Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending em a copy in exchange for a review.

I really didn't enjoy this book; the plot was strange and I just didn't enjoy the characters. and the pacing was off. The magic was underutilised and the book, for which this story is titled for, was barely included in the plot.

*ARC received from Netgalley - all opinions are my own*

TL;DR: Cosy read for the colder months if you want a slow-paced spooky mystery romance. While much of the book was enjoyable, the ending felt completely different to the overall vibe of the book and was also a tad confusing. I would recommend, but keep expectations low.

Review:
The majority of “The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells” was a cosy, slow-paced spooky mystery romance with little sprinkles of witchcraft and hidden secrets scattered throughout. While I really enjoyed the overall story and writing - most of the characters were a bit hard to love and get behind. The big let down was the ending, it went from spooky and somewhat atmospheric to a bit like a standard Hallmark movie. It felt like we did a 180.

Carrie, our fmc, is tough to like as she’s very in her own head, to the point of coming off as selfish. She isolates herself from everyone yet complains about being an outsider. Despite Cora and Howard's care and love of her, Carrie never bothers to go see them which obviously becomes more reason to dislike her towards the ending. Carrie seems to forget about absolutely everything apart from Matthieu and even details of him conveniently slip her mind at times.

Cora’s POV was my favorite and I really looked forward to her chapters, I just wish we could have seen more of Cora and Ivy’s relationship. Her chapters were the way I wish this whole book was.

Jess’ POV wasn’t a very likable side but a real one and I can see why she is the way she is. While it’s an interesting perspective to have on board, I would equally have been fine dumping her chapters in favour of more Cora and to just keep those spooky magic feelings alive.

All in all, it’s a decent read if you happen to pick it up, but just keep your expectations low. If you prefer your “magical realism” to lean far more realism than magical then this is a good enough book to sink into on a dark autumnal night.

I loved this so much I bought the Hardback for a few of my friends. Really lovely and well put together. A recommended enchantment.

Sadly not a book for me. The writing too focused on seeking to present atmosohere, all most most fantasy, spells or magic, despite the title. Each sentence felt like it started with the character's name, presenting each detail and not letting the reader follow the story themselves.
Was marketed as an adult book much more like a young YA.

This was a beautifully atmospheric read. The story follows Carrie Morgan, who returns to her hometown of Woodsmoke after ten years to renovate her grandmother's cottage. There, she meets Matthieu, a mysterious stranger who appears with the first frost and with whom she begins to fall in love. Bound to her family's book of spells and a deep magic that flows from the mountains, Carrie must confront her family's legacy and the consequences of their bargains.
The writing is evocative, blending magical realism with themes of love, loss and belonging. The setting of Woodsmoke, with its rich folklore and enchanting atmosphere, adds depth to the story. The characters are well-developed, and the plot weaves together elements of mystery and romance.

Okay, so I picked up The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells and really fell in love with its cosiness.

From page one, I was completely sucked into the atmosphere. Like, I could practically feel myself hanging out in Ivy's cottage with those misty mountains all around. Seriously couldn't put it down but also didn't want it to end!

This book has all the cozy feels you'd want for a weekend read. Though honestly? I would've loved a bit more magical stuff happening and maybe a deeper dive into the characters' backgrounds. But even with that, Greenlaw really knocked it out of the park!

If you're looking for something with magical vibes that'll transport you somewhere else for a few hours, definitely grab this one!

This was a fair read but not really my style. I found it hard to stay engaged and found the characters a bit bland. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

I loved this book it took me back to reading Alice Hoffman books.

Also like small town Americana.

It’s cosy and just what I needed

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw is a beautifully atmospheric novel that weaves together elements of magic, romance, and family secrets. The setting of the mountain town of Woodsmoke is vividly described, and Greenlaw does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in a world where magic runs deep, rooted in the traditions and history of the Morgan family. I found the setting to be one of the highlights of the book, with the snowy landscapes and mysterious mountain energy providing a perfect backdrop for the story.

Carrie Morgan’s return to Woodsmoke after ten years is both a literal and metaphorical homecoming, and her journey of self-discovery is compelling. I enjoyed her character, though at times I found her a bit passive in the face of the strange events that unfold. The central relationship between Carrie and the mysterious stranger who appears with the first frost was intriguing, and there’s no denying the magnetic pull of their connection. However, the tension surrounding the curse and the warnings from her family added an air of inevitability that I found both frustrating and predictable at times.

The novel’s themes of magic, love, and sacrifice are explored well, but I did feel that some of the emotional depth was lacking. Carrie’s inner turmoil about whether to embrace her family’s magic felt somewhat underdeveloped, and the tension between her personal desires and the weight of the curse didn’t quite land as powerfully as I had hoped. The book touches on some fascinating ideas about what it means to embrace one’s power and the cost of love, but these themes could have been explored in more depth.

The pacing was another issue for me. While the book is beautifully written and has a dreamy, almost lyrical quality, there were moments when the plot felt slow or repetitive. I found myself wishing for more action or a stronger sense of urgency, particularly as the tension around the curse built.

Overall, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells is a solid read with a lovely sense of atmosphere and a lot of potential, but I felt it didn’t quite reach its full potential. The romance, magic, and family dynamics are intriguing, but the emotional stakes and character development could have been stronger. It’s a three-star read for me—there’s a lot to appreciate, but it didn’t fully captivate me the way I had hoped.

This is an easy to read book exploring relationships and the after effects when friendships fracture. I would have loved to have seen more of the magic and book of spells developed, as the title and plot line really draws you in, and I feel there was a missed opportunity to develop that side of the story. Imagery was beautiful and I could really imagine the mountains. 3.5*

I requested this book after loving Compass and Blade. This however didnt quite hit the mark for me.

I read a lot of fantasy and witchy books so have read almost every trope and this just wasnt unique enougu for me to buy into it. By no means an unpleasant read but I also won't be writing home about it.

I liked Carrie and her indecisive nature - very relatable. But found it a little slow paced and not nearly enough actual magic for my tastes. This felt more of a cosy romance with a sprinkling of magic than a fantasy.

I was apprehensive picking this up after not really enjoying Compass and Blade, but I really enjoyed it. It left me feeling excited to keep reading in a way the Compass and Blade didn’t. I really wanted to know how this story ended.

I loved how the characters all had such firm motivations. Though not all of them were apparent at the start, especially in the case of Jess and Tom, but the end you could see how they all fit together and how what happened the day Carrie left town came to pass. The tragedy of it is if they could all have been honest with each other maybe they wouldn’t have lost ten years to being strangers.

I loved the magic of the relationship between Carrie and Matthieu. How, as the reader you are constantly wondering if he’s real or if he’s going to disappear with the frost. I liked how it kept me reading to find out the truth of it all.

This is a great novel to read in the winter, so get it on your TBR ready!

A beautiful story of friendship & grief with a slight magical twist. Perfect for winter reading. I loved the style of writing & the exploration of female friendship and what it means to belong.

I really enjoyed this book. I was convinced this was set in America, but its set in England which kind of threw me a bit because some of the language used is very Americanish. LIke the inclusion of the term trash. We dont say that in the uk. We say rubbish. We shouldnt have to dumb down the English language for an American audience.

Tells the story of a family who have a tragedy when a matriarch dies and an estranged child comes home to the mountains.

Its an odd one because its about magic, but there is no real magic in in. I wouldnt say that Carrie, or Cora in fact were witches, but herbalists or practioners of holistic medicine. They have a book of spells yes, but they are ingredients mixed together, with a little bit of blood for good measure. More true to what is labelled witchcraft i guess.

I liked the book, but deary me i did not like the whole Tom Jess storyline at all. Jess was manipulative and nasty, and selfish, and just plain unlikeable. Tom not much better honestly. I could have done without either of them and lengthened out the potential romance with Matthieu instead because it was short, vague, and there was no burn at all.

I like Rachels writing, this is a charming story and i like that its set in the uk. I have bought the signed hardback for my collection.

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw is a blend of romance and magical realism with a touch folklore.

The story is set in the small town of Woodsmoke and follows multiple POVs, including Carrie, who left town a decade ago. However, Carrie has come back to renovate her late grandmother’s cottage that she grew up in with the help of Mattieu, who she meets as the first frost appears. The issue is that her great aunt Cora has warned Carrie about falling for him which fuels the mystery of whether Mattieu is real or not…

This was a lovely cosy read with a hint of mystery that kept me reading. I was expecting more magic based on the title, but I really enjoyed Greenlaw’s take on magical realism. The worldbuilding was wonderful and I truly felt like I was transported to the town of Woodsmoke.

The flipping of multiple POVs and timelines sometimes took me a while to catch up with, but they weaved together well on the whole.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some poignant and thought-provoking themes around relationships, grief and friendship.

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells is a mysterious story steeped in folklore and magic.

“The mountains are so ancient, so soaked in blood and stories, that they’re almost alive. Almost sentient. And I know never to cross them again.”

Rachel Greenlaw has a stunning writing style and the raw depiction of grief and the hurt of friendship breakups was almost visceral. The longing to return to where you grew up and knowing that both you and the place have changed. Trying to find how you fit as an adult whilst navigating relationships with elderly relatives and carving out the life you dream of.

Beautiful characterisations and such depth in the connections. Each and every character felt true and real in the best way. I adored this book!

I would highly recommend this to lovers of witchy low fantasy.

i had the pleasure of reading woodsmoke women’s book of spells, courtesy of harper collins, and it didn’t disappoint. i read this in the lead up towards halloween (around the similar time, i also read rewitched, which i also recommend).

this book is quite complex with character history and family relations. it’s got that small town vibes, where everyone knows everyone and all their ancestors were doing weird things. i do wish there was a family tree to make things somewhat easier - as i kept getting mixed up between how two characters were related to another. (that’s on me though, I’m always mixing people up 😭)

the romance was a little confusing at first, as i thought it was going to go in a completely different direction (and I’m glad it didn’t go there!). we’re introduced to an old love interest as well as a new one, and i really liked how different they were from one another.

there’s a bit of a mystery going on as well, where a sort of curse comes into play. (I’m not sure if ‘curse’ is the correct word for it…) tales of a man who comes with the frost and disappears when it melts. i was really intrigued by this aspect of the book as i genuinely had no idea what was going to happen.

the only thing that felt like a bit of a letdown was the surprising lack of magic. for a book titled “book of spells”, there’s actually very little in the way of magic. i was hoping for more. that being said, it was still a very good book.

woodsmoke women’s book of spells is an exciting book filled with romance, witchy vibes and a bit of a mystery! this book is well rounded and perfectly suited to all kinds of witch fans.

Carrie Morgan, a woman from a family of powerful witches, returns to the town of Woodsmoke, from which she fled 10 years ago.

A cosy mountain town witchy tale, perfect for the cold dark nights. A story of tradition, superstition, love, friendship, family, a book of spells and a mysterious stranger.

I thoroughly enjoyed the back story, the characters were believable and well crafted, especially the lead Carrie. I loved her relationships with all the other characters in the book.

A beautiful witchy mystery romance with a sprinkling of magic!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.

There was so much I liked about this book, especially the characters and their relationships. Combining romance, folklore and practical magic is something I love and this ticked every box in that sense.

It was a nice, easy read although, it was too slow for my taste and I didn't enjoy the three povs. It was darker than I expected which I enjoyed. I'd have liked a little bit more magic but the world building was great.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the early ARC.

2.5⭐️ Sadly, this book wasn’t what I expected and ended up not really being for me so my review is quite lengthy. It was pitched as being witchy, with dark magic & mountain folklore so I’d imagined there’d be a fantastical element to it but none of those things were as pivotal as anticipated. I did feel that the book did a good job of being atmospheric, which it had also been described as, and at times it felt chilling, as though it could easily have become a thriller.

I wish there was more depth to the magic elements and the lore around the mountains and their magic was fleshed out because at times I felt like the ‘magic’ elements in this book were for the sake of it. The witchiness was mainly just a small town’s superstitions and there was no real explanation about the ‘magic’ of the mountains- or any exploration of the relationship between the Morgan women, their book, and the mountain’s magic. The book was less a book of spells and more a book of stories and any ‘magic’/‘spells’ Cora performed were so vague. She literally would just take the book to the mountain, draw some blood and then the mountain would take something but she never knew what it was taking or took (it had taken 10 years of her grandmother’s life and yet Cora would risk this great price for the most frivolous and mundane asks, or for her own selfish gain and meddling)

This brings me on to the characters, specifically the three narrators: Carrie, Cora and Jess. This book was very character driven but I struggled to connect with any of the three because, honestly, Cora and Jess were just unlikeable and kind of insufferable and I don’t feel like Jess’ POV really added anything- both were jealous, insecure, selfish and at times immature individuals . At times I liked Carrie but then felt like she was also naive and some of her actions were questionable. She was so quick to believe everything Matthieu said ignoring some pretty big red flags that even without Cora’s narrative based on stories in the books should have been enough to give pause.

I also found some inconsistencies in the story which are also present in the finished copy so haven’t been edited out from the earc. Carrie discusses seeing Matthieu ‘just an hour or so ago’ and two pages later, on the same day in the book, she says ‘the fact is I haven’t seen Matthieu since yesterday. Haven’t heard from him at all today’ which is quite a glaring inconsistency that really takes a reader out of a book (there is also a dog that changes gender among other things).

I know a lot of people loved this book, and there are many others who will enjoy it but this wasn’t for me and I think that’s down to a combination of some mismarketing, admittedly my own expectations, preconceptions and tastes and it being a character driven book where I didn’t connect with the characters and that (pacing wise) felt like it took a while to take off.

Thank you to HQ for an earc and finished copy of this book. This is my honest review.