As a mother I can say I would 100% do what I had to, to keep my kids safe. That is exactly the position Claudia finds herself in throughout this book. Finding a good fit in a school for her child, getting drawn in, and uncovering mysterious happenings are all a part of Claudia’s journey at The Hawthorne School.

The beginning was a bit long and not as catching. But push through!! It is so worth it. From the middle of the book on I was in “need to know” mode.

I really enjoyed the creepy and mysterious vibes I was getting while reading. There were some twists that I was able to see coming, but there were also those that popped up unexpectedly. The uncertainty is really what kept drawing me in!

I would recommend this book! Go into it with an open mind and remember to push through the beginning.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lanes Books for a eARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

3.75 stars

Who doesn't love a good cult story?!!

For Claudia, life has always been tough. After the recent death of her mother, she now has to raise her four-year old son, Henry on her own. Being so young, she does't know how to deal with Henry's tantrums and bad behavior. But when her son gets accepted into the Hawthorne school, she can't believe her luck. Everything is suddenly getting better. Henry seems to be under control and for the first time ever his teacher doesn't complain of his behavior. Moreover, Claudia can pay off Henry's tuition through volunteering.
It all seems too good to be true. But what's about to happen next is nothing that Claudia could have foreseen. As she learns more and more about the school, Claudia has to fight to get herself and her child out of this nightmarish hell.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fast-paced and easy to read. There were many good twists, and while reading the end, I just couldn't put it down.

Claudia did seem very clueless at times and the way many things didn't seem suspicious to her bothered me a little.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Hawthorne School is a solid gothic suspense read filled to the brim with a creepy atmosphere. Perry does a great job building the scene. From the beginning, you know there is something not quite right about the school or the staff. The main character, Claudia, is a pretty typical and clueless character who is so desperate to do right by her son, Henry, she doesn't see what is really happening around her. I did find myself frustrated with the character and her lack of observation. The plot is somewhat predictable, but this does not detract from the overall feel of the book. The ending is a bit strange, but I liked it. Overall, good book, great atmosphere, and a fun suspenseful read.

I really did not enjoy this book. It was slow and not that suspenseful. It was pretty obvious what was happening the whole time.

Thank you Netgalley and the author, Sylvie Perry for giving me this copy in exchange for my honest review.
So here it is.

The story begins with Claudia, a young single mother of a 4-year-old boy with behavioral symptoms, being called to her son's school. His teacher complains about Henry being aggressive and sarcastically recommends admitting him to The Hawthorne School. Claudia starts considering this option and goes to visit this school. She finds that Hawthorne School has very different and unique methods of teaching children, very different from regular schools. Henry takes admission in this school and soon his behavior becomes mild and he no longer acts aggressively.

After a while, Claudia starts to suspect something very suspicious is going on in The Hawthorne School. She starts her own investigation. Soon she finds out that the Hawthorne School is more than just a school and that there is no one whom she could trust. She now has to figure out the mystery behind this school while keeping her intentions hidden and her son safe.

This was my last thriller read of this year. In the beginning, I felt the story was a little slow. But slowly I got involved in it and I loved the parts when Claudia started questioning everything. Then the actual thrill began. The ending was very different than what I had imagined and I loved it. It made perfect sense. Some parts were predictable and some caught me by surprise.

I loved all the characters, especially Claudia. She is the main character and a strong mother. She was really smart and the way she investigated and tried to find out the school's secret was very well written. The writing is simple and easy-going which made this book an easy read while also maintaining the suspense and thrill.

This book is the best example of how far a mother can go to save her son. Claudia is a single mom desperate to find the perfect schooling environment for her son Henry. Henry is pretty much a handful in his preschool - this disturbs his mom who becomes distraught and tries to find a new school for him. Soon, she discovers a new school hidden in the woods, operating on an organic, plant based food, emphasis on outdoor environment for the kids and a cohesive environment for both teachers and students.

As luck would have it, she gets a job in the school as well.

Slowly things start changing and strange things happen. She becomes forgetful, has serious migraines anytime she is away from the school. So she moves right in with Henry. But it gets worse. The school teachers take her son away from her, they actually registered another teacher as his mom behind her back, and practically shove her aside. She soon realizes that everything is not what it seems, and something sinister is going on here. Perhaps the rumors going on in town might be true. Her Henry becomes weirdly calm but she notices he's now distant from her. Sort of impulsive anytime she tries to talk to him.

Something is wrong with this school and she becomes determined to find out what. With the help of another teacher, she gets the full gist on the dark, sinister motive behind the school and she plans her escape.

I'm a huge fan of dark and mysterious boarding schools so the moment i saw the name of this book on Netgalley, i was sold. I knew i just had to read it. And Alhamdulillah, they accepted my request.

This book reminds me a lot of Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, and i must say i was intrigued by the setting. Claudia annoyed me a bit but i think i get it. She is just a desperate mom so i guess it's okay. On the other hand, i sensed something wierd happening the moment she met the director Zelma. Something just seemed off. And then the migraines? Which miraculously disappear when she returned to school? Nah. My first instinct would be to run!

I found the dialogues very funny at times. The ending was quite a shock to me! I totally enjoyed reading this and i recommend it to all thriller lovers.

The story is mysterious and great, but it moves slow and the protagonist’s actions are super predictable. I think the audiobook would work better for this book! I liked how the author mixed in different elements such as obsession, crime and suspense into this thriller. The plot execution could have been better. Enjoyable nonetheless!

Thank you Crookedlane Books via Netgalley for the reader’s copy.

3,5* rounded to 4
I liked the style of writing and liked the creepy atmosphere. The setting is well described and I could visualize it.
I found the plot a bit too predictable as I was able to guess the twists.
I want to read other books by this author as I liked the style of writing and there's a lot of potential for excellent horror stories.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

4.5 stars.
Once I really had time to sit and read uninterrupted, this book was a page turner! For me, it helps to have short chapters, and each one ended and had me needing to start the next!
Claudia is described as being naive, which definitely fits her, but she is also determined to do what is best for Henry. At first, that means The Hawthorne School, but then as time goes on, she starts to realize she has made a big mistake. I really liked when she finally started realizing what was going on, and tried to find allies and a way out.
I wish she had realized what occurred with Devin earlier on, as it was so obvious to the reader, but better late than never for Claudia.

This is a great thriller, that definitely has some weird stuff, but it wasn’t out of the blue like some other thrillers I have read that went in really weird directions. With this one, the path made sense.

I wish this kept me reading. The description sounded promising, but it didn't suck me in, which is different compared to the other reviews. I did enjoy the gothic mystery and the premise and the setting, but not much for the characters - something was lacking in them and I found myself not caring at all to finish the story.

It’s a twisty tale, psychological suspense about the length a mother can go for her child, inspired by present day obsession with cult and true crimes.
The story is about Claudia, a mother and her four year old son, Henry. A single parent who has her hands full and feeling she cannot handle it all alone. She moved into a neighborhood where she came to know about this giant, gothic huge castle kinda school. Giving it a thought she decided that this is the answer to her problems and convinced herself and Henry for the school.
But after working within the halls of school and knowing about the ceremony and going to woods from Henry she doubted and regretted her decision. Putting Henry and her life at risk.
The school is all isolated so running away isn’t that easy or an option.
The Hawthorne School has secrets. It’ll give you goosebumps while reading.
The ending was quite satisfying to me. I loved it. Each chapter discloses a step deeper that what’s going on in that school.
You’ll enjoy the book overall. I struggled to put it down and couldn’t wait to get it back.
So if you like @riley.sager @johnmarrs.author @paulahawkins2010 then you’ll definitely love this one.
Highly recommended.

Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Thank you @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the #arc in exchange of an honest review.

I feel very in the middle about this book. I really enjoyed my experience reading the book because the plot was extremely fast paced and I read this basically in one sitting. It kept me captivated from beginning to end. However, despite this book's captivating plot, I think it is because the book was so predictable that it kept me until the end - I just wanted to see if I was correct or if there would be an unbelievable twist. Alas, I did predict the entire plot. The atmosphere was really well done throughout the book. You definitely feel the unsettling feeling of being within the Hawthorne School; I worried for Claudia and Henry because I could feel the manipulation seeping through the walls. I found that to be really well done. It took Claudia a little longer than I think is realistic for a parent. My alarm bells were ringing from the first time Claudia entered the school and my patience was really wearing thin with the amount of belief I needed to extend to this book. The ending also felt anti-climactic to me and again, a little unbelievable. I feel like we had so much build up the entire book only to have a short and easily solved conclusion. Womp.

My blog: https://rebekahreads.ca/the-hawthorne-school-by-sylvie-perry/
My bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXZYYnDrKHn/

Book: The Hawthorne School by Sylvie Perry
Published: December 7, 2021—OUT NOW!
Rating 3.5-4 stars

This book did not at all end up being what I thought it was going to be, but I still enjoyed it—for the most part—nonetheless!

THE HAWTHORNE SCHOOL by Sylvie Perry follows Claudia Vera (there seems to be different last names between the early galley that uses Morgan and the finished printed book that uses Vera), a young twenty-something single mom who is trying to do the best for her son, Henry. Henry seems to be having a difficult time in his preschool—his teachers claim that he doesn’t listen, causes trouble, and has several behavioural problems. Claudia does not appreciate the attitude that Henry’s teachers take towards him, and instead, looks to find a school that will be a better fit for him. This is where the Hawthorne School comes in. While the Hawthorne School appears to offer everything that Claudia could ever want for her son and his education, she really couldn’t be any more wrong.

I won’t give any more details about the plot away because it’s best to go into this one knowing very little... it gives you the ability to guess what will happen and then see if you’re right. I definitely managed to guess all of the major plot elements waaaaayy before they were revealed, but it didn’t take away from the story, and it was nice to see just how right I was. I also found that even though I knew what was coming, I really wanted to keep reading and found it hard to put down.

This book has both cult and true crime elements, which is definitely what drew me to it. However, what I did not enjoy was just how focused the book was on Claudia—I had assumed that more of the story would be told through Henry’s perspective. While his character is the main focus of the book, everything is really only told through Claudia’s perspective. I really wish we could have seen things through Henry’s eyes… because it is SUCH an interesting setting filled with super strange characters.

I would definitely recommend this one!

Thank you so much to Sylvie Perry, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the complimentary digital review copy, and to Penguin Random House Canada for the physical.

A testament to mothers who see their children in the cold light of day and determine to find the best fit. For Claudia , raising her son has become a test of her will and determination. Henry’s behavior has reached 5he breaking point at preschool and needs to be resolved. Learning of a school that addresses the different with thought and promise she seeks a place for her son . What follows seems like an answer to her prayers, there is also the opportunity to work to pay down the cost of tuition. But as the days follow Claudia becomes alarmed at the stories Henry begins to tell his mom. It’s twisty and fun and a bit of a gothic turn in the end. Happy reading

Real Rating: 3.5 Stars

While this book wasn’t full of surprises, it was charismatic and full of ambience. What it lacked for in originality, it made up for in gothic mystery and all-too-human emotion.

I loved the psychological aspects of this book. I loved the pointed commentary on private schooling versus public schooling and the importance of literacy. As the mother of two neurodivergent children, I deeply identified with Claudia (the FMC) and her struggle to be the best mother she could be to her child (even though I was at a loss as to why it seemed she hadn’t ever taken him to see a pediatrician or a child psychiatrist). And I loved the compelling, cultish atmosphere of The Hawthorne School and its denizens.

I just wished it had been less predictable.

The Hawthorne School follows a young mom trying to find the best school for her son. After touring the Hawthorne School, Claudia thinks she might have found one that will help her troublesome child. Though the longer she stays around the school the odder it gets.

This book had a really interesting premise but I wish the reader was as oblivious as Claudia. From almost the beginning, you can figure out what's going on, so there's not as much tension and surprise as I would have liked. A lot of the book is Claudia putting off her suspicions and living firmly in denial. Of course, you can understand why she does but it just makes for a more frustrating read. I did find the school very fascinating and I would have loved to know more about the people working there. For me, this was a 3/5.

I received a digital copy of this book free from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If the dark & gothic cover doesn’t draw you into this book, the story itself will. The Hawthorne School is thrillingly dark take on alternative schooling. To say that it has a cult vibe is an understatement. Though the school tries to come across as exclusive and nature driven, it’s is anything but that. It is an institution for mind control.
This is the second story I have read that revolves around micro-dosing. The whole concept is crazy to me, yet as a mother to an ADHD child, I can see the benefits of medication. But this school takes it too far, mixing it into everything and consuming it all the time. It’s freaking scary how normal they make it seem.
My only complaint about the whole book is that there are a few random characters that make an appearance, bring more suspense to the story, then seem to disappear. I wanted more!
This book will make you think. There is a lot going on with in it, topics I haven’t mentioned. It’s one of those books that will haunt you for a while.

The Hawthorne School by Sylvie Perry  is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Claudia Morgan is a single mother who has been struggling with her 4-year old son Henry.  He is a handful, both at home, and at pre-school.    Their first sight of The Hawthorne School has them both entranced, and Claudia realizes she will do anything to get Henry into this exclusive school.   During the interview, the headmistress, Zelma, agrees that Henry is an extraordinary child, and is a perfect fit for their curriculum and that a normal school would never be able to understand Henry's special needs.  The school has everything Claudia every dreamt of for her child.  He would get to play outside, learn music, art, and nature.  The school is big on healthy eating and provides lunch, including juices they create from their own garden.  Both Claudia and Henry are hooked.  Zelma even allows Claudia to volunteer to help cover the cost of tuition.

It isn't long before most of Henry's behavioural issues disappear.  Claudia does, however, start wondering about some of the strange things occurring at the school.  The fact that the children are out in the woods most of the day,  and allowed to do whatever they want.  There seems to be a strange bond building between Henry and his teacher,  yet Claudia is not allowed to sit in his class.  She starts to worry about Henry's safety in the woods.  But whenever she questions something, she is admonished and soon all her concerns are brushed off.

Even when Claudia starts to wonder if she made a poor decision in bringing her child to The Hawthorne School, she doubts herself.   Is it really a revolutionary forward-thinking school, or is it a cult?    Can she leave, or does she even want to?  But now, all her power seems to have left her.


My Opinions:   
I found this book really disturbing as I watched a young mother lose control of her child to the institution she trusted to teach him.

The book is about manipulation and power, about mind control and brain-washing, about idolization.  It is about a mother who wants everything for her child, and jumping at a chance that seems to be too good to be true.  It is about being gullible, being naïve , and needing a place to belong.  It is about becoming  powerless, becoming dependent, and becoming addicted to someone else's thoughts and charisma.  It is about a cult-like community.

At times I felt really uncomfortable reading this book.  I couldn't wait for Claudia to wise-up.  Although it was a quite predictable read,  the author really made me feel Claudia's bewilderment, her  anxiety, her fears, her vulnerability.

Overall, it was a creepy, atmospheric read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This book was a a bit of a miss for me. It was a psychological thriller, it was a meant to be a slow burner, but one that fizzled more than anything for me. Claudia is a struugling single mom to four year old Henry, who is prone to temper tantrums. Claudia gets her son into a creepy gothic styyle school that she could not normally afford by volunteering at the school, the school is meant to be a blessingh, but is perhaps more of a curse. The description of the school was well done, it was a perfect atmosphere. I found Claudia irritating and Henry whiny though. There were no big unvelings or exciting plot lines. All in all, it was an okay book, but maybe just not the one for me.

This book was so creepy and I loved it! The cult vibes from the school were crazy and the suspense really built as the school's true intentions became clear. And the little green was a disturbing way of controlling everyone in a drinking the coolaid kind of way. The characters were excellent especially Claudia who was a mother trying her best but feeling like a failure. The school played on her insecurities but she was a lot stronger than they anticipated. There was plenty of action and murder as well. This was a very solid read/ thriller that I enjoyed.