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Pleasant Shade
A trip gone terribly wrong.
Six friends set out on a remote Tennessee trail, expecting breathtaking views and unforgettable memories. But the wilderness has other plans. When they take a wrong turn into the backwoods of Pleasant Shade, they find something waiting for them, something that watches, hunts and never let’s go.
What started as an adventure becomes a fight for survival. They soon find out that Pleasant Shade isn’t so pleasant.
Six friends set out on a remote Tennessee trail, expecting breathtaking views and unforgettable memories. But the wilderness has other plans. When they take a wrong turn into the backwoods of Pleasant Shade, they find something waiting for them, something that watches, hunts and never let’s go.
What started as an adventure becomes a fight for survival. They soon find out that Pleasant Shade isn’t so pleasant.
143 pages, Paperback
Published May 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 26, 2026
I was back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars, however, this being Brad Thomas' debut novel, I rounded up. The content was interesting because it took many notes from similar movies and stories about mountain folk coming down onto unsuspecting hikers and whatnot. But it didn't devolve into an utter gorefest. Lots of uncomfortable instances, but not a ton of bloodshed, which was a nice change of pace. Beyond that, the premise, characters, and plot points were all very familiar. What really stood out to me was the quality of Thomas' writing. The skill was there and the effort was clear, and it was so close to being great, as opposed to very good. I'd like to see him explore some uncharted territory in the horror genre to really see him shine. But, again, as a debut, this was pretty darn good.
October 19, 2025
Tennessee city kids versus the Pleasant Shade Brood in this backwoods survival story. The truth doesn’t stay buried for long in the Anderson Hills.
It is remarkably entertaining, not a dull moment, great characters, and plenty of twists and turns along the way. It is not overly gory, leaving much to your imagination, so it should appeal to a wide audience. I look forward to what he writes next!
It is remarkably entertaining, not a dull moment, great characters, and plenty of twists and turns along the way. It is not overly gory, leaving much to your imagination, so it should appeal to a wide audience. I look forward to what he writes next!
October 25, 2025
Great debut and a very compelling read, that will keep you awake late into the night, uncapable to stop reading until you get to the end.
Fast paced story of a group of friends that end up in the wrong place, in the woods. Is it an accident or just a twist of events?
Read it to find out!
Fast paced story of a group of friends that end up in the wrong place, in the woods. Is it an accident or just a twist of events?
Read it to find out!
September 3, 2025
Review to come.
May 24, 2025
Unconcerned by the unsolved deaths a year ago in Pleasant, a group of friends chose this as the destination for their next hiking trip. The inner turmoil of the characters is strongly evident when their loyalty is tested.
This debut horror novella by Brad Thomas has the vibes of The Hills Have Eyes and the isolation of Deliverance. Would suit YA and wider audiences alike
Can’t wait to see what comes next!
This debut horror novella by Brad Thomas has the vibes of The Hills Have Eyes and the isolation of Deliverance. Would suit YA and wider audiences alike
Can’t wait to see what comes next!
May 1, 2025
Wow, wow, WOW! I was lucky enough for my good friend, Brad to send me a copy of his debut novella and can I tell you, this really packs a punch. I have actually been in a huge book slump for all of this year to be honest and it’s sucked all of the joy out of reading for me. But I speed read this this afternoon and I absolutely adored it. It’s hard to believe that this is Brad’s first horror because it is SOOOO good. I adored this so much and I’m so thankful to Brad for getting me out of my slump. You NEED to read this when it comes out in a few weeks. Five million stars.
May 25, 2025
Brad Thomas has been a phenomenal supporter of the indie horror scene and I'm delighted he's making the leap from reader to author.
This book was an absolute blast. Wonderful pacing. If you enjoy Deliverance and The Hills Have Eyes, you'll want to keep an eye out for this one 🖤🩸
This book was an absolute blast. Wonderful pacing. If you enjoy Deliverance and The Hills Have Eyes, you'll want to keep an eye out for this one 🖤🩸
May 15, 2025
For a debut novella, the quality of writing in Pleasant Shade is wonderful. The characters leap off of the page, the locations are isolated and dark, and the story is a mix of pure terror and good fun.
Wrong Turn meets Green Inferno in a modern era, Pleasant Shade focuses on a group of hikers who go missing in the woods after stumbling across ‘The Brood’. With elements of cannibalism, cultism and hillbillies, this story has it all. I am seriously impressed
Wrong Turn meets Green Inferno in a modern era, Pleasant Shade focuses on a group of hikers who go missing in the woods after stumbling across ‘The Brood’. With elements of cannibalism, cultism and hillbillies, this story has it all. I am seriously impressed
March 1, 2026
A great debut by Brad, that I'm ashamed I've only just gotten round to reading.
When a group of friends decide to go into the wilderness, regardless of the deaths a year before, they don't expect the danger that lies ahead waiting for them.
For fans of Wrong turn, just less extreme.
When a group of friends decide to go into the wilderness, regardless of the deaths a year before, they don't expect the danger that lies ahead waiting for them.
For fans of Wrong turn, just less extreme.
April 22, 2025
Thankyou for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This was a fantastic debut horror book by Brad Thomas. If you have seen 'The hills have eyes' and 'The wrong turn', that sort of vibe encapsulates this book.
Young friends enjoying life and going hiking on trail together that they haven't been on before, when they come to meet a tribe they never knew existed... Or did they?
Lots of quick turns and unexpected plot twists *no spoilers here*... Very easy to read - not too gory for those new to the genre, but this doesn't take away the impact of the story.
Was a really neat, punchy book that did exactly what it set out to do... Never wanting to get lost in the woods again.
💀💀💀💀💀/5
This was a fantastic debut horror book by Brad Thomas. If you have seen 'The hills have eyes' and 'The wrong turn', that sort of vibe encapsulates this book.
Young friends enjoying life and going hiking on trail together that they haven't been on before, when they come to meet a tribe they never knew existed... Or did they?
Lots of quick turns and unexpected plot twists *no spoilers here*... Very easy to read - not too gory for those new to the genre, but this doesn't take away the impact of the story.
Was a really neat, punchy book that did exactly what it set out to do... Never wanting to get lost in the woods again.
💀💀💀💀💀/5
January 28, 2026
I love reading books by unknown authors, and one of the biggest issues I've noticed with their work is bad grammar and very fast past storytelling.
but this book has none of that at all. I'm very impressed 👏. I look forward to his next book.
but this book has none of that at all. I'm very impressed 👏. I look forward to his next book.
July 22, 2026
They say never judge a book by its cover, but that’s exactly what first drew me to Pleasant Shade. I absolutely loved the cover & after reading the blurb it went straight onto my TBR.
I’ll be honest though, the first few pages had me questioning whether it was for me. I wasn’t quite connecting with it & even considered putting it down. Thankfully I’d already seen so many positive reviews, so I decided to stick with it for a little longer. Wow, I’m so glad I did.
Once this story gets going, it really gets going. Before I knew it, I was completely hooked & didn’t want to put it down. The pacing really picks up, the tension keeps building & there were plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages.
Books rarely scare me, no matter how dark or brutal they get, but something about Pleasant Shade came very, very close. There was just something about the atmosphere that got under my skin in a way that most horror books don’t.
For a debut, this is incredibly impressive. It’s fast-paced, gripping & proof that you don’t need a huge page count to tell a brilliant horror story. If you’re a fan of survival horror or backwoods horror with Wrong Turn or The Hills Have Eyes vibes, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
And if, like me, you’re not convinced in those opening chapters, please keep going. It’s absolutely worth it.
The ending left things feeling wide open for a sequel & I’m really hoping there will be one because I’d love to return to Pleasant Shade.
I’ll be honest though, the first few pages had me questioning whether it was for me. I wasn’t quite connecting with it & even considered putting it down. Thankfully I’d already seen so many positive reviews, so I decided to stick with it for a little longer. Wow, I’m so glad I did.
Once this story gets going, it really gets going. Before I knew it, I was completely hooked & didn’t want to put it down. The pacing really picks up, the tension keeps building & there were plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages.
Books rarely scare me, no matter how dark or brutal they get, but something about Pleasant Shade came very, very close. There was just something about the atmosphere that got under my skin in a way that most horror books don’t.
For a debut, this is incredibly impressive. It’s fast-paced, gripping & proof that you don’t need a huge page count to tell a brilliant horror story. If you’re a fan of survival horror or backwoods horror with Wrong Turn or The Hills Have Eyes vibes, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
And if, like me, you’re not convinced in those opening chapters, please keep going. It’s absolutely worth it.
The ending left things feeling wide open for a sequel & I’m really hoping there will be one because I’d love to return to Pleasant Shade.
December 30, 2025
"A Bone-Chilling Page-Turner that Redefines Survival Horror!"
This creepy and captivating story left me completely speechless. While reading, I couldn't help but be reminded of the movie Wrong Turn; it has that same visceral, unsettling energy that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can honestly say I felt genuine chills throughout the entire experience.
This was my first time reading Brad Thomas, and I am beyond satisfied. The narrative is so well-executed that it hooks you from the very first page to the final sentence. Speaking of the ending—it left me stunned. I absolutely did not see that plot twist coming!
The book serves as a grim reminder: if a sign says "Restricted Area" or "Do Not Enter," common sense says you should listen... or you might end up like the characters in this story.
Excellent work by the author. I’m giving this a well-deserved 5 stars because the pacing is perfect and the story never lets go. I’ll definitely be looking for more from Brad Thomas in the future!
This creepy and captivating story left me completely speechless. While reading, I couldn't help but be reminded of the movie Wrong Turn; it has that same visceral, unsettling energy that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can honestly say I felt genuine chills throughout the entire experience.
This was my first time reading Brad Thomas, and I am beyond satisfied. The narrative is so well-executed that it hooks you from the very first page to the final sentence. Speaking of the ending—it left me stunned. I absolutely did not see that plot twist coming!
The book serves as a grim reminder: if a sign says "Restricted Area" or "Do Not Enter," common sense says you should listen... or you might end up like the characters in this story.
Excellent work by the author. I’m giving this a well-deserved 5 stars because the pacing is perfect and the story never lets go. I’ll definitely be looking for more from Brad Thomas in the future!
May 23, 2025
Brad Thomas makes a blood-soaked entrance into the genre with Pleasant Shade, a harrowing debut that plunges readers headfirst into a wilderness nightmare. What starts as a simple weekend getaway for six friends quickly unravels into a relentless tale of dread, violence, and dark family secrets.
Set in the remote forests of Tennessee, the story follows a group of young hikers who unknowingly stumble into a brutal fight for survival. Thomas wastes no time immersing us in the horror: the tension mounts quickly, the isolation is palpable, and the shadows conceal something monstrous.
Reminiscent of The Hills Have Eyes and Deliverance, Pleasant Shade drips with Southern Gothic menace, blending backwoods terror with an atmosphere of creeping unease.
This is a brutally effective debut that leaves its mark. Short, savage, and unshakable, it’s a must-read for fans of survival horrors with teeth. Brad Thomas has arrived and readers should take note.
Set in the remote forests of Tennessee, the story follows a group of young hikers who unknowingly stumble into a brutal fight for survival. Thomas wastes no time immersing us in the horror: the tension mounts quickly, the isolation is palpable, and the shadows conceal something monstrous.
Reminiscent of The Hills Have Eyes and Deliverance, Pleasant Shade drips with Southern Gothic menace, blending backwoods terror with an atmosphere of creeping unease.
This is a brutally effective debut that leaves its mark. Short, savage, and unshakable, it’s a must-read for fans of survival horrors with teeth. Brad Thomas has arrived and readers should take note.
May 11, 2025
This book was so much fun! I whipped through in 24hrs. It's all the things I really love in a horror book.
We have a group of friends who go off hiking on a trail where people recently went missing. We have the banter and camaraderie of 20-somethings, the picturesque scenery... and then we have the locals...
Anyone who misses Jack Ketchum, will love this book. The way it pulls the grime and depravity of The Offspring and splashes more than a little Laymon over it. It's the lovechild of Wrong Turn, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
It's not a big book, and it doesn't need to be. It's that good.
Get it, before it gets you...
We have a group of friends who go off hiking on a trail where people recently went missing. We have the banter and camaraderie of 20-somethings, the picturesque scenery... and then we have the locals...
Anyone who misses Jack Ketchum, will love this book. The way it pulls the grime and depravity of The Offspring and splashes more than a little Laymon over it. It's the lovechild of Wrong Turn, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
It's not a big book, and it doesn't need to be. It's that good.
Get it, before it gets you...
May 23, 2025
A story that holds so many secrets, so many lies. Secrets that made me gasp out loud. The family connections - I felt like I couldn't trust anyone! A story full of never-ending nightmares, a trap you can't get out of, a feeling of "what on earth can happen next" that never leaves you. It left me turning for the next page over and over. The ending had me wanting more, and I'm hoping there's a second one lurking within you somewhere!
Brad, what a corker of a first novella! I absolutely loved it and got through it in just over an hour. What a superstar you are! Congratulations!
Brad, what a corker of a first novella! I absolutely loved it and got through it in just over an hour. What a superstar you are! Congratulations!
May 11, 2025
Brad Thomas’s first official foray into horror is not one to be missed. Perfect for fans of ‘The Hills Have Eyes’ and ‘The Descent’, this neat novella explores secrets, lies and family ties.
What starts as a fun hiking trip quickly devolves into a nightmare beyond comprehension. This book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. A runaway train of terror.
Brad Thomas’s succinct writing style means that the horror never lets up. A one-sitting read with lasting effects.
What starts as a fun hiking trip quickly devolves into a nightmare beyond comprehension. This book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. A runaway train of terror.
Brad Thomas’s succinct writing style means that the horror never lets up. A one-sitting read with lasting effects.
March 25, 2026
A group go hiking where a terrible accident happened a year earlier. They run into some locals who are far from friendly. Cue cat and mouse chases and deceit from within.
I thought this was going to be a Wrong Turn type of book, and it was to a small extent. It certainly took some ideas from it. The story wasn't too deep but it was still enjoyable.
I found the book written well, and the story motored along quite rapidly.
I thought this was going to be a Wrong Turn type of book, and it was to a small extent. It certainly took some ideas from it. The story wasn't too deep but it was still enjoyable.
I found the book written well, and the story motored along quite rapidly.
May 14, 2025
I genuinely love this book, it’s a fresh take with ‘Wrong Turn’ vibes. I devoured it in one sitting.
It has everything I look for, it’s fast paced with no pointless fluff, it’s gory and I actually care about the characters and the relationships between them all.
There are plenty of curve balls just when you think you know how everyone is connected.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews