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A Glimmer in the Hollows
Twenty years ago, six-year-old Olivia Garcia ran into the looming evergreens of Driftwood State Park, leaving her babysitter, Jessica Paige, alone on an unlit gravel road. Most of Jessica’s memories of that night vanished with Olivia, except for strange visions of two girls falling into a black pit, deep underground. Haunted by nightmares and fragmented memories, Jessica spends her nights searching for clues about the past and why so many children disappear in the misty Appalachian town of Driftwood.
When two feral boys turn up on Jessica’s porch, hungry and hiding from the police, Jessica quickly finds herself entangled in their fate, and with each exchange, she becomes more convinced that they hold the answers to her questions about Driftwood and Olivia’s disappearance.
But Jessica isn’t the only one looking for answers. Disarmingly attractive, bestselling author Elliot Reed is in town, intent on weaving Driftwood’s eerie legends and conspiracies into his next paranormal thriller. After a chance late-night encounter in the woods, flashlights in hand, Elliot and Jessica begin to unravel a mystery as dark and winding as Driftwood’s forest trails.
When two feral boys turn up on Jessica’s porch, hungry and hiding from the police, Jessica quickly finds herself entangled in their fate, and with each exchange, she becomes more convinced that they hold the answers to her questions about Driftwood and Olivia’s disappearance.
But Jessica isn’t the only one looking for answers. Disarmingly attractive, bestselling author Elliot Reed is in town, intent on weaving Driftwood’s eerie legends and conspiracies into his next paranormal thriller. After a chance late-night encounter in the woods, flashlights in hand, Elliot and Jessica begin to unravel a mystery as dark and winding as Driftwood’s forest trails.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2024
5 people are currently reading
1742 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 17, 2024
I’m in a mood for some really scary stories right now. I can say it’s the time of year, which would be true, but an easy answer. However, it’s really just my love of scary stories! I love them! Always have, ever since I was a kid growing up with brothers who loved scaring me with the scariest stories they’ve ever heard or could make up. It wasn’t long before they had me reading Barker, King, Koontz, Rice and Saul. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become squeamish with many of the hard-core horror stories, but I still love a really good scary story. When I came across this one, it sounded good and kind of creepy!
The story starts 20yrs ago on Halloween, when Jessica was babysitting Olivia while their parents went to a costume party. Jessica and Olivia are instructed by their parents not to leave the house. Driftwood has a long history of children going missing. Well, they do leave and somewhere in the woods, Jessica loses Olivia, along with consciousness and her memories of that night. Olivia is never found.
Fast forward 20yrs, and Jessica is a straight up pill popping, bourbon drinking, hot mess and has been since that fateful Halloween night. Addiction and sleep deprivation and nightmares can do that to a person. She also spends way too much time in her head and babbling to herself. She is extremely annoying and kind of pathetic for most of the story and not a very likeable FMC. Three creepy homeless kids (two boys and a girl) who show up early in the story, and the two boys end up kind of stalking Jessica and definitely breaking in and stealing stuff from her when she’s not home. Oh, and she has a fangirl obsession with paranormal writer, Elliot Reed.
As luck would have it. Elliot Reed is having writer’s block trying to churn out his next bestselling book that is due in a few months. After pouring over several headline stories that he can use as inspiration, he settles on the story of the missing children in Driftwood and heads out for KY in order to conduct interviews and check the place out. It’s a dark and rainy night when he arrives and he crashes his rental car in the woods on his way up the Appalachian Mountains to Driftwood. In a disoriented haze, and probably a concussion, he believes he sees a little girl next to him. Shortly thereafter, he meets Jessica and off they go to solve the mystery of the missing kids of Driftwood.
Most of the story flips back and forth between Jessica and Elliot. Jessica’s chapters flip back and forth between her past, of the night Olivia disappeared, and the present of finding out what is happening to Driftwood’s missing children along with Elliot. They spend several nights scouring some creepy underground caves with creepy crawlers and other reptiles scurrying about, with goopy globs of who knows what hanging around that end up getting in their lungs and coming out later in coughing fits.
Most of Driftwood’s law enforcement is useless and not the least bit interested in finding out what’s going on in Driftwood. Yeah, that’s not suspicious – at all! However, Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, who is a detective on the case of the latest missing child, is trying to pump Jessica for her memories of the night Olivia is missing. He believes there is a connection to all of the other missing kids. Most of the story kind of plodded along and it wasn’t until deep into the second half (the last 15%) that the story really picked up and redeemed itself from being a disappointing read.
The character development of both Jessica and Elliot got better by the end of the story. Jessica was still kind of a hot mess but getting better and Elliot turned out to be a halfway decent guy by the end of the story. The creepy kids were probably the most interesting characters in the story. The pacing was steady, I guess, steady going kind of nowhere for most of the story, but definitely picking up in the end. The storyline was interesting enough to want to finish it and not DNF it, although, I felt that the writing failed the storyline in ways that could have made the storyline even better. Don’t ask me how, I don’t really know. I’m not a writer, I’m just an avid reader, but perhaps a better plot and characterization would have been a good start.
The ending definitely saved this story and by that, I mean it was the deciding factor between a 2star review and a 3star review. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.3 that I will be rounding down to a 3star review. I want to thank NetGalley, Collective In Limited for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #CollectiveInkLimited #GlimmerintheHollows
The story starts 20yrs ago on Halloween, when Jessica was babysitting Olivia while their parents went to a costume party. Jessica and Olivia are instructed by their parents not to leave the house. Driftwood has a long history of children going missing. Well, they do leave and somewhere in the woods, Jessica loses Olivia, along with consciousness and her memories of that night. Olivia is never found.
Fast forward 20yrs, and Jessica is a straight up pill popping, bourbon drinking, hot mess and has been since that fateful Halloween night. Addiction and sleep deprivation and nightmares can do that to a person. She also spends way too much time in her head and babbling to herself. She is extremely annoying and kind of pathetic for most of the story and not a very likeable FMC. Three creepy homeless kids (two boys and a girl) who show up early in the story, and the two boys end up kind of stalking Jessica and definitely breaking in and stealing stuff from her when she’s not home. Oh, and she has a fangirl obsession with paranormal writer, Elliot Reed.
As luck would have it. Elliot Reed is having writer’s block trying to churn out his next bestselling book that is due in a few months. After pouring over several headline stories that he can use as inspiration, he settles on the story of the missing children in Driftwood and heads out for KY in order to conduct interviews and check the place out. It’s a dark and rainy night when he arrives and he crashes his rental car in the woods on his way up the Appalachian Mountains to Driftwood. In a disoriented haze, and probably a concussion, he believes he sees a little girl next to him. Shortly thereafter, he meets Jessica and off they go to solve the mystery of the missing kids of Driftwood.
Most of the story flips back and forth between Jessica and Elliot. Jessica’s chapters flip back and forth between her past, of the night Olivia disappeared, and the present of finding out what is happening to Driftwood’s missing children along with Elliot. They spend several nights scouring some creepy underground caves with creepy crawlers and other reptiles scurrying about, with goopy globs of who knows what hanging around that end up getting in their lungs and coming out later in coughing fits.
Most of Driftwood’s law enforcement is useless and not the least bit interested in finding out what’s going on in Driftwood. Yeah, that’s not suspicious – at all! However, Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, who is a detective on the case of the latest missing child, is trying to pump Jessica for her memories of the night Olivia is missing. He believes there is a connection to all of the other missing kids. Most of the story kind of plodded along and it wasn’t until deep into the second half (the last 15%) that the story really picked up and redeemed itself from being a disappointing read.
The character development of both Jessica and Elliot got better by the end of the story. Jessica was still kind of a hot mess but getting better and Elliot turned out to be a halfway decent guy by the end of the story. The creepy kids were probably the most interesting characters in the story. The pacing was steady, I guess, steady going kind of nowhere for most of the story, but definitely picking up in the end. The storyline was interesting enough to want to finish it and not DNF it, although, I felt that the writing failed the storyline in ways that could have made the storyline even better. Don’t ask me how, I don’t really know. I’m not a writer, I’m just an avid reader, but perhaps a better plot and characterization would have been a good start.
The ending definitely saved this story and by that, I mean it was the deciding factor between a 2star review and a 3star review. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.3 that I will be rounding down to a 3star review. I want to thank NetGalley, Collective In Limited for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #CollectiveInkLimited #GlimmerintheHollows
November 6, 2024
3.75 - solid debut supernatural mystery. Action packed and entertaining!
Further thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFcwWYvs/
Further thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFcwWYvs/
August 10, 2024
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
”I always wondered what the characters of books do when the reader isn’t around. (…) Turns out they do this. They lie around, debating the book like actors backstage.”
In A Glimmer in the Hollows we follow Jessica, a woman living in Driftwood haunted by the disappearance of Olivia, a 6 year old that vanished the night Jessica was babysitting her. Two decades later her past comes back to taunt her, making her remember the night everything changed.
The blurb of A Glimmer in the Hollows was phenomenal and i was very excited to read it. The first few pages promised a very eery and atmospheric writing, helping to set me in the mood to really enjoy the book.
I wasn’t much of a fan of any of the characters. Although i sympathized with Jessica a few times, it was also easy to dislike her. The same can be said about Elliot. They came off as pretty immature and annoying.
I must say i really enjoyed the somewhat romantic sub-plot Jessica and Elliot had going on, it made me excited. I really enjoyed how it started but it soon turned old news - the characters just kept circling each other again and again, never finding one another.
The whole plot came off as a bit of a surprise, i didn’t really expect it to go in the direction it went and i’m glad for it. On the other end, i do wish we had a few more pages to read. The ending felt rushed and it made me feel like something was missing - it all concluded in a very quick manner. Nevertheless, it was extremely fun to read this book.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
”I always wondered what the characters of books do when the reader isn’t around. (…) Turns out they do this. They lie around, debating the book like actors backstage.”
In A Glimmer in the Hollows we follow Jessica, a woman living in Driftwood haunted by the disappearance of Olivia, a 6 year old that vanished the night Jessica was babysitting her. Two decades later her past comes back to taunt her, making her remember the night everything changed.
The blurb of A Glimmer in the Hollows was phenomenal and i was very excited to read it. The first few pages promised a very eery and atmospheric writing, helping to set me in the mood to really enjoy the book.
I wasn’t much of a fan of any of the characters. Although i sympathized with Jessica a few times, it was also easy to dislike her. The same can be said about Elliot. They came off as pretty immature and annoying.
I must say i really enjoyed the somewhat romantic sub-plot Jessica and Elliot had going on, it made me excited. I really enjoyed how it started but it soon turned old news - the characters just kept circling each other again and again, never finding one another.
The whole plot came off as a bit of a surprise, i didn’t really expect it to go in the direction it went and i’m glad for it. On the other end, i do wish we had a few more pages to read. The ending felt rushed and it made me feel like something was missing - it all concluded in a very quick manner. Nevertheless, it was extremely fun to read this book.
July 22, 2025
Glimmer in the Hollows by Lorna Selley is a haunting and atmospheric mystery that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The story follows Jessica Paige, a woman scarred by the disappearance of Olivia, a six-year-old girl she was babysitting twenty years ago. Since that fateful night, Jessica has been consumed by fragmented memories and an addiction to finding out the truth behind Olivia's vanishing. As she crosses paths with Elliot Reed, a bestselling author visiting Driftwood to research local legends, the two begin to unravel a chilling conspiracy linked to other disappearances in the area. With an eerie atmosphere, suspenseful twists, and well-developed characters, this novel pulls readers into the sinister world of Driftwood, where nothing is quite what it seems.
What makes this story truly gripping is not only its layered mystery but the emotional depth of its characters. Jessica, though at times frustrating, evolves throughout the novel, with her flaws adding realism to her journey. The slow-burning tension between Jessica and Elliot adds intrigue, especially as they delve into Driftwood’s dark past. While the pacing is deliberate at times, the last portion of the book ramps up the suspense, providing a shocking and satisfying conclusion that leaves a lasting impact. A Glimmer in the Hollows is an enthralling mix of horror, mystery, and psychological drama, offering an unpredictable storyline that will keep readers hooked until the very end.
Four out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
What makes this story truly gripping is not only its layered mystery but the emotional depth of its characters. Jessica, though at times frustrating, evolves throughout the novel, with her flaws adding realism to her journey. The slow-burning tension between Jessica and Elliot adds intrigue, especially as they delve into Driftwood’s dark past. While the pacing is deliberate at times, the last portion of the book ramps up the suspense, providing a shocking and satisfying conclusion that leaves a lasting impact. A Glimmer in the Hollows is an enthralling mix of horror, mystery, and psychological drama, offering an unpredictable storyline that will keep readers hooked until the very end.
Four out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2024
Driftwood is a town full of legends, rumours and theories on the children who have mysteriously disappeared over the years. There is also talk of their connection to the creepy children with luminous eyes who come out of the dark.
Jessica is a woman haunted by dreams and nightmares linked to the disappearance of her sister 20 years ago. Her favourite author is Elliot Reed and reading his books provides an escape from her humdrum life. When he visits the town to gather material for his next book it is her opportunity to make her daydreams a reality.
They form a connection and also provide assistance before authorities intervene.
Great turn of events and some nail biting/breath holding moments. This book didn’t go the way I was expecting but I certainly enjoyed the direction.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review
Jessica is a woman haunted by dreams and nightmares linked to the disappearance of her sister 20 years ago. Her favourite author is Elliot Reed and reading his books provides an escape from her humdrum life. When he visits the town to gather material for his next book it is her opportunity to make her daydreams a reality.
They form a connection and also provide assistance before authorities intervene.
Great turn of events and some nail biting/breath holding moments. This book didn’t go the way I was expecting but I certainly enjoyed the direction.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review
June 28, 2024
A Glimmer in the Hollows is a remarkable debut mystery novel with a rather decent horror blend by Lorna Selley. Ms. Selley keeps the readers guessing from point A to point B as soon as they pick up the book unlike many authors, and the descriptive elements she uses grabs the readers attention immediately. Ms. Selley, while being a new author, also has a strong voice waiting to be heard, and A Glimmer in the Hollows is just the beginning of she has to say. The world building, character descriptions, all play a part in Ms. Selley's unique voice, and as she broadens her scope, her voice will more than rise to the challenge!
May 31, 2024
Children appear and disappear in a small town. Elliott ( novelist) and Jessica ( babysitter of a disappeared girl) work together to find out what’s going on.
This was a very unexpected book. What seems to be a straightforward missing girl mystery is in fact something very different. For me the jump between genres worked- because they are genres I enjoy but I can see why this book wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
The only thing that didn’t work for me was the romance- I don’t think it added anything to the plot.
This was a very unexpected book. What seems to be a straightforward missing girl mystery is in fact something very different. For me the jump between genres worked- because they are genres I enjoy but I can see why this book wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
The only thing that didn’t work for me was the romance- I don’t think it added anything to the plot.
June 17, 2024
a journalist develops a need to solve the mystery of multiple children going missing on halloween night. after being spotted with “glowing eyes”….
as a avid reader of horror stories the descriptive writing was absolutely incredible. the storyline reminds me of “stranger things”.
the plot at time left me feeling like “what is going on” in the best way possible.
at times, the romance element between jessica and elliot felt slightly out of place.
thankyou net galley for the arc all opinions are my own <3
as a avid reader of horror stories the descriptive writing was absolutely incredible. the storyline reminds me of “stranger things”.
the plot at time left me feeling like “what is going on” in the best way possible.
at times, the romance element between jessica and elliot felt slightly out of place.
thankyou net galley for the arc all opinions are my own <3
July 20, 2024
4.8 stars! I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read and I am still in shock that this is a debut novel. I immediately got sucked in and had a hard time putting it down. The woods were so immersive I felt like I was actually there, and the abduction plot was an added bonus! I can’t wait to read more by this author!
This is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read and I am still in shock that this is a debut novel. I immediately got sucked in and had a hard time putting it down. The woods were so immersive I felt like I was actually there, and the abduction plot was an added bonus! I can’t wait to read more by this author!
September 12, 2024
2.5 stars
This gave me vibes of The X-Files, Stranger Things, and maybe even Supernatural. And that's what kept me reading this, despite not really engaging with all of the characters or with certain elements in the story. The concept of this is great, and it's the concept that first made me want to read this. But I do think some elements were muddled and others over-simplified. The writing style almost felt more suited at YA that adult fiction, despite this not being a YA book.
But there are good things about this story. The scenes with the kids appearing out of the woods, and at different locations, were great. I think if those scenes were more detailed and expanded in the story, it would cement that theme for the reader. Because that concept is wonderful and gripping. It's also creepy. But then the creepiness is somewhat diminished because the protagonist loses her fear. In books like this, character reactions are important. I didn't feel the reactions were always consistent with the situation.
Introducing the author character was interesting. I can't say I enjoyed the romance angle that came with his character, but I like that tie in to him being a paranormal/sci-fi author and suddenly finding himself a character in his own story. That was fun and gave a great theme and vibe. The romance side, because it was so quick and felt a bit corny at times, didn't work so well with that part of the book, but hey, I think other readers may think differently and be all for it.
The last chapter or two of this was amazing. And that tells me the author knows how to write in this genre. It's just a shame that wasn't replicated for the entire book. I found that section entirely captivating. It makes me curious to what the author will write next.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley, for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This gave me vibes of The X-Files, Stranger Things, and maybe even Supernatural. And that's what kept me reading this, despite not really engaging with all of the characters or with certain elements in the story. The concept of this is great, and it's the concept that first made me want to read this. But I do think some elements were muddled and others over-simplified. The writing style almost felt more suited at YA that adult fiction, despite this not being a YA book.
But there are good things about this story. The scenes with the kids appearing out of the woods, and at different locations, were great. I think if those scenes were more detailed and expanded in the story, it would cement that theme for the reader. Because that concept is wonderful and gripping. It's also creepy. But then the creepiness is somewhat diminished because the protagonist loses her fear. In books like this, character reactions are important. I didn't feel the reactions were always consistent with the situation.
Introducing the author character was interesting. I can't say I enjoyed the romance angle that came with his character, but I like that tie in to him being a paranormal/sci-fi author and suddenly finding himself a character in his own story. That was fun and gave a great theme and vibe. The romance side, because it was so quick and felt a bit corny at times, didn't work so well with that part of the book, but hey, I think other readers may think differently and be all for it.
The last chapter or two of this was amazing. And that tells me the author knows how to write in this genre. It's just a shame that wasn't replicated for the entire book. I found that section entirely captivating. It makes me curious to what the author will write next.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley, for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Collective Ink Limited for letting me access this book early! There are some mild spoilers below.
I was really interested going into this book. The synopsis sounded like I was getting a supernatural mystery with a spooky setting and a bit of folklore.
There are really vivid descriptions throughout the book, which I really enjoyed, particularly with some of the supernatural elements and I'd recommend it for anyone who wants something with similar vibes to Stranger Things, although the plot is completely it's own.
Unfortunately there were a lot of things that fell flat.
The main issue is that all the different threads just felt a little underdeveloped so they didn't quite pull together. Some things could be omitted entirely and would make very little difference to the overall story, in particular the entire section when Jessica is hit by a car and it's aftermath.
The actual mystery aspect didn't leave enough clues to encourage you to figure things out and the supernatural elements only pulled together in the last few chapters. I wasn't particularly keen on any of the characters and if you asked me to describe them afterwards I'd really struggle.
I also feel like the romance between Elliot and Jessica just didn't fit despite the fact that it became such a large part of the story. I think they would have worked much better as a team than romantic interests, especially when Elliot declared she was his muse about an hour after meeting her.
The final act of the story had the most action which kept it compelling to finish but even there I didn't feel a connection to the characters or the outcome of the conflict.
I was really interested going into this book. The synopsis sounded like I was getting a supernatural mystery with a spooky setting and a bit of folklore.
There are really vivid descriptions throughout the book, which I really enjoyed, particularly with some of the supernatural elements and I'd recommend it for anyone who wants something with similar vibes to Stranger Things, although the plot is completely it's own.
Unfortunately there were a lot of things that fell flat.
The main issue is that all the different threads just felt a little underdeveloped so they didn't quite pull together. Some things could be omitted entirely and would make very little difference to the overall story, in particular the entire section when Jessica is hit by a car and it's aftermath.
The actual mystery aspect didn't leave enough clues to encourage you to figure things out and the supernatural elements only pulled together in the last few chapters. I wasn't particularly keen on any of the characters and if you asked me to describe them afterwards I'd really struggle.
I also feel like the romance between Elliot and Jessica just didn't fit despite the fact that it became such a large part of the story. I think they would have worked much better as a team than romantic interests, especially when Elliot declared she was his muse about an hour after meeting her.
The final act of the story had the most action which kept it compelling to finish but even there I didn't feel a connection to the characters or the outcome of the conflict.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
(Publication Date: November 1, 2024)
3.65 / 5
Ok, so....
A Glimmer in the Hollow is a book that hooks you right away, so be prepared to stay up late into the night... If you dare!
There's an eerieness to this tale that had me so unnerved... and a mystery that had me turning the pages....
Let's just say I got very little sleep last night.
Lorna Selley has written a banger of a supernatural horror / mystery novel that I was pretty impressed with, especially with this being a debut.
I wasn't bored once, and stayed invested in the story from start to finish.
I'll be recommending this to my horror loving friends this Halloween.
My only nitpicks...
I DID find it difficult to fully connect with the main character through the majority of the novel, and I also didn't care for the romantic elements.... but that's very much about my personal preferences; I think these elements will work well for others. And they didn't impact my overall enjoyment of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Collective Ink for an ARC eBook in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.65 / 5
Ok, so....
A Glimmer in the Hollow is a book that hooks you right away, so be prepared to stay up late into the night... If you dare!
There's an eerieness to this tale that had me so unnerved... and a mystery that had me turning the pages....
Let's just say I got very little sleep last night.
Lorna Selley has written a banger of a supernatural horror / mystery novel that I was pretty impressed with, especially with this being a debut.
I wasn't bored once, and stayed invested in the story from start to finish.
I'll be recommending this to my horror loving friends this Halloween.
My only nitpicks...
I DID find it difficult to fully connect with the main character through the majority of the novel, and I also didn't care for the romantic elements.... but that's very much about my personal preferences; I think these elements will work well for others. And they didn't impact my overall enjoyment of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Collective Ink for an ARC eBook in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 11, 2024
I recieved a copy via NetGalley of this book. I found the main character rather irritating. She was quick to judge others though was a wreck herself. The love story didn’t work for me and felt forced into the story. Then it took nearly 300 pages to just get somewhere into the mystery and by then the story was almost over. I am surprised I actually even finished this book to be honest.
June 27, 2024
This was an ARC book from NetGalley and I’m sad to say that I got to 25% and gave up. I just couldn’t get into it. The storyline was just dragging on, it was too far fetched to believe in and just didn’t capture my attention. I hate to DNF a book but with this one being as long as it is, I didn’t want to invest any more time into it.
August 12, 2024
2.5 stars rounded to 3. The story has a lot of potential, but is marred by an unnecessarily simplistic, almost YA tone (mind, it's not marketed as young adult), a bizarre, light mood, and a romantic atmosphere which seemed to come out of nowhere. Everything felt forced and didn't gel properly, as if someone had collated several drafts together by selecting fragments rather an overall story.
June 26, 2024
Very realistic and interesting characters. Fast-paced plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Suspenseful and thrilling! Enjoyed every page of it!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
November 6, 2024
The following is an abridged version of my review. The full length version can be found on my site www.readinghasruinedmylife.com
Thank you to Collective Ink and Roundfire Books for sending me a copy of this book. They aren't paying me for my review, they just sent me the book for free. Thank you again!
A Glimmer in the Hollows deals with child death and children disappearing. There are also mentions of abuse within the foster care system. Please read at your own discretion.
A had a very fun time with this read. I did not anticipate any sort of science fiction element when I went into this read, but that’s where this thriller took me. I don’t read science fiction, the only times I've read science fiction were for college classes, but this was a good book to dip my toes into the genre. The children were the most interesting part of the book. Honestly, I could care less about Jessica and Elliot, the story's two main characters, and whatever it is they’re doing, but I care about the children’s backstories and lore. I had question after question about them, and I got my answers by the end.
Speaking of Jessica and Elliot though, they were not engaging characters. Jessica was a hot mess all throughout the read. Elliot was your run of the mill male love interest who feels underdeveloped in my opinion. Elliot is there to be a piece of meat and not much else. Neither character really had a character arc either. If it wasn’t for the fact that Jessica was connected to the missing children cases through Olivia then I would argue she and Elliot were only in this book for a romance subplot; that’s how unengaging they were. And speaking of their romance…it needs work. First of all, the author constantly has the pair running around looking for one another and missing each other by a few minutes. It’s nearly every chapter. It’s annoying. Plus, I didn’t buy that these two were in love with each other. Lust? Yes. Love? Absolutely not. I didn’t buy their romance.
A Glimmer in the Hollows thankfully had a great atmosphere and good pacing. The story of the missing/feral children had me at the edge of my seat. I could not turn the pages fast enough. The creepy Driftwood forest was a haunting setting for what turned out to be a very bittersweet story.
Do I wish the characters were better? Yes. Do I think this is still a decent read? Also yes. A Glimmer in the Hollows certainly has its problems, but I enjoyed reading it. There’s a science fiction twist I didn’t expect, but I quite liked it.
Thank you again to Collective Ink and Roundfire Books for sending me a copy of A Glimmer in the Hollows. Again, the full version of my review can be found on www.readinghasruinedmylife.com where I post new reviews every Wednesday.
Thank you to Collective Ink and Roundfire Books for sending me a copy of this book. They aren't paying me for my review, they just sent me the book for free. Thank you again!
A Glimmer in the Hollows deals with child death and children disappearing. There are also mentions of abuse within the foster care system. Please read at your own discretion.
A had a very fun time with this read. I did not anticipate any sort of science fiction element when I went into this read, but that’s where this thriller took me. I don’t read science fiction, the only times I've read science fiction were for college classes, but this was a good book to dip my toes into the genre. The children were the most interesting part of the book. Honestly, I could care less about Jessica and Elliot, the story's two main characters, and whatever it is they’re doing, but I care about the children’s backstories and lore. I had question after question about them, and I got my answers by the end.
Speaking of Jessica and Elliot though, they were not engaging characters. Jessica was a hot mess all throughout the read. Elliot was your run of the mill male love interest who feels underdeveloped in my opinion. Elliot is there to be a piece of meat and not much else. Neither character really had a character arc either. If it wasn’t for the fact that Jessica was connected to the missing children cases through Olivia then I would argue she and Elliot were only in this book for a romance subplot; that’s how unengaging they were. And speaking of their romance…it needs work. First of all, the author constantly has the pair running around looking for one another and missing each other by a few minutes. It’s nearly every chapter. It’s annoying. Plus, I didn’t buy that these two were in love with each other. Lust? Yes. Love? Absolutely not. I didn’t buy their romance.
A Glimmer in the Hollows thankfully had a great atmosphere and good pacing. The story of the missing/feral children had me at the edge of my seat. I could not turn the pages fast enough. The creepy Driftwood forest was a haunting setting for what turned out to be a very bittersweet story.
Do I wish the characters were better? Yes. Do I think this is still a decent read? Also yes. A Glimmer in the Hollows certainly has its problems, but I enjoyed reading it. There’s a science fiction twist I didn’t expect, but I quite liked it.
Thank you again to Collective Ink and Roundfire Books for sending me a copy of A Glimmer in the Hollows. Again, the full version of my review can be found on www.readinghasruinedmylife.com where I post new reviews every Wednesday.
November 16, 2025
Appalachia provides a setting that is eerie and steeped in superstition. Children have been going missing for some time. There are many speculations about this phenomenon. They were abducted by child traffickers, perhaps got lost in the caves in the area, etc, etc... All of these children seem to have come from either foster care, or have been adopted. All of these children seem a tad strange, and very intelligent, abnormally so...
The book opens on Halloween night. Jessica is babysitting her parent's friend's daughter, Olivia. The little girl wants to go out trick or treating and Jessica indulges her wish. But... Olivia runs away from Jessica and is never seen again. Jessica has hazy memories of that night and has been riddled with guilt and nightmares ever since. Now, Jessica lives alone. Two feral boys turn up on her property. Are these some of the 'missing' children? Might they know what happened to Olivia all those years ago?
Handsome author, Elliot Reid, comes to town to write a book about the many children who have disappeared there. He and Jessica partner up to investigate.
At first, I was immersed in the story, then, as things veered away into science fiction territory, my interest waned. Not the author's fault, just my own personal aversion to science fiction themes. It really was a genre blend of mystery, science fiction, horror, and paranormal.
Though not to my taste, this novel will likely be highly appreciated by readers who enjoy science fiction with an element of mystery.
2.5 stars rounded up
The book opens on Halloween night. Jessica is babysitting her parent's friend's daughter, Olivia. The little girl wants to go out trick or treating and Jessica indulges her wish. But... Olivia runs away from Jessica and is never seen again. Jessica has hazy memories of that night and has been riddled with guilt and nightmares ever since. Now, Jessica lives alone. Two feral boys turn up on her property. Are these some of the 'missing' children? Might they know what happened to Olivia all those years ago?
Handsome author, Elliot Reid, comes to town to write a book about the many children who have disappeared there. He and Jessica partner up to investigate.
At first, I was immersed in the story, then, as things veered away into science fiction territory, my interest waned. Not the author's fault, just my own personal aversion to science fiction themes. It really was a genre blend of mystery, science fiction, horror, and paranormal.
Though not to my taste, this novel will likely be highly appreciated by readers who enjoy science fiction with an element of mystery.
2.5 stars rounded up
November 2, 2024
"A Glimmer in the Hollows" is a compelling mystery that revolves around Jessica's quest to unravel the events of a fateful night two decades ago. The author weaves a rich tapestry of secrets and intrigue, drawing readers into a haunting narrative filled with tension and emotional depth.
The strength of the mystery is one of the standout features of this book; it keeps you guessing and invested in Jessica’s journey. The atmospheric writing and well-drawn characters enhance the suspense, making it a page-turner for those who enjoy uncovering hidden truths.
However, while the story effectively establishes its central mystery, I found myself wishing for more breadcrumbs along the way. Additional clues could have propelled the plot forward and maintained the momentum, adding layers to the intrigue and keeping the reader engaged at an even brisker pace.
Overall, "A Glimmer in the Hollows" is a gripping read that will satisfy mystery lovers, even if it could benefit from a few more twists and turns to elevate the pacing. Fans of suspenseful narratives will likely find themselves thoroughly engrossed in Jessica's journey to uncover the past.
The strength of the mystery is one of the standout features of this book; it keeps you guessing and invested in Jessica’s journey. The atmospheric writing and well-drawn characters enhance the suspense, making it a page-turner for those who enjoy uncovering hidden truths.
However, while the story effectively establishes its central mystery, I found myself wishing for more breadcrumbs along the way. Additional clues could have propelled the plot forward and maintained the momentum, adding layers to the intrigue and keeping the reader engaged at an even brisker pace.
Overall, "A Glimmer in the Hollows" is a gripping read that will satisfy mystery lovers, even if it could benefit from a few more twists and turns to elevate the pacing. Fans of suspenseful narratives will likely find themselves thoroughly engrossed in Jessica's journey to uncover the past.
November 11, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my thoughts.
I found the premise of the book to be intriguing so when I finally picked this up, I was excited
to see how it all unfolded.
Sadly, I just didn't connect to the main character of Jessica or the secondary character of Elliot Reed.
The story felt like it was rushed and I found myself almost skim-reading to get to the good parts and when I finally did, it was almost the end of the book. The time skips perhaps made it a bit confusing and hard to follow and at times I struggled to keep up with what was going on.
The second half of the book I found to be more enjoyable but I think it needed more build up and clues towards the final "reveal" it felt as if it happened quite quickly and that all the action took place in the last 20 minutes.
I liked the X-Files style vibe of the book and I'd be open to reading more in the future.
I found the premise of the book to be intriguing so when I finally picked this up, I was excited
to see how it all unfolded.
Sadly, I just didn't connect to the main character of Jessica or the secondary character of Elliot Reed.
The story felt like it was rushed and I found myself almost skim-reading to get to the good parts and when I finally did, it was almost the end of the book. The time skips perhaps made it a bit confusing and hard to follow and at times I struggled to keep up with what was going on.
The second half of the book I found to be more enjoyable but I think it needed more build up and clues towards the final "reveal" it felt as if it happened quite quickly and that all the action took place in the last 20 minutes.
I liked the X-Files style vibe of the book and I'd be open to reading more in the future.
November 10, 2024
Page turner! Amazing debut and a fun read!
The pace is breakneck and there’s something for every reader to love in this amazing debut novel. Can’t wait for the next in what I hope becomes a series!
The pace is breakneck and there’s something for every reader to love in this amazing debut novel. Can’t wait for the next in what I hope becomes a series!
November 6, 2024
A Glimmer in the Hollows takes readers on a journey into a small town mystery in Appalachia. The novel is an equal mix of suspense and surprises, and provides a fascinating twist to the typical small town mystery. Full review here:
https://fully-booked.ca/reviews/into-...
Thank you to Roundfire books for a copy of this novel.
https://fully-booked.ca/reviews/into-...
Thank you to Roundfire books for a copy of this novel.
November 3, 2024
I liked the spooky vibes in this intriguing mystery of the missing kids of Driftwood, and I enjoyed the alternating POVs of Jessica and Elliot. The complication of her detective ex-boyfriend was good for creating tension which the setting also did a good job of as well with some creepy descriptions.
October 27, 2024
I thought this book would be a perfect chilling read for this fall weather, and I was immediately drawn into this book. Jessica didn’t really inspire me with good vibes, but she didn’t give me bad ones either. Getting to like her was difficult, but not impossible. I just didn’t click with her. The same was true of the other characters as well. However, once I got deep into the story, I didn’t want to stop. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. Once I got to what was actually happening, I was a little…let down, I guess. Not that the ending was bad, just not was I was expecting. This is actually a well-written, unputdownable book in some ways, and I’m glad I read it. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
October 17, 2024
I received this book early in exchange for an honest review - thank you Netgalley!
This truly was an awesome addition to my Spooktober TBR list. The mystery, the suspense, the imagery of the glowing feral eyes watching you from the treeline....Selley did a great job of pulling you into the story and hooking you from the get-go!
The main characters really intrigued me - Jessica especially. I spent the majority of the book trying to figure out how she was connected to everything and why she kept seeing the kids, but was not prepared for the reveal! I really enjoyed seeing her grow as a character - and my only complaint was not getting to see her strangle Harding, because c'mon!
I will say, I was not expecting the ending. I had this image built in my head of what had happened, and what the kids were, and so was a little surprised but definitely not disappointed!
This truly was an awesome addition to my Spooktober TBR list. The mystery, the suspense, the imagery of the glowing feral eyes watching you from the treeline....Selley did a great job of pulling you into the story and hooking you from the get-go!
The main characters really intrigued me - Jessica especially. I spent the majority of the book trying to figure out how she was connected to everything and why she kept seeing the kids, but was not prepared for the reveal! I really enjoyed seeing her grow as a character - and my only complaint was not getting to see her strangle Harding, because c'mon!
I will say, I was not expecting the ending. I had this image built in my head of what had happened, and what the kids were, and so was a little surprised but definitely not disappointed!
October 10, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book once I got into it. I struggled to get into the writing style at first, it must have taken me at least 3 chapters. After that the story was great.
I don’t often read sci-fi mysteries like this but I’m glad I requested this book.
I think the main character was great. The romance arc was a little frustrating and unbelievable at times but I can deal with it.
Not quite a 5 star read but I did really enjoy the book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it!
I don’t often read sci-fi mysteries like this but I’m glad I requested this book.
I think the main character was great. The romance arc was a little frustrating and unbelievable at times but I can deal with it.
Not quite a 5 star read but I did really enjoy the book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it!
June 29, 2024
I got this book as an ARC. I love the cover and was excited to read it. While parts of the story were really interesting, I didn’t love it. The story was predictable, parts of it were too simple, and the dialogue lacked sophistication. The relationships between characters were unrealistic and immature. At times, I felt like I was reading a YA novel. All that being said, I did end up finishing the book because I wanted to know what happened.
The book begins with Jessica’s babysitting charge, Olivia, disappearing on Halloween in 2002. Her hometown of Driftwood has had many disappearances over the years, all children. There are rumors of the children being in the local park and their eyes glowing.
Elliot is a best selling author who is writing a new book about the disappearances in Driftwood. He is having a hard time getting going on the writing, so he flies to Driftwood for inspiration. When he arrives, he sees a girl in the middle of the road, swerves to miss her, and goes off the road and over a guardrail.
After Elliot’s accident, his and Jessica’s paths keep crossing in strange ways. Jessica is a big fan of Elliot’s writing and he is intrigued by her and her connection to the missing children. They are both trying to solve the mystery of Driftwood and decide to join forces going forward.
Once the two come together, they discover a mostly unknown cave system in the local park and come across a mysterious fog that messes with their memories and motor skills. Somehow, they keep getting separated before they can discuss their experiences. Even though it is challenging, Jessica and Elliot continue to look for the children and solve the mystery of their disappearances.
If you enjoy a light mystery, light romance, and silly banter, you will probably enjoy this book. I found the ending predictable and disappointing, but maybe you will like it. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Glimmer in the Hollows comes out November 1, 2024.
The book begins with Jessica’s babysitting charge, Olivia, disappearing on Halloween in 2002. Her hometown of Driftwood has had many disappearances over the years, all children. There are rumors of the children being in the local park and their eyes glowing.
Elliot is a best selling author who is writing a new book about the disappearances in Driftwood. He is having a hard time getting going on the writing, so he flies to Driftwood for inspiration. When he arrives, he sees a girl in the middle of the road, swerves to miss her, and goes off the road and over a guardrail.
After Elliot’s accident, his and Jessica’s paths keep crossing in strange ways. Jessica is a big fan of Elliot’s writing and he is intrigued by her and her connection to the missing children. They are both trying to solve the mystery of Driftwood and decide to join forces going forward.
Once the two come together, they discover a mostly unknown cave system in the local park and come across a mysterious fog that messes with their memories and motor skills. Somehow, they keep getting separated before they can discuss their experiences. Even though it is challenging, Jessica and Elliot continue to look for the children and solve the mystery of their disappearances.
If you enjoy a light mystery, light romance, and silly banter, you will probably enjoy this book. I found the ending predictable and disappointing, but maybe you will like it. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Glimmer in the Hollows comes out November 1, 2024.
October 7, 2024
I recieved this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book it was a fun wild ride all the way through. I was not expecting the twist and that is always exciting for me since I guess the twists in a lot of the books I read.
I really liked this book it was a fun wild ride all the way through. I was not expecting the twist and that is always exciting for me since I guess the twists in a lot of the books I read.
September 18, 2024
4 stars
What is happening to all the people that keep disappearing around Driftwood State Park in small-town Appalachia? And why can't Jessica remember what happened to her and Olivia all those years ago on the night that Olivia disappeared? This is a wild, psychologically taut mystery, full of weird synchronicities and parallels, eerie legends and unusual children.
I really enjoyed the plotline, and the writing was compelling, although it was a bit frustrating to me how long it took for the two main characters to actually get to the point where they were fully aware of each other and what was going on. Initially, I also found it hard to discern if the spookier elements of the story were supernatural, paranormal or extraterrestrial, based on the strange folklore and stories that permeate the town of Driftwood. But I'll leave it to you to discover it all for yourself.
Thanks to NetGalley, author Lorna Selley, and Roundfire Books for providing me with a digital ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.
What is happening to all the people that keep disappearing around Driftwood State Park in small-town Appalachia? And why can't Jessica remember what happened to her and Olivia all those years ago on the night that Olivia disappeared? This is a wild, psychologically taut mystery, full of weird synchronicities and parallels, eerie legends and unusual children.
I really enjoyed the plotline, and the writing was compelling, although it was a bit frustrating to me how long it took for the two main characters to actually get to the point where they were fully aware of each other and what was going on. Initially, I also found it hard to discern if the spookier elements of the story were supernatural, paranormal or extraterrestrial, based on the strange folklore and stories that permeate the town of Driftwood. But I'll leave it to you to discover it all for yourself.
Thanks to NetGalley, author Lorna Selley, and Roundfire Books for providing me with a digital ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2024
A substantial debut from author Lorna Selley. The story takes place in Driftwood; a mountain town where 6 year old Olivia Garcia disappeared two decades earlier. Now, her babysitter for that fateful night must claw back unremembered fragments from her past in order to find her missing charge.
When a famous author turns up in the town, the stage is set for an investigation that is delicious to follow. Characterisation and backstories are beautifully written, along with vivid descriptions of the town and surrounding area. The story went into places I didn't expect and I applaud the author for this, mixing local legend with something else that has been here even longer.
No trigger warnings to report. This is a hugely promising start for a career that should go from strength to strength. If you like inspired writing, with a multitude of spooky moments and white knuckle tension, this may well be for you. 4 stars!
When a famous author turns up in the town, the stage is set for an investigation that is delicious to follow. Characterisation and backstories are beautifully written, along with vivid descriptions of the town and surrounding area. The story went into places I didn't expect and I applaud the author for this, mixing local legend with something else that has been here even longer.
No trigger warnings to report. This is a hugely promising start for a career that should go from strength to strength. If you like inspired writing, with a multitude of spooky moments and white knuckle tension, this may well be for you. 4 stars!
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