I’m so grateful to have received this arc through netgalley and its publisher. This was a quick and satisfying read- a familial story of black sheep, family shame, secrets, and misunderstanding. Honestly I loved so much about this! The writing was well paced, clear, and narrative driven, keeping me interested throughout. I think this novel could be many things- literary fiction, thriller, mystery- but I love that it can’t really be defined by a single genre. If you’re anything like me, you’ll love Phade and aunt Madeline, and will probably see some of yourself in both women. The natural setting and use of plants, trees, and flowers as a character made me like this novel even more. All in all, a great read that I’m so happy to have gotten to journey through!

A beautifully gothic read! It was a spooky (yet cozy!) mystery with a strong female lead, poetic prose, and witchy vibes that packed an emotional gut punch. I absolutely loved the ending and the unsettling truths it uncovered will remain with me for a long time to come. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a deep, haunting, and spooky read.

Thank you to ECW Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

💕 Review: The Witch of Willow Sound 💕 by Vanessa Pinney.

Thank you to NetGalley and @ecwpress
for this e ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If I could give this book 6 stars I would. The writing is captivating, enchanting, poetic, artistic.... simply beautiful prose. The story itself is a combination of mysterious and cozy. Found family vibes as well. I would describe it overall as dark but cozy murder mystery with witchy vibes. Loved every minute of it. I read this book in less than 48 hours :)

Can't wait to read more from this author... and she is now on my auto buy list!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


#bookstagram #bookworm #bookphotography #booklover #bookaddict #books #beautifulbooks #reading #coverlove #fantasy #fantasybooks

While this has a lot of inconsistencies that made me clench my teeth as I was reading, the basic premise is fine if very predictable from early on. Fade is an interesting character who could use a bit more personality (and a LOT less of using the pseudo-swear "frig" all the FUCKING time which was even more annoying than the inconsistencies); her aunt Madeline is well-created; too bad we can't get her alive. Mostly I found the novel uneven. Characters appear and disappear and should have more of a role; the rock over the town is just kind of silly; the sweet and charming archivist could have been more rounded-out; and the plot with the evil mayor could have been handled with more subtlety and less hammy over-the-topness. I'd love for this to get one more round of developmental edits to really bring it together.

The Witch of Willow Sound by Vanessa F. Penney is a fantastic gothic tale, packed with atmospheric details. The novel follows Fade, the main character, as she attempts to find her missing aunt. Sadly, the aunt—Madeline—is believed to be the local witch.
Fade is a difficult character to like; she has been through a lot and doesn’t feel the need to justify her actions or feelings to anyone. She is also not traditionally feminine and pretty, and as the niece of the witch, she is not accepted by the village. But there is much going on below the surface and it is impossible not to be drawn to her humor and strength. It is a compelling narrative of outsiders, as she develops a wonderful friendship with the local archivist, Nish.
There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story as the two search for clues about Aunt Madeline. There are also very dramatic scenes, confrontations, and natural events that are perfect for heightening the level of dread and suspense. But one of the most fascinating elements is the way Penney weaves in historical witch lore, grounding the supernatural in eerie traditions.
The author has real skill in setting atmospheric details where something pretty is oh-so- slightly off, or handwriting is spooky, or the rain is not just rain. She also captures the worst of small town mentality and politics in sharp, well-crafted moments.
Overall, this was a well written and enjoyable novel and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for the eARC.

🩷 Thank you Netgalley for this e-arc.
🩷 This is my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I'm a sucker for a funny, smart, badass FMC and this book delivered. I found myself laughing at her witty comebacks quite often, especially when paired with Nish.

I was specifically looking for a book with a Gothic atmosphere, dark magic, and gloomy world building and this book hit the mark. I loved the way the world was described in great, but not overly done detail.

I would certainly recommend to anyone looking for something dark but fun at the same time. I would read again.

