This book is absolutely gut wrenching.
The story follows a group of pregnant teenage girls before abortion was an option.
The fantastic writing really makes you feel what it is like to be in this situation, rejected by society and your family.
To be only allowed to feel shame, to be alone, scared and denied any voice or choice.

The horror aspects are great, both the very graphic body horror and the more psychological interaction with the witches. I loved that the plot was the direct consequence of the characters being deprived of any support or help from the adults who should protect them.

This is a very powerful story, and it will stay with me for some time.

This was a brilliantly crafted historical horror story that shines a light not only on pregnancy and bodily autonomy, but on womanhood as an experience. I loved all the characters. I especially loved that the head witch was a librarian of a mobile library. Hendrix brings characters to life in a way that is super satisfying. Loved this one and highly recommend it!

This was a slow read for me. I was instantly hooked, and then it lagged in the middle, and then I zoomed through the end. Interestingly, the least interesting parts for me were the witchcraft. I can say that, after the misnomer title of How to Sell a Haunted House, this one tells you exactly what it is.

The horror story here lies in the abject disregard for and mistreatment of “wayward girls” pre-Roe and the absolute trauma that is childbirth, though I can’t speak from experience—and I suppose neither can Hendrix. I spent much of the book wondering how a man had the gall to write this, but I admit that he did so convincingly.

This story is full of pain and so much cringing. It’s the first book to make me nearly vomit, and it did so twice. Still, I’m not sorry I read it.

Full review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6582404389

A book that explores homes for unwed pregnant girls in the 70’s with a bit of witchcraft thrown in.

This definitely was not my favorite Grady Hendrix book. With its slow pace it took ages for anything interesting to start happening. I would have liked more character development from Hagar & Miriam. These characters seemed to have a lot going on but it’s never fleshed out. I would have liked more from the witchcraft also.

Still a unique perspective of a disturbing moment in history.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed it as a whole but it was entirely too long for me. This book could have been shorter quite a bit and I felt like it was dragged on entirely too long. However it was still a good book.

This book exceeded my expectations by a landslide. I went into expecting just another horror story revolving around young women but it was so much more than that. It opened my eyes to what it was to be a young, unmarried woman in the 60s-70s.

Hendrix is the only male author i read because he somehow captures women in a light i can actually identify with & has done so many times. I will always reach for a book he publishes.

God the graphic birth scenes in this were hard to read. Otherwise, loved the revenge plot and friendships. This was my first Grady Hendrix but won't be my last.

Hendrix masterfully blends historical fiction with supernatural horror, creating a narrative that is both chilling and poignant. The portrayal of the girls' experiences highlights the harsh realities faced by unwed mothers in the 1970s, while the introduction of witchcraft adds a layer of dark fantasy. The characters are richly developed, and their journey from oppression to empowerment is both compelling and thought-provoking.

Ugh, I just didn't love this one. In classic Grady Hendrix fashion, it was Weird and Campy, but oh so Boring. I listened to this book and it took a good 20% for anything to start happening. He does an excellent (and gutsy) job of relaying the horrors of childbirth and being a single mother in an unforgiving time, but the pacing was way too slow and the book felt like it was way longer than it needed to be. Fern, in my opinion, was a very vanilla girl and it was hard to get past some of her naivety, but I did have to keep reminding myself that she was in an environment that was not kind to girls like her.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and Berkley Publishing for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

This was very slow moving, too slow. I just couldn't love it. The main character didn't stand out enough. Very boring. I thought it would be more dark and atmospheric. It's not.

Grady Hendrix blends horror and humor in Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, but the result is uneven. The premise is strong, with a darkly fun setting and moments of sharp satire, but the pacing feels off and some characters lack depth. While the themes of trauma and friendship are compelling, they get lost in a cluttered narrative. Entertaining, but not his best.

This wasn't my favourite Grady Hendricks book but I still enjoyed it. It wish the story went deeper into witchcraft and witches. I found it was missing something and I can't put my finger on it. Still a great read though!

Another great read from Hendrix. Witches, librarians, and wayward girls? A spell for a great spooky read.

I probably wasn't in the correct head space for this book but then again, is there ever a good time to read a book about forced births in teens? I mean, I know it's a reality for many but I have the empathy without the trauma of reading about it. My apologies for not leaving a review sooner.

Grady Hendrix is by far the best horror author I've had the pleasure to read. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a horror novel triumph, exploring the fear of unwed mothers having no control of their own lives or bodies. I love how Hendrix writes women. There's an understanding there that's not typical for men who write female characters. This book hit me square in the gut. It made me laugh and cry. It's complex and completely captivating.

Hendrix gives us effective and affecting social horror from the unique perspective and strong voice we have come to expect, and another deeply empathetic look into women's lives.

Haven’t Loved a Grady Hendrix since Bookclub guide to slaying Vampires. But this one landed right up there with that one. It was so good. Social horror is the best Horror and nobody understands how fucked people really are like Hendrix does. This is disturbing and gut wrenching but it is soooo worth the read.!

thanks Netgally for the ARC

WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS by Grady Hendrix wasn’t just a read, it was an experience that reached straight into my soul. Grady Hendrix has outdone himself with this one, weaving a story that is fierce, funny, painful, and profoundly resonant. It meant the world to me.

I have every edition of Grady’s books signed, and I never miss his panels in NYC, but this one? This one hit differently. I even have a special bound copy just to hold onto the magic a little longer. I recommend it to everyone, but especially to women who’ve ever felt dismissed, underestimated, or burned at the stake for being too much.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC, this book will stay with me for a long time.

A bit historical fiction, centered around the homes for pregnant teens in the early '700's, a bit of witchcraft and a lot of found family "Witchcraft for Wayward Girl," is another great read from Hendrix.
While the supernatural horror is a bit more tones down than in some or his previous books, the societal horror is ramped up to 100. Young girls, shipped far from home as fast and promiscuous, ruining their lives with their easy ways and hidden away until their shame can be buried in the past is the real horror here.
The witches? A little extra fear just add some spice to their already fraught lives. The librarian/witch reeked more of desperation than terror to me... the social worker was the real villain imo. And I would have loved to see Hagar and Miriam more fleshed out. Knowledgeable and strong, they could have been much stronger characters, but were relegated to a couple savior moments, and never really allowed to shine. Though I did hate when Hagar defended the home's owner after the girls' witchcraft went a bit awry. Maybe they didn't mean to make it go quite so far... but they too had been ill used and were desperate for some turn about, and it seemed after years of watching young mothers come and go, Hagar could have had a bit more sympathy... but alas.

I went into this a little apprehensively, but hopeful after my last experience with this author.
I definitely was not disappointed this time. Thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book.