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Housewitch: A Novel
Allison Darling, former foster child, now a stay-at-home mom of three, desperately wants to fit in with the organic latte drinking, hundred-dollar-yoga-pants-wearing moms who run Monrovia, her charming seaside village. Constantly feeling like an outsider, Allison dreams of more for her children.
When the Glamour Girls, a soap-selling company run by the most charismatic and powerful women in town, recruits Allison, she jumps at the invitation. The Glamor Girls have a hand in everything in Monrovia, from bake sales to business deals. This is what Allison's wanted her whole life—to be liked. To be popular. To belong.
After Allison's estranged mother passes away, she learns her family's heartbreaking legacy and the secret Allison's been fighting to suppress all her life emerges: she's a witch. What's more, she's not the only one in town. There's more to the Glamour Girls then it seems… and once you're a Glamour Girl, there's no going back.
Allison must use her rediscovered magic to defend Monrovia, protect her marriage and her children, and reclaim her legacy. Fighting tooth and nail for her family is easy, but what about for herself? Is it too late to confront her own demons and become the woman she dreams of being?
"Katie Schickel's debut entertains while delightfully skewering our culture's obsession with domestic perfection. In the spirit of John Updike's Witches of Eastwick and Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic, Schickel casts a spell all her own. Housewitch takes us deep inside the dark arts of 21st century motherhood and sparkles with unexpected magic." —Amber Dermont, New York Times bestselling author of The Starboard Sea
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
When the Glamour Girls, a soap-selling company run by the most charismatic and powerful women in town, recruits Allison, she jumps at the invitation. The Glamor Girls have a hand in everything in Monrovia, from bake sales to business deals. This is what Allison's wanted her whole life—to be liked. To be popular. To belong.
After Allison's estranged mother passes away, she learns her family's heartbreaking legacy and the secret Allison's been fighting to suppress all her life emerges: she's a witch. What's more, she's not the only one in town. There's more to the Glamour Girls then it seems… and once you're a Glamour Girl, there's no going back.
Allison must use her rediscovered magic to defend Monrovia, protect her marriage and her children, and reclaim her legacy. Fighting tooth and nail for her family is easy, but what about for herself? Is it too late to confront her own demons and become the woman she dreams of being?
"Katie Schickel's debut entertains while delightfully skewering our culture's obsession with domestic perfection. In the spirit of John Updike's Witches of Eastwick and Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic, Schickel casts a spell all her own. Housewitch takes us deep inside the dark arts of 21st century motherhood and sparkles with unexpected magic." —Amber Dermont, New York Times bestselling author of The Starboard Sea
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2015
58 people are currently reading
3652 people want to read
About the author
Katie Schickel
3 books119 followersKatie Schickel wants to live in a world where the surf is always up, high heels are outlawed, and love letters are as common as pink slips.
She graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in English. Her two obsessions — the ocean and writing — have led to careers in both, at times as an editor and writer, and at times as a scuba instructor, first mate, and fishing boat cook. Her debut novel, Housewitch, was selected as a Top 10 Women’s Fiction Book for 2015 by Booklist.
When she’s not making up stories and scribbling them down, you can find her staring longingly at the waves, or seeking out the next adventure.
The Mermaid’s Secret is her second novel.
She graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in English. Her two obsessions — the ocean and writing — have led to careers in both, at times as an editor and writer, and at times as a scuba instructor, first mate, and fishing boat cook. Her debut novel, Housewitch, was selected as a Top 10 Women’s Fiction Book for 2015 by Booklist.
When she’s not making up stories and scribbling them down, you can find her staring longingly at the waves, or seeking out the next adventure.
The Mermaid’s Secret is her second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
February 8, 2015
Allison Darling was raised in foster care. So all she wants is for her family and herself to fit in with the super mom's in the town of Monrovia.
So when the Queen Bee of the town wants her to become a "Glamour Girl" she dives in for that chance. Glamour girls sell soaps and lotions door to door and are those perfect moms.
Allison had begun to notice that she has some powers that aren't normal and then her long gone mom passes away after informing her that she is a witch. Then she finds out that Queen Bee Astrid and the cool moms are all witches and they want her to join their coven.
"Why did you do it? Why did you join them if you knew they were trying to turn us all into a bunch of brainwashed Martha-fucking-Stewart, baby and me yoga idiots?"
It takes a bit but Allison finally wakes up and realizes that this little coven is not all it's cracked up to be.
The first rule of not fucking with a mom is after all.."Don't mess with my kids."
This is such a fun read. I didn't want to put it down the whole time I was reading. From a first time author I'm really impressed with how entertained I was when reading it. There is not enough good witch books out there and this one was pure awesome. Think "Hocus Pocus" meets "Stepford Wives"
Plus, I did find out that you can control witches with Christian Louboutins!
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So when the Queen Bee of the town wants her to become a "Glamour Girl" she dives in for that chance. Glamour girls sell soaps and lotions door to door and are those perfect moms.
Allison had begun to notice that she has some powers that aren't normal and then her long gone mom passes away after informing her that she is a witch. Then she finds out that Queen Bee Astrid and the cool moms are all witches and they want her to join their coven.
"Why did you do it? Why did you join them if you knew they were trying to turn us all into a bunch of brainwashed Martha-fucking-Stewart, baby and me yoga idiots?"
It takes a bit but Allison finally wakes up and realizes that this little coven is not all it's cracked up to be.
The first rule of not fucking with a mom is after all.."Don't mess with my kids."
This is such a fun read. I didn't want to put it down the whole time I was reading. From a first time author I'm really impressed with how entertained I was when reading it. There is not enough good witch books out there and this one was pure awesome. Think "Hocus Pocus" meets "Stepford Wives"
Plus, I did find out that you can control witches with Christian Louboutins!
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2016
Old School Witches Unite!!
Outstanding! I enjoyed this so much. It's a real treat when you find a great witch story that doesn't get all Sabrina the Teenaged Witch on ya.
Having a mother teaching them witches witchery old school style. It's on like Donkey Kong! The plot is very good and so are the chatracters details. Everyone should read a good witch book in their day and this is one.
Outstanding! I enjoyed this so much. It's a real treat when you find a great witch story that doesn't get all Sabrina the Teenaged Witch on ya.
Having a mother teaching them witches witchery old school style. It's on like Donkey Kong! The plot is very good and so are the chatracters details. Everyone should read a good witch book in their day and this is one.
did-not-finish
March 11, 2016Originally posted on Small Review
With its Witches of Eastwick (the tv show) meets Practical Magic (the movie) vibe, Housewitch was a book I could have easily liked. And I almost did like it. Or, I did like it, mostly. Kind of.
See? I'm feeling ambivalent here.
Look, in theory, I really liked Housewitch. All of the ingredients are there and the writing is easy and comforting. It's like lounging inside wearing sweats even though it's sunny outside. Fun, soothing, nice.
Boring.
I read a little over half the book and Allison had only just started to embrace her magic. And when she finally did? Sure, it was fun. But it was fun like lounging around watching infomercials in your sweats is fun. I mean, these witches hold the magical equivalent to Tupperware parties. That's nice, and I kinda actually want my own magical Tupperware party, but it isn't exciting.
I think part of my wishy washy feelings come from Allison herself. She's so meh. I think she's supposed to be easy to relate to and represent "normal" but she just came across as dull. Like the before photos on a shampoo commercial. Hanging out with her was exhausting in the same way lounging around all day in sweats watching infomercials totally destroys all motivation to do....anything.
Dragging things down even more was Allison's kooky aunt and her coven of eccentric magic folk. I think her aunt was supposed to come across as endearing, but to me she came off more like a dirty bag lady who lives in the park talking to squirrels and yelling at you to stay away from her benches. I didn't like being around her and couldn't wait for her scenes to end. Extra points off because she and her fellow witches weren't very nice to Allison.
My favorite parts were when Allison finally embraced her magic and joined the local It Group of witches. I liked hanging out with Allison and co as they made magic beauty masks, soaked in magic spas, and concocted magical "do whatever I want" potions. This was fun. This is why I read magic books.
So I really, really didn't like that sinking feeling in my stomach that these ladies were up to no good. (I could be wrong! Remember, I didn't read to the end to find out!) I didn't want the lesson that using magic for beauty lotions is bad or that you shouldn't cast spells to make you rich. I may sound like a petulant kid or a shallow woman, but, hey, I'm ok with that. I would totally use magic to make myself pretty and rich.
At this point I DNF-ed because a) I wanted to preserve my happy shallow fantasies without moralistic lessons, b) I just wasn't invested enough to read more, and c) I couldn't stomach another scene with the aunt.
Bottom line
I knew this book wasn't going to be more than a 3 star read and I had a big pile of better books waiting to be read. If I were stuck on a plane or on vacation then I would have happily read to the end and enjoyed Housewitch as a decent but forgettable 3 star read. It's a good beach read and if you click with Allison and her aunt, then you'll probably like it even more.
This is an adult book, btw. Allison is a married mother of three and there's enough of that to likely turn off YA only readers.