This book is a must read! It drew me in from the very beginning. I’m going to be following this author for all future book! The story had so many twist and turns. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Witch of Willow Sound is one of those rare books that lingers with you long after you’ve finished—part gothic mystery, part quiet social commentary, and wholly captivating. Set on the wild, windswept coast of Nova Scotia as a hurricane looms, the atmosphere is hauntingly immersive. Vanessa F. Penney’s writing is nothing short of breathtaking—lush, lyrical, and deeply evocative.

The story follows Phaedra (Fade), a scarred cyber-investigator retreating from a traumatic past, as she searches for her missing Aunt Madeline in a decaying, suspicious town where folklore and fear run deep. The mystery is layered and slow-burning, but never dull—it unfolds like a storm gathering at sea, every new piece of information charged with tension and emotional weight.

Rather than focusing on the supernatural, the book explores the all-too-real horrors of scapegoating, misogyny, and generational fear. The “witch” in this story is metaphorical, and Penney handles this theme with nuance and power. The emotional reveal behind Aunt Madeline’s past is particularly moving—unexpected, raw, and unforgettable.

What elevates the story even further is the vibrant supporting cast, especially Nish, a folklore archivist whose flamboyance and heart balance the story’s darker themes. His dynamic with Fade is heartwarming and refreshingly authentic—one of the book’s many strengths.

My only reason for a half-star deduction is that a few minor questions were left hanging by the end—but even so, the emotional resolution felt complete and deeply satisfying.

Whether or not you usually read gothic mysteries, The Witch of Willow Sound deserves your attention. It’s a powerful debut filled with sorrow, resilience, and quiet hope. I can’t wait to read more from Vanessa F. Penney.

If you’re looking for a beautifully written story that blends eerie mystery with rich emotional depth, this is it.

Let me know if you'd like this tailored for Goodreads or Audible formatting!

The title, cover and description immediately caught my attention. I knew I had to get my hands on this one. There were a few things that bothered me while reading, so that's why I'm giving it a 3.5 (3 stars rounded down, sorry).

Now it wasn't bad, but not all good either. The story felt a little flat at times and it felt the story got dragged a bit. Besides that I liked it. The story was dark, mysterious and yet there was something cosy about it. The writing was very pleasant and easy to follow. It was descriptive and it felt like I was really there.

Fade's story was interesting, she comes from a complicated family and you just kept discovering more about her, her mom and aunt. I also loved her bantering with one of the side characters. The first half I was hooked, second half not so much. The story went slow and it felt like not much happened. Some chapters could've been shortened or even scrapped for sure. I just started caring less about the story and it's characters.

Overall it was fine. Not good, not bad.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This novel delivers an eerie, slow-burning mystery set in the isolated woods of Nova Scotia, where estranged niece Fade is tasked with finding her missing aunt, Madeline. The setup is compelling: a rotting cottage, an air of dread, and a village steeped in superstition. The looming rock over Grand Tea is a striking metaphor for generational fear and tension, adding a layer of symbolic weight to the narrative.

The book shines most in its setting—Willow Sound and the surrounding village are vividly drawn, and the creeping unease is well-executed. The townspeople’s strange folklore and the hurricane on the horizon help build a moody, gothic atmosphere that lingers.

The pacing can drag in places, and some characters feel more like archetypes than fully realized individuals. While the mystery of Madeline’s disappearance is enough to keep the pages turning, the resolution may not satisfy every reader, particularly those looking for straightforward answers or an intense emotional payoff.

Still, this novel might be worth the visit if you’re in the mood for something a bit strange, dark, and atmospheric—with a hint of folk horror.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. I liked the concept and the plot. It was very touching and dived into historic details of 20th century Nova Scotia and the effects it had later down the line. The book was a bit two dimensional and the last 25% of the story had an almost cartoonish villain quality to it. The word ‘frig’ was way overused.

Such a great fast paced read.

I had a great time reading this and finding out the truth.

OMG!!!!!! It was crazy.

Thank you for such a great read.

