Hazelthorn

Author: C. G. Drew
Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Group
Published: October 28, 2025

I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the cover of this book. I didn’t realize how much empathy I would feel for the main character, Evander, and then for Laurie, the misunderstood, quietly witty son of Byron, an unscrupulous man who owns the Hazelthorn estate.

he’s lying, he’s lying, he’s lying

When he is mysteriously released from his room, Evander doesn’t know who he can trust. All of the once-forbidden family descend on the house once Bryon dies (is murdered), and Evander suspects all of them. Most of all, he doesn’t trust Laurie, the object of his desire and hate. But once he ventures into the garden, memories start flooding back – they never should have left him in the kitchen…

CG Drews made the house feel alive, with vines and flowers undulating in musty rooms, creeping up the wallpaper, and even under the beds. You can see the peeling wallpaper, smell the rot clinging to the floorboards, and visualize the overgrown garden, as it flourishes beyond control. And maybe, you might just dream about Hazelthorn…

Background photo courtesy of Judson Moore at Unsplash.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan’s Publishing Group for an advance reader’s copy.