Kind of reminded me of haunting of Hill House. I really enjoyed reading this. There were some twists and turns that I hadn't been expecting. On my reread list for spooky season

I really wanted to like this, but I just didn't. I just couldn't really get in to it at all, it all felt really forced and flat most of the time. I will say that I loved the concept of the book and the descriptions of the house were really fantastic.

The start of another fabulous new series from KMM and I am all in for it!
Zo Grey's mother has just died, not of the cancer that has been dragging her down, but of a sudden and powerful house fire. Reeling from the loss of her mother, the overwhelming medical debt and the aching desperation to find work and stability that has long plagued her Zo is thrown for yet another spin when she is approached about a massive inheritance from a distant relative in Divinity, Louisiana. And in order to claim this inheritance, she must commit to living in the manor on Watch Hill in the town for three years.
After she takes up residence Zo begins to find out the secrets her mother had been keeping from number far greater than she had realized, and are much darker and deeper than she could have guessed - and many of them can be answered in Divinity, but with every answer she finds she only has more and more questions.
Filled with a town full of possessive, sometimes creepy folk, sexy security guards and a brooding groundskeeper, a powerful Koven, and secrets galore, I can not wait to see what is in store in the next book!

The premise of this sounded amazing, but the writing and character work just didn't click for me. (Everything felt a bit purple, and not in a way that I enjoy.) I'm sure many others will adore it, though.

Karen Maire Moning is one of my favorite authors, so I feel eternally grateful to receive an ARC of The House at Watch Hill, And, it did not disappoint, When Zo Grey receives notice that she has inherited a house and fortune, she finds that she has to move to Divinity, Louisiana to fulfill the terms of the inheritance. The mansion is appropriately gothic, with creepy animals and a Scottish groundskeeper. I am very much looking forward to the next book! I know the patrons at my library will love this one.

vibes: urban fantasy, lightly gothic, witchy bloodlines, vampires

Heat Index: 3/10

The Basics:

After the shocking death of her mother, Zo Gray is broke and directionless--until she gets a call from a lawyer realizing that a previously unknown relative left her a massive inheritance in Divinity, Louisiana. Before the house and the money is officially hers, however, she has to live in this intimidating, mysterious home--and put up with the suspicious townspeople--alone for three years. She can hardly say no--and the groundskeeper is quite hot--but Zo can't ignore the odd happenings in the mansion. Like doors that go to nowhere. And what about the secrets surrounding her lineage? They could be more mysterious than she'd possibly imagine..

The Review:

Okay, so first off--for the purposes of my blog, just have to make it clear: this isn't a romance novel. It was categorized as such on NetGalley, and I do (as someone who hasn't read Karen Marie Moning before) believe that the author has a reputation as a romance novelist. But this isn't one. Like, there are romantic setups--potentially more than one. There is sex. And there is more to be seen in the next book, I imagine. As of now, however, this is much more about urban fantasy witchcraft than it is about the love story.

So, while I do think there definitely could've been more development devoted to characters like Devlin and his dynamic with Zo... What was clearly more important to the story was Zo's relationship with her late mother, her dynamic with her friend Este (which I loved) and the mysterious attorney James Balfour.

I really liked Zo as a protagonist--she's not a shrinking violet, but she also isn't this Headstrong Female Protagonist. She's struggled in life, she's looking for safety and security, and she's ready to jump on a good opportunity, even if it's pretty creepy. I relate to that--and I think a lot of people in their twenties and thirties for that matter will relate to that, especially during the tough times we've been going through economically as a nation. Her love for her mother and pain over her loss is palpable--I'm fortunate enough to still have my mom, but it was really visceral and made me a bit emotional. Based on the dedication at the beginning of the novel, this entire story felt deeply personal, and I respect that.

As I said before, this was my first Karen Marie Moning book. I like her writing style--even when the pace of the story isn't super fast, the actual texture and tone is, if that makes sense? It keeps you reading, it keeps you compelled. I do typically enjoy a good bit more romance in a story, but I was by no means bored or frustrated here.

I also really liked the worldbuilding with regard to the witches. It was quite fun, and seemed to me a blend of more recent urban fantasy trends and more Witch Classic stuff. Which worked for me as someone who enjoys Witch Classic. The vampires could have used more explanation and expansion, but based on the ending of this book, I do think that will happen.

The Sex:

I did find this kind of frustration. One of the thing the book establishes early, which I really liked, was that Zo is very unapologetically sexual. She's more sexual than she is romantic, and you don't see that too often, even now, with female leads. There's no shame; it's very sex positive.

But like... the sex scenes are basically just described vaguely in retrospect. I wouldn't call it closed door, but it's pretty close. And because they're described as so mind-blowing, and because sex is actually kind of important to the magic and the story here... I felt a little thrown off. I also know, based on what other people have shown me and discussed about KMM's other books, that this is probably a shift. At least from her notable works. So I was a little let down there.

That said, if you're good with low heat sex scenes, or for that matter just don't care either way, it'll be totally irrelevant. By no means does it damage the book's quality, I just do think there are expectations that should be set and that's what reviews are for!

Overall, this is an entertaining, well-paced read that's perfect for October. If you're into witches, you're going to be pleased--and I definitely want to read more from this author (and the next in the series).

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning had me as soon as I saw who the author was. I've never read a book by Ms. Moning that I didn't love and this was not any different.

Zo is still trying to find her bearings from her mother's death when she finds out she has inherited something from a distant, previously unknown relative, but will only find out what if she comes to claim it.

She travels to Divinity, Louisiana and finds out she has not only inherited a fortune, but a big ol' scary looking house. Alone and without much to lose, she moves to Divinity and into her new house at Watch Hill.

After arriving at the house, she discovers other things *no spoiler here* about herself and her mother and a budding frienship and possibly more with the groundskeeper, Lachlan.

Through weird and creepy townspeople, a house that is not a normal house, and discoveries about Zo and her family, I was turning pages continually until I was finished with the book. My only disappointment is knowing I'll have to wait a long time until the next in the series comes out.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Ms. Moning for this ARC inconsideration of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC!

This book was full of secrets and I’m still suspicious of everyone. Zo simply could not catch the tiniest of breaks. Everybody was either lying, withholding, or scheming against her. Trauma should’ve been her middle name.

Kellan, I see you. I knew you’d be back, you were mentioned too much, I want to know more. ALSO HIS LAST NAME??? Crazy.
Devlin, you’re sketchy. I don’t trust you. Zo, I probably would’ve done it too though.
Este, girl, I’m with Zo here. You can’t be my bff and stay lying to me. You’ve got a lot to make up for.

I love the gothic setting, the house, and the grounds, everything. I do feel at times the plot moved rather slow, Zo was literally almost in the house for the whole book. Free her. The ending was wild, I need the next book ASAP.

Also where does one find a stygian owl? I need a Rufus.

Started off strong but then just got repetitive. Not so much gothic but more of a fantasy that never picked up much of a plot.

As a total Karen Marie Moning stan, my opinion is likely very biased, as I will devour anything this woman puts out. I read this sucker in a day. I know how her stories work and I know that it’s all a super slow burn that builds up over an entire series. I don’t know if first time KMM readers will understand that. Super stoked to see where this is going (one word: MacKeltar!!! IYKYK). Loved it! But Fuuuuuuuuu…dge. I just can’t believe I have to wait years for the next one!!!!!

A new Karen Marie Moning novel is always a reason to rejoice! This was fantastic! I am planning on reading it again over Halloween because it gave me such good gothic vibes! Urban fantasy at its finest, Ms. Moning delivers another winner, this time with a sexy Scotsman and a house brimming with secrets in Louisiana. To me it felt like a cross between her fever series + True Blood, so I really think fans of both will be very pleased! Five stars

This was an absolute captivating tale. The story blends gothic mystery, supernatural intrigue, and a touch of romance. Zo Grey, grieving and desperate, finds herself thrust into a world of secrets and magic when she inherits a sprawling, enigmatic mansion in the enigmatic town of Divinity, Louisiana. The book's strength lies in its atmosphere. Moning expertly crafts a sense of unease and wonder, painting a vivid picture of the imposing house and the strange, secretive townsfolk. The house itself is a character, its hidden passages, impossible doors, and unsettling whispers adding to the mounting suspense. Zo's journey through its labyrinthine halls is as much a physical exploration as it is a descent into her own past and the secrets her family has kept. Zo's journey is not without its challenges. She must grapple with the eerie presence of the house, the enigmatic townsfolk, and the growing suspicion that she is not who she thinks she is. Its expertly built tension will leave you constantly guessing and questioning the nature of the supernatural forces at play. The romance, while not the central focus, adds another layer of complexity to Zo's journey. The brooding Scottish groundskeeper, Lachlan, provides a welcome dose of warmth and a hint of forbidden passion. Their budding relationship is a source of both comfort and danger, as Zo discovers that her connection to him goes beyond the ordinary. This book is a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's a story that delves into the themes of identity, family secrets, and the power of hidden potential. If you enjoy stories with a touch of the supernatural, a dash of romance, and a healthy dose of mystery, this is a must-read!

Ridiculously good but I expected nothing less from the amazing Karen Marie Moning. I am so in love with this book, I was quickly enthralled and just as quickly finished the entire thing.

I confess I picked this book because of the title. I live 20 minutes from Watch Hill, where Taylor Swift lives and thought maybe the book would feature something about the history of the house she lives in. I was wrong, The Watch Hill in this story is in the south. The story itself was intriguing, about a young woman who loses her mother only to discover she (and her mother) are witches and that she is the sole heir to a wealthy woman who she has never met bu, of course, there are many obstacles in her path.

I thought this was a really fun book, and the ending definitely left me wanting more. There were a few parts that were a little wordy, but those may be fixed in final editing. I'd recommend this to fantasy lovers who like just a bit of (not too graphic) romance.

I received an advanced copy of this book and was super excited to read it. I love the author and have read quite a few of her books. This book has some definite strengths including a gothic setting in an eerie old house with lots of secrets, a strong female character who experiences growth and change as she realizes she is a powerful witch, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. Although the main character, Zo, is a fully rounded character, many of the secondary characters fall flat. I read through this book in a day but I was left feeling like this entire first book was setting the scene for the next book. I also was disappointed that the book contained less spice than other books I've read by this author. The ending did leave me wanting to know what will happen in the second book. I would rate this 3 1/2 stars. I am looking forward to an exciting and hopefully spicier!

I have long been a fan of KMM and this one just sealed the deal even tighter. I adored everything about this book and know it's going to be part of a fabulous series I'm going to have to wait FOREVER to read. It was hot, but tender. I can just picture the House and all the characters. I can't wait to see how things unfold. Highly recommend!

From the description, I thought this would be more of a gothic fiction read, but it read more like a fluffy fantasy, which is not my jam.