The Widow Nora

by J.L. Hyde

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 30, 2026

About the author

Hi 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!

Reviews

[Abby (readwithdrabby) · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Welcome back to Westridge Cove!!
Nancy and her daughter Iris are back, and Iris is still determined to find the truth behind the disappearance of her three aunts.

•The Widow Nora begins with a short recap of the first book in the series, Witches of Westridge. After the recap, the story picks up right where it left off. Iris wants to learn more about the mystery surrounding her aunts, Wally is right there beside Iris encouraging and helping, and Willow and Nancy both tell Iris everything they remember.

•As the story progresses, Iris begins to notice she might have some special talents and gifts that go far beyond simple intuition and gut feelings. She turns to the town’s local witch, Willow Nora, for help. Together, Willow and Iris uncover some of the town’s deepest darkest secrets that have been buried for decades.

•The Widow Nora was 10/10. It continued the story beautifully and while questions from the first book were answered, many more were left unanswered for the final book. I feel like part of my brain has been living in Westridge Cove since I finished the first book, and I’ll just continue to think about these characters and this town until the final book.

•Thank you SO much to J.L. Hyde for an advanced copy of this book! It will become available on September 30, 2026. Mark it on your calendars because you won’t want to miss this one.

[Meg Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for Widow Nora, and I really enjoyed it! I’ve read all 12 of her books, and there’s a reason I keep coming back for every new one. Her books are such easy, fun reads that are perfect when you just want to read for enjoyment, but somehow she still manages to keep me guessing the entire time.

Every time I’m absolutely positive I have everything figured out, she throws in another completely out-of-the-blue twist that makes me rethink everything. And they’re always SO good! Widow Nora was no exception. I already have so many theories, and I’m anxiously waiting for book 3 because I have a feeling there are still a LOT of twists coming.

There is quite a bit of profanity, which doesn’t bother me, but it may be worth knowing if that’s something you prefer to avoid. There are also some potentially triggering topics, but one thing I really appreciate is that she always includes trigger warnings at the beginning so readers know what to expect.

If you like quick, entertaining reads with lots of twists and books that constantly make you think, “Okay, NOW I have it figured out”… only to find out that you absolutely do not 😂, I definitely recommend this one. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Danielle Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔮 ARC REVIEW 🔮
Cozy. Mysterious. Witchy. Twisty. And an ending that had me staring at the wall trying to process what I just read. 👀
The Window Nora by J.L. Hyde is BOOK 2 in the trilogy, and somehow this one pulled me in even deeper. As a huge fan of this author, I was so excited to receive an ARC—and this book absolutely delivered.
There’s something about the cozy atmosphere mixed with the darker thriller elements and witchcraft that makes this story impossible to put down. Add in characters I’ve become completely attached to and twist after twist… and I was HOOKED.
I thought I knew where the story was going.
I did not. 😂
And that ENDING?! My brain is still trying to catch up. Im so looking forward to the finale.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a darker edge, witchy vibes, secrets, twists, and characters you’ll become obsessed with… this trilogy needs to be on your TBR. 🔮📚✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[J.L. Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

In both of my previous series, book 2 seems to be rated the highest and I get it - you're getting to continue a story that you're interested in, but you still know there's going to be a book 3 to tie everything up. I kept that in mind while writing this book and I'm so happy with the results. I just read it again (for maybe the 15th time in its entirety?) and I actually smiled when I finished it - that means it's ready and I couldn't be happier.

A little over a month until it's out in the world and I can't wait to hear what you guys think! It's a little witchier than anything I've written before, but it's still in my typical style of sarcasm, twists, and very few trigger warnings.

See you in September, friends!

[Ginger Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

JL Hyde is back again with quite the page-turner. She does the characters justice in this book with even more character development, more connection, and then more mysteries that you'll be upset aren't solved. Kidding, you'll love the twists and turns that she throws into this book that (once again) I didn't see coming. I hope to one day guess one of her endings. This book just builds even more Fall vibes and good feels that Witches of Westridge brought us. More 90's halloween vibes that we all miss. Now I will be dying until book 3 comes out 😬😁 I liked this book so much and didn't want it to end so instead of reading it in 1 day, I dragged it out to 3 days 🤭

[Lynette Ulman · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT!!!!

JL Hyde’s hilarious, elder millennial, personality really came out with this one! A comedy and a thriller!? Doesn’t get much better than that!

October and everything that comes with the fall season is the best, so this read had the perfect fall “witchy” vibes. Book 2 was even better than the first, even though I don’t know how that’s possible. The truth bombs just kept coming. And there is so much more to the story. What a masterpiece!! I can’t wait to read the conclusion to the story!

[Christy Cramer]

I don’t even know where to begin! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this before! There were so many twists and just when I think I have it figured out it goes a completely different direction. This book has you hooked from the first page! I love how J.L. Hyde always includes a recap in her series reminding you of what happened in the previous book. It’s so helpful to refresh your memory. I cannot wait for book 3 of the series - the cliffhanger at the end 😱

[Michaela Griebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I’d like to thank the author for the ARC! Being able to read a book by one of my favorite authors before the world always makes me feel so lucky 🫶🏻

I have read every single JL Hyde book, and every time I get my hands on her newest one, I always feel like it’s a new favorite of hers.

The Widow Nora—the second in the Westridge Cove series—was amazing! Being a mom of a toddler and having a busy life, I had to FORCE myself to put my Kindle down every night so I could get actual sleep and not read late into the night 😂 It seemed like every chapter drew me in and I just kept wanting more. I absolutely ate this up!

A cozy, witchy mystery that focuses on a mother-daughter duo in a town famous for Iris’s three aunts going missing decades before. There’s a little romance (which I LOVE), great small-town vibes, and so many twists. All of the reveals in this book had my jaw DROPPED.

I need book 3 immediately!! It was the perfect mystery to kick off the ‘ber months 🍂🔮

[Katie Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖ARC Review📖
ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!! This is the 2nd book in the series and we pick up right where we left off! The havoc is among us and the good vs evil battle begins! I do not want to spoil anything but if you love small town charm, a cast of lovable characters, and a mystery you are dying to solve this one is for you! Absolutely unputdownable!!

[Sagit Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a twisty book and so well-written. I loved the mix of otherworldly elements combined with intense mystery and intrigue. The mic drop cliffhanger at the end sets up the final book in this series. I can’t wait to read it!

Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy.

[Jessica Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Widow Nora was fantastic! It answered so many questions I had after book one, while still leaving me wanting more. J.L. Hyde’s writing always keeps me on my toes, and the twists in this one did not disappoint. I absolutely cannot wait to see how this entire storyline wraps up in book three!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down, and my jaw was on the floor for the last 20 minutes of the book. Hyde has a knack for writing twisty, engaging stories that I can’t put down. This one reveals just enough answers from book 1 and gives you some new twists so that you can’t wait for the finale in February!

[Sammie Pechkurow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not at all surprised to be reporting that I loved this one!! There will never be a day I don't love a JL Hyde book. I cannot wait for book 3 to see how this story wraps up. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the first two for spooky season!!

[Regina Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy and all I can say is: just read the book, folks. She never disappoints as an author & this one is no exception. 1000/10 recommend!

[Ashley Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHATTTT?! JL Hyde does it again. 10 stars. No notes!