Welp, that's 3 for 3! Courtney Gould has again knocked the wind out off me with her remarkable storytelling talent and skill.

This is a phenomenal story of overcoming trauma and survival. The character development? Beyond reproach. I dont even want to give a synopsis because I kind of feel prior knowledge would damage the power of this book.

Its beautiful and power and you need ro read it.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own

Wonderful book about an important subject. I loved how the author took the time to create, expand and build on each campers story and mental trauma. Although the Devan is our narrator this is not just her story.

Nicely written and heartbreaking at times, What the Woods Took tackles a sensitive subject with respect.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the EARC and opportunity to read this book. Premise wise, I loved the idea, but it was the execution that did not work for me. The horror element was not believable, and it was another recent book for me that had an inherent issue for me with connection to the characters. Devin's story should have captivated me from the get go, and it just didn't. Too much angst, but still a slow plodding plot.

This book was WILD. I LOVED IT. The plot is unexpected and interesting. The sequence of events kept me interested. Only recommendation would be more background on why the different characters were sent to this in the first place.

In the haunting depths of Idaho's woods, five troubled teens find themselves trapped in a harrowing 50-day wilderness therapy program, overseen by two counselors and armed only with scant supplies. With trust all but extinguished and a simmering resentment toward their fate, the determined FMC hatches a desperate plan to escape. But when the counselors vanish without a trace overnight, the atmosphere shifts, plunging into a chilling abyss.

Left to fend for themselves, the teens must dismantle their barriers and forge an uneasy alliance, all while a sinister darkness stirs around them. As they struggle to find their way back home, the forest reveals its malevolence. Disturbing shapes materialize from the shadows—inhuman faces haunting their visions and sinister figures that should not exist. The woods pulse with life as horrific creatures that feed on their darkest nightmares, stalk their every step, ready to seize control of their bodies at the very moment they consider surrendering to despair.

This gripping and unnerving novel delves into the devastating threads of trauma, weaving a tale steeped in paranormal horrors that echo through the chilling silence of the wilderness.

A gripping, atmospheric horror novel with complex characters and a haunting wilderness setting. The tension between survival and self-transformation creates a compelling narrative, though the emotional weight may feel overwhelming at times. Fans of psychological horror and survival stories will appreciate the layered storytelling.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.75⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: YA thriller/ horror 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
OKAYY BUT THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD! It’s not perfect but I ate this one up! I love a good survival horror and with a side of sapphic romance?!? I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Troubled teens sent to a wilderness program
Creepy and suspenseful thrillers
Supernatural monsters that will give you nightmares
A side of romance (enemies to lovers)
Survival stories
Horror that has depth
Teenage drama

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
the ending was wrapped up great
It was more than just a thriller it has a power message and emotional moments
Right from the start this one was action packed

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
since this is a YA you can expect some teenage drama

As always when it comes to a Courtney Gould book, I loved it. There's just something about Courtney's writing that makes me feel like all my sense are apart of the experience. The way things are described, it's like I'm there. I loved it

I hope you find home, whatever that looks like.
Wilderness Therapy for troubled teenagers. A terrifying story of a group of unwilling and unknowing teens being forcibly taken to a wildernesss retreat as a last resort. This unhinged tale of isolation “wellness” quickly goes off the rails. I couldn’t put this book down. A kind of coming of age story about troubled teens and the controversial wilderness therapy that was all the rage In the 90’s. I’m not sure if it’s because I have personal experience so close to this subject matter but I absolutely loved this book. It was terrifying and heartbreakingly beautiful. But SOOOO creepy! ( trust me I DO NOT DO ROMANCE). I cannot recommend this book enough!

**3.5 stars**

This was a decent YA horror/thriller read. I loved the setting and the creatures were great, would have loved more info about what they are and where they come from.

It’s been a while since I was teen but I felt the kids in this book were well written and fully realized.

My only complaint is the book could have been a little shorter with better pacing, it lagged in some areas.

**Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

**Review of *What the Woods Took* by Courtney Gould**

Courtney Gould’s *What the Woods Took* is a chilling, atmospheric novel that masterfully blends horror and psychological suspense. Set in a remote town surrounded by an ominous forest, the story follows teenager Wren as she searches for her sister, Evie, who disappeared without a trace. What begins as a straightforward missing-person case spirals into a haunting exploration of grief, family secrets, and the unsettling power of the unknown.

Gould excels at creating an oppressive, eerie mood that draws readers into the heart of the mystery. The woods are almost a character in their own right—alive, menacing, and deeply connected to the town’s secrets. Wren’s voice is raw and authentic, capturing the desperation and determination of someone grappling with loss and unanswered questions.

The novel’s pacing is deliberate, building suspense while allowing space to explore Wren’s relationships and the impact of trauma. The supernatural elements are subtle yet effective, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. While the ending provides closure, it leaves enough ambiguity to linger in the reader’s mind long after the final page.

*What the Woods Took* is an evocative and unsettling read, perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and emotional, character-driven mysteries. Gould’s storytelling leaves a lasting impression.

First.....I don't know how anyone browsing for something to read could see this cover and NOT pick it up! It's beautiful but still conveys there is a story to be told here.
WHAT THE WOODS TOOK is amazing. Mixing pieces and parts of several genre, it will appeal to most readers. But the story......and how Courtney Gold brings the characters to life while bringing readers right into the middle of one of the srariest plot lines I've read in awhile.....will lock you into your chair while these 5 young men and women try to find a way through a wilderness filled with their worst fears. Strangers before but circumstances will bring them together into a solid team. As they learn each other's strengths and weaknesses, this experience will bring out the best in all of them.
This is the first book written by Gold that I have read. Now I have to check out her back library, my TBR is growing.

This YA horror book will keep you on the edge of your seat.I was interested in this book because I have recently watched a documentary on a wilderness camp for teenagers that uses “wilderness skills and survival” to mask abuse as a way to reform teens. I also know a family who secretly sent their son to one of these. And they were very cryptic about it, so this is the perfect setting for a horror story. It starts out with conflict and angry teenagers. After two people go missing and weird stuff starts happening that is when the real horror begins.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for a Net Galley copy of this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What the Woods Took was a great book to start the year. It felt like a mix between The Thing and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I was a little worried about the story taking place at a wilderness therapy camp. I have heard horrific stories about the troubled teen industry, and I was worried it would be triggering. However, I feel like that aspect of the story is short-lived. Yes, it is the reason they are there, but it is more about them surviving the monsters in the woods than behavioral therapy.

What the Woods Took is truly creepy and dark. The monsters can take the shapes of the people in their lives with the ultimate goal of taking over their bodies as hosts so they can leave the territory they are trapped in. For Devin, that form was one of her ex-fosters who it is implied sexually assaulted her. She is forced to overcome what happened to her in the past to escape.

One of the best parts of this book for me was the character growth. All of the characters overcame their pasts to escape from the monster's territory. Ollie can see that he is worth so much more than the abuse of his father. Aiden can see he doesn't need drugs to make friends. Sheridan comes out of the woods more herself stepping into her own light outside of the death of her twin. While Devin's growth is more about her not letting anger lead her actions.

I also really liked the enemies-to-lovers story between Sheridan and Devin. You could see them slowly beginning to understand what makes each other tick. Even causing them to think that they both might be mimics at different times. I like that in the end they grew enough to accept their feelings for each other.

Parts of the story were heartbreaking. What happened to Hannah and Not Hannah was so sad. It is interesting how Not Hannah was part of the reason Ollie was able to grow and let go of his past. It was heartbreaking how Ollie grieved after the mimic Hannah died trying to protect Aiden.

If you love queer horror this is the book for you. It was an excellent read with truly creepy monsters and lots of character growth.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

What the Woods Took follows teens Devin and Oliver, who are whisked from their beds in the night and brought to an experimental outdoor therapy program which quickly turns life threatening when the program counselors disappear from their campsite.

Courtney Gould always hits for me, and What the Woods Took is no exception. I adored getting to know Devin and Oliver as main characters, and their journeys throughout the story left me shocked, horrified, stressed, and ultimately kinda proud. There was an excellent balance of emotional character building and world crafting, particularly as the teens begin to discover just what in the woods they should be afraid of, and the plot twists are executed masterfully so that I found myself often pleasantly surprised or struggling to decide who to believe. While some aspects of the story are somewhat difficult -- particularly the uncovering of Devin's trauma -- I do think this is one of those easy horror thrillers that readers will quickly sink into and uncover even more than they expect.

Very interesting and unsettling read. I was hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed the characters and storyline.

This was a great! This was an intriguing mystery thriller with a great cast of characters and an attention grabbing story! Really enjoyed the plot and horror elements sprinkled throughout the book! Definitely recommend reading this book!

Thank you to St Martin's Press for sending me a finished copy of What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould to review. I appreciate it!

What a ride! I was excited to read this story in the wake of the news of the bill in the states Paris Hilton has been working on had passed. Our children deserve to be protected especially the ones who are already struggling. For more details on this bill please check out this link: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/paris-hilton-bill-congress-troubled-teen-industry-rcna181632

Alright - the book.

