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Gingerbread Bones
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Expected 4 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 09:53:45
5 copies available
U.S. only
They're being hunted…
When sixteen-year-old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother’s newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it’ll be the worst experience of her life. Two weeks. No phones. Hiking. Camping. Cameras catching every humiliating second.
Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and―among a cast of kids already branded as trouble―he’s the one she’s sure is dangerous.
One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they’re gone.
But the kids are not alone.
Georgie can feel it, stalking them from the shadows―watching, waiting, picking them off one by one. Whatever it is, it isn’t just hunting.
It’s playing.
And in this game, there seems to be only one ending: no one gets out alive.
When sixteen-year-old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother’s newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it’ll be the worst experience of her life. Two weeks. No phones. Hiking. Camping. Cameras catching every humiliating second.
Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and―among a cast of kids already branded as trouble―he’s the one she’s sure is dangerous.
One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they’re gone.
But the kids are not alone.
Georgie can feel it, stalking them from the shadows―watching, waiting, picking them off one by one. Whatever it is, it isn’t just hunting.
It’s playing.
And in this game, there seems to be only one ending: no one gets out alive.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Lindsay Lovise
7 books282 followersLindsay writes romances with brave heroines and a twist of mystery, as well as thrilling YA books. Although she earned degrees in English and teaching, she always knew she wanted to write stories about fictional worlds.
When she’s not writing, Lindsay is reading, drinking coffee, and avoiding laundry. She lives in Maine, where the winters make for perfect reading weather.
To keep in the know, sign up for Lovise Letters at lindsaylovise.com.
When she’s not writing, Lindsay is reading, drinking coffee, and avoiding laundry. She lives in Maine, where the winters make for perfect reading weather.
To keep in the know, sign up for Lovise Letters at lindsaylovise.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 10, 2025
Thank you so much, Entangled, for letting me read an arc of this book. To start, I usually don’t read YA books because I find it hard to relate to young characters in their teens.
In this story, we follow a group of teenagers who are cast on a reality show similar to Survivor, but for delinquent kids. They are tasked with surviving in the woods for 8 days when something goes terribly wrong and they begin getting hunted down by a supernatural force.
What I enjoyed:
The horror aspect of the book was enjoyable. The author did a great job describing the gore and horror. The pacing was good, and I liked some of the characters and their backstories. I’m always down a dark retelling of a fairytale and this story was creative and original.
What I didn’t enjoy:
I found the story to be filled with plot holes. Everything involving the reality TV show was just covered in plot holes because it wasn’t realistic. No TV show would ever leave a group of teens alone in the woods without any means to survive. I wasn’t a big fan of our main character, Georgie. She wasn’t very relatable to me. Also, the twist at the end was kind of dumb and didn’t make much sense.
In this story, we follow a group of teenagers who are cast on a reality show similar to Survivor, but for delinquent kids. They are tasked with surviving in the woods for 8 days when something goes terribly wrong and they begin getting hunted down by a supernatural force.
What I enjoyed:
The horror aspect of the book was enjoyable. The author did a great job describing the gore and horror. The pacing was good, and I liked some of the characters and their backstories. I’m always down a dark retelling of a fairytale and this story was creative and original.
What I didn’t enjoy:
I found the story to be filled with plot holes. Everything involving the reality TV show was just covered in plot holes because it wasn’t realistic. No TV show would ever leave a group of teens alone in the woods without any means to survive. I wasn’t a big fan of our main character, Georgie. She wasn’t very relatable to me. Also, the twist at the end was kind of dumb and didn’t make much sense.
May 5, 2026
I absolutely loved this! It was just what I needed to read right now. Ironically I don’t typically like retellings and I had no idea that this was one until it dawned on me on me on page 50 and boy did it deliver.
Now, would a production company take this type of risk? Well she you read about the scary teen rehab programs and see the lengths that some networks go for content (Ahem, I’m looking at you TLC) it isn’t too far out there to believe to be honest. So I don’t let that pull me out of the story.
Speaking of the story, it had me flipping pages so fast as I couldn’t get enough and needed to know what was going to go down. Now for me personally, I foresaw what was to come, twists and all but I don’t actually think it was predictable. It is just my brand of neurospiciness that figures out 95% of thrillers. For me I lived watching how it unfolded.
There are so made good slasher novels coming out right now and this one can easily join the list.
Thank you so much to Mayhem books for the physical ARC of this!
Now, would a production company take this type of risk? Well she you read about the scary teen rehab programs and see the lengths that some networks go for content (Ahem, I’m looking at you TLC) it isn’t too far out there to believe to be honest. So I don’t let that pull me out of the story.
Speaking of the story, it had me flipping pages so fast as I couldn’t get enough and needed to know what was going to go down. Now for me personally, I foresaw what was to come, twists and all but I don’t actually think it was predictable. It is just my brand of neurospiciness that figures out 95% of thrillers. For me I lived watching how it unfolded.
There are so made good slasher novels coming out right now and this one can easily join the list.
Thank you so much to Mayhem books for the physical ARC of this!
Read
July 17, 20264 stars; review to come August 2026
July 15, 2026
Review to come…
July 18, 2026
This was an entertaining read that was not only horrific at times, but also had some great moments in the ‘found family’ sphere.
To start, I’d love to give my take on one of things that some others have pointed out when it comes to the idea that ‘no production team would leave underaged teens with just a few adults and scant supplies in the wilderness, even for the sake of television’, but in all fairness, I don’t think there’d have been very many adults advocating for this group, since they’re all supposed to be troubled behaviorally, or criminally, and thus appear to “need something drastic to knock some sense/maturity into them”. And let’s not forget that either they or their parents signed their consent and were being paid for their time and appearance on the show, so the studio did make sure to have all their ducks in a row…even if all of it was at the expense of these teens. 🤷🏻♀️
Now I’ll get off my soapbox and move on to other things, like the horror aspect of this book. I’m a sucker for a good, creepy tale, and that’s what initially drew me to this book. I originally thought this was going to be more of a slasher-style thriller and completely ignored the ‘paranormal’ tag, so imagine my surprise when I come across a scene that has some very supernatural things happen to the teens?? It definitely drew me deeper into the story, and I was able to read the book all the way to the end from there.
Another thing I appreciated was the ‘found family’ aspect of this book and seeing these teens working together, some more begrudgingly than others, to make it out of these insane conditions alive. The characters were all interesting in their various ways, and I really appreciated how fleshed out their stories were, enough so that I could feel real empathy towards them and the things that ultimately lead to them ending up in this place. 🥹
Anyway, I’ll go ahead conclude this review by saying again how much I enjoyed this read and recommend it if you’re a fan of paranormal horror, but do keep in mind that this YA, so annoying teens exist, and though this does seem to lean more towards upper YA, it’ll still read as such.
Thank you to Entangled: Mayhem Books via Netgalley for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
To start, I’d love to give my take on one of things that some others have pointed out when it comes to the idea that ‘no production team would leave underaged teens with just a few adults and scant supplies in the wilderness, even for the sake of television’, but in all fairness, I don’t think there’d have been very many adults advocating for this group, since they’re all supposed to be troubled behaviorally, or criminally, and thus appear to “need something drastic to knock some sense/maturity into them”. And let’s not forget that either they or their parents signed their consent and were being paid for their time and appearance on the show, so the studio did make sure to have all their ducks in a row…even if all of it was at the expense of these teens. 🤷🏻♀️
Now I’ll get off my soapbox and move on to other things, like the horror aspect of this book. I’m a sucker for a good, creepy tale, and that’s what initially drew me to this book. I originally thought this was going to be more of a slasher-style thriller and completely ignored the ‘paranormal’ tag, so imagine my surprise when I come across a scene that has some very supernatural things happen to the teens?? It definitely drew me deeper into the story, and I was able to read the book all the way to the end from there.
