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It's Halloween. Exactly two years ago, my life shattered, and now I'm back where it happened to finish the job. This house should be empty and abandoned.
It isn't. I meet three masked men who tie me up and do filthy, thrilling things to my body and soul. Trick or treat?
As it turns out, it's both.

This is a Why Choose MMFM Halloween novella with 18+ content and dark themes. Read responsibly.

129 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2023

288 people are currently reading
5724 people want to read

About the author

Layla Fae

46 books2,210 followers
Sign up for my newsletter: here.
Layla Fae writes steamy monster romance of many varieties. Fluffy or dark, with TWs ranging from flavored monster essence used as food to blood play and dark taboo romance, she explores the fantasy of monster love from various angles.
She is not an author for the faint of heart.

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5 stars
568 (27%)
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677 (32%)
3 stars
564 (27%)
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196 (9%)
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70 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
Profile Image for ➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas .
1,183 reviews356 followers
November 6, 2023


This series was recommended to me by a friend for Halloween. I just had hesitated about reading it due to the fact that I knew there was going to be a cliffhanger.
I also downloaded and read the prequel to Jacked…. Both books are bit short …. But damn this author can pack in a lot in a small package

So, there’s a bit of gap in between the prequel and book 1
It’s been two years since a tragedy that turned Harlow’s life upside down….. and now she finds herself craving what Noah has.

From what I was told, this author is known for her mixture of spicy romance along with A thrilling mystery in each of her books.

I was left with so many questions.

This is a great Halloween read

Just a few elements that are included in this book.


MMFM with swords crossing
haunted house and violent ghosts of the past
Dark & Twisted
scandalous smut including bondage, menage, object use, snowballing, and more
one disabled heroine and three vengeful heroes.
With a huge cliff hanger




Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,075 reviews25.3k followers
July 20, 2024


Jacked is book one in the Ghosts of Halloween trilogy by Layla Fae. This is my very first book of Layla’s. I kind of got hooked into reading it along with two of my good friends and wow! I wasn’t really sure what I expected but it was so good and wildly different from anything I’ve read. I have so many questions! This is a MMFM why choose romance that ends in a big cliff hanger. The author promises that questions will be answered in the next book which comes out in just a couple of weeks so the wait isn’t long. Still, I need to know right now!!! There is also a free prequel that introduces us to these characters.



It’s been two years since a tragedy that rocked Harlow’s world. And to commemorate the night, she goes to the town’s haunted house on Halloween night. Only the night doesn’t turn out as she planned. The house was supposed to be empty. But instead there are three masked men in the house that have plans for her. Some very dirty plans.



So, that’s basically all I can tell you without spoiling anything. Layla Fae draws us in and hooks us and then, says, see you in a couple of weeks! I knew going in that this would be the case. I just didn’t anticipate the degree of my need to know the answers now! But I will just have to wait along with everyone else for the next book, Carved, to find out what is going on with Harlow, Jack, Caden and Silas.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Sonia.
1,329 reviews2,114 followers
November 7, 2023
3.5 stars Ufff that cliffy

The prequel intrigued me and the cliffy makes me wanna keep reading… (I’m aware it’s not Halloween anymore 🤣 don’t worry… I’ll be doing some thanksgiving reads this month 🤣).

This book has some triggers, so please check the author’s website.

Harlow (20-24) is a VERY *active* girl 😬 she seeks solace in men because she misses touch and feeling anything. In the prequel, we get to see how she is with Jack (26-28) and her then boyfriend. There’s definite tension between her and Jack, but because of Harlow’s brother, Jack has pursued her. Just when it seems like he might say “ f it” and do something, tragedy strikes.

And then book 1 comes into play.

Jack/Groomer, Silas/Butcher, and Caden/Strangler (41) are seeking revenge against Harlow.

Two years have passed, and the men are done waiting. It’s time for Harlow to pay up 😅 they’re gonna play with her while wearing masks, and they’re gonna have fun doing it 👀.

What I liked:
—how rough around the edges the characters are 🫶. We don’t have all the facts, but there’s broken parts that need fixing, so I’m assuming we’ll get a lot of character growth within each one. Harlow has a lot of inner turmoil affecting her 😞.

—the 🔥. Because Harlow has “been around” a lot, physical touch doesn’t mean the same. She uses it as a tool to feel something, but she’s gotten to the point where she feels nothing… until the night where she’s gonna end it all, three masked men make her feel something; more specifically, it’s Groomer who makes her feel a spark 👀 and it’s intoxicating 😅.

—the way they make her 💦. Poor Harlow forgot what it was like 👀. Groomer sure has a way of making her feel… and Strangler does too 🥵

—the angst 😅. We don’t have all the puzzle pieces yet, and I wanna keep reading 👀

—THE CLIFFY!!! What?!?! Does this have a paranormal element now??? 👀😅

What I wanted more of:
—more information 😬. We don’t know so much… I’m assuming we’ll find out in the next books, but man… I hate being left in the dark 🤣

—I wish it was longer 😅. Maybe knowing what’s been happening in those two years. I’m assuming we’ll get more in the next books.

Overall, I liked this

⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/omd/owd
-sharing (it’s RH)
-suicide ideation/suicide attempt
-mental health/depression
-aftermath of sibling’s death
-violence/aftermath of deaths
-primal play/praise kink/MM/voyeurism/exhibitionism/masks/tying up
-no condoms/the h has been around a lot/one of the Hs (Jack) has been celibate for 2 years
-cliffy!!!!!
Profile Image for Layla Fae.
Author 46 books2,210 followers
Read
September 3, 2023
OMG I can't wait till you guys see this!!!
Profile Image for Sonia.
1,329 reviews2,114 followers
November 3, 2023
3.5 stars: Quick prequel to Jacked

I know it’s not a full length book, but I started Jacked and am glad I went and looked up the author’s website to see that there’s a prequel (it’s in the book).

Jack’s obsessed with Harlow, and he’s so sweet and understanding too 🥹❤️

POTENTIAL SPOILERS

We just don’t have much info as to why Jack is so obsessed with Harlow… all we know is he’s been watching her since she was 16 and now she’s 20 (he’s 26)

He’s been seeing her with other guys… hasn’t approached her because of her brother Noah… but genuinely loves her…🤔

Well, her brother’s dead now 😬…

And Jacked begins 2 years later…

Now I hope to understand Jacked better 😅

⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating*/owd
-the h is with OM when the books opens up but then kisses the H later in this prequel 😬
-it’s an RH series so there’ll be sharing
-OMD: the h has been with other men
-no info on the H’s sexual status/the h has been with others
-cliffs
Profile Image for Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels).
1,309 reviews1,749 followers
November 6, 2024
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (It still leaves a lot of mystery)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 (I love obsessive and revenge driven heroes though, so might not feel as romantic to you)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: not much
Perspective: first person from the heroes (Jack, Caden, and Silas) and the heroine Harlow
More character focused or plot focused? character? Sex?
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a little bit (chapter 3 of 17)
Cliffhanger: Yes. You will need to read all the Ghosts of Halloween to get a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: bought the combined series titled Ghosts of Halloween
Why I chose this book: Because the lovely @imromanticallyinvolved sent it to me on instagram!
Mains this features a few relationship dynamics between 3 cis-gendered men and our cis-gendered heroine. Caden is bisexual, Silas is gay, and Jack is straight, but all explore their sexuality throughout the course of the series and embrace new parts of themselves.

Should I read in order?
Yes, this series is best in order, so start either here or with the prequel novella.

Basic plot:
Jack, Caden and Silas can finally get their revenge on Harlow on Halloween night

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary – this is book 1 of the series and ends on a cliffhanger with no HEA/HFN
- brother’s best friend
- disability rep – heroine has a prosthetic arm
- strong unrequited longing from one of the heroes, Jack
- pierced heroes
- masked heroes
- M/M and M/F scenes
- kinks include bondage, blindfolding, rough sex,
- higher steam – 3 full scenes but they are lengthy and developed and take up most of the story

Ages:
- Harlow is about 22, Jack is 28, Caden is 41, didn't catch Silas

First line:
I fake moan, bouncing on Ryan’s dick in the back of his car.

My thoughts:
I was a bit conflicted about this one but just because I was so confused haha! It’s definitely mysterious and it’s not fully explored until the end of the series. But I adored most of this book – the sexual tension was fantastic and I loved getting POVs from all 4 main characters.

This one left me super curious about what has going to happen and has happened in the past. I loved the developed scenes and am a fool for revenge type plotlines so this fit that perfectly.

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:


Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating: 5 stars
Favorite book: This one!

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Profile Image for Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels).
1,309 reviews1,749 followers
November 3, 2024
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (It’s quite short)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 (I love that obsessive hero though, so might not feel as romantic to you)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: not much
Perspective: first person from the hero, Jack
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: immediately
Cliffhanger: Yes. You will need to read all the Ghosts of Halloween to get a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: bought the combined series titled Ghosts of Halloween
Why I chose this book: Because the lovely @imromanticallyinvolved sent it to me on instagram!
Mains this features the possibility of a M/F romance between a cishet hero and cishet heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

”Did he tell you he loves you? Because I will tell you right now. I fucking love you, Harlow. I’m in love with you, and I’m asking you to break up with the fucker so you can be mine!”


Should I read in order?
Yes, this series is best in order, though the prequel probably isn’t totally necessary.

Basic plot:
Jack is tired of watching Harlow be treated badly by her boyfriend and shows her how much he wants her.

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary – this is a prequel to the series and ends on a cliffhanger with no HEA/HFN
- brother’s best friend
- bit of an age gap feel though there’s only 6 years difference
- disability rep – heroine has a prosthetic arm
- strong unrequited longing from the hero
- pierced hero
- average short story steam – there’s 1 full scene

Ages:
- heroine is 20, hero is 26

First line:
I take a drag of my cigarette, watching Harlow as she smiles at the loser boyfriend of hers.

My thoughts:
This is a very brief prequel that gives some background for the series. I really loved it and was very interested in what was going to happen between the mains! It ends on a cliffy so be ready to dive into the series.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: I’ll break this series apart as I read it – so this would be my first
Average rating: 5 stars
Favorite book: This one so far.

Endearments


Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:


Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Profile Image for Lori R..
1,412 reviews71 followers
October 5, 2023
Layla Fae! You never cease to amaze me with your words and your stories. I’m not really sure what I was expecting with this book, but it WAS NOT what you gave us! It was so good!! And such a tease! But a delicious tease, and two weeks can’t go by fast enough! I. Need. More. Pure perfection for Halloween time!!
Profile Image for Anna.
916 reviews638 followers
October 9, 2023
3.5 stars

I am in the HALLOWEEN MOOD LETS GOOOOOOO!! I am very excited to start this series 🎃
I have a feeling it’s gonna be exactly what I needed for spooky season ;)
Profile Image for Fey Flowers (enbytweenthepages).
292 reviews68 followers
October 9, 2023
Thanks for fueling my madness, Layla 🤌🏻
I was edged... By a book. So be it.
Don't you dare read this book and realize what a mess I am (READ IT! But pay really close attention to the TWs!)
Profile Image for alexandra.
1,006 reviews183 followers
October 16, 2023
✩‧₊ 2 stars ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

・ 。゚☆:Jacked *.☽ .*:☆゚

0:24 ─●──────── -2:56 ↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

🎶 It's getting dark and it's all too quiet. And I can't trust anything now 🎶

A tragedy occurred on 12 Sycamore Street, and Harlow returns to the house on Halloween because she’s tired of fighting her demons but finds three masked men inside. They make her run a little but then promise to make her feel good, which she hasn’t felt in a long time.

─── ・ 。゚☆: THOUGHTS*.☽ .*:☆゚. ───

[Jack]; Groomer

“I’ve waited for her so far longer than the guys. They spent two years planning. I spent six. Ever since I first saw her when she was sixteen, I waited.”


I don’t mind age gaps when done correctly; how it’s discussed is gross. It’s not terrible when the FMC is in her 20s, when the MMC meets her, but Jack says he’s been interested in Harlow since she was 16 and 6 years older. He admitted to being interested when she was a minor and he was a grown adult. It’s odd behavior. Is he a ghost? I’m curious to see what he’s so upset about. I’m surprised she didn’t automatically recognize Jack’s voice or his eyes if they knew each other so well. While she thought it was him and knew he was dead, it must have been hard to believe, but he called her princess and everything. Hmm.

[Caden]; Strangler

“She’s so pretty and still a kid. I have to remind myself she’s legally an adult.”


The way the others talk about her is weird. I don’t like that Caden is attracted to her but still mentions that she’s a kid. It’s so unnecessary and takes me out of the story. The novella could be good if they didn’t make him seem like a total creep.

“He hates her less than me, craves her less than me, but he still wants to see her beg.”


According to Jack, he doesn’t even want her, but he is still willing to please her. Make it add up.

[Silas]; Butcher

“He doesn’t want her like I do, but he hates her even more, I think.”


Caden and Silas have more chemistry than Harlow and the three men combined. I was more invested in their relationship because at least they care about each other and have more dialogue, showing they have some history. It was mentioned that he was gay and had no interest in Harlow, but seeing Caden with her made him want to be involved. I don’t know what will happen or why they all hate her; the next novella will give more context.

¸♡ OVERALL ♡¸.•

It’s a novella that ends in a cliffhanger, so it’s not like I can be too upset about the lack of direction. Once there is context, it will improve, but the Groomer nickname is a red flag. I don’t know if I can move past 2/3 being after her, even when she was younger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Destiny.
101 reviews10 followers
October 29, 2024
So it’s about a girl who planned to unalive herself on Halloween but before she gets the chance three masked men ( ghosts of her past) want their “ revenge “ on her (I think you know what kind I’m talking about ). And basically while they do all these things to her she feels this ✨ Spark ✨ that she hasn’t felt since the day she was graped. So there is a lot of confusion happening within her. So the story ends with FMC finding out who the masked men are.

I gave this book 3⭐️, it was easy to read an entertaining in a way but I think the author is using and going to use the same setting the whole series so everything happens at one location which makes it boring for me to read.
Profile Image for Oleksandra.
262 reviews15 followers
February 24, 2024
Вооооооу матінко 👁👄👁
Це було hot та dark, тому tw обов'язково до ознайомлення!!
Там такий кліфгенгер в кінці 🤯

Якщо коротко, то дівчина на Геловін приходить в дім, де перебувають 3 хлопця, котрі тримають на неї дуже велику образу і хочуть помсти (яка включає в себе сексуальні ігри і різні dark теми)

Це треш, але я в захваті 😋🥰
Profile Image for ♡.
62 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2024
Halloween themed smut. ✨️
Profile Image for Taylor Dawicke.
447 reviews
October 19, 2023
Literally said ‘aww wait… that’s it? It’s over?’ That cliffhanger got me! Definitely excited to read Carved next. Spicy with a mysterious little plot this was a nice smutty Halloween read!
Profile Image for Laurenreadsx_.
718 reviews83 followers
October 4, 2023
Really enjoyed this one and super looking forward to the next after that ending. It wasn’t super rushed and it wasn’t slow either. Felt like I read a lot more than I actually did and I’m not mad about it. Loved the spice. Looking forward to seeing whether it goes next, have a few theories about the ending!
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,827 reviews30 followers
October 14, 2023
October 2023
Kindle edition

Another Halloween book to celebrate the month. Another book with minimal current plot and layers of smut. I did try and find the prequel. Alas, I couldn’t. It does feel like something is missing with the trio having a plan to make Harlow suffer for something she’s done. Trigger warnings for suicide attempt with drugs and alcohol, and mentions of rape.

Caden and Silas confused me, Silas more so. Established relationship with Silas being gay. Jack is already all in despite the plan. Minus the being knocked out and tied up, it feels a little hurt comfort with the guys giving Harlow her first orgasm in two years. Cliffhanger ending. It’s short enough I could continue this one.

FMC: Harlow
Guys: Jack, Silas, Caden
Bad guys: Harlow? Michael and Greg
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Diane Schroeder.
177 reviews15 followers
November 1, 2023
This was the perfect little prequel that I was looking for. I've seen the books all over the place so I had to see what all the fuss was about. The introduction to this series has a delicious start to what I hope will be a great series. This was my introduction to this author. I look forward to diving into more of her work.

I realize this was just a prequel but it was over way too quickly! Hahaha
Profile Image for Chelsie Lucas.
1,102 reviews24 followers
October 10, 2024
I. Hated. These. Books.
**read it in an omnibus and the ONLY reason I finished is because it was sort**

But. Like. Seriously. Wow

She is beat up she is used. She is violated. She has zero redeeming qualities. These men have zero redeeming qualities. This month is not even good because I genuinely hate all of them.

This is awful
Profile Image for no one .
191 reviews21 followers
November 7, 2023
DNF. One mc refers to himself as the “Groomer” and then a page or so later another mc is saying he has to keep reminding himself that the fmc is not a child because that’s how he sees her. Weird vibes, not into it.
Profile Image for Tay.
117 reviews1 follower
July 11, 2025
lots of sex, but wasn’t expecting that.
Profile Image for Peppa.
1,272 reviews100 followers
October 12, 2025
It was okay I guess but it didn’t got me hyped. I did love that it had a disability rep (FMC had a prosthetic arm) but like the story itself was ofc just sex with a little bit of plot. It was good too, if you like it darke themed but this one didn’t hooked me. So I might go back to the other two books of this series but I’m not sure when.
Profile Image for books2bikes.
129 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ ooooo ok that plot and cliffhanger got me HYPED. yeah the spice was great and I was really looking forward to some masked mmc’s so I’m not disappointed whatsoever. I did gasp when I found out one of our mmc’s was 41 😨
Profile Image for Rachel Nahabedian.
848 reviews24 followers
October 22, 2023
5 stars

Well, this book came out of left field and gave me things I didn’t know I wanted.

This one ends on a HUGE cliff hanger and the 2nd book came out 2 weeks after and the final book not until Halloween! But lord! I feel like having a Varuca Salt moment because I WANT IT NOW!

Pleas please check the trigger warnings before you start this.

There’s a legit plot that I want answers to, also. What did Harlow do to Jack, Caden, and Silas? Why does Harlow think Jack is dead? Why are they playing this game with her? Wtf is going on?! Having this plot and all these questions in only 125 pages is just amazing lol
Profile Image for Brittany (Brit.tea.reads).
1,495 reviews447 followers
October 19, 2023
Sometimes, you never know what you are getting with Layla's books, and that is what I love about her writing. She warned us about the cliffhanger, and I'm so glad the next book comes out soon after because I need to know what happens.

ℒ𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁ℯ 𝒷𝒾𝓇𝒹, 𝓎ℴ𝓊'𝓇ℯ ℊ𝓊𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒻ℴ𝓇 𝓊𝓈—𝓈𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒶 ℊℴℴ𝒹 𝒻--𝓀𝒾𝓃ℊ ℊ𝒾𝓇𝓁.

My heart breaks for Harlow, and I want to know more about Jack, Caden, and Silas.

𝒮𝒽ℯ'𝓈 𝓈ℴ ℯ𝒶𝓈𝓎 𝓉ℴ 𝒷𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓀, 𝓈ℴ 𝒻𝓇𝒶ℊ𝒾𝓁ℯ, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓁𝓁 ��ℯ𝓇 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝒷𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝓂ℯ.
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