Review – Cackle by Rachel Harrison

I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Cackle by Rachel Harrison
Published by Berkley Publishing Group on October 5, 2021
Genres: Fiction / Occult & Supernatural
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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A darkly funny, frightening novel about a young woman learning how to take what she wants from a witch who may be too good to be true, from the author of The Return.

All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She's stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.

Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That's how Sophie lives. Annie can't help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem...a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie's appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power...but she couldn't be...could she?

I loved this book! I was hooked by the story from the very start and I liked it more and more as I worked my way through the book. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to Annie next and hated to set the book aside. I thought that this book was smartly written and I loved the sense of humor throughout the book. I am so glad that I decided to pick up this book.

Annie and her boyfriend of almost 10 years just broke up and she is needing to start over. She is not happy about the break-up and would do anything to get him back. Her new life takes her to a small town upstate where she has a nice apartment and a job at the school the next town over. It isn’t long before she meets Sophie and Annie is thrilled to finally have a friend even if that friend is a little different.

I really liked the characters. Annie showed a lot of growth throughout the story. She had a lot of insecurities to work through but I think that helped to feel more authentic. Sophie was mysterious and rather glamorous. She knew what she wanted and what she liked and wouldn’t let anyone get in her way. I really loved the interaction between these two women. Ralph doesn’t make an appearance until the later parts of the book but once he showed up he stole the show.

I would recommend this book to others. I found this book an absolute joy to read and I loved the message of doing what brings you joy and standing up for yourself when necessary. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

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