Another entertaining entry into this world! It's a bit darker and more overtly Gothic, with the move from the Regency to the Victorian period, but it still feels true to the sharp, unapologetic nature of the earlier books. I wanted a little more from the romance, as it all seemed weighted to the very end of the book, but I did really love what there was, and the atmosphere was great.

Witchwood Knot is so atmospheric. The gothic, faerie world jumps off the page, making the reading experience rich and enjoyable. Our main character is superb. Winnie is one of those characters who, on paper, might come off as unlikeable, but somehow, she’s instantly endearing. She’s strong-willed, and a little sarcastic, and I loved her right from the start. The romance is a sweet, slow-burn, that unfolds in such a satisfying way. Oliver, the cat, is worth one star alone.

The only thing that held this back from being a full five stars for me was the pacing. There are a few meandering sections where my interest waned, but never so much that I wanted to DNF.

Witchwood Knot works as a standalone, but after reading the first two Regency Faerie Tales, I kind of wish I had finished the series first. It feels like the third book contains an important backstory. I would have gotten more out of Witchwood with that context.

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super interesting premise that just never got off the ground for me! I think I was hoping for more romance, and without that, it didn’t hold my interest.

Was not expecting this to be as closely connected to the regency trilogy as it was so it threw me off a bit but I liked the gothic ambience so much I kept reading.

This was a slow paced fairy tale that felt so magical. Atwater has a way of putting you in the story and making you feel as if you're really there experiencing it all with her characters. My only issue was the pacing, but that may be a personal thing.
Other than that the story was addictive and mesmerizing,

I loved this! I thought it was a great carry on from her previous books but also refreshingly new. I loved the atmosphere of the house and the unravelling of the secrets.

My students are going to love this Gothic horror story with an unexpected and masterfully crafted romance!

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

The writing is so vivid that I could picture everything as I read. The story has such a visual atmosphere as well. This is a stellar novel that libraries serving adults should have it.

This was a fun and typical read in the realm of Victorian-esque fae stories. I liked the addition of "dark" magic and Atwater's interpretation of the fae.

This book subtly and then directly discusses the theme of bodily autonomy, which is beautifully done in the context of fae. Curses, body switches, and eventually sexual assault — Atwater's writing conjures feelings of unease and empathy for the characters losing (and eventually fighting to have) their autonomy in a way I feel many books struggle with. She is never too on the nose nor flippant with the subject, but instead maintains a strong balance of tone.

Great for readers of more "traditional" fae low fantasy novels.

The atmosphere and ambience in this book was UNMATCHED!! Our main character Winifred is headstrong and sharp, ostensibly hired as a governess, but is really at the manor to investigate a curse and rescue and protect the grandson of the woman who hired her.

There is intrigue and incredible gothic atmosphere. Dark and brooding and mysterious!

The romance is such a slow burn that it really settles inside the reader and we yearn just as much as the characters do! I loved it. Cannot wait the next book.

Winifred Hall comes to Witchwood Manor as a governess to young Robert Longfell, as recommended by his grandmother, the dowager of Witchwood Manor. But Winifred is not just there to tutor the boy or keep the Lady company - she's at Witchwood Manor because of the faeries. As the conspiracy around the house and its lands unravels, Winnie is in for much more than she has expected, but for exactly as much as she is prepared to do.
I really really liked The Witchwood Knot! I loved the athmosphere, I love stories about the faeries in England and the lore surrounding all of it, I really enjoyed Winnie and Mr Quincy as characters. It took me quite a while to get through the first half but the second I inhaled. The plot and the suspense were well built and I will definitely pick up another book by Olivia Atwater, especially if it has a similar setting and athmosphere.

This is a well written book but not exactly my cup of tea. There was a lot of tensions, especially around SA in the book that made me uncomfortable.

Would you like to visit a creepy mansion haunted by screaming faces and FAERIES? The answer to this is yes, obviously.

I loved Atwater’s regency fantasy romance series, and it was a given that I’d read anything else she gifted us. This was a lovely little gothic number that gave a seasonally appropriate, darker undertone to her usually bright romance stories. We must never forget that faeries are not inherently nice and that they delight in torment. I loved our heroine, Winifred, the resourceful, fearless governess with a penchant for thwarting evil. The whole journey was wonderfully creepy, and I was never really sure if we were all going to make it out unharmed. And as always, I regret not being named Euphemia, and now I can add Bellamira to the list. Please keep writing these!

OKUURR, this is my first book by Olivia and I will say the world building wasn't too heavy so I could easily follow and I hope to read more of Olivia's books!

not as good as the half a soul series but still fun! i do kind of wish it had leaned more into the romance than the plot.

I loved this. I devoured this in two days, and my only complaint is that I’m desperate for more of the series. Olivia Atwater lmk if you need anything let’s get this ball rolling!

The Witchwood Knot is a very atmospheric and eerie read, definitely a book you’d want to pick up to immerse yourself in gothic Victorian vibe narration.
I quite liked the characters’ development and narration style, so I’m keen on picking up Atwater’s next work!

I really enjoyed this book and the dark twists it took. I struggled to keep up with some of the lore and the names, but I was incredibly drawn into the story.

Okay, so I adored Winnie as the main character. Headstrong in an honest and unapologetic way - ugh - REFRESHING. I am a lover of the regency era and adding elements of magic to it? Sign me UP. I cannot get over how much I loved the relationships in this book - they drove the story far more than the writing itself did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for an ARC of The Witchwood Knot! This is a dark faerie tale set in Victorian England, with an expected thread of romance that was a delightful addition to the gothic ambience of the book.

On the surface, Winifred Hall has been hired by her former patroness to act as a governess for her patroness’ young grandson, Robert. In reality, Winifred has been brought to the house to help protect Robert from the wicked faeries that plague the manor and the surrounding woods. Winifred has spent more than her fair share of time with the trickster faeries, and is uniquely suited to the task. What she finds is a labyrinth of trials and tricks hidden within the manor itself, only accessible when dreaming. Who is behind this faerie knot? And why was the manor built to contain it?

Some of the themes and tropes I enjoyed in this book:

- dark faerie tale
- unconventional FMC
- enemies to lovers *lite* (romance is a VERY minor subplot)