I picked this book up as part of my decades reading challenge, and I'm so glad I did! This anthology contains fourteen short horror stories set in theI picked this book up as part of my decades reading challenge, and I'm so glad I did! This anthology contains fourteen short horror stories set in the 1990s and is full of all kinds of pop culture references. I enjoyed every single one of these stories and really liked that they were all so different, but still fit together cohesively in this collection.
Some of my favorite stories from this anthology were: -Madam Crystal -The Harvest Queen -The One With the Mysterious Package -Return to Gray Springs: Blockbuster Blues -About a Girl
I'm honestly very surprised that this book hasn't received more attention and I feel like it's only because people don't know about it. I had intended to read one story each night leading up to Halloween, but I ended up reading this in two sittings--I couldn't put it down. If you're looking to pick up a quick and entertaining for spooky season (or anytime of year), I absolutely recommend checking this anthology out....more
I absolutely love the Elemental Love series from Celestine Martin, so when book 3 was announced, I was so hopeful that we'd get Sirena's story! Deja BI absolutely love the Elemental Love series from Celestine Martin, so when book 3 was announced, I was so hopeful that we'd get Sirena's story! Deja Brew is a cozy, cute, witchy romance centering around a kitchen witch who, after making a wish for another shot at some missed opportunities, gets to redo the whole month of October. Throughout the month, Sirena begins to confront what she initially thought was a focus and priority in life versus the things that truly bring her joy. I loved Sirena and Gus as main characters and Celestine Martin absolutely knows how to write such relatable and lovable MCs.
If you haven't read any of these books yet, I highly recommend you check them out. While they can be read as standalones, there are references to previous books that contain spoilers, so I would suggest starting with the first book (Witchful Thinking).
Thank you so much to Forever and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
This was my first dark, spicy, romantasy novel and I enjoyed it so much!! I absolutely loved the gothic, paranormal vibUmmm, yeah. I get the hype now.
This was my first dark, spicy, romantasy novel and I enjoyed it so much!! I absolutely loved the gothic, paranormal vibes and despite this being 500+ pages, I devoured it immediately.
I was going to try and summarize the plot, but here are the overall vibes: -necromancer and phantom romance -gothic Hunger Games-esque competition -haunted/paranormal mansion setting in New Orleans -9 trials (each similar to one of the circles of hell) -quite spicy complex family dynamics -OCD rep
If you're looking for a book to pull you out of a reading slump and you're a fan of spicy fantasy--just check this one out....more
This was such a fun spooky read! I honestly wasn't sure about it at first, but I trusted the reviews that it got better and I'm so glad I stuck with iThis was such a fun spooky read! I honestly wasn't sure about it at first, but I trusted the reviews that it got better and I'm so glad I stuck with it!
This book feels like Pretty Little Liars x Paranormal Activity x Scream. Deadly Occupants centers around a group of four college students who, after having a scary paranormal experience at a haunted house on Halloween night, start to notice unexplained things happening in their own home. Throughout this book, we follow from the POV of our MC, Blair, but the other characters are so well-developed too. While this does have a YA/college student feel to it (given the age of the characters), I still found this so fun to read and the age demographic just worked so well for this story.
I think if this premise intrigues you, you'll probably like this book--perfect for spooky season!...more
I've been waiting a few days to write a review because I was still trying to figure out how I felt about this book after finishing it. I really liked I've been waiting a few days to write a review because I was still trying to figure out how I felt about this book after finishing it. I really liked the majority of this book but feel a little uncertain on my feelings about how everything came together. While I liked the ending well enough, it didn't feel like a very strong ending IMO. I did read this in one sitting though, so it definitely had me hooked the whole way through! I might end up coming back to this review as I let it all marinate a little longer... we'll see....more
Something Wicked This Way Comes was a great spooky read and I can't believe it's taken me this long to read a book from Ray Bradbury! While I can defiSomething Wicked This Way Comes was a great spooky read and I can't believe it's taken me this long to read a book from Ray Bradbury! While I can definitely see why his writing style is not for everyone, I really enjoyed it. The spooky atmosphere of this book made it a perfect addition to my Halloween/October TBR.
This book centers around an evil and creepy carnival that comes to town and preys upon the unsuspecting citizens. As two young boys become entangled with the various carnival workers, they soon learn that something about this carnival is different and unsettling.
This book was a little slow to get into, but around the 30% mark or so, I couldn't put it down. Whether you've read a Ray Bradbury book or not, I absolutely recommend giving this one a try if you're looking for a spooky and atmospheric read.
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster for the gifted copy!...more
This was a cute, cozy witchy mystery novel with all of the fall vibes!
Brynn Warren helps run B&B with her aunts, Izzy and Nora, where they lead quiet This was a cute, cozy witchy mystery novel with all of the fall vibes!
Brynn Warren helps run B&B with her aunts, Izzy and Nora, where they lead quiet lives as witches while keeping their magical identities hidden from the rest of the town. After Constance Graves, a guest with a prickly temperament and unpleasant reputation, dies while staying at the B&B, aunt Nora becomes the prime suspect. As Brynn works to solve Constance's murder and clear her aunt's name, she must also confront some obstacles in her personal life as she manages her own grief as a new widow.
Although this novel is a murder mystery, it still maintains a cozy and low stakes feel through the entire story. I feel like this book was written to be read while reading with a blanket and a cup of tea!...more
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
This was one of my most anticipated reads this fall and it did not disappoint!
Rewitched centers around Belle Blackthorn, a witch working at a bookstorThis was one of my most anticipated reads this fall and it did not disappoint!
Rewitched centers around Belle Blackthorn, a witch working at a bookstore who is out of practice using her magic. On her 30th birthday, Belle is summoned by her coven and her magical abilities are put to the test. If she passes the trial, she keeps her magic and solidifies her place as a witch in her coven. If she fails, she loses her magical abilities forever. After being given a second opportunity to fix her magic and sensing dark forces working against her, she must work alongside her family, a new mentor, and a handsome watchman tasked with keeping her safe as she attempts to fix her magic by October 31st.
This cozy, witchy novel has all of the fall and Halloween vibes I was hoping for when picking it up. I loved the romantic subplot and really enjoyed Belle's character development as she wrestles with feeling confident in her own skin. Although this book had a bit of a slower pace, I absolutely loved every minute of it! Once I hit the 40% mark, I finished the rest of the book in one sitting!
I'm excited to check out more of Lucy Jane Wood's future releases!...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