down, making each teen take on their inner demons and fight for their own survival.

This was an intense and emotional read, with an entity so creatively disturbing, I had my concerns how the story would play out. If you are looking for an imaginative story, this one is a MUST!!

This was a fantastic read. First time reading this author. Amazing. Can’t wait to read more
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this one

Devin Green wakes in the middle of the night to find two men in her bedroom. No stranger to a fight, she calls to her foster parents for help, but it soon becomes clear this is a planned abduction—one everyone but Devin signed up for. She’s shoved in a van and driven deep into the Idaho woods, where she’s dropped off with a cohort of equally confused teens. Finally, two camp counselors inform them that they've all been enrolled in an experimental therapy program. If the campers can learn to change their self-destructive ways—and survive a fifty-days hike through the wilderness—they’ll come out the other side as better versions of themselves. Or so the counselors say.

Devin is immediately determined to escape. She’s also determined to ignore Sheridan, the cruel-mouthed, lavender-haired bully who mocks every group exercise. But there’s something strange about these woods—inhuman faces appearing between the trees, visions of people who shouldn't be there flashing in the leaves—and when the campers wake up to find both counselors missing, therapy becomes the least of their problems. Stranded and left to fend for themselves, the teens quickly realize they’ll have to trust each other if they want to survive. But what lies in the woods may not be as dangerous as what the campers are hiding from each other—and if the monsters have their way, no one will leave the woods alive.

This was a fascinating read. I don't read a lot of YA or horror, but this piqued my interest, and I'm glad I picked it up. On its face, it's an entertaining horror story. If you dig deeper, it's a reflection on the horror of how wild and deep trauma is. Emotional and visceral. Highly recommend! 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

What started out as wilderness therapy for troubled teens ends up a horror in the woods, with no but themselves to rely on. It takes an introspective look at these types of therapy/camps and what they are ultimately trying to accomplish under the guise of a horror story that worked really well for me.

The reader is thrust into the story much like Devin, who is “kidnapped” from her foster home and transferred to this wilderness camp. Along with Ollie, Hannah, Aidan, and Sheridan, they are to spend the next 50 days in the woods, hiking and working together, with the help of two camp leaders. But one morning the leaders, and only adults, are gone. Is this a test or has something terrible happened to them?

I found parts of this to be genuinely scary, and the story propelled me to keep reading because I needed answers. I enjoyed the different characters, and what brought each of them to this place. Overall a good YA thriller/horror that deals with social issues.

I've read two other books by this author, so when I received a NetGalley widget to download her newest release, I jumped at the chance.

Experimental therapy programs were new to me, but apparently they're real. And that's exactly where Devin finds herself after being taken by two men from her bed, shoved in a van, and transported deep into the Idaho woods where she's dumped along with four other "troubled" teens. Along with two counselors, they'll hike and camp for fifty-two days. But they soon discover they're not alone in the woods.

What a setting - a remote forest that feels contained, almost like a locked room mystery. As inexperienced campers, the teens are less than thrilled about being there, and Devin hopes to escape ASAP. The woods are dark and eerie and grow more threatening when inhuman faces and visions of people who couldn't possibly be there appear. When their counselors go missing, it becomes not only a quest to survive what's in the forest, but also their personal demons.

The beginning is riveting as Devin is taken from her foster home, immediately pulling the reader into the story. Coming from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances and with mixed personalities, the teens are a nice blend. Each is very distinct with different voices. One of them is a horrible person from the start, but I'll grudgingly admit they underwent a redemption - although that didn't sway my opinion very much. During their struggle to survive, this group undergoes tremendous growth and form strong friendships that endure when all is said and done. But don't expect all of them to make it.

With monsters that can appear both human and inhuman, this book is sure to send tingles down your spine. Recommended for readers who enjoy survival stories, well-executed character arcs, and spooky tales bordering on horror.

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

This story took so many turns I wasn’t expecting or at all prepared for—it was a wild, spooky, heart-wrenching ride and I loved it. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and Courtney Gould for an ARC of this book.

A fun, queer YA survival thriller in a spooky forest! I enjoyed this a lot - it was fast paced, the characters felt distinct, and there's a fun creepy supernatural element (though that doesn't really happen until about halfway through). Would recommend for any fans of the genre, and for those looking for more queer representation.

I am, as always, a big fan of Courtney Gould's work and What the Woods Took is no exception. Equal parts gritty, real-life scary, and spooky scary, I could not put this book down. I have said this before and I'll say it again that her writing encapsulates the small town, claustrophobic feel of a Stephen King. There are parts of this book where I needed to take a walk after reading. She's incredible at atmospheric horror and her talent shines throughout this story. I will definitely be recommending it to anyone who will listen.

🌲Book Review🌲
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Summary- Devin Green wakes in the middle of the night to find two men in her bedroom. No stranger to a fight, she calls to her foster parents for help, but it soon becomes clear this is a planned abduction―one everyone but Devin signed up for. She’s shoved in a van and driven deep into the Idaho woods, where she’s dropped off with a cohort of equally confused teens. Finally, two camp counselors inform them that they've all been enrolled in an experimental therapy program. If the campers can learn to change their self-destructive ways―and survive a fifty-days hike through the wilderness―they’ll come out the other side as better versions of themselves. Or so the counselors say.

Devin is immediately determined to escape. She’s also determined to ignore Sheridan, the cruel-mouthed, lavender-haired bully who mocks every group exercise. But there’s something strange about these woods―inhuman faces appearing between the trees, visions of people who shouldn't be there flashing in the leaves―and when the campers wake up to find both counselors missing, therapy becomes the least of their problems. Stranded and left to fend for themselves, the teens quickly realize they’ll have to trust each other if they want to survive. But what lies in the woods may not be as dangerous as what the campers are hiding from each other―and if the monsters have their way, no one will leave the woods alive.
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Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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My thoughts- this was a super solid supernatural YA thriller (rare I know!). Thank you so much @netgalley and @wednesdaybooks this one comes out December 10th, so keep your eyes peeled for it in bookstores soon! I loved the premise of a children reform camp in haunted woods. There’s a little bit of romance, a whole lot of drama, and a ton of spooky supernatural vibes. I highly recommend this one but would recommend going in kind of blind. It’s a fun ride, try not so spoil it for yourself !
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QOTD- what are you looking forward to this weekend ?! I’m going Christmas shopping with my bestie and seeing gladiator 2 with my husband !
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What the Woods Took is a haunting and atmospheric thriller. When Devin is kidnapped from her bed, she can’t believe that her foster parents condone this. Yet to her shock, they’ve agreed and enrolled her in a wilderness therapy program. Devin soon finds herself hiking through the woods, with a strange team. The person she can’t stand the most is Sheridan, who ruthlessly gets under her skin. Soon, it starts to feel like there’s something else in the woods with them. Can the group work together to survive what lurks in the shadows?

What the Woods Took is very difficult to put down after a certain point! Readers who seek the thrill of a creature stalking your steps into the woods will love this book. I enjoyed the emotional journey that Devin, Sheridan, and Oli went on (along with the others). They truly had to face their fears and worst case scenarios before the woods would relinquish their grasp on them. The idea of the “mimics” was very creepy and definitely gave me chills. There is some heavy content, as the teens have gone through a lot, but I thought it was all written with care.

Readers who want a thrilling journey through woods filled with horrors will devour this book. There was excellent LGBTQ+ rep in two of the main characters and I appreciated how they were allowed to be such complex characters. What the Woods took is an emotional journey filled with anger and hope alike. It’s a powerful story and I'm looking forward to what Courtney Gould writes next!

Thank you to Courtney Gould, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I read it in one sitting, but the descriptions of the monsters really pulled me out of the story. Personally, I liked the author's earlier works more than this (especially Where Echoes Die).

Spoilers
I just kept picturing the monsters in their "true form" as Gumby....🤣

4.5/5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this book, it hooked me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the depth of the characters and the progression of getting to know them through the story as they changed and evolved. The split POV was quite interesting and I really enjoyed getting a view on both characters and their interactions and feeling about the other characters. One thing I would say (besides a few spelling errors that i overlooked) is that this book didnt feel quite like “horror” although it has elements of suspense and thrill that leave you guessing. Overall a great read I definitely recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and allowing me to read this book early.

Trauma-bonded found family + dark and spooky woods + enemies to lovers = a recipe for the perfect novel to cozy up with on a dark winter night.

