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Gingerbread Bones: An Epic Paranormal Survival Horror Romance
They're being hunted…
When sixteen-year-old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother’s newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it’ll be the worst experience of her life. Two weeks. No phones. Hiking. Camping. Cameras catching every humiliating second.
Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and—among a cast of kids already branded as trouble—he’s the one she’s sure is dangerous.
One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they’re gone.
But the kids are not alone.
Georgie can feel it, stalking them from the shadows—watching, waiting, picking them off one by one. Whatever it is, it isn’t just hunting.
It’s playing.
And in this game, there seems to be only one no one gets out alive.
Five Survive meets Yellowjackets in this pulse-pounding YA paranormal thriller romance.
Don't miss out on the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last. This breathtaking collectible is only available on a limited first print run in the U.S. and Canada only, a must-have for any book lover.
When sixteen-year-old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother’s newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it’ll be the worst experience of her life. Two weeks. No phones. Hiking. Camping. Cameras catching every humiliating second.
Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and—among a cast of kids already branded as trouble—he’s the one she’s sure is dangerous.
One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they’re gone.
But the kids are not alone.
Georgie can feel it, stalking them from the shadows—watching, waiting, picking them off one by one. Whatever it is, it isn’t just hunting.
It’s playing.
And in this game, there seems to be only one no one gets out alive.
Five Survive meets Yellowjackets in this pulse-pounding YA paranormal thriller romance.
Don't miss out on the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last. This breathtaking collectible is only available on a limited first print run in the U.S. and Canada only, a must-have for any book lover.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Lindsay Lovise
9 books325 followersLindsay writes romances with a twist of mystery as well as thrilling YA books. Her first historical romance, NEVER BLOW A KISS, was chosen as an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Romance Books of 2024. She’s also the author of GINGERBREAD BONES, a YA horror/thriller set in the deep Maine woods that Booklist called a “spellbinding thriller.”
Although Lindsay earned degrees in English and teaching, she always knew she wanted to write stories about fictional worlds. When she’s not writing, Lindsay is reading, drinking coffee, and avoiding laundry. She lives in Maine, where the winters make for perfect reading weather.
To keep in the know, sign up for Lovise Letters at lindsaylovise.com.
Although Lindsay earned degrees in English and teaching, she always knew she wanted to write stories about fictional worlds. When she’s not writing, Lindsay is reading, drinking coffee, and avoiding laundry. She lives in Maine, where the winters make for perfect reading weather.
To keep in the know, sign up for Lovise Letters at lindsaylovise.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 533 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gingerbread Bones completely exceeded my expectations. The premise alone had me hooked—a stepmother who is a famous influencer creates a reality TV show where delinquent teens are forced to survive in the wilderness. But when she sends her own two stepchildren into the middle of the chaos, everything slowly begins to unravel, and what starts as entertainment quickly becomes something much darker.
I loved how this story built its suspense. It never felt rushed, instead revealing pieces of the mystery at just the right pace. Every chapter added another layer, and I was constantly questioning everyone's motives. The wilderness setting made everything feel even more tense, isolated, and dangerous.
The characters were one of my favorite parts. They all felt unique, flawed, and I found myself rooting for them more and more as the story progressed. Watching them struggle, adapt, and fight to survive made every twist hit even harder.
And that ending... it was absolutely amazing. I love a book where, after everything the characters have been through, everyone comes together in the end. It felt emotional, satisfying, and like the perfect payoff for everything that had been building throughout the story. It left me closing the book with a huge smile.
This was one of those books that grabbed my attention from the very beginning and never let go. Between the unique concept, the suspense, the twists, and the satisfying conclusion, I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thriller with survival elements, family drama, and a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
I loved how this story built its suspense. It never felt rushed, instead revealing pieces of the mystery at just the right pace. Every chapter added another layer, and I was constantly questioning everyone's motives. The wilderness setting made everything feel even more tense, isolated, and dangerous.
The characters were one of my favorite parts. They all felt unique, flawed, and I found myself rooting for them more and more as the story progressed. Watching them struggle, adapt, and fight to survive made every twist hit even harder.
And that ending... it was absolutely amazing. I love a book where, after everything the characters have been through, everyone comes together in the end. It felt emotional, satisfying, and like the perfect payoff for everything that had been building throughout the story. It left me closing the book with a huge smile.
This was one of those books that grabbed my attention from the very beginning and never let go. Between the unique concept, the suspense, the twists, and the satisfying conclusion, I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thriller with survival elements, family drama, and a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
July 25, 2026
🌟 3.5 stars 🌟
A fun and creepy twist on Hansel and Gretel!
Georgie’s stepmother, a self-proclaimed “parenting expert,” creates a camp for delinquent teens to help reform them. First to participate are Georgie and her older brother, Hamish. But when they get to the camp, people start disappearing and gruesome scenes follow them. All they can do now is try to survive, even when it seems that supernatural forces may be at play.
I enjoyed this YA horror/thriller. It was pretty bingeable and the mystery had me constantly turning the pages. There are grisly and creepy scenes that will definitely keep YA readers engaged. I had no idea there would be Hansel and Gretel vibes in this and was happily surprised with how it was woven into the story.
I really liked that the beginning of each chapter started with a social media post or news article. It was such a fun way to start each chapter. The comments were definitely ones you’d find online!
Now, I will say, the characters are teenagers, so if you’re looking for maturity among them, you won’t really find too much of it. In my experience with teens, their actions seemed pretty believable, especially when considering the life or death situation they’re put in. I only wish we had more time with other side characters so that their deaths hit a little harder. There were so many that I honestly had a hard time recalling who was who.
While I did predict who was behind all of the disappearances, I was surprised at the circumstances that led them there. And I felt that the ultimate villain never really got what was coming to them. They just sort of vanished?? I would’ve liked for there to have some been some sort of more satisfying end to their storyline.
If you’re looking for YA thriller that will keep you engaged, I’d recommend picking this up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the advanced copy!
A fun and creepy twist on Hansel and Gretel!
Georgie’s stepmother, a self-proclaimed “parenting expert,” creates a camp for delinquent teens to help reform them. First to participate are Georgie and her older brother, Hamish. But when they get to the camp, people start disappearing and gruesome scenes follow them. All they can do now is try to survive, even when it seems that supernatural forces may be at play.
I enjoyed this YA horror/thriller. It was pretty bingeable and the mystery had me constantly turning the pages. There are grisly and creepy scenes that will definitely keep YA readers engaged. I had no idea there would be Hansel and Gretel vibes in this and was happily surprised with how it was woven into the story.
I really liked that the beginning of each chapter started with a social media post or news article. It was such a fun way to start each chapter. The comments were definitely ones you’d find online!
Now, I will say, the characters are teenagers, so if you’re looking for maturity among them, you won’t really find too much of it. In my experience with teens, their actions seemed pretty believable, especially when considering the life or death situation they’re put in. I only wish we had more time with other side characters so that their deaths hit a little harder. There were so many that I honestly had a hard time recalling who was who.
While I did predict who was behind all of the disappearances, I was surprised at the circumstances that led them there. And I felt that the ultimate villain never really got what was coming to them. They just sort of vanished?? I would’ve liked for there to have some been some sort of more satisfying end to their storyline.
If you’re looking for YA thriller that will keep you engaged, I’d recommend picking this up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the advanced copy!
July 17, 2026
Georgie knows exactly why she and her brother are two of the teenagers selected to take part in a reality TV program that drops a group of "troubled" teenagers in the woods and forces them to learn some survival skills and adapt: Their parenting-influencer stepmother is the one who conceived of the show, and that same stepmother hates them. Georgie figures they can get through a week or two in the Maine woods, and they'll be eighteen and out of the house soon enough...but what she doesn't know is that "learn some survival skills" is about to get really, really literal.
Everyone thinks Ashley is so kind and wholesome, when really she's the razor blade hidden in the Halloween candy. (loc. 139*)
I picked this one up for the woods: I love me an everyone-might-die murder story set in the woods, because who doesn't? (Don't answer that.) What ended up interesting me most, though, is the fact that all of these teenagers have been labelled as "troubled". They've been cast for drama, of course; every one of them has their own backstory and their own problems. Every one of them is also likely to be, in the eyes of the show and the public, a perpetrator rather than a victim. Their voices don't count. No matter what happens.
We are disposable. And I'm afraid [the production company] knows it. (loc. 2362)
The romance didn't (surprise!) interest me much, but I loved how much the characters—well, mostly the teenagers—were allowed to grow throughout the book. Early on, especially, they're all guarded and angry and not happy to be there. And certainly they don't get any happier to be out in the woods; the woods make sure of that. But I've read too many mysteries (written for teenagers and adults alike) in which virtually every character is so perfectly awful that I'm just hoping that their death will come sooner rather than later, and Gingerbread Bones sees that and steers mindfully away from it.
There's a paranormal element, which is not generally my jam; entirely personal preference, but I like it better when the big bads are all things that can happen in real life. Paranormal stories just don't give me that visceral thrill. That said, I did know going in that there was a paranormal element, which helped, and that part of things was done well. There's a twist toward the end that I had half guessed at, but in a shape that I couldn't have known to guess at, which was great. All in all, a speedy read that will be perfect for autumn when the weather cools down a bit.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Everyone thinks Ashley is so kind and wholesome, when really she's the razor blade hidden in the Halloween candy. (loc. 139*)
I picked this one up for the woods: I love me an everyone-might-die murder story set in the woods, because who doesn't? (Don't answer that.) What ended up interesting me most, though, is the fact that all of these teenagers have been labelled as "troubled". They've been cast for drama, of course; every one of them has their own backstory and their own problems. Every one of them is also likely to be, in the eyes of the show and the public, a perpetrator rather than a victim. Their voices don't count. No matter what happens.
We are disposable. And I'm afraid [the production company] knows it. (loc. 2362)
The romance didn't (surprise!) interest me much, but I loved how much the characters—well, mostly the teenagers—were allowed to grow throughout the book. Early on, especially, they're all guarded and angry and not happy to be there. And certainly they don't get any happier to be out in the woods; the woods make sure of that. But I've read too many mysteries (written for teenagers and adults alike) in which virtually every character is so perfectly awful that I'm just hoping that their death will come sooner rather than later, and Gingerbread Bones sees that and steers mindfully away from it.
There's a paranormal element, which is not generally my jam; entirely personal preference, but I like it better when the big bads are all things that can happen in real life. Paranormal stories just don't give me that visceral thrill. That said, I did know going in that there was a paranormal element, which helped, and that part of things was done well. There's a twist toward the end that I had half guessed at, but in a shape that I couldn't have known to guess at, which was great. All in all, a speedy read that will be perfect for autumn when the weather cools down a bit.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4⭐️
Georgie and her brother Hamish are strong-armed into joining a reality show by their influencer step-mom, Ashley. The concept? Troubled teens spending two weeks unplugged in the woods to experience nature and better understand themselves blah blah. Basically these "delinquent" teens are all forced by their guardians to sign up, some just for the money and some out of genuine concern. But things go sideways quickly and the teens need to figure out how to stick together and survive.
This was weird but in a way that really worked? Like a supernatural murder mystery hike through the woods type weird. I like that the stakes were legitimately high from the beginning- these kids were really surviving in the woods while getting picked off and murdered one by one.
I also think LL did a good job in making the characters distinct. They all had their own personalities and faults without being caricatures of themselves or being there simply for plot purposes. Georgie was a great main character-she isn't perfect and she's well aware. She has a solid moral compass throughout the story, always trying to help others in the group even when she hated them. She continually fought for her brother and fellow campers even when she had no idea what was going on or if she would live
I think there also was supposed to be a map? There was a page for it and everything but it wouldn't load in the NG version I read, which was unfortunate
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"I love creepy shit, especially around Halloween, which is only a couple of weeks away now, so why do I keep feeling this scrape along my nerves, as if some dirty, foreboding fingernail is being inexorably drawn up my back?"A dark Hansel and Gretel story set in the creepy woods during a camping trip gone awry? This was a LOT of fun. Very different from what I have read by LL in the past, but I think she did great work here.
Georgie and her brother Hamish are strong-armed into joining a reality show by their influencer step-mom, Ashley. The concept? Troubled teens spending two weeks unplugged in the woods to experience nature and better understand themselves blah blah. Basically these "delinquent" teens are all forced by their guardians to sign up, some just for the money and some out of genuine concern. But things go sideways quickly and the teens need to figure out how to stick together and survive.
This was weird but in a way that really worked? Like a supernatural murder mystery hike through the woods type weird. I like that the stakes were legitimately high from the beginning- these kids were really surviving in the woods while getting picked off and murdered one by one.
I also think LL did a good job in making the characters distinct. They all had their own personalities and faults without being caricatures of themselves or being there simply for plot purposes. Georgie was a great main character-she isn't perfect and she's well aware. She has a solid moral compass throughout the story, always trying to help others in the group even when she hated them. She continually fought for her brother and fellow campers even when she had no idea what was going on or if she would live
I think there also was supposed to be a map? There was a page for it and everything but it wouldn't load in the NG version I read, which was unfortunate
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2026
Gingerbread Bones is a summer camp Hansel and Gretel, thriller/horror retelling
I just loved the whole summer camp vibes, but make it creepy, and a reality show, nowhere near civilization, that "delinquent" teens have "signed up" to rough it in the woods for a couple weeks. I loosely say "signed up" because I feel like their parents forced them to. After a long hike just to get to the location, the teens are in for more surprises than just the lack of facilities.
I really enjoyed the way each chapter has a social media post, or email, that starts to give you just teeny snippets of information about the stepmother who set up the show. FMC Georgie and her brother find themselves in this hellscape that they did not sign up for. After the first night at "camp" things get strange, and then very soon, it seems that all the adults have disappeared. Georgie has been feeling something wrong since she got there.
