The first half or so of the book went on for a long time though nothing really happened. While it did help set the rather depressing tone of the book by showcasing how frustrating it was to be trapped in the pregnancy home, it could have been shortened without impacting the overall plot. Additionally, it was very disconcerting to read an entire book about teen pregnancy and the lack of care written by a man, especially knowing that Hendrix only ever seems to write horror novels about young women. It was an interesting read, but there are better written works on the theme that are also written by women.

Grady is by far my favorite horror writer. I love how campy his books are and how you can be reading and having so much fun giggling then there is a super graphic description and you remember “oh right this is a horror book” and I love it. One of the biggest critiques people have about Grady’s books are that he doesn’t always give enough depth to the people he writes, but I felt he delivered in this book. I felt so deeply for each of the girls in this book and I wanted to hold their hand the whole time. I do feel that the horror aspect was lacking in this book and it left me wanting more. I still really enjoyed this book I would just warn the usual Grady fans that this is his least “horror” book but still a great read!

I went in expecting horror. It was barely there. A few disturbing scenes, but it's mostly about the young girls in a home for unwed mothers in 1970.. I could've gotten into it anyway, but the characters were all pretty dull. The most interesting one left way too early. Some things our main character says at the end threw me. Went in super excited and wanting to love this, but it was a big miss for me.

I really liked this book, even though it wasn't my favorite Hendrix novel. It focused a lot more on the real life horrors of being a young, pregnant, unmarried woman during the 1970s than any of the supernatural horror elements that I had assumed would be the bulk of the story based on the title and the cover.
It took awhile to get going- to the point where I started to wonder if the book had any supernatural element at all. And then once the witches were introduced...they didn't really do anything for awhile. Luckily, the character development and historic aspect of the storyline kept me engaged enough to continue reading, and I ended up really enjoying the book. I thought the ending worked well, and I loved that the coven leader was a librarian!

Grady Hendrix never disappoints. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is everything I love in a great read. I could relate to all the girls and felt their hopes and fears. I felt deeply for Holly and was very pleased with her outcome. The gore of childbirth was described in such a way that I wondered if Mr. Hendrix had experienced it himself because even though this takes place in 1970 the hospital birthing experience isn't much changed sadly. Amazing read!

An absolute wonder from Grady Hendrix! Set in 1970 and focused on women's issues that (as always) feel near reality even now - this one is an exciting page turner. Always ready for another witchy read, especially from Hendrix. A total winner!

The 1970s were not a place for an unwed teen mother. In this story, we follow our main character as she is taken to a home for unwed mothers to have their babies and then return to her normal life. At this home, she meets a group of girls who support her to get through this tough time. One day, a bookmobile comes by, and the girls are allowed to check out books, but the book Fern checks out is not just any book. It could hold the key to each of these girls getting their hearts' desires.
This book was done so well, and the elements that were meant to creep you out hit me perfectly. I am not normally a horror person, but I enjoy this kind of horror. I also appreciated that the author didn't lean towards the misogynistic tone that this book could have taken. If you have read Hendrix in the past and enjoyed it, then this is a book you will enjoy.

I'll save the summary - there are plenty of those - This is not a book that should be set down. The quicker it's read, the more visceral it feels. Pregnancy and childbirth aren't new topics/experiences for me and not something that I'm particularly squicked out about, but when I tell you that my entire reproductive system was cringing loudly during the birthing sequences, I mean it. And yeah, that's a TW but also me holding it in high esteem. I've read several of Hendrix's books and knew going in that he writes female protags well, but I was worried about how these inherently AFAB experiences would turn out. I'm delighted to say that the author did his homework.

I don't know that I can say that I enjoyed the book so much as I was dragged into this story examining the long-standing oppression of women and girls and how entirely powerless we can be made to feel by those with more authority than us. It was cathartic. I felt the characters' hopelessness and rage and fear and friendship and it was just so well done.


Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an e-arc (that I actually managed to read before the pub date!) in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I feel in love with Grady Hendrix in 2016 when I read Horrorstor. Since, I have highly anticipated and eagerly read each of his works. While I didn't love them all, I found them enjoyable enough, until this one. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls just was not the story for me. I found it incredibly slow and more sad and depressing then anything else. I couldn't find myself caring about the characters and even the "scary" parts weren't that exciting. I am glad I have read the rest of his catalogue before this or I wouldn't have picked up another.

As a person who would not identify as a horror reader...I LOVE Grady Hendrix! I could not put this book down. Even if you don't think you like the genre, please give this one a try! So good!

At a home for unwed mothers in 1970 St. Augustine, Florida, pregnant 15-year-old Neva is dropped off by her father without even a goodbye and quickly learns no one is going to tell her the truth. The truth about what they’re feeling, what to expect, or even what happens during a doctor’s exam. “You’re here to shed your sin.” “Listen and do what you’re told.” She’s even given a new name, Fern, and told not to discuss her past with anyone. When an eccentric librarian gives Fern a book about witchcraft, she and three other girls unlock a power they’ve never experienced before. But that power will come with a very steep price.

It’s easy to slip into the period with the injections of slang, pop culture, and the social climate references into the prose. The witchy elements emerge slowly while readers experience the horrific, oppressive conditions vulnerable girls were forced to endure prior to Roe v. Wade. Hendrix masterfully weaves in the tension, the moments to make the heart pound, and some body horror/birthing gore.

I highly encourage checking out the author’s website to learn about his motivation for writing this book, because the story transcends the horror genre. Its most terrifying moments aren’t from the witchcraft but from reality. As the characters’ innocence is slowly shattered, readers will find their hearts bleeding alongside girls who have been abused, abandoned, and slandered—particularly as our main characters are only 14 and 15 years old. This is an unapologetic coming-of-age story of pregnant teens without the option of autonomy who, after being silenced and shipped off to give birth, will suffer the rest of their lives as their babies are taken away and they’re told to forget. It’s an unforgettable, brutally honest read that’s timely in its release.

This was a tough read. Mostly because of the subject matter - pregnant teens shipped off to a home in FL where they have no bodily autonomy whatsoever & are forced to give up their babies once they’re born, however necessary. But it was also very slow and could have been much shorter.

If you listen on audio, beware of the MANY MINUTES of straight HOWLING towards the end. It goes on forever & it’s incredibly annoying.

Kudos to Grady though for pulling off a good description of the female experience.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Grady Hendrix’s Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a haunting blend of historical fiction and supernatural horror that delves into one of the darkest chapters of feminist history. Set in 1970 at the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida—a grim haven for unwed, pregnant girls—this story centers on fifteen-year-old Fern, whose journey from fear to quiet rebellion is deeply moving.

The young girls at Wellwood are flawed, resilient, and achingly human, each bringing unique struggles to the narrative. When Fern discovers a book on witchcraft, it becomes a tool for the girls to reclaim power in a world determined to silence them. Hendrix uses witchcraft not as the centerpiece but as a metaphor for control, agency, and the costs of resistance.

The historical setting is vividly oppressive, and the staff at Wellwood—while often despicable—are written with surprising complexity. Characters like Hagar, the bold cook, and her sister Miriam offer moments of light in the darkness.

The true horror here isn’t the occult but the real-life injustices faced by these girls. Departing from his usual horror-comedy, Hendrix crafts a mature, empathetic tale that’s equal parts devastating and empowering. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a powerful, unforgettable read that cements Hendrix as a master storyteller.

What an amazing book by the ever remarkable Grady Hendrix. I do believe this is his best work yet. I simply devoured the story of Fern, Zinnia, Rose and Holly, being completely sidelined in their own lives by the unfairness of our patriarchal world. The witches were actually a subplot to me compared to the absolutely riveting scenes depicting the inference of childbirth experiences, hospital versus midwife. Setting this in the 1960’s-70’s was also a smart move, because it mirrors our current political climate and shows us just how far back we’re falling in America. Bless Hendrix for his strong female characters.

As someone who felt let down by the last couple Grady Hendrix books, I am so happy to report that the author is in top form here! The story centers on Fern, a unwed girl who is pregnant, which, in 1970, means being hidden away in an effort to reduce the shame and stigma felt by her family (or at least helping them not have to think about it). The hiding place is a home run by Miss Wellwood in the woods outside of St. Augustine, Florida.

At the home Fern meets a diverse group of girls who all have their own stories and hopes, dreams and fears. They are all under the strict watch of Miss Wellwood those who work for and with her. Everything they do is closely monitored, but they do get to visit a traveling library, which is where Fern is given a book of witchcraft by the librarian who is much more than she seems. Fern and the girls she is closest with discover the power of the book, feeling the rush of p0tential freedom it offers while confronting the terrible prices that must be paid.

I was really worried about the book being written by a man and it being deeply and intimately about vulnerable girls. It begs the question: is this Grady Hendrix's story to tell? As a man myself, I cannot really answer that question. The best I can say is that I cared very much about these girls, and they and their experiences felt true and authentic. The core characters felt fully portrayed and characterized (including the antagonists), and I was pulled into the story the entire time. That being said, I am sure women will and are having a different experience of this book than I am so be sure to seek out their reviews as well.

Speaking for myself, I loved this book and cannot recommend it highly enough for my fellow horror fans as well as those who love well-drawn characters, a deep sense of place in what they read, and hope in the midst of darkness. That last one I was not expecting, and I really appreciated it. Check this one out!

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book for review purposes. My opinions are my own.

A novel that takes place during the 70's about young women who have become pregnant/unwed! GASP, but also they are teenagers and that sucks. We learn about the MCs and why they are there and really I enjoyed this book for the lady power, but also it sucks that the witches weren't as cool as I wanted them to be, but they did do a cool thing at the end at least. Great read, but definitely difficult to get through if you are a lady.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was a moving thrill ride with rich, deeply drawn characters - both the villains and the (anti)heroes. A fantastic read that will keep you in suspense and give you the feels.

This was definitely interesting! I thought it was really well written and the child-birth scenes were hard to read. That was so intense. I wish it had been more witchy but I know that’s not what it was fully about. The story was interesting and sad and had some creepy parts. I’d recommend it to a friend.

This is my first Grady Hendrix book and he did not disappoint!

This book follows a 15 year old girl who is pregnant and unwed. She is taken to a home that is for young women who are pregnant and unwed. It’s 1970, pre Roe v Wade. These young girls are taken advantage of and sent away to dispel their problem that is deemed wrong in their society. It isn’t their choice, their choice is taken away. Sound familiar? These young girls get their hands on witchcraft and you can only imagine what happens when they take their power back.

Hendrix shows humor during a dark time with horror in between. He does not shy away from gruesome details of child birth. He also does not shy away from exploiting the negative feelings of having a child out of wedlock in society.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the E-Arc!

This was my second Grady Hendrix novel and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Absolutely captivating, immersive and incredibly descriptive writing. Fell in love with the characters and felt so much for them and what they were being put through. The only thing that kept this from being a 5⭐️ for me was the pacing - I found it to be a bit slow for the first half of the book. But overall, I highly recommend this and look forward to reading more work by this author!