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Westridge Cove #1
Witches of Westridge
They call it the Salem of the Midwest—the Great Lakes’ own Witch City.
Since the fall of 1993, when three sisters were accused of witchcraft and vanished without a trace, the town of Westridge Cove has built its identity around their disappearance. Every October, tourists flood the northern Michigan town, eager for spooky vibes, witchy legends, and one of the country's most notorious unsolved mysteries.
Were the sisters murdered? Driven out by an angry mob? Or did they truly practice something darker—and escape by supernatural means?
For Nancy Thornwick, the stories aren't just urban legends—they are wounds that never healed. Decades after her younger sisters disappeared, Nancy now runs a small café with her daughter, Iris, who was only six years old when her aunts vanished. Together, they’ve learned how to survive in a town that profits from their tragedy, even as Halloween season keeps their doors open.
But this October is different. As Westridge Cove welcomes its biggest crowds yet, a series of mysterious deaths begins to unravel the town’s carefully curated folklore. And as the line between legend and reality starts to blur, Nancy may be forced to confront the truth behind her sisters’ disappearances, before history repeats itself.
Since the fall of 1993, when three sisters were accused of witchcraft and vanished without a trace, the town of Westridge Cove has built its identity around their disappearance. Every October, tourists flood the northern Michigan town, eager for spooky vibes, witchy legends, and one of the country's most notorious unsolved mysteries.
Were the sisters murdered? Driven out by an angry mob? Or did they truly practice something darker—and escape by supernatural means?
For Nancy Thornwick, the stories aren't just urban legends—they are wounds that never healed. Decades after her younger sisters disappeared, Nancy now runs a small café with her daughter, Iris, who was only six years old when her aunts vanished. Together, they’ve learned how to survive in a town that profits from their tragedy, even as Halloween season keeps their doors open.
But this October is different. As Westridge Cove welcomes its biggest crowds yet, a series of mysterious deaths begins to unravel the town’s carefully curated folklore. And as the line between legend and reality starts to blur, Nancy may be forced to confront the truth behind her sisters’ disappearances, before history repeats itself.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2026
169 people are currently reading
1433 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Hyde
11 books1,497 followersHi Everyone!
Thank you for stopping by to rate my books or see my reviews. I don't spend much time on Goodreads, as it's not great for the mental health of an author to obsess over their own reviews.
I simply rate books as I finish reading them, and if you'd like a full review, check out my Instagram - @bookandbeerreview - where I keep it light, funny, and never disrespect fellow authors!
Happy reading!
Thank you for stopping by to rate my books or see my reviews. I don't spend much time on Goodreads, as it's not great for the mental health of an author to obsess over their own reviews.
I simply rate books as I finish reading them, and if you'd like a full review, check out my Instagram - @bookandbeerreview - where I keep it light, funny, and never disrespect fellow authors!
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
February 27, 2026
•Witches of Westridge is, without a doubt, J.L. Hyde’s best book to date. It’s no secret that I’m her biggest fan and love everything she writes. This book was NEXT LEVEL. Her books all have this homey nostalgic vibe and I’m obsessed with it. This book had the same vibe, but darker.
•This book is told in two timelines— one being present day, and one being thirty years in the past.
•Thirty years ago, three of the Thornwick sisters were asked to babysit a group of young neighborhood boys. The next day, the boys and their parents accused the girls of practicing witchcraft and performing spells on them. Once word got out, the town spiraled and begged law enforcement to take these claims seriously.
•Present day, the town has become a tourist trap, with the remaining members of the Thornwick family forced to relive their family’s tragedy over and over.
•With less than 300 pages, this book is quick, expertly written, and left me wanting more. Even though this book does end on a cliffhanger, things are wrapped up nicely.
•I absolutely, 100% recommend this book. I read it from cover to cover, dedication to author’s note, and I would recommend doing the same.
•I cannot thank J.L. Hyde enough for sending me this advanced copy. It’s truly such an honor. This book will become available on March 10, which also happens to be her birthday!! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate, than by buying and reading her book!
•This book is told in two timelines— one being present day, and one being thirty years in the past.
•Thirty years ago, three of the Thornwick sisters were asked to babysit a group of young neighborhood boys. The next day, the boys and their parents accused the girls of practicing witchcraft and performing spells on them. Once word got out, the town spiraled and begged law enforcement to take these claims seriously.
•Present day, the town has become a tourist trap, with the remaining members of the Thornwick family forced to relive their family’s tragedy over and over.
•With less than 300 pages, this book is quick, expertly written, and left me wanting more. Even though this book does end on a cliffhanger, things are wrapped up nicely.
•I absolutely, 100% recommend this book. I read it from cover to cover, dedication to author’s note, and I would recommend doing the same.
•I cannot thank J.L. Hyde enough for sending me this advanced copy. It’s truly such an honor. This book will become available on March 10, which also happens to be her birthday!! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate, than by buying and reading her book!
March 19, 2026
OMG!!!! I need book 2 NOW 🤣
This book was so incredibly captivating and had all the vibes I love in a thriller — especially one set during Halloween/fall. The flashbacks to the 90s were perfect and the setting was fantastic.
But damn that ending!! Idk how I’ll be able to wait so long for book 2!
This book was so incredibly captivating and had all the vibes I love in a thriller — especially one set during Halloween/fall. The flashbacks to the 90s were perfect and the setting was fantastic.
But damn that ending!! Idk how I’ll be able to wait so long for book 2!
March 31, 2026
BOOK 2 PLEASE 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
March 9, 2026
Wow here we go again with a book that was simply hard to put down. Well done J L Hyde, well done. Maybe my favorite book of yours!
February 24, 2026
100/10! This is indeed her best book yet. I can’t wait for the next! I was hooked from the beginning. Easy read, fast paced, and the twists at the end! You are given JUST enough at the end that you had some resolution but indeed there is so much more to the story. I can’t get enough of JL Hyde’s books and I tell everyone about them!!
March 16, 2026
Nancy Thornwick has lived in the town of Westridge Cove her entire life. She owns a cafe she runs with her grown daughter Iris. They both dread the month of October even though it is their best month of business because tourists flock to their town to hear the lore of the witches of Westridge. Over thirty years ago Nancy’s three younger sisters were babysitting and the kids they were babysitting accused them of being witches. Then days later they disappeared and they have not been seen or heard from again. This year murders start taking place and the town begins to wonder what is going on.
Wow!!! This one totally had my attention and the twists totally shocked me in the best way! I loved the way the story switched between past and present. I have so many questions and I cannot wait for book two!!
Wow!!! This one totally had my attention and the twists totally shocked me in the best way! I loved the way the story switched between past and present. I have so many questions and I cannot wait for book two!!
March 6, 2026
In 1993, 3 sisters (Sarah, Bridget, and Margaret) disappear from Westridge Cove shortly after being accused of performing witchcraft & satanic rituals while babysitting local kids one night. The sisters have never been found, and unfortunately the town has been benefitting off their disappearance ever since (much like Salem). Flash forward to current time and the annual October festivities are about to begin when locals start going missing again.
Are the 2 situations related?
This book gripped me from the beginning. Hyde has a way of pulling you in, keeping you wanting more, and giving you some very unexpected twists.
I can hardly wait for books 2 and 3.
Are the 2 situations related?
This book gripped me from the beginning. Hyde has a way of pulling you in, keeping you wanting more, and giving you some very unexpected twists.
I can hardly wait for books 2 and 3.
March 14, 2026
the ending totally bumped this up to a 5 star for me!!! the twists completely surprised me & i need book 2 immediately! this was a super quick & engaging small-town mystery with witch trial history & secrets 🧙🏻♀️✨🍂 my first j.l. hyde did NOT disappoint!
March 14, 2026
I have read and loved everyone on JL Hyde’s books. Witches of Westridge may be her best book yet! I am so glad there are more books in this series because there is no way she can leave us hanging like that!
The dual timelines, the early 90s and present day, mixed with a Halloween setting and a town’s urban legend, made for a truly atmospheric read. I love a Halloween themed story. As always, JL Hyde creates these incredibly relatable and lovable characters. I always feel so invested in them by the time the story ends.
Witches of Westridge was an absolutely amazing story and I can’t wait to get to spend more time with these characters in the next books!
The dual timelines, the early 90s and present day, mixed with a Halloween setting and a town’s urban legend, made for a truly atmospheric read. I love a Halloween themed story. As always, JL Hyde creates these incredibly relatable and lovable characters. I always feel so invested in them by the time the story ends.
Witches of Westridge was an absolutely amazing story and I can’t wait to get to spend more time with these characters in the next books!
April 1, 2026
I am such a huge fan of JL Hyde and this book just solidified that status. I need book 2!!! Such a thrilling read. One of your best Hyde!!
April 12, 2026
absolutely can not wait for the rest of the series to come out!
March 16, 2026
5 Stars
I knew going into this book that there would be a cliffhanger since it is part 1 of 3 books, but that didn't change the fact that I wanted to throw the book across the room when I read the last page. That's how you know it is really good book when it makes me want to do this.
My jaw is still on the floor. The twists got me. Not a spoiler in the synopsis: I was so wrapped up in the 3 sisters' disappearance in the past and the deaths in the present time that the twist got me and I gasped so loud.
I love the witchcraft aspects of this book. I thought it was all really interesting.
I finished all of the books by this author. I really LOVE them all.
SUMMARY:
Dual timeline. In 1993, 3 sisters disappear without a trace after being accused of witchcraft in the town of Westridge Cove. Present day, every October the town in invaded by tourists, but this year even more tourists since there are mysterious deaths of people linked to the 3 sisters' disappearance 20 years ago. Who is killing people in the present timeline? What happened to the 3 sisters 20 years ago?
LIKE:
1. Witchcraft aspect.
2. Dual timelines.
3. Small town.
4. Month of October/Halloween timing.
DISLIKE:
1. Cursing (but it is quite funny)
2. Too short (but parts 2 and 3 will be out before I know it).
TRIGGERS:
I knew going into this book that there would be a cliffhanger since it is part 1 of 3 books, but that didn't change the fact that I wanted to throw the book across the room when I read the last page. That's how you know it is really good book when it makes me want to do this.
My jaw is still on the floor. The twists got me. Not a spoiler in the synopsis: I was so wrapped up in the 3 sisters' disappearance in the past and the deaths in the present time that the twist got me and I gasped so loud.
I love the witchcraft aspects of this book. I thought it was all really interesting.
I finished all of the books by this author. I really LOVE them all.
SUMMARY:
Dual timeline. In 1993, 3 sisters disappear without a trace after being accused of witchcraft in the town of Westridge Cove. Present day, every October the town in invaded by tourists, but this year even more tourists since there are mysterious deaths of people linked to the 3 sisters' disappearance 20 years ago. Who is killing people in the present timeline? What happened to the 3 sisters 20 years ago?
LIKE:
1. Witchcraft aspect.
2. Dual timelines.
3. Small town.
4. Month of October/Halloween timing.
DISLIKE:
1. Cursing (but it is quite funny)
2. Too short (but parts 2 and 3 will be out before I know it).
TRIGGERS:
March 20, 2026
4.5⭐️
I know JL Hyde historically has some amazing twists in her books, but this one threw me! The story was good and then got GREAT in the last 5 chapters 🤩🙌 JL is an auto-buy author for me, so I didn’t really look into the book before reading and had no idea what it was really about.
Love the 1990’s flashbacks. The main character is snarky and darkly hilarious. With the multiple timelines, there are several things going on. Think modern day witch hunt, satanic panic, etc. Small town northern Michigan with a dark past.
This is Book 1 in a series and does end on a cliffhanger. JL has shared on her social media that some things will be cleared up quickly in Book 2.
I know JL Hyde historically has some amazing twists in her books, but this one threw me! The story was good and then got GREAT in the last 5 chapters 🤩🙌 JL is an auto-buy author for me, so I didn’t really look into the book before reading and had no idea what it was really about.
Love the 1990’s flashbacks. The main character is snarky and darkly hilarious. With the multiple timelines, there are several things going on. Think modern day witch hunt, satanic panic, etc. Small town northern Michigan with a dark past.
This is Book 1 in a series and does end on a cliffhanger. JL has shared on her social media that some things will be cleared up quickly in Book 2.
March 16, 2026
What a crazy rollercoaster ride this book was! J.L.
Hyde did it again. I really loved this one. The witchy atmosphere paired with all the throwbacks to the nineties made it a lot of fun to read. The story moves between two timelines. One in 1993 and one in the present which kept things interesting as the pieces slowly came together.
Every time I read the name Butthole Bucky, I giggled like a ten year old. And that ending...wow. I definitely didn't see it coming. I can't wait for the next book!
Hyde did it again. I really loved this one. The witchy atmosphere paired with all the throwbacks to the nineties made it a lot of fun to read. The story moves between two timelines. One in 1993 and one in the present which kept things interesting as the pieces slowly came together.
Every time I read the name Butthole Bucky, I giggled like a ten year old. And that ending...wow. I definitely didn't see it coming. I can't wait for the next book!
March 12, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 👏🏻
Another great read from J.L. Hyde.
The next book in the series can’t release soon enough after this cliffhanger ending. Set in the “Salem of the Midwest”. This story combines 90s nostalgia, small town drama, two timelines, disappearances, mysterious deaths, revenge, and characters you love. Hyde’s Grady Lake Series was one of my absolute favorites last year. I know Westridge Cove Series will be a top read of this year. Bonus points for the 🧙 🤔 element and all the books in the series expected to release within a year.
Another great read from J.L. Hyde.
The next book in the series can’t release soon enough after this cliffhanger ending. Set in the “Salem of the Midwest”. This story combines 90s nostalgia, small town drama, two timelines, disappearances, mysterious deaths, revenge, and characters you love. Hyde’s Grady Lake Series was one of my absolute favorites last year. I know Westridge Cove Series will be a top read of this year. Bonus points for the 🧙 🤔 element and all the books in the series expected to release within a year.
