Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a wildly fun and wickedly entertaining read. Hendrix blends humor, horror, and heart with his signature style, creating a fast-paced, darkly comedic tale that will keep you laughing and gasping in equal measure. The quirky characters and over-the-top situations make for an irresistibly enjoyable ride, and Hendrix’s sharp wit ensures that the story never loses its edge. A delightfully dark romp for anyone who loves a twist on the supernatural!

Absolutely loved this one! Grady Hendrix has created yet another work where it is simultaneously the most gross and horrific and visceral reading experience but also tender and poignant. The setting of this could make one hesitant to read a book written by a man on an experience so inherently female but it truly feels like Hendrix has done his work. And he definitely has! I really enjoyed reading this title and would definitely recommend!

I struggled to get invested in this book. The first chapter started out very interesting but as I kept reading, I just found myself bored.

I really don't know how to feel about this book. I liked it for what it was, the ambiance was great, as well as the prose, but there were times that I feel like we kinda lost the plot. It took about half the book for us to get to the point, and the book up to that point read more as a historical fiction novel than a horror novel. However, once we got past that point, the book was great, and I will gladly read anything else Grady Hendrix publishes.

Grady Hendrix, the modern master of a genre I would describe as “horror plus,” is back with a creepy, quirky new novel of feminist witchery.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls brings us 15-year-old Neva Craven, whose father delivers her to the Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida, in the sweltering summer of 1970. Neva is pregnant and scared, and she has come to this house for unwed mothers to have her baby in secret and surrender it for adoption. The house’s cruel mistress, Miss Wellwood, insists that none of the girls use their real names, so Neva becomes Fern, and she joins other botanically named residents including Rose, Zinnia and Holly.

Fans of the author’s previous work will appreciate his trademark wry humor and his knack for revealing the darker side of humanity. Wellwood House is a cruel and controlling place, and the girls have no sense of agency until a mysterious librarian arrives in her bookmobile and offers them a volume titled How to Be a Groovy Witch. Armed with the book of spells, Fern and her cohorts explore their power to seek vengeance on the various adults who have done them wrong.

Make no mistake, this is a horror novel with plenty of blood, sweat and gore. (There’s one scene involving fingernails that I won’t soon forget.) Hendrix also offers primal accounts of childbirth and the terrors of sexual assault. The teenage protagonists represent a generation of silenced women, and their journey toward independence makes this book about much more than cauldrons and broomsticks.

The newest release from Grady Hendrix follows young, unwed expecting mothers in a home- sent away to have their children outside of the public eye before Roe v. Wade was enacted.

In desperation, they turn to witchcraft and find that where they had felt powerless, they're more powerful together than they could ever imagine, catching the interest of a powerful witch and her coven who wants one of them to take on her line.

Heartbreaking stories, body horror, quips, and gorgeous imagery as only Hendrix can write them. I cried, I laughed, I covered my face. I loved it.

I did take one star off for something that bothered me which I won't disclose because it may both bother others.

I'm so glad I was introduced to Hendrix's books by a person in a PD session I was running because now he's on my radar as an author with some humor and camp and boatloads of intelligence in writing stories that make a reader think.

This one features a home for unwed teen girls to go to to hide away from society in the 1970s. While there they'd be "cared" for which meant stripping them of their actual identities (being called by garden names like Fern and Lily) with undertones of psychological and physical abuse to atone for their supposed sins. And then they get there hands on a book during a traveling library session that introduces the gals to witchcraft. But there's not a lot of true witchiness in the story as much as the comradery of a group of these girls enduring ridiculous judgement and trying to make it out, but we all know it'll be without their babies. What does that do to a person?

Excellent topic to use his graphic body horror and outrageousness. I just wanted it to be edited to be a little tighter since there was an ebb and flow to the pace that left me putting it down and picking it back up again.

This book was just not for me. I think it had some themes that could spark good conversations but the plot fell flat and drug out to me. It also felt a little disingenuous to be reading about things so intimate to the experience of females knowing it was authored by a man whose lacking that first hand experience.

**3.5-stars**

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was easily one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. In fact, I was so excited for it, I started it a month early; not my normal process. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the way I thought it would.

This story, set in the Summer of 1970, follows a group of unwed teen mothers-to-be residing at the Wellwood Home for Girls in St. Augustine, Florida. It's there that the girls will live throughout the full-term of their pregnancy. Once their babies are born, in the majority of cases, they're adopted out, and the girls can return back to their regular lives like nothing ever happened.

For those of you thinking it's probably not as simple as all that, you'd be right.

We meet 15-year old, Fern (not her real name), on her long and silent ride to the Wellwood Home. We follow her as she settles in, makes friends and tries to navigate all going on with her body and her life; neither any longer in her control. As Fern is struggling in these new depths of despair, she meets a traveling librarian with a special occult book about witchcraft, that offers a chance for Fern, and the other girls, to reclaim their power and autonomy.

As we all know, nothing comes for free, but these girls are about to learn that lesson the hard way. Before they know it, they're in the greatest battle of their lives, not just with familial and societal expectations, but with powers much darker and more dangerous than any they've known before.

Y'all, I get it. I do and I'm in the minority opinion here, but I found this so incredibly boring. Around the 65%-point, we started to have some moments where I was fully-engaged, but even those ultimately felt too drawn out. This took me 7-weeks to finish. I read like 30-other books in that same time period. Once I would set it down, there was nothing drawing me back again. It hurts to say this because of how much I love Grady Hendrix, but it's true.

As mentioned above, it did pick up for me in the second-half, when things started to get more dangerous and gruesome, but overall, I just feel like it wasn't the right story for my tastes. The writing itself is fluid and easy to read. Additionally, there is some strong body horror, and the antagonists are disturbing and well-developed, which we love to see.

I also enjoyed the time period and setting that Hendrix chose for this one. I feel like that did add to the overall tone of the story. I also enjoyed the found family elements amongst the girls in the home. Clearly, there were aspects I appreciated, I just couldn't help but walk away feeling disappointed. Maybe it's my own fault for building this one up in my head for so long, IDK.

Regardless, I'm still huge Hendrix fan and will continue to pick up every story he writes. Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

This book is about "wayward" teenage girls that are pregnant and sent to an institution to have their babies. Once their babies are born, they are taken away and the girls are supposed to go back into the world and get back to their lives.

What I enjoyed about this book was the friendships that these girls build with each other. Grady really did a good job of writing the found family troupe in this book.

There are a few things I didn't like about the book. First, a whole lot of the book focuses on the details of pregnancy, which not everyone can relate to. Second, I found the main character less interesting than the side characters in the book. Third, I was really wanting more "witchcraft" in the book; the witchcraft aspect fell very short for me.

There’s power in books — and for residents of the Wellwood House (a place where teenage girls who find themselves “in trouble” are sent for a few secretive months) in the summer of 1970, the book in question is an actual spellbook called “How To Be a Groovy Witch.” Grady Hendrix is at his pulpy best with throwbacks to V.C. Andrews and “The Craft,” while the book explores issues of women’s rights and bodily autonomy. (Recommendation will be sent to email subscribers of WordSmarts.com)

A heartbreaking story about what is was like to be unwed and married in 1970. Taking place in a home for wayward girls, the story focuses on 15 year old “Fern” who is sent away after her parents find out she is pregnant. This is the story of her and the friends she made in the home and what they did to try to reclaim some sense of power in their lives, resorting to witchcraft to do so.
This story was so heartbreaking and so moving that I could have honestly done without the witchcraft in it. The supernatural touches were nice but the actual story was what made this book so good. It’s so sad to hear about what girls like that went through … they were the only ones who had to face the consequences of their actions and had to make such difficult decisions at an age they never should have had to.
I definitely recommend this one if you’re interested in witchy historical fiction!

I'll never turn down the opportunity to read a Hendrix novel - but this was something decidedly different, and much darker, than the horror master's usual scares mixed with humor. The ending made me cry! There weren't any laughs! BUT, even though it's not what I expect from him - this was still a masterful novel. It won't appeal to everyone, because it delves more into the real horrors that men inflict upon women unlike his usual supernatural and/or campy fare in his previous books, and it's long at almost 500 pages....but if you stick with it, you'll have the chance to see what it means when choices and free will are not allowed....and how much it changes teen girls' lives when they are. The witchcraft bits also felt unique, and I loved how Hendrix tied them in with the hippies and hitchhikers of the day that scared "decent" folk - it was just one of the ways he realistically tied in the historical part of the story being set in 1970. He always does such a great job grounding his books in whatever setting they're in - the lengths of research really shine through. I was rooting for this home of "wayward" girls from the beginning, and I was glad we were able to get to know each of them a bit more before the novel delved further into the witchcraft - I would have appreciated more character development, even. Fern, Zinnia, Holly, and Rose were all characters, I felt deeply for and I was glued to the last 40% of the book to see how it all wrapped up! However, I'm left feeling like there should have been more in a way I can't quite put my finger on....even so, I would still highly recommend this to anyone who loves horror that centers on real social issues, teenagers, and/or witches.

Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC of this book!

This was my first Grady Hendrix book, and I think it may have been a mistake to go straight for this one. From what I know of his other books, this one is much darker, though I think it is a subject matter that demands a serious tone. I found the story and characters compelling, though I occasionally found the main character to be a bit frustrating. It is not an easy read, dealing with topics such as autonomy, misogyny, and the medical, mental, and sexual abuse of young girls, but Hendrix writes about them well. The book does not flinch away from the hard truths of these homes. This book is less a supernatural horror and more of a social horror.

Personally, I wanted to see more witchcraft. Based on the title I was disappointed when it often took a back seat to the mundane horrors of the home. I also wanted the characters perpetuating violence against the girls to face more punishment. This may have been done intentionally to communicate how unfair the world of the time was, in which case point made, but I found it to be disheartening.

I'll probably read another Hendrix book to see how it compares, but my opinion of this one is that it is bleak but compelling.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls sounded like a story right in my wheelhouse based on the description. I love books featuring witchcraft and magic, and I loved the idea of these girls discovering witchcraft to help them find their own power while living at a home for unwed mothers. I wish I could say that the story lived up to my expectations, but I found myself bored at times and simply waiting for something to happen.

As with all of Hendrix's books, his writing is strong and I applaud him for writing a book from a woman's point of view, especially those intense labor scenes. What I found was missing, was Hendrix's ability to bring in the horror aspects. I was really hoping to be a bit scared, or even find parts mysterious, but I didn't. There are definitely gorey parts, but not horror-esque.

It's an okay book. Not my favorite from him, but I'm still a fan and will keep reading what he writes.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was INTENSE and it truly held my attention from start to finish. It was terrifying and incredibly sad, yet I couldn't put it down. What really stood out to me was how a male author managed to write about childbirth in such a raw, authentic way—I felt like I was experiencing exactly what the characters were going through- which was terrifying. The book was unique and original, and there were parts that genuinely scared me, but I found myself compelled to keep reading. The writing was phenomenal; it was so vivid and immersive that I felt like I was right there, experiencing everything alongside the characters. Truly unforgettable.

This was my first Grady Hendrix book and I enjoyed it. Horror is not usually my genre of choice and to be honest, I didn't love the witchcraft portions of the book. What I did love was the exploration of young girls finding themselves pregnant before Roe v. Wade and being shipped off to hide their condition, giving birth and placing the baby for adoption, then returning home as if nothing had happened. I thought Hendrix did a fantastic job of exploring what it was like for these teenagers. Each girl had a different story and they were all heartbreaking. The witchcraft was a fun addition but the underlying theme was the true highlight.

WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS
Grady Hendrix, author
Horror /Susoense

Follow four girls as they navigate their unwanted pregnancies and the ups and downs of living in a home for girls - unwed mothers. Everything changes though when someone sneaks in a book on the occult.

This was one of my favorite books so far this year. The interaction between the girls is great; on the flip side, the interaction between the girls and their keepers is very well developed. I would give it a 5 out of 5 stars.

I think I liked the idea of this more than the execution and it could just be that Grady Hendrix isn't the author for me. I find that this characters tend to disappoint me and lack the depth or development the story suggests they have. But I do love his plots and creative twists balanced with humor and thrills.

All opinions below are my own. I truly enjoyed the wild ride that was Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Grady Hendrix has a way with horror and suspense that is perfect for new and old fans.

This story follows Fern, who has exchanged her real identity for a fake flower at the Wellwood House, and the friends she makes as she stays at the boarding house for unwed pregnant girls. Fern and her friends feel helpless and like their futures are inescapable, they will do anything to take control over their lives. Control come in the from of the librarian and her spell book she gives specially to Fern. But soon the girls realize nothing comes without a price.

I enjoyed this mysterious horror story about girlhood and pregnancy more than I expected. I am an avid mystery reader, but am new to delving into horror, this was a great stepping stone. I almost expected more outright horror to begin, and right as I was wondering when the "horror" would begin I was blown out of the water. It was creepy, unnerving, and uncomfortable in all the best ways. The gradual build of body horror was also well done and well paced. This book is perfect for horror and mystery fans, as well as female rage fans.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance the read this ARC. Thank you to Berkley Publishing House for the ARC.