Henhouse

by Emily Prescott

Effie and Hope Thatcher grew up knowing that their grandmother found the last good man. Heartbreak and disappointment were as familiar in Thatcher house as estrogen and town gossip. Hope’s unexpected pregnancy announcement has twenty-three year old Effie realizing that she’s the only woman in their all-female house that hasn’t even dared to find love. With Hope’s beloved under scrutiny and the arrival of a surly safety inspector in Effie’s orbit, the lives of the Thatcher women are turned upside down as they question everything they thought they knew about how disappointing men could be. Fear encounters fate, independence confronts traditional family structures, and wistfulness challenges commitment as misconceptions and presumptions lead to heartache and emotional rifts.

In this reimagining of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice light-hearted contemporary romance is mixed with the earnestness of family dynamics to tell a story about intricate family bonds, the romance of a small town, and the insecurities that arise when everything you’ve ever wanted is yours for the taking.

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2025

Reviews

[Haileyandherkindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet debut for indie author, Emily Prescott l! 🤍

Loved this cozy vibe and it was the perfect book to disassociate this past week 🫶🏻

[McKenzie Dygert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first want to say that chapters 25 and 26 are exactly the same. Like it's the same chapter twice.

I received an ARC copy of this book and I really wanted to like it but I almost DNFed....I skimmed the last 5 chapters....
Both FMC's kinda drove me crazy with their emotions. There were so many emotions and to the extreme, I was left a bit irritated.
I don't think this book is P&P reimagined....like at all. the only thing similar to P&P is "barely tolerable" and the hand flex thing. The storyline itself is nothing like P&P. I didn't get any sense of it.
I liked Effie up until the dinner with her family. What an extremely toxic family. Why Effie and Hope were sad to leave is beyond me. Especially when both women said their man felt like "home." The family dynamic, especially during that dinner, was so upsetting, I would've left and never come back.
I also did not like that God was called a "she." Not what I believe, the author can say what she wants about it, but it was not to my liking.
Also, the fact that no one in this book could communicate except for the guy that's supposed to resemble Mr. Darcy drove me crazy. It started with Schilling and Hope, the family and literally everyone, Effie and Theo. Ugh! Just say what you want to say!!
I'm sure there will be people who will like this book but it wasn't to my liking.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great debut novel from Emily. It follows a family of women who have all but given up on love, until the right men enter their lives and challenge everything they thought they knew. But the journey to happily ever after is far from easy. With flawed characters, deep insecurities, and a fear of vulnerability, it’s an emotional roller coaster in the best way.

Effie and Hope, in particular, find themselves unexpectedly matched with love. Effie is completely against the idea until she meets Theo. But Theo’s a known playboy with a complicated past, and trusting him doesn’t come easy. Hope has already given her heart to Brayden, but when his past comes back to haunt them, she has to decide if he’s truly the exception or just another reason to guard her heart.

This story was a page-turner, and I genuinely enjoyed it. I went in expecting a closed-door romance, but with its strong focus on intimacy and innuendo, I’d say it toes the line. Plus there is strong language as well. It didn’t quite read like a fully closed-door book to me. Personally, I think the story could have stood on its own without some of the steamier elements, but that’s just personal preference. It wasn’t my story to tell.

All in all, a great debut, and I’m definitely looking forward to more from Emily.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Yumna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for an arc copy. I just received my e-arc today! I can't wait to get started on this :) (THE COVER IS GORGEOUS)

edit after reading:

3.5 stars!

I loved:
🤍 the writing style
🤍 the sisterhood (hope and effie's relationship was so cute!)
🤍 cozy vibes (def on point and I was able to easily read this in a few hours)
🤍 big family of girls!

did not like
❌ miscommunication trope and third act breakup
❌ not pride and prejudice even though it was advertised as such
❌ insecure fmc
❌ this book is advertised as a bunch of man hating women but I only got that vibe from two women in the family. any issues the fmcs had with men were from personal issues and insecurities.

[Sarah R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a wonderful escape from the world.

[Johanna Carrasquillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a physical copy of Henhouse by Emily Prescott in exchange for an honest review—and let me just say, the cover is absolutely STUNNING 😍💐

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Henhouse is a heartfelt story about sisterhood, small-town charm, and learning to love on your own terms 💕 It follows Hope & Effie—two sisters in a family full of strong, opinionated women. The family dynamic is definitely at the center of the story, and while it took me a little while to remember who was who (so many names at once 😅), once I settled in, it felt warm, wholesome, and very real.

🌸 What I loved:
– the women empowerment theme 🙌
– Hope’s bold, relatable personality (my fave!)
– Effie’s unique perspective—she can taste words 👅✨ such an original touch!
– the slow-burn romance and how each love interest helped the sisters grow 💌

This book gave me Pride and Prejudice vibes with its witty family dynamics and small-town setting, but it also had its own unique flavor. It’s not a fast-paced read—it’s cozy, thoughtful, and more about the journey than the drama. If you’re into strong female casts, character growth, and wholesome romance, this one is worth picking up 🌼

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give more than five stars? This book was absolutely amazing. As the youngest of three sisters, I connected to Effie far too much - I found myself cheering for her and simultaneously being frustrated towards her the same way I would looking back on my 23-year-old self. I had so many out-loud reactions while reading this: laughing, happy crying, yelling NOOOO, sad crying, and just grinning like a fool.

Each of the characters are so endearing. I either recognized parts of myself in each person, or knew someone like each of the characters.

Emily Prescott's writing throughout the entire book is so eloquent, charming, engaging, and full of joy. It takes a rare kind of talent to write a contemporary romance that has a splash of fantasy with a dash of poetry without it sounding out of place. 10/10, no notes, absolutely wonderful.

[Grecia T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this debut novel from Emily Prescott. The story revolves around 3 generations of Thatcher women navigating life together. It explores the bonds of mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and cousins. It particularly focuses on Hope and Effie and their exploration of love. The Thatcher women before them have had rotten luck with relationships and Hope and Effie are determined to change that history. What follows is a beautiful depiction of the different kinds of love that can exist and being brave enough to take a leap of faith.

I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you to Emily Prescott and her team for the copy!

[Emma Maney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much Emily Prescott & team for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was a very cute story with cozy vibes and a lovely setting. I adored Effie’s job at the craft store, and the ability to walk anywhere in town. I also really loved the older women in this story (especially Bea!) and their personalities. They seemed like the most realistic and pragmatic of all the Thatcher women.

I had a few qualms with the book—first of all, I had to create a full on family tree in the back of the book when I first started it! All the characters names are info-dumped in the first two pages, which required a literal web to untangle.

Additionally, the miscommunication drove me a bit nuts. Effie and Brayden both made really irrational, rash decisions in their relationships that didn’t make sense. I understand that Effie’s own insecurities caused her to act that way, but it seemed unrealistic and simply for the plot. I almost think this book could’ve been 50 pages shorter.

All in all I really liked the author’s writing style and imagery, but I found transitions (especially beginning of chapters) to be choppy. I had to go back and reread the end of chapters to make sure I wasn’t missing something a couple of times.

Overall, a very sweet, feel good book that has a lovely setting!

[Sarah Gletnak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Effie and Hope Thatcher have been told their whole lives that their grandmother found the “last good man” and as a result the whole family of women have given up on love. Their haven of home and all they have known is put to the test by a man who makes Effie feel unlike anything she has experienced before and by Hope’s secret news. Can they get their own happily ever afters or are they bound to the curse of heartbreak that has marked their family for years?

I’m a bit conflicted by this book. After reading it, I saw that it is meant to be a reimagining of Pride & Prejudice, but I didn’t link it at all to Jane Austen while reading. Effie and Theo were sweet together and they had some imaginative dates, but that wasn’t really enough to save the book. Overall, I found that it was a bit confusing with too many storylines and slightly disconnected characters. I found Effie’s family downright mean towards her and the lack of communication between everyone bothered me. I suppose I was hoping for a cozy, magical romance and it just didn’t feel that way to me.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Emily Prescott for providing me with a physical ARC of this wonderful book!

