The Witch of Willow Hall: A Lush Historical Gothic Novel of Magic and Family Secrets in 1820s Massachusetts

If you like Victoria Holt's gothic romances, you will like this book. It is not quite a gothic story but comes close. Lydia, her parents, and her sisters move to the town of New Oldbury, because Lydia's older sister has been involved in a scandal. They move to a 3-story house that her father had built and had originally intended it as a summer home for them and a place where he could stay when his work took him there. However, due to the scandal they move there permanently. Lydia starts hearing strange noises in the night, noises no one else hears. Her youngest sister also sees a boy that no one else sees. Then Lydia meets her father's business partner, and he is a very nice-looking young man. This is an interesting book with a lot of scheming going on in the plot. If I tell too much it will give part of the story away. There are plots by the men, by Lydia's older sister, by her aunt, and by others all woven in and through each other. The characters are interesting and well developed. I consider this a good novel.

I loved reading this. I would recommend anyone read it! I hope there is a continuation to this book as I would love to see what Lydia and John's future holds!

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*I started this book expecting nothing. It completely blew me away. Really. I LOVED this book and couldn’t put it down in the two days I read it. I feel like I’ve been waiting for a book like this for a long time, and it delivered with perfection.Set in a nineteenth century gothic setting, this story follows Lydia Montrose, who doesn’t know she’s a witch. Her family flees scandalous rumors in Boston and makes a home in Willow Hall. Throughout the book, Lydia battles who she is and what she can do, as well as the hauntings at Willow Hall and her relationships with her sisters. And, of course, there is a beautiful, brooding, Heathcliff-like man (but kinder than Heathcliff) who helps the story along.First, I love the gothic, creepy setting. Willow Hall is mysterious with its secrets and beautiful, empty halls. On the grounds, there is a pond in a forest, weeping willows, and the lingering motif of death. I love the continuous rain and all the secrecy. The setting draws you in with its originality and intrigue. I could read this book just for the setting!But the characters are even better than the setting. They are completely original, unique, have depth, and you can’t help but love every single one. They seem like real people with real thoughts and desires and mannerisms! It is so refreshing to read. As a main character, Lydia is completely likable because she is not the special one. Overshadowed by her flirty and beautiful older sister, Lydia is sensible, smart, and caring, but isn’t very noticeable to others. However, she is interesting and lively and as a reader, I feel drawn to her. I also never got frustrated with her, which is big for me, as I often get frustrated with whiny, secret-keeping, big-headed characters. I just love Lydia.I also love John Barrett. I love his brooding, kindness, sensibility, and loyalty. If you have some attraction for Heathcliff (you can admit it), you will love John. Always secretive, worrying and serious, but infinitely kind, he is the kind of man a girl could love. He’s so different from any other Prince Charming character, which adds to his charm and makes him fascinating. And I’ll admit, he’s officially my new book crush.I love all the other characters too: Lydia’s sisters, Ada and Joe, the townspeople, and others (not of this world). As I mentioned before, they all have depth and desires driving their actions, even the smallest of characters. I also love the reality of Lydia’s relationship with her sisters, good and bad. It drives the story and gives it relatability and tension.Hester Fox is a brilliant writer. Never were there cliches, as many nineteenth-century historical fictions thrive on. Her writing is fresh, clever, entertaining, and clear. This gothic mystery mixed with a bit of romance and horror is unlike anything I’ve read, and I am so thrilled to have read this book. I know, without a doubt, I will be rereading this.Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5Plot/Movement: 5Character Development: 5Overall: 5Would I recommend? YES, for all those who love mystery, tension, romance, magic, and lovely writing.

This was the perfect book to get me into the Halloween spirit!Lydia Montrose and her family are moving from Boston to New Oldbury. They have been pretty much run out of the city after certain rumors spread surrounding the oldest sister, Catherine.Lydia is the middle sister. She loves to read, likes to garden and loves her little sister, Emeline. Lydia has taken over Emeline's schooling and also her discipline. Lydia's mother is not the same since they left Boston and Lydia likes to help where she can. Their brother Charles is not with them. He's in London. There's a mystery surrounding his absence.“Charlie did a bad thing”Lydia's father, Samuel Montrose has started a new mill's business. The business is thriving but life at Willow Hall is strange. From the noises Lydia hears at night to the ghost-like forms she observes."There are stories around here that the place is haunted. All manners of ghosties and goblins."Samuel's partner, John Barrett is a young man who used to own Willow Hall. Lydia fancies him but she has to compete for his affections with Catherine, who everyone believes to be prettier than Lydia. Lydia doesn't think she can win his affections but when he gives her his attention, she is full of hope.Then tragedy strikes the family.***The Witch of Willow Hall had a good story filled with gothic components, interesting characters, enough mystery and, a good romance to make it a winner.One of the things I enjoyed the most about The Witch of Willow Hall was the way the author gave us small tidbits of what had happened back in Boston. It kept my interest piqued. It was a slow burn but with a purpose.Lydia was a unique character. She was dealing with learning something about herself that was changing her life. The best part about Lydia was that she was a bookie!Catherine was a great villain. She was a character you love to hate. She enjoyed belittling Lydia. Cyrus and August Pierce were also unlikable characters but I still think Catherine is the worst.Emeline was a sweet girl. I love how Snip, her dog was always with her.John Barrett had an air of mystery that enticed me to learn more about him. He could also be quite swoony.“I expect that the next time I see you it will be in the library, or the parlor, or the garden—anywhere else but your room—and that you will have a new book recommendation for me. Hopefully something with a happy ending this time.”Thank you, Harlequin and Graydon House for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.Cliffhanger: No4/5 Fangs