As Georgie and the group trek through the wilderness to try and find their way back out, or to find sign of where the others escaped to, they soon realize nothing is what it seems on this mountain. There is something sinister, stalking, hunting, and quite literally playing with them.
I could not put this book down, I was so eager to know what exactly was out there taunting the group and also nervous of who might be next!! I feel like each character played a role, the quiet one, the smart gamer, the broody mysterious tattooed guy, the stuck up rich kid, the shy one, the natural leader, and then Georgie, the one who fought back and refused to become a victim. Every chapter in the story brings some kind of new supernatural occurrence for the group, who are starting to believe in this creature not being human.
The reveal at the end is such a shock to Georgie, and the reader, and is such an amazing twist! I loved the Hansel and Gretel retelling vibes, which took me some time to realize, but then it was like oh!! This story has it all, summer camp, reality show, horror and thriller elements, action, angst, and a bit of romance.
Thank you so much to Netgalley's Camp Netgalley campaign, as well as Entangled:Mayhem books and the author for a copy!!
Some fav quotes:
"I never thought pocketing twenties and reselling the vapes I stole from spoiled princesses at my high school would land me on a reality TV show, but here I am."
"You know your stepmother really hates you when she develops a whole-ass television show just to get rid of you."
"Things at the Leider house look pretty from the outside, but so do shiny red apples, even when they’re rotten at the core."
"I usually like the woods in the fall, but today, something about them is giving me the heebie-jeebies."
"I love creepy shit, especially around Halloween, which is only a couple of weeks away now, so why do I keep feeling this scrape along my nerves, as if some dirty, foreboding fingernail is being inexorably drawn up my back?"
"“Why is it so quiet?” I finally whisper. “You noticed that, too,” Mack murmurs. “Where are the birds? The insects? The rustle of leaves? It’s like we’re the only living things out here.”"
"I don’t believe in the supernatural—real life is horrifying enough—but the facts aren’t adding up, and it’s making me uneasy."
"“I guess it felt like I knew your darkness, and that maybe it was time you knew mine. That we could find comfort in knowing we aren’t alone.”"
"I’d almost be okay with dying from natural causes at this point."
I just loved the whole summer camp vibes, but make it creepy, and a reality show, nowhere near civilization, that "delinquent" teens have "signed up" to rough it in the woods for a couple weeks. I loosely say "signed up" because I feel like their parents forced them to. After a long hike just to get to the location, the teens are in for more surprises than just the lack of facilities.
I really enjoyed the way each chapter has a social media post, or email, that starts to give you just teeny snippets of information about the stepmother who set up the show. FMC Georgie and her brother find themselves in this hellscape that they did not sign up for. After the first night at "camp" things get strange, and then very soon, it seems that all the adults have disappeared. Georgie has been feeling something wrong since she got there.
As Georgie and the group trek through the wilderness to try and find their way back out, or to find sign of where the others escaped to, they soon realize nothing is what it seems on this mountain. There is something sinister, stalking, hunting, and quite literally playing with them.
I could not put this book down, I was so eager to know what exactly was out there taunting the group and also nervous of who might be next!! I feel like each character played a role, the quiet one, the smart gamer, the broody mysterious tattooed guy, the stuck up rich kid, the shy one, the natural leader, and then Georgie, the one who fought back and refused to become a victim. Every chapter in the story brings some kind of new supernatural occurrence for the group, who are starting to believe in this creature not being human.
The reveal at the end is such a shock to Georgie, and the reader, and is such an amazing twist! I loved the Hansel and Gretel retelling vibes, which took me some time to realize, but then it was like oh!! This story has it all, summer camp, reality show, horror and thriller elements, action, angst, and a bit of romance.
Thank you so much to Netgalley's Camp Netgalley campaign, as well as Entangled:Mayhem books and the author for a copy!!
Some fav quotes:
"I never thought pocketing twenties and reselling the vapes I stole from spoiled princesses at my high school would land me on a reality TV show, but here I am."
"You know your stepmother really hates you when she develops a whole-ass television show just to get rid of you."
"Things at the Leider house look pretty from the outside, but so do shiny red apples, even when they’re rotten at the core."
"I usually like the woods in the fall, but today, something about them is giving me the heebie-jeebies."
"I love creepy shit, especially around Halloween, which is only a couple of weeks away now, so why do I keep feeling this scrape along my nerves, as if some dirty, foreboding fingernail is being inexorably drawn up my back?"
"“Why is it so quiet?” I finally whisper. “You noticed that, too,” Mack murmurs. “Where are the birds? The insects? The rustle of leaves? It’s like we’re the only living things out here.”"
"I don’t believe in the supernatural—real life is horrifying enough—but the facts aren’t adding up, and it’s making me uneasy."
"“I guess it felt like I knew your darkness, and that maybe it was time you knew mine. That we could find comfort in knowing we aren’t alone.”"
"I’d almost be okay with dying from natural causes at this point."
September 16, 2026
I had a great time with this modern Hansel & Gretel retelling! Yes some things were a little bit easy to guess but I really liked the overall message and the characters.
December 10, 2025
Thank you so much, Entangled, for letting me read an arc of this book. To start, I usually don’t read YA books because I find it hard to relate to young characters in their teens.
In this story, we follow a group of teenagers who are cast on a reality show similar to Survivor, but for delinquent kids. They are tasked with surviving in the woods for 8 days when something goes terribly wrong and they begin getting hunted down by a supernatural force.
What I enjoyed:
The horror aspect of the book was enjoyable. The author did a great job describing the gore and horror. The pacing was good, and I liked some of the characters and their backstories. I’m always down a dark retelling of a fairytale and this story was creative and original.
What I didn’t enjoy:
I found the story to be filled with plot holes. Everything involving the reality TV show was just covered in plot holes because it wasn’t realistic. No TV show would ever leave a group of teens alone in the woods without any means to survive. I wasn’t a big fan of our main character, Georgie. She wasn’t very relatable to me. Also, the twist at the end was kind of dumb and didn’t make much sense.
In this story, we follow a group of teenagers who are cast on a reality show similar to Survivor, but for delinquent kids. They are tasked with surviving in the woods for 8 days when something goes terribly wrong and they begin getting hunted down by a supernatural force.
What I enjoyed:
The horror aspect of the book was enjoyable. The author did a great job describing the gore and horror. The pacing was good, and I liked some of the characters and their backstories. I’m always down a dark retelling of a fairytale and this story was creative and original.
What I didn’t enjoy:
I found the story to be filled with plot holes. Everything involving the reality TV show was just covered in plot holes because it wasn’t realistic. No TV show would ever leave a group of teens alone in the woods without any means to survive. I wasn’t a big fan of our main character, Georgie. She wasn’t very relatable to me. Also, the twist at the end was kind of dumb and didn’t make much sense.
August 2, 2026
Georgie and her brother Hamish expect the next two weeks to be miserable when their stepmother sends them to join her new wilderness show. Forged in the Forest is a reality series designed to teach troubled teens about teamwork and survival. But soon, the adult counselors vanish, and the group is separated. As the teens try to find their way out of the woods, they start to suspect that something dangerous is hunting them.
Gingerbread Bones is a Hansel and Gretel retelling that is filled with suspense and flawed characters. I loved the pacing of this book and the creepy atmosphere of the woods. There is so much to uncover in this story. The emails, social media posts, and diary entries at the beginning of each chapter start to reveal some of the mysteries of the show, while the teens start to uncover clues about what or who is hunting them. Suspense seems to build throughout the story, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
If you want a YA thriller with a supernatural twist, I definitely recommend Gingerbread Bones.
Gingerbread Bones is out August 4th.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to review Gingerbread Bones. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gingerbread Bones is a Hansel and Gretel retelling that is filled with suspense and flawed characters. I loved the pacing of this book and the creepy atmosphere of the woods. There is so much to uncover in this story. The emails, social media posts, and diary entries at the beginning of each chapter start to reveal some of the mysteries of the show, while the teens start to uncover clues about what or who is hunting them. Suspense seems to build throughout the story, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
If you want a YA thriller with a supernatural twist, I definitely recommend Gingerbread Bones.
Gingerbread Bones is out August 4th.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to review Gingerbread Bones. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 4, 2026
I absolutely loved this! It was just what I needed to read right now. Ironically I don’t typically like retellings and I had no idea that this was one until it dawned on me on me on page 50 and boy did it deliver.
Now, would a production company take this type of risk? Well there is a ton of info about the scary teen rehab programs and see the lengths that some networks go for content (Ahem, I’m looking at you TLC) it isn’t too far out there to believe to be honest. So I didn’t let that pull me out of the story.
Speaking of the story, it had me flipping pages so fast as I couldn’t get enough and needed to know what was going to go down. Now for me personally, I foresaw what was to come, twists and all but I don’t actually think it was predictable. It is just my brand of neurospiciness that figures out 95% of thrillers. For me I loved watching how it unfolded.
There are so made good slasher novels coming out right now and this one can easily join the list.
Thank you so much to Mayhem books for the physical ARC of this!
Now, would a production company take this type of risk? Well there is a ton of info about the scary teen rehab programs and see the lengths that some networks go for content (Ahem, I’m looking at you TLC) it isn’t too far out there to believe to be honest. So I didn’t let that pull me out of the story.
Speaking of the story, it had me flipping pages so fast as I couldn’t get enough and needed to know what was going to go down. Now for me personally, I foresaw what was to come, twists and all but I don’t actually think it was predictable. It is just my brand of neurospiciness that figures out 95% of thrillers. For me I loved watching how it unfolded.
There are so made good slasher novels coming out right now and this one can easily join the list.
Thank you so much to Mayhem books for the physical ARC of this!
September 28, 2026
4.5 stars.
Honestly, I was going to DNF this. I actually kind of did because I only got about 10% the first time I tried to read this. BUT something told me it got better after the initial 'group of bad kids being sent to live in the wilderness because they are 'beyond repair' according to their parents' vibes. And guess what? It did. It got dark. It got creepy. And most of all, it got serious. It showed the dark side to bad parenting and the obsessive need for perfection behind social media. It showed that some people want revenge no matter the cost, no matter the victims.
Honestly, I was going to DNF this. I actually kind of did because I only got about 10% the first time I tried to read this. BUT something told me it got better after the initial 'group of bad kids being sent to live in the wilderness because they are 'beyond repair' according to their parents' vibes. And guess what? It did. It got dark. It got creepy. And most of all, it got serious. It showed the dark side to bad parenting and the obsessive need for perfection behind social media. It showed that some people want revenge no matter the cost, no matter the victims.
July 21, 2026
I think this one kind of missed for me overall. The story felt like it had too much going on and random plot points that just kind of make it what it’s labeled (a romance/horror/thriller). I felt like there was a lot going on with the plot, and at the end of the day the twist was a bit random and sort of predictable. Truly I hung on just to see how it would play out.
Although it felt like a lot to get through to get to this point, I did enjoy the character development between the main characters at the end. One other thing I appreciated about this book was the horror elements, which was a bit more gruesome than I thought it would be.
You might enjoy this book if:
- You’re looking for a story that’s like the show Survivor, but the contestants are troubled teenagers are mean to each other
- You’re looking for messy drama
- You’re looking for some gross horror that’s not too over the top
- You need a good mystery
You may not like this story if:
- You don’t like annoying characters that spend half the book fighting with each other
- You don’t like corny dialogue
- You don’t enjoy reading gore
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for this ARC!
Although it felt like a lot to get through to get to this point, I did enjoy the character development between the main characters at the end. One other thing I appreciated about this book was the horror elements, which was a bit more gruesome than I thought it would be.
You might enjoy this book if:
- You’re looking for a story that’s like the show Survivor, but the contestants are troubled teenagers are mean to each other
- You’re looking for messy drama
- You’re looking for some gross horror that’s not too over the top
- You need a good mystery
You may not like this story if:
- You don’t like annoying characters that spend half the book fighting with each other
- You don’t like corny dialogue
- You don’t enjoy reading gore
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for this ARC!
August 10, 2026
Gingerbread Bones by Lindsey Leveez, Georgie and Hamish brother and sister are being sent to a wilderness retreat call Forged In The Forest and it will be streamed on live TV a show that was co-created by their evil stepmother Ashley. ever since their mom ran away six years ago Ashley has slowly but surely wormed away into the family and is now married to the dad and has even given birth to her own daughter named Bell she is a child and family expert so when she brings the idea up to send them to this camp, the dad agrees. Unfortunately they’re not the only ones who’s going to be left in the main woods to survive on their own there’s going to be a 24 year-old youth expert Macy, a wildlife survivor expert Rick, 2 cameramen and 12 teenagers but the main one you need to know is Ava Ali Madison Paxton Mac Georgie and Hamish. There are a few others that stand out with these are the main important ones now the first night they go to bed after listening to camp songs and wake up to find all the adults are gone except for one cameraman. They don’t know what to do but that isn’t the weirdest thing they soon find body parts that absolutely belong to some of their fellow campers. Georgie due to being persecuted by their evil stepmother never giving the money and having to survive and then for their self has caused her to not trust anyone except her brother Hamish between her bad dreams the smell of gingerbread and something else the teens are not expecting to find in the main woods this is going to be along treck out and they’ll have to fight at every turn to get out alive. because something is hunting them down one by one and it is nothing they’ve ever seen before. leaving Candy for starving teenagers isn’t as nice a gesture when they learn it pertains poison with a twist and a clue that aims to get one of them in her clutches. As for Georgie, Hamish and the other survivors they all play a role and try to stay strong but is it enough to make it out. I know well I know you don’t I keep adding more and more stuff to this review because there’s so much to this book and this is a wow OMG I can’t believe that type book this book was awesome and really well done. I forgot to mention this book is also creepy as F the things in the book I cannot mention as it would be a spoiler but just know there are lots of twists and turns and I found it all so interesting. Even though this book is on the longer side I still truly enjoyed it and absolutely recommended. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
August 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of Gingerbread Bones! I picked this one up as one of my #CampNetGalley selections, and honestly, I had a lot more fun with it than I expected.
This is a dark, horror-leaning retelling of Hansel and Gretel, following a group of troubled teens who are sent away to film a reality-style wilderness survival show. Of course, things quickly start going sideways, and what begins as a group of teenagers trying to survive the woods turns into something much more sinister.
For a YA book, I was actually pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I went in expecting something a little more straightforward, but the supernatural elements and creepy moments added a fun twist. I also really liked seeing the teens forced to work together despite their different personalities and baggage. There was a nice found-family element underneath all the horror and chaos, and I found myself actually caring about what happened to them.
It’s definitely still YA…so yes, there are some annoying teenagers making questionable decisions 😂..but overall, this was an entertaining and surprisingly creepy read. If you like horror retellings, paranormal twists, and a modern take on classic fairy tales, this one is worth checking out.
This is a dark, horror-leaning retelling of Hansel and Gretel, following a group of troubled teens who are sent away to film a reality-style wilderness survival show. Of course, things quickly start going sideways, and what begins as a group of teenagers trying to survive the woods turns into something much more sinister.
For a YA book, I was actually pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I went in expecting something a little more straightforward, but the supernatural elements and creepy moments added a fun twist. I also really liked seeing the teens forced to work together despite their different personalities and baggage. There was a nice found-family element underneath all the horror and chaos, and I found myself actually caring about what happened to them.
It’s definitely still YA…so yes, there are some annoying teenagers making questionable decisions 😂..but overall, this was an entertaining and surprisingly creepy read. If you like horror retellings, paranormal twists, and a modern take on classic fairy tales, this one is worth checking out.
August 26, 2026
This book had me hooked from page 1!🎀
July 27, 2026
In Gingerbread Bones, siblings Georgie and Hamish are forced by their “influencer” stepmother to participate in a reality tv show aimed at reforming troubled teens. Two weeks without their cell phones, (and video cameras capturing their every move), sounds like hell to Georgie, Hamish, and the other teenagers forced to go on this journey. Things go from infuriating to terrifying when they are actively hunted by something lurking in the shadows that treats survival as a twisted game. Even the adults left in charge aren’t sure what to do...
Author Lindsay Lovise brings a tense, eerie atmosphere to the woods, but gives us a little room to breathe with the romantic subplot running throughout. The inclusion of multimedia snippets at the start of the chapters gives the story an interesting and modern flair also.
Gingerbread Bones is a fun, eerie, and ridiculously entertaining spin on traditional slasher and fairy-tale tropes. While it leans a bit more into fun popcorn-thriller territory than pure, paralyzing horror, it’s a great read for fans of dark folklore, reality TV drama, and wilderness survival thrillers.
(I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Author Lindsay Lovise brings a tense, eerie atmosphere to the woods, but gives us a little room to breathe with the romantic subplot running throughout. The inclusion of multimedia snippets at the start of the chapters gives the story an interesting and modern flair also.
Gingerbread Bones is a fun, eerie, and ridiculously entertaining spin on traditional slasher and fairy-tale tropes. While it leans a bit more into fun popcorn-thriller territory than pure, paralyzing horror, it’s a great read for fans of dark folklore, reality TV drama, and wilderness survival thrillers.
(I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Georgie and her brother are shipped off for a tv show because they can't behave themselves according to their stepmother. Two weeks in de woods without a phone, with people they don't know and cameras constantly filming them. When the filming guys disappear, the group is being left alone to survive, deep in the woods. But Georgie has a feeling there's someone watching them...
I'd like to start by saying that this YA horror story really surprised me in a good way. I had no idea a book like this could be this thrilling. I was really hooked from the start.
This is a Hansel and Gretel retelling with really scary twists. I was flabbergasted by the plot because I really did not see that coming! The plot was really surprising to me.
One thing that bothered me was the whole set-up of the tv show. I don't think it was a great idea because it felt unrealistic that they would send off big groups of teenagers into the woods with not much to survive with.
Most of the characters are teenagers and that's really noticeable in the way they talk and act towards each other. But that's totally okay because this is a young adult book after all. I wish I would have read this when I was a teenager, I don't think I would've got any sleep at night!
Overall this is a really well written YA horror story with some really great twists! That's why I'm giving this four stars.
I'd like to start by saying that this YA horror story really surprised me in a good way. I had no idea a book like this could be this thrilling. I was really hooked from the start.
This is a Hansel and Gretel retelling with really scary twists. I was flabbergasted by the plot because I really did not see that coming! The plot was really surprising to me.
One thing that bothered me was the whole set-up of the tv show. I don't think it was a great idea because it felt unrealistic that they would send off big groups of teenagers into the woods with not much to survive with.
Most of the characters are teenagers and that's really noticeable in the way they talk and act towards each other. But that's totally okay because this is a young adult book after all. I wish I would have read this when I was a teenager, I don't think I would've got any sleep at night!
Overall this is a really well written YA horror story with some really great twists! That's why I'm giving this four stars.
July 25, 2026
Thank you to Camp NetGalley and the publisher for letting me pick this ARC to read early in exchange for an honest review!
I am obsessed with this book. It is up there for being one of my favorites of the year!
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! I flew through this book, I couldn’t put it down. There was so much action right from the start. From the first couple of pages I could tell this would be a special book! I instantly connected with Georgie, then I slowly started to connect with everyone else. Her way of thinking and speaking was so cool to me.
They need to make this into a movie. I’m serious. I think it would be perfect on screen. It felt like I was there in the most terrifying way. The setting was so alive and vivid. I could picture everything that was happening. All the characters were so real and easy to root for.
I sympathize with pretty much all of them, even if they weren’t great people. That just shows how good of a writer the author is. Even if some of them weren’t helpful or were rude, you still couldn’t help but root for them or feel bad when something bad happened.
I loved Georgie and Hamish’s sibling bond. I love to see that in novels, and the fact that it was throughout the whole entire book was amazing. I am very close with my brother and I would act the same way they did with each other, so it was nice to read about that.
I loved Paxton even though he kind of the worst throughout and not a good person. He was making me laugh the entire time. I couldn’t help it. His banter with the other characters and his one liners, even if they weren’t always the nicest, were a much needed comic relief. What happened with him at the end was satisfying for me.
Mack was great too. I loved how mysterious he was, but also caring. I loved his relationship with Georgie. It progressed very naturally. It was believable. I felt the chemistry.
Madison was the best. She was so cool, calm and collected. So smart! Without her and Ava, they wouldn’t have made it very far!
I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance that was pushed with Ava, it seemed a little forced, but it didn’t affect the story that much.
The rest of the characters I sympathized with, but they didn’t really stand out. Which is fine.
I guessed one plot point, but that didn’t take away from the novel at all!
Even though I believe this is classified as Young Adult, I would be very cautious of younger people reading this! There are trigger warnings in the beginning, so you kind of know what you are getting yourself into. Even still, seeing what is going to happen and reading it actually happen are two very different things! This was a pretty intense novel, not only with the grossness, but also with the heavy topics it discussed. Which those things can be important for younger people to read, but just because the characters are teenagers, doesn’t mean it is a Young Adult book.
All the same, I ate this up! No pun intended. I loved every second of it.
This will be a perfect Halloween read! I was pretty spooked for a lot of it. But honestly I would say to read it any time of year. It is that good.
It even left a little room in my opinion to maybe have a sequel down the line! Not even with just our characters from this book, but it opens the world up to more. I wouldn’t mind seeing our characters again, hopefully in a happier setting!
I am obsessed with this book. It is up there for being one of my favorites of the year!
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! I flew through this book, I couldn’t put it down. There was so much action right from the start. From the first couple of pages I could tell this would be a special book! I instantly connected with Georgie, then I slowly started to connect with everyone else. Her way of thinking and speaking was so cool to me.
They need to make this into a movie. I’m serious. I think it would be perfect on screen. It felt like I was there in the most terrifying way. The setting was so alive and vivid. I could picture everything that was happening. All the characters were so real and easy to root for.
I sympathize with pretty much all of them, even if they weren’t great people. That just shows how good of a writer the author is. Even if some of them weren’t helpful or were rude, you still couldn’t help but root for them or feel bad when something bad happened.
I loved Georgie and Hamish’s sibling bond. I love to see that in novels, and the fact that it was throughout the whole entire book was amazing. I am very close with my brother and I would act the same way they did with each other, so it was nice to read about that.
I loved Paxton even though he kind of the worst throughout and not a good person. He was making me laugh the entire time. I couldn’t help it. His banter with the other characters and his one liners, even if they weren’t always the nicest, were a much needed comic relief. What happened with him at the end was satisfying for me.
Mack was great too. I loved how mysterious he was, but also caring. I loved his relationship with Georgie. It progressed very naturally. It was believable. I felt the chemistry.
Madison was the best. She was so cool, calm and collected. So smart! Without her and Ava, they wouldn’t have made it very far!
I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance that was pushed with Ava, it seemed a little forced, but it didn’t affect the story that much.
The rest of the characters I sympathized with, but they didn’t really stand out. Which is fine.
I guessed one plot point, but that didn’t take away from the novel at all!
Even though I believe this is classified as Young Adult, I would be very cautious of younger people reading this! There are trigger warnings in the beginning, so you kind of know what you are getting yourself into. Even still, seeing what is going to happen and reading it actually happen are two very different things! This was a pretty intense novel, not only with the grossness, but also with the heavy topics it discussed. Which those things can be important for younger people to read, but just because the characters are teenagers, doesn’t mean it is a Young Adult book.
All the same, I ate this up! No pun intended. I loved every second of it.
This will be a perfect Halloween read! I was pretty spooked for a lot of it. But honestly I would say to read it any time of year. It is that good.
It even left a little room in my opinion to maybe have a sequel down the line! Not even with just our characters from this book, but it opens the world up to more. I wouldn’t mind seeing our characters again, hopefully in a happier setting!
August 14, 2026
'....someone is out here with us, even if we don’t know who or why. They’re watching us.” She meets Hamish’s eyes. “Playing with us.” She looks at me. “Killing us.”' (Ch 10)
YA Paranormal Romance | Thriller | Supernatural Horror | Teen Survival TV Show | Wilderness
This book was what I chose to read for Camp NetGalley 2026. Finished by the skin of my teeth.
'I live in the real world, where supposed to is more often a fairy tale than reality.' (Ch 12)
Sort of a Hansel and Gretel retelling. It has elements that are relatable to the classic story. It has been likened to Hansel and Gretel x Yellowjackets. I agree. It does have the feel of both with the edge of supernatural terror.
'The fever is back in her eyes, and there’s a smile on her lips that sets off a dozen alarm bells in my brain. My instincts scream, Turn back! But I don’t listen.' (Ch 2)
The characters all have different, distinct personalities, and some of them grew on me, like Georgie and Mack. Some, not so much, like Talia. Each of them had their roles.
'Combined, we’re the kids the schools are fed up with. The kids whose parents can’t handle them for even one more argument. The bad kids. The stupid kids. The problem children. We’re perfect reality-TV content.' (Ch 3)
Even though this is YA and they're mostly teens, there was definitely some sizzling attraction between a couple of the characters - still PG - but the tension there and the tenderness was pretty palpable.
'His fingers slow, but he doesn’t pull away. I try not to purr like a cat. It’s been a long time since someone has touched me with this kind of tenderness. Desire, maybe, but never gentleness.' (Ch 26)
The thrill, suspense, and dread made this read gripping and teeth-clenching. It was fast-paced and a little chilling to the bone. A fight for survival.
'I’m transfixed. I don’t want to watch either , but I can’t look away.' (Ch 28)
Don't know that I will ever be able to smell gingerbread again without thinking of this story (not that it could deter me from eating it again 🤣).
eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Entangled Publishing / Mayhem Books
YA Paranormal Romance | Thriller | Supernatural Horror | Teen Survival TV Show | Wilderness
This book was what I chose to read for Camp NetGalley 2026. Finished by the skin of my teeth.
'I live in the real world, where supposed to is more often a fairy tale than reality.' (Ch 12)
Sort of a Hansel and Gretel retelling. It has elements that are relatable to the classic story. It has been likened to Hansel and Gretel x Yellowjackets. I agree. It does have the feel of both with the edge of supernatural terror.
'The fever is back in her eyes, and there’s a smile on her lips that sets off a dozen alarm bells in my brain. My instincts scream, Turn back! But I don’t listen.' (Ch 2)
The characters all have different, distinct personalities, and some of them grew on me, like Georgie and Mack. Some, not so much, like Talia. Each of them had their roles.
'Combined, we’re the kids the schools are fed up with. The kids whose parents can’t handle them for even one more argument. The bad kids. The stupid kids. The problem children. We’re perfect reality-TV content.' (Ch 3)
Even though this is YA and they're mostly teens, there was definitely some sizzling attraction between a couple of the characters - still PG - but the tension there and the tenderness was pretty palpable.
'His fingers slow, but he doesn’t pull away. I try not to purr like a cat. It’s been a long time since someone has touched me with this kind of tenderness. Desire, maybe, but never gentleness.' (Ch 26)
The thrill, suspense, and dread made this read gripping and teeth-clenching. It was fast-paced and a little chilling to the bone. A fight for survival.
'I’m transfixed. I don’t want to watch either , but I can’t look away.' (Ch 28)
Don't know that I will ever be able to smell gingerbread again without thinking of this story (not that it could deter me from eating it again 🤣).
eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Entangled Publishing / Mayhem Books
Read
August 19, 2026A group of troublemaker teens are told they're going to be part of a reality TV show, one that will hopefully turn them into better citizens of society once their two weeks in the forest are up. However, far too quickly after getting to the filming location, things start to go terribly wrong. Georgie, her brother Hamish, and a small group of other cast members are forced deeper into the heart of isolation, where a creature unknown taunts them.
I was not sure what to expect with Gingerbread Bones when I grabbed it from the 'Read Now' shelf, but I really had a fun time with it. It was a little bit on the longer side for me, so it took me a while to get through, but my attention was captured right away, and it didn't let go as I made my way through the book. The premise of a television show gone wrong was thrilling, and as soon as I realized that the book was a twist on Hansel and Gretel, everything made sense. This was an eerie story with a great plotline that had me flipping pages from beginning to end. I highly recommend!
CW for blood, murder, fire/fire injury, cannibalism, death of parent, violence, gore, animal death, self-harm, emotional abuse.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise! All thoughts are my own.
I was not sure what to expect with Gingerbread Bones when I grabbed it from the 'Read Now' shelf, but I really had a fun time with it. It was a little bit on the longer side for me, so it took me a while to get through, but my attention was captured right away, and it didn't let go as I made my way through the book. The premise of a television show gone wrong was thrilling, and as soon as I realized that the book was a twist on Hansel and Gretel, everything made sense. This was an eerie story with a great plotline that had me flipping pages from beginning to end. I highly recommend!
CW for blood, murder, fire/fire injury, cannibalism, death of parent, violence, gore, animal death, self-harm, emotional abuse.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise! All thoughts are my own.
August 4, 2026
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I requested this book on a whim, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It really was a wild, and honestly scary ride. The characters were well developed, and I appreicated that they felt like more than just sterotypes of troubled kids. The plot was well developed, and I liked how influencer culuture, and the troubled teen industry were intergrated into the story. I liked the romance, and how it intergrated into the story. It felt natural to the characters, and the situation they were in. It was a part of the story, but it never overshadowed the danger or the horror of the story. The ending felt satisfying, and fit the story well. I really enjoyed the epilogue, and appriecated that it wasn't anything too over the top. It was very satisfying without being sacherine.
I requested this book on a whim, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It really was a wild, and honestly scary ride. The characters were well developed, and I appreicated that they felt like more than just sterotypes of troubled kids. The plot was well developed, and I liked how influencer culuture, and the troubled teen industry were intergrated into the story. I liked the romance, and how it intergrated into the story. It felt natural to the characters, and the situation they were in. It was a part of the story, but it never overshadowed the danger or the horror of the story. The ending felt satisfying, and fit the story well. I really enjoyed the epilogue, and appriecated that it wasn't anything too over the top. It was very satisfying without being sacherine.
August 13, 2026
I was drawn to the paranormal reality TV aspects of the blurb and it mostly delivered, leaning more supernatural than paranormal.I enjoyed the characters, setting, and relationships between all the characters (the romance was cheesy but it’s YA). The ending was pretty predictable but the epilogues did not land as they could have. The decisions characters made were too unrealistic and I’m not a fan of convenient plot devices.
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
August 4, 2026
Interesting!! This book is a YA modern day Blair Witch Project x Hunger Games x Hansel & Gretel retelling. You have a social media influencer stepmom posting parenting tips while simultaneously coming up with a TV show idea & shipping her step kids off to be in a reality TV survivalist show where a group of ~troubled~ teens must survive in the forests of northern Maine for a week at an old, haunted sleep away camp. After waking up the first morning to find the cameraman & only adults missing, the kids decide to go off in the woods to try and find him & are met with something evil lurking in the forest. Thus the cat & mouse game of Hansel and Gretel begins.
Thanks camp NetGalley for the ARC
Thanks camp NetGalley for the ARC
October 9, 2026
Definitely YA
The story is a creepy retelling of Hansel and Gretel with troubled teens thrown into the woods to survive for a tv show . The twist was easy to guess. The story was a bit slow in the middle for me
The story is a creepy retelling of Hansel and Gretel with troubled teens thrown into the woods to survive for a tv show . The twist was easy to guess. The story was a bit slow in the middle for me
September 26, 2026
Gingerbread Bones is a modern retelling of Hansel & Gretel and a very good time! We have murder, mayhem, and chaos all wrapped up in one package. Highly recommend to fans of horror and thrillers.
August 13, 2026
This book was a good read with a setting that was remote and creepy.
I didn't realize when I began reading that this was inspired by Hansel and Gretel. But once I did it was fun trying to see how the story would unfold.
The ending was good and wrapped everything up well, I especially appreciated the epilogue. I believe fans of YA will really enjoy reading this book, though because of the strong language I'd recommend it for more mature teens.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
I didn't realize when I began reading that this was inspired by Hansel and Gretel. But once I did it was fun trying to see how the story would unfold.
The ending was good and wrapped everything up well, I especially appreciated the epilogue. I believe fans of YA will really enjoy reading this book, though because of the strong language I'd recommend it for more mature teens.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
September 14, 2026
3.75 stars..
For the first 50-55% of the book I just wasn't vibing with it as much. And felt boring with some of the storyline. But the last half of the book kind of had me hooked. I loved the sibling relationship of Hamish and Georgie, and how they always chose to stick together.
For the first 50-55% of the book I just wasn't vibing with it as much. And felt boring with some of the storyline. But the last half of the book kind of had me hooked. I loved the sibling relationship of Hamish and Georgie, and how they always chose to stick together.
July 31, 2026
3.5⭐️
August 10, 2026
Y.A. horror has been ramping up a lot in the past year or so and I am so here for it.
Gingerbread Bones is a gory survival-horror that puts it's teen characters through the wringer, and I enjoyed every minute of it. There were a lot of elements throughout the novel that were executed really well, including:
• The sibling dynamic between Georgie and Hamish. I truly believed these two were ride-or-die for each other, and it really added to the character development of both characters as well as adding to the fairytale Hansel and Gretel vibes.
• Tortured characters with well earned backstories. The synopsis tells you that each of the teens selected to participate in the survival show are delinquents, but I thought each character (from the main group at least) had not only interesting habits tied into their backstories but actual traumas and reasonings for why they were acting as they did. Mack was definitely the standout and his backstory reveal was worth sticking around for.
• The gore was great! So many misplaced limbs and creepy bloody moments. Y.A. horror embracing the gore is one of my favourite new developments in the Y.A. genre. More blood!
This was the kind of book where I found an excuse to get some reading time in, it was definitely a 'just one more chapter' kind of read. In saying that, I did dock 1 star due to a couple of plot points that bothered me:
• It took the main characters way too long to clock that they were in a Hansel and Gretel story (literally until the book hit the 80% mark). The constant pieces of candy left everywhere by the unseen evil chasing them, the gingerbread smelling breath, a brother and sister duo with names starting with H & G who are descendants of German woodcutters and have an evil stepmother who set up this entire survivalist show to dump them in the woods. Hello? Guys, ya'll are not the brightest.
• Most of the deaths occured off page, and while this is not a problem in itself I think the stakes needed to be higher and more of the main group needed to go to really sell how horrific this story is.
