This was a fun read! I loved the fun witchy atmosphere to this story and really enjoyed the friendship between Amethyst and Abby! This book is filled with magic, friendship, and adventure. The pacing was great and the themes about friendship and family were a nice touch. A pleasure to read and honestly would recommend for all ages! I really loved the storyline and can’t wait to see where the story continues!

This is a fun read, and while age appropriate for the audience, at times it verges on something darker and doesn’t completely shy away from slightly more mature topics. Things that I very much appreciated when I was an avid young reader. This is more like something I would have read at my daughter’s age, 8 or 9, even if the characters are about 13. By that age I had moved on to college level reading and probably would not have enjoyed this one.
As an adult, I love revisiting middle grade reads and it was a refreshing change from authors like Gaiman or Sanderson.

I did enjoy this story, but it felt a little long to me, and some of the plot and character development left me with questions.

Witches of willow cove
Middle grade
Out may 2020
Josh Roberts
Plot

When seventh grade Abby shepherd is just getting the hand of school strange things start happening. Across the hometown of willow cove. It’s not long before Abby finds out she a witch and a few other are Witcher’s two. Abby home town have a few secrets in her town she must discover.
The character Abby Robby Zeus amethyst
Piper becca Tina mrs Winters T. rex Olivia the twins.
My thought
This is a middle grade book based on Halloween So it could be read on Halloween as a spooky read but I could’t wait two read it now.
I love anything two do with witches so I was excited two read this book. It was well written easy two understand the plot you was thrown into the action straight away.
He described the history of the six sisters of witches they took you back in time with them so you got the feel of the time before they died as well. My favourite character was Abby. The villains in the book mrs winter and T. rex and joey and Sarika. I would have loved two science becca and Robby romance blossoms more in the book. And I would have loved two scence Abby and Zeus romance blossom more than just a kiss well it is middle grade after all.
I love how Abby and Robby knew she was a witch from the begging of the story then my favourite part of the book the when they met the new girl amethyst that told Abby she was a witch in the science lab where they were partners and she cast a spell in the class and slime green went every wear I loved that scene. Then in the lighthouse where mrs winters showed them the other Witcher’s in the class there was six of them. And I loved the part where mrs winters taught them two fly the part was great.
The plot of the story was fantastic I loved every chapter was difference plot and new eventure I give this a five star rating.

Thank you for netgalley and owl hollow press for giving me a advanced copy.

On Halloween night, 13-year-old Abby discovers she is a witch when she suddenly can fly. She soon discovers she's not alone as there are 5 other girls who have magical powers in her school. With the help of their new and mysterious teacher, Miss Winters, they learn to control their powers. However, Miss Winters has a secret and Abby tries uncover who her mentor is and if she is trustworthy.

I loved the mentions of Salem. The history of Salem mixed into the story was one of the best parts and the story of the 6 sisters. Also, Abby and Amethyst friendship is so fun! I loved them both. Moreover, I liked Piper and I wanted to know more about her powers.

However, I felt that the story was slow at times. The beginning was really fun, I loved the process of Abby discovering she is a witch and controlling her powers. The middle, however, dragged on a little to much for me. Also, I felt like it was too similar to Harry Potter. Latin isn't really trademarked to the HP world, but the magic system could have been something different. Furthermore, Robby and Becca's relationship was meh. I didn't particularly like it as it was too instalove-y and I felt it was pointless to the plot. Finally, I had many questions at the end of the book: why is Abby more powerful? why can Piper talk to animals? what happened to Olivia's friends? Is Olivia now friends with the other 5?

Overall, it is a fun mystery for middle-grade readers and I believe that 13 year-old readers, especially girls would love this book!

This book had me hooked right from the very beginning! The story moves along at a good pace and the writing style makes it a quick and enjoyable read. I liked meeting the other teen witches and seeing their individual personalities. They all come to terms with their powers pretty quickly, but to have them do otherwise would have very likely slowed the story down and made it drag. Miss Winters is a great villain because there is more to her than just evilness.

I liked the friendship between Abby and Robbie and was so glad that their relationship remained as just friends. However, I did think Robbie was a little unfair to Abby about keeping secrets considering everything he wasn't telling her. It was nice to know by the end that they were able to realize that they work best as a team and they will always have one another's backs.

The ending leaves open the possibility of future books which I very much hope there will be. I would love to get to know the other characters more, especially Amethyst and Olivia. Amethyst because she has such an interesting backstory and I'd like to see her continue her journey from loner to part of a close group of friends. Olivia's need to impress and be the favorite of Miss Winters suggests she is more than just a typical "mean girl". I would also like to learn more about the Council and what they will ask of the new witches.

3 1/2 Stars

The Witches of Willow Cove was such a fun read, especially with the Harry Potter references throughout the book. It's entertaining with a good pace and an interesting story with several layers, in addition to some twists and turns. I also liked several of the characters and found them relatable, even if they were 13.

Also, I hope this will turn into a series, as there's lots more to explore.

This was a really fun, witchy middle grade book! Upon turning 13, Abby discovers that she has magical powers. When the strange Miss Winters shows up and wants to teach Abby and several of her friends magic, a chain of suspicious events begin to occur in the town. Meanwhile, Abby’s best friend Robby is trying to research what really happened to his mother, while drawing connections to the town’s mysterious history. Abby must work with her friends to uncover more about magic and friendship. Is Miss Winters truly trying to teach them magic or does she have other motives?

The writing was very accessible and I think many readers will be pulled into the mystery and magic of Willow Cove. I would recommend it for all readers 8 and up who are looking for a magical read about friendship and witches. While this is a middle grade book, I do think any older readers or parents who like stories about magic or witches will enjoy this. Harry Potter fans will appreciate the clever references to Harry Potter throughout. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author! Thank you to Josh Roberts, Owl Hollow Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A great KS3 book, possibly for mature upper KS2.
A story of witches and mystery.
Who is Miss Winter and why does she enlist the 6 girls from Willow Cove? What is their connection to the witches born 300 years ago.
An easy and enjoyable read.

I received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

I was searching through Netgalley one day and, I'll have to be honest, the cover grabbed me.

I enjoyed reading this story. I like how the author actually gave us 13 year olds that actually acted like 13 year olds. I think Middle Grade readers will really enjoy this. The plot was good, the characters were great and the story rolled along just right. Other than the week's missing between chapters, I can't complain about anything. I will definitely recommend this to everyone.

Full of magic and twists and turns, the story of Abby and her journey of self discovery is a great read for UKS2 children. The reader follows the challenges of the life of Abby and her best friend Robby, and the very real issues that best friends can have. When a new girl arrives, along with a brand new teacher, Abby and Robby find themselves drifting apart, but both on a mission to solve the mystery of disappearing citizens of Willow Cove.

The book makes links with real life history, such as the Salem witch trials, which children may wish to research further if they are interested. However this may also mean that that the book is not suitable for more sensitive individuals or those with particular religious beliefs. The characters the reader follows throughout the book, range in personality and circumstances so also provides opportunities for more children to be able to find a character that reflects their personal circumstances. The book also deals with loss of a parent and therefore this may also deem it unsuitable for some readers.

I love reading books about magic, so when I saw "The Witches of Willow Cove" on NetGalley as a ARC, had to ask to read it. I was not disappointed.

Six 13 year old girls find out they’re witches. They form a coven with their new substitute teacher, Miss Winters, as their teacher. She teaches them how to master their powers, how to work together to accomplish goals, and how to be there for each other when needed. But something is wrong. People are dying or disappearing without a trace. Do those things have to do with the sudden appearance of Miss Winters in town, or is it just some crazy coincidence? The girls, and 3 other friends, will have to work together to figure out just what's going on in Willow Cove before it’s too late!

I found this to be a very well written first book. It was intelligent enough that adults and parents can read it and it’s not dumbed down like some middle grade books can be. I found it to be suspenseful, without being scary. Funny and sometimes sad. It kind of took me back to what it was like to be 13 and in middle school again. The clicks, the drama, the fun, the boys, etc. Made me want to go out and start exploring caves and spooky woods again. Made me wish I could be a witch myself! It was engaging and it held my attention right to the very end.

I would recommend this to anybody 8-100+ that likes witches, magic and little mischief! It would be nice if this were to become a series so you can follow these kids as they grow with their powers and friends. I’d be very interested in reading them if the author opts to write them.

Otherwise, I’ll be looking for more from Josh Roberts. I think more great books will be coming from him.

Thank you netgalley for the advanced ecopy.

It took a couple chapters to get into. Willow cove is home to some witches, they get their powers when they turn 13.

Full review on my blog in a couple of days.

I loved every moment and aspects of this book: the plot, the world building, the characters.
It's an engrossing and entertaining read that can be appreciated by children and adult.
Hope to read another story with these characters soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the sequel immensely. The plot was well-developed and interesting, although the story started very quickly. This would definitely keep younger readers interested from the start.

If you like stories with secrets, intrigue, danger, and magic, this would be an excellent choice. The language is appropriate for the age group and there is some very light romance/romantic interest (age-appropriate for characters, who are 13 years old).

It was easy to read, and remained interesting throughout. While it ended in a satisfactory conclusion for now, it is definitely a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read the sequel! My enjoyment of this novel was not affected by the age of the characters (important to note given that they are almost 20 years younger than me).

Thank you to NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for providing a copy of this eARC for review.

I enjoyed following the journey of Abby, Robby, and their friends. Middle grade readers who like stories about witches combined with a good mystery will enjoy The Witches of Willow Cove.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Every now and then I go through a phase of wanting to read books for much younger people so I take awhile and read books for middle readers or young adult books. This was one of my recent choices and I was not disappointed. I actually really enjoyed it. This is a book that is full of magic, danger, and a bunch of heart. It is a story that will captivate readers, young and old as we all root for Abby and her friends as they try to solve each new mystery that comes their way. It is a story of true friendship...both new friends and the ones you have all along but that you look at in a new way. It is a story of young witches you have recently learned who they are and how to use their powers that come to them on their 13th Birthday. It is a story that encompasses both witches in the past and in the present and twines them all together...I loved this book and I would totally recommend it to young readers and old readers who like stories of witches and friendship.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

The Witches of Willow Cove, is absolutely captivating from start to finish, Had I not been interrupted by my daughter numerous times I would have completed this in one day. I did not want to put it down at all.

Willow Cove is a place where witches exist and unexplainable things are happening to them. We are immediately thrown into the story and the pace never lets up. The story starts out by following Abby and Robby, but the cast of characters slowly grows from there, and while the cast is large it never feels overwhelming. We know who are main characters are and who are supporting characters are, but everyone gets just enough spotlight that you grow to love them all.

I loved Robby, when he was introduced I was afraid he would slowly fade to the background of the story but Roberts made sure that did not happen. While the story does focus on the witches and their power, he made sure that the non magical kids got their share of spotlight and were proven to be needed just as much as their magical friends. It made the storytelling balanced and more enjoyable to follow along.

All while navigating the magic and witchcraft of their world these kids are thrust into, they are also battling everyday life and the struggles of growing up and seeing best friends fight and struggle to communicate in this changing environment was gratifying. When peoples worlds change at alarming rates it does put strain on relationships, so the realness put into that made the story that much richer in context.

The only aspect of the story that did bother me some was the "instant" relationship of Robby and Becca. It was so quick and spontaneous that it didn't fit the flow of the rest of the context. Everyone else was gradually learning their powers, or gradually learning information about the witches, that their instant relationship was odd. I can understand and believe instant attraction to one another, but it would have felt more believable if they gradually worked their way towards a relationship.

The Witches of Willow Cove is a magical, and spooky coming of age tale that I think both boys and girls will love and enjoy! Ill be adding this to my shelf once its released!

I'm always on the lookout for wholesome, magical adventures and was immediately intrigued by The Witches of Willow Cove by debut novelist Josh Roberts. Following a particularly dramatic Halloween experience in which thirteen-year-old Abby Shepherd and her best friend Robby escape imminent danger by flying off on a broomstick, Abby discovers that she is a witch and that she is not alone in Willow Cove. Five other girls in the tiny hometown of Willow Cove are witches too and the mysterious Miss Winters arrives to teach them about their burgeoning powers.

Meanwhile, Robby is involved in a mystery of his own. When his step-mother goes missing and a local teacher is attacked, Robby seeks the help of his friends Zeus and new schoolmate Becca to get to the bottom of the events. Somehow he knows it is linked to the disappearance of his own mother years before.

Abby and Robby drift apart, their friendship strained by recent events, but their investigations soon lead them and their friends back together again as the group of children must fight a powerful force and prevent another great tragedy in the town of Willow Cove.

The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts | Book Review The Witches of Willow Cove is the type of book that I usually love but sadly I didn't love this one. While JK Rowling certainly didn't invent magic or Latin, readers will recognise incantations, magical creatures, wands and broomsticks from the Harry Potter universe.

I also found the astonishing lack of response to Robby's step-mother's disappearance implausible. When people go missing, family members can't breathe and are crippled by the uncertainty of it all; they don't carry on their lives as normal as we see with Robby's father. Finally, the novel depends heavily on a mean girl trope. While Olivia has a history of bullying Abby and puts her trust in the wrong person, Abby's extreme physical violence towards Olivia is not justified and is never properly explored.

I give The Witches of Willow Cove a disappointing three out of five stars and would be unlikely to read further if this were to become a series.

I don’t tend to read a lot of middle-grade, normally sticking predominantly to YA and adult, but I really enjoyed this!
The subject matter is something I always love. I’m obsessed with witches so I had high hopes from the start. I loved the friendship in this story and the elements of magic.
It was fun to read and difficult to put down!