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The Feed Duology #1
Some Kind of Haunted
Home is where the haunt is.
Lexi Darling has always been a city girl through and through. New York is loud, crowded, and just chaotic enough to keep her mind off everything she’d rather not think about—especially the eerily realistic nightmares that have plagued her all her life. So when she and her twin brother, Logan, are summoned to the postcard-perfect town of Midas, Iowa, one golden October to handle an inheritance from the grandmother they never knew, Lexi figures it’ll be a quick detour: sign a few papers, snap a fall foliage selfie, and catch the next flight home.
But Midas has other plans.
The town has been waiting for the Darling twins, and it’s not about to let them leave. Their arrival stirs up a centuries-old curse, one that promises something dark and hungry will rise again by Halloween night. And the key to stopping it might just lie in their family’s mysterious past. Now, trapped in Midas with the shadows closing in, Lexi has to team up with a group of stubborn locals to save the town…including Jack, the grumpy-but-unfairly attractive diner owner who drives her crazy in all the wrong ways.
As the nights grow longer and an uncanny evil creeps closer, Lexi must uncover the truth behind the curse before Midas—and everyone in it—is consumed. Because in Midas, some secrets refuse to stay buried—and some nightmares never end.
Lexi Darling has always been a city girl through and through. New York is loud, crowded, and just chaotic enough to keep her mind off everything she’d rather not think about—especially the eerily realistic nightmares that have plagued her all her life. So when she and her twin brother, Logan, are summoned to the postcard-perfect town of Midas, Iowa, one golden October to handle an inheritance from the grandmother they never knew, Lexi figures it’ll be a quick detour: sign a few papers, snap a fall foliage selfie, and catch the next flight home.
But Midas has other plans.
The town has been waiting for the Darling twins, and it’s not about to let them leave. Their arrival stirs up a centuries-old curse, one that promises something dark and hungry will rise again by Halloween night. And the key to stopping it might just lie in their family’s mysterious past. Now, trapped in Midas with the shadows closing in, Lexi has to team up with a group of stubborn locals to save the town…including Jack, the grumpy-but-unfairly attractive diner owner who drives her crazy in all the wrong ways.
As the nights grow longer and an uncanny evil creeps closer, Lexi must uncover the truth behind the curse before Midas—and everyone in it—is consumed. Because in Midas, some secrets refuse to stay buried—and some nightmares never end.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Hazel Beck
11 books734 followersHazel Beck is the magical partnership of a river witch and an earth witch. Together they have collected two husbands, three familiars, two children, five degrees, and written around 200 books. As one, their books will delight with breathtaking magic, emotional romance, and stories of witches you won’t soon forget.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
September 8, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
I don’t ever want to read the word slurping again.
I don’t ever want to read the word slurping again.
Did Not Finish
August 21, 2026Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of the ebook and audiobook.
DNF at 70%.
I really tried with this one. Like… really tried. But at some point I had to accept that I was listening at 2.5x speed and still actively avoiding pressing play. 😭
The premise itself is actually kind of fun: a cursed small town in Iowa, demons, a generational soul-feeding bargain, a harbinger of doom, missing children, creepy “demon zones,” and a town you literally cannot leave.
Basically: Hotel California, but make it demonic Iowa.
Unfortunately, the execution just did not work for me.
The FMC irritated me almost immediately with the spoiled-big-city-girl-forced-to-suffer-in-the-Midwest attitude, the pacing took forever to get to the actual point, and once the plot finally kicked in, I found most of it pretty predictable.
There were definitely interesting pieces—the foundlings, the clock tower, the mine, the demon bargain, and the whole harbinger concept—but none of it ever came together in a way that made me actually care what happened next.
And once I hit 70% and realized I was still thinking, “dear God, how much longer is left?” I knew it was time to call it.
If you loved Dream Harbor and want something cozy-small-town-ish with a spooky/demonic twist, this might work way better for you than it did for me.
For me though? I am officially checking out of demonic Iowa. 🫡
DNF at 70%.
I really tried with this one. Like… really tried. But at some point I had to accept that I was listening at 2.5x speed and still actively avoiding pressing play. 😭
The premise itself is actually kind of fun: a cursed small town in Iowa, demons, a generational soul-feeding bargain, a harbinger of doom, missing children, creepy “demon zones,” and a town you literally cannot leave.
Basically: Hotel California, but make it demonic Iowa.
Unfortunately, the execution just did not work for me.
The FMC irritated me almost immediately with the spoiled-big-city-girl-forced-to-suffer-in-the-Midwest attitude, the pacing took forever to get to the actual point, and once the plot finally kicked in, I found most of it pretty predictable.
There were definitely interesting pieces—the foundlings, the clock tower, the mine, the demon bargain, and the whole harbinger concept—but none of it ever came together in a way that made me actually care what happened next.
And once I hit 70% and realized I was still thinking, “dear God, how much longer is left?” I knew it was time to call it.
If you loved Dream Harbor and want something cozy-small-town-ish with a spooky/demonic twist, this might work way better for you than it did for me.
For me though? I am officially checking out of demonic Iowa. 🫡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. 4.25⭐️ EJ Lavery did a great job narrating, completely immersing me in the story!
Told in first person POV, we follow Lexi and her twin brother Logan to Midas where they need to settle their recently passed grandmother’s estate. After arriving, they discover that there’s something evil and sinister beneath the surface, and it’s involved Lexi long before she came to town. Equal parts cozy and spooky - this gave Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Gang vibes (but darker) in the best way!
