Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.88 AVERAGE
2.88 AVERAGE
2.5 stars
The bones for this were really good! i just think the story could have used a little more fine tuning before heading off to the publisher. I really loved the idea of a haunted castle romance, being a steamy romance and horror novel enjoyer separately. The characters were really difficult to relate to and the plot just seemed kind of all over the place. Definitely not the best I’ve ever read but I’m looking forward to seeing what this author does in the future!
Penelope Skinner, Pen for short, is a half white, half Native American author. In a publishing industry that is whitewashed, she struggles to find her place among the novelists. Insert Neil Storm, another Native author and in Pen’s opinion, a sellout. After an unfortunate appearance on a panel at BookCon, Pen feels even more ostracized by the novelist word and finds herself fighting with writer’s block. Her best friend Lazslo convinces her to join him on a writing retreat to a haunted castle in Scotland. After he promises that Neil won’t be anywhere to be found, she agrees. After landing in Scotland, none other than Neil shows up at a bar, seemingly part of their group for the retreat. Neil and Pen decide to set apart their differences just to get through the week. As they get to know each other, Pen starts feeling things she’d rather not for him. Meanwhile, they keep seeing a ghostly woman in the halls and through the windows. Despite it all, Neil and Pen decide to team up and get to the bottom of the haunting.
Will they make it out alive?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a free copy to review!
The bones for this were really good! i just think the story could have used a little more fine tuning before heading off to the publisher. I really loved the idea of a haunted castle romance, being a steamy romance and horror novel enjoyer separately. The characters were really difficult to relate to and the plot just seemed kind of all over the place. Definitely not the best I’ve ever read but I’m looking forward to seeing what this author does in the future!
Penelope Skinner, Pen for short, is a half white, half Native American author. In a publishing industry that is whitewashed, she struggles to find her place among the novelists. Insert Neil Storm, another Native author and in Pen’s opinion, a sellout. After an unfortunate appearance on a panel at BookCon, Pen feels even more ostracized by the novelist word and finds herself fighting with writer’s block. Her best friend Lazslo convinces her to join him on a writing retreat to a haunted castle in Scotland. After he promises that Neil won’t be anywhere to be found, she agrees. After landing in Scotland, none other than Neil shows up at a bar, seemingly part of their group for the retreat. Neil and Pen decide to set apart their differences just to get through the week. As they get to know each other, Pen starts feeling things she’d rather not for him. Meanwhile, they keep seeing a ghostly woman in the halls and through the windows. Despite it all, Neil and Pen decide to team up and get to the bottom of the haunting.
Will they make it out alive?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a free copy to review!
This sounded really cute and I was looking forward to it, but found that I wasn’t able to get into it at all once I started reading - not all characters need to be likeable but I cannot when main characters are emotionally manipulative and abusive, verging into physical.
Penelope is toxic with a capital t - her gaslighting, physical assaults, and emotional abuse were a major turn off for me.
Added bonus /s - there’s zero character development - Penelope remains the same, showing zero remorse or personal growth. So yeah, this one really didn’t work for me and I’m sorry I gave it as much reading time as I did.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the DRC
adventurous
dark
Well I am not a horror girlie and this book did not change my mind on the genre. Because of that I don’t feel fair rating it as that is probably the biggest part I did not enjoy. I found the horror part to be really boring actually, despite there being a few intense action scenes. I think that is a me thing though
As for the romance part, a genre for which I am an experienced fan, I found that lacking as well. First off, the two start as enemies/rivals after Penelope literally screams at Neil at an author panel. So cringey and unrealistic in my opinion. I don’t like when people have this really intense animosity right off the bat and bicker like children. I no just don’t see interactions like that happening in real life. Then there of course is a sort of slow build to lovers as there always is. Some of the build up was good but I wasn’t convinced about them as a couple by the end. The spice was odd too (literally bang while being actively haunted by ghosts….. ok then)
I did enjoy the Native American rep and learning a bit about their customs and traditions. For that reason I may be tempted to read from this author again.
Anyway I thought this would just be a cute short Halloweeny read, which I guess it achieved its goal in that regard, but I was not a fan.
As for the romance part, a genre for which I am an experienced fan, I found that lacking as well. First off, the two start as enemies/rivals after Penelope literally screams at Neil at an author panel. So cringey and unrealistic in my opinion. I don’t like when people have this really intense animosity right off the bat and bicker like children. I no just don’t see interactions like that happening in real life. Then there of course is a sort of slow build to lovers as there always is. Some of the build up was good but I wasn’t convinced about them as a couple by the end. The spice was odd too (literally bang while being actively haunted by ghosts….. ok then)
I did enjoy the Native American rep and learning a bit about their customs and traditions. For that reason I may be tempted to read from this author again.
Anyway I thought this would just be a cute short Halloweeny read, which I guess it achieved its goal in that regard, but I was not a fan.
I listened to the audio book and while I liked the story my mind did wander for a lot of it. I pretty much only paid attention to the last 30% and still felt like I understood everything that happened. Do with that information what you will
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
I really wanted to like this book. The cover is great, and the synopsis had me hoping for an adult Scooby-Doo feel with a bigger spookyfactor and more romance. Unfortunately I felt it needed more depth in plot, characters and romance. The romance went from enemies to lovers in the blink of an eye and ended up jarring. The plot took a backseat to the romance and the romance to sex. I wanted more ghosts and a deeper story.
I really wanted to like this book. The cover is great, and the synopsis had me hoping for an adult Scooby-Doo feel with a bigger spookyfactor and more romance. Unfortunately I felt it needed more depth in plot, characters and romance. The romance went from enemies to lovers in the blink of an eye and ended up jarring. The plot took a backseat to the romance and the romance to sex. I wanted more ghosts and a deeper story.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
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
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark