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Wildewood
You don’t need to run, my beloved. Not anymore. It’s time to come home to Wildewood…
The last of the de Wildes, scientist Alex point-blank refuses to believe the family is cursed – even though all her relatives died in mysterious circumstances at their ancestral manor, Wildewood. Now her twin brother has passed away there too. All she wants is to finally sell the old place and move on.
But Nick, the brooding, dangerously hot groundskeeper and her brother’s best friend seems determined to stand in her way. He was a suspect in her brother’s death. And Alex can find no records of him before he came to Wildewood 15 years ago…
Yet, when Alex nearly falls to her death restlessly pacing the shadowy halls in the dead of night, it’s Nick that saves her life. Cradled in his arms at the bottom of the winding staircase, Alex is barely able to stop herself kissing him as a sultry voice from seemingly deep within the house whispers, just give in.
But this near-death experience isn’t the last. Increasingly strange and potentially fatal accidents mount – each with striking similarity to those that claimed her relatives. Alex is forced to dig into her family’s wretched history, with Nick’s help. But are they ready to face just how dark the heart of Wildewood truly is?
This absolutely gripping and unputdownable gothic romance is perfect for fans of Grimstone, Gothikana and Karina Halle.
The last of the de Wildes, scientist Alex point-blank refuses to believe the family is cursed – even though all her relatives died in mysterious circumstances at their ancestral manor, Wildewood. Now her twin brother has passed away there too. All she wants is to finally sell the old place and move on.
But Nick, the brooding, dangerously hot groundskeeper and her brother’s best friend seems determined to stand in her way. He was a suspect in her brother’s death. And Alex can find no records of him before he came to Wildewood 15 years ago…
Yet, when Alex nearly falls to her death restlessly pacing the shadowy halls in the dead of night, it’s Nick that saves her life. Cradled in his arms at the bottom of the winding staircase, Alex is barely able to stop herself kissing him as a sultry voice from seemingly deep within the house whispers, just give in.
But this near-death experience isn’t the last. Increasingly strange and potentially fatal accidents mount – each with striking similarity to those that claimed her relatives. Alex is forced to dig into her family’s wretched history, with Nick’s help. But are they ready to face just how dark the heart of Wildewood truly is?
This absolutely gripping and unputdownable gothic romance is perfect for fans of Grimstone, Gothikana and Karina Halle.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2026
182 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Thorne
14 books260 followersJessica Thorne watched far too much sci-fi and read far too much fantasy at an impressionable age. And it was awesome. She writes fantasy and sci-fi romance with a steampunk edge and just refuses to face reality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
January 4, 2026
Solid 3.75-4 ⭐️ read!
What to expect:
🏰 haunted manor & woods in rural Scotland
🏰 grumpy grounds keeper
🏰 skeptic from a ghost hunter show
🏰 the feeling of being watched
🏰 creepy voices & things being moved 🖼️
🏰 gothic horror romance (light on the horror but parts are very spooky 👹)
✨ Thank you Bookouture Audio, Second Sky Books & Jessica Thorne for a free copy of this ALC. All opinions are my own.
Alex comes back to her family manor after her brother (& previously her father) dies. She is now the sole living Dewilde family member and intends on selling the property to a hotel chain, because she has some bad childhood memories there. Besides, she’s already established a life elsewhere as a skeptic on a ghost hunter show - being a doctor that finds a scientific or rational explanation for everything that happens in these supposed “haunted” houses. 👻
She meets Nick, the brooding groundskeeper of the manor and also her brother’s best friend. Strange things start happening around the manor and Nick doesn’t seem to be telling Alex everything, nor would Alex believe him if he did.
🎧 Narrator Aoife McMahon does such a beautiful job with this audiobook. Her Scottish accent is music to my ears 👂🏼🩷 and the tone of her voice added to the atmospheric vibes in this story. My only complaint would be her American accent- those characters’ voices had me snickering and knocked me out the story. I kind of felt like I was being made fun of! 🤭 Thankfully those were super minor characters.
The first 80% of this book, I intended on giving the book 5 ⭐️. I was enjoying the spooky vibes and the yearning budding romance. But then the 💩 starts hitting the fan and it just gets kind of weird. It could be good weird depending on what you like to read about (no judgement from me). But it was a little hard to picture in my mind what is happening.
Also I wish the friendship/romance would’ve been developed a little more. It just seemed like they went from 0 ➡️ 999 and it gave insta-love vibes (not really my thing). The FMC says in her thoughts “I barely know him” multiple times and I thought- but why not? You guys are living in the same house alone. Why wasn’t there more interaction & friendship development here?
Overall I was pleasantly surprised about this book. I found myself waking up thinking about it and excited to get back to the story to see what happens. I am a HUGE sucker for any book set in Scotland and I feel that the description should mention that it is set there as I would’ve picked it up so much faster. 🏴
I also enjoyed the revelations at the end about the characters, which were hinted at but when revealed, elevated the story even more in my mind. Fabulous & unique story if you want a spooky romance story!
What to expect:
🏰 haunted manor & woods in rural Scotland
🏰 grumpy grounds keeper
🏰 skeptic from a ghost hunter show
🏰 the feeling of being watched
🏰 creepy voices & things being moved 🖼️
🏰 gothic horror romance (light on the horror but parts are very spooky 👹)
✨ Thank you Bookouture Audio, Second Sky Books & Jessica Thorne for a free copy of this ALC. All opinions are my own.
Alex comes back to her family manor after her brother (& previously her father) dies. She is now the sole living Dewilde family member and intends on selling the property to a hotel chain, because she has some bad childhood memories there. Besides, she’s already established a life elsewhere as a skeptic on a ghost hunter show - being a doctor that finds a scientific or rational explanation for everything that happens in these supposed “haunted” houses. 👻
She meets Nick, the brooding groundskeeper of the manor and also her brother’s best friend. Strange things start happening around the manor and Nick doesn’t seem to be telling Alex everything, nor would Alex believe him if he did.
🎧 Narrator Aoife McMahon does such a beautiful job with this audiobook. Her Scottish accent is music to my ears 👂🏼🩷 and the tone of her voice added to the atmospheric vibes in this story. My only complaint would be her American accent- those characters’ voices had me snickering and knocked me out the story. I kind of felt like I was being made fun of! 🤭 Thankfully those were super minor characters.
The first 80% of this book, I intended on giving the book 5 ⭐️. I was enjoying the spooky vibes and the yearning budding romance. But then the 💩 starts hitting the fan and it just gets kind of weird. It could be good weird depending on what you like to read about (no judgement from me). But it was a little hard to picture in my mind what is happening.
Also I wish the friendship/romance would’ve been developed a little more. It just seemed like they went from 0 ➡️ 999 and it gave insta-love vibes (not really my thing). The FMC says in her thoughts “I barely know him” multiple times and I thought- but why not? You guys are living in the same house alone. Why wasn’t there more interaction & friendship development here?
