Katrina Van Tassel doesn’t believe in ghosts, witches or the occult. And she certainly doesn’t believe in the tale of the Headless Horseman. So, when she moves back to Sleepy Hollow following her mother’s death, and the townspeople start turning up without their heads, she thinks there must be a logical explanation for it all.
It’s not long before Ichabod Crane, the dark and brooding music professor, is accused of being involved in the grisly crimes.
With the small town getting more dangerous by the minute, can he convince Katrina of what’s really happening? And can he do it before it’s too late?
A spicy gothic romance Short and spicy Gothic horror Mystery Halloween setting
Perfect for fans of Karina Halle, RuNyx and Sarah J Mass.
Tamsin St. James writes gothic horror with a side of haunting romance. Living on the windswept coast of Cornwall with her partner and their rescue dog, she draws inspiration from folklore and fairytales, stormy skies, and empty, unnerving woodlands. She loves everything dark and spooky. When she isn’t weaving tales of love and shadows, Tamsin can be found with a cup of black coffee, daydreaming about her next story. Hollow Secrets is her debut novel.
“Things in this town are not always as they seem.”
Hollow Secrets is the perfect combination of a thrilling suspense and spooky vibes! This story is set in a spooky, small town where mysterious deaths occur, making you question every character you come across.
I usually don’t go for story retellings, because I have a hard time finding elements of the author’s originality sprinkled in, but Tamsin St. James nailed this one! Her writing flows, and the descriptions transport you directly into the spooky town! Also, the connection she made, between the past and present storylines, was flawlessly done!
This book is the perfect spooky, weekend read for your fall or Halloween TBR!
🖤Sleepy Hollow retelling 🖤Creepy small town vibes 🖤Short and spicy 🖤Gothic horror romance 🖤Mysterious deaths 🖤She saves him 🖤Protective MMC 🖤Halloween setting
-✴︎pre-read✴︎-
Bring on spooky season🖤 thank you, Tamsin, for this arc in exchange for an honest review!✨
What to expect: • haunted small town • stubborn, strong headed FMC • Protective FMC • Fast paced romance • Mysterious deaths • Thrill • Suspense • Creepy- Halloween setting • Spice
Quote from the book: ""Ghost stories are always about unfinished business, aren't they?"
Hollow Secrets is the perfect blend of spooky vibes and thrilling suspense. Set in a haunted little town with creepy vibes and mysterious deaths, the story keeps one on edge without feeling overwhelmed.
The FMC is stubborn, headstrong, and a fierce character. The MMC, a music professor with a mysterious edge, adds an interesting contrast to her fire.
What I loved most was the balance: the book is neither too long nor too short, making it a perfect weekend read. The writing flows smoothly, making it an easy and impressive read. The descriptions pull you right into the haunted town, and the whole witchy vibes are on spot. The connection between the past and the present is well established.
The only slight drawback is that the plot is a bit predictable (or maybe I am just too smart) but honestly, the thrill and suspense make up for it. Also the chemistry between the leads felt off and a bit rushed.
All in all, it was a good, light read with an overall satisfying storyline.
A Dark, Addictive Tale Full of Twists and Emotion Hollow Secrets by Tamsin St. James pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final sentence. It’s one of those books that keeps you reading late into the night, telling yourself “just one more chapter,” even though you know you’re lying. The story blends mystery, romance, and psychological suspense beautifully. The characters feel so real—flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human—and the secrets they keep unravel in such a chilling, heartbreaking way. St. James has a gift for atmosphere; every scene feels alive, from the eerie silences to the moments of raw emotion. What I loved most was how unpredictable it was. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story turned in another direction. The emotional depth caught me off guard too—it’s not just about secrets and lies, but about redemption, trust, and how far people will go to protect what they love. If you enjoy dark, character-driven thrillers with beautifully written prose and a hint of romance, Hollow Secrets is an absolute must-read. Tamsin St. James has definitely earned a spot on my favorite authors list.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
Wow! I had the chance to read Hollow Secrets as an ARC, and what a mesmerizing experience it was. This is no ordinary retelling of the Sleepy Hollow legend. Author Tamsin has crafted a sublime and sinister story that grabbed me from the very first page and held me captive until the final words. As someone who has always adored the classic legend, my expectations were high—and Tamsin exceeded them all. The fresh perspective, the brilliantly developed main character, and the richly woven romance between Katrina Van Tassel and Ichabod Crane were all masterfully handled. The book’s greatest strength is its palpable atmosphere. Tamsin creates a gothic, dark, and utterly sinister world so vivid you can almost feel the chill in the air and see the shadows creeping at the edges of every scene. This haunting backdrop, combined with a touch of powerful romance, makes the book an absolute must-read for fans of gothic horror. Hollow Secrets is the perfect choice for Spooky Season, and without a doubt, it earns five shining stars. I’m now a dedicated fan and can’t wait to dive into whatever Tamsin writes next.
This is a retelling I really liked. On 206 pages Tamsin created a nice modern retelling based on “sleepy hollow” that is entertaining and a perfect read for a rainy late autumn weekend. the way she writes doesn’t let you get out of the flow, so you can absolutely enjoy this one in 1 or 2 sittings (if you have the time - otherwise do it in 20, there really is no rule for this) for me, personally, the retelling was entertaining enough, it would’ve been fine if it would’ve been a closed door romance - but the spice also doesn’t destroy anything (and if you don’t like it just skip it - its never too long - haha🫢) It’s there, it’s spicy, it’s entertaining as well, but it’s not what the book is about - which I really liked. In my opinion it could’ve had even a little bit more of the story, sometimes it was a little fast pace (dead… next!) but then again, not all books need to be 500+ pages - I actually enjoyed that it was a fast read See, it’s hard for me to find some critics on that.
Put this on your spooky season/rainy weekend TBR !
Tamsin St. James's reimagining of Sleepy Hollow is a fantastic way to get back into the spooky season mood! This book had me completely hooked, and I finished it in two sittings (it would've been one if I wasn't fighting my eyelids against sleep). The way Tamsin describes the Van Tassel estate and the fog-drenched town of Sleepy Hollow gives such a gorgeous picture of the Gothic romance that surrounds this novel. The blips of spice in this book are great and don't overrun the story - they're also easily skipped if that's not your thing. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a modern-day trip to Sleepy Hollow and revisit the nightmare that is the Headless Horseman!
I truly can't wait to see more from this new author!
*** This honest review is in exchange for an ARC e-copy of Hollow Secrets by Tamsin St. James.
This book was such a perfect October read-spooky, gothic and dripping with atmosphere. The eerie small-town mystery and Sleepy Hollow reimagining gave me exactly the Halloween vibes I was craving.
What really worked for me was the balance between plot and romance. It wasn’t spice heavy, but when it was there it was spicing. I also LOVED the twist. When realization sunk in, it threw me, and I devoured the rest of the book in one sitting.
Here’s what lost the star: I found myself left with a few unanswered questions. Nothing major, but enough to pull me out of the story at times. There was also a big moment near the end that I felt was a bit rushed/anticlimactic, and I wished it had been drawn out a bit differently.
Overall, Hollow Secrets was a great read, I was hooked pretty well instantly, and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a spooky season read.
I don’t usually reach for retellings or books with fantasy elements, but Hollow Secrets, a dark twist on the Sleepy Hollow legend, completely won me over. I'm so glad I picked it up and gave it a chance!
Tamsin is an incredibly talented writer, her scene descriptions were so immersive,I felt like I was right there in the foggy, eerie town. The mystery was gripping, the pacing fast, and THE SPICE was unexpected but so appreciated!
I especially loved the dual timeline told through a diary, it was so well done and pulled the story together. And I can’t forget to mention how much I adored the names of both the FMC and MMC!
At just over 200 pages, this book is packed with mystery, action, romance, and gothic vibes. Perfect if you’re looking for a moody, spooky read to curl up with this October!
Thank you for trusting me with an advanced copy! <3
This was a great read for this type of year. The spookiness and descriptive scenes of Sleepy Hollow had me on the edge of my seat. For the first half of this book I was hooked and so ready for the mystery and for Kat to find answers. I will admit I was not a fan of the “insta love” between Kat and Ichabod, I thought there was going to be more of a reason for that. Like a twist with a supernatural explanation, maybe he was the horseman and she resembled her ancestor or something? Without there being a deeper reasoning to the instant feelings and sexual nature it felt really rushed to me. I couldn’t connect to the characters well or understand their actions. Although I didn’t see twists that I wanted to with the horseman, (main plot), there were other twists that I could appreciate. Authors that aren’t afraid to kill off characters are daring and that’s always exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This one was a solid 4.5 ⭐️- but I rounded up. Kat and Ichabod were perfect in this retelling. There’s a few dashes of amazing spice thrown in there and they just have an instant bond that is to die for. The diary entries were also very well done and added that extra layer of background story. The only reason I gave 4.5 instead of 5 stars was that it took me a minute to get into the story. (Which honestly might even be a me problem) overall I really liked this one and it was a great twist of a retelling- especially with spooky season coming in hot! For a debut novel this is fantastic and I can’t wait to see what else St. James has in store for us!
✨ I snagged this one as an ARC read, in return for an honest review!
Overall I liked this book. My favorite thing about it was honestly the vibes. This is the kind of book that I want to be reading when it's raining and cold outside. When reading, it truly felt like I was watching it all happen. It is dark in all the right ways. I also liked that the FMC made mistakes and not everything she did worked out. That was refreshing.
I feel there were some aspects where I was hoping for more lore and I wasn't sold on the romance/love interest. I'm also not familiar with the original sleepy hollow so many there are some pieces I didn't pick up on.
I received this book as an ARC and also won the book in a giveaway. it is a very beautiful cover and I'm happy to have it as a trophy.
This has been my most anticipated read of the year - I have been waiting for its release patiently (kind of) and it was definitely worth the wait!
Hollow Secrets, a Sleepy Hollow reimagining, is a wonderful read that I would recommend to any gothic, romance fans! It’s a strong debut novel that reads as if it’s been penned by an author who’s been in the business a long time.
The characters were all super fun - Katrina was strong FMC and the MMC, Ichabod, was a nice compliment to her personality. The plot is nice and easy to follow, and at just over 200 pages has constant action and no dull moments. The story is a good mix of romance, mystery and horror, making it a perfect Halloween read!
So please, if you read anything this month make it this book! I absolutely loved everything about it and I can’t wait to see more of what Tamsin St. James brings out ❤️
✨ I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨
Sleepy hollow retelling?! HELLOOOOO why are we not talking about this?!?
First off, I am a sleepy hollow lover. This was the perfect blend of dark fantasy, Paranormal romance and gothic vibes.
This one of THE best spooky season themed books I’ve read and honestly? This goes on the list as a must for Bear round read.
The obsession from our MMC had me kicking my feet. The details? I felt like I was sucked into the town itself and was watching as a bystander, if not as the characters myself. I absolutely adored every aspect of this and will not take any criticism lol.
I couldn’t put this book down. From start to finish I was hooked. I loved the retelling. It’s fast paced and easy flowing. I honestly didn’t know what to expect to happen next. I will always love a spooky story and the headless horseman has always been one of my favorites. This was a journey. There was friendship and love. I enjoyed the background of sleepy hollow and I felt like the dairy was a nice touch it made it feel more personal. It was amazing.
An absolutely brilliant retelling of Sleepy Hollow. Tamsin has created a page turner that you will not be able to put down. Not only does she write a budding romance that will have you invested in Kat & Ichabod's fates, she weaves an entire world of intrigue that you won't be able to escape until you learn every secret this town now holds. Run to read this as if the Horseman himself was chasing you down.
This is a story about Katrina Van Tassel, who lost her mom and had to live with her dad in the Van Tassel mansion at Sleepy Hollow. Then the romance, and the killings. I have my reservations for 'Retellings' and the headless horseman is a story I have read and watched so many versions of it. However, the author had a unique way of intertwining events. This is also my 1st Horror + Romance read. I haven't read any book that tried to combine these 2 extremes. It was a Good one.
First I have to say, I want that bookstore to be real, and near me. I would spend every day there.
Now, the best quote of the book that rings so true through the story is “Sleepy Hollow holds its secrets tightly”. Does it ever. This book will have you holding on tight, waiting for what happens in the next chapter. It’s a nod to the old tale, with a new, deadly twist. This is an awesome book to keep you engaged, and spur your mind into the October season.
Went into Hollow Secrets expecting a fun spooky retelling, but it gave me gothic chills, dark romance, and a broody Ichabod Crane I did not see coming.
Tamsin nailed the eerie Sleepy Hollow vibe—those diary entries? Chef’s kiss 🔥
Perfect one-sitting read for spooky season—moody, mysterious, and just the right amount of hot.
I received this ARC copy for my honest review. Thank you Tamsin 🖤
Who would have thought Icabod Crane could be so 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️???
Love the new version of the headless horseman. More modern, but the same essence of the original story. Love the added secrecy around the legend in the story.
I absolutely loved Hollow Secrets! It pulled me in right from the start and kept me hooked all the way through. I loved that it was set in England, and the mix of a mystery from the past coming into the present was so well done. Such a great read—I didn’t want it to end!
Such a perfect spooky season read! I loved the gothic vibes, the strong friendships, and how it completely pulled me back into the world of Sleepy Hollow. A hauntingly good novella I’d definitely recommend!
I absolutely loved this dark Sleepy Hollow tale. It was spicy and full of feelings. If you like dark, spooky, spicy Halloween tales this is the book for you!
Okay, I went into this ARC expecting a fun spooky retelling, but Hollow Secrets delivered so much more. This book is gothic, sinister, and surprisingly hot (who knew Ichabod Crane could be such a broody snack?!).
Tamsin nailed the atmosphere—it’s Sleepy Hollow with a modern, eerie twist that legit gave me goosebumps. The diary entries sprinkled throughout added such a cool layer of mystery and tension, and Katrina + Ichabod? Their chemistry crackles off the page.
This is the kind of book you binge in one night while sipping coffee under a blanket, pretending you’re not jumping at every creak in your house. A perfect dark romance retelling for spooky season.
This one stayed with me after I turned the last page— and honestly, I can’t wait to see what else Tamsin writes.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️ (yes, Ichabod Crane is that good 😏) Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