Cinderwich

Cinderwich is Appalachian Gothic and hits that perfect feel, sleepy town in the mountains, victorian mansions with witchy sisters, local folk magics, a big creepy old gum tree hung with ribbons. It is also a bittersweet story about two women looking for closure: one, for her aunt who gave her her name; one, for the lover who disappeared 30 years ago. It is also a creepy ghost story but I don't want to spoil anymore of the mystery for anyone reading.

Except one thing: this is not a romance. Not any. Even though the POV protagonist is bi and 40 and the other protagonist is in her 70s and a lesbian, and even though most books I read have queer romance in them these days, and even though may-december romances can be very cute, the fact that Kate was Judith's student 20 years ago made that seem like a more creepy idea than the ghost story. And I was even more worried when I learned that the dead Ellen was also Judith's student before they became lovers. But that was discussed and handled very well, and I was relieved that nowhere in the book did it feel like Judith and Kate were any different than friends, and no implications that it would become any different from that every.