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The Forest of Missing Girls: A Novel
The forest is hungry, and her family's secrets are tangled in the trees…
Lia Gregg always hoped to outgrow her fear of the woods surrounding her childhood home. The dark, menacing trees have long been the site of whispered legends and disappearances of girls like her. But after a breakup sends her back to live with her family, the woods feel more sinister than ever.
When a teenage girl disappears from their backyard, Lia's childhood fear becomes terrifyingly real. The missing girls are no longer just faces on the news. Now, the danger is closer than she imagined, and her younger sister could be next.
As Lia digs into the disappearances, she begins to suspect her mother knows more about the forest—and the horrors within—than she's letting on. To save her sister and uncover the truth, Lia must confront the secrets lurking in the trees and the darkness they conceal…before it's too late.
"Hauntingly powerful." —Darcy Coates, USA Today bestselling author, for No Child of Mine
"Haunting and eerie…will chill your spine. I highly recommend it." —Amy Lukavics, author of Daughters Unto Devils, for No Child of Mine
Lia Gregg always hoped to outgrow her fear of the woods surrounding her childhood home. The dark, menacing trees have long been the site of whispered legends and disappearances of girls like her. But after a breakup sends her back to live with her family, the woods feel more sinister than ever.
When a teenage girl disappears from their backyard, Lia's childhood fear becomes terrifyingly real. The missing girls are no longer just faces on the news. Now, the danger is closer than she imagined, and her younger sister could be next.
As Lia digs into the disappearances, she begins to suspect her mother knows more about the forest—and the horrors within—than she's letting on. To save her sister and uncover the truth, Lia must confront the secrets lurking in the trees and the darkness they conceal…before it's too late.
"Hauntingly powerful." —Darcy Coates, USA Today bestselling author, for No Child of Mine
"Haunting and eerie…will chill your spine. I highly recommend it." —Amy Lukavics, author of Daughters Unto Devils, for No Child of Mine
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2025
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14564 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
June 21, 2025
There are two dogs in this book. They make it all the way through, completely unscathed 🐶🐶
The forest, however, is a cruel place, so I make no promises about anything else 🌲💀
The forest, however, is a cruel place, so I make no promises about anything else 🌲💀
November 8, 2025
Creepy, creepy, creepy! The Forest of Missing Girls instantly drew me in. I was intrigued by Lia Gregg and her fear of the woods surrounding her home. She did not live in the forest where, like the Robert Frost poem where "the woods are lovely, dark and deep." No, she lived in the woods which were full of darkness, secrets, and whispers. Girls have gone missing in those dark woods. She's not a child anymore and when she returns home after a breakup, a teenage girl goes missing......
This book was equal parts, atmospheric and chilling. As I mentioned, I was instantly drawn into this book and them whamo this book took a shocking and unexpected turn! I did not see THAT coming at all. The book veered off from being creepy and chilling to being horrific, shocking, and heck, I don't even know what to call it. It felt as if it came out of the left field. Its horror meets Science fiction meets what-in-the-world-did-I-just-read?????? Seriously, hello left field!!!!
I have the feeling that readers are either going to love this one for its uniqueness, originality, and sci-fi turn, or you'll be sitting there thinking well, that was something.......
The author gets big points for creating a chilling and eerie atmospheric setting. I can almost feel the chill in the air and feel the twigs snap under the characters' feet as they walked through the woods. This book is very unique and has a very interesting premise.
If you are looking for something a little different, a little off the beaten path, and you are willing to suspend some disbelief, this book might be right up your alley. From the premise I thought I had a fair grasp on what this book was going to be about. I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
Dark, horrific, atmospheric, chilling, and unique!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
This book was equal parts, atmospheric and chilling. As I mentioned, I was instantly drawn into this book and them whamo this book took a shocking and unexpected turn! I did not see THAT coming at all. The book veered off from being creepy and chilling to being horrific, shocking, and heck, I don't even know what to call it. It felt as if it came out of the left field. Its horror meets Science fiction meets what-in-the-world-did-I-just-read?????? Seriously, hello left field!!!!
I have the feeling that readers are either going to love this one for its uniqueness, originality, and sci-fi turn, or you'll be sitting there thinking well, that was something.......
The author gets big points for creating a chilling and eerie atmospheric setting. I can almost feel the chill in the air and feel the twigs snap under the characters' feet as they walked through the woods. This book is very unique and has a very interesting premise.
If you are looking for something a little different, a little off the beaten path, and you are willing to suspend some disbelief, this book might be right up your alley. From the premise I thought I had a fair grasp on what this book was going to be about. I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
Dark, horrific, atmospheric, chilling, and unique!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 27, 2025
A huge thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💖
I'll be honest, I'm quite sad to be rating this book 2 stars.
The Forest of Missing Girls had such a promising premise: a creepy forest, girls disappearing, a mother with secrets, and a sister determined to uncover the truth. It sounded like the perfect setup for a dark and unsettling horror, but that’s not what I got.
Lia returns home after a breakup, only to be pulled into a strange and unsettling situation when a teenage girl vanishes near her family’s house. As she tries to make sense of what's going on, it becomes clear her mother knows more than she lets on and the forest that once haunted her childhood seems to be at the centre of it all.
I went in expecting horror, or at least a gritty thriller, but the story shifted into a strange sci-fi/fantasy direction that felt jarring and out of place. Don't get me wrong, I do love my Sci-Fi/Fantasy...
It just felt out of place, and the genre twist took me out of the story and made it hard to stay engaged.
It also seemed like a huge part of the book was about a criticising mother and the main character not knowing which version of herself she wants to be.
While there were some eerie moments, the plot started falling apart for me about halfway through. It just didn’t deliver the tension or payoff I was hoping for.
This one wasn’t for me, but readers who enjoy speculative elements in their thrillers or like stories that take a weird turn might have a better time with it.
I'll be honest, I'm quite sad to be rating this book 2 stars.
The Forest of Missing Girls had such a promising premise: a creepy forest, girls disappearing, a mother with secrets, and a sister determined to uncover the truth. It sounded like the perfect setup for a dark and unsettling horror, but that’s not what I got.
Lia returns home after a breakup, only to be pulled into a strange and unsettling situation when a teenage girl vanishes near her family’s house. As she tries to make sense of what's going on, it becomes clear her mother knows more than she lets on and the forest that once haunted her childhood seems to be at the centre of it all.
I went in expecting horror, or at least a gritty thriller, but the story shifted into a strange sci-fi/fantasy direction that felt jarring and out of place. Don't get me wrong, I do love my Sci-Fi/Fantasy...
It just felt out of place, and the genre twist took me out of the story and made it hard to stay engaged.
It also seemed like a huge part of the book was about a criticising mother and the main character not knowing which version of herself she wants to be.
While there were some eerie moments, the plot started falling apart for me about halfway through. It just didn’t deliver the tension or payoff I was hoping for.
This one wasn’t for me, but readers who enjoy speculative elements in their thrillers or like stories that take a weird turn might have a better time with it.
July 9, 2025
huge thanks to netgalley and poisoned pen press for the e-arc !!
🍂 soundtrack 🍂
marika hackman - ophelia
hole - doll parts
the national - cherry tree
aldous harding - blend
the raveonettes - observations
paramore - brick by boring brick
gia ford - sleeping in your garden
hozier - in the woods somewhere
radiohead - climbing up the walls
boygenius - salt in the wound
sharon van etten - serpents
laura marling - night terror
agnes obel - familiar
emily jane white - moulding
the unthanks - magpie
maddie medley - coming of age (demo)
taylor swift, the civil wars - safe and sound
nicole dollanganger - dogwood
pj harvey - down by the water
daughter - mothers
wolf alice - silk
kyla la grange - cut your teeth
sylvan esso - come down
ethel cain - family tree
🍂 my thoughts 🍂
i loved so many things about this !! the blurb drew me in right away: our protagonist, lia, returns to her childhood home after a breakup, where a controlling mother and estranged teen sister await her. and not only that: the vast forest surrounding their house, that seems to swallow up girls on a regular basis and is hiding dark secrets that might be more closely connected to her family than she knows, is waiting for her too..
this is pretty much the exact type of book i love to curl up with on a rainy day (and the last few days have been significantly colder and windier than the past weeks, so the vibes were actually quite fitting!). it gets published in november amd i think that's the perfect time to really soak up the atmosphere in all its creepy glory. i love stories centering around weird eerie forests, and this was no exception. the writing was beautiful and whimsical (albeit a bit repetitive, but this is an arc after all), and there were several turns of phrase that really stuck with me.
i generally expected this to be more of a straightforward thriller, and was very pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be much more of a dark fairytale with a slight sci-fi (?? idk what else to call it) twist to it. i did figure out the basic direction of where this was going at some point (probably because i've seen quite a few movies that tackle similar themes in similar ways), but that didn't take away from my enjoyment AT ALL. the further i got, the more i was glued to the page.
speaking of the themes, this touched upon so many topics i really appreciate in the books i read: complicated relationship dynamics between mothers and daughters and sisters (especially loved the focus on sisterhood bc i always eat that up), generational trauma, feeling lost in your 20s, growing up under the weight of the ridiculous standards/expectations this society places upon women and trying to carve out your own space in all this mess, etc. i'd highly recommend this to anyone who also likes to read about these things and who enjoys horror/supernatural elements in their thrillers.
🍂 soundtrack 🍂
marika hackman - ophelia
hole - doll parts
the national - cherry tree
aldous harding - blend
the raveonettes - observations
paramore - brick by boring brick
gia ford - sleeping in your garden
hozier - in the woods somewhere
radiohead - climbing up the walls
boygenius - salt in the wound
sharon van etten - serpents
laura marling - night terror
agnes obel - familiar
emily jane white - moulding
the unthanks - magpie
maddie medley - coming of age (demo)
taylor swift, the civil wars - safe and sound
nicole dollanganger - dogwood
pj harvey - down by the water
daughter - mothers
wolf alice - silk
kyla la grange - cut your teeth
sylvan esso - come down
ethel cain - family tree
🍂 my thoughts 🍂
i loved so many things about this !! the blurb drew me in right away: our protagonist, lia, returns to her childhood home after a breakup, where a controlling mother and estranged teen sister await her. and not only that: the vast forest surrounding their house, that seems to swallow up girls on a regular basis and is hiding dark secrets that might be more closely connected to her family than she knows, is waiting for her too..
this is pretty much the exact type of book i love to curl up with on a rainy day (and the last few days have been significantly colder and windier than the past weeks, so the vibes were actually quite fitting!). it gets published in november amd i think that's the perfect time to really soak up the atmosphere in all its creepy glory. i love stories centering around weird eerie forests, and this was no exception. the writing was beautiful and whimsical (albeit a bit repetitive, but this is an arc after all), and there were several turns of phrase that really stuck with me.
i generally expected this to be more of a straightforward thriller, and was very pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be much more of a dark fairytale with a slight sci-fi (?? idk what else to call it) twist to it. i did figure out the basic direction of where this was going at some point (probably because i've seen quite a few movies that tackle similar themes in similar ways), but that didn't take away from my enjoyment AT ALL. the further i got, the more i was glued to the page.
speaking of the themes, this touched upon so many topics i really appreciate in the books i read: complicated relationship dynamics between mothers and daughters and sisters (especially loved the focus on sisterhood bc i always eat that up), generational trauma, feeling lost in your 20s, growing up under the weight of the ridiculous standards/expectations this society places upon women and trying to carve out your own space in all this mess, etc. i'd highly recommend this to anyone who also likes to read about these things and who enjoys horror/supernatural elements in their thrillers.
July 7, 2025
This book took me by surprise as the blurb is pretty vague. I had a few guesses as to the direction that this story would take but it actually took none of them and went a completely different way than I expected.
The woods surrounding Ophelia's childhood home are infamous for young girls disappearing within them. Ophelia (Lia) decides to return back to home after a recent breakup. Shortly after being back, a girl disappears from her backyard without a trace. Lia starts investigating and the more she learns, the more she grows suspicious of her mother being involved.
I think it's worth mentioning that this book probably could've used an extra genre or two added onto it. Originally listed as "horror, thriller, suspense," I would argue that science fiction or fantasy should be added as well.
From start to finish, this book had an ominous tone to it. There was such an eerie feeling with how the author wrote about the forest and the presence that it had. I loved the sense of dread that this book gave me. This book heavily revolved around familial tension and internal/external struggle. I think there were a lot of real life struggles here that were relatable to read, which I appreciated. This went hand-in-hand with the fact that most of these characters were not likable. The reader often sees the good and the bad within these characters and it left me with conflicting feelings.
I enjoyed the mystery and I thought it was interesting once the author started introducing the extra perspectives. It added an extra layer of insight while still remaining mysterious.
I think that things started to become misleading within this book with the genre issue that I alluded to earlier on. I expected this book to have a more realistic explanation than the one I ended up receiving. I think mystery within a book is good, don't get me wrong. But I also think that without specifying the sci-fi genre, this book could potentially end up disappointing a lot of readers.
Please only read this upcoming spoiler if you want to know the relation of science fiction to this book. Please ignore it if you do not want the surprise to be spoiled. If you're a fan of
I ended up liking the sci-fi twist. I don't mind reading sci-fi and I can easily get onboard with stories that start out realistic but later turn into something more fictional. For the most part, I really enjoyed the writing within this book. There were some confusing parts and also some parts that could've been better executed, but they weren't large enough to hinder my overall understanding and enjoyment of the novel.
Your feelings on science fiction will probably dictate how much you end up enjoying this book. If you're looking for a classic missing girls mystery, you will not find that here. I thought this was a pretty solid read even though I had different expectations going into it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
CW: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
The woods surrounding Ophelia's childhood home are infamous for young girls disappearing within them. Ophelia (Lia) decides to return back to home after a recent breakup. Shortly after being back, a girl disappears from her backyard without a trace. Lia starts investigating and the more she learns, the more she grows suspicious of her mother being involved.
I think it's worth mentioning that this book probably could've used an extra genre or two added onto it. Originally listed as "horror, thriller, suspense," I would argue that science fiction or fantasy should be added as well.
From start to finish, this book had an ominous tone to it. There was such an eerie feeling with how the author wrote about the forest and the presence that it had. I loved the sense of dread that this book gave me. This book heavily revolved around familial tension and internal/external struggle. I think there were a lot of real life struggles here that were relatable to read, which I appreciated. This went hand-in-hand with the fact that most of these characters were not likable. The reader often sees the good and the bad within these characters and it left me with conflicting feelings.
I enjoyed the mystery and I thought it was interesting once the author started introducing the extra perspectives. It added an extra layer of insight while still remaining mysterious.
I think that things started to become misleading within this book with the genre issue that I alluded to earlier on. I expected this book to have a more realistic explanation than the one I ended up receiving. I think mystery within a book is good, don't get me wrong. But I also think that without specifying the sci-fi genre, this book could potentially end up disappointing a lot of readers.
Please only read this upcoming spoiler if you want to know the relation of science fiction to this book. Please ignore it if you do not want the surprise to be spoiled. If you're a fan of
I ended up liking the sci-fi twist. I don't mind reading sci-fi and I can easily get onboard with stories that start out realistic but later turn into something more fictional. For the most part, I really enjoyed the writing within this book. There were some confusing parts and also some parts that could've been better executed, but they weren't large enough to hinder my overall understanding and enjoyment of the novel.
Your feelings on science fiction will probably dictate how much you end up enjoying this book. If you're looking for a classic missing girls mystery, you will not find that here. I thought this was a pretty solid read even though I had different expectations going into it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
CW: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
November 18, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This would be a great rainy day read. A creepy atmospheric forest where people go missing, secrets, plenty of emotional baggage, and a twist you won’t expect. It definitely gave me a what is happening right now reaction.
This would be a great rainy day read. A creepy atmospheric forest where people go missing, secrets, plenty of emotional baggage, and a twist you won’t expect. It definitely gave me a what is happening right now reaction.
May 16, 2025
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC! If you love stories that blend haunting atmospheres with gripping mysteries, The Forest of Missing Girls by Nichelle Giraldis is a book you won’t want to miss! This atmospheric novel whisks you away to a small town shrouded in secrets, where every shadow seems to hide a story waiting to be uncovered. The story follows a determined protagonist who delves into the chilling disappearances of girls in the surrounding woods, uncovering tangled truths that threaten to swallow her whole. Giraldis paints a vivid picture of the eerie forest—creepy trees whispering secrets, shadows lurking just beyond sight—and keeps the suspense simmering throughout. The characters are compelling, each with their own scars and motives, making their interactions feel authentic and intense. What I loved most was the way the story kept me guessing—just when I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist popped up! The pacing is tight, full of suspenseful moments that made it hard to put down. The author also weaves in themes of friendship, trust, and confronting fears, which adds depth beyond the mystery. A couple of plot points could have been more fleshed out, but overall, The Forest of Missing Girls delivers a thrilling ride into the unknown. Perfect for fans of atmospheric crime thrillers and dark secrets hiding in the woods. I’m giving it 4 stars for its engaging storytelling, creepy vibe, and the edge-of-your-seat mystery.
October 27, 2025
The story follows Lia, who, after a breakup, moves back home to a house surrounded by deep woods, an estranged sister, and a controlling mother. As a child, Lia always felt a strange connection to the forest she used to play in — but the woods hold dark secrets. Over the years, several girls have vanished there without a trace.
When Lia’s sister’s best friend vanishes from their backyard, both girls are determined to uncover the truth. What happened to Maddie—and to all the other girls who were taken by the forest?
I really enjoyed this book. The concept was intriguing and delivered exactly what I was hoping for — a creepy, eerie atmosphere, flawed but fascinating characters, and an engaging storyline. The writing pulled me in, and I found myself returning to The Forest of Missing Girls again and again, eager to see how it would all unfold.
While the author created an immersive and atmospheric read with a strong premise, I did find certain parts lacking. Some events could have used a stronger foundation or clearer motivation, as a few plot points felt a bit underdeveloped.
Did that stop me from enjoying the story? Not entirely. I came for the chills and the feels — and I definitely got them. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this book had the potential to be something truly great.
Overall, I’d definitely give this author another try in the future.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When Lia’s sister’s best friend vanishes from their backyard, both girls are determined to uncover the truth. What happened to Maddie—and to all the other girls who were taken by the forest?
I really enjoyed this book. The concept was intriguing and delivered exactly what I was hoping for — a creepy, eerie atmosphere, flawed but fascinating characters, and an engaging storyline. The writing pulled me in, and I found myself returning to The Forest of Missing Girls again and again, eager to see how it would all unfold.
While the author created an immersive and atmospheric read with a strong premise, I did find certain parts lacking. Some events could have used a stronger foundation or clearer motivation, as a few plot points felt a bit underdeveloped.
Did that stop me from enjoying the story? Not entirely. I came for the chills and the feels — and I definitely got them. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this book had the potential to be something truly great.
Overall, I’d definitely give this author another try in the future.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2025
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Forest of Missing Girls has everything you could want in a dark and disturbing horror novel. Creepy forest, girls disappearing, family secrets, and a sister determined to keep her sister safe.
This a a bit of a slow burn that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I typically enjoy a good thriller/horror story that takes place in and around dark, eerie forests. So, I knew this was going to be an enjoyable read for me. I flew right through this and couldn’t put it down.
Lia is young woman who is going through a break up and not very happy in her life. She decides to go back home to sort her life out and spend time with her family. After returning home, her sister’s best friend mysteriously disappears from outside their family home. She’s not the first girl to go missing. Girls have been disappearing for many years. Lia is certain the forest surrounding their family home plays a part in the disappearance of all the girls from her town. She begins to think that maybe her mother has her own secrets and may know more than she says about the missing girls. She is determined to find out what is going on and to keep her younger sister, Evie, safe.
The story centers around themes of family relationships, finding yourself, and expectations placed on women. .
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Forest of Missing Girls has everything you could want in a dark and disturbing horror novel. Creepy forest, girls disappearing, family secrets, and a sister determined to keep her sister safe.
This a a bit of a slow burn that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I typically enjoy a good thriller/horror story that takes place in and around dark, eerie forests. So, I knew this was going to be an enjoyable read for me. I flew right through this and couldn’t put it down.
Lia is young woman who is going through a break up and not very happy in her life. She decides to go back home to sort her life out and spend time with her family. After returning home, her sister’s best friend mysteriously disappears from outside their family home. She’s not the first girl to go missing. Girls have been disappearing for many years. Lia is certain the forest surrounding their family home plays a part in the disappearance of all the girls from her town. She begins to think that maybe her mother has her own secrets and may know more than she says about the missing girls. She is determined to find out what is going on and to keep her younger sister, Evie, safe.
The story centers around themes of family relationships, finding yourself, and expectations placed on women. .
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 13, 2025
Ok, the heck?! Did not see this one turning from mystery thriller to, I guess, supernatural tale of horror?! I don’t even know what category this one is 😬
It was really, really good though. I’m still pondering the significance of names in the story. Ophelia and Evangeline’s chosen at birth and how they then decided on their preferred nicknames. How the other “sisters” did not have a choice and were named before life, and only amongst their closest confidantes allowed nicknames (Elizabeth/Lizzy).
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy!
It was really, really good though. I’m still pondering the significance of names in the story. Ophelia and Evangeline’s chosen at birth and how they then decided on their preferred nicknames. How the other “sisters” did not have a choice and were named before life, and only amongst their closest confidantes allowed nicknames (Elizabeth/Lizzy).
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy!
September 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this one!
The Forest of Missing Girls might sound like your ordinary mystery/thriller - a woman returns to her hometown and tries to solve the mystery of girls going missing over the years - but it is anything but!
The story alternates between the perspectives of our protagonist Lia and the missing girls over time. As we start discovering what is truly going on, the story takes a turn toward horror (and even a little sci-fi imo).
The story focuses on family relationships, what makes a family, and the expectations women face throughout their lives.
I believe this would be a great read for both horror and thriller readers (even better if you’re both)!
I greatly enjoyed both this novel and No Child of Mine (Giraldes’ debut). Her storytelling style reminds me so much of Jennifer McMahon, so if you’re a fan of hers, definitely check this author out!
**This was my first ever ARC and my first ever Goodreads giveaway win! Thanks so much!!**
The Forest of Missing Girls might sound like your ordinary mystery/thriller - a woman returns to her hometown and tries to solve the mystery of girls going missing over the years - but it is anything but!
The story alternates between the perspectives of our protagonist Lia and the missing girls over time. As we start discovering what is truly going on, the story takes a turn toward horror (and even a little sci-fi imo).
The story focuses on family relationships, what makes a family, and the expectations women face throughout their lives.
I believe this would be a great read for both horror and thriller readers (even better if you’re both)!
I greatly enjoyed both this novel and No Child of Mine (Giraldes’ debut). Her storytelling style reminds me so much of Jennifer McMahon, so if you’re a fan of hers, definitely check this author out!
**This was my first ever ARC and my first ever Goodreads giveaway win! Thanks so much!!**
August 21, 2025
I read a fair amount and it’s hard to surprise me with a completely new premise. This book did it! It was such a creative and fun way to try to solve the mystery of what was happening. The ambiance was chef’s kiss. Full of a magical and dark forest that, by the light of a new or full moon, did magical things while whispering in your ear. The same forest could embrace you or trip you up with roots and branches. Absolute perfection! I now need a house in the woods - how I wish that white one was for sale! The characters were strong and fleshed out. The pacing did lag a bit for me in parts, but the story line was strong enough to keep it going. I would absolutely read more from this author and highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 30, 2025
#ad much love for my finished copy @poisonedpenpress #partner
🆃🅷🅴 🅵🅾🆁🅴🆂🆃 🅾🅵 🅼🅸🆂🆂🅸🅽🅶 🅶🅸🆁🅻🆂
< @nichellegiraldes >
ᴜɴʜɪɴɢᴇᴅ | ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ | ᴍɪꜱꜱɪɴɢ ɢɪʀʟꜱ
𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻
𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚐𝚘 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎..
“They served as a little reminder that the forest was not to be underestimated. We belonged to the trees, but the forest was a vast, wild, unpredictable place,” (p. 106).
When Lia and her boyfriend breakup, she packs up and heads back home to her parents’ place. Coming home is supposed to feel familiar and safe, a much needed change, but for her it’s more like stepping right back into old shadows. Nothing has really changed - and that’s part of what makes this story so unsettling.
Because since she was younger, girls have been vanishing in the forest by her house. And Lia thinks her mother knows more than she’s saying.
I flew through this one. It’s dark, moody, and way more addictive than I expected. I thought I was getting a straight captivity thriller, and yes that element is there, but the story has so much more going on beneath the surface. The forest feels alive in a way that’s hard to explain - almost like it’s watching, and it gives the whole book this heavy, atmospheric vibe that I loved.
I enjoyed the focus on mother/daughter relationships, sisterly bonds, and the cost of obsessions with beauty.
This book is wild. Unhinged at times. Definitely not what I thought it would be, but in the best possible way. I couldn’t put it down. But it’s not a twisty book - and it doesn’t need to be. The plot as it is holds its own. If you’re picking up what the author is putting down you’ll know what’s coming and it doesn’t ruin the story.
While some books need - depend - on jaw-dropping twists, this is not one of them. Fabulous read.
🆃🅷🅴 🅵🅾🆁🅴🆂🆃 🅾🅵 🅼🅸🆂🆂🅸🅽🅶 🅶🅸🆁🅻🆂
< @nichellegiraldes >
ᴜɴʜɪɴɢᴇᴅ | ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ | ᴍɪꜱꜱɪɴɢ ɢɪʀʟꜱ
𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻
𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚐𝚘 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎..
“They served as a little reminder that the forest was not to be underestimated. We belonged to the trees, but the forest was a vast, wild, unpredictable place,” (p. 106).
When Lia and her boyfriend breakup, she packs up and heads back home to her parents’ place. Coming home is supposed to feel familiar and safe, a much needed change, but for her it’s more like stepping right back into old shadows. Nothing has really changed - and that’s part of what makes this story so unsettling.
Because since she was younger, girls have been vanishing in the forest by her house. And Lia thinks her mother knows more than she’s saying.
I flew through this one. It’s dark, moody, and way more addictive than I expected. I thought I was getting a straight captivity thriller, and yes that element is there, but the story has so much more going on beneath the surface. The forest feels alive in a way that’s hard to explain - almost like it’s watching, and it gives the whole book this heavy, atmospheric vibe that I loved.
I enjoyed the focus on mother/daughter relationships, sisterly bonds, and the cost of obsessions with beauty.
This book is wild. Unhinged at times. Definitely not what I thought it would be, but in the best possible way. I couldn’t put it down. But it’s not a twisty book - and it doesn’t need to be. The plot as it is holds its own. If you’re picking up what the author is putting down you’ll know what’s coming and it doesn’t ruin the story.
While some books need - depend - on jaw-dropping twists, this is not one of them. Fabulous read.
June 24, 2025
This was my first advanced copy read thanks to NetGalley. So thank you! Grateful I got approved because this has truly been a top read this year. Going to do my best to give this a worthy review without spoilers. I hope this finds someone when they decide to read it. I will say it took until chapter 7 to get that thrill but once it started it became a page turner. I like the POVs used. My jaw dropped at chapter 20 but I had my suspicions of a certain someone’s involvement (but I was wrong about exactly how). I don’t think anyone could have ever predicted what is going on in the forest. WOW. CREEPY!!! I happily read it at the beach, in bed and everywhere I got the chance to. To be vague the killers motive totally reminds me of a criminal minds type unsub. Call me when it’s gonna be a movie! Hope you chose to read this! I highly recommend.
September 18, 2025
✨✨✨Not what I expected! ✨✨✨
The Forest of Missing Girls is definitely not what I expected! Once I started realizing what was actually going on I was happily surprised and enjoyed seeing how it all played out. The summary of this book is a little vague and I think it’s best left that way. I’ll just say definitely read it if you like fast-paced atmospheric, gothic, and suspense!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released November 11, 2025.
The Forest of Missing Girls is definitely not what I expected! Once I started realizing what was actually going on I was happily surprised and enjoyed seeing how it all played out. The summary of this book is a little vague and I think it’s best left that way. I’ll just say definitely read it if you like fast-paced atmospheric, gothic, and suspense!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released November 11, 2025.
June 14, 2025
★★★☆☆
I was really drawn in by the idea of The Forest of Missing Girls. Mysterious woods, missing teens, family secrets… it checked a lot of boxes for me. And the setting absolutely delivered. The forest felt eerie and alive, and the author did a great job building a moody, unsettling vibe.
That said, the story moved slower than I expected and I found myself wanting more tension and urgency as things unfolded. Some of the twists were a little predictable, and I didn’t feel super connected to the characters, which made it harder to get fully pulled in.
Still, it’s a decent read with some standout atmosphere and creepy moments. I think readers who enjoy quiet, haunting thrillers with a strong sense of place will really like it.
I was really drawn in by the idea of The Forest of Missing Girls. Mysterious woods, missing teens, family secrets… it checked a lot of boxes for me. And the setting absolutely delivered. The forest felt eerie and alive, and the author did a great job building a moody, unsettling vibe.
That said, the story moved slower than I expected and I found myself wanting more tension and urgency as things unfolded. Some of the twists were a little predictable, and I didn’t feel super connected to the characters, which made it harder to get fully pulled in.
Still, it’s a decent read with some standout atmosphere and creepy moments. I think readers who enjoy quiet, haunting thrillers with a strong sense of place will really like it.
June 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested from the start. I loved the atmosphere and the creepiness of the forest. The duel povs from the missing girls and our main character blended so well. The anger and unsettling feeling I got from the mother was my favorite part. I just wish we got more of the forest and why and how everything was happening.
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested from the start. I loved the atmosphere and the creepiness of the forest. The duel povs from the missing girls and our main character blended so well. The anger and unsettling feeling I got from the mother was my favorite part. I just wish we got more of the forest and why and how everything was happening.
November 13, 2025
Wow, this book completely took me by surprise!
First off, a huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and of course, the author for the opportunity to read this incredible story.
I’ll be honest—I went in expecting a typical thriller where the big twist is the reveal of the murderer. But wow, was I wrong! This book exceeded my expectations in the best way. The mystery is great throughout the whole book, and it easily keeps you engaged. There’s a subtle supernatural element woven in, which I’m usually not a big fan of in thrillers, but here it was done so beautifully. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end.
What really stood out to me was the complexity of the women in this book. I was fascinated by how it explores the idea of beauty—especially the way it’s often treated as an obligation for women. I couldn’t help but see the character of “Mother” as an allegory for society itself: constantly pushing women to conform to impossible standards, to be meek and obedient. It was really interesting to read about it in this way; to see how this character (similar to society) could be so clinical and callous about a women's physical appearance. Like it was literally, just a piece of meat (pun intended for those who've already read).
I absolutely loved reading this, and I need to know more after that ending. Put me at the top of the list for the next book!
First off, a huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and of course, the author for the opportunity to read this incredible story.
I’ll be honest—I went in expecting a typical thriller where the big twist is the reveal of the murderer. But wow, was I wrong! This book exceeded my expectations in the best way. The mystery is great throughout the whole book, and it easily keeps you engaged. There’s a subtle supernatural element woven in, which I’m usually not a big fan of in thrillers, but here it was done so beautifully. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end.
What really stood out to me was the complexity of the women in this book. I was fascinated by how it explores the idea of beauty—especially the way it’s often treated as an obligation for women. I couldn’t help but see the character of “Mother” as an allegory for society itself: constantly pushing women to conform to impossible standards, to be meek and obedient. It was really interesting to read about it in this way; to see how this character (similar to society) could be so clinical and callous about a women's physical appearance. Like it was literally, just a piece of meat (pun intended for those who've already read).
I absolutely loved reading this, and I need to know more after that ending. Put me at the top of the list for the next book!
December 28, 2025
Having grown up in rural New England, on a spread of 40 densely forested acres, I loved the idea of this setting. Disappointingly, the forest setting isn't really that important to the plot.
I get that this is supposed to be a kind of feminist version of and an allegory about the expectations placed on women by the patriarchy around beauty and marriage, and about the women who happily participate in their own servitude to it. But it really falls flat for me. You want me to accept that a woman GTFOH with that.
Aside from that, while the specific mechanics are unknown, the "mystery/twist" is pretty clear early on.
I get that this is supposed to be a kind of feminist version of and an allegory about the expectations placed on women by the patriarchy around beauty and marriage, and about the women who happily participate in their own servitude to it. But it really falls flat for me. You want me to accept that a woman GTFOH with that.
Aside from that, while the specific mechanics are unknown, the "mystery/twist" is pretty clear early on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
Before I read this book, I was in the worst reading slump of my life. I'm talking four books started and many skipped reading days. When I received the news that I got approved for this ARC, I was nervous. What if my slump ruined this book for me too? Thankfully, I was wrong. This was the exact book I needed to get me out of that reading slump.
The Forest of Missing Girls follows Ophelia as she unravels the mystery of the disappearances tied to the forest behind her house. The disappearances have occurred her whole life, but never truly affected her until her sister's best friend was taken right off their back porch. With each clue comes the realization that maybe her family is more connected than she thought. This book features Dual POV, moving between Ophelia and the missing girls, which I love being able to experience both sides of the story. The forest is extremely magical in a dark and eerie sense. The suspense made reading this book in the dark sometimes scary, especially living with woods right in my back yard as well.
I would have liked more details on the missing girls' journey. Maybe even a POV from Mother would have been a nice touch to better understand her and her process (not a spoiler). I recommend this for those who love mystery, suspense, and books that feature dark tones. This book is not for you if you have a weak stomach. Overall a great book that I absolutely loved reading. I will definitely be checking out more books by Nichelle Giraldes!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.*
The Forest of Missing Girls follows Ophelia as she unravels the mystery of the disappearances tied to the forest behind her house. The disappearances have occurred her whole life, but never truly affected her until her sister's best friend was taken right off their back porch. With each clue comes the realization that maybe her family is more connected than she thought. This book features Dual POV, moving between Ophelia and the missing girls, which I love being able to experience both sides of the story. The forest is extremely magical in a dark and eerie sense. The suspense made reading this book in the dark sometimes scary, especially living with woods right in my back yard as well.
I would have liked more details on the missing girls' journey. Maybe even a POV from Mother would have been a nice touch to better understand her and her process (not a spoiler). I recommend this for those who love mystery, suspense, and books that feature dark tones. This book is not for you if you have a weak stomach. Overall a great book that I absolutely loved reading. I will definitely be checking out more books by Nichelle Giraldes!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.*
November 12, 2025
This felt like stepping back into a place you once knew well, only to realize it still has shadows you never noticed—and I really liked that atmosphere. The story follows Lia, who returns to her small hometown when another teenage girl goes missing in the same woods where her best friend disappeared years ago. Being back pulls up memories she’s tried to forget, and as she starts digging into the past, long-buried town secrets begin to surface.
What really stood out to me was the writing. I loved the author’s tone—the imagery and word choice have this soft, haunting quality that makes the town and forest feel alive. The atmosphere is moody, secretive, and emotionally layered, and there’s real emotional depth here around girlhood friendships and the weight of grief. It’s important to note that this story deals with missing girls, grief, and the lingering emotional impact of trauma. Nothing is graphic, but the themes do carry a quiet, emotional heaviness. It’s definitely more character-driven than twist-driven, letting the tension simmer quietly rather than relying on big shocks. Because of that, the pacing can feel a bit slow, and the mystery unfolds more gently than dramatically. A few memory-based moments repeat similar emotional beats.
This was my first read by Nichelle Giraldes, and I’m definitely interested to see what she writes next. The mood, the writing, and the emotional resonance are what stayed with me most.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
What really stood out to me was the writing. I loved the author’s tone—the imagery and word choice have this soft, haunting quality that makes the town and forest feel alive. The atmosphere is moody, secretive, and emotionally layered, and there’s real emotional depth here around girlhood friendships and the weight of grief. It’s important to note that this story deals with missing girls, grief, and the lingering emotional impact of trauma. Nothing is graphic, but the themes do carry a quiet, emotional heaviness. It’s definitely more character-driven than twist-driven, letting the tension simmer quietly rather than relying on big shocks. Because of that, the pacing can feel a bit slow, and the mystery unfolds more gently than dramatically. A few memory-based moments repeat similar emotional beats.
This was my first read by Nichelle Giraldes, and I’m definitely interested to see what she writes next. The mood, the writing, and the emotional resonance are what stayed with me most.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lia moves back to her childhood home after a breakup, only to face her long-standing fear of the surrounding woods, where girls have mysteriously disappeared for years. When another girl goes missing near their home, Lia begins to suspect her mother knows more than she lets on. To protect her sister and uncover the truth, Lia must confront the dark secrets buried deep in the forest.
The eerie forest atmosphere was incredibly well written. The descriptions were so immersive that I genuinely felt the tension and found myself eager to unravel what was hiding in those woods. That said, there were moments where certain phrases were repeated often, which disrupted the flow of the story for me.
The emotional thread between Lia and Evie, the quiet, unspoken love between two estranged sisters, was one of my favorite parts. Their relationship felt raw and realistic, and the portrayal of an imperfect but heartfelt family dynamic was beautifully done.
However, when the twist was revealed, the story shifted more into horror-sci-fi territory rather than staying within the thriller genre. While I enjoy genre-blending, this shift felt a bit abrupt, and I struggled to stay as emotionally engaged from that point forward. I also wish there had been more background detail for some of the side characters to build deeper connections to them.
Overall, this was a 3.5-star read for me. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers with elements of body horror and supernatural twists.
Lia moves back to her childhood home after a breakup, only to face her long-standing fear of the surrounding woods, where girls have mysteriously disappeared for years. When another girl goes missing near their home, Lia begins to suspect her mother knows more than she lets on. To protect her sister and uncover the truth, Lia must confront the dark secrets buried deep in the forest.
The eerie forest atmosphere was incredibly well written. The descriptions were so immersive that I genuinely felt the tension and found myself eager to unravel what was hiding in those woods. That said, there were moments where certain phrases were repeated often, which disrupted the flow of the story for me.
The emotional thread between Lia and Evie, the quiet, unspoken love between two estranged sisters, was one of my favorite parts. Their relationship felt raw and realistic, and the portrayal of an imperfect but heartfelt family dynamic was beautifully done.
However, when the twist was revealed, the story shifted more into horror-sci-fi territory rather than staying within the thriller genre. While I enjoy genre-blending, this shift felt a bit abrupt, and I struggled to stay as emotionally engaged from that point forward. I also wish there had been more background detail for some of the side characters to build deeper connections to them.
Overall, this was a 3.5-star read for me. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers with elements of body horror and supernatural twists.
October 29, 2025
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the e-arc. A sinister woods behind your house that seems to move and change that for years teenage girls have been missing only to never be seen again captured my attention right away. This one was part thriller, part dark fairy tale and sci-fi all rolled into one. Mother was a controlling, demanding woman who took pride in making perfect daughters and had high expectations for them. The mother/daughter relationship and how the daughters strived to please mother was creepy and unnerving. Lia moves back home and now finds the woods scary behind her and wonders what secrets lie hidden in them. Her sisters best friends gets taken from there backyard and now she wants to find out the truth. I read in daylight as every moving branch in the night made me jump. This does a great job of addressing difficult topics -like trying to be perfect in society and judging others on appearances and masking yourself to conform , dysfunctional families, sister relationships and people pleasing. As a mother you always want better life for your children than you had but how far would you go to achieve that? Interesting points to ponder.
June 18, 2025
First off thank you Poisoned press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book coming out November 2025!!
I wandered into the forest… and kind of got lost. 3 stars for me on this one!
This one had such a strong start: eerie woods, missing girls, and that creeping dread that something is definitely off. I was in! But somewhere along the way, the story took a turn I didn’t expect—and not in a mind-blown kind of way. It felt like a genre change and I wasn’t loving that! But it still was a decent read!
The atmosphere? Spooky and tense. The writing? Haunting in parts. But the twist felt like it came from a different book altogether, and it pulled me out of the story more than it pulled me deeper in.
I wanted to love it. The cover alone intrigued me. But in the end, I was left wanting something else!
📚 Would I still recommend it? Sure—for readers who like their thrillers weird and winding with a dash of the unexpected. Just go in knowing it’s not your typical missing-girls mystery.
I wandered into the forest… and kind of got lost. 3 stars for me on this one!
This one had such a strong start: eerie woods, missing girls, and that creeping dread that something is definitely off. I was in! But somewhere along the way, the story took a turn I didn’t expect—and not in a mind-blown kind of way. It felt like a genre change and I wasn’t loving that! But it still was a decent read!
The atmosphere? Spooky and tense. The writing? Haunting in parts. But the twist felt like it came from a different book altogether, and it pulled me out of the story more than it pulled me deeper in.
I wanted to love it. The cover alone intrigued me. But in the end, I was left wanting something else!
📚 Would I still recommend it? Sure—for readers who like their thrillers weird and winding with a dash of the unexpected. Just go in knowing it’s not your typical missing-girls mystery.
September 15, 2025
5 ⭐
WTH was this? (in the best way)
I was not expecting this! I thought it was going to be just a regular ol' thriller but to my surprise, it was not! It was so much more. A bit sci-fi. A bit straight up horror. Love it. Give. Me. More. 👏🏼
The Forest of Missing Girls was a bit of a slow burn for the first half, but I was so engrossed in the story that I didn't care. I actually loved that this one was a bit of a slow burn. It was incredibly dark (be aware there are some graphic scenes) but at the same time heart warming and wholesome. The atmosphere was superb 😚🤏🏼 I mean who doesn't love a mysterious, creepy dark ass forest in the fall?
The twists and turns were beautifully done. My jaw founds its place on the floor a couple times.
I think this was my favorite read of the year tbh. It will definitely be one of those books that I think about for a long time.
» Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Publication Date: November 11, 2025
WTH was this? (in the best way)
I was not expecting this! I thought it was going to be just a regular ol' thriller but to my surprise, it was not! It was so much more. A bit sci-fi. A bit straight up horror. Love it. Give. Me. More. 👏🏼
The Forest of Missing Girls was a bit of a slow burn for the first half, but I was so engrossed in the story that I didn't care. I actually loved that this one was a bit of a slow burn. It was incredibly dark (be aware there are some graphic scenes) but at the same time heart warming and wholesome. The atmosphere was superb 😚🤏🏼 I mean who doesn't love a mysterious, creepy dark ass forest in the fall?
The twists and turns were beautifully done. My jaw founds its place on the floor a couple times.
I think this was my favorite read of the year tbh. It will definitely be one of those books that I think about for a long time.
» Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Publication Date: November 11, 2025
August 6, 2025
3.5⭐️
Reading the description of this book is what made me want to read it; I should have also read some more of the reviews first so I had a better idea of what was coming.
The book started out beautifully written and enticing in its portrayal of the forest. I thought it was setting up to be a great thriller; and then it sharply took a turn into sy-fy territory. I admit I struggled with it for a while because of this. I set it down for the night; when I picked it up the next day now knowing what to expect I was able to fall back into the story and quickly finished it.
A twisted commentary on womanhood, motherhood, and sisterhood, with some Frankenstein and forest magic thrown in.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Reading the description of this book is what made me want to read it; I should have also read some more of the reviews first so I had a better idea of what was coming.
The book started out beautifully written and enticing in its portrayal of the forest. I thought it was setting up to be a great thriller; and then it sharply took a turn into sy-fy territory. I admit I struggled with it for a while because of this. I set it down for the night; when I picked it up the next day now knowing what to expect I was able to fall back into the story and quickly finished it.
A twisted commentary on womanhood, motherhood, and sisterhood, with some Frankenstein and forest magic thrown in.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ This went a totally different direction than I could have anticipated. A really unique genre mix of horror, thriller and Hansel and Gretel creepy witch house in the woods vibes. I do wish there was more to the story than we got. It dived into the main character’s background and breakup with her boyfriend so much, I thought for sure there would be a full circle moment. I would keep reading this book if there was more, I wish there was more!
I enjoyed the audiobook for this one, but I could see myself binging the book in a sitting or two if I’d physically read it.
Highly recommend if you need a book that is going to take you by surprise!
I enjoyed the audiobook for this one, but I could see myself binging the book in a sitting or two if I’d physically read it.
Highly recommend if you need a book that is going to take you by surprise!
May 29, 2025
I adored this book so much! This was so gripping right from the beginning. The forest is described so perfectly and the whole thing is atmospheric.
Without spoilers, I absolutely love the messaging delivered in this novel - it's dark, it's wholesome, it's crazy! 🌲👏
I'll be preordering this one right away! thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the E-arc.
Without spoilers, I absolutely love the messaging delivered in this novel - it's dark, it's wholesome, it's crazy! 🌲👏
I'll be preordering this one right away! thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the E-arc.
July 31, 2025
Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eArc!
4,5/5 stars. I tore through this one! From the blurb, I was expecting more of a straight mystery/thriller, so it was a lovely surprise when folkloric horror and dark fairytale vibes crept in alongside the central plot. The opening chapters were a little slow for me, mostly due to the scene‑setting and the FMC’s internal monologue… but the moment the second POV stepped in? From that point on, I was completely hooked, and just couldn’t put the book down. I really enjoyed how the author wove in complex family dynamics, the weight of parental and societal expectations, and threads of generational trauma, all wrapped in a fresh twist on the “girls go missing in the forest” trope. That constant undercurrent of dread, that sense that something was off, lingered beautifully on every page. And the wild, tangled forest setting? Absolutely perfect.
4,5/5 stars. I tore through this one! From the blurb, I was expecting more of a straight mystery/thriller, so it was a lovely surprise when folkloric horror and dark fairytale vibes crept in alongside the central plot. The opening chapters were a little slow for me, mostly due to the scene‑setting and the FMC’s internal monologue… but the moment the second POV stepped in? From that point on, I was completely hooked, and just couldn’t put the book down. I really enjoyed how the author wove in complex family dynamics, the weight of parental and societal expectations, and threads of generational trauma, all wrapped in a fresh twist on the “girls go missing in the forest” trope. That constant undercurrent of dread, that sense that something was off, lingered beautifully on every page. And the wild, tangled forest setting? Absolutely perfect.
September 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and of course Nichelle Giraldes for the ARC in turn for a review.
This was honestly such a cool and intriguing book. The mystery of the forest was just creepy enough to keep me on alert at night, and then, while sci-fi/fantasy isn’t my favorite, the themes in this book hit the mark.
I enjoyed the different perspectives from present day and The Missing Girls, and I loved that the author didn’t give away the identity of the missing girls right away.
Great ending, lots of tension and suspense, and so happy THE DOGS ARE OK!!
This was honestly such a cool and intriguing book. The mystery of the forest was just creepy enough to keep me on alert at night, and then, while sci-fi/fantasy isn’t my favorite, the themes in this book hit the mark.
I enjoyed the different perspectives from present day and The Missing Girls, and I loved that the author didn’t give away the identity of the missing girls right away.
Great ending, lots of tension and suspense, and so happy THE DOGS ARE OK!!
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