“Which is scarier, falling into a snake pit or being bewitched? Both are possibilities in The Secrets of Shadywoods by Jill Hovis. Maggie is a creative and sensitive character, while Darlene is an independent risk-taker. Hovis’ descriptive writing style gives the reader a front-row seat as this dynamic duo slays the doldrums of a scorching summer. In their quest to make the most of their time off from school, they face challenges and learn valuable life lessons. Friendship, family, triumph, and honesty are principal themes. The use of emails to introduce many of the chapters adds realism and intimacy while the creatively simple illustrations add to the story’s believability. Classic action and adventure fans will not want to miss The Secrets of Shadywoods. Prepare for a heart-pounding escapade filled with secrets and unexpected danger!”

-P. Rosenthal
★★★★★
Reader’s Favorite

“Absolutely loved reading all about Maggie and Darlene’s summer adventures! Relatable story about a girl who moves to a new state and has to start her life over. It’s filled with emotion, adventure, friendship, and fun! Can’t wait for the next installment to see where life takes Maggie and Darlene (and Mr. Muffins, of course!).”

-JW Kingsley, Author of “In the Light of the Moon,” “Pathfinder,” & “The God’s Wife”
★★★★★
Goodreads

“This book was the first Book Launch Party I had ever attended. I got to meet Jill Hovis, her husband Bill, and her mother. It was a lot of fun! I know this book was written for middle grade students, but at sixty-five years of age, I thoroughly enjoyed it, too! It tells adventures of Maggie and Darlene, and their friends. You will feel like a good friend of Maggie, Darlene, and Mr. Muffins, Maggie’s cat, too. But it isn’t just a book for young people to read about adventures, exploration, and friendship. It is also a book about family, life, and moving forward together no matter what happens. You will love it!”

-David Kerley, Author of “50 Kerley Cues to my Wonderful Life”
★★★★★
Barnes & Noble

“Wow… it’s hard to find words to describe how beautiful this story was… The themes of a new start in life and making a new and exciting friendship throughout this story were just so heart touching. The story resonated with me so much that I shed a few tears throughout my read. The Secrets of Shadywoods premises around Maggie, a girl from North Carolina who’s having to move to Georgia before starting her first year of middle school with her best friend. The worst part about this move is that Maggie won’t even have a house. She’ll be forced to stay at the Shadywoods campgrounds in her dad’s old Volkswagen camper he fixed before he passed away….. As Maggie expected, staying at the campground was absolutely boring, but things started to turn around once she met the adventurous Darlene. Throughout their adventures, the two girls learn the many secrets of Shadywoods. Read now to found out just how many secrets Shadywoods truly has!”

-Ryan
★★★★★
Goodreads

“This book is perfect for preteen girls who still revel in make-believe! I spent many a summer building forts, making art, swimming and riding my bike, just like Maggie and Darlene, and this book brought back all those wonderful memories. Truly enjoyable reading!”

-Cara
★★★★★
Goodreads

“What a privilege to be able to beta read this book. It’s adorable, funny, and inspiring in so many ways. I’m absolutely in love with these characters!!”

-Stella
★★★★★
Goodreads

“This was such a wonderful story! I gave this book to my niece for Christmas after she moved this year to a new home and new school. The story of Maggie adapting to her new area is inspiring and I definitely look forward to the next book in this series. Perfect for youth readers.”

-Jennifer
★★★★★
Goodreads