Wasn't too sure what to expect from this book. More of a dark gothic vibe. Thought it would be right down my street but wasn't really my thing. Felt a bit uncomfortable with the romance between a young girl and a very much older teacher.

CW/TW
I really respected and appreciated that trigger warnings were included at the beginning of the book, along with explanations.

This book contains: dubious consent, forced feeding, graphic violence, rough and explicit sexual content, forced proximity, betrayal, references to past abuse, traumatic reactions to triggering stimuli, knife violence, graphic depictions of blood, physical harm, and ritualistic murder.

Normally, I might steer away from books with these themes, but after seeing so many glowing reviews, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone—and I’m so glad I did!

My Bookish Thoughts 💬
Oof, this book took me back to my youthful, angsty days in the best possible way—those days when I devoured stories filled with dangerous desire and tension, where a single touch could set off a firestorm of longing.

I loved the dark academia vibe, like a sexy, shadowy version of Hogwarts. Twenty year old Willow's gutsy character, her complex family ties, and her reluctant journey to Hollow’s Grove University were atmospheric, enticing, and a little scary. Gray is the perfect example of the kind of man you shouldn't fall for but can't resist.

I really enjoyed this book, even though as a mother, I couldn't help but think I wouldn’t want my own child to experience that kind of intense (and demon-related!) romantic tension! I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

Big thanks to Netgalley Randomhouse andd Harper L Woods for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

A slow start to what amounted to an enjoyable story.
The book has excellent world building, good character descriptions and a great plot. Overall it was a perfect autumn read.

This book gripped me from the very start. I didn't wait to put the book down as I just wanted to be able to find out what was going to happen next. The characters within this book were amazing. They have to go through many challenges which developed nicely throughout the book. Many changes occurred which involved many twists and turns that made the story amazing. When it comes to the ending of the book I am definitely curious to see where the next book would take us in the series.

If you are looking a a fantasy mix with all the vibes, this is the one. Willow and Gray were hella hot to read and i enjoyed every second of it. The story was easy to get into and I really enjoyed how the story flowed. The jaw dropping ending was something else, so very glad i can enter books to right this minute.

I enjoyed the writing style of the author, as you could tell that the story was really thought through, and the way the story developed was very clever. There were a lot of turns that I did not see coming, so it really kept me intrigued throughout. Having said that, even though the FMC had a lot of sass, I would have liked to see her to develop more - though that might happen further into the series. I liked that the ‘relationship’ between the two main characters developed relatively slowly, as not to overtake the story itself. Overall I deduct 2 stars, mainly because I was not a big fan of the ending and where the story was going with the last 10% of the book - though I can see what the author was trying to do here, trying to lead you into the next book in the series. Unfortunately that did not work for me.

I loved Harper L. Woods’ of flesh and bone series and was so excited when I saw this on Netgalley. The magic system was unique and so interesting.

Dark academia, enemies to lovers, vampire/witch paranormal beings everything that makes this a wonderful read for this time of year! The magical system and story was fun and easy to get into and follow. The beginning felt a little slower however the last few chapters had me so engrossed I wasn’t able to put it down until I finished. Speaking of which this does end on a pretty big cliff hanger so be prepared however the cursed is our and you’re able to dive directly back into this world where well hopefully see how this all plays out.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House for this e-ARC.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this book after reading so many negative reviews on Goodreads, but now that I've read it myself I feel the amount of negativity is unjustified.

It's fast paced and there's not a huge amount of scene setting or build up before it jumps straight into the action. So it does feel a bit rushed at times. But, it's not badly written, I actually thought the world building was perfect for DA, expectedly dark, gothic & atmospheric.
I wasn't a big fan of Grays chapters, tbh I don't think they were wholly necessary, I feel like the whole book could have been from Willows POV without compromising the story, I just didn't feel like his chapters contributed to anything other than his obsession & lust for Willow. He didn't add much to the plot.
There were moments that made me feel uncomfortable, but in the way that horror/dark romance typically does. Again, these moments were well written and just enough to make your skin prickle. I really liked Willows character and her magic, the only thing that frustrated me was how quickly she switched her feelings towards Gray, and this continues throughout from hate to love to trust to hate and back, and so on.... it was just confusing and inconsistent, the same with Gray and his 'feelings' towards Willow, even though it is repeated throughout that he can't feel or love. This was conflicting.

The ending, although slightly predictable, was perfect and redeems the whole book for me. I'm not in any rush to read book 2, but I probably will pick it up in the future to see how it all plays out and how the story ends.


I wanted to finish this review by saying that in the negative reviews I've read, a lot of them focus on the Teacher/student relationship and how inappropriate it is, I would like to point out that A. Willow is 20, this is mentioned within the first few chapters, she is not underage and not a child, and B. The trigger warnings are right there at the start of the book, so this relationship is no surprise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

I wasn't really sure what to expect for this one, I felt very middling about Woods' other fantay series, What Lies Beyond the Veil, so I went in with a cautious but open mind.

This book has a lot of similar issues, the plausibility and ridiculousness of some of the characters' actions and "banter", as well as a love of trope over innovation. It was also honestly not the most well-written book. I never really knew what was going on. The world-building was loose at best, and the side characters were very inconsistent. <spoiler> Willow seems to have limitless power but also everyone seems to have known all her plans and who she was from the beginning, so what have we been doing this whole time? </spoiler>

All that being said, when is book two? I can't tell you this is a good book, but I can tell you that for some reason, I was sucked in, and even though at points I was laughing at how absurd the dialogue and plot was, I still finished it. I think I even enjoyed it. And I would, shamefully, read the rest of the series.

Three stars.

Harper L. Woods’ The Coven is a spellbinding journey into a world where magic intertwines with the complexities of friendship, love, and self-discovery. From the very first page, Woods crafts an enchanting narrative that pulls you into a richly imagined universe, filled with captivating characters and intricate lore.

The story centers around a group of young witches navigating the trials of both their magical abilities and the societal expectations that come with them. Woods’ characters are beautifully developed, each with their unique struggles and strengths, making them relatable and memorable. The bonds of friendship depicted in the novel are particularly poignant, highlighting the importance of loyalty and support in a world that often feels chaotic.

Woods' writing style is both lyrical and immersive, painting vivid scenes that transport the reader directly into the heart of the story. The pacing is just right, allowing moments of tension to build while also giving space for emotional depth and character growth. The themes of empowerment and self-acceptance resonate throughout the narrative, making it not just a story about magic, but a celebration of individuality.

The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while also weaving in elements of romance that are tender and genuine. The chemistry between the characters feels authentic, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.

Overall, The Coven is a remarkable debut that showcases Harper L. Woods’ talent for storytelling. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves magical realism blended with heartfelt connections. This book is sure to leave you enchanted and eager for more from this promising author. Highly recommended!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - Such a great dark romance read. I didn’t think i would enjoy it as much as I did but Harper L Woods knows how to write romance ❤️‍🔥

🗡️ Paranormal/ Dark Romance
🗡️ Witches
🗡️ Duel POV
🗡️ Gothic Vibes
🗡️ Trigger Warnings
🗡️ FMC X MMC


I devoured this book! Despite starting off a little bit slow it got juicy very very quickly and I was unable to stop reading for anything.

It was such a face paced book and I am so excited to read book 2 because that ending has me in a chokehold 😩

The world was such a gothic vibe and made this the perfect autumn read with witches and demons in gloomy settings making this world so atmospheric!

Harper L Woods writing style flows so well and kept me hooked throughout. The story was so much fun to read and I definitely will be reading the next books in this series!!

The dark romance was *chefs kiss*. The electric connection between the MC’s was EVERYTHING. Their banter and their chemistry made the Smut fucking fantastic! Harper L Woods knows how to write her smut!! ❤️‍🔥

I absolutely devoured Harper L Woods of flesh and bone series and it was hard not to compare it with that. But I can safely say it is not like that but The Coven was just as good 👀👀

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Uk and especially to Harper L Woods for this EARC!! I cannot wait for book 2 🫶🫶🫶

A unique gothic atmosphere. Dark. Delicious.
A very interesting magic system along with intruiging characters.
A perfect read for autumn and anyone who loves darker fantasy.

Love it! The book, the characters, the world building…all of it.
It’s a bit of a cliche to say “I was hooked from the first chapter”, but in this case, I really was.
The characters have clearly been thought about and this translates to the pages.
The author has taken the time to create and construct a wonderful, immersive world, (that I’m just a bit envious I’ll never experience ).
The story’s complex yet with the authors style flows fluently.
Even the secondary characters are memorable.
I was gutted when I finished this book, but I’m so excited to see where I’m taken next as the series continues.

This is a great dark academia romance novel. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this developing series.

