If it’s one thing I love about Wendy Webb novels, it’s that they’re incredibly creepy. And her latest book, The Haunting of Brynn Wilder, certainly delivers all the spine-tingling, floor-creaking moments you’d expect with a title like that.
That being said… this book is also incredibly heartbreaking, which is something that I did not expect.
What originally drew to me to Webb’s novels is this author’s ability to weave a damn good ghost story. Over the past few years, though, I’ve noticed her books growing increasingly emotional, with storylines that tug at my heartstrings more often than I’m tugging my blanket over my eyes.
So, really, I should have been prepared for The Haunting of Brynn Wilder, which completely wrecked me. In this bittersweet story of love and loss, you’ll find a main character recovering from the death of her mother; a family coping with their beloved matriarch slipping into early onset Alzheimer’s (a major trigger for me); and a budding romance that will simultaneously quicken your pulse and sink your spirits.
Needless to say, this book is heavy. It’s GOOD, but it’s a lot to handle, especially when you’re looking for a straight-up ghost story and not a Nicholas Sparks tear-jerker.
Although there was a lot of emotional baggage that I wasn’t expecting, The Haunting of Brynn Wilder still delivered what I always look forward to from Webb’s novels: Beautiful, evocative writing? Of course. The ability to make me want to pack up and move to the Great Lakes region to begin life anew? YUP. A cozy-but-hauntedAF house with amazing food and friendly people? Check!
And, the whole reason I read books like this in the first place — legit spooky scenes that make me want to sleep with all the lights on? HELL TO THE YES.
A few months ago, I had the honor and delight to “attend” a virtual author chat with Wendy Webb. In short, IT WAS AWESOME, but the main takeaway from it was this: Webb revealed that The Haunting of Brynn Wilder is a very personal, cathartic novel inspired by many events in her own life.
After learning that, I completely understood why this book is even more emotional than her previous ones.
(Side note: Wendy Webb is a sweetheart, which made me love her and her books even more. She answered all our questions about The Haunting of Brynn Wilder, as well as her other books that most of us have read. I fangirled all over the place.)
If you’re a Wendy Webb fan, you definitely don’t want to miss The Haunting of Brynn Wilder – but, if you’re a little emotionally fragile right now, you might want to wait until happier times to read this one.
Either way, be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe that everyone can enjoy: Shirley Temple Mocktails!
