This is my first Olivia Atwater book, but it definitely will not be my last. I love fae stories, but I enjoy them so much more when they are dark, gritty, and tricky. This book checked all my boxes. A mysterious manner, fae, a mysterious past for our girl Winnie? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely plan on checking out the Atwater backlog.

The Witchwood Knot offers an intriguing premise and a beautifully atmospheric setting, but falls a little short in delivering the gripping narrative it promises. While the world-building is detailed, the pacing can be uneven, leaving the reader wishing for a bit more momentum as the story unfolds.

That said, the strength of the book lies in the author’s undeniable talent. The writing itself is lush and evocative, with vivid descriptions that truly bring the dark, enchanted forest to life. The author has a gift for creating immersive settings and crafting moments of real beauty within the narrative. Though The Witchwood Knot may not be as tightly woven as her previous works, it still reflects the skilled storytelling and creativity fans have come to expect. With some refinement, future projects are sure to shine.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this in advance in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this. What more could someone possibly want from a book than a dark faerie tale set in a magical Victorian England? I never knew I needed a book like this until I read it.

I could not put this book down. I loved the storyline and the characters equally. I’ll definitely be recommending this to everyone.

This is such an amazing book. It's wonderful how Olivia Atwater is able to bring magic into her stories in such different tones. The world she created throughout the Half a Soul companion series was already so intriguing and full of life, and The Witchwood Knot not only expanded on that, but made it creepier (that's always a compliment) and even more fun to read about. This is a fresh take of a classic premise and the well known turn-of-the-screw situation in which our protagonist needs to outsmart magical beings in order to protect someone. On top of that, the writing is fantastic, both witty and touching all the same.
You do not need to read the other trilogy in order to fully enjoy this one, but if you do decide to pick any of them up, know that the others are all just as wonderful, the only difference lies in whether you want some gothic, creepy fairytale, or a whimsical one. This one is a great pick for October if you're a seasonal reader and want to get in the Halloween mood.
I will always pick up Olivia Atwater's books in the future and I'm super exited about hopefully getting new additions to this magical regency world she's created.

I could not put this book down! The main character was beautifully written. A true morally grey character that came off as complex and layered, without being forced or over-the-top. The themes of the book were masterfully and subtly showcased through the plot lines and the characters' choices. We're introduced to a very cool worldbuilding that was expansive without being dispersive, with very authentic and enchanting Celtic folklore that felt very much like an old, oral-tradition fairy tale.
I'll definitely read more of this author's books.

I thought The Witchwood Knot an earie read perfect for this time of year. Its the first book i have ready by this author and was not disappointed.

Amazing gothic read. It is moving but not action packed and the main character Winifred is witty and blunt. She was so much fun to read and follow this journey. The fairy lore is interesting and well developed. The small cast of characters makes it more intimate and helps you dive right into the story. Mr. Quincy and Winifred's relationship is sweet and refreshing. The communication with each other is to the point and I absolutely love it. Absolutely devoured this story and is wonderful for the fall season!
Please check triggers warnings it does have some dark themes that are presented within the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Starwatch press for the opportunity to read this book! This is my honest opinion.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

I loved Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater, so I was very excited to dive into this book.

The Witchwood Knot is a gothic, dark faerie tale full of folklore, mystery and magic. Olivia Atwater’s writing is lush and atmospheric, and immediately pulled me into the story.

This book follows Winnie, a governess who must save her young charge after he is stolen away by faeries. I loved the twists and turns in the story, but I did find that the pacing dragged at times. The faeries in this book are truly wicked, which l always love to see in books!

I enjoyed the two main characters, who had their own struggles and flaws, which made them likeable and relatable. Their romance was definitely a slow burn, but I wish there had been a little more chemistry between them.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m excited to read whatever Olivia Atwater brings out next! Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eerie, lushious in descriptions and perfect for the fall season. Loved the mystery and the gothic manor. As always, the atmospheric writing grabs the reader's attention and all the wonderfully flashed out characters keep the readers on their toes. Enjoyed this so much!

Olivia Atwater's writing is so atmospheric. Although this started off a bit slow, I enjoyed this gothic faerie tale. I went into this expecting a period fantastical romance but its more than that, there are some more serious topics. I found myself on a bit of a emotional rollercoaster at times, feeling things I didn't expect. I would definitely recommend this. A perfect autumn read.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is an enchanting romp through a whimsical world filled with magic, mischief, and a touch of romance. If you’re in the mood for a story that feels like a fairy tale but with a delightful twist, then this is the perfect book to dive into! Set in a charming yet chaotic village where magic is as common as a cup of tea, Atwater crafts a tale that’s as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Our protagonist, the fiercely independent and slightly awkward heroine, is a delight to follow. She’s got all the right intentions but often finds herself tangled in hilariously complicated situations—think of her as the lovable underdog you can’t help but cheer for. The way she navigates her magical mishaps is both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. And don’t even get me started on the supporting cast; they’re wonderfully quirky and add just the right amount of chaos to the story.

However, while the whimsical elements are charming, the plot occasionally feels a bit meandering, with some storylines that could use tighter pacing. There are moments where the narrative lingers longer than necessary on minor details, which can detract from the overall flow. Yet, despite this, Atwater's blend of humor and heart shines through, making The Witchwood Knot a delightful adventure. If you’re looking for a whimsical tale that makes you smile and leaves you wanting more, this book is still an absolute gem!

This is a perfect October TBR book. It was gothic and spooky vibes, along with the magic influences of the faerie world. I loved Olivia's Half A Soul series, so it was fun to get another read from her. While this is a stand-alone, it did fall in the Half A Soul world. But don't worry, you can read it would knowing anything about the interweaving worlds.

I can not put into words how much I enjoyed this book. I've been in a reading slump for a while and this lifted me right out of it.

A wonderfully dark gothic ghost story that had me on the edge of my seat.

This book returns us to the magical world of Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales but set during the Victorian era, and magical things are not looking good.

Winifred, a not-quite governess, is brought to Witchwood Manor to protect the young lord from a malevolent force inhabiting the house. Luckily, Winnie has some magic to fend off some of the unruly Fair Folk that lurk within the manor, but the problem ends up being more complicated than she feared.

If the Regency Series was cozy fantasy, it appears the Victorian Series is leaning gothic since Atwater's dreaming writing carries a sinister undertone. Still, the romance is delicate and feels like it develops quite sweetly out of the darkness.

Olivia is setting up a wider plot with this one, so I am excited to read the next book in the series.

When the fae aren’t nice…

I loved every moment of this book. It wasn’t too long but the story kept going and going that I never wanted it to end.

Olivia Atwater wrote The Witchwood Knot in a beautifully, dark gothic way with (as the fae norm goes) twisting surprises in every chapter.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series for more dark adventures with Winifred and Mr. Quincy

Rating: 4.25

Olivia has such a beautiful writing style, I really enjoyed how the magic system in this world felt so unique.

The absolute perfection... I don't think you understand. This book is perfect. I can't think of a single thing to change; I wouldn't want to. Olivia Atwater has done it. This is the perfect Victorian Gothic, and you will not be able to convince me otherwise. Not only is it a Victorian Gothic, but the romance made me swoon. If it makes a difference to you, yes, they're enemies. Truly enemies! I cannot wait for the next book to come out! I am waiting with bated breath!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

This was my first time reading Olivia Atwater and it certainly won't be my last. i really like her whimsical, gothic style and her take on fairie lore.
This felt very much like a darker, more gothic version of Emily Wilde for me and I really enjoyed it, a perfect low stakes book to curl up with on a cool Autumn day.

This book is spell-bidding, it grabs you from the beginning and it takes you through this world where you have to tread lightly. Winnie is such a strong female character that has gone through so much but it drives you to see her overcome struggles, and become more sure of herself and what she can accomplish. You experience this house, the atmosphere surrounds you and you're entranced and horrified by the atrocities that have been done but more than that, it makes you question who are the real monsters.

This was my first Olivia Atwater book, but it won't be my last. I can only hope to become part of this cast of characters once again and pursue the next chapter of this story.

Thank you Starwatch Press/Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Olivia Atwater never disappoints. Upon starting this book, I was promised a deeply emotional gothic romantasy filled with sentient houses, unraveling mysteries and captivating characters at odds with one another. After finishing it, I can safely say that I got exactly that.

The Witchwood Knot is atmospheric, dismal yet magical, and filed with a sense of melancholy that never seems to become unbearable for the reader. While Half a Soul is still by far my favourite of Atwater's works, I cannot deny the magnetism this book and its characters have. Winnie was a main character whom I rooted for from start to finish, and Mr. Quincy was equal parts aggravatingly unknown and wondrously charming. If you're in need of a quick witted and fun gothic fantasy this fall, look no further.