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    The Witch Of Willow Hall
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    The Witch Of Willow Hall
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    The Witch Of Willow Hall
    Audiobook12 hours

    The Witch Of Willow Hall

    Written by Hester Fox

    Narrated by Lauren Ezzo

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    ‘This debut recalls Georgette Heyer, with extra spookiness’ The Times ‘Beautifully written… The Witch of Willow Hall will cast a spell over every reader’ Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me

    Years after the Salem witch trials one witch remains. She just doesn’t know it… yet.

    1821: Growing up, Lydia Montrose knew she was descended from the witches of Salem, but was warned to never tell anyone what she could do, and has now forgotten her legacy. But Willow Hall has awoken something inside her…

    Having fled family scandal in Boston, Willow Hall seems an idyllic refuge from the world. But a subtle menace haunts the grounds, with strange voices and ghostly apparitions in the night, which call to Lydia's secret inheritance and threaten to awaken something long buried.

    Can Lydia confront her inner witch and harness her powers, or is it too late to save herself and her family from the deadly fate of Willow Hall?

    Readers are spellbound by the The Witch of Willow Hall!

    'Amazing' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    'If you’re looking for a witch read for autumn then move this to the top of your pile! NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    'Chilling and claustrophobic' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins Publishers
    Release dateOct 2, 2018
    ISBN9780263275193
    Author

    Hester Fox

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    Reviews for The Witch Of Willow Hall

    4/5

    135 ratings23 reviews

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    • 4/5
      The inner monologue of the main character was sometimes a bit drawn and it's overall very dramatic but a good read
    • 5/5
      This is a tale of a family that moves out of the city due a scandal surrounding the eldest daughter, Catherine. They move to a somewhat more rural location but the townspeople still whisper. Catherine is a beauty and also a bit of a shrew. Lydia, the second daughter is a more bookish girl. She lost her fiance due to the scandal although she was not overly distraught at this. Emaline, the last daughter is still a child.As the family settles in the girls meet their father’s business partner and Lydia finds herself attracted to him. Her sister, an inveterate flirt does what she can to keep his interest while also ensnaring his friend. For Catherine cannot let Lydia have anything. But this is more than a tale of sisters and the jealousies that occur. This is a story of strange happenings and spirits and a legacy passed from mother to daughter.There is no reading this book and trying to reconcile it to any kind of reality so don’t try. Just sit down, settle in and enjoy what is a truly engrossing story. It’s a slow building romance, it’s a family drama, it’s a tale of sisters – with one being creepy-evil and one being sweet with an unexpected temper that can really manifest in unexpected ways.I started reading and was still reading at 2 in the morning and only stopped because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I just found myself so involved in the world of Willow Hall that I didn’t care about the things that weren’t based in reality. It’s a perfect book for a dark and stormy night. Just curl up under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of cocoa and immerse yourself in the world of Catherine and Lydia of Willow Hall.
    • 4/5
      The Montrose family, including sisters Catherine, Lydia and Emmaline, are leaving their Boston home in 1821 and moving to the small town of New Oldbury due to a scandal. Their father is already at Willow Hall, meant to be the family's summer home, beginning a milling business. Lydia is sad to leave her home, but after some strange events in her life, she is eager to start afresh in New Oldbury. Lydia finds solace in being able to tend to her own herb garden and spends time with their neighbor, John Barrett. However, there seems to be spirits lurking in Willow Hall that call to Lydia and her younger sister Emmaline. While Catherine is busy trying to find a husband, Lydia's power is growing and the spirit of an ancestor hung at the Salem Witch is trying to help her. After a series of tragedies rocks the Montrose family, Lydia must decide to use her powers to pull everyone back together or seek revenge and risk another scandal. The Witch of Willow Hall is an atmospheric historic gothic story of a young woman finding herself. From the start when Lydia shares a memory of a boy next door, I wanted to figure out the mystery of her abilities. The writing creates a mysterious air around all of New Oldbury and Willow Hall itself. It's clear that something has happened there and that spirits still remain. While most of the story focuses on Catherine and Lydia's strained relationship, it gives a basis for Lydia's emotions and intent when she learns to harness her power. I found Catherine's character to be really interesting and wanted to know more about what drove her actions and decisions. It was really interesting to see what decisions the family made. Lydia's abilities didn't seem like they were the main focus of the story amidst all of the family drama; however everything seemed to come together in the end. This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      What an intriguing read! When the Montrose family was forced by scandal to uproot their lives and flee the city, I at first thought to myself that surely it could not have been that severe, after all what was not considered scandalous in those days? The scandal itself is a bit of a mystery, and there are hints that it may have been caused by Lydia or by Catherine, but either way I could not wait to find out what it was. Once settled in their new home it seems that gossip has followed them, and sadly a tragedy is not far behind. The relationship between the sisters held me spellbound. For having been raised by the same parents in the same home, they could not have wound up more different from each other. This was a captivating work of historical fiction with a gothic ghost story feel, complete with heroes to cheer for and villains that I took delight in hating.

      I received an advance copy for review.
    • 5/5
      It’s not a story filled with witches...witchcraft...spell casting...or broomstick riding hags... and not a black cat in sight. Almost from the very first it is filled with quiet, unsettling terror. I actually found myself holding my breath at times....and very few things in books or movies scare me anymore. If your horror includes authors like Simone St. James and Kate Morton, and early Stephen King...when child eating clowns lived in the sewers...you might be adding Hester Fox to that list when you finish this one. It’s a gothic mystery mixed with a bit of romance and horror. A tragedy with lies...loss... and love... but most importantly...it’s one woman’s tale of discovering that there’s more to herself than she could ever have known. I just wished that Lynda had learned sooner that you can’t save them all.
    • 5/5
      Such a great book. Captivating story, complex characters, so spooky at times but with a strong story so I my usual chicken self still kept reading! The main characters go on this journey and I found myself rooting for them and feeling such a huge sense of relief when healing breakthroughs happened.

      A page turner! When it comes out, I highly recommend reading it but if you’re easily scared like I can be, read it in the daytime, lol!

      I received this ARC via a Goodreads giveaway and these are my honest thoughts.
    • 4/5
      Honest truth, I went into this book expecting many spooks and scares, but instead The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox gave me all the feels. With a heroine stuck living an Austen life with a sibling determined to live her best Bronte, this was a very enjoyable historical fiction novel with bits of paranormal and hints of regency romance.

      Three sisters and a terrible rumor or secret driving them out of society, breaking up engagements, and forcing a brother oversea — this is what we’re told from the start. The secret? It’s one that takes quite some time to get to and, by the time it comes around, it feels a little out of place or lackluster. There was no build-up to it and it seemed like it was merely an afterthought to move the family to Willow Hall and have it fit American Gothic conventions. That said, I did love the secret and the story! I think that must be why I felt disappointed by it. So much more could have been done with it, yet it ends up being simply there as a prop to instigate angst between Lydia and Darcy stand-in, John Barrett.

      Apart from the angst-inducing secret, there isn’t much else to discuss about The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox. It’s a good historical American Gothic novel looking to channel Austen and Bronte. Don’t go into it expecting a good scare, and be prepared for regency style angst.

      // I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. //
    • 4/5
      Heartbreakingly enchanting story. Engaging and continued to keep my interest.. The Witch or Willow Hall was a perfect October read, however, it will be a great read for all seasons. Hester Fox, does a wonderful job of telling a story, building her characters so you become invested in the outcome of each person. This novel reminds me slightly of Pride and Prejudice, and since I love Jane Eyre this is a good thing.
      I recommend this novel for a light, entertaining read.
    • 2/5
      The Witch of Willow Hall is not what I expected. I wanted a mysterious story with witches using their magic and ghosts creeping about the place. Instead, it turned out to be more of a strange romance novel. Catherine is a mean spirited and selfish woman who seems slightly off balance. She does not care how her actions reflect on her family or what must be done to clean up her messes (of which there are many). If her sister, Lydia has something, then Catherine will take it away. As they grow up, it becomes suitors. Catherine does not want Lydia to have any joy in her life and goes out of her way to make her miserable. Lydia and John Barrett’s relationship was frustrating. Lydia is awkward with him which leads to miscommunication, misunderstandings and outright rudeness. The unlikeable characters lacked development and the dialogue did not suit the era. I enjoyed the authors descriptions that helped me to visualize the story. However, the pacing was slow and then it becomes sluggish. The story is vague in the beginning with details slowly being revealed (if you stick with it that long). It all comes together in the end when disturbing information is revealed. I did find the last quarter of The Witch of Willow Hall to be the best. The story wraps up quickly at the end and some issues were left unresolved. The Witch of Willow Hall had potential. I wish the author had focused on the paranormal elements. If they had been developed, it could have made for an intriguing tale. As you can tell, The Witch of Willow Hall was not a pleasant reading experience for me.
    • 3/5
      I do not like ghost stories! To be honest, if I knew this was a Gothic ghostie, I may not have picked it up!
      The beginning was quite slow, with many hints of scandal - incest, fratricide, witchcraft, hauntings etc. I would not call this a paranormal mystery as there isn't one all-encompassing mystery to drive the story. It is more a romance than anything else, really, since romantic relationships are the central focus of the tale. I liked how the characters were developed, and felt a lot of sympathy for Lydia.
      The narrative being written in the present tense throughout took a bit of getting used to, but it was not as awkward as in other books where I have encountered the style.
      The witchcraft was not in-your-face which I actually liked. It was quite believable that this is the type of witchcraft that may have been practiced in Salem (or may even be around now). A dormant power to control oneself and one's environment, that is almost domestic in nature.
      My rating is based on my personal bias and those who like the genre will probably disagree with me. If you like a ghost story on a slow burn then this is the book for you!
    • 4/5
      This is a rich and atmospheric novel about a witch discovering her own power, but only after suffering tragedy and scandal within her own family. Lydia is a very like-able character, even if her past includes too-many-to-be-coincidental accidents among those who have caused her anger. After her family departs Boston in scandal (caused by an unfortunate relationship between her brother and sister) and the tragic death of her younger sister Emmline, Lydia struggles to manage her family woes while also coming to terms with the growing feelings she has for her father's young business partner. Overall, a good book and definitely recommended for those who like their historical fiction with a dash of witchcraft.
    • 5/5
      Summary: The Montrose family has moved to a small mill town to get away from the scandals of the big city. Lydia, who considers herself the less attractive of the sisters, suffers from the rumors that her more beautiful sister Catherine has brought upon the family. She feels she will never find someone who will love her and take her despite the rumors. When she meets a handsome and mysterious man, she wants desperately for him to love her, but knows that it is hopeless. On top of those problems, Lydia is realizing that she may be more powerful than she believes – there have been witches in the family…My Thoughts: I loved it. The romance was adorable, and on top of that, there was drama that added a lot to the plot. Highly suggested to anyone that likes non-smutty paranormal romances.
    • 5/5
      Written by Hester Fox, this novel follows Lydia Montrose, the middle daughter of a wealthy family that has fled Boston on the heels of a devastating rumor about there family involving the eldest son whom we never meet.Now. Where to begin. I was enthralled with this novel. Sometimes, okay often, when you read a lot of novels you do get into a slump, especially when you are trying to read as many new novels as possible. Willow Hall broke my slump.Set in the 1800’s upper class, this novel does have a very British feel to it, with an American twist. The characters here all have depth and you do understand them, even if it takes some time.The most interesting thing about this novel is that I didn’t see everything happening from the beginning. Oh, I could predict a bit (hello love interest), but I didn’t see how everything would twine together. Another great thing with this book, and the reason I will be recommending it to one of my book clubs, is the fact that there is no time jumping. The backstory you learn from juxtaposition or from learning rumors in town. Okay, I made that sound a bit too much like a video game, but the characters interact with one another and that is how you learn the history.AND THE WRITING, oh, so refreshing. It just flows. I did have an ARC, so there were a few minor mistakes, but it was just so well written. There were no accents to make things confusing, they didn’t dwell too much on the surroundings except where they used it to lend to what you should have been feeling.There were happy moments, devastating moments, misunderstandings, and just a hint of magic. If you enjoy sweet love stories, mysteries, historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, I think you will love this novel. And, honestly, I think everyone should give it a shot. The author just did such a good job.
    • 4/5
      Old school gothic novel here. In the early part of the 19th century, the Montrose family finds themselves driven out of Boston by scandal. Moving to the small town/rural area where Mr. Montrose has a business interest, they settle in at the estate of Willow Hall. It’s not long before they find themselves beset by strange happenings. Lydia, the plain middle daughter, sees and hears ghosts. Emeline, the youngest, is obsessed with mermaids in the pond on the property. Catherine, the beautiful eldest, is obsessed only with finding a husband, preferably rich. Add to this cast of characters two eligible bachelors, and we have a bit- but not too much, thankfully- of gothic romance. Lydia is a good main character. Unlike all too many gothic heroines, she isn’t weak and fainty. She doesn’t hate the love interest at first, then realize she loves him (nor is it love at first sight). She’s sensible. Her main interest is taking care of Emeline. She has no idea that she has supernatural powers. The plot is decent. There are actually two main plot lines: Lydia’s, which includes Emeline and one of the two eligible males; and Catherine’s quest for a husband. She is one of those Center of the Universe people, and it turns out she has reason to act that way during the story. It’s a fast read (one evening) and kind of fun. I would have enjoyed it more if the supernatural element had been more prominent, and less time spent on Catherine. More witch, less b****. Four stars.
    • 4/5
      If you enjoy stories with spirits who commune with the living, dialogue, protocol and etiquette of the 1800s, a bit of scandal, a bit of chicanery, a bit or romance, sisters who love and hate each other in equal measure, town gossips, a little more romance and a few more spirits clogging up the works, this book should be on your radar.The wealthy Montrose Family has problems which has forced them from Boston society. Their problems take on a different dimension in their pretentious new home in New Oldbury, a suburb of Boston. Of the Montrose sisters; Lydia is happiest with her books; Emeline, the youngest, when she is playing games and telling stories to Lydia; and Catherine who never seems to be happy, merely content when she is psychologically torturing Lydia. Their new home, Willow Hall, is built on the site of a previous house and all is not as it should be. But read on and enjoy this gothic tale which has the power to make you twist your hankie and speed up your heart.Thank you NetGalley and Graydon House for a copy.
    • 4/5
      The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox is an exciting New Adult, Historical Fiction debut by a talented storyteller. It’s haunting, has family secrets, strange powers, witchcraft, tragedy, and love, against the backdrop of the 1821 New England witch hunts. An hauntingly addictive tale, with gothic elements and a dash of the supernatural, that will keep readers entranced and turning pages. Very satisfying and enjoyable read. The characters are superb and charming. The plot, mesmerizing and intriguing. Well done, Hester Fox!“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.” Rating: 4. 5Reviewer: AprilR
    • 5/5
      This is a tale of a family that moves out of the city due a scandal surrounding the eldest daughter, Catherine. They move to a somewhat more rural location but the townspeople still whisper. Catherine is a beauty and also a bit of a shrew. Lydia, the second daughter is a more bookish girl. She lost her fiance due to the scandal although she was not overly distraught at this. Emaline, the last daughter is still a child.As the family settles in the girls meet their father’s business partner and Lydia finds herself attracted to him. Her sister, an inveterate flirt does what she can to keep his interest while also ensnaring his friend. For Catherine cannot let Lydia have anything. But this is more than a tale of sisters and the jealousies that occur. This is a story of strange happenings and spirits and a legacy passed from mother to daughter.There is no reading this book and trying to reconcile it to any kind of reality so don’t try. Just sit down, settle in and enjoy what is a truly engrossing story. It’s a slow building romance, it’s a family drama, it’s a tale of sisters – with one being creepy-evil and one being sweet with an unexpected temper that can really manifest in unexpected ways.I started reading and was still reading at 2 in the morning and only stopped because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I just found myself so involved in the world of Willow Hall that I didn’t care about the things that weren’t based in reality. It’s a perfect book for a dark and stormy night. Just curl up under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of cocoa and immerse yourself in the world of Catherine and Lydia of Willow Hall.
    • 4/5