Overall I was pleasantly surprised about this book. I found myself waking up thinking about it and excited to get back to the story to see what happens. I am a HUGE sucker for any book set in Scotland and I feel that the description should mention that it is set there as I would’ve picked it up so much faster. 🏴
I also enjoyed the revelations at the end about the characters, which were hinted at but when revealed, elevated the story even more in my mind. Fabulous & unique story if you want a spooky romance story!
December 3, 2025
This one was a wild ride; no pun intended.
First off, I enjoyed the setting of this book. It was eerie and creepy, and I was genuinely a little scared at times. The family history and the lore of the haunting was really interesting; it felt fresh and unique to the story. What I didn’t like as much were the main characters. I had a hard time connecting with them, both individually and with their romance. I don’t think the dual POV was necessary for this book, and the story would have benefited from creating more mystery around Nick’s character. His POV didn’t add much to the story, and it made his relationship with Alex come across as insta love, which felt unrealistic for characters in their 30s.
While this wasn’t a 5 star read for me, it was still an entertaining dark paranormal romance that was easy and fun to read.
Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
First off, I enjoyed the setting of this book. It was eerie and creepy, and I was genuinely a little scared at times. The family history and the lore of the haunting was really interesting; it felt fresh and unique to the story. What I didn’t like as much were the main characters. I had a hard time connecting with them, both individually and with their romance. I don’t think the dual POV was necessary for this book, and the story would have benefited from creating more mystery around Nick’s character. His POV didn’t add much to the story, and it made his relationship with Alex come across as insta love, which felt unrealistic for characters in their 30s.
While this wasn’t a 5 star read for me, it was still an entertaining dark paranormal romance that was easy and fun to read.
Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this audiobook!
Upon starting it, I expected more of a fantasy but it reads more like historical fiction. There is a huge nothing feel, and I loved the setting of the Wildewood manor and the mystery surrounding it.
This is one of those books that while a great read, it is just further enhanced by the fabulous narration. Aoife McMahon is utterly superb and is perfect for the role to bring this book to life.
Upon starting it, I expected more of a fantasy but it reads more like historical fiction. There is a huge nothing feel, and I loved the setting of the Wildewood manor and the mystery surrounding it.
This is one of those books that while a great read, it is just further enhanced by the fabulous narration. Aoife McMahon is utterly superb and is perfect for the role to bring this book to life.
January 1, 2026
This was a solid 4 and then that ending 😍 pushing it right into 5 stars. Love Nick as a protective caring (he cooks) mmc and this was an awesome combination of Mayfair witches and the haunting of hill house. Narrator did a great job with all the Irish accents and words and bringing this to life definitely recommend the audio book! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for this alc!
January 9, 2026
I really lost the love for this book along the way.
The dark family history and the creepy old manor house created an atmospheric setting and there were definitely compelling moments throughout the story. I think having Alex (the FMC) be foresworn sceptic to anything supernatural did add an element of tension when things inevitably unravelled - some of it did genuinely feel eerie.
However, my biggest issue with this book that inevitably ended up taking away from everything else was the pacing. I felt that we had a climax in the plot at around the 60% mark and when that didn't result in an ending, I was content to see how the situation spiralled. But when it happened the second, then third, fourth time I felt wrongely baited by the writing. It effectively meant that I lost interest before the real ending was revealed.
I think this story could have been a lot more effective if it really claimed the setting it was creating and settled for a traditional plot journey instead of trying to do something clever to introduce a greater element of surprise.
The dark family history and the creepy old manor house created an atmospheric setting and there were definitely compelling moments throughout the story. I think having Alex (the FMC) be foresworn sceptic to anything supernatural did add an element of tension when things inevitably unravelled - some of it did genuinely feel eerie.
However, my biggest issue with this book that inevitably ended up taking away from everything else was the pacing. I felt that we had a climax in the plot at around the 60% mark and when that didn't result in an ending, I was content to see how the situation spiralled. But when it happened the second, then third, fourth time I felt wrongely baited by the writing. It effectively meant that I lost interest before the real ending was revealed.
I think this story could have been a lot more effective if it really claimed the setting it was creating and settled for a traditional plot journey instead of trying to do something clever to introduce a greater element of surprise.
January 12, 2026
A paranormal romance with a cursed family and a gothic haunted possessed house? Obviously a yes!
I loved how the FMC flat out refuses to believe anything unnatural is going on until the evidence is undeniable, usually it’s the men who are in disbelief so switching the gender roles was fun for me. Also the hot groundskeeper who has no accessible information about his previous life before working on the grounds, mysterious, suspicious, interesting and tempting! I love a good mystery with a side of romance and this was a fun read!
I loved how the FMC flat out refuses to believe anything unnatural is going on until the evidence is undeniable, usually it’s the men who are in disbelief so switching the gender roles was fun for me. Also the hot groundskeeper who has no accessible information about his previous life before working on the grounds, mysterious, suspicious, interesting and tempting! I love a good mystery with a side of romance and this was a fun read!
December 5, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Alex returns for the first time in twenty years to the ancient mansion her family has owned for centuries, tucked away in rural Ireland. After the tragic death of her twin brother Theo and, before that, her father, she wants nothing to do with the house. She plans to sort out the inheritance and sell it. But when she arrives, she is met by Nick, the caretaker and Theo’s best friend, who tries to convince her not to sell, because an ancient evil is hidden within the walls and is ready to break free.
Although the story is fairly predictable, it’s written in such a vivid, engaging way that you can feel the characters’ emotions and the pull between them. Some moments are genuinely frightening, in the best traditions of gothic fiction, where the central figure is the house itself, described as “part Manderley, part Thornfield Hall, part Hill House.”
What I loved most was Theo as a character and the story of his origins. He looks like a massive brute, but in reality he’s a very sensitive and vulnerable person, and meeting Alex, despite the horrors they endure, turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.
I think this book is perfect for long autumn or winter evenings if you enjoy atmospheric haunted-house stories with a touch of romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alex returns for the first time in twenty years to the ancient mansion her family has owned for centuries, tucked away in rural Ireland. After the tragic death of her twin brother Theo and, before that, her father, she wants nothing to do with the house. She plans to sort out the inheritance and sell it. But when she arrives, she is met by Nick, the caretaker and Theo’s best friend, who tries to convince her not to sell, because an ancient evil is hidden within the walls and is ready to break free.
Although the story is fairly predictable, it’s written in such a vivid, engaging way that you can feel the characters’ emotions and the pull between them. Some moments are genuinely frightening, in the best traditions of gothic fiction, where the central figure is the house itself, described as “part Manderley, part Thornfield Hall, part Hill House.”
