Title: Enchanting October Reads
A Review of Upcoming Halloween-themed Books
October has been a delightful month for me as a book blogger. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a few Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs)—a pre-release version of a book given out to generate buzz and reviews. This month, I’m diving into some spine-chilling, Halloween-themed reads. I'll be sharing my thoughts on three books this week and three next week, all set to be released this month by incredibly talented authors.
Ready or Not by Alina May
In her quest to find her missing friend, the socially awkward Rachel finds herself with zero leads. To honor her friend’s memory, she decides to follow through on their original plan: walking through the local haunted corn maze. Unbeknownst to her, this seemingly innocent journey catches the attention of psychopathic step-siblings Riley and Manson. Caught in the middle of their twisted games, Rachel becomes their unwilling pawn as they each try to outdo the other in claiming her. Forced to play their hide-and-seek games—despite being a terrible hider—Rachel’s ordeal becomes a nightmarish struggle for survival.
My Thoughts : I was thoroughly captivated by this book—it kept me on my toes the whole time. I initially believed Riley was a fictional character (not sure why), but that twist caught me by surprise. Although this theme/trope isn't typically my go-to, I found myself enjoying it immensely. In fact, I loved it so much that I even bought a signed edition from Alina May.
You can snag "Ready or Not" for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Ready or Not by Jenn Plummer
Set in the quaint town of Aspen Ridge, this Halloween novella introduces us to Wes Draven, a private investigator. While stopping by the local coffee shop, he unexpectedly encounters his son's ex-girlfriend, Lilith. Wes has always been drawn to her, sensing there's more to her than meets the eye. As Halloween approaches, a night when Lilith lets her true self emerge, Wes plans to seize the moment. Will he win her over? You'll have to read to find out.
My Thoughts: I'll admit, I was a bit hesitant to dive into this book due to the age-gap romance theme, which usually isn't my cup of tea. However, Jenn Plummer's masterful storytelling quickly won me over, and she's now firmly on my list of favorite authors. This novella skillfully weaves together multiple tropes, with Wes Draven epitomizing the dominant bad boy archetype. The narrative had me hooked from the first page, and I devoured it within a few hours. My only quibble is that it's a novella rather than a full-length novel—I simply wanted more time with these compelling characters and the atmospheric, small-town Halloween setting.
You can grab a copy of this Halloween novella for free on Kindle Unlimited or purchase the paperback edition!
Wicked Obsidian by Mortala's
In this spine-chilling Halloween novella, we follow Bella as she moves away from her overbearing parents, seeking freedom and solace. Haunted by thoughts of her ex-foster brother, Rico Hades, who vanished without a trace, Bella's determination to break free intensifies. On Halloween night, a mysterious invitation to an exclusive haunted house arrives, promising to exploit her deepest fears.
Unbeknownst to Bella, this haunted house is a living nightmare created solely for her torment. Rico has meticulously transformed the house into a personal hell, turning each room into a trap designed to ensnare her. No matter how desperately she tries to escape, Bella finds herself ensnared in Rico's twisted game, with no way out.
My Thoughts: This book was a whirlwind of danger, thrill, and sheer madness. Never before have I encountered a story quite like this—each page was an intense, exhilarating ride that left me questioning everything. Mortala’s extraordinary writing had my adrenaline pumping, making me feel as though I was right beside Bella, enduring every twisted moment with her. The over 50 trigger warnings are woven seamlessly into the narrative, enhancing the dark, depraved tale of love without a trace of romance. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, but let me stress: this is not a dark romance. It’s a deep dive into a version of love that is profoundly dark and utterly consuming.
EST. OCTOBER 31ST KINDLE AND PAPERBACK RELEASE
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