Diving into Wildewood by Jessica Thorne felt like stepping straight into a draughty Irish manor where every floorboard creaks with memory and every shadow seems to breathe. The story follows Dr Alex de Wilde, a scientist and sceptical paranormal investigator who returns to her ancestral home in Kilfayne after the sudden death of her twin brother. Her plan is simple: sort out the estate, sell Wildewood, and leave its tragic legacy behind. But the house has other ideas. A series of strange, near‑fatal incidents begin to mirror the mysterious deaths that have plagued the de Wilde family for generations, forcing Alex to confront the possibility that the curse she’s always dismissed might be far more real than she’d like.
At the centre of the unfolding mystery is Nick, the brooding groundskeeper with a past as tangled as the woods surrounding the estate. His connection to Alex’s brother, and his uncanny knowledge of Wildewood’s darker corners, adds a delicious tension to the story. Their dynamic is equal parts wary, magnetic, and unsettling, and while the romance does play a role, it’s the paranormal pull between them that really drives the emotional undercurrent.
What Thorne does exceptionally well is atmosphere. Wildewood itself feels alive: oppressive, whispering, and steeped in old magic. The Irish setting adds a layer of authenticity that makes the folklore elements feel grounded rather than theatrical. I loved how the woods, the house, and even the village seemed to hold their own secrets, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after you put the book down.
Thematically, the novel explores grief, inherited trauma, and the weight of family history. There’s also a strong thread of identity; Alex’s struggle between logic and intuition, science and superstition, past and future. These layers give the story emotional depth beyond its gothic trappings.
That said, the pacing wobbles in the middle. The opening is gripping, and the ending delivers a satisfying, eerie payoff, but there’s a stretch where the momentum dips and the descriptive passages start to overshadow the plot. (Spoiler alert: I did not enjoy the paranormal grooming and sexual interactions though.) The romance also escalates rather quickly, which may divide readers depending on their taste for slow burn versus instant intensity.
I listened the audiobook, narrated by Aoife McMahon, and her performance adds a lovely richness to the Irish setting. Her accents and emotional delivery elevate the tension beautifully, though the male voices didn’t always land for me.
Overall, Wildewood is a moody, atmospheric gothic romance perfect for readers who love haunted houses, dark family secrets, and a touch of paranormal intrigue. If you enjoy stories where the setting feels like a character in its own right, this one will absolutely scratch that itch.
While it isn’t without its flaws, Wildewood offers an immersive, folklore‑laced escape into a world of shadows, secrets, and simmering tension. It’s a compelling pick for fans of gothic fiction looking for something modern yet rooted in classic eerie charm.
With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio.
