This is such a unique and fun story. It did take a bit to get going, but once it did, I was hooked. The pecan harvest is such a unique experience.

THE PECAN CHILDREN by Quinn Connor

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Pecan Children

3.5 stars
A Southern Gothic with magical realism. Set on a pecan plantation in rural Arkansas where twin sisters grew up. Lil Clearwater works tirelessly in the pecan orchard left to her by her mother. Her balance is thrown off when her high school sweetheart returns to their depressed hometown. Sasha, Lil’s twin sister, has reluctantly returned back home from New York. Autumn, Sasha’s childhood crush is back in town also.

Confronted with ghosts of their past and family secrets. A quirky and haunting read, drenched in folklore.

The first half seemed a bit slow and second half was just okay for me. I did like the small southern town and the creepiness of the story. Many others have really liked this book. This is my first read from these authors and would read other books. Quinn Connor is one pen in two hands: Robyn Barrow and Alexandra Cronin.

This was a very interesting and unique southern gothic read sprinkled with magic and interesting characters. This will surely keep your attention. This gave my BIG Mexican Gothic VIBES! We follow Lil and Sasha through this book and the backdrop is a small town in Arkansas where mysterious things occur. Children literally fall from the pecan trees in this story and we have an eerie man who walks within the shadows who has a constant hunger.

The small town aspect gives you a little claustrophobic feel and the way that the authors wrote this book allows your to envision the book while you read. This book was a fast page turner and the characters were very well developed. This book will have your full attention to the very last page while you try to put together all the pieces.

Thank you @netgalley, @sourcebooks and author for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review. Pub Date: June 15, 2024.

I struggled to get into this one. I found it had a slow start. Neither the plot or the characters really hooked me in. I didn't love the writing style which felt overly descriptive to the derterment of narrative.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

This story was so beautiful and surprising. I did not anticipate the reveal in this book and really appreciated the queerness and tenderness from the main characters. The story had me scratching my head - I could not figure out what the heck was going on in this little town and to the people in it and my mind wandered to all manner of explanation which meant I was nowhere close to the actual truth behind what was happening. The surprise was very pleasant and I really, really enjoyed the journey.
I was additionally surprised that Quinn Connor is the pen name for 2 authors, Robyn Barrow and Alex Cronin! The writing is so fluid I never would have guessed there were 2 authors masterminding the story.
Great story! 10/10 no notes.

An intriguing story with an abundance of magic realism. Follows the saga of two sisters who are dealing with loss of family and home, drama of love, and changes in their life on a pecan farm.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for the opportunity to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Lil, Sasha, and their Pecan Orchard. This book told of old magic, epic love, and how family will always be there for you.


The world that Quinn built around this pecan orchard reminded me of old small time America and I especially loved that she preserved it in time for the duration of the story.

I want the last four days of my life back. What did I just read?! Let me say, I’m usually pretty good about setting boundaries and DNFing a book I don’t enjoy. This time, I felt obligated because I had an ARC and I feel like I owe it to someone follow through. I’ve quit ARCs before, but this time I kept reading the positive reviews encouraging the reader to stick it out, and second-guessing myself, and my own judgment. “It starts out slow, but if you can just make it to 30%… if you can push through to the big reveal at 60% it’s worth it”, and so on.

I wasn’t feeling it, but I kept on, and I should’ve listened to myself this time. By the time I got to 80% I was actively hating it and skimming to get to the end. I mean, I’ve invested this much of my time. I blew out my attention span and couldn’t read anything else this week that I actually enjoyed. I at least have to figure out how it ends!

This book is like a bad trip. Two decades ago, my friends and I were watching this movie (with Jake Gyllenhaal) called Donnie Darko over and over again, trying to figure out what was happening. The concept is similar here: you don’t really know what is true and what is hallucination, and time is folded over on itself. Just like that movie, my friends were hooked and loving it, but was just being dragged along for the ride. I resent all the time I spent trying to make it make sense.

By about 50% I thought that I might be able to give three stars. Gradually as I neared the end, the star count got lower and lower. I never give one star because I never finish a book that feels like a one star book. I guess there’s a first time for everything.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark & Quinn Connor for a digital galley of The Pecan Children in exchange for an honest review.

I am from Arkansas, so I knew I needed to read this one. I don't get many opportunities to read books set in Arkansas! I can also relate very much to the deep roots & pecan harvests.

Lil & Sasha Clearwater are determined to save their families land, but a dark magic lurks under the surface of the pecan orchard & the sisters might want to consider saving themselves instead of the orchard.

This story was wholly original & had a great southern gothic atmosphere. The beginning was a bit slow, but it definitely picked up. Even in the slow parts, I was still entranced. The writing style of these authors was fantastic & so many elements of this story made it a winner, but there were also a few things that just didn't mesh together very well, which kept me from rating it just a bit higher.

Overall, it was a good book that had the potential to be great & just feel a teeny bit short.

