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katkinslee's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was good, the characters were awesome and the romance was cute. It was a little bit too young adult for me but that's just my preference.
tj_darkreads's review
5.0
I absolutely loved reading this story. From the very first page these character's had me hooked. This is a new arthur for me and after reading the blurb I knew I had to read it, and I'm so glad I did.
This is book 1 in the sleepy lil town of Weeping Hollow where thing's are not what they seem and magic and secrets are kept hidden.
At first I didn't know what to think about Harriet she was just so untrusting and suspicious of everyone, but the more I read of the story it all started making sense. Phew her mom is something else, her and Harriet don't have the best relationship and I can see why after the thing's that are said and done, but under that front Harriet puts on, she's just a teenager who's a softie and cares deeply oh and can see ghost. But I'm beginning to wonder though if she's so much more than a witch who can't do magic.
Then you have the boy's Spencer, Owen, Mattie and Nolan. These 4 have been friend's for a very long time and all share the same love of the paranormal, and when Harriet moves to Weeping Hollow specially the Abbott house they’re beyond excited and her being hot and goes to their school, well, that's like the icing on the cake to them.
This is a slow burn RH like real slow, but then they're nerds what can you expect
This is book 1 in the sleepy lil town of Weeping Hollow where thing's are not what they seem and magic and secrets are kept hidden.
At first I didn't know what to think about Harriet she was just so untrusting and suspicious of everyone, but the more I read of the story it all started making sense. Phew her mom is something else, her and Harriet don't have the best relationship and I can see why after the thing's that are said and done, but under that front Harriet puts on, she's just a teenager who's a softie and cares deeply oh and can see ghost. But I'm beginning to wonder though if she's so much more than a witch who can't do magic.
Then you have the boy's Spencer, Owen, Mattie and Nolan. These 4 have been friend's for a very long time and all share the same love of the paranormal, and when Harriet moves to Weeping Hollow specially the Abbott house they’re beyond excited and her being hot and goes to their school, well, that's like the icing on the cake to them.
This is a slow burn RH like real slow, but then they're nerds what can you expect
jcobaltt's review
4.0
R A T I N G A N D R E V I E W :
↪ 4.5 stars
‘Everything felt so empty before I met you.’’
**spoilers in the review below**
PLOT
The story follows Harriet– a witch with no powers who has the ability to see and speak with ghosts. Moving to a new town her family was once prominent members of, she befriends a small group of friends who just so happen to be amateur ghost hunters. When they decide to investigate the deaths of two ghosts who constantly follow Harriet around, they accidentally uncover much darker secrets than they ever anticipated.
ROMANCE
There wasn’t too much because of the YA-aspect and because it’s a slow-burn, but the parts we did get were pretty sweet and we could clearly see how the relationships are going to be formed. Something that many writers often forget to include in reverse harems.
WRITING/PACING
I actually loved the writing in this. I feel like the author, Willow, improved her writing a lot in comparison to her first series. The chapters had the perfect length and I had no problems with the pacing either.
CHARACTERS
↠ Harriet. I honestly didn’t know what to think of her when I started reading this. She came off as harsh and maybe a bit bitchy and her ‘’sneering’’ really threw me off. I kind of realized, later on, that it’s more like a coping mechanism and that I relate to her more than I should. She turned out to be such a sweet and compassionate person that really grew on me.
↠ Mattie. I liked him. He often reminded me of a golden retriever with his personality to be honest and reading his POV just made him more adorable.
↠ Nolan. Okay..so. I wasn’t sure what to think of him, because he really annoyed me at times. Although later on I realized, same with Harriet, that the points he made were all really true and ever normal person would react and freak out the same way he did. Like he was just being reasonable. Stuff that maybe made him come across stupid, would’ve just made him ‘’real’’ in real-life. Side note:The binocular-incident was embarrassing to say the least though, but I’m glad they got over it.
↠ Owen. He was my absolute favorite from the beginning, even though I know I shouldn’t have one. He’s been there for Harriet since the beginning and I can’t wait to find out more about him. Imagine Harriet meeting the ghost in his past…oh boy.
↠ Side characters. Not going to lie, I need more about the side characters. Ryan is one of my favorite characters Willow has ever written, and I just need to know more. The same with Dorian. He’s super interesting to me, it might be the ‘’mysterious-vibe’’ he’s got going on. I also loved Owen’s step-mom and I’m glad Harriet has someone to confide in.
↠ Very realistic characters, POVs and situations. The series is a perfect mix between her previous series and I love how different every character is so you have no trouble confusing one with another.
CONCLUSION
I overall loved this. I honestly wish the book had been longer, because I could not put it down.
I kinda wish the books had been written in a college-like setting or at least had the characters age-up which would've made it more enjoyable to me, since I prefer reading NA books over Ya. I don't mind this one though, at all. It was the perfect mix between mystery and sweetness and was one of my favourites to start the year.
B O O K D E T A I L S :
Title: Shadows and Curses
Book 1 in the Weeping Willow series
by: Willow Hadley
POV(s): 1st person–multiple POVs
Standalone: No
Genre: Paranormal reverse harem
Tags/Tropes
– high school YA
-why choose?
-ghost hunters
-witches
– friends to lovers
– slowburn
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
↪ 4.5 stars
‘Everything felt so empty before I met you.’’
**spoilers in the review below**
PLOT
The story follows Harriet– a witch with no powers who has the ability to see and speak with ghosts. Moving to a new town her family was once prominent members of, she befriends a small group of friends who just so happen to be amateur ghost hunters. When they decide to investigate the deaths of two ghosts who constantly follow Harriet around, they accidentally uncover much darker secrets than they ever anticipated.
ROMANCE
There wasn’t too much because of the YA-aspect and because it’s a slow-burn, but the parts we did get were pretty sweet and we could clearly see how the relationships are going to be formed. Something that many writers often forget to include in reverse harems.
WRITING/PACING
I actually loved the writing in this. I feel like the author, Willow, improved her writing a lot in comparison to her first series. The chapters had the perfect length and I had no problems with the pacing either.
CHARACTERS
↠ Harriet. I honestly didn’t know what to think of her when I started reading this. She came off as harsh and maybe a bit bitchy and her ‘’sneering’’ really threw me off. I kind of realized, later on, that it’s more like a coping mechanism and that I relate to her more than I should. She turned out to be such a sweet and compassionate person that really grew on me.
↠ Nolan. Okay..so. I wasn’t sure what to think of him, because he really annoyed me at times. Although later on I realized, same with Harriet, that the points he made were all really true and ever normal person would react and freak out the same way he did. Like he was just being reasonable. Stuff that maybe made him come across stupid, would’ve just made him ‘’real’’ in real-life. Side note:The binocular-incident was embarrassing to say the least though, but I’m glad they got over it.
↠ Owen. He was my absolute favorite from the beginning, even though I know I shouldn’t have one. He’s been there for Harriet since the beginning and I can’t wait to find out more about him. Imagine Harriet meeting the ghost in his past…oh boy.
↠ Side characters. Not going to lie, I need more about the side characters. Ryan is one of my favorite characters Willow has ever written, and I just need to know more. The same with Dorian. He’s super interesting to me, it might be the ‘’mysterious-vibe’’ he’s got going on. I also loved Owen’s step-mom and I’m glad Harriet has someone to confide in.
↠ Very realistic characters, POVs and situations. The series is a perfect mix between her previous series and I love how different every character is so you have no trouble confusing one with another.
CONCLUSION
I overall loved this. I honestly wish the book had been longer, because I could not put it down.
I kinda wish the books had been written in a college-like setting or at least had the characters age-up which would've made it more enjoyable to me, since I prefer reading NA books over Ya. I don't mind this one though, at all. It was the perfect mix between mystery and sweetness and was one of my favourites to start the year.
B O O K D E T A I L S :
Title: Shadows and Curses
Book 1 in the Weeping Willow series
by: Willow Hadley
POV(s): 1st person–multiple POVs
Standalone: No
Genre: Paranormal reverse harem
Tags/Tropes
– high school YA
-why choose?
-ghost hunters
-witches
– friends to lovers
– slowburn
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
spicybookswbb's review
5.0
Willow Hadley has sucked me into another one of her series.
This book was just as amazing as her others.
Harriet is a witch, but one without the normal witchy powers, which makes her feel like a dud. Several things make Harriet feel self conscious, which leads her to being a bit grumpy and prickly. But her guys are quick to start battering at her walls.
While this is a why choose, it’s definitely slow burn, and this book only sees to her building a romantic relationship with two of the guys so far. I can’t wait for the next two, and I’m seriously hoping for some ghost action too!
This book was just as amazing as her others.
Harriet is a witch, but one without the normal witchy powers, which makes her feel like a dud. Several things make Harriet feel self conscious, which leads her to being a bit grumpy and prickly. But her guys are quick to start battering at her walls.
While this is a why choose, it’s definitely slow burn, and this book only sees to her building a romantic relationship with two of the guys so far. I can’t wait for the next two, and I’m seriously hoping for some ghost action too!
karenu's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
greek_myth5's review
4.0
I really, really enjoyed this book!
What a wonderful read and start to the series. Harriet is a prickly girl but it's understandable. Her mother is vain and completely clueless. Her aunt - useless. The guys are so endearing in their own ways and I absolutely adore Owen. Looking forward to more.
What a wonderful read and start to the series. Harriet is a prickly girl but it's understandable. Her mother is vain and completely clueless. Her aunt - useless. The guys are so endearing in their own ways and I absolutely adore Owen. Looking forward to more.
marisakucha's review
5.0
Loved this book!
I don’t know how Willow Hadley does it but I just love her stories and its characters. I enjoyed reading every word in this novel and I could not put it down.
It’s a slow burn but it’s a natural progression for the characters. There are discussions, obstacles, acceptance and it feels realistic and not forced. It’s a very sweet romance and it was refreshing to see characters have discussions instead of watching a simple misunderstanding blow everything up.
I meant it when I said I couldn’t put this book down. I’m not sure if it was just what I wanted to read at that moment but it worked for me. I felt like I was smiling while reading most of this book and it’s a nice feeling. Few emotional moments but it worked.
This book feel like a combination of the best parts of the author’s previous series, the Cricket and Charlotte series so if you enjoyed those you will very much enjoy this. I cannot wait for the next book!
I don’t know how Willow Hadley does it but I just love her stories and its characters. I enjoyed reading every word in this novel and I could not put it down.
It’s a slow burn but it’s a natural progression for the characters. There are discussions, obstacles, acceptance and it feels realistic and not forced. It’s a very sweet romance and it was refreshing to see characters have discussions instead of watching a simple misunderstanding blow everything up.
I meant it when I said I couldn’t put this book down. I’m not sure if it was just what I wanted to read at that moment but it worked for me. I felt like I was smiling while reading most of this book and it’s a nice feeling. Few emotional moments but it worked.
This book feel like a combination of the best parts of the author’s previous series, the Cricket and Charlotte series so if you enjoyed those you will very much enjoy this. I cannot wait for the next book!
dettadrake's review
4.0
The fMC in this one is kind of a mix between Cricket, Charlotte and Isla. She can be snide/sarcastic, sometimes a bit too much to undeserving people, which bothered me from time to time. But because we see that happen in her POV, we do know why she does that and I can look past it.
The guys are so cute! Except for Nolan, I can definitely see Harriet falling for all of them. Nolan still has a long way to go, and he also didn’t get that much time in this book so he probably has more in book 2. I’m so conflicted about Ryan, I kinda want him in the harem but I also desperately want him to finally be able to pass over and find peace instead of staying stuck in limbo in a world he’ll never be able to completely be a part of again. Ahh it’s hard!
I loved the mystery element to the book and am soooo excited to find out more in book 2!!!
The guys are so cute! Except for Nolan, I can definitely see Harriet falling for all of them. Nolan still has a long way to go, and he also didn’t get that much time in this book so he probably has more in book 2. I’m so conflicted about Ryan, I kinda want him in the harem but I also desperately want him to finally be able to pass over and find peace instead of staying stuck in limbo in a world he’ll never be able to completely be a part of again. Ahh it’s hard!
I loved the mystery element to the book and am soooo excited to find out more in book 2!!!
ashresch's review
5.0
another amazing book from Willow Hadley. This book had me giggling and smiling while reading it. At first I wasn’t sure I would love this book with the whole ghost hunting thing but I quickly changed my mind. I loved every second of it!
kiralillyy's review
5.0
This is my first willow Hadley book, and man I'm obsessed! This book was so freaking good! It literally held me captive! It was such a refreshing read compared to my normal! I loved every minute of it even though it had no spice ! It's easily a 5 star read for me. But really it's a 10!!! I can't wait to see what's next !!!