4.5 rounded down
I’m always hesitant to read books about women/girlhood written by men but I’ve loved Hendrix’s previous works and hoped he’d handle this one with sensitivity and he absolutely did.
I definitely need to do a reread and annotation once this book is published and I can get my hands on a physical copy because there were so many important themes and messages. There were aspects that perplexed me but overall, I think Hendrix did a fantastic job capturing what it looked like to be an unwed teen mother to be in a time and under legislation that made you out to be a pariah, while also combining that with the views society has historically had of women who wished to live outside of the accepted norms. I appreciated the overall message of “whoever is trying to tell you how to be free is either selling you something or taking advantage of you” because so often the “solution” to a MFC’s problems come with their own set of rules and stipulations. The one thing I take away from this is Hendrix’s insistence that women of any age or race must be able to control how they make decisions about their bodies and their futures, regardless of what the situation or choice may be.

This was good. I enjoyed the story. The writing was good. But I specifically started reading it because I wanted a spooky read. It wasn't even a little bit scary! How disappointing.

As a librarian, I really enjoyed this new horror from Hendrix! An interesting mix of horror and cozy with Hendrix's signature wit and unique storytelling!

Wow. This was a wonderfully written book. I savoured every word of it. I think everybody should read this book. The details about the lives of the girls living in The Home was incredibly well researched and written about. The overall tone of the book was equal parts compassionate and eerie. I loved this book and look forward to reading more books written by Grady Hendrix in the future.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a spellbinding journey that masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. Hendrix has crafted a story full of atmospheric tension and unforgettable characters, and his unique take on witchcraft is both haunting and heartwarming.

I loved all of the girls at the Wellwood House, especially Fern, Holly, and Rose. Their journey of self-discovery is woven seamlessly with dark magic and friendship, creating a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is chilling. The storyline was raw and emotional, and the atmospheric details made me feel like I was right there in the story. Hendrix’s wit and creativity shine through on every page, making this book impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a perfect mix of horror and heart, this is it. Highly recommended for fans of horror, witchcraft, and anyone who loves a well-told story. Absolutely enchanting! All the stars!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Grady Hendrix does it again! Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a haunting, powerful story set in 1970 at the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida—a place where "wayward" girls, abandoned and vulnerable, are hidden from society to bear children they’re forced to give up. Hendrix masterfully captures the voices of teenage girls, each one layered and memorable. Fern, the fifteen-year-old protagonist, finds herself at the mercy of adults who claim they know what’s best for her, until a sympathetic librarian introduces her to an occult book that changes everything. For the first time, the girls have power—but it comes with a dark price.

Hendrix’s storytelling shines, with a gripping plot, characters that stay with you, and a payoff that truly delivers. His portrayal of the girls and their struggles is so authentic, and his knack for building atmosphere pulls you into the story. It’s a spellbinding read that left me both unsettled and deeply satisfied. Five stars all the way!

Dear Author,

I loved everything about this book! All of your multifaceted wayward women were a joy to spend time with. What they went through was horrific from start to end, but together they may just make it. Thank you for yet another great horror novel. This is my third book of yours I've read this year and I want more!

Sincerely Yours,
J.D. McCoughtry

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the privilege of reading this e-arc.

Thank you for publisher for the eGalley!

Unfortunately this was a DNF. I got to 20%, and it wasn't for me.

I simply love a Grady Hendrix novel. I will read every book he releases. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls caught my attention immediately. If I see a librarian involved, especially a witchy one, I do feel obligated to read it. I couldn't put this book down. It was incredibly interesting and I always enjoy a spooky story set in the 70s. I'll absolutely be recommending this to people.

You'll fall in love with most of these Wayward Girls once you learn the backstories that brought them together. Set in a time of Satanic Panic, the girls soon turn to witchcraft as a means to save one of their friends, despite the dire consequences. Once again, Hendrix also gifts us an unimaginable showdown between the protagonists and the evil that lurks around the corner (or the trees, as it were).

If you were too frightened by How to Sell a Haunted House, you'll be pleasantly relieved at the level of horror in this one.

Wtf man 😫 justice for Holly.

I wasn’t expecting this book to be so heavy but as a mom of four, three of them being girls, I was raging from start to finish.

These girls were treated so poorly and failed by everyone meant to protect them. Their parents failed them by shuttling them off to the home the second things got hard, the home failed them by not preparing them for what was about to happen in any way, and Miss Parcae failed them by speaking in half truths and turning out to be a lunatic.

I know it’s a work of fiction but my heart was breaking for the girls and women who have had experiences exactly like this over the years..give or take the magic.

Hendrix's novel "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" is a novel that empowers the reader to fight against the patriarchy and its's tendency to shame women and their rights and choices about their bodies. This book is very relevant to the current social climate post the overturning of Roe V Wade. If you are a fan of spooky, witchy, coming of age stories, this book is for you! I will say it is a slow burn but once the reader reaches the climax, they will struggle to put the book down. The reader may question the choices the author made to some of the character development, but one must remember that these characters are children going through adult issues with a lack of support and compassion from their adult counterparts. I would go as far as to say this is what makes this story. The challenges these young girls go through with the pressure to be brave and to be a "adult". But this book challenges this thinking to allow characters to make mistakes and not be brave all the time because no human is perfect, especially a soon to be teenage mother.

3.75 rounded up to a 4. The beginning didn't grab me, but once the witchcraft was introduced about 1/3 of the way in, things really picked up. Grady has a real knack for exploring the dread of being a woman and feeling trapped and pinned down because the men/people in power just dismiss you. The body horror was disturbing (as intended), though I didn't find the birthing scenes, while also graphic, to be as viscerally unpleasant because they didn't ring true (thankfully) to my own experiences. The ending chapters were beautiful and emotional and brought the whole story together.

For a man, he is surprisingly good at writing books where the real horror is being a girl or woman in a world that hates you for being just that. He's also really good at writing books with endings that make me cry.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is so much more than a horror novel! I loved the time period and the fight against the patriarchy, but especially the bookmobile librarian/witch!

WOW. There was a lot going on in this one and none of it was what I expected! There were definitely some cringe gore moments but I really enjoyed this story. The characters were so vibrant! I couldn’t stop reading this one and really wanted to see the entire thing play out. This was really good book! I will definitely be reading more by this author!!!

This is hands down my new favorite Grady Hendrix! The detail in this book was top notch. Grady always makes you feel like you’re watching the story rather than reading it. This was a super fast paced read that kept my interest the entire time.

Some scenes were absolutely nauseating but in the best way!

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls gives us some of his best characters yet. Characters you’ll love and cheer on, and def some characters you can’t stand.

I usually love Grady Hendrix books but this was the exception. Having just read another book dealing with homes for unwed mothers, this was a familiar topic to me, and the author did a good job of painting the topic in a realisitic light. I was looking forward to the supernatural aspect, as well as Hendrix's humor, but didn't find much of it here. Other than a few spells, there wasn't a whole lot of excitement. In fact, there were several sections of the book that seemed to drag. Here's hoping for a more exciting follow-up.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is the best Hendrix yet! The main character, Fern, was forced to go to the home for pregnant teens by her parents in the early 1970s. While dealing with her pregnancy, being left by her family, and learning to live with a group of girls, Fern struggles to find her place in the world. When the bookmobile shows up with a homely librarian, who gives a special book to Fern and her friends. The girls quickly realize it is a spell book and try to cast simple spells to make their lives easier. The librarian/ coven leader starts to harass and stalk the ladies wanting their children to take her place in the coven. The girls must deal with giving birth and giving away their children while avoiding the witches. The unmedicated birth scenes were scarier than the witch attacks.

Grady does it again! Was there ever any doubt? Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was not only suspenseful and interesting, it was deeply emotional. I was hooked from the first page and devoured this book in only a couple sittings. I loved Grady Hendrix's previous books and I loved this one too! Spend some time in this garden of wayward girls. You will not be disappointed.