Another thing I appreciated was the ‘found family’ aspect of this book and seeing these teens working together, some more begrudgingly than others, to make it out of these insane conditions alive. The characters were all interesting in their various ways, and I really appreciated how fleshed out their stories were, enough so that I could feel real empathy towards them and the things that ultimately lead to them ending up in this place. 🥹
Anyway, I’ll go ahead conclude this review by saying again how much I enjoyed this read and recommend it if you’re a fan of paranormal horror, but do keep in mind that this YA, so annoying teens exist, and though this does seem to lean more towards upper YA, it’ll still read as such.
Thank you to Entangled: Mayhem Books via Netgalley for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2026
This was an interesting take on the Hansel and Gretel story, a bit slow to start, but once the horror elements started to build more significantly it definitely hits it stride. I feel like the stepmother was a bit thin as a villain, and that the set up that brought us to the woods required a higher level of suspension of disbelief, if the production company had been more established as low budget or particularly open to questionable choices that might have worked better, that said once we are in the woods with the main cast being terrorized by gingerbread scented horrors the tension ratchets up, and the characterization and shifting interactions between characters gave the story a lot of momentum. And I feel that the scraps of text from the outside world at the beginning of chapters served both to deepen the story and keep it grounded in the current moment.
July 17, 2026
This was really unexpected! I went into this book completely blind and what a wild rollercoaster ride.
Even though I didn’t exactly care for any of the characters, I was still really invested in their stories. I think the author did a great job of giving each character a backstory and personality. I appreciated that there was still a little romance mixed into all the chaos and horror.
I could tell this was geared towards teens by the way some things were phrased, but overall it didn’t bother me as an older reader. The experience that all of these teens went through was so crazy. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.
Even though I didn’t exactly care for any of the characters, I was still really invested in their stories. I think the author did a great job of giving each character a backstory and personality. I appreciated that there was still a little romance mixed into all the chaos and horror.
I could tell this was geared towards teens by the way some things were phrased, but overall it didn’t bother me as an older reader. The experience that all of these teens went through was so crazy. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled: Mayhem Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Gingerbread Bones” by Lindsay Lovise is basically Hansel and Gretel if you mixed it with reality TV, influencer parents, survival horror, and a very hungry witch who absolutely does not believe in second chances. This is definitely an upper YA story.
And honestly? It’s weird in the best way.
The setup is already chaotic: Georgie and her troublemaking younger brother get dragged into their awful influencer stepmother’s newest reality show, which is basically “Survivor for troubled teens” except somehow even less ethical. They’re dumped in the woods with a bunch of other teenagers, barely any supplies, and cameras meant to capture all their suffering for views. Right away, the book makes it clear that the adults in charge are the real villains long before the supernatural stuff even starts.
And wow, Georgie’s stepmother is awful. Truly one of those characters you love to hate. She exploits her kids for content, manipulates everyone around her, and somehow keeps finding new ways to be worse. The little snippets of her social media posts throughout the book were such a good touch because they really showed how fake and performative her whole online persona is while everything is actively falling apart behind the scenes.
Georgie herself is a solid main character. She’s mostly just trying to survive long enough to get money and freedom away from her stepmother, which honestly makes her very easy to root for. Some of her inner thoughts can feel a little cliché, but overall she works well, especially because her relationship with her brother adds a lot of emotional weight. Their sibling bond is probably one of the strongest parts of the book; it feels real, messy, protective, and never gets overshadowed by the horror.
And the horror definitely delivers. At first it feels like a survival thriller with kids stuck in the woods, no rescue coming, group tensions rising, but then things start getting weird. Candy shows up in the forest. Body parts move where they shouldn’t. The woods feel alive. There’s this constant feeling of being watched, and it becomes obvious pretty quickly that something supernatural is messing with them.
And yes, there is absolutely a witch.
Not just any witch but a witch who seems to be specifically targeting “bad” kids and turning the whole thing into some kind of twisted morality game where the punishment is being eaten. The book gets surprisingly graphic with the gore too, which I appreciated. As said earlier, this is definitely older YA horror, not a soft spooky fairytale vibe.
The retelling elements are done really well, especially once the story starts leaning harder into the Grimm inspiration. By the time the teens reach the gingerbread house, it feels genuinely unsettling instead of cute. I never thought candy could feel threatening, but apparently it can.
There’s also a found family vibe with the group of teens slowly learning to trust each other, which helps balance all the murder and trauma. The romance, though, I could’ve taken or left it. It’s not bad, but in a book where everyone is actively trying not to die, it sometimes feels like there just wasn’t room for it.
I did have some issues with the reality show premise because legally, absolutely none of this should be allowed. Like, none. The amount of negligence here is almost comical, and you definitely have to suspend disbelief for the entire setup to work.
There’s also one character who is so relentlessly terrible that every chapter with him felt like emotional damage, and his late attempt at redemption didn’t really work for me.
But the twists? Surprisingly strong. There’s a really good reveal involving the witch, Georgie’s family, and the stepmother’s connection to the past that actually made the whole story hit harder. It ties the fairy tale retelling together in a way that feels clever instead of forced.
And the ending is great; there is a big chaotic final showdown, everyone teaming up, using the original Hansel and Gretel story almost like a survival guide, and finally getting revenge where revenge is very deserved.
The extended epilogue was also a nice touch because after all that trauma, it was nice to actually see the aftermath instead of just ending at the climax.
Overall, “Gingerbread Bones” is fast-paced, creepy, messy, and a lot darker than the title makes it sound. If you like fairy tale horror, survival thrillers, evil stepmothers, and stories where candy somehow becomes terrifying, this one is a really fun ride.
“Gingerbread Bones” by Lindsay Lovise is basically Hansel and Gretel if you mixed it with reality TV, influencer parents, survival horror, and a very hungry witch who absolutely does not believe in second chances. This is definitely an upper YA story.
And honestly? It’s weird in the best way.
The setup is already chaotic: Georgie and her troublemaking younger brother get dragged into their awful influencer stepmother’s newest reality show, which is basically “Survivor for troubled teens” except somehow even less ethical. They’re dumped in the woods with a bunch of other teenagers, barely any supplies, and cameras meant to capture all their suffering for views. Right away, the book makes it clear that the adults in charge are the real villains long before the supernatural stuff even starts.
And wow, Georgie’s stepmother is awful. Truly one of those characters you love to hate. She exploits her kids for content, manipulates everyone around her, and somehow keeps finding new ways to be worse. The little snippets of her social media posts throughout the book were such a good touch because they really showed how fake and performative her whole online persona is while everything is actively falling apart behind the scenes.
Georgie herself is a solid main character. She’s mostly just trying to survive long enough to get money and freedom away from her stepmother, which honestly makes her very easy to root for. Some of her inner thoughts can feel a little cliché, but overall she works well, especially because her relationship with her brother adds a lot of emotional weight. Their sibling bond is probably one of the strongest parts of the book; it feels real, messy, protective, and never gets overshadowed by the horror.
And the horror definitely delivers. At first it feels like a survival thriller with kids stuck in the woods, no rescue coming, group tensions rising, but then things start getting weird. Candy shows up in the forest. Body parts move where they shouldn’t. The woods feel alive. There’s this constant feeling of being watched, and it becomes obvious pretty quickly that something supernatural is messing with them.
And yes, there is absolutely a witch.
Not just any witch but a witch who seems to be specifically targeting “bad” kids and turning the whole thing into some kind of twisted morality game where the punishment is being eaten. The book gets surprisingly graphic with the gore too, which I appreciated. As said earlier, this is definitely older YA horror, not a soft spooky fairytale vibe.
The retelling elements are done really well, especially once the story starts leaning harder into the Grimm inspiration. By the time the teens reach the gingerbread house, it feels genuinely unsettling instead of cute. I never thought candy could feel threatening, but apparently it can.
There’s also a found family vibe with the group of teens slowly learning to trust each other, which helps balance all the murder and trauma. The romance, though, I could’ve taken or left it. It’s not bad, but in a book where everyone is actively trying not to die, it sometimes feels like there just wasn’t room for it.
I did have some issues with the reality show premise because legally, absolutely none of this should be allowed. Like, none. The amount of negligence here is almost comical, and you definitely have to suspend disbelief for the entire setup to work.
There’s also one character who is so relentlessly terrible that every chapter with him felt like emotional damage, and his late attempt at redemption didn’t really work for me.
But the twists? Surprisingly strong. There’s a really good reveal involving the witch, Georgie’s family, and the stepmother’s connection to the past that actually made the whole story hit harder. It ties the fairy tale retelling together in a way that feels clever instead of forced.
And the ending is great; there is a big chaotic final showdown, everyone teaming up, using the original Hansel and Gretel story almost like a survival guide, and finally getting revenge where revenge is very deserved.
The extended epilogue was also a nice touch because after all that trauma, it was nice to actually see the aftermath instead of just ending at the climax.
Overall, “Gingerbread Bones” is fast-paced, creepy, messy, and a lot darker than the title makes it sound. If you like fairy tale horror, survival thrillers, evil stepmothers, and stories where candy somehow becomes terrifying, this one is a really fun ride.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!
wow. that was a whole ride. this got me scared, shocked and tearing up a bit at the end so this was really something. this was advertised as 'upper ya horror for fans of scream and final destination' and while i don't think that was accurate i ended up loving this anyway.
firstly, the cover is so perfect for this book. the teenagers in the endless woods with nothing but their packs and flashlights are so accurate. and the colour palette!!
i've always liked the smell of cinnamon and gingerbread. i might not always crave or want to eat it but the smell is always comforting somehow no matter then context. somehow gingerbread bones managed to twist that into horror and i might never think the same of the scent again, which means this was done splendidly. honestly i didn't even realise thisnwas a very f-ed hansel and gretal retelling until halfway through.
wbk ashley was horrible and hated her stepkids, but who knew she was a murderous btch?? well i guess everyone reading did. jokes aside i thought the atmosphere and the reality tv-ness of the cast getting into arguments over everything really carried the first half of the book. i wasn't sure how they were gonna get out once they realised the threat was real, but i was sat for all the conflicts. my one gripe is that while we do get to know most of the cast (hamish, ava, mack, paxton, talia, madison) quite well through georgie's eyes, i wish we got to see more of their povs. maybe at least both the leider siblings'.
genuinely did not expect the plot twist of who the witch actually is. spoilers, it is their mum who supposedly left them but was killed by ashley at the campsite. the twenty questions game was so tense, and after when the witch took over. but glad that their mum is probably at peace now.
that being said i loved georgie and hamish's sibling bond. it really says something the way they stick together is the only constant throughout the entire quest and it speaks to how they only ever had each other to rely on. i love hamish being protective of her, and georgie thinking hamish deserves better. the way they care for each other, their conviction that if one goes, the other does too, was honestly the highlight for me. i was very worried throughout that one of them might not survive, but so glad they both did!!! happy that they and hamish get their new lives at the end away from the past.
"you and me, pest. always you and me."
"no matter what's happened to me, i've always had hamish, and he's always had me. even now as we face down imminent death."
i think it was a bold choice to focus on this relationship rather than the two romances (georgie/mack and hamish/ava) but this worked so well and it wouldn't have been the same otherwise.
the romances were cute, of course. i liked how mack and ava eventually opened up to the respective leider siblings, and somehow they managed to stay together afterwards!! maybe if this was a longer book, they would have had more focus.
anyway, still thoroughly enjoyed this!!
wow. that was a whole ride. this got me scared, shocked and tearing up a bit at the end so this was really something. this was advertised as 'upper ya horror for fans of scream and final destination' and while i don't think that was accurate i ended up loving this anyway.
firstly, the cover is so perfect for this book. the teenagers in the endless woods with nothing but their packs and flashlights are so accurate. and the colour palette!!
i've always liked the smell of cinnamon and gingerbread. i might not always crave or want to eat it but the smell is always comforting somehow no matter then context. somehow gingerbread bones managed to twist that into horror and i might never think the same of the scent again, which means this was done splendidly. honestly i didn't even realise thisnwas a very f-ed hansel and gretal retelling until halfway through.
wbk ashley was horrible and hated her stepkids, but who knew she was a murderous btch?? well i guess everyone reading did. jokes aside i thought the atmosphere and the reality tv-ness of the cast getting into arguments over everything really carried the first half of the book. i wasn't sure how they were gonna get out once they realised the threat was real, but i was sat for all the conflicts. my one gripe is that while we do get to know most of the cast (hamish, ava, mack, paxton, talia, madison) quite well through georgie's eyes, i wish we got to see more of their povs. maybe at least both the leider siblings'.
genuinely did not expect the plot twist of who the witch actually is. spoilers, it is their mum who supposedly left them but was killed by ashley at the campsite. the twenty questions game was so tense, and after when the witch took over. but glad that their mum is probably at peace now.
that being said i loved georgie and hamish's sibling bond. it really says something the way they stick together is the only constant throughout the entire quest and it speaks to how they only ever had each other to rely on. i love hamish being protective of her, and georgie thinking hamish deserves better. the way they care for each other, their conviction that if one goes, the other does too, was honestly the highlight for me. i was very worried throughout that one of them might not survive, but so glad they both did!!! happy that they and hamish get their new lives at the end away from the past.
"you and me, pest. always you and me."
"no matter what's happened to me, i've always had hamish, and he's always had me. even now as we face down imminent death."
i think it was a bold choice to focus on this relationship rather than the two romances (georgie/mack and hamish/ava) but this worked so well and it wouldn't have been the same otherwise.
the romances were cute, of course. i liked how mack and ava eventually opened up to the respective leider siblings, and somehow they managed to stay together afterwards!! maybe if this was a longer book, they would have had more focus.
anyway, still thoroughly enjoyed this!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
It... wasn't what I expected and I feel like the blurb didn't fully deliver, at least in my eyes.
The very first sentence on NetGalley starts with: "Get ready for an edge-of-your-seat upper YA horror for fans of Scream and Final Destination!".
One: I'm a fan of both of those franchises.
Two: It was the cover + the title that originally caught my eye.
Three: I mean we have a group of teens stuck in the forest to film a reality show and they took their phones away. You really expect that nothing will go wrong?
The premise was so, so perfect for me, that I rushed to read it as soon as I was finished with the other book.
First off, I enjoyed the setting and the whole atmosphere. It was done well and there were moments where I felt as if I was in the forest with them. The characters were good, but I didn't really feel connected to any of them. I absolutely loved all the horror (especially the gore!) moments that we got and they were such a treat. It's also a sort of retelling (or maybe a twist on the tale) of Hansel & Gretel which I probably should have guessed sooner with all the clues it gave.
That saying... I honestly think that we didn't get enough horror for a book that's labeled as YA horror. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like most of the book the group was either talking or arguing and nothing was happening while the blurb suggested/promised a lot of action (it's also labeled as "Epic Paranormal Survival Horror Romance"). I also felt like there was very little romance (there were maybe... two moments for me?).
Next: the reality show trope itself. You should probably know, that I'm a huge sucker for "let's film something" in a horror genre. Starting from influencers faking exorcisms/hauntings for views to realize that it's real to exploring abandoned places or as it was the case here, filming a reality show in a secluded place. Unfortunately, it completely missed the mark for me in this case, since the idea died almost as fast as it appeared and we never really came back to it. It was more of a reason to why they were there in the first place, than being an actual part of the plot.
Lastly: the ending. It felt chaotic (especially the big twist) and even after finishing the book, I'm not really sure what to think about the whole conclusion? I just feel like something is missing and I'm not fully satisfied.
Overall, while I did enjoy it for most part, I do wish it had a lot more horror elements than we ended up with.
It... wasn't what I expected and I feel like the blurb didn't fully deliver, at least in my eyes.
The very first sentence on NetGalley starts with: "Get ready for an edge-of-your-seat upper YA horror for fans of Scream and Final Destination!".
One: I'm a fan of both of those franchises.
Two: It was the cover + the title that originally caught my eye.
Three: I mean we have a group of teens stuck in the forest to film a reality show and they took their phones away. You really expect that nothing will go wrong?
The premise was so, so perfect for me, that I rushed to read it as soon as I was finished with the other book.
First off, I enjoyed the setting and the whole atmosphere. It was done well and there were moments where I felt as if I was in the forest with them. The characters were good, but I didn't really feel connected to any of them. I absolutely loved all the horror (especially the gore!) moments that we got and they were such a treat. It's also a sort of retelling (or maybe a twist on the tale) of Hansel & Gretel which I probably should have guessed sooner with all the clues it gave.
That saying... I honestly think that we didn't get enough horror for a book that's labeled as YA horror. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like most of the book the group was either talking or arguing and nothing was happening while the blurb suggested/promised a lot of action (it's also labeled as "Epic Paranormal Survival Horror Romance"). I also felt like there was very little romance (there were maybe... two moments for me?).
Next: the reality show trope itself. You should probably know, that I'm a huge sucker for "let's film something" in a horror genre. Starting from influencers faking exorcisms/hauntings for views to realize that it's real to exploring abandoned places or as it was the case here, filming a reality show in a secluded place. Unfortunately, it completely missed the mark for me in this case, since the idea died almost as fast as it appeared and we never really came back to it. It was more of a reason to why they were there in the first place, than being an actual part of the plot.
Lastly: the ending. It felt chaotic (especially the big twist) and even after finishing the book, I'm not really sure what to think about the whole conclusion? I just feel like something is missing and I'm not fully satisfied.
Overall, while I did enjoy it for most part, I do wish it had a lot more horror elements than we ended up with.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this book without knowing it was a retelling and loved the interesting approach by the author to tell the story of Hansel and Gretel, evil stepmom and all.
A group of ‘delinquent’ teenagers are sent to survive in the woods so they can learn to work together and learn some valuable lessons. And that they will definitely learn the hard way. The whole thing will be recorded and televised and the crew also includes a psychologist and a wilderness survivor specialist that can help the teenagers navigate the woods.
Unfortunately after the first night, the crew disappears and the teenagers are left to fend for themselves. They will soon discover that someone or something is watching them and they are the next target.
Even though I do not really think it is realistic that a TV network would leave teens like this abandoned without resources, I get that it was important to the story.
Soon I figured out that this was a Hansel and Gretel retelling. Our main characters are two siblings that have been sent to participate in this TV show by their evil stepmother. Georgie tells us her story bit by bit revealing something very dark and terrible from her past.
The characters were really interesting and I really enjoyed learning more about them and having characters with different personalities forced to work together to survive knowing that no help is coming.
When it comes to the horror, there are certainly some scary moments and some horrible depictions of death but overall I would say the horror was a bit in the background here.
This book is more about the story of these teenagers, their past and their willingness to fight and move on no matter what life throws at them. A story about resilience and acceptance.
More than anything you will get deep conversations, confessions, process of loss, grief and there is also some romance in the book. In my personal opinion, the romance was not necessary (there is also more than one) since it is not needed to move the plot forward and the power of friendships could have also been used.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and to see the character’s journey. It was a great retelling with a tragic story and a lot of emotional moments.
A group of ‘delinquent’ teenagers are sent to survive in the woods so they can learn to work together and learn some valuable lessons. And that they will definitely learn the hard way. The whole thing will be recorded and televised and the crew also includes a psychologist and a wilderness survivor specialist that can help the teenagers navigate the woods.
Unfortunately after the first night, the crew disappears and the teenagers are left to fend for themselves. They will soon discover that someone or something is watching them and they are the next target.
Even though I do not really think it is realistic that a TV network would leave teens like this abandoned without resources, I get that it was important to the story.
Soon I figured out that this was a Hansel and Gretel retelling. Our main characters are two siblings that have been sent to participate in this TV show by their evil stepmother. Georgie tells us her story bit by bit revealing something very dark and terrible from her past.
The characters were really interesting and I really enjoyed learning more about them and having characters with different personalities forced to work together to survive knowing that no help is coming.
When it comes to the horror, there are certainly some scary moments and some horrible depictions of death but overall I would say the horror was a bit in the background here.
This book is more about the story of these teenagers, their past and their willingness to fight and move on no matter what life throws at them. A story about resilience and acceptance.
More than anything you will get deep conversations, confessions, process of loss, grief and there is also some romance in the book. In my personal opinion, the romance was not necessary (there is also more than one) since it is not needed to move the plot forward and the power of friendships could have also been used.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and to see the character’s journey. It was a great retelling with a tragic story and a lot of emotional moments.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Find my full review at Bookcave.
Story: ★★★ Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise is a standalone YA horror, paranormal romance. In it we follow Georgie who is shipped off with her brother, Hamish, to the wilderness to film a reality TV survival show featuring troubled kids. One night the counsellors disappear, and soon after it's clear that something else is in the woods with the teens, hunting them down.
Now I haven't read a ton of horror novels. In fact it's only since I joined a book club a little over a year ago that I started reading books actually advertised as horror and not just books with a scary part or two. This book is probably not something that I typically would've picked for myself, but I was sent an ARC of it (Thanks Entangled Insiders & Mayhem Books!) and figured I would give it a chance. Teens being hunted in at a camp place in the woods seems like a pretty classic horror trope, from what I know of them. The paranormal twist to it that's hinted at in the Goodreads description, and that I'm happy to have guessed without having seen that description ahead of time, was unique and kind of ridiculous? It was a fun idea and I was amused when I figured out where the book was going plot wise, but I can't say I was very scared or unsettled while reading the book, or any of the horror books I've read so far. Which I can't tell if that means they actually weren't very scary or if I can handle horror better than I originally thought I could?
Writing: ★★★★ I thought the writing was pretty good. The descriptions were great and I loved the little snippets at the start of each chapter that would feature news articles, descriptions of social media posts and little social media comment sections. Those were fun additions to the story. I did think that the pacing at some parts, mainly the beginning, was a little fast and a little more build up, maybe introducing the side characters more, would've been nice and make there deaths a little more impactful.
Story: ★★★ Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise is a standalone YA horror, paranormal romance. In it we follow Georgie who is shipped off with her brother, Hamish, to the wilderness to film a reality TV survival show featuring troubled kids. One night the counsellors disappear, and soon after it's clear that something else is in the woods with the teens, hunting them down.
Now I haven't read a ton of horror novels. In fact it's only since I joined a book club a little over a year ago that I started reading books actually advertised as horror and not just books with a scary part or two. This book is probably not something that I typically would've picked for myself, but I was sent an ARC of it (Thanks Entangled Insiders & Mayhem Books!) and figured I would give it a chance. Teens being hunted in at a camp place in the woods seems like a pretty classic horror trope, from what I know of them. The paranormal twist to it that's hinted at in the Goodreads description, and that I'm happy to have guessed without having seen that description ahead of time, was unique and kind of ridiculous? It was a fun idea and I was amused when I figured out where the book was going plot wise, but I can't say I was very scared or unsettled while reading the book, or any of the horror books I've read so far. Which I can't tell if that means they actually weren't very scary or if I can handle horror better than I originally thought I could?
Writing: ★★★★ I thought the writing was pretty good. The descriptions were great and I loved the little snippets at the start of each chapter that would feature news articles, descriptions of social media posts and little social media comment sections. Those were fun additions to the story. I did think that the pacing at some parts, mainly the beginning, was a little fast and a little more build up, maybe introducing the side characters more, would've been nice and make there deaths a little more impactful.
July 16, 2026
Dare to enter the woods? 🌲✨
If you love classic fairy tales but crave the sharp, adrenaline-fueled edge of a supernatural slasher—with a dark YA romance laced through the shadows—"Gingerbread Bones" by Lindsay Lovise is your next obsession.
This dark fairy tale retelling grabs you from the very first page and refuses to let go.
Lovise builds a nightmarish, claustrophobic world deep in the woods that will make anyone who has ever gone camping think twice before stepping into the trees.
A group of troubled, deeply relatable teens, each shaped by neglect, trauma, and the circumstances of their upbringing are cast away by their families under the guise of a "behavior correction" reality show. These teens are forced to survive high stakes where the cameras might be the least of their worries. Lovise highlights each distinct personality beautifully, showing the raw humanity and struggles behind their "troubled" labels.
This is a fast-paced, high-tension ride that builds toward an explosive and shocking revelation. It honors the grim, unforgiving roots of classic Grimm fairy tales while injecting a modern, terrifying twist.
Add this to your TBR immediately and pre-order now! Gingerbread Bones releases on August 4th, 2026.
+++I have received a free eARC of this book. This is my honest review+++
I want to thank @netgalley and @entangledteen for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.
#campnetgalley
If you love classic fairy tales but crave the sharp, adrenaline-fueled edge of a supernatural slasher—with a dark YA romance laced through the shadows—"Gingerbread Bones" by Lindsay Lovise is your next obsession.
This dark fairy tale retelling grabs you from the very first page and refuses to let go.
Lovise builds a nightmarish, claustrophobic world deep in the woods that will make anyone who has ever gone camping think twice before stepping into the trees.
A group of troubled, deeply relatable teens, each shaped by neglect, trauma, and the circumstances of their upbringing are cast away by their families under the guise of a "behavior correction" reality show. These teens are forced to survive high stakes where the cameras might be the least of their worries. Lovise highlights each distinct personality beautifully, showing the raw humanity and struggles behind their "troubled" labels.
This is a fast-paced, high-tension ride that builds toward an explosive and shocking revelation. It honors the grim, unforgiving roots of classic Grimm fairy tales while injecting a modern, terrifying twist.
Add this to your TBR immediately and pre-order now! Gingerbread Bones releases on August 4th, 2026.
+++I have received a free eARC of this book. This is my honest review+++
I want to thank @netgalley and @entangledteen for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.
#campnetgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars!!
This book reminded me of What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould in its synopsis which is what drew me in. I really found myself surprisingly loving that book with its woods horror with troubled teens so I was pretty pumped to pick this up and I must say I was not disappointed.
For me, personally, the only really "bad" (subjective) thing int he novel was the Hansel and Gretel retelling being so on the nose. Like, the gumdrops sort of removed the creepiness of the novel for me. I also would have gotten the fairytale retelling without it being QUITE so on the nose. That being said, I still devoured this book.
Plot: I loved how much was going on. The step-mom little intro at the beginning of every chapter, though, was probably my favorite. It was just so fun to read her posts or to read the stories from the past that interwove with the main story. It also does make the "twist" at the end very predictable, though, I don't think that was unintentional. it felt very much like a horror reveal we crept to inch by inch with the destination your dreading being part of the fun.
Setting: Unsettling woods were children often go missing, an abandoned old camp where horrors once happened, all with so many bodies.
Characters: I loved these characters. Despite all of them being imperfect, they were so deeply lovable. I really loved how they all had their own motivations and despite having a large cast of characters, their individual motivations and desires ever felt muddled. It was also very fun figuring out their backstories and WHY they were all there. While the FMC , Georgie, wasn't my favorite of the cast, she was a good POV character and getting to now Mack through her eyes was really worth it. I loved Mack, but honestly the addition of Madison was my favorite. Having a gamer as a part of the story was very fun, especially one as strategic as her.
Overall, I would say if you like What the Woods Took you would love this or if you've wanted to watch Big Brother, horror edition, this also might scratch that itch.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC as part of Camp Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
This book reminded me of What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould in its synopsis which is what drew me in. I really found myself surprisingly loving that book with its woods horror with troubled teens so I was pretty pumped to pick this up and I must say I was not disappointed.
For me, personally, the only really "bad" (subjective) thing int he novel was the Hansel and Gretel retelling being so on the nose. Like, the gumdrops sort of removed the creepiness of the novel for me. I also would have gotten the fairytale retelling without it being QUITE so on the nose. That being said, I still devoured this book.
Plot: I loved how much was going on. The step-mom little intro at the beginning of every chapter, though, was probably my favorite. It was just so fun to read her posts or to read the stories from the past that interwove with the main story. It also does make the "twist" at the end very predictable, though, I don't think that was unintentional. it felt very much like a horror reveal we crept to inch by inch with the destination your dreading being part of the fun.
Setting: Unsettling woods were children often go missing, an abandoned old camp where horrors once happened, all with so many bodies.
Characters: I loved these characters. Despite all of them being imperfect, they were so deeply lovable. I really loved how they all had their own motivations and despite having a large cast of characters, their individual motivations and desires ever felt muddled. It was also very fun figuring out their backstories and WHY they were all there. While the FMC , Georgie, wasn't my favorite of the cast, she was a good POV character and getting to now Mack through her eyes was really worth it. I loved Mack, but honestly the addition of Madison was my favorite. Having a gamer as a part of the story was very fun, especially one as strategic as her.
Overall, I would say if you like What the Woods Took you would love this or if you've wanted to watch Big Brother, horror edition, this also might scratch that itch.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC as part of Camp Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I never thought pocketing twenties and reselling the vapes I stole from spoiled princesses at my high school would land me on a reality TV show, but here I am.
Gingerbread Bones was such a fun surprise. I never expected to have a relationship Blending survival thriller, paranormal horror, and mystery with just a hint of romance, it kept me completely invested from the moment the campers arrived in the woods.
The reality show premise instantly hooked me, and I loved how the story leaned into that atmosphere. The snippets of social media posts, emails, and news articles between chapters made everything feel more immersive while slowly unraveling the mystery without giving too much away. Every new revelation had me questioning what was really happening, and the twists kept me guessing until the end.
The large cast of teens could have been difficult to follow, but each felt distinct enough that I found myself rooting for them as the danger escalated. As their backstories unfolded, they became much more than the stereotypes the reality show tried to portray, which made the stakes feel even higher.
The horror elements strike a nice balance for YA readers, and I don’t think that was the weirdness creepy and suspenseful without relying on excessive gore. The constant feeling that something was lurking just out of sight created an unsettling atmosphere that made it hard to put the book down. And while a few plot points felt a bit over-the-top and I would have loved a little more depth behind some of the paranormal aspects, the fast pace and addictive mystery more than made up for it.
If you enjoy isolated wilderness settings, reality-show drama, supernatural thrills, and stories where no one feels safe, Gingerbread Bones is definitely worth picking up. It was an entertaining, unhinged,
The biggest thank you to Entangled: Mayhem Books and NetGalley for this giveaway eARC copy!
