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Ghosts of Halloween #0.5-3.5

Ghosts of Halloween

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Three vengeful spirits. One broken woman. One night.Harlow can’t live with herself after the traumatic events of a fateful Halloween night two years ago. Half-broken then, she’s shattered now. The only way forward is to go back to the abandoned house where it all happened and pay the ultimate price for her sins.
But the house isn’t empty. Three vengeful spirits lie in wait, vowing to destroy the woman who sent them to hell. Given just one night of freedom, they will bleed every second dry, taking all their rage, suffering, and hatred out on her.
The three inflict agony twisted with pleasure until all secrets spill out of their coffins in the hallowed hours of the darkest night. Blood splatters the walls of the haunted house until cries of depraved pleasure wipe away sins and horrors past.
But what will happen when dawn rises, locking the gates of hell once and for all?
The rules are clear. Pain for pain. Blood for blood. Death for death.

This book was previously published as The Ghosts of Halloween trilogy including the three following Jacked, Carved, and Gutted. This new edition includes original art and bonus content.
This book is a dark, spicy Why Choose romance with sword crossing. It’s meant for adult readers only. For dark content warnings, refer to the author’s website. Stay safe.

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2024

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About the author

Layla Fae

36 books1,391 followers
Sign up for my newsletter: here.
Layla Fae writes steamy monster romance of many varieties. Fluffy or dark, with TWs ranging from flavored monster essence used as food to blood play and dark taboo romance, she explores the fantasy of monster love from various angles.
She is not an author for the faint of heart.

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5 stars
1,786 (30%)
4 stars
1,657 (28%)
3 stars
1,537 (26%)
2 stars
590 (10%)
1 star
276 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 751 reviews
Profile Image for ➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas❥.
1,090 reviews164 followers
September 19, 2024




Jack, Caden, and Silas, they started off with vengeance in their heart planning and Blaming Harlow for two long years for Their situation…….

Now that they have her in their grasp. And seen how truly strong Harlow is ……. Wil they still want to Inflict their vengeance on her.

Once Harlow realizes that only death can free the three men from their ghostly existence….. She is willing to Sacrifice herself for them.

To say that Jack, Caden, and Silas are driven by their Desire and by the need to experience corporeal pleasures before they move on… Is putting it mildly.
Harlow want’s this night to be branded across her soul. After so many years of not getting the right touch from all the many men she has had her, somehow even though Jack, Caden, and Silas have been hard on her this night they still have coveted and desired her …. And are three feral, vengeful men who conquered death for her… So, in Harlow’s minds eye what more does she need or want


If you enjoy ultra-hot and steamy MMFM, with
extremely dark and pure smut book you are in the right place



Profile Image for Layla Fae.
Author 36 books1,391 followers
Read
September 11, 2024
my husband was a happy man while I was rereading this book if you know what I mean 👀
Profile Image for The Book and Beauty Blog.
188 reviews23 followers
September 25, 2024
This was a very disappointing read. There were so many glimmers of an excellent story, but it just got bogged down with the smut. Do not get me wrong, I am all for spice. Why choose is probably my favorite sub genre in dark romance. Add in ghosts and this book should have been a perfect read for me but I could not connect with it.

I think my main issue is that there seemed to be two distinct couples, Harlow and Jack/ Silas and Caden. Each couple had chemistry with their original chosen partner but not with the others. It felt very forced to make all four end up together. The dynamics just didn't work for me and honestly felt awkward. Silas and Caden didn't add much to the story in general. I loved Harlow and Jack together and if the story would have just been about them, this probably would have been a much higher rating.

Back to the smut, it was constant. I was begging for just a crumb more of plot but instead, I'd get an awkward, forced group sex scene.

Though I rated this book two stars, I don't think that will be the case for everyone. Some people will love it but for me personally, there are why choose romances out there with excellent plot and character pairings that don't feel forced.
Profile Image for Lauri.
25 reviews
October 5, 2024


If you don’t want to pay the price, don’t do the crime. The 3 MMC’s get killed become ghosts and blame the FMC for their death. But hold on, they robbed the Russian and not her fault no one told her that her brother brought her prosthetic arm from money they stole. All she did was tell someone how great her brother was for buying it. She wasn’t to know that person would tell the Russian and he would put it together that the MMC’s and her brother stole his money and have them killed.

Typical narcissistic males don’t see anything they did wrong so for two years they wait to get their revenge and so begins pages of not smut but abuse, rape, degradation , verbal and emotional abuse and physical abuse by the 3MMC’s towards the FMC. Demeaning and disparaging page after page.

FMC portrayed as so desperate due to her past that being treated like just holes to be filled is what she deserves.

The so called story is lost in all the excessive abuse. It’s not smut, it’s just abusive low rate porn on a page.

The more degrading, the more abusive, the more pain inflicting , the more triggers are added supposedly makes a good book these days. I like a smutty book but I like to read a book that has a story line instead of 90% over the top sex and abuse and nothing else.


Just my opinion so please no judgement 😃
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels).
1,072 reviews1,348 followers
December 15, 2024
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Jacked: Prequel


Jacked


Carved


Gutted



Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 5 (all within this series)
Average rating: 4.4 stars
Favorite book: probably book 1, Jacked

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.


Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Profile Image for Flor.
31 reviews3 followers
Read
October 4, 2024
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Tahnee W.
114 reviews60 followers
October 3, 2024
DNF.
The first five pages gave me a migraine. The writing in this book is juvenile.
Profile Image for Laynara.
107 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2024
Absolutely loved this series! It had my heart racing throughout it and my goodness the spice! Harlow, Silas, Jack , and Caden will forever be one of my favorite Why choose couples!!!!
Profile Image for Emily Aronov.
48 reviews
September 30, 2024
DNF at 20%… If you want nothing but a literal porn fest go ahead but there is zero plot and the characters have no substance. I like books with plot so maybe it’s just me but this was a no.
Profile Image for Mysti.
1,748 reviews149 followers
Read
October 28, 2024
I had to DNF. I have never been so utterly confused by a fic and I've read a few.

The FMC has a brother who is killed and it alludes to the fact that the guy who was crushing on her was involved. She's also known as the town slut. She's going to the house where her brother died so she can commit suicide and there are 3 male "ghosts"? Two of the ghosts start sucking D's immediately - but then it talks about all these things that have apparently happened like we're supposed to know about them and I was like what? Did I miss an entire book somewhere??? Some times it seems like she's talked/interacted with the ghosts before, then again she's say something about being scared and not knowing what's happening or who is there.

He listens to me. I tell him things I never dared to say to anyone, and he listens.
Really??? When did you talk to him?? How did you know there's a "him" and he's a ghost?

I shiver, though. It’s not the first time he’s said something comforting or pleasant and followed it up with a menacing twist.
These ghosts apparently talk and she can see/feel them. How are they ghosts again? That's right - we don't know.

“Tell me, my sweet little angel. Who raped you?”
How the fuck did we get here??? Talk about a fic veering left!!!!

Anyway - the FMC has a prosthetic arm which I thought was interesting.

I kind of want to go back and try again, but my brain hurt from trying to figure out WTF was going on.
Profile Image for Sarah J.
38 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2024
I DNFd tf out of this… after trying for 10+ days, trying to skim…. I just couldn’t anymore. 40% in and found no plot, story seriously lacking. All smutt. Can’t even put it on a spice scale cause it didn’t make me feel anything but cringe and not because it’s dark or the descriptions… like the more triggers the better. But this just felt so underwhelming, flat, lacking depth.. rly no feeling.. didn’t connect with any of the characters.. rushed… idk I had to let it go.

One star is being generous.
Profile Image for Emily.
36 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2024
This is the first book I’ve ever DNF’d.

Where’s the story line?
Profile Image for Tia Toro.
83 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2024
Listen…………. Definitely check your triggers before reading this book lol

I’m speechless, okay… I don’t even know what to say. It was a wild ride. I got questions, alright, but I don’t think I want the answers. 😂

There was a lot of wtf moments but I had a good time reading it, so 3 stars it is. 👏
Profile Image for Madeleine Rivas.
85 reviews11 followers
October 9, 2024
So much pain, lust, raw emotions, morally grey masked men and so much spice, what more could a dark romance reader ask for! Her words were incredibly written that you feel every single emotion! Every single page had me in utter shock, I knew the tropes and it was recommended to me for a Halloween read, still all caught me by surprise. I love the omnibus cover and art work, it really brought the story and characters to life. I could envision the characters a lot better and see how Layla wanted them to be portrayed. I did not read the trigger warnings so also played a part in my crying and connecting with the characters next level due to experiences I’ve endured. I still read every page and I’m so obsessed with this book, it hit the Halloween vibe spot on. Chapter fifty-two, ugh cue the sobbing you think Silas is so cruel, but deep down he really did have a soul. Beyond thankful that this was recommended to me! If you love really dark paranormal romance then this book is for you!
Profile Image for Brittany.
480 reviews20 followers
October 15, 2024
BookTok hyped this book up way too much.

Part 1
Took a while to really comprehend the backstory and it doesn't make the FMC very likeable.
Ending of Part 1 was a twist I should have expected, but didn't.

Part 2
First half was really good. Super spicy.
Second half is where it all started going down hill.

Part 3
I can't believe there's a Part 3.
And I can't believe that I'm only halfway through this book.

Ghosts of Halloween lures you in with the 'masked lover' trope of 2023. The first 37% of the book is not that bad. I dnf'd because the story was DRAGGING and I was sitting at 50%. I think the book could have ended nicely around this point and tied up with a little bow. I just didn't care about the characters or the story enough to suffer through another 200 pages.
Profile Image for Katie.
301 reviews96 followers
November 1, 2024
This book was not good. We had some plot scattered in, but it was a bucket load of smut. The plot didn't make sense half the time, and it was laughable.

It's one of those books that I just had to read to see what the hype was.

The writing wasn't great, and the character development wasn't quite there. Harlow, the FMC, had some back story, but the MMC's didn't.

In a way, I'm glad I read it, I can now stop wondering about this book 😂
Profile Image for McKenna Shea.
252 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2024
DNFFFFFFFFFF. but im marking this shit as read because i didn’t just get traumatized for 20 chapters of this fucking book
Profile Image for Andrea.
147 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2024
MMFM
Dark
Halloween 🎃
Ghosts 👻
Bi-awakening

Harlow goes to the house her brother and friends were murdered 2 years prior, the night she was raped.

Noah, Harlow’s brother, was shot and his dying wish is for his best friends, Jack, Cayden and Silas protect his little sister.
They give their oath and then moments later they were also killed. They “wake up” as ghosts. They just know. They also know that it was Harlow’s fault they were killed, indirectly.

Just like they know they are ghosts and bound to the house? They know that the only way to pass on is to fulfill their oath and save Harlow. She comes to the house on Halloween intending to kill herself. Instead she is confronted with 3 masked men who make her feel things she hasn’t felt in 2 years.

Jack is 6 years older than Harlow and has been in love with her since she was 16, she is now 22. Cayden and Silas are a couple. Cayden is twice her age. I don’t think it ever says how old Silas is.

The guys have become corporeal for the night because this is the night Harlow is destined to die. They have their way with her fist, intending to kill her at the end of the night to try to move on. Silas is gay and only wants to make Harlow suffer. Cayden is bi and hasn’t been with a woman since dying. Jack is straight. By the time the end of the story, they all fuck each other.

Towards the end of the night her rapists come to the house because someone saw her go in. The guys end up killing these 3 men, claiming their souls and returning to the living.

I didn’t read the Christmas story after the epilogue as it was another 2 hours more. I was already done and over the book but wanted to finish just to see how the author tied the story up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Necia M.
178 reviews4 followers
September 27, 2024
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

OH. MY. GOODNESS. When the QUEEN of monster romance decides she’s going to give my favorite ghosts a little refresh, I had to RUN to go read this!

Previously, this was three separate books (Jacked, Carved, and Gutted), but now we get the prequel, all three parts, and the check-in at Christmas in one STUNNING edition. I mean, the artwork from the cover, to each piece commissioned for the inside are so beautiful that it is hard to look away.

Before I get too ahead of myself, please make sure to check your TWs prior to reading. This is a dark, why choose romance, so there are items that can be triggering for readers, so stay safe friends!

Now…the k!nks in this bad boy are aplenty, and let me tell you…🥵🔥

🖤Dub-Con
🖤MF, MM, MMF, MMFM
🖤Snowballing
🖤Ghost f*cking
🖤Daddy dom, edging
🖤Lots of play (masks, primal, impact, knife, fear, pain, c*m)
🖤Pierced 🍆
🖤Degradation & praise
🖤SØmnØphilia

The prologue sets the stage for what’s to come and we meet two of our main characters: Jack & Harlow. Jack (one of our MMCs) has been hiding his true feelings for Harlow (FMC) under jokes and finally cracks to let her know how good they could be together if she breaks up with her boyfriend and meets him at an abandoned house the night of Halloween. Little does Jack know that, that night, both of their lives will change forever.

You will be taken on a wild ride Halloween night, two years after Harlow didn’t show up at the abandoned house. Harlow ends up at this house, reeling from all the trauma she has experienced and determined to take matters into her own hands. Harlow has no idea that there are three masked men waiting to destroy her and seek revenge for events that they blame her for. These three masked men are intent on using her before breaking her…but the group is conflicted in their feelings, and when some hard truths are revealed, everyone is sent spiraling and questioning their own intentions.

Now, who are these delicious masked men?

Jack is a morally gray golden retriever (don’t question it, I’ve decided that it’s a thing), and he is obsessed with Harlow to the point where it might be considered unhealthy in some circles, but I quite frankly was here 👏🏽for👏🏽 it👏🏽. Sure, Jack wasn’t the most eloquent in his conversations with Harlow early on, BUT, the man had a lot of trauma to juggle on top of being unable to act on his true feelings since he is best friends with Harlow’s brother. Jack is RIDE OR D!E for Harlow and does not see her as less than, accepts her flaws, and wants to WORSHIP her. I love him.

Caden aka Daddy. I think this speaks for itself.

But, in all seriousness, Caden is Silas’s rock and is so in tune with reading others’ emotions, it’s uncanny. Caden is able to recognize what others need, and wants to take care of those that he loves, even if it puts him at a detriment. Caden is selfless in his desire to make those that he loves feel loved. Now, this doesn’t mean that he’s warm and fuzzy, Caden is 100% on the wrong side of the law more often than not, and has hurt others.

Silas is broody, hard to read, and likes control in all things *if you catch my drift.* Silas may appear overbearing or domineering, but given his trauma, he struggles with being vulnerable and trusting that he is safe; the way in which Silas carries himself is a testament to his resilience and strength. And although it may seem that Silas is the strong, silent type, he does have blood on his hands (but it’s more of “an eye for an eye” rather than senseless violence).

If you are looking for your next spooky season dark, why choose read, look no further!
Profile Image for Bicho da Galáxia.
203 reviews227 followers
Read
October 27, 2024
Ser iletrada não é crime . Ser iletrada não é crime . Ser iletrada não é crime 😨
Profile Image for Kimmylongtime.
1,195 reviews107 followers
September 21, 2024
Why read individuals when you can get an absolutely sexy boxset. This book was right on time since Halloween is right around the corner.

I’ve been a Layla fan since I read her series with the lovely Jack-o-Lantern with the pumpkin spice “well you know what it was” starts with a C and ends with an M for Mmhmm delicioso.

So when I saw an opportunity to read a book about a wicked, wicked group of spirits that were sent straight to hell by the FMC. I knew I had to have it !!Harlow is terrified as to be expected but when she arrives at her own personal house of horrors she gets a surprise she isn’t looking for.

This was wicked, over the top sexy and the type of dark that I’ve come to love with this author. I plan to give nothing away with this review because you should already be picking this out on the Zon if you’ve made it this far !!

Love, love loved it !!
Profile Image for Bookish Dream Pixie.
82 reviews4 followers
October 7, 2024
Honestly alittle disappointed with this one... I feel like it was waaaay longer than it needed to be. The spice was good, but there was just so much of it that it became underwhelming, kind of like being desensitised !
I wish the storyline was just more prior to the build-up of spicy scenes, which just came one after the other, and at about 400 pages in, I just wanted it done. If you want something very spicy with little story, this is for you. I just think at this stage I wanted more depth into the characters.

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Profile Image for Jen.
164 reviews2 followers
October 13, 2024
This book was way better than anticipated. I desperately wanted a spooky Halloween themed read and this was fun. I usually hate RH books but this absolutely didn’t give cookie cutter RH vibes.
Profile Image for Robin.
70 reviews43 followers
November 10, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. It’s a story of revenge, a story of grief, a story of desire. I am SO glad that they’re all in one book now, because I would have DIED waiting to get the next one! I have NEVER read a book that had me turning my AC on in my house! I will say, there’s a LOT more sex than story at one point, but 🤷🏻‍♀️. I didn’t skip over ANY of it.

I’m including the author’s trigger warnings.

Here are the hard triggers: death, murder, violence, suicide attempt (graphic and on page), suicidal ideation, dub-con (dubious consent), SA (sexual assault) trauma, SA attempt on page, grooming.

And now for the kinks: dub-con, MF sex, MM sex, threesome, foursome, snowballing, somnophilia, vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, praise, degradation, bondage, cock used as a pacifier, Daddy dom, edging, primal, chasing, ghost fucking, breath play, cum play, impact play, knife play, fear play, pain play, ass-to-mouth, genital piercings, domination, submission, shadowplay (using sex to process traumatic experiences).
Profile Image for Readingwithdesi .
823 reviews30 followers
September 30, 2024
A dark why choose and all the spice my little heart can handle? I think I need this book for my shelf so I’ll never forget this book!! 10/10 stars and unlimited 🌶️ !!! Bonus points because this is a new to me author
Profile Image for Sandra Sanches.
498 reviews14 followers
September 18, 2024
Dark,twisted and so deliciously hot!
Layla Fae weaved masterfully this dark tale with all the feels.
Three morally grey characters return from death with plots of revenge in the Halloween 's night ....
MMFM,with MM action and enough heat to burn half world.
Very good world building, well written with multilayered characters that sucks you into the story and doesn't let go until you've read the last page.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 751 reviews

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