Oh, how I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! This is the first time I've read Elena Collins' work, but it most certainly won't be the last. The story was wonderfully written and full of all of life's challenges in love, loss, betrayal, and hardships. I was enthralled with the characters in the book and it really made me feel as though I was right there with them experiencing the story.

Enjoyable story once you get past all the long-winded chapters/paragraphs.
I have really enjoyed Judy Leigh's previous work, so when I saw this her alter ego step into historical fiction, I was very eager to read it. Apart from the pacing aspect this is a lovely story full of atmosphere and engaging chcratcers. But I did have a problem with the pacing, for me it appeared to creep along far too slowly. It felt heavy and sluggish at times, and I did wonder if I would ever finish it, but I persevered and overall I did enjoy it the story I just wish that it moved along a little faster.

The pace of the book is slow, but totally worth it. I like how the house in the book has a character of itself. The story moves effortlessly between the two timelines, and the connection between Selena and Grace is beautiful. I loved this dual timeline book.

This story tells of two witches from different time periods. I found the story to be very slow and the beginning hard to get into. However, the story picked up in the middle. I have to admit that I did not care for the modern storyline. Instead, I preferred the historical timeline better. I found Grace’s story to be very moving emotionally and also very heart-breaking. Overall, this story is very suspenseful, atmospheric, and emotional! I recommend this for fans of Tracy Borman, Susanna Kearsley, and Heather Atkinson!

A magical book that immediately drew me in. I loved the different timelines and the beautiful writing. I would love to visit this house and can highly recommend this book.

This book was really interesting! I was intrigued by the storyline and that's what initially drew me to this title. I also really love the cover artwork.

Wow... I simply devoured this book!

I had read a book series with a similar premise previously, and knowing how I had enjoyed that, I was excited to read The Witch's Tree.

Running on a dual timeline, the comparisons between the two women became more and more clear as the book progresses, and I really found myself emotionally rooting for both Selena and Grace.

Grace's story is heart breaking and while I suppose it is true to the times in which she lived, I was sad for her and how her arc played out.

Pleased that there was a neat resolution to the story with a happy ending.

I really loved this book!

This is essentially a story about two women, both betrayed by the men they love and the ways it changes their lives.

Serena has her heart broken when she realises her married lover is not at all the man she thought he was. Left emotionally and physically scarred, she retreats to a rented cottage in Somerset to recover and paint. The cottage has a reputation for being haunted, and Selena feels the presence of someone there with her, someone who she is somehow channelling through her painting.

In 1682, Grace Cotter is a young, hardworking, and caring woman. She has an affinity with nature and animals. But Grace’s knowledge of plants and how they can heal leads people to suspect she is a witch. In a small community at a time when witches are being hunted, she finds herself in a perilous situation.

Selena and Grace’s stories intertwine as Selena explores the local area and researches the story behind the cottages ghostly resident. The tree that dominates her painting is central to Grace’s story, and understanding the past will bring peace to the present.

This isn’t the type of story I would usually have gone for. But I really enjoyed it. The characters in both timelines are engaging, and the parallels between the two periods were really nicely done.

If you like historical fiction and dual timelines then I recommend The Witch’s Tree.

Thank you to Netgalley for gifting me the digital advanced copy.

An enjoyable read. Great characters, with some good aspects of suspense. Great for spooky reading in October/autumnal months.

I love a dual timeline when it's done right, and this one is another great example of just that...and maybe even a step further. You see, once upon a time, Grace Cotter lived a simple life. She held some sway over herbs and wildlife thanks to the teachings of her gran, and a gentle heart, but those weren't enough to spare her from the tragedies of life...including the end of her own. Meanwhile, in present day life, Cassie is struggling along after having her heart broken twice, for very different reasons, and is having a difficult time moving forward. Her friends mean well, but her heart's not in it. She needs time to heal, time to let her soul repair itself, time to get back to herself...and yet in seeking that resuscitation of her own life, like recognizes like in the sadness of her soul, bringing her that much closer to uncovering a mystery CENTURIES in the making. Is the presence at Sloe Cottage malevolent or is it simply something, or someone, that can't let go?

Oh, I'm telling you friends, THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. It had just enough eeriness to keep you on your toes, just enough heartache to make you wish it away, just enough beauty to keep you looking for more, and so much intrigue as things unfolded that there was no way you could be forced to step away. There was sadness and joy, hope found in hopeless times, and tragedy turned right once again. Your heart was tangled in the story from the start, whether you wanted it to be or not, and the only way to truly satisfy the connection was to see it to the mesmerizing end.

A great read for Historical Fiction fans that like a little mystery with their days gone by, and a surprisingly emotional read that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

A dual timeline novel moving from the 17th century to today and a fascinating read for anyone interested in how women were once considered capable of witchcraft - and punished for it. The narrative is a little slow but written with great care and attention

A pretty whimsical read, divided in the two lives of two different women. One is a poor farmer who craves a family, and the other mourns the loss of a lover.

It was a really nice read, but I could not get in Selena's story. I just couldn't... She is buried deep in self-pity, and doesn't seem to genuinely care about the other inhabitants of the village, except if they can do something for her. Grace was much more genuine, and her intentions are so pure. She's just a girl who didn't have luck. She was great, and it was impressive to see how small things can change an opinion about someone.

The setting was cute, melancholic, and deeply immersive. It's a perfect Fall read, and a nice dive in two not so different lives!

The Witch’s Tree
By Elena Collins. BOOK REVIEW
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Witch’s Tree
By Elena Collins. BOOK REVIEW
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Witch’s Tree combines two stories. Modern day and also of a time when it was illegal to be considered a witch and superstition was rife.

This story was very ghostly and creepy too.
Not something I expected. Nor would I have started the book if I had known. As I usually avoid this kind of thing.
But, I kept reading as the intertwined stories and lives kept me wanting to read more.

Very interesting, reading about the superstitions in the 1600’s. Also, how people lived.

The modern day story was also interesting and I really warmed to Selena.
Beware, there may be triggers for some with miscarriage involved throughout.
But, don’t let this put you off.

There are sad, happy, thought evoking, exciting, worrying moments in this book and much more.
The wonderful descriptions of scenery and a bit of poetry thrown in makes this book all the more interesting.

I would recommend.

I loved the way this book flipped between the two parallel stories, however i found it an incredible slow starter.

I love a book filled with atmosphere and intrigue - this novel didn't disappoint on either count! When landscape artist, Selena, suffers a miscarriage, she flees the city to seek the quiet comfort of the country. Selena finds what she thinks is an idyllic, old cottage in the remote countryside and feels her artistic passions renewed almost immediately. Soon, though, Selena realizes she is not alone in the home when an unexplained presence makes herself known to the artist. What does the presence want? Are the two women's stories linked in some way even though they are divided by hundreds of years? The story is told from the perspective of both Selena, in the modern day, and Grace, who lived in the late 1600s. What happened all those years ago to Grace that her presence can still be felt in the cottage? Why has she never left? Is she really a witch??

Being a big fan of Barbara Erskine, Collins’ book has flavours of the supernatural, ghosts and the past, all intermingled in a dual-timeline narrative. Reading this book, I was chilled, I was thrilled and I was engrossed by how the past informs the present with this ghostly tale.

At first I thought I would not get into this story because I disliked Selena so much! She is weak and insipid and I grew quickly frustrated by her ways, especially as it is revealed she has been having an affair with a married man. Even her best friend has little sympathy for Selena and for that I was grateful: it didn’t feel like I was being too harsh on my judgements of her. When Selena decides to move to Somerset for a time out, it marks a change in her character and I think this is when she came into her own, becoming a person I warmed to and one who didn’t make such awful decisions.

Whilst watching Selena rediscover herself through her art and make friends in her new community, the narrative switches to rural Somerset in the seventeenth century. Following young woman, Grace, it is clear that she struggles with life. Having to care for her aging father, look out for her elderly grandmother and trying to make ends meet, Grace does not lead a life of luxury. Grace’s grandmother is known for her healing and Grace has learnt what she can to help her family. Yet, this soon becomes her downfall and, as a sign of the times, Grace’s actions become aligned with fear and witchcraft, leading to her becoming further isolated from the community.

As the story progressed, it was interesting to observe the emerging parallels between the two heroines. I liked how subtly they are portrayed and I enjoyed being able to make the connections between Grace and Selena. Both women have been judged by men and suffered at the hands of patriarchy. Whilst centuries separate these characters, it highlighted how some of the issues that Grace suffered from still exist in modern society today.

Undoubtedly, Collins creates a very spooky atmosphere and I found my skin tingling with some of the scenes described. Selena feels that there is a presence in her holiday cottage and this is coupled with hearing strange noises, seeing shadows and smelling scents of flowers that should not be there. Even her friends pick up on this chilling sensation and there were times when I found myself shivering in scared delight. It certainly adds to the atmosphere of the story and I liked how there always remained a presence in Selena’s cottage, even when the truth is finally revealed.

I really enjoyed Collins narrative and it has reminded me that I need to read another Erskine book before the year is out. This is an enjoyable historical read and whilst I did not fall into the story straight away, it was a rewarding plot and I look forward to reading another book by this author.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is just a addictive book I loved the mystery the thriller story plot. The characters were amazing. The writing style was excellent. Fast paced. Couldn’t put it down anything to do with witches I’m in.

The Witch's Tree is about two women. Selena is an artist. who was in love with her boyfriend whom she didn't know was married. She got pregnant and had a miscarriage. She went away to the county side to get away and to paint. She met a man whom she fell in love with. Grace is a young woman from the 17th century who lived with her widowed father and grandmother. Grace got attacked by a man she liked and had a son. She was an innocent young woman who was accused of witchcraft and was burned. Selena rented the house that Grace had lived in. Selena heard noises and thought she saw a woman. Selena and her boyfriend uncovered clues about Grace and helped her to finally move on. Grace had been buried in an unmarked grave and was not allowed to ever have flowers on her grave or prayers. After discovering Grace's identity Selena put flowers on her grave and Selena and her friends said a prayer for Grace's soul. Grace was finally free to move on.

Good book. I would recommend it.

I'm not one into spiritual things like ghosts, evil spirits or tarot, yet I enjoyed this timeslip novel quite a bit. Both the old and new storyline was entertaining, and the book felt well balanced. Beyond romance and history, I was glad to read about nature and art. The main characters discussing painting, literature and poetry was a breath of fresh air.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advance Review Copy.

Have been unable to review due to illness. Review coming soon! This novel looks fantastic and I can't wait to read this one!