markedwithanm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Graphic: Death and Chronic illness
shelvesofivy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Spoiler
The dog does Not die!!Even though the romance wasn't the most profound or anything, there were definitely tender moments that had my heart in a chokehold. More than the romance though, the mystery aspect is what got me through the book. I'd probably reread, if only to catch more specific clues.
This wasn't a perfect book, with some underdeveloped areas, but it was still a fun and interesting read! I have mixed feelings about the ending, because
Spoiler
there were unanswered questions about Holly's fate, and I don't really like vague endings. However, I do appreciate Dare and Quinn's maturity to give themselves time to recover from the events of the book before going into a full relationship with each other. I'd love to see them reunite eventually and tie up some loose ends though.With those things said, I could definitely see there being a sequel, and would love to read it if that happens!
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
Moderate: Gore and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
aspring's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
but also, i found this ending really disappointing and abrupt, the book was going so well and this ending just didn’t fit the narrative that was set up for it. i would’ve liked to see a bit more closure and more of a final ‘boss battle’ at the end.
also also! the plot twists! i did not see any of them coming! (if you actually think about it, you probably will but i didn’t and i loved it) <3
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Animal death, and Child death
monicalaurette's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Leave, Dare. She won’t save you either.”
“I’ll reach out into the darkness, safe in knowing nothing ever reaches back.”
Spoiler
like when they found out Hettie was killing her ‘sisters’ at the same age, I had picked up on that when they found Atheleen’s list and read the next chapter I felt so smartSpoiler
I knew the second that Holly fell into the lake that it was going to want her, and then Quinn with the sleepwalking I was so torn on how it was going to end.Spoiler
Atheleen being like a fellow ghost hunter/true crime lover was really cool and I think a way to help Dare realize that some ghosts are in fact realSpoiler
ROSE AS GUSSIE I JUST DID NOT SEE COMING I AUDIBLY GASPEDSpoiler
I thought that at the end, Hettie/the lake did accept Rose both because she gave her ‘sister’ a hug and Rose was probably the same age as Hettie’s mom when she died so it was like her mother was healing her.Spoiler
Okay but WHERE IS HOLLY? Part of me is like, oh she never left the estate and is now just hiding in the dilapidated building waiting for someone to find her/allow her to drown them in the lake next. I know that is crazy but she left the story so oddly and abruptly I just want her to be okay.Graphic: Medical content, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Vomit
melaniereadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a dark and twisty queer ghost story following Dare, a bi teenage paranormal podcaster as she investigates the mystery around Arrington Estate and Atheleen Bell's mysterious drowning 30 years prior. She gets to the house as an intern for Rose, who is restoring the estate to become a museum. and is joined by Rose's daughter, Quinn, and Holly, another intern. Dare expects to spend her summer debunking the ghost myths surrounding the estate, and instead is forced to confront the dark mysteries of the house that started long before Atheleen Bell's death.
I adored this book! It kept me up late because I could not put it down. It is so atmospheric and creepy and spine-tingling. The sapphic relationship is to die for (hah, no pun intended) and I love how off-kilter I felt while reading! It seemed like anyone could be a suspect and something creepy and sinister was around every page.
The ending also absolutely blew me away. I won't spoil anything here, but it took a turn I did not expect but absolutely loved!
I thought the character development was quite good and I will say this is hands down the best ghost story I've read!
Pub date: September 7, 2021
Graphic: Chronic illness, Vomit, and Medical content
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Child death, Death of parent, and Body horror
Minor: Stalking, Murder, Blood, and Violence
foreverinastory's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rep: Bisexual chronically ill female MC (type 1 diabetes), sapphic Bourican/biracial love interest.
CWs: Animal death (not on page, but skeletons are found), blood, chronic illness (type 1 diabetes), death, ghostly haunting, medical content, murder, stalking, toxic relationship, violence, vomit.
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Murder, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit