Don't Let the Forest In was one of my favorite books of 2024. So, when I saw C.G. Drews had another book coming out, I jumped at the chance, pushing the rest of my TBR back so I could devour this one. And I am so glad I did!

Hazelthorn is even more atmospheric and haunting. It's also more gory, which is hard for someone like me, but the author's prose is so addictive that I couldn't look away even if I wanted to.

Our protagonist, Evander, was so relatable and realistic, sometimes painfully so. I learned I was on the autism spectrum later in life. There have been so many times when I felt trapped in my own mind and body, when I was so desperate to understand why I couldn't seem to grasp what others seemed to so easily. When I wished I could just be " normal". Evander's desperation while trapped in his own haunted house was something I felt viscerally. My chest ached for him.

And the romance, the YEARNING. Oh, it was devastating and delicious. Other book love interests should take notes for Laurie Lennox-Hall.

I was fortunate enough to follow CG Drews through their journey writing "Don't Let the Forest In," and I knew from the start this would be a new favorite author of mine. They did such a gut-wrenching and beautiful job in Hazelthorn. I was on the edge of my seat the entire read, unable to look away and terrified to turn the page. This will be a top 2025 read for me, and I am sure many others who read it will feel the same. What a wonderfully written, heartbreaking masterpiece of a story.

Hazelthorn was quite a fun read. I, for the most part, enjoyed my time with Hazelthorn, Evander, and Laurie.

As always, I’ll start with my favorite parts. The two main characters, Evander and Laurie, had such an interesting dynamic (I had a few issues but that’s for the second part of this) and were both well rounded characters, Laurie especially. I have a damn weak spot for sassy and rude but ultimately hurt characters (bonus points if they have shoulder length blonde hair LMAO) it’s not even funny. I eat them up every time.

When I think back on Hazelthorn I feel the mist of the rain, the smell of petrichor, of dirt, and that’s a sign of a good atmosphere in my book!! The story itself was well-focused and character driven. It felt very concise and was consistent with what it wanted to say. The prose of Hazelthorn was good. Less repetition and purple prose than DLTFI, it’s clear CG Drew’s has been honing their skills and it’s paying off!! Most of the questions that had risen in the beginning/middle were answered by the end. I didn’t leave this book scratching my head much, which is a nice contrast from DLTFI!!

!! Spoilers from here on out !!

I don’t have as many qualms with Hazelthorn as I did with DLTFI, but there are still some (that clouded my enjoyment…) My biggest issues was the weird murder-not-murder that fueled the fire in Evander for hating Laurie. It didn’t feel realistic(?) that the most Evander felt was “augh, he tried to kill me… grr” and not a fuller, more intense reaction to merely seeing Laurie because… yknow, he’s under the impression that Laurie to kill him. I personally think that being told something tried to kill you, combined with the vague, weary memories of it, along with the psychical scars and reactions to the event would cause some PTSD, but idk.

More on their dynamic, apart from the murder-not-murder, the progression of Evander and Laurie relationship was a little bit poor. They went from hating each other, to tolerating each other, to close partners in crime in, like, 70 pages. And then they started verbally duking it about at 80% in the middle of grandpa’s hidden tower?? I wish their relationship was grittier, beginning with Evanders complete aversion and intense panic when faced with Laurie, and more drawn out.

Another plot point that probably literally no one but me will talk about. It read, at times, that the big reveal at the end was going to be a DID-esque, “evil alter” one. I did not like this!! The amount of mentions of internal dialogue that “wasn’t Evander” or his episodes being fully blacking out and waking up somewhere completely different, sometimes in a trashed environment or having hurt those around him. Really felt like the “evil alter” DID trope at times.

All in all, decent book. I’m still stuck in the 2.5-3/5 range so I think I’m going to keep it there or it’ll be something stupid like 2.867/5.

rounded up to 3/5

CG Drews's prose drew me in from the very first page, the very first line. I fell in love with the world, the estate, the characters. Oh, Evander and Laurie, and their relationship. This book tore me apart and then put me right back together. I couldn't put this book down. As soon as I finished, I wanted to read it all over again.

While I'm well versed in horror tropes and twists, I did not see this one coming. Excellently done.

I love the writing and description in this book. It's the kind of prose that makes me want to highlight and underline almost every beautiful phrase. Drews is a writer that weaves words with skill.

I knew going into this book that I was going to love it. There was no pressure. This was incredible.

This was raw and visceral. Evander and Laurie, two boys darkening the doorways of the overgrown Hazelthorn estate. One, a sickly shut in, the other a razor-tongued grandson to the lord of the manor, billionaire Byron Lennox-Hall. Laurie is free to come and go as he pleases though, while Evander is locked away in his room (for his own safety, of course). A rule that Byron has always given Evander, stay away from Laurie. He has tried to abide, but he can’t keep his eyes off the boy. There is a delicious madness within the obsession these boys have with one another. Years ago, in the garden, Laurie tried to kill Evander. Things have never been the same since.

Now, with the sudden death of Byron Lennox-Hall, the fate of both boys hangs in the balance. Between money-hungry and blood-thirsty relatives swooping in to get a piece of the fortune, trying to figure out what really happened to Byron, and the encroaching and forbidden garden outside calling to him, Evander is a mess. Drews really puts their characters through it and it is the best thing ever. There is emotion and suspense on every page. The link between Laurie and Evander is this whole different beast, too. There was not a single thing about this book that wasn’t vital. LOVED IT.

From the very first page, Drews’s prose hooked me with its haunting beauty. The descriptions are so vividly horrific and you can almost feel the damp chill clinging to your skin.

Evander’s journey is at the heart of this tale, and I truly felt every beat of his fear, hope, and determination. As the layers of the mystery peeled back, I was right there beside him, as desperate to understand as he was. Laurie blossomed into a wonderfully complex presence who was at first enigmatic, then gradually revealing his depths. I won’t spoil the twists, but you’ll want to piece together every clue just as fervently as they do.

I couldn’t put this down and found myself reading deep into the night to see it through to the end. If you love gothic atmosphere, tightly woven mysteries, and characters you can’t stop caring about, Hazelthorn should be next on your shelf. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc.

If my feelings for “Don’t Let the Forest In” were love then my feelings for “Hazelthorn” have me crawling home to her from my putrid grave. After feverishly devouring this novel, I feel like this a fitting opinion of it. I would roll around in the dirt and pull my hair out just to one day be able to compose something of this caliber. Their story will haunt me for the rest of my days. “God was stronger than me when he made Adam and didn’t fall in love with him.” When I was younger, I would write down my favorite quotes and cover my bedroom walls with them. Hearing this line made me feral. I wanted to carve these words onto paper with my teeth. I wanted to plaster it to my ceiling so I could consume it every night before bed. C.G. Drews, my life is better because you woke up one day and wrote this story.

Evander has spent most of his life locked away in a vast estate owned by his guardian, Byron. He’s always thought Byron was taking care of him, albeit in odd ways sometimes. His first memory is of being attacked and nearly buried alive in the estate’s garden, but even that memory is spotty. Ever since, he has had episodes and numerous surgeries as a result of that attack.

When his door is unlocked one night and his guardian dies, everything he knows about his life and his inherited estate begins to unravel. And Laurie, the boy who tried to kill him all those years ago, seems to be at the center of it all. So why does Evander have such a heated yearning for him? And why does the garden seem to be working so hard to get to Evander?

The dark descriptions of plant life, the search for identity and the twists in the story make for an attention capturing read. I also loved the inner, sometimes manic, thoughts of Evander!

This book is very descriptive, to the point of being jarring and a bit exhausting. The plot was fantastic and I was genuinely shocked when everything was revealed. I would definitely read another book by this author when i’m in the headspace for it. I definitely recommend if you like mysteries with big horror and fantastical elements.

Another amazing novel by CG Drews! Drews is such a talent in the writing world and I’ve loved every new release, and Hazelthorn is no exception. Definitely recommend!

Getting to read this book in advance was such a gift. This beautiful, messy, raw masterpiece will not soon be forgotten.

I only wish I could read it for the first time again.

Evander is a metaphorical fire filled with longing and torment, grasping at anything he can to unravel the mysteries of the past and of himself. You will long to protect him, to be his voice when he has none, to help him grow.

Laurie quietly weaves through this story in a dance with the truth and the lies and is the perfect catalyst moving things forward. It was an absolute treasure to read him.

C.G. Drews has given me a brilliant and enduring reminder of what good writing looks and feels like. I found myself reading paragraphs aloud to my husband, my dog, really anyone who would listen just so they could experience this joy, and so I would know that it wasn't all just a fever dream.

This is the best book I have read in 2025.

Thank you to Net Galley and Feiwel & Friends for this ARC.

Hazelthorn is a haunting gothic horror novel. Set in the eponymous Hazelthorn estate, this story focuses on a sickly seventeen year old boy named Evander who resides in the north wing of the overgrown property. Confined to his room, and visited only by staff and occasionally his guardian, Evander passes many lonely years watching the riotous gardens encroach on the house. The sudden return of his one time friend and now enemy Laurie to the Hazelthorn estate sends Evander into a tailspin. Evander is still haunted by the memories of Laurie trying to kill him seven years ago, his scars a constant, tormenting reminder. However, his deep attachment to Laurie threatens to put him again in harms way. When his guardian is murdered Evander resolves to solve the mystery, but he may need Laurie’s help to do it. Evander’s search for the truth will take him down a much darker road than he ever imagined.

This book was beautifully written and well paced. The main characters were complex and compelling, as was their relationship dynamic. This story is full of beauty, mystery, terror, heartbreak, and redemption. There are disturbing themes and sequences in this book, so checking trigger warnings is advised.

I would recommend to fans of gothic horror and eco-horror.

I really don’t think this book was for me. It didn’t hold my interest the way I thought it would and really was a struggle for me to get through.

This book broke me and put me back together again. I had to sit with my thoughts for a few hours after reading

Another wild ride from CG Drew’s that scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. If you loved Don’t Let the Forest In the vibes from this book are quite similar and would highly recommend this one as well.

I won’t summarize too much more than the GR blurb because I think going into this with as little info as possible made the experience better. If you like lush writing and creeping dread and anxiety coming off the page this is the book for you.

This book has a YA tag (likely due to the main characters being under 18, and flashbacks from their childhoods) but it didn’t read as YA to me, I wouldn’t let that put you off, if you only read adult books (much like myself) this could still be for you.

The plot twist had me yeeted off a cliff and eyes glued to the book once it hit.

I can’t personally speak for how the autism rep reads but it certainly is nice to get characters with more diverse backgrounds.

I’m obsessed with this book and CG Drews now and is definitely auto buy author for me. Not sure if this will be for you? Check out the author on TikTok (cgdrews) the videos they make are so spot on with the atmosphere of this book.

A huge thank you to the publisher/author and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

The writing in this book was utterly captivating; Drews masterfully wove the intricate language of the garden into every facet of the narrative, creating a lush tapestry of words that resonated deeply. There are certainly some content warnings regarding themes of abuse, and I regrettably glanced ahead too soon, which left me feeling unnecessarily sorrowful. However, I found myself truly enamored with the way the two main characters’ complex history unfolded, particularly in the latter half of the story.

Plant horror, my beloved genre, has never felt more alive than in this narrative. Hazelthorn captured my heart completely. This book was a breathtaking journey, and while it didn’t feature a heartbreakingly tragic ending, I found myself in tears by the time I reached the final page. The lyrical language was nothing short of stunning—atmospheric and vibrant, it enveloped me like a dense fog. The main characters were intricately woven, filled with layers of complexity and a simmering rage that was palpable. I can honestly say I have zero complaints, which is a rarity for me. The unsettling nature of the story was disturbingly beautiful.

The haunting forest intermingled with the world of a pompous, wealthy family and a boy who has been branded as broken crafted an extraordinary tale of monstrous hunger. Hazelthorn’s seething hatred towards the Lennox-Halls was a delight to witness. As always, Drews’ prose perfectly captured the eerie essence of the Hazelthorn estate, which was steeped in an ominous atmosphere. While there were moments where the language felt overly florid and indulgent—especially for a reclusive teenage boy—it ultimately served to enrich the haunting quality of the narrative. I eventually recognized that the lush, flowery language was an intentional choice, carefully constructed to fulfill a vital role within the story, extending beyond mere atmosphere. Although some sentiments felt repetitive at times, I welcomed this; they offered a glimpse into the labyrinthine thoughts spiraling through Evander’s mind.

I adored the book’s mystery and the intricate dynamics between the characters. While I did manage to predict some aspects of the plot, the overall unfolding of events remained elusive and engaging. Greed, resentment, and blood were woven into the very fabric of each relationship, underscoring the heart of the tale. One of the aspects I cherish about horror—regardless of its supernatural, paranormal, or fantastical elements—is the underlying truth that often, the most terrifying monsters are the people among us. This theme was beautifully explored in Hazelthorn, leaving me both unsettled and mesmerized.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!
"Because sometimes the snarl, the insult, the teeth marks cut into the nearest person are so often a reflections of the busies you already wear."
***
Taken in as an orphan by a reclusive billionaire- Byron Lennox-Hall-, Evander is kept in a room deep within the sprawling mansion of Hazelthorn Manor. When Evander was 10, Bryon's grandson, Laurie, tried to murder him. Or that's what Evander's been told. Ever since, Evander has been a sickly thing. When Byron dies unexpected, Evander is determined to figure out how and why. But as his investigation continues, he unearths the deeply disturbing history of Hazelthorn Manor and his past with Laurie. Byron's last words to Evander were "don't go into the garden", but Evander just can't seem to help himself...
***
C.G. Drews is a poet. This book is an unsettling, bloody, and beautiful masterpiece. I devoured this book almost as deeply as Evander was devoured by Hazelthorn Manor. I have already ordered the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition because I cannot get enough of this book. Hazelthorn has suck it's roots so deep into my soul, that I don't think it will ever be uprooted.

This review posted to Tiktok & Goodreads.

thank you netgalley for giving me this digital arc and the chance to read this story

this is a story full of rot, anger, and magnetic obsession wrapped up in queer botanical horror.

The only life Evander has ever known is shattered by the death of his guardian and the invasion of the outside world as he feels he is losing control. This is only worsened by the return of Laurie, the boy who Evander only remembers as a close friend in childhood who had tried to kill him. But as Evander tries to unravel who had killed his guardian, more and more Evander is finding it harder to tell apart nightmares and his reality.

This story is heavily floral (aha) in its purple prose and I find that a positive to me, especially as the story nears its climax and Evander realizes what exactly he is. The story kept me trying to guess where the next turn would take and it really was fun when i was able to guess even if in not quite the correct way.

Also as an autistic person myself I actually really loved how Evander engaged with the world around him. Sometimes we truly do feel not human, completely shutting down when things become too much, and dissociate in such a matter.

A special shout out to this line specifically because I literally tossed my phone down on the bed and kicked my feet while hiding my face. Love me a good worshipful queer obsession

<i>"God was stronger than me when he made Adam and didn't fall in love with him."</i>

"God was stronger than me when he made Adam and didn't fall in love with him."

"I am worse without you."

Queer, neurodivergent, gothic, botanical horror with issues of identity, class, and toxic relationships told in beautiful lyrical prose.

I can't wait for the special editions of this book to collect on my shelves with Don't Let The Forest In!

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

This was a bloody, dark, winding, violently descriptive, achillean horroromance of a murder mystery. Beautifully written and a delight to read.