Courtney Gould drops 5 “troubled teens” and two overconfident “counselors” into a an unknown forest and so begins our tale of trauma, redemption, strength, and tenderness. I love this book so much!!! It’s not often that you come across a novel that completely sucks you in and speaks to your soul all while making you afraid of the dark (and quiet).

Gould made these unlikely friends come to life on the page. I truly felt like I could hear the leaves rustling in the wind while reading. Both surprisingly heartwarming and thoroughly spooky, this story will stay with me for a long time!

Devin is the kind of character I love. She’s tough and she knows it. She can take care of herself, because she’s always had to. She’s strong and opinionated but also empathetic and brave. I loved her from the first page. Sheridan is the kind of character I don’t see as often. She is sullen and snarky. She is angry and selfish. She refuses to care about the others because she doesn’t see the point. We love to hate her.

Ollie, Aidan, and Hannah are characters that a less skilled author may have left somewhat hollow or blank but Gould takes her time with them until each one feels as full and interesting as our main characters. Ollie is a kid who has given up, he has low self esteem and isn’t sure how to be useful. Hannah is sad and wracked with guilt and shame. Aidan is young, yearning for approval, and unsure of himself.

Then, slowly, as the forest literally transforms around them, they each begin to transform too. We follow them on this journey through the woods as they learn to rely on themselves and on each other. In the end, they emerge stronger than before.

I won’t say too much, but the tenderness and bond between Devin and Sheridan was so beautifully done. It left me breathless and punching the air with joy.

This is the kind of book that grips you until the last page and leaves you thinking about it long after.

Tense, dark and downright creepy!
Troubled teens are taken from their beds in the middle of the night and brought to the middle of nowhere for wilderness therapy.
Questionable counselors who are only a few years older are supposed to lead them
through daily hikes, activities and setting up camp. When one day there is an unsettling feeling in the woods and the teens find themselves stranded with missing counselors. They now have to survive and find a way out when creepy things start to happen in the woods.
Hooked me from the beginning and I was on the edge of my seat!

A group of troubled teens, wilderness therapy with questionable counselors, and creepy woods…. sign me up!!! These were the three key elements that led to such an amazing story called What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould.

We follow the group as they are dragged from their beds/homes and brought to the middle of nowhere for a wilderness hike, and forced to confront their troubles while trusting complete strangers with their safety. Yet with one activity, our FMC Devin finds herself feeling unsettled and constantly looking over their shoulder. The group doesn’t realize how life changing this experience will really be.

This was emotional, tense, and at times really creepy! It was a perfect Ya Horror book for all ages. I loved the found family aspect, and the monsters. Gotta love a good monster in the woods! Courtney Gould wrote another brilliant story that I just couldn’t get enough of.

What the Woods Took is a slow burn that will keep you captivated until the very end. Devin Green hasn’t had an easy life, and she certainly doesn’t expect anyone to genuinely want to help or take care of her. Having been in and out of foster homes, she knows she will soon age out and is waiting for that moment.

Then comes the abduction in the middle of the night. Devin is taken in a van along with another teenager and is told they are going to participate in wilderness therapy. The group consists of a ragtag collection of misfits, and Devin immediately dislikes Sheridan, a girl with a chip on her shoulder, which leads her to attempt to isolate her.

The hikes and food are mundane until the camp counselors go missing in the dead of night. Devin and the others are on a mission to finish the hike and reach the supply stations, or they risk dying alone in the wilderness. Along the way, a touch of horror is introduced as the kids navigate toward their destination. The beginning is quite slow to build, which was my only complaint.

What a ride that was! I was on my toes devouring this book and I just couldn’t get enough. Did I see any of that coming? No. Was I glad I was taken by surprise? YES!

What the Woods Took is a fast paced YA thriller. The book tells the story of a group of teens who are unwillingly taken to a wilderness therapy camp in the Idaho woods. During the group's 50 days of adventures in troubled-teen counseling via all day hiking, sleeping on the dirt, and eating survival food - their counselors go missing. Now they must learn to trust each other to get out of the woods while trying not to suffer the same fate.
I thought the story was very well written and narrated. It was action packed enough to keep me reading and the characters were very real and relatable. Thank you to NetGally and the publishers for both the book and audio.