I honestly didn't really know what to expect going into this book, but I always enjoy a good paranormal horror novel. This was such an interesting andI honestly didn't really know what to expect going into this book, but I always enjoy a good paranormal horror novel. This was such an interesting and unique story and one I will definitely be thinking about for a while!
Protected by a supernatural barrier, the Velkwood Vicinity has been a popular topic for occult theorists and pseudo-scientists. After a research team asks them to revisit the haunted area, three women are forced to confront their past as they are the only survivors from this neighborhood and thus the only ones who can enter.
This suburban ghost story is filled with lots of ghosty and supernatural vibes and also has a little bit of a sci-fi feel too. I ended up reading this in one sitting and just had to find out what was going to happen as I was trying to understand and wrap my head around it all.
If you're looking for a unique supernatural horror with a fresh take on ghosts--this is one to check out! Thank you so much to Saga Press and Gwendolyn Kiste for the gifted copy!...more
This paranormal novel is marketed as the Lost Boys x Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so of course I was immediately intrigued! After Theo (and her brother aThis paranormal novel is marketed as the Lost Boys x Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so of course I was immediately intrigued! After Theo (and her brother and father) relocate to the town of Nightfall to live with her grandmother, Theo begins to uncover that the coastal town is not what it appears. Ready to explore the new town, Theo learns her grandmother’s one house rule--Theo and her brother, Marco, must be home before dark. On their first day, the siblings meet Minnow and her friends, an enigmatic group that, for some reason, Theo and Marco just can't resist. As Theo begins to learn more about her new friends and the town, she starts to uncover that something dark and sinister is happening Nightfall and she and her brother are being pulled into it.
This book absolutely reminded me of the Lost Boys and was so atmospheric. I loved Nightfall as a setting and also found Theo to be very likable and easy to root for as a main character. I listened to the audiobook and found that this story lended itself so well to this format. Overall, this is definitely a great pick for anyone looking for a summer-y/beachy paranormal novel!...more
I picked up this book hoping that it would have spooky summer vibes and it definitely delivered! This is a book that even after finishing, I keep thinI picked up this book hoping that it would have spooky summer vibes and it definitely delivered! This is a book that even after finishing, I keep thinking about.
After being dropped off at a secluded, off-grid summer camp, three young women discover the camp lodge burned to the ground with no survivors. When the find a dead body in the surrounding woods, they begin to wonder if this fire wasn't an accident... and if they could be next.
The Lake House had all of the summerween vibes I was looking for and was so atmospheric. I finished this book in one sitting--desperate to figure out how this was going to end. The main characters were easy to root for and I especially loved that each woman brought a strong set of skills to the situation. The friendship aspect around this, especially given the high stakes nature around their survival, made this book that much more enjoyable. I also loved that while some of my predictions were correct, this book also had me guessing until the very end.
Also--I didn't realize until after I finished that this was by Sarah Beth Durst (the author of the Spellshop) and now I can't wait to check out her other books!...more
Scrimshaw is the second book in the Deephaven Mystery series and I think I may have enjoyed it even more than the first book!
Nev is a student at DeephScrimshaw is the second book in the Deephaven Mystery series and I think I may have enjoyed it even more than the first book!
Nev is a student at Deephaven Academy staying at the school over winter break because they have nowhere else to go. After exploring the school’s basement and uncovering a scrimshaw, a skull with various carvings engraved in the teeth, Nev learns that the skull belonged to Deephaven’s founder, Malachi Haven… and each image on the teeth is a warning of impending danger. As disaster begins to unfold at Deephaven, Nev must try to solve the mystery surrounding the scrimshaw and protect the school and its students from anymore harm.
Aldridge does a fantastic job at writing well-developed characters and crafting a plot that will have you unable to put the book down. I loved the friendship between Nev and Danny and found myself fully immersed in the story, especially with the accompanying illustrations at the end of each chapter. I also really enjoyed that this story was a little scarier than that of the first book. While these books are middle grade, I really do feel like this story is for readers of all ages—especially if you are a fan of haunted, dark academia vibes. I loved getting to revisit the halls of Deephaven once again.
Thank you so much to the author for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Truly Madly Magically is the third book in the Witchlore series and focuses on Ellowyn and Zander's story. While this book could be read as a standaloTruly Madly Magically is the third book in the Witchlore series and focuses on Ellowyn and Zander's story. While this book could be read as a standalone, there are many references to the first two books that I think really help connect the overarching story told throughout this series.
In this book, we follow Ellowyn and Zander as they put aside their differences in order to confront a major life change. For the last decade, they have spent each day hating each other after a fall out in high school--except on Beltane, the one night of the year when they give into their passionate desires for one romantic night. This second chance romance was so sweet and I just loved the two of them together. I also really enjoyed the ghosty elements in this book as they added a layer of depth and background that helped add to the history behind members in the coven.
Overall, I really love the cozy, witchy vibes to these books and cannot wait for book 4! I highly recommend picking up this series if you are looking for a witchy, seasonal read!
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review....more
This was a cute fall romcom. I loved Holly as a main character and found all of the characters to be interesting and lovable. The pacing was a little This was a cute fall romcom. I loved Holly as a main character and found all of the characters to be interesting and lovable. The pacing was a little bit slow for me at times, but overall this was a cute festive read.
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review....more
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and as a huge fan of Rachel Harrison's books, this did not disappoint! She is the queen of horror--iI was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and as a huge fan of Rachel Harrison's books, this did not disappoint! She is the queen of horror--if she writes it, I'll read it. Although I've read her other novels and I knew this was going to be great, she somehow still blows me away every time. This was so faced-paced, the characters were well developed, and the plot had me hooked and unable to put down from the very beginning. I loved the thematic elements around female friendships and the changes (on a personal and social level) that come with aging. Harrison is able to weave in topics around depression and strained relationships in a way that adds so much to the story but still allows for an overall light(er)-hearted feel.
So Thirsty centers around two friends who after a wild night out, must come to terms with their new lives as vampires--each handling the transition very differently. I really liked that this story focused around the characters transitioning into their new vampire life, as many vampire novels begin after this has already happened--it was a great way to spin a fresh take on a familiar topic. Harrison also seamlessly incorporates some of the struggles that an individual might be faced with after a dramatic life event, which is a feeling I think a lot of people can relate to. With such an atmospheric, gothic feel, So Thirsty is a must read for anyone looking for a spooky read.
Thank you so much to Berkley and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review....more
It's 1993 and a group of filmmakers get together to make a gruesome, horror film aptly named, Horror Movie. Despite only three scenes ever actually beIt's 1993 and a group of filmmakers get together to make a gruesome, horror film aptly named, Horror Movie. Despite only three scenes ever actually being released, a cult fanbase has developed around the film. Three decades later, Hollywood filmmakers set out to make a big budget reboot of the beloved horror film and decide to include one of the actors involved in the original movie.
This book takes place "now" and "then" and features a first person POV and includes large portions written in movie script form, which creates an overall cohesive, "movie" feel to the novel. Honestly, I was bit on the fence with this book most of time, but as things came together at the end, I was blown away and ended up really enjoying it overall!
Also, every so often, I read a book that was just MADE to be an audiobook--this is one of those books. The structure of this book is so well suited as an audiobook that if you are able, I highly recommend reading it in that format....more
I just love this series! This is book #3 in the Shady Hollow series and I absolutely adore these cozy mystery books.
This is the perfect series to readI just love this series! This is book #3 in the Shady Hollow series and I absolutely adore these cozy mystery books.
This is the perfect series to read while cuddling up with a blanket by the fire drinking tea. I will literally keep reading these books as long as Juneau Black keeps writing them!!...more
The Black Girls Survives This One is an anthology of short horror stories from acclaimed Black writers featuring Black girls as survivors and heroes aThe Black Girls Survives This One is an anthology of short horror stories from acclaimed Black writers featuring Black girls as survivors and heroes as they face the supernatural. These 15 stories were fantastic!! I listened to the audiobook (HIGHLY recommend) and I found that I was so captivated by every single story. I loved that some of the writers took some more well-known horror components and completely made them their own, while some writers created brand new and unique takes on horror.
All of these writers are immensely talented and I cannot wait to (hopefully) read more of their works. I would literally pick up a full length novel of any of these stories--that's how good they were!! My absolute favorites though were Harvesters, Ghost Light, TMI, Queeniums for Greenium!, Cemetery Dance Party, and The Black Strings.
If you are at all into the horror genre, this is a must-read....more
This was such a cute, quick read. I spontaneously picked it up at the library today after seeing it pop up multiple times as a festive read and I'm soThis was such a cute, quick read. I spontaneously picked it up at the library today after seeing it pop up multiple times as a festive read and I'm so glad I grabbed it. This graphic novel centers around two friends working their last shift at a pumpkin patch and follows their adventure as they do all of the different activities around the patch that they want to try before they head off to college.
This book has all of the festive, cozy Halloween vibes and was just such a cute, seasonal read. Definitely recommend this if you are searching for a quick dose of the fall feels!...more
Spookily Yours is a Halloween-themed romance centered around a witch and a demon who fall in love. While this story is very seasonal and I loved the oSpookily Yours is a Halloween-themed romance centered around a witch and a demon who fall in love. While this story is very seasonal and I loved the overall Halloween vibes, this one was just not really for me. I'm not really a fan of the insta-love, fated mates, or possessive/jealous tropes, so I think that was largely why this one missed the mark for me.
I think if any of these tropes are your thing, you'll really enjoy this spooky, paranormal romance story....more
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