This is my first book by Jenni Keer but it certainly won't be the last. I will be looking for her other books to add to my tbr pile.

I loved the mystery and suspense that Jenni created. It certainly kept me guessing.
Her characters are so well formed I felt like they were old friends. I could easily imagine myself standing beside them, watching their interactions.

Bran the raven was by far my favourite character. I adored him. What a clever bird and such a good judge of character.

Marcus, the ever-suffering husband with a very sick wife. I really felt for him and what he must have gone through. His 'new' wife Luna, well she also became a favourite, even though she had a secret she was hiding.

No spoilers, but I absolutely loved the ending. So unexpected but right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

It's the year 1885 in rural Victorian England. A young woman on the run from a murder accusation trips over a man and breaks her ankle, just metres from the ferry that could get her to safety. But now Marcus Greybourne does something strange - he tells the police she's his reclusive wife of ten years Luna and to leave her alone.

He offers her temporary reprieve at Ravenswood Hall until her ankle heals if she keeps up the charade of being his wife so he can keep getting access to Luna's money. She accepts but soon fears she made the wrong choice. The dilapidated house is unsettling - the garden is in ruins, the furniture is destroyed, the scratched walls have weird symbols on them and there are only two servants left - the Webbers, a husband and wife team that has seen better days.

Also, where is the real Luna Greybourne, and is she really the Ravensbourne Witch? The superstitious villagers certainly seem to think so. At the very least she's mentally unstable, judging from the state of the house and garden.

So begins a story of secrets, lies and hidden identities. In a dual timeline we switch from the present to the past and learn what happened to bring the young woman to this spooky place. The story of Eloise Houghton who fell in love with unsuitable Daniel Thornberry is compelling. He seems to be very progressive for his time with his longing for equality to all men (women of course not included), his atheism, contempt for the monarchy and disrespect for "his betters". But it looks like his romantic entanglements will become his undoing.

At the same time we see how Luna settles into her new role, tames a lonely raven and makes friends with kindly Mr Findlay, a herbal healer with leanings towards the occult, whom her husband can't stand and forbids her from seeing.

The setting is atmospheric, gothic and eerie, just right for an autumn read coming up to Halloween. There are a lot of rational explanations given for spooky goings on and yet you know something isn't right and not explainable through conventional wisdom.

This is one of the most unusual and original stories I've ever read. It's a cross between a murder mystery, a supernatural thriller and romance in a historical setting. The characters are well-drawn and compelling. Marcus and new Luna are both lost and damaged souls managing to rescue each other in this unconventional set-up they have created. But something is threatening their new-found romance and wants to destroy everything. Can they find the culprit in time and repair Luna's reputation, meaning they can have a future together, or will their past demeanours catch up with them?

I loved how the story unfolded but particularly the two big twists about 75% in, which took me completely by surprise. Totally spellbinding. Read this in one sitting. Jenni Keer is an author to watch!

Thank you for giving me early access to this book. This is the first book I have read from this author so I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, this book just didn't work out for me. The writing of this book was great, however; I just couldn't connect to any of the characters. I would have loved if the book had some more spooky vibes. I think my expectations of this book was different to what I got. However, I will check out other books from this author 😀

Set in the 1880’s a young girl is on the run when she collides with a man breaking her ankle. He takes her back to his house and somehow manages to convince people she is his reclusive wife Luna.
She’s befriended by a raven who looks after her. The house slowly comes back to life and we learn about the girl’s previous life. A very dark book. Not the usual time slip book but very interesting

Devoured this Witchy read, perfect for fall ❤️

Haunting, Suspenseful and full of Heart!

The Ravenswood Witch follows two girls. The first is Eloise, a young intelligent girl willing to risk her status to be with an eccentric lower class man. Though, this decision to continue to court him could cost her reputation and ruin his. The second, a young woman on the run from police who stumbles upon the mysterious proprietor of Ravenswood Hall. A charming, handsome, Marcus Greybourne…. Who may of killed his wife?!

Both girls must determine which path they will take, who will do the right thing?

I really enjoyed the changing POVs/Timelines. I felt it kept a good pace and built suspense. The ending put the puzzle together nicely, as if a cozy text…

But the gothic setting, mysterious warnings and talk of witchcraft kept the stakes high and the pages turning.

I love a story that explores the shades of morality. This text kept me guessing, because… no character was ever perfect! They each had their secrets, lies, attitudes and some sort of aloofness. Yet, each one had their own memorable and likeable qualities. (Speaking generally about the characters, as to not give anything away)

I do wish there was a little more solid of a suspenseful/dramatic…. SOMETHING end to Eloise’s story, but I also am not mad with how it played out!

Also Bran the Raven? 🐦‍⬛ New familiar obsession (and GOT vibes)!!!

Thank you Boldwood Books and Net Galley for the ARC 🥰

The Ravenswood Witch is a gothic tale to keep you entertained this spooky season.

A young woman, on the run, literally runs into a man by a stream. The collision sends her reeling, and she breaks her ankle. When the constable catches up, the man says the woman is his wife, Luna Greybourne, and she readily agrees.

But what happened to the real Luna? And what haunts the Ravenswood property st night?

Thanks to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for this ARC. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because I thought it was entertaining but predictable.

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.