One night to save the town. Or everyone dies. Bethany is a ghost town. Literally. When Shiloh and her friends killed Leonard, they thought they won, but instead they broke something. Something big. Ghosts are everywhere. Animals are mutating. People are dying at almost twenty times the normal rate, and every corpse shows up with a weird gray rash, no matter what they died from. And now Max has it. The rash. The vacant stare. Shiloh’s little brother is dying, and no one can tell her why. So she does the only thing she can—she gets the gang back together to send all the ghosts back across the veil: Francesca, who’s wishing she could just die and rejoin her ghost friends, Miles, who’s trying to rebuild himself inside a body that doesn’t belong to him, and Jonah, Shiloh’s boyfriend, the boy she loves, who’s hiding something from her, and she’s determined to figure out what it is. Their plan: banish the ghosts. Seal the veil. Save Max. But nothing ever goes how they plan, and this time, if something goes wrong? They might not all make it through the night.
Claire Fraise is an award-winning author of paranormal thrillers about sinister spirits and the brave ghost hunters who bring them down. She won the Grand Prize at the 2023 Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards for They Stay, and published her debut novel Imperfect when she was still in high school. When Claire is not sitting behind her computer writing about murder, you can find her hiking in the mountains, on the back of a horse, or taking too many pictures of her dog. Even though it goes against every introverted bone in her body, she is on social media. Connect with her on YouTube at Write with Claire Fraise, Instagram at @clairefraiseauthor, or visit her website at clairefraise.com.
Many thanks to Claire for the free advance copy of her book!
I’ve been reading for Claire since the beginning of this series and have loved every moment of it. This book was the perfect ending to the perfect series.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a writer put her characters through so much. I love them dearly and they make a great cast for a seriously compelling and mind-bending story, complicated and exciting.
The story kept me guessing in the best way possible. I kept saying: what about this? This person will not be okay if this happens. How is this person going to survive this? This needs to happen for everything to be okay. I felt like I was problem-solving right along with the team in the book. In many ways I was right, and in many ways I was wrong. Which is exactly what made it so satisfying.
More than any of the other books, this one made me excited to hand it over to my kids. I think they’ll love these spooky adventures as I do, as I hope everyone does. In conclusion, I need more people to talk about these books with. Don’t sleep on them.
I get sucked into this world every time. Each book is like reconnecting with old friends, and this final one was no different. This is such a phenomenal blend of mystery, horror, and paranormal elements in the best possible way. Sometimes I get so worried about the last book, but this final end was an incredible read. It has stakes that feel real, and characters that are flawed but I ended up loving. I’m only sad to see it end, but that just makes me want to read from the beginning again. One of my favorite series for sure!
A million thanks to the author for the copy to form opinions from.
**Whole series available on Kindle Unlimited** Synopsis: In the thrilling finale of the They Stay series, Shiloh and her friends must face their greatest enemy yet: one that threatens not just their lives but the boundary between the living and the dead. The stakes are high, the ghosts are restless, and time is running out.
This is the 5th book in the They Stay series, and YES, you definitely want to read the other books first. There’s so much emotional build-up and character development that makes this ending hit HARD. Fraise does a solid job of anchoring you in the world so you don't forget what previously happened.
Review: This book was intense in the best way! If you are into supernatural thrillers with strong emotional payoffs, this is it. Fraise nails the atmosphere: dark, eerie, and still somehow full of hope. Shiloh’s arc is *chef’s kiss* and the friendships? Raw and real. I was on edge the whole time and couldn’t stop reading. Also, the way grief, trauma, and love are explored felt authentic and not forced.
This was the perfect wrap-up to a truly underrated YA paranormal series. More people need to read this! I truly love Fraise's writing. I can't wait for my boys to read this series once they're old enough (2 year old and a newborn).
Read if you enjoy: 👻 Supernatural suspense 💔 Found family + emotional healing 📚 YA with depth and grit ⏳ High-stakes finales that actually deliver
5/5 stars! I highly recommend this entire series!
Thank you so much to Claire for the ARC of this one in exchange for an honest review. I have been reading this series since the release of They Stay and I am sad the journey is over. I cannot wait to see what Claire has in store for us next!
I’ve been reading this series since it came out in 2021, and I honestly can’t believe that this is the last book; it feels like Claire just came out with the concept of the They Stay series just a couple of months ago.
They Fall is the final installment of Claire Fraiser’s They Stay series following our main characters Shiloh, Francesca, Jonah, and Miles, as they face another problem plaguing Bethany, a ghost invasion. Suddenly people are developing mysterious rashes linked to death; the young and the old, the healthy and the sick, and it all points to one thing—ghosts. Now faced with this, the group must figure out how to close the bridge connecting the living world from the dead and prevent more people from dying.
But that just may be the difference between life and death.
This was a great read to bring me back into the paranormal genre, Claire has always done such a great job with her character building throughout the series and watching everyone grow while the story progress was very interesting. As the events go on and the severity of the situation really hits everyone, you can really see how each and every character has changed and grown up.
I don’t want to get into any spoilers but just know that there are a LOT of things going on—argument, battles, deaths—that were keeping me on my toes with this book; there was never a dull moment. The action also picks up much quicker than the previous books leading up to the grand finale.
I’m so sad this is the last of the series, but I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with!
This has been a difficult review to write. I have been with these characters for their entire saga through this side and the next. I have looked forward to each individual installment watching the characters mature through their shortcomings and sacrifices.
And thus, after almost five years and almost 2100 pages, it’s over. And it cannot end without looking back. The four characters went from kids a bit over their heads looking for acceptance and love through standing on their individual feet. But now they realize that by bonding together, they can truly accomplish anything, triumphing over even death.
Each book seems to have its own feeling. Book 1 got my feet wet, showing me the love story between the geeky prep Miles and his abused, misunderstood love Shiloh. His best friend Jonah wasn’t much more than a bit player, not a villain but certainly someone who hadn’t made a favorable first impression. My sympathies were firmly with Francesca, the shy girl whose only friends were not on this plane.
My favorite character changed often. That is a testament to each being given their moment to shine within the individual books and the series as a whole. Literally, I hear each person’s distinctive voice in my head. It feels almost like there are four different books merged into one overarching omnibus.
When I first started reading this series, I hadn’t read much YA literature. These books have taught me that good literature exists regardless of market. It is solely the feeling of the reader with the world and the characters. I feel like the series has helped me grow as a reader and taught me more acceptance.
The biggest theme I see repeating through the whole thing is love. By book five, it just radiates. Familial love. Love of friends. Self-love. Acceptance. Forgiveness. Contrition. They are all there. In spades.
I would be remiss if I didn’t admit I shed a few tears by the ending. But by the time I turned the final page, I had a smile on my face. I will miss them, but I am better for having spent time with them.
Reading They Fall feels like saying goodbye to old friends. As someone who reviewed this series from the beginning and has followed it book by book throughout the years, this final installment impacted me in all the best and hardest ways.
One of the things I’ve always loved about Claire Fraise’s writing is how perfectly she balances plot and character development, and They Fall is no exception, in fact, it’s the strongest example yet. The action is intense and gripping (seriously, my adrenaline was going crazy right alongside the characters'), but there are also these quiet, gut-wrenching emotional moments that made me stop, close the book, and cry (if you know, you know). That emotional pacing is something I really appreciated. The book moves fast enough to hold your attention but slows down in all the right places to let you breathe and feel.
The structure of the book, divided into parts based on major plot shifts, made everything easier to process, especially since there is so much going on. I loved that choice. It felt intentional and thoughtful, giving readers time to catch their breath before diving back into the action.
What really stood out to me in this final book was the maturity in the writing. Every character's point of view is so distinct and well-crafted. You can tell how comfortable Fraise has become with her world and these characters she’s created. As a female author, her ability to write convincing male POVs is seriously impressive as it’s something that’s really hard to pull off, but she does it with authenticity and depth.
It’s rare to find a series that feels like it grows alongside its characters, but this one did. They Fall is the perfect conclusion to an incredible journey—bittersweet, powerful, and deeply satisfying. It’s clear that Claire Fraise poured her heart into these characters and this story, and I’m so grateful I got to be a part of her ARC team.
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 📖 you’ve read the rest of the series, duh 🪦 think walking among the tombstones at night is your idea of a good time 👻 believe ghosts exist 😭 are sad to see this series end
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
One night to save the town. Or everyone dies.
Bethany is a ghost town. Literally. When Shiloh and her friends killed Leonard, they thought they won, but instead they broke something. Something big. Ghosts are everywhere. Animals are mutating. People are dying at almost twenty times the normal rate, and every corpse shows up with a weird gray rash, no matter what they died from. And now Max has it. The rash. The vacant stare. Shiloh’s little brother is dying, and no one can tell her why. So she does the only thing she can—she gets the gang back together to send all the ghosts back across the veil: Francesca, who’s wishing she could just die and rejoin her ghost friends, Miles, who’s trying to rebuild himself inside a body that doesn’t belong to him, and Jonah, Shiloh’s boyfriend, the boy she loves, who’s hiding something from her, and she’s determined to figure out what it is. Their plan: banish the ghosts. Seal the veil. Save Max. But nothing ever goes how they plan, and this time, if something goes wrong? They might not all make it through the night.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
I’ve been reading Claire’s books since 2021, and let me tell you, they’ve only gotten better and better! Each story feels alive and unique, and this was no different! In fact I really loved this one because of the premise. Ghosts are on the rise? What an interesting and wild idea!! These characters have been through so much together, and I’ve loved seeing them grow and mature and change, alongside myself really. The story has the perfect balance of horror, mystery, drama, and, of course, paranormal elements. I’m so sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I won’t forget this series! I’m excited for what Claire has in store for us next!
It finally reached its conclusion, and I will miss the scooby doo gang, This book will bring an emotional conclusion to all plots in the story and leave you wanting more. It was so emotional that at times, I wondered if all would make it or all would fail and I was not let down with the conclusion. Since this is a spoiler free review, I will say be prepared for the worst-case scenario and the best case scenario, and you will understand why when you finally reach the conclusion. Ghost are scary, especially when they don't want to leave, but so are a gang of detectives with something to prove, be it to each other or to the ones they had lost or will lose. I was part of the beta team and arc review teams and the story told in the completed version is well crafted and it incorporated all our thoughts and feelings in what we wanted to see as the conclusion along with what needed to be done to complete it fully. The author Claire Fraise wrote the ending as it should be and all story paths within the story lead to an eventual end of the road with a ending you would never expect but will truly say that's the ending that should be and feels right. Enjoy the series as I have from book 1 to this final book the road has been epically fun and emotional, this book will leave you understanding so much and leave you asking will I get more, enjoy the reading as I have. ghost are scary but Claire Fraise will make you want to read more.
Everything happened so quickly but it had to with how the sickness was progressing. But man that was a lot and I felt so bad for everyone because even though Leonard was dealt with they still have other ghosts trying to stick around and live a life they shouldn't. I knew there was going to be death I just wasn't sure whose. I won't say who actually stayed "gone" but I'm so glad everyone ended where they needed to be. Despite one person making a certain decision in the end I think they're better where they are since life would've just continued to be complicated given their predicament. it's so hard not to say spoilers lol.
Claire I really loved this one and it felt like the perfect ending for them all. everything got acknowledged and tied up in a way that I feel happy for all the kids after everything they went through. It was a really good final installment that made me cry 😭. I'll definitely be rereading this series over the years because I love these characters so much.
One wild night of terror to cap off an excellent series
The main villain may be gone, but as established at the end of Book 4, the stakes are far from settled. And one frost-bitten night will push our already battered and bruised characters to the very edge. After all, the balance between this world and the next has been upset. And only the ultimate sacrifice will see the scales righted.
Oh my heart! I don’t even know where to begin. This series is just incredible. I’ve loved this group of outcasts from the very beginning. When they didn’t have anyone else, they had each other. They have formed a special bond throughout the series. Shiloh, Jonah, Francesca, and Miles are all such unique and complex characters. Watching them grow and evolve throughout the series has been amazing, and you can truly see their development by the final book. *tears* This one kept me on the edge of my seat! It was so intense! The countdown is on and you can certainly feel the pressure!! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but this series is very special to me. Shiloh, Jonah, Francesca and Miles have rooted themselves into my heart. This series blends paranormal, horror, and mystery so well. As the clock winds down, the gang faces their biggest challenge. Will they be able to save Max and the town they love?
A very special thanks to the author for the gifted copy.
They Fall, the eagerly awaited fifth and final book in Claire Fraise’s They Stay series, is a true masterpiece and a fantastic wrap-up to this entertaining series.
Throughout the series, Fraise has skilfully mixed paranormal suspense with rich character development, taking readers on the journey of Shiloh Oleson and her friends as they face malevolent spirits and personal challenges. The last book, They Hunt, left readers eagerly anticipating the conclusion, setting the stage for an epic finale.
They Fall wraps up loose ends and offers a satisfying conclusion to the characters’ stories. With Fraise’s history of crafting emotionally charged tales full of surprises, the final book is a perfect end to this hauntingly engaging series.
Having followed the series from the beginning, it’s thrilling to witness the grand finale. For newcomers, it’s best to start with They Stay to fully grasp the complex storyline and character relationships that build up to They Fall.
I am sad to see that the series is coming to an end with this book. It was a fun roller coaster ride with lots of emotional turmoil, and very hard decisions for these characters. It’s never easy to say goodbye to the story you’ve loved dearly, and this series was my first in this genre. I adore Claire Fraise’s writing and really appreciate how she moulded the entire journey into an adventure of a kind but with all the emotions you can think of. The title of the book gives a great feeling about how it’s all going to be, and then as we progress, it starts to take twists and turns making it hard for the characters to decide what to do. I love it all and love how it came to an end.
To say that I’m sad that this series has concluded would be a massive understatement. I have been with this series since the beginning and I truly feel that Claire did all the characters justice. The character growth and development throughout the entirety of the series has been incredible and They Fall did not disappoint. Because of this you will come to love each character in their own unique way. Ghosts, mystery, and a bit of love are just a few of the things this book, as well as, the whole series has to offer readers. I highly recommend They Fall (and the rest of the series) to anyone who enjoys mystery, horror, and the paranormal all wrapped up with wonderful characters.
Where do I even begin? I was hooked on this series from book one. Getting to see the characters grow and mature. Seeing them get through situations I couldn't even imagine, and that's not even counting the ghosts. Book five, They Fall, was an extremely fitting ending to the series. A very bittersweet ending for some, but still perfectly executed. Claire Fraise took the characters in this book, and made them feel like real friends. I laughed, cried, and celebrated right along with them. I would recommend this series to anyone, and I do quite regularly. I can't wait to see what she has planned next.
This entire series is amazing. I flew through this final book in one day, I couldn’t wait to see how it all ended. The character development and story line makes it a page turner for sure! The depth of the writing draws you in from the first to the last page. I promise you will be on the edge of your seat, and will likely shed a few tears. I highly recommend this book, as well as the rest of the series. I can’t wait to see what Claire Fraise comes out with next, she’s an excellent author! Also, a special thanks to Claire for the early release copy, it was much appreciated.
Claire absolutely destroyed my soul, stepped on it, chewed it up, spit it out, and then gave it a forehead kiss in the last four books, so of course I had to read the fifth to know what happens to my sweet group of fictional friends
I honestly was not prepared for the whirlwind of emotions in this last book, and once again I say, Shiloh has impulse control issues !!!! Shiloh! Stop it! but Claire ended the book in a way I didn't see possible, and if it ended any other way I'd have to hunt her down myself and ask her what the fuck she's trying to do to my heart 😭
I literally cried when I got to the end! This is one of my favorite series, and I have gotten soooo attached. I finished this book in one afternoon/evening, could not put it down, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect series. Can’t wait for this to be on audible! Audiobooks really bring the characters to life and we first discovered this series on audible when it was just book one. Been hooked ever since!
This book is so good the quality of love and thought you can tell that was put into this book is outstanding! She does the characters so good all though it gets emotional in some parts! This book is a must and honestly I love this book the most out of all of them! This is an amazing book and I recommend 1000x!
They Fall is the finale in an incredible series! The series itself has everything you could want- thrills, friendship, love interests, complex characters, character development, and so much more. I came to love each and every character in the series and it was bitter sweet to experience their last adventure in They Fall. I can't recommend this enough!
This is the best series I have read in a while. spooky with great character development.. I actually cared what happened to them! i definitely recommend!