Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
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In rural Caball Hollow, surrounded by the vast National Forest, the James women serve up more than fried green tomatoes at the Harvest Moon diner, where the family recipes are not the only secrets.
Like her sisters, Linden was born with an unusual ability. She can taste what others are feeling, but this so-called gift soured her relationship with the vexingly attractive Cole Spencer one fateful night a year ago . . . A night when Linden vanished into the depths of the Forest and returned with no memories of what happened, just a litany of questions--and a haze of nightmares that suggest there's more to her story than simply getting lost.
Now, during the hottest summer on record, another girl in town is gone, and the similarities to last year's events are striking. Except, this time the missing girl doesn't make it home, and when her body is discovered, the scene unmistakably spells murder.
As tempers boil over, Linden enlists the help of her sisters to find what's hiding in the forest . . . before it finds her. But as she starts digging for truth--about the Moth-Winged Man rumored to haunt the Hollow, about her bitter rift with Cole, and even about her family--she must question if some secrets are best left buried.
MY THOUGHTS
A year ago, Linden James disappeared in the woods and only to reappear battered with no memories of what happened. Suddenly another girl goes missing except she doesn't return. The townspeople start whispering tales that perhaps the Winged Moth-Man abducted the girl like they did a child twenty-years ago…or a worst rumor, that Linden is involved. In a race against time, Linden begins investigating the disappearances only to unearth secrets that've been buried long ago while also unlocking memories from the night she disappeared.
What I loved about Bittersweet in the Hollow is everything can be found in reality and grounded in traditions and history. The James women come from a long generation of intuitives and healers…or what most like to say, witches. Each woman has a specialty; Linden can taste and influence peoples’ feelings, Rowan can detect lies, Juniper sees spirits and Sorrel can charm bees. The women work and own Bittersweet Farms that provides for their diner, The Harvest Moon. Any ailment that anyone may have, the James women can whip up a homemade remedy for it. As previously mentioned, Linden’s ability is that she tastes people’ feeling. I love how descriptive it was. Most of the time I notice that when authors use metaphors, they make no sense. But Pearsall’s metaphorical description and storytelling was clear, vivid and well-done. I also loved the use of the language of flowers…something I don’t see often used in literature except once before. It’s truly fascinating.
At the forefront the book is a mystery wrapped in lore but at the core it’s a story about family, sisterhood and community. I thought the mystery aspect was great and I was on the edge of my seat as the story picked up one-third of the way through but what I really enjoyed was the tight-knit family and cozy vibes. I love the description of the town of Caball Hollow and can see it clearly as if I was there. From Linden’s family Diner, the creek where all the high school-er ventured, all the little garden bed on Bittersweet Farm to the split Bone Tree in the forest.
Bittersweet in the Hollow was truly a pleasant surprise. As a girl that lives in the city, I am quite charmed and fond of rural small towns, and I absolutely love all things magical and folklore…and Bittersweet in the Hollow was the perfect combo hitting all the high notes. If you’re looking for this year’s fall-spooky book, look no further than Bittersweet in the Hollow. It won’t disappoint! For an extra treat, sprinkled in between chapters are snippets of Appalachians wisdoms along with recipes. How great is that?!
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