Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Evie doesn’t hesitate when she’s offered the opportunity to become the caretaker of Thornwood House. It’s a chance to leave behind city life and give her daughter, Ruby, the kind of childhood she never had. But her quick decision comes with unforeseen consequences: her employer is far from pleased to lose one of their most powerful land witches, the local townspeople are wary of newcomers, and the house itself—sentient and with a mind of its own—presents challenges she could never have anticipated. As Evie settles into her new role, she must decide whether she can build a life at Thornwood House or if she will ultimately be forced to leave it behind.
With The Reimagining of Thornwood House, Jaleigh Johnson delivers a captivating blend of magical realism, portal fantasy, time bending, and sorcery. The novel brings both its lush setting and the house itself vividly to life, creating a world that feels immersive and alive. Johnson skillfully balances heartfelt emotional moments with an undercurrent of mystery and suspense, keeping readers engaged throughout. At its core, the story explores themes of identity, belonging, and trust—encouraging readers to embrace who they are while learning to rely on their instincts about others.
I give The Reimagining of Thornwood House 5 out of 5 stars. Evie’s fierce protectiveness of her daughter is one of the novel’s strongest elements, mirrored beautifully by the house’s own evolving loyalty to its inhabitants. The house itself stands out as a particularly compelling “character,” and I found myself wishing for even more insight into its transformation as it reimagines itself for its new caretakers. While the story excels in many areas, I did find one element difficult to fully reconcile: the degree to which a non-magical character is able to serve as a source of magic for Evie felt somewhat underexplained. Additionally, repeated references to the house’s past relationships occasionally felt redundant.
That said, the novel’s strengths far outweigh its minor shortcomings. The attention to natural elements—especially the herbs and flowers surrounding the home—adds a subtle but powerful reminder of the magic woven into the natural world. The world-building, particularly in the latter part of the book, is richly detailed and evocative, creating vivid imagery that places readers directly alongside Evie and her companions. Johnson’s ability to create atmosphere and emotional resonance makes this a standout fantasy read.
With minor violence and spell casting, this book is best suited for readers over the age of 13. Though labeled as adult fantasy, it easily appeals to a young adult audience as well. Fans of TJ Klune—especially the Cerulean Chronicles—will likely find much to love here, as will readers who enjoyed Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, thanks to its similar emphasis on found family, community, and collective resilience.
The Reimagining of Thornwood House will release on June 9th. You can preorder your copy today on our Bookshop.org page!
This post contains affiliate links.
What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Tom Clancy Rules of Engagement, Ward Larson
- Current audio book: How to Sell a Haunted House, Grady Hendrix
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Pretty Dead Things, Kelsey Cox
Discover more from Read With Lindsey
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