With an intriguing plot, found family, and even romance, what didn’t this have?! While I’m usually not a fan of insta-love, and time-wise that’s what Lexi and Luke’s relationship was, the way the story progressed made it feel very organic and natural. Lexi’s character growth and development was impressive, it incredibly easy to root for her. The ending was satisfying while also seamlessly setting up to follow Logan in book 2!
Told in first person POV, we follow Lexi and her twin brother Logan to Midas where they need to settle their recently passed grandmother’s estate. After arriving, they discover that there’s something evil and sinister beneath the surface, and it’s involved Lexi long before she came to town. Equal parts cozy and spooky - this gave Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Gang vibes (but darker) in the best way!
With an intriguing plot, found family, and even romance, what didn’t this have?! While I’m usually not a fan of insta-love, and time-wise that’s what Lexi and Luke’s relationship was, the way the story progressed made it feel very organic and natural. Lexi’s character growth and development was impressive, it incredibly easy to root for her. The ending was satisfying while also seamlessly setting up to follow Logan in book 2!
July 6, 2026
👻🍂 Some Kind of Haunted 🍂👻
Absolutely loved this one!
✨ What to Expect
• Paranormal Romance
• Small Town
• Family Secrets
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Haunted Town
• Ancient Curse
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Absolutely loved this one!
✨ What to Expect
• Paranormal Romance
• Small Town
• Family Secrets
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Haunted Town
• Ancient Curse
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 15, 2026
...it's a tale as old as time. A bunch of rich white guys took over land that wasn't theirs, then made a deal that required everyone else to pay for that choice forever while they mostly got off scot-free.
What else is new?
Well, the demon part, I guess. Foundlings and dreams and evil clock towers.
I had a lot of fun with this, and while I'm not blind to its flaws, for me the good outweighed them and made this a nice mix of horror and found family, with a touch of romance (more in the format of the end hinting at a potential sequel following another duo of characters - the actual plot romance was minimal until the very end).
It's a bit of a kitchen sink book, which I'm all for, but had I not been having such a good time with the found-family/small town vibe, it would have bothered me more that this book is a little torn on what it wants to be. There's more cosy elements than usually sit comfortably with the scale of the horror - though most of that is off the page and talked about, rather than shown directly to the reader.
Long review short (kinda) I'm basically trying to justify liking this as much as I did, because I can see why it won't work for people, but it really did for me. Maybe I'm too used to 21st century overstimulation. Whatever the case, I'll be back for the sequel, and I'm off to a happy start with this Halloween seasons horror releases.
What else is new?
Well, the demon part, I guess. Foundlings and dreams and evil clock towers.
I had a lot of fun with this, and while I'm not blind to its flaws, for me the good outweighed them and made this a nice mix of horror and found family, with a touch of romance (more in the format of the end hinting at a potential sequel following another duo of characters - the actual plot romance was minimal until the very end).
It's a bit of a kitchen sink book, which I'm all for, but had I not been having such a good time with the found-family/small town vibe, it would have bothered me more that this book is a little torn on what it wants to be. There's more cosy elements than usually sit comfortably with the scale of the horror - though most of that is off the page and talked about, rather than shown directly to the reader.
Long review short (kinda) I'm basically trying to justify liking this as much as I did, because I can see why it won't work for people, but it really did for me. Maybe I'm too used to 21st century overstimulation. Whatever the case, I'll be back for the sequel, and I'm off to a happy start with this Halloween seasons horror releases.
November 4, 2026
First scene of meeting the MMC and he starts—unironically—speaking like that one clip of Nick Fuentes talking about black coffee. Man, I can’t do this for another 300 pages.
May 15, 2026
This is a cozy horror. I love their writing Hazel Beck and even though horror isn’t my thing this book took me through all the emotions suspense, yearning, clarity, and some romance.
I would recommend if you like a story with a light light hallmark edge and a far bit of suspense. It has a line that makes a nod to their pervious series which I thought was magical.
.5 chili pepper
4.5 stars
I would recommend if you like a story with a light light hallmark edge and a far bit of suspense. It has a line that makes a nod to their pervious series which I thought was magical.
.5 chili pepper
4.5 stars
October 21, 2026
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A cursed town, mysterious inheritance, handsome diner owner, and supernatural horrors make Halloween downright terrifying. Some Kind of Haunted by Hazel Beck is set to be a spooky read.
Lexi Darling has spent her life escaping disturbing nightmares in the bustling streets of New York City. An unexpected inheritance brings her and her twin brother, Logan, to Midas, Iowa, where their late grandmother has left them a house and a yarn shop. Their plans for a quick visit unravel as they discover a centuries old family curse threatening to unleash something monstrous by Halloween. Lexi must confront her family's secrets before the town becomes a supernatural nightmare with the help of a grumpy diner owner and some eccentric locals.
The whimsical charm of a small town is held hostage by something sinister lurking beneath its picturesque exterior. The quirky characters, creepy atmosphere, and nostalgic Halloweentown vibes made Midas an entertaining place to visit. There was an interesting contrast between its cozy autumn aesthetic and the unsettling supernatural elements.
Unfortunately, the mystery became more frustrating than intriguing as the plot progressed. The excessive red herrings made it difficult to distinguish meaningful clues from deliberate misdirection. The final few chapters were particularly disappointing. Conversations between Lexi, Jack, and Harrison felt less like natural dialogue and more like a checklist of revelations the author felt she needed to deliver. Rather than allowing readers to piece together the mystery, the narrative seemed determined to explain every suspect, motive, and hidden connection in rapid succession. The twists lost much of their impact as a result.
Lexi's journey toward self discovery felt disconnected from the supernatural horror driving most of the plot. I appreciate a character finding confidence and belonging, but her personal transformation needed stronger integration with the central conflict. The ending only amplified my disconnect. After spending roughly three quarters of the book immersed in curses, demons, and terrifying secrets, everyone seemed ready to skip hand in hand into a peach colored sunset while whistling love songs. Talk about tonal whiplash! The sudden shift from sinister horror to an almost excessively cheerful happily ever after felt jarring rather than satisfying.
Can we please retire the word harbinger? I think it received enough attention to qualify as a supporting character.
Pick up Some Kind of Haunted if you enjoy cozy supernatural mysteries, quirky small towns, and lighthearted conclusions.
✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph ✏ TikTok ✏ Facebook
A cursed town, mysterious inheritance, handsome diner owner, and supernatural horrors make Halloween downright terrifying. Some Kind of Haunted by Hazel Beck is set to be a spooky read.
Lexi Darling has spent her life escaping disturbing nightmares in the bustling streets of New York City. An unexpected inheritance brings her and her twin brother, Logan, to Midas, Iowa, where their late grandmother has left them a house and a yarn shop. Their plans for a quick visit unravel as they discover a centuries old family curse threatening to unleash something monstrous by Halloween. Lexi must confront her family's secrets before the town becomes a supernatural nightmare with the help of a grumpy diner owner and some eccentric locals.
The whimsical charm of a small town is held hostage by something sinister lurking beneath its picturesque exterior. The quirky characters, creepy atmosphere, and nostalgic Halloweentown vibes made Midas an entertaining place to visit. There was an interesting contrast between its cozy autumn aesthetic and the unsettling supernatural elements.
Unfortunately, the mystery became more frustrating than intriguing as the plot progressed. The excessive red herrings made it difficult to distinguish meaningful clues from deliberate misdirection. The final few chapters were particularly disappointing. Conversations between Lexi, Jack, and Harrison felt less like natural dialogue and more like a checklist of revelations the author felt she needed to deliver. Rather than allowing readers to piece together the mystery, the narrative seemed determined to explain every suspect, motive, and hidden connection in rapid succession. The twists lost much of their impact as a result.
Lexi's journey toward self discovery felt disconnected from the supernatural horror driving most of the plot. I appreciate a character finding confidence and belonging, but her personal transformation needed stronger integration with the central conflict. The ending only amplified my disconnect. After spending roughly three quarters of the book immersed in curses, demons, and terrifying secrets, everyone seemed ready to skip hand in hand into a peach colored sunset while whistling love songs. Talk about tonal whiplash! The sudden shift from sinister horror to an almost excessively cheerful happily ever after felt jarring rather than satisfying.
Can we please retire the word harbinger? I think it received enough attention to qualify as a supporting character.
Pick up Some Kind of Haunted if you enjoy cozy supernatural mysteries, quirky small towns, and lighthearted conclusions.
Want to Read
August 24, 2026Just found this while rearranging some books, pretty tempted to read it.
July 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for this ARC!
SYNOPSIS:
Lexi & Logan Darling travel from New York to Iowa to settle their grandmothers inheritance. They think it's strange they're named in the will when they've never even met their grandmother. When they arrive in Midas, Iowa they realize there is a town full of strange things. Evil townspeople, an eerie town, & demons. Yes - DEMONS.
The longer Lexi & Logan are in Midas, they realize they need to befriend the townspeople if they have any chance surviving the Feeding. The day the demons come out to feast. As a group they try breaking the decades long curse and freeing the town from the demons.
REVIEW:
The overall idea of the haunted town was amazing! I think it did a good job of keeping my interest and feeling spooky. Would I consider it "cozy horror"? I guess? The horror aspect could have been a little stronger.
I loved the Halloweentown feeling! I loved that movie growing up and I could feel the similarities with the creepy town. I could feel the fall atmosphere with the creepy townspeople.
The con... it was very slow in the middle. I feel like it could have tackled more of the backstory of the Feeding or answered some of the unanswered questions. Like what's up with Logan? What's up with Nora? Background on the two different types of families?
The ending was decent. It ended the main plot well, BUT there were so many unanswered questions still! Hopefully the second book wraps it all together. I actually think the second book will probably be really great! I could see it being a strong 4-5 stars if everything gets wrapped up and answered!
SYNOPSIS:
Lexi & Logan Darling travel from New York to Iowa to settle their grandmothers inheritance. They think it's strange they're named in the will when they've never even met their grandmother. When they arrive in Midas, Iowa they realize there is a town full of strange things. Evil townspeople, an eerie town, & demons. Yes - DEMONS.
The longer Lexi & Logan are in Midas, they realize they need to befriend the townspeople if they have any chance surviving the Feeding. The day the demons come out to feast. As a group they try breaking the decades long curse and freeing the town from the demons.
REVIEW:
The overall idea of the haunted town was amazing! I think it did a good job of keeping my interest and feeling spooky. Would I consider it "cozy horror"? I guess? The horror aspect could have been a little stronger.
I loved the Halloweentown feeling! I loved that movie growing up and I could feel the similarities with the creepy town. I could feel the fall atmosphere with the creepy townspeople.
The con... it was very slow in the middle. I feel like it could have tackled more of the backstory of the Feeding or answered some of the unanswered questions. Like what's up with Logan? What's up with Nora? Background on the two different types of families?
The ending was decent. It ended the main plot well, BUT there were so many unanswered questions still! Hopefully the second book wraps it all together. I actually think the second book will probably be really great! I could see it being a strong 4-5 stars if everything gets wrapped up and answered!
July 11, 2026
This book started off really strong, with the cozy, small town horror vibes. You could definitely see where the plot was going in the first half, but there’s not enough pay off at the end. IMO we just don’t learn enough about the ancestors, the Feeding, and the power structure going on. You can only read so many lines about how different Lexi is and how much she wants to help. I loved the concept, I just feel like there were more things we could do with it. There are too many unanswered questions at the end (and what the heck is going on with Nora and Logan?)
August 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC!
This was such a fun, quirky read! It has that cozy small-town feel with a darker, slightly creepy side that I really enjoyed. I loved the mix of humor, weirdness, and the mystery surrounding what’s actually going on beneath the surface of the town.
The characters definitely made this one for me. There’s a great group of personalities, and I loved watching everything unfold as the story got darker and more unexpected.
And the audiobook was SO good. The narration really brought the characters to life, especially with all the different voices and personalities. There were a few moments where I genuinely had to stop and process what was happening because I did not see the twists coming!
The only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I didn’t completely connect with the romance. That’s more of a personal preference than anything wrong with the book. Overall, this was a really entertaining mix of cozy small-town vibes, dark humor, and folk horror, and I’d definitely recommend it if that sounds like your kind of book!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC!
This was such a fun, quirky read! It has that cozy small-town feel with a darker, slightly creepy side that I really enjoyed. I loved the mix of humor, weirdness, and the mystery surrounding what’s actually going on beneath the surface of the town.
The characters definitely made this one for me. There’s a great group of personalities, and I loved watching everything unfold as the story got darker and more unexpected.
And the audiobook was SO good. The narration really brought the characters to life, especially with all the different voices and personalities. There were a few moments where I genuinely had to stop and process what was happening because I did not see the twists coming!
The only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I didn’t completely connect with the romance. That’s more of a personal preference than anything wrong with the book. Overall, this was a really entertaining mix of cozy small-town vibes, dark humor, and folk horror, and I’d definitely recommend it if that sounds like your kind of book!
October 24, 2026
Oof... just so much inner monologue from a main character that is simply not interesting enough
September 30, 2026
If one quote sums up this book:
I'm starting this review by doing a writing exercise in which I try to emulate this book's writing style: "Jack gruffly gazed at me, his green gaze gruff and green. In the distance, I heard demons slurping."
This book wasn't awful but it certainly wasn't great either. I listened to it on audio and it did a perfectly decent job passing the time, but when it comes to the actual quality of the story and writing, this was mediocre at best. I did like the beginning of the story and that the typical autumnal small town was actually creepy and haunted. The protagonist, Lexie, was refreshingly over-the-top and self-deprecating, but dear god, the amount of times the words "slurping", "gruff/gruffly" and especially "gaze" were used was so excessive it gave me whiplash. Where was the editor?? *gazes gruffly* I would've also preferred for this to be purely spooky and cut the romance altogether. Jack, the love interest, is.... gruff. He has a green gaze. That's it, that's all I can tell you about this man.
[...] his gaze is on me and far too green [...]
I'm starting this review by doing a writing exercise in which I try to emulate this book's writing style: "Jack gruffly gazed at me, his green gaze gruff and green. In the distance, I heard demons slurping."
This book wasn't awful but it certainly wasn't great either. I listened to it on audio and it did a perfectly decent job passing the time, but when it comes to the actual quality of the story and writing, this was mediocre at best. I did like the beginning of the story and that the typical autumnal small town was actually creepy and haunted. The protagonist, Lexie, was refreshingly over-the-top and self-deprecating, but dear god, the amount of times the words "slurping", "gruff/gruffly" and especially "gaze" were used was so excessive it gave me whiplash. Where was the editor?? *gazes gruffly* I would've also preferred for this to be purely spooky and cut the romance altogether. Jack, the love interest, is.... gruff. He has a green gaze. That's it, that's all I can tell you about this man.
September 28, 2026
I was not prepared for the demons and the slurping but I honestly had a good time with this overall.
May 16, 2026
ARC gifted in exchange for review
This book scratched a very specific itch I’ve had for as long as I can remember. I constantly crave something spooky and terrifying with mystery and small town coziness and found family and romance all wrapped up into one messy bundle. This scratched that it for me so perfectly in a way that only CW’s Nancy Drew and Sleepy Hollow have been able to do in recent years. Lexi and Logan Darling have been summoned to this little town in Iowa that they’ve never heard of after a grandmother they didn’t know existed died and left them a house and half a business. From the onset, Lexi knows that something isn’t right and the darkness in this seemingly perfect little town. The things is…Lexj is used to feeling like things aren’t right and chalking it up to her “broken brain” and the mental illnesses everyone believes she has. Imagine living like that for your entire life, thinking you’re broken and it’s all your fault…only to find out that you’re not. The things she has always seen and dreamed about are very very real and everything she thought she knew about herself and her family is a lie. She and Logan come to town to settle their grandmother’s estate but find something so much more sinister waiting for them. Now they have to team up with the locals to fight off the evil that hides beneath the surface. This was such an insane ride. I actually had to stop reading when it got dark because my anxiety and Lexi’s anxiety were going bar for bar and I was too scared of the darkness to sleep. Even keeping my reading to daylight hours, reading in between meetings and on my breaks, before and after work. If I wasn’t such a scaredy cat, I would have devoured this the night I downloaded it. The world building was so good, I could feel all of Lexi’s emotions and it was like I was right there battling with her. I wanted to choke Logan more times than I could count to be honest. The found family aspect of it really warmed my heart and the way it ended…I know there’s more to come and I can’t wait!! Well…as long as the lights are on that is. This book is definitely a new favorite for me and I’ll be forcing all my friends to read it so we can be scared of the darkness together.
This book scratched a very specific itch I’ve had for as long as I can remember. I constantly crave something spooky and terrifying with mystery and small town coziness and found family and romance all wrapped up into one messy bundle. This scratched that it for me so perfectly in a way that only CW’s Nancy Drew and Sleepy Hollow have been able to do in recent years. Lexi and Logan Darling have been summoned to this little town in Iowa that they’ve never heard of after a grandmother they didn’t know existed died and left them a house and half a business. From the onset, Lexi knows that something isn’t right and the darkness in this seemingly perfect little town. The things is…Lexj is used to feeling like things aren’t right and chalking it up to her “broken brain” and the mental illnesses everyone believes she has. Imagine living like that for your entire life, thinking you’re broken and it’s all your fault…only to find out that you’re not. The things she has always seen and dreamed about are very very real and everything she thought she knew about herself and her family is a lie. She and Logan come to town to settle their grandmother’s estate but find something so much more sinister waiting for them. Now they have to team up with the locals to fight off the evil that hides beneath the surface. This was such an insane ride. I actually had to stop reading when it got dark because my anxiety and Lexi’s anxiety were going bar for bar and I was too scared of the darkness to sleep. Even keeping my reading to daylight hours, reading in between meetings and on my breaks, before and after work. If I wasn’t such a scaredy cat, I would have devoured this the night I downloaded it. The world building was so good, I could feel all of Lexi’s emotions and it was like I was right there battling with her. I wanted to choke Logan more times than I could count to be honest. The found family aspect of it really warmed my heart and the way it ended…I know there’s more to come and I can’t wait!! Well…as long as the lights are on that is. This book is definitely a new favorite for me and I’ll be forcing all my friends to read it so we can be scared of the darkness together.
Did Not Finish
August 31, 2026Unfortunately this book didn’t work out for me. It was weird and kind of boring. I think I went in expecting creep factor and some actual haunting activity and that’s not what I got. I decided to DNF around 40%.
I did like the main characters, Logan and Lexi, for the most part. Lexi sort of gave off Alexis from Schitt’s Creek vibes if Alexis were a little bit nuts and a little b*tchier lol
I did like the main characters, Logan and Lexi, for the most part. Lexi sort of gave off Alexis from Schitt’s Creek vibes if Alexis were a little bit nuts and a little b*tchier lol
November 4, 2026
Never thought I would put the words cozy and horror together in the same sentence while describing a book but here we are. 😂
Overall I didn’t hate it, it was a fun time. I wish that we would have gotten a little more depth and explanations because I left this story feeling like I had some unanswered questions. Other than that I liked the creepy atmosphere, would have really loved just a tad bit more horror and appreciated the splash of romance that was added in.
Overall I didn’t hate it, it was a fun time. I wish that we would have gotten a little more depth and explanations because I left this story feeling like I had some unanswered questions. Other than that I liked the creepy atmosphere, would have really loved just a tad bit more horror and appreciated the splash of romance that was added in.
July 12, 2026
3.75⭐️s rounded up. Review to come
August 5, 2026
This was such a fun cozy spooky read! I love a small town paranormal story, and this one had such a good mystery with great characters. I can’t wait to read the next book!
September 14, 2026
Hoooooooooly crap this was good. That's an enormous understatement, actually. The characters, the lore, the pace, the plotting... I'm blown away. Definitely one of my top reads of 2026 and I can't wait to read the next book next year. If you love eerie books set in creepy small towns where things that go bump in the night try to kill you...and some slow-burn romance thrown in there for extra goodness...this is your book to read!
September 25, 2026
This was so freaking fun! Perfect spooky time read. A little romance, a little horror! Ah! I think the author did a really good job of blending the 2 spaects of the story and giving both their moment. Love a spooky romance, and this is one of the better ones I have read for sure!
Also, the audio was 10/10. The narration was on point and really brought the characters to life!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!
Also, the audio was 10/10. The narration was on point and really brought the characters to life!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!
August 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hazel Beck is back with her signature blend of cozy small-town vibes, dark magic, and high-stakes intrigue. If you loved her Witchlore series, you will feel right at home with the continuation of these deliciously uncanny themes—where a quaint Midwestern backdrop hides a distinctly spooky, dangerous underbelly.
The story follows NYC twins Lexi and Logan as they travel to Midas, Iowa, to settle the estate of their late grandmother. As they draw closer to the town, Lexi's anxiety escalates into full-blown dread. Upon arrival, she realizes Midas is the exact, vivid setting of the haunting nightmares she’s suffered since childhood—the very dreams that convinced her, and her family, that she had deep psychological issues.
Imagine living your entire life believing you're unstable or broken, only to step foot into the physical reality of your worst fears. That psychological tension anchors the narrative, turning Lexi’s journey of self-discovery into an addictively suspenseful ride filled with mystery, danger, and a slow-burn touch of romance.
Beck surrounds the twins with a fascinating cast of locals who clearly have deeper roles to play as the story unfolds. It’s an atmospheric start to a brand-new series, offering a darkly exciting escape that will leave you eager to revisit Midas—and its secrets—in the next installment.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publication | Mira, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
Hazel Beck is back with her signature blend of cozy small-town vibes, dark magic, and high-stakes intrigue. If you loved her Witchlore series, you will feel right at home with the continuation of these deliciously uncanny themes—where a quaint Midwestern backdrop hides a distinctly spooky, dangerous underbelly.
The story follows NYC twins Lexi and Logan as they travel to Midas, Iowa, to settle the estate of their late grandmother. As they draw closer to the town, Lexi's anxiety escalates into full-blown dread. Upon arrival, she realizes Midas is the exact, vivid setting of the haunting nightmares she’s suffered since childhood—the very dreams that convinced her, and her family, that she had deep psychological issues.
Imagine living your entire life believing you're unstable or broken, only to step foot into the physical reality of your worst fears. That psychological tension anchors the narrative, turning Lexi’s journey of self-discovery into an addictively suspenseful ride filled with mystery, danger, and a slow-burn touch of romance.
Beck surrounds the twins with a fascinating cast of locals who clearly have deeper roles to play as the story unfolds. It’s an atmospheric start to a brand-new series, offering a darkly exciting escape that will leave you eager to revisit Midas—and its secrets—in the next installment.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publication | Mira, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
September 4, 2026
A cozy horror romance set in a small town = the perfect fall read. I loved this so much
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.75 stars- Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review!
As a twin, I am incredibly critical of how twin dynamics are portrayed in fiction. Most authors default to lazy tropes like creepy telepathy, identical switching pranks, or forced codependency. Some Kind of Haunted by Hazel Beck handles the bond between Lexi and Logan Darling beautifully, making it a standout paranormal romance that feels deeply real.
Why the Twin Dynamic Works
Authentic Rhythm: Lexi and Logan share a protective, instinctual understanding that avoids cartoonish clichés.
Distinct Personalities: Logan has independent motives, making him a real character rather than a background prop.
Shared Tension: Lexi keeping her lifelong, terrifying nightmares a secret captures the exact dread of hiding things from your twin.
The Good & The Bad
Spooky Atmosphere: The small-town setting feels perfectly eerie, claustrophobic, and autumnal.
Great Romance: The "grumpy meets sunshine" dynamic provides excellent romantic tension.
Slow Middle: The pacing drags slightly during heavy lore explanations.
Final Verdict:
It is a wonderful, spooky romance for anyone. For twins, it is a rare treat to see a supernatural sibling relationship written with nuance and respect
As a twin, I am incredibly critical of how twin dynamics are portrayed in fiction. Most authors default to lazy tropes like creepy telepathy, identical switching pranks, or forced codependency. Some Kind of Haunted by Hazel Beck handles the bond between Lexi and Logan Darling beautifully, making it a standout paranormal romance that feels deeply real.
Why the Twin Dynamic Works
Authentic Rhythm: Lexi and Logan share a protective, instinctual understanding that avoids cartoonish clichés.
Distinct Personalities: Logan has independent motives, making him a real character rather than a background prop.
Shared Tension: Lexi keeping her lifelong, terrifying nightmares a secret captures the exact dread of hiding things from your twin.
The Good & The Bad
Spooky Atmosphere: The small-town setting feels perfectly eerie, claustrophobic, and autumnal.
Great Romance: The "grumpy meets sunshine" dynamic provides excellent romantic tension.
Slow Middle: The pacing drags slightly during heavy lore explanations.
Final Verdict:
It is a wonderful, spooky romance for anyone. For twins, it is a rare treat to see a supernatural sibling relationship written with nuance and respect
August 25, 2026
The perfect spooky atmosphere for summerween. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this! The few easter eggs I picked up on were fun too 😉 I’m looking at you, Swamp Fox! Iykyk The book starts with Lexi & Logan Darling, twins, heading to Midas, Iowa to deal with the inheritance received from their late grandmother that they never knew. It came as a surprise & they know nothing about Midas either. But something is off about this small town and immediately Lexi is put off by it all. The cast of characters is quirky & fun to get to know. It’s a bit like Gilmore Girls meets Widows Bay. All in all, I loved it & I’m excited to see how this duology ends.
Thank you to Mira Books and Netgalley for the e-arc.
Thank you to Mira Books and Netgalley for the e-arc.
August 30, 2026
(3.5 stars rounded up)
Lexi and Logan go to the town of Midas to their grandmother’s home. They are confused they’ve been named in a will of the grandmother they never met. There in town, strange things occur and secrets are revealed. They must unravel these secrets of the family and the town. Oh and there are demons!
All in all, this is an enjoyable listen. It’s interesting, but it does fall a little flat in the middle of the book. The pacing was not consistent at times. The story is branded as horror, but I would classify it more supernatural or horror-lite.
I did find the theme of feeding a bit confusing and wished there was more backstory there.
Thank you Harper Audio and NetGalley
Lexi and Logan go to the town of Midas to their grandmother’s home. They are confused they’ve been named in a will of the grandmother they never met. There in town, strange things occur and secrets are revealed. They must unravel these secrets of the family and the town. Oh and there are demons!
All in all, this is an enjoyable listen. It’s interesting, but it does fall a little flat in the middle of the book. The pacing was not consistent at times. The story is branded as horror, but I would classify it more supernatural or horror-lite.
I did find the theme of feeding a bit confusing and wished there was more backstory there.
Thank you Harper Audio and NetGalley
July 28, 2026
It's been five minutes that I've been standing here staring at this town's main focal point and "pride and joy", the Historic Clock Tower. Standing well over 600 feet tall, it overlooks the small town of Iowa which my boyfriend and I had stopped at for the night to get some rest before we pack up and continue our annual road trip out to California. We've never stayed in Iowa before and had saw the signs on the billboards leading up to this area about how it was the PERFECT place to visit in October which is the month we are in now. Even better, it had advertisements about Halloween Festivities which were happening this week & we both agreed to stay here for the night to check out the Halloween fun.
As I got out of the car to stretch out my legs, my eyes immediately were drawn to the clock tower just to my right and I walked over to take a closer a look. I'm not sure what it was about this tower, but something just felt "off" about it. It wasn't the fact I've never seen a clock tower before…I mean, I've seen several clock towers in my lifetime but this one in particular just had a sense of "weariness" and "dread" emitting from it that I really wasn't sure WHAT I was feeling.
A hand touches my shoulder and I instantly jump from the contact.
"Hey, are you ready?
My boyfriend looks at me, his faced etched with concern, as I turn back to face him.
"Y-Yeah", I respond, as I slide my hand into his and walk back towards the car.
I take another look back at the clock tower and suck in a sharp breath as I notice a gap that has appeared within the clock tower's base that was DEFINITELY not there just a few moments ago. Within that gap set a pair of bright red eyes; eyes that are starting deep in my soul - those same pair of eyes that I remember seeing when I was younger and haven't forgotten since.
After just getting into my "horror" genre fixation, I was excited to see that I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins for the book, Some Kind Of Haunted by Hazel Beck which comes out in AUGUST 25 2026. The description of the storyline felt right up my alley to bring that "Summerween" feel that everyone has been reaching for this month and could not wait to start diving in to continue experiencing my own little "Summerween" moment. To give you an overview of this new fun new storyline by Hazel Beck, let's begin by taking a look at some of the tropes you will find within this book:
🏚️Small Town Romance
🏚️Grumpy x Sunshine
🏚️Haunted Town x Ancient Curse
🏚️Forced Proximity
🏚️Secrets x Mystery
🏚️Found Family
🏚️Slow Burn
And as for the premise…..
We have our Net York Native MCs, brother and sister, Logan and Lexi Darling, who have traveled out to Midas Iowa to settle the estate inheritance left by their grandmother who they never had any clue existed. The town, while charming in its own way, was absolutely unsettling to Lexi as she could not shake off the "ick" that she felt as she moved across the grounds in the small town. In fact, the town's local clock tower seemed to give her a sickly feeling as if she has seen this in her past; this same one even looks similar to the tower that haunts her daily dreams and has caused her to settle with a strict night time routine to keep her nightmares at bay.
As both Lexi and Logan begin meeting the people living within the town, they start to realize a mystery surrounds the area and that there is actually more to just the estate inheritance for why the Darling Twins have come to the small town of Midas Iowa. In fact, a centuries-old curse seems to be lurking through the shadows and is planned to rise again this Halloween. The key to stopping it? That's something that Lexi and Logan need to find out before everyone in this town is, literally, consumed.
Overall, I loved the vibe of the story and the concept of a "haunted town" and the "many secrets within". This was the main focal point throughout the story and it kept me very intrigued as I turned each page. In fact, I found myself putting on my detective hat right away, searching for any clues that I could find within the lines on the pages to see the reason why things were happening in that small town of Midas Iowa.
What made me rate this such a low score, however, was the fact that the book seemed to drop off once we got mid-way through. At first, the book started off really strong - we had a plot, we had a background for each character, we had a mystery surrounding a small town, we had secrets and uncertainty about each person which made you question whether they were trustworthy or not, and you were able to truly feel as though you were right there with the characters every step of the way. However, once we got to around the middle of the book, the plot started to drift off. The author starts to bring in more "emotional and character depth" to where you felt like it was starting to become more of a "therapy session" than a "mystery/thriller". While I understand Lexi had felt a certain way because of her past and what those around her in New York had treated her like, you would think she would have figured out by the 3749824798347th time that this new group of individuals were her new found family with good intentions and that the Iowa is not New York. But the self-doubt and the constant complaints of "always having to be worthwhile and good enough" was not the FMC that I'm looking for nor what we needed in this storyline.
Regardless, I took the FMC for what she was and even outside of the FMC, the book did seem to standstill at the middle mark. Things were still happening, but I craved more of understanding about the town's secrets and getting to that "horror" and "thriller" aspect of the book. In all honesty, I could care less about the friendship and "after dark wine & knitting sessions" the FMC was participating in. I kept yelling at the book, "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LORE?!?" and it never seemed to answer me.
Once we got toward the end, everything started to become rushed and things were thrown around in a hurry to complete the storyline. I felt like the ending was too "easy" in a way, and that this battle/power struggle that occurred should have packed more of a punch where I was sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what will happen next. In this case, I was finding myself saying, "Oh….that was it?" There were so many questions that felt like they were unanswered and so much lore/background that should have been revealed to help you understand more of the town and it's secrets' importance.
Don't get me wrong, the book was enjoyable and I do recommend to give this a shot if you are looking for a light-read to add to your TBR in AUGUST when it comes out. There were just a few hiccups on my side which I would have liked ironed out to make this book a little more seamless and rewarding than what it gave off during my read through.
As I got out of the car to stretch out my legs, my eyes immediately were drawn to the clock tower just to my right and I walked over to take a closer a look. I'm not sure what it was about this tower, but something just felt "off" about it. It wasn't the fact I've never seen a clock tower before…I mean, I've seen several clock towers in my lifetime but this one in particular just had a sense of "weariness" and "dread" emitting from it that I really wasn't sure WHAT I was feeling.
A hand touches my shoulder and I instantly jump from the contact.
