A gentle fantasy with a few missteps that kept me from fully connecting.
The novel follows Emily, who returns to Savannah after her father’s passing, hoping to find some sense of belonging. She’s taken in by a grandmother she’s never met, and soon uncovers hints of a family legacy that’s far more complicated—and perhaps more dangerous—than she imagined. There are eerie happenings, old secrets, and a touch of the supernatural woven through the story.
While the plot moves along at a decent pace, I found myself struggling to stay fully engaged. Emily as a protagonist is likable enough, but I couldn’t quite form an emotional attachment to her. Her reactions to the strange events around her often felt muted, and instead of digging into the mysteries, much of the focus seemed to drift toward her infatuation with a boy she barely knows.
And that brings me to the romance—which really didn’t work for me. The insta-love here was pretty extreme: one glance and suddenly they’re both consumed by longing. I have a hard time investing in a relationship that feels so rushed and unearned. I was hoping for something that would build slowly, with depth, but this felt more like wishful daydreaming than a believable connection.
The grandmother figure gave off an unsettling vibe right from the start—something between protective and manipulative, which made it hard to warm to her. That said, considering Emily’s grief and isolation, I can see why she might cling to this last remaining link to family, even if the relationship felt strained.
As for the world-building, I found myself wishing for more. The magical elements were there, but never felt fully fleshed out. And while the setting had potential—the charm of Savannah mixed with something darker—I wanted more tension, more danger, more adventure. Instead, a lot of the time was spent on quieter moments, like Emily sharing ice cream with her new crush.
On a side note: I’m still yearning for werewolves who feel like actual werewolves, not just humans who happen to turn into wolves on occasion. It’s a personal gripe, but I do wish authors would bring more wildness, more unpredictability, to these creatures.
All that said, I think readers who enjoy cozy, low-stakes fantasy with a hint of mystery will find things to like here. For me, it just didn’t quite have enough bite.
Many thanks to Harper Collins for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, Opinions in this review are my own.

I want to start out by saying the cover for this book is absolutely gorgeous. I loved it. As for the story itself... it left a lot to be desired. The depiction of southern (USA) culture and mannerisms were off. I think perhaps some more research on the people and areas might have been a good idea. The characters were a bit boring and needed more personality. The book is listed as a gothic style read and the use of modern slang really took away from that vibe.

This was the perfect cozy, witchy story. It did read very YA at times, but I found myself totally drawn to it. Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

"The new Gothic fantasy sensation from Sunday Times bestseller Lindsey Kelk. PRE-ORDER NOW!

YOU'LL WANT TO BE ONE. UNTIL YOU KNOW THEIR SECRETS.

After sixteen-year-old Emily's father tragically dies, she is forced to live with the only family she has left, an aunt and grandmother in the heart of Savannah, Georgia in a house as beautiful as it is mysterious.

But all is not what it seems with the Bell family; they're hiding a magical secret.

When Emily meets the alluring Wyn, she forms a connection that feels like it was always meant to be. As the spark between them grows more powerful, her life takes an exhilarating and terrifying turn; but every step closer to him, takes her a step further away from her family.

Emily will find out that blood is always thicker than water...

THERE'S NO BOND GREATER THAN MAGIC."

I have been "patiently" awaiting this book. I mean, that cover alone makes me need to posses it.

This was a really atmospheric and addictive read—southern gothic vibes, generational magic, and a coming-of-age story with teeth. I loved the moody Savannah setting and the sense that the Bell family was hiding something just beneath the surface. Emily is a relatable protagonist, and her connection with Wyn is intense in that swoony, fate-tangled kind of way, even if I wanted a little more depth from their romance. The pacing was solid, though it dipped a bit in the middle, and I found myself wishing we’d gotten more time with the family magic and its history. Still, the blend of grief, romance, and witchy legacy totally worked for me. A strong 4 stars.