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The Heart Taker

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Teen gossip columnist Jack Berlin thought he was exposing high school drama—until a string of murders leads to a deadly new girl who just might steal his heart… literally.

Teen gossip columnist Jack Berlin ruthlessly exposes the social evils of his prep school’s popular crowd. But when four boys in a neighboring town turn up dead—their hearts removed—Jack goes hunting and finds a dark connection between the murders and Delilah, a beautiful new girl at school. Determined to uncover the truth, he rallies the help of his secret crush, Deb, and a group of geeky crusaders known as the Guardians to prove his suspicions. As the school falls to Delilah’s whims, Jack unearths her horrifying secret and discovers that Delilah isn't the only threat they're facing. And unless he and his friends can unravel the rest of the mystery, Jack will lose everything—including his heart.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2024

7 people are currently reading
45 people want to read

About the author

A.M. Wiley

4 books38 followers
Andrew Michael Wiley grew up in a town eerily similar to Warfield (Weird Space)—minus the interdimensional monsters (probably). A self-proclaimed movie buff, rollerblader, and nostalgia junkie, he spends his time digging through the crypts of local used bookstores or reminiscing to his wife and three sons about the “good ol’ days.”

Want more weird adventures? Sign up for his author newsletter at WeirdSpaceBook.com for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for The Reformed Reader.
129 reviews91 followers
October 10, 2025
The Faculty meets Monster Squad

This is an excellent book for all of your spooky TBR's. There were some TRULY HORRIFIC scenes in here that lets the reader know that NO ONE is safe. The monster is super creepy. It's really hard for me to go into any detail without spoilers, but this certainly met expectations when you look at this KILLER cover.
This definitely had some of that "Stranger Things" feel, but with a bit more of a slasher twist. It kind of made me think of, what if The Goonies faced off against Michael Myers.
This was a fantastic read, especially right before Halloween, and now it just seems like Mr. Wiley just can't miss. I think that it's safe to say that he is now an instant-buy when it comes to any of his novels, and I can't wait to dive into his other books.
Profile Image for Kevin Lawlor.
103 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2025
I swear AM Wiley has not paid me off, but this is the third book I have read of his since connecting on social media, and I just can’t get enough. His writing style is so effortlessly readable, it can only be described as refreshing. This time around, he delves into the teenage horror realm, quite a departure from his Weird Space books. The Heart Taker follows a couple of HS newspaper journalists and their friends who desire to learn about a massacre in a neighboring town and the odd goings on in their own back yard. It is very straightforward, and Wiley’s rocket-speed narrative may irk readers who need more thoroughly fleshed out characters, but I read through this in one sitting and dug the HELL out of it. For risk of a bit of a spoiler, I was reminded of two, very distinct movies while reading The Heart Taker…Jennifer’s Body and The Faculty. Take from that what you will!
Profile Image for Pulp_Fiction_Books.
200 reviews7 followers
May 20, 2025
Thank you to @weird_space_book for providing me with an ebook of this in return for an honest review.

This felt very much like a modern day Christopher Pike and also gave strong 'Jennifer's Body' vibes. I thought it was well written, had some good action scenes (although too many people survive) and It was very refreshing to read something where we're aware of who our vilkain is from the outset but was also nice to have the mystery of who was the puppet master as it were and why (I did sus them out very early on however), the author unfortunately decided to give them a feature which made them stick out like a sore thumb and was quite a bug bear of mine throughout. Something A.M Wiley did do that I really liked was start every chapter with a pop culture movie quote applicable to that chapter (for the most part) which I thought was a great framing device.
Profile Image for Grimm Reader.
104 reviews3 followers
August 7, 2025
This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

So here’s the honest truth: The Heart Taker is your classic teenage dream creature feature—with just enough blood, longing, and awkward heartbreak to keep the pages turning and the pulse unsettled. If you grew up on Buffy, Supernatural, or the better bits of Stranger Things, this one’s got your name stitched into its bones.

Jack Berlin is your typical high school misfit: thoughtful, uncertain, and halfway in love before the first chapter ends. He’s surrounded by a familiar constellation—mean girls, school crushes, outsider besties, and that undeniable teenage cocktail of anxiety, curiosity, and yearning to be seen. Add to the mix that he's a jaded high school journalist that pens a gossip column, and you've got the setup for some interesting dynamics. But when a string of student deaths rattles the school, and a mysterious new girl named Delilah drifts in like smoke, the story swerves into darker territory.

Delilah isn’t what she seems—of course she isn’t—and that’s the point. She’s beautiful, strange, and a little too still. The kind of presence that makes people speak softer or louder, depending on what they fear.

But the real delight here isn’t just the mystery or the slow-burn romance—it’s the ragtag team of gamer-geek outsiders who use their fantasy wisdom to help take on the very real threat growing in the shadows. They’re weird in all the right ways. The book doesn’t mock their nerdery—it honors it. These kids know the value of a well-placed plan, and the power of naming the monster.

Nina, the queen bee antagonist, brings her own venom to the mix—less magical than Delilah, but no less dangerous. The social hierarchy feels lived-in and recognizable, and the emotional stakes are just as sharp as the supernatural ones.

What sets this apart isn’t just the plot (though it’s twisty and well-paced) but the emotional texture. The book understands what it feels like to be young and overwhelmed—to feel like the world is happening to you, and you’re barely holding on. Jack doesn’t always make the right choices, but he tries. And that’s what makes his story compelling. There’s no prophecy guiding his steps. Just fear, love, instinct, and a few loyal friends with character sheets.

The Heart Taker is messy and sincere in the way real adolescence is. There’s heartache, guilt, bad decisions, and a few gut-punch moments where someone says exactly what you didn’t want to hear.

It’s not perfect. But it is honest, and that’s more rare than you'd think. This one goes out to the quiet kids with dice in their backpacks, and anyone who ever felt that there was something off about the hot new girl in town.
Profile Image for Eddy.
42 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2025
I was honored to be contacted by author A.M Wiley to give this book a read, and while it didn’t tick all the boxes for me, I will say that there was never a dull moment. It was a perfect amalgamation of genres that all just worked together somehow. Mystery, horror, supernatural thriller, and a little hint of sci-fi and romance in there too. All that with an amazing ending that leaves you wanting to know what will be in store next for Jack, Deb and the rest of the gang.
Profile Image for CHenry Roi.
173 reviews78 followers
May 18, 2025
This book surprised me in the best way. The Heart Taker mixes high school gossip, creepy murders, and a main character who’s kind of a lovable smartass. Jack Berlin is a gossip columnist (yes, that’s a thing in this prep school), and he’s used to stirring up drama—until real danger shows up in the form of a new girl and a string of gruesome killings nearby.

At first, I thought it would just be a quirky high school mystery, but the tone gets darker fast, and I couldn’t put it down. The writing is sharp, funny, and somehow still chilling. It walks that line between satire and horror without feeling like it’s trying too hard.

The ending stuck with me too—not gonna spoil anything, but it definitely leaves an impact. If you like your stories clever, creepy, and a little bit weird (in a good way), this is one to check out.
Profile Image for Bo.
317 reviews8 followers
October 31, 2024
What a solid fun ride! In this thrilling novel, teen gossip columnist Jack Berlin takes center stage as he dives into the dark underbelly of his prep school’s elite. Jack’s biting exposés have made him a social pariah, but when four boys in a neighboring town turn up dead, their hearts removed, he sets his sights on a far grimmer mystery. His investigation leads him to Delilah, the enigmatic new girl who quickly gains control over the school. Enlisting the help of his secret crush, Deb, and a band of nerdy crusaders known as the Guardians, Jack uncovers a chilling connection between Delilah and the murders. As the school falls under Delilah's spell, Jack and his friends realize there’s even more to the sinister plot than they imagined, and time is running out to stop it.

This book offers something for everyone—whether you’re into horror, sci-fi, fantasy, or even a touch of rom-com. It’s a page-turner packed with twists that keep you guessing, and just when you think you have it all figured out, the story surprises you. Though the protagonists are high school students, the themes and suspense will appeal to adult readers as well. Parts of this book brought me back to my high school days that made this book so much fun.

The character development is top-notch, making every figure in Jack's world feel real and relatable. Deb stands out as the brave and spirited girl we all wish we could have been in high school, adding depth and heart to the story.

Fast-paced and full of surprises, this book is not just a horror-thriller; it’s a layered tale about friendship, courage, and the darkness lurking just beneath the surface. An electrifying read that’s impossible to put down.

P.S.
Big thank you to the author A.M. Wiley for the wonderful novel. You keep giving us fantastic stories that are out of this world and can tear your heart out….literally! Can’t wait for Weird Space 2!!!
56 reviews
July 10, 2024
I loved this book! There's something for everyone here - horror, thrills, sci-fi, fantasy, rom-com. I could not put this down and was totally surprised by the ending. Although the protagonists are high school students I think it will be well loved by adults too
All the characters are so well developed and relatable, particularly deb, the brave and spunky girl we all wish we could have been in high school.
Profile Image for Spring (Infinite Ink Society).
129 reviews11 followers
June 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💀 (4.5/5)
(Thank you to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.)

From the first chapter, The Heart Taker pulls you into a small town dripping with unease — the kind of place where the people are quiet, the woods are loud, and something is definitely watching you 👀🌲

This book gave me serious old-school horror vibes — a little IT, a little folk horror, and a whole lot of “oh no, absolutely not” energy 🕯️😵‍💫. It starts slow and eerie, and before you realize what’s happening, you’re knee-deep in rituals, red flags, and things that go bump where they absolutely should not be bumping.

The atmosphere is impeccable — tense without being overdone, creepy without relying on cheap scares. The writing keeps a tight grip on dread while weaving in moments of real emotional weight. And the twists? They sneak up on you like a shadow behind your shower curtain 🫣🚿

There’s a demonic element at the heart of it all (no pun intended… okay, maybe a little 🫀), and while it isn’t overly graphic, it’s still deeply unsettling. The tension creeps in slowly and lingers like a bad feeling you can’t shake.

What stood out most to me was how unpredictable the plot was. Every time I thought I had a grip on what was going on, the floor gave out from under me — and I loved it. That said, I do wish we’d gotten just a little more background on the demon’s history. There’s mention that she’s been “used for years,” but I was left wondering: has she been summoned repeatedly, or has she just always been there? I craved a bit more clarity on her presence and the mechanics of her influence.

But honestly? That’s a small thing in the scope of a very satisfying horror novel. The pacing, the atmosphere, the reveals — all incredibly well done. This book isn’t trying to drown you in blood; it’s trying to slowly wrap its claws around your ankle while you think you’re safe 🐾🛏️

Highly recommend if you enjoy:
• 🏚️ Small-town horror
• 👹 Supernatural slow-burns
• 🧠 Twisted secrets and generational rot
• 🩸 A bit of dread with your emotional damage

It’s creepy, clever, and refreshingly different — the kind of horror that sticks with you, like a whisper in the dark you can’t quite place
Profile Image for Jess Reads Horror.
231 reviews9 followers
August 20, 2025
Appreciate the author for sending me a copy! I’m always open to reading new things I’ve never heard about, and honestly a great way to expand on my very limited genre. Which is 80% horror and 20% thriller.

Although yes, this book can be categorized and horror/thriller, this is very YA (and quite graphic for young audiences perhaps) and I typically do not read YA now that I’m older. Occasionally I find them quite entertaining, and this is one of them.

Jack is a high school student who is determined to use his journalistic talents to bring down the rich and rid the world of evil. By evil, we’re talking regular mortal evil stuff, like power hoarding, rich people, and special treatment. But little does he know, a chance of a lifetime is at his doorstep. A chance to eradicate a type of evil that’s not of this world.

Overview wise, this was a quick and entertaining read. Lots of action, everything progressed quickly and humor was scattered here and there. Really enjoyed the different characters and their interactions. There were some small issues I had with the plot here and there, but I was also able to suspend some of beliefs and logic because it serves no one to be super nitpicky. For example, these kids had a LOT of freedom, which isn’t necessarily impossible but couple that with a few scenes it does make me wonder. Or maybe my upbringing was just different so someone can tell me if I’m totally wrong.

This could definitely be a movie, kind of like those RL Stine movies on Netflix.
Profile Image for Books.
65 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2025
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this so much! The Heart Taker was such a cosy read. It had so much of what my geeky little heart loves.

It's very reminiscent of stranger things, Sabrina, and super 8. If you love them, then this is definitely a book for you.

I really loved that at the beginning of each chapter, A.M. Wiley added an on point quote from some of the best pop culture movies such as Indiana Jones, Jaws, Aliens, Star Wars, and Mean Girls. It really added a brilliant touch that fit the whole vibe of the book.

And just as I was getting cocky thinking, I know who's who, the plot cleverly seaways, and I was guessing to the very end.

My only niggle is that I couldn't relate to some of the characters like Nina and her band of stuck up mean girls. I'd like to have known more about them and why they are such bellends. Having said that! It's been left open for a book 2!! Ahhh! 😍😍

Also, this tiny niggle could have something to do with me reading this off my phone. I've very much a paperback and blanket kinda gal, and reading off my phone just doesn't quite cut it for me personally. I'll be having a re-read once I've bought it on paperback, and I'm so excited because this cover art is epic ✨️

4 and half stars for The Heart Taker ❤️🖤

Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-copy in return for an honest review
95 reviews
October 12, 2025
I find A.M. Wiley's writing to be engaging, uplifting and written with purpose. This is the second novel I have read by the author. A story about family, found family, true love, faith, seeking to do good, and valuing others as much as you value yourself. It is a story about good overcoming evil, light shining and banishing the darkness. I really enjoyed how the author talked about true romantic love verses hormonal lust. The author also did a great job is showing the power and goodness of female beauty versus hotness. The characters felt like real people with backstories that enhanced their portrayal. However, the backstories were barebones and left me wanting more. I was overjoyed to see faith brought out in the main character. But the main character's faith was barebones and it was not explored at all. I thought the book would have been greatly enhanced by the main characters faith becoming his guiding light and leading him through his strong character development in the story. As it was it was a coming of age story with a good moral message. Also, I felt the geek friends were left as archetypes and underused. This is a highly enjoyable horror tale free, of gratuitous gore, sexuality, blasphemy and vulgar language.
Profile Image for Wraithful Reads - Gemma.
16 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2025
I was provided a copy of this book for free as part of Macabre Mortis book club's October Indie Tron! Thank you so much to Steph for organising, and thank you A. M. Wiley for providing your book!

Spooky season prevails all throughout Autumn and Winter for me; how could it not? Darker and colder nights, Samhain is upon us, and I keep with the Victorian tradition of reading ghost stories over Winter.

I started my Halloween reading early in October with The Heart Taker by A. M. Wiley this year. A thrilling and gory horror set in a high school, following would-be investigative journalist Jack as he explores the recent grisly murders that took place at a neighbouring high school, all sharing one odd, grisly aspect. The victims' hearts were removed.

Jack reads as what you'd get if you dropped Holden Caulfield in the middle of Jennifer's Body, and it makes for an entertaining read. Truthfully, I didn't like him much at first. He's not terrible, just a typical teenage edgelord type. He's intelligent - but very aware of it, and uses this to his advantage, stirring up drama in the school paper with his controversial opinion pieces. Much to the chagrin of his paper's editor, Debra, who wants him to work on an investigative piece covering the mysterious deaths of the other high school's students.

Then we meet Delilah. A new transfer who everyone is intrigued by. The demon-in-disguise begins working against Jack, claiming victims and gaining followers as she goes, aside from The Guardians, a nerdy group that runs another paper focusing on the supernatural. Working together, Jack, Debra, and the Guardians manage to discover the truth behind who Delilah is and behind a much deeper mystery in the town.

Jack definitely grew on me and had some great character growth throughout the book. I went into this expecting the book to end up in my "good for her" category of books. But while Delilah was likeable and conniving, the way the plot developed had you rooting for Jack and his group to come out on top.

It's well-paced, suspenseful and a genuinely good spooky read for the season. About 3/4 of the way through, I started to suspect who was really behind all the goings on, and was extremely vindicated to find out I was right. There are quite a few fun little references to other classic horror stories in the book too, such as Jack living on Elm Street. The misdirection with the Headmistress was a nice touch too, until close to the end I couldn't decide if she really was in on the scheme or was a red herring all along.

My only slight criticism would be that Delilah started out as a great villain, but ended up a little lacking in dimension when you find out she's a demon merely sent after certain victims by the cult that seems to be a dark undercurrent in the town. I would have liked to see her have more motive and agency as a villain, with more backstory, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Themes and Tropes:
Suspense
Supernatural horror
More to the town than it seems
Mystery
Gory
Strong FMCs
Surprise! It's a cult all along

Content warnings:
Gore
Murder
Grisly deaths - hearts removed
Grief
Sexism (Jack's early façade)
Violence

Like my reviews? Read more at: WraithfulReads.com.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for John Watson.
Author 16 books121 followers
October 26, 2025
Let me be up front from the off by stating that I was unaware that this was a YA novel when I started, so my initial feelings on the books were clouded by that lack of knowledge. When I actually went to look and saw that it was YA, I was then able to better settle into the story.

The Heart Taker has everything you would want from the genre, such as high school drama, teenage angst, and a bubbling romance going on just below the surface. You don’t particularly expect there to be major character development, but the main man, Jack, was very well put together, thanks in large part to his family life, which became an integral part of the story.

As you might imagine for a YA novel, the violence and horror is muted somewhat, but there are still some very good elements that will keep readers of the intended age group on their toes. There is a good whodunnit going on through the story, too, and while I was able to, for the most part, figure it all out, younger readers will have a great time following all the breadcrumbs.

All told, this was a fast-paced, fun read that slots very nicely into the YA genre. I would definitely recommend giving The Heart Taker by A.M. Wiley a read if you are looking to dip your toe into horror via the YA reading pool.

4 stars out of 5
Profile Image for Hunny Vie.
76 reviews5 followers
November 13, 2025
This story was thrilling, gory but surprisingly funny, especially with the geeky crusaders known as the Guardian. As an avid gamer myself, the Guardian were the most relatable characters, each with their own knowledge of how to defeat the succubus.

Jack, a high school teen gossip columnist, a little self-centered and sexist was trying to expose the high school social gap and evilness, especially among female students. Yeah...boy has some mommy issues 😅. But when the murders of 4 high school students from a neighboring school caught his attention, he got more than dramas and gossip. He became a target of a succubus that was summoned to take his heart, literally.

Overall the story was very enjoyable. Jack, although a little unlikeable with his meh-attitude at the beginning of the story, really had the best character development. And remember The Guardian? They were awkwardly adorable, effortlessly funny and took their games seriously like their life depends on it. I love them all... except one person. 🫣 Yes....

Highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Norrie.
676 reviews115 followers
December 2, 2025
In The Heart Taker we follow Jack, a teen reporter who investigates the murders committed in the nearby town. I was not an instant fan of Jack who came across as self assured but aloof. I had to remind myself that he's in fact still a kid to muster up some empathy. As the story went on though, I found myself empathizing with the poor dude. His family situation is not great, he has a crush on his fellow reporter Deb but doesn't know how to tell her, and on top of that there's a new girl at school and there's just something not quite right about her. Other than the fact that she pretty much took over Jack's job at the school newspaper from her first day.

This is a fast paced story with some dark and gory scenes as well as a group of nerds who became Jack's sidekicks in the investigation. I loved the mystery, the weird cult vibes, gory scenes, evil teen girl villains and the creepy vibes. The whole atmosphere reminded me a bit of Riverdale, although it's been a while since I watched that.

I received the book from the author. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Courtney S.
80 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2025
When the popular kids start turning up dead… and someone is literally stealing their hearts?! Yeah. I was immediately obsessed. 😳🩸🖤

I LOVED this book so much and I’m not over it yet.

The group of kids? Elite.
The vibes? Pure nostalgia.
The energy? Stranger Things coded ALL day.

Teen gossip columnist by day… murder investigator by night?? Yes please. Jack thought he was just exposing prep school drama, not chasing a deadly new girl who literally steals hearts. Add in secret crushes, geeky sidekicks, small-town murders, and a terrifying mystery? I was locked IN.

This one had everything:
✅ Small town secrets
✅ Found family energy
✅ Creepy girl with a horrifying secret
✅ High school drama meets straight-up horror
✅ And twists I did NOT see coming

And now I’m sitting here like… I can’t wait for the second book because I NEED MORE.

If you love nostalgic horror with teens banding together to stop something evil… run, don’t walk.

Would you survive this kind of small-town chaos or be the first one taken out? 👀🩸
Profile Image for Paperbackdanny.
98 reviews3 followers
October 31, 2025
I thought that this book sounded really interesting, and I was excited to read it. I haven’t read something like this before and I was not disappointed.

The story was really fun and I thought that it was very well written. I think that A.M. Wiley did an excellent job of creating a chilling and unsettling atmosphere while also mixing together different genres. I actually thought that the ending was pretty unpredictable and I did not see it coming.

I liked this book and it did a great job of telling a cohesive and interesting story, while also managing to be fast-paced and without dull moments. The ending was open-ended and I’m interested to see if the story will continue.

@Paperbackdanny on Instagram
Profile Image for Doc of the Dark Arts.
81 reviews115 followers
October 13, 2025
4/5 Stars
Format: Paperback
Spoilers: No

As a big fan of Wiley's Weird Space books, I was really excited to give The Heart Taker a try, and I'm glad I did. Wiley has a talent for writing really fun books with the right amount of nostalgia.

The Heart Taker is a YA horror novel that reminded me a lot of the RL Stine Fear Street series. While geared towards YA, as a former Goosebumps and Fear Street reader I really enjoyed my time with this one. It's an incredibly fun story with that great YA horror absurdity that makes it so fun. As with the Weird Space books, we get 80's/90's nostalgia, a fun teenage friend story, and a murder mystery with chills and thrills all along the way.

If you loved Weird Space, if you loved Fear Street back in the day, or you're just looking for a fun, fast paced entertaining horror book, you have to check the Heart Taker out.
Profile Image for Renate.
31 reviews
August 11, 2025
A horror story with a little mix of fantasy and sci-fi. A.M. Wiley writes a fun, fast paced, coming of age story about Jack, a high school gossip columnist investigating the murders of four teenage guys at a neighboring high school.

Although this leans more towards YA, I feel like this is something everyone can enjoy. It has the suspense, mystery, the bloodshed, and twists. The characters are likable and relatable, and it has a great ending.
Coming to mind while reading this was the great 90s movie, The Faculty, and Buffy, and a little bit of Strangers Things. So if you like those, you’ll enjoy this book too!

Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy to read, no strings attached.
Profile Image for Neil J Hart.
Author 4 books15 followers
July 17, 2025
When four boys are discovered dead, Jack Berlin gets more than he bargained for when he enlists a quirky gang of friends to help him uncover the truth. Fast-paced and utter engrossing, A. M. Wiley’s ‘The Heart Taker’ is a thrill ride of highschool supernatural horror and mystery that had me channeling ‘Carrie’ and ‘Buffy’ vibes. Excited to see what happens next to Jack, Deb, and the rest of the Scooby gang!
Profile Image for His Ghoul Friday (Julia).
134 reviews10 followers
July 22, 2025
I can’t get over how much fun I had while reading this! It felt like I was reading a modern-day Christopher Pike novel.

The world building was absolutely incredible; I was immersed the entire time. I loved that this was a fast-paced novel, and had plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat!

Highly recommend checking this one out, especially if you’re a fan of Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine!
Profile Image for Claire Kuner.
10 reviews
December 28, 2025

The beginning of this book gave me big “incel” vibes from Jack, which makes his character arc that much better. I also got big Stanger Things/Goonies vibes from The Guardians and I loved that.
To me this entire book just screams RED. Red flags, red herrings, and red hot secrets being exposed.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit and I’ve heard that Weird Space by Wiley is even better, so that’s definitely on my TBR now.
Profile Image for Emmanuel.
99 reviews7 followers
January 16, 2026
At the end of the day, it's a horror story about facing your fears, with the twist of involving romantic relationships—not that unique, but the author didn't seem to mind it, as every chapter has a reference to a movie quote. The tropes are very well known, the story structure is pretty standard (and somewhat predictable), the characters are likable and simple, the themes straightforward—in summary, it's a fun ride and a book by the book.

For most people, likely a five out of five.
Profile Image for Donna Taylor.
Author 2 books16 followers
November 16, 2025
Such a fun, nostalgic YA horror scare fest that had me laughing and creeped out in equal measure! Pitched as Buffy meets Perry Mason and Scooby Doo, how can you possibly go wrong with that combination of storytelling? It was an immediate grab and an immediate love. Highly recommend if you're looking for that nostalgic horror fix!
Profile Image for spookimom reads.
62 reviews
May 21, 2025
Extremely well written and fun. It went above and beyond what I’d typically expect from YA horror. I had a lot of fun with the characters and plot. It made me feel like I was a kid reading Fear Street again.
Profile Image for Bree.
35 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2026
This was a perfect YA horror thriller! The storyline kept my attention, and the characters were very likable. The relationship with the dad and son had a lot of depth and was written very well. The overall story was creepy and well constructed! Overall, it's a victory for any YA horror fan!
1 review1 follower
August 24, 2024
i started reading this book while on vacation and ended up finishing it in 24 hours. overall i was pleasantly surprised by this fast paced, fun read.
Profile Image for Emily Lorié.
223 reviews27 followers
January 3, 2026
I had a lot of fun with this one! The pace was perfect, the characters jumped off the page, and the twist drove the story home beautifully!
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