As a huge Karen Marie Moning fan, I was anxious to start this book!
This book you kind of know what to expect if you are a Moning fan, the world building is compelling and though the main character is a little irritating you learn to love her. Zo is a witch and learns of her birthright after the death of her mother. I had a hard time with this one since the love interest has my youngest son's name so I'm not sure if I can go any further.

This book ends on a cliffhanger.

Thank you to Net Galley for the free book for honest review.

I've typed and retyped out a review, deleting and struggling to articulate how I felt about this book. I spent most of the book pushing through(I was kind of in a book slump where I didn't want to read anything?? Nothing was sounding good and I am 100% a mood reader, which makes it hard to force read a book I got an ARC for)

Let's start with the pros.
The ending? The ending scene was really cool, albeit a little predictable...I mean you knew what was coming.

James B. He was cool.

The owl.

The first chapter was interesting.

Now for the cons, I didn't love the FMC. I didn't love the constant back and forth of her making comments like, "I didn't know how wrong I would be about this" Not an exact quote per say, but there were enough annoying sidebars throughout the book.

I also did not love how horny she was all book. It was just written so weirdly, and in the start when she's talking about sex and how she picks her partners, it was just awkward. It was explained later, but it just left me side-eyeing a lot of things and feeling annoyed that she wasn't thinking with her brain.

It took this b*tch literally 2/3 of the book to realize what everyone else can figure out in TWO chapters at the start of the book. Like don't be a dummy. USE YOUR BRAIN. PUT TOGETHER THOSE OBVIOUS NEON SIGNS.

Anywho, I finished it- and I didn't DNF so there's that. If you want a fairly predictable (HER LAST NAME WAS SUCH A GIVEAWAY C'MON.) urban fantasy, where the FMC takes most of the book to figure out what literally everyone else knows and then is grumpy about it, read this.

This is classic KMM for me - a first book where there is so many layers, so much build up, so much confusion. Things that won't pan out until book 3 are in here. Random interactions and interludes are going to be critical but now just add to the confusion. Y'all I am INTO IT. It is so fun to me to highlight things and think - will this come back into play later? It felt very Fever series KMM - young girl loses someone/something (in this it's her mom), travels to a new place to get answers, and is surrounded by mysterious people, hot men, and power.

I can't wait for Zo's power to be revealed.

And that ENDING OMG I SCREAMED. I can't wait for book 2!

ust finished this book, and I’m still catching my breath. It’s one of those stories that sneaks under your skin before you even realize it. Zo Grey, struggling with the death of her mother and no prospects to speak of, suddenly finds herself thrust into an unexpected inheritance in Divinity, Louisiana. What starts as a glimmer of hope quickly turns into something more twisted and chilling. There’s a catch—she must live in a brooding, Gothic mansion alone for three years to claim it. Sounds easy, right? Not quite.

Zo is desperate for a chance to rebuild her life, and the promise of money and a new beginning is too tempting to resist. But from the moment she steps into that sprawling, ominous house on Watch Hill, something feels wrong. The red-eyed Stygian owl that seems to be keeping an eye on her and the enigmatic Scottish groundskeeper only add to the atmosphere of unease. The house itself is practically alive—full of locked doors, impossible passages, and secrets that seem to whisper in the dark. Divinity, the strange little town where everyone has an eye on Zo, doesn’t make things any easier.

I loved how the author weaves the supernatural elements through the story. There’s an uncanny tension in the air, and you can practically feel the house breathing, waiting. And Zo—poor Zo—slowly realizes she’s tied to this place in ways she could never have imagined. The deeper she digs, the darker it gets, and it becomes clear that the stakes are much higher than just an inheritance. There are forces at play that are far beyond her understanding, and the realization that her lineage is connected to this house sets off a chain of events that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The real charm of this book lies in its atmosphere. The humid Louisiana air, the creaking, haunted halls of the mansion, the sense of isolation—it all works together to create a genuinely eerie setting. And there’s something incredibly satisfying about a haunted house story where the house is a character in its own right. The Gothic vibes are strong, and the twists are genuinely unsettling. If you love dark, atmospheric tales that mix mystery, magic, and a touch of horror, this book will absolutely deliver. It’s the kind of story that keeps you guessing, right up until the very end, and it left me with a chill that I can’t quite shake.

Spicy and an interesting storyline. Just enough mystery to leave you wanting to know more, too! I truly hope good things are in store for our Zo Grey. The girl desperately needs it, lawd a'mercy.

Premier tome de la nouvelle série de Karen Marie Moning et je ressors de ma lecture un peu mitigée!

Nous allons suivre Zo, une jeune femme qui galère un peu à joindre les deux bouts et qui vient de perdre sa mère. Elle va recevoir un coup de téléphone d'un notaire qui lui annonce qu'elle est l'héritière d'un vieux manoir en Louisiane. Elle se rend donc à Divinity et le testament est clair : passer 3 ans dans ce manoir et elle reçoit l'argent. Simple? Mais elle va découvrir des secrets de famille qui vont peut-être bouleverser toutes ses croyances...

C'est un premier tome qui nous introduit un nouvel univers. Celui-ci a un potentiel de dingue! Mais le bémol, selon moi, c'est que c'est beaucoup trop introductif (et descriptif) le rythme de lecture est cassé. Idem, l'action n'est quasi qu'à la fin du livre et cela se termine sur un sacré cliffhanger! J'ai beaucoup aimé l'évolution de Zo tout au long du livre même si parfois, j'ai eu envie de la secouer pour la réveiller

En bref, un tome qui a du potentiel!

I absolutely loved The House at Watch Hill. Another great book by Karen Marie Moning. I couldn't put it done and finished it in 2 sittings. Will definitely be recommending it to anyone who will listen.

I’m not sure I’ll survive until the next book, I’m dead. ☠️ The House at Watch Hill sucked me right in and it was just what I needed to completely escape. I have a love affair with New Orleans and we go as often as we can. To have Watch Hill set in the area, I can see, and smell the verdant moss, and live oaks, and feel the heat. The characters are killer and KMM is a master. Absolutely phenomenal new series.

This book was just okay for me although by the end I was much more invested. I normally love Moning's writing but this particular book felt like the descriptions was just so over the top. I found myself skimming through descriptions of what something looked like hoping to find some dialogue to keep my interest. The story definitely took a turn for the better and intrigued me enough to want to read the next book which for a while I wasn't even sure I'd finish this one.

The House on Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning captures everything I love about her writing: the lush atmosphere, complex characters, and that irresistible blend of mystery and magic. Moning takes us on a haunting journey, weaving a tale that feels like it exists just beyond the veil of our own reality. The tension and suspense build masterfully, making this a page-turner I couldn't put down. As always, Moning’s storytelling prowess shines; truly, I’d read her grocery list if she published it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As a long-time Karen Marie Moning fan, I was excited to dig into The House at Watch Hill, the first book in her new trilogy. While the Gothic mood and intriguing premise first pulled me in, I felt the pacing to be a little slow, with the first half feeling like a prolonged setup for the main tale to come.

Zo Grey's path from grief to inheritance was fascinating, and I admired her character's complexity. The mystery mansion in Divinity, Louisiana, is eloquently detailed, yet at times there seemed to be too much description and not enough action. I kept hoping for the big reveal or a fight, but instead, we're left with more questions than answers, due to a cliffhanger conclusion that makes me eager for the next book.

Overall, I liked the mood and some of the characters, but I was hoping for more depth. I am still rooting for Zo and can't wait to see where Moning takes us next!

📖: The House at Watch Hill- Book #1-3

✍️ By: Karen Marie Moning- I read her Fever and Highlander series 4/5 ⭐reads

📃 Page Count: 380 eBook

🗓️ Publication Date: 10-1-24 | Read 11-3-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher William Morrow, and Karen Marie Moning for this ARC🧙🏾‍♀️! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

🌎Setting: Divinity, LA

Genre: Gothic, Paranormal, Mystery, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Tropes: witches, haunted house, family drama, secret identity, magic, inheritance, rags to riches, one-night stands-h, small town, whodunnit

☝🏾POV: multiple

⚠️TW: death of parent, grief, cancer-not h, arson

💭Summary: Zo and her sick mother Joanna are struggling financially so when Zo is at a job interview, she blacks out with a bad feeling and knows her mother has died. Their rental house catches fire, and Zo is left penniless and alone. She receives a call from a lawyer that a long-lost relative has left her an inheritance but needs to meet Zo in person in Divinity Louisiana. Zo has been left a house and money from Juniper Cameron, but she must live in Watch Hill Manor for three years alone in order to receive it. Zo agrees because this is her answer to her problems and hope for the future. Can Zo survive the house and a town wishing to destroy her?

🚺 Heroine: Zodeckymira "Zo" Grey-24, caretaker for her mother Joanna dying of cancer. They moved from place to place fifteen years running from her father. Her landlord accuses her of arson and murder because they found accelerant.

🎭Side cast:

•Kellan-meets Zo at a bar, has the same gifts she does, they have time together.

• James Balfour-Juniper's lawyer who handles her estate. Married to Lennox, lost a daughter Erin

• Joanna Grey-Zo's mother left a safe in her closet for Zo, told only Este about it.

• Juniper Cameron-died at 102 years old, a long-lost relative who bequeaths her wealth to Zo. Her family is from the Highlands of Scotland. Lost 2 daughters, never married.

• Este Hunter-Zo's only friend she keeps in touch with. She's from a wealthy family, she's biracial, and an artist.

• Devlin Blackstone-a carpenter that hangs around the manor. Never enters the house though. Very attractive

• Rufus-a Stygian deviled-eyed owl Zo makes her pet


🤔My Thoughts: This was great world building with descriptions of the manor-a character in its own right. Secrets were kept by everyone in Zo's life- Joanna, Balfour, Este, Devlin, and of course Kellan. Zo's "dragon in her belly" showed her powers simmering below the surface. She had "deep sight" that allowed her to glamour, read minds, and have uncontrollable lust. When she met Kellan, he had the same powers, and their connection will only grow. I knew this ended in a cliffhanger, but having read KMM I know it will be worth it!

