Monday, January 5, 2015

Review: Willowgrove by Kathleen Peacock

Title: Willowgrove
Author: Kathleen Peacock
Series: Book Three in the Hemlock Trilogy
Published By: HarperTeen (January 6, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Willowgrove is Kathleen Peacock's riveting conclusion to the Hemlock trilogy, a dark, romantic, paranormal suspense series that pits friendship against survival, and trust against love.

Ever since Mac's best friend, Amy, was murdered, Hemlock has been a dangerous place. But now that Mac, her boyfriend, Kyle, and Amy's ex, Jason, have investigated a mass breakout from Thornhill, a werewolf "rehabilitation" camp, the danger has only grown. Fear of the infection spreading is now at an all-time high, and anyone with a scar is suspected of being a wolf.

What makes Mac even more afraid, though, are the dark experiments that the warden of Thornhill was performing on wolves in a secret asylum called Willowgrove. Uncovering the truth about what happened may be the only way for Mac to save everyone she loves and end her nightmares for good.







It is so very hard to say goodbye to a trilogy that over time you have become so invested in but I knew if anyone could answer all my questions, tie up all loose ends, and still stay true to the storyline and characters, then Peacock was my author.

And she did do all of these things and she did them brilliantly.

I have loved this series from the very first page. It is riddled with everything I look for in a good YA paranormal read without being cliché or so been there done that. If I am being honest this is probably the series that really got me interested in werewolves not only in YA but in adult books too.

While I wasn't expecting a happily ever after for everyone, I was expecting some closure and a world that would some how be more understanding of those infected with LS and while there was some heartache in the story and death of certain people, it was all very believable and done well. The storyline stayed true to the rest of the series while still giving Mac room to grow, make mistakes, and learn how to love and trust and I loved seeing it happen, I loved seeing her grow and change.

I won't get into any detail because I don't want to spoil a single thing but I am very satisfied with how this ended and super excited to see what else Peacock will come out with next. I just love her writing and the world that she created in the Hemlock series and I know great things will be in store for us  with whatever she writes next. 






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

42 comments:

  1. This is just another series that I haven't finished. I'm glad the third one is coming out soon, so I can finally finish them. So glad it's everything you hoped for, though I'm a bit worried about that the thought that everyone didn't get their HEA. Eeeep.

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    1. Don't feel bad Joy, I have a ton of great series too that I need to finish up. ;)

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  2. I only skimmed your review because I just discovered that this trilogy features WEREWOLVES! How have I not crossed paths with it until now?? Blogger fail.

    Carmel @ Rabid Reads

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    1. I thought of you when I started this one Carmel and wondered if you had heard of it. ;)

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  3. Ah! This is yet another series I need go get caught up on Ali! I read the first book a while back and loved it, but somehow I missed picking up the second one. Fail. Must go back and change that. Glad this was a solid series conclusion for you!

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    1. Thanks Jenny and I do hope that you continue the series, they are worth the read!

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  4. I know Rashika is looking forward to this one, so that means it's a series that I know I will like as well. I really need to try this one out, even if it has werewolves and I've long outgrown them. Haha. Great review, love!!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. The were are different in this though, I think you would like them. ;)

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  5. I'm so glad you loved this one too, Ali. I thought it ended brilliantly too. It's one of my favorite series for sure.
    Lovely review!

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    1. Yay! I am so happy to hear that Nick. It really is a very underrated series.

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  6. I read the first time a loooong time ago. I loved it, loved her world, I think it vaguely reminded me of Veronica Mars... or some other old series. Good thing it's just a trilogy and it's done, less books to catch up with LOL

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    1. Very true on the less books part. It is fun and the writing was fabulous which is always a huge bonus.

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  7. I'm definitely going to add this series to the TBR list paranomal YA gets such a bad rap, and im interested in finally picking up a good one!!

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    1. It really does I think because it doesn't have the steam and language of adult but this one is very well done even without the sex and language. ;)

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  8. Ali, I am so ashamed I bought book one two years ago maybe..and haven't even cracked it open. *hangs head*

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    1. *smacks hand* You should try it, I bet you like it. :)

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  9. I'm so glad the conclusions was just what you had hoped for, Ali! I love the sound of the paranormal and dark romance and will definitely keeping this series on my tbr wishlist : )

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  10. I am so glad that this one ended strongly. I have read some amazing reviews for all three books, and I am sad that I haven;t gotten around to this series yet. I see a binge read ahead. Happy New Year, Ali.

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    1. A binge read with this series would definitely be fun Heidi! :)

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  11. I like it when there is not happy ending for everyone. It can be sad, but it can make things SO much more believable. By the way, does it not seem to you like the girl on the cover is wearing a wig?

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  12. It's the mark of a great story when you're not ready to say goodbye.
    Thanks for sharing, great review!!

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  13. I'm pretty sure I snagged the 1st book because it's only $1.99. Now to read it ...

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  14. I hate when a good series ends, but when the authors makes it so satisfactory, it's worth it.

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  15. Ah yes it's always sad to read the last book of a series and I confess that I'm always anxious to see how it will end. I haven't tried this series but I'm glad it was a good conclusion to the story.

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  16. I keep reading amazing things about this series and I haven't even started it yet! I actually feel guilty about that. Hopefully I'll get a chance soon, I already own the first one.
    Lovely review. :)

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    1. At least you own the first one, that is a good start. ;)

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  17. So happy to hear this one ended in a satisfying way for you. I am behind in this series but it is so much easier to find the drive to catch up when you know a strong series end is in sight. :-) Lovely review!

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  18. I loved the first book but never got the second and now I barely remember the first! I think I need to go back and reread and then read the whole series. You know... someday... when I have time. lol.

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    1. LOL, ah yes, the famous last words of a reviewer. ;)

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  19. I'm glad that this series ended well! The ending is very important... I love when there is a satisfying ending, it makes me love a series even more. Great review!

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    1. So true, it can ruin a whole series when it doesn't end well sadly.

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  20. This is on my January TBR and I'm so excited to read it! I'm always nervous about series conclusions, so it's awesome that you enjoyed it. I'm rooting for Jason (although I doubt he'll be the one Mac picks), but I guess I'll just have to read to see what happens ;) Great review!

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    1. Don't worry, they all get a HEA is some way or another. :)

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  21. It is always hard to read the last book in a series. I'm glad that it was a good conclusion. I don't like loose ends when there won't be any more. I hadn't heard of this series before, but now that I know that it ends well I'll have to look into it.

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    1. It really can be so hard reading them but this was great and I am so glad she ended it like she did.

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