Description

Transparent author Natalie Whipple is back with another refreshing blend of realistic romance and light-hearted humor with a one-of-a-kind paranormal touch. Fans of Charmed, Kiersten White's Paranormalcy trilogy, and Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys won't want to miss this spellbinding contemporary tale of magic, first love, and high-stakes danger.

Jo Hemlock is not your typical witch. Outside the walls of her grandmother's ivy-covered house, she's kept her magical life completely separate from her life in high school. But when the Curse that killed her mother resurfaces, it threatens to destroy not only her life but her grandmother's too—and keeping her secret may no longer be an option.


She's juggling a new crush and an old curse. What could possibly go wrong?


  • Secret Identity: By day, Jo is a normal high school student. By night, she lives in an ivy-covered house of magic, hiding her powers from everyone, including the boy she's falling for.
  • Witches and Magic: Forget cauldrons and black cats. This is a world of ancient spells, family power, and a grandmother who curses boys with pimples for being too friendly.
  • YA Paranormal Romance: It's hard enough navigating a first crush without your grandmother meddling. It's even harder when a deadly threat from your past could destroy any chance at a future.
  • High-Stakes Danger: The same dark magic that took her mother is back. To protect her family and her secrets, Jo will have to face a danger she's spent her whole life running from.

About the author(s)

Natalie Whipple loves testing new concoctions in the kitchen, and sometimes pretends she's actually mixing potions instead. Her food has yet to curse anyone, which she supposes is a good thing. Along with cooking, Natalie loves anime, kdrama, drawing, and exercising (so she can eat more food). She lives in Utah with her three kids and husband.

Reviews

“A wonderful, dark tale of witches who feel all too human. Loved it!” - Aprilynne Pike, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Wings series

“Heartwarming, dangerous, and enchanting: Natalie Whipple’s HOUSE OF IVY & SORROW offers a delicious tale filled with sacrifice, a terrifying villain, and so many people I’d love to call friends. It’s better than pudding!” - Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate

“True to the potential of teen witches, Jo is no shrinking violet. She knows what she must do, she is tough, and she has the magical skills to do what needs to be done. Thank goodness the witching hour has come back to young adult literature.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“A delightfully different, suspenseful YA escape.” - ALA Booklist

“A magical, entertaining world that has the right amount of darkness to keep the story intriguing and the right amount of light to keep readers content.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A fast-paced fantasy, with just the right amount of romance and realism.” - SLJ

More by Natalie Whipple

More Science Fiction

More Young Adult Fiction

More Action & Adventure

More Romance

More Girls & Women

More Contemporary

More Multigenerational

More Family

More Magical Realism

More Thrillers & Suspense