There are so many things happening in a town that got me interested. But even at 50%, it felt like the plot was dragging and the setting was getting out of hand. Maybe it’s not my cup of tea or maybe focus on one thing first before getting everyone on the scene because it confused me a lot of times that I had to re-read it. There wasn’t much of a character development. This is an okay book for me. But thank you Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this one in exchange for an honest review.

The Pecan Children leads you through a haunting experience of small town life, exposing all the mystery and fear that comes with growing up trapped in a tiny speck of civilization while the wider world grows up around you. With poetic language, Quinn Connor etches into your soul every pang of fear and happy thrill of wondering if you should burrow down into the familiar warmth of nostalgia or fight tooth and nail to change who you are. The prose is incredibly unique, making your heart ache in a hundred unexpected ways.
The characters wrap around each other like the unending fields of kudzu that blanket their home, emotions and pasts intertwined in a soft mess of adoration, hurt, sacrifice and guilt. Even if you don’t prefer love stories, you’ll savor watching these people try to figure out how to love each other in every possible way—romantic, platonic, familial.
Soaked in folklore that sets itself ablaze by the end, The Pecan Children makes you feel like you’re ready to call the ending only to pile on its well-earned twists during its fast paced second and third acts.
This story is tailored for readers who love the uncanny reality of southern gothic stories while still being allowed to hold on to shimmery hope for a happy ending. I absolutely loved getting lost in it.

3.5 stars...first off thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for granting me the privilege of reading this eARC. It was a slow start kind of book for me, but then by the 30-40% mark, it starts picking up a bit. This book had a good range of characters, and it had cozy small-town vibes with a tinge of mystery/wtf is going on? There's a bit of romance and a bit of magic. Some deep seeded familial roots and a time-loop. If any of that interests you definitely check out this book when it comes out.

I loved the blurb and thought this was going to be a novel I could love. There's a lot of potential but the first part is very slow and I struggled.
The second part is well done and entertaining.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The book is coming of age and it is infused with magical realism and mystery of the small town. The vibe of the book is atmospheric. The characters are interesting. And the town people have a history with Sasha and Lil. This is a kind of book where a lot of unexpected things happens but it’s driven by emotions. The authors perfectly captures the complexity of each character. The story is slow build and the more you will dive into it, the more it will grip you.

After the death of Sasha’s and Lil mother. Sasha moves to New York and Lil look after the family orchard. The unexpected happens in the town and people are forced to move out of it. They sell their lands but the Sasha and Lil refuse to do that. Sasha has returned from New York. While the annual pecan festival brings people together. Sasha meets Autumn and Jason, Lil’s ex comes as well. The southern pecan town is not how it was used to be. There is a rot and ghostly fire has consumed the town while the mystery of pecan tree leaves the sisters no choice but to revisit the past and confront it.

Many Thanks to the Authors, Publisher and Netgalley.

Once you begin to read this one, you won’t be able to put it down!

An adult fairytale that is magical and dark and a powerful connection to the land.
Trying to save their pecan orchard after most of their neighbors have sold out to a really oily salesman! There is definitely something not right about that fellow!

Lil will never leave the land they have lived on forever. The orchard holds a secret that her mother shared with only her. It is her job to take care of the trees. When sister Shasa comes home, Lil isn’t overjoyed, but Sasha has her own concerns and secrets.

Mysterious, magical and just a great read!

Netgalley/ Sourcebooks Landmark/ June 04, 2024

What a strange book! I really didn't know what I was getting into when I requested it...I finished it since I never give up on books. There really is nothing left to say, nothing I want to add to review. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Soft and dreamy, but the story was just taking so long to go anywhere and I wasn't very invested in the characters or their relationships. I can see how this would perfectly hit the spot for the right reader, but alas, that is not I!

Me, from 0-50% of the way through: “this is cool, very Tom Lake, nice orchard vibes” relaxing with a glass of wine…

52% SPITS WINE EVERYWHERE

53-100% CANT GET ENOUGH. Literally this book. Okay so love the characters, love the plot, LOVE THE TWIST. what a compelling, fascinating read that will grip you and not let go.

Four stars- parts of the plot I really wished were more developed and I can’t really delve into it without spoiling anything, but the ending could have been 2% better with a little more depth.

I demolished this read and can’t wait to read the debut by Quinn Connor!

Thank you Netgalley & Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing for an eARC ♥️

Ah, this book is a true treasure! It's a beautifully woven tale of magic, family, and tradition that will capture your heart and imagination. The story of Lil and Sasha, two sisters trying to find their place in the world, is tenderly told and full of depth.

Quinn Connor’s writing is like a warm embrace - it envelops you in a sense of comfort and wonder. The way they weave together folklore and family history is nothing short of enchanting. And the characters? Oh, they're so lovingly crafted! You'll want to wrap your arms around them and cheer them on as they navigate the challenges of their small town and the mysterious forces that surround them.

What I love most about this book is the way it celebrates the power of sisterhood and the resilience of the human spirit. It's a testament to the idea that our connections to each other and the land are what truly make us strong.

This story absolutely warmed my heart ♥️

This book is so sharp and brilliant. This may be in my top list of the year! A southern gothic read that haunts a disapearing past. All the suspense and quirky energy is in this book!