Don't Be Scared

by A.J. Merlin

Every town has a history.

Ours is just a little darker than most.

For years I’ve celebrated Halloween and Hollow Bridge’s history with everyone else who lives here. Parades, festivals, and insane Halloween parties have always been a staple for us. Some bad behavior is expected, given what we’re celebrating.

But murder has never been on the table before.

Someone in Hollow Bridge wants to bring the stories to life, and they’re not firing any warning shots. When rumors of someone wearing a Halloween mask surface, it isn’t long before the first person is killed.

No one is safe, but when I end up with a serial killer kneeling over me and a knife at my throat, I expect to be the next victim of the Hollow Bridge killer. I don’t expect for him to speak to me, from behind the garish mask he wears.

“Who should be the next to die, Bailey?”

Inexplicably, he lets me go. But I’m never going to be safe from him.

Because he wants more from me than just a name.

Don’t Be Scared is a full-length, MMF standalone for anyone looking for a spicy and dark Halloween read. It contains graphic violence, darker kinks, and murder. For a full list of triggers, please use the look inside feature.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Halloween, Romance, M M F, Horror, Serial Killer

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2023

About the author

AJ Merlin would rather write epic love stories than live them. I mean, who wants to limit themselves to only falling in love once? She is obsessed with dark fantasy, true crime, and also dogs. From serial killers to voyeurs all the way down to the devil himself, AJ's specialty is in writing irredeemable heroes who somehow still manage to captivate their heroines (and her readers).

Reviews

[alli☀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A MMF romance with elements of horror. This girl falls in love with killers🤪. And then they fu— and kill together😚. She also has an obsession with dead animals and apparently likes to play with them🤨🤚. I just had to keep scrolling when that came up😟. Can I also say literally the fmc kept thinking they were going to kill her even at the 94% mark (I thought so too) and she still kept being with them😳. The girl has a death wish fr. Sadly, I just didn’t feel any attachment to this book. Honestly, I just wanted it to be over. I got so bored and I felt like it started to drag.

[｡.•*¨*•♬✧maeve ✧♬•*¨*•.｡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3/5 ugh im sorry but this book put me in the biggest slump ever!!! personally, i feel like it was poorly written, a little confusing, and didn’t get good until the second half but once i was there, i did really enjoy it- rory and phoenix are really well developed mmcs and they kept me invested!! this is definitely a good halloween/spooky szn read:)

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🌶️3.5/5 definitely review the trigger warnings for this one!!

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dark romance
serial killer/s romance
blood/gore
taboo
MMF; poly
trauma/grief
mental health
mystery
best friend’s brother
morally gray all around
explicit sexual content….18+ read!!
etc.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖🕸️🕷.𖥔 ݁ ˖

im sorry but bailey just didnt do it for me😭 she was super insecure and had a lot of issues which i dont blame her for but i just think her character could have definitely been done a lot better!!

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i would recommend this to dark romance or anything spooky lovers….who also need a little spice and suspense!!! message me if you want to chat🖤🎃

[Tamadjia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's just say that none of AJ Merlin's other books have had a character take the place of Virgil in my heart. I was sent this one as an ARC, and just like that, Virgil was ever so gently kicked out of the #1 spot by Rory. The fact that this man threatened Bailey, in defense of Phoenix, had me dying. He said, "Hurt my man and see what happens." (Paraphrasing, but you get the point.) Phoenix's personality surprised me. I expected him to be the stand offish type, but he turned out to be the perfect boyfriend. Their consent checks made me love them even more.

  The story was consistent the whole time. I liked the way Bailey's mental health was addressed, and Phoenix acknowledged and accommodated it. He never made her feel like a burden. At times, I could understand the problems she had with certain textures and especially socks since I have the same issues. It felt good seeing it in a healthy way. The normalization of therapy and supportive and loving parents was a huge bonus. Bailey knew when she was being stupid and when she was putting herself in danger, and she wasn't meek or easily swayed. I also loved the snarky attitude of her mom with the detective. She turned it on when it came to defending her child. This is now my current favorite book by AJ. It's the perfect way to get in the Halloween mood.

