The book moves back and forth between the two timelines with some interesting parallels between the two women’s experiences. There are some clever, subtle touches such as when Selena and Grace share the same impulse, for example to walk barefoot in the garden at night or to warm their hands in front of the fire. I also liked the way certain characters echoed others in the alternate timeline. For instance, Bett, Grace’s grandmother and Selena’s friend, Joely, who both have knowledge of natural remedies, or Nathaniel and Nick who are both sons of the owners of Hilltop Farm (although quite different in personality). There were also some neat opposites as well, such as Selena and Grace having quite different experiences of motherhood and friendship. There was one particular character in Grace’s life I didn’t trust from the outset!

The author gives Sloe Cottage an unsettling atmosphere, something sensed not just by Selena but by other visitors to the cottage. Personally, I found the hints of a supernatural presence – rooms that have a perpetual chill, unexplained noises in the night, the tapping of branches against a window – scarier than any actual physical manifestation. I liked how Grace’s experiences became somehow manifested in Selena’s artwork, as if by a spectral guiding hand. I wonder if it also influenced Selena’s productivity as she seemed to produce paintings at a rate of knots!

There are some beautiful descriptions of the Somerset countryside and I can see quite a few readers including visiting the area in future holiday plans. Several characters are given an interest in local history which allows the author to include some historical detail about the period in which Grace’s story is set and enable the eventual discovery of her fate and that of her family.

I’ve read enough books set in the period to know that women perceived as ‘different’ – unmarried or gifted in the art of healing – were often the subject of accusations of witchcraft, either as a result of superstition, ignorance or vindictiveness. Along with subtle clues from Selena’s exploration of the local area, it wasn’t difficult to guess what Grace’s fate would be although it was still desperately sad to witness. By the end of the book if Grace’s story is one of love and sacrifice, Serena’s is one of healing and hope.

The Witch’s Tree weaves together a number of different elements – a little bit of drama, a little bit of romance and a touch of the supernatural – to form an enjoyable time-slip novel.

This is a wonderful dual timeline story and I felt for both Grace and Selena immediately. Despite being three hundred years apart I could see such similarities between the two women and could see how Selena was drawn to the story of the cottage and Grace. The beauty of the Blackdown Hills is vividly described by Elena Collins and I could easily see the paintings detailed in the story. A beautiful story of love and hope.

It is 1682. Young Grace Cotter, living in a small English cottage, spends her days caring for her widowed father and eccentric grandmother. There is a celebration in her village and she goes to dance, hoping to catch the eye of the young man she secretly yearns for. He is the son of a prominent farmer, and she knows being but a simple milkmaid on his farm, she is ill-matched for his attention. Except she DOES attract his attention, and after following her home he takes advantage of her admiration, the dark night, and a quite garden. When he is finished, he bids her good night and walks away. Compromised, Grace’s life is forever changed. Once sought after for her healing hands, now there is naught but distrust among the villagers. And with rumors of witch hunts swirling around her, she wonders how long she can remain safe.
Current day. After being abandoned by her married lover, Selina, a young artist, takes a sabbatical in the English countryside. She rents a 17th century cottage; a place where she can paint, and heal, after suffering from a recent miscarriage. She needs quiet and inspiration, and she hopes the little cottage in the countryside will give her just that.
And it does, until she realizes she is not alone in the quaint little house. The rooms are always cold. Bedroom doors seem to open and close on their own. And she feels a presence… a hand maybe, as it rests itself on her shoulder. As inspiration washes over her, she imagines a young woman, standing alone and sad, gazing into a well in the garden. She knows she should be afraid. Yet instead she feels a kinship, and a need to help another that has also been betrayed. As each woman reaches thru the centuries, will either ever find peace?
I really liked this story. Inspired by the infamous witch hunts, this work is a vivid picture of the then and now. I fell in love with both stories; connecting with Salina as she reached for her own independence and the embraced the beauty around her. And Grace, so gentle and kind, as she tries to survive the treachery around her.
Congratulations to Elena Collins on her wonderful new work! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to this beautiful ARC. I enjoyed reading it very much.

I absolutely adored this story! It was fantastic going between the two times, it added drama and depth to both stories.
It’s a topic that interests me too, and you had to feel for Grace, her situation was truly difficult.
Such a compelling and emotive story, told perfectly!

Five stars for this romantic and ghostly tale!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Elena now and Grace in the 1600's. How different their lives were!. There were also historical facts dropped in here and there so that made things interesting!!. With great characters alongside these ladies, I felt this story is definitely a winner!.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free arc book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #bookandtonic, #judyrleigh.

I feel like I have read a few dual timeline books recently, and I have enjoyed them all. This is the first one that has taken me back to medieval times and I found it compelling. The writing is as I would have hoped but there was no sign of the comedic hand that is certainly the author’s usual style.
Even though the title suggested the fate that could befall Grace Cotter, I found myself crossing fingers and toes that she would find a happy ending, despite the way that she was treated by the very people that she endeavoured to help. It’s almost impossible to imagine a life without mod-cons, reading about life in 1682 reminded me how fortunate we are with even the most basic of conveniences like medical care and hot water. The thought of living in a time of so much superstition was honestly chilling.
As we jumped forward to the present day, I was moved by Selena’s tragic loss and completely understood her need to flee her hometown and find sanctuary in the Somerset countryside. The cottage was easily imagined as the descriptions take in every last detail. I thoroughly enjoyed imagining Selena’s landscapes and envisioning the sights that she saw as she visited the local beauty spots.
One of the gifts that Judy Leigh never fails to demonstrate is her ability to develop a character to its full potential with expert ease. She may make it look easy, but I know it’s not.
Whilst elements of this book seem desperate and hopeless, I found the overall story to be positive and uplifting.

3.5/5

Elena Collin's The Witch's Tree intertwines two heartbreaking stories of women separated by time but connected by their search for justice and healing. It explores the veracity of the tales of witches and atrocities against women who were victims of hearsay and false accusations in the 17th century. While the story is laden with heavy themes, the intensity of the emotions conveyed is not overwhelming.

The two worlds Collins created are realistic and appropriate. The language, clothing, and people's interactions are cohesive to the setting and time, making the reading experience pleasant. The modern setting works but the 17th-century timeline is more interesting.

Even though the story is slow and the highest point is less mind-blowing, it opens the eyes of the readers to see that allegations of witchcraft are what Collins called "go-to forms of misogyny and prejudice in those days". Grace's story is reflective of the lives of women who were used as scapegoats for the ill luck in the community. The long-overdue justice was out of reach after hundreds of years but the acknowledgment of her existence and history in the present brought healing.

This book is excellent for those who are looking for a light, a historical novel about love, betrayal, loss, and deliverance.

Thank you, Elena Collins, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.

Loved this book!!!!
Easy to become completely emersed in the two timelines of 1682 and the present day with Grace and Selena living in the same cottage in Somerset side by side in different times.
Atmospheric, suspenseful at times, eerie but not scary! Great characters then and now, the old English language reminded me of Poldark!
Interesting history, brilliant writing, a beautifully woven tale!!
Really enjoyed reading this and can't wait for the next from Elena Collins!!
Thank you NetGalley for the early read much appreciated!

Selena and Grace share a small cottage in the wilds of Somerset. Nothing unusual about that, just the fact that Grace lived in the late 1600s and Selena is in the present day. Both woman have had their share of heartache and they can empathise with each other. Their mutual suffering is healed by their connection.

This book is definitely a slow burner, but gets much better as it goes along. There is too much filler, and the present day story of Selena/David/Veronica was unnecessary after the initial reason for Selena’s escape to the country. This made the book overlong.

It is not a scary ghost story, but more of a gentle spirit tale.

An enjoyable book, perfect for a holiday read.

Thank you NetGalley.

I enjoyed this dual timeline novel set in 17th century and modern day Somerset. Witch trials and superstitions of the time have always fascinated me and this book touches on that throughout. If I lived an old property this is one book I'd be reading with the lights on!

A book that is haunting as you know the ending will be both happy and extremely sad.
The two stories told and intertwined demonstrate the difference in women's life through history and how hard it was when there was no medecine available to a rural community and women lost child after child. If you had a garden you could grow vegetables and maybe have chickens and eggs and so eat reasonably, but many poor did not have that.
The use of herbal remedies was commonly considered a women's creation but also left them open in the 17th century and earlier to the accusation of witchcraft and yet it was all that was there to help with ailments.
Because they did not understand how illnesses were caused success or failure in alleviation or cure was associated with curses or supernatural intervention.
A gently written book which leaves a ghost of the countryside and landscape in your mind.

My Thoughts:
We follow Selena as she decides to take a trip to recover from a heartbreak. She ends up staying at a cottage which has a past she soon learns about. She also starts feeling a presents of sadness coming from the cottage and after a little research she learns some think the house is haunted by a women named Grace who lived there with her dad in 1682 and was thought to be a witch. Told over two timelines the women Connect through a tragic experience one from the present and one from the past.
This story is well written and has just enough to make you feel a little scared as to what was going to happen next. Filled with Romance, heartbreak, Paranormal, and friendship that connects through a paranormal encounter I ended up really enjoying this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

A fabulous dual-timeline story. Set in the past and present of history and love.

Grace lives in Sloe Cottage with her father, she works in her garden and the fields, doing what she can to help her father. She has hopes of one day having her own family.

Now, Selena is living into the cottage to heal after heartbreak and also to get back into her painting, with the surrounding fields to inspire her.

It appears, not everything is clear in her place of abode, she makes friends with the other people. We read about how Grace’s life changes, as we continue to read, what happened in the past in Sloe Cottage is made clear.

The story was beautifully written and you felt the past and present, as you were reading through the pages.

Highly recommend this book.

What a lovely book that was. Romance, ghostly goings on, tragedy, friendship, history, beautiful scenery, art and poetry all in one book. It’s well written, very descriptive, and well researched and it seems to me that author might live in this part of the UK as it covers a good sized area of Somerset very accurately. If I have one tiny little gripe it is that I feel some of the historical facts didn’t flow properly as part of the conversations - they seemed a bit contrived. But that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of what was a great read. Written in two timelines - the present and 1682, a time of much upheaval in British history, and a time of superstition and ignorance.

Briefly, Selena has broken up with her partner, and has had a miscarriage, so she’s decided to take a break and chooses Sloe Cottage in Ashcombe, Somerset. She soon makes friends in the village but she is beginning to realise that she is not alone in the cottage. Grace works on a farm and lives with her father in a tied cottage. She believes herself in love with the farmers son, and one evening, she gives herself to him. But when bad things happen the villagers start to look at Grace accusingly. 300 years later and Grace cannot rest. Can Selina help her troubled spirit settle.

The book is well paced from the start, with a good prologue and epilogue, and the authors notes at the end are well worth a read. The characterisations are good, although, as there a quite a lot of them, they are not fleshed out, and the cottage itself had its own ‘character’, particularly in the old parts of the building. There are no big surprises and no shocking revelations just a good, easy to read novel and one I really enjoyed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

4.2 Stars

One Liner: A slow start but worth it

Present Day:
Selena decides to take a break and move to the countryside and recover from heartbreak. She chooses Sloe Cottage in the Somerset village of Ashcombe and is determined to heal and paint to her heart’s content. Her friend and business partner, Claire, encourages her to go ahead with the plan. Their business is doing well, and the duo can make more if Selena can paint during her stay at the cottage.
Sloe Cottage is beautiful, though the original part feels cold no matter what. Selena tentatively makes friends with the locals while finishing a series of paintings. However, she cannot get over the feeling of sadness in the cottage. She starts to research the history of the place and the cottage, only to uncover some shocking incidents.
Somerset, 1682:
Grace Cotter is quite content taking care of her father and learning from Betty, her grandmother. Her herb garden, the blackthorn tree, and the wishing well keep her happy. There’s just one thing she wants to have a happier life.
But hopes, dreams, and longing for a happy ever after are dangerous in times when superstitions rule the land. A single word or whisper could brand someone a witch and get them killed. Grace does her best to remain hopeful and kind. But when things take a turn for worse, she might lose everything…
With more than three hundred years between the times, Grace and Selena are bound by an invisible thread. They need to heal and move on. Can Selena get another chance at love? Can Grace’s restless spirit be free from the bonds that tie her down? How do these women help each other?

My Observations:
• The book starts slow but picks up pace in the second half. The prologue and epilogue fit like a glove. I love how the author used them.
• The writing is descriptive and atmospheric (a reason for the slow beginning) but covers a good amount of time from start to finish.
• I confess I didn’t like Selena at the beginning. She seemed too naïve and passive for a 38-year-old woman with a good career. But her character arc improved and got better as the story progressed.
• The side characters (in the present-day track) are lively and bring much-needed positivity to the storyline. The cottage itself is a character, just like the blackthorn tree.
• As with most dual timelines, I love the past track more than the present. Grace is a beautiful character. Her innocence suits her, given the timeline and age.
• The past track effectively showed how gossip and rumors can take a life, and malice, more often than not, is the root cause.
• The touch of paranormal blends seamlessly with the atmosphere in the book.
• The prejudice against healers and women and the subsequent witch trials are well presented in the book. Except for the climax scene, the rest of it is not graphic or overwhelming. Even the climax manages to keep things from going OTT.

To sum up, The Witch’s Tree is a beautiful and bittersweet story of Grace and Selena, connected through the expanse of time.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

3.75 stars (i've changed my mind)

Witch. Salem case style. Dual time settings.

that got me in the first place to read this book. i'm thrilled since i rarely read novels that connected the witch hunt theme.

the thing is IT HAS A PROMISING LOOK but suprisingly a bit dissapointed in the end. it has that the most fastest slow pace and maybe light medium pace. i get bored for the slow things to act. loved Selena, i can see how strong she is after losing her baby and lover, she went for a retreat instead going crazy but tbh i prefer Grace's story. Grace's story is giving more impact as per title. i actually read so fast on Selena part but went slow and concentrated on historical part. that's the attraction.

i was hoping that the end can END BETTER. how can it ended with we know who's the ghost and visited the grave to appease her feelings like WHUTTTT, THAT'S IT??? NO FREAKING WAYYYY. it is so simple, nothing so menace. but it has the spooky vibes, i credit that if you read at night.

Brilliant!!
Oh my goodness this was such a great book! It pulled me in right from the start...my first book by Elena Collins and I truly loved it!
I'm not one to give away anything from the book but I will say that it is a dual timeline...past, 1682, and present.
The writing is amazing where it pulls you into the storyline and doesn't let you go. Even when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about the book. When an author can get me to think about a book when I'm not reading it you know that it is going to be a good book.
The characters both going through some traumatic experiences with both of them having one connection...the cottage they both reside in. Selena experiences two traumatic things and she needs to get away to paint...so she rents a cottage 5 hours away from her hometown. Back in 1682, Grace is experiencing traumatic things as well.
I promise you will get pulled into a dual world which will really have you full of emotions.
I highly recommend this book...I'm not an eloquent reviewer but my words are from the heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of The Witch's Tree for an honest review. These are my words and my words alone.

I loved this book. I was intrigued from the moment I read the synopsis and it didn't disappoint.
It's a dual timeline read and the switches between the two times were really well done, often a dual timeline can be a little clunky but this was seamless. I could barely put it down because I just wanted to know, primarily, more about Grace but both women are interesting in their own rights.
I enjoyed the ending and how Grace's story was so beautifully wrapped up and I actually wish Serena's paintings existed because damn id love to own one!
Fantastic first book by Elena Collins and I can't wait for more!

A very enjoyable experience awaits anyone who reads this book.

The narrative flows seamlessly between the two female characters and between the present day and the seventeenth century. I particularly appreciated how the author moved from one woman to the other and one time to another using the evolution of the story to provide a link.

There is also an interesting opportunity to learn something about history and the treatment of women during the seventeenth century.

All in all a great read and I look forward to reading other books by this author.

4.5 stars,

The Witch's Tree is a book about two women, two different times and one house.

The book reels you in as you meet Selena ( present day) who is in the midst of personal loss.

There is Grace who lives in a quaint cottage with her dad in the year 168S and life is not easy for her.

Selena rents this cottage and she can feel a presence that some say makes the cottage haunted.

The author does a wonderful job of presenting a dual time line that flows very easily and you soon get absorbed in both Selena and Grace's life.

Women were too often persecuted as being a witch.

People say Grace was a witch.

The pages turn quickly as you race to find out what happens to both ladies .

You can't help but admire their strength, their tenacity and their loyalty.

The lights stayed on as I raced to the end, looking over my shoulder and jumping at noises .

I hated this book to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a haunting read.