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 4/5 closed door/off page
😭: Emotion 4/5
❤️: Couple 4/5 -Zo and Devlin
⭐️: Rating 4/5

A great start to a new series. Zo is contacted about an inheritance from a distant relative, so she heads to Divinity, Louisiana, to find out the terms. Once she's there is finds out it's more than she could ever image, including some shocking information about herself.

A lot of world-building, but I was hooked by the end of the book. Can't wait for the next installment.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

I am a huge fan of The Fever Series and was super excited to read this new series by the great Karen Marie Moning. The House at Watch Hill had great suspense and beautiful storytelling. I am super excited to read the next book in this outstanding new trilogy.

The first 5 books in KMM’s The Fever series have been some of my all time fav.. so of course I jumped at the chance to read this book. Urban fantasy with a mysterious mansion and witches? Yes please.

I did think we would get further than we did in book one, some of the pacing felt off. The house part was veryyy descriptive. Which I can appreciate.. I just wanted more. The characters are very intriguing. The magic I loved and wanted more! And the ending! I’m waiting for the second book now.

I began reading without really knowing what the story was about. I love the previous series, but it is nice to see something new. Zo isn't an ordinary girl; this is a paranormal story like Moning's other books. Looking forward to seeing where this story goes.

The House at Watch Hill is everything I could have hoped for in Karen Marie Moning's latest series opener—darkly atmospheric, rich with intrigue, and filled with Moning’s trademark storytelling genius. As a longtime fan, I went into this book with sky-high expectations, and I was blown away. Moning has crafted an enthralling world where each layer of mystery slowly peels back to reveal new, enticing secrets, all set against the haunting backdrop of Divinity, Louisiana.

Zo Grey is a compelling protagonist—fiercely independent yet haunted by the grief of losing her mother. When she inherits a Gothic mansion and an unexpected fortune from a mysterious relative, Zo’s life is upended. But this is far from a straightforward inheritance. The house itself becomes a character, with eerie quirks and locked doors hiding secrets that tease at Zo's forgotten past. And as Zo delves deeper into her new reality, the supernatural forces lurking in Divinity come into play, revealing that this inheritance is more than she bargained for.

Moning masterfully builds the suspense, keeping readers in the dark along with Zo. Each twist and turn left me breathless, trying to connect the dots, only to be thrown off by revelations that were both thrilling and completely unexpected. The slower, suspense-driven pacing is spot-on, especially for those who love a mystery with a simmering buildup. And while romance takes a backseat, there are hints of it simmering just below the surface, promising more as the series unfolds.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is its vivid atmosphere. Moning brings Divinity to life with her lush descriptions, immersing us in a world that’s equal parts enchanting and menacing. The eerie mansion at Watch Hill feels almost alive, steeped in centuries of family secrets, and the whole book pulses with a tension that’s perfect for late-night reading.

Fans of Moning’s Fever Series will recognize her unparalleled skill in layering intrigue and foreshadowing. She’s built a slow-burn plot that only gets more addictive with each chapter. And that ending—wow. It’s a cliffhanger that left me both stunned and desperate for more. If this book is any indication, this new series is going to be phenomenal, and I can’t wait to see where Moning takes us next.

Karen Marie Moning is one of my top favorite authors so I went into this book with extremely high standards, and I preordered a few special edition copies as well.
I think I’ll be the only one to say I was kind of disappointed. After reading the book I felt like I read just one really long description or synopsis of what the book is supposed to be about and not an actual book. It’s definitely a set up for book 2 but I feel like we needed a whole lot more added for it to be a full book. I’m also used to the spice levels to be extremely high in Karen’s book so I was quite surprised when she glossed over all the romance scenes.
Don’t get me wrong, I will be reading the rest of the series, but it’s just not what I expected from it.

Karen Marie Moning is back and I've never been happier. The House at Watch Hill is magic, pure magic. The beginning of the story when Zo lost her mom, . . it broke me. Legit, KMM deals with grief and the pain of loss beautifully and brutally. What comes next, when Zo inherirts a mysterious house trapped me within the pages and I could not stop reading. For a first book in a new series, it sets the tone and prepares you for what is to come and I can not wait for more in this new world. Overall, I loved this book. I'm probably biased because I adore KMM books, but it was also sooooo good.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars
1/5 spice FTB

Tropes:
Paranormal fantasy
Hidden magic
Rags to Riches
Close proximity
Secrets & betrayal
Multiple POV
Cliffhanger

This was slow to start but really picked up after the halfway mark. As things started unfolding, you really have a hard time trusting anyone. With all the secrets, it was hard to see who was being truthful or just good at hiding any malicious intent. Having read Karen Marie Moning's work before, I had a good sense of her writing style. She brings that back in this first book of a new trilogy, and I greatly enjoyed her world building.

There is some romance in this, but it's a subplot. The spice (only two instances) is fade to black, but the characters don't shy away from expressing their desire or using explicit language.

I can't wait for the next book because I know it'll take us into a completely different setting than the quaint town we were in for the first one. I'm also hoping for some questions to be answered. Cliffhangers are so maddening, but it was a great hook to keep me interested.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Marrow for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.