The Witch of Willow Hall is a wonderful debut by Hester Fox from 2018. The Witch of Willow Hall follows the Montrose family who has been discarded from Boston due to scandal and have moved to a newly built country house. The family attempt to find normalcy in their newfound setting, but Lydia, the middle sister of three, finds herself surrounded by bumps in the night, a swirling romance, and the death of loved one. Lydia is forced to follow her heart, embrace her power, and deal with the depressing nature of death. The Witch of Willow Hall is an atmospheric tale perfect for fans of Louisa Morgan and Nicola Cornick.

I picked up this novel for the gothic vibes and for the inclusion of witchcraft, but I stayed for the story, the relationship building, and the elements of a traditional gothic ghost story. I did not expect the romantic elements of the story but enjoyed them nonetheless. While this novel does not have as heavy a focus on witchcraft as I was expecting (it is titled The Witch of Willow Hall afterall), Lydia’s encounters with the supernatural more than make up for it. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a book that’s hard to put down.

Rating: 4.0/5.0