We start off with one of our main characters being woken up in the night inside her foster home by two men kidnapping her. But we are quick to discover that Devin is not actually being taken by kidnappers, but rather by two transport specialist who have been authorised by her foster parents to take her and deliver her to Revive - a wilderness camp for troubled teens.

The book is really slow to open up about our characters and what brings them to the trouble teen program, but we find out small pieces of each of them as they are forced to hike into the Idaho woods. cook their own food and sleep under tarps. The two councillors seem a bit out of their depth with a group with so many dynamics and then things really take a Lord of the Flies twist when they cross and river that seems to be the border of something nefarious in the woods. The councillors disappear, food gets destroyed and trust is broken as our teens fight desperately to make it to the next milestone. It turns out that they are not only fighting for survival but as they start to see mysterious faces in the woods, they have to learn to work together if they want to make it out alive.

I enjoyed the style of the book, there were just a bit of slow parts, but over all an interesting twist. An inclusive book with queer characters, but please be warned there is discussion of substance abuse, assault and self harm.

In What the Woods Took, Courtney Gould takes the reader on a supernatural journey through the wilderness with teens labeled “troubled.”
Devin Green wakes in the middle of the night to find two men in her bedroom. This is a planned abduction; her foster parents have signed her up for a program for “troubled” teens. She’s shoved in a van with another confused child and driven deep into the Idaho woods where she’s dropped off with two young adult camp counselors overseeing other kids. They are informed that they've been enrolled in an experimental therapy program: they must change their self-destructive way to be able to survive a fifty-day hike through the wilderness. Completing this program will make them into better people (or so the counselors say).
Devin is immediately determined to escape, but she is talked into staying by the boy Ollie, who was in the van with her. But there’s something strange about these woods. Devin and the others start seeing people in the woods—people who shouldn’t be there, like their parents or wicked teachers. The counselors are of no help, and the teens must bond together as they learn these visions are creatures who are mimicking their loved ones. The worst part? The mimics have replaced one of them!
At first, the horror seems to be the people around Devin. Gould first creates tension between the teens themselves. Will Devin be harmed by one of them when her back is turned? Then layered on is the fear of the adults which begins to expertly foreshadow the true horror that would befall them. Distrust turns to fear which turns to horror as they see visions in the forest.
The biggest issue I had with the story is that the author telegraphed who the mimic was blatantly. Gould tries to distract and throw red herrings, but the reader never buys into it because we already know. The fear then only lies in the attacks by the outside creatures. Their heinous horror is worse than the group’s inner squabble about who the mimic could be. Wearing the face of the one who can hurt you most, these creatures wear you down until you just forfeit your life. Watching the children in-fight when it is clear which one of them has been replaced is hard to read though it does make a point about biases and first impressions.
In fact, knowing that these poor kids are sent on trips like this in real life is even more hard to read. There have been more and more “programs” that we throw at children ran by people who have no idea what they are doing. Psychology is a science and should be treated with respect and concepts should be done by trained personnel. The programs don’t do these and often pair young adults with people not much younger than them. The children’s civil rights and safety are violated. That’s even scarier than the supernatural aspects Gould creates for the book.
Courtney Gould brings to light these wilderness programs that real teens are made to go to in real life. Gould gives hers a supernatural twist to give it another layer of horror (and not call out any one program). The supernatural creatures she creates are terrifying and get to the heart of what really terrifies the children in What The Woods Took.

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould is a gripping and atmospheric young adult thriller that combines elements of horror, mystery, and psychological drama. The story follows Devin Green, a tough and resourceful teen who is abducted and dropped into a strange wilderness survival program with a group of other troubled teens. As the campers are forced to work together to survive, they quickly realize there are darker forces at play in the woods—forces that go far beyond the experimental therapy they were promised.

Gould expertly builds tension through eerie descriptions of the woods and the unsettling occurrences that begin to unfold. The blend of supernatural elements with the very real struggles of the characters adds depth to the narrative. Devin is a relatable protagonist, determined to survive and protect herself, even as she faces the complex dynamics of her fellow campers, including the antagonistic Sheridan. The tension between the characters, their secrets, and the mysterious forces in the woods kept me on edge throughout.

With a thrilling pace and unexpected twists, What the Woods Took is a dark, fast-paced read that explores themes of trust, survival, and the monsters that lurk both in the wilderness and within ourselves. Fans of psychological thrillers and horror will find this story both haunting and unforgettable.