      A Gothic tale, just perfect for October. A terrfic blend of romance and ghostly happenings. Set in 1821 New England, two centuries after the infamous witch trials, we come to a creepy house, with a family whose lineage holds many secrets. So incredibly atmospheric, this was a sisters read and some of us were reminded of the atmosphere rnvoked in past Gothic reads, Rebecca, Jsne Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The chilling kind of old fashioned read where one can use words like torrid and sordid. If you read this you will see how well they fit.Characters to like, especially Lydia, one to find reprehensible, Catherine and a mysterious stranger, John. What they mean to each other, what the house wants from them will be revealed to the reader, exactly when it is time. Although chilling, suspenseful, it never gets uncomfortably dark, I thought it was just right. Not a big fan of romantic novels, but this story would not have worked without, which I don't often say. The writing, the descriptions, are very well done, and the atmosphere created just perfect. A wonderful rest for a dark, rainy evening.ARC from Edelweiss.
    • 4/5
      This a lovely creepy read for a cold rainy fall day! Fox’s debut is a dark historical gothic romance which introduces the tarnished Montrose family who have fled Boston due to scandal and rumors and settled into the family’s summer home in the country. But the Willow Hall is haunted and they’ve brought many of their problems with them. The story is at heart a twisting coming of age story for middle sister, Lydia, who must come to terms with her place in her family and its many secrets. Add to that ties to the Salem Witch trials and a sweet romance—this was hard to put down.
    • 2/5
      It is kind of funny that several of the readers where I read their reviews thought this book would be strongly focused on witchcraft. Ok, so maybe it is not too far off of a stretch to think that this book would be focused on witchcraft as the title does make you think that way. However, I was going into this book for the gothic vibes. For this reason, I can report that I did get these vibes. Although, I do agree with other readers that out of the three sisters, I was drawn to Lydia. She was kind unlike Catherine. Catherine came off as spoiled and mean. With her sweet nature, Lydia did come off as more reserved as well. Yet, I never fully embraced any of the sisters with a strong bond including the other characters. This mixed with a slow, burning pace to this book; did make for some difficult reading. It was not until about the midway point before the story did pick up some. However, it is a struggle to hang on until this point. Overall, this was a fine read but it did leave me wanting way more.
    • 4/5
      Catherine, Lydia and Emeline are the three Montrose sisters. Catherine carries a huge secret. And Lydia and Emeline have a strange bond, a beyond sisters bond. They can make things happen, especially when they are angry. The Montrose family is run out of Boston because of a terrible scandal. They move into their summer home in New Oldbury called Willow Hall. It is an odd place. Strange sounds and noises create a creepy place for the family home.“What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”. This was the first quote that came to mind as I was reading this novel. Everyone is keeping secrets, Catherine, her mother and their dad’s business partner, John. Catherine causes all of the problems this family is having. The author keeps her secret hidden for a good while. And when it is revealed….it is cringeworthy! John has many secrets surrounding his past, a family tragedy which is not as it seems. Then there is the mother. She knows all about Emeline and Lydia and she is not sharing!This story is not as witchy as it is made out to be. It has a good many ghosts though and I adore a good ghost story. It is beautifully written with a thousand twists and turns. This story is perfect for a cold night in front of a fire!
    • 5/5
      Happy Dancing! If I could rate this book higher than 5 stars, I would. There is dark mystery, there is a beautiful setting with the dark underbelly, there are ghosts, jealousy and true love. I loved it so much that I'm looking forward to reading it a second time! My only regret was that I didn't have enough time to read it in one day. Darn those things like sleeping and working. ?
    • 3/5
      I was looking forward to a good old Gothic witch novel, but, for the most part, this is a different sort of book. While I have no doubt many readers will love this story, it simply didn't wow me.In the beginning, the author does a great job of capturing the eerie setting, giving us a sense of foreboding. But, also right from the start, the story is more about family drama, secrets, and budding romances than it is about witches. In fact, while there are a few subtle hints of the paranormal, there is nothing about witches or powers until about halfway through the story. Even then, the witch aspect doesn't really come into play until the last quarter.The pace is slow. We spend a whole lot of time with Lydia while she obsesses about her sisters and a love interest. Oddly, she is far more worried about and obsessed with family drama than she is about the strange occurrences only she experiences. The story is written in first person, so we're in Lydia's head the entire time, and the repetitive drama becomes tedious. There is a great twist, though I think that aspect needed more exploration. I wanted to understand it better. I wanted to know how it came to be, how the secret got out, and how - or if - it altered the family dynamics. This is the kind of twist that demands scrutiny, yet it only served to add another layer of drama.The action picks up in the last quarter, when the witch aspect finally comes into play. Still, the romance and drama remained the focus. If you take the witch and magic out of the story, not a lot changes.If you enjoy historical romance, you'll probably love this book. If you're looking for something with a strong Gothic feel and underlying magic, this one doesn't quite get there.*I received an advance copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*