Hideaway Halloween

by Eliza Rockwood

She's determined to save his family's old farmhouse, but he's come to say goodbye. When a blizzard traps them together for the night, will the ghosts of their past bring them together or tear them apart for good?

Kat
I’m not sure what it is about the old farmhouse in Hideaway Mountain, but I’m determined to save it. The developer I work for, on the other hand, is determined to tear it down. I travel to Colorado prepared to present my case, and when an early season blizzard hits and delays the groundbreaking, I seize my chance. I’m ready to hunker down at the old place on Halloween and spend the storm taking pictures and furthering my plans to incorporate the farmhouse into the new resort. What I’m not prepared for is hunky businessman Austin Walker—son of the former land owner. He’s already there when I arrive, and scares the crap out of me when I discover him in the rundown house. Once Austin tells me why he’s there, I can’t help but be drawn to him, and begin to wonder if he’s the real reason I felt so compelled to come here. I’m a good girl though, and determined to keep my distance despite the way he makes my heart flutter. But when we’re snowed in together with just one bed and the spooky old house makes me shiver even more than the storm, will I be able to keep resisting the pull between us? Do I even want to?

Austin
When I found out my father sold our family's land in Hideaway Mountain without even telling me, I was furious. He claims he didn’t think I’d want it just because I never wanted to work for his company, which is complete bull. But no matter how mad I am, I can’t change the fact that the land was sold, or stop the old farmhouse filled with my happiest memories from being demolished. I need to see it one more time to say goodbye though—so, I take my first-ever vacation from the company I started in California to come back to my hometown. When I arrive, the new owner won’t let me on the property, but I’ve never been one to take no for an answer. I sneak to the farmhouse on Halloween, not anticipating I’d be trapped in a sudden snowstorm with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Kat Leonard may pretend she doesn’t want me, but when we end up huddled together for warmth, I take a chance and steal a kiss—never expecting Kat to retaliate by stealing my heart.

Welcome to the holidays in Hideaway Valley—where the festivities bring alpha men together with independent women, and age is nothing but a number.

This is book two in the Hideaway Valley Holiday One-Hour Read series, featuring insta-love in a small mountain town. Though each book in the Hideaway universe has interconnected characters, they can all be read as standalone stories. If you love spicy, sweet, and daring small-town romance, then take a trip to Hideaway Valley. HEA guaranteed!

Genres: Halloween, Forced Proximity, Contemporary

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Eliza Rockwood is primarily a contemporary romance author who loves to write short, spicy, and sweet insta-love stories full of dynamic characters. Though the Hideaway Mountain series is her debut published work, Eliza has been writing since she was a kid (was even presented with the esteemed “Future Novelist” award in her fifth-grade class) and has an undergraduate degree in creative writing. Her romance books are safe reads with heroes who fall fast and hard for their heroines, no cheating, and ALWAYS a guaranteed happily ever after.

Eliza was born and raised in Colorado, so many of her stories are set in small mountain towns and reflect aspects of her lived experiences. Although romance literature is her first love, she also enjoys writing poetry and historical fiction. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two dogs, and is happy to be realizing a lifelong dream of publishing her written work. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, hiking, or doing yoga.

Reviews

[August Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted a fun spicy Halloween read this month and this treat hit the spot! Spooky and spicy, in a quick tantalizing read. I loved the ghostly house, Eliza is so good at setting the stage and building the characters. Insta love that sizzles right off the pages!

[the endless tbr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from Eliza, this book is the perfect read for your fall TBR.

Cute, short and spicy 😏

The book keeps you hooked since the first chapter.

Kat & Austin are just so cute together.
I absolutely love them! The instant attraction and chemistry between them were undeniable and explosive.
Kat was everything Austin needed and they just completed each other perfectly.
Great book, a fun read, and perfect for fall.


The plot, the characters, and the spice made this book a 5-star read to me.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, spicy read. What a perfect little story with some added spooky vibes 🌙👻

Eliza knows how to write a perfect man with the right amount of possessiveness 🩷

Tropes

🌙 Instalove
👻 Small town
🌙 Age gap
👻 Forced proximity
🌙 ‘Snowed in’

✨ I received an arc copy and I am voluntarily leaving a review ✨

[Natalie’s_world_in_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat & Austin 🖤🖤
Love this book! Easy to read, couldn’t put it down!
Forced proximity, snowed in on a Halloween night🎃
Age gap, abandoned farmhouse, one bed, good girl v card heroine, spooky….what more could you want!

Yet again Eliza didn’t disappoint 🖤♥️

[Sharron Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes

🍂Age Gap
🍂One Bed
🍂Small Town
🍂Forced Proximity
🍂Insta-Love

This was a very short, fast paced novella. With only 78 pages this had just the right amount of seasonal spice and spooky vibes which made it an ideal read for Autumn.

Kat and Austin both find themselves snowed in on Halloween night, whilst trying to save Austin’s old family farmhouse from demolition. The close proximity and ghostly going ons that are happening throughout the old farmhouse starts to create chemistry between them both. Kat and Austin soon find themselves instantly attracted to each other!

If you like short, spicy, insta-love stories with intense attraction, then this is the ideal book for you!

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review-

Thank you @elizarockwood for sending me a copy of Hideaway Halloween. I was so excited when I got selected. This was my first time putting myself forward for an ARC, and I'm glad I did.

°°°°°°°°°°°°

Meet, Kat, A 21 years old assistant in a  development company who wants nothing more than to stop the demolition of a farmhouse from being destroyed and prove through her own research it still has everything to be saved and revamped into a resort. She'll stop at nothing to make this happen.

Enter Austin, 34 and the grandson of the original owners of the farmhouse. Austin has just found out his estranged father has sold the farmhouse from under his nose, and delevopment starts in a few days. Furious, the only place he truly called home is about to be destroyed, angry he can't stop it happening, nothing is going to prevent him from saying goodbye.


In a twist of fate on Halloween weekend when all the ghosts come out to play. Kat and Austin find themselves snowed in together which has delayed development from starting.

The heat that is radiating from being around each other is reaching boiling point.


Halloween definitely just got warmer.

°°°°°°°°°°°☆☆☆°°°°°°°°°°°

I found this to be a really nice cosy read with the right amount of spice, I love Halloween, and giving it a spooky twist is always something I enjoy. It was fast past and easy to keep up with. I did find myself wanting a bit more from the mentioning of their past lives, I'm always here for the drama thats just my personal preference.

The characters were written really well, I like when you can feel a connection to a character and their backstories, and you can see how that's made them who they are right now.


Rating 🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice 🌶🌶🌶

[Ames ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you’re mine then I’m yours. We belong to each other.”

4.5 stars
Hideaway Halloween is part of the Hidden Valley Holiday series. These can be read in any order.

This book is an amazing way to start the fall/ Halloween season! It’s short (meant to be read in an hour), and it's the perfect palette cleanser.

I loved the characters and the insta-love aspect of the book. Austin is the sweetest MMC I've ever met! I adore him as much as he adores Kat.

Despite being less than a hundred pages, the characters had a lot of depth. I enjoyed that we got the backstories for the characters to understand more about them.

Also, the spicy scenes in this book were *chef’s kiss*! I usually don’t like the pet name “kitten” but I was eating it up when Austin said it.

Lastly, the epilogue. It gave me everything I was looking for in this feel-good romance book. I enjoyed seeing that the characters were still so in love. I enjoyed the cameos from the characters of the other books. It makes me excited to read the whole series.

This was my first Eliza Rockwell novella and I can’t wait to read more by her!

Favorite Quotes:
“I want you to know me, and I want to know you.”

“I want Austin to see me. All of me. I want him to fill every sad, empty place inside my soul.”

“I intend to prove to Kat that she can rely on me. For everything she needs”

“Kat’s a survivor. Just like me.”

“You’re mine Kat. Mine to take care of. And I’m yours. Yours to take care of.”

“It’s about claiming. It’s about commitment. It’s about belonging to each other.”

“You’re it for me. I know it in my bones.”


*ARC provided in exchange for my honest review and opinion*

[Sheila M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat and Austin meet on Halloween in an old spooky house that is about to be demolished. Both want to save it. Kat because she likes the history behind it and because it has “good bones.” Austin wants to save it because the house belonged to his grandparents and his father sold it without telling him and Austin wanted to keep it in the family. They both sneak onto the property and have to spend the night in the house when a blizzard blows in quickly, stranding them there.

The characters are multilayered with hurts from the past that they need to work through. Kat has to work through the trauma from growing up in a religious cult. Austin has to work the trauma of parents frequently fighting and the death of his sister and mother when he was young. This is a cute, sweet, and spicy story with a unique plot. The story is well-written and keeps you turning the pages. I definitely recommend it.

[Juniper Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Length: 77 pages

Looking for a cozy spooky-season romance? Look no further! Hideaway Halloween is the perfect quick read if you only have a couple of hours to spare, but don't let the length fool you—this novella packs a punch!

Kat, a virginal 21-year-old who has escaped from a religious church, is on a mission to save Austin's family farmhouse. Enter Austin, who is 13 years her senior, returning to the farmhouse to say goodbye—only to be surprised by Kat's presence. The pull between them? 🔥 Instant attraction!

Eliza Rockwood has done a fantastic job creating well-rounded characters and a backstory that hooks you in. And yes, the spice level? HOT! 🌶️🔥 With forced proximity, mutual obsession, and a maybe-haunted farmhouse, this novella is the ultimate combo of cozy, spicy, and eerie.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished “Hideaway Halloween” and couldn’t wait to write a review so other readers would know how TOTALLY AWESOME this book is. When I was a kid, I was dared to go into an abandoned house on Halloween. My adventure was nothing near as exciting as Kat and Austin’s experience, but it brought back long forgotten memories. I adore romances and “Hideaway Halloween” was absolutely FABULOUS. I LOVED how they balanced each other. Kat and Austin’s characters had such warmth and depth, and were exceptionally well written. I imagine that if you are reading this review, you are looking for an escape, diversion, or pleasurable reading experience to help you relax and unwind. “Hideaway Halloween” will give you just the break you need, and I have no doubt, you deserve it. This book is a standalone with no cliffhanger, although a few characters from a previous “Hideaway” book are mentioned.

[Amber Higgs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Read - October Review - Hideaway Halloween

My Review | My Recommendation

Hideaway Halloween - Eliza Rockwood

Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A very quick pace, quick read novella.
Spicy - 🌶️ 🌶️
Fast pace romance for Kat and Austin trapped in a old abandoned house on Halloween.
Age Gap • V Card • One Bed
Very short but sweet read for me and a 1st of Eliza Rockwood book!

“He hopes I’m well?
Maybe he’d know exactly how well I am if he ever picked up the damn phone to call me.”

“If all these shocks keep up, I may have a fucking stroke.”

“Nostalgia always feels bittersweet”

“If you want me to be your kitten, you’ll have to make me purr.”

“ If you’ll be my crazy, I’ll be your calm. We’ll balance each other out.”

[Krystal Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this author and I can say with certainty that I will be back for more. I love anything revolving around spooky season and this book delivered in a cozy way! Fully equipped with forced proximity, one bed and feelings that can’t be shaken!

Austin and Kate were just two strangers who ended up stranded on Halloween night together in an old farmhouse. Each having their reason for being there.

Was it Coincidence? Was it fate? Whatever it is, buckle up while their story quickly unfolds in Hideaway Halloween.

With a little spook and a lot of spice, you won’t be disappointed. This short but steamy ultra sweet novella will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside and is best enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa🥰 happy reading!

[Ft Worth Book Babes · Rating 4 out of 5]

📝 A’s Book Review - ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Hideaway Halloween by Eliza Rockwood

We were so excited to be chosen for an ARC copy of Hideaway Halloween. This steamy Halloween romance is Book 2 of the Hideaway Valley Holiday: One Hour Reads. It was a really fun quick read that still made you fall in love with the characters. If you love insta-love and small mountain town stories, this is absolutely the book for you 🎃

“She's determined to save her family's old farmhouse, but he's come to say goodbye. When a blizzard traps them together for the night, will the ghosts of their past bring them together or tear them apart for good?”

🧡 Small Town Romance
🖤 Age Gap
🧡 Virgin FMC
🖤 Just One Bed
🧡 Insta-Love
🖤 Forced Proximity

[Amber Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect second chance of romance because both Austin and Kat had a terrible childhood. They had to fight and work hard to get where they were. Finding each other was the pure happiness they needed. Reading about the farmhouse made me want to visit it. The farmhouse is the key to the happiness they have been looking for. I love Kat's backstory. It was scary but exciting because it proved how strong she was, and I'm glad she was able to escape with her mom. I'm glad Austin had grandparents who loved him and cared for him. He truly loved them and cherished the memories with them. I think it was really fast falling in love, but there is reason it is called love at first sight. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to more.

[Marisol · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Looking for a spooky romance that’ll heat things up faster than a jack-o’-lantern on fire? Eliza Rockwood’s got you covered! Kat and Austin’s story in the Hideaway Mountains is the perfect mix of cute, spooky, and swoon-worthy. Both trapped in an abandoned farmhouse on Halloween night. The wind’s howling, the vibes are spooky, and the tension between them? Off the charts. He falls fast (like, real fast) and an abandoned farmhouse on Halloween gives off the perfect cozy-but-ghostly vibes. Age gap? ✔️ Forced proximity? You bet. The best part? It doesn’t drag—you’ll devour it faster than Austin falling for Kat. Grab this one for your Halloween TBR! 🎃🔥📚

[Nikita Botting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this!! Eliza has only gone and done it again making me fall in love with characters and a story in a very short amount of time, I love the fact her books are not slow burn and very to the point.

The way she brings characters together and the back stories behind the characters you get to learn in a short amount of time is amazing! Opposites do attract and Kat and Austin prove just that!

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again the hideaway family calls me and I cannot wait to read the next one 🥰 you are truly missing out if you haven’t read any of these! There’s always characters from other stories that pop up and just make each and every book that little bit better 🎃👻🧡

[WhatJo13reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, spooky and spicy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Spending a night snowed in at an old house leads to things that go bump in the night!

It is great to be back in Hideaway. Love seeing the cameos and how the new characters are link to previous ones.

My criticism of this book is that it is too short. Because the book is only 78 pages Kat and Austin are together by chapter 4. I would like to get to know the characters a bit more and have them get to know each other before they jump into bed. To me it seems a bit forced in order to keep the story moving. I like to get to know the characters a bit better before they get naked.

[Gemma (Bookishgem94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a lovely short story especially for this time of year. Kat sneaks into the old abandoned farmhouse in Hideaway mountain to try to get some pictures to show her boss why it needs saving and not knocking down, when she bumps into Austin, the previous owner's grandson. When these two get snowed in and decide to huddle up together over halloween they soon realise how instantly attracted they are to each other and Kat wants Austin to take all her firsts. This is a great read and I really enjoyed it. I couldn’t stop reading and finished it all in one go. I love the Hideaway stories and can’t wait for more.

[Ashlie Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was an absolute delight! Hideaway Halloween brings together Kat and Austin in the coziest way possible—trapped by a blizzard in a rundown farmhouse filled with memories.

Kat's determination to save the place, mixed with Austin's emotional goodbye, creates the perfect tension. Their chemistry is undeniable, especially when they're forced to share warmth (and maybe a kiss or two).

The spooky Halloween setting adds a fun twist to their blossoming romance, and you'll find yourself rooting for them both. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming, slow-burn romance with a dash of nostalgia, this one's a must-read!

[Janine Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hideaway Halloween
Release 1 October 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice 🌶 🌶 🌶/5
77 pages of bliss 😊

✅️forced proximity
✅️virgin FMC
✅️age gap
✅️mutual obsession
✅️Hurt/comfort
✅️maybe haunted 👻 house
✅️small town

Firstly I received this as an ARC read from Author and I'm willingly leaving a review.

Very cute spicey 📚 read. Spooky vibes and a short little story .

Kat Leonard stubborn lady and reckless younger by 13 years than the MMC. Austin Walker Grumpy workaholic . Instant attraction and chemistry is mind blowing.
Great book and Eliza didn't disappoint at all. Always love reading her romances with a bit of an edge.

The plot and the characters made it an 5 for me .

[Ashley Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you'll be my crazy, I'll be your calm. We'll balance each other out."

This line may seem so simple in Hideaway Halloween but it hit my soul to the very core. Finding someone that compliments your heart and soul and loves you exactly for who you are and wants to be whatever you need is beauty beyond words and I'm so thankful that the amazing Eliza Rockwood wrote the sweet little story.. Austin and Kats love story is a fast-paced heat to sweet story of two people coming together in the unlikeliest of ways.. but when it's written in the stars or in this case the Ghosts nothing can stop their connection. This is definitely a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read that I will absolutely read again just to fall in love with these two all over again!! Eliza Rockwood thank you for the sweet simple line that filled my heart with so much emotion💕

[The.strawberry.bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖Book Review📖

Hideaway Halloween

This was a short spicy Halloween novella and I loved it. It was written so smoothly and was very addictive to read, I didn’t want to put it down and had to know what happened next.

The spice in this was so so hot 🥵 I very much enjoyed it and would definitely recommend you guys pick it up.

This is the first book have read from Eliza and I will 100% be reading more books from her as this one was so good.

Tropes

🎃Age Gap
👻 Spooky
🎃 Insta-Love
👻 Small Town Romance
🎃 Spicy
👻 Forced Proximity
🎃 Good Girl V card Heroine
👻 Grumpy Hero With A Heart Of Gold 💛

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Lazarra Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet and quirky... what's not to love!

Although this is a short read it doesn't fail to deliver.. Kat is a young 21yr old who has escaped a very strict church upbringing and is now standing on her own two feet. Austin is a rich business man who loves a good charity case... they both find themselves stranded in an old farmhouse during a snow storm and despite the frigid temperatures things soon start hotting up!!

This novella made me smile from the very first page and even after I'd finished I found myself grinning away.

[kristina_book_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it’s a short read, it’s very well entertaining. From the start of the book to the end of the book, it was well structured, and kept you from wanting to put the book down. I love how Austin and Kat Created in their minds, what they were gonna do and they saw it through from sneaking into the old house that Austin’s grandparents owned previously to trusting each other intimately and supporting each other’s dreams of saving the farmhouse. I honestly wish the book went on for a second one on what happened with Kay’s mom and Austin‘s dad where they got married.

[Aarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hideaway Halloween brings the Halloween spirit alive with a cozy small-town setting and just the right hint of mystery.

I loved how smoothly the story unfolded—it’s perfect for those who prefer something easy and light to read. The pacing is steady, and it wraps up without too much drama, which makes it an enjoyable one-sitting read.

Kat and Austin’s relationship was the highlight for me. It wasn’t packed with over-the-top drama, just a smooth, natural connection that felt refreshingly genuine.

A feel-good story that delivers exactly what you'd hope for in a lighthearted Halloween read.

[Gemma Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had me grinning!
This is a short sweet insta lust/love novella it’s the second in an interconnected stand alone series and it’s so cute!
Snowed in and forced proximity are two of my fave tropes in this Austin is trying to say goodbye to his family home and kat is trying to save the home from the developers she works for, the two get snowed in and end up in some interesting scenarios
The fmc starts out as a virgin too and I wish this would have been explored more with the first spicy scene
Nice lil hea ✨👌

[Keela Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a few of Eliza’s books now and they just keep getting better!

From the get go, I was drawn in to hideaway Halloween and didn’t want to put the book down! 😍 Austin & Kat are just so perfect for each other and their story is definitely one that will be forever remembered!

I love the way you can read all of Eliza’s books as standalones, yet you get pulled in and want to read them all anyway! I’m definitely looking forward to the next one in this series :)

[Celina Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two strangers FMC Kat and MMC Austin get trapped in an abandoned farmhouse during a snowstorm on Halloween night. This novella is short and quick but does not hold back with its ghosty vibes, October chill, lots of snow and two strangers who provide all the heat and spice you will need to keep you warm you definitely want to add this to your spooky season TBR. 🎃👻

Thank you, Eliza Rockwood for the ARC! You have made me a fan and I can't wait to read more of your past and future work. 😍

[Crystal Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want a cute little Halloween season read? Well, I have the perfect recommendation for you.

Austin is a grumpy workaholic or decides to go back home to say goodbye to his family home one last time.

Kat is a determined to save the home that she has fallen in love with after doing research on it for work.

Well, the two of them come together and get caught at the home in a snowstorm. What happens next… I’ll let you read and find out!

[Freddy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you're mine then I'm yours. We belong to each other"

Eliza is the queen of short, spicy novellas and this one did not disappoint! The idea of a novella is all the good bits without all the faffing about and Eliza is always straight to the point (spice) plus who doesn't love a one bed trope? I'll wait! Throw in a snow storm - chefs kiss!

Tropes
Small Town Romance
Age Gap
Virgin FMC
Just One Bed
Insta-Love
Forced Proximity