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this book on Halloween when I needed it 😭????

Obsessed doesn't even begin to cover it- this was probably my fav book by AJM so far. The small-town murder mystery vibes were so so so good. I love this physcotic trio and that's all I'm going to say 😋.

-=- Quotes -=-

“That’s not narcissistic at all,” I can’t help but mutter, but he turns my words into a gasp when he jerks me forward on the bed, forcing my knees wider around him.
“I just have a healthy ego and good ideas about self love,” the auburn killer chuckles softly, slanting a kiss against my jaw.

RORY MY MAN.


-=-

“I think this is the part I tell you that if you hurt Phoenix, we won’t be friends anymore... But I don’t need to, because you won’t. Because you’re drowning in us, and I’d rather pull you down to the depths of the ocean with us then send you back up for air.”

-=-

“I like mess. I like feelings. Spill your feelings so I can clean them up for you and watch you do it all again. So long as it’s for me and Phoenix, and no one else. Because you know…” He tilts his head to the side, cheer in every inch of his expression. “If you ever decide you’re falling for anyone else, I’ll have to kill them.”
“And I’d have to help,” Phoenix agrees quietly.

-=-

[kaleigh]

Dnf @ 10% page 44 ~ I’m so bored. The FMC seems to have some sort of obsession with dead animals and it’s making me uncomfortable 🥲

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I politely decline to comment.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

October 2023
Kindle edition

Pretty much what you'd expect from this author. The guys are killers, the girl is curious and plays sleuth in a small town. I did like that it focuses on the relationships and keeps the kills pretty much in the background. Flashbacks with hurt/comfort. It's one of those dark themes with sweet guys. The guys were adorable. Unsure about Nic/Nolan. The small town sounded boring with nothing to do but walk around. I did like the way they go full in on Halloween though. Strong on the M/M with initial established relationship, becoming MFM. Nice serial killer revenge read for the month.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for this story of revenge in a town that pulls out all the stops for Halloween. Bailey is haunted by the saddest, tortuous memories of her best friend's death, when events start down a new dark path. Interestingly , the emphasis is not so much on grisly details, but on the relationship that develops between Bailey, Phoenix and Rory, one which is so intense, hinting at darkness but also of passion and love. Their connection is incredibly strong and I loved that of the love between Phoenix and Rory. Bailey's compatability with this pair is developed carefully and slowly. Mayhem is a huge part of this story, but, overall, is written as an adjunct to the central relationship and the resolution that Bailey so needs. Fabulous read 💖💖💖💖💖

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author's books are my guilty pleasure I adore a good serial killer romance and this one was entertaining for sure it's an M/M/F romance and the two men Phoenix and Rory are an established couple before Bailey joins them. It's all told from Bailey's POV and I loved her as a character she's also from what I could gather very much non-neurotypical, it never came right out and said that she was on the spectrum but that is how it came across to me.

I loved the Halloween theme and all things horror movie and the plot of revenge against all of her childhood nemeses who Bailey holds responsible for her friend Daisy's death. Phoenix is Daisy's brother and also Bailey's childhood crush and when he comes back to town with his boyfriend Rory people related to the childhood incident that claimed Daisy's life start to die, picked off one by one.

The sex was hot and the connection between these three is electric. It wasn't the most elaborate of plots and it was quite obvious who the murderers were but I was enjoying this too much to poke holes and this was a really enjoyable experience that I found well-written. So If you're after a hot serial killer romance this one has you covered.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[LolaLovesRH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Merlin’s MMF

This is another MMf that I love from AJ Merlin, I’m always amazed with the way AJ manages to write MM with them already being a couple and effortlessly having the fmc join and fit with both men perfectly. I love that I don’t have to worry about feeling like the fmc is an interloper in their relationship because Merlin does a good job making sure each men are equally as obsessed with the fmc as one another. I will say I feel like this story could have been longer or perhaps a duet. I would have loved to see more of Bailey’s established relationship with the men. However this was still really good read, and I could see myself rereading in the future.

[KaitlynnS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Bailey, Phoenix, and Rory's story more times than I can count at this point. The perfect spooky season palette cleanser and always a staple in my library. Definitely my favorite by AJ Merlin.
Another great setting in a picturesque small Americana town with a fittingly creepy history and a hushed-up tragedy everyone does their best to pretend never happened. While you think this would mean small town politics are featured, it's not at the forefront of the plot which is a nice change of pace. This is not a "he-said-she-said" finger-pointing kind of story. Prior events have been made public and went to trial. We know the names. No one has said sorry, everyone says "it was an accident", shirking responsibility and accountability and for some reason this makes me feel much more sympathy for Bailey and Phoenix than I had anticipated and it gets me every time.
I'm not a fan of insta-love which is still found here with Rory but the raw history and emotions burried between Bailey and Phoenix is one of my favorite aspects of Don't Be Scared. Despite this, it's so interesting to see the way Rory just seamlessly fits right in with Bailey and Phoenix without feeling like he's been shoehorned in to tick the MMF box. The three of them make sense in a way a lot of why-choose characters don't.
All I want is an epilogue of these three meeting Rory's family and Rory trying to teach Bailey and Phoenix to ride a horse lol

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MMF serial killer romance with revenge murders, a halloween obsessed small town, dark themes with spooky vibes, mixing romantic suspense with horror, lovely parents, oddly cute & low angst relationship of the MCs! Happy for my #ARC, read this within 8hrs (over 2days).

All our MCs have their quirks. Bailey is fascinated with dead things, loves cats, seems neurospicy too (new word I found!), Phoenix is broody & caring, Rory is cinnamon roll packed in a killing package 😏.

I'm not gonna spoil anything as the book is good at keeping us on edge, helped by giving us only B's pov (tho I always want other MCs' too). This & detailing made me impatient till 25%, but I'm glad I sticked through! I also loved each interaction of the 3 MCs, their relationship is fun & builds fast (especially as Phoenix & Rory are already bfs). When they finally get together, it's so hot 🔥. The book is also focused a lot on the mystery side, which is interesting. Liked the ending, tho I wished for an epilogue. RTC.

Story Ratings:

POV: 1st person, Single POV (Bailey's)
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 😉😍😘🤫😲😶🥺🙃😏👀🔪🖤
4) Steamy scenes: 3.25/5
5) Levels: Swoon: 3.75/5
Angst: 2/5
Dark+spooky: 3.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Murders, Halloween, Love) 4.75/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.3/5

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story it was perfect for the spooky season. This is a dark, MMF, gritty read, so beware of trigger's, because what's a spooky story without 1 or 2 murder's in it.

Bailey lives in a small town where Halloween is big it even has it's own legend story. She has struggled with just being what "normal" feels like. One night when she’s helping her parent's at the fall festival before Halloween she see's Phoenix the boy she had a crush on when she was 13 and her dead best friends brother and she notices he's not alone judging by the way the guy puts his arm around Phoenix. She soon realizes everywhere she goes that Phoenix & his friend show up, which she find's out that his name is Rory and that they're together, but the way Rory flirts with her it's sending her mixed signals, but before she can think on that people start coming up dead people she use to be friends before what happened 6 years ago.

I absolutely loved Rory and Phoenix they are the perfect boyfriend's for each other as well as for her. Rory and his flirty psychotic self and Phoenix with his calm, broody self they're just what Bailey needs to draw her out of her shell.

[Vanessa Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Review✨
***
Don't Be Scared was so good. It was spooky, dark, and full of revenge. I loved Rory and Phoenix. They were both a bit dark, rough, and so sweet. Bailey was perfect for them. I loved their chemistry and their relationship. The storyline was so good. I loved all the emotions and revenge. The writing was so easy to read. I was hooked from the start. The twist and turns had me on the edge of my seat. The spicy scenes were perfectly written and so hot. I loved the ending. Seeing Bailey accept her fate and her relationship with the guys made my heart happy. This was definitely a great read in this spooky season.
***
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance: 🩷🩷
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
***
Thank you to AJ Merlin for the ARC to review.
***

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book wayyyyy more than I thought I would and that’s the best kind of surprise. I knew I’d like it, but it just ticked all of the boxes for me.

Bailey was relatable in so many ways for my neurospicy brain. (Not in any way to have y’all worried about me though LOL) Phoenix and Rory were *chefs kiss*. They balanced each other out and were total softies for each other and Bailey.

The plot was fun and kept me interested the whole time and I think the length of the book was perfect. The spice wasn’t overdone and overall I have no notes for this spooky season read 🖤

[Anastacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, which I appreciated, but the writing could’ve been a bit better. There were times during the dialogue when I got confused about who was talking, which was a little frustrating. And the ending felt a bit rushed, like it was an afterthought to the plot. But, the spicy scenes were hot in a slightly disturbing, yet sweet way (if that even makes sense, lol). Those moments kept things interesting for sure. Overall, not a bad way to kick off spooky season, even if it wasn’t perfect.

[Persephone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a short Halloween romance. Yes that’s what I got but it was so much more. A must read for Halloween and if you want a bit of a thriller. I was even scared at one moment. But if you’re looking for a big murder mystery this isn’t that kind of thriller. What really got me was the care the three MCs give each other, the knowing exactly what the other needed physical or emotional.

[Devin Correll · Rating 3 out of 5]

missing pages

It started off slow and unfortunately I did not finish due to 21 blank pages. I rather not continue to read when there might be a flash back or a reference to a part that’s missing. If the pages are uploaded I’ll be happy to go back and finish the book.

[Lindsay Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it that AJ Merlin can keep writing books that I love so dang much? Bailey was such a fun and unique (neuro spicy rep!) fmc and as I’ve come to expect from AJ, her sarcasm and dry wit were on point.
Then these guys… ooh the guys… Phoenix is her late best friends brother and her childhood/teen crush. They way he just *knows* her is so sweet and feels genuine. Then there’s Rory… wouldn’t be AJ Merlin without a touch of psychopath. But he too is sweet and endearing with his undying love for Phoenix and infatuation with Bailey.
Overall an amazing, bloody, and spicy Halloween read!

[Hailey Basterash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this was pretty good by the ending. Was slow at first and almost stopped reading, but glad I didnt!

[KäR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Plot Loved This Book

This was one of my favorites so far. The storyline kept me guessing and awaiting how it would unravel. I really enjoyed the romance featured.

[Ridley Zarate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, like others of Merlin's, was a fun read. I am really loving this author
The story is pretty sad at first, FMC loses her childhood best friend and when her best friends brother returns to town after several years, it's seen as a bad omen. Bailey doesn't know what he wants, just knows that he blames her for his sister's death (he literally does not actually, that's a miscommunication). He and his boyfriend return to town, and hollow bridge is the same as it always has been. After years since losing her best friend, bodies start dropping again, and all eyes are on phoenix
I really loved Bailey, Phoenix and Rory's relationship.

[Sophie Bojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so good i finished it in one sitting

[Caitlyn Gage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! Gave it 4 stars because sometimes I got lost and confused at who was talking so I had to reread a few times.

[Kadence · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @60%. Was for a book club, I just had no interest in finishing

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

masked men, Murder, and spice!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good but didn’t give me readers high. I enjoy a good throuple tho. 3.75

[Alex Niederberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very much not my thing but I think it succeeded in exactly what it set out to do, so I can't really fault it that much.

[Nantia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust AJ Merlin to write the most Halloween-y serial killer mmf book! She is like my ride or die when i need something sexy and deprived to really make me question my limits and sexuality.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

for everyone who was a little too into ghostface from scream