What can I Say? The Witch of Willow Hall is a fabulously written debut novel that got me out of the most horrible two week book slump. I was going through samples and samples trying to find something that grabbed me, when I came across this one, and the rest is history so to say – I instantly downloaded the rest and was utterly spellbound from that moment on!This story follows the Montrose family in the 1800s (Mr and Mrs Montrose and their 3 daughters Catherine, Lydia and Emeline) as they are forced to flee from their home in Boston following an outrage of rumours of a family scandal. It’s at the time when “rumours” such as these can still lead to a death warrant, despite it being many, many years after the Salem Witch trials ended.They arrive in New Oldbury where her father sets up a mill and take residence at the Willow Hall estate (previously meant to be a summer home for the family). As the family try to start afresh and begin to settle in to Willow Hall, strange happenings begin seeming to follow Lydia around. Willow Hall it appears has it’s own secrets, and has a history of tragedy lurking behind it’s walls…Historical fiction is one of the genre’s I do struggle with; I want to read it and enjoy it, but we just don’t always click, however, Fox’s fleshed out characters, so rich in it’s atmosphere and beautifully written debut, completely cast it’s spell over me!If you’re going into this book and expecting it being full on with witches, ghosts and the supernatural side, then just be aware that isn’t what you are going to get – yes, these are all there, but subtle elements to the story that work really well. At the heart of the book is a tale of sibling rivalry between Lydia and older sister Catherine as they fight for the attention of the very eligible Mr Barratt. It’s also one where Lydia slowly uncovers the secrets of Willow Hall and comes to terms with those of herself.Very early on in the novel there are hints dropped that the family scandal is centred around Catherine, but the author never really tells us much more of this mystery until we need to be aware. Instead, as I previously said, she really fleshes out the sisters. Catherine really is the wicked sister, at ease it seems deceiving anyone who stands in her way of what she wants or needs. At times I felt kind of sorry for her, but the more the story progressed the more she made me rage towards her! Lydia I was instantly fond of. I loved her relationship with little Emeline; a wonderful character so full of personality, who always wanted to be like and do what her young adult sisters were doing. I hated the way Catherine treated Lydia and at times I wanted to yell at her to open her eyes and see what was actually going on!Did I mention Mr Barratt?! Mr Barratt; charming, handsome, dashing, humorous and oh so swoon-some! Yes, I wholeheartedly fell for the historical romance in the novel, which had a real air of those Austen and Bronte classics about it.This is a wonderful novel of tragedy, lies, loss and love, but most importantly, discovering yourself. It’s one woman’s tale of discovering that there’s more to herself than she could of ever known and taking the strength of her newfound powers to finally stand up for herself and get what she wants and deserves!The Witch of Willow Hall is the perfect Autumnal read that is sure to cast a spell on you; an eerie, enchanting, achingly romantic piece of historical fiction. I loved stepping out of my comfort zone and will, for sure be picking up the author’s follow up.

I really don’t know where to begin with this book. It’s been long time since I’ve just flew through a book like i did this one and it feels so good. I love this book inside and out.It’s incredibly fast paced and laid out so well for such a short book. The pace is just brilliant. I truly found this book so hard to put down. From the first page I was utterly compelled. This book truly does bewitch you.Not all the characters are at all likeable. I loathed some but some characters I truly loved and was desperately rooting for. I must say Fox is an utter master with writing emotions. Each one I could feel coming off the page, compressing me. Elements of gothic and a achingly romance.I would the story perhaps centres more around the romance than the witchcraft element but they do entwine very well. That didn’t bother me to be honest because I got lost in the achingly story. The scandal in the book I did find very obvious straight away and further on there are little hints dropped for the reader. The book did hold a couple of triggers for me and there is an attempted suicide.I look forward to reading her other works.

So I don't read scary books, I'm a scardey-cat by heart, but this book called to me in all it's 1800's charm...and it is Halloween soon! I read with bated breath waiting to find out what the scandal was (and it was a jaw dropper!), if there would be another scandal (I clearly like the oldey world drama!), who would be the witch and who would get the man.Then I read this, at 11pm and nearly soiled my undies (remember scardey-cat!) 'You attract them. Some mean you harm. Prepare for what lies ahead.' OMG! Too much for my innocent brain!!!!!I cannot believe this is the authors debut novel, it's a corker. I was hanging off every word (even though I was worrying if I would sleep and I did have some funny dreams about my 8 year old loosing my bus pass, that I don't even own, and having to get off the bus and walk home!)But seriously people, this is a fabulous read, especially around Halloween!

The first half of the book I whipped through without even realising how much I'd read. The story was interesting enough but I don't think I'd say gripping. The writing style made it easy to and comfortable to read. This is not a complaint but a compliment. I found Lydia, John and Emmaline likeable characters that I could root for. The problem can around three quarters of the way through where I got so annoyed with Lydia capitulating so easily to a pathetic half drawn character that I put the book down and didn't pick it up for over a month. I wasn't sure if I was going to bother finishing it I was that put off. However I'm glad I did as it meant I was able to finish the book liking Lydia again.

Everything I adore in a good story.Being a lover of classic Gothic stories, this has a definite feel of everything I look for; great location, a large family house steeped in mystery, family secrets, ghosts and witches. What more could you want?The author gives us equal measures of romance, longing and dark creepy thrills, that your heart rate never drops!I've preordered the author second book ready in great anticipations, I sure it will not disappoint.