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connorjdaley's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Revived my book club this month, and luckily enough my suggestion got picked!
This one was suggested for my Intro to Indie Horror + Representation post that I did in April under trans rep, and it has been on my radar since posting. Naturally I’m stoked it got to jump up my TBR with the book club selecting it.
With that being said, I actually didn’t read the blurb, just went straight in. I was pleasantly surprised to head right into a supernatural mystery. Emberly and Conner are tasked with investigating a rather atypical circumstance that befell their boss’ son. And I absolutely loved the fact that they kind of were forced to become their own type of detectives. When a trip to Cranberry Cove turns up more questions than answers, Emberly is sent on a journey to unravel what’s inside.
There’s something about the 2’s, and like room 217 at The Overlook, Cranberry Cove’s 2A is the latest haunted hotel room that will keep you up at night waiting for a knock. Why are only men attacked or disappearing? Where is the person or entity even coming from?
I really enjoyed how the author made a point to spell out how their boss had gone out of his way to take care of Emberly’s needs, and to ensure that everyone treated her as the woman she was. Meanwhile the novella itself is tackling themes of toxic masculinity and gender ideas. Conner feels a need to ensure Emberly’s safety, however he doesn’t seem to understand that that feeling can come from caring, and not because he’s the man. And clearly Emberly is prepared to care for herself!
A quick, spooky, and unique read. Worth checking out.
ericarobyn's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper is a tense tale of horror and the determination to figure out a dark mystery.
CW: Sexual assault.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper –
When sent to get answers about an assault that occurred to their boss’s son, all signs begin to point to something unexplainable. To add to the already tense situation, our main character is also assaulted and then battles with her feelings over the fact that things weren’t worse, not allowing herself the space to process what did.
From there, she sets out to learn more, while our other main character is determined to prove it was something that can be explained. Both are determined to solve the mystery, even if it puts them back in harm’s way.
My gosh, the anxiety I felt while reading this! There’s a very interesting blend of content that feels both stressful and lovely at the same time. I was so darn nervous throughout this entire read, just sure that something bad was going to happen at any second!
My Favorite Passages from Cranberry Cove –
Each room had one way in, one way out, unless you counted the window for a permanent check-out.
She couldn’t remember whether she had it rough when she was small, could only speculate that was the case by the black chasms in her memory, and she was pretty sure she hadn’t spent all those years with the lights off.
Angelica’s house had a compact nature, like a fist tightened around a treasured jewel. Its warmth came less from sunshine and poor airflow, more from the oppressive heat of those grasping fingers, desperate to hold its possessions and never let them go, even if it had to crush them into place.
My Final Thoughts on Cranberry Cove –
Hailey’s writing style will forever be one of my favorites. This tale sucked me right into the darkness and I was as desperate for answers as the characters themselves. I had such a blast with this tale of horror.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
lee_readsbooks's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
gizmokanread's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
tansybradshaw's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
michelle_mightbereading's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Transphobia and Sexual content
ctrlaltcassie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was in the mood for a creepy story set in a hotel, and when Hailey offered to send an ARC of this, I was maybe overly excited for it -- I started reading it within minutes of opening the email & didn't stop til it was finished! 😂
CRANBERRY COVE was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! The hotel in this one felt almost like its own character, the environment inside it atmospherically sinister in a way that keeps the reader on edge constantly, never feeling safe. I liked the time spent away from the hotel too, especially later on in the story in a certain house... SO creepy!!
It's novella length, so on the shorter end of things, which is perfect if you're looking for something that'll pull you in quickly and keep you hooked until the end. Also, I loved the characters here!! Emberly and Conner had such a cute partnership, almost like Mulder & Scully - I kept thinking of that comparison while reading and it made me like them even more. I'd love reading a collection of stories about them and the different things they encounter together!
Hailey never misses for me - I've lost count of how many of her books I've read at this point, and I always love them. CRANBERRY COVE is definitely one of my new favorites!
___________________________
Find me outside of Goodreads!
Substack | Instagram | YouTube
CRANBERRY COVE was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! The hotel in this one felt almost like its own character, the environment inside it atmospherically sinister in a way that keeps the reader on edge constantly, never feeling safe. I liked the time spent away from the hotel too, especially later on in the story in a certain house... SO creepy!!
It's novella length, so on the shorter end of things, which is perfect if you're looking for something that'll pull you in quickly and keep you hooked until the end. Also, I loved the characters here!! Emberly and Conner had such a cute partnership, almost like Mulder & Scully - I kept thinking of that comparison while reading and it made me like them even more. I'd love reading a collection of stories about them and the different things they encounter together!
Hailey never misses for me - I've lost count of how many of her books I've read at this point, and I always love them. CRANBERRY COVE is definitely one of my new favorites!
___________________________
Find me outside of Goodreads!
Substack | Instagram | YouTube
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