This novel was soooo good! The atmosphere was amazing and the story was beautifully written. It reminded me of the secret garden but throw in a murder mystery and kept me flipping through the pages. The Hazelthorn estate is a place of strict rules, secrets, and a carnivorous garden.

Highly recommend for anyone that likes a gothic, eerie atmosphere, and emotional storytelling.

my jaw was on the floor the entirety of this book.

drew’s writing fills me with unknown emotions. it could be excitement, it could be unease, it could be awe. whatever it is makes me want to read every inch of the page, sound out each syllable. it has this gnarling life in it that i can’t get enough of.

i think drews does an incredible job with handling evander’s autism, his rage and overstimulation with sound and touch, and translating that into their already stunning writing, making it seem as one. want to give applause to that fact.

we start off lonely with evander, and we continue to be lonely evander in this house being smothered by green growth. his loneliness is an echo inside him, and though it goes away when he’s with laurie, but just gets replaced with confusion and anger over what happened with them. we only know what evander knows, so when things are revealed it’s also a surprise to the reader which i think was a huge part of me staying up late to keep reading. i think that way of writing to be a smart choice.

laurie and evander still bearing that connection even after what happened between them shows a companionship so entwined you’d think fate had it out for them. they both know loneliness and pain and shame. they share rage and isolation.

it’s a story of manipulation, of greed and hunger. where greed and hunger can mean the same thing. something to grab with both hands and consume. the only difference is what you want and what you need.

a story of learning that the only way to keep something means sinking your teeth in to the gums to hold it close with such violent desperation.

Hazelthorn. My earthy beloved. I'll be honest, I've been a fan of C.G. Drews since well before their endeavor into horror when they were writing YA trauma fiction that managed to rip into my soul. And as with Don't Let the Forest In and Hazelthorn they have taken this new genre and found new and devastating ways to rip into those same wounds. Filled with visceral descriptions of botanical horror, along with a haunting narrative that twists just as much as unruly vines tend to, with an unreliable narrator who searches for answers, you'll be sitting with your jaw open every time a new detail is unraveled in Hazelthorn. A story about two seventeen year old boys Evander and Laurie, and a guardian who has fallen dead leading to unwelcome guests and surprises. Evander is supposed to hate Laurie and yet he is drawn to him and filled with wonder at the boy's presence. These two boys and their, albeit complicated, love for each other goes down for me as a truly great love story that is beautiful to witness.

what is love if not devouring?

oh my GODDDDDD - I will never stop thinking about this book. I need it tattooed on my spine and injected in my veins. every time I thought I knew what was happening I was wrong and it was glorious. I cannot commend C.G. Drews enough for creating such an insane work of art. Her storytelling abilities are unmatched. Every character was so complex and hatable. I don't have enough coherent thoughts in me to adequately describe my feelings on this book. Drews' depictions of anxiety and chronic illness were SO accurate; I felt seen. I can't wait to purchase Hazelthorn in every edition and format possible when it's released

I absolutely adored this book! I’ve read Don’t Let the Forest In by the same author, and I felt like their writing style really matured and improved in this book. The few small issues I had with that one were nonexistent in Hazelthorn, and I really have basically no negative feedback to give about it.

The slowly unraveling mystery throughout the whole book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was like a gradual spiral into more and more insanity, and I loved every bit of it. The horror was grotesque and gorgeous, and I absolutely ate it up. And Evander and Laurie’s complicated relationship was an amazing thing to explore throughout the book. I loved the writing, the representation, the powerful and gut-punching emotion, the passion, and everything else about this. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything else quite like it.

I also loved the fact that while it didn’t always seem realistic, especially with some of the extended family characters, it didn’t seem like it had to. I could very easily suspend reality and just enjoy the story. It was Secret Garden-esque but a lot darker and with a lot more gore, which in my mind was kind of perfection.

I’ll stop raving now, but I’m very glad I got to read this book, and I encourage everyone reading this to try it out as well. It is dark and horrible and beautifully nightmarish, and made me feel uncomfortably seen. I adored it.

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. A billion gold ones, in fact. CG Drews is forever an auto-buy author for me now. They are immaculate at their craft. The way they mix horror and queer love together in the most stunning and grotesque ways… I’m in awe.

Evander’s storytelling had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. It was so difficult for me to put my kindle down and go complete other tasks. If I wouldn’t have finished it today, I would’ve been gnawing on the bars of my enclosure NEEDING to know how the story ends.

I don’t want to give anything else away, but my god. If you love horror, if you love queer stories, if you love incredible writing, please add this to your TBR immediately. And while you’re waiting for it to come out in October, read Drews latest release Don’t Let the Forest In. It is equally stunning!!

CW: blood, body horror, gore, injury/injury detail, medical content, death, murder, child abuse, panic/anxiety attacks, mental illness, self harm

i devoured ‘don’t let the forest in’ and realized this book was by the same author and dove right in. i wasn’t sure if ‘hazelthorn’ could hold up to how much i adored ‘don’t let the forest in’ with andrew and thomas. i mean it blew me away

Evander is our main character and we learn he is sick and has been locked up in Hazelthorn (a massive estate with a manor and garden). he’s being taken care of by Byron who owns the estate. His grandson Laurence “Laurie” is another main character whom we come to learn has a complicated past with Evander (Laurie tried to kill him… causal thing lol).

After Byron’s death, everything is left to Evander. That comes with its own complications as family members start streaming in to get their piece of the estate. He comes to realize Laurie may be the only person who can help him figure out who killed Byron and keep him safe as he tries to understand what is in/going on with the garden.

But the garden is very much alive, and thirsty.

‘hazelthorn’ 100% lived up and took things to the next level for me. and i thought andrew x thomas was my fave?? evander and laurie over here giving them a run for their money. I adore their banter, the angst and the soft moments they got to share

C.G. Drews may just be the queen/king of plot twists bc???? i was expecting some stuff to blow me away especially after ‘don’t let the forest in’ but seriously, even thinking i knew what to expect or guess?? yeah i still didn’t guess anything that happened correctly. seriously the author’s writing is insane; so beautiful and just sucks you in.

I was so happy at the Wickwood reference that got dropped!!!! (that’s the school from ‘don’t let the forest in’)

This was stunning. Beautiful and horrific imagery. Engaging, loving characters. Intoxicating slow burn romance. I wish I could give this one 20 stars. I can’t imagine what could beat Hazelthorn for my top 2025 read.

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I tell you this author could sell bound copies of her grocery lists and I'd buy them immediately I am not exaggerating at all. I mean I've only read two books so far but I am so in love with both of them this author is an instant buy for anything ever always.

Another book beautifully written and another pair of tragic little disasters. And plant horror again? Yes please.

I will be there on release day to buy the Barnes and Noble edition in person.

oh wow. this is a masterclass in YEARNING. i thought i was getting myself into a lushly written, gothic atmospheric read and imagine my surprise when i revised all that and more! this is a strikingly unique concept and the vibes were everything. this is def a more spooky season read than springtime but i loved it nonetheless 💫

This book was so atmospheric, I felt like I was right there in Hazelthorn with our MC desperate to find out what was going on. It was such a fast paced read and I loved the fact that we learn the truth as the MC does.

Highly recommend for those who love deeply atmospheric, botanical gothic horror!

I throughly enjoyed this book. It sucks you in from the first page. A decrepit manor, a writhing garden, and judgmental fawn wallpaper. The entire novel poetic. There was lots of imagery of thorns, dead moths, brittle leaves. The whole thing was dark, heavy, and gothic. A story of greed, secrets, and obsession. Very moody and botanical. Evader screams recluse, and I loved his complicated relationship from Laurie.

I’ll be posting a full review on my blog soon!

The author’s descriptive writing totally sucked me into the story. The setting and the characters were mysterious and clouded in eeriness. Dark, twisty, beautiful, haunting.

Evander is an orphan who has lived at Hazelthorn as a ward of a billionaire. Evander has been sequestered to the north wing of the estate and forbidden to leave his room for the past several years under the guise that he is sickly and prone to episodes. He also had a near death encounter several years ago in the garden with his guardian’s grandson that also contributes to his ongoing isolation.

One day Evander’s door is mysteriously unlocked and he finds his guardian in the conservatory. He witnesses the death of the old man and inherits his estate. Free from his isolation, Evander begins to unravel the mysteries and horror of Hazelthorn.

This book was a journey and by the time I reached the end, I immediately wanted to reread it.

This book is slated to release in October 2025 and I think it will be the perfect spooky read for the fall.

Thanks to NetGalley for the EARC!

I have also read, Don’t Let the Forest In and the way Drews’ can build such a beautiful, horrifying world chock full of plants, melancholy, and complicated characters is so immersive. I love the plant body horror element to these books, super creative and downright spooky. Evander and Laurie’s story is so special and carefully crafted throughout the story, this is yearning folks.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This is an outstanding, interesting, beautifully written book set at the Hazelthorn house and gardens. CG Drews is an artist who has given us a wonderful gift.

The language and setting were fantastic - green and gloomy, wild and terrifying. The characters were lovely - both Evander and Laurie (who I still picture as Timothee Chalamet from Little Women but it totally works). And the plot was gripping - with a major twist every 50 pages that had me staying up late reading and questioning everything.

I have only two regrets - first, that this review cannot possibly do the book justice, and second, that I was so eager to find out what’s next that I didn’t fully immerse myself in the writing and imagery. I look forward to exploring these more and slowing down in the re-read!

I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoys dark, spooky, botanical vibes. This is the perfect book for a Halloween-inspired fall reading list, but all the greenery and garden themes made it a very appropriate spring read as well. Beware this is a true horror novel, unlike many of the gothic novels which are popular these days, and it is quite gorey at times. While it turned my stomach a bit, this didn’t detract from my ability to enjoy the experience. This book does explore very dark themes, so I advise reading the trigger warnings which are posted at the start of the book.

5 stars. I was thrilled to read and review this ARC, provided by Macmillan via NetGalley.

Drews' writing style was made for me. Everything from the atmosphere, the eerie characterizations, and the plot twists was fantastic.

I loved Don't Let The Forest In last year, and anyone who was a fan of that novel is sure to find themselves devouring Hazelthorn as well. The horror elements here are delightfully different, more gritty and gory than psychological, but in all the best ways. I fell in love with Evander in the first few pages, and even Laurie snatched my heart up quickly. This haunting, immersive, romantic, and deeply emotional YA horror will linger in your mind long after the final chapter.

I can already feel in my bones that this is my favorite novel of 2025!

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Feiwell and Friends (Macmillan) for the arc!

CG’s latest novel delivers in all aspect of the word GOTHIC. Dark and atmospheric to the last page. Hazelthorn is a gothic horror love story with a strong message of self acceptance at its core. Oh, and lots of botanical body horror and a murder mystery subplot that will hook you from the beginning.

The lyrical writing style accompanied by a protagonist with such a strong internal monologue referencing anxiety and isolation led to beautiful prose. We experience the same level of suffocation, paranoia and hopelessness Evander experiences on each page. The reader learns as Evander does so nothing feels like info dumping and it complements the pacing very well. The imagery is immaculate! No descriptors have been spared when detailing the architecture, starving gardens and horror of the situation. As for the romance, it was perfection! This novel has some of the best yearning I’ve read in a story. Nothing felt rushed or forced. This was my first venture into the world of CG Drews and I’ll most definitely be returning.

While it took me a bit to get into this book, I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. The writing was very good, and the plot had me on the edge of my seat. The only main problem I had with it was the pacing, as it felt like everything moved very quickly. This made it harder to become fully attached to all the characters. Besides this, I still really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to any readers who love this genre!

4.75 stars
I loved this book in so many ways did it also heal some parts of my inner child YES. I also loved the illustrations that we get to see through out the book. I did not think that plant horror was gonna be my genre but here’s to new beginnings and loving new authors.

Thanks to NetGalley and CG Drews for allowing me an ARC copy for my open and honest opinions.

<b> The Garden Wants You Back </b>
•
"Perhaps he is Ariadne and behind one of these walls is the Minotaur."
"Stop acting out for attention. Stop - stop being like this. Be goddamn normal for once."
"Pain is meant to take up space or else we wouldn’t know how to scream. Fuck making your agony go silent to avoid disturbing others. Maybe they should be disturbed."
"This unkempt yearning tipping through his chest is ridiculous and distracting and - and pointless."
“There is something wrong with him and the way he constantly wants to put the whole garden in his mouth and swallow.”
•
“I am worse without you.”
•
I wish I could recreate the feeling this book gave me at 77%. Horrified and mesmerized. Appalled. Hazelthorn is in a league of its own. It is not a romance book with horror elements or a horror book with elements of romance. The normal limits of genre are completely broken in this young adult murder mystery/psychological thriller/horror/romance. I gave up trying to define or predict this novel within 50 pages. Truly genre-bending. Somehow it delicately combines several genres in a way that left me feeling like I was both crawling out of my skin and swooning. Our main characters give Jude & Cardan ‘I hate that I love you’ energy with a healthy dose of ‘why don’t we just merge souls?’ obsession. C.G. Drews created a uniquely captivating experience that left me both enthralled and uneasy. I love the writing of C.G. Drews because I truly never know what kind of darkness to exist at the next turn - a vile, wicked thing undoubtedly. But I’m left with no way to predict whether it will be monster or man.
•
The Earth just isn’t turning quite the same when I’m not reading a C.G. Drews ARC (thank you, NetGalley!). I can barely wait another moment to hold this physical book in my hands.
•
Autism Representation
Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers
Forest Rot Gothic Horror
MM Romance
Young Adult