March 15, 2026
Loved it! Read it in one day. Couldn’t put it down. Didn’t see that twist coming either and can’t wait to read the second and third of the series! Writing is so easy to read. Characters are great and I could imagine the town in my head.
March 18, 2026
I knew this book was Chapter 1 of 3. I knew this book would end on a cliffhanger (I mean, c'mon, we KNOW this is going to be a cliffhanger until that final chapter...) but I am still SO ANGRY!
But also I liked it a lot. It had great characters, I love the switches between the timelines, getting fed little morsels of information one spoonful at a time... what's not to love?! Another amazing J.L. Hyde read that I can't help but fall in love with. And suffice to say, I can't wait for the next two chapters!
But also I liked it a lot. It had great characters, I love the switches between the timelines, getting fed little morsels of information one spoonful at a time... what's not to love?! Another amazing J.L. Hyde read that I can't help but fall in love with. And suffice to say, I can't wait for the next two chapters!
March 29, 2026
If you’ve read anything by J.L. Hyde, you will not be disappointed. The tie between time frames and characters to tell the story flows incredibly well. You’ll find humor and love in an incredibly suspenseful book. The only disappointing part is waiting for the second one to come out!
May 12, 2026
I enjoyed this one! It's a quick, easy, and entertaining read. It's only the first in a series, and ends with a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the other two books. This would be the perfect book to read in October!
March 17, 2026
JL Hyde is my fav author! All of her books have been 5 stars for me. This is my new favorite!! So good!
March 30, 2026
Loved it!!!
March 25, 2026
4.5 stars. I loved this one, and I couldn't put it down. I don't think I can wait for the second book!
April 12, 2026
What a fun read!
March 22, 2026
Normally love her stuff, but the pacing and tone was way off on this one.
March 30, 2026
really liked the writing style. teaching myself that it is ok not to love the personality of the MC.... pictured Iris as Christina Ricci and love the recurring mention of (Don't Fear) the Reaper.
April 26, 2026
Well that’s a cliffhanger for sure
May 13, 2026
I love everything she writes. Can’t wait for the 2nd book!!
April 2, 2026
Was expecting so much more…
April 6, 2026
My first book from J. L. Hyde and it reminds me of the good old Nora Roberts witchy book trilogies of the 90s.
A cozy, small-town in northern Michigan dubbed the "Salem of the Midwest," the story follows Nancy Thornwick and her daughter, Iris, who navigate local witch legends and a decades-old family disappearance while running a café.
He book focuses on the mysterious disappearance of Nancy’s three sisters in 1993, while new, dark events are unfolding decades later in their town known for its "witchy" reputation.
The quick revelation about Iris early on in the story is weird and we follow her story along we grow to like her, as well as her mum, Willow Nora and Wally, the police chief. They are great characters even though one is a crazed murderer.
The split storyline makes the book interesting, we read what exactly happened to Nancy’s 3 sisters in 1993. How a town can turn on 3 teenagers overnight. The repecussions of that night is felt 3 decades on in the present day POV where people turn up dead during October when tourists flock to the town, when celebrations of all that is spooky and weird and witchy is emplified, where everyone wears masks (real and not so real ones)..
Book one gives some answers but the real answers to the mystery of 1993 is yet to come in the upcoming books.
The story is entertaining, easy to read, the characters are likeable - reading it it gives way to nostalgia.
Fun. Relaxing. Enjoyable read.
A cozy, small-town in northern Michigan dubbed the "Salem of the Midwest," the story follows Nancy Thornwick and her daughter, Iris, who navigate local witch legends and a decades-old family disappearance while running a café.
He book focuses on the mysterious disappearance of Nancy’s three sisters in 1993, while new, dark events are unfolding decades later in their town known for its "witchy" reputation.
The quick revelation about Iris early on in the story is weird and we follow her story along we grow to like her, as well as her mum, Willow Nora and Wally, the police chief. They are great characters even though one is a crazed murderer.
The split storyline makes the book interesting, we read what exactly happened to Nancy’s 3 sisters in 1993. How a town can turn on 3 teenagers overnight. The repecussions of that night is felt 3 decades on in the present day POV where people turn up dead during October when tourists flock to the town, when celebrations of all that is spooky and weird and witchy is emplified, where everyone wears masks (real and not so real ones)..
Book one gives some answers but the real answers to the mystery of 1993 is yet to come in the upcoming books.
The story is entertaining, easy to read, the characters are likeable - reading it it gives way to nostalgia.
Fun. Relaxing. Enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews