The Skeleton Girls

by H.J. Nelson

Three swoony romances. One legendary missing skeleton.

In the quirky town of Autumnvale, nothing kicks off fall quite like The Missing Skeleton Festival —a celebration of the mysterious disappearance (and reappearance) of the town founder’s skeleton sixty years ago. This year, best friends Harper, Leah, and Camila are volunteering (mostly for the cute boys), when the impossible the skeleton disappears. Again.

Each girl is determined to uncover a different piece of the

❤️ Harper, daughter of the local graveyard caretakers, thinks the whole legend is just a hoax—until she sees the ghost of a boy who died the same year the skeleton first vanished.
❤️ Leah, the sheriff’s daughter, is tired of being seen as just a sidekick. She wants answers—and she’s convinced the new guy in town, Skylar (brooding, suspicious, annoyingly cute), knows more than he’s letting on.
❤️ Camila, the founder’s great-granddaughter, needs to save the festival and her maybe-relationship with Atlas—Harper’s older brother—who kissed her last week then ghosted her.

Gilmore Girls meets Hocus Pocus in this cozy fall mystery with friendship, first love and one skeleton that just won’t rest in peace.

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2025

About the author

H.J.Nelson began writing on the online platform Wattpad in 2015. Her story The Last She was one of the most read Science Fiction stories in 2016 and 2017, garnering over 12 million reads, with the television rights optioned by Sony Pictures in 2020. The Last She was named one of Goodreads Most Anticipated YA Reads in December 2021. H.J. Nelson has also written for brands like General Electric, National Geographic and Writers Digest.

Book 2 in The Last She series, THE LAST CITY, will be published February 14th, 2023. Preorder your copy now!

When not writing, Nelson has lived on a boat in the British Virgin Isles, worked in two zoos and ridden an elephant through the jungles of Laos— though she considers raising two daughters her most dangerous adventure yet. You can sign up for her newsletter at hjnelsonauthor.com, or find her on Instagram at @h.j.nelson.

Reviews

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, this book was a little hard for me to get into at the start. However, I did lock in. The format of each part starting with (not so) serious warnings was a cute touch.

I’m dividing my review by each narrator.

Harper:

While I know these parts are short, I think Harper’s POV would’ve benefited from a little more backstory. I want to know how she felt growing up in a home of all boys and the reputation of the Valthorn family in town. She was very fun, though, and I enjoyed the kick-start she gave the book. Her goal to find out about the ghost she encountered was so much fun, especially with how she and Miles got along. I wish all of that was also better developed cause the family mystery aspect was so interesting yet went by so quickly.

Lea:

It was at this point in the book that I remembered there was a missing skeleton. Her story honestly wasn’t that interesting for me.

Gus is an absolute treasure though.

Camila:

I couldn’t pay attention to this one, I’m sorry. The pacing was just too quick and the characters and relationships felt like that needed to be fleshed out more.

Thank you, BookSirens, for the ARC!

[Jaida · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭒˚.⋆𔓎⭒˚.⋆⭒˚.⋆𔓎⭒˚.⋆⭒˚.⋆𔓎⭒˚.⋆⭒˚.⋆𔓎⭒˚.⋆⭒˚.⋆𔓎⭒

💀~Genres~💀
Contemporary/Paranormal/Romance/Mystery/Forbidden Romance/Best Friend's brother

Gilmore Girls meets Hocus Pocus in this cozy fall mystery with friendship, first love and one skeleton that just won’t rest in peace.

⚰️~Characters~⚰️
(Harper) PART ONE FMC She was constantly reminding the reader that she grew up next to a graveyard, like I get it I only need to be told once. I liked her well enough.

(Miles) PART ONE MMC He was ok. He was kinda cringe at times. Can a person be cringe?

(Leah) PART TWO FMC she was ok.

(Skylar) PART TWO MMC he was weird.

(Camila) PART THREE FMC I actually liked her.

(Atlas) PART THREE MMC I liked him.

🪦~Quotes~🪦
Harper smiled. "And a skeleton-masked maniac jumped out at you?" Miles winced. "Had I known it was a beautiful girl under the mask–and not the grin reaper–I swear I wouldn't have hit you."

There wasn't a problem in this town Leah couldn't solve–and she wasn't going to let skater-boy Skylar be the first.

Camila and her friends quickly forgot all about the missing skeleton, cought up in friendship, fun and first love.

🗝️~What I liked~🗝️
The dress up scene even though it was quite cringe it was still really funny, the humor, it's kinda like an anthology but very interconnected, the ending of the first two parts, the last part, the vibes, it was slightly spooky so if you don't want to be terrified but want those Halloween vibes this is perfect. the cover, the murder board

👻~What I disliked~👻
The typos omg like 28 + typos/errors, Some parts where so cringe, even with the before mentioned things I still did enjoy the writing style.

🎃~Content/Trigger Warnings~🎃
Teenage death due to Car accident (past), ghosts, Harper and Miles share an unzipped sleeping bag (nothing happens He just puts his arm around her as to keep her warm) Teenage death due to war (past), LGBTQ (Two teenage boys where in love, love letters are exchanged and they carve initials into tree bark) The Vietnam war is mentioned, loss of loved ones due to the war,

🍂~Language~🍂
Crap, freaking, @ss, dang, heck, what the hell, what in the fresh hell, D-mn, sh!t,

[Annette Megaughin-Helder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combine a small town, a fall festival, a missing skeleton, a teenage ghost and girl meets boy x3 and you have yourself a cozy mystery romance.

Leah, Camila and Harper live in this small town and are all involved with the yearly Missing Skeleton Festival.

Each year, on the first day of October, the mayor (currently Camila’s mum) opens the vault of a long dead lady (her grandmother) to check if the skeleton is still there. This opens the festival.

Why? Well, 60 years ago it went missing, only to return at Halloween. But only after a month of bad luck for the entire village. A teenager even died.

Since then the festival is held.

Each year the skeleton is still there of course, and they celebrate. But, shock horror, this year it’s gone!

Leah, daughter of the local Sherriff, is going to solve the crime with the help of Camila and Harper, whose family own the graveyard.

Leah is convinced new boy Skylar has done it. Harper has other things to worry about. Mainly the ghost of the teenage boy and his gorgeous descendant. Camila has a secret she doesn’t want anyone to find out, especially Harper!

I really liked this young-adult book. Mixing Gilmore Girls with Hocus Pocus and a bit of Cluedo, it is the perfect autumn read.

It needs some editing though as there are quite a few spelling and grammar issues.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skeleton Girls… 3 Swoony Romances plus 1 Missing Skeleton by H J Nelson. I thought that this paranormal story was so good and I find the story to be unique. The book is one complete story, but, it is divided into 3 parts… Harper, Leah, and Camila plus the ghost of a boy. I also learned about the skeleton disappearing. I found the story to be entertaining. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Mrs P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple little book about 3 friends who are looking for love and find it at their annual skeleton festival it gives cosy vibes for the Halloween 🎃👻 season. It was cute.

[Janice Schlichting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC :)

The Skeleton Girls is a fun, light read great for those fall vibes. Being intended for a younger audience, it's a fantastic addition to youthful romance without adding in the adult themes that are currently so popular.
Reading this gave me the same cozy, nostalgic feeling I get from watching The Good Witch. It brings to mind my own hometown, and the fun Halloween traditions I participated in growing up. Each single story had its own sweet young romance, while they all tied into a fun, cozy little mystery. As someone who tends to prefer full novels, this novella was a different experience than I'm used to. I enjoyed it!

[Rae, shutupandbookup · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Why is tradition always at the ass-crack of dawn? Can't the dead wait 'til noon?" - Harper


AutumnVale is THE place to be for a great Halloween festival! That is until recent years where the attendance has dropped and the mayor is on the verge of having to shut it all down after this last hoorah. Until a skeleton goes missing and things begin to feel similar to when the skeleton went missing the first time! Missing Skeleton Festival is about to become famous again with a legit missing skeleton!


Three best friends decide to take matters into their own hands. Remembering the string of bad luck that happened when the skeleton went missing the first time! Being in a smalltown they know the history and stories of the events of that October like the back of their hands! Will they find the skeleton or will romances and the excitement of the season sweep them away? Did the skeleton walk out of the crypt on its own? Does the smalltown have enough pumpkin spice to last until November?!


"Haven't you heard---the dead don't stay buried in this town." - Skylar


I was looking through BookSirens catalog to see if anything jumped out at me, several did. But I spotted this one and read the sample provided and was immediately hooked! The comedy presented from the get-go was amazing and I loved the writing style. I devoured this book loving every minute of it and the ending! The different personalities and stances on the supernatural.


We have three stories within this read that are all connected to the other. Three couples who find out another piece of the mystery. Even finding out some things about themselves and each other. The ones who have been a part of AutumnVale since they were born uncover more about their family histories!


I enjoyed all of the stories so much and how all of them came down to not believing everything someone else says about a person. Whether it be from relatives still holding onto a family feud, an outsider coming in, or miscommunication/none resulting in misunderstandings. How being a part of a smalltown you're inevitably in this bubble. When an outsider comes in it's harder to ignore what your town community is saying and just look at the newcomer with your own eyes and judgements. With Leah's story she realizes how wrong everyone was including herself when she actually listens to the person.


I loved this YA romcom with a supernatural mystery! Before each story there's a CWs and funny little statements about the stories! This book stays on the lighter side of things and is a cozy fall read! There's mild language, some brief mentions of past deaths or losses, a brief scare of a child missing, and understanding of the fear a past relative had for potentially being drafted. Again, this read is on the lighter side and there are several HEAs!


We have three different romances and multiple fluffy and sweet tropes! Being YA rating the most that happens is kissing maybe a little heated with the last romance, but nothing overstepping the YA line. Loved all the guys and their different personalities! All of them being comfortable with themselves and joking while playing dress up or begging to be a Skeleton Girl or having a cute whip cream fight! My biggest piece of advice when finding romance is find someone who can match your weirdness/humor or try and out do you. If you can't laugh together or be weird than what's the point?


I love this book so much and want a physical copy someday! Great read for October and to help get more into the spirit and mood! HEA for all the girls and their romances! We get the girls' POVs while reading their designated stories within the main one. I knew how things were going to end but I really loved the conclusions to the main arc and what was stated. Now excuse me while I figure out how to get to the Missing Skeleton Festival this October!


Enjoy the read with potentially undead walking out of their crypts, three teenage amateur sleuths, and simple/witty comedy! Don't forget to give the author some stars!


Thank you, BookSirens!


shutupandbookup.com

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to expect
Fall vibes
Small town secrets
Missing skeleton
Fall festival
Teenage ghost
Cozy mystery romance
Ya

this is a nice cute cozy fall mystery read with a bit of romance in it. It was a quick easy read. This would be a perfect Ya fall Reed I wish I got more backstory from Harper‘s POV. Loved how Harper and Miles got along, her ambition to find out what happened.
Love Gus he’s a gem

Leah, Camila, and Harper all live in a small town and participate in the missing skeleton festival. Which started 60 years ago where every year the mayor opens the vault to check on the skeleton which goes missing at the start of October and returns Halloween beginning the fall festival. But 60 years ago during that mo bad luck occurred in a teenager even died. This keeping the tradition.
Leah is convinced the new boy Skyler has done it. Harper is worrying about the ghost boy and his past. And Camilla is hiding a secret! She doesn’t wanna it getting out, especially keeping it from Harper!
This cute cozy fall Reed dies into some emotions. It is a quick easy read, and it explores family, friendships, first crushes, and lessons learned. Each character brought their own POV with all the autumn fall feels. I 100% recommend this, read, especially in the fall. A super fun mystery read.

This is not my first read by this author I also recommend the last she, the last city and the last creation! I listened to the first two in audio and absolutely loved it and hoping the last creation comes out in audio soon!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored reading this 3 short stories about The Skeleton Girls.

Harper, Leah, and Camilla live in the little town of Autumnal. I love the town name and that it is a small town and that they have a festival every year called The Missing Skeleton Festival. I love the Autumn feel. It gave me a warm, cozy feeling. This book is 3 separate short stories about 3 best friends and their experience with searching for the missing skeleton.

I loved Harper's story about seeing a ghost and being led back to the cemetery to figure out what the ghost wanted from her. I love how she and Miles were able to learn about the rivalry and resolve it after so many years of hatred between 2 families. Miles and Harper are such sweet kids.

Leah is the Sheriff's daughter. Leah desires to solve the case of the missing skeleton and prove to her father that she has what it takes to be journalists and go all the way across the country by herself to go to college. I love that she learns that Skylar is not who she has painted him to be in her head.

Then, we have Camilla's story. Camilla in the end figures out what happened to the missing skeleton but keeps her revelations to herself. I want to say I love her story the most. After pining away for someone for so long, she finally gets what she wants with a few consequences though.

A really quick read. It so has put me in the mood for fall though. So ready for pumpkins and cooler weather and changing leaves. This book really put me in the mood!

I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains it all; sweet, first love romances, a mystery to solve, and a unique community festival that is the heart of this entire cozy story that involves three best friends.

I loved how this book not only has an overall story that involves the town and a mystery to solve, but then it's also broken up into three individual parts that center on each separate friend. The plot, no matter who it was focused on, was fun, it was fast moving, and overall made for a really neat book.

Harper and Miles begin the book with a Romeo and Juliet type of story. It's adorable with lots of intrigue and a little bit of ghost-like help and a generational mystery to figure out. The overall plot then continues with Leah and Skyler's story. This is the slooth of the friend group and the tattooed/new comer to town. They find clues to the crypt, but end up helping someone else in need instead of solving the town mystery. Then it moves to Camila and Atlas, which is a forbidden best friend's older brother love story. Finally the pieces are starting to come together, but it might mean confessing their feelings to help solve the mystery.

This is such a cute book about community, friendship, and everyone coming together to solve a town mystery, while three best friends find their first relationships among it all.

Thank you to BookSirens for the advance review copy and all opinions are my own.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the idea behind this story and think there is a lot of potential. I appreciate that you see the each of the the friends point of view, but overall it just didn't work for me. If was a little too short to. Really develop the characters and their quest for unintended romance overtook the main story arch of the missing skeleton. I was hoping for a little more mystery because there was so much potential there! That side of the plot really just fizzled.

While the writing over all is string and I found Harper in particular to be quite funny, it's hard to overlook the typos as they were distracting. The last name was spelled wrong at least once. At the end the word "journal" appears where I think "bonfire" or something of the sort was meant to be. It affected the readability of the story.

To make it 5 stars for me, I need a little more of the mystery built out and the typos fixed. Overall, the idea is super cute and I like the world building and Harper a lot.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Adrianne Gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading H.J Nelson and I found a new fav author. The Skeleton Girls is a perfect novella for summerween, your fall tbr, or anytime in between when you're jonesing for a cute fall mystery. Our story takes place in Autumnvale where they kick off fall every year with The Missing Skeleton festival where they celebrate the disappearance and reappearance of the town founder's skeleton 60 years ago. This year, best friends Harper, Leah, and Camila are volunteering when the skeleton goes missing again. The novella is broken up into 3 parts with each girl getting her own Pov and part of the mystery to solve. Along the way, decades-old secrets are uncovered, friendships are tested, and cute boys are met. I enjoyed each girl's story. In a short time, I was immersed in Autumnvales' cozy small-town vibes and everything pumpkin spice. The novella overall was well paced and a fun, light read.

I received this ebook as an ARC
All opinions are my own.

[Tamarae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skeleton Girls by H.J. Nelson is a story of three swoony romances and one legendary missing skeleton.

In quaint and quirky Autumnvale, nothing kicks off fall quite like The Missing Skeleton Festival —a celebration of the mysterious disappearance (and reappearance) of the town founder’s skeleton. This year, best friends Harper, Leah, and Camila are volunteering at the festival when the impossible happens- the real skeleton disappears. Again.

Each girl is determined to uncover a piece of the mystery! And each girl also finds a little romance while doing so.

This story is a fun, quirky, coming of age teen mystery! It's incredibly well written and the characters are brilliantly developed. The story is fun and sweet with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skeleton Girls is such a fun and refreshing fall read! Set in the quirky town of Autumnvale, it blends small-town charm with just the right amount of mystery, ghosts, and teenage chaos 🎃💀

I loved the structure — told through three best friends, each with her own voice and mini story that slowly weaves into one shared mystery. It felt like reading a warm, spooky anthology that ties together perfectly at the end. Harper, Leah, and Camila each brought something different to the table, and I was genuinely invested in all three.

While I haven’t read many books like this, I found myself smiling, flipping pages quickly, and soaking in the autumn vibes. If you like cozy mysteries, friendship-driven plots, and light paranormal twists, Skeleton Girls is a great pick for your fall TBR 🍂✨

[Amanda✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Skeleton Girls is a charming and slightly spooky YA mystery set in a town that fully embraces the weird. I really enjoyed following Harper, Leah, and Camila as they each tackled the same mystery from different angles, with friendship drama, family secrets, and a dash of ghostly intrigue keeping things lively. The festival setting was fun, the pacing kept me hooked, and the characters felt authentic, especially in how their personal stories tangled with the main mystery. A great pick if you’re into light paranormal twists, strong female friendships, and small-town secrets. Just wished a few plot threads had a little more depth, but still a great read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megan | Reads Alotl Books]

This was a fun book of 3 novellas that interconnect to tell the story. It's just creepy and fun enough but it wasn't macabre. I was digging the whole town vibe of a missing skeleton festival. It was fun and silly and enough suspense to keep me reading.

Leah, Harper and Camila were simply adorable and what a teenage girls needs, a friend group who can solve problems, mysteries, forgive and have each others backs.

Each of the girls has a secret and they all meet someone unexpected in that simple, high school, first love and it was sweet. There were some good feelings with each of them and I loved how they were such fierce friends and so different from each other.

The Missing Skeleton aspect was really fun and I enjoyed the mystery.

[Kaely Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was cozy, fall themed and so sweet. I loved the friendship between Camila, Harper and Leah. It reminded me of my friendships when I was a teenager. There was a wholesomeness about the entire story that I enjoyed. The romance was perfect, after so many spicy romances this was the perfect break in between reads. Definitely fits the young adult genre. I also really liked the ending, what a cute little twist. I would highly recommend this book to readers, especially if you are looking for a cozy autumn read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chelsea May xxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I will honestly admit I did find this book hard to get into but once I got past that’s stage. I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s such a cosy fall themed book that has romance and mystery in it which I really enjoyed. All the characters had there own parts though out the book which I really liked as we got to see each individual character. This book definitely fits YA and so many people will love reading this book. I will for sure pick up more books by this author xxx

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by H.J. Nelson and I liked it!

At the beginning of the book, I had to read a couple of times to get into it, but after that, it wasn't a hard read.

I liked Harper, I thought she was so spunky, lol

Camila and Leah were cute, too, but I think Harper was the leading girl.

I enjoyed the little Halloween mystery as well. I am a huge Halloween lover, so this was perfect for me.

I enjoyed the cozy mystery aspect of this as well.

Overall, a cute book, cute characters and cute mystery 🎃

[Jessica Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is three interwoven stories of three teen girls who, while trying to solve a mystery of a missing skeleton from the local graveyard, end up each falling for their perfect boy. I loved all three stories, but I think the first one with Miles and Harper was my favorite, as it also involved a tragic bit of history for the town that wasn't directly skeleton related. Definitely a great, light Halloween read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Skeleton Girls by H.J. Nelson is a cozy fall mystery with a romantic twist. Told through three connected POVs, the story blends small-town secrets, light paranormal elements, and young romance with all the fall vibes.

I enjoyed each POV and how they all tied together in the end. I will definitely be re-reading this one in the fall to really soak in the vibes.

Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC.

[Meghan Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

On these hot summer days its fun to read about cooler and spookier days. I love how this book took place during the fall festival live with spooky skeletons and love. Can the girls solve the mystery of the missing skeleton so that the towns festival can continue? I love this towns tradition and it was a super quick read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a cute read. It was super easy to get into with all the nostalgic feelings of fall and likeable characters. Each character had their own part/perspective with a romantic spooky adventure, and it got cuter and more charming each time! I brought on all the emotions of autumn, which is my favourite place to be.

[Annie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally, this book digs deep. It’s not horror in the traditional sense — it’s the horror of memory, abandonment, and survival. It lingers. It bruises. And it speaks to the parts of us that have ever felt unseen. 🕯️🥀I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skeleton Girls reads like a modern day Nancy Drew. I would say this is perfect for middle grade and up.

Explores family, friendship, first crushes, and lessons learned.

Each story is fully formed and is a super quick read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[strawblover · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 rating. aww this book was actually so freaking adorable. i loved that we got 3 separate short but sweet stories of all the girls. love love loved the fall and halloweeny atmosphere. only reason im rating it this low is due to the fact that it was as short as it was and academically speaking, it wasn’t the greatest.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Skeleton Girls! A cute and cozy mystery with three sweet love stories mixed in. I highly recommend it if you want a fun and quick read that gives you all the fall feels!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kerie Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute and cosy YA, spooky mystery and romance all in one.

It’s a short story from the POV of three different characters which keeps you engaged and curious about the developing relationships.

It’s a quick and easy read and would be perfect for October spooky season.

[Abigail Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a cozy YA mystery and romance this is the book for you. Honestly gives me Stars Hollow vibes. Small town meets big problems when their biggest money maker goes missing.

Fast paced mystery that keeps you guessing. I would love to see an individual book for each couple.

[Emzy Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute sweet story. The world building is very nicely done. I love the backstory that you get throughout. The way that the story is formatted made reading it very fun. The characters are interesting to get to know. I really enjoyed watching the plot unfold.