This was my first Grady Hendrix book and I'm happy to say it will not be my last!

The atmosphere was dark, enticing, goring and felt drenched in the trauma of these girls. I felt like I could feel the pain through the pages, which helped me understand and empathise with the characters.

It did start a bit slow, but definitely picked up.

Overall, this was a powerful and though provoking read

This is a story about taking back power. How someone will do whatever they can to control their destiny.
This story revolves around girls who were treated abhorrently because they 'dared' to get pregnant out of wedlock and were taken to a 'home' against their will until the baby was born and then adopted out. As our protagonist Neva states, she and the others were described as "bad girls, neurotic girls, needy girls, wayward girls, selfish girls,..girls with pasts, girls from broken homes, girls who needed discipline, girls desperate to fit in, girls in trouble, girls who couldn't say no.", a veritable smorgasbord of all the harmful tropes you can attach to a young woman. You can feel the girls' rage at being dismissed by society through the pages; you rage with them as they are denied a voice, as they edge ever closer to their due dates and are treated like incubators and nothing else - manhandled at doctor appointments, gaslit into thinking their concerns were invalid, not even in control of whether they can use salt on their food. It is no wonder they took it when they were given a (magical) lifeline.
It takes a while for the magical element to bed into the story, and I'm not sure quite where I expected the story to go with it, but I didn't see it taking the route it did! Once the magic starts, it really does build to a crescendo.
Living in Ireland, this story of Mother and Baby Homes is familiar and horrific. It isn't that long ago that the last one closed here, and we are still learning about the bigger-scale impacts of these homes and how awful they were. They thrived on society's wish to ostracise those who did not 'fit' into their ideal, and the people running the homes used their power to terrible effect.
It is a big move for a male author to write a story about women's lack of bodily autonomy, but he pulls it off. The vivid descriptions of labour and the various accompanying procedures made me squirm, as they were so realistic; as per his genre style, these medical events are written so viscerally that they border on the horrific. There is a detachment to them - we can tell those performing the procedures see the body in front of them in a medical manner, opening and cutting and stitching as necessary. However, having spent however many pages getting to know the person in that body, it is challenging reading! I definitely would not advise someone currently pregnant to be reading this.
My main concern with the tale is that certain characters felt like caricatures; Hagar and her sister Miriam, who work in the home, are the very clearly black characters who, of course, know all about how to both birth babies and save everyone from evil magic. At one point, one of the girls even comments when looking for Hagar that they can ask their black taxi driver, as essentially, all black people must know each other. It is a bit baffling how Hendrix can take one marginalised group (the unwed mothers) and portray them well, and then write such stereotypical characters for this other marginalised group.

Grady Hendrix is one of my auto buy authors. I will read anything he writes and I love that each of his books seems to follow a different supernatural theme. Witches, you say? Fabulous, yes please!

I adored how human Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was. Hendrix has done a brilliant job bringing these girls to life. Their struggles and their friendships were perfectly written and, though I have no medical knowledge, those birth scenes were also incredible. The witchcraft element was brilliantly done, allowing the girls to feel some control and power in a situation where they previously had none. I really rooted for them and was completely satisfied with the ending.

In summary, this was a perfect supernatural escape, balanced with real emotion and love. It’s a story you’ll be thinking about after putting the book down and I can’t wait to read what Hendrix writes next.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this one!

A powerful witchy feminist story that will leave you rooting for the main characters but also raging at the injustice of it all.

I did not enjoy this book and stop reading at 40% of the book because it almost took 30% for the plot to start.
It may be my fault for not reading the synopsis properly but i did not enjoy reading about a creepy doctor lurking on young pregnant girls and the people were all fucked up in a way. but more than that the beginning is really long and we get introduced to a bunch of people but not a lot of them stand out and have a real personality. the plot is almost non existant before 30% and when it finally start it still so dragged out that i had to give up

“Whatever you wanted to call us, we were children. And we had to make terrible choices.”

The type of gut-stabbing unsettling horror that only comes from something steeped in truth. Witchcraft for Wayward girls was a story I’ll never forget and I am happy I read it. It was not an easy read, but it was powerful and emotional and magical. It had a mobile library, witches, unwed mothers, blood, pain, storms and mercy. I hadn’t read a Grady Hendrix book before but I will be trying his other books after this. Definitely recommend, even if (like me) you aren’t always a massive reader of the horror genre. As a side note, I liked that all of the girls were given botanical names from the home- it further removed the people they were in that moment from the rest of their lives, despite them never forgetting what had happened.