I’ve read from this author before and have enjoyed previous books and this one did not disappoint.
It was well written and had an easy flow to it.
The world building was good and the plot left me trying to guess what was going to happen.
I enjoyed the characters and felt they had good depths to them.
This book is perfect for October as it has all the witchy vibes.

This was a quick read packed with magic, seduction and revenge. Willow is an incredible, bad-ass witch, and I pray I never get on her bad side. Gray is our deliciously morally grey mmc, and the way he interacts with Willow is entertaining to say the least. We all know he's a baddie that can't be trusted, but we're going to go ahead and fall for him anyway.

We follow Willow as she enters Hollow's Grove to enact her fathers revenge. Her goal is to seduce the Headmaster and use him to get what she needs, but things don't always go to plan. I loved reading about their relationship and seeing Willow navigate the Coven she's been shielded from her whole life. Willow can defend herself and shows she can give as good as she gets. Gray is more than happy to volunteer as tribute and attempt to tame her. It's not an easy task, but he seems to enjoy the challenge. That plot twist smacked me so hard it left me dizzy. All hell broke loose and I can't wait to find out what's next in book 2. The ending had me gasping and I need book 2 in my possession immediately.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Random House UK, and the author for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book.

Overall thoughts:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️.5

‘If it is order you value, then I will bring you nothing but chaos.’

‘She’s life, but she’s also death. There’s never been a witch like her. The things she’s capable of…’

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Love, Dark Academia, Witches, Vampires, Magic, Protective MMC, Dual POV, Age Gap

Willow is a witch, but she’s no ordinary witch. With a plan hatched by her father to avenge her aunt’s death, Willow finds herself at the newly reopened Hollow’s Grove Academy. Fear, lust, betrayal, murders & a crazy twist ending.

I had a really great time with this one! I was intrigued right from the start, getting straight into the nitty gritty.
I think I have a soft spot for witch/ vampire romances, they’re just a great cocktail.

I loved the FMC & the MMC, the taunting & sexual tension was great. I will say he is older, like he’s a vampire he is OLD 😂, doesn’t look it though kinda thing 😏
Willow is feisty & headstrong, which I loved. She is also educated beyond her years. Gray is charismatic, sarcastic & hot..

I really liked the writing of this book, it’s a style I consider easy reading. There’s lore, but you don’t get bogged down with it. The characters, primarily Willow, really are the focus.

OMG THE ENDING!!

I can tell there’s so much more to this story, so I need to read book two ASAP!!

Thank you to Net Galley, Random House UK & Transworld Publishers for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

R E V I E W

The Coven by Harper L. Woods

☆☆☆☆.5

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Random House UK | Transworld Publishers via Netgalley.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed the dark, the gothic, the steamy and even the gory aspects of the narrative.

The Coven begins with Willow, a witch in hiding, attending her mother's funeral, an event which sets in motion a future for which Willow has spent her whole life begrudgingly being prepared. Forced to embrace her mother's magical lineage and return to the fold, Willow is thrust into schooling amongst other magical legacies, male witches who want nothing more than to breed with her and dark vessels who thirst to feed from her. When one of those vessels is the lynch pin in her plot for vengeance for her family, Willow is forced to tow the line between playing the willing seductress she is supposed to be or risk revealing the strong-willed, magically proficient witch that she is.

I loved Willow's character throughout this story, realising from the outset that this girl was a force to be reckoned with. Whilst Gray ultimately proved to be one step ahead in all things, our witchling held her own and if his obsession with her is any indication, may well lead to her having the last laugh in the end. I can't wait to dive into book 2, The Cursed.

This was a very interesting read! Not sure I have read anything similar, which I like. The story was original, the concept and premise great, the MFC I LOVED, Willow is the best, a very memorable main character with an amazing arc and her character development made me very invested in her journey. Gray I didn't like so much and I felt the whole enemies to lovers trope could have been developed a bit more. Which brings me to the only negative I have to say about this book, which is it was just too short. There wasn't enough time to immerse in the world, even though it was a very interesting one, the pace was fast, but at times felt a bit rushed and then we are thrown one of the most insane cliffhangers ever and before we know it, we're left with our mouth on the floor, wondering what on earth did we just read?! Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind and should have seen it coming, but that ending left me gasping audibly!!! I will definitely be reading the next book.

In a nutshell, the hype about this book is real, but if you're a seasoned reader of the genre, you might be left feeling you wanted and needed more. It's an easy and very enjoyable read and definitely not just another fantasy novel. Happy reading!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own.