I was so nervous going into this… a Jane Eyre retelling but she’s a witch?? Too good to be true. But indeed I did enjoy this! It may not have the heart stopping lyricism of Brontë, but it keeps steady nods to the original source material. And some Easter eggs for anyone who knows Jane Eyre well. I would recommend for anyone who likes spells, gothic vibes, classics, declarations of love, and defying societal norms.

The premise was interesting and I was excited to get into it . Sadly , the writing style wasn't for me and I couldnt get into it.

I have never actually read "Jane Eyre", so I went into this book with no prior expectations considering it's a retelling of Jane Eyre, but make her a witch and make the house haunted.

Overall, this was a pretty easy book to get through. I fairly enjoyed Jane, and Rochester was decent enough. All the characters were pretty well-rounded EXCEPT for our dead Mrs. Rochester. I feel like I didn't know anything about her even though her character was at the heart of the story and the mystery. But I did like all the characters overall, and it was a nice cozy fantasy mystery.

My biggest gripe is the fact that it felt like it took 95% of the book to finally solve what is going on at Rochester house, and then the "evil" is vanquished in about 10 pages or less. It was a lot of buildup for next to no payoff. At least the romance aspect was cute (although I know there's supposed to be an age gap but it's never truly addressed to where I'd think it would be an issues for anyone).

Overall, a very average book but one I think is worth your time if you're looking for a nice Jane Eyre retelling (although what do I know since I've never actually read the original). Give this one a try!

This is a Jane Eyre retelling and I loved every word of it. It was an absolute delight to read and completely lose myself in it. I loved the writing style and they was that the story was laid out. It kept me absorbed in the story.
I just reviewed Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher. #SaltBroom #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for the copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I hear Jane Eyre retelling but make it witch-y and and even more gothic horror you can bet I am immediately interested. Jane Eyre is a classic gothic romance that holds the standard for the genre as a whole in my eyes, and anything attempting to retell it has very big shoes to fill, this author seems to have almost made it with just a few tweaks that could make the story feel both more real and true to the original.

In this novel Jane 'Aire' starts out our story teaching at a school for orphaned girls that is known for turning out witches, the school always struggles for funding and so when a chance comes for the headmaster to earn the school some funds by her taking a job for a Mr. Edward Rochester he takes it. Jane is weary of the job, rightly so, and as she investigates the shadow over Thornfield she finds there is more going on then she may have though but with Thornfield and herself.

The romance in this novel shows through as a winning trait of the book, and feels honest and just as tender as the original. However the pacing feels somehow both rushed and too slow all at once. The book takes place over about a week to two weeks at most with most of the book taking place over a three day period. Now I can suspend belief for much but the type of love these two have forming over a week feels rushed and like the author wanted to condense everything in where as the original works best partially because of its slow pace and build up. This novel jumps right in with no real build up and it shows in how deeply connected you feel to the leads.

The gothic and horror/mystery writing is where this book really shines, I was second guessing my self and jumping at small noises while reading as the suspense built itself up slowly. You start off second guessing everything and by the end its become a page turner you need to finish right away just to see what happens. It reads like a tv show that starts slow but then you binge the second half of the season because you can't put it down.

Overall I would recommend this book to those looking for:

- Gothic Romance
- Jane Eyre retellings
- Spooky Romance
- Gothic's with a cozy feel
- Historical Romance lovers
- Witchy Novels
- Atmospheric Gothics

I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

I must admit, I have never read Jane Eyre. And I imagine whether or not you have will heavily influence your feelings on Salt & Broom.

As for me, I enjoyed it quite a bit! Jane is easy to love. She and Rochester have easy chemistry, which is the best sort. Although the book only takes place over a few days, their romance feels like a slow-burn.

"Cozy" is the predominant vibes, as is true with most witchy tales, with a dash of gothic thrown in. But everything feels very cohesive. The story doesn't go out of its way to try to explain the world.

An easy read to recommend! I'm not normally a fan of "retellings," so I'm happy I went a little outside my comfort zone!

I think I have to give up on Jane Eyre inspired books - they just never deliver for me. This one had an interesting premise with Jane as a witch but it never fully captured my interest. This Jane does a lot of wandering around and does a couple of spells and that's about it. Plus the book only spans three days, which is just not enough time to get invested.

Thank you NetGalley and author Sharon Lynn Fisher for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

"A gifted healer unravels the mysteries of a cursed estate—and its enigmatic owner—in a witchy retelling of Jane Eyre .

"Salt and broom, make this room
Safe and tight, against the night."

Trunks packed with potions and cures, Jane Aire sets out on a crisp, clear morning in October to face the greatest challenge of her sheltered girls’-school existence. A shadow lies over Thornfield Hall and its reclusive master, Edward Rochester. And he’s hired her only as a last resort. Jane stumbles again and again as she tries to establish a rapport with her prickly new employer, but he becomes the least of her worries as a mysterious force seems to work against her. The threats mount around both Jane and Rochester—who’s becoming more intriguing and appealing to her by the day. Jane begins to fear her herb healing and protective charms may not be enough to save the man she’s growing to love from a threat darker and more dangerous than either of them imagined."

It is indeed a great retelling of Jane Eyre with a twist. I thoroughly enjoy reading this book. I devoured it in one sitting.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute and witchy twisty retelling of Jane Eyre. Ironically I am not really a fan of Jane Eyre- it's ok just not an obsessed fan. But this cute little witchy story of Jane and Mr Rochester was cute and would be enjoyed by fans of the original and those fans of magical books and romance stories.

4.0/5.0

A witchy retelling of Jane Eyre? Yes please. This held true to the original Jane Eyre in all the places it mattered but with a sprinkle of magic and ghosts.

This was advertised to me by other readers JANE EYRE with witchcraft and goodness did it ever deliver.
I loved everything from the pacing and dialogue to character development and world building. even some of the more seemingly rediculous elements just kind of worked for me . This was a good time and I would recommend it for anyone who likes witchy fiction or retellings in general.

Like many others in the bookish community, I adore JANE EYRE. So when I saw a premise that combined Bronte with witches, magic, and a heavy splash of gothic atmosphere? Combined with that beautiful cover? I was ALL IN.

This isn't JANE EYRE as you know it. This is a world of fairies and witchery, of curses and intrigue that differs substantially from the original. I adored how fresh and fast-paced this interpretation was (while still, against all odds, holding the spirit of the J.E. we know and love close to its heart). Sure, it got a little ridiculous at times. But you know what? I had fun. It's the perfect autumnal read.

A gifted healer unravels the mysteries of a cursed estate—and its enigmatic owner—in a witchy retelling of Jane Eyre.

Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite novels and this retelling was really well done. Haunting and beautiful all at once.

'Salt & Broom' by Sharon Lynn Fisher, a supernatural retelling of Jane Eyre, is an enchanting addition to the field of retellings. It balances the skill of homage to the source material with creation of a new story beautifully.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

A retelling of the classic Jane Eyre featuring a main character who is a witch. She is employed by Mr. Rochester to help him exorcize the evil that shrouds his estate.
This was a miss for me but may be enjoyed by fans of the original.

“Jane Eyre” is a tough nut to crack as far as re-tellings go. I think both Jane and Mr. Rochester are fairly complicated characters in their own right, and their romance is by no means straight forward or easy. But I have to commend Fisher for the version she presents here! This book walks the perfect tight-rope of hitting the main story beats that one expects from a “Jane Eyre” story, while also completely re-imagining large chunks of the story to fit in a fantasy world where witches, ghosts, and fairies exist. It would be very easy for either side of this balance to shift and throw the entire book into disarray, but that’s not a concern here! Instead, the book confidently moves forward in the world its has created, trusting the reader to strike this balance as well. I was also impressed with the overall style and tone of the writing, as capturing the specific “voice” and manner of speaking can be a challenge when adapting older works like this. Again, this ability to capture this tone was all the more impressive since you had to pair this sort of “period piece” voice with all kinds of fantasy terms about witches and magic.

In particular, I really enjoyed the adaptations and liberties the author took with the original story. All of the main plot beats were hit (and even a few minor ones, the sort that will definitely please the fans!), but the author didn’t hold back from truly making this one her own. Several familiar characters are completely re-imagined, while others play roles that are relatively unchanged. Some fairly major plot lines are also changed, but in ways that still hold true to exploring the themes and love story of the original. This include the plot line regarding Mr. Rochester’s wife. Obviously, I don’t want to go into spoilers, but I was very impressed by how this was re-done! And, again, the magical elements tied into all of this in ways that were truly surprising! Going in, I had it in my mind that it would mostly be the same story but with Jane doing a bit of magic here and there. Nope! Major fantasy elements all over the place, but in the best ways!

I also really enjoyed this version of Jane and Rochester. Jane, especially, was a fantastic leading lady. This version captured the same spirit of independence and resolve that we see in the original, but the story also allowed her to explore themes regarding female friendships, motherhood, and family in ways that the original didn’t. Rochester was also excellent, capturing much of the same dark and broody motifs that we expect from this classic romantic hero. That said, I liked some of the updates we got to this version as the original had moments where he came off as a bit, well, jerkish. This Rochester is still reserved and mysterious, but also updated in small ways to appeal to modern romance readers. I especially loved all of the scenes where he and Jane team up to solve the magical mysteries surrounding them.

Overall, I really loved this book! It managed to take a beloved classic story and retain all that makes it great while also adding a fun fantasy spin to the proceedings. I’ll definitely be looking through this author’s back catalog to see what else she’s written and will keep any eye out for anything coming in the future! If you enjoy magical re-imaginings of classic stories, definitely check this one out!

Rating 9: Darkly romantic and mysterious, a perfect book for all “Jane Eyre” fans!

(Review will go live on March 15 on The Library Ladies blog)

I loved this fun, witchy retelling of one of my favorite books, Jane Eyre. Dark, moody, but with some levity from some of the characters, I loved the blend of the story I grew up with and magical aspects.