A digital copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. The opinions are my own and freely given.

The Ashby's own the town. The are one of the oldest families in Blue Cliff, Virginia and Cheyenne couldn't wait to leave. But when the sheriff, a dear family friend calls and tells her that her mother, Constance isn't doing well, she comes back. Cheyenne left without a word to her friends and boyfriend.

Five years ago, 3 children were found dead in the woods. The woods, that Constance swears has a mythical beast living in, but a man was put in prison for these murders, and now that he has been released, children are starting to disappear again.

I spent most of this book wondering if this was a paranormal story. But Cheyenne and her best friend Natalie team up and try to put the truth together. I really enjoyed this book. It was a page turner that kept me wondering what was going on, and who could be the killer of these children, and why?

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.

Set against the eerie backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, the novel beckons readers into the enigmatic world of Blue Cliff, Virginia, but the journey, while intriguing, lacks the shiver-inducing thrill one might expect.

The story centers on Cheyenne Ashby, who returns to her hometown haunted by childhood memories and local legends of an evil entity in the woods. Greene's portrayal of Blue Cliff is atmospheric, painting a town where superstitions are as thick as the forest fog. The premise is tantalizing – a blend of folklore and true crime – but the execution stumbles in its pacing and depth.

Greene's attempt to weave the town's sinister past with the present mystery is ambitious. The narrative, however, often feels caught between wanting to be a deep psychological thriller and a folklore-driven mystery, mastering neither. The characters of Cheyenne and Natalie are well-introduced but their development throughout the story feels superficial, lacking the emotional complexity needed to truly connect with the reader.

The twist of a child's disappearance reawakens the town's fears and secrets, setting the stage for a gripping exploration of the interplay between myth and reality. Yet, as the plot unfolds, it becomes predictable, missing opportunities to delve deeper into the dark folklore that could have given the story a unique edge.

In conclusion, 'The Woods are Waiting' is a decent debut that offers glimpses of potential in its atmospheric setting and the intertwining of superstition and crime. However, it falls short of the gripping, edge-of-your-seat suspense expected from the genre, making it a lukewarm read that scores 2.75 stars. It's a book that brushes the surface of a haunting tale but doesn't quite dive into the depths of darkness that would make it unforgettable.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this one, but I unfortunately could not get through it. I might pick it up again, but the story telling was a bit choppy for me.

Slow burn, atmospheric novel twisted up in the local folklore of a small mountain town. I found it hard to believe that in modern-day people would "fall for this", but it was still a good read. Some bits didn't flow together right for me. As I am writing this review, I see that the "author" is actually two authors, and that might be why. I'm not usually a fan of multiple-author books because of the risk of inconsistency.

A one sitting read. I could not stop turning the pages on this one. Cheyenne returns to her home town following a call from the chief saying that she’s needed by her mother. By Cheyenne is haunted by her home and her past. Cheyenne is forced to confront the legends of the Hickory Man and the numerous confirmed deaths of children in her hometown. When another child goes missing, it sends Cheyenne and her mother back into the past. Cheyenne is forced to reconnect with those she hurt by leaving town without warning including her best friend Natalie and her lover, Jack. As pieces come to light and a one convicted murderer is set free, Cheyenne and her friends are forced to confront the truth of their hometown and the lies before them. A fast paced thriller that I’m going to be recommending all over.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a slow burn! I loved the story and can’t wait to read more from her in the future! Creepy Appalachia will always be a favorite of mine!

I struggled with this one as it was very slow. I gave up after 25%. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this fun and atmospheric book. However, the reason that it is not a full five stars for me is because it was a real sllloooowww burn, not necessarily a bad thing, but personally I prefer a faster pace in my thriller books. This is not saying that I did not enjoy this book or that I don't recommend it, because I had a blast reading it and really enjoyed it, however if you are considering reading this one just go into it knowing that it is slow moving. I did enjoy the ending and the characters as well. Overall, this was a stellar debut!

I only read a couple chapters of The Woods are Waiting by Katherine Greene. I loved the idea of the book but I struggle to read this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderfully eerie story of how tradition and folklore still rule some remote corners of what most would consider a civilized world. As her mother's health declines, her belief in the old ways increases and manages to settle into the hearts of Cheyenne and Natalie. They escaped this darkness filled forest once but it's not going to let them go again. A great story line that moves quickly between a real killer and the beliefs that the forest spirits can kill.

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

This was a bit of a slow burn and I ended up turning to the audio version, which is very well done. I am still listening to it and will review it on goodreads once finished. Thank you for my arc.

Silver coins in their pockets and sprinklings of dirt in their shoes...the old traditions date back hundreds of years and are supposed to keep the children safe from the Hickory Man who lurks in the woods, but they aren't working. The lost child posters in town are layered thickly, new pictures covering the ones that are decades old. Cheyenne's mother sprinkles salt across doorways and sweeps herbs into the wooden floors, convinced that it's her duty to keep her neighbors safe. It's why Cheyenne moved away and why she's returned. Her mother is getting worse and more children have been found dead in the woods. This is some seriously creepy folk horror and I absolutely loved it, even though there are a few sounds I may never hear again without thinking about the Hickory Man.

In Katherine Greene's debut novel, the woods come alive in this spooky, haunting novel. It is a perfect read for the Fall and Halloween seasons. Shadows play tricks on the stunted town of Blue Cliff, VA were outsider Cheyenne Ashby must return home to look after her mentally unstable mother. In a town know for its history of missing children, losing them "seemingly to the woods", no town person can move forward without some connecting to the missing children. When more children go missing Cheyenne and another member of the community, Natalie, must work together to determine the cause of the hysteria.

The Wood are Waiting is an enjoyable novel with many spooky elements. At times a bit of editing could have been further done to tighten the story a little bit, but overall I think Katherine Greene did a wonderful job of keeping her audience's attention from start to finish.

This one took a hot minute to get into, but I am glad I stuck it out. I love the creepy and unsuspecting vibe right from the jump. I was a bit nervous since lately the books with the subplot of going back to your mysterious home town to help figure something out have been let downs, but not this one! It did remind me of a movie I once saw with a similar plot, will update this when I finally remember the name. All around this book was a ride and a half and I enjoyed every up and down it provided. Loved the setting of the Appalachian's. Always such a creepy story setting.

At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get into this one and almost put it down. I am glad I didn’t. I really enjoyed it.

Book Review:
Title: The Woods Are Waiting
Author: Katherine Green
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars

Oooooo.....creepy. Something is in the woods, and children are going missing. I really liked the setting of this book, The Appalachians, because I live just above them, and there are many haunted stories about this area.

Five years ago, in the small town of Blue Cliff, Virginia, three children went missing, and later, their bodies were from in the woods. Long held superstitions of the locals believed that their was some sort of mytical beast in the woods that hunted children. These are not the only children that have gone missing and later found dead. This town has a long history of these occurrences. Jasper Clinton was eventually charged and convicted of these murders but was it really him? The truth ends up being extremely disturbing and eerie. Although the book could be slow at points, I still stayed engaged to find out the truth!

Published: July 11th, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley, and @crookedlanebooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Woods are Waiting" by Katherine Greene is a charming and heartwarming novel that weaves together elements of nature, adventure, and self-discovery. Greene's writing transports readers into the enchanting world of the woods, creating an experience that is both magical and thought-provoking.

The story follows the journey of the main character, as she ventures into the deep, mysterious woods to find herself and confront her past. Greene's vivid descriptions of the forest and its inhabitants breathe life into the setting, making it feel like a character in its own right. Her skillful storytelling creates a sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting readers to explore the woods alongside the protagonist.

What truly sets "The Woods are Waiting" apart is its emphasis on self-discovery and personal growth. The character's journey is relatable and filled with moments of introspection, making it easy for readers to connect with her struggles and triumphs. Greene's writing delves into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and the healing power of nature.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, allowing the plot to unfold gradually while maintaining a sense of anticipation. As the protagonist delves deeper into the woods, readers are drawn into a world of mystery and adventure, creating a sense of excitement and suspense that keeps you turning the pages.

Katherine Greene's "The Woods are Waiting" is a delightful and introspective read that encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of nature and the transformative power of self-discovery. It's a novel that offers a refreshing escape into a world of wonder and growth, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy stories that combine the natural world with personal journeys.

Loved the cover of this one! At the beginning, I wasn't sure if this was a thriller or a ghost story but I thoroughly enjoyed finding out! Highly recommend if you enjoy Southern suspense, crime, and small town thrillers with a supernatural twist.

I recieved an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

This novels premise sounds super interesting and then as I began it, I had figured it out quite quickly. Think along the lines of The Village or even Hot Fuzz....but not as comical. Some of the creep factor was really good, however, it seemed a lot of side stories too rather than staying wih the main story. Then, it was a 'mic drop' chapter where, let's tell you everything and now we know!

This is the kind of novel that creeps me out about small towns! When I see something like Gilmore Girls, one thinks, oh living in a small town would be so great.....then I think of situations like this novel and it's a big NOPE for me! Not bad, entertaining, but predictable.