It was such a great experience to find this book with such a beautiful cover through my door! I just had to pick it up and move it to the front of my tbr! First of all I really liked the premise of this novel, especially with the focus on a family of strong women, it was such a cozy environment with so many generations of wonderful women including Grams and the indomitable Aunt Bea. Like the blurb says, this book reminds me of the Bennet family of Pride and Prejudice (although I think it also compares to the Mayfair Witches, just without the supernatural!), and I really liked how it followed 2 different love stories and how those interact with both the women and the family at large. I liked the narrative of pregnancy, however, I thought it was a bit unrealistic that nobody (including the babies father who was in a relationship with Hope) noticed for five months and the baby starting to kick, which put me off slightly. I was also a little bit, shall we say, annoyed with the sheer amount of miscommunication. I understand that it is needed to pace the narrative, nevertheless I think there could have been a few more honest conversations rather than people *literally* running away! Overall, I think this is a wonderful intricate novel with a lovely host of women, Effie and her crafting and Hope and her writing were inspiring and easy to root for in this charming modern day romance. I was also a little bit saddened with the death of Aunt Bea which dampened an otherwise low stakes, happily ever after book. I understand why Prescott made this decision it just wasn’t to my liking!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the cover is so so gorgeous. Plus the comparison to Pride and Prejudice, yes please sign me up!

This book is a cozy read- it would be perfect for a vacation in a snowy area with a fireplace and glass of wine. It’s pleasant but not too fluffy- the main characters have enough flaws to be relatable but are likeable so I was behind them and enjoying their arcs. I also love a book with strong female characters and I loved the multigenerational family dynamic. I also really loved the creative interests of the women and how their jobs and hobbies wove through the story.

My small criticism is that I don’t really see it as a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice- I can see some similarities but I think saying a reimagining is a stretch. And there’s nothing wrong with that- it’s a lovely read.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Provided in exchange for honest review.

This delightful book is the story of two cousins raised in a house full of strong, opinionated, and scorned women, and of how they navigate their journeys into the world of love. The indoctrinated belief that there is no such thing as a successful love story in the Thatcher family leads to both women making terrible mistakes, through a place of fear that they arent going to get a happy ending. Miscommunication is a huge trope here, particularly in the case of Hope. Her failure to tell Brayden in a timely fashion that she is pregnant leads to a misunderstanding over his marital status, and his discovery of her pregnancy by accident leads to an even bigger chasm between them. Their pain at being separated is palpable, it radiates off the page and you are desperate for them to get their happy ending. The use of Hope's writing as a means to apologise and try and heal the rift was a masterstroke, unusual yet beautiful. It felt right that Hope flew the "henhouse" - she is bold and bright and saw through the fallacy of the Thatcher women's beliefs a lot earlier than Effie.

Effie is an incredibly relatable character! She is firmly under the spell of her mother, aunts and sisters when it comes to believing there is no great love story in her future, and her desire to please everyone leads to her bottling her own thoughts and feelings. When she meets Theo, she starts to believe that there could be a love story in her future, but her inability to see any good in herself leaves her self sabotaging time after time. The third act breakup is devastating - whilst you feel for Effie, and I can absolutely relate to her, it is Theo who my heart broke for. His character is everything you could want from a man, the stuff dreams are made of - yet she throws it all away. When she finally allows herself to feel, Effie sees the truth that Hope has seen for years, and finally accepts herself as the beautiful heart that she is. I absolutely loved Effie's gustatory synaesthesia - it brought a highly original and interesting aspect to her character.

The family aspect of the story was so recognisable, and whilst it caused a lot of heartache (particularly for Effie), the sense of love, despite the bickering and the awful mantra the elder women had brought their daughters up with, was a key aspect to this book. Aunt Bea's death and Hope's baby brought a sense of ending and renewal to the family dynamic, and alongside the new relationships that Effie and Hope explore, they show that beliefs can change, and family can still endure.

My biggest criticism of Henhouse was that I wasn't immediately clear on just when this book was set to begin with - the absence of technology was quite apparent, and it took a while for me to ascertain that it was a contemporary setting. It has a very vintage feel, even with the modern setting, which made it cosy and felt perfect for the autumnal elements of today! Henhouse is a heartwarming gem of a novel.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[Lindsay Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Emily Prescott for sending me an ARC of this book.
Henhouse is a modern twist on the classic love story Pride and Prejudice. The two characters in focus are Effie and Hope Thatcher, cousins and soul sisters who couldn’t be more different. They live with all of their female relatives in a massive house that might as well have a “no boys allowed” sign on the front door. The only man allowed inside is the portrait hanging of their late grandfather, their Gram’s true love. He is the measure of all men for the Thatcher women, all having been through various disappointments from the men they’ve dallied with. Will Hope’s unexpected pregnancy announcement change their views and their lives completely? Will Effie’s life remain the same while Hope’s is flipped upside down? When Effie meets the gorgeous and mysterious safety inspector at her job, why does everything start to feel different in her very safe and orderly life?

I truly enjoyed this book so much. The womanhood, the friendship, the yearning and love stories, it just warmed my heart like a cup of Effie’s favorite tea. I related to Effie so much. It amazes me every time an author can put in to words exactly how I feel, and I’m so grateful for that because it helps me see myself more clearly and like Effie, the things I need to be brave about. I absolutely loved the scene with the ball. This book would make a fantastic movie adaptation. Theo and Brayden are definitely some of my favorite male characters I’ve ever read.
My only complaint is that I wish there had been more time spent on explaining the family tree and each woman’s personality. I was very confused about the nieces and who they belonged to and I think a little time spent explaining how each woman got to be where they are in life and why they still live in the family home would have been helpful in understanding many things throughout the book. But I do understand that the main focus was supposed to be on Effie and Hope. Overall I will definitely be recommending this book to friends! A great read for someone interested in love stories, feminism, and friendship.

[Bri West · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5

Henhouse follows the story of two cousins on their journeys of finding love in somewhat unconventional ways.

The promotion of it being a Re-imagining of Pride & Prejudice might be a bit of a stretch for the description. The family of four generations of women all living under one roof, (with the younger believing they have a curse against love), give off a bit of the Bennett family vibes. There’s a subtle “hand moment”, but I wouldn’t say it is really a re-telling of Pride & Prejudice but more a story that pays homage to Austen type of themes.

It’s truly a story that focuses more on family dynamics, and how past traumas shape not only those directly involved but even later generations.

Hope and Effie are wishing so hard for love like their grandparents had, and wishing to beat the odds their mothers and sisters have faced. The resentment though and prejudice of the failed relationships weighs heavy on the girls beliefs that true happiness can exist.

I think this rating comes down to the fact that I hate miscommunication tropes and third act break ups. I understand Brayden feeling hurt - but he shouldn’t have held a grudge as long as he did considering everything from Hope’s point of view. Lots of baggage with these two and it’s frustrating when it really could have been so simple ….

Effie struggles deeply with her insecurities and own self worth. It did frustrate me a bit that Theo gave zero reasons for her to ever mistrust his feelings but she self sabotaged anyway. She let her family affect her so much more than the actions of the man who treated her with nothing but patient and understanding.

It’s still a cute and HEA cozy story and I appreciate the author allowing me to receive an eARC.

Tropes:
- He falls first
- Secrets and miscommunication
- Family bonds
- Friendship
- Coming into oneself


Favorite Quotes:
- She hadn't been this instantly attracted to anyone since the first time she watched Aladdin and decided she would one day be Mrs. Street Rat.
- "Effie, will you go out on a date with me? Saturday night to be exact. Details redacted intentionally so I can woo you with surprises."
- in fact, if she surprised him with any more of those breathtaking, gut-churning kisses, he'd have a very hard time not creating a PowerPoint presentation to appeal to her logical sensibilities about why they should just consummate their relationship already.
- “So feeling your feelings, not for you?”
- there was nothing more impressive, more amazing, more awe-inspiring than watching the woman you love bring your baby into the world through will and grit and instinct.
- Herman's last name was King, and wonderful as he was, he didn't have to carry them for nine months and push them out his hoo-ha. It's arbitrary that babies take their father's last name, so I made my case, and he agreed."

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was SO excited to read Henhouse, the cover art is absolutely stunning and the blurb really caught my attention right off the bat. The family dynamic between the Thatcher women was a really interesting one. They're fiercely protective of each other especially when it comes to men, and it comes out in ways that can be a lot to process at times, but you know that it's coming from a good place.

I really loved Effie and Theo's relationship in particular. Theo is a known playboy looking for his soulmate, whilst Effie is wildly inexperienced in love and daren't give her heart to anyone for fear of them breaking it. I think they had such a lovely dynamic once they started to get to know each other better, and Theo was such a surprisingly soft and thoughtful character!

Effie suffers from synesthesia which causes her to taste words and I thought this was such an interesting trait to include. Throughout the book it's mainly used in relation to people's names and how she's feeling towards them at the time, but I really loved how it was incorporated and it definitely helped to emphasise her true thoughts and feelings towards people.

Thank you so much for the ARC copy!

[Lottie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Emily Prescott for providing this ARC of Henhouse in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
A house full of women, bound by a supposed family curse against men, navigate messy relationships, family loyalty, and the chaos that comes with flawed but loveable characters.

Review:
Okay… first things first, despite the marketing spin, this was not giving Pride and Prejudice at all. If anything, I was picking up way more Little Women vibes. It took a while to really settle into the story and work out what was happening, and at the start the whole “anti-men because of a curse” angle felt a bit heavy-handed, almost gender-bashy. Thankfully, that did ease off as the book went on.

The strongest point here is the characters. They’re messy, flawed, and deeply human, which made them feel relatable. My favourite part was the relationship between Hope and Effie. They’re the ultimate ride or die sisters, even if that loyalty sometimes blinds them to each other’s faults.

The men, though… Brayden and Theo. Let’s be honest, Brayden could’ve avoided so much drama by simply being upfront with Hope. But Hope wasn’t entirely innocent either, and when you throw his ‘wife’ into the mix, I can understand her retreat. Theo, on the other hand, I really liked. He’s unapologetically himself, doesn’t try to be anything else, and owns his past with women. And honestly, that’s not a crime.

Overall, this is a cosy, family-first kind of read. It’s heartfelt, emotional, and towards the end, I found myself properly choked up. It might take a moment to warm up to, but once you’re in, it delivers.

[Sabreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Adds author to my “If she writes it, I’ll read it” list*

Full disclosure! When I received this ARC, I was most excited about how pretty the book looked. Shallow af, I know. (I can’t be blamed it looked so gorgeous!!) But guys, guysss, I’m so pleased so let you all know that it reads sooo much better than it looks!

In the current booktok climate, it is so hard sometimes to find women centered books but this one delivered! The characters were so well written and the writing itself was so good, it was hard to believe this is the author’s debut. And oh, third person narration, how I’ve missed you.

This book was a breath of fresh air in the midst of hyped books which recycle the same tropes and characters over and over and refuse to give them flaws. The characters in this book are human and complex and I love that. I can’t wait to read more books by Emily Prescott!

[Kristan Campos · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: Henhouse 📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🍆🍆🍆🍆🌶️🌶️

I was honored to receive an ARC copy of this glorious book! This is a modern day take on Pride and Prejudice. Everyone knows that I am a Pride and Prejudice Sloot. 😉

We have our two FMC’s-Effie and Hope (cousins), and our MMC’s Theo and Brayden(Friends). We also have the Henhouse of Effie and Hopes family.

Hope and Brayden are our modern day Jane & Charles. Brayden and Hope are in love. Hope is pregnant and is scared Brayden will leave if he finds out, so she keeps "bug" a secret. She starts to feel bad keeping it from him so she decides to tell him. When she goes to his home she is surprised to find another woman-his wife- there. Hope goes back to her home without telling him and Brayden starts to get worried because he doesn’t hear from her. And so begins their departure by misunderstanding. Parallel to Jane and Bingley(Charles).

Then we have Effie and Theo(Our Lizzie and Darcy). Effie works at a craft store and Theo is an inspector. When they first meet each other, first impressions are not what they’d hope. Though they can feel the attraction, they ignore it. Effie has gustatory synesthesia(she can taste words). Every time she says Theos name (Theodore) she tastes cardboard. However, when she says Theo…it’s pure chocolate bliss. 🍫 They become more acquainted when he signs up for a craft class that goes different than they both expected. Once they begin courtship, their feelings clash and Effie isn’t sure if she can handle it.

Will these couples be reunited or will they be forever separated and their love lost forever.

If you like:

*New Found Love
*Pregnancy Trope
*He falls first
*Curses
*Love at first sight

Then this is definitely for you!! 🌹

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an ARC for Henhouse as I love a Pride & Prejudice anything.

I will say that this isn’t a modern retelling so much as inspired by Austen in the language and themes. I loved the multiple POVs and the overall cozy vibes. It was very heartfelt and had some very funny lines (anything Gram said took me out). I also loved the synesthesia references throughout the novel.

The writing style took a little bit to get into, and it did feel a little overdone occasionally when the blend between modern language and the inspiration got a bit tangled. There are a lot of characters, and I wish some of them had been explored in greater depth, but I do feel like we got to know the main 4 characters in the relationships very well.

I hated the amount of miscommunication between the couples (even though I understand why), and was sad that it took a death to be the catalyst for Effie getting out of her own way.

Overall a strong debut, and I look forward to reading more of her work!

[A 🪼🐚🫧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Henhouse in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Emily Prescott for this ARC!

🌹 friends-to-lovers
💞 multiple pov (third person)
🌹 Pride&Prejudice inspired
💞 grumpy x sunshine
🌹 small town romance
💞 family romance curse

I enjoyed this story a lot! I learned about a new thing-synesthesia, which FMC Effie has, causing her to taste words. I loved the whole Thatcher family, even if they were a little crazy. Theo 🥰🥰 Brayden 🥰🥰 I loved the couples together too! I was a bit bothered by Effie at a point but she has her trauma of being told this curse was going to ruin her relationships, so I guess I sort of understand why she was being a certain way at times. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they’d enjoy a modern pride and prejudice inspired story with no explicit spicy scenes. There is closed door spice and mild discussion of said spice.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a wonderful escape into a world where all of the Thatcher Women felt like someone the reader could relate to. It's a perfect read for those who think intentionally about relationships romantic and familial and how some things never change and some evolve with time. I appreciated the imagery and felt immediately dropped into the world of Effie and Hope in a place where I felt invested in where they would go next on their journey. I deeply enjoyed this book and felt like it read like a very good movie you couldn't wait to finish.

[LollyReads97 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this debut novel by Emily Prescott.
If you're a fan of Austen, Bridgerton or Little Women then this is one i'd definitely recommend reading.
The story centres around the unlucky in love Thatcher women. Effie and Hope Thatcher are cousins who have a very sisterly relationship. The book follows their journey and experiences with love as they attempt to put themselves out there and prove that Thatcher women aren't cursed, they're worthy of having great loves.
I really liked Effie's character - the fierce love she has for her family, how strong her bond with Hope is, her passion for baking and the way she carries herself. She's very endearing and the self doubt and fears she feels are very relatable.
Overall a very enjoyable read!

[Lizzie Marsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.

Thank you so much Emily for giving me this book before publication, after finishing it a day after publication I am MIND BOGGLED.

This book was EVERYTHING! Think, Pride and Prejudice, with a modern twist, phones, wifi, no long dresses, that sums Henhouse up!

I instantly feel in love with the two main Thatcher girls, Hope and Effie. Hope who was as I would describe "hopelessly in love" with Brayden, and Effie, who has this, enemies to lovers, interaction with the heartbreaker that is Theo.
Effie instantly stood out to me as a girl that struggled to be the own main character in her life. Stuck in romance books, and her family revelling in the disappointment that is men. I somewhat felt some connection with Effie, she was really relatable.
There were moments where I couldn't sympathise with Hope as she was quite a character.

As the story developed I was gripped by the book and rooting for the two main couples. This book is a GO TO READ!

Thank you once again Emily, and happy belated publication day!!!

[Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORED this book! I've had the pleasure of early reads of Henhouse and one thing I have consistently loved is the female characters in this world. They are dynamic, deep, and imperfect. Much like in real life, they are different from each other but come together to support and understand one another.

I've always been a fan of Pride and Prejudice and this book gave me that modern yearning and miscommunication I've always appreciated in romance. 20/10 would recommend to my friends :)

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Henhouse is a well written cozy romance novel. From the beginning the author creates strong characters, vivid descriptions, and emotional moments that gave me chills. Every character feels like someone I know… flawed individuals with hopes and dreams trying to do their best while navigating the dynamics of the relationships in their life. Since I can’t draw on comparisons to P&P I feel it is best to say the book stands on its own. I was rooting for the Thatcher family from Page 1. They love each other even when things get messy in a way all families do. After finishing the book I found myself wishing I could spend more time with the characters I came to know and love. I feel if I reread it I’ll pick up on more of the little gems the author sprinkled throughout 😊

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

A beautiful debut novel! It was heart warming and made me cry on multiple occasions. This book is for anyone who likes reading more than 2 POVs and men who enjoy Taylor Swift.

1/5 🌶️ - Fade to Black scenes

Thank you Emily for providing me with an ARC of this book, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I signed up for this ARC solely based on the cozy cover. And this book DELIVERED on the cozy. A contemporary take on Pride and Prejudice I absolutely loved how Henhouse portrayed the intricacies of falling in love and family dynamics. Effie is strong and vulnerable while Theo is swoon worthy. A contemporary classic Henhouse is the perfect fall read! Thank you Emily for the gifted ARC!

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5 emoji synopsis:
🚺🪡🤰🏻👩🏻‍💻👩🏼‍🎨

my thoughts:
one of the things I have always appreciated in literally any type of genre is the representation of the a strong, complex women character and this book is filled with them! The Thatcher household is filled with them in fact! Grams, Aunt Bea, Pamela, Tibby, Ellen, Louisa, Hope, Effie, and their tots… there is not one women in that house that you could not some what relate to which is really wonderful. This books is a contemporary romance but I would also consider it to be women’s fiction.

It follows the story of Effie & Hope, a golden retriever x black cat cousin duo and their quest to find love despite the Thatcher curse of alluring bad romances. With them both making a promise to one another, Effie struggles to come to terms with where she is at in her life and love life after Hope’s surprise reveal. Hope is challenged to put her love life under a microscope to discover what is best for her despite her surprising news. All the while Brayden and Theo learn how complex, bold, and bright Effie & Hope and their love are.

The visual imagery in this book is outstanding. I felt like I was right there with the characters. I enjoyed following the plot of both Effie and Hope rather than be solely fixated on one character’s plot. For a debut novel, I am blown away and look forward to reading more from Emily Prescott in the future.

[Cheyenne Townsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Emily Prescott for letting me read this wonderful ARC. The characters were absolutely brilliant & so incredibly lovable. The Thatcher matriarch was perfectly wise & Effie’s relationship with her Aunt Bea brought genuine tears to my eyes. The characters felt very real, I found myself mad at them, cheering for them, laughing with them, crying with them. Absolutely well done! I felt there was definitely room for expansion for both Effie & Hope’s stories, I at times found myself wishing they each got their own book, but overall the way their friendship wove their love stories together was brilliant. Well done Emily! I do hope to see more of the Thatcher women soon!