Gingerbread Bones was such a fun surprise. I never expected to have a relationship Blending survival thriller, paranormal horror, and mystery with just a hint of romance, it kept me completely invested from the moment the campers arrived in the woods.
The reality show premise instantly hooked me, and I loved how the story leaned into that atmosphere. The snippets of social media posts, emails, and news articles between chapters made everything feel more immersive while slowly unraveling the mystery without giving too much away. Every new revelation had me questioning what was really happening, and the twists kept me guessing until the end.
The large cast of teens could have been difficult to follow, but each felt distinct enough that I found myself rooting for them as the danger escalated. As their backstories unfolded, they became much more than the stereotypes the reality show tried to portray, which made the stakes feel even higher.
The horror elements strike a nice balance for YA readers, and I don’t think that was the weirdness creepy and suspenseful without relying on excessive gore. The constant feeling that something was lurking just out of sight created an unsettling atmosphere that made it hard to put the book down. And while a few plot points felt a bit over-the-top and I would have loved a little more depth behind some of the paranormal aspects, the fast pace and addictive mystery more than made up for it.
If you enjoy isolated wilderness settings, reality-show drama, supernatural thrills, and stories where no one feels safe, Gingerbread Bones is definitely worth picking up. It was an entertaining, unhinged,
The biggest thank you to Entangled: Mayhem Books and NetGalley for this giveaway eARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise
4.3⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.5/5
Cursing: min
Format/Source: paperback from Mayhem Books and Entangled Publishing
Genres/Tropes: Horror, paranormal, fairy tale retelling, thriller, romance, twisty
Audience: YA
Setting: Maine
Characters: Georgie, Hamish, Ashley, Maisie, Paxton, Walker, Evan, Mack, Ava, Talia, Madison, Alicia
👍 short chapters, suspense, well-developed characters, Yellowjackets x Grimm x Survivor vibes, unique storyline, twists
👎 cursing
Description:
They're being hunted…
When sixteen-year-old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother’s newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it’ll be the worst experience of her life. Two weeks. No phones. Hiking. Camping. Cameras catching every humiliating second.
Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and―among a cast of kids already branded as trouble―he’s the one she’s sure is dangerous.
One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they’re gone.
But the kids are not alone.
Georgie can feel it, stalking them from the shadows―watching, waiting, picking them off one by one. Whatever it is, it isn’t just hunting.
It’s playing.
And in this game, there seems to be only one ending: no one gets out alive.
I enjoyed this novel, especially the Grimm fairy tale retelling, well-developed characters, and unique storyline. Great blend of Yellowjackets, Grimm, and Survivor. I recommend this book to all who love YA horror with a touchof romance.
#bookstagram #booklovers #horrorbooks #fairytaleretelling #hanselandgretel
4.3⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.5/5
Cursing: min
Format/Source: paperback from Mayhem Books and Entangled Publishing
Genres/Tropes: Horror, paranormal, fairy tale retelling, thriller, romance, twisty
Audience: YA
Setting: Maine
Characters: Georgie, Hamish, Ashley, Maisie, Paxton, Walker, Evan, Mack, Ava, Talia, Madison, Alicia
👍 short chapters, suspense, well-developed characters, Yellowjackets x Grimm x Survivor vibes, unique storyline, twists
👎 cursing
Description:
They're being hunted…
When sixteen-year-old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother’s newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it’ll be the worst experience of her life. Two weeks. No phones. Hiking. Camping. Cameras catching every humiliating second.
Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and―among a cast of kids already branded as trouble―he’s the one she’s sure is dangerous.
One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they’re gone.
But the kids are not alone.
Georgie can feel it, stalking them from the shadows―watching, waiting, picking them off one by one. Whatever it is, it isn’t just hunting.
It’s playing.
And in this game, there seems to be only one ending: no one gets out alive.
I enjoyed this novel, especially the Grimm fairy tale retelling, well-developed characters, and unique storyline. Great blend of Yellowjackets, Grimm, and Survivor. I recommend this book to all who love YA horror with a touchof romance.
#bookstagram #booklovers #horrorbooks #fairytaleretelling #hanselandgretel
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An absolutely amazing book that I devoured in less than two days. The writing is so smooth, both the descriptions and the conversations, that the story flows incredibly well. While it’s described as horror, it’s handled just right for the age group it’s written for. So, moments of horror, but not overly gory or so scary you won’t be able to sleep afterwards. I really enjoyed how the opening of each chapter leads off with interesting tidbits, like social media posts, emails and news articles. We get enough hints about what’s playing with Georgie and the other kids that you can start to put some of the pieces together on your own. Not necessarily a bad thing because there’s enough twists, including the ending, that you’ll be plenty surprised.
The characters themselves all obviously have enough issues going on that their family eagerly signs them up for this wilderness behavior camp. While I would like to think adults wouldn’t send children off into the woods like that, with them all being 16 or 17 I can see where this would be a last resort “to straighten them out” kind of thing. As we get to know each teen though and what shaped them into who they are today, you start to understand them, and root for most to survive. Some of their stories are a little cliche, but that’s exactly what a reality show would want so viewers can relate better.
Overall I found this book to be extremely well written, highly addictive and totally worthy of a spot on my bookshelf for rereading and sharing. Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing for the advanced eARC!
The characters themselves all obviously have enough issues going on that their family eagerly signs them up for this wilderness behavior camp. While I would like to think adults wouldn’t send children off into the woods like that, with them all being 16 or 17 I can see where this would be a last resort “to straighten them out” kind of thing. As we get to know each teen though and what shaped them into who they are today, you start to understand them, and root for most to survive. Some of their stories are a little cliche, but that’s exactly what a reality show would want so viewers can relate better.
Overall I found this book to be extremely well written, highly addictive and totally worthy of a spot on my bookshelf for rereading and sharing. Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing for the advanced eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When sixteen-year-old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother’s newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it’ll be the worst experience of her life. Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and among a cast of kids already branded as trouble: he’s the one she’s sure is dangerous. One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they’re gone. Something is watching, waiting, picking them off one by one.
Overall, I thought Gingerbread Bones was an entertaining read. I loved the whole Lord of the Flies meets reality show with Hansel and Gretel vibes. I mean, seriously, how can you go wrong with troubled teens being sent into the woods, forced to work together, and hopefully, come out as better kids?
I thought the plot was very refreshing and the pacing was solid. I liked that the author made you feel in the moment with the characters and the way she portrayed the dark, uncomfortable moments. As far as the romance aspect goes, I thought it was all right. It didn't make or break the story for me.
Gingerbread Bones is quite the departure from the books I typically read, but I still found it entertaining. Fans who enjoy young adult horror, deadly reality shows, with an unexpected paranormal threat, will definitely want to sink their teeth into Gingerbread Bones.
* I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
Overall, I thought Gingerbread Bones was an entertaining read. I loved the whole Lord of the Flies meets reality show with Hansel and Gretel vibes. I mean, seriously, how can you go wrong with troubled teens being sent into the woods, forced to work together, and hopefully, come out as better kids?
I thought the plot was very refreshing and the pacing was solid. I liked that the author made you feel in the moment with the characters and the way she portrayed the dark, uncomfortable moments. As far as the romance aspect goes, I thought it was all right. It didn't make or break the story for me.
Gingerbread Bones is quite the departure from the books I typically read, but I still found it entertaining. Fans who enjoy young adult horror, deadly reality shows, with an unexpected paranormal threat, will definitely want to sink their teeth into Gingerbread Bones.
* I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is one of those books that is YA, but is still engrossing to read as an adult. You are drawn in and hooked. Are there a few plot inconsistencies here and there? Yeah, but that doesn’t negate from the fact that it is a fun, twisted tale that takes inspiration from Hansel & Gretel. (Something I didn’t know going into reading this so it was a pleasant surprise.) The “paranormal survival horror romance” byline sounds oxymoronic, but I assure you this book covers it all and does a great job of it. I inhaled it in a few hours (and may or may not have abandoned adulting for the duration of it).
This book gives all the spooky vibes because teens who are labeled as troublemakers are sent to camp out in haunted woods in autumn by their influencer stepmother for a reality reform show. The more you grow to adore the teenagers, the more vile their stepmother becomes. We are instantly thrown into the fray and it starts like many other “conversion camp in an immersive wilderness experience” tales… but it does not take long to take a chaotic turn and it only gets weirder as time goes on— in the best of ways!
Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on August 4, 2026!
Thank you to Lindsay Lovise and Entangled Teen (Entangled: Mayhem Books) for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book gives all the spooky vibes because teens who are labeled as troublemakers are sent to camp out in haunted woods in autumn by their influencer stepmother for a reality reform show. The more you grow to adore the teenagers, the more vile their stepmother becomes. We are instantly thrown into the fray and it starts like many other “conversion camp in an immersive wilderness experience” tales… but it does not take long to take a chaotic turn and it only gets weirder as time goes on— in the best of ways!
Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on August 4, 2026!
Thank you to Lindsay Lovise and Entangled Teen (Entangled: Mayhem Books) for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gingerbread Bones follows troublemaker siblings, Georgie and Hamish, as their stepmother forces them onto a reality show where they have to survive the wilderness with several other delinquent teens. But after they arrive at their final camping destination, the adults vanish overnight. Something is watching them. Stalking them. Georgie and the others have to outsmart their foe or perish.
I enjoyed this one! It was very entertaining and fast paced. I did think it was a bit drawn out and would’ve preferred a more flushed out opening. But it was well explained and did keep my attention for the most part. The horror elements were really well done. The gore was great and the author had great descriptions to make everything very unsettling. It was also a very unique take on the Hansel and Gretel story!
I mostly enjoyed Georgie and the cast of characters. They felt like realistic teenagers. Very dramatic and over the top at times. But entertaining to read about as they fumbled through the woods and the villain. I did enjoy the twist, although it was pretty obvious to me. Georgie’s romance with Mack was cute and added some nice levity to the story.
If you love survival horror with a supernatural element or fairy tale retellings, definitely go check this one out!
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Teen for the arc!
I enjoyed this one! It was very entertaining and fast paced. I did think it was a bit drawn out and would’ve preferred a more flushed out opening. But it was well explained and did keep my attention for the most part. The horror elements were really well done. The gore was great and the author had great descriptions to make everything very unsettling. It was also a very unique take on the Hansel and Gretel story!
I mostly enjoyed Georgie and the cast of characters. They felt like realistic teenagers. Very dramatic and over the top at times. But entertaining to read about as they fumbled through the woods and the villain. I did enjoy the twist, although it was pretty obvious to me. Georgie’s romance with Mack was cute and added some nice levity to the story.
If you love survival horror with a supernatural element or fairy tale retellings, definitely go check this one out!
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Teen for the arc!
May 6, 2026
Releases On August 4th
What To Expect:
- ya horror/thriller
- survival game
- trapped in the wilderness
- paranormal threat
- forced proximity
- deadly reality show
- based on hansel and gretel
5⭐️
holy. crap. i have no words
this book was so much fun to read and so incredibly hard to put down.
i have been in the mood to read a thriller/spookier book lately and this one definitely hit. it maybe ya but it had me gasping at times 😅 my jaw dropped more than i'd like to admit.
there were a few characters i didnt like but i mean everyone has that. and i am pretty sure these certain two characters were written to annoy you 😂 i wont say who, i think i will wait for you to figure that out when you guys read this when it comes out 🤷🏻♀️
georgie my girl, i loved her. after everything she's been through she was so strong and never gave up. i definitely admired her for that. i'm torn between mack and hamish as my second favorites. i just really liked both of their characters.
there is so much more that i want to say but i dont want to spoil it for anyone! so when this book comes out on August 4th, yall need to get it.
thank you so much entangled publishing and mayhem books for sending me a copy of this book
What To Expect:
- ya horror/thriller
- survival game
- trapped in the wilderness
- paranormal threat
- forced proximity
- deadly reality show
- based on hansel and gretel
5⭐️
holy. crap. i have no words
this book was so much fun to read and so incredibly hard to put down.
i have been in the mood to read a thriller/spookier book lately and this one definitely hit. it maybe ya but it had me gasping at times 😅 my jaw dropped more than i'd like to admit.
there were a few characters i didnt like but i mean everyone has that. and i am pretty sure these certain two characters were written to annoy you 😂 i wont say who, i think i will wait for you to figure that out when you guys read this when it comes out 🤷🏻♀️
georgie my girl, i loved her. after everything she's been through she was so strong and never gave up. i definitely admired her for that. i'm torn between mack and hamish as my second favorites. i just really liked both of their characters.
there is so much more that i want to say but i dont want to spoil it for anyone! so when this book comes out on August 4th, yall need to get it.
thank you so much entangled publishing and mayhem books for sending me a copy of this book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gingerbread Bones is a dark, suspenseful page turner that masterfully blends horror, romance, and a touch of magic into a high stakes survival story. The premise pulls you in immediately: a group of delinquents is hand picked for a Survivor style reality show in the deep woods. The entire production is actually a twisted setup orchestrated by the malicious stepmother of two contestants, Georgie and Hamish. Once the group arrives at the remote filming site, the reality show facade completely shatters as a mysterious creature begins picking them off one by one. What follows is a gripping, fast paced nightmare where a fractured group of teens must overcome their differences, learn to trust one another, and work together just to stay alive. Packed with unexpected twists and an eerie atmosphere, it perfectly balances terrifying monster in the woods horror with compelling character dynamics. It is an absolute must read recommendation for any fan of dark, atmospheric horror who loves a story that keeps them guessing until the very end.
May 14, 2026
This one was so great! It was a touch long but I really enjoyed it. “Troubled” teens sent off to film a reality show (really at the forcing of all their awful parents) to get their acts together as they survive in the Maine wilderness goes horribly wrong when people start disappearing.
Gingerbread Bones is a creepy ya thriller/horror that gives Grimm/The Brother’s Grimm vibes (iykyk). I’m trying to avoid spoilers so there’s not a lot I can say lol. I thought the online snippets of news reports, emails, texts, and social media at the beginning of each chapter was a great was to keep the reader slightly informed about what was going on in the real world (or sometimes the past) while still being immersed in Georgie and crews nightmare in the forest.
This has all the hallmarks of classic great ya thrillers. You’ve got the main plot, a side plot of some romance, some truly twisted adults, and a full cast of well developed characters, some you love and some you love to hate lol.
Gingerbread Bones is a creepy ya thriller/horror that gives Grimm/The Brother’s Grimm vibes (iykyk). I’m trying to avoid spoilers so there’s not a lot I can say lol. I thought the online snippets of news reports, emails, texts, and social media at the beginning of each chapter was a great was to keep the reader slightly informed about what was going on in the real world (or sometimes the past) while still being immersed in Georgie and crews nightmare in the forest.
This has all the hallmarks of classic great ya thrillers. You’ve got the main plot, a side plot of some romance, some truly twisted adults, and a full cast of well developed characters, some you love and some you love to hate lol.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I did not know that this book was basically a paranormal story and a retelling at that. I am glad I did not know, because I traditionally do NOT like paranormal and even less a retelling, but ignorance is bliss in this case as I LOVED this book.
Interestingly, I did not like any of the characters, including Georgie who was annoying with her constantly putting herself down or he defiant ways, although I do get that this propelled the story.
The first 3/4s of the book was really really great. The pace was perfect and I was completely baffled as to where the story was going. Then we hit the very pertinent part and the beginning of the resolution of the story and I was completely surprised.
The writing was on point and never slowed down. I am a vegetarian, so I could have done without the description of finding the deer and the fish, but I just skipped those parts.
Very, very engrossing.
Interestingly, I did not like any of the characters, including Georgie who was annoying with her constantly putting herself down or he defiant ways, although I do get that this propelled the story.
The first 3/4s of the book was really really great. The pace was perfect and I was completely baffled as to where the story was going. Then we hit the very pertinent part and the beginning of the resolution of the story and I was completely surprised.
The writing was on point and never slowed down. I am a vegetarian, so I could have done without the description of finding the deer and the fish, but I just skipped those parts.
Very, very engrossing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I had the opportunity to read this book early from Entangled Insiders. This is my first ARC! Overall I enjoyed this book. Sometimes I find that I dont enjoy YA books as much as I used to bc the characters just seem too juvenile for me. I didnt feel like that with this book. This book was a pretty quick read for me. If you like more complex books, then this one probably isn't for you.
So basically a bunch of "troubled" kids get send into the deep woods of Maine to film a reality TV show. Obviously things go sideways pretty quick. Soon they find themselves hunted by something sinister. They find themselves having to survive not only the paranormal but also having to not freeze to death and starve.
Is this a perfect book? No. I feel like there are some plot holes, and I wish we would have got some more info about other characters at the end, but it was still enjoyable over all. Would recommend.
So basically a bunch of "troubled" kids get send into the deep woods of Maine to film a reality TV show. Obviously things go sideways pretty quick. Soon they find themselves hunted by something sinister. They find themselves having to survive not only the paranormal but also having to not freeze to death and starve.
Is this a perfect book? No. I feel like there are some plot holes, and I wish we would have got some more info about other characters at the end, but it was still enjoyable over all. Would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This may be my perfect YA horror. I could never have predicted where this plot was going to go, and yet I loved all of it. This was delightfully creepy and weird. I loved the twists. Our main group of characters really grew on me. The deep Maine woods came alive off the pages, and I felt transported to a cold, creepy forest. The antagonist was at times reminiscent of creepypastas or the SCP archives, which I personally loved.
Despite how different all the elements of this story were, I felt like they all worked together wonderfully. Sometimes I was tense and full of dread, other times I was swept off my feet with a teenage love story and all the bitter pangs of growing up. This book handles everything it sets out to do really well. I've never read a horror quite like it, and it's the type of book I was desperate for as a teenager. Gross at times, scary, but still age appropriate for older teens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
Despite how different all the elements of this story were, I felt like they all worked together wonderfully. Sometimes I was tense and full of dread, other times I was swept off my feet with a teenage love story and all the bitter pangs of growing up. This book handles everything it sets out to do really well. I've never read a horror quite like it, and it's the type of book I was desperate for as a teenager. Gross at times, scary, but still age appropriate for older teens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this thinking, “oooh, a Hansel & gretel retelling, YASSS!” Then the book promptly grabbed me by the ankles & dragged me into the woods.
I won’t lie, it did take me about 30%-35% before I was fully invested. I spent the first chunk side-eyeing all of the adults & wondering where the story was headed. But once it found its footing? I was hooked & suddenly couldn’t stop reading.
If you like creepy forests, eerie folklore, survival horror, fairytale retellings (although..i never considered this one a “fairytale”.lol), & a cast of morally messy teens, this one is worth checking out. Even though the original Grimm tale was dark… this one was even more & very unsettling, while always keeping me guessing.
Just know this is NOT a cozy fairytale. It’s creepy, chaotic, & had me saying,”WTH” MORE then once.
Thank you Netgalley, Entangled Teen, & Lindsay Lovise for my ARC copy, in exchange for my honest review.
&&as always, HAPPY READING. !
I won’t lie, it did take me about 30%-35% before I was fully invested. I spent the first chunk side-eyeing all of the adults & wondering where the story was headed. But once it found its footing? I was hooked & suddenly couldn’t stop reading.
If you like creepy forests, eerie folklore, survival horror, fairytale retellings (although..i never considered this one a “fairytale”.lol), & a cast of morally messy teens, this one is worth checking out. Even though the original Grimm tale was dark… this one was even more & very unsettling, while always keeping me guessing.
Just know this is NOT a cozy fairytale. It’s creepy, chaotic, & had me saying,”WTH” MORE then once.
Thank you Netgalley, Entangled Teen, & Lindsay Lovise for my ARC copy, in exchange for my honest review.
&&as always, HAPPY READING. !
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise was a fun and entertaining YA horror read. Horror isn’t a genre I pick up very often, but I found this story surprisingly interesting and easy to get into. It had just the right mix of creepy moments, mystery, and suspense to keep me engaged without feeling overwhelming.
One of my favorite characters was Mack. I really enjoyed his personality and thought he added a lot to the story. Talia, on the other hand, got on my nerves at times, and I had a hard time connecting with her. Even so, I was invested in seeing how everything would play out.
The ending was both entertaining and completely unpredictable. I didn’t see the twists coming, and I enjoyed how the story wrapped up. If you’re looking for a YA horror novel with an intriguing mystery and plenty of surprises, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I've never read a YA horror, let alone a horror book, and I feel like this was a good book to dip my toes into the horror genre with. I didn't want to put it down and was excited every time I would pick it up. I liked the premise of the book and loved the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. I was antsy to finish a chapter to see what crumb it would give me next. I liked the character building and the backstories that were slowly unveiled to help you get a better feel for what the characters had gone through and why they might be in the situation that they are in. The epilogue had some things that didn't fully seem plausible, but this is obviously a fictional story so I'm just rolling with it because I enjoyed the read. Thank you to Entangled Publishing for an early copy of the book for my honest review!
July 11, 2026
Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise
Format: Physical
Length : 368 Pages
Genre: Horror / YA
Pace: Medium
Themes: Trauma, Friendship, Emotions
Setting: Maine Woods
Rating: 4
Goodreads Rating: 4.21
Release Date: August 4 2026
Publisher: Entangled / Mayhem
I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts 💭What happens when you take a bunch of troubled teenagers into a haunted forest!?
PERKS
I really liked the evil stepmom situation!
There was some mixed media at the beginning of each chapter that I enjoyed and I felt added to the story.
I didnt realize this was a retelling until the end - I am DOOPED
I really liked the characters bonding and creating beautiful friendships in order to survive.
This was really unique and I was invested throughout the story!
THE ENDING!!!! I thought it was absolutely perfect!
QUIRKS
This definitely felt very YA in some portions
I think the reveal was not surprising but the explanation was lacking for me. Like how did we get here? Whats the backstory
Format: Physical
Length : 368 Pages
Genre: Horror / YA
Pace: Medium
Themes: Trauma, Friendship, Emotions
Setting: Maine Woods
Rating: 4
Goodreads Rating: 4.21
Release Date: August 4 2026
Publisher: Entangled / Mayhem
I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts 💭What happens when you take a bunch of troubled teenagers into a haunted forest!?
PERKS
I really liked the evil stepmom situation!
There was some mixed media at the beginning of each chapter that I enjoyed and I felt added to the story.
I didnt realize this was a retelling until the end - I am DOOPED
I really liked the characters bonding and creating beautiful friendships in order to survive.
This was really unique and I was invested throughout the story!
THE ENDING!!!! I thought it was absolutely perfect!
QUIRKS
This definitely felt very YA in some portions
I think the reveal was not surprising but the explanation was lacking for me. Like how did we get here? Whats the backstory
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