What do you think?
Rate this book
The Forest Becomes Her
The perfect choice for your next book club. Julie Carrick Dalton's The Forest Becomes Her is a gorgeous, hopeful novel about three women from different generations navigating the complexities of family, the impacts of our choices, and our deep connections to the natural world beneath our feet.
In historic, bucolic Concord, Massachusetts, a centuries-old forest has been removed to make way for a new, eco-friendly housing development. The locals are upset by the destruction, but out-of-towners like Hazel Stoddard are flocking to put down roots in their new guilt-free dream homes.
Soon a tragedy leaves Hazel unmoored in her new life, and she begins to feel the pull of the absent forest. Hazel is not alone—her neighbors, real estate agent Stella Flint and teenage environmentalist Polly Bauer, each have their own trauma and relationship to the land. The three women are drawn together to save the last remaining oak tree, or they risk losing themselves to lingering shadows that only they can see.
In The Forest Becomes Her, Julie Carrick Dalton brings hope and reverence to this lush celebration of multigenerational female relationships, the ever-evolving female form, humanity’s connection to our changing world, and the mysteries that still exist in nature.
In historic, bucolic Concord, Massachusetts, a centuries-old forest has been removed to make way for a new, eco-friendly housing development. The locals are upset by the destruction, but out-of-towners like Hazel Stoddard are flocking to put down roots in their new guilt-free dream homes.
Soon a tragedy leaves Hazel unmoored in her new life, and she begins to feel the pull of the absent forest. Hazel is not alone—her neighbors, real estate agent Stella Flint and teenage environmentalist Polly Bauer, each have their own trauma and relationship to the land. The three women are drawn together to save the last remaining oak tree, or they risk losing themselves to lingering shadows that only they can see.
In The Forest Becomes Her, Julie Carrick Dalton brings hope and reverence to this lush celebration of multigenerational female relationships, the ever-evolving female form, humanity’s connection to our changing world, and the mysteries that still exist in nature.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published July 14, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 24, 2026
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐1/2
The Forest Becomes Her
Julie Carrick Dalton
Publication Date: July 14th, 2026
St. Martin's Press
336 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
I love multigenerational stories, especially those featuring three different generations of women. These women aren't related, but they do have something in common. They're all dealing with family issues, and they want to save an old oak tree (insert the Tony Orlando and Dawn song here!).
Add a touch of magical realism, and what you have is a tale as old as time: we're all part of the Earth. Hazel is a new member of the community of Concord, Massachusetts. She's feeling lost after a tragedy and begins to feel a pull toward the forest that was destroyed to make way for the new homes, including the one where she now lives. Hazel ends up becoming friends with two local women: Stella, a real estate agent, and Polly, a teenage environmentalist (think Greta Thunberg). Together, they decide to protect the last oak tree on the land, and in doing so, they begin to confront their own traumas.
This story was very atmospheric, blending family drama and mystery in a thoughtful way. It's a very character-driven novel, and I liked the characters for the most part. The forest setting is beautifully described and creates an engaging backdrop. The story is slow to get going, but the character development pays off, making the emotional moments hit a little harder.
I always enjoy books that explore community and the feeling of belonging. I liked the way the author portrayed humanity's relationship with Mother Earth without becoming too preachy, and it never overtook the story itself.
Overall, this was a very compelling read with excellent writing, even if it did slow down in places. I'd describe it as literary suspense with an eco-friendly theme, and what I appreciated most was its unique atmosphere and emotional depth.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐1/2
The Forest Becomes Her
Julie Carrick Dalton
Publication Date: July 14th, 2026
St. Martin's Press
336 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
I love multigenerational stories, especially those featuring three different generations of women. These women aren't related, but they do have something in common. They're all dealing with family issues, and they want to save an old oak tree (insert the Tony Orlando and Dawn song here!).
Add a touch of magical realism, and what you have is a tale as old as time: we're all part of the Earth. Hazel is a new member of the community of Concord, Massachusetts. She's feeling lost after a tragedy and begins to feel a pull toward the forest that was destroyed to make way for the new homes, including the one where she now lives. Hazel ends up becoming friends with two local women: Stella, a real estate agent, and Polly, a teenage environmentalist (think Greta Thunberg). Together, they decide to protect the last oak tree on the land, and in doing so, they begin to confront their own traumas.
This story was very atmospheric, blending family drama and mystery in a thoughtful way. It's a very character-driven novel, and I liked the characters for the most part. The forest setting is beautifully described and creates an engaging backdrop. The story is slow to get going, but the character development pays off, making the emotional moments hit a little harder.
I always enjoy books that explore community and the feeling of belonging. I liked the way the author portrayed humanity's relationship with Mother Earth without becoming too preachy, and it never overtook the story itself.
Overall, this was a very compelling read with excellent writing, even if it did slow down in places. I'd describe it as literary suspense with an eco-friendly theme, and what I appreciated most was its unique atmosphere and emotional depth.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 30, 2026
2.5 stars
Three women fighting to keep a piece of their community heritage alive.
All nature lovers will find many things to love about this book. A true ode to forest preservation. The nature themes were strong, atmospheric and palpable. The power of nature and its vital importance to our earth and world were captivating topics explored. The author did an excellent job of pulling the reader into the gritty, earthy depths of human connection/dedication to nature.
While my nature-loving self had a lot of appreciation for the descriptive elements and atmospheric vibes, my analytical mind had issues with several other plot points. For me, the characters were somewhat cliche and not root-worthy or believable, often trekking into “silly” eye-rolling territory. Even from the very start, the writing failed to have me connect with any of the characters which kept me at a distance from the story overall.
Grief is a theme explored that I usually am drawn to but it wasn’t fleshed out as powerfully as I would have hoped. It didn’t tug at my emotions. Perimenopause is a theme that was unnecessarily focused on and overdone. It’s a current hot topic and it felt like the author repeatedly included it needlessly. I usually appreciate this theme being represented but it was overkill and took away from my overall connection.
Overall, this book had a lot of potential but lacked on the execution in several aspects.
Audio rating: 3 stars. I found the narrators were “ok” to listen to but nothing outstanding or memorable. They didn’t add to my connection/enjoyment but also didn’t take away from it.
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
Three women fighting to keep a piece of their community heritage alive.
All nature lovers will find many things to love about this book. A true ode to forest preservation. The nature themes were strong, atmospheric and palpable. The power of nature and its vital importance to our earth and world were captivating topics explored. The author did an excellent job of pulling the reader into the gritty, earthy depths of human connection/dedication to nature.
While my nature-loving self had a lot of appreciation for the descriptive elements and atmospheric vibes, my analytical mind had issues with several other plot points. For me, the characters were somewhat cliche and not root-worthy or believable, often trekking into “silly” eye-rolling territory. Even from the very start, the writing failed to have me connect with any of the characters which kept me at a distance from the story overall.
Grief is a theme explored that I usually am drawn to but it wasn’t fleshed out as powerfully as I would have hoped. It didn’t tug at my emotions. Perimenopause is a theme that was unnecessarily focused on and overdone. It’s a current hot topic and it felt like the author repeatedly included it needlessly. I usually appreciate this theme being represented but it was overkill and took away from my overall connection.
Overall, this book had a lot of potential but lacked on the execution in several aspects.
Audio rating: 3 stars. I found the narrators were “ok” to listen to but nothing outstanding or memorable. They didn’t add to my connection/enjoyment but also didn’t take away from it.
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
August 3, 2026
Loved the last chapter most. Writing could've been tighter, but the last chapter was worth getting through it for me. Also, great title - makes complete sense by the end.
August 1, 2026
The Forest Becomes Her is a multigenerational story centered on three characters, two women and one early teenage girl, all living in Concord Massachusetts and thrown together by circumstances arising from the development of a new area of homes on land in town. The novel starts as a tale of individual problems and grows outward through use of magical realism and of botanical science to become larger than the town and its people. Polly is the 13 year old girl who champions the 400 year old oak that remains in the new community. Hazel is a young married woman who recently moved into Oak Run. Stella is a real estate agent and was a close friend of Polly’s late mother. The action of the novel will flow between and through these three as they interact with each other, the land and the oak. The dream world, or world beyond this, will enter their lives at some point.
The author fully develops the main characters individually as she builds her story. I found that this led to the climax beautifully. At a time when saving old growth trees is of great importance, and the indiscriminate bending or breaking of land use laws seems rampant, I enjoyed finding a different approach to an environmental novel. Recommended to those who enjoy reading books with magical realism elements.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
The author fully develops the main characters individually as she builds her story. I found that this led to the climax beautifully. At a time when saving old growth trees is of great importance, and the indiscriminate bending or breaking of land use laws seems rampant, I enjoyed finding a different approach to an environmental novel. Recommended to those who enjoy reading books with magical realism elements.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
September 20, 2025
The Forest Becomes Her is a beautifully written story that follows three women at very different stages of their lives, each facing hardships in their own way. Through strange and unexpected circumstances, their paths intertwine, creating a bond that feels both mysterious and deeply moving.
What I loved most about this book is how it touches on so many meaningful themes—grief, guilt, adolescence, menopause, and even the importance of caring for the natural world. Each of these topics is woven into the story with such honesty and beauty that I felt connected to every character’s experience.
The pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. The tension rises and falls in a way that feels natural but also gripping, and by the time I reached the ending, I couldn’t look away. It was powerful, emotional, and left me thinking long after I turned the last page.
This is a story that stays with you—both for its unforgettable characters and the way it captures life’s hardest moments with so much heart
What I loved most about this book is how it touches on so many meaningful themes—grief, guilt, adolescence, menopause, and even the importance of caring for the natural world. Each of these topics is woven into the story with such honesty and beauty that I felt connected to every character’s experience.
The pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. The tension rises and falls in a way that feels natural but also gripping, and by the time I reached the ending, I couldn’t look away. It was powerful, emotional, and left me thinking long after I turned the last page.
This is a story that stays with you—both for its unforgettable characters and the way it captures life’s hardest moments with so much heart
June 5, 2026
This book made me want to walk outside and put my hands in the dirt.
The Forest Becomes Her by Julie Carrick Dalton follows three women in Concord, Massachusetts after a centuries-old forest gets clear-cut to make room for a development of eco-friendly homes. The irony is lost on the developers. One massive oak is left standing alone, and that tree is what pulls these three women into each other's lives.
Polly is a grieving teenager who scattered her mother's ashes at the old oak, a place the two of them loved. Stella is the real estate agent selling the new homes, lonely after losing her best friend, Polly's mom. Hazel is Stella's neighbor, trying to make sense of a devastating loss, finding her only comfort in the soil of her backyard. Together they set out to save the tree, and they find friendship, community, and a way through their grief.
I loved all three women, but Polly especially. She's smart, shy, observant, and kind. She's carrying two kinds of grief at once, for her mother and for the forest, and she starts out alone but slowly finds her voice and her people. Dalton's writing is poignant without ever tipping into saccharine. You feel the weight these women are carrying, but the book never tries to manipulate you into feeling it. The magical realism is woven in so gradually it never feels forced, and the idea of finding solace in nature shows up in ways I won't spoil here.
Atmospheric, engrossing, and full of heart. The right reader for this is anyone who loves found family, magical realism, women's fiction, or stories about our connection to the natural world.
Thank you to Megan Beatie Communications and St. Martin's Press for the gifted ARC.
The Forest Becomes Her by Julie Carrick Dalton follows three women in Concord, Massachusetts after a centuries-old forest gets clear-cut to make room for a development of eco-friendly homes. The irony is lost on the developers. One massive oak is left standing alone, and that tree is what pulls these three women into each other's lives.
Polly is a grieving teenager who scattered her mother's ashes at the old oak, a place the two of them loved. Stella is the real estate agent selling the new homes, lonely after losing her best friend, Polly's mom. Hazel is Stella's neighbor, trying to make sense of a devastating loss, finding her only comfort in the soil of her backyard. Together they set out to save the tree, and they find friendship, community, and a way through their grief.
I loved all three women, but Polly especially. She's smart, shy, observant, and kind. She's carrying two kinds of grief at once, for her mother and for the forest, and she starts out alone but slowly finds her voice and her people. Dalton's writing is poignant without ever tipping into saccharine. You feel the weight these women are carrying, but the book never tries to manipulate you into feeling it. The magical realism is woven in so gradually it never feels forced, and the idea of finding solace in nature shows up in ways I won't spoil here.
Atmospheric, engrossing, and full of heart. The right reader for this is anyone who loves found family, magical realism, women's fiction, or stories about our connection to the natural world.
Thank you to Megan Beatie Communications and St. Martin's Press for the gifted ARC.
January 19, 2026
The Forest Becomes Her is a reflective book looking at the interconnectedness of people, trees, and the natural world. The story centers around a young girl, Polly, who is fighting to save her beloved old oak tree after land developers demolished its forest. I enjoyed the magical realism elements in this book that literally showed how connected people are to trees and nature. A warning though for future readers- one of the storylines in this book is about the loss of a pregnancy due to a car accident.
I appreciated how this book brought the issue of the destruction of old-growth forests to the forefront. Too many people can’t be bothered to think about or care about the destructions of forests that have been around for four generations or longer. I wish more people had the passion for preserving trees and forests that this author does!
Thanks to NetGalley for an unbiased review in exchange for an ARC.
I appreciated how this book brought the issue of the destruction of old-growth forests to the forefront. Too many people can’t be bothered to think about or care about the destructions of forests that have been around for four generations or longer. I wish more people had the passion for preserving trees and forests that this author does!
Thanks to NetGalley for an unbiased review in exchange for an ARC.
February 22, 2026
The type of book I’d read while drinking herbal tea, inhaling incense, doing crystal therapy, and aligning my chakras.
Did Not Finish
September 4, 2026Made it to 50 pages and I’m not interested at all :/ I read a couple of reviews and based on some thoughts that I read, I don’t think this will be a book for me anyway. I saw it compared to Shark Heart in the weird sense of magical realism that gets introduced. So sadly, as beautiful as this cover is I’m DNFing.
Thank you St. Martins for the gifted book!!
Thank you St. Martins for the gifted book!!
July 18, 2026
I received an advance copy via NetGalley.
Dalton's work explores the twined lives of three people in storied, Massachusetts, where an old-growth forest has been razed to build eco-friendly housing. There's Polly, the angry environmentalist whose feels her mother's death, and the loss of her beloved trees, as ever-bleeding wounds; Hazel, a resident of one of the new houses, whose grief over her lost pregnancy becomes something deeper; and Stella, menopausal and grizzled, who is weary of selling her soul to try to make a living in real estate.
The back cover copy emphasizes this being a good book club read, and it does seem suited for that niche as a very literary-toned fantasy. The writing is gorgeous and sense of loss poignant, but the plot is quite predictable.
Dalton's work explores the twined lives of three people in storied, Massachusetts, where an old-growth forest has been razed to build eco-friendly housing. There's Polly, the angry environmentalist whose feels her mother's death, and the loss of her beloved trees, as ever-bleeding wounds; Hazel, a resident of one of the new houses, whose grief over her lost pregnancy becomes something deeper; and Stella, menopausal and grizzled, who is weary of selling her soul to try to make a living in real estate.
The back cover copy emphasizes this being a good book club read, and it does seem suited for that niche as a very literary-toned fantasy. The writing is gorgeous and sense of loss poignant, but the plot is quite predictable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yeah, so The Forest Becomes Her went in a direction that I wasn’t expecting and one that was a little too weird for me.
The premise of the book sounded interesting, women of three different generations brought together in Concord, Massachusetts when an old growth forest is razed to put in a new subdivision. Polly, the youngest and still more girl than woman, watched the forest she loved be destroyed from the home she shares with her grandfather. Hazel, a young wife who moves into one of the houses with her husband, only to miscarry the daughter they were expecting in a flooding storm that was likely more damaging because of the loss of the forest. And Stella, who is compromising her principles to get by through selling the houses in the subdivision built by her brother, knowing the trees should have never been cut down.
Polly’s POV feels the most raw to me, and the most authentic. It was very easy to believe there’s a girl out there who loves nature that deeply, struggles to find friendships because of it, and doesn’t understand why adults don’t care more. Her passion for the trees, her burgeoning friendship with fellow nature lover Cass, and her bewilderment at adults’ inability to understand what is being lost because of their greed practically jumps off the pages.
It is easy to feel for Hazel too. She’s lost her child and everyone wants to deem it an unfortunate accident and move on-including her husband Toby. Not only is she in mourning, she’s angry that everyone wants to move on when someone should be accountable for her accident.
I think most people can understand where Stella is coming from. She is doing her best to make ends meet and survive while being simultaneously told she’s not worthy and too much. And she’s doing her best to be a friend to Polly, the daughter of her best friend Irene, lost to cancer.
Throughout the course of the book, Hazel and Stella come to develop the same passion for the trees as Polly, and Hazel and Polly discover betrayals hidden under good intentions.
But as I mentioned earlier, the book also gets really weird. During Hazel’s accident she incurs a gash, and after digging around in the soil gardening, the gash starts turning into bark. Stella gets a splinter in her palm trying to remove growth in her basement, and what she removes from her palm and what she can’t get out starts growing into a plant with leaves. It’s not horror exactly, but it might just give me nightmares and was not the climate fiction I was expecting to get.
I won’t give any more away than that, but feel like potential readers should know that it starts going down a very unnatural ‘natural’ path, so that if that is not the kind of vibe they’re into, they can pass on this story. That direction in the storyline was too much for me to connect with this book, though there were other aspects I thought had a lot of potential.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The premise of the book sounded interesting, women of three different generations brought together in Concord, Massachusetts when an old growth forest is razed to put in a new subdivision. Polly, the youngest and still more girl than woman, watched the forest she loved be destroyed from the home she shares with her grandfather. Hazel, a young wife who moves into one of the houses with her husband, only to miscarry the daughter they were expecting in a flooding storm that was likely more damaging because of the loss of the forest. And Stella, who is compromising her principles to get by through selling the houses in the subdivision built by her brother, knowing the trees should have never been cut down.
Polly’s POV feels the most raw to me, and the most authentic. It was very easy to believe there’s a girl out there who loves nature that deeply, struggles to find friendships because of it, and doesn’t understand why adults don’t care more. Her passion for the trees, her burgeoning friendship with fellow nature lover Cass, and her bewilderment at adults’ inability to understand what is being lost because of their greed practically jumps off the pages.
It is easy to feel for Hazel too. She’s lost her child and everyone wants to deem it an unfortunate accident and move on-including her husband Toby. Not only is she in mourning, she’s angry that everyone wants to move on when someone should be accountable for her accident.
I think most people can understand where Stella is coming from. She is doing her best to make ends meet and survive while being simultaneously told she’s not worthy and too much. And she’s doing her best to be a friend to Polly, the daughter of her best friend Irene, lost to cancer.
Throughout the course of the book, Hazel and Stella come to develop the same passion for the trees as Polly, and Hazel and Polly discover betrayals hidden under good intentions.
But as I mentioned earlier, the book also gets really weird. During Hazel’s accident she incurs a gash, and after digging around in the soil gardening, the gash starts turning into bark. Stella gets a splinter in her palm trying to remove growth in her basement, and what she removes from her palm and what she can’t get out starts growing into a plant with leaves. It’s not horror exactly, but it might just give me nightmares and was not the climate fiction I was expecting to get.
I won’t give any more away than that, but feel like potential readers should know that it starts going down a very unnatural ‘natural’ path, so that if that is not the kind of vibe they’re into, they can pass on this story. That direction in the storyline was too much for me to connect with this book, though there were other aspects I thought had a lot of potential.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 24, 2026
What a unique read!! I loved the elements of magical realism and the way the story unfolded and followed all three women through their individual stories and how the eventually converged. If you liked Shark Heart you will like this one!
August 17, 2026
Trees! Women!! Magical realism!!!
This took me awhile to get into, but once I did I was hooooooked. I love a multigenerational story and these two women and young Polly (I love her) are so well fleshed out and developed. There is so much sadness and passion and urgency and care and loss in this story I feel so full after finishing it. This story speaks to me in such a special way as someone who works in conservation and is a love letter to the old trees that have seen and held us throughout our lives. Ugh I am just so full and warm after finishing this and I think it would be a brilliant book club pick!! So much to think about and discuss. The ending is perfection.
Audiobook - beautiful narration with 3 narrators to represent our 3 wonderful main characters.
This took me awhile to get into, but once I did I was hooooooked. I love a multigenerational story and these two women and young Polly (I love her) are so well fleshed out and developed. There is so much sadness and passion and urgency and care and loss in this story I feel so full after finishing it. This story speaks to me in such a special way as someone who works in conservation and is a love letter to the old trees that have seen and held us throughout our lives. Ugh I am just so full and warm after finishing this and I think it would be a brilliant book club pick!! So much to think about and discuss. The ending is perfection.
Audiobook - beautiful narration with 3 narrators to represent our 3 wonderful main characters.
July 14, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Forest Becomes Her
Author: Julie Carrick Dalton
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: July 14, 2026
ECO-FICTION
FICTION
MAGICAL REALISM
NATURE MYSTERIES
This book is going down as one of the most metaphysical reads for 2026. At first, I was wary of the premise and couldn’t make sense of the storyline. But, and I would encourage you, keep reading.
I like books that make you think outside of reality. This is one such book, and it involves the contemporary problem of developers who tear down (clear-cut) large batches of trees to make building new homes easier. The builders' hypocrisy in claiming the homes are eco-friendly, even after they have erased thousands of trees, is astounding, and I was once a working real estate agent. Today, as in this book, the loss of trees results in rampant flooding, forest loss, habitat loss, etc. It IS criminal.
The story revolves around one last 400-year-old oak that has always been part of a forest but is now dying. Three women, Hazel, Polly, and Stella, are the main characters and represent three different generations but are also directly impacted by the impending death of the oak. They are all connected to the silent call of nature’s mysteries.
Yes, I know this sounds unusual, but I promise it comes together. I do think this would make a good book club read. It is never too late to be concerned about the connection between humans and nature.
#TheForestBecomesHer
@juliecdalton
@netgalley
@stmartinspress
#loss
#transformation
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
The Forest Becomes Her
Author: Julie Carrick Dalton
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: July 14, 2026
ECO-FICTION
FICTION
MAGICAL REALISM
NATURE MYSTERIES
This book is going down as one of the most metaphysical reads for 2026. At first, I was wary of the premise and couldn’t make sense of the storyline. But, and I would encourage you, keep reading.
I like books that make you think outside of reality. This is one such book, and it involves the contemporary problem of developers who tear down (clear-cut) large batches of trees to make building new homes easier. The builders' hypocrisy in claiming the homes are eco-friendly, even after they have erased thousands of trees, is astounding, and I was once a working real estate agent. Today, as in this book, the loss of trees results in rampant flooding, forest loss, habitat loss, etc. It IS criminal.
The story revolves around one last 400-year-old oak that has always been part of a forest but is now dying. Three women, Hazel, Polly, and Stella, are the main characters and represent three different generations but are also directly impacted by the impending death of the oak. They are all connected to the silent call of nature’s mysteries.
Yes, I know this sounds unusual, but I promise it comes together. I do think this would make a good book club read. It is never too late to be concerned about the connection between humans and nature.
#TheForestBecomesHer
@juliecdalton
@netgalley
@stmartinspress
#loss
#transformation
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
July 14, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 From Henry David Thoreau to Joni Mitchell, every generation has voices that speak for the trees. And you probably do not have to stray too far from your home base to see that they continue to “pave paradise and put up a parking lot.” Julie Carrick Dalton passionately tackles deforestation through the lens of three women in Massachusetts. Battling their own personal traumas, their paths intersect in their community known through great literary works, as the ramifications of recent overdevelopment impact this once bucolic town.
I own my bias and yes, my entire high school staged a sit-in to protest cutting down a willow tree in response to the culture changing at our school so this one really resonated with me. However, The Forest Becomes Her is a truly powerful book that carries the transgenerational struggle of balancing personal and societal gains versus protecting Mother Nature.
This story unfolds in so many layers, mirroring the deep system of roots that trees plant. Julie Carrick Dalton’s modern day nod to Transcendentalism is raw and gripping and rife with haunting heartbreak; but it is also beautifully inspiring. In a world where it’s so easy to be complacent, The Forest Becomes Her is a rallying call for action.
📖 Book Review 📖 From Henry David Thoreau to Joni Mitchell, every generation has voices that speak for the trees. And you probably do not have to stray too far from your home base to see that they continue to “pave paradise and put up a parking lot.” Julie Carrick Dalton passionately tackles deforestation through the lens of three women in Massachusetts. Battling their own personal traumas, their paths intersect in their community known through great literary works, as the ramifications of recent overdevelopment impact this once bucolic town.
I own my bias and yes, my entire high school staged a sit-in to protest cutting down a willow tree in response to the culture changing at our school so this one really resonated with me. However, The Forest Becomes Her is a truly powerful book that carries the transgenerational struggle of balancing personal and societal gains versus protecting Mother Nature.
This story unfolds in so many layers, mirroring the deep system of roots that trees plant. Julie Carrick Dalton’s modern day nod to Transcendentalism is raw and gripping and rife with haunting heartbreak; but it is also beautifully inspiring. In a world where it’s so easy to be complacent, The Forest Becomes Her is a rallying call for action.
October 13, 2026
THE FOREST BECOMES HER is a hauntingly beautiful novel about the female body, the impact of grief, the importance of community, and our connection to the ancient life form of trees.
Polly, Stella, and Hazel live in an eco-friendly development in Concord, MA that, ironically, erased an old hardwood forest. Polly, an adolescent environmentalist, mourns the loss of the mother who taught her about trees; Hazel, a landscape architect, grieves the loss of her un-born baby; Stella, a menopausal real-estate agent, tries to salvage her tattered reputation and avoid bankruptcy. Isolated by trauma, loss, and regret, they come together through a strong--and growing--connection to the centuries-old oak that is the sole survivor of the bulldozed forest.
They also feel--inexplicably--the ghosts of the downed trees and sense the need to preserve the memories of the oak by connecting it to another old forest, one that is also under threat. What they don't know, but the reader does, is that the old oak has reached the end of its life, and the clock is ticking.
The result is a powerful page-turner with a touch of the supernatural.
Polly, Stella, and Hazel live in an eco-friendly development in Concord, MA that, ironically, erased an old hardwood forest. Polly, an adolescent environmentalist, mourns the loss of the mother who taught her about trees; Hazel, a landscape architect, grieves the loss of her un-born baby; Stella, a menopausal real-estate agent, tries to salvage her tattered reputation and avoid bankruptcy. Isolated by trauma, loss, and regret, they come together through a strong--and growing--connection to the centuries-old oak that is the sole survivor of the bulldozed forest.
They also feel--inexplicably--the ghosts of the downed trees and sense the need to preserve the memories of the oak by connecting it to another old forest, one that is also under threat. What they don't know, but the reader does, is that the old oak has reached the end of its life, and the clock is ticking.
The result is a powerful page-turner with a touch of the supernatural.
February 3, 2026
How do I describe this book? The Forest Becomes Her had me captivated from start to finish. It had kind of a horror feel but was definitely not horror. Every character was deep. The plot has you rooting every second for the old growth forests. The writing was lyrical and mystical. I loved every second of this book and could not put it down.
(Thanks goodreads for the giveaway)
(Thanks goodreads for the giveaway)
June 13, 2026
Beautifully written, beautifully imagined novel of transformation. Three women in different stages of their lives find themselves fighting to save the last old oak tree standing in a plot of land that’s been deforested in order to build a subdivision. Finely crafted eco-fiction with a dash of the supernatural and body horror. The language is verdant and entwined and the story completely captivating. A love letter to trees and forests and our fragile earth.
August 3, 2026
4.5 stars. This book is making me glad I have lots of trees in my yard and live across the street from the woods.
October 10, 2026
I really felt a deep connection with this novel.
There are some triggers: loss of a parent, loss of a child, but it is really beautifully written.
There are some triggers: loss of a parent, loss of a child, but it is really beautifully written.
July 15, 2026
The Forest Becomes Her
By: Julie Carrick Dalton
Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Tour: MB Communications
This novel is not my normal genre, but I took a chance, and I am glad I did. The forest in Concord, Massachusetts holds many dreams and other incredible things.
The forest is destroyed when a new housing area is developed. This affects everyone.
This novel explores trauma, magic realism, multi-generational relationships, and mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a book that will probably be interpreted by each reader in a multitude of different ways. There’s lots of symbolism and the primary theme to me was that of the transformation of “ordinary” women into powerful beings. Other themes around issues that women face such as aging, body changes and grief are woven throughout the story. The central characters are Polly, a young adolescent, Hazel a young woman struggling with the loss of a pregnancy and Stella, who is facing menopause. All three come together in an effort to save an old growth forest and in particular, an ancient oak tree, from ruthless and corrupt developers.
While, the genre of the book is deemed literary fiction, it seems predominantly magical realism to me. I do enjoy both genres but I found this book difficult to engage in. The growth and transformation of the characters was intriguing but something was lacking. Maybe the characters weren’t developed enough for my tastes and for me, literary fiction is all about character development and really feeling immersed in their lives as I read a book in this genre. It seemed like this was missing in this story so it just fell flat.
I listened to the audio version of the book and both narrators were very good.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
While, the genre of the book is deemed literary fiction, it seems predominantly magical realism to me. I do enjoy both genres but I found this book difficult to engage in. The growth and transformation of the characters was intriguing but something was lacking. Maybe the characters weren’t developed enough for my tastes and for me, literary fiction is all about character development and really feeling immersed in their lives as I read a book in this genre. It seemed like this was missing in this story so it just fell flat.
I listened to the audio version of the book and both narrators were very good.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
September 18, 2026
I had high hopes for this book, a story of multi-generational females with an emphasis on preserving woodlands, especially old-growth forests, told with elements of magical realism. The women, representing the three phases of womanhood, were Polly, a maiden of thirteen, Hazel, childbearer/mother, and Stella, menopausal (I won't use the term hag or crone as she was in her fifties and personally I don't care for either appellation). The setting is the historical town of Concord, Massachusetts. Polly lives with her grandfather, and her mother has died of cancer. She has always been a child of the woods, as her mother was, and their home had bordered an old woodland controlled by a hereditary group of anonymous trustees since the 1800's. The trustees had signed over a tract of forest acreage for development, which had clear cut the woods behind Polly's house. They had left one ancient oak standing in the common area as, more or less, a brand symbol of the subdivision Oak Run. Oak Run was supposed to be a sustainably built eco-friendly subdivision, but without the trees, though some of the lumber had been incorporated into the woodwork of the houses. The environmental sustainability built into the homes was a draw for people outside of the community, while the locals mourned the loss of the forest. All of this has particularly affected Polly, whose happy memories of her mother are entwined with living in the forest and observing nature.
Hazel and her husband Toby, the architect of the houses in the subdivision, are happily making a home in the new subdivision and expecting their first child. Stella served as the real estate agent for the subdivision as her brother, head of the family development company, was the developer and builder. Stella, who is struggling financially, lives next door to Hazel because her brother is letting her live there. She is desperately trying to keep her head above water, almost literally as there is a swamp in the basement of her newly built house. She is also going through the physical throes of menopause. There are unresolved family conflicts with her brother, and he makes sure she knows how she is indebted to him for a job and a roof over her head. Anything untoward she knows must be kept secret. When a storm overwhelms the infrastructure, causing flooding to nearby houses, Hazel is caught in it with tragic consequences. Stella and Toby both know that corners were cut during construction, but for reasons of their own are compelled to keep quiet about it. Hazel, overwhelmed by grief, is out for justice. This sums up the real world plot line.
Underneath this, literally, runs the magical elements of the ghost forest. Polly feels the loneliness of the old remaining oak tree that has been cut off from its underground network. It is a mother tree, though the author doesn't use that term. That is, it is one of the oldest trees in the forest that helps to nurture and protect its progeny and neighbors while supporting the life of the forest with all its accumulated knowledge. Polly wants to create a bridge to the remaining forest with young saplings she has grown so that the old oak won't feel cut off. This, however, is against the rules of the homeowners' association which is zealously watched over by Toby's sister. Polly soon runs into trouble, but Hazel and Stella come to her support. Hazel, a landscape architect by training, is suffering from grief and undergoing strange changes in her body. Getting her hands in the soil at night seems to be the only thing that remedies them. Stella is having weird experiences of her own where a plant seems to be growing out of a splinter in the palm of her hand. In the latter part of the book the magical realism comes on very strong.
While I thought the nature writing parts of the book were lyrical and evocative, I felt the author tried too hard. She brought in Emerson and the Over Soul, and obviously derived much from current works about micorrhizal networks and inter-plant communication. All of which is interesting and perhaps unknown to many, but she was heavy handed with it. As for the characters, though her situation was sympathetic, I thought Hazel's conflict with her husband was too manufactured, as he honestly wanted to know how he could help her, yet she always shut him down because she thought he couldn't understand. She never tried to resolve anything, so it just dragged on. Also, for being a landscape architect by profession, her lack of forethought or planning for her own yard seemed strangely off. And for the ecological emphasis of the storyline, I thought the author's offhand references to the plants Hazel belatedly started considering for her lot was uninformed, as they were nearly all nonnative species. Besides which, if the community was supposedly selling themselves as being sustainable and ecological, it would have made sense to have natural areas of native plants and a community garden. So, it just didn't seem to fit. It would have made more sense if it had just been a regular development without any environmental whitewashing. Why did the author try to correlate sustainable developments with clear cutting forests?
I thought Stella was the most interesting character, but her transformation at the end of the book was way over the top for me. Generally, I felt the author went overboard with the magical realism at the end, and the book ended up being a misfit, not enough of one, and too much of the other.
Hazel and her husband Toby, the architect of the houses in the subdivision, are happily making a home in the new subdivision and expecting their first child. Stella served as the real estate agent for the subdivision as her brother, head of the family development company, was the developer and builder. Stella, who is struggling financially, lives next door to Hazel because her brother is letting her live there. She is desperately trying to keep her head above water, almost literally as there is a swamp in the basement of her newly built house. She is also going through the physical throes of menopause. There are unresolved family conflicts with her brother, and he makes sure she knows how she is indebted to him for a job and a roof over her head. Anything untoward she knows must be kept secret. When a storm overwhelms the infrastructure, causing flooding to nearby houses, Hazel is caught in it with tragic consequences. Stella and Toby both know that corners were cut during construction, but for reasons of their own are compelled to keep quiet about it. Hazel, overwhelmed by grief, is out for justice. This sums up the real world plot line.
Underneath this, literally, runs the magical elements of the ghost forest. Polly feels the loneliness of the old remaining oak tree that has been cut off from its underground network. It is a mother tree, though the author doesn't use that term. That is, it is one of the oldest trees in the forest that helps to nurture and protect its progeny and neighbors while supporting the life of the forest with all its accumulated knowledge. Polly wants to create a bridge to the remaining forest with young saplings she has grown so that the old oak won't feel cut off. This, however, is against the rules of the homeowners' association which is zealously watched over by Toby's sister. Polly soon runs into trouble, but Hazel and Stella come to her support. Hazel, a landscape architect by training, is suffering from grief and undergoing strange changes in her body. Getting her hands in the soil at night seems to be the only thing that remedies them. Stella is having weird experiences of her own where a plant seems to be growing out of a splinter in the palm of her hand. In the latter part of the book the magical realism comes on very strong.
While I thought the nature writing parts of the book were lyrical and evocative, I felt the author tried too hard. She brought in Emerson and the Over Soul, and obviously derived much from current works about micorrhizal networks and inter-plant communication. All of which is interesting and perhaps unknown to many, but she was heavy handed with it. As for the characters, though her situation was sympathetic, I thought Hazel's conflict with her husband was too manufactured, as he honestly wanted to know how he could help her, yet she always shut him down because she thought he couldn't understand. She never tried to resolve anything, so it just dragged on. Also, for being a landscape architect by profession, her lack of forethought or planning for her own yard seemed strangely off. And for the ecological emphasis of the storyline, I thought the author's offhand references to the plants Hazel belatedly started considering for her lot was uninformed, as they were nearly all nonnative species. Besides which, if the community was supposedly selling themselves as being sustainable and ecological, it would have made sense to have natural areas of native plants and a community garden. So, it just didn't seem to fit. It would have made more sense if it had just been a regular development without any environmental whitewashing. Why did the author try to correlate sustainable developments with clear cutting forests?
I thought Stella was the most interesting character, but her transformation at the end of the book was way over the top for me. Generally, I felt the author went overboard with the magical realism at the end, and the book ended up being a misfit, not enough of one, and too much of the other.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Julie Carrick Dalton has written a thoughtful, female-centered novel that blends climate fiction, family drama, mystery, and a touch of the surreal into something that feels both deeply personal and profoundly connected to the natural world.
The story follows three women whose lives become intertwined around a controversial housing development. Stella is a real estate agent desperately needing her next sale. Polly, known throughout the community as “Tree Girl,” is determined to save the forest she feels connects her to her late mother. Hazel is carrying immense grief and guilt after a tragic accident that cost her unborn child, and she begins experiencing a mysterious condition that changes the course of her life.
At its heart, this is a novel about what we owe the earth, what we owe future generations, and how deeply our identities can become tied to the places we call home. Polly’s fight to protect the forest gives the story a strong environmental core, while the mystery surrounding the land’s ownership adds an intriguing layer that kept me invested.
I will admit that the beginning is a slow burn. Dalton spends considerable time developing her characters and laying the emotional groundwork. My advice is to trust the author. The story eventually introduces a highly unusual element that I suspect will be divisive among readers. Some may find it too strange or even unsettling, while others will appreciate its symbolism and originality. Personally, I loved it. It reminded me of the way Shark Heart embraces the unconventional to explore grief, transformation, and human connection.
Thematically, this book brought to mind The Lorax and The Giving Tree, but for an adult audience. It examines the relationship between women, nature, caregiving, sacrifice, and renewal in ways that felt powerful and memorable. The novel asks readers to consider the value of every living thing and challenges us to think about our responsibility to the world around us.
The audiobook is excellent. With multiple narrators bringing the different perspectives to life, the performances added depth to each character. I was especially impressed by the narrator portraying Polly. Adult narrators reading child characters can sometimes feel exaggerated or patronizing, but that was never the case here. Polly’s voice felt authentic, emotional, and completely believable.
If you enjoy climate fiction, character-driven stories, books with magical or speculative elements, and novels that aren’t afraid to take risks, I highly recommend this one. It’s an unusual story, but one that has stayed with me long after I finished listening.
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.
The story follows three women whose lives become intertwined around a controversial housing development. Stella is a real estate agent desperately needing her next sale. Polly, known throughout the community as “Tree Girl,” is determined to save the forest she feels connects her to her late mother. Hazel is carrying immense grief and guilt after a tragic accident that cost her unborn child, and she begins experiencing a mysterious condition that changes the course of her life.
At its heart, this is a novel about what we owe the earth, what we owe future generations, and how deeply our identities can become tied to the places we call home. Polly’s fight to protect the forest gives the story a strong environmental core, while the mystery surrounding the land’s ownership adds an intriguing layer that kept me invested.
I will admit that the beginning is a slow burn. Dalton spends considerable time developing her characters and laying the emotional groundwork. My advice is to trust the author. The story eventually introduces a highly unusual element that I suspect will be divisive among readers. Some may find it too strange or even unsettling, while others will appreciate its symbolism and originality. Personally, I loved it. It reminded me of the way Shark Heart embraces the unconventional to explore grief, transformation, and human connection.
Thematically, this book brought to mind The Lorax and The Giving Tree, but for an adult audience. It examines the relationship between women, nature, caregiving, sacrifice, and renewal in ways that felt powerful and memorable. The novel asks readers to consider the value of every living thing and challenges us to think about our responsibility to the world around us.
The audiobook is excellent. With multiple narrators bringing the different perspectives to life, the performances added depth to each character. I was especially impressed by the narrator portraying Polly. Adult narrators reading child characters can sometimes feel exaggerated or patronizing, but that was never the case here. Polly’s voice felt authentic, emotional, and completely believable.
If you enjoy climate fiction, character-driven stories, books with magical or speculative elements, and novels that aren’t afraid to take risks, I highly recommend this one. It’s an unusual story, but one that has stayed with me long after I finished listening.
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.
October 29, 2026
The Forest Becomes Her is an atmospheric, emotionally rich novel about three women from different generations whose lives become intertwined through grief, environmental destruction, and a mysterious connection to nature.
It combines family drama, environmental issues and a touch of the supernatural.
The story takes place in historic Concord, Massachusetts. A centuries-old forest has been destroyed to make room for a supposedly environmentally friendly housing development. New homeowners are delighted with their beautiful houses, but longtime residents are devastated by the loss of the forest.
One enormous oak tree remains standing.
When tragedy strikes one of the new residents, Hazel Stoddard, she begins experiencing something strange: an almost supernatural connection to the land where the forest once stood.
She isn't the only one. Two other women, Stella snd Polly, are experiencing their own mysterious connections to the disappearing natural world.
Together, they become determined to protect the remaining oak tree, even as strange shadows and unexplained experiences begin affecting their lives. 
This book was picked up during our book crawl last April. It was an advanced reader copy. At first, I almost tossed it aside because it is a literary fiction, but I decided due to the cover that I would read it. It finally made its way to the top of my TBR and I opened the book and started reading page one.
Yes I am a tree hugger and I love being outdoors. Three years ago that would’ve been a different story. But this book did have a grasp due to the environmental part of it. I found the writing to be slow and I don’t connect with literary fiction as well as I do a mystery. So it was hard for me to read straight through. In fact, it took me 2 1/2 days to read this 300+ page book. It does make a statement supporting our environment over money and greed. For that I applaud the author. I give the book 4 stars.
It combines family drama, environmental issues and a touch of the supernatural.
The story takes place in historic Concord, Massachusetts. A centuries-old forest has been destroyed to make room for a supposedly environmentally friendly housing development. New homeowners are delighted with their beautiful houses, but longtime residents are devastated by the loss of the forest.
One enormous oak tree remains standing.
When tragedy strikes one of the new residents, Hazel Stoddard, she begins experiencing something strange: an almost supernatural connection to the land where the forest once stood.
She isn't the only one. Two other women, Stella snd Polly, are experiencing their own mysterious connections to the disappearing natural world.
Together, they become determined to protect the remaining oak tree, even as strange shadows and unexplained experiences begin affecting their lives. 
This book was picked up during our book crawl last April. It was an advanced reader copy. At first, I almost tossed it aside because it is a literary fiction, but I decided due to the cover that I would read it. It finally made its way to the top of my TBR and I opened the book and started reading page one.
Yes I am a tree hugger and I love being outdoors. Three years ago that would’ve been a different story. But this book did have a grasp due to the environmental part of it. I found the writing to be slow and I don’t connect with literary fiction as well as I do a mystery. So it was hard for me to read straight through. In fact, it took me 2 1/2 days to read this 300+ page book. It does make a statement supporting our environment over money and greed. For that I applaud the author. I give the book 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a “tree person” and a lover of the magical realism genre, I was looking forward to reading this novel. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. First, it was a slow start with alternating perspectives that felt disjointed. Second, the magical realism aspect crossed over into full blown science fiction, containing horror elements. Lastly, the resolution of several suspenseful threads did not deliver.
Three women become united through their connection with a 400-year-old Oak tree, the lone survivor of an old growth forest in Concord, Massachusetts, decimated for the purpose of building eco-sustainable homes. Polly, a thirteen-year-old activist, has deep ties to the forest in general and the remaining tree in particular. Stella, a real estate agent, is an unhappy menopausal woman and the best friend of Polly’s deceased mother. Hazel is a young, married woman whose hopes and dreams of a home and family have been shattered by a tragic car accident.
The author does a credible job in exploring the importance of the forest as a living entity – critical to the balance between the interconnected system of multiple species, including humans. The effects of the loss of the trees in the name of progress (and greed) are graphically described. The primary characters are well-drawn and believable in their emotional tone. Sadly, the shrill HOA administrator comes across as a clichéd villain lacking any empathy.
Overall, this read was not as enjoyable as I had anticipated and I can only give it a lukewarm recommendation.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Three women become united through their connection with a 400-year-old Oak tree, the lone survivor of an old growth forest in Concord, Massachusetts, decimated for the purpose of building eco-sustainable homes. Polly, a thirteen-year-old activist, has deep ties to the forest in general and the remaining tree in particular. Stella, a real estate agent, is an unhappy menopausal woman and the best friend of Polly’s deceased mother. Hazel is a young, married woman whose hopes and dreams of a home and family have been shattered by a tragic car accident.
The author does a credible job in exploring the importance of the forest as a living entity – critical to the balance between the interconnected system of multiple species, including humans. The effects of the loss of the trees in the name of progress (and greed) are graphically described. The primary characters are well-drawn and believable in their emotional tone. Sadly, the shrill HOA administrator comes across as a clichéd villain lacking any empathy.
Overall, this read was not as enjoyable as I had anticipated and I can only give it a lukewarm recommendation.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The message is strong about the importance of trees amongst us.
The story showed the destructive impact from developers who cleared a forest to build houses not far from Boston. Sadly, all the trees were wiped out except a 400-year-old oak, thanks to a young teenager, Polly, who was determined to save it. She reminded me of the environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, when she was 15. Throughout the story, there were concerns about the uncontrolled floods, soil erosion and effect on wildlife.
At the start, Hazel while driving in a storm was caught when the road buckled. She survived but was pregnant and lost her baby. Her life was consumed with grief and she started to reflect upon Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy that an Over-Soul connects all living things.
The main characters seemed to be trapped in some sort of fantasy with the trees whispering words to them. Oddly, rashes on their skin started to appear like bark and tiny pieces of leaves. It was an original way of expressing the detrimental effects of clearing forests. However, it was hard for me to grasp the idea of the imaginative tree responses with such a deep concern.
With storms getting more prevalent, removing trees is a huge issue especially where I live in the south. Developers have a rigorous process to follow with strict professional tree surveys. It was hard for me to imagine how this -- even in the northern parts -- could get approved. I would have wanted to know more about it. It’s true: corruption hurts – all of us.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC with an expected release date of July 14, 2026. The views I share are my own.
The story showed the destructive impact from developers who cleared a forest to build houses not far from Boston. Sadly, all the trees were wiped out except a 400-year-old oak, thanks to a young teenager, Polly, who was determined to save it. She reminded me of the environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, when she was 15. Throughout the story, there were concerns about the uncontrolled floods, soil erosion and effect on wildlife.
At the start, Hazel while driving in a storm was caught when the road buckled. She survived but was pregnant and lost her baby. Her life was consumed with grief and she started to reflect upon Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy that an Over-Soul connects all living things.
The main characters seemed to be trapped in some sort of fantasy with the trees whispering words to them. Oddly, rashes on their skin started to appear like bark and tiny pieces of leaves. It was an original way of expressing the detrimental effects of clearing forests. However, it was hard for me to grasp the idea of the imaginative tree responses with such a deep concern.
With storms getting more prevalent, removing trees is a huge issue especially where I live in the south. Developers have a rigorous process to follow with strict professional tree surveys. It was hard for me to imagine how this -- even in the northern parts -- could get approved. I would have wanted to know more about it. It’s true: corruption hurts – all of us.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC with an expected release date of July 14, 2026. The views I share are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Forest Becomes Her holds a lot of compelling points. For that I give it 3 stars, generously. But I personally did not connect to the story or the characters.
I felt the issues with the three women dragged on, got too sci fi (Beyond magical realism) and got overly emotionally dramatic. The pacing was painfully slow. Enough to actually make me angry. I did like parts of the story following Hazel, but I think that was more because I really liked her narrator in the audiobook.
I think the story could have used some cutting back. I don’t know why an entire chapter was dedicated to a young girl’s first period. Descriptively so. There was a lot of tangents like that throughout the book that added nothing to the main story.
I felt like I needed to be pagan or a worshipper of trees for this book. I don’t know. It did not click. I have a deep connection to the environment- to trees, to plants, to animals, to the natural world, which is why I was so compelled to read this one, but this was too cringey for me.
To be fair, I think the author writes very well, and has some educational pieces about trees and mushrooms that were interesting. I think there is a strong over arching message that is important about the way we treat the environment. I think the characters were emotionally developed, although they were all a bit “good” or “bad.” I recommend reading the 4 and 5 star reviews as well, as this book did seem to resonate with others better.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
I felt the issues with the three women dragged on, got too sci fi (Beyond magical realism) and got overly emotionally dramatic. The pacing was painfully slow. Enough to actually make me angry. I did like parts of the story following Hazel, but I think that was more because I really liked her narrator in the audiobook.
I think the story could have used some cutting back. I don’t know why an entire chapter was dedicated to a young girl’s first period. Descriptively so. There was a lot of tangents like that throughout the book that added nothing to the main story.
I felt like I needed to be pagan or a worshipper of trees for this book. I don’t know. It did not click. I have a deep connection to the environment- to trees, to plants, to animals, to the natural world, which is why I was so compelled to read this one, but this was too cringey for me.
To be fair, I think the author writes very well, and has some educational pieces about trees and mushrooms that were interesting. I think there is a strong over arching message that is important about the way we treat the environment. I think the characters were emotionally developed, although they were all a bit “good” or “bad.” I recommend reading the 4 and 5 star reviews as well, as this book did seem to resonate with others better.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into The Forest Becomes Her really intrigued by its premise of three women from different generations brought together by the destruction of an old-growth forest. There’s a strong emotional core here, especially in how the story explores grief, environmental loss, and the complicated ways people cope with both.
The character’s were a highlight for me. Polly’s perspective felt especially vivid and heartfelt; her love for nature and her frustration with the adults around her came across as very real. Hazel’s grief and anger were also easy to connect with, and Stella’s internal struggles added another layer of depth. Their shared connection to the forest, and to each other, had a lot of potential and, at times, really shined.
That said, the pacing and structure made it a bit harder for me to fully settle into the story. The shifting perspectives felt somewhat disjointed early on, and it took a while for everything to come together. I was also surprised by the direction the book ultimately takes. What begins as grounded magical realism gradually shifts into something much more surreal and unsettling. While I can appreciate the ambition behind this, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and pulled me out of the story at times.
There are some compelling ideas here, particularly around the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, and the cost of progress, but the execution didn’t fully land for me.
Overall, this was a mixed read: thoughtful and emotionally resonant in places, but uneven in pacing and tone. I’m glad I read it, even if it didn’t completely click for me.
The character’s were a highlight for me. Polly’s perspective felt especially vivid and heartfelt; her love for nature and her frustration with the adults around her came across as very real. Hazel’s grief and anger were also easy to connect with, and Stella’s internal struggles added another layer of depth. Their shared connection to the forest, and to each other, had a lot of potential and, at times, really shined.
That said, the pacing and structure made it a bit harder for me to fully settle into the story. The shifting perspectives felt somewhat disjointed early on, and it took a while for everything to come together. I was also surprised by the direction the book ultimately takes. What begins as grounded magical realism gradually shifts into something much more surreal and unsettling. While I can appreciate the ambition behind this, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and pulled me out of the story at times.
There are some compelling ideas here, particularly around the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, and the cost of progress, but the execution didn’t fully land for me.
Overall, this was a mixed read: thoughtful and emotionally resonant in places, but uneven in pacing and tone. I’m glad I read it, even if it didn’t completely click for me.
July 3, 2026
I loved this book. The magical realism element was fantastic! There are three viewpoints shown in the book. One is Hazel, who was in an accident when the bridge she was driving on collapsed beneath her car. This resulted in the loss of her child who she was pregnant with. She is mourning her child while at the same time looking to find who is responsible for the bridge collapse. Stella is her neighbor, and she is also a realtor for the community in which they live. She was best friend with another character's (Polly) mother and promised that she would look after the girl once the mother died. Along the way, we learn that Stella may have helped her real estate developer brother do some shady things to make way for the community in which Stella and Hazel now live. Polly is a young teenager whose family has lived on a parcel of land surrounded by forests for at least three generations. When the new housing development clear cut a nearby forest to make way for the houses, Polly became insistent that she replant the trees. Along the way, she meets a friend who tells her about the fungi that help a tree communicate with other trees. Polly starts a movement to plant more trees that others soon latch onto.
The really interesting part is that Hazel and Stella start to BECOME trees. The forest is reclaiming them. This was a fascinating book about forest clearing, coming of age and reckoning with the adults in your life maybe not being what you had thought they were, and choosing what's right instead of what's easiest. I would highly recommend this book!
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The really interesting part is that Hazel and Stella start to BECOME trees. The forest is reclaiming them. This was a fascinating book about forest clearing, coming of age and reckoning with the adults in your life maybe not being what you had thought they were, and choosing what's right instead of what's easiest. I would highly recommend this book!
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews