*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the free book*

"Wild is the Witch" is about Iris who is starting a new life after her best friend was involved in a terrible magic accident. When a ritual goes wrong and a curse binds itself to an owl, Iris needs to find the owl and release the curse before it can bind itself to her nemesis and now camping trip companion. The classical enemies to lovers trope was well executed but I was mainly annoyed because I could see all major plot points. I mean geez, they even called the owl MacGuffin... The bickering was fun and I liked the take on magic quite a lot but there were also lots of plot holes / world building gaps. Nice queer rep with Iris's mom getting engaged to a woman after she has had to leave her husband behind. Iris was sometimes a bit too focussed on herself, but I overall enjoyed this story.

3.5 stars

This novel follows Iris Gray, a witch who chooses to hide her identity due to past trauma that occurred before her and her mother moved. But after accidently releasing a curse that could be harmful, she has to team up with Pike, her tormentor who hates witches.
This was SO great! Rachel Griffin's writing was once again stunning. It really shows how much she loves nature within her works, and it's so beautifully portrayed in Wild Is the Witch. Griffin weaves fascinating descriptions of the world around our characters without bogging down the story too much. It really was the perfect mix for me.
We also get anxiety representation which I always love to see. All the characters were so loveable, despite one starting off not being likeable (but that's eventually explained a little more my feelings toward said character did a complete turn around). I was worried I wouldn't turn out to like that character, but Griffin did a great job at making me wrong about that with backstories and character development. I ended up loving the romance and cried during the climax and resolution sections of the book.
I was never bored during this, between being in Iris's head and her love of the world around her, the animals and other characters they interact with, and the development between the characters.
I loved the magic system, it felt different and natural, and the Iris's relationship to it was beautiful. I really enjoyed my reading experience (all two days of it, because I flew through this masterpiece). If you enjoyed The Nature of Witches, I definitely think you'll love Wild Is the Witch too!

Do you love enemies to lovers, one bed trope, and forced proximity? Then this is the book for you.

Poor Iris and her mother move out of her town into a new one thanks to a devastating mishap Iris was involved in. Hiding their ability to speak to animals and the fact they're witches, they work at the wildlife refuge with a witch hating intern. Pike is a sarcastic, know-it-all, you can't help but love.

When Iris casts a curse on Pike and it gets stolen by an owl, they have to enter the woods together to find it. I really enjoyed the dynamic with these two as they try and figure out how to work together and understand each other. The tension between them makes you laugh and wanting more. I was happy with the ending and Rachel has become an auto buy author for me.

Rachel Griffin has quickly become a must buy author. Her debut book was amazing and Wild is the Witch is powerful as well. I loved the magic system in this book and the connection to nature. I found it beautiful. Watching the relationship between Iris and Pike change and grow. Beautiful book with amazing writing. Highly recommend.

Rachel Griffin is a true queen, she is one of my favorite authors, and this review could easily be a love letter to her massive talent but I will focus on 'Wild is the Witch'.

First, GO PICK UP THIS BOOK. That's it. This was an instant 5 stars from the moment I read the first sentence. I knew from the beginning this book would not disappoint and it sure didn't. There is something almost magical when you sit down to read 'Wild is the Witch', the experience of reading this book feels like a cozy rainy day and Rachel's words are a blanket warming your soul, so comforting... Also, the Pacific Northwest setting was very atmospheric and magnificent.

I am so grateful I was able to read this eArc, and I will be buying this book as soon as it hits the shelves.

“Wild Is The Witch” wasn’t the greatest witchy romance I have ever read but considering this novel is marketed towards a younger audience, I will give it a pass.

What I loved: magical system, decent world-building, writing style, and character background. The premise was there and the introduction of the novel drew me in but that faded with the repetitiveness within the storyline.

What I hated: the forced romance between the main characters—the novel would’ve been better if the author focused on the development of magic, character depth and better structure of the storyline.

Nonetheless, I would highly recommended to young readers if they’re looking for a little magic, romance, and adventure.

I was given a free e-arc of this book through NetGalley in return for my honest review:

I'm not going to blurb the book because you can find that elsewhere- here are my reactions, the things I thought about while reading, the things I liked, and the things I didn't like.
FIVE STARS

- Very similar tone to Rachel Griffin's previous book, so much so that I thought it was a sequel. it is NOT A SEQUEL, but if you liked Griffin's previous book, you'll love this one too.

- The book starts off strong, immediately orienting us to know who our main character is and what she's struggling with. As with Griffin's last book, a past trauma holds our character from realizing her potential, although this time it's social, and not magical, potential. -- Iris's best friend accidentally killed her boyfriend, and then her small town turned on the local witches. She lives in fear now that her new home will be disrupted if anyone finds out she's a witch.

- The fantasy of pet wolves is alive and well. And fear not--Winter does not die. This is not a spoiler because the wolf was never in danger of dying. But for some reason when I was about 10% of the way through the book, I was gripped by a sudden conviction the book was going that way, and almost DNFed because I couldn't handle the wolf dying. The wolf doesn't suffer and is happy. be still my heart.

- I like the dynamic between Pike (the romantic lead) and Iris-- they talk to each other like they’re both idiots, and I love the vibe. It's a solid rivals to lovers romance, but even their conversations as rivals have a touch of tension/chemistry. I love it.

- Gay moms are a 10/10. Their Wretched un-subtle Matchmaking is also 10/10.

- This whole book is a KIND bar advertisement. It's like an inside joke in the book that we get to be a part of. But also I hope the author gets paid by KIND because she's doing that work.

- The male lead, Pike, is arrogant and a bit of a cad/player/F***boi vibes. But I think that’s the vibe I'm here for. He goes through growth alongside our Iris, and we want to smack him just as much as we want to smooch him-- just like Iris.

- The end made me want to cry. It’s not sad exactly-- it just made my heart squeeze. The ending gives what it needs to give. Very cathartic/satisfying.

I was surprised to see that I enjoyed this that much. At first, I thought that I was going to be reading a generic YA fantasy story, but that's not what this was. The entire journey up the mountain felt real, genuine. I'm fully convinced that part of this novel was modeled after some real-life experiences. I find it difficult to believe that this is a work of fiction.

The ittiest of gripes that I have is that the characters are fully mature. I think that the inconveniences of the story are resolved far too easily. Where the other half of the duo in the story had to just take a breather to think about what just happened, and then was ok with anything that's wrong.

I definitely will be reading this again to update my review hopefully before launch.

This book is different than all the others. This is the first book I read of this author, and I'll now be looking into Griffin's other works. I'll be recommending Wild is the Witch when it releases and will be buying several copies.

Well, this was a little better than Griffin's previous witch novel, but it's still got a terrible forced romance--including the protagonist's mom hugely inappropriately pushing the protagonist into the arms of her mom's intern--and suffers from some pretty contrived plot ideas. Some of the ideas about magic are interesting and well-developed and the world-building provides just enough info to be tantalizing. Maybe Griffin could focus on the development of magic and characters and leave out the bad romances for the next one.

What an enjoyable read. The writing and the plot are well done. The characters are well-drawn and likable. Definitely recommend picking it up if you like witchy books.

Iris Gray is a witch who works at her mom’s animal sanctuary in Washington. When Iris hears her coworker Pike insult witches, she draws up a curse on him – but the curse gets intercepted by an owl. Iris must find the owl and remove the curse before bad things happen, but her mom wants Pike to go on the search with her so Iris isn’t alone. What will happen on this trip?

Another great job by Rachel Griffin! I loved The Nature of Witches, and while I didn’t love Wild is the Witch as much as Nature of Witches, I still really enjoyed Wild is the Witch (both books are standalones so you don’t need to read one before the other). I liked the way the magic system was explained, and that in turn created good world building. It’s a neat magical world dependent on nature and the pace of the book was pretty steady. I did feel like it read a bit more like a romance book with fantasy elements vs a fantasy book with romance, but it was still engaging and easy to read. If you like urban contemporary fantasy romance, then pick up Wild is the Witch.

Thanks to NetGalley and Source Fire for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book. I loved the characters. I loved how the magic was integrated. I enjoyed that there wasn't info dump. Everything flowed. My only critique is that I felt that the challenges that the characters faced started to get a little repetitive. Other than that, it was stunning.

I hate to give a review for something I just couldn’t get into. The premise was inviting, the beginning was interesting enough, but then it just fell flat. Griffin's writing itself is worthy, but the story details were repetitive and it went nowhere fast, As much as I wanted to like this one, I couldn’t get into the story and stick with it long enough to care anymore.

“He loved the stability and routine, and when it came down to it, he loved those things more than he loved us.” -From Wild is the Witch

3.5 stars

Your enjoyment of this book will largely depend on what you are looking for. If you are craving a YA love story with a sprinkle of fantasy/magical background- pick up this book immediately. You get light world building with another nature based magic like in Griffin’s first book, but a different system entirely. How it really functions/what the rules are certainly lack definition though. There is a council, the outcome of spells seem to matter more than intent though for consequences- but the heart of the story is really a YA enemies to lovers development. Complete with only one tent for a quest that kinda didn’t make a lot of sense, but it forced our two MCs together, so you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. A gorgeous cover, simple and poignant prose, and an altogether enjoyable read, even if it read a bit younger to me than the author’s debut. I was hoping for a bit more magic than a love story, but I think many teens will be excited to read this.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this fun, quick read!
Iris and Pike were interesting characters to follow, and I liked how their relationship grew and trust in each other was tested as the story progressed.
The Pacific North West setting really drew me in, and Rachel Griffin’s writing was so engaging and atmospheric, it made me feel right at home in this forest charged with magic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a quick fun read. I love the magic and romance and I loved the tie to nature. It is a YA and definitely reads as such so as long as you’re aware of that you’ll enjoy! I ended up telling my book club about it because we do a YA book every 3 meetings and I’m hoping they decide on this one as I’d love to chat with them about it all. I was sucked in and read this in one night

This YA book was fun read! There are witches, a sweet love story, an owl, and curses. Bonus, it all takes place in the Pacific Northwest. The writing as well as the characters are engaging. The book will appeal to the YA audience and is a safe recommendation for those who like a little magic along with romance.

This is a fun YA novel involving a teenage witch, Iris Gray, who accidentally released a curse that was never meant to happen. She has to try to find a way to stop it before it is triggered.

There was a tragedy in Iris's hometown involving Iris and her best friend. As a result she and her Mom have moved to Washington where they rehabilitate wildlife. They love it there and Iris doesn't want anything to happen to force them to leave. They have an intern, Pike, who helps out with the wildlife. There is definite tension between Iris and Pike, and then Iris finds he hates witches.

I really enjoyed the banter between Iris and Pike. I also enjoyed the connection with the animals that Iris has and how she can calm and reassure them. Both Iris and Pike are hiding things from each other that are revealed gradually. There is emotional upheaval and tension. The writing and the plot are well done. The characters are well-drawn and likable.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 2, 2022.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

What a beautiful story!!! I am enthralled by this magical and romantic tale!

I loved the connection between magic and nature, especially with the animals. The enemies to lovers romance made this book for me. I really just adored this story and I can't recommend it enough!

Out August 2, 2022!

I really enjoyed Wild is the Witch. It was an easy, quick read. The prose was quite simple, but this was not a bad thing and allowed me to fly through the book.

I was pleasantly surprised by the way in which Griffin incorporated magic into the modern world. The relationship between Iris and Pike was well written and felt natural.

I would recommend this book to younger readers and people looking for a quick, contemporary fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy.