I struggled with this book , as for me, it was too slow moving.
The suspense of 'was she or wasn't she' didn't quite work.
I also didn't quite get the sense of menance that the whole Ravenswood house, inhabitants, wood, well, healer and villagers were meant to exude. For me it just seemed rural ignorance at a time when most couldn't read or write and general superstition.
The style for this type of story thus, to me, was lacking the punch necessary. It was a touch rural idyll in many places.

Two lives collide (literally) when runaway ‘Luna’ encounters the darkly mysterious Marcus Greybourne. Both people are hiding secrets and out of mutual protection ‘Luna’ agrees to play the part of Marcus’ missing wife. Unfortunately for Luna, the missing wife is also the local witch and a physical similarity between the two means the locals happily vilify her such.
As the story unwinds the reader walks a tightrope of wondering if Luna has escaped from one perilous situation only to be persecuted for the harm done to the villagers. Slowly, we learn the background story of both Luna and Marcus, and as a real and binding love develops between them, the tension grows as to whether they will be torn apart by the same circumstances that brought them together.
This was an enjoyable read, which didn’t go in the direction I anticipated at the beginning. The strength of the story lies in the well-drawn characters and the feeling of true emotion bonding them together. I wouldn’t describe the novel as a romance but it has strong romantic undertones to it. In my opinion, it does require the reader to suspend to be open-minded about witchcraft and the threats of curses and spells, but in fairness the author builds a believable world, which grew more real as the book went on.
This was a satisfying book which will stay in my mind for a while longer yet. A great, escapist read for those looking for peril, romance, and a HEA.
4 stars.

Set in 1885, a young woman is fleeing for her life, knowing she’ll be hanged for murder if caught. Just as she’s nearing safety, she crosses paths with a gruff man, Marcus Greybourne, and injures her ankle. To her shock, Marcus persuades the local authorities that she is his long-lost wife, Luna, who has been missing for years. He takes her to his dilapidated estate, Ravenswood Hall, offering protection if she continues the charade until she recovers.

But the house is filled with dark secrets and eerie shadows. The real Luna’s mysterious disappearance looms large, with marks around the house suggesting witchcraft. Known as the Ravenswood Witch, Luna’s reputation is in shambles, much like the neglected rooms she left behind.

As bizarre events unfold inside the house, the haunting call of a raven echoes through the woods, which seem alive with dark magic. The woman, now pretending to be Luna, fears that she may have escaped one danger only to fall into something far worse...

I couldn't put it down! This gothic tale is packed with suspense and mystery, keeping you on edge with moments that will make you gasp. It’s the perfect autumn read. Jenni’s writing is fantastic, and if you’ve enjoyed her previous books, you’ll love The Ravenswood Witch.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the published for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 / 5 stars
This book was okay, but nothing great. I never truly felt immersed or invested in either the story or the characters. This may, in part, be due to me going into this book with the wrong expectations. I saw it tagged as 'Fantasy' which lead me to believe that it would be more focused on the magic aspect of the story. In actuality, it is mainly a historical mystery novel, with a little bit of magic in the last 30 pages or so. The fact that this book was categorised as 'Fantasy' also somewhat spoiled the plot twist towards the end, as I went into it knowing that magic was real in the world of the book.
Of the two major reveals, I really liked one and didn't really like the other. The one concerning the main character's identity was done quite well, in my opinion. If the reader pays attention to the main character's behaviour, it is made pretty clear who our main character was in her previous life, but the hints are still subtle enough so as to not be obtrusive to the story. The reveal about the witch's identity was a bit less well done. The hints given for this were much more obtrusive and made it very obvious who it was very early on.
Lastly, I am a bit uncomfortable with the portrayal of (possible) mental illness and substance abuse in the book. The latter especially, as the ending basically seems to imply that someone with a substance abuse disorder can't help but engage in domestic violence.

Book Review: The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer

I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Ravenswood Witch. From the moment I opened the book, I was drawn into the atmospheric world of 1885, where secrets and shadows intertwine in a tale of survival and mystery.

The story begins with a young woman on the run from a murder accusation. When she meets Marcus Greybourne, her fate takes an unexpected turn. His decision to pose her as his missing wife, Luna, adds an intriguing twist that kept me guessing. The dynamic between them is rich and layered, providing both tension and moments of unexpected warmth.

Ravenswood Hall itself is almost a character in its own right, with its haunting beauty and crumbling walls filled with secrets. I found myself captivated by the descriptions of the house and the eerie occurrences that hinted at witchcraft. The exploration of Luna’s legacy, coupled with the local legends surrounding her, added depth to the narrative that I truly appreciated.

While the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, the book was filled with enough twists to keep me engaged. I loved how Keer skillfully wove in elements of magic and suspense, creating an immersive reading experience. The gothic atmosphere reminded me of classic tales like Jane Eyre, yet it also felt fresh and original.

One of my favorite aspects was the development of the protagonist. Her journey from desperation to empowerment was beautifully crafted, and I found her resilience inspiring. The interplay of themes surrounding womanhood, choice, and the consequences of past actions resonated deeply with me.

Overall, The Ravenswood Witch is a spellbinding read that blends historical fiction with elements of the supernatural. If you enjoy tales rich in atmosphere and mystery, this is definitely a book to add to your reading list. I can't wait to share

Jenni Kerr has such a way with writing. Her mysteries are never simple and really draw you in. I enjoyed this book and every twist and turn.

Wow. This was an absolutely wonderful read that I enjoyed throughout every page. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about reading it or thinking about what I had read last (which I consider a sign of a good book). From the first scene to the last, I was in love with the setting, the characters, the storyline...all of it. I loved the mixture of romance and mystery, along with a touch of horror to keep the reader on their feet! I was transported into Ravenswood with the author's imagery and felt as if I was experiencing the story along with the characters. Speaking of, each of the members of this plotline had so many layers that I was so eager to uncover; they had an air of mystery about them that drew me in. Each person played an important role in the story and I think that having multiple perspectives as well as character flashbacks helped to give glimpses into each step that had taken place in order to take us into the main plotline. The description was so vivid as well, and I felt like I could see, feel, and experience every word on the page. I really enjoyed the pacing of this book as well, I feel like it was fast enough to keep me interested, and slow enough to where I could fully process each plot point as the story went along. I think that this author did a fantastic job with the writing of this book, and I would highly recommend it!

Overall I think I liked the story. It was a little Jane Eyre-esk but it had a big pacing issue and I cannot tell you how many times I fell asleep reading this. Only chipping away at it about 6% at a time. There were several “big twists” in the end that made sense but I also felt like gave you a bit of whiplash because you would recover from one only to het thrown the next one. More gruesome and horrory than I typically read but I think it was inline with the story and the times.

I really enjoyed this book. Great world building and characters. I can not wait to read what author releases next!

The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer is a historical mystery with a twist.

Excellent world building. Great quirky character. A pet raven. However it was more of a slower pace than what I normally read. The mystery surrounding what happened to the real Mrs. Greybourne kept me reading.

Overall it is a great read for anyone who enjoys this genre.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jenni Keer for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Ravenswood Witch coming out September 30, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love witch stories set in the past, so I was excited to check this book out. Unfortunately, I don’t know why it didn’t work for me. I just wasn’t feeling spooky vibes. It wasn’t creepy enough. I couldn’t connect to the characters very well. It was good writing, but a bit too dry for me. I think I was expecting something a little different. I would check out other books by this author.

I'm not usually one to reach for supernatural stories, but I'm so glad I read this. I'm not one for spoilers, so without giving specifics...what you think you know, you don't know. I loved the characters of Luna and Bran. The only thing I didn't love was how Luna never let her character down. It would have been a bit more believable. However, I really enjoyed this book, and would read more by Jenni Keer. A great book for the spooky season

I’m not a great fan of spooky stories as a rule, but if a book is by Jenni Keer I’m not going to let an opportunity to read it slip by. This one certainly didn’t disappoint.
A banger of an opening had me gripped from the very first page. I found this story masterfully written, eerie and intriguing- by the end of the first chapter I was hungry to know everything about the two main characters. I cottoned on to some of the twists, but only right before they happened.
The climax was dark and dramatic, there was a delicious element of romance, and plenty of mystery to keep the reader guessing. Interesting side characters, too, and I loved Bran.
Congratulations to the author for this spellbinding tale.

If you are running in the woods, scared for your life, it might be kind of nice to trip over a stranger, break your ankle and have him tell your pursuers that you are his mentally unstable wife, right?

If this sounds like a sentence which captures your attention, then you are in luck because this is how we find our mysterious main character who is the new woman of the house, "new Luna" as I called her, since we are not given her true name until the last 20% of the book (but no peeking). New Luna is a bit of a soft spoken, push over of a woman. She is meek and does not want to cause a scene. She is also more than happy to keep her head down to keep from being pursued by those who were pursing her in the beginning of the novel and she is not unhappy with Marcus Greybourne, the man of the Greybourne manor who accidently fell on her ankle in their tumble, causing her injury.

He, too, is mild mannered, and seems to be firm but kind. As her time in Greybourne Manor passes, day-by-day, New Luna, comes to learn more about the previous woman of the house and her insanity as she spiraled into madness and religious hysteria possibly linked to witchcraft.

New Luna finds strange things are still afoot around Greybourne Manor but whether the threat comes from within or without is yet to be seen.

I have to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this great fall read with all of it's witchy vibes as we work our way towards Halloween where the book reaches it's own intense conclusion.

1885
A woman running from the law to catch a ferry to London collides with Marcus Greybourne twisting her ankle and ending her flight for freedom. When the law catches up to her moments later Marcus does something unexpected and claims she is his wife Luna, who has not been seen around the village much in the last few years. The new Luna accepts her new role and the respite that comes with it. But who was the real Luna, and why is a stranger able to take her place? And what happened to the home she now resides in? Has she exchanged her freedom for her safety?
I am ultimately not quite sure how I felt about this book. It is an intriguing story. I enjoyed the mystery wrapped in a mystery. I also liked that parts of this are left up to the reader to decide what’s real and what’s not. But it did feel like the ending was rushed. A lot of the story went along at surface level and it felt like it was missing depth. Still an enjoyable read.
Thank you to @theboldbookclub and @netgalley for letting me have an advanced copy for review. Look for The Ravenswood Witch September 30, 2024.
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I was quite intrigued by the description of this book, but sadly I did not end up liking it. I was bored most of the time, because the story dragged on, and the characters had absolutely no personality.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a quick read with lots of supernatural events. It kept me reading only because I was invested enough to want to know who was responsible for all the strange occurrences. There was also some mystery as to who the main characters really were. The book could have been shorter and I did find myself skimming through many of the middle chapters. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC. This review is in my own words.

In the Ravenswood Witch by Jennie Keer, we have a story of a girl, a guy and a ghost. Luna, or is she, is running from something and is found by Marcus, a man who has been suffering from living with a woman who didn’t love him. Marcus protects Luna from controversy and as they live the lie, they fall in love with each other. Luna helps heal the village and Marcus’ heart, proving that the Ravenswood Witch does not exist.

This story is very good, as it is fast paced, thrilling and spooky. Perfect for fall. This book is intended for adults who love romantasy, fantasy, ghost stories, and witch stories. Anyone who likes these genres will enjoy this book. I gave the book 5 stars. I believe this is a standalone story, but I would read other books by this author.

Overall, this is a great spooky love story, perfect for fall reading vibes.

In 1885, a mysterious woman is on the run, knowing that if she is discovered, she will be hanged for murder. Colliding with the mysterious Marcus Greybourne, he offers her sanctuary until her injuries are healed, as long as she pretends to be his wife, “Luna” Greybourne. She continues to act as "Luna" Greybourne, but the real Luna has vanished without a trace, and she is surrounded by Marcus's house, which seems to be haunted by secrets and shadows. Everything points to witchcraft, including the real “Luna”’s reputation being in tatters. The woman who is now pretending to be “Luna” can’t help but fear she’s escaped the noose for a far more terrible fate...
If this is your first time reading anything by Jenni Keer, you will be in for a treat, especially with it being on the cusp of spooky season. Keer can have the story flow seamlessly between different points of view while allowing the reader to be fully immersed in the atmosphere of The Ravenswood Witch. Some authors may struggle with writing three different points of view, but Keer manages to make all her characters clearly defined. The Ravenswood Witch is a book that delivers on all aspects of character-driven stories that use the atmosphere of the world Keer has built brilliantly to set up different plots and mysteries.
While the first part of The Ravenswood Witch draws you in with its mystery, there is a bit of a lull throughout the middle part of the story, but Keer’s writing style helps get through the weaker parts. The pacing of The Ravenswood Witch can be a bit inconsistent, with some chapters feeling dragging out a little, but the intrigue of the mystery and the dark magic is enough to keep the reader entertained.
A story can only be as strong as its characters, and Keer ensures that her two main characters are pulling their own weight. With some questionable decisions, some readers may find it hard to connect to “Luna” as she tries to figure out who to trust. The character’s motivations may be a little questionable, but the payoff during the final twist helps to add a layer of intrigue that is entertaining.
The Ravenswood Witch is a quick read, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. In fact, Keer may have written a great book to read during the autumn season that will have you delving into the atmosphere of the book as much as the mysteries of The Ravenswood Witch. The story subtly explores the concept of good and bad, the grey area between them, and the importance of forgiveness and moving on from the past. It also emphasises the need to trust and love again, as no person is one-dimensional.

This book has a gothic feel to it. Lots of mystery and surprises along with witchcraft will keep you turning the pages. It has a nice romance woven in too. You won’t be able to put it down. Definitely add to your spooky reading list!