Hollow House

by M.K. Ahearn

Everyone wants an invitation to Hollow House.

For years, rumors have circulated about the secluded mansion’s secretive Halloween party. No one knows who owns it. No one talks about what happens inside.

Journalist, Sloane Hill, never once has cared about securing her way inside. But when an invitation appears on her counter, she sees her way out of the small town life she’s been stuck in.

Hollow House has chosen her. And once you enter, your future will never be the same.

If you
-dark romance
-twisted endings
-masked MMC
-is this all a dream?
-why choose moments
-“good girl”

Hollow House is for you!

Genres: Dark Romance, Halloween, Dark, Novella, Holiday, Romance, Mystery

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2025

About the author

MK Ahearn grew up in Massachusetts as one of three sisters. She now lives in Maryland with her husband and their three cats. She received her bachelor of arts in international relations and is now completing a master of professional studies in homeland security. When not writing or studying she can be found planning her next travel adventure.

Reviews

[destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

was any of it real ? idk but welcome to hollow house 🤪

thank you so much m.k. for allowing me to arc read 🖤

this is a dark romance novella, halloween themed, stalker, journalist fmc + high society mmc, secret society, knife play, primal play, dark truths, kinky house party, mysterious, duo pov, standalone 💋

sloane has spent her whole life wishing to escape this small town. she wanted more for herself, personal and career wise. every turn she makes, there’s only one person stopping her from reaching her goals in life. when she figures out an article idea that would hopefully be her big break, her boss challenges her in getting in invitation to one of the most exclusive parties held only once every year. the hollow house is a place where everyone can achieve their darkest desires. it is a place where only the elite outcasts gets an invitation. sloane never thought she would find out more about herself as well as who truly runs this society. the man, the myth, the legend … wraith. this man is truly the puppet master. he provides a night where everyone who has ever been casted aside to let loose and find their desires. he gives those who have suffered their whole lives a better choice. a chance to rebrand their whole image. the moment he saw sloane, he immediately knew that she was his and he doesn’t share. but when it comes down to trusting him, will sloane give in to her darkest desires and finally have the life she worked so hard for ? or will she expose the true depravity that occurs behind the hollow house gates ?

ABSOLUTELY ATE THIS UP 😍

the way i would actually do anything to be invited to this damn party 😭 i swear i would literally sell my soul !! at first i was so suspicious about what really went down at this house. but to see how the wraith carefully picked who and what was so amazing. he truly cares but he also has an empire to run. this man is hot and full of sin 🤤 i’d simply fold.

brb while i go dream about being at the hollow house 😩🙌🏼

🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow House is a dark, spicy Halloween novella that’s the perfect quick read for spooky season. Sloane dreams of escaping her small town and making it big as a journalist, and when an invitation to the exclusive Hollow House arrives, she knows she can’t resist. What unfolds is eerie, seductive, and just the right amount of unsettling.

The vibes were immaculate gothic, mysterious, and pulsing with tension. Damon is intense, obsessive, and impossible to look away from, while Sloane brings ambition, curiosity, and fire to the story. For such a short book, the spice was surprisingly bold and the atmosphere completely addictive. I also loved the paranormal edge woven into the romance it added that extra thrill to an already deliciously dark setup.

If you’re looking for a fast, haunting, and spicy dark romance to curl up with this fall, Hollow House will absolutely hit the mark. Thanks to Azala Press for the gifted ARC.

[Kimmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hollow House by M.K. Ahearn

This was a quick, spicy, and entertaining novella. The plot centers on a mysterious, exclusive sex party that meets once in a while, and a journalist who wants to write an article about it. The premise was fun, but the timeline felt a bit odd at times, so if you pick this one up, I recommend paying attention to the timeframe of the party, that personally confused me at the end and I wish I paid attention to the TIME frame more.

I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy:
Masked main characters
Secret societies
Millionaire Main Character
Tattooed Main Character
Halloween vibes
And a kinky sex house party

The author mentions it’s a standalone, so the ending leaves a bit of mystery for readers to interpret.