What I loved most was Theo as a character and the story of his origins. He looks like a massive brute, but in reality he’s a very sensitive and vulnerable person, and meeting Alex, despite the horrors they endure, turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.
I think this book is perfect for long autumn or winter evenings if you enjoy atmospheric haunted-house stories with a touch of romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2026
I have to say that I was not immediately pulled in with this book. Initially I was not really liking it. But, as it progressed, it yanked me right in!
Alex de Wilde is brought back to her ancestral home where she has lots of memories… many of them NOT great ones…
Her father died in the home. And, her twin brother died outside of it. Now she is here basically to just sell it.
But when she meets Nick, the groundskeeper, he begs her not to do that.
She doesn’t even like Nick, so she’s not going to listen to him. BUT, his daughter Maeve is something else! She’s truly an Angel… complete with imaginary friends. And she’s growing very fond of her!
So, when Alex finds herself sprawled at the bottom of the of a staircase, and Nick rushes in to save her, she realizes that maybe, he’s not so bad… after all.
Mind you there are lots of rumors about this house and the goings on here.. and all the deaths…. And spirits. And otherworldly beings…
Also bear in mind that Alex does not believe in ghosts… and has actually gone out of her way to prove that they do not exist! So when she starts to experience some strange things, well, she can’t explain it. But it definitely cannot be ghosts!
I loved the vast descriptions of the house and the property! And I also loved how each of the characters were built up and seemed to have depth! So yes, I did enjoy this one in the long run!
4 creepy, scary, ghostly, spirit-y stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
#Wildewood by @JessicaThorne and narrated nicely by @AoifeMcMahon.
This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, but is due out in ONE WEEK on 1/9/26! So, look 👀 for it then!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #BookoutureAudio and @SecondSkyBooks for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Alex de Wilde is brought back to her ancestral home where she has lots of memories… many of them NOT great ones…
Her father died in the home. And, her twin brother died outside of it. Now she is here basically to just sell it.
But when she meets Nick, the groundskeeper, he begs her not to do that.
She doesn’t even like Nick, so she’s not going to listen to him. BUT, his daughter Maeve is something else! She’s truly an Angel… complete with imaginary friends. And she’s growing very fond of her!
So, when Alex finds herself sprawled at the bottom of the of a staircase, and Nick rushes in to save her, she realizes that maybe, he’s not so bad… after all.
Mind you there are lots of rumors about this house and the goings on here.. and all the deaths…. And spirits. And otherworldly beings…
Also bear in mind that Alex does not believe in ghosts… and has actually gone out of her way to prove that they do not exist! So when she starts to experience some strange things, well, she can’t explain it. But it definitely cannot be ghosts!
I loved the vast descriptions of the house and the property! And I also loved how each of the characters were built up and seemed to have depth! So yes, I did enjoy this one in the long run!
4 creepy, scary, ghostly, spirit-y stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
#Wildewood by @JessicaThorne and narrated nicely by @AoifeMcMahon.
This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, but is due out in ONE WEEK on 1/9/26! So, look 👀 for it then!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #BookoutureAudio and @SecondSkyBooks for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
February 23, 2026
3 stars
Wildewood is a wild and atmospheric romance story. Duel perspective with mysteries death, a dark haunted house and a sweet bearded keeper. This story was definitely intriguing. I wanted to know what was happening with the De Wildes family, the land and the forest. I enjoyed the plot and magic was fascinating, but some of it did not make sense of the explanation of how certaining things worked or figured out. It got confusing and pulled me out of the story some. The mystery and just the acceptance of her brother's death was unsatisfying and just wrapped up in the end was frustrating. The romance could have been completely left out of the story for me and just been a magical dark fantasy. Overall, it was ok, I enjoyed a number of aspects but did not love it.
I received an advanced ebook ,via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
January 22, 2026
This was a bit of me.
A haunted gothic house, a wild Irish woodland, burly MMC and a sceptic ghost debunking FMC.
I loved it!
The setting was giving me Haunting of Hill House/Bly Manor and mix it with that one episode of Buffy where Buffy and Riley get trapped in the frat house and can’t keep their hands off each other.
There’s a lot more going on under the surface at the De Wilde house, a spirit who revels in its inhabitants desires and carnal pleasures, wise women that protect the woods, ghosts that may or may not be friendly and a looming threat that’s been waiting for centuries.
A lot spookier than I initially thought it was going to be judging by the whimsical cover but I really enjoyed this one!
A haunted gothic house, a wild Irish woodland, burly MMC and a sceptic ghost debunking FMC.
I loved it!
The setting was giving me Haunting of Hill House/Bly Manor and mix it with that one episode of Buffy where Buffy and Riley get trapped in the frat house and can’t keep their hands off each other.
There’s a lot more going on under the surface at the De Wilde house, a spirit who revels in its inhabitants desires and carnal pleasures, wise women that protect the woods, ghosts that may or may not be friendly and a looming threat that’s been waiting for centuries.
A lot spookier than I initially thought it was going to be judging by the whimsical cover but I really enjoyed this one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wildewood is a gothic paranormal romance that feels like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier crossed with *spicy* Ghostbusters, and all set in atmospheric Ireland. Sounds like a lot but it just works!
The audiobook narration was superb. The narrator elevated the story, perfectly capturing the gothic mood and heightening the suspense, making this an especially immersive listening experience. Let me just say I was unsettled when my own door creaked from the wind when I was listening to the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The audiobook narration was superb. The narrator elevated the story, perfectly capturing the gothic mood and heightening the suspense, making this an especially immersive listening experience. Let me just say I was unsettled when my own door creaked from the wind when I was listening to the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 10, 2025
The beginning of this book was strong. The setting was mysterious and creepy, and the way the main character is lured back to the house was well done.
And then the romance part started. At first I thought the male love interest had been in a relationship with the protagonist’s deceased brother. It turned out he was the butler of the woman who had an affair with her dead brother. Are you still following?
The way the ghosts return was fun. Alex being a sceptical ghost hunter was a nice detail, but when the sky and the atmosphere started acting up, the author lost me. A sex obsessed demon that makes the love interest horny? I was crying with laughter. Any tension that had been built up completely disappeared.
Because the buildup was so good and dark, the revelation felt a bit weak. I wanted more than what was explained, and without the rushed feeling that it all had to be wrapped up at a certain point.
And then the romance part started. At first I thought the male love interest had been in a relationship with the protagonist’s deceased brother. It turned out he was the butler of the woman who had an affair with her dead brother. Are you still following?
The way the ghosts return was fun. Alex being a sceptical ghost hunter was a nice detail, but when the sky and the atmosphere started acting up, the author lost me. A sex obsessed demon that makes the love interest horny? I was crying with laughter. Any tension that had been built up completely disappeared.
Because the buildup was so good and dark, the revelation felt a bit weak. I wanted more than what was explained, and without the rushed feeling that it all had to be wrapped up at a certain point.
March 17, 2026
I should have read this during Halloween. It is the perfect, spooky, creepy, atmospheric haunted house story.
I've been in love with all things ancient and mystical for as long as I can remember. I have strong connections to Appalachia, and so give me a creepy house in the middle of an ancient haunted forest and I feel right at home.
I also enjoy a good skeptic turned believer story, so watching Dr. Alex O'Neil's life turn on its head after she returns to her ancestral home - with the intent of finalizing her family's affairs so she can sell the place and never look back again - was a real treat for me.
The lore and mystery and an ancient familial curse draw you deep into this story and it doesn't let you go until the book's finished. There's true love here, and true horror too.
Alex and Nick's relationship probably could have done with a little developing on the front end - it takes them well over half the book to finally get together, and even that's more lust than true love. But by the end of the book (only a few days after their initial tryst), Alex claims to love Nick. I loved these two together, and I love that their love plays a role in the end of the story. I just wish the relationship had been focused on earlier or more.
Especially considering the way the villain(s) exploit their attraction.
The villain(s) in this story are just the right amount of creepy - both because they're not human, and because the desires they have and exert on the living are gross and violating in all the worst ways. If you need a trigger warning, just be aware that there's a force in the house that talks of fucking the main character, of consuming her and using her in a sexual way many times in the text. It's graphic in its descriptiveness. It also tends to use the attraction Nick and Alex feel to its advantage. It's not always a pleasant thing to read about, so if you're sensitive to stuff like this - maybe tread lightly.
However, I think where this story struggled most for me was the pacing. It takes a while to get going - a while for Alex to stop writing every spooky thing off as her imagination or the wind and start truly trying to figure out what's going on and how to solve the problem before it consumes her, Nick, and anyone else stupid enough to get close to Wildewood.
There's also a bit of a climax that happens just over 60% of the way through the novel, but it's not a true climax. And it left me feeling a bit ... off. It's not that the rest of the story wasn't interesting - it was, arguably the best part - but after being wound up and then let down, I wasn't able to let myself enjoy it as much because I didn't want to fall for another false climax.
That being said, this story deserves more attention. If you enjoy books like A Study in Drowning, I think you'll enjoy this book. They have similar vibes.
I've been in love with all things ancient and mystical for as long as I can remember. I have strong connections to Appalachia, and so give me a creepy house in the middle of an ancient haunted forest and I feel right at home.
I also enjoy a good skeptic turned believer story, so watching Dr. Alex O'Neil's life turn on its head after she returns to her ancestral home - with the intent of finalizing her family's affairs so she can sell the place and never look back again - was a real treat for me.
The lore and mystery and an ancient familial curse draw you deep into this story and it doesn't let you go until the book's finished. There's true love here, and true horror too.
Alex and Nick's relationship probably could have done with a little developing on the front end - it takes them well over half the book to finally get together, and even that's more lust than true love. But by the end of the book (only a few days after their initial tryst), Alex claims to love Nick. I loved these two together, and I love that their love plays a role in the end of the story. I just wish the relationship had been focused on earlier or more.
Especially considering the way the villain(s) exploit their attraction.
The villain(s) in this story are just the right amount of creepy - both because they're not human, and because the desires they have and exert on the living are gross and violating in all the worst ways. If you need a trigger warning, just be aware that there's a force in the house that talks of fucking the main character, of consuming her and using her in a sexual way many times in the text. It's graphic in its descriptiveness. It also tends to use the attraction Nick and Alex feel to its advantage. It's not always a pleasant thing to read about, so if you're sensitive to stuff like this - maybe tread lightly.
However, I think where this story struggled most for me was the pacing. It takes a while to get going - a while for Alex to stop writing every spooky thing off as her imagination or the wind and start truly trying to figure out what's going on and how to solve the problem before it consumes her, Nick, and anyone else stupid enough to get close to Wildewood.
There's also a bit of a climax that happens just over 60% of the way through the novel, but it's not a true climax. And it left me feeling a bit ... off. It's not that the rest of the story wasn't interesting - it was, arguably the best part - but after being wound up and then let down, I wasn't able to let myself enjoy it as much because I didn't want to fall for another false climax.
That being said, this story deserves more attention. If you enjoy books like A Study in Drowning, I think you'll enjoy this book. They have similar vibes.
January 26, 2026
3⭐️
Alex O'Neill (or Alexandra de Wilde as she was born) is the skeptic in a group of popular and successful ghost hunters. When her brother Theo suddenly passes, Alex is now the sole heir to their family estate, Wildewood, in the Irish countryside. Because of the painful memories of their father's death, Alex has no desire to return "home." But she is confident that staying there will help the heat die down in America after she helped secure a man's prison sentence. Her plan is simple: get the estate in order, and then sell to a hotel chain eager to build on the land. What Alex wasn't expecting was a surprisingly attractive groundskeeper named Nick, who's broody demeanor and insistence on keeping the estate and the land doesn't help Alex's plans. As Alex continues staying at the estate and working with the lawyers, she hears the loud sounds of parties, orgies and horrific screams at night, and when she goes to discover the sounds, no one is there. She begins to get chills, hears voices asking her to give in to her basest urges. And Nick and Alex eventually realize that their attraction to each other is being amplified by the spirits in the house. As events escalate, Nick and Alex must team together to defeat the darkness living within her home, once and for all.
My thoughts: On paper, this is the type of story I normally love: Gothic vibes, will they/won't they romance, ancient gods and folklore. However, I found this story meandering at the worst of times, and confusing at the best of times. For half of the book, Alex is intent on not accepting the events happening in her house (we get it, she's the skeptic). But even when she is psychically attacked, and hears voices speaking to her, she refuses to believe it, which continued for most of the story until maybe the last few hundred pages. Then, there was her relationship with Nick. She's attracted to him and that's repeated no less than a dozen times for the first half of the book. But even when he helps her, she continues to be distrustful of him. In fact, for most of the book she isn't sure he's telling her the truth. So then the reader is supposed to believe they're in love with each other, i.e. soulmates, by the end of the book? I just didn't buy it. The whole ancient god controlling everything, but then there are spirits, but yet the spirits are all being controlled by the god? The mechanics were confusing to me. It took me, the reader, re-reading passages to try and understand it,. I really wanted more from this book than I was given.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced reader's copy for review. This has in no way impacted my review.
Alex O'Neill (or Alexandra de Wilde as she was born) is the skeptic in a group of popular and successful ghost hunters. When her brother Theo suddenly passes, Alex is now the sole heir to their family estate, Wildewood, in the Irish countryside. Because of the painful memories of their father's death, Alex has no desire to return "home." But she is confident that staying there will help the heat die down in America after she helped secure a man's prison sentence. Her plan is simple: get the estate in order, and then sell to a hotel chain eager to build on the land. What Alex wasn't expecting was a surprisingly attractive groundskeeper named Nick, who's broody demeanor and insistence on keeping the estate and the land doesn't help Alex's plans. As Alex continues staying at the estate and working with the lawyers, she hears the loud sounds of parties, orgies and horrific screams at night, and when she goes to discover the sounds, no one is there. She begins to get chills, hears voices asking her to give in to her basest urges. And Nick and Alex eventually realize that their attraction to each other is being amplified by the spirits in the house. As events escalate, Nick and Alex must team together to defeat the darkness living within her home, once and for all.
My thoughts: On paper, this is the type of story I normally love: Gothic vibes, will they/won't they romance, ancient gods and folklore. However, I found this story meandering at the worst of times, and confusing at the best of times. For half of the book, Alex is intent on not accepting the events happening in her house (we get it, she's the skeptic). But even when she is psychically attacked, and hears voices speaking to her, she refuses to believe it, which continued for most of the story until maybe the last few hundred pages. Then, there was her relationship with Nick. She's attracted to him and that's repeated no less than a dozen times for the first half of the book. But even when he helps her, she continues to be distrustful of him. In fact, for most of the book she isn't sure he's telling her the truth. So then the reader is supposed to believe they're in love with each other, i.e. soulmates, by the end of the book? I just didn't buy it. The whole ancient god controlling everything, but then there are spirits, but yet the spirits are all being controlled by the god? The mechanics were confusing to me. It took me, the reader, re-reading passages to try and understand it,. I really wanted more from this book than I was given.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced reader's copy for review. This has in no way impacted my review.
January 10, 2026
I had super high hopes for this book as it has some of my favourite tropes/genres (Set in Ireland, Paranormal/Haunted House, Rugged Irish Man, Romance, etc), but it didn't quite meet those expectations.
The beginning was very intriguing and set up the story so well! I loved that Alex was a sceptic paranormal investigator as it added a whole other layer to the story. I was very invested in seeing how her opinions would change. I kind of wish that we would have gotten to see more of her working with her colleagues as she solved the mysteries of Wildewood Hall.
For a book that is label as a romance, the story primarily focused on lust. I really struggled to feel an emotional connection between Alex and Nick and I think that stemmed from most of their interactions being of a sexual nature. I was hoping for some more communication and bonding moments between the two of them.
Without giving too much away, I think the whole 'sexual nature' (IYKYK) of the house was a bit too much for me. It was definitely unique, I'll give Jessica credit for that, but it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I think I would have preferred it without, but that's definitely just personal preference.
There were still some really unique aspects to the story which I really enjoyed and found super interesting, in particular how the Woods themselves were very much a character of their own. I really liked that. The cover of the book is also incredibly gorgeous and I think it matches well to the story.
I partially read it as an audiobook and the narrator was really good, although I wish it would have been at least dual narrated considering that the book was written with dual POVs. Nevertheless, the Irish narrator added so much to the story.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the Ebook and Bookouture Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
The beginning was very intriguing and set up the story so well! I loved that Alex was a sceptic paranormal investigator as it added a whole other layer to the story. I was very invested in seeing how her opinions would change. I kind of wish that we would have gotten to see more of her working with her colleagues as she solved the mysteries of Wildewood Hall.
For a book that is label as a romance, the story primarily focused on lust. I really struggled to feel an emotional connection between Alex and Nick and I think that stemmed from most of their interactions being of a sexual nature. I was hoping for some more communication and bonding moments between the two of them.
Without giving too much away, I think the whole 'sexual nature' (IYKYK) of the house was a bit too much for me. It was definitely unique, I'll give Jessica credit for that, but it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I think I would have preferred it without, but that's definitely just personal preference.
There were still some really unique aspects to the story which I really enjoyed and found super interesting, in particular how the Woods themselves were very much a character of their own. I really liked that. The cover of the book is also incredibly gorgeous and I think it matches well to the story.
I partially read it as an audiobook and the narrator was really good, although I wish it would have been at least dual narrated considering that the book was written with dual POVs. Nevertheless, the Irish narrator added so much to the story.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the Ebook and Bookouture Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2026
What a story!!! I came up to this book completely blind, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was thoroughly entertained and captivated by the story and characters. I loved the elements of mystery and kind of like a thriller mixed with paranormal references.
Alex was a strong character from the beginning, she is super smart and set into her beliefs. She is a skeptical woman, a bit traumatized by a past that’s reappearing in her current life. Her relationship with Wildewood was ever changing, and I really loved the evolution of that.
Nick really captured my heart, I could pictured him as big lumberjack, protector of the woods. Loved his heart and how he processed everything that he went through.
The ending was perfection, I could read this story forever. The folk elements, the power of the women, I loved everything. Thank you, Netgalley and Jessica Thorne, for the advanced copy.
Alex was a strong character from the beginning, she is super smart and set into her beliefs. She is a skeptical woman, a bit traumatized by a past that’s reappearing in her current life. Her relationship with Wildewood was ever changing, and I really loved the evolution of that.
Nick really captured my heart, I could pictured him as big lumberjack, protector of the woods. Loved his heart and how he processed everything that he went through.
The ending was perfection, I could read this story forever. The folk elements, the power of the women, I loved everything. Thank you, Netgalley and Jessica Thorne, for the advanced copy.
December 9, 2025
I don’t think I have the ability to summarise Wildewood and do it justice.
I picked the ARC thinking it would be a Gaelic folk lore mystery romance. But I don’t think I could compare it to anything I’ve read in recent years. There was folk lore, one’s I had not heard of nor had I heard of a watered down version. There was magic, ghosts, a mystery around numerous deaths at Wildewood. Maybe it’s best described as a bit of a thriller.
I don’t think I would recommend to more of my mainstream romance readers, but I would recommend to a mystery or thriller reader, and describe it as having a side of romance. I would also say to strap in, because it’s got a lot of twists and turns.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I picked the ARC thinking it would be a Gaelic folk lore mystery romance. But I don’t think I could compare it to anything I’ve read in recent years. There was folk lore, one’s I had not heard of nor had I heard of a watered down version. There was magic, ghosts, a mystery around numerous deaths at Wildewood. Maybe it’s best described as a bit of a thriller.
I don’t think I would recommend to more of my mainstream romance readers, but I would recommend to a mystery or thriller reader, and describe it as having a side of romance. I would also say to strap in, because it’s got a lot of twists and turns.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 19, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.25.
Wow just wow! What an atmospheric read, I could not put this down.
This brings eerie supernatural vibes to the forefront with a property with a life of its own and the grounds really do speak for themselves in a way. Our FMC is back to unearth family secrets, find out what happened to her family here and if she should be returning at all. The property seems to call to her in a horribly nostalgic way, the momentum on the horror and somewhat ‘The Shining’ vibes grow gradually but come swinging when you don’t expect it.
The story has some found family vibes and a lil background romance, but the plot truly carries here. I 100% recommend this for fans of horror and supernatural fantasy.
Wow just wow! What an atmospheric read, I could not put this down.
This brings eerie supernatural vibes to the forefront with a property with a life of its own and the grounds really do speak for themselves in a way. Our FMC is back to unearth family secrets, find out what happened to her family here and if she should be returning at all. The property seems to call to her in a horribly nostalgic way, the momentum on the horror and somewhat ‘The Shining’ vibes grow gradually but come swinging when you don’t expect it.
The story has some found family vibes and a lil background romance, but the plot truly carries here. I 100% recommend this for fans of horror and supernatural fantasy.
January 3, 2026
Thank you Second Sky for the free gift!
I’m not usually someone who gravitates toward spooky stories because I get creeped out easily and then can’t sleep, but this one hit a really nice balance for me. It was creepy without tipping into nightmare territory, and I found myself fully invested instead of anxious.
It gave me strong Hill House vibes, which I really enjoyed, especially with the mix of old-world magic and paranormal elements woven through the story. The mystery surrounding Wildewood was compelling, and there were plenty of eerie moments that kept the tension building in a really effective way.
I also enjoyed the chemistry between Alex and Nick. There were a few moments where consent felt complicated due to outside influences, but I appreciated that the book did acknowledge that, at least to an extent. Overall, this was a solid spooky read with atmosphere, mystery, and just enough chill to keep me hooked.
I’m not usually someone who gravitates toward spooky stories because I get creeped out easily and then can’t sleep, but this one hit a really nice balance for me. It was creepy without tipping into nightmare territory, and I found myself fully invested instead of anxious.
It gave me strong Hill House vibes, which I really enjoyed, especially with the mix of old-world magic and paranormal elements woven through the story. The mystery surrounding Wildewood was compelling, and there were plenty of eerie moments that kept the tension building in a really effective way.
I also enjoyed the chemistry between Alex and Nick. There were a few moments where consent felt complicated due to outside influences, but I appreciated that the book did acknowledge that, at least to an extent. Overall, this was a solid spooky read with atmosphere, mystery, and just enough chill to keep me hooked.
January 3, 2026
I must admit that I was a little leery about reading another inherited haunted house story after having just read Play Nice and Home Before Dark. I thought to myself “how can this possibly be any different?” WELL, I was WRONG and I LOVED this book. It does start out a little slow but as the story starts to unfold it became so fascinating. The last third of this book I COULD NOT put it down. I was mesmerized and I was locked in. It is such an original story. It was a great read and I rated it 5 stars. It is definitely worthy.
Thank you to Jessica Thorne and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. It is a privilege and an honor.
Thank you to Jessica Thorne and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. It is a privilege and an honor.
Want to read
March 6, 2026🌿 Wildewood 🌿
Full ARC Review to come! Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo (Aoife McMahon)
📅 Pub Date: January 9, 2026
Full ARC Review to come! Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo (Aoife McMahon)
📅 Pub Date: January 9, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I absolutely adored this story. It was well eritten and exciting. I loved the narrator, the whole tale, even if I predicted the "twists" - this may simply because I've read so many books on similar themes. I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author. My only criticism is I feel like it could have benefited from a reader for Nick as well
January 11, 2026
Sadly for my this book isn't what I'd hoped for at all. It gives promise to a gothic, atmospheric manor house in Ireland steeped in folklore and mystery, and an addictive romance with the mysterious groundskeeper. But that wasn't what I go out of of this book unfortunately.
The fmc was previouy on a ghost hunting TV show and the use of technology definitely took me out of the creepy and more natural and ancestral based atmosphere I was hoping to lose myself to.
Although I will admit that the story was quite spooky at points, when we got down to the horror/paranormal aspect of this book it was just kind of..... weird. The spirits that haunted the house were obsessed with sex, making people have sex, making people think and dream about sex, etc and honestly it completely took me out of the story because of how bizarre it was. Everyone seemed to fancy everyone (dead and alive) and it all just started to feel a bit silly?
The dialogue was really repetitive and none of the characters were particularly interesting or likeable. There were big plot points that never got tied up and the things that were tied up felt really anti-climatic.
The book was fast-paced and a quick read for the most part and I can see some other people enjoying this but sadly it didn't hit for me.
Thank you Second Sky for the finished copy of this book.
The fmc was previouy on a ghost hunting TV show and the use of technology definitely took me out of the creepy and more natural and ancestral based atmosphere I was hoping to lose myself to.
Although I will admit that the story was quite spooky at points, when we got down to the horror/paranormal aspect of this book it was just kind of..... weird. The spirits that haunted the house were obsessed with sex, making people have sex, making people think and dream about sex, etc and honestly it completely took me out of the story because of how bizarre it was. Everyone seemed to fancy everyone (dead and alive) and it all just started to feel a bit silly?
The dialogue was really repetitive and none of the characters were particularly interesting or likeable. There were big plot points that never got tied up and the things that were tied up felt really anti-climatic.
The book was fast-paced and a quick read for the most part and I can see some other people enjoying this but sadly it didn't hit for me.
Thank you Second Sky for the finished copy of this book.
January 14, 2026
I liked how this was a mishmash of genres. You got a bit of fantasy, a bit of paranormal romance, and mystery. It really doesn't sit in one pigeonhole. I think that's great.
Who knew that by getting jiggy jiggy, you would end up causing a lot of problems? But surely we should know this from many horror films, especially if you listen to all the key points from Scream, where they outline the rules.
I wish there were a bit more ghost hunting, as that's what I love the most, but I loved the story of Alex and Nick and the history. Even though the book was quite long, I could have easily had a lot more. It would have been great to know more history behind Crum and Blaze and the family, and how this all came about. I just wanted more, selfish, really!
I thought the characters were brilliant. I thought the storytelling was great. I've read a few by Jessica now, and she really does know how to tell a story, convey the emotion, and get you intrigued.
I thought the narrator was brilliant. She got the characters in my head. I wish we could have seen more of Gabe and the tribe that Alex worked with before she ran back to Wildwood, maybe more in the ghost-hunting show. But again, that's just me. It's not the book. That's not the focus of the book. The focus of the book is on Wildwood Manor. And what the heck is going on, and why the heck does Alex need to stay away?
I don't feel like it was an Insta-love between Alex and Nick. I believe that it was manipulation. So while it may come across when you're reading that it is an instant love, I think that the House manipulated them quite a lot. Blaze manipulated them quite a lot. There was a lot of emotion flying around that house. I felt like it did feel natural, maybe very influenced as well, heavily influenced by the house, but at the same time, they had a mutual attraction for each other. They wanted each other. I think the house just magnified this.
Looking forward to the next book by Jessica!
Who knew that by getting jiggy jiggy, you would end up causing a lot of problems? But surely we should know this from many horror films, especially if you listen to all the key points from Scream, where they outline the rules.
I wish there were a bit more ghost hunting, as that's what I love the most, but I loved the story of Alex and Nick and the history. Even though the book was quite long, I could have easily had a lot more. It would have been great to know more history behind Crum and Blaze and the family, and how this all came about. I just wanted more, selfish, really!
I thought the characters were brilliant. I thought the storytelling was great. I've read a few by Jessica now, and she really does know how to tell a story, convey the emotion, and get you intrigued.
I thought the narrator was brilliant. She got the characters in my head. I wish we could have seen more of Gabe and the tribe that Alex worked with before she ran back to Wildwood, maybe more in the ghost-hunting show. But again, that's just me. It's not the book. That's not the focus of the book. The focus of the book is on Wildwood Manor. And what the heck is going on, and why the heck does Alex need to stay away?
I don't feel like it was an Insta-love between Alex and Nick. I believe that it was manipulation. So while it may come across when you're reading that it is an instant love, I think that the House manipulated them quite a lot. Blaze manipulated them quite a lot. There was a lot of emotion flying around that house. I felt like it did feel natural, maybe very influenced as well, heavily influenced by the house, but at the same time, they had a mutual attraction for each other. They wanted each other. I think the house just magnified this.
Looking forward to the next book by Jessica!
March 9, 2026
This book contained a lot of ingredients I usually love:
👻 Inheriting a haunted house
👻 A skeptical ghost hunter
👻 Horny ghosts
👻 Creepy children
👻 Remote Irish location
👻 Rugged love interest
👻 A basement To Be Avoided At All Costs.
Unfortunately, despite putting so many great things together, Wildewood fell completely fell flat for me.
The plot was predictable and very repetitive. Not much really happens, and most curveballs you can see coming. It also relies on some quite lazy plot points - dreams that aren’t dreams, lost memories, insta love. There are also some very illogical decisions on behalf of our MCs - I dunno, like _staying the night in a haunted house after seeing actual malevolent ghosts kidnap a child_ or going into the forbidden basement for wine WINE after all the spooky happenings. These are not sound decisions, people. Even the author’s writing is very repetitive - everything she describes she does in three parts, for example, “the forest, the wild wood, the very thing that trapped them,” and “it was wild, and endless, and remorseless.” Once you notice this, you can’t un-notice it, and I found myself counting the cadence as I was listening.
There were just a lot of words, not adding up to very much.
I loved the narrator’s soft Irish lilt in her narration voice, but unfortunately her male personas gave me the absolute ick (Ahhhlexandraaaahhhh in low AbFab voice) and this isn’t usually something I usually battle with.
Hate to leave a bad review, because I think writing a book is an incredible undertaking, but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.
Give it a try if you like Starling House or The Witchwood Knot.
Thanks for the ARC #NetGalley. Opinions are my own.
👻 Inheriting a haunted house
👻 A skeptical ghost hunter
👻 Horny ghosts
👻 Creepy children
👻 Remote Irish location
👻 Rugged love interest
👻 A basement To Be Avoided At All Costs.
Unfortunately, despite putting so many great things together, Wildewood fell completely fell flat for me.
The plot was predictable and very repetitive. Not much really happens, and most curveballs you can see coming. It also relies on some quite lazy plot points - dreams that aren’t dreams, lost memories, insta love. There are also some very illogical decisions on behalf of our MCs - I dunno, like _staying the night in a haunted house after seeing actual malevolent ghosts kidnap a child_ or going into the forbidden basement for wine WINE after all the spooky happenings. These are not sound decisions, people. Even the author’s writing is very repetitive - everything she describes she does in three parts, for example, “the forest, the wild wood, the very thing that trapped them,” and “it was wild, and endless, and remorseless.” Once you notice this, you can’t un-notice it, and I found myself counting the cadence as I was listening.
There were just a lot of words, not adding up to very much.
I loved the narrator’s soft Irish lilt in her narration voice, but unfortunately her male personas gave me the absolute ick (Ahhhlexandraaaahhhh in low AbFab voice) and this isn’t usually something I usually battle with.
Hate to leave a bad review, because I think writing a book is an incredible undertaking, but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.
Give it a try if you like Starling House or The Witchwood Knot.
Thanks for the ARC #NetGalley. Opinions are my own.
January 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75/4 stars)
I listened to Wildewood as an audiobook and found it to be an engaging, atmospheric ghost story with a strong romantic thread running through it.
The opening takes a few chapters to fully settle into its rhythm, but once the story finds its footing, I was properly hooked. The balance between mystery and suspense surrounding the haunted manor, alongside the slower-building romantic tension, worked well in audio and kept me invested as the plot unfolded.
The narration brought clarity to a cast that includes both the living and the dead, making the history of the manor and its spirits easy to follow without becoming confusing or overly dense. The atmosphere was a real strength — moody, unsettling in places, and well suited to listening. The narrator was excellent as she had an Irish accent as well and it lended itself beautifully to the story!
The final section picked up the pace nicely, delivering a satisfying conclusion that felt complete and well resolved for a standalone, without feeling rushed.
Overall, this was an enjoyable audiobook for listeners who like haunted houses, ghost stories, and a touch of romance woven into their suspense. A solid listen with strong atmosphere and a confident ending.
Thank you to Net Galley and the author for this ALC.
I listened to Wildewood as an audiobook and found it to be an engaging, atmospheric ghost story with a strong romantic thread running through it.
The opening takes a few chapters to fully settle into its rhythm, but once the story finds its footing, I was properly hooked. The balance between mystery and suspense surrounding the haunted manor, alongside the slower-building romantic tension, worked well in audio and kept me invested as the plot unfolded.
The narration brought clarity to a cast that includes both the living and the dead, making the history of the manor and its spirits easy to follow without becoming confusing or overly dense. The atmosphere was a real strength — moody, unsettling in places, and well suited to listening. The narrator was excellent as she had an Irish accent as well and it lended itself beautifully to the story!
The final section picked up the pace nicely, delivering a satisfying conclusion that felt complete and well resolved for a standalone, without feeling rushed.
Overall, this was an enjoyable audiobook for listeners who like haunted houses, ghost stories, and a touch of romance woven into their suspense. A solid listen with strong atmosphere and a confident ending.
Thank you to Net Galley and the author for this ALC.
January 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Jessica Thorne and Second Sky for the ARC.
This book was a solid 3 stars, and I definitely had more fun in the first 50% than the last half. The setting is rural Irish gothic mansion house with dense woodlands. At first, I kinda liked the mood the setting and the introduction to characters and story. Learning about the history of the place, and meeting all the side characters (family members) was also really nice. However, the issue I had with the second half of the book was that I was blindsided by how dark it got all of a sudden, and it also became really draggy. It kept hinting at a conclusion but then would pick back up again and I kept looking at the % left I had. Time and time again I couldn't believe there was more to the book (not necessarily in a good way). Having said that, the lore and the history of the magic system is definitely well thought out. Just wasn't super my thing.
I would say this book is heavy on the dark, eerie, gothic vibes, less fantasy, and I wouldn't say this is super romantic either. Though, the romantic relationship between FMC and MMC are pretty central to the storyline. Definitely recommend if you like the dark and eerie type of books.
This book was a solid 3 stars, and I definitely had more fun in the first 50% than the last half. The setting is rural Irish gothic mansion house with dense woodlands. At first, I kinda liked the mood the setting and the introduction to characters and story. Learning about the history of the place, and meeting all the side characters (family members) was also really nice. However, the issue I had with the second half of the book was that I was blindsided by how dark it got all of a sudden, and it also became really draggy. It kept hinting at a conclusion but then would pick back up again and I kept looking at the % left I had. Time and time again I couldn't believe there was more to the book (not necessarily in a good way). Having said that, the lore and the history of the magic system is definitely well thought out. Just wasn't super my thing.
I would say this book is heavy on the dark, eerie, gothic vibes, less fantasy, and I wouldn't say this is super romantic either. Though, the romantic relationship between FMC and MMC are pretty central to the storyline. Definitely recommend if you like the dark and eerie type of books.
Read
January 5, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
This one started out so well for me, and I was completely convinced that this was going to be a bingeable haunting romance. It definitely offered this at the start: the weird dreams, the sexual tension, the contrast of ghost-hunting cynic meeting her match, so many elements worked in its favour.
I would say, however, that there were just too many puzzle pieces that either didn't quite fit or were completely left out of the final story line. What about her background that seemed so important at the start? Ultimately it was just a throwaway line to explain her move back home and a singular flowers scene to get the tension up, which then had no follow up or conclusion. It began to ramble and lose its fierce drive that it started with, and by the end of the book I was hoping it would hurry along.
That's not to say I didn't have a good time because some of the haunting scenes were honestly freaky and there was real promise for the whole first half. Just didn't follow through in my opinion!
This one started out so well for me, and I was completely convinced that this was going to be a bingeable haunting romance. It definitely offered this at the start: the weird dreams, the sexual tension, the contrast of ghost-hunting cynic meeting her match, so many elements worked in its favour.
I would say, however, that there were just too many puzzle pieces that either didn't quite fit or were completely left out of the final story line. What about her background that seemed so important at the start? Ultimately it was just a throwaway line to explain her move back home and a singular flowers scene to get the tension up, which then had no follow up or conclusion. It began to ramble and lose its fierce drive that it started with, and by the end of the book I was hoping it would hurry along.
That's not to say I didn't have a good time because some of the haunting scenes were honestly freaky and there was real promise for the whole first half. Just didn't follow through in my opinion!
January 7, 2026
ALC review - Wildewood by Jessica Thorne, narrated by Aiofe McMahon
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio do the ALC. All opinions are my own.
^ modern gothic
^ haunted house
^ ancient gods
^ family secrets
^ eldritch horrors in the forest
This was a fun, atmospheric twist on gothic storytelling. FMC Alex returns to her childhood home reluctantly after the death of her twin brother Theo fully intending to sell the property to a hotel chain and wash her hands of it forever. Childhood trauma over the death of her father (and repressed memories around the trauma) means she wants nothing to do with it. But caretaker Nick (also her brother’s closest friend) has her second guessing everything, especially when unexplainable things start happening in the house and the forest and her childhood memories start to surface.
The world building was excellent and I really enjoyed that Alex is a doctor specializing in debunking the paranormal, and a former cast member on a ghost hunting show. The brief appearances of her friends and ghost hunting crew made me long for more of this teamwork and camaraderie to be included in the story.
McMahon does a fantastic job with the narration. She handles all the characters skillfully, even those with American accents.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio do the ALC. All opinions are my own.
^ modern gothic
^ haunted house
^ ancient gods
^ family secrets
^ eldritch horrors in the forest
This was a fun, atmospheric twist on gothic storytelling. FMC Alex returns to her childhood home reluctantly after the death of her twin brother Theo fully intending to sell the property to a hotel chain and wash her hands of it forever. Childhood trauma over the death of her father (and repressed memories around the trauma) means she wants nothing to do with it. But caretaker Nick (also her brother’s closest friend) has her second guessing everything, especially when unexplainable things start happening in the house and the forest and her childhood memories start to surface.
The world building was excellent and I really enjoyed that Alex is a doctor specializing in debunking the paranormal, and a former cast member on a ghost hunting show. The brief appearances of her friends and ghost hunting crew made me long for more of this teamwork and camaraderie to be included in the story.
McMahon does a fantastic job with the narration. She handles all the characters skillfully, even those with American accents.
January 11, 2026
2.75 ⭐️ rounded up.
Wildewood centers around Alexandra, who returns to her deceased father's creepy estate after inheriting it when her brother dies. It has all the right elements:
✅️ old mansion
✅️ creepy forest
✅️ disturbing history
✅️ local lore
✅️ mysterious deaths
✅️ handsome, broody caretaker with tragic past
The vibes were there, but unfortunately, for me it just didn't deliver. It seemed all over the place, like the writer was trying to fit too many stories into one book and didn't manage to mould it into one coherent whole. It's such a shame too, because it had so much potential! I feel like if the writer had maybe picked one genre to focus on and properly develop that, it would have turned out so much better. As it is, we are left with a mishmash frankenbook that includes a horny ghost/demon/god/myth? possession and a timetraveller/changeling/woodsguardian?
Also, the dual POV added nothing to the story and I would argue actually detracted from it. If Nick's POV had been left out completely, it would have been much more mysterious and intriguing!
I mean don't get me wrong, I had fun reading this book, but it could have been a lot shorter while delivering much more.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Wildewood centers around Alexandra, who returns to her deceased father's creepy estate after inheriting it when her brother dies. It has all the right elements:
✅️ old mansion
✅️ creepy forest
✅️ disturbing history
✅️ local lore
✅️ mysterious deaths
✅️ handsome, broody caretaker with tragic past
The vibes were there, but unfortunately, for me it just didn't deliver. It seemed all over the place, like the writer was trying to fit too many stories into one book and didn't manage to mould it into one coherent whole. It's such a shame too, because it had so much potential! I feel like if the writer had maybe picked one genre to focus on and properly develop that, it would have turned out so much better. As it is, we are left with a mishmash frankenbook that includes a horny ghost/demon/god/myth? possession and a timetraveller/changeling/woodsguardian?
Also, the dual POV added nothing to the story and I would argue actually detracted from it. If Nick's POV had been left out completely, it would have been much more mysterious and intriguing!
I mean don't get me wrong, I had fun reading this book, but it could have been a lot shorter while delivering much more.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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