CG Drews has a prowess for ripping out my heart and replacing it with a botanical nightmare that is so beautifully devastating, it's impossible to regain any grasp on reality. I'm not sure if I devoured Hazelthorn or if I was the one devoured in the end.

The plot has everything. A creepy, gothic, moody vibe? Sign me up. A passionate and devastating queer romance? Yes, please. A wealthy family with a horrifying secret? You know it. The flawless combination of psychological AND physical horror? Seriously, it was perfectly unsettling. I also didn't realize how badly I needed the forest rot aesthetic in my life until reading CG Drews. They also truly say so much between the lines, and the underlying themes throughout this book invoked so many emotions I didn't anticipate.

The characters are tragically complex. With each flaw that was uncovered about Evander or Laurie, I only rooted for them more. Each glimpse into the "truth" (whatever that means) of their upbringing and experiences was heartbreaking There is nothing I love more than an unreliable narrator who you root for (no pun intended?) more than anything. The entire story spirals out of control into curated chaos, but somehow provides the most satisfying and fitting ending.

"He is the cuckoo in the nest of broken twigs and wishbones and bloody hearts, and he still doesn't understand why he inherited Hazelthorn over everyone else."

And the writing. The writing is absolutely stunning. I don't annotate much when reading ebooks, but I had to highlight many absolutely beautiful sentences that hit me like a ton of bricks. The imagery is so perfect I could not only see the garden in all its feral glory, but I could practically smell the rot, feel Evander's hunger, and taste the soil.

After Don't Let the Forest In, I stared at a wall for an hour not knowing my own name. It's rare that any book grasps me aggressively by the soul, but needless to say CG has done it again with Hazelthorn. I will be thinking about this book for a long time, and look forward to reading anything and everything they write going forward.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC! I was dying to read this and it was everything I wanted and more.

"There's something wrong with you"
Something too many children hear when something goe against the grain of society or the household. A line that cuts deep and hurts despite being made of such small words. Just these words alone hit a bit close to home for me on a personal level.

This is a shocking book that I cannot believe is young adult. The flowery descriptive language had me thinking and reflecting. It's very poetic in setting the scene of the manor and the gardens. The internal nature of the beginning chapters are a deep reflection of Evander, who is isolated and alone and despite his studies is still outcast. He is everything a good child should be, quiet, understanding, patient, loving and is given nothing in return.

Laurie is a brat of a child and he is the result of being part of the other side, the wealthy trouble child. Fancy clothes, boarding school, etc. But the reasons children act out is often times misunderstood by adults and readers alike.

For the first half of the book, I was caught up in the wonderful poetry of the world even thought mystery isn't a topic my brain likes to dissect. I then devoured the second half of the book. My ereader just trapped in my hand, my eyes sparing a glance whenever I had a spare minute.

After reading Don't Let the Forest In, I was super excited for what Drews came up with in their sophomore book, and they didn't disappoint. This was a ride for sure. I love gothic, botanical horror/mystery. Drews has a way with flowery prose that just builds the creepy atmosphere, permeating every part of the story. I wish that there was more explored in Laurie and Evander's relationship though. I feel like it went from dislike/mistrust to codependency in 0.5 seconds and while I understand based on the ending, I just wish more had been built between them. Overall, it was a great YA gothic horror, with stunning illustrations and a unique plot.

C.G. Drews… you ✨f@&$ing✨ clever human being. This novel is a triumph.

This novel is an uncontrolled, chaotic spiral that will leave you unable to stop thinking about it. It’s horrifying, beautiful, and deeply unhinged. An absolute masterpiece.

Evander is the ill, ghost-of-a-boy locked away for his own good, told he can never leave. Laurie is the snarky, infuriating boy on the other side of the window who tried to kill him seven years ago, and who Evander is deeply obsessed with. When death comes to Hazelthorn chaos ensues as the Lennox-Hall family invades to get a piece of the inheritance, an inheritance to be given to Evander upon his 18th birthday. But he must choose a temporary guardian from one of Laurie’s horrible family members who are keeping deadly secrets, and Evander’s would-be killer might be the only one who can help him out of this mess.

And the garden is ✨hungry✨.

I think what I love about Drews’ work is that it’s so utterly unique. You can’t tell if the main characters want to literally eat each other or figuratively eat each other with a sprinkle of spice (it’s YA, so no real spice, but you know what I mean—a ✨sprinkle✨). Their writing is so beautiful and haunting and devastating—it’s just thrilling to read. I don’t think I’ve ever been blindsided by a plot so much.

The garden is a bit evil, the mansion is a bit haunted, and the enemies to lovers is a lot bit misunderstood—just the way we all want it. I have goosebumps and I just might throw up.

It’s fine. I’m fine.

I don’t know what else to say other than: don’t pirate their books. It’s not cute, but what is cute is the special edition coming out that I’ve already preordered. Before finishing it. What else is cute is Evander and Laurie. Cute in a bloody, rip-the-tendons-from-your-wrist-with-my-teeth sort of way. Really, the scream I scrumpt.

Thank you so much to Macmillan, C.G. Drews, and NetGalley for the ARC, I am forever grateful.

This is my first read in the YA horror category (or any horror for that matter) and it was so good! I really enjoyed the writing style of this book because I truly felt like I was in Evander’s perspective. The relationship between Laurie and Evander had clear history and watching the murder mystery unfold felt very Nancy Drew.

I wish i could give this more stars.

I feel as if I am forever undone by this book. I don’t think I will be able to feel whole again unless I am immersed in Hazelthorn🥀

This was the most beautiful and devastating story I have ever read and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. C.G. Drews your mind is so beautiful, the way you are able to describe things in the most disturbing gruesome ways, yet make them sound so gorgeous and delicate at the same time. What an experience to read this thrilling book, I am so thankful to have been able to read it early as an ARC.

🌟4.5 rounded up

This was my first ever arc! And what a way to begin.

Idk what it is about Drews's storytelling, but I haven't read a book by them yet that doesn't make the book brainrot creature living inside me go absolutely feral. I'm ALWAYS impressed by their prose. They have a real talent for seamlessly transitioning between horrifying gore (I actually DID have to set the book down and walk away for a minute this time. If you're gore sensitive, the only section I really struggled with was when Evander recalls his incident with Laurie toward the beginning of the book), witty humor, and elegant exposition. Also THE PLOT TWISTS!!!!! WHATTT!!! I was so gripped in the second half of the book that I couldn't set it down.

Compared to Don't Let the Forest In—Drews's previous "cottagecore horror" novel—I felt this one had a more satisfying conclusion and executed its themes a little better. Some of the dialogue irked me because I felt like I was being told the answers to the mystery instead of discovering them on my own/being shown through the plot, but all in all this book is terrifyingly lovely. Will absolutely be re-reading. And I will be so incredibly obnoxious about it when it officially comes out this October!!

Recommending to all my eco-gothic lit fans out there. Also to fans of MEXICAN GOTHIC, THE INHERITANCE GAMES, and "The Fall of the House of Usher"...a little ultra-specific but I SWEAR this book reminded me of it.


🌱 Thank you so much to C.G. Drews, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, and Netgalley for the digital ARC!

i knew in the first half that i was going to like this book, but i didn't kno how much i would adore this until the second half. this book's descriptions and twists blew me away, and i cannot talk enough about how beautifully monstrous this novel was. i am wholeheartedly obsessed with the writing and the characters and the plot and could read this a million times over.

4.5⭐️. CG Drews’ writing style is LUCIOUS! I don’t know how they do it… this was even better than “Don’t let the forest in”. Wonderfully queer, dark, sweet, with heaps of trauma, “Hazelthorn” examines how far we will go for the people we love. I’m a sucker for descriptive plant writing, and this conjured a whole ass movie in my head. Evander and Laurie felt so real and relatable to me. I also loved the autistic representation. Fans of NBC’s Hannibal will love this!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I read Hazelthorn shortly after I finished Don't Let the Forest In, (which I enjoyed immensely) and was really hopeful that it would meet my expectations. Upon finishing, I found that I loved Hazelthorn even more!

This book gives you all of the creepy, cottagecore horror vibes one could hope for. I was so invested in finding out all the things Evander needed to know. The mystery of Evander and Laurie's past, paired with the secluded mansion, an ever encroaching garden, along with the strange family members and the secrets that were brought to light made for a compelling story.

I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait to read more of Drews' work!

I fucking love it, It was my first book of the author and it was amazing. The gothic vibe, the horror, the characters, everything was amazing.
let me speechless and now I want to read everything she writes!!

Loved. Weird, dark, funny. This is the kind of book that will stick with me and I will think about for weeks to come because there are levels of depth/themes.

I am not sure where to begin, this book left me SPEECHLESS!!! The uniqueness of this book is unmatched. A blood thirsty garden that produces rubies in exchange for human sacrifice, a plant monster, a family full of secrets, memories that can't be trusted, and a lawyer that seems to just vanish? SIGN ME UP!! There were times that I felt truly terrified, sad, and confused. I did dock this book .25 stars but that's only because that ending has me wanting more and I am devastated that it would have an ambiguous ending like that!! Like did Evander/Hazelthorn cave to its hunger and eat/kill Laurie? Would he even be sad if he did so? Is he going to get out and cause chaos because of his insatiable hunger? I NEED MORE!!

Drews captivated me with this gothic horror masterpiece that I’ve been unable to stop thinking about since I turned the last page. It has quickly risen to the top of my list for 2025! This hauntingly beautiful tale is intricately woven with threads of spider silk and creeping vines, wrapping around my heart before leaving me utterly devastated—breathless in its wake. The plot twists are so expertly concealed that I was completely blindsided until it was too late. The horror is strikingly beautiful, so much so that you forget to see it as gruesome. And then there’s the radiant romance between two boys…at its core, it’s a love story that blooms into the most breathtaking blossom! A chef’s kiss here—it is nothing short of perfection! Infinte stars on this one!

Thank you, Netgalley for this Arc.

First thing, I love this author. There is something about the way that CG writes that feels good. Though out the whole read, it had me in a choke hold. I loved the twist and turns this book took. By far, one of my favorite reads so far this year. I can’t wait for the release of this book.

THIS BOOK!! THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!! The writing is poetic and atmospheric, everything feels visceral and I'm so in love with it!!

And as always the plot twists had me gasping!! I didn't think I could possibly find something I loved more than Dont Let the Forest In but here it is!!

I'm in love with Laurie and Evander and Evander has my heart. I didn't want this book to end

This books is a work of art and CG Drews is a master at painting pictures with words.

I’m typically not one for horror writing, but the premise of this book drew me in, and I am thankful that when I requested this on NetGalley I was approved for an advanced copy. This book was beautiful from the first words to the very last. While I did rate it 5 stars here I would say for me it was more of a 4.5, as it is slow in some areas, but those slow areas are packed with absolute beautiful and grotesque imagery in all the most wonderful ways. Cannot and will not be able to recommend this book enough!!

This book is like Knives Out but with a creepy sentient forest and a murderous family that feeds it people. I was not expecting the twist to be that advanced is Hazelthorn incarnated so that took me by surprise!

I did think the pacing in this dragged at times.

3.5 stars.

I LOVED this book. I read "Don't Let The Forest In" when it came out and was in love. The writing itself is beautiful and adds to the whole horror and haunting effect of it. "Hazelthorn" was so addicting and I was hooked throughout the entire book. Also I love protective Laurie. Like it was my favorite thing, I love him. Also, that ending!!! Oh my god it was so satisfying. Like endings are always hit or miss and they affect the entire story. CG Drews are always so satisfying and perfect. At least from the two of their books I have read. I also ordered the b&n exclusive and I'm so excited for it!!!

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished reading it! I requested the book because I like gothic horror and I was curious how this genre would express itself in a YA novel.

It did not disappoint! In addition to everything you would expect from gothic horror (large crumbly mansions, mysterious deaths and illnesses), we also have botanical horror, an enemies to lovers romance, and a murder mystery. I really didn't think the author would be able to pull it off, but they really did.

I don't want to say too much because this book depends on a certain amount of mystery and surprise. If you like gothic horror, give Hazelthorn a try. This book delivered.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Feiwel & Friends for providing a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.