Damnation

Gallows Hill #0.5

by Katelyn Taylor

What happened before the Gallows Hill trilogy?
Before the Brethren?
What really happened to Salem in 1692...

Genres: Dark Romance, Audiobook, Novella, Dark, Witches, Romance, Historical Romance

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2025

About the author

Katelyn Taylor writes dark and contemporary romance and is known for twisted love stories with toe-curling smut, heart-breaking angst & plot twists that keep readers up all night.

If you like your romance with a side of unhingedness & spice, get ready to cry from your eyes to your thighs.

Welcome to the Taylorverse!

Reviews

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of what REALLY happened in Gallows Hills....

This book made me feel RAGE. As much as I enjoyed going to the beginning and see what happens before the Gallow Hills Trilogy, I wanted revenge for Sarah. This novella is a short and fast. There is no HEA and only rage and heartbreak. That being said, it's a must read! I mean, aren't all Katelyn books must reads?


#Forbidden Romance
#Salem Witch Trials
#Check Triggers
#NO HEA

[💕📚Cassie📚💕 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️listen 3.9🌶️ Narration 🎤5


‼️Warning make sure to check T/Ws ‼️


When I first heard the sound clips for this, I shouted out loud, “Omg I need to listen to this!” lol true story. Anyone who knows me knows I love anything fantasy especially witch vibes.

Damnation is one of the best books/prequels I’ve had the privilege of being able to listen to. Everything about this was done amazingly from the storytelling, to the plot, to the narration.

Amy Hall & Sebastian York did an incredible job bringing this to life. Making the story feel so real, pulling you in making you want more. The author knew exactly what she was doing from start to finish, from all angles.

The storyline is set during a historical moment the Salem witch trials. As the story goes on, you meet Sarah Good, who’s someone you can’t help but want to know more about her. She quickly became one of my favorite characters. She’s special in so many ways, most of all she’s caring & loving. Even in dark moments, she’s someone you can feel connected to in some way.

You also meet Thomas Putnam. For me, I’d say he’s the kind of guy everyone wants to meet, know, & be around. But be prepared you’ll have a lot of hot & cold thoughts about this guy lol. It’s part of the storyline, & it makes complete sense once you see the why and how of it all.

Overall, I enjoyed this from start to finish. My heart went in so many different directions for Sarah. I cheered for her & cried for her.

What to expect with this story:

* No HEA
* Heartache
* Secrets
* Betrayal

& possibly a few other things I won’t list since I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.

Rest assured, this audio is absolutely worth taking a moment to listen to everything about it is amazing.

Thank you to Blue Nose Audio & author Kaitlin Tyler for creating this & allowing me to be part of this ALC! thank you to narrators Amy & Sebastian you nailed it with this performance.

As always, these are my honest thoughts for my review.

[Tia Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck the patriarchy 🖕

This was a short, fun & interesting twist on the Salem Witch trials which led us to the Gallows Hill trilogy.

Thomas Putnam & Sarah Good had a love that burned bright and burned quick, but was quickly snuffed out.

Definitely recommend for a quick & easy read, just know it is a non-hea 🙂‍↕️

[Talina Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the twist on the Salem trials!! The gallows hill trilogy is one of my favorites and it was so fun to go into the past to see what started the brethren. Oh boy the rage I felt😩 she deserved so much more

[Renita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I absolutely ate this book up. I read this book in a couple of hours, I did not want to stop reading. I absolutely loved the Gallows Hill trilogy and have missed the world since ending Deliverance so it was so good to be back into that world. One thing Katelyn Taylor is best at, is ripping your heart to pieces and call me an emotional masochist because I love it every time. This book is no different. The non HEA made me love it that much more but the whole book was full of heartache as well. I absolutely loved seeing how the brethren began and I loved reading Katelyn’s theories on the Salem witch trials. And at the end of the day ladies, just remember, you can’t trust no man. 👏🏽

[Courtney Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAPPY RELEASE DAY to my boo 🖤🖤 whatever Katelyn writes I need immediately injected into my veins 💉

Ever wonder how the Brethren was started in the Gallows Hill series? 😈

This novella takes you back to 1692, during the peak of the Salem witch trials. Old English & all 🤪 Thomas Putnam (a prominent businessman) finds himself in an affair with Sarah Good (the town healer witch) & has to watch as the whole town slowly turns against her. This was forbidden, spicy, emotional & perfect for spooky season 👻

💀 Historical Romance
💀 Salem Witches
💀 Secret Society
💀 Forbidden Love
💀 Spicy
💀 No HEA

Audible coming out Sept 11 🖤

[Kristina (currentlybookedout) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damnation by Katelyn Taylor 🖤
ARC REVIEW

The Origin story to the Gallow Hills trilogy and what a treat it was to be back in this world but make it the past.

The old English setting was a fun change, I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

I knew this was going to be a non HEA but I didn’t expect to get emotional. That’s just what Katelyn can do in 130 pages. My heart hurt, what women went through in the past was just cruel 🫠

Though the short love story of Thomas Putnam and Sarah Good was perfect. The forbidden aspects to their relationship made it more exciting but unfortunately things had to come to an end.

This was a great novella to showcase the past and give an understanding on how everything started with the secret society, the Brethren.

Now it makes me want to go back and reread Gallow Hills, truly is a fantastic series and i’d highly recommend. You can definitely start with this little novella that gives you an insight into the society otherwise you can jump straight into the trilogy 🖤

Thankyou to the queen, Katelyn for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review 💋

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Arc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

~Damnation~~Katelyn Taylor~

"Hang me at the Gallows, I have little care, but your troubles are far from over."

♡Damnation was the perfect journey back to the past of Gallows Hill! This origin story was short but packed a twisty punch & gave me exactly what I needed! I didn't think this story would make me emotional as I knew some of the backstory from the trilogy but in true Katelyn fashion, she proved me wrong!

This is the perfect story to begin your Gallows Hill journey or if you are like me & have already been to Gallows Hill this is the perfect journey back to the beginning!♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

[vicki kugach · Rating 4 out of 5]

good timing for reading this since I just came back from Salem and have pictures of gravestones from the two Sarah’s. Also saw a trial reenactment and the jails where the witches were kept and heard some of the stories about what went down. Having seen all that, I felt this book described everything very well.

[Kelsey 📖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Punching air. However, I feel like it is so realistic regarding how Gallows Hill trilogy is! I mean I feel like it was how it should be and even though I’m mad about it. I totally get it 😂 but devoured it up. And I absolutely loved the background of how the secret society started (the brethren). 10/10. The queen did it again!

[Emilee Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

eARC Review
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 9/8/25
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶️🌶️

🖤Forbidden Romance
🖤Salem Witch Trials
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Secret Society
🖤Historical Romance
🖤 Non HEA
⚠️ Check TW

First off, HUGE thank you to @katelynntaylor for providing me with this ARC!

This novella was everything I hoped for when she announced it. But the scream I scrumpt when I got my ARC acceptance email could’ve easily been heard all the way back to 1692. 😅

Damnation follows Thomas Putnam and Sarah Good during the Salem Witch Trials, and what really went wrong. We also the beginnings of how the Brethren first began, which makes this prequel to The Gallows Hill world feel like a dark little puzzle piece snapping perfectly into place.

Katelyn Taylor has yet to disappoint me, and she nailed it again here. It’s quick, atmospheric, and just unsettling enough to keep you wide eyed the entire time. You could read it before The Gallows Hill series, but personally I think it hits harder after.

⚠️Definitely check trigger warnings before diving in, because while it’s short, it doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. And just a heads up…it’s a NON-HEA. But honestly? That’s exactly what makes it so hauntingly good.

✨Highly recommend this one! It will be available tomorrow 9/8 on KU, Ebook and paperback!

[Sapir_library ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐

Damnation is the prequel to the Gallows Hill Trilogy.
This book left me angry and sad, but I was eager to revisit the past and see how the Brethren secret society was created, even though I dove into it with the knowledge of its tragic ending, as well as the Salem witches' fate.

Set in 1692, during the infamous Salem witch trials, the story centers on Thomas Putnam, a wealthy businessman, and his forbidden romance with Sarah Good, the town's healer and accused witch. Both of them are married and have children. As the town turns against her, he is forced to watch helplessly. The brief, yet intense love between Thomas Putnam and Sarah Good was a captivating origin story, and I enjoyed the old English setting, and the audiobook narrators delivered it beautifully. As mentioned before, knowing the story won't end on a happy note, the emotional impact was intense (tears were shed), demonstrating the cruelty and unfairness women faced in the past.

If you are new to this series, I recommend reading this prequel before reading the trilogy.

🖤Tropes🖤
💀 Historical Dark Romance
💀 Salem Witches
💀 Set in Salem, Massachusetts
💀 Secret Society
💀 Forbidden love & emotional heartbreak
💀 Spicy
💀 No HEA (no happy ending)

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I’m late to the game, but holy moly!
I haven’t started the Gallows Hill Trilogy yet but if you don’t bet your sweet little self that I am about to the same day as I just finished this rollercoaster of a prequel…

I ATE THIS UP! Start to finish, I never put it down.
If you want to feel all the emotions (literally) from tears from your eyes to your thighs, to those ‘wtf’ moments all the way to wanting to SCREAM at the MMC, then add this to your TBR.

I absolutely loved getting into the backstory before I jump into the trilogy (the same day, because I’m obsessed).

Katelyn never fails and this is just another reason out of millions why I love her work!

“We have not only committed a sin, we have become sin. Especially due to the fact that this will not be the last time. I will not allow it.” 🥵

[The_reading_redhead_sc tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever wonder how the brotherhood got started and what all happened with the Salem witch trials? If so this book is for you. This is the story before the gallow hills story.

Tropes:
Historical Romance
Forbidden
No HEA
Salem Witch Trails

If you haven’t read the Gallow Hill Series then this is the book to start with. If you have read the Gallow hill series this is the story of how the brotherhood started and how the university came about. It also gives all the information about the Salem Witch trials. This is Novella is short but mighty with all the information you will want.

I love Katelyn Taylor and her books. They are always amazing and even though this book doesn’t haven’t HEA it was definitely still a good book.

** I want to thank Katelyn Taylor for giving me the chance to read Damnation as an ARC. In exchange for my honest review and thoughts.****

[Emily (emilysdarkcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damnation by Katelyn Taylor
We will never know exactly what happened during the Salem Witch trials.
In this book we follow Thomas who is very well known in the town he lives in. He has a wife and 7 children. But he always finds himself staring too long at the woman who is begging on the street corner for money.
Sarah is married and has a daughter and while she has to live with a not so kind husband she is out trying to earn money for the family. What she doesn't expect is to always catch the eyes of Thomas staring at her for far too long.
What happens when two people who are not supposed to be together find themselves together late at night alone?
This is a heart breaking book of two people who are in love when they aren't supposed to be. The amount of emotions I went through while reading this novella was actually wild because WTF

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Thankyou so much to Katelyn for the Arc copy of this book.

Woah! I think it’s going to take some time to process this one but as always Katelyn has delivered such exceptional writing. In old English this time which highly enjoyed for a change.

Sarah’s story left me full of rage and feeling devastated and heartbroken for her and what she endured during her life. Having a little insight into the lives of those affected by the trials and all its unfairness. This one hit hard! I knew going into this it was a story with no HEA and I loved being able to see where the origin story of Gallows Hill. I highly enjoyed the trilogy and recommend it but definitely check all the triggers with the series.

[Sarah S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC read from the queen herself, Katelyn Taylor! Damnation takes us all the way back to 1692 Salem - you know what that means - witch trials. This is the origin story on how the secret society in Gallows Hill, The Brethren, came to be. Thomas Putnam is our MMC - self-proclaimed righteous man, good Puritan, etc.

However, he is unhappy in his marriage, and can’t stop his eyes from wandering to a woman who begs within the town square. This is Sarah Good, our FMC. Her husband is vile and worthless, hence why she has to beg.

Thomas and Sarah cannot deny the sparks between them for long. Meanwhile, the whispers of witchcraft are descending upon Salem, and the accusations begin.

Oooh, I loved this!!! It was such a treat to see where Gallows Hill started. We got rewarded with a nice little nugget of information at the very end that puts a lot of puzzle pieces together.

Five stars from me. Please, please read this when it comes out!

[Mariah Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC 🖤


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.5🌶️

This is such a wonderful beginning to the gallows hills trilogy. The writing was phenomenal as always. I loved how she brought out the old English throughout the story. It goes to show just how crazy the witch trials were and how we got to the brethren.

The story follows Sarah and Thomas as they go through their affair, birth and death as well as the challenges in between!



Tropes:

- Affair
-witchcraft
- witch trials
- mild spice
- Death
- Attempted death
- lies & betrayal
- abuse
- infant loss
- Non HEA

[Shawnee Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Star ⭐

🕯️𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅, 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅. 𝑯𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒋𝒐𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝑫𝒂𝒎𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.🕯️

I would be lying if I said it didn't take a bit to get used to the old English but omg was it ever worth it!
This is coming from someone who has not read the Gallow Hills Series yet, and I cannot express how fast I am running to check it out now!!

an absolute addiction, stomach turning, jaw dropping prequel to a series that seems to have won hearts of sooo many people!
Katelyn Taylor can do no wrong and this is proof!! I am absolutely speechless, and the fact the characters are true historical people!!!! speechless!! Amazing!!!!

[Jeliza Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Sarah… she was married to a pos only to fall in love with another. Katelyn did warn us this is not a HEA but damn did it still hurt. She told him “Do not forget me.” and that he did. He chose to rid the town of witches than to trust his own heart that Sarah was not a bad witch. The audacity to still run to her after giving birth to their child and thinking he could hold Sarah is diabolical. You abandoned her and Dorthy to rot in jail and await a horrible death by hanging. May her death be forever engraved in his mind bc that it did and he became manic.

[Heather Saizar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damnation is a dark, haunting novella that offers a unique take on the Salem witch trials and what really happened on Gallows Hill. Katelyn Taylor seamlessly weaves together the past with the present of Gallows Hill Trilogy, creating an eerie, immersive story that pulls you in from the start. The atmosphere is rich, the storytelling is bold, and the impact lingers long after the final page.

This is not a HEA, but as with any Katelyn Taylor book, it’s an absolute must-read in my opinion. I have loved every single book and she’s an auto buy author for me!

[Mabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Makes sense

*ARC READER*
Now I Can understand how the Brethren Secret society established and why. Also the harsh rules on the woman in their society. Katelyn Taylor knows spice. I felt the heat between the two MC. But their forbidden love had me on edge. Kept feeling someone was going to catch on. I know there wasn’t a HEA but damn!!!! It got me at the end. For a short story it had everything you need . Addictive Plot, Spice, and character growth. Gallow hills series makes even more sense now. Loved it!!!!!!!!

[Chelsea (thatbookishteach) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved getting to see how the POS Brethren society originated, and I legit wanted to scream F THE PATRIARCHY while reading the epilogue 😂 as a high school teacher who co-teaches English 3 every year (aka we read The Crucible) I found it fun to read a variation on the events of the trials and read about an affair happening between such a prominent accuser and one of the accused. Just know that the story made me just as mad as I expected it to 😂😅

[Candis Arnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

I absolutely love the Gallows Hill Series, and Damnation takes you back to where it all began! Thomas and Sarah's story was exhilarating and then heartbreaking. There is no HEA here folks. Be sure to read the trigger warnings! In this fast paced novella you get a forbidden romance, Salem Witch Trials, and how the Brethren was created! Damnation is a prequel to the Gallows Hill Trilogy, but you can read it before or after the trilogy.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damnation by Katelyn Taylor
🎧Duet narration: Amy Hall & Sebastian York

What came before the Gallows Hill trilogy? Before the Brethren? What really happened in Salem, 1692…

There’s a thin line between love and hate, and this story lives right on it. I went in knowing my hatred for Thomas Putnam would burn, but the way he chipped at Sarah with fleeting moments of kindness almost tricked me. Almost. In the end, the rot in his heart was impossible to ignore.

Amy Hall gave Sarah Good such depth and quiet strength that I felt every injustice and heartbreak in her voice. Sebastian York embodied Thomas Putnam with chilling precision, capturing his false charm and the darkness beneath it. Their duet performance pulled me even deeper into the tragedy of Salem.

Sarah Good. The world failed her. She was dealt a cruel, merciless hand, and yet she never gave in, never let evil stain her soul. That broke me more than anything. She deserved so much better.

Did I walk away with closure? No. But maybe that was never the point. Maybe the point was to leave me seething, haunted, and despising the forefathers of Gallows Hill more than ever. And if that was the mission, consider it accomplished.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️

This is everything that happened before the Gallows Hill Trilogy. This book explains how it all came to be! Sarah could not catch a break and hearing her and Thomas’ story brought everything full circle.

I would recommend to read this before diving into the trilogy!

Amy Hall and Sebastian York did a fantastic job at the old time language!!!

What to expect
Prequel novella
Historical romance
Forbidden
No HEA
Salem witch trials

Thank you Katelyn Taylor and Blue Nose Audio for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this as an ALC💛

[Wendy Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Audiobook Review* No HEA!
This novella took you back to the beginning of where Gallows Hill got it start. Loved this take on the Salem Witch Trials. The story of the original witch trials has always fascinated me. I loved how this one stuck to the originality of the story, but Katelyn gave her own twist. Can't wait to go back to Gallows Hill.
Performed by Amy Hall & Sebastian York. 5/5!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly. THOMAS PUTNAM IS A B***H

I’m soooo frustrated. But also so happy that we got a glimpse into the start of “The Brethren”
I lovedddd seeing familiar names…brought me right back to Gallow Hills…and I didn’t realize how much I missed this world.
If I was starting over I would 100% start with Damnation.
My heart broke for Sarah..Good..not the other Sarah 😉
But even more so Dorothy..poor babe.

This is fast paced. Spicy. And sad AF but a necessary part of the Gallow Hills trilogy.

As always…if she writes it. I read it.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
🎧: Dåmnation
🎙️: Amy Hall, Sebastian York

What really happened in 1692? This Gallows Hill Prequel Novella recounts the sordid history of the Salem Witch Trials and the secret pasts of Thomas Putnam and Sarah Goode.

Tropes:
🎙️Dual POV (duet narration)
📰Historical Romance
🚫Forbidden love
💔Non HEA
⚖️Salem Witch Trials
📜Gallows Hill Prequel Novella
⚠️Check TW/CW

Thomas is a respected figurehead of the town from a prestigious family and Sarah Goode is a woman trapped. The narrators capture the essence of these characters who are bound by duty yet torn between their faith and the forbidden passion brewing.

He’s desperate to possess and keep her, sparking hope in her broken spirit. Can their love heal each other or will it lead to their dåmnation?

Dåmnation is a tragic story steeped with devastating betrayals, secrets, and a love that shakes the foundation of Salem forever.

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

[Kyla Honey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 star

I understand it’s a novella but everything just felt way too rushed for me. I needed / wanted more details instead of things being back to back happening. Because of that I didn’t feel a connection with the characters, and wish there was more side character action or something going on.

I enjoyed the little bit of romance we did get between Sarah and John, but wanted more. I wanted to believe they really cared for each other but he def proved by the end he didn’t and my girl deserved better at the end of the day.

Curse the whole blood line my girl 🥰

Seeing how everything started and where we ended in gallow hills trilogy was the part I loved the most, more details on how it all happened and the society starting made me appreciate it that much more .

The spice scenes were fun :)