"Hey, are you ready?
My boyfriend looks at me, his faced etched with concern, as I turn back to face him.
"Y-Yeah", I respond, as I slide my hand into his and walk back towards the car.
I take another look back at the clock tower and suck in a sharp breath as I notice a gap that has appeared within the clock tower's base that was DEFINITELY not there just a few moments ago. Within that gap set a pair of bright red eyes; eyes that are starting deep in my soul - those same pair of eyes that I remember seeing when I was younger and haven't forgotten since.
After just getting into my "horror" genre fixation, I was excited to see that I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins for the book, Some Kind Of Haunted by Hazel Beck which comes out in AUGUST 25 2026. The description of the storyline felt right up my alley to bring that "Summerween" feel that everyone has been reaching for this month and could not wait to start diving in to continue experiencing my own little "Summerween" moment. To give you an overview of this new fun new storyline by Hazel Beck, let's begin by taking a look at some of the tropes you will find within this book:
🏚️Small Town Romance
🏚️Grumpy x Sunshine
🏚️Haunted Town x Ancient Curse
🏚️Forced Proximity
🏚️Secrets x Mystery
🏚️Found Family
🏚️Slow Burn
And as for the premise…..
We have our Net York Native MCs, brother and sister, Logan and Lexi Darling, who have traveled out to Midas Iowa to settle the estate inheritance left by their grandmother who they never had any clue existed. The town, while charming in its own way, was absolutely unsettling to Lexi as she could not shake off the "ick" that she felt as she moved across the grounds in the small town. In fact, the town's local clock tower seemed to give her a sickly feeling as if she has seen this in her past; this same one even looks similar to the tower that haunts her daily dreams and has caused her to settle with a strict night time routine to keep her nightmares at bay.
As both Lexi and Logan begin meeting the people living within the town, they start to realize a mystery surrounds the area and that there is actually more to just the estate inheritance for why the Darling Twins have come to the small town of Midas Iowa. In fact, a centuries-old curse seems to be lurking through the shadows and is planned to rise again this Halloween. The key to stopping it? That's something that Lexi and Logan need to find out before everyone in this town is, literally, consumed.
Overall, I loved the vibe of the story and the concept of a "haunted town" and the "many secrets within". This was the main focal point throughout the story and it kept me very intrigued as I turned each page. In fact, I found myself putting on my detective hat right away, searching for any clues that I could find within the lines on the pages to see the reason why things were happening in that small town of Midas Iowa.
What made me rate this such a low score, however, was the fact that the book seemed to drop off once we got mid-way through. At first, the book started off really strong - we had a plot, we had a background for each character, we had a mystery surrounding a small town, we had secrets and uncertainty about each person which made you question whether they were trustworthy or not, and you were able to truly feel as though you were right there with the characters every step of the way. However, once we got to around the middle of the book, the plot started to drift off. The author starts to bring in more "emotional and character depth" to where you felt like it was starting to become more of a "therapy session" than a "mystery/thriller". While I understand Lexi had felt a certain way because of her past and what those around her in New York had treated her like, you would think she would have figured out by the 3749824798347th time that this new group of individuals were her new found family with good intentions and that the Iowa is not New York. But the self-doubt and the constant complaints of "always having to be worthwhile and good enough" was not the FMC that I'm looking for nor what we needed in this storyline.
Regardless, I took the FMC for what she was and even outside of the FMC, the book did seem to standstill at the middle mark. Things were still happening, but I craved more of understanding about the town's secrets and getting to that "horror" and "thriller" aspect of the book. In all honesty, I could care less about the friendship and "after dark wine & knitting sessions" the FMC was participating in. I kept yelling at the book, "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LORE?!?" and it never seemed to answer me.
Once we got toward the end, everything started to become rushed and things were thrown around in a hurry to complete the storyline. I felt like the ending was too "easy" in a way, and that this battle/power struggle that occurred should have packed more of a punch where I was sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what will happen next. In this case, I was finding myself saying, "Oh….that was it?" There were so many questions that felt like they were unanswered and so much lore/background that should have been revealed to help you understand more of the town and it's secrets' importance.
Don't get me wrong, the book was enjoyable and I do recommend to give this a shot if you are looking for a light-read to add to your TBR in AUGUST when it comes out. There were just a few hiccups on my side which I would have liked ironed out to make this book a little more seamless and rewarding than what it gave off during my read through.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twins, Lexi and Logan, have been summoned to the small town of Midas, Iowa. While they think this will be a quick trip to accept an inheritance, the town has other plans and has no intention of letting them leave. Their arrival triggers a centuries old curse, one that promises something dark and hungry will arrive by Halloween night.
I loved this one! A wonderful mix of horror and romance in this cursed town. Such a perfect vibe for fall reading and I was over the moon for the grumpy sunshine banter! I cannot wait for more from Midas - seriously it can’t come soon enough!
🎧 Listening to EJ Lavery narrate was perfectly smooth and so enjoyable. I really had a hard time pausing that I listened in one day! I was hooked on this paranormal adventure.
Thank you to the author, Hazel Beck, Publisher Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
I loved this one! A wonderful mix of horror and romance in this cursed town. Such a perfect vibe for fall reading and I was over the moon for the grumpy sunshine banter! I cannot wait for more from Midas - seriously it can’t come soon enough!
🎧 Listening to EJ Lavery narrate was perfectly smooth and so enjoyable. I really had a hard time pausing that I listened in one day! I was hooked on this paranormal adventure.
Thank you to the author, Hazel Beck, Publisher Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
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