I read this book recently for a book club and gave it 3.5⭐️

The storyline follows 3 women from 3 separate time periods. Whilst I found the storyline interesting I found it difficult to relate to any of the characters and the different POV changes didn’t give me enough to become fully invested.

Overall the storyline was good and I enjoyed how everything came together in the end. G

I couldn't read this as an ebook for some reason so will get it when it comes out! Sorry! (Leaving a 4 star review to be fair.)

This book took me ages to get through. I really wanted to love it, the synopsis sounded like it would be right up my street, but I just really struggled to get on with it. I didn’t love the writing style and I was constantly distracted by fact-checking - internet rabbit holes about witch trials and WW2 interesting me more than what was happening in the story. The storylines themselves were just relentlessly depressing so I was reluctant to pick up the book to find out what trauma the characters would be facing next.

My final thought on this book is a super important PSA: if you have an emergency in the UK and your phone doesn’t seem to have signal you absolutely MUST TRY TO CALL 999 anyway. Most of the time your phone can piggyback off another network to connect you to emergency services. (As far as I am aware this is true for dialling 911 in the USA as well).

This was a good read - I can't describe it as enjoyable considering some of the content, and in particular the actions and behaviours of the men, but it kept my interest peaked and I flew through it. The chapters follow three women during three different times and slowly weaved how these Weyward womean were all connected.
The supernatural elements were pretty tame compared to what I normally read and very little magic, but instead the use of nature and herbs were more prominent with only a slight hint of something supernatural at the end. Definitely need something light hearted after this!

Love love LOVED this. What an excellent book! Thank you so much for an early copy. I'm sad this took so long for me to read it however since it's been over a year now I definitely want to reread soon!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
Three timeline stories of strong women within one family are entwined in this Gothic-style tale. There are hints of witchcraft in the details of healer, an affinity to all animals and humans plants, and herbalistic remedies and potions. Some reviewers have indicated that they dislike the supernatural elements of the story but I thought it was an extension of the beliefs associated with witchcraft from centuries ago. Historical accuracy and credibility are not essential parts of this entertaining page-turner, I found the stories of each woman captivating and enthralling right to the end.

What a fantastic book! I loved the triple timelines and the stories of each of the women - they were woven perfectly together and came to a nice conclusion at the end. My hatred for the men in this book was massive, which shows how well the author has written it. Whilst I did really enjoy this book, I felt it was lacking something and could have perhaps had some more high intense moments to add to the witchy vibes!!

I really enjoyed this book, the back and forth between different generations and the slow unravelling of the mystery and the main characters slow emergence into a character of strengh.

A great novel, a bit slow in places which is why I have given it four stars.

The story did make me keep picking it up as did the writing style.

Can't wait to read more by Emilia Hart!

I can't believe I've waited so long to read this!
Absolutely incredible. So thought provoking and relevant.
I loved all of the characters, how they were interlinked and how their stories were so similar yet so different.
Here's to weyward women!

In the present day, Kate flees a traumatic relationship to the Cumbrian cottage she inherited from her great-aunt; but the cottage hides secrets of its own.
In 1942, Violet rebels against her father’s ideas of a ‘proper young lady’ . . . until he takes matters into his own hands.
In 1619, Altha is on trial for witchcraft, implicated in the gruesome death of a local man.

I sometimes find it difficult to get into a book with multiple time lines, one always seems to be weaker, or I just don’t gel with one of the characters. This however was different, three timelines, three women and all strong and all interesting women.

‘But what could Reverend Goode be afraid of?’ My mother smiled. ‘Us,’ she said. ‘Women.’

Altha, Violet and Kate all Weyward women across the generations connected by gossamer threads, their stories entwine into an utterly compelling and entrancing story. I was gripped by it and devoured this book so quickly.

‘Witch. The word slithers from the mouth like a serpent, drips from the tongue as thick and black as tar….For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those who speak it, not those it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses.’

I don’t think I had a favourite character but I was perhaps most drawn to Altha whose story arc is in the 1600’s when hysteria around witchcraft was at its peak. She would have had no control and no say in a world ruled by men but the parallels to Violet and Kate’s stories are there, all put in situations by men that they shouldn’t have been, all having to fight for their own survival.

‘All those years. Caught in a brutal dance, with steps she never knew how to follow. Perhaps things haven’t changed so much, after all.’

A brilliantly addictive read, full of strong women, just fabulous and empowering.

Three Woman, Three Timelines, one eerily similar story dispute crossing the ages

In present day, we join Kate who has secretly left an abusive partner to hide away in her family home she has inherited. Kate is finding her own place in the world here, but also is learning more about her families history

In the 1940s, Violet is also struggling with her controlling father

In the 1800, Altha is being held on trial for the death of a local man

Each woman in her own time is having to deal with being oppressed by the men in their life, and learn about themselves and if they can stand up to them and weave their own path

A hard read at times due to the subject matter but a great read nonetheless, which kept me hooked.

This is a beautifully written book. It tells the story of three women from three different timelines but they are all linked. A fantastic debut

Sadly I just could not get into this one. I was really excited to read it and I tried starting it over. I like, no I actually LOVE feminist themes in fiction so I thought this would be a new favorite.... Genuinely confused, would still recommend if you are curious about it, a lot of my friends love and rave about it!

I LOVE WITCHY BOOKS, and I can’t believe I waited so long to read this one. It’s atmospheric and deserves all the hype I’ve seen it get online too.

Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

Such a fantastic read. Without doubt, Wayward is a modern classic and one we'll still be talking about and recommending in five years.

Altha has been accused of witchcraft, following the death of a local man.

Violet is more drawn to nature & insects than the married life her father wants for her.

Kate just fled a trapped life in London for a fresh start at Weyward Cottage.

This is the empowering story of three Weyward women, across four hundred years, struggling to survive the patriarchal society that is fighting to silence them…

Weyward was everything I wanted and more - A witchy, nature-filled, generational tale with powerful female characters and just the right amount of magic. It’s easily become one of my favourite books, and I already want to read it again!

Emilia Hart really knows how to write women, beautifully showcasing female rage & resilience. It was so refreshing & inspiring to read about women rewilding themselves and finding a new strength in nature. Hart masterfully writes about some incredibly raw and real issues that women all over the world face everyday, and have done for centuries.

I adored all three Weyward women. Each of their stories were equally as enthralling, and woven together so seamlessly. They all had a deep and somewhat magical connection to nature, allowing for some very lovely descriptions of British wildlife.

Violet was my favourite. Her love of entomology and desire to always be out in nature was so endearing & I related to her a lot. It’s always a privilege to meet such a special character.

I am astonished that this is a debut, and I will definitely be picking up Hart’s future work!

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Collins for the DRC

Who doesn’t love witchy otherworldly books? This book covers three women from different generations. We learn that they are all related , through their stories and it wonderfully connects the present with the past all through nature. I loved this.

With characters that leap off the page and three storylines encompassing hundreds of years skillfully woven together, Weyward is an immersive, intimate and atmospheric story of the power of the natural world, female strength, and the continuing struggle against a patriarchal society.

In the present day, Kate is desperate to flee London and a violent boyfriend to seek safety in the cottage she inherited from her great-aunt.

In the midst of WWII, Violet longs to receive an education like her brother, but is forced to remain on the family estate by her strict father, her mother having died during childbirth.

In the 1600s, Altha stands accused of being a witch responsible for an attack which killed a man and is facing a death sentence.

A perfect blend of historical and contemporary literary fiction with an edgy dark/gothic/witchcraft/feminist vibe. Compelling and beautifully written but does feature difficult topics including rape, domestic abuse and abortion.

I really enjoyed this book, and it's dark, almost gothic vibe. The main characters over an expanse of time were all engaging and reading about their suffering, and the way they coped was quite intriguing. Written as a chapter per character kept the pace as you were eager to find out what happened to that character next. While the subject matter was harrowing at times, the vengeance was delightful.