What do you think?
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.
357 pages, ebook
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Hazel Beck
7 books716 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Want to Read
July 6, 2026👻🍂 Some Kind of Haunted 🍂👻
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ 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.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ 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.
July 29, 2026
This story may be set in a brand new universe to Witchlore, but Hazel Beck never disappoints! Atmospheric, immersive, and eerie - I couldn't get enough. It had a lot of the same hallmarks of the Witchlore series, including a small midwestern town, deep family ties, sinister forces lurking around dark corners, and the power of friendship. So if you too were dying for more of the first series, this one will absolutely scratch that itch.
I literally can't wait for the next (final?) installment in this series. Without spoilers, the epilogue left me desperate to know more.
Read if you like: Starting spooky season earlier every year, brooding men in the vein of Luke Danes
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I literally can't wait for the next (final?) installment in this series. Without spoilers, the epilogue left me desperate to know more.
Read if you like: Starting spooky season earlier every year, brooding men in the vein of Luke Danes
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an ARC of Some Kind of Haunted in exchange for my honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a fun, creepy-cozy fall read! I loved the setting of this seemingly perfect, almost Hallmark-ish small town in Iowa with something much darker lurking underneath. Add in fall, a yarn shop, and a group of friends who gather there to knit, and I was sold. I found myself falling in love with the town and its people right alongside Lexi.
I also really enjoyed Lexi’s growth throughout the story, especially as she went from wondering if she was losing her mind to realizing that no, something very strange really IS happening in this town. The mystery kept me invested, and the eventual reveal genuinely surprised me—but looking back, the hints were there all along, which I always appreciate.
The middle did lose some momentum for me. There was quite a bit of talking and everyday life while Lexi tried to figure out what was happening, and I wasn’t particularly invested in the romance between Lexi and Jack. Their relationship felt a little awkward and forced to me, and Jack himself never quite came alive as a character.
I also wanted MORE of the town’s backstory! How did everything happening there originally come to be? Had anyone tried to stop it before? What happened to them? And how did this tiny middle-of-nowhere Iowa town become such a tourist destination in the first place?! The mystery behind the town was interesting enough that I wanted to dig so much deeper into it.
The ending brought the momentum back and wrapped up Lexi’s story in a way that felt satisfying while still leaving just enough unanswered for the second book. And after that ending, I absolutely want book two because I NEED to know more about what is going on with Logan and Nora!
Overall, this was an easy, entertaining read with exactly the kind of cozy-creepy fall vibes I was hoping for. If you like your small-town coziness with a dark supernatural side, this is a great one to add to your fall TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a fun, creepy-cozy fall read! I loved the setting of this seemingly perfect, almost Hallmark-ish small town in Iowa with something much darker lurking underneath. Add in fall, a yarn shop, and a group of friends who gather there to knit, and I was sold. I found myself falling in love with the town and its people right alongside Lexi.
I also really enjoyed Lexi’s growth throughout the story, especially as she went from wondering if she was losing her mind to realizing that no, something very strange really IS happening in this town. The mystery kept me invested, and the eventual reveal genuinely surprised me—but looking back, the hints were there all along, which I always appreciate.
The middle did lose some momentum for me. There was quite a bit of talking and everyday life while Lexi tried to figure out what was happening, and I wasn’t particularly invested in the romance between Lexi and Jack. Their relationship felt a little awkward and forced to me, and Jack himself never quite came alive as a character.
I also wanted MORE of the town’s backstory! How did everything happening there originally come to be? Had anyone tried to stop it before? What happened to them? And how did this tiny middle-of-nowhere Iowa town become such a tourist destination in the first place?! The mystery behind the town was interesting enough that I wanted to dig so much deeper into it.
The ending brought the momentum back and wrapped up Lexi’s story in a way that felt satisfying while still leaving just enough unanswered for the second book. And after that ending, I absolutely want book two because I NEED to know more about what is going on with Logan and Nora!
Overall, this was an easy, entertaining read with exactly the kind of cozy-creepy fall vibes I was hoping for. If you like your small-town coziness with a dark supernatural side, this is a great one to add to your fall TBR.
August 30, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collin’s for this ARC!
Come for the idyllic little Midwestern town. Stay because apparently the town is cursed, the clock tower is creepy, the yarn shop is suspicious, and evil supernatural forces have decided to make themselves at home and you literally cannot leave. You know…typical small-town stuff. 😂
Some Kind of Haunted had me hooked on the mystery from the beginning. I wanted to know what was going on, why this town was basically a supernatural disaster zone, and, most importantly, how the heck they were going to fix it.
There’s a cursed family history, plenty of bizarre unexplained bloody happenings, and an atmosphere that manages to be genuinely creepy while occasionally feeling like the coziest fall weekend imaginable. Which is honestly impressive. Nothing says autumn quite like cute small-town vibes and inexplicable evil.
The grumpy MMC was…grumpy. Like, sir, perhaps we could take the emotional thermostat down approximately six degrees? 😂 I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between him and the FMC, but fortunately the romance isn’t really the star of the show here. The mystery definitely is.
And then there’s that ending. 👀 I did NOT see the twist coming, and I always appreciate a book that manages to surprise me.
Overall, a fun, atmospheric supernatural mystery with creepy small-town secrets, fall coziness, and just enough “WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?” to keep me turning pages. Just maybe don’t move to this charming Midwestern town without doing a little research first. 😉
Come for the idyllic little Midwestern town. Stay because apparently the town is cursed, the clock tower is creepy, the yarn shop is suspicious, and evil supernatural forces have decided to make themselves at home and you literally cannot leave. You know…typical small-town stuff. 😂
Some Kind of Haunted had me hooked on the mystery from the beginning. I wanted to know what was going on, why this town was basically a supernatural disaster zone, and, most importantly, how the heck they were going to fix it.
There’s a cursed family history, plenty of bizarre unexplained bloody happenings, and an atmosphere that manages to be genuinely creepy while occasionally feeling like the coziest fall weekend imaginable. Which is honestly impressive. Nothing says autumn quite like cute small-town vibes and inexplicable evil.
The grumpy MMC was…grumpy. Like, sir, perhaps we could take the emotional thermostat down approximately six degrees? 😂 I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between him and the FMC, but fortunately the romance isn’t really the star of the show here. The mystery definitely is.
And then there’s that ending. 👀 I did NOT see the twist coming, and I always appreciate a book that manages to surprise me.
Overall, a fun, atmospheric supernatural mystery with creepy small-town secrets, fall coziness, and just enough “WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?” to keep me turning pages. Just maybe don’t move to this charming Midwestern town without doing a little research first. 😉
August 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I had a lot of fun with this book.
This book is like Widow’s Bay meets Gilmore Girls.
The story is about these twins who are from the big city and have to go to the Midwest because a recently deceased family member willed them their knitting shop. Without getting into spoilers, there’s a hidden society element with evil forces lurking beneath the cozy towns exterior. It’s got slightly heavier themes and is a little eerie but has quirky characters.
I did the audio for this one and LET ME TELL YOU it’s good. I’m an audiobook girly and I will DNF a book so quick if the narrator isn’t good. Luckily, the narrator is AMAZING. She was able to make each character have their own unique voice and sound which really added to the individual quirks of the characters. She was so good when the plot twist happened my jaw was on the floor.
The only reason for this not being a 5 star was that I didn’t fall in love with the romance, but I think that’s more me than the story itself. Anyways I would absolutely recommend if you love either the dark humor and folk horror of Widows Bay and the tight knit community of Gilmore Girls.
This book is like Widow’s Bay meets Gilmore Girls.
The story is about these twins who are from the big city and have to go to the Midwest because a recently deceased family member willed them their knitting shop. Without getting into spoilers, there’s a hidden society element with evil forces lurking beneath the cozy towns exterior. It’s got slightly heavier themes and is a little eerie but has quirky characters.
I did the audio for this one and LET ME TELL YOU it’s good. I’m an audiobook girly and I will DNF a book so quick if the narrator isn’t good. Luckily, the narrator is AMAZING. She was able to make each character have their own unique voice and sound which really added to the individual quirks of the characters. She was so good when the plot twist happened my jaw was on the floor.
The only reason for this not being a 5 star was that I didn’t fall in love with the romance, but I think that’s more me than the story itself. Anyways I would absolutely recommend if you love either the dark humor and folk horror of Widows Bay and the tight knit community of Gilmore Girls.
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
September 11, 2026
Let me start out by saying this is not a romance. And that's fine! It is a paranormal horror/mystery with a romantic subplot that works well to add layers to the story. Once I let go of the expectation of a romance novel, I had fun with this! It is an incredibly atmospheric paranormal story set in the Midwest around Halloween. The setting was great - I ate up the yarn store her family left her and their ancient house (keep me OUT of the hair room). It was appropriately spooky and Beck did a great job setting the tone. Horror readers wanting to dip their toe in romance would enjoy this! It is scary, creepy, and engaging.
For fans of: atmospheric books, the paranormal, Rachel Harrison
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley 💌
For fans of: atmospheric books, the paranormal, Rachel Harrison
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley 💌
August 27, 2026
This was just a cozy halloweeny read and I throughly enjoyed it. The world building was eerie with just the right amount of pumpkin spice to remind you its fall. I enjoyed the supernatural horror and the mystery aspects of this book and thought truly that the romance could've been missing and I would've continued reading it on as if it was there. If you're looking for a spooky read for the halloween season with romance and mystery then this is the read for you. I got this via netgalley and this is my voluntary review.
September 9, 2026
Hazel Beck is at it again, creating a multipart story, although this time with a nice bow and much less of a cliffhanger than any of the Witchlore books.. We're back at it with tragic storylines that we don't have to delve too deep into emotionally, because those traumas may have gotten us to where we are today, but they're not the focal point of our current story.
Our fated pairing balance each other nicely. from confident and knowing who they are and where they come from x knows next to nothing, generally belittled, our FMC finds a nice found family in MIdas, Iowa, while our MMC has probably never actually left? Each brings a connection to founding members of the town with them that becomes essential to completing this story line, and makes it seem like the second half of this duology will be a whole new story line altogether.
Romance is present in this novel, but it is not the forefront of the storytelling, and definitely felt glossed over, but it would be a distraction to the urgency of the story telling, and that's okay. We had other things to focus on here.
The story did have a slow point in the middle, but our narrator kept a smooth pace and we were back in the action soon enough. The story listens well at 1x, 1.5 and 2x speeds, so anybody should be happy with the audio in this storyline.
Our fated pairing balance each other nicely. from confident and knowing who they are and where they come from x knows next to nothing, generally belittled, our FMC finds a nice found family in MIdas, Iowa, while our MMC has probably never actually left? Each brings a connection to founding members of the town with them that becomes essential to completing this story line, and makes it seem like the second half of this duology will be a whole new story line altogether.
Romance is present in this novel, but it is not the forefront of the storytelling, and definitely felt glossed over, but it would be a distraction to the urgency of the story telling, and that's okay. We had other things to focus on here.
The story did have a slow point in the middle, but our narrator kept a smooth pace and we were back in the action soon enough. The story listens well at 1x, 1.5 and 2x speeds, so anybody should be happy with the audio in this storyline.
August 25, 2026
Can you say something is cozy spooky? That's the way I would describe this small town romance/horror. As Lexi and her twin Logan enter the town of Midas to claim an inheritance from their grandmother, a curse is released that will destroy the town and everyone in it by Halloween.
I've read and enjoyed this author's Witchlore series, so I was looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint. Loved Lexi and grumpy Jack together lol.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
I've read and enjoyed this author's Witchlore series, so I was looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint. Loved Lexi and grumpy Jack together lol.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
August 28, 2026
The best way to describe this book is as a cozy small town horror novel with demons, dreams, dread, and destiny? I really appreciated the effort here to try something new and the efforts that went into creating a fun lore for the town. I look forward to the sequel, which was given a slight set up in the epilogue. The narrator was great as well!
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
September 9, 2026
3,5
Den skulle nok enten have været en gyser eller en romance. Jeg synes at blandingen gjorde historien svagere.
Og er det stadig fridging hvis en kvinder bliver myrdet for at fremme en anden kvindes udvikling?
Den skulle nok enten have været en gyser eller en romance. Jeg synes at blandingen gjorde historien svagere.
Og er det stadig fridging hvis en kvinder bliver myrdet for at fremme en anden kvindes udvikling?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews