A review by natashaleighton_
Your Blood, My Bones: A Twisted, Slow Burn Rivals-To-lovers Romance from the Author of the WHISPERING DARK by Kelly Andrew

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

House of Hollow meets Starling House in this dark and enchantingly lush, Gothic Fantasy standalone that’s set within the same world as The Whispering Dark. A tale of curses, eldritch creatures and the fallibility of humankind, but also of friendships, loyalty and the difficult choices we all must to make. Kelly Andrew has crafted a gorgeously imaginative and immersive tale that needs to be sent to Guillermo del Toro, cause I need an adaptation of this ASAP! 

When her father dies and leaves her everything, Wyatt Westlock finally returns to Willow Heath, the farmhouse she spent her childhood summers in… with a plan to burn it all to the ground. 

Until she stumbles upon her childhood best friend, Peter, strung up in the basement and left for dead. For unbeknownst to her, Peter is immortal; and only his ritualistic murder (at the hands of generations of Wyatt’s family) can hold back the eldritch creatures, who’ve spent centuries trying to invade her world. 

But Peter doesn’t want to be the sacrificial lamb anymore, he plans to break his curse by killing the last ever Westlock… which unfortunately happens to be Wyatt. 

With the property’s wards unravelling, Wyatt must turn to the only person who can help her repair them before it’s too late. Yet, despite Peter being the only one who knows how to harness her volatile magic, can Wyatt truly put her trust in a boy who’s sworn to destroy her? 

I loved how intricately detailed and otherworldly in scope this was! Kelly Andrew’s hauntingly poetic yet slightly macabre prose reads like a dark, twisted fairytale — in the best, creepiest and most sinister way possible.

The terrifying sense of foreboding that we encounter from the very start, and which stalks our protagonists throughout the entire novel (from high stakes action scenes to the more emotional and introspective ones) really amplified the gothic horror elements that I thought made this such an intriguing story. 

But, I do think it was the nuance and depth of our POV characters, Wyatt and Peter; their flaws, emotional ties and uncertain loyalties to each other in the face of such horrifying adversity that really made this a standout read for me. 

I loved Wyatt whose emotional complexity and journey after discovering her family’s darkest secrets (and trying to make amends) had me utterly invested in her every decision. I enjoyed the depth and emotion we explore in morally grey Peter too. His traumatic experiences and conflicted emotions surrounding Wyatt were breathtakingly wrought, highlighting just how important (and life changing) the bonds of friendship can truly be. 

And the romance was phenomenal as well! Slowburn, swoon-worthy and deliciously intense, I was awed by just how much chemistry Wyatt and Peter had. Even in the flashback scenes of their childhood we get glimpses of their growing feelings and I loved every second. Though I do warn it’s quite an emotional and bittersweet journey so do prepare to shed some tears along the way.

If you’ve read The Whispering Dark you’ll be pleased to know that Delaney and Colton make a cameo, as does Delaney’s friend Mackenzie (who happens to be Wyatt’s cousin.) It was a lovely surprise and I hope we get more stories within this world, if only so that we can catch more glimpses of them.

Overall, an impeccably written and atmospheric read that horror loving, dark fairytale and Gothic fantasy lovers should definitely consider adding to their TBRs. Though do check the TWs first. 






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