Thank you to M.K. Ahearn for the gifted copy!

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a super quick, VERY smutty novella! Sloan needs to be invited to Hollow House, the well know but extremely exclusive Halloween event. Not much is known about Hollow House except that it is essentially a pleasure house.

I was all in on this book until we got to Hollow House. It felt jumpy and confusing, probably by nature based on the ending. It was certainly super smutty and gave spooky season vibes. I liked it but didn’t LOVE IT.

Thank you so much to the author for the electronic advance reading copy!

[jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 STARS

First, I totally believe in ghosts!

Second, this is the perfect short, spicy and spooky read for right now. A hollow house for all your deepest desires?! Like yes. Please!

SIGN ME UP!

But also maybe not. I’m too chicken lol

[The Literature Lizard · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨ARC Review: Hollow House by M.K. Ahearn✨
Dual POV | Novella | 124 Pages

⭐️.5/🌶️🌶️
📚Releases September 1, 2025!

Thank you to Ahearn for providing me with an advanced copy of Hollow House! As always, my opinions are my own. ☺️

“Tell me what you want, Love.”
To leave.
To write my article.
To run and never look back.
“You.”

What to Expect:
✔️ Dark Romance
✔️ Twisted Endings
✔️ Possessive Masked MMC
✔️ "Good Girl"
✔️Fear Play
✔️ House of Pleasures

Sloane works as a journalist at a small town magazine. At risk of losing her job, she makes a deal with her boss to write the most sought after article - the inside scoop on Hollow House and what happens every Halloween. But there was one problem.. She would need an invitation. Something that is incredibly hard to obtain.

But she is determined to get invited to the exclusive invitation to the most mysterious event of the year. Sloane goes out that night to try to get details on how to get the invitation.. but it seems she may have done something right that night, cuz when she got home she found something on her kitchen island that wasn’t there when she left for work.. an invitation to Hollow House.

My Thoughts ⬇️⬇️

I’m really not sure how I felt about this one. I was all in and for it up until Sloane went to Hollow House. At this point things just got disjointed and confusing for me? There were a lot of things that happened that just didn’t get an explanation Sloane was seeing figments, and had somehow been inside Hollow House for a month without knowing, but there was no explanation for any of this. Just thrown in there. I loved the aspect of a Hollow House being the place where people can indulge in their desires for a night without shame, but I think it was executed poorly.. it really just wasn’t for me.

[Brittany Garvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨🥀🖤 Hollow House by @authormkahearn 🖤🥀✨

🥀Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🥀Spice 🔥🔥🔥
🥀Release Date: 9/1/2025

🥀 Sloane is a journalist in a small town who dreams of escaping to bigger and better things. Her ticket out is writing a piece on the infamous and exclusive Hollow House. When a mysterious invitation shows up in her house to the Halloween night party, Sloane takes the chance. What ensues is an experience of a…lifetime?

🥀This is a spooky, eerie, and slightly sinister darker romance. Perfect for spooky season! It is short but not so sweet! Our MMC, the Wraith, is mysterious and wholly obsessed with Sloane. The whole vibe of the book remained slightly off putting (in a good way) throughout the story. Definitely check the trigger warnings as there are some darker spice scenes. And the plot twist at the end 😳 definitely recommend if you want a quick, spooky, dark romance this fall! 🫶🏻🖤✨

🥀Thank you to the author for a copy of the e-arc in exchange for my review 🫶🏻





🏷️
#arcreview #arcreads #bookrecs #bookreview #newrelease #spookybooks #darkromancebooks #spicy #spicybookstagram #book #books #booksbooksbooks

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5

We have officially entered the “-ber” months, and what a way to kick it off for Spooky Season lovers is by reading a fast-paced, full of spice dark romance novella! Author MK Ahearn delivers in Hollow House. Sloane is the curious journalist who wants to know more about the rumored “Hollow House.” It's rumored because it’s a highly exclusive, secret society, invitation only, and the things that happen inside stay inside—so no one knows what happens. When Sloane gets an invite, she goes!


Hollow House is my first book by MK Ahearn, and I’m glad I’m being introduced to her writing this way. I’m all about pacing, especially when it comes to novellas. I’m expecting a short and quick read because that’s what I often have time for, and she met my expectations with all the themes, tropes, spice levels, and characters. There were moments with a few little twists, which I always appreciate in a story.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘻𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘔𝘒 𝘈𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦-𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺.

[Alina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t piss me off

[Emily | sipsandshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me a spicy little dark romance halloween novella! Hollow House is full of twists, deception, and smut of course. It’s one of those reads that will have you second guessing what actually went down. It’s perfect for transitioning into spooky season! Thank you MK for the ARC :)

What to expect:
-dark romance
-halloween novella
-masked MMC
-house of pleasures
-knife play

[itsjustjasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEDUCTIVELY DARK, TWISTED & THRILLING TO THE LAST PAGE

(ARC REVIEW)
This was an easy 5⭐ read for me. I finished it in under 2 hours. It’s a short novella, meant to be a quick read, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying every single page.

A story centered around a small town journalist Sloane, who’s chasing for her big break in the city. To get it, she needs to uncover the mystery of the infamous Hollow House, a mansion on the hillside that only comes alive on Halloween. Invitations are exclusive. Only those who attend know what truly happens inside its eerie walls.

It’s seductively thrilling, dark, twisted, and gripping. Even though it’s fast paced, I didn't feel like any part of the story was missing. The plot was a bomb drop I did not see coming. I was starving for answers, but sometimes the best stories are the ones left to the imagination and I’ll happily let mine run wild.

This was my first read from MK Ahearn, and now I’m hungry to read more of her work (which I definitely will 😍)

[ChlosterReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what I just read, but I enjoyed the ride.
As soon as Sloane stepped in that house, all bets were off. You think you know what's going on here? Think again buddy! Cause I sure don't!
That ending literally had me... Insert the clip of Jennifer Lawrence during Hot Ones just going "what do you mean!?" repeatedly.
If you want a sexy and spooky read, look no further! Thanks to MK and Azala Press for the ARC! But like MK... What was that!?

[Kennedy Sepsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating: 5/5 ⭐️
spice: 5/5 🌶️

this dark, spicy, fast burn is a must read this halloween season!

small-town journalist sloane finds herself looking for a chance to write about a halloween party she’s never been invited to - until she is. at hollow house, sloane meets wraith, our masked mmc and her halloween night takes a major turn.

sloane and the wraith’s story is full of twists, illusions, “touch her and die” vibes, a surprise ending i did not see coming, and overall spooky vibes.

thank you MK Ahearn for the ARC 🖤🎃

[Wren ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn’t for me.

I usually enjoy dark romance and have no complaints when a novella is nothing but smut, but this one was repetitive. The entire plot felt like the FMC just wandered around a creepy old house in between bouts of sex.

There wasn’t enough character development or story to hold my interest. The MMC’s constant use of “love” became grating when it showed up nine times in a single chapter. After that it was no longer endearing.

[Amanda Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this book, and the first half. The characters were strong for a novella and the plot was also very interesting.
The spice was great, and it was creepy as well — so good for a fall read!
The problem for me was, about halfway to 75% of the way through, I got really confused, and then was kind of disappointed at the abrupt ending.
One of the scenes, I’m still lost tbh. Don’t know what it was about.
But I think that was part of the story — to confuse the living f out of you. What was real, what isn’t?
The plot twists are fun, although I could see a lot of it coming.
Still a fun, dark, spooky read regardless!

Thank you so much to the author and team for the advanced copy of Hollow House!

[Karen Brooks - TheTxLitChic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow House
~M.K. Ahearn

“To my FBI agent watching, this is what the research was for and I hope it makes you blush.” ~M.K. Ahearn

Sloane Hill is a journalist stuck under the thumb of Darren, her egotistical, misogynistic boss who happily piles on assignments but withholds the promotion she’s earned. When he springs an early performance review on her - complete with indecent “offers” in exchange for advancement - Sloane pushes back with a bold claim: she’ll land the story no one else in town has ever managed. An exclusive on Hollow House, the infamous once-a-year Halloween party steeped in rumor, myth, and scandal.

No one ever gets invited… until Sloane returns home from happy hour with her best friend, Alex, to find an envelope waiting in her kitchen. Now she has a choice: skip out as she usually does with social events, or step into Hollow House and uncover the story that could change her career - and maybe her life.

M.K. Ahearn delivers a tightly woven novella (I devoured it in a single sitting) that blends mystery, gothic atmosphere, and sharp social commentary. Sloane is instantly relatable - the hardworking, small-town woman fighting to break free from toxic environments and systemic harassment. The tension is palpable, and the degradation she endures feels uncomfortably real.

The imagery is striking, transporting readers into a world that’s dark, bold, and richly atmospheric. With brisk pacing and seamless transitions, Hollow House pulls you in and refuses to let go until the final page.

Ahearn doesn’t shy away from difficult or controversial themes, but they’re handled with intention, weight, and care. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.

My only critique - and the reason for four rather than five stars - is the ending, which left me wanting more resolution. Still, for readers who crave dark romance steeped in spice, paraphilia, and a dash of revenge, Hollow House is a wickedly perfect pick for the Halloween season.

I would like to thank M.K. Ahearn for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC read Hollow House. All opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow House by M.K. Ahearn

What a ride this novella was! At first, it gave me a touch of Apartment 7A vibes—but ultimately, it was its own dark and twisty story. I went in not knowing where it would lead, and that unpredictability kept me glued to the pages.

The premise: An ambitious journalist, desperate to prove herself, lands an invite to Hollow House, a once-a-year Halloween party thrown by a secret society. Determined to write the expose that will finally earn her freedom and recognition, she dives in headfirst. But what she finds inside is a blur of pleasure, terror, and psychological games. Is it all real—or just in her mind? And the tall, tattooed stranger at her side—protector or predator?

This story balances mystery, spice, and a touch of horror, delivering a short but impactful ride. What didn’t fully work for me were some of the dialogues—they occasionally felt a little repetitive and flat.

Still, if you’re into secret societies, Halloween atmospheres, knife and primal play, possessive MMCs, voyeurism, and why-choose dynamics, this novella will be right up your alley.

Please check your triggers!

Huge thanks to M.K. Ahearn for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[casey ⋆˚౨ৎ ⋆.˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

do note this is dark romance novella (and won’t be a continued series). please do check content warnings before reading. thank you to the author for the advanced copy to read and review.

this was eerie, it was SPICY, and it was dark. i love damon and sloan. damon is obsessed with sloan and possessive of her. in all honesty, i don’t typically read dark romance often, but this ATE. and that ending????? if you like dark romance, this is the perfect novella to add to your spooky tbr this upcoming season.

sloan is eager to get out of her small town and become a big journalist in nyc. hollow house has an event once a year on halloween for the rich and elite where you can only get in with an invite. sloan gets invited and she’s not sure how she made the list, but she’s intrigued and decides to go. that’s when she meets damon and things get crazy.

tropes: halloween novella, masked mmc, house of pleasures, seven deadly sins inspired, fear play, secret society, journalist fmc, millionaire mmc with tattoos

💀🔪🖤👻🐦‍⬛

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 ✨
📖: Hollow House

Sloane needs a big break in her journalism career and wants to achieve it on her own merit. Scoring a coveted invite to write a piece on Hollow House’s Halloween party may prove to be just the ticket.

But what she finds there changes everything she thought she knew about the world around her…and about herself.

Tropes:
✍🏻Journalist FMC
🎭Masked MMC
🖤Dark romance novella
🤭Why choose moments
🫦“Good Girl”
🌶️: open door
⚠️Check TW/CW

Welcome to Hollow House, where dark desires and fantasies come to life. As Sloane navigates layers of forbidden desires, she slowly begins to question her reality.

Filled with dark twists, Hollow House is a short, spicy, and suspenseful dark romance to kick off your fall TBR!

Huge thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[kailesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ thank you MK Ahearn for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

What a perfect novella to start off the -ber months. This was fun and dark and sexy and dangerous all rolled into one and I couldn’t get enough! I ate this up and am thoroughly looking forward to reading more by MK. I felt the pacing was great, the suspense was catered to perfectly, and I was left grasping the edge of my seat for the next scene.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but this spooky, funhouse (pun so intended) Sloane decides is her way out of the small town she is desperate to escape just so happens to have everything she could have ever desired. With a man like The Wraith supplying those every desires, what could possibly go wrong?

If you want a quick-paced, hot as sin read for your fall TBR, Hollow House should be at the top of your list!!

[Karla Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Hollow House in about an hour—it’s quick, wild, and full of spice. The whole thing feels eerie and fun, perfect for a late-night read around Halloween.

Sloane and Damon light up the page right away. Their push-and-pull is messy, obsessive, and exactly what I expect from a dark romance. Some moments went further than I thought they would, but it worked with the vibe of the story.

It doesn’t tie everything up neatly, and I actually liked that. The unanswered questions added to the atmosphere instead of taking away from it. If you want a fast, twisted novella with heat and Halloween energy, this one’s worth picking up.

[Raychelle Legendre · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book was really good for me until the story hit 80 percent. The beginning was well set up; the plot was understandable. Characters were great, but then when the FMC got to the Hollow House, I felt like the whole story was downhill from that. It was kind of confusing and jumpy. I know this was a novella, but nothing was resolved. If the author was going for the mysterious meaning, then they executed it amazingly, but personally, I didn't like how unsure I felt. I think the ending would have been likable if I knew there was going to be another book to resolve some of the questions. (and if there is one please someone let me know)

The spice was well done, and the characters were well-written. I will absolutely try more books from the author. I just think at the end of the day this book was just not for me.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollow House by MK Ahearn

This was a fun quick spicy read! You have a masked MMC, obsession, chaos, and a Halloween event for the ages! This is a perfect quick weekend read for when you have a little bit of time to just be absolutely absorbed!! You will fall down the rabbit hole that is this book and get stuck in the world!

This book is just under 130 pages and the perfect read for the spooky Halloween season!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2🌶️🌶️

[Lyssreadss · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride. Not at any point did I know where this book was heading and I loved every moment of it. This was such a quick, spicy and unique read and perfect for the start of spooky season. Sloane & Wraith had me hooked, their chemistry was chefs kiss. My jaw is still hanging from that twist in the end, I did not see that coming. I know it’s said to be just a novella but I would love more books like this one!

[Krystina · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Hollow House was hauntingly hectic in all the best ways! This super spicy novella had me locked in from page one. Sloane and Wraith had such a fast burn relationship and man did Wraith know what he wanted right away! The plot had a twist at the end and was tied neatly in a very spicy bow. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a nice spicy book to kick off the Halloween season.

[Romance in Realms · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

My kingdom for something that tells me who is narrating each chapter.

Having to read 2-3 sentences before figuring out whose PoV it was, wasn’t ideal.

I enjoyed the read. I understand it’s a novella. But it needed like 30 more pages for the romance to really hit. Just some more connection between the mc’s.

It was well written, the plot was intriguing but i was left wanting a lot.

[Preethi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5- Thank you MK Ahearn and Azala Press for the ARC!

listen i get that this was a novella but Why oh why is it such a big who knows cliffhanger 😭 solid fast dark romance read that will in fact have you questioning what’s going on most of the time ☝🏽

[Devan Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun short read. It was the perfect read for around Halloween. And had a fun twist!

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, so, quick question--What the F***?

This was a spicy and short novella, and I'm going to need M.K to write more dark romance immediately.

Okay thanks.

[Alejandra Romero (lali_reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐ 2.5🌶️

Short spicy read. Good first read for someone just starting in the dark romance genre.... If you are more experienced 😏 in the genre, it may be a more vanilla but with a bit of chocolate chips included.

For a Halloween sex party/secret society story, I was expecting a bit more spooky/kinky factors tbh.

Thanks to the author for the ARC. All comments are my own.