“It’s superstitious, but I can’t shake it, even after all these years. You don’t discard or scorn a gift from the mountains.”

Rachel Greenlaw has created a fascinating story that melds the ethereal magic of the mountains and a familial legacy of witches with one woman’s search for a place to call home. The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells is further enhanced by Kristin Atherton’s narration which perfectly captures the essence of the plot and personalities of the characters. Where myths and reality, blessings and curses, interwine in a beautiful but unforgiving environment the plot mirrors the setting as Carrie Morgan finds herself dealing with the struggles of identity and home when she returns to Woodsmoke to claim the inheritance left by her beloved grandmother. Tasked with restoring the cottage as a condition of being able to sell it, Carrie finds help from a mysterious newcomer to town, Matthieu. As the remodeling progresses Carrie begins to restore more than just the structure and interior, she rehabilitates friendships and creates new relationships that shore up the foundtion of who she is. Ultimately, while it’s wonderfully entertaining The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells is also a heartwarming story for all ages.

“Loving someone – caring for them and losing them… it is a distinct kind of grief. One that’s hard to shake.”
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The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw narrated by Kristin Atherton
Posted by Tanya | Aug 29, 2025 | Audio, Books, Fiction, Magical Realism, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Uncategorized, Witches, Womens Fiction | 0 |

A magical story and listening experience
4.5

The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells Book CoverTitle: The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells
Author: Rachel Greenlaw
Genre: Women's Fiction, magical realism, romance
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Format: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 320

There is an old tale woven through the mountain town of Woodsmoke about a stranger who appears as the first snow falls in winter, who will disappear without a trace as the frost thaws in spring, leaving a broken heart behind. Carrie Morgan ran from Woodsmoke ten years ago, and the decision has haunted her ever since. Spending a decade painting and drifting around Europe, she tries to forget her family’s legacy and the friends she left behind. But the Morgan women have always been able to harness the power of the mountains surrounding the town, and their spells—and curses—are sewn into the soil. The mountains, they say, never forget. Sure enough, when Carrie’s grandmother dies and leaves behind her dilapidated cottage, she returns to renovate—certain she will only be there for one winter. She meets Matthieu as the temperature dips, a newcomer who offers to help refurbish the cottage. Before long, and despite warnings from her great-aunt Cora of the old stories, Carrie finds herself falling for the charming stranger. But when the frost thaws in spring, Matthieu goes missing. Carrie is convinced he’s real, and he’s in danger. As she fights her way across the mountains to find him, she must confront all the reasons why she left Woodsmoke and decide whether the place she’s spent the last decade running from is the home she’s been searching for.


“It’s superstitious, but I can’t shake it, even after all these years. You don’t discard or scorn a gift from the mountains.”


Rachel Greenlaw has created a fascinating story that melds the ethereal magic of the mountains and a familial legacy of witches with one woman’s search for a place to call home. The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells is further enhanced by Kristin Atherton’s narration which perfectly captures the essence of the plot and personalities of the characters. Where myths and reality, blessings and curses, interwine in a beautiful but unforgiving environment the plot mirrors the setting as Carrie Morgan finds herself dealing with the struggles of identity and home when she returns to Woodsmoke to claim the inheritance left by her beloved grandmother. Tasked with restoring the cottage as a condition of being able to sell it, Carrie finds help from a mysterious newcomer to town, Matthieu. As the remodeling progresses Carrie begins to restore more than just the structure and interior, she rehabilitates friendships and creates new relationships that shore up the foundtion of who she is. Ultimately, while it’s wonderfully entertaining The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells is also a heartwarming story for all ages.

“Loving someone – caring for them and losing them… it is a distinct kind of grief. One that’s hard to shake.”

The heart of the story, Carrie’s search for the restoration of home, family, and friends she ran away from 10 years prior, is inexplicably linked to the new relationship and budding romance that develops with the mysterious man from the mountains, Matthieu. His presence is unexpected but brings her courage, as she works through the struggles of her past, and comfort, that love is possible and friendships salvageable even when things look dark and grey. The warnings from her Great-Aunt Cora further enhance the mystery surrounding Matthieu’s true identity until the very end. This is a book that you will be hard pressed to stop to once you get started.

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw is a story that I highly recommend to either read or listen to. Rachel is a fabulous storyteller that writes in a way where you become lost in the enfolding pages of interesting characters and multi-layered plots. She seamlessly weaves thought provoking truths into the different relationship dynamics all while blanketed the plot with the ever-present mist of magic and other-worldliness. Whether you read or listen to this novel you will enjoy every minute of the experience, mystery and romance.

I really enjoyed the different POVs, especially Cora and Carries, because of the ties it had to their family magic. I loved the generational magic aspect as it pulled you into the story. This small town felt cozy and enchanting and if anything I felt like I wanted even more magic throughout this book. All in all a perfect read for the fall! Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.

An impactful story with plenty of drama, romance, and magic. Follow along in multiple timelines and POV to find the impact of the mountains on the women in town.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I tried. I really, really tried. This book should've been everything I love in a novel. Witches, spells, and an atmospheric small town. Instead, it was a slew of unlikeable characters. Cora bulldozes everyone, thinking she knows what's best. Carrie doesn't know what she wants and is stuck in the past. And Jess....I'm not even sure why she's a major part of the book. I managed to make it about halfway in before I stopped reading.

As someone who devours fantasy and magical realism—especially stories centered around witches—I was drawn to The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells immediately. Rachel Greenlaw weaves a warm, misty world that feels like wrapping yourself in a quilt inside a creaky old cottage, the scent of pine and old spellbooks in the air. It’s atmospheric in all the best ways.

This story leans more into emotion and memory than high-stakes magic, and while I would’ve loved to see the magical elements dialed up a bit, the spellwork that is here feels deeply rooted in nature, emotion, and ancestral ties. The romance is tender and wistful, a second-chance love that plays out gently across the pages.

That said, I did find myself wishing the characters had a bit more depth or development. Some moments felt just out of reach emotionally, especially for a novel that centers so much on connection, loss, and finding your way back—to home, to love, to yourself.

Still, Greenlaw’s writing shines in tone and atmosphere. This is a book best enjoyed with a warm drink on a rainy day, perfect for readers who enjoy The Nature of Witches or The Secret Book of Flora Lea. It’s a quiet kind of magic—subtle, comforting, and poetic. Not quite spellbinding, but definitely enchanting.

🌿✨ Book Review: The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw ✨🌿

A beautifully lyrical, witchy tale about the magic of womanhood, memory, and the power passed down through generations. The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells is a tender, enchanting read that wraps you in warmth, wonder, and quiet strength.

What it’s about:
In a coastal village steeped in secrets and stories, three generations of women share more than just blood—they share a book of spells. As the youngest, Rowan, returns home, she must uncover the truth about her family’s magic, her mother’s past, and her own place in the legacy of the Woodsmoke women.

Tropes & Themes You’ll Love:
🌕 Generational magic
🪄 Quiet, atmospheric fantasy
🌊 Small-town coastal setting
💔 Healing & family secrets
👩‍👩‍👧 Feminine power & found identity

Rachel Greenlaw's writing feels like a spell in itself—gentle, haunting, and deeply resonant. Perfect for fans of The Lost Apothecary, Practical Magic, or The Once and Future Witches.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#TheWoodsmokeWomensBookOfSpells #RachelGreenlaw #WitchyReads #FeministFantasy #CoastalMagic #GenerationalStories #Bookstagram #MagicalRealism #AtmosphericReads #BookReview

This one was kinda in the middle for me. I liked the atmosphere — it’s whimsical and a little sad, with this quiet mystery running through it and a really unique take on magical realism. But I honestly found a lot of the characters kind of irritating, and I kept wishing we got more of the actual magic. It felt more like women’s fiction than romance or witchy fantasy, which just wasn’t what I expected going in. Still, there were parts I liked — just not totally my thing.

This author famously (to me, at least) wrote a Christmas book with the weirdest body horror groundhog day trope I've ever seen so obviously I was gonna read this one. Instead of body horror Christmas we get vaguely magical ladies living near sentient (?) and vengeful mountains. I enjoyed the atmospheric setting but the timeline and POV jumps were too much. Also, I am sort of disappointed the dude who crawled out of the mountains to help renovate a cottage inherited by the prodigal witch lady was Not actually a cruel party trick from the mountains and was a real boy :(

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells
By Rachel Greenlaw
Narrated by Kristin Atherton
5 ⭐️

I crave books such as this one. The feel of it calms my nerves and lets me settle in to take it all in. It’s gloomy, steady, and wistful. There are threads of regret, things left unsaid, missed opportunities, powerful love, deeply anchored family history, the power of fate, and the cost of a bargain. Fantasy components dance around the edges of this story, present but not center stage. The plot moves along gentility like it’s a fog creeping in. There is no fast pacing, no rush to be some where, and I don’t think there should be. Sitting with the characters emotions is why this story works and what makes the feel of it so compelling. Keep the pacing in mind if you don’t love a slower moving tale. I thought the audiobook narration was perfectly executed. I slowed the listening speed down to let Atherton’s performance shine. I really loved this one.

Thank you NetGalley, Rachel Greenlaw, and Avon for an eARC of this story.

I didn't really enjoy this book - I think given the title I was expecting a lot more magic than I was given!

In the town of Woodsmoke the Morgan family of witches live - except for Carrie who decided she wanted to see the world and left 10 years ago. Well she's just returned to the mountain after her grandmother dies. There is a book of spells - the ownership of which belongs to Carrie's great aunt Cora but it doesn't seem to actually contain any spells..? It's just the life history of the women in the family who possess the book.

There are natural remedies given out in the town Cora lives in and some people think she's mad whereas others head to her when a strange rash appears and the doctors can't help and she'll "prescribe" sleeping upside down with the window open or something equally magical.

Anyway it's really a story of Carrie finding her place in the world and deciding if she will stay in Woodmsoke after she fixes her Grandmother's cottage up or if she'll sell it and leave. And that's it.

This had such a cozy, witchy vibe that I really wanted to love. The atmosphere was lovely, and there were some magical moments that stood out. But overall, it didn’t quite cast the full spell for me. It was a pleasant read with charm and heart, just not one that left a lasting impression. Still, perfect for those who love soft magic and cottagecore feels.

This story is absolutely perfect for fans of Practical Magic. It's filled with romance, complicated friendships, and just enough witchy vibes.

A decade after fleeing her small hometown and leaving behind everyone she ever loved, Carrie Morgan is forced to return when a relative’s will grants her a crumbling cabin deep in the woods. What should be a simple renovation becomes anything but—her former best friend won’t speak to her, her great aunt insists her return has reawakened a long-dormant curse, and a mysterious man in the forest may be the key to both her redemption and the town’s buried secrets.

A richly crafted story of lost love, second chances, and the quiet magic of coming home. This book did not disappoint!

The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells pulled me in immediately. Greenlaw's writing is gorgeous and I care about her characters. Each character is so vividly alive and real. The plot was wonderful!

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells tells the story of Carrie Morgan. Carrie is returning to her hometown of Woodsmoke after leaving ten years ago. Her grandmother has passed away and Carrie has returned to settle the cottage her grandmother left to her. Carrie's return is a big deal for the town. Carrie left on the day she was meant to be married. Her ex-fiancé, old best friend, and her great aunt Cora are all affected by Carrie's return. Woodsmoke is a magical place and the mountains have not taken kindly to Carrie's departure. Carrie must juggle the reactions to her return and she also has to decide if she will stay in Woodsmoke. This is further complicated when she meets Matthieu, a stranger that offers to help her renovate the cottage. Aunt Cora has warned Carrie about mysterious strangers, but Carrie ends up falling for Matthieu.

This was a complicated read for me. I slogged through it. I expected magic and romance and instead the book was more of a family drama. The magic was very abstract. The book of spells written by the Morgan women is mentioned often, but the magic was quite simplistic. The romance seemed very rushed and was more of a mystery instead of a true romance. Much of the book is spent on the drama that took place 10 years ago when Carrie left Woodsmoke. This story focuses more on the aftermath and resolution of everything that happened back then.

My expectations for this novel ultimately led to me not enjoying it. While it wasn't for me, there is quite a lot to enjoy if you go in with the right expectations. If you love small cozy towns, family focused stories, and a light magical read, this book would be perfect for you. I think the comparisons to Adrienne Young do have some merit here.

I liked this book but it was not what I was expecting. This was a good combination between magical realism, mystery and love story. I was captured from the beginning and intrigued with the plot. I enjoyed not knowing if it was real or just a result of the main character imagination. I enjoyed the setting, the plot and the characters. But very sad to discover that there wasn't more magic. I think this book is being marketed wrongly by calling it a Fantasy and not magical realism.

Thank you Net Galley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an e-galley of this book.

This did take me some time to get into the story. It felt almost *too* close to practical magic.

Generational books aren't usually my favorite types of stories, mainly because I feel like I need a character map sometimes to remember all the different names. I did enjoy this story though once I made it through about 35% of it. I enjoyed Carrie as a character but I wanted more depth from Matthieu, I suppose that was intentional because we weren't suppose to know whether he was real or not but he felt a little flat for me.

I also wanted more magic. I didn't know if any of the magic was real, we were never shown any, only told through the tales.

Overall I enjoyed it, especially the fairytale like tone to it.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Wood Smoke Book of Women’s Spells is a whimsical, magical, and beautifully written folklore-inspired tale brimming with mystery, family drama, and romance!! But it’s so much more than that! Because it weaves together themes of grief, sacrifice, belonging, redemption, and the longing for home in a deeply emotional and enchanting way. This story captivated me completely, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a captivating and unique book about family folk lore, loss, and magic. Disregarding advice (and warnings) from her Aunt Cora, Carrie falls into a world which upends everything she thought she knew. The book is a bit slow and could have used more oomph, but I enjoyed the blending of real life themes of family, romantic love, and self-discovery with magical undertones.

Okay, sometimes this was slow paced and hard to read, but I really did enjoy the overall reading experience. It’s got its moments of joy and sadness. I think this was well written, but it gave me the pace of Weyward…