Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Love love loved it!! I knew I would there isn’t a Hendrix book I haven’t loved yet and I think this may just be my new favourite !!

4.5

This was my first Grady Hendrix book but it definitely won't be my last, this was so good! I grew so attached to the girls in Wellwood House and I just wanted to bundle them all up and give them a hug. The writing drew me in and I didn't want to put it down. There are some really gut wrenching moments in this book so I would advise maybe looking at trigger warnings. It felt very real at times, especially when you consider some of the laws in the US (I'm British so I'm not going to pretend to fully understand but I educate myself as much as possible).
The witch aspect was giving American Horror Story and I loved it! They were scary in an understated kind of way and I think they fit perfectly with the vibes of the book.

They call them wayward girls. They were “bad girls, neurotic girls, needy girls, wayward girls, selfish girls, girls with Electra complexes, girls trying to fill a void, girls who needed attention, 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.”

And in 1970s America, good god-fearing folks sent their loose-moraled daughters away to the Wellwood home for unwed mothers where they’ll repent, have their babies in secret, most likely have them adopted and then return to their old life like nothing has ever happened. Because, it’s obviously all their fault, heaven forbid there’s a fella in the wrong here.

While at Wellwood the every detail of the girls day is controlled, friendship is discouraged. The girls only real joy is the regular library bus, which gives them the chance to immerse themselves in fiction and forget the daily horror of their lives. On one such visit, our main character, Fern, is given a ‘special book’ by the kindly but beguiling librarian, but this is a book of witchcraft!

This book soon gives Fern and her housemates, Holly, Rose, and Zinnia, the power they have lost since arriving at the Home because desperate times call for desperate measures, right? But the girl’s foray into the world of witchcraft to help right the wrongs committed comes with a price.

This was my first Hendrix Grady read, and I was expecting quite a bit more horror. Still, horror doesn’t have to be a full-on gorefest, so the real horror is how all those admitted to Wellwood and others of its ilk were treated—and this is a realistic portrayal of the nature of a dark part of history that isn’t that far in our past, just with a dose of the supernatural thrown in

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is an immersive and addictive read with well-constructed characters you can’t help but root for. Highly recommend 4.5⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for an honest review. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is out in January

This is haunting, creepy and horrifying because it all felt very real, and gave an insight into Southern life for young pregnant girls shamefully sent away to have their babies in secret before returning back to 'their old life', with no control and no say.
I don't read many horror's and the author is new to me so I was unsure whether it would be too dark of a witchy read for me, but it was so good. The pace and balance was spot on and the elements of the descriptions were so deep and powerful it was like watching it play out in my mind.
The girls were so believable and as well as it being all things coven and supernatural related, it was actually really quite sad too. The back stories were authentic, and the power, control and rules over the girls was quite hard to read sometimes. It almost felt like it could quite easily have been your own Grandparents story.
A very recommended read!

Another great adventure into the wild mind of Grady Hendrix. Once again he manages to tackle some huge topics - teenage pregnancy, Homes for Unwed Mothers, societal and medical misogyny, female empowerment - all with his trademark horror and gore. His ability to create wonderful female characters is a rarity in male writers and there's a personal touch here with experience of Homes in his own family. The youth and vulnerability of his protagonists mean that zthis volume is a bit more restrained than his blood-splatter, gore-fest catalogue but it's also profoundly touching in places.

What a fantastic read, perfect blend of fiction and telling real stories. Yes this book has magic, but the root of this book is the lack of womens freedom. 1970s and young pregnant girls placed into homes, shunned by their families. Their every day life controlled, stripped of their rights, coerced through threats and manipulation and ultimately, their babies taken from them. Also known as the Baby Scoop Era in America if you're interested in reading more.

During a time when being unmarried means having a baby will ruin their lives, their families reputation and cast shame on the 'father'. Where getting pregnant is solely the fault and responsibility of the woman, and the man can wash his hands. I say woman because it takes a huge amount of bravery and fortitude but make no mistake, they are as young as 14.

These girls, whether it was their choice or not, are shipped off to a Home by their family, in the hope that when the girls return, their problem is left behind and forgotten about.

This book tackles difficult themes, and its a hard read understanding how they're being treated in the Home and all thats wrong with it. There is a lot of irony in that women play a big role on perpetuating the girls 'sin' and we see a lot of coercion and manuplitaion coming from the women.

Its a tough cycle to break but there is strength in these young women, and its heart warming yet heartbreaking to watch it unfold. Their bravery is admirable, and their desperation for some control over their bodies, leads them down the path of magic.

This is a great read to look out for in 2025. Thank Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

Grateful I was approved to read this early, it was one of my most anticipated reads.

This is a dark beautiful story that touches on the sensitive issue of womens rights. The book is set in the 70’s and follows the character Fern who is 15 and sent to a girls home to give birth then give the baby up for adoption. It’s emotional, cruel and turbulent with some powerful bonds formed amongst the girls also in Fern’s situation.

The girls are given a book on witchcraft which they use to take back some of the power and autonomy they are deprived of during their experience. However, everything has a price and sometimes the price may not be worth the return.

This elicited emotions out of me I did not quite expect, it had true horror and cringe worthy moments. There’s beautiful bonds and friendships formed. You get to feel the true persecution of women in the 19th century, and how it’s not that much different from the days of witches.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emoji synopsis: 🤰🏼 + 🏠 + 🤫 + 📕 = 🧙‍♀️ + 🌙 + 🩸

Review: I didn’t know if or how a book about pregnant teenagers in the 1970s, a home for unwed mothers, and witchcraft would work, but it did 🤩 Hendrix combines the topic of teenage pregnancy and the stories about how these girls got pregnant, with spells, sacrifices and spilt blood 🩸 I really enjoyed the seriousness of the original storyline, and the mystery/paranormal element 🌙

The character development of the young girls in the home was admirable and really added to the story. The girls are negatively perceived by society, but are good, strong people. The adults are held on a pedestal by society, but their true colours are shown as the story develops.

This was my first Hendrix book, and I can’t wait to read more of his work 🙌🏻

I was so excited to receive a copy of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. This book had me hooked from page 1!
This book was really raw and really brutal. It didn’t shy away from controversial topics but also didn’t try to wrap them up neatly or answer them. The characters were fabulous and had a lot of depth to them, and I was really rooting for all of the girls. Their backstories were so sad, as was their treatment at the home, and it’s hard to believe that while this is a work of fiction, girls have been through similar experiences in the past. The occult elements were genuinely quite scary and the feeling of foreboding increased as the story went on. Highly praise this book and looking forward to picking up more by this author!!

Miss Wellwood runs a tight ship. Having taken over from her father the esteemed Dr Wellwood, she is now the owner of the tired but stately Wellwood House in Florida, a home for young girls of low morals. These girls have been placed in the home by their parents so that they are out of sight, out of mind whilst their “problem” is dealt with. Then, and only then will the wayward girls be welcomed back into the fold.

In 1970 Neva Craven from Alabama is one of these girls. Led to believe that boyfriend Guy was “the one”, at fifteen she is pregnant and an embarrassment. Firstly sent to live with Aunt Peggy in Montgomery, she let herself down, so her very angry father drove her to the home and deposited her in the care of the staff there.

Whilst not a physically cruel regime, the girls are expected to earn their keep, chores are allocated, and unkind words spoken. For Neva, now know as Fern, boredom soon sets in and it’s a relief when the mobile library start’s its fortnightly visits, and librarian Miss Parcae becomes a beacon.

Well!! This book certainly draws you in . Frustration and anger on behalf of the girls, loathing of the staff (Doctor Vincent, eeeekkkk!!!), the story is so graphically told. When Miss Parcae arrives, what a saviour! That is, until she isn’t.

I loved this book. Even without the coven aspect the story of what was considered the norm in those days for dealing with teenage pregnancy was brutal. In light of today’s political arena, it seems all the more relevant to remember and learn from past events.

One I didn’t want to end. First Hendrix book for me but I’m hooked, just have to read more.

A perfect 5* for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan.