Book Review - Holly Horror by Michelle Jabès Corpora

 

Holly Horror by Michelle Jabès Corpora is about a young girl who moved into a new house following her parents’ divorce. Evie Archer, her brother, Stan, and her mother move from NYC to Ravenglass, Massachusetts for a fresh start. Evie is excited for a new start and to blend in with everyone. She quickly learns that the house she moves into has a dark history and all the locals know about it. 

The Hobbie House is also known as the Horror House after a young girl around Evie’s age named Holly Hobbie, goes missing from the home. Her body was never found and no one knows how she disappeared as she vanished from her bedroom without a trace.

As Evie begins to investigate the house’s past, she realizes there is more to the story. She learns that before Holly went missing another young girl disappeared in an eerily similar way. Evie wonders if the two cases are connected. As she investigates, she realizes that something insidious is in the house and it’s slowly encroaching on Evie’s life. Evie is starting to have a hard time differentiating what is real and what isn’t. Will Evie find out what happened to Holly or will she suffer a similar fate?

The young adult novel was a quick and entertaining read. The author slowly builds up the suspense and creepiness factor to set the mood. The book is told from Evie’s perspective and her character is well fleshed out. However, the author did not do as great a job developing the other supporting characters in my view. I wish we got to learn more about her mother, Stan, and Evie’s romantic interest, Desmond. The story hints that something happened with her father but, it was much later did we get some idea of what occurred. I hoped the reader got more detail about familial relationships earlier on especially when Evie was struggling at Hobbie House. It would have helped shine some light on Evie’s mental state.

While the book is billed as a horror novel, I didn’t find it scary or spooky. I found that the story was a bit slow to build up and it was very predictable. The romantic element was a bit fast, especially the intensity. It seemed that Evie liked Desmond but then didn’t always keep him in the loop and they went from talking about their sewing class to being madly in love. It seems that a lot of the characters said that Evie was spiraling out of control but didn’t do much to ensure she was okay or vice versa. Her friend, Tina, who got Evie interested in the history of Hobbie House didn’t really play much of a role. I was surprised that the book was going to be a part of the series as I felt like it could be a standalone. I felt like the book took forever to build up and when it finally got to the end, it happened so quickly. However, I would be open to reading more books from the series. If you like young adult horror series, then you might enjoy this book.

Book Review - The Folcroft Ghosts by Darcy Coates

 

When their mother suffered an accident, Tara and her brother, Kyle, were sent to live with their estranged grandparents. May and Peter Folcroft seemed like the perfect grandparents. Their house is quaint and its hidden in the base of the mountains. 

They noticed that strange things keep happening. Furniture keeps moving around and there are figures in the fog. Tara and Kyle believe that the house might be haunted. A brutal storm cuts down their only line of communication into the outside world. 

May becomes obsessive with them and rarely lets them out of her sight. They try to pretend that they are a happy family. But, when they discover a locked room and a forgotten journal, they know they need to escape.

I read quite a few of the author's books and found this book to be enjoyable. It had a very creepy quality to it. The twist was interesting but, it was hinted at. I liked that they included a few short stories by the author that were interesting to read. I wished that they were fleshed out a bit more into their own novels. If the author released a collection of short stories, I would definitely read them because she seems to have a knack for writing creepy stories.

Book Review - They Did Bad Things by Lauren A. Forry

 

In 1995, six students move into a house at Caldwell Street, while studying at the university. Several months later, one of the students was found dead at the end of the year party celebration. The student's death was ruled an accident by the police and his case was closed. The other five roommates knew it wasn't an accident but, they went on with their lives and kept the truth of what happened buried with them.

Twenty years later, the remaining five of them arrive at the Wolfheather House. They were lured there under false pretenses. They realize this after seeing each other there.The house is an old crumbling secluded mansion that has limited cell signal and has no way out when a storm hits. They realized that they were all trapped together unless they confess their crimes.
 
I thought the novel was an interesting read. However, there were a few times when I was questioning the motives and thoughts behind the character's reaction. For example, they were quick to blame someone who might have done something but, when they saw evidence of someone else committing a devious act, they quickly believed that they were innocent. I didn't really care for any of the characters and thought they all deserved what they got. Although, I am not even sure if the entire plot is quite believable. It was an okay read but, I won't go out of my way to read other books by the author.

Book Review - Craven Manor by Darcy Coates

 

Daniel is down on his luck and he is desperate for a job. He is willing to take any job to be able to afford food and rent. Someone slides a note under his door offering him a job as a groundskeeper at an old crumbling estate. The job offers him free housing and food along with a generous salary. He feels like the job is too good to be true.

When he arrives at Craven Manor, he feels like he might have been a victim of a prank. The mansion is dilapidated and its front door is wide open. The house is covered in leaves and cobwebs and it's apparent that no one has lived there in a long time. When he turns to leave, he finds an envelope with his name on it. There is a note offering him the job and it contains money with the promise of more if he accepts the job.

Daniel accepts the job because his only other option is to be homeless. He moves into the groundskeeper's cottage and tries to do his job. He tries to ignore all the strange occurrences and focuses on getting his job done. However, he feels that something is wrong deep in bones especially when there is a candle flickering in the abandoned tower window. He feels that Craven Manor is hiding a terrible secret but, can he survive it?

I enjoyed this novel. I like for the first time, a character isn't oblivious that something is wrong. Unfortunately, I feel for Daniel because he is stuck in a tough spot.  However, I didn't like that Daniel kept caring for a person who didn't even have his best interest at heart. I understand that Daniel was at a low point and that person was there for him but, it seems that everything that person did was motivated by greed. Daniel realized that this person was motivated by greed but, still tries to be positive and caring towards that person. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading other books by the author

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Other People by C.J. Tudor

  

Gabe is driving home one night and he is stuck behind a rusty old car. As he stares ahead willing traffic to move faster, he sees a little girl's face appear in the car's rear window. The girl mouths "daddy" to him. He realizes it's his five-year-old daughter, Izzy. After their faithful momentary meeting, Gabe never sees his daughter again.

Three years later, Gabe spends his days and night going up and down the highway searching for his daughter. He refuses to give up hope because that would mean admitting that his daughter is dead. He receives help from an unlikely ally and discovers the car he last saw his daughter in. The car was found abandoned with a body inside. Gabe must come to terms with the day Izzy disappeared and his past.

Fran and her daughter, Alice also spends a lot of time on the road. Unlike Gabe, they are running from people who want to hurt them. It's because Fran knows the truth behind Izzy's disappearance. She knows that if they catch her, they might not make it out alive.

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I wish the author gave more details about certain things and characters. I didn't really care for some of the supernatural bits of the story. While the story took a bit to get going, I found the book to be an enjoyable read.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates

 

 

 In the small town of Ipson, everyone knows about the Ashburn House. There are rumors that the old owner, Edith went mad and that the house is haunted by ghosts. The ghost stories hint at a cruel supernatural being that dwells near the house. When Edith dies, Adrienne inherited the house. She is beyond ecstatic at her good fortune as she is in dire need of a new home. She has no money and has nowhere to go. Adrienne looks at the house as a chance to start over.

Adrienne notices that there are strange messages scratched into the walls. When she leaves a room, the furniture moves around. And when the night falls, something is lurking in the darkness. When exploring the area around the house, Adrienne finds a grave in the forest. The grave has a vague headstone but, it hints at a dark secret. As Adrienne tries to unravel the mystery behind the grave, she discovers that something is hunting her and it won't stop until it gets its prey.

 This was my first novel by the author and now I am hooked! The story was suspenseful and an entertaining read. I did feel that the novel progressed very slowly with many frivolous details. The story had a few predictable elements along with a few twists. I enjoyed reading the parts with her cat, Wolfgang.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Perfect Wife by J.P. Delaney

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When Abbie wakes up in a strange room in a daze with no memory of who she is and how she got there. The man at Abbie's side claims that he is her husband. He is the founder of an innovative start-up and an idolized genius in the tech world. He tells Abbie that she is a talented artist, a surfer, a loving mother to their autistic son, and most importantly, she was the perfect wife.

Five years ago, there was a terrible accident and she was bought to life as a bot. She is a miracle of science and one of a kind.  However, as  Abbie starts to piece together her memory, she realizes her husband might be hiding things from her. She is wary of her husband; who insists that she was the perfect wife.

The idea of having a robot replace a loved one was interesting. However, the only thing I liked about the book was their young kid, Danny. I had a hard time relating or even liking any of the characters. The book was written from two points of view, robotic Abbie's feelings and her trying to figure out the truth and the telling "real" Abbie's past with Tim. I didn't like that the only thing we knew about Abbie was that she was perfect and on some level, everyone worshiped or loved her. Yet, as the reader, we know nothing from Abbie's point of view. The book felt like a convoluted and confusing hot mess that I regretted spending the time to even bother reading it.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson

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Willow West is a gallery owner who is spontaneous and loves to have fun. When she crosses path with George Emerson, who is a button-up retired English teacher, she wasn't sure what to think of him.  However, she finds George interesting and wants him to loosen up and enjoy life.  While trying to make George embrace life, she finds herself falling for him.

George straddles the line of being irritated and attracted to Willow. He thinks Willow is around to often but, he misses her when she isn't around. George isn't interested in making new friends or trying new things as it hurts when you lose people you care about.

I thought the novel was an interesting premise. I thought both characters were flawed but, continue to grow and learn throughout their relationship. I did get annoyed during some parts of the novel, where they both accused each other of overstepping their bounds but, they both do the same thing.  They try to make the other person happy without actually considering the person's feelings. I also, felt like George and Willow were the most developed characters. I felt like the daughter and grandson felt forced and their conversations didn't feel authenticate. Another example, George knows he is closed off but, he becomes dismayed when his retirement party didn't have a big turnout.  This book wasn't my favorite by the author but, I will continue to read her novels.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden

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Sophie van Rijn is a volunteer for the Weather Bureau and she needs access to the highest point in her village for the most accurate readings.  Dierenpark an abandoned mansion that is on top of a cliff in the Hudson River Valley. Sophie knows this is the best option even though she doesn't have permission from the owners.

Quentin is the first Vandermark to return to the area in nearly sixty years. He intends to tear down the mansion in hopes to end the dark rumors surrounding his family. However, upon his return to the mansion, he is infuriated that someone has been trespassing on his property during his family's absence. The pair is at odds at each other but, Sophie seems to be able to reach his son. Will two be able to put their differences aside and help each other?

I was quite disappointed in this book and found both characters to be insufferable.  Quentin is in pain and seems to be taking out his cruelty on others and then is baffled when his son doesn't like him. Sophie is this "light"  that can do no wrong and because she is nice everything works out for her in the end. I was annoyed that one character was insulting other religions and I understand that they don't believe in religion but, I think that part was not needed. I thought the history of the Vandermark would have a more prominent role but instead, they spent more time going into detail on Sophie's love-filled cooking. I find that Sophie was all for doing the right thing when it benefits her and her needs. When her father was doing an illegal search in Vandermark's claim on the mansion or using the roof without permission she made no Biblical references to those behaviors. I am still baffled on how the two characters end up liking each other especially when Sophie seems hesitant until the end.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Stranger Inside by Laura Benedict

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Kimber Hannon comes home from vacation to find out someone is living in her house. She has no idea who this stranger is but, he tells the police that he has permission to live there. He even has the paperwork to prove that belongs in her home. However, Kimber knows that she didn't invite this stranger into her home. 

The stranger knows secrets from Kimber's past and wants everyone to know Kimber's secrets. Kimber is afraid if the truth is revealed that she will lose everything she worked for. Kimber realizes that the stranger doesn't just want her house but, everything she has. Will Kimber be able to figure out who the stranger is?

The novel has an interesting premise and I was very excited to read it. For a stranger to take over someone's home; that is very twisted and intimate. However, while I like the idea of the novel, I felt like the story progressed very slowly. And, I honestly hated Kimber as a person. I found myself hoping that she suffers more than she did. I feel like she is the type of person who is self-centered and only cares about herself but, judges others on their actions.  After reading about Kimber's history and personality, I was surprised there weren't more people who wanted to see her suffer.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Widows by Lynda La Plante

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 After receiving news that their husbands have perished in a fire, Dolly Rawlins, Linda Pirelli, and Shirley Miller must face life alone. The widows decided to work together and complete the heist that killed their husbands after Dolly discovers her husband's robbery plans. The widows train to pull off the perfect heist given this would be their first brush with breaking the law. During their preparation, they realize they need a fourth person to pull of their plan perfectly. They recruit a fourth person for their heist while trying to figure out who the fourth man  who abandoned their husbands. Who was the fourth man that left their husbands for death? Will the widows be able to pull off the heist?

The novel was a fun to read and interesting that the four lead criminals were all females. I like that each of the characters had a strong personality. And how they tried to overcome their husband's death while pulling a heist that none of them has experience with. I found the book to be a bit slow at times but I look forward to reading more books from the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The High Season by by Judy Blundell

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Ruthie Beamish has the house of her dreams. Even if she can't afford it. No matter what happens, she knows she will always have her house. To be able to afford the home that she shares with her daughter, they rent out the house during the peak season: the summer.  As Ruthie and Jem begin packing up their belongings for their annual exodus, the ritzy Hamptons crowd arrive. The beautiful socialite, Adeline Clay arrives with her gorgeous step-son and manages to turn Ruthie's life upside down. Little by little, Adeline starts to infiltrate all aspects of Ruthie's life including her family and her friends. When her job as a museum curator is threatened, Ruthie feels her entire life is crumbling around her. Will Ruthie be able to fight back? Will Ruthie be able to regain her old life?

I originally picked this novel because I read a few reviews calling it a "must read". I thought it was going to be the perfect beach reach for the coming Summer.  However, I felt disappointed as the book was underwhelming. Ruthie's great revenge plot seemed to be laughable at best and in the end, she ended up hurting the ones who cared about her the most. There was a lot going on in the story  but it didn't add much to the plot. The book was a bit over 400 pages and I felt that it was longer than it needed to be. I was drawn to the first few pages but felt my interest waning towards the middle of the book. I can see this being an enjoyable cozy beach read for some but it wasn't for me.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Multiple Listings by Tracy McMillan

Photo Credit - Amazon

Nicki Daniels has learned how to live on her own since she was young. She learned how to depend on no one and how to take care of herself and her son. However, her life is about to be turn upside down when her career con father comes to visit and moves in with her, her son, and her boyfriend. Family drama fills the pages of the book when each of the characters wants different things. Will the be able to get along? Will Nicki be able to forgive her father?

The comedic novel is filled with humor, plot twists and bonds between family and friends with little gems of friendship, relationship and forgiveness sprinkled in. Personally, I didn't really care for the main character; I found her rather boring and a bit annoying. The story seemed one dimensional and lacked depth. I was expecting more from this novel and not just a "cozy read' where there isn't much going on. 

**Disclosure - I received an unedited ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**