Welcome to Wellwood House.

Where teenage girls are sent to wait out their sinful condition and are forced to surrender the evidence to return to their lives without bringing shame on their families.

I feel like this is going to be a really important book and will no doubt end up on a banned book lists in some countries... so, get an early copy.

Hendrix does an excellent job of exploring the helplessness these young women have over their choices, bodies, and lives. It was a risk writing this as a man, and he hits it out the park.

As you read this, you will feel empathy, sadness, love, laughter, joy, pain, and horror.

You will feel proud of these girls. You will want to hold theirs hands. You will want to aggressively shake them. All while reading through your fingers with gritted teeth.

And then there's the witchcraft element of this excellent story. A friendly face, a boring paperback, and the chance to be in control of something. For the first time. Ever.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is about teenage girls becoming mothers and then going back to being teenage girls. But it also is about revenge, finding out that the world can be very unfair, that sometimes you have to give up your own wishes in order to help someone and... just so much more then Witchcraft.

I loved, loved loved this so much! Hendrix wrote a book that made me squirm, laugh and get so, so angry, all alongside with the girls. Hendrix manages to put social commentary in his horror books that just makes sense.
God, how angry I was with how the girls were treated, not just by the male doctors but also female nurses. And to think that places like this existed.
There is so much happening that it's hard to put it all together into 1 or 2 sentences but if you love weird horror, getting angry at society and sticking together trough good and bad times, then this book might be for you.

I’ve loved every book I’ve read by this author, and this was no exception. I think what made this story special was that it wasn’t just a horror that existed just for the scare factor; it was also an empowering show of survival and girl power. Grady Hendrix knows how to write a novel that not only thrills, but will also stay in your heart.

The story of Fern and the home for pregnant and unwed mothers was interesting in itself, but as soon as Fern receives the occult book, the story only got more exciting. The characters really made the story what it was. They were all so unique and well written. I loved how they stood in solidarity together and how they persisted, no matter the obstacles thrown in their path.

It was written so well and I could feel the emotions of the characters. I found the start slow, but once the girls receive the book, things really took off. It slowed down again in some parts, but I was still heavily invested and wanted to know how everything would end.

I also found the history interesting too, and it was heartbreaking to read about what it might have been like in the 50s being so young and been coaxed into giving up your baby when you actually wanted to keep them. The ending was phenomenal. It was enduring, heartbreaking, but also is a story that will stay in my heart.

Starting off the year with a 5-star read! Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This isn’t so much a horror book as it is a deep dive into women’s history, and it comes with a powerful agenda. Be warned: it’s an emotional ride—I cried at least three times (maybe more). I can’t recommend it enough, especially to female readers.

There’s been a lot of debate about whether Grady Hendrix, as a man, should tackle these themes, but I think he nails the tone perfectly. It’s a tough read in places, as it grapples with heavy topics, but that’s what makes it so essential. I’m giving it 5 stars because these stories need to be told and discussed.

Let me be clear: this isn’t really about witches. It’s about feminism, the patriarchy, and the horrors inflicted on girls in the ’60s and ’70s. Hendrix uses the “witch” as a lens to explore how society has mistreated women and erased their stories.

It’s a brilliant, haunting book—and one that deserves to be read

Witchcraft For Weyward Girls by Grady Hendrix
I give this book 4.5 stars.

Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the Wellwood House where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies and give them up for adoption in the sweltering summer of 1970.There, she meets other girls in the same predicament. Rose, Zinnia and Holly.
Every moment of their waking day is strictly controlled by adults.Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls. 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 .

A disturbing and heartbreaking southern gothic set in the 1970’s incorporating teenage pregnancy,good and evil, sisterhood and a touch of magic. The witchy vibe is not the main focus in this book but does include a witch librarian with a bookmobile and a spell book.The relevant morally grey subject matter was more important and I thought as a male author he did a good job. Grady Hendrix has created genuine main characters dealing with discrimination,helplessness and injustice and I cared about their individual stories. The epilogue to this one pulled on my emotions. Please check the triggers as parts in detail are not easy to read.This book has become one of my favourites by this author.
With thanks to Netgalley,Grady Hendrix and Pan Macmillan | Tor Nightfire for my chance to read and review this book.

LOVE LOVE LOVE new Grady Hendrix. Yes, I am a super fan, however, I did find the previous 2 novels somewhat lacking, and it's great to be back baby! This had a fantastic premise as always, but delivered so much more. We had the signature female protagonist and such a wonderful description of everything that stands behind female friendships, and friendships we form when we are young (frankly I am still convinced it's a woman writing under a pseudonym). We have elements of the Craft but it still had the very original style of Grady Hendrix whenever Witchcraft was involved. All the other topics of the society, the dead ends of being an unwed pregnant kid, the suffocation - absolutely top marks. Loved the setting as well - I thought the atmosphere of perpetuating heat was done so well. Genuinely I was sad when I finished the book and this was the highlight of books I read in 2024! Can't wait for more!

I absolutely loved this. Grady Hendrix is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.

He really highlighted the struggles that young, unmarried mothers faced, and the way the bits of witchcraft were woven in was great. I felt so attached to the characters that I didn't want the book to end. I loved the friendship between the 4 main girls. Rose, with her sassiness, was my favourite.

I wouldn't say it's an easy read as such, as it does deal with some difficult topics but overall I loved the book.

Thank you to Pan MacMillan and Book Break for my netgalley proof!

Grady Hendrix has become a spooky season favourite for me so I jumped at the chance to read his latest novel! I wasn’t really a horror reader until bookstagram and spooky season recommendations got me, and now I try and read a few horror novels during October.

In Witchcraft for Wayward Girls we meet 16 year old Fern - it’s 1970, and she’s been sent to Wellwood House to see out her pregnancy, have her baby, and come home like it never happened. While there, she meets other girls trapped in the sweltering Florida house and a book provided to them by the town’s mobile librarian looks like it might change their fortunes…

I raced through this; I felt totally sucked in to the characters and their world and couldn’t quite look away. Fern and the girls she meets consumed my brain until I was finished reading, and this has been one of those books I’ve thought about a lot since. I’ve also thought a lot about how deeply sinister it felt because of the real-world dangers and harms placed upon the characters; the supernatural elements did not disappoint and had me absolutely terrified but I got just as many chills from the non-supernatural here too.

I did struggle more in this one than with Hendrix’s other books that the feminism often felt surface level - although I think Hendrix writes women well, there were points where some of the teenage girl dialogue felt slightly off or forced. Hendrix also attempts to have a generational slant to the witchcraft; in some ways this worked and in others it felt a little inauthentic with ‘we are the daughters of the witches they couldn’t burn’ vibes. It’s prompted me to do some research on horror to pick up from more diverse authors, which I’ve already been enjoying.

This is out on the 14th January and while I read it during October to get maximum Halloween vibes, I think it would be an excellent horror to read in the dark start of the year too!

(This contains TWs for sexual assault and for pregnancy / child birth. That second one probably sounds obvious given the premise but I found it more graphic than expected!)

The perfect book for fans of dark speculative fiction with a magical spin.

A heavy discussion of the treatment of 'Wayward' girls at the time in history and the ways they fight to gain automany, including aligning with dark magic.

The characters were fully fleshed out and engaging. The setting vivid and the plot full of dark suspense.

This was my first Grady Hendrix, I struggled a bit to get into the writing style.

If you are expecting lots of witchcraft and a supernatural type horror then pick up a different book, there is a little bit of witchcraft but the real horror in this story comes from attitudes in the real world to young women, no make that girls, who are unmarried and pregnant. While this is strictly speaking historical fiction, it is set in the 1970s, the same attitudes are still prevalent today, young women/girls punished and abused but with never any blame attached to the fathers.
The story itself focuses on four young girls who are sent away by their families, to be hidden away until they have had their babies, babies they won’t be allowed to keep, they are given a book by the librarian, a book that claims to about witchcraft and that can help them sort all their problems, but they soon find that you should be careful what you wish for and that power comes with a price.

Reading a Grady Hendrix novel reminds of that New Girl meme with Schmidt exclaiming “a white man?? No!” Because there is just zero reason any man should be writing a women’s; or in this instance girl’s, experience and writing it so believably!

I loved ‘Witchcraft for Wayward Girls’ the storytelling was absolutely fantastic. The reader is so thoroughly immersed into Fern’s backstory and the reasonings of how and why she became pregnant. The way Fern explores the world and people around her was so organic and the way this changes as the plot progresses was riveting.

This type of writing is so compelling you can actually believe that these girls experienced real events and were in situations of life and death that forced them to relinquish themselves to “evil.”

I love that it explores the subtle paranormal intertwined with the belief that adolescent females are capable of mass hysteria. The social climate being examined through the comments of adults adds a depth to the story that has you rooting for the girls to come out on top against the patriarchy and confines of a twisted religion.

At times I struggled with the perspective shifts that were quite rapid and had to reorient myself within the story which is the only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. This is my own opinion.

This was my second book by Grady Hendrix and I do want to read all of his books. I think saying I enjoyed this book wouldn't be right, this book was really good but not an enjoyable experience which is a compliment for a horror. This book was horrifying in so many ways like it's meant to be I really feel this book is relevant now when it comes to the way America treats women. However, some od the scenes are truly harrowing and hard to read but I cant argue that Hendrix is a fantastic writer and good at horror

This was amazing. A very dark and gothic tale told about the abuse of unmarried mothers in the 70s with the added touch of witches. Really well written and haunting. Highly recommend.

The book is dark, deep, haunting, and evocative. Southern gothic elements are mixed with terrifying reality where girls were not seen as human beings but as a witches. Set in 1970s, author has not only shared the pain of girls who were sent to Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida but also portrayed their emotions and elaborated everything that was going on there. The truth was haunting. Girls are always expected to fulfil societal expectations and follow the rules made by them. No one tries to understand them or even think that they are allowed to do anything of their own. And ending was even more terrifying. You need to read this book.

Thanks to the Publisher

I loved this book. I highly recommend it. It was thrilling the whole way through. Thank you for selecting me to read it. I will be buying a copy of this for my shelf!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book having been intrigued by the premise. It covers teen pregnancy in 1970 in America where young girls are sent to a home until they given birth. Hidden away from their families and society. Not the easiest of subjects considering how some of the girls got pregnant. It did take me a while to get into this novel and there are a fair few trigger warnings, graphic labour and childbirth scenes and I found some of the book to be quite slow paced. However it is a novel that draws you in and really makes you feel for the girls who were treated in this way. Thank you to NetGalley, Pan MacMillan and the author for the chance to review.

Recommended for: Those who crave feminist horror, Southern Gothic atmospheres, and stories that unflinchingly examine the cost of power.

I’ve read a lot of new books this year, but this is probably my favourite. Dark, haunting, and powerfully evocative, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a masterful blend of Southern Gothic horror and feminist storytelling that lingers long after the final page. With its vivid setting, morally complex characters, and a narrative steeped in dread and longing, this novel is nothing short of spellbinding.

The story follows fifteen-year-old Fern as she arrives at the oppressive Wellwood House in the sweltering summer of 1970. A home for “wayward girls”—a cruel euphemism for unwed mothers hidden away by their families—Wellwood is a place of secrecy and shame, where every moment is controlled by those who claim to know what’s best. Fern’s fear and isolation are palpable, and the other girls—from defiant Rose to enigmatic Holly—add layers of tension and camaraderie to the tale.

The setting is a character in its own right, with the stifling Florida heat and the claustrophobic atmosphere of Wellwood perfectly mirroring the girls’ desperation. It’s a place where hope is scarce, and the rules are unyielding… until Fern discovers an occult book that shifts the balance of power. The introduction of witchcraft is handled brilliantly, offering the girls a taste of agency but at a terrible cost. The escalating tension as they wield their newfound power is both thrilling and terrifying.

What sets this novel apart is its emotional depth. Fern’s journey is as much about reclaiming her identity and confronting the societal expectations placed upon her as it is about the supernatural. The friendships she forms and the choices she’s forced to make are deeply affecting. And the book’s exploration of power—who holds it, who seeks it, and the price of taking it—is as relevant as ever.

The prose is rich and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world that feels both otherworldly and all too real. The supporting cast is equally compelling, with each girl’s backstory adding texture to the narrative. And while the story doesn’t shy away from the darkness, it’s also infused with moments of defiance, resilience, and even hope.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a triumph of storytelling, blending horror, history, and heart into an unforgettable tale. This is a book that demands a sequel. Fern’s story is complete yet leaves the door tantalisingly ajar for further exploration of the dark forces she’s unleashed. Here’s hoping we return to this world—and its wayward girls—soon.

I’d say this was a solid 3 stars for me, I enjoyed it although it took a minute to get into. I like the balance of witchiness to real life and the author highlighted the plight of young unwed mothers so well. It really pulled at my hearts strings knowing that what happened in this book happened to young girls in real life and I must say I did have a cry at the end at the pure horror of what girls went through as late as the 70s!
The witchy side of the book was enjoyable and I liked the story.
Overall, a good witches story but with some serious themes!

This could have gone terribly wrong. A successful middle aged man writing about young girls punished for being pregnant could have gone off the rails in so many ways, but Hendrix pulls it off (disclaimer: I am also a middle aged man, and it’s quite possible that someone else may feel differently). This is full of tenderness and empathy, as well as some pretty full on body horror which does not flinch from the reality of pregnancy and childbirth. It’s a powerful read, one that should leave you with a deep and abiding sense of anger. Hendrix doesn’t labour the point, just a brief reference at the end, but in an era where the US establishment is closer than ever to rolling back safe and legal abortion, this is anything but a historical novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as I have lived all of this authors as I am a huge fan of the writing and the stories are always bonkers in the best way! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.