Man. I love Grady Hendrix.

It’s the 70’s. Pregnant teens are sent away to birth their babies, with the promise that they will return to their old lives. However, Fern and the other girls soon realise that their lives will never be the same again...

It’s feminist and witchy and a whole lot of fuck the patriarchy - the perfect blend of supernatural horror and real horror that us women face in our everyday lives.

Trigger warnings
There are graphic depictions of childbirth and extreme childbirth trauma. Also wouldn’t recommend if you are currently pregnant.

I love how Hendrix writes - it’s very slow to start but the build up is so worth it. The sense of desperation and dread is unmatched. Genuinely scary moments make the build up worth the commitment. No cheap thrills or popcorn horror here - it’s true classic horror.

Overall… Slow start - yes, but it’s also heartbreaking, empowering and hard to put down - I read this in 24 hours, and stayed up way too late to try and finish it.

One for the Grady Hendrix fan club. Me included.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Witchcraft for wayward girls
Author: Grady Hendrix
Pages: 496
Rating: 3/5

"They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. Girls who grew up too fast. And they’re sent to 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, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened."

I never thought that I really had any trigger issues when it came to books. Until I read this. Should you be suffering from birth trauma, I strongly suggest you rethink this as a read. There is also an off page description of child SA and r***.

The book was well written. The story was based in 1970s and the treatment of unwed pregnant girls. From control, blame, loss of rights and autonomy. The writing style was emotive and I found myself crying in some parts of the story. Especially when forced to sign their babies away.

There were some extremely gory and graphic writing, but there was nothing frightening. The scary part is the fact that history is repeating itself in regards to the reproductive rights for women in America (and the quotes at the beginning were as late as 2005)
The book makes you angry at the female oppression and for a male writer to write about it shows balls!?

You'll love this book if you like
- Southern American horror
- female empowerment and friendship
- knowledge is power
- 70s early 80s era, morals and values
- the darker side of witchcraft
- a wtf "I can't believe they did that"

The book was slow to get going; it was interesting to read about all of the girls and their lives at the home which was clearly the point, but it took a while for it to pick up the pace.
Once Fern received the book, I became massively invested in the story of all the girls. The book was heartbreaking, from Holly’s story to the babies they had no choice but to give up, it was honestly one of the most emotionally wrenching books I have read.
It made me rage against a system which allowed children and women no autonomy over their own lives and bodies; surprisingly it is written by a man, but it is written so brilliantly and accurately I genuinely can find no fault with his portrayal of the girls and their harrowing experiences.
I thoroughly recommend this book.

A very popular contemporary horror author, I find Grady Hendrix hit and miss. Much like Riley Sager, some I love and some I really dislike, so I'm always a bit apprehensive.

This one was really unique, and not a topic I've seen discussed outside of Ireland.

I didn't know before this year, when we read Ann Patchett's "Patron Saint of Liars" for Banned Books Club, that there were mother and baby homes in the U.S. - but there were.

In this, his seventh novel since 2014's hit "Horrorstör", Hendrix takes us to 1970's Florida. Fifteen year old Neva is pregnant, and her father is taking her to Wellwood House, a home for "wayward girls".

Given a new name by Miss Wellwood, Neva (now Fern) is left with other young pregnant women to try and figure out what to do.

Four of the girls become close, and discover something strange about a mobile library that visits the home. This could be the answer to their prayers - but what will they have to sacrifice in order to escape? (not the babies, don't worry, it's not THAT kind of horror book 😅).

The girls get involved with witchcraft, but they're soon in over their heads - have they made a huge mistake? And if so, where can they turn for help?

This is so gory, lads. Full-on graphic, gory, body horror. Childbirth scenes that made my stomach turn. But, I really enjoyed it. The story was well crafted and for a book written by a man, I really felt the female rage.

Neva/Fern and the others were brilliant characters, and I loved how their stories progressed. I also loved the side characters, especially Hagar, who worked at Wellwood House.

For a book that spent a good chunk of itself turning my stomach, I did end up crying at the ending. I just thought it was really well written and it's definitely my favourite of the books I've read by this author.

Thank you to @panmacmillan for granting me approval to read the ARC via @netgalley. Witchcraft For Wayward Girls will be published on January 16th.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the female power and friendships that were explored. It was quite a deep topic but written with such beauty and sensitivity.
I did find it a bit slower than other Gradi Hendrix books I've read but loved the uneasy sinister feelings throughout.
I would definitely recommend!

The story is set in 1979 when 15 year old pregnant Neva is taken to a home for “wayward girls” to deliver her baby, have it adopted and then return home as if nothing has happened.
The home is run by an authoritarian who takes away their names, clothes and any references to their normal life. The girls get a weekly mobile library service and the are thrilled when a book on witchcraft is recommended.
In an effort to prevent Holly, the youngest of the girls at 13, returning to the arms of the minister that molested her and who wants to adopt her baby, the girls take to witchcraft with devastating consequences.
I was super excited to read a Grady Hendrix book as I’ve heard so much about his gothic/ horror style that it sounded right up my alley. However this book read more like a YA novel than the noir book I was expecting. I still enjoyed it but it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. I’d give it 3.5 but have rounded down to a 3 star. Thanks NetGalley for the arc.

Fern is an unforgettable protagonist—her vulnerability and determination draw you in as she navigates a world designed to silence her and the other girls. Hendrix’s vivid portrayal of the 1970s, with its stifling societal expectations, adds a rich layer of realism that makes the supernatural elements feel all the more unsettling.

The introduction of witchcraft and the occult is brilliantly executed, giving the girls a taste of power in a world where they’ve had none. But as the story spirals into darker territory, the true horror isn’t just the supernatural—it’s the monstrous truths hidden behind Wellwood’s walls.

Hendrix masterfully blends spine-tingling terror with poignant social commentary, making Wayward Girls a must-read for fans of gothic horror and gripping storytelling. This is a book that will leave you thinking—and shivering—long after the final page.

That’s a really good read, heartbreaking reality of so many women in the 70s. Some scenes were so graphic my body hurts, the childbirth scenes were also greatly executed.
People will, without a doubt, LOVE this book.

thank you netgalley for the early copy

Although it was a bit slow in parts, I really enjoyed this. Not as ‘horror’ as I would expect from Grady Hendrix but the girls are going through some ‘horrific’ things.
I loved the girls power aspect from the group of girls, and cried a bit at the end as it wrapped up.

I must confess Witchcraft for Wayward girls by Grady Hendrix is the first book from the author that I have read. But I have heard such good things about this author that I was excited to receive this copy.
Fifteen-year-old Neva Craven lives in Alabama in the 1970’s. She is also an unwed and pregnant. Her father is ashamed of his daughter like any teenager in them times so Neva is sent to her ‘Aunt’ for the summer until the baby comes. But after the long journey she finds herself instead sent to a home for Wayward mothers/ teenage pregnancies until the baby is born. The children are then forcibly adopted, and the girls are sent home as if nothing has happened. The mothers never see their children ever again.
When she gets their Neve is given a new name and told never use her own. Her new name is Fern. The other girls have been given new names too. The girls fill their day doing housework and smoking until the days when their children are born. The girls get bored until a travelling library arrives at the home and the girls are given a Spell book, which they use to try and right the wrongs that they have been dealt with and try and break free. But things don’t always go they way they want them too.
This is a fantastic read. Not only because of the supernatural and engaging storyline. But it is a thought provoking read. How pregnant teenagers were sent away, shamed by their families and worse still their babies forcibly taken away. But certain circumstances it was a product of children being abused by others. It is also journey of empowerment and trying to break free from the ills that they see themselves in. I can’t wait to read the backlog from this author 5 stars from me.

I love Grady’s writing and story telling ability. This book took me by surprise with less “horror” aspects and more feminists themes.
Initially I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to palate the topic of pregnancy and horror - particularly pregnancy written by a man - however, Grady managed to represent what was a reality for girls/women exceptionally well and elicited a range of emotions from me, particularly anger and rage for how women were treated, especially from loved ones during one of the most challenging times of an individuals life. I can’t fathom how places like this truely existed.
The witchy element of this book was great- not overdone and I loved the fact the Librarian is a witch was an automatic love for me.
Overall this was a great feminist read and Grady continues to solidify himself as one of my favourite authors

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls - Grady Hendrix

A super atmospheric read, with some really interesting characters. The staff were particularly awful and as always with a Grady Hendrix book there is always something unexpected from the characters, I found the librarian was an exceptionally complex character and added so much to the story. I found certain descriptions in the story very graphic - but again this is to be expected with a Grady Hendrix book. I always look forward to seeing what this author is going to do next and this really did not disappoint.
Many thanks to the publishers and author for the e-book in return for ,y honest thought and opinions.

Title - Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
Author - Grady Hendrix
Release Date - Jan 16th 2025
Page Count - 496
Read/Listen Time - 14hrs
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 stars

Fans of Grady Hendrix will not be disappointed with his new offering, this is an amazing read. Another nostalgia driven story set in the 70s; funny, tragic, gory and action packed.

We follow Fern, the main protagonist, as a 15 year old pregnant girl sent to a home for underage, unwed pregnant girls in the middle of nowhere. When Fern and her friends find a book for witchcraft they think they're having a bit of fun at first but then things start happening to the targets of their spells. The girls feel powerful and invincible but of course power comes with a cost.

Full of great fleshed out characters that you will love, hate, and pity and a spellbinding storyline this needs to be the first thing on your 2025 reading list.

You can of course pre-order now from all the usual places and there are even signed editions from Waterstones and Forbidden Planet.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a touching and haunting book by the horror writer Grady Hendrix. In this book, we follow Fern and a number of other vulnerable girls as they discover the occult. Witchcraft may be dark and require sacrifice, but it gives them power for the first time in their lives.

Despite how scary the idea of dark witchcraft may be, I think that anyone who reads this book will agree that the true horror is what the families of each of our main characters does to these girls. After getting pregnant, each is sent to the Wellwood Home to have their lives controlled until they can give birth and have their child ripped from their arms. This book may be set in the 1970’s, but in some parts of the world this is an ongoing practice. Without bodily autonomy, the girls are forced to turn to the occult to fight for their freedom.

The real strength of this story seems to come from the characters and their relationships. Hendrix really makes you care about these people and the plights they are facing. All of the injustices make you rage and when they get a bit of power you rejoice. I think that all horror and thriller books need to be grounded in characters like this. No matter how well the suspense is written, if you don’t care about the characters the horror elements won’t hit the way they need to.

It is a very relevant book given some of the things happening in the world right now, but I also understand that it could be very triggering for some people. This is the second pregnancy-based horror book I’ve read and although the style of body horror is fascinating, I don’t think I could read much more. I do appreciate the attention it draws to the dangers and trauma of pregnancy though. We tend to think of it as magical and wonderful, but it is still a terribly painful and transformative experience (with severe psychological impacts for some).

I would recommend this book to fans of body horror and feminist horror. And if you really liked this book and want to read more like it, I would recommend My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino.

Grady Hendrix delivers a compelling drama about a group of girls in the 1960s who are sent to a home for unwed pregnant teenagers and turn to witchcraft to help them deal with their impending situations.
The story sees these girls - who are as young as 14 - shipped off and forced to live in an isolated boarding house until they deliver and surrender their babies, a decision made by their parents to stop them being shunned in greater society.
Looking for an escape, the group are enticed by a group of neighbouring witches who may or may not have the girls' best interests at heart.
While the witchcraft elements are present, they are really just a backdrop for a story about a group of girls dealing with a lack of choice and control over their own teen pregnancies.
As such, the witchcraft element feels somewhat pigeonholed into an otherwise powerful coming of age story. It almost feels like Grady wanted to step outside of horror completely for this one but didn't want to stray too far from his established brand so used witchcraft to keep the genre elements.

We were girls: girls in trouble; unsocialized girls, fast girls, loose girls, emotionally immature girls, wayward girls. Whatever you wanted to call us, we were children. And we had to make terrible choices.

This was my first Grady Hendrix novel and I was completely blown away. First let me begin by saying this book is much more than your typical witchy read. The story has depth and took me on a roller coaster of different emotions.

The story is slower paced. However, what it lacks in action, it makes up for in well written and diverse characters with interesting back stories. These girls had me chuckling with the their differing and unique personalities throughout this book.

I like how Hendrix tactfully handles the subject of teenage and illegitimate pregnancy in the 70s. The abuse and shame these young girls faced for simply having a moment of weakness, is something he did not fail to capture in the story. At times, I found I hard to read but the book is so immersive, I couldn't put it down.

The witchy aspect of the book was well done and though it takes a while to get there. I think the build up worked. Why? Because it shows what leads these girls to make a deal with evil and sell their souls.

I wouldn't necessarily class this in the horror category, however it does has horrific elements to it. It's a gripping and enthralling tale of young girls forced to make very adult decisions.
Skilfully and masterfully written. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Grady Hendrix. For my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was fascinating. An insight into the fate of un-wed 'loose' girls who find themselves in a helpless situation with choices taken from the.
You get Grady's supernatural, horror take on the situation but this felt somewhat more character driven with the horror providing a perfect backdrop to underpin the tale.
Loved it.

The plot of this story is certainly an intriguing one - underage, unmarried girls who have fallen pregnant in some way have been shipped off to Wellwood House to have their babies in secret and give them away for adoption. Each character's backstory is really interesting, a couple that pull some heart strings, but as an overall plot, it seemed a bit drawn out. The conflict that Neva/Fern goes through feels a bit of a drag, with it all coming to a conclusion that they had thought of about 8 chapters ago. Grady Hendrix often chooses a format or era for his books that makes them more interesting to read - the 80s horror of My Best Friend's Exorcism, the catalogue style of Horrorstör. This one didn't dive into that so much. An okay read but not as consumable as some of his others.

This unfortunately wasn’t for me at all. I like the premise and I think Grady Hendrix has an important message here, but I didn’t like the execution at all. Fern, the main character, is one-dimensional for most of the novel and I didn’t care about her at all. At the beginning so many characters are introduced that it’s impossible to keep track and it took quite a while to figure out which characters were important. The plot felt underdeveloped. The novel can’t decide if it wants to describe pregnancy in all its horror or be a book about witches; in theory, it could be both but in the end it doesn’t do justice to either.

I want to give a big shout out to Pan Macmillan | Tor Nightfire for granting me access to this ARC. I chose to apply for it because I really admire the author's work, and I can confidently say that it did not disappoint. I enjoyed it so much—more than I can express. The book was not only realistic but also featured a nice blend of horror and some truly horrific elements, which is exactly what I look for and enjoy in a story. I loved the narrative, the ambiance, and, of course, the characters, who were all brilliantly crafted. It make me feel so much female rage because of the times and the “obligations” of females but I truly enjoy it.