Originally posted on Small Review
With its Witches of Eastwick (the tv show) meets Practical Magic (the movie) vibe, Housewitch was a book I could have easily liked. And I almost did like it. Or, I did like it, mostly. Kind of.
See? I'm feeling ambivalent here.
Look, in theory, I really liked Housewitch. All of the ingredients are there and the writing is easy and comforting. It's like lounging inside wearing sweats even though it's sunny outside. Fun, soothing, nice.
Boring.
I read a little over half the book and Allison had only just started to embrace her magic. And when she finally did? Sure, it was fun. But it was fun like lounging around watching infomercials in your sweats is fun. I mean, these witches hold the magical equivalent to Tupperware parties. That's nice, and I kinda actually want my own magical Tupperware party, but it isn't exciting.
I think part of my wishy washy feelings come from Allison herself. She's so meh. I think she's supposed to be easy to relate to and represent "normal" but she just came across as dull. Like the before photos on a shampoo commercial. Hanging out with her was exhausting in the same way lounging around all day in sweats watching infomercials totally destroys all motivation to do....anything.
Dragging things down even more was Allison's kooky aunt and her coven of eccentric magic folk. I think her aunt was supposed to come across as endearing, but to me she came off more like a dirty bag lady who lives in the park talking to squirrels and yelling at you to stay away from her benches. I didn't like being around her and couldn't wait for her scenes to end. Extra points off because she and her fellow witches weren't very nice to Allison.
My favorite parts were when Allison finally embraced her magic and joined the local It Group of witches. I liked hanging out with Allison and co as they made magic beauty masks, soaked in magic spas, and concocted magical "do whatever I want" potions. This was fun. This is why I read magic books.
So I really, really didn't like that sinking feeling in my stomach that these ladies were up to no good. (I could be wrong! Remember, I didn't read to the end to find out!) I didn't want the lesson that using magic for beauty lotions is bad or that you shouldn't cast spells to make you rich. I may sound like a petulant kid or a shallow woman, but, hey, I'm ok with that. I would totally use magic to make myself pretty and rich.
At this point I DNF-ed because a) I wanted to preserve my happy shallow fantasies without moralistic lessons, b) I just wasn't invested enough to read more, and c) I couldn't stomach another scene with the aunt.
Bottom line
I knew this book wasn't going to be more than a 3 star read and I had a big pile of better books waiting to be read. If I were stuck on a plane or on vacation then I would have happily read to the end and enjoyed Housewitch as a decent but forgettable 3 star read. It's a good beach read and if you click with Allison and her aunt, then you'll probably like it even more.
This is an adult book, btw. Allison is a married mother of three and there's enough of that to likely turn off YA only readers.
Originally posted on Small Review
January 21, 2015
**I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.**
I love magical realism in books. It always takes me away (God is that a Calgon comercial or what?!?), lets me really sink into a world that isn't so impossible and escape my own for just a brief spot of time. And this book did just that. I read it in one day and my only regret is that I didn't savor it better and spread it out over a couple days. This book is so reminiscent of Weird Sister by Kate Pullinger or Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and of course my favorite Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic. I really loved Allison I could relate to her struggles with fitting in and trying to keep up. I wish there was more. One more chapter or something you know. It was a book I was sad to see end.
I love magical realism in books. It always takes me away (God is that a Calgon comercial or what?!?), lets me really sink into a world that isn't so impossible and escape my own for just a brief spot of time. And this book did just that. I read it in one day and my only regret is that I didn't savor it better and spread it out over a couple days. This book is so reminiscent of Weird Sister by Kate Pullinger or Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and of course my favorite Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic. I really loved Allison I could relate to her struggles with fitting in and trying to keep up. I wish there was more. One more chapter or something you know. It was a book I was sad to see end.
January 26, 2015
Housewitch by Katie Schickel is a great book about witches. I was fortunate enough to get an excerpt of Housewitch. It is such a good book and I cannot wait until the book is released so that I can finish reading it. The book starts out talking about three sisters in Misery Shoal. The three sisters are Aurora (youngest), Freya, and Wilhemena (the oldest). Elizabeth is their mother and a witch. The girls are also witches and their mother is teaching them magic using the “old ways” (herbs and spells). Unfortunately, Freya has darkness in her and does not want to restrict her magic to just doing good. The book then jumps to Allison and her family in Monrovia, Massachusetts. Allison does not know that she is a witch. One day she notices that when she thinks about something it happens! Her daughter wanted the little piglets to dance at the petting zoo and next thing that Allison knows the little piglets are dancing! Allison finds out that there has been a spell protecting her since childhood but with her mother's health failing (whom Allison has not seen in 30 years), so is the protection spell.
The present with Allison is interspersed with tales of the three girls. One of which is Allison's mother. To find out what happens with Allison, how she handles her magic, and why there was a protection spell on her, read Housewitch! I cannot wait to finish this book! Happy Reading!
Received a complimentary excerpt of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The present with Allison is interspersed with tales of the three girls. One of which is Allison's mother. To find out what happens with Allison, how she handles her magic, and why there was a protection spell on her, read Housewitch! I cannot wait to finish this book! Happy Reading!
Received a complimentary excerpt of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2019
This book was ok. I really enjoyed parts of it, but I was hoping for a cuter, Bewitched kind of story. It was more like Stepford Wives, and felt underdeveloped. I also thought the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked more magic and fun spells, and less shallow elitist drama. The overall story was ok, and a fun idea. It was a good, quick read for October, but not great writing or anything. I thought the parts of the story that took place in the past, were written much better than the present-day chapters. If she had shortened up the town drama, and developed the end more, with more spells and learning about magic, I would have liked it a lot more.
January 7, 2016
Magnificent. And if Katie Schickel doesn't make this into a series, my life will not be complete.
February 2, 2015
Three and a half stars: A fun witchy read in a perfect town with dark secrets.
Allison wants desperately to fit in with the rest of the perfect moms in Monrovia. Yet no matter how hard she pushes, she can't seem to attain the easy perfection that the rest of the pink cashmere cape wearing ladies exude. Things change when Allison is at the local carnival. Inexplicably, her long buried magic reemerges. Soon Allison learns the truth behind the return of her magic. Before long she begins to understand what is really going on in Monrovia, and she finds herself in an epic struggle to save her family. Can Allison survive Monrovia?
What I Liked:
*I was thrilled to pick up a solid adult witch book. I enjoyed the characters, the story, and I especially loved learning the truth about the perfect town of Monrovia. Appearances are deceiving and it turns out there are dark forces at work in Monrovia. If you are in the mood for a fun witchy read, I recommend Housewitch.
*Allison is a likable heroine, one who I was easily able to connect with. Allison is the typical, ordinary housewife, frazzled with trying to take care of her husband and children, while hoping to fit in with the elite ladies in her community. Except that Allison is a bit different, she is actually a witch. Allison has endured plenty of hardship as she was abandoned by her mother at the age of seven, and then spent the rest of her childhood in foster care. She has never felt accepted, until she is taken in by the women of Monrovia. It was easy to see why Allison so desperately wanted to fit in with the glamorous gals, but once she learns the truth, I admired that she didn't lose her moral compass, and that she did the right thing even when it cost her greatly. In the end, Allison was a character whom I admired.
*The story quickly drew me in. It starts out in 1943 with three young witches, and then it moves forward to present day where we meet Allison. As the story progresses, it goes back and forth in time between Allison and the three witches in the past. These glimpses in the past, help the reader to understand why the dark witch was motivated to behave the way she does. I thought the author did a good job of integrating the past and the present, and I had no trouble with the flashbacks. It ended up being a fun, exciting and entertaining mystery.
*If you love magic and mayhem, this is the perfect read for you. I liked the magic, particularly when things notch up after Allison joined the coven. The spells and their outcomes were fun and entertaining, and some of the spells were downright devious.
*There is a bit of a mystery surrounding the town of Monrovia, Astrid and the Dark Witch. It was easy to connect the dots and figure out the big reveal, and even though I knew it was coming, I liked the way it all played out.
*I enjoyed this book, and I am hopeful that this is the first in a series. The ending left several things undone, and I think there is more story to tell. We don't get too many adult witch books, and so I hope there are more books planned.
And The Not So Much:
*The ending was rapid and it concluded with way too many unanswered questions, especially concerning Freya. What happened to her? Will she reemerge? I didn't like that her fate was left hanging. I also wanted to know how the rest of the coven fared. What about Judy and the Half Way House? I am hoping that another book is planned because I felt like the book was too open ended.
*While I liked the flashbacks to the past, I was disappointed that there wasn't more information about Allison's mother. I wanted to know so much more about her, especially as to why she never contacted Allison or why she didn't leave any written notes behind explaining things. I also wondered about Allison's father, who was he? Where was he? I was also troubled by the whole story line with the three witches father. What type of relationship did he have with his wife and daughters? How did the mother act when she learned his fate?
Housewitch was an entertaining and fun read, think Stepford Wives meets Witches of Eastwick. I thoroughly enjoyed this witchy tale, but I was a bit let down by the rapid ending that left too many story lines undone. I am hoping that there are more books planned because I would very much like to go back and catch up with Allison, Aurora and the rest of the folks in Monrovia. If you are looking for a magical realism book, I recommend Housewitch.
Favorite Quotations:
"You don't forget the way home, no matter how long it's been."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Allison wants desperately to fit in with the rest of the perfect moms in Monrovia. Yet no matter how hard she pushes, she can't seem to attain the easy perfection that the rest of the pink cashmere cape wearing ladies exude. Things change when Allison is at the local carnival. Inexplicably, her long buried magic reemerges. Soon Allison learns the truth behind the return of her magic. Before long she begins to understand what is really going on in Monrovia, and she finds herself in an epic struggle to save her family. Can Allison survive Monrovia?
What I Liked:
*I was thrilled to pick up a solid adult witch book. I enjoyed the characters, the story, and I especially loved learning the truth about the perfect town of Monrovia. Appearances are deceiving and it turns out there are dark forces at work in Monrovia. If you are in the mood for a fun witchy read, I recommend Housewitch.
*Allison is a likable heroine, one who I was easily able to connect with. Allison is the typical, ordinary housewife, frazzled with trying to take care of her husband and children, while hoping to fit in with the elite ladies in her community. Except that Allison is a bit different, she is actually a witch. Allison has endured plenty of hardship as she was abandoned by her mother at the age of seven, and then spent the rest of her childhood in foster care. She has never felt accepted, until she is taken in by the women of Monrovia. It was easy to see why Allison so desperately wanted to fit in with the glamorous gals, but once she learns the truth, I admired that she didn't lose her moral compass, and that she did the right thing even when it cost her greatly. In the end, Allison was a character whom I admired.
*The story quickly drew me in. It starts out in 1943 with three young witches, and then it moves forward to present day where we meet Allison. As the story progresses, it goes back and forth in time between Allison and the three witches in the past. These glimpses in the past, help the reader to understand why the dark witch was motivated to behave the way she does. I thought the author did a good job of integrating the past and the present, and I had no trouble with the flashbacks. It ended up being a fun, exciting and entertaining mystery.
*If you love magic and mayhem, this is the perfect read for you. I liked the magic, particularly when things notch up after Allison joined the coven. The spells and their outcomes were fun and entertaining, and some of the spells were downright devious.
*There is a bit of a mystery surrounding the town of Monrovia, Astrid and the Dark Witch. It was easy to connect the dots and figure out the big reveal, and even though I knew it was coming, I liked the way it all played out.
*I enjoyed this book, and I am hopeful that this is the first in a series. The ending left several things undone, and I think there is more story to tell. We don't get too many adult witch books, and so I hope there are more books planned.
And The Not So Much:
*The ending was rapid and it concluded with way too many unanswered questions, especially concerning Freya. What happened to her? Will she reemerge? I didn't like that her fate was left hanging. I also wanted to know how the rest of the coven fared. What about Judy and the Half Way House? I am hoping that another book is planned because I felt like the book was too open ended.
*While I liked the flashbacks to the past, I was disappointed that there wasn't more information about Allison's mother. I wanted to know so much more about her, especially as to why she never contacted Allison or why she didn't leave any written notes behind explaining things. I also wondered about Allison's father, who was he? Where was he? I was also troubled by the whole story line with the three witches father. What type of relationship did he have with his wife and daughters? How did the mother act when she learned his fate?
Housewitch was an entertaining and fun read, think Stepford Wives meets Witches of Eastwick. I thoroughly enjoyed this witchy tale, but I was a bit let down by the rapid ending that left too many story lines undone. I am hoping that there are more books planned because I would very much like to go back and catch up with Allison, Aurora and the rest of the folks in Monrovia. If you are looking for a magical realism book, I recommend Housewitch.
Favorite Quotations:
"You don't forget the way home, no matter how long it's been."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
February 27, 2015
Debut author Katie Schickel chooses here to construct two stories that inter-relate. Allison Darling is a stay-home mom in coastal Massachusetts with two problems- she suffers from 21st century homemaker angst, and she comes from a family of witches from which she has become estranged. As ye tale develops, we get glimpses of her childhood and her weird family history. But at the same time, we see how her surface existence of wanting to keep up with the trend setters of her community is feeding on these deeper wells of trouble. Do you have the right shoes? Are your kids popular? Is everything just so when you entertain? Adding to her problems is the fact that the coterie of perfect moms in her town, who are starting to really run the place, are dominated by a powerful witch who exploits their insecurities and desperation, and who seems to have it in for Allison.
Both levels of the story do make sense, and both are able to comment on the other. As a result, character growth occurs, and reader interest is maintained.
Is this a Big Book of 2015? Honestly, the answer is probably no. The depth and complexity are not that remarkable. It is a flavorful potion that goes down smoothly.
Both levels of the story do make sense, and both are able to comment on the other. As a result, character growth occurs, and reader interest is maintained.
Is this a Big Book of 2015? Honestly, the answer is probably no. The depth and complexity are not that remarkable. It is a flavorful potion that goes down smoothly.
July 5, 2020
Allison Darling was born a witch but lost her abilities as a child. Now many years in the future she is an adult with a family of her own and all of a sudden her powers come back to her an it's up to her to save her town and her family. I thought this was such a fun read.
February 15, 2015
This seems to be a fun and entertaining novel in the style of Desperate Housewives meets Witches of East End with a touch of Bridget Jones put in the mix. I will not post a full review because I only had the chance to read a preview excerpt (the first 100 pages or so) via netgalley. But I can say the following: It’s written extremely well for a debut author. If not for the author profile I wouldn’t have guessed from reading the book. I simply couldn’t put it down. It’s entertaining, funny, hilarious, and quite unique. I highly petition publishers and authors to write more books with witches. (A highly underrepresented genre if you ask me).
I simply cannot wait until the book is released so that I can finish reading it.
I simply cannot wait until the book is released so that I can finish reading it.
September 21, 2017
I liked it. I thought Allison was a relatable character, I too feel like I'm sometimes drowning in a sea of yoga pants. I was with her every step of the way, from being overwhelmed by kiddos, to family sometimes failing you when you need them most to being lured into a situation that just has to be too good to be true.
For me the only downfall was which witch. Because that witch couldn't be anymore fucking obvious, lol.
For me the only downfall was which witch. Because that witch couldn't be anymore fucking obvious, lol.
December 24, 2014
I got a preview excerpt of this book. Reminded me a bit of The Witches of Eastwick, a book I enjoyed quite a few years ago. Witches in our times are always interesting. I'll have to get the whole book to find out what happens!
February 17, 2015
Loved it! **review to come**
July 12, 2019
This is a darn good book, an excellent choice for a summer read at the campground.
October 3, 2019
A first from this author and this genre. This was a magical entertaining story. Predictable at times.
October 1, 2023
Would have given it 5 stars if not for the ableism and attitude towards autistic people that is never reconciled.
July 20, 2024
Pretty cute, a little different spin
September 2, 2025
Couldn’t finish it, way too fat-phobic
November 3, 2019
A fun, original take on witches that I enjoyed reading. I did not watch "Desperate Housewives", but I do agree with other reviewers that it had that type of tone to it. I like how the author was able to allow the reader to relate to a struggling mom trying to fit in to the neighborhood while having to deal with her family-who just happens to be witches with ancient ways in a modern time.
March 10, 2015
Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes
I absolutely adored this book. I liked it so much that I told people about it before I was even 60 pages into it. Clearly there were a few reasons why Housewitch held so much appeal for me!
From the get go Housewitch felt original. There are other novels that have modern day witches and other novels that include herbal remedies and spell like concoctions and there are certainly many other novels with that “Real Housewives” feel but I have yet to find another one that pulls all these elements together and makes a story so much fun to read.
Allison’s life in Monrovia seems to be moving along and taking her with it. There’s not a lot of scope in this town to be original, unique or even put one toe off the beaten path. The Stepford Wives were practically free thinkers compared to the women in this town! For someone trying to hide her own unusual gifts it’s only a matter of time before the whole thing unravels. When Allison’s mother dies and opens up the possibility of her family being in danger the two worlds of perfect Monrovia and crazy aunts (who dress like they stepped out of Hansel & Gretel) begin to bring Allison’s gifts out in the open.
I loved Allison’s children, pets and husband and the fact that Katie Schickel made them so much like any other family next door. They were entirely imperfect but completely loveable. You could feel the tension in Allison and I wish she’d been more able to share her fears and gifts with her husband- that was the one part of the novel that frustrated me a tiny bit. They seemed so in love but I had hoped she could share her burden with him and perhaps they could have found a solution together earlier.
All in all though the novel was gripping and I couldn’t put it down. The bad guys were utterly horrid and the good guys came together in the end. Perfect!
Thank you to the author for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
I absolutely adored this book. I liked it so much that I told people about it before I was even 60 pages into it. Clearly there were a few reasons why Housewitch held so much appeal for me!
From the get go Housewitch felt original. There are other novels that have modern day witches and other novels that include herbal remedies and spell like concoctions and there are certainly many other novels with that “Real Housewives” feel but I have yet to find another one that pulls all these elements together and makes a story so much fun to read.
Allison’s life in Monrovia seems to be moving along and taking her with it. There’s not a lot of scope in this town to be original, unique or even put one toe off the beaten path. The Stepford Wives were practically free thinkers compared to the women in this town! For someone trying to hide her own unusual gifts it’s only a matter of time before the whole thing unravels. When Allison’s mother dies and opens up the possibility of her family being in danger the two worlds of perfect Monrovia and crazy aunts (who dress like they stepped out of Hansel & Gretel) begin to bring Allison’s gifts out in the open.
I loved Allison’s children, pets and husband and the fact that Katie Schickel made them so much like any other family next door. They were entirely imperfect but completely loveable. You could feel the tension in Allison and I wish she’d been more able to share her fears and gifts with her husband- that was the one part of the novel that frustrated me a tiny bit. They seemed so in love but I had hoped she could share her burden with him and perhaps they could have found a solution together earlier.
All in all though the novel was gripping and I couldn’t put it down. The bad guys were utterly horrid and the good guys came together in the end. Perfect!
Thank you to the author for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
January 7, 2015
This summary led me to requesting to review the preview and I am so glad I did. I did my rating off of just the preview, but I feel comfortable that the rest of the book will live up to the beginning chapters!
Katie Schickel has a great capacity to enthrall you with her words, paint both the mythical and everyday worlds in great detail and leave you entrenched in the story. I say this confident that other readers will feel the same because when I came to the end of the preview I kept clicking the side for the page to turn (sadly to no avail!) The storytelling in this book is extremely realistic. I felt like I was at some of the events described in the book, could clearly picture how some of the secondary characters (such as her aunt) looked and sounded, and feel her desire to fit in with the parents for her children's and own sake. The book does jump around a bit, in terms of giving some back story on Allison's mom, siblings and the magic, but as soon as you get involved in the story the changing of time periods is easy to follow and enriches the context of Allison's confusion, the nerves and actions of other characters , and the overall story.
If you like laughing while you read, feeling involved in the story, a little bit of magic and intrigue then I think you will love this book! It does not come out until February 17, 2015, but it most certainly is on my list of books that I am excited to see published this year!
Full review on www.meghanvarner.blogspot.com
Katie Schickel has a great capacity to enthrall you with her words, paint both the mythical and everyday worlds in great detail and leave you entrenched in the story. I say this confident that other readers will feel the same because when I came to the end of the preview I kept clicking the side for the page to turn (sadly to no avail!) The storytelling in this book is extremely realistic. I felt like I was at some of the events described in the book, could clearly picture how some of the secondary characters (such as her aunt) looked and sounded, and feel her desire to fit in with the parents for her children's and own sake. The book does jump around a bit, in terms of giving some back story on Allison's mom, siblings and the magic, but as soon as you get involved in the story the changing of time periods is easy to follow and enriches the context of Allison's confusion, the nerves and actions of other characters , and the overall story.
If you like laughing while you read, feeling involved in the story, a little bit of magic and intrigue then I think you will love this book! It does not come out until February 17, 2015, but it most certainly is on my list of books that I am excited to see published this year!
Full review on www.meghanvarner.blogspot.com
February 17, 2015
Actually a 4.5 star, maybe even a bit more.
I read the preview edition from Netgalley and would gladly read more.
I love Lindsay's review comparing it to my favorite novels including Weird Sister by Kate Pullinger and Garden Spells or The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen.
The first section about three very young girls having to take on responsibilities for children much older than their years, and the hints at the terrible secrets had me intriqued quickly.
Then the jump to something totally different had me wondering where things were going, but the stepford like community convinced me magic was involved. Dark magic of sorts.
Allsion was a child of the protective services system. She grew up feeling abandoned and unwanted. She was not like the other children. When she has a chance at a family of her own she tries so hard to be a great mom but always seems to see herself lacking by comparison to the other mothers. One frazzled day at a school carnival strange things begin to occur. Is it her imagination or do impossible things really happen?
One phone call turns her whole life inside out and upside down.
I only read the preview edition and can't wait to get my hands on a longer version.
I read the preview edition from Netgalley and would gladly read more.
I love Lindsay's review comparing it to my favorite novels including Weird Sister by Kate Pullinger and Garden Spells or The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen.
The first section about three very young girls having to take on responsibilities for children much older than their years, and the hints at the terrible secrets had me intriqued quickly.
Then the jump to something totally different had me wondering where things were going, but the stepford like community convinced me magic was involved. Dark magic of sorts.
Allsion was a child of the protective services system. She grew up feeling abandoned and unwanted. She was not like the other children. When she has a chance at a family of her own she tries so hard to be a great mom but always seems to see herself lacking by comparison to the other mothers. One frazzled day at a school carnival strange things begin to occur. Is it her imagination or do impossible things really happen?
One phone call turns her whole life inside out and upside down.
I only read the preview edition and can't wait to get my hands on a longer version.
April 12, 2015
Overall this book was a great read. I enjoyed the character development, the plot and the stereotypes the characters fill so perfectly. We all know those people who try to emulate perfection and on the outside it looks like they are. I love how this book uses these characters to show how imperfect we all really are.
My only issue with the book was how short and succinct the climax and ending were. The whole book was spent leading up to the main climax that ended in the last three pages. It just left something to be desired. I'm hoping the author makes this into a series where the "Dark Witch" returns and Allison bands together with her family and friends because I feel like there are so many characters and details that need to be continued!!
My only issue with the book was how short and succinct the climax and ending were. The whole book was spent leading up to the main climax that ended in the last three pages. It just left something to be desired. I'm hoping the author makes this into a series where the "Dark Witch" returns and Allison bands together with her family and friends because I feel like there are so many characters and details that need to be continued!!
January 24, 2015
I received this as a review copy from Netgalley and to be honest, did not realize that this was just an excerpt. Had I known that, I wouldn't have requested it. I hate reading half of the book and then waiting to get hold of the rest.
Alison Darling is just a regular mother of three kids, trying to lead a normal life. Nothing is going very 'normally' though. Try as she might to try to fit in, she's struggling and when her past catches up with her, she has to stop and pay heed.
It was an interesting book, at least to the part I read. it kept my interest going, and had me gasping for more. This will be a book I will be on the look out for.
Alison Darling is just a regular mother of three kids, trying to lead a normal life. Nothing is going very 'normally' though. Try as she might to try to fit in, she's struggling and when her past catches up with her, she has to stop and pay heed.
It was an interesting book, at least to the part I read. it kept my interest going, and had me gasping for more. This will be a book I will be on the look out for.
September 14, 2016
An ordinary housewife and mother discovers she is a witch from a long line of witches. Never mind that she can't recall any spells, her mother abandoned her and she desperately wants to be a part of the Glamour Girls and wear the pink cashmere cape.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and how very entertaining it was. There are days when a "me first" masque would make my life so enjoyable and it would take no time at all to conjure up a list of people I would love to use spells on. There was a depth to the story I didn't expect; love, abandonment, loyalty, family all figure in Allison's world.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and how very entertaining it was. There are days when a "me first" masque would make my life so enjoyable and it would take no time at all to conjure up a list of people I would love to use spells on. There was a depth to the story I didn't expect; love, abandonment, loyalty, family all figure in Allison's world.
February 16, 2015
I received a preview excerpt of this book and would be keen to read more. It’s a very interesting concept. I want to know how it ends!
Allison want to fit in with the other mums in her town. It’s a bit like Stepford Wives and she’s longing to be accepted. What she’s hiding is the fact that she can make things happen using witch skills. She helps out at a fayre and one obnoxious little boy gets an onion in the apple bobbing and she makes the little piglets dance for her daughter like they do in her story book.
Allison want to fit in with the other mums in her town. It’s a bit like Stepford Wives and she’s longing to be accepted. What she’s hiding is the fact that she can make things happen using witch skills. She helps out at a fayre and one obnoxious little boy gets an onion in the apple bobbing and she makes the little piglets dance for her daughter like they do in her story book.
November 24, 2014
I got the chance to read this book early and I LOVED it! It's witty and entertaining and superbly written. Think Mean Girls meets Bewitched meets Desperate Housewives. (I think, although I never really watched Desperate Housewives.) I loved the way the author moved between past and present so we learn the present-day predicament of the narrator along with the family history of witchcraft that got her where she is today. Highly recommend!
January 6, 2015
I just read a preview and it was really good, reminds me of Alice Hoffman's earlier novels. Can't wait to read all of it. For fans of magical realism, witches, etc. There is just something I love about herbs, natural healing, and concoctions, it brings to mind little old white witches and fairy tales.
UPDATE: I received an ARC and will review the entire novel soon. Nice to have in my hands before Christmas, landed on the doorstep today. Hurrah :)
UPDATE: I received an ARC and will review the entire novel soon. Nice to have in my hands before Christmas, landed on the doorstep today. Hurrah :)
March 9, 2015
This was the exact book I needed this past weekend. It was full of fun, sadness, adventure, family and friends. There were some very positive life values at the core of this story. The reader was given the chance to really use their imagination while reading this story. I do hope this author might make the characters in this book into a series of books. When you are looking for an entertaining story, pick-up this book.
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