Wow, this book, for lack of any more coherent words, was *stunning*. Saint Juniper’s Folly was a rare book that consumed my thoughts even when I wasn’t reading it — it took me almost a week to read it, and I found myself annoyed at life for not granting me unencumbered time to devour this book. The writing was gorgeous, the vibes were immaculate, and the characters were so wonderful. I loved the friendship between Taylor, Jaime, and Theo, and the way Theo and Jaime’s relationship slowly blossomed as they grew closer. The banter — between all three of them, but especially Theo and Jaime, was so enjoyable and consistent and good-natured. Sometimes, banter and teasing can err too close to mean-spirited or hurtful, but that was never the case with these characters. I’ll admit I had a real moment of fear near the end of the book that we wouldn’t get a happy ending, and to prospective readers I’ll say this: trust the author, trust the story, it’ll be fine and everyone will be happy. It’s rare that I finish an arc and desperately want to order my own physical copy, not just to proudly display on my bookcase, but to immediately reread.

Release June 6
SAINT JUNIPER'S FOLLY is a REMARKABLY feel-good YA Queer Supernatural-Paranormal-Generational Witchcraft Coming-of-Age Romance and Discovery! Whoa, that's a combination! But it's a champion combo, so much so I'm ready to reread! Sure, there's lots of heartbreak and heartache, grief, Bigotry (practically institutionalized in Saint Juniper's (sufficient blindness to be stomach-churning), and as it turns out, it's nothing new there either. You know, this is Vermont: I wouldn't have expected it, but that'd be giving too much credit to humans.

The trio of protagonists: Gay Hispanic adolescent in foster care Jaime [I could really write a fiery rail about his folks and about the social workers and system], Theo--uncertain of himself, compassionate, trapped in a "what will people think?" family, who's not certain of himself or his stance; and half-Puerto Rican Taylor, daughter of a deceased generational Witch who has inherited the lineage and a Puerto Rican dad who represses any hint of Magic, though he continues to operate his late wife's apothecary, are a set of characters with whom I immediately identified and empathized! ANY Reader who has ever experienced being or perceiving the outlier, or miscast, or misfit; who has ever felt, "I really don't belong here," is going to find fellow feeling in this gorgeous tour de force. You're going to feel right at Home. And really, isn't that what we want to discover--our Home??

“Saint Juniper’s Folly” is the debut YA novel by Alex Crespo, whose online biography states the author is a “queer + trans Mexican-American” who writes about “queer love, magic, and all the ways they intersect.”
The book weaves the tale of three teenagers (Taylor, Jaime, and Theo).

Taylor secretly practices magic her Puerto Rican dad banned from the house after her mom, an accomplished witch, suddenly dies.

For Jaime, whose Mexican heritage has been erased in foster care, returning to the Vermont town of Saint Juniper means returning to a past he’s spent years trying to forget. Attempting to hide from small-town prejudice, he escapes into the forest valley, where the folly will test him and his friends.

Theo’s outwardly perfect adherence to familial and societal expectations masks existential angst. One of the best moments in the book comes after Jaime and Theo finally admit their feelings for each other and before the ultimate paranormal confrontation; Theo reflects: “Something about that moment stuck with me long after the amber light faded from the room . . . It’s impossible to know which memories will be lost forever to the nagging pull of time. Or maybe worse, painted over in retrospect by counterfeit emotions and twisted into some cheap copy...”

Chapters are narrated by each of the three teen characters and Crespo deftly weaves their secrets, their fears, and their friendship together in a way that is meaningful but not heavy.

There were some twists and turns along the way, some plot developments that surprised me, and a few tense moments.

This a teenage (13+) coming-of-age ghost story filled with magic realism. It would be a great recommendation for young readers looking for characters struggling with loss, facing the precipice of adulthood, coming of age and coming out.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley but the review is my own.

Saint Juniper's Folly is a supernatural coming of age story. While at first I believed it to be a horror book, actually it was more of a mystery. The plot was interesting, but the character development was a bit of a let down. They seemed one-sided and we were told that the MCs are frienda instead of shown. But the romance plot line was cute and I wish we could have gotten more details there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC

At its heart, Saint Juniper’s Folly is a book about loneliness and being ostracized. Our three main characters are all teenagers who don’t quite fit into Saint Juniper or its neighboring town of Wolf’s Head.

Our first introduction is to Jaime. Jaime is a product of the foster care system after he was abandoned by his parents at a young age. Jaime is hardened out of necessity and represents the bad boy/outcast stereotype that exists in every highschool in small towns across America. When we are introduced to Jaime, he had come back to Saint Juniper for his senior year of highschool, right before he turns eighteen and is no longer a problem for the foster care system. It is just Jaime’s luck, bad luck, that he walks into the woods and gets stuck in a haunted house.

This leads us to our first meeting with Theo. Theo is our All-American boy raised to do the right thing and dying of anxiety inside from all the pressure. He is the “good son.” He is supposed to follow in his older sister’s footsteps and be a shining example of success in Saint Juniper. That is until he stumbles upon a haunted house in Saint Juniper’s Folly and finds Jaime inside unable to leave. Theo is kind, but Theo is also driven by perfection to “fix” things that are out of alignment. So, Theo sets about freeing Jaime from the haunted house. In order to help straighten out (pun intended) Jaime’s situation, Theo needs to find someone who is versed in the supernatural.

And, here we meet our final member of this haunted-house-in-the-heart-of-the-woods breakfast club, Taylor. Taylor is the daughter of a witch from a long line of witches. Her family suffered a tragedy from the death of her mother in the prior spring. Now, her father is shutting her out emotionally and trying to keep Taylor from using magic. Of course, this makes Taylor want to use magic all the more. She also wants to find out what happened to her mother in Saint Juniper’s Folly. So, when Theo walks in seeking help, Taylor is all but ecstatic to volunteer.

What follows is three teens meeting and gaining a multitude of lessons in growth, found family, and understanding. Each teen in turn has some life experience the other can understand. Jaime and Taylor are both biracial in a town full of Caucasians and have to deal with being an “other” on an everyday basis. Jaime and Theo share experiences of figuring out their sexuality. Theo and Taylor bond and find solace in each other while trying to help free Jaime.

What ensues during the development of the plot is nothing short of Scooby Doo. There are ghosts, weird noises, locked doors, and, of course, a mystery. Following along with the crew while they both look deep inside themselves as well as do what seemed to be an insane amount of research and preparation was indeed an enjoyable and wild ride. The only part of the story that took away from the plot was the romance.

In the beginning, the romance was sweet. Theo and Jaime had to go through the initial crush phase, then move on to the acknowledgment phase. That was completely adorable. However, in the last third of the book, the story almost became completely about the romance with the mystery of the haunted house and freeing Jaime coming in a distant second. There were parts where I wanted to skip ahead to find out how the climax developed and ended. I would have preferred more focus on the plot and less intimate moments with Theo and Jaime. It began to feel like Taylor was a third wheel in a story she was supposed to be included in.

The author’s writing style is quick, full of quips, but also filled with great alliteration. Even the parts that I wish were a little shorter (the romance at the end), were enjoyable to read with amazing descriptions of the characters' emotions.

4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

When I say I devoured this book, I mean I devoured it.

St. Juniper’s Folly was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and even with those high expectations, this book blew me away. There is not a wasted word, not a missed beat within those pages. The characters are not just likable; they are familiar and warm. The relationships between them are not just nice; they’re the beating heart of the story. This is a story whose every word is infused with love and tenderness.

Not to say that it isn’t an atmospheric, delightful work of horror fiction. Less of a spine-tingling, jump-scaring thriller, St. Juniper’s Folly subscribes more to the Mike Flanagan school of horror (which makes sense, considering The Haunting of Bly Manor is one of the comp titles). It isn’t just about the ghosts: it’s about what brings them.

There’s no way I can do this book justice in my review, but I will say this: Alex Crespo is the debut author to watch right now. He has just secured himself a spot on my automatic-buys list and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

All this to say, go buy St. Juniper’s Folly right this instant. You won’t regret it.

This sounded exactly like my kind of ghost story. A gay haunted house story? Sign me up!

Unfortunately, this didn't quite work for me. What I personally look for in stories like these, is a lot of atmosphere. This book didn't feel all that atmospheric to me, and I didn't get a real sense of mystery. Somehow the writing just didn't really pull me in.

There's nothing really wrong with this book, but it wasn't really my kind of thing.

SAINT JUNIPER'S FOLLY by Alex Crespo is a fun story about a haunted house in the woods and the hold it has over a teenage boy stuck in the foster system. He's discovered by a shy boy who doesn't know what he wants to do with his life and a girl who's grieving her mother and wants to practice witchcraft but isn't allowed. The story unfolds with a bit of mystery and whimsy and a good dose of magic and ghosts, all while the three central characters sort out their internal and familial struggles. The romance is sweet, and the world building is fun. The pacing is on the slow side, but it's an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars! My personal enjoyment of this book is a five stars, but there were just a couple of things I struggled with so that is why I gave it a four stars! I loved this book though, highly recommend.

The writing is very simplistic, but not in a bad way! It makes for a super quick read.

I love Jamie, I thought he was so funny. From the first page I met him I knew I would like him. Theo was such a sweetheart and so cute! I loved his personality so much. Taylor was great addition to the cast of characters, but I did have a hard time getting through her POV sometimes, especially in the beginning. I really liked Taylor as a character, I just wanted to get back to Theo and Jamie because I loved them so much.

There was a very light and unexpected humor in this book that I really enjoyed! It made me chuckle or laugh out loud sometimes. The jokes and banter were so natural.

I loved Jamie and Theo’s relationship! They were so adorable. I loved that even though they were so sweet with each other, they still bickered too. I loved reading Theo’s journey coming to terms having a crush on Jamie and watching their relationship bloom. When they found excuses to be around each other I melted. Taylor observing all the moments between them was great as well. I love that trope in books. She was such a good friend to them too!

I loved their little found family. They all loved each other so much and it was so cute to see. I did wish it spent more time fleshing out the friendships between them. One minute it was there the next it wasn’t. I know there was some time lapses where they had lots of time together to build their friendship, I just wish we as readers saw more of that because I loved all the interactions.

One small issue I had with it too was I wish Theo’s relationship with his parents fleshed out more as well. It was talked about but then never brought up again really. His parents were strict with him but he still was able to do whatever he wanted. They were mentioned every once in a while, but no real consequences ever came up.

It was really interesting to read about each of their struggles: Theo’s pressure on himself to be perfect, Jamie not believing he was worth anything, and Taylor’s struggle with her dad. It was nice to see them work through these issues as the book progressed.

I loved that the book also talked about racism and how parents affect children’s lives. There were serious conversations that should be talked about, and it was done in a very good way in my opinion!

I thought the ending was a little fast. Part of me was glad we didn’t waste time going through every bit of research and preparation, but at the same time it went by too quickly for me. Things were wrapped up really well but I could have done with more at the end! I honestly wouldn’t mind getting a second book with these characters, even if it was just going through their every day lives.

Overall despite some of my complaints I still had a great time reading this! I would read other books by this author for sure.

While I was excited about the concept of this book, its actuality let me down slightly. I immediately found the blooming romance between Jamie and Theo compelling, however the paranormal features of St. Juniper seemed underdeveloped and confusing. I would have appreciated more backstory on the origins of the character's powers. All in all, the plot felt forced and I didn't find the quickly formed relationships between the characters to be realistic. While I did enjoy the book, I was not satisfied with the conclusion and did not feel like these three characters were destined to go on a journey together.

A cute, fun, light YA read! If you're looking for something to bookmark for when fall comes around, I think this book would be perfect for October. Although it takes place in summer, so if you're looking for a cute, easy summer read, this could scratch that itch too! Since the book is split between the three character's POVs, I figured I would break my spoiler-free review into three parts too!

Taylor: was easily the most interesting character to me. The mystery surrounding her mother, her witchcraft, the relationship with her father, and her desire to help the boys regardless of the risk, were all so fascinating. Whenever they came up I sat up in my chair and paid extra attention. Her chapters flew by for me, and I wished she had stood up for herself more, the refusal for her and her father to communicate felt contrived and forced at times, but ultimately both their perspectives on things felt fair and understandable, so I enjoyed it.

Theo: was perhaps the most boring but also most cute character, he's a really simple boy next door nice guy type. I thought his coming out storyline was honestly...a little been there done that, not just in YA but fiction in general. It's fine, it was a subplot that didn't take much focus and maybe the teen readers will get more out of it. I think it could have been spared a few more scenes, we never really saw him speak to his parents for real, we never even met his mom. I think that plot was too underserved to hit the way it was intended to. His nice attitude and helpful spirit were still cute and admirable though.

Jaime: was easily the more fleshed out and relatable of the three and I adored him, even if he felt stubborn to share headspace with at times. I think this is another character who needed more of a confrontation with his absent parents. Instead of having him meditate or dream to remember his childhood I would have sent Taylor and Theo to visit the dad in prison and question him, then have his answers prompt said memory dreams. It would have made lent some actual payoff to a lot of that emotional arc I just felt was left wanting. That said Jaime was my favorite character with a heartbreaking but believable situation and a lot of attitude. His relationship with Theo felt well developed and so sweet!

All in all Saint Juniper's Folly is a really sweet and chaste gay YA romance with a trio of friends who rely on one another and find support for their parental issues during an important summer with some witchy and ghostly adventures happening around them.

Although it is a standalone it has a lot of potential to become a series to be quite honest. I would take paranormal adventures with the three of them going forward however I would honestly say the split POV aspect could be dropped in favor of solo novels, just alternating narrators from book to book instead of chapter to chapter. Maybe ever other book in the series could be a teamup where we get all three POVS? Like an Avengers assemble moment, lol.

If you like cute gay stuff, coming of age summer-before-senior-year stories, friendship-focused narratives, and books that are clearly written for the girls and the gays, this is for you! Super cute, fun, and easy to read. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

The premise of this book was so interesting. I got to the end of the book and just wanted more!

I think the unlikely friendship between our three main characters, brought together by circumstances out of their control, was my favorite part. That central plot point was just beautiful.

I would’ve loved to know more about Jaime’s childhood and why his parents did what they did. Why do he and Taylor both have magic? I definitely have some questions but I’m also happy with the way everything was wrapped up.

This was my first book by this author but I will definitely be checking out whatever else they write!

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I simply adored this book! It had my heart right from the offset with its eerie use of setting as character, and I quickly became attached to the three distinct narrators. It slowed down a little around the middle where the investigation seemed to lack true purpose, but I found those calmer moments gave us time to breathe and gave space for the relationships between characters to evolve naturally. Speaking of which, the main pairing were so sweet and I was utterly obsessed with watching their romance bloom on the page. Overall, an entirely enjoyable read, and I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is so good. I really struggle to get through ebooks (much more than audiobooks or physical books) if I'm not loving them, but this one I finished in like a day because I couldn't put it down.

The book follows Jamie, who gets stuck in a haunted house, Theo, who finds him, and Taylor, a witch who tries to help Theo get Jamie out of the house. It is both so sweet, with their new friendships and the slowly building romance, but also absolutely heartbreaking. Jamie has been through so much in his 17 years, more than anyone should ever have to go through. He doesn't trust anyone in the beginning, so to see how he slowly starts to trust Theo and Taylor, and eventually begins to believe people actually can like him? It made me so emotional. I might have also cried at a certain point.

I also really loved Theo and Taylor. Theo is the absolute sweetest, and he cares so much about everyone, while also worrying about everything. Taylor is going through so much grief after losing her mum, and the fact that her dad won't let her take part of her mum's heritage as a witch makes it even worse. Still, she is ready to risk everything to help her friends.

Honestly, go preorder this book (or, if you're reading this after it's already out, just go read it). It's so good, and if you like queer YA (especially fantasy/horror that isn't that scary) you will not be disappointed!

Mexican American gay MC, achillean MC, Latina MC

A nice atmospheric adventure and mystery with a few supernatural elements.

Jaime is a teen in the foster system, moving back to his home town Saint Juniper after years away. When he finds himself trapped inside a mysterious house in the middle of the woods, Theo, a library volunteer, and Taylor, a amateur witch, come together to solve the unveil the history of the house and it's haunting. Can they get him out before it's too late?

It's a nice story, but it's more mystery than horror with a dash of LGBTQ+ romance. There are some supernatural elements but most of the book goes around finding out the history of the house and Jaime's connection to it. The story explores the personal issues of each character quite a bit, particularly the long-term effects of family trauma. The connection between trauma and the house was very cleverly developed.

The plot is fairly simple and easy to follow, It was a fast read with nice characters I empathised with. The romance is adorable and I like how it took it's time to develop.

All in all, a nice read!

With comp titles of Cemetery Boys and The Haunting of Bly Manor, this wasn’t a book I could pass up. Haunted house stories are my kryptonite.

Jaime has spent most of his life being shuffled around to various foster homes. He’s never felt wanted or loved, and his backstory broke my heart. I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug him. Theo is a library volunteer whose parents have certain expectations of him. But he’s unsure of what his future will look like. Taylor is an untrained witch who recently lost her mother. She works in an occult shop owned by a father who forbids her to learn anything about magic. He believes it killed her mother. When Jaime becomes trapped in a haunted house – he literally can’t exit doors or windows because of an invisible barrier – Theo comes across him after being mysteriously drawn into the woods. When he seeks help at the occult store, Taylor answers his call.

Bly Manor is full of eerie, spine-tingling scenes and while this novel is atmospheric, I wouldn’t say it falls into that same horror category. Yes, there’s a ghost, but she really doesn’t have a lot of page time. Most of the story is spent trying to figure out a way to safely extract Jaime from the house and unravel the history behind it. With the house scheduled for demolition, their time is limited and tension is high. A sweet romance also develops as Theo learns some things about himself. Found family, my favorite trope, is a prevalent theme when Jaime eventually realizes he’s not alone and is deserving of love and friends. All three MCs are well-developed and experience character growth.

This is a quick paranormal read that even gave me cozy vibes at certain points. If you’re looking for a creepy read featuring engaging characters, strong friendships, and a little romance add Saint Juniper’s Folly to your list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

ugh I just finished this book and I feel like some entity is literally squeezing my heart, I'm EMOTIONAL.

Saint Juniper is a quaint little town, a little paradise on the right side of the tracks where nothing goes wrong. Wolf's Head is a little grungier, the people slightly more worse for wear. In between them gapes Saint Juniper's Folly, a deep, foresty valley filled with secrets

For Theo, Jamie, and Taylor, it's the source of fear, mystery, and answers.

This book is a cozy little mystery, a tender hearted romance, a generational healing, and a coming of age story all rolled into one treat of a novel. We have 3 narrators - Taylor, a teen witch still grieving the loss of her mother. Theo, the boy next door who's starting to buckle beneath the pressure. And Jaime, the neglected foster kid who's new to the area. The amalgamation we find therein does occasionally suffer from the weight of its premise. The pacing falters a touch and the characterizations lose some of the details that we need. I think any debut novel has a chance of that, though, the author needing to kind of hit their stride. For as vast of a concept as Saint Juniper's Folly is, it is largely successful.

All 3 characters are integrally woven to the plot, each plot point is tied up neatly by the end. I felt satisfied as a reader with the way things ended, and with new spots carved in my heart for all 3 of the leads. ALSO - we love an Achillean romance.

Saint Juniper's Folly is about a teen boy, Jaime, trapped in a haunted house who is found by another teen boy, Theo, who despite their immediate butting heads insists he'll help Jaime get out no matter what. The two are joined by Taylor, a young witch in an adjacent town who has been forced to keep practicing her magic secret even from her father due to her complicated family life. Together, forming fast, lifelong bonds, the three work through their own histories, traumas, and doubts to help Jaime escape--and in turn, help each other in more ways than any of them could have ever anticipated.
Jaime, Theo, and Taylor are an incredible trio. Their immediate connections and friendships shined very brightly and felt so incredibly genuine. The romance between Jaime and Theo that developed was so heartachingly sweet and felt so natural. I was yelling at my pages for the two to address their feelings, to make moves, and the reader is so well rewarded. Jaime and Theo need each other on such a deep level and watching that play out was breathtaking. As a person in my 20s, this meant so much to me, and I know it will mean so much to young teens who are terrified what being themselves and being in tune with their sexualities in a small town could mean for them. This book says there is hope--you will get out, you will make it, and you deserve a life all your own as your truest self.
Taylor's own story of living with a grief she'll never be free of, and coming to terms with her family's deep history in the area was so poignant and I teared up for her in the final chapters of the book. The way she and Jaime bonded through their histories as Latino/a kids in a rural, dominantly white area where everyone knows everyone's business and always, always looks at the two of them funny--the two needed each other, too.
Alex Crespo's debut is a phenomenal, hopeful read, one that will stitch your heart back up as much as it wrenches it.

What a terrific debut from author Alex Crespo!

Saint Juniper's Folly follows three young teens - Jamie, the foster kid returning home who then finds himself trapped in an old, haunted house; Theo, a senior in high school who is trying to figure out his place and future; and Taylor, still grieving her lost mother while trying to find out her family's history and connection to witchcraft, despite her father's wishes.

I really loved the three POVs and going back and forth between them all. They all kept the story moving very steadily and it helped to amp up the tension in how Taylor and Theo would get Jamie out of the house. While this book has supernatural and witchy elements, I also think it was a well-written look at teens finding their place in the world and finding that circle of true friends.

I also love the early banter and snark between Jamie and Theo and how their friendship grew over the course of this book. Also, is it just me, or did anyone else get demi vibes from Theo and his attraction to Jamie? These two were so cute and sweet together, with some very soft and tender moments too. And I love how they had each others backs to the very end.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree for the e-arc!

Alex Crespo's debut is a must read for any and all paranormal/fantasy readers! The found family aspect of the story caught my attention from moment one; it was very akin to the vibes Cemetery Boys gave, and I found myself continuing to go back to read as much as I could.

The relationship that bloomed between Jaime and Theo was so sweet, plus the fact that these three characters now had people in their corner. They all grew and changed alongside one another and it was wonderful to read each individual point of view.

Excited to see what Alex comes up with next.