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Death Valley: A Dark Cowboy Romance
Take Yellowstone and add in the White Walkers from Game of Thrones and you have Death Valley. Morally grey cowboys, menacing wilderness, and deadly zombies await in this dark western horror romance from NYT bestselling author Karina Halle.
Three years ago Aubrey Wells’ sister disappeared in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since then, Aubrey’s life has crumbled around her. Desperate for answers, she hires rancher and wilderness guide Jensen McGraw to help discover what happened to her sister.
Jensen doesn’t frighten easily. Hell, the finances of his family’s ranch are mixed up with one of the world’s most dangerous crime bosses, but he knows exactly what kind of unnatural creatures wait up in those mountains. He tries to convince Aubrey to give up, but he needs the money she offers if he wants to retake control of his ranch.
Business isn’t the only thing brewing between Aubrey and Jensen—secrets, lies, and an intense attraction threaten to derail their journey up the mountain. When a fierce snowstorm hits, and members of the crew start disappearing, Aubrey and Jensen will have to use all their wits to survive.
Because what dies in this wilderness doesn’t stay dead… it devours.
Three years ago Aubrey Wells’ sister disappeared in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since then, Aubrey’s life has crumbled around her. Desperate for answers, she hires rancher and wilderness guide Jensen McGraw to help discover what happened to her sister.
Jensen doesn’t frighten easily. Hell, the finances of his family’s ranch are mixed up with one of the world’s most dangerous crime bosses, but he knows exactly what kind of unnatural creatures wait up in those mountains. He tries to convince Aubrey to give up, but he needs the money she offers if he wants to retake control of his ranch.
Business isn’t the only thing brewing between Aubrey and Jensen—secrets, lies, and an intense attraction threaten to derail their journey up the mountain. When a fierce snowstorm hits, and members of the crew start disappearing, Aubrey and Jensen will have to use all their wits to survive.
Because what dies in this wilderness doesn’t stay dead… it devours.
446 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2025
766 people are currently reading
4525 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
122 books19.6k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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March 14, 2025A dark, romantic, western horror? Was this written specifically FOR ME?
December 24, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
4.5 stars — i’m very pleasantly surprised at how much i enjoyed this! i didn’t know how karina halle would take very different genres (romance, cowboys, and zombies) and come out with a novel that made sense but she did and i’m very glad i read it.
the horror aspect was very much Appalachian-inspired, in my newbie horror opinion, and definitely scared the crap out of me!
my one and only complaint is that aubrey and jensen were getting it one while one of the guys from the ranch was fighting for his life like… dude😩😭
overall, i’ve read two books by karina halle and i’m definitely interested in her backlist!
——
a cowboy horror/romance?🤔 i’m intrigued
4.5 stars — i’m very pleasantly surprised at how much i enjoyed this! i didn’t know how karina halle would take very different genres (romance, cowboys, and zombies) and come out with a novel that made sense but she did and i’m very glad i read it.
the horror aspect was very much Appalachian-inspired, in my newbie horror opinion, and definitely scared the crap out of me!
my one and only complaint is that aubrey and jensen were getting it one while one of the guys from the ranch was fighting for his life like… dude😩😭
overall, i’ve read two books by karina halle and i’m definitely interested in her backlist!
——
a cowboy horror/romance?🤔 i’m intrigued
March 15, 2025
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
'𝐃E𝐀T𝐇 𝐕A𝐋L𝐄Y' Is a full length standalone cowboy horror romance book by author Karina Halle. Spoken in dual perspectives. Aubrey & Jensen
'T𝐑O𝐏E𝐒'
Morally Grey Cowboy
Strong Female Lead
Enemies-to-Lovers-to-Enemies
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Grumpy
Snowed In
Touch Her and Die
Secret Identity
Fast Burn
Survival Horror
Man vs Mountains
Zombies
Small Town Secrets
Cold Case
Can’t say I’ve ever read anything like this before, I jumped into this without really reading the synopsis so blind in a way, I just thought I was going to be getting a horror book centred around cowboys. Yes please..BUT that's not really what I got..AND no complaints by me..
This had zombies in it, and not any sort of zombies I know! These ones were faster, more cunning, blue eyed, creepy as fuck. So it’s a fair assumption that I liked this book, because I really did..Beyond unique, and has me rectifying my need to read more by this author because I’ve really fallen behind.
Aubrey and Jensen both harboured a secret, he was under the thumb of one sketchy dude, all in the name of saving the ranch and affording his mothers medication. Hers was her job, she had to keep that information to herself when seeking his help to find her sister who had gone missing three years ago up in the mountains.
Mountains which hold many ancient secrets which only a few know about.
Aubrey Wells sister Lainey was obsessed with the Donner Party tragedy which took place back in the 184o's up in those very mountains which back onto Jensen's land. So obsessed in fact that she took a hike up in those mountains with her boyfriend because it had been calling to her, neither never to be found again.
“𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎’𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚜—𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍.”
Aubrey hasn't been living since her sisters disappearance, she's put her life on hold, seeking answers that no one can give her about the disappearance of her sister. Until she comes across a news article of a hiker that had gone missing and a tracker had followed his tracks and had discovered him returning him to his loved ones in one piece.
That's where Jensen comes into the story. She offers him an outrageous amount of money which he couldn't refuse.
As Jensen's crew along with Aubrey make the harrowing trek up the mountains something dark and sinister is tracking their every move, watching, waiting, ready to pounce..
March 28, 2025
4.5 stars
i think karina halle found her niche in horror/thriller/suspense mixed with romance because i liked this a whole lot and i LOVED grave matter. if she writes any more books in the future w a mix of those genres just know i’ll be first in line to read it! now i’m dying to go through her massive backlog because i just seem to fly through her books and have the greatest time while reading.
this was so spooky and eerie and actually managed to successfully freak me out a little bit. she’s 2/2 on that! i liked the romance but the plot is what really drew me in and kept me flying through the pages. i’ve always loved horror/true crime stuff so mashing that with romance and this feels like it was written specifically for me🙂↕️ good shit!
i think karina halle found her niche in horror/thriller/suspense mixed with romance because i liked this a whole lot and i LOVED grave matter. if she writes any more books in the future w a mix of those genres just know i’ll be first in line to read it! now i’m dying to go through her massive backlog because i just seem to fly through her books and have the greatest time while reading.
this was so spooky and eerie and actually managed to successfully freak me out a little bit. she’s 2/2 on that! i liked the romance but the plot is what really drew me in and kept me flying through the pages. i’ve always loved horror/true crime stuff so mashing that with romance and this feels like it was written specifically for me🙂↕️ good shit!
March 17, 2025
2.75 ★
I wanted to read this as soon as I heard it was spicy with cowboys and zombies. The premise sounded amazing and like my type of book but the execution wasn’t great.
I had an issue with the pacing. I felt like this was slow going with not much action happening until after 60%. There was a lot of repetition - see something unusual/feel she is being watched, Jenson hiding something, lots of travelling. I understand building suspense and mystery but when it’s this slow it takes away the intensity.
I was expecting this to be exciting and terrifying with plot twists but it was kind of boring and predictable.
Romance was fine but there were intimate scenes that didn’t make sense given the situation.
Minor spoilers below
──────── ୨୧ ────────
I noticed one or two inconsistencies. I might have misread/misunderstood so if these are wrong please correct me.
Ch.11 - Jensen leaves his tent without a shirt
Ch.15 - During a spice scene Aubrey says the following;
I wanted to read this as soon as I heard it was spicy with cowboys and zombies. The premise sounded amazing and like my type of book but the execution wasn’t great.
I had an issue with the pacing. I felt like this was slow going with not much action happening until after 60%. There was a lot of repetition - see something unusual/feel she is being watched, Jenson hiding something, lots of travelling. I understand building suspense and mystery but when it’s this slow it takes away the intensity.
I was expecting this to be exciting and terrifying with plot twists but it was kind of boring and predictable.
Romance was fine but there were intimate scenes that didn’t make sense given the situation.
Minor spoilers below
──────── ୨୧ ────────
I noticed one or two inconsistencies. I might have misread/misunderstood so if these are wrong please correct me.
Ch.11 - Jensen leaves his tent without a shirt
I slip out of my sleeping bag and pull on my jeans. The morning air is cool against my bare chest as I duck through the tent flap, scanning the campsiteHe then searches for Aubrey and finds her at a creek, he then proceeds to take his shirt off
Before I can overthink it, I’m pulling my shirt over my head, kicking off my boots.⤷ Where did he get a shirt??
Ch.15 - During a spice scene Aubrey says the following;
I respond with equal fervor, months of tension igniting like dry tinder.⤷ I was under the impression they had only known each other for a few days so how do we have months of tension??
March 13, 2025
5✨ yeah i’m changing my rating. i’m just so obsessed and i can’t stop thinking about it and how much i loved it. tied with my favourite KH book.
4.75✨ could change to five stars honestly. this book was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
i was lost and confused and this wasn’t what i expected. it’s giving creepy, it’s giving heebie jeebies, it’s giving intrigue. it’s giving i’m lowkey scared. it’s sketchy. and i loved every moment of it. even when i thought i was gonna shit my pants reading when it was dark out. yellowstone meets the white walkers of game of thrones. two of my favourite ever shows thrown together in a mind-twisting, incredible book? absolutely. yes please.
aubrey and jensen were both great characters. flawed, hurt, grieving. buried in secrets & lies. fighting their demons one nightmare at a time. they faced all seven levels of hell together and made it out alive. together. an unimaginable journey, fraught with tension, fear, lies, betrayals, death.
i loved both these characters so much. the way aubrey was hanging on by a thread, her once driven and planned life now in tatters. her sister and her obsession and everything she’s gone through because of it. questioning everything about her sister, her family, herself. hoping but not knowing her answers were deep in the mountains. and jensen. my grumpy, sullen, secretive cowboy. buried in grief, secrets, lies, deception. trying to fight his demons but losing all hope. the things he saw, the things he experienced…it’s understandable that he became who he did. and facing them was the only way to move on. plus he’s hot as fuck. aubrey & jensen found solace in each other. comfort they didn’t really know they needed. they kept secrets and they lied but in the end it’s what brought them together. what let them survive hell together. i love how things turned out for them. with their secrets and history buried in caves & darkness.
the suspense was sure as shit suspensing. what’s in the mountains? what’s he so weary and afraid of? actual fkn monsters? what does he know that he’s not admitting? i was actually scared. the dreams, the horse, the secrets and avoiding answers. i was obsessed with this. terrified and scared and intrigued. unable to read in the dark cause i was too scared!!! took me a solid 80% to get over the fear LOL but this was just sooo much fun. i feel like the ending could have stretched just a little bit longer and taken a bit more time with a touch more detail but the vibes and feeling were 10/10 from the very beginning. the way this story & plot originated and, the history behind it, the donner party, everything. it was so incredibly fascinating and just so incredibly well done.
“He kisses me like he’s starved for it, like if he doesn’t devour me now, he never will.”
“My name on her lips sounds like a question, feels like a lifeline.”
“Sometimes the blood remembers what the mind forgets.”
“I glance back at her, this woman who has upended everything, who makes me want to be better than I am. Who makes me think redemption might still be possible, even for me.”
“I won’t fail Aubrey too, even if it means following her into the darkness. I’ll be there to protect her, or die trying.”
“You’re mine, through and through.”
“Some truths belong only to us, to the darkness we survived together.”
“Everyone’s got a story about the cursed mountains, but the truth is—some stories were never meant to be told. They’re meant to be buried.”
• strangers to lovers
• grumpy x grumpy
• western romantic suspense
• mystery/horror
• morally grey cowboy
• forced proximity
• man vs. mountain
• only one sleeping bag
• zombies…
• small town with big secrets
• hurt/comfort
• touch her/him and die
• generational secrets & trauma & curses
• isolated mountain setting
• she can handle a gun
thank you so much karina for the arc! 🫶🏼
releases march 12, 2025
4.75✨ could change to five stars honestly. this book was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
i was lost and confused and this wasn’t what i expected. it’s giving creepy, it’s giving heebie jeebies, it’s giving intrigue. it’s giving i’m lowkey scared. it’s sketchy. and i loved every moment of it. even when i thought i was gonna shit my pants reading when it was dark out. yellowstone meets the white walkers of game of thrones. two of my favourite ever shows thrown together in a mind-twisting, incredible book? absolutely. yes please.
aubrey and jensen were both great characters. flawed, hurt, grieving. buried in secrets & lies. fighting their demons one nightmare at a time. they faced all seven levels of hell together and made it out alive. together. an unimaginable journey, fraught with tension, fear, lies, betrayals, death.
i loved both these characters so much. the way aubrey was hanging on by a thread, her once driven and planned life now in tatters. her sister and her obsession and everything she’s gone through because of it. questioning everything about her sister, her family, herself. hoping but not knowing her answers were deep in the mountains. and jensen. my grumpy, sullen, secretive cowboy. buried in grief, secrets, lies, deception. trying to fight his demons but losing all hope. the things he saw, the things he experienced…it’s understandable that he became who he did. and facing them was the only way to move on. plus he’s hot as fuck. aubrey & jensen found solace in each other. comfort they didn’t really know they needed. they kept secrets and they lied but in the end it’s what brought them together. what let them survive hell together. i love how things turned out for them. with their secrets and history buried in caves & darkness.
the suspense was sure as shit suspensing. what’s in the mountains? what’s he so weary and afraid of? actual fkn monsters? what does he know that he’s not admitting? i was actually scared. the dreams, the horse, the secrets and avoiding answers. i was obsessed with this. terrified and scared and intrigued. unable to read in the dark cause i was too scared!!! took me a solid 80% to get over the fear LOL but this was just sooo much fun. i feel like the ending could have stretched just a little bit longer and taken a bit more time with a touch more detail but the vibes and feeling were 10/10 from the very beginning. the way this story & plot originated and, the history behind it, the donner party, everything. it was so incredibly fascinating and just so incredibly well done.
“He kisses me like he’s starved for it, like if he doesn’t devour me now, he never will.”
“My name on her lips sounds like a question, feels like a lifeline.”
“Sometimes the blood remembers what the mind forgets.”
“I glance back at her, this woman who has upended everything, who makes me want to be better than I am. Who makes me think redemption might still be possible, even for me.”
“I won’t fail Aubrey too, even if it means following her into the darkness. I’ll be there to protect her, or die trying.”
“You’re mine, through and through.”
“Some truths belong only to us, to the darkness we survived together.”
“Everyone’s got a story about the cursed mountains, but the truth is—some stories were never meant to be told. They’re meant to be buried.”
• strangers to lovers
• grumpy x grumpy
• western romantic suspense
• mystery/horror
• morally grey cowboy
• forced proximity
• man vs. mountain
• only one sleeping bag
• zombies…
• small town with big secrets
• hurt/comfort
• touch her/him and die
• generational secrets & trauma & curses
• isolated mountain setting
• she can handle a gun
thank you so much karina for the arc! 🫶🏼
releases march 12, 2025
October 4, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 3-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
After three years of grieving her sister’s mysterious disappearance, Aubrey Wells is done waiting for answers. Determined to uncover the truth, she takes matters into her own hands, retracing her sister’s last known whereabouts. Her search leads her to Jensen McGraw, a reclusive tracker and ranch owner known for miraculously returning a missing hiker from the same area. But from the moment they meet, Aubrey can tell Jensen is hiding something, and his reluctance to let her anywhere near the mountain only deepens her suspicions.
With his ranch on the brink of financial ruin, Jensen agrees to Aubrey’s offer: guide her up the mountain in exchange for a payment that could save his land. But the dangers waiting for them aren't just harsh weather or treacherous terrain. Something ancient and hungry lurks in the shadows watching and waiting. As Aubrey climbs up the mountain, will she uncover what really happened to her sister, or will she discover something far more deadly?
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
When I saw the lethal combo of gothic, zombies, and cowboys, I knew I needed to jump into this real quick cause it was just screaming in my face + it's written by Karina Halle, so I just had to!🤿💯
‧˚ ꒰ 🏔️ ꒱ plot & setting ₊˚⋆
Starting this, I was already shocked by how this was inspired/based on a real-life tragedy. I truly appreciate how KH introduced the background info, giving us everything we need to understand its historical context. She not only brings attention and educates us to the events of the Donner Party, but also tells us about the various theories and possibilities surrounding it.
When I say K.H. knows how to craft an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, she truly does. As the story went, you’ll just have the mystery crawl, making you anxious and scared of what's to come. While some might view the pacing as slow, I actually admire how she builds the tension, gradually amplifying and intensifying the suspense until it becomes unbearably scary. But what I absolutely enjoyed about this book was the so-called “zombies.” Actually, they were not just zombies, they were somewhat a combination of a wendigo and skinwalker.☝🏻🤓 I’ll admit, I totally geeked out over this. As someone who was obsessed with ✨Until Dawn✨, I was hooked and eating up every part of this element. KH didn’t just throw in this monster for the spooky/scary value, she took the time to fully include the lore. The way she tied everything to wendigo legends and northern folklore was genuinely impressive. She actually nailed this to perfection🙂↕️🖤
‧˚ ꒰ 🧟 ꒱ characters & romance ₊˚⋆
When it comes to the characters, Aubrey and Jensen, I liked how both of them were portrayed as strong, independent, and capable individuals. They were always alert, sharp, and constantly on their toes. Honestly, they felt untouchable. They were just that couple.
Beyond their strengths, what made Aubrey and Jensen’s connection compelling was the way they shared similar inner struggles. This mutual understanding allowed them to truly see each other. They knew how to read, how to support, and handle each other in moments of vulnerability. It was clear they were perfectly for each other. From their guarded personalities to their stubborn determination, they just reflected each other in all the best ways.
‧˚ ꒰ 🐎 ꒱ concerns ₊˚⋆
Now, onto my concerns. tbh by the time I finished the book, I really wanted to give it a solid 4-4.5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed the eerie mystery and tension. However, there was just something in chapter 22 that made me have the ick🤨. After that, the romance just took a nose dive. It really wasn’t that big of a deal, but a certain inner thought of his just made Jensen’s character the icky typical man (which sucks cause before this, I really liked him!😭) and with that, I just wasn’t that invested in the romance.
Another issue I had was with the mystery surrounding the “undead,” especially the “originals.” It felt like there was a lack of explanation and closure about how they continued to exist. Where were the others? How many were still out there? Was the ending really the end? Just happily ever after for the lovers, no more scary hungry mountain creepy crawlers?🤷🏻♀️ After sitting with all of these thoughts, I decided to lower my final rating.
‧˚ ꒰ ❄️ ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆
The terrifying mountain hike, the eerie atmosphere, the wendigo x skinwalker-style undead, and the broody, mysterious cowboys all hit the mark and made this an enjoyable read. Those elements definitely delivered and kept me hooked‼️That said, my concerns still stand, but they don’t take away from the fact that Karina Halle did a great job crafting this story. From the well-researched background, chilling lore, to the atmospheric vibes, she created something genuinely grippy and haunting. In the end, I’m giving this book 3 spooky stars (wish I read this late September to early November cause this would’ve hit even harder during peak spooky season)!🖤
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
I saw gothic, zombie, cowboys, and it's written by Karina Halle…. say less‼️
❝ People began to starve. People began to die. People started to do the unthinkable. ❞
After three years of grieving her sister’s mysterious disappearance, Aubrey Wells is done waiting for answers. Determined to uncover the truth, she takes matters into her own hands, retracing her sister’s last known whereabouts. Her search leads her to Jensen McGraw, a reclusive tracker and ranch owner known for miraculously returning a missing hiker from the same area. But from the moment they meet, Aubrey can tell Jensen is hiding something, and his reluctance to let her anywhere near the mountain only deepens her suspicions.
With his ranch on the brink of financial ruin, Jensen agrees to Aubrey’s offer: guide her up the mountain in exchange for a payment that could save his land. But the dangers waiting for them aren't just harsh weather or treacherous terrain. Something ancient and hungry lurks in the shadows watching and waiting. As Aubrey climbs up the mountain, will she uncover what really happened to her sister, or will she discover something far more deadly?
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
When I saw the lethal combo of gothic, zombies, and cowboys, I knew I needed to jump into this real quick cause it was just screaming in my face + it's written by Karina Halle, so I just had to!🤿💯
‧˚ ꒰ 🏔️ ꒱ plot & setting ₊˚⋆
❝ The local tribes had stories. About how consuming human flesh was taboo. About how it changes a person. Not just spiritually or mentally, but physically. They said the mountains have a power…that they preserve what should be lost, transform what should remain unchanged. ❞
Starting this, I was already shocked by how this was inspired/based on a real-life tragedy. I truly appreciate how KH introduced the background info, giving us everything we need to understand its historical context. She not only brings attention and educates us to the events of the Donner Party, but also tells us about the various theories and possibilities surrounding it.
When I say K.H. knows how to craft an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, she truly does. As the story went, you’ll just have the mystery crawl, making you anxious and scared of what's to come. While some might view the pacing as slow, I actually admire how she builds the tension, gradually amplifying and intensifying the suspense until it becomes unbearably scary. But what I absolutely enjoyed about this book was the so-called “zombies.” Actually, they were not just zombies, they were somewhat a combination of a wendigo and skinwalker.☝🏻🤓 I’ll admit, I totally geeked out over this. As someone who was obsessed with ✨Until Dawn✨, I was hooked and eating up every part of this element. KH didn’t just throw in this monster for the spooky/scary value, she took the time to fully include the lore. The way she tied everything to wendigo legends and northern folklore was genuinely impressive. She actually nailed this to perfection🙂↕️🖤
‧˚ ꒰ 🧟 ꒱ characters & romance ₊˚⋆
❝ But the truth is there are things out there that will hunt and kill you. Things that I don’t even know can be killed in return. ❞
When it comes to the characters, Aubrey and Jensen, I liked how both of them were portrayed as strong, independent, and capable individuals. They were always alert, sharp, and constantly on their toes. Honestly, they felt untouchable. They were just that couple.
❝ Don’t die, city girl. ❞
❝ Same goes for you, cowboy. ❞
Beyond their strengths, what made Aubrey and Jensen’s connection compelling was the way they shared similar inner struggles. This mutual understanding allowed them to truly see each other. They knew how to read, how to support, and handle each other in moments of vulnerability. It was clear they were perfectly for each other. From their guarded personalities to their stubborn determination, they just reflected each other in all the best ways.
‧˚ ꒰ 🐎 ꒱ concerns ₊˚⋆
❝ Sometimes the blood remembers what the mind forgets. ❞
Now, onto my concerns. tbh by the time I finished the book, I really wanted to give it a solid 4-4.5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed the eerie mystery and tension. However, there was just something in chapter 22 that made me have the ick🤨. After that, the romance just took a nose dive. It really wasn’t that big of a deal, but a certain inner thought of his just made Jensen’s character the icky typical man (which sucks cause before this, I really liked him!😭) and with that, I just wasn’t that invested in the romance.
Another issue I had was with the mystery surrounding the “undead,” especially the “originals.” It felt like there was a lack of explanation and closure about how they continued to exist. Where were the others? How many were still out there? Was the ending really the end? Just happily ever after for the lovers, no more scary hungry mountain creepy crawlers?🤷🏻♀️ After sitting with all of these thoughts, I decided to lower my final rating.
‧˚ ꒰ ❄️ ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆
❝ History doesn’t die. It just finds new ways to haunt you. ❞
The terrifying mountain hike, the eerie atmosphere, the wendigo x skinwalker-style undead, and the broody, mysterious cowboys all hit the mark and made this an enjoyable read. Those elements definitely delivered and kept me hooked‼️That said, my concerns still stand, but they don’t take away from the fact that Karina Halle did a great job crafting this story. From the well-researched background, chilling lore, to the atmospheric vibes, she created something genuinely grippy and haunting. In the end, I’m giving this book 3 spooky stars (wish I read this late September to early November cause this would’ve hit even harder during peak spooky season)!🖤
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
I saw gothic, zombie, cowboys, and it's written by Karina Halle…. say less‼️
July 5, 2025
I would talk about this book for hours but I unfortunately already already have and if I keep talking about this book I’ll need to check myself into a mental hospital
May 7, 2025
4.5 ☆
SPOOKY HEEBIE JEEBIE VIBES ALL AROUND AHHHH.
Okay guys, think cowboy Western meets suspense thriller meets final girl horror meets romance with a paranormal twist. I know it sounds like a doozy, but trust me, it works!!!
It does lean heavily into the horror/suspense aspect of things, and truly it had me shaking in my boots, looking over my shoulder, on EDGE the whole time. Drawing on the history of an already tragic and horrifying event in American history, the Donner party, Karina's somehow managed to raise the stakes and make things even more macabre.
I loved our fmc Aubrey, who shows over and over a singlemindedness and dedication to uncovering the truth about her missing sister, no matter the cost. She's let the search for Lainey uproot her life. The guilt and grief she struggles with is palpable and definitely a driving force for her character. She was hardened and no-nonsense and the type of person I’d want in my corner if shit hit the fan.
And my man Jensen! 🤭 Hot, grumpy cowboy/tracker who's kind to his horses? Need I say more honestly? He holds things close to his chest, slow to trust, and even slower to care for anyone but himself and his ranch. He’s the type of mountain man who’s seen things and keeps to himself. The one everybody in town knows to steer clear of… until he’s asked to track a missing person by our gal. I REALLY JUST ATE HIM UP.
The pacing. The plot. The budding, but tense romance between our mc’s. It was all just executed phenomenally. I had no clue what was going to happen, and I love when a book catches me by surprise instead of being a copy pasta situation.
- horror/thriller
- strangers to lovers
- grumpy x grumpy
- forced proximity
- only one sleeping bag
- small town, big secrets
- surviving the elements
Grateful to have received an eARC of this book from Karina Halle to review.
SPOOKY HEEBIE JEEBIE VIBES ALL AROUND AHHHH.
Okay guys, think cowboy Western meets suspense thriller meets final girl horror meets romance with a paranormal twist. I know it sounds like a doozy, but trust me, it works!!!
It does lean heavily into the horror/suspense aspect of things, and truly it had me shaking in my boots, looking over my shoulder, on EDGE the whole time. Drawing on the history of an already tragic and horrifying event in American history, the Donner party, Karina's somehow managed to raise the stakes and make things even more macabre.
I loved our fmc Aubrey, who shows over and over a singlemindedness and dedication to uncovering the truth about her missing sister, no matter the cost. She's let the search for Lainey uproot her life. The guilt and grief she struggles with is palpable and definitely a driving force for her character. She was hardened and no-nonsense and the type of person I’d want in my corner if shit hit the fan.
And my man Jensen! 🤭 Hot, grumpy cowboy/tracker who's kind to his horses? Need I say more honestly? He holds things close to his chest, slow to trust, and even slower to care for anyone but himself and his ranch. He’s the type of mountain man who’s seen things and keeps to himself. The one everybody in town knows to steer clear of… until he’s asked to track a missing person by our gal. I REALLY JUST ATE HIM UP.
The pacing. The plot. The budding, but tense romance between our mc’s. It was all just executed phenomenally. I had no clue what was going to happen, and I love when a book catches me by surprise instead of being a copy pasta situation.
- horror/thriller
- strangers to lovers
- grumpy x grumpy
- forced proximity
- only one sleeping bag
- small town, big secrets
- surviving the elements
Grateful to have received an eARC of this book from Karina Halle to review.
October 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Metal Blonde Books for the free eBook in exchange for my honest review.
So what’s it about? 🌵💀
Horror cowboy romance?? What a combination — and I was completely here for it. This is my third book by Karina Halle, and I think she’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. I finished this in just over two days and regret nothing.
Three years ago, Aubrey Wells’ sister vanished in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since then, Aubrey’s life has fallen apart. Desperate for answers, she hires rancher and wilderness guide Jensen McGraw to help uncover what happened. Jensen isn’t easily scared — his family’s ranch is tied up with a dangerous crime boss — but even he knows there’s something unnatural in those mountains. 👀
As their search spirals out of control, secrets unravel, a fierce snowstorm hits, and the danger lurking in the wilderness becomes horrifyingly real. Because in these mountains, what dies doesn’t stay dead… it devours. 🧟♂️
My Thoughts 💭
This book was wild — mob ties, FBI agents, feral zombies, “original zombies,” Donner Party lore — you name it, it’s in here. And while the plot was busy, it never lost my attention. The pacing was sharp, the chemistry strong, and the atmosphere? Chef’s kiss.
That said, this is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s graphic (as expected with zombies and cannibalism), but it fits the tone perfectly.
Final Thoughts 🩸
Dark. Gritty. Utterly original. I devoured this one — and honestly, it’s the perfect Halloween read. The best part? It’s already published, so go grab your copy and prepare for a blood-soaked ride through the wild, weird, and unforgettable. 🤠💀
So what’s it about? 🌵💀
Horror cowboy romance?? What a combination — and I was completely here for it. This is my third book by Karina Halle, and I think she’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. I finished this in just over two days and regret nothing.
Three years ago, Aubrey Wells’ sister vanished in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since then, Aubrey’s life has fallen apart. Desperate for answers, she hires rancher and wilderness guide Jensen McGraw to help uncover what happened. Jensen isn’t easily scared — his family’s ranch is tied up with a dangerous crime boss — but even he knows there’s something unnatural in those mountains. 👀
As their search spirals out of control, secrets unravel, a fierce snowstorm hits, and the danger lurking in the wilderness becomes horrifyingly real. Because in these mountains, what dies doesn’t stay dead… it devours. 🧟♂️
My Thoughts 💭
This book was wild — mob ties, FBI agents, feral zombies, “original zombies,” Donner Party lore — you name it, it’s in here. And while the plot was busy, it never lost my attention. The pacing was sharp, the chemistry strong, and the atmosphere? Chef’s kiss.
That said, this is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s graphic (as expected with zombies and cannibalism), but it fits the tone perfectly.
Final Thoughts 🩸
Dark. Gritty. Utterly original. I devoured this one — and honestly, it’s the perfect Halloween read. The best part? It’s already published, so go grab your copy and prepare for a blood-soaked ride through the wild, weird, and unforgettable. 🤠💀
September 17, 2025
This was an enthralling story. Almost too much for a scardy-cat like me, but pretty mild for most.
I did feel like the romance was a bit lacking though and the danger banging almost broke belief.
3.5 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
I did feel like the romance was a bit lacking though and the danger banging almost broke belief.
3.5 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
March 30, 2025
Karina Halle is fantastic. She has a ton of amazing books, many of which are unique, so I highly recommend checking out everything she writes (it’s truly a great mix of everything). However, I don’t think this book was for me. The writing is great, and the characters were fine (although insta love even in the face of danger isn’t really my thing), but I’ve found that I’m not a zombie reader. This is a horror/romance mix and the characters face zombies in the mountains 😝.I loved the backstory though and how the Donner Party fits in. But still… Zombies! Haha at least I tried! Regardless, I think it’s a good book. If you like this sort of thing AND romance (with spice) then I recommend giving it a try!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
January 8, 2026
Howdy partner 🤠
This truly felt like jumping straight into a Walking Dead sequence. And as a huge fan of that show, this gave me that kick I haven't had from it for a while.🖤❤️🔥
The best part? horses! 🐎 the cutest ever, especially Duke and Jeopardy, I want to hug them all so muuch! Don't worry they all survive.
The plot was great, predictable I'd say but nevertheless still enjoyable, till about 40% it was a bit slower to develop but I did appreciate all the character development and Karina's writing is so soo good, I will always be tempted to pick up whatever she writes. Besides that, once we got to the action-action that stood with me right till the end and it was soo fun! Lots of things happening to keep you glued to the page, I would've loved a map to be honest since they travel so much lol
What I will always love about Karina's books is her dedication to being as accurate as possible to the surrounding environment, her descriptions so immersive, even when someone was cooking I was getting damn hungry! Her time and research spent on the material used or inspired by really comes through with each page read. Definitely becoming one of my favorite authors for this alone.
The romance (the actual feelings) was rather slow burn for me, but I did like them in the end, it's hard not to since her characters are so likable even the bad ones!
All in all a creative and interesting concept, and it did fit right in with the snow outside as well for a wintery read! 💕💕
____
pre:read
dark romance with cowboys and zombies? SAY LESS🖤
This truly felt like jumping straight into a Walking Dead sequence. And as a huge fan of that show, this gave me that kick I haven't had from it for a while.🖤❤️🔥
The best part? horses! 🐎 the cutest ever, especially Duke and Jeopardy, I want to hug them all so muuch! Don't worry they all survive.
The plot was great, predictable I'd say but nevertheless still enjoyable, till about 40% it was a bit slower to develop but I did appreciate all the character development and Karina's writing is so soo good, I will always be tempted to pick up whatever she writes. Besides that, once we got to the action-action that stood with me right till the end and it was soo fun! Lots of things happening to keep you glued to the page, I would've loved a map to be honest since they travel so much lol
What I will always love about Karina's books is her dedication to being as accurate as possible to the surrounding environment, her descriptions so immersive, even when someone was cooking I was getting damn hungry! Her time and research spent on the material used or inspired by really comes through with each page read. Definitely becoming one of my favorite authors for this alone.
The romance (the actual feelings) was rather slow burn for me, but I did like them in the end, it's hard not to since her characters are so likable even the bad ones!
All in all a creative and interesting concept, and it did fit right in with the snow outside as well for a wintery read! 💕💕
____
pre:read
dark romance with cowboys and zombies? SAY LESS🖤
March 16, 2025
2.5 indulgent stars for suspense and the short history intro about the real events.
SPOILERS ❌‼️⬇️
Not exactly what i was expecting going into this book. The author hyped this as red dead redemption or Yellowstone x white walkers (got) had a baby and you’d get Death Valley. Well.. not exactly unfortunately.
The hero is labelled as morally grey 🙄 again thats a big stretch. He’s just a guy who made some bad choices and who’s now suffering the consequences of that. More a person forced in a no win situation to be fair, but in my opinion very far away as being a morally grey character , not much was said about what really was going on at ranch to make it criminal grounds.
Also enemies to lovers to enemies? Where 👀? They start as strangers to fucking to reluctant allies again to being prepared to die for eachother. The whole enemies aspect took maybe a day until they came to terms with the truths learned about eachother .
The heroine Aubrey is supposed to be a Fbi agent.. 🤦🏻♀️ this was really hard for me to believe. Everyone kept describing her as calculating, analytical, badass blah blah but all I gathered was that this is a woman that has a betraying body when it comes to cowboys, some very poor instincts when comes to self perseveration ( runs in a zombie infested forest and calls out loudly who is there 🤦🏻♀️). She also kept her gun hidden at all times and out of reach if necessary because she couldn’t think of a plausible enough reason why a single female would carry a gun on her as protection to tell to this group of 4 strangers men??
Have i missed a big chunk of this book where all the answers were given ? Because im left confused about the hungry ones that are the originals. Where were they? Why didn’t they helped/took Lainey if she was an original and descendant of their family , a Mcallister? How did Adam control the others in the end ( i know he kept a bit of his humanity by biting Lainey so due to her blood) but that didn’t explained how he could communicate / express his commands?! How come nothing came out of Jensen being scratched, punctured by Adams nails in the scuffle especially with it being a pretty bloody scene ? Isn’t that how Eli got turned by nails going into his shoulder or something ?!
Anyway.. my point is , im left with unexplained scenes and unanswered questions. If the romance would have been stronger i would have probably given this more stars but im still wondering when they fell in love, attraction is completely different and something i believe can be instantaneous but not the feeling of going thru hell for a person you ve known 3/4 days.
Just to be clear, this is not a bad book, i still like this authors work, just felt like the promo was a bit misleading 😳
SPOILERS ❌‼️⬇️
Not exactly what i was expecting going into this book. The author hyped this as red dead redemption or Yellowstone x white walkers (got) had a baby and you’d get Death Valley. Well.. not exactly unfortunately.
The hero is labelled as morally grey 🙄 again thats a big stretch. He’s just a guy who made some bad choices and who’s now suffering the consequences of that. More a person forced in a no win situation to be fair, but in my opinion very far away as being a morally grey character , not much was said about what really was going on at ranch to make it criminal grounds.
Also enemies to lovers to enemies? Where 👀? They start as strangers to fucking to reluctant allies again to being prepared to die for eachother. The whole enemies aspect took maybe a day until they came to terms with the truths learned about eachother .
The heroine Aubrey is supposed to be a Fbi agent.. 🤦🏻♀️ this was really hard for me to believe. Everyone kept describing her as calculating, analytical, badass blah blah but all I gathered was that this is a woman that has a betraying body when it comes to cowboys, some very poor instincts when comes to self perseveration ( runs in a zombie infested forest and calls out loudly who is there 🤦🏻♀️). She also kept her gun hidden at all times and out of reach if necessary because she couldn’t think of a plausible enough reason why a single female would carry a gun on her as protection to tell to this group of 4 strangers men??
Have i missed a big chunk of this book where all the answers were given ? Because im left confused about the hungry ones that are the originals. Where were they? Why didn’t they helped/took Lainey if she was an original and descendant of their family , a Mcallister? How did Adam control the others in the end ( i know he kept a bit of his humanity by biting Lainey so due to her blood) but that didn’t explained how he could communicate / express his commands?! How come nothing came out of Jensen being scratched, punctured by Adams nails in the scuffle especially with it being a pretty bloody scene ? Isn’t that how Eli got turned by nails going into his shoulder or something ?!
Anyway.. my point is , im left with unexplained scenes and unanswered questions. If the romance would have been stronger i would have probably given this more stars but im still wondering when they fell in love, attraction is completely different and something i believe can be instantaneous but not the feeling of going thru hell for a person you ve known 3/4 days.
Just to be clear, this is not a bad book, i still like this authors work, just felt like the promo was a bit misleading 😳
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
Aubrey Wells sister disappeared after she and her boyfriend were searching the mountain’s where the Donner Party tragedy took place in the 1840’s.
Lainey Wells, even as a child, felt like these mountains called to her. Became a fanatic and absolutely obsessed with these mountains growing up, and it was her absolute diehard determination that led her to her missing and ending in a cold case.
"It's calling me, Aubrey," she'd said over the phone the day before she left. "The mountains keep calling me and the dreams never stop. I have to go. They're trying to tell me something.
Show me something."
Aubrey will find out what happened one way or another.
She hires a tracker. A cowboy they lives at the base of the mountain. Money talks.
Jensen McGraw.
This story is spooky as fuck.
Don’t read in the dark.
This is what could happen when generational curses start with cannibalism for survival. What if the Donner Party of the 1800’s never really died…
🧟 Survival Horror
Man vs Mountains
Zombies
Generational Trauma Manifesting
Family Curse
Grumpy Cowboy vs CIA agent
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and Die
Can't Trust Anyone
Characters picked off
I personally could not stop reading this one. It was fast paced with the mystery and spice. I loved the spooky and horror aspect. Still obsessing over the creepy terror vibes of isolated mountains.
These hills do have eyes and they were absolutely watching this party of cowboys and Aubrey who’s finding clues on what exactly happened to Lainey Wells….
“History doesn’t die. It just finds new ways to haunt you. “
Lainey Wells, even as a child, felt like these mountains called to her. Became a fanatic and absolutely obsessed with these mountains growing up, and it was her absolute diehard determination that led her to her missing and ending in a cold case.
"It's calling me, Aubrey," she'd said over the phone the day before she left. "The mountains keep calling me and the dreams never stop. I have to go. They're trying to tell me something.
Show me something."
Aubrey will find out what happened one way or another.
She hires a tracker. A cowboy they lives at the base of the mountain. Money talks.
Jensen McGraw.
This story is spooky as fuck.
Don’t read in the dark.
This is what could happen when generational curses start with cannibalism for survival. What if the Donner Party of the 1800’s never really died…
🧟 Survival Horror
Man vs Mountains
Zombies
Generational Trauma Manifesting
Family Curse
Grumpy Cowboy vs CIA agent
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and Die
Can't Trust Anyone
Characters picked off
I personally could not stop reading this one. It was fast paced with the mystery and spice. I loved the spooky and horror aspect. Still obsessing over the creepy terror vibes of isolated mountains.
These hills do have eyes and they were absolutely watching this party of cowboys and Aubrey who’s finding clues on what exactly happened to Lainey Wells….
“History doesn’t die. It just finds new ways to haunt you. “
July 19, 2025
3,75
No było trochę nieścisłości i głupotek fabularnych, główna zagadka nie była jakaś super trudna do przewidzenia, jednak fajnie się bawiłam, także nie będę się dalej pastwić :)
Horror + mocny romans, dokładnie na to miałam ochotę i dokładnie to dostałam :)
No było trochę nieścisłości i głupotek fabularnych, główna zagadka nie była jakaś super trudna do przewidzenia, jednak fajnie się bawiłam, także nie będę się dalej pastwić :)
Horror + mocny romans, dokładnie na to miałam ochotę i dokładnie to dostałam :)
July 13, 2025
4.75 What a wild ride! Imagine Missing 411 meets Vampires of El Norte, but make it zombies. The legend made the lore feel established and pretty believable, which was great, but the winner of all winners was the suspense! I was glued to this book—I had to know what happened next, and what intensified that was that the story felt so unique I couldn’t predict where the plot would go.
I forgot that Karina wrote the Experiments in Terror series back in the day and now I have to go read it. I’ve never read a horror book, but I love horror movies. I guess I figured it wouldn’t be scary on paper, but the horror in this was so effective!!
Highly recommend! I’ve read a number of Karina’s books over the last decade and this is my new favorite of hers.
I forgot that Karina wrote the Experiments in Terror series back in the day and now I have to go read it. I’ve never read a horror book, but I love horror movies. I guess I figured it wouldn’t be scary on paper, but the horror in this was so effective!!
Highly recommend! I’ve read a number of Karina’s books over the last decade and this is my new favorite of hers.
May 18, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-> ♾️🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤 Romantic Suspense
💙 Dark Western Thriller/ Horror
☠️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Strangers To Lovers
💙 Small Town- even bigger secrets
☠️ Zombies 🧟♂
💙 Touch Her/Him & ☠️
🖤 Hurt/Comfort
When I opened this book I had no clue what was going to jump out at me. What I didn't expect was for me to get so lost in this book that I lost time. I know that Karina always spins some kind of magic into her books because I always get so lost in the story.
Death Valley gave me all the Western vibes without giving me hokey vibes. I love a great mystery/thriller. But when you also weave in horror and put some zombies into the mix then it only ratchets up my need to DEVOUR this book!
Aubrey and Jenson were two complex characters that I didn't expect to be intertwined the way they were. Especially considering we have a grumpy x Grumpy situation on our hands. What helped it along was the forced Proximity along with some mountain isolation!
These two definitely gave me more than I hoped for while reading! I couldn't get enough of these two ans everything that brought them through their journeys. If I could have another book just with them, I would be first in line for it!
I couldn't get enough of this book and I absolutely cannot wait for the next release from Halle!
Thank you so much to Karina Halle for the free copy 🫶🏻. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤 Romantic Suspense
💙 Dark Western Thriller/ Horror
☠️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Strangers To Lovers
💙 Small Town- even bigger secrets
☠️ Zombies 🧟♂
💙 Touch Her/Him & ☠️
🖤 Hurt/Comfort
When I opened this book I had no clue what was going to jump out at me. What I didn't expect was for me to get so lost in this book that I lost time. I know that Karina always spins some kind of magic into her books because I always get so lost in the story.
Death Valley gave me all the Western vibes without giving me hokey vibes. I love a great mystery/thriller. But when you also weave in horror and put some zombies into the mix then it only ratchets up my need to DEVOUR this book!
Aubrey and Jenson were two complex characters that I didn't expect to be intertwined the way they were. Especially considering we have a grumpy x Grumpy situation on our hands. What helped it along was the forced Proximity along with some mountain isolation!
These two definitely gave me more than I hoped for while reading! I couldn't get enough of these two ans everything that brought them through their journeys. If I could have another book just with them, I would be first in line for it!
I couldn't get enough of this book and I absolutely cannot wait for the next release from Halle!
Thank you so much to Karina Halle for the free copy 🫶🏻. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
March 27, 2025
Contemporary MF
Western Horror Romance
Grumpy Cowboy MMC
Strong, Take Charge FMC
Forced Proximity
Survival Mode
Creepy Sinister Vibes
🔥🔥🔥
Holy smokes this was a WILD ass, genre bending book and I loved it. I knew I was in for it when the Author's note was a brief history on the Donner Party. Whew.
Aubrey is an FBI agent on leave due to not being able to cope with the loss of her sister, who has been missing for three years. Once Aubrey sees an article about a tracker that recently found a hiker, she decided that she needs to hire him to help find her sister. Jensen is grump of a cowboy that is dealing with a slew of his own issues and really just wants to be left alone. For his own reasons, he takes the job and the events that follow are something else!
This book is so atmospheric. One thing that I thought was so well done, other than the overall creepiness you feel, is the way the romance was so well blended with the horror. The progression felt very natural and not once was I like WHY are you having sexy fun times right now?! It completely worked. Definitely recommend if you like romantic suspense, with a good dose of horror.
Western Horror Romance
Grumpy Cowboy MMC
Strong, Take Charge FMC
Forced Proximity
Survival Mode
Creepy Sinister Vibes
🔥🔥🔥
Holy smokes this was a WILD ass, genre bending book and I loved it. I knew I was in for it when the Author's note was a brief history on the Donner Party. Whew.
Aubrey is an FBI agent on leave due to not being able to cope with the loss of her sister, who has been missing for three years. Once Aubrey sees an article about a tracker that recently found a hiker, she decided that she needs to hire him to help find her sister. Jensen is grump of a cowboy that is dealing with a slew of his own issues and really just wants to be left alone. For his own reasons, he takes the job and the events that follow are something else!
This book is so atmospheric. One thing that I thought was so well done, other than the overall creepiness you feel, is the way the romance was so well blended with the horror. The progression felt very natural and not once was I like WHY are you having sexy fun times right now?! It completely worked. Definitely recommend if you like romantic suspense, with a good dose of horror.
July 27, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
* this was so goood and creepy
* this was so goood and creepy
March 16, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
Spooky & spicy is Karina’s forte
Spooky & spicy is Karina’s forte
March 31, 2025
3.5 stars. I was super excited about this premise but sadly it did not live up to my expectations. One of the things I believe Karina does best is write tension and spice between her MCs but I did not feel a connection between Aubrey & Jensen. It felt forced and just kinda there. I really enjoyed the "horror" aspect of the story and felt that outshone the romance. The plot was kind of predictable but it was the perfect balance of fun and creepy. I read it in a day and still enjoyed it, was just a little underwhelmed over all. I truly appreciated the opportunity to ARC read this and I'll continue to read everything Karina writes!
March 15, 2025
This book seems like it was written as quickly as possible with as many tropes as possible and no attention to detail. A cool premise absolutely wasted. 🥴
April 1, 2025
"sometimes the blood remembers what the mind forgets.” ⊹₊⟡⋆
well, this was a wild ride! i started it and somehow ended up finishing it on the same day, which is something i haven’t done in a long while. initially, right after reading, i was going to give this a 4 star rating because it was entertaining as all hell, but having slept on my decision, i’m pretty content with giving it a solid 3 stars!
i really enjoyed this book, which is what i was hoping for but not really expecting. i haven’t read a book by this author, but i’ve seen a lot of hype for some of her other books, so it was nice to finally see what the hype was all about! i did like the writing style - simplistic and not overly complicated, but descriptive and easy to read. i did find a lot of moments to be repetitive, though. either the characters would say the exact same thing a few pages apart, or they’d think the same thing. there seemed to be a lot of ruminating in the beginning, which did make things a little slower, but once the plot really kicked in - man. it was so entertaining! i haven’t read a horror-ish book before, i don’t think, and while this wasn’t anything crazy, it was my first foray into the genre, kind of. i love a good zombie story, so i’m wondering if i need to pick up more books with that as a theme.
the characters were pretty solid, too, for the most part. i wasn’t a fan of the romance at all - felt very insta-lusty and solely attraction based and rushed. so that wasn’t really my jam, but there is some development for aubrey and jensen that was decent. some things were just irksome - like aubrey being an fbi agent (had no real connection to the plot and honestly seemed unrealistic for her character), jensen being dubbed morally grey (he was just a man who made a bad decision. there should have been way more to the story with his involvement with marcus because otherwise, that plot line just felt unnecessary), and the whole hungry ones/bloodline aspect of the plot could’ve used a bit more developing in my opinion. things were kind of jumbled up towards the end so it didn’t really feel like a very satisfying ended.
despite those qualms, though, i did really enjoy reading this lol. it was pretty different from books i’ve previously read, and i liked the fact that it kept my attention enough for me to read it in two sittings. not a bad read!
cawpile system┊characters 5/10, atmosphere/setting 7/10, writing 6/10, plot 7/10, intrigue 8/10, logic/relationships 5/10, enjoyment 6/10 ⊹₊⟡⋆
well, this was a wild ride! i started it and somehow ended up finishing it on the same day, which is something i haven’t done in a long while. initially, right after reading, i was going to give this a 4 star rating because it was entertaining as all hell, but having slept on my decision, i’m pretty content with giving it a solid 3 stars!
i really enjoyed this book, which is what i was hoping for but not really expecting. i haven’t read a book by this author, but i’ve seen a lot of hype for some of her other books, so it was nice to finally see what the hype was all about! i did like the writing style - simplistic and not overly complicated, but descriptive and easy to read. i did find a lot of moments to be repetitive, though. either the characters would say the exact same thing a few pages apart, or they’d think the same thing. there seemed to be a lot of ruminating in the beginning, which did make things a little slower, but once the plot really kicked in - man. it was so entertaining! i haven’t read a horror-ish book before, i don’t think, and while this wasn’t anything crazy, it was my first foray into the genre, kind of. i love a good zombie story, so i’m wondering if i need to pick up more books with that as a theme.
the characters were pretty solid, too, for the most part. i wasn’t a fan of the romance at all - felt very insta-lusty and solely attraction based and rushed. so that wasn’t really my jam, but there is some development for aubrey and jensen that was decent. some things were just irksome - like aubrey being an fbi agent (had no real connection to the plot and honestly seemed unrealistic for her character), jensen being dubbed morally grey (he was just a man who made a bad decision. there should have been way more to the story with his involvement with marcus because otherwise, that plot line just felt unnecessary), and the whole hungry ones/bloodline aspect of the plot could’ve used a bit more developing in my opinion. things were kind of jumbled up towards the end so it didn’t really feel like a very satisfying ended.
despite those qualms, though, i did really enjoy reading this lol. it was pretty different from books i’ve previously read, and i liked the fact that it kept my attention enough for me to read it in two sittings. not a bad read!
cawpile system┊characters 5/10, atmosphere/setting 7/10, writing 6/10, plot 7/10, intrigue 8/10, logic/relationships 5/10, enjoyment 6/10 ⊹₊⟡⋆
March 31, 2025
*2.75 stars*
I really wanted to love this one. After Grave Matter, I had such high hopes. I was super intrigued at the beginning, but as the story went on, it sort of lost me. I’m not usually a fan of a fast burn, the spicy scenes felt kind of random and rushed and they didn’t do much for me. I didn’t feel much of a connection to, or between, Aubrey and Jensen. I absolutely love zombie/apocalyptic themed stories, but this one missed the mark for me, as they aren’t your typical zombie. And the ending felt rushed and unsolved as far as the “hungry ones” storyline goes.
Aubrey being an FBI agent didn’t feel plausible to me and Jensen’s backstory with Marcus seemed like this huge weight for the whole book but nothing really came of that minus hearing about him easily getting himself out of this dire situation (off page) at the very end.
I did enjoy parts of this story, the beginning really had me interested and wanting to know more. When things started hitting the fan in the first cabin, I was at the edge of my seat. But for the most part, I found it hard to focus on the story and get through the book.
I really wanted to love this one. After Grave Matter, I had such high hopes. I was super intrigued at the beginning, but as the story went on, it sort of lost me. I’m not usually a fan of a fast burn, the spicy scenes felt kind of random and rushed and they didn’t do much for me. I didn’t feel much of a connection to, or between, Aubrey and Jensen. I absolutely love zombie/apocalyptic themed stories, but this one missed the mark for me, as they aren’t your typical zombie. And the ending felt rushed and unsolved as far as the “hungry ones” storyline goes.
Aubrey being an FBI agent didn’t feel plausible to me and Jensen’s backstory with Marcus seemed like this huge weight for the whole book but nothing really came of that minus hearing about him easily getting himself out of this dire situation (off page) at the very end.
I did enjoy parts of this story, the beginning really had me interested and wanting to know more. When things started hitting the fan in the first cabin, I was at the edge of my seat. But for the most part, I found it hard to focus on the story and get through the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
— western horror romance
— zombies
— morally grey cowboy/FBI agent
— family curse
Aubrey's sister have disappeared in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Three years later Aubrey hires grumpy local ranch owner to find her. But something strange happens in the Sierras. A curse as old as the mountains themselves.
The premise sounded really good but execution could be better. The MC are dumb as fuck, though the plot is unique with lots of captivating twists and suspence. The tension is a chef's kiss.
I didn't really liked the romance, it was fast-paced as for me. Also the tropes says it's enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies, but they are more like strangers who sometimes are getting laid. However, the smut was hot.
The story was a bit of repetitive and the pace was slow - nothing happened until 50% of the book.
To my mind, it would be a great ending if the fmc joined her feral family and the mmc died. But it's HEA :)
— zombies
— morally grey cowboy/FBI agent
— family curse
The blood remembers what the generations forget
Aubrey's sister have disappeared in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Three years later Aubrey hires grumpy local ranch owner to find her. But something strange happens in the Sierras. A curse as old as the mountains themselves.
The premise sounded really good but execution could be better. The MC are dumb as fuck, though the plot is unique with lots of captivating twists and suspence. The tension is a chef's kiss.
I didn't really liked the romance, it was fast-paced as for me. Also the tropes says it's enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies, but they are more like strangers who sometimes are getting laid. However, the smut was hot.
The story was a bit of repetitive and the pace was slow - nothing happened until 50% of the book.
To my mind, it would be a great ending if the fmc joined her feral family and the mmc died. But it's HEA :)
November 15, 2025
Cowboys, zombies, AND some spice 🌶️ ? Well hell yea and yeehaw! 🤠
May 11, 2025
i devoured this book omg I loved it! I was hooked from the beginning, the story keeps you interested and it gives game of thrones/cowboy vibes 🤠 will definitely be getting the physical copy, she ate with this one fr 🙏🏽
December 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & Karina Halle for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Genre(s): horror, romantic suspense.
Overall impression: the creepy atmosphere captured in Death Valley was my favourite part of the book. It was so immersive that it felt like I was there with the characters as they were hunted by zombies and then trapped in a small cabin with dwindling supplies in the middle of a snow storm. I don't think I would have survived though - the paranoia would have led me to an early grave. The story was fast-paced and suspense was addictive, so it was easy to finish in a few reading sessions. There were a few inconsistencies and plot holes but the vibes were good and it made me want to try another one of Karina's books.
Tropes:
➵ Missing person
➵ Search for answers
➵ Messages through dreams
➵ Hidden identity
➵ They're both keeping secrets
➵ Moody cowboy
➵ Yellowstone with white walkers
➵ Survival horror
➵ Cabin fever
➵ Forced proximity
➵ Insta-lust
➵ Only one sleeping bag
➵ Not everyone survives
➵ Happy-for-now
⤷ Plot:
The plot of Death Valley followed pretty closely to the blurb. Aubrey and Jensen teamed up to try find the remains of Aubrey's missing sister in the mountains and were forced to face extreme weather conditions and zombie-like creatures that hunted them along the way. The search party were picked off one by one and the rest descended into madness, knowing there was no easy escape. It had major creepy vibes and was very atmospheric. The story was fairly predictable with only occasional plot twists and I was underwhelmed by the ending because it felt too easy, given how difficult it was for the MCs to get deep into the mountains in the first place. The villains shouldn't have been so easy to defeat. There were a few inconsistencies in the story that were hard to ignore - the most significant being the baby birthed at the start of the book, which was then immediately snatched from the hungry mother and run out of the room. The umbilical cord was never cut, which made me think the placenta had been ripped out too - but wasn't mentioned in the text. Other reviewers have commented on other plot holes, like with Jenson's shirt magically appearing in one of the scenes.
The romance sub-plot wasn't my favourite because of the insta-love. But it added a nice element to an otherwise spooky survival novel.
⤷ Characters:
Aubrey was a complex and somewhat likeable FMC. She had a lot of family trauma with no living parents and a missing sister, and it affected her mental health significantly. Her alcoholism was touched on briefly and I wish it had been explored more/handled better to show character growth. Instead, she continued to rely on alcohol later in the book - when in reality, no level of alcohol is safe for a person with alcoholism. Imo it was a missed opportunity to add more character depth.
Aubrey had a single-minded focus throughout the book - determined to find out what happened to her sister, regardless of the cost. There were times when it was unbelievable that she wouldn't turn back, regroup and try again when the conditions were more favourable. Even when her crew started disappearing and they started to experience unnatural events, she still wanted to risk the rest of the crew to find her sister's body. It didn't really make any sense, especially when she didn't expect to find her sister alive, and dumbed her character down a bit to a cliche horror character.
Jensen was a broody dark cowboy that needed Aubrey's money to get his ranch out of debt and pay for his mother's medical bills. He didn't feel as deep or complex as Aubrey, and we never really learned about his illegal behaviours with the debtor. He had some sexual chemistry with Aubrey but it all felt a bit too insta-lust for me to take their relationship seriously. They were intimate at the most random times and would then go back to completely ignoring each other, which made them seem really young and immature. The spice was good but not always appropriate given the rest of the surroundings.
The rest of the crew added an interesting dynamic to the story. Their personalities clashed a lot and added to the tension in the high-stress environment. You could definitely see the cabin fever set in the longer they were stuck together.
⤷ World-building:
I really liked the prologue and historical backstory to the Donner Party. It gave the story depth and made it feel believable because there was a reason for the supernatural events that followed. Some of the zombie lore was a bit patchy and by the end, I felt disappointed by some inconsistencies. I didn't really buy that a new zombie could have so much control over others, especially when they had no blood tie to the originals themselves. And then the fact some of the newer/weaker zombies had some control but then suddenly didn't later on made no sense to me. The speed at which people 'turned' into a zombie appeared to be completely random too and felt more like a plot of convenience, over there being an actual scientific reason. If you take that with a grain of salt and just read it for the vibes, then it's still enjoyable. But I wouldn't say the world-building was extensive or well developed because of these reasons.
⤷ Writing:
Karina's writing was punchy and fast-paced. It was easy to binge the story in a few good sittings and was unputdownable when the suspense built just before the action scenes. There were a few repetitive phrases that jarred me out of the story at times and some of the dialogue gave me the ick towards the MMC. But overall, it was enjoyable and I'd try another book by this author.
⤷ Everything else:
The cover had a pretty colour scheme which fit the wintery/cold vibes of the book really well. I wasn't too sure about the animal skull in the centre because it never appeared in the book - but all of the other little details (flowers, human bones, horseshoes) did and felt purposeful. I've seen the artwork in the hardback edition and it suits the main character descriptions really well. I'm tempted to buy the edition for that reason alone!
Statistics:
➵ Date read: 25/11/2025-29/11/2025 (5 days).
➵ Page count: 384.
➵ Type: e-book.
➵ Volume: standalone.
➵ Special: NetGalley ARC.
Social Media Links:
Instagram | TikTok | Threads
Follow for reviews, unboxings and book aesthetic videos.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Genre(s): horror, romantic suspense.
Overall impression: the creepy atmosphere captured in Death Valley was my favourite part of the book. It was so immersive that it felt like I was there with the characters as they were hunted by zombies and then trapped in a small cabin with dwindling supplies in the middle of a snow storm. I don't think I would have survived though - the paranoia would have led me to an early grave. The story was fast-paced and suspense was addictive, so it was easy to finish in a few reading sessions. There were a few inconsistencies and plot holes but the vibes were good and it made me want to try another one of Karina's books.
Tropes:
➵ Missing person
➵ Search for answers
➵ Messages through dreams
➵ Hidden identity
➵ They're both keeping secrets
➵ Moody cowboy
➵ Yellowstone with white walkers
➵ Survival horror
➵ Cabin fever
➵ Forced proximity
➵ Insta-lust
➵ Only one sleeping bag
➵ Not everyone survives
➵ Happy-for-now
⤷ Plot:
The plot of Death Valley followed pretty closely to the blurb. Aubrey and Jensen teamed up to try find the remains of Aubrey's missing sister in the mountains and were forced to face extreme weather conditions and zombie-like creatures that hunted them along the way. The search party were picked off one by one and the rest descended into madness, knowing there was no easy escape. It had major creepy vibes and was very atmospheric. The story was fairly predictable with only occasional plot twists and I was underwhelmed by the ending because it felt too easy, given how difficult it was for the MCs to get deep into the mountains in the first place. The villains shouldn't have been so easy to defeat. There were a few inconsistencies in the story that were hard to ignore - the most significant being the baby birthed at the start of the book, which was then immediately snatched from the hungry mother and run out of the room. The umbilical cord was never cut, which made me think the placenta had been ripped out too - but wasn't mentioned in the text. Other reviewers have commented on other plot holes, like with Jenson's shirt magically appearing in one of the scenes.
The romance sub-plot wasn't my favourite because of the insta-love. But it added a nice element to an otherwise spooky survival novel.
⤷ Characters:
Aubrey was a complex and somewhat likeable FMC. She had a lot of family trauma with no living parents and a missing sister, and it affected her mental health significantly. Her alcoholism was touched on briefly and I wish it had been explored more/handled better to show character growth. Instead, she continued to rely on alcohol later in the book - when in reality, no level of alcohol is safe for a person with alcoholism. Imo it was a missed opportunity to add more character depth.
Aubrey had a single-minded focus throughout the book - determined to find out what happened to her sister, regardless of the cost. There were times when it was unbelievable that she wouldn't turn back, regroup and try again when the conditions were more favourable. Even when her crew started disappearing and they started to experience unnatural events, she still wanted to risk the rest of the crew to find her sister's body. It didn't really make any sense, especially when she didn't expect to find her sister alive, and dumbed her character down a bit to a cliche horror character.
Jensen was a broody dark cowboy that needed Aubrey's money to get his ranch out of debt and pay for his mother's medical bills. He didn't feel as deep or complex as Aubrey, and we never really learned about his illegal behaviours with the debtor. He had some sexual chemistry with Aubrey but it all felt a bit too insta-lust for me to take their relationship seriously. They were intimate at the most random times and would then go back to completely ignoring each other, which made them seem really young and immature. The spice was good but not always appropriate given the rest of the surroundings.
The rest of the crew added an interesting dynamic to the story. Their personalities clashed a lot and added to the tension in the high-stress environment. You could definitely see the cabin fever set in the longer they were stuck together.
⤷ World-building:
I really liked the prologue and historical backstory to the Donner Party. It gave the story depth and made it feel believable because there was a reason for the supernatural events that followed. Some of the zombie lore was a bit patchy and by the end, I felt disappointed by some inconsistencies. I didn't really buy that a new zombie could have so much control over others, especially when they had no blood tie to the originals themselves. And then the fact some of the newer/weaker zombies had some control but then suddenly didn't later on made no sense to me. The speed at which people 'turned' into a zombie appeared to be completely random too and felt more like a plot of convenience, over there being an actual scientific reason. If you take that with a grain of salt and just read it for the vibes, then it's still enjoyable. But I wouldn't say the world-building was extensive or well developed because of these reasons.
⤷ Writing:
Karina's writing was punchy and fast-paced. It was easy to binge the story in a few good sittings and was unputdownable when the suspense built just before the action scenes. There were a few repetitive phrases that jarred me out of the story at times and some of the dialogue gave me the ick towards the MMC. But overall, it was enjoyable and I'd try another book by this author.
⤷ Everything else:
The cover had a pretty colour scheme which fit the wintery/cold vibes of the book really well. I wasn't too sure about the animal skull in the centre because it never appeared in the book - but all of the other little details (flowers, human bones, horseshoes) did and felt purposeful. I've seen the artwork in the hardback edition and it suits the main character descriptions really well. I'm tempted to buy the edition for that reason alone!
Statistics:
➵ Date read: 25/11/2025-29/11/2025 (5 days).
➵ Page count: 384.
➵ Type: e-book.
➵ Volume: standalone.
➵ Special: NetGalley ARC.
Social Media Links:
Instagram | TikTok | Threads
Follow for reviews, unboxings and book aesthetic videos.
April 1, 2025
Idk 2 stars is all I can muster I think
This had so much potential, the epilogue was so cool and really got me excited for what this COULD HAVE been. There’s no way there was an editor on this, because it was so repetitive, the same sentences were used over and over and over again.
The romance aspect of this book pissed me off so much.
It was forced and weird and shallow. There was no “depth” to the Aubrey and Jensens “connection” because there wasn’t a connection at all. They hooked up in the barn, and both were like “okay cool back to business” and then Jensen is saying “you’ve always been mine” I’m sorry??? When did that happen? You two have known each other for 4 days??
And there hasn’t been any conversations or communications to actually get to know one another? I’m just confused I wish this story didn’t have any romance aspect to it at all bc it was SO poorly done.
Jensen also having a random western slang thrown into conversations so haphazardly was aggravating, commit to the bit or don’t, I don’t care but PICK ONE AND STICK THERE.
The zombie aspect could have been so cool, but okay now they’re talking to us?
The first 60% of the book is glancing over your shoulder, creepy stuff in the woods, and random booking up from Aubrey and Jensen that seems so random and forced.
The build up was slow for the plot
I skimmed the last 15% cuz I just wanted to get it over with.
UGH
This had so much potential, the epilogue was so cool and really got me excited for what this COULD HAVE been. There’s no way there was an editor on this, because it was so repetitive, the same sentences were used over and over and over again.
The romance aspect of this book pissed me off so much.
It was forced and weird and shallow. There was no “depth” to the Aubrey and Jensens “connection” because there wasn’t a connection at all. They hooked up in the barn, and both were like “okay cool back to business” and then Jensen is saying “you’ve always been mine” I’m sorry??? When did that happen? You two have known each other for 4 days??
And there hasn’t been any conversations or communications to actually get to know one another? I’m just confused I wish this story didn’t have any romance aspect to it at all bc it was SO poorly done.
Jensen also having a random western slang thrown into conversations so haphazardly was aggravating, commit to the bit or don’t, I don’t care but PICK ONE AND STICK THERE.
The zombie aspect could have been so cool, but okay now they’re talking to us?
The first 60% of the book is glancing over your shoulder, creepy stuff in the woods, and random booking up from Aubrey and Jensen that seems so random and forced.
The build up was slow for the plot
I skimmed the last 15% cuz I just wanted to get it over with.
UGH
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