I was so intrigued by this book because the synopsis was giving the unmaking of june farrow x practical magic, which the former is one of my favorite books is the year and the latter is one of my favorite movies ever! I don't know if it was so much my own self inflicted high expectations or the synopsis itself, but I finished this book wanting more. More of the romance, more of the magic, more of the mystery. The book was so atmospheric and I felt transported, but the plot fell a little bit short for me on the romance and magic front. .

I did enjoy the author's writing style so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of their work in the future.

thank you Avon and NetGalley for this eARC.

This book combines reality with a touch of magic so it is hard to tell what happens by chance and what comes from the stories written in the Morgan compendium. I for one would love to read that book as the little snippets you get at the start of each chapter are quite intriguing.

This story goes back and for between present and past so that we get the whole story of what happened with Carrie and why she ran and what she needs to face now that she has returned to Woodsmoke. I must say I enjoyed the parts with Carrie and Matthieu and their renovation of the cottage best, most likely because it shows moving on from the past and not being stuck like Jess and Tom. That bit was not so much fun. But I did like how it all came together and though the mountains demanded a price, it was sweet and showed how it was willingly paid.

So, it was an enjoyable story over all and I am glad I got the chance to read it.

YAWN!! Maybe it's because I read about 3 books with similar premises all at the same time, but this book truly bored me. All of the major plot points were explained away by showing that... the mountains hold magic and therefore they are what determines who can survive in Woodsmoke. OR that Carrie would have never escaped if she didn't leave as a teen.

There was no big bad that they needed to fight, it was all just generational trauma. I felt like we didn't need to get the viewpoint of our bestie, Jess, but I did feel for her. And the fight between herself and Carrie was dumb and Carrie literally had no right to yell at Jess lol.

Ultimately forgettable, and skippable.

*4.5 stars rounded up*

A story revolving around a book of mountain magic passed down from grandmother to granddaughter? Yes, please!

Carrie Morgan’s grandmother Ivy has passed away & left her a cottage that needs renovating just outside the hometown Carrie fled ten years ago. Carrie returns thinking she can have one relatively painless winter season there & get the cottage ready to sell, but instead she’s sucked back into the orbit of her great-aunt Cora (current keeper of the family book & always making dire warnings about respecting the mountains to those around town), caught up in an uneasy blast from the past with her former best friends, & also finds herself falling for the man helping her update the cottage: but he goes missing just as they’re starting to get close…

Carrie’s quest for a place to belong & the stories that are legend in the town of Woodsmoke are combined in a compulsively readable way, & the imperfect characters make you sympathize while simultaneously suppressing the urge to shake them (in short, this author gets people & portrays them accurately). I also loved the Practical Magic reference & the fact that the book club was reading Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus.”

Thank you to NetGalley & William Morrow/Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not even sure how to start this review, because I know that I don’t have the words to describe how incredible this book is. The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells was such an impactful and transformative book, I don’t know how I’m supposed to recover!

This is a tale of magic, of female friendships, of family, of being lost (then found), of heartache, of love. The way Rachel Greenlaw built this tale is beautiful. Absolutely stunning. The writing itself is incandescent - Greenlaw builds characters and storylines, almost like a swirling mist, with everything and everyone dancing around each other, but with purpose. She brings everything together in the most brilliant way, especially with her snippets from the past. Truly, the writing seeps into your very bones, much like the magic of Woodsmoke.

The storyline itself is unlike anything I’ve read before. The mountains are a character in and of themselves, and while they have no dialogue, they speak through the tale. The women of this book, the majority of them Morgan women - with the exception of Jess - are all complicated, magical, but very human. Each with their own desires and complicated relationships with the mountains & Woodsmoke, they highlight the decisions and weaknesses of our own human hearts.

The men of this book are supporting characters, in my opinion, but supporting characters that are very much needed. They support and further the plot lines of the Morgan women, and the men undergo their own pivotal growth and changes.

This is the perfect book. Sincerely, I have no notes. I knew about a third of the way through that I was never going to get this book out of my heart. I will be recommending it to anyone who will listen to me.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells is a contemporary fiction novel steeped in magical realism, weaving elements of witchcraft, romance, and mystery against the haunting backdrop of Woodsmoke’s mountain setting. The novel follows Carrie Morgan as she returns to her family’s home after a sudden departure ten years earlier. Her goal is to restore her late grandmother Ivy’s cottage, but upon arrival, she encounters a mysterious man, Mathieu, who offers to help. Meanwhile, her great-aunt Cora, the keeper of the Morgan family’s Compendium of Spells, believes that Carrie is cursed and that Mathieu may not even be real.

The novel excels at building suspense around Mathieu’s true nature. Is he really just a man helping Carrie, or is there something supernatural at play (i.e. retribution from the mountains)? This mystery is cleverly constructed, with subtle hints and eerie moments that make you question the boundaries between the real and the magical. The sense of place is also incredibly strong, with the mountains of Woodsmoke feeling alive with secrets, a place where both beauty and danger lurk in equal measure. The magical realism here is woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating an atmosphere that makes the mundane seem extraordinary and the unknown, all the more sinister.

However, despite the gripping mystery and atmospheric tension, the story doesn’t fully develop its magical elements or the witchcraft at the core of the Morgan family. (So disappointing!) The potential for deeper exploration of the family’s magical heritage is largely underexplored, and the catalyst that drives the plot, while important, doesn’t have the emotional weight or significance that it could have had.

Side characters like Tom, Jess, and even Ivy, Carrie’s beloved grandmother, don’t feel as integral to the story as they might have. There is really only snippets of backstory, which makes it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Even the small chapter about Aunt Cora and Uncle Howard tender and sweet-- it didn't add much to the overall plot, especially considering the heavy atmosphere at play.

Carrie’s own journey also feels somewhat underdeveloped. While her struggles with her past—particularly with Tom and her abrupt departure from Woodsmoke—are central to the plot, her emotional development is not fully explored. As a result, her decisions, especially when it comes to Mathieu, don’t always resonate with the depth or urgency. The repeated motifs of Carrie leaving and returning, of unresolved conflicts, aren’t as impactful because we don’t get a sense of why these issues weigh so heavily on her heart. There’s a lot of surface-level storytelling here, and while the backstory is provided, it doesn’t quite satisfy the reader’s need for a deeper understanding of Carrie’s motivations.

Despite these drawbacks, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells remains an enjoyable read for those who appreciate atmospheric fiction with a touch of suspense and magic. The novel offers a rich setting and a compelling mystery, even if some of its emotional beats and character development don’t hit as hard as they could. If you enjoy books that focus more on mood and atmosphere than on intricate character arcs, this book will likely appeal to you.

Rating: 3.0/5

Would I recommend this book? Sure, this was an ok choice for fall/winter. It’s a solid read for fans of magical realism and those looking for a suspenseful, atmospheric tale, but if you’re looking for deep character development and emotional resonance, you might find yourself wishing for more.

Sometimes, a book just doesn’t resonate, and unfortunately, that was the case for me with this one. The writing itself is solid and polished, and I can absolutely see how it would appeal to certain readers—I even have a few people in mind I’d recommend it to. However, the characters and plot just didn’t quite connect with me on a personal level. I’m genuinely disappointed because I had high hopes, but I’m not giving up on this author. I’ll definitely try another of their works in the future to see if it’s a better fit for me!

This was an interesting and unique witchy, wintery read! I was expecting it to be a little bit more cozy, as this was more emotional than I thought it would be. Started off very slow, but once I got to the half way mark, I wanted to binge the rest of it to see how it ended!

I enjoyed the family history revolving around the book of spells, and was initially invested in the extra complicated love triangle, but the pacing was slow and I struggled to stay engaged. There wasn't as much witchy magic as I had expected, and Jess's POV really lost me. I love a good atmospheric read but the vibes took over and this was very character driven, which ultimately wasn't for me.

Such a good heartfelt novel with romance and magical realism. This story is told from three different perspectives in different times. It is a lot to keep up with but the story really carries you along with it and keeps you interested.

Unfortunately this was just not for me. It just didn't grasp my attention the way I wanted it to. I will try this one again as a published book.

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells reads as a cozy mystery. It’s slowly paced, but not necessarily in a bad way. I found the book to be sweet, although some difficult topics were touched. The word “witch” was through around, and “potions” were made but really, “book of spells” is very loosely used. It is not a book of spells. It is a book of stories written by generations passed to warn or share with the Morgan women who come to possess the book in the future. Overall, only one “spell” or potion seemed to have worked or actually been true in the whole book. It was sweet, but overall, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells just didn’t really live up to expectations for me.

good mystery about a couple and staying in a house and the other couple there. kept me on my toes . good mystery and figuring stuff out.

“Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells” had an intriguing premise, but its execution left much to be desired. The writing leaned heavily on telling rather than showing, often bogged down by overly descriptive passages and an excess of adjectives that seemed to prioritize atmosphere over substance. While the intent to create a vivid, immersive world was evident, it felt overdone and distracting.

The relationships between the characters lacked depth and remained surface-level, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their connections or conflicts. Additionally, the rotating points of view in each chapter failed to enhance the story. Instead, they disrupted the narrative flow, as many of the perspectives offered little to advance the plot or evoke interest in the other characters.

While the book had potential, its style and structure detracted from what could have been a compelling story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon, for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

The mountains and winter setting of this book were so captivating. I loved the mystery behind the stranger and who he might really be. This book is about a broken sister hood, second chances, and facing a haunting past. I would absolutely recommend this book!

We all know the story- girl leaves small town, because se doesn't fit in. Years later, girl must return home to settle her grandmother's estate. Mountain might be angry that she left. Hot carpenter man might not be real. You know, business as usual. Ha! Woodsmoke is the kind of small town we've all read about before, but the myseterious family lore (magic?) and the deals made with the mountain add a creepy speculative edge to the novel. It's not a perfect novel (im not convinced the author knows how much rennovating a house costs), but overall it was a cozy, reflective book that I would reccomend to readers of Adreanne Young and Alice Hoffman.

An incredibly gripping and atmospheric read brimming with magic and mystery.

In a small town embedded with mountains and their ancient folklore, a lineage of Morgan women navigate the legacy of their magic, including the sacrifices made to the land and strangers who come and go with the frost.

Returning to Woodsmoke, Carrie Morgan has to face again the legacy of the land she left behind ten years ago -- including relationships she abandoned and the magic she tried to escape. The spells—and curses—sewn into the soil prove that mountains never forget.

As Carrie restores her grandmother's cottage, alongside a mysterious (and handsome, duh) stranger, she must reconcile herself to the siren call of the land, her family's magic, and where -- and with whom -- she's destined to call home.

I was immediately pulled into this story, and I loved getting lost in the magical realism and nature-focused intrigue. It touches beautifully on family (and found family) relationships, love, and our relationship to home.

It's a captivating read for this cozy reading season, and pairs well with a side of Taylor Swift's Folklore and -- tea.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE WOODSMOKE WOMEN'S BOOK OF SPELLS is out now!

I really enjoyed this book. I had a hard time staying interested about halfway though just due to some pacing issues but I pushed through and I’m so happy I did! If you like witches or anything witchy this is a fun and original storyline that was a really good read.

A beautiful story of family, love, loss, and home. This book was pure magic. I absolutely loved every second I spent reading this. Cozy up and enjoy the journey.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*3.5 stars

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells lives somewhere between the cozy and romantic vibes of Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series or Breanne Randall’s The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic and the mysterious and atmospheric vibes of Adrienne Young’s books or even Alli Dyer’s Strange Folk. (I read too many witchy books).

The story picks up after Carrie Morgan returns home to renovate her grandmother’s cabin following the grandmother’s passing. It’s got romance, small town and family drama, and some atmospheric wilderness. I will say up front that the main character’s internal conflicts and the relationships between characters definitely takes center stage over any magic system or supernatural force, though magic is interwoven into the story. So, I wouldn’t go in expecting a ton of magic.

If you are like me and you love anything witchy, I think you will have a fun time with this one. There were parts that were reminiscent of the other witchy works mentioned above, but there was a lot of originality in the plot as well. My only major issue with it was the pacing. I found myself struggling to stay engaged at points.

Still, if you are a fan of some of the authors mentioned, or just witchy fiction in general, I would give this a try. Or even if you like cozier family dramas/romances. It’s also a great winter read, if it happens to be heading into winter where you are!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the complimentary eARC for review!*