💜I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily💜

“For girls like us, down there at the Home, the devil turned out to be our only friend.”
Grady Hendrix is back, this time with a story about a home for pregnant teenage girls with a twist. This book is a wild horrifying at times rise, sometimes unsure where the real horror lies, the awful human behaviour towards these young girls or the supernatural side of it. There were moments where I was on the edge of my seat and thoroughly creeped out. A story with a lot of heart in it too, seeing the friendships of these girls blossom was wonderful. The whole witchy side of it intrigued me at first and then, yeah, takes a turn! Warning there are two pretty graphic childbirth scenes.

god this book.... the first 100 pages were slow, but after that? I read the rest in one night, it was unbelievable and heartbreaking and magical and slightly gross, everything a great grady hendrix book should be

🕯️ Witchcraft For Wayward Girls • Grady Hendrix 🕯️
★★★★.𝟮𝟱

Read if you enjoy:
🕯️ Fantasy or/and horror
🕯️ Reading about mother and baby homes
🕯️ Young protagonists
🕯️ Historical settings
🕯️ Found family/coven
🕯️ A mobile library promoting witchcraft

It’s 1970, Florida, and Fern is sent to Wellwood Home, a place for ‘wayward’ or ‘loose’ young girls to come, hide their pregnancy, give birth, and return to their ordinary lives as though nothing has happened, even if they will never be the same again.

This book may have one protagonist, Fern, but it’s also the story of three other girls: Rose, Holly and Zinnia. The story was consistently compelling throughout, whether it’s learning about the girls or learning about the witchcraft. What was particularly poignant was the reasons they felt they had to pay the price to grasp a slither of power. The found family/coven vibes were flawless. I especially loved Rose as a character. I also loved how it depicted just how much your perception shifts after childbirth. This was a blend of fantasy and horror based on real situations, and made for an incredibly powerful novel. My favourite by this author so far.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars
Publication date: 16 January 2025
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fifteen-year-old Neva is taken to Wellwood House, a home for unwed mothers, to see out the final three months of her pregnancy. Miles from the nearest town and forced to abide by the home’s draconian rules, the girls are powerless, kept in the dark of what is to come. Then one day a travelling library arrives outside Wellwood House. And the librarian presses a book onto Neva, one that promises answers, power, even revenge. A book of witchcraft.

I have been going back and forth over the rating of this book, and I'm still not sure I have made the correct decision… But, first thing first: the writing is on point. It is so atmospheric and evocative. You can really feel the Floridian heat; it's oppressive, sticky and suffocating. I loved the four main characters and I was so invested in their stories. If you are expecting a horror book, this is not it. There are some graphic scenes indeed (please check content warnings) and some truly tense and nail-biting moments, but this is very slow-paced - it is a long book, and it feels long.
It's not even really about witchcraft; it is really about the treatment of those girls at the hands of a society that judges, stigmatises and ostracises them, where they are given no agency over their lives and their own bodies. Lest we forget, these are children - the youngest character, Holly, is fourteen. Rose, the oldest, is seventeen. In the current climate where Roe v. Wade was overturned in the US and women are dying from lack of reproductive healthcare, this is a very relevant conversation.
And in this context, I'm not sure if the fact that this all-important message is delivered in this book with the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the head is a good thing or a bad thing.

"Unleashing the power of a coven's will is not for the weak hearted. But everything worth doing is accompanied by fear."


Grady Hendrix's new novel is about the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, give them up for adoption with the intent of forgetting it ever happened. Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, terrified and alone. Under the watchful eye of the stern Miss Wellwood, she meets a dozen other girls in the same predicament. Everything the girls do daily is monitored by adults under the guise of doing what is best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid…and it’s usually paid in blood.


I wasn't sure how this story was going to play out. I will admit I have struggled with a few previous books by this author but was intrigued by the premise of this one.


It begins with a visceral portrayal of the situations these young women found themselves in and the circumstances that bring them to this home. The way in which they navigate the time spent whilst being treated a certain way was difficult, as the reader you can see through the acts by the adults in this situation and know that theres something at play here other than the best interests of these young mothers.


From the beginning I was quickly glued to this book. The more I read on the more it was becoming obvious that something much darker was about to surface. Once that becomes apparent the story flips into a race for survival.


I enjoyed this one a lot. I like the way the witchcraft was shown as a form of strength in many ways it just needed the girls to give into it.

