I received an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this mix of history and mystery. Lots of twists and turns made this book impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a novel full of folklore and dark atmosphere, The White Hare by Jane Johnson might fill the order. The author of Sea Gate, The Court of Lions, and The Sultan’s Wife brings us a new novel set in 1954 but filled with that disquieting mood that only comes from a land filled with dark, archaic memories.
The remote, gothic mansion falling into disrepair, the village that seems lost to time and advancements, the superstitions that are very much alive, and a land protected by an ancient, unsettling, and watchful presence all make The White Hare feel like it takes place hundreds of years earlier than its actual 1954 Cornwall setting. The author’s British spelling/vocabulary also adds to the feel of bygone days, at least for this American reader.
This isn’t a scary book, but Johnson maintains a sense of unease throughout the novel. Johnson refers to the Last Stand of the Cornish in the 10th century when King Athelstan (usually regarded as the first king of England) massacred the rebellious Cornish people, their blood running red through the land to the sea. The land itself seems to hold these memories. The villagers believe the spirit of the land exists in a mystical white hare that protects the valley and those who live in it.
Here, Magda has purchased a mansion, neglected since the end of WWII. The house and tiny village are in a remote area surrounded by ancient, dark forests and sheer granite cliffs that drop to the ocean. With the help of her daughter Mila, Magda plans on bringing the house back to its former glory and make it into a Bed and Breakfast. She wants the glamor of hosting fancy parties for celebrities and the rich here. The dreary mansion’s dark secrets and villagers who aren’t welcoming to outsiders will make this a difficult task.
A selfish, overbearing mother, Madga causes family drama. She doesn’t show any love to her daughter or granddaughter. Mila does whatever her mother asks, trying to not irritate her. She came along to escape a scandal and make a better life for her young daughter Janey. When they first arrive in Cornwall, Magda drives the car off the road to avoid hitting a white hare that ran across their path. There seems to be something mystical about this hare, and after that, Janey’s stuffed rabbit seems to be more than a toy. As Mila forms relationships with some of the townsfolk, she hears their superstitious beliefs that a mystical white hare is connected with nature and the protection of the valley.
Beyond the mysteries of the mansion, Johnson adds tension through two characters: the Vicar (priest of the local parish) and a stranger. Some villagers hold contempt toward the Vicar since the church has tried to erase all traces of their ancient pagan culture. The stranger, who seems to be a transient, shows up at the mansion, and despite the mystery surrounding him, Magda hires him to help transform the house.
The White Hare by Jane Johnson is Mila's coming-of-age story wrapped up in sorting through family drama and uncovering mysteries of the past. It is available for pre-order now and will hit bookstores on October 4, 2022.
If you’re looking for other books that fit a (light) spooky mood for the fall season, check out these other books I’ve reviewed: Spells for Forgetting, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Gallant, The Lost Apothecary, and The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of The White Hare. The opinions are my honest thoughts.

Jane Johnson's The White Hare delves into folklore and magic steeped richly in a take on history and myth of Cornwall.
Positives: the underlying story of the white hare, a long suppressed goddess, and the faith and trust of a little girl was very intriguing and kept me reading. The conclusion to the conflict between Magda and Mila was satisfactory and a bit surprising, and the odd romance story for Mila flowed as expected. The whole of the plot twist was unexpected and a welcomed part of the narrative.
Negatives: Mila as the main character is slightly frustrating and weak for most of the book, and never seems to truly accept what is happening right in front of her despite having a history of doing just that, she doesn't seem to learn anything. The plot slowly drags along and in the last 10% of the book quickly wraps up everything (even things a read my not have needed), and the epilogue brings the story full circle back to the beginning of the book. I didn't really "care" what happened to any of the characters.
Overall, the book is nice, maybe just not what I expected.
If you like tales steeped in history rooted firmly in the present for the book (1950s) then you will greatly enjoy this work.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Three generations of women buy an house in Cornwall and are trying to start over their troubled lives. The house and the valley also have secrets and they are revealed with a touch of magic.

What a surprising, enjoyable read! Jane Johnson readily captures the complexity of mother daughter relationships within a mysterious, magical tale. I loved the prospect of moving on and second chances mixed within the whimsy of folklore and imagination. Great characters, great story. Thanks #NetGalley

This is a great historical fiction read infused with magic, the power of women and community and the ability to move past trauma to build a meaningful life filled with love.

Set in Cornwall, England in 1955, the story follows a young mother, Mila, her five year old daughter, Janey, and her mother Magda. Leaving behind a scandal in London, they move to the countryside to refurbish an old grand house to open it as a small hotel. From the very beginning when they are startled to see a large white hare standing on the property to the rumours and gossip about the history of the house and the surrounding land, they are unsure if they have made the right decision. A local man named Jack befriends them but he has a mysterious past and Mila is unsure if she can trust him.

The story is atmospheric and haunting at times and deals with some heavy subject matter including child abuse and abandonment and discussion of rape and murder.

If you’re a fan of books by Kate Morton, you will likely enjoy this book by Jane Johnson.

An atmospheric read set in Cornwall, told with great care and reverence for the place, its people and history, made all the more intriguing by the author's personal connection and experiences.

I loved the sensitivity that shone through on every page, for people, nature, animate and inanimate beings. The characters are similarly well portrayed, with all of their traumas and strengths.

Highly recommended for those interested in post WWII fiction and women's fiction with magical leanings.

In 1954, Mila along with her mother Magda and her young daughter Janey buy a seaside house in the Cornish countryside to escape scandal in London. But while they turn the old home into a guesthouse, they discover that it may be more than they bargained for. Between a cast of strange characters in the nearby village, a handyman with a vague past, and a white hare that appears in form or in spirit around the house, there are many mysteries that Mila would love solved.

The White Hare is an engrossing and finely-written story. Jane Johnson is superb at imbuing each page with a sense that something mysterious, magical, and supernatural is going on, while also deftly dealing with the unique issues that arisen between mother and daughter. The characters are all intriguing. Everyone has a past, everybody we meet has secrets and personalities all their own.

There's also not a single clue that doesn't lead somewhere, there's not a question that goes unanswered or mystery unanswered. The secrets all come out, and plot holes there are none. Chekhov's gun does indeed go off, refreshing in a modern literary landscape where that rarely seems the case.

And yet it's a cause for the only slight complaint that I have with the story. It's not so much that everything makes sense at the end, it's more that the earlier promise of magic didn't quite have the payoff I'd expected. Perhaps I much more prefer fantasy to the magical realism found here, so that it seems fans of magical realism will love the story whereas I will keep seeking wizards and dragons to skew reality even further.

What I loved most about this book was the beautiful descriptive writing that helped to bring the pages alive. The book takes you on a journey into the lives both past and present of characters that housed many secrets. It’s about coming to face your demons and letting go of past mistakes or troubles and moving forward. I enjoyed reading the journey all the characters went on . It has a bit of fantasy to the story that was woven in well.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own. I would recommend this book to friends and family and my book clubs.

If I was a faster reader, I would have finished this book in one sitting. There was not a single moment where I was bored or wanted to put the book down.
The story flowed nicely and the atmosphere was filled with wonder. This is a historical fiction full of myth and legend which made it feel, at times, quite magical. As I was reading I kept wondering how Janey, as a five-year-old, had such a large vocabulary and spoke the way she did - thankfully that gets explained, otherwise I would have put it into my ‘not realistic’ category. The mysteries unfolded in a timely fashion, in just the right bite size pieces. There was something mysterious about each of the characters.
The mother/daughter relationship was quite tense and develops nicely through the book. I like that Mila get another chance at love and her daughter a chance to have a good father figure as well.
This was a really good book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a digital copy of the book. This is an honest, spoiler-free review.

The White Hare is a story about three generations of females, Magda, her daughter Mila and her granddaughter Janey. The story is told from Milan's perspective during the 1950s.
The three of them recently moved to White Valley, a small community in Cornwall situated by the sea. This small community is rich in history and folklore. It has an uncomfortable vibe as if something dark is hanging over it. This vibe and reputation benefit Magda as she has brought her daughter and granddaughter to the valley after purchasing a house for a great price. Magda plans to restore the home and use it to host parties and events. Mila has joined her mother to escape her scandalous past and make a new life. Janey is a young, intelligent little girl with a vivid imagination who brings joy to an otherwise gloomy story. Her stuffed rabbit is her favorite toy, almost like an imaginary friend.
This story centers around these three working to restore the house, getting to know the locals and all of the folklore surrounding the area, including the legend of a white hare. At the heart of the relationship is the tension between Magda and Mila. Honestly, Magda is impossible to like. She is biting and rude. Mila puts up with way too much from her mother, making her character annoying at times.
The story evolves and moves along, and we gain insight into each character and get to know some locals. As the house's history is revealed, more and more truths emerge about the people living in the valley. As time passes, Mila and Janey become essential to this little valley getting a makeover and the people coming together. I enjoyed this story a lot.

The White Hare by Jane Johnson is Historical Mystery Fiction with mysterious legends, secrets and apparitions in very unusual places. Her characters seem so real and easy to imagine while others are very odd creatures that are more difficult to fathom. Exciting inexplicable adventures as former live events are revealed and understanding comes.Jane Johnson is one of my favorite authors, who never disappoints with her exciting and unique stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book, it is full of magic, folklore, beautiful writing, and great characters. The setting of Cornwall is perfect and the author does a great job of describing the local area and it really adds to the story. I felt that the best part of the book, though, is its characters. I really enjoyed the character growth of both Mila and her mother. Be the end I really felt I knew both women understood the painful things they went through. This is a great book, perfect for reading in October, it's has just that touch of the mystical and eerie about it.

In 1954, Magda and Mila buy a new home in White Vally, Cornwall for cheap because of its bloody history. Magda wants to restore the house, and Mila just wants to start over with her daughter Janey. Janey has a vivid imagination, especially toward her rabbit, but stories of an enchanted white hare are frequently told. They don't know if the Hare is a good or evil omen. Or what would happen if it's seen.

I really don't like Magda. She's a brittle woman, cutting down Mila and Janey, and blaming Mila for everything that went wrong. Mila accepts that kind of blame, saying she made poor choices and excusing the man that strung her along; it's easy for Magda to declare she would've seen through him after the fact. Magda might say she's not maternal, but the narcissistic traits are downright cruel. I feel so uncomfortable whenever she's on the page. That feeling softens a touch when we discover why she is that way, but I never really warm to her. Janey is a cute five-year-old, and I do love the way the house's history is slowly hinted at, giving a gloomy air over the renovation and introduction to the neighborhood.

The locals have an established rhythm with nature in the valley, and many hold the Cornish superstitions dear. Once people start being honest about the past, whether it's the history of the house, individuals and their personal history, or even the myths inherent in the Cornish countryside, everything starts falling into place. Mila and Janey are integral to the area getting a makeover, and for healing to begin. The book ends on a hopeful note, and I wish them all well.

In this latest book, Johnson tells Gothic story that has family dysfunction, a touch of magical realism and is steeped in Cornish legends. It is 1954 and three generations of women move to a remote village on the Cornish coast where they have purchased a long neglected old house that they plan to renovate and make into a holiday retreat. But locals are wary of the house because of the ominous folklore surrounding it.

The story centres around Magda, her daughter Mila and Mila's five-year-old daughter Janey but it is Mila who narrates the story. I didn't love being limited to only her experiences and despite the tension from the familial dysfunction, the story was too slow burn of a read for me where not a lot happens until the last quarter of the book. If you regularly read my reviews, you'll know I'm not a fan of slow burn reads.

What I enjoyed most about this book were the secluded and sinister setting and the inclusion of Cornish folklore. But with its the meandering storytelling and the rushed and Goonie-esque ending, this book fell flat for me. While this was not my favourite book by this author (please check out her books The Sea Gate, Court of Lions and Pillars of Light), she remains an author that I'm excited to read and I look forward to what she comes up with next.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for my advanced copy of this book which was provided in exchange for my honest review.

The White Hare is a magical novel set in post World War II Britain. The story follows three generations of women or I should say two women and a child. Magda, Mila and Janey, Mother, daughter and grand-daughter. They buy an old abandoned house in Cornwall that Magda wants to set up as a high end bed and breakfast. Mila just wants a quiet place to raise her daughter to escape her somewhat scandalous past.

The story revolves around the house and the superstitious community that surrounds it. When they arrive at the house, they see a white hare which is considered a portent of magic in the surrounding community, whether that portent is good or bad depends on the individual person and their views. While Magda and Mila work on renovating the house, Janey starts to behave strangely, her pet stuffed rabbit seems to resemble the fabled white hare more and more and strange incidences occur that cannot be easily explained.

I enjoyed the folklore of the book and the writing was sublime.. I recommend this book for lovers of magical books with some family drama and dynamics thrown in.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Canada, and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy of The White Hare by Jane Johnson.

I definitely liked this book! Certainly gave me Kate Morton-like feels. I love a story set in rural England with a grand old house that is falling down. The townspeople were interesting and I enjoyed getting to know them along with our main characters. I adored Janey and Rabbit, so cute! Jack Lord was interesting right from the beginning and I was hoping he was a "good guy" as he is so mysterious at the beginning.

Overall a solid, light read!

I really loved this story, and I enjoyed Jane Johnson's writing immensely. The White Hare is atmospheric and character-driven, with some gothic horror elements and wonderfully witchy themes.

After Mila—along with her mother, Magda, and daughter, Janey—moves into an abandoned house in the mysterious White Valley in Cornwall, she must confront the trauma of her past, while navigating her fraught relationship with her mother, increasingly odd behaviour from her daughter, and the secretive and strange habits of the local townsfolk.

The women embark on journeys of self-discovery, which are shaped by the environment around them. Steeped in folklore, and deeply rooted in the Divine Feminine, the White Valley plays an active role in each character's growth.

This book moves at a slower pace, and though I don't personally see this as a weakness, some readers may appreciate knowing what to expect. Kate Morton fans in particular will enjoy this, as well as anyone who just knows that the gorgeous cover would be at home on their bookshelves!

Thank you to the author, Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE WHITE HARE is a moving, powerful tale of love, loss, betrayal, treasure, and ultimately joy.

Rooted in postwar Britain’s social and familial turmoil, The White Hare follows Mila, her daughter, and her mother as they reckon with rebuilding their shattered lives in a near-derelict seaside home whose long-habituated ghosts embrace the torments carried in each woman’s inner baggage. Items wander room to room, the child sees deeper than she should, and soon the very roof that shelters them seems almost as menacing as the wild winds and shadowy, ancient hollow ways. The neighbours mutter of curses and avert their eyes, all but a pair of women in a vine-laden cottage who would surely be labeled witches in any other era. And then there is the mysterious handyman, appearing and vanishing like an unquiet spirit. What truths will be revealed, and will sunlight disinfect or release yet greater evil upon the women of White Cove?

If Daphne DuMaurier set out to write an early Mary Stewart romantic suspense novel with guidance from Celtic goddesses and saints, the result would be a spellbinding and suspenseful tale whose textured language flows like foam on the tide and illuminates great truths like moonlight through gossamer mists.

Highly Recommended

Full of cornish folklore and history and set in an eerily mysterious house, this book begs to be read in October!

The melodic writing was beautiful, and with plenty of fantasy elements and whispers of ghosts and other wordly presences, this story was a slow burn that picked up during the last 1/3 of the book. I wanted to like this one more than I did.

A tale of a young mother, her daughter and her mother moving to a small town with hopes of starting over. After being jilted by her daughter's father, Mila uses her settlement money to purchase an old home in need of major repairs with hopes of turning it into a bed and breakfast. The move and the purchase though, are not Mila's dream, but her overbearing mother's. Mila and her mother have a very strange and stilted relationship. Her mother is just a very unlikeable character. Into their new life steps Jack, who is a jack of all trades and is eager to help these women transform the old house. The townspeople all believe the house is haunted and are afraid to be associated with it. There is some sort of mystery surrounding the previous owners that no one will talk about. They talk in circles without giving any real information. They begin to create doubts in Mila at the same time that her daughter starts displaying some strange behaviors.

The story follows the progress of the house, while also exploring Mila's relationship with her mother, her daughter and Jack. Oh and did I mention the creepy priest? I can definitely see why so many people have enjoyed this book and if you are a fan of slowburns, folklore, omens and secrets, then this one may be right up your alley. I enjoyed this story, but I didn't love it. The pace was a little too slow, and I feel like I never really connected to any of the characters. Recommend for the right audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advance copy to read and review.