Grady Hendrix really writes women well! Main character Neva is taken to a home for wayward girls when her parents find out she’s pregnant in 1970. There she is forced to temporarily change her name to a plant or flower (her new name is Fern), work around the maternity home under the evil headmistress, and talk amongst the other girls like Rose, Iris, Holly, and Zinnia. 

If there is an anti-food book out there, this one is it! The front half is full of food descriptions that made my stomach turn. 

Seeing the girls pull together was heartening. When they go to the library, the mysterious librarian slips them an interesting book about witchcraft, and that really sets the plot in motion. 

I thought this was a very propulsive novel that balanced what life was likely like in one of these homes with the more fantastical witchcraft element. Some of the scenes were written so well that you could picture the movie version in your head, and I totally see the movie/TV rights being purchased for this novel.

While this was an enjoyable and slightly educational read with the historical fiction aspect, it didn’t quite hit 5 ⭐️ territory for me. But I will definitely pick up the next Grady Hendrix novel.