I saw the words Grady Hendrix and Witchcraft and was immediately sold, but I didn’t expect what this book gave me. The beginning was a fairly slow build up but had that creepy atmosphere where you knew something big was coming and when the plot started moving it wasn’t slowing down. The setting of the baking summer in Florida really made this book come alive and you really felt for the girls being heavily pregnant in that setting. There were some truly disgusting moments of body horror which made me squirm, which is a testament to the writing. All in all I think this is a very solid horror novel with a good plot and great horror elements. Another triumph from Grady Hendrix.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

“You can’t beg the world to do what you want. You can’t ask it nicely. You must force the world. You must bend it to your will.”

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a historical horror novel set in the 1970s, focusing on a group of underage pregnant girls who are sent to a home where they can quietly go through their pregnancies, away from societal shame and judgement. The story addresses the horrors of the world as these girls are hidden away, forced into manual labour, and silenced by a system that claims to act in their best interest. The true horror lies not in supernatural elements but in the mistreatment, isolation, and societal judgment these young mothers face, particularly in the pre-Roe v. Wade era, which adds an eerie relevance to the conversation about reproductive rights.

The protagonist, Fern, a 15-year-old girl, arrives at the home and meets others like her—Zinnia, Rose, and Hope. The girls are introduced to witchcraft and the occult by a traveling librarian. Using witchcraft as a tool, they gain a sense of control over their lives and futures. The novel features themes of empowerment, societal critique, and the bond between these young girls as they fight against the world that has abandoned them.

The witchcraft aspect is more subtle, while the horror comes from the gruesome birth scenes and the exploration of the emotional and physical toll that society's judgment takes on these girls. While the supernatural/witchcraft elements might not be as central or intense one may, the novel delivers an intense narrative with a strong feminist focus on empowerment and friendship.

My only downfall for the novel is that it didn't meet the horror themes I was hoping for, which isn't necessarily a criticism - but I am certain this won't be my last of his books!

Themes include witchcraft, found family, historical horror, societal oppression, feminism, female friendship, and gore.

Check the trigger warnings and enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley & Pac Macmillan for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Grady Hendrix has done it again with Witchcraft for Wayward Girls! This book is a delightful blend of nostalgia, dark magic, and razor-sharp wit, wrapped up in Hendrix's signature storytelling style. The plot masterfully weaves together past and present, exploring the lives of a group of teenage girls who stumble into the dangerous allure of witchcraft and the long-lasting effects of their choices.

Hendrix excels at creating vivid, relatable characters, and the protagonists in this novel are no exception. Their struggles with friendship, identity, and power feel authentic and engaging, pulling the reader deeper into their world. The story is both eerie and heartfelt, striking a balance between supernatural thrills and poignant moments of human connection.

The pacing is mostly strong, although there are a few moments in the middle where the narrative slows down. However, the tension ramps up significantly toward the end, leading to a gripping and satisfying conclusion. The book also offers subtle social commentary on the dynamics of female friendships, groupthink, and the consequences of wielding power irresponsibly.

Overall, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a compelling and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of dark fiction and supernatural mysteries. While it may not be Hendrix's absolute best, it still delivers an entertaining and thought-provoking experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to escape into a world of magic, mischief, and mayhem!

(4.5/5⭐️)📚 Thank you Net Galley and Grady Hendrix for an arc copy of ‘Witchcraft for Wayward Girls’. In this book we followed Neva - known as Fern in the Home. A 15 year old girl who was an average teenager. Studied. Had friends. Performed in school plays. Had a boyfriend called Guy. Until, she fell pregnant. Everything she thought was true, turned out to be a lie. Her boyfriend dissociated from her, his love for her - nonexistent. Her parents disowned her. They were disgusted by her actions and yet felt no hard feelings towards Guy. They send her to the Home. The Home for wayward girls. Lost girls. Unwanted girls. Girls who society shun for being unwed and pregnant.

This book was more about unity, oppression, womanhood and power; rather than horror. The witchcraft element wasn’t as big of a part within the story as I originally expected. But honestly, I think it’s great that it wasn’t as heavy of a story line. The idea of witchcraft providing freedom for women in a man’s world holds a deeper meaning. The book highlights, in society, rejecting societal idealisms and giving yourself up to witchcraft in order to have freedom is seen as ‘bad’ and ‘evil’ vs living in this ‘man’s world’, having no power over your choices is ‘good’ and ‘sinless’. But in reality, sometimes what is taught to us as evil is good and what is good is actually evil, but majority of the time it’s never black and white. In this case, witchcraft became the lesser of two evils, especially in Holly’s story. It saved her. But for Fern it was a means to save Holly, though it caused her trouble more than freedom.

The friendship between Fern, Rose, Holly and Zinnia is what fundamentally sucked me in. It’s crazy to think teenagers dealing with something as heavy as pregnancy and giving birth, without a proper support system only each other. Not being to make choices for themselves or being too young to understand the significance of the choices they can make. It really opened my eyes to the struggles of these girls and womanhood in general. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and as my first introduction to Grady Hendrix, I am excited to read more of his work.

Grady Hendrix does it again!

This book is an absolute five star and every minute of reading it, while not exactly fun given the subject matter, was enjoyable.

From the setting to the magic system introduced, the reader is hooked and despite the protagonist and much of the main cast of characters being teenagers, this is very much an adult novel. The descriptions of physical/body horror and pain are incredible and invenensely believable also.

This was a 'binge in a few sittings’ type of book and that is my only issue as I felt i raced through it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix.

Trigger warning that this book is very centred around pregnancy/birth and there is plenty of graphic detail on both pregnancy and birth throughout.

This story focuses on Fern, a 15 year old girl who is sent to Wellwood House to have her child. The story centres around young girls, sent by their families to hide away whilst pregnant, deliver their babies and have them adopted before returning to 'life as normal' back home.

I found myself really struggling to get through the first 11 Chapters. The build up to witchcraft was slow and there was a lot of time spent sharing how boring the home is for the girls. With there being so many girls in the home too I found it difficult to build a picture or connection with each of them. As such, I did shelf this book for a while and have returned to it post Christmas. However in thinking about this in the context of the whole book now completed; I think this built a picture of the life and experience for this girls. Cast out by their families and forced to live in such restrictive and punishing conditions, all whilst experiencing something already unfamiliar and scary.

However; with the introduction of the book of witchcraft to Fern, the pace began to pick up. I enjoyed the solidarity of the relationships the girls built with each other over time, and how allegiances changed in my feeling towards the witches throughout. Fern's character development was the most enjoyable part of this book for me as she came to realise that whether it be patriarchy or witches, all wanted something from her/her friends and only she held true power over herself. This is a strong statement for the choices that were made for women throughout history, and continue to be made in some parts of the world today. Having sat with this book for a while to let it fully digest, I did thoroughly enjoy the gender equality and body autonomy themes of this book, and progressing with each of the 4 main girls as they each develop their own ways to take back their power from the oppressive forces around them and take what they wanted for their lives. It feels an important book for all to read, and one that I feel I will continue to digest for some time to come.

I would like to go back and read more of Grady Hendrix to see how this compares with his other novels, as I wouldn't necessarily class this as a horror book in the traditional sense.

This was absolutely phenomenal.
Such a raw emotional story.
With witchcraft sprinkled in.
This book was so much better than I could have imagined.
Very dark and emotional but was the reality for and still is for so so many women (minus? The witchcraft)
My first 5 star read of the year and possibly even 6 stars? 5 just doesn't seem like enough.
Extremely thankful to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book!

I’ve read several of Hendrix’s books now and loved most of them and the premise for this one sounded so interesting I was very happy to be approved for an eArc.

As an American Author, I’m assuming the recent row back on women’s reproductive rights has at least partially inspired this book. Hendrix takes us back to pre-Roe America and the way these girls are treated is horrific in itself.

If you’re looking for an out and out horror story, this is not going to be the one for you. I find Hendrix to be quite mild on the horror stakes but generally has a point to make and an important story to tell. Here the witchcraft element is really a way of supporting the main issue of women’s rights and female rage.

I’m often wary of men telling stories like this, I was bitten by the whole Joss Whedon problem, but actually Hendrix has done a fairly good job at representing the powerlessness of these young girls and also their naivety. Whilst women and girls nowadays generally know more about their own bodies and how pregnancy and childbirth works than they did in the seventies the attitudes towards women remain unchanged in a lot of places and only slightly improved in most others. I don’t want to give any spoilers but what happened to Holly, for instance, could equally have been written as happening now.

There were some plot threads that seemed to be setting up one thing but then it didn’t really play out all the way and the big showdown towards the end was a bit disappointing to me.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Hendrix’s writing was gripping and I found myself seriously hooked every time I picked it up to read.

This was a fun read about the treatment of very young pregnant and unmarried girls in 1970. The teenagers end up at a house in Florida where they’ll stay till their babies are born, handed over to adopting couples and then sent back to their normal lives as if nothing happened. So there’s a bit of feminism, female rage, race and class also come into it. It worked quite well for me, was probably a bit long though.