After countless nights of rough sleeping in graveyards or her car, Fade Luck is suddenly pulled back into her past by an unexpected phone call from her distant mother: her beloved Aunt Madeline has gone missing. Fade travels to Willow Sound, Nova Scotia, to find her reclusive aunt. But the once-cosy cottage—where she spent childhood afternoons sipping her aunt’s famous forget-me-not blue tea—now sits abandoned and silent. Her search leads her to the nearby town of Grand Tea, a place perched uneasily in the shadow of a towering, precarious rock said to be capable of crushing the town without a moment’s notice. The townspeople are tight-lipped and hostile, especially toward anyone bearing the name Luck. Madeline, long seen as an outsider, has become the scapegoat—blamed for every misfortune, from night terrors to violent storms—and branded a witch. What unfolds is a mysterious, eerie tale steeped in folklore, where the lines between truth, memory, and myth begin to blur.

I don’t usually favour first-person narratives, and at first, Fade didn’t make it easy—her guarded nature kept me at a distance, making it difficult to connect with her. But as the story unfolded and her friendship with Nish developed, she began to open up. Small cracks in her armour started to show, and it became clear how deeply she feels—especially for those on the outside like her. Both Fade and Nish are unwelcome guests in Grand Tea, and their friendship becomes an act of rebellion—a chosen family neither of them has ever known. In a place that rejects them both, they build something small but solid—something that resembles home, even if neither of them would call it that aloud. Nish is one of the few people who truly sees her, and it’s his passion for folklore—his belief in stories and wonder—that leads her to choose him as her companion. It hints at a trust she rarely gives.

Nish is gentle where Fade is brash, hopeful where she is wary. He approaches the world with wonder; she meets it with caution. Their bond feels hard-won and quietly defiant—one of the most moving parts of the book. What makes it even more powerful is how the story subverts familiar tropes, especially those shaped by gender expectations. Rather than falling into predictable roles, both Fade and Nish defy stereotypes in subtle, meaningful ways, offering a refreshing take on characters who don’t fit the usual mould.

This was a real page-turner—far more of a mystery than I expected going in. The story unravels slowly but deliberately, with each chapter pulling you deeper into the unknown. It’s fast-paced and full of unexpected turns, and I genuinely had no idea where it was going most of the time—in the best way. The book is divided into distinct “books,” which I wasn’t sure were strictly necessary, but they do mark shifts in tone and momentum that mirror the emotional arc of the story.

Beyond the gripping mystery, the novel tackles deeper, more unsettling truths—many of which are thoughtfully unpacked in the author’s afterword. These themes don’t sit on the sidelines—they pulse through every chapter, shaping the story’s emotional core and haunting its quietest moments. At its heart, this is a story about the things society chooses to bury: the histories too painful to confront, the injustices more convenient to forget. It reckons with the mistreatment of People of Colour, the silencing of generational trauma, and the exclusion of women who live outside accepted norms. I admire how thoughtfully these realities are woven into the fabric of the narrative—not as token acknowledgements, but as lived experiences embedded into the world of the novel. The author doesn’t look away from these difficult truths, but meets them head-on with care, insight, and intention.

This is a story that lingers—at once haunting, heartfelt, and full of quiet resistance. If you're drawn to folklore, found family, or stories that blend the eerie with the emotional, The Witch of Willow Sound is well worth your time.

In this book we follow Fade Luck uncovering the secrets surrounding her missing aunt Madeline. Fade is a strong female lead, who does not shy away from confrontation and uncovering the truth. Fighting superstitious villagers and seeking justice.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this debut novel by Vanessa F. Penny. It had an eerie tone to it, without getting too spooky. It was fairly fast paced and I had trouble putting this page turner down. The story is fairly moody and I can imagine it in candle light, with some fresh baked cookies in tea on a rainy autumn day.

The writing style is very digestible. At the beginning it felt a bit clunky to me, but a few chapters in I did not get the feeling anymore and enjoyed the ride. I wish we would get more information about Fade Lucks past, but I enjoyed the pieces we got as a reader. The suspension at the end of the book kept me engaged and I loved the twists in the book, though they were fairly dark.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book for the spooky season for everyone who like moody, gothic reads with witchy/cottagecore vibes to it.
I wish I could give half stars.
In total I rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and ECW press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I’ve always loved a touch of witchy magic, and The Witch of Willow Sound delivered it in the most enchanting way. Even before I opened the first page, the cover and title had already cast their spell on me.
From the very first lines, I was hooked. My initial thought was, Well, that’s one way to start a story! And I loved it.
Penney has a way of using beautiful, evocative language to describe even the darker, more unsettling moments. It was haunting yet mesmerizing, my mind’s eye was captivated and simply couldn’t look away.
The imagery throughout was unlike anything I’ve read before. I could see, feel, smell, and even taste every word. It was sensory magic! Pure beauty!

The writing style was immersive and easy to follow, pulling me deep into the story. I didn’t just want to read about Fade, I wanted to be with her, finding her aunt, wandering through that wild garden, drinking that stunning forget-me-not blue tea in Madeline’s kitchen. I could almost smell the dried herbs, feel the sea breeze over the cliffs, and hear the whispers of the past woven through every detail.
The sayings scattered through the book were not only meaningful but beautifully poetic. And the spells on the backs of the photos? That idea transported me, I’ll be borrowing that concept in my own life from now on. Each word carried a memory, a magic, a sense of longing. Just… wow.

I highly recommend this book. It’s a sweet, spellbinding story packed with action. Witches? Tick. A wolf? Tick. Eccentric townspeople? Tick. Geeky sidekick? Tick. Strong main character and a tough cop? Double tick.
If you’re into cozy gothic vibes, magical realism, and stories that make you feel like you’re there, then this book is for you

What a fascinating and thrilling story! I loved the immersiveness of the setting and the mysteries of the witches. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💖

I was drawn to this book because of the cover art and the intriguing premise. It promised gothic mystery vibes and folklore, which i absolutely love.

The story follows Fade, who travels to her aunt Madeline’s home after her mother calls with the news that Madeline has gone missing. As Fade searches for her aunt, the story weaves in local folklore and a history of witches, as well as superstitious townsfolk who believe Madeline to be a witch.

The plot itself had potential, but I’m sad to say I didn’t enjoy the book overall. The main character felt hotheaded (often emotionally dysregulated) and honestly quite unlikeable, which made it hard for me to connect with the story. The writing was clunky at times, and the dialogue didn’t feel natural.

I also noticed quite a few grammatical and structural issues that pulled me out of the story.
The way the plot unfolded felt off. It was not unpredictable in a good way, but it was more like it didn’t quite know what it wanted to be. It had a great premise, and I could see what the author was trying to do, but for me, it just didn’t land.

Ironically, the prologue was probably the strongest part of the book. I really wish that the same tone and quality had carried through the rest of the story.

I loved the premise of this book. A dark and atmospheric novel, set in Nova Scotia.

Fade travels to her aunts home, after a phone call from her mother to say her Aunt Madeline is missing. There is folklore and witch history interwoven into the story of Fade looking for her missing aunt. Interesting characters and a decent plot kept me reading.

I will say that I NEVER want to hear or read the word frig again. It’s used so many times in the book, that for me, it made this almost feel like a YA read, and took away from the serious feelings of events occurring in the novel. It made me cringe every time I read it. It will make me cringe every time I hear the word again.

This book will have you remembering the magic of childhood and the terror of adulthood.

Fade's aunt is missing, and she is tasked with driving to her cottage to check on her. But when she arrives, the house is falling apart, her aunt is nowhere to be seen, and the town seems to be crazed with talk of a witch. Blending the dark history of Nova Scotia with a fictional town and the need to blame someone for things that go wrong. This is a poignant and gripping story that makes you think about what people are really capable of.

Enjoyed the overall story and the bits of history. There were some parts that felt clunky when reading, or sections where too much exposition was dumped on the reader. Overall, I enjoyed it and had a good time.

3.5 🌟, Rounded up

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much! The aesthetic was absolutely stunning, I loved the adventure the author took me on, I loved how the title drew me in almost immediately- it was perfectly named by the way, which is high praise I think because not a lot of books are. Seriously, sometimes the titles make no sense, and for what?? This book was really well written and easy to read and understand!