• The main twist was good, I worked out some of it but not all. But the lack of resolution involving one of the main bad characters was really frustrating, and is the main reason I've dropped a star from my rating. The lack of resolution with this character made Gingerbread Bones feel incomplete. If this gets changed from a standalone to a series because of this one plot point I will not be surprised.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Gingerbread Bones is a gory survival-horror that puts it's teen characters through the wringer, and I enjoyed every minute of it. There were a lot of elements throughout the novel that were executed really well, including:
• The sibling dynamic between Georgie and Hamish. I truly believed these two were ride-or-die for each other, and it really added to the character development of both characters as well as adding to the fairytale Hansel and Gretel vibes.
• Tortured characters with well earned backstories. The synopsis tells you that each of the teens selected to participate in the survival show are delinquents, but I thought each character (from the main group at least) had not only interesting habits tied into their backstories but actual traumas and reasonings for why they were acting as they did. Mack was definitely the standout and his backstory reveal was worth sticking around for.
• The gore was great! So many misplaced limbs and creepy bloody moments. Y.A. horror embracing the gore is one of my favourite new developments in the Y.A. genre. More blood!
This was the kind of book where I found an excuse to get some reading time in, it was definitely a 'just one more chapter' kind of read. In saying that, I did dock 1 star due to a couple of plot points that bothered me:
• It took the main characters way too long to clock that they were in a Hansel and Gretel story (literally until the book hit the 80% mark). The constant pieces of candy left everywhere by the unseen evil chasing them, the gingerbread smelling breath, a brother and sister duo with names starting with H & G who are descendants of German woodcutters and have an evil stepmother who set up this entire survivalist show to dump them in the woods. Hello? Guys, ya'll are not the brightest.
• Most of the deaths occured off page, and while this is not a problem in itself I think the stakes needed to be higher and more of the main group needed to go to really sell how horrific this story is.
• The main twist was good, I worked out some of it but not all. But the lack of resolution involving one of the main bad characters was really frustrating, and is the main reason I've dropped a star from my rating. The lack of resolution with this character made Gingerbread Bones feel incomplete. If this gets changed from a standalone to a series because of this one plot point I will not be surprised.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
July 22, 2026
•°. ❝ I'd thought the show was the worst thing that could happen to me, but life said ‘Hold my beer’ and set out to prove me wrong. ❞ *࿐
✎ᝰ. ★★★★ stars
✎ᝰ. 1/5 spice level (YA novel)
✎ᝰ. tropes:
𝜗𝜚 paranormal romance
𝜗𝜚 fairytale retelling (Hansel and Gretel)
𝜗𝜚 survival reality show
𝜗𝜚 found family
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
First of all, I would like to thank Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Gingerbread Bones comes out on August 04th, 2026!
This was a fantastic retelling of the classic Hansel and Gretel fairytale. I truly loved the way the author, Lindsay Lovise, incorporated the classic plot points into a modern-day setting, especially how she made social media such an integral part of the story in a way that felt natural and seamless.
I’m usually not a big fan of thrillers, but this book had me rethinking that opinion. I really enjoyed the mystery that surrounded the entire story, and the plot twist and final revelation were incredibly well done and, in my opinion, completely unpredictable. The paranormal elements of the novel felt cohesive and intriguing, and they were executed exceptionally well throughout the story.
As for the romance, I found myself more invested in the secondary couple than in the main characters, which made it a little harder for me to root for the central relationship. Although that affected my enjoyment slightly, the romance was a secondary aspect of the story, so I was still fully invested and thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Overall, I would recommend Gingerbread Bones to readers who enjoy paranormal romance, horror, YA novels with a touch of spice, and the found family trope.
•°. ❝ Maybe we're all looking at distorted reflections. If there's one thing I've learned over the past few days, it's that if you peel back enough of a person's layers, you almost always find a little good. ❞ *࿐
✎ᝰ. trigger warnings (possible spoilers): discussions of suicide, murder, sex, and mental health, along with depictions of violence, blood, cannibalism, hunting for survival, and cutting.
July 18, 2026
This was an entertaining read that was not only horrific at times, but also had some great moments in the ‘found family’ sphere.
To start, I’d love to give my take on one of things that some others have pointed out when it comes to the idea that ‘no production team would leave underaged teens with just a few adults and scant supplies in the wilderness, even for the sake of television’, but in all fairness, I don’t think there’d have been very many adults advocating for this group, since they’re all supposed to be troubled behaviorally, or criminally, and thus appear to “need something drastic to knock some sense/maturity into them”. And let’s not forget that either they or their parents signed their consent and were being paid for their time and appearance on the show, so the studio did make sure to have all their ducks in a row…even if all of it was at the expense of these teens. 🤷🏻♀️
Now I’ll get off my soapbox and move on to other things, like the horror aspect of this book. I’m a sucker for a good, creepy tale, and that’s what initially drew me to this book. I originally thought this was going to be more of a slasher-style thriller and completely ignored the ‘paranormal’ tag, so imagine my surprise when I come across a scene that has some very supernatural things happen to the teens?? It definitely drew me deeper into the story, and I was able to read the book all the way to the end from there.
Another thing I appreciated was the ‘found family’ aspect of this book and seeing these teens working together, some more begrudgingly than others, to make it out of these insane conditions alive. The characters were all interesting in their various ways, and I really appreciated how fleshed out their stories were, enough so that I could feel real empathy towards them and the things that ultimately lead to them ending up in this place. 🥹
Anyway, I’ll go ahead conclude this review by saying again how much I enjoyed this read and recommend it if you’re a fan of paranormal horror, but do keep in mind that this YA, so annoying teens exist, and though this does seem to lean more towards upper YA, it’ll still read as such.
Thank you to Entangled: Mayhem Books via Netgalley for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
To start, I’d love to give my take on one of things that some others have pointed out when it comes to the idea that ‘no production team would leave underaged teens with just a few adults and scant supplies in the wilderness, even for the sake of television’, but in all fairness, I don’t think there’d have been very many adults advocating for this group, since they’re all supposed to be troubled behaviorally, or criminally, and thus appear to “need something drastic to knock some sense/maturity into them”. And let’s not forget that either they or their parents signed their consent and were being paid for their time and appearance on the show, so the studio did make sure to have all their ducks in a row…even if all of it was at the expense of these teens. 🤷🏻♀️
Now I’ll get off my soapbox and move on to other things, like the horror aspect of this book. I’m a sucker for a good, creepy tale, and that’s what initially drew me to this book. I originally thought this was going to be more of a slasher-style thriller and completely ignored the ‘paranormal’ tag, so imagine my surprise when I come across a scene that has some very supernatural things happen to the teens?? It definitely drew me deeper into the story, and I was able to read the book all the way to the end from there.
Another thing I appreciated was the ‘found family’ aspect of this book and seeing these teens working together, some more begrudgingly than others, to make it out of these insane conditions alive. The characters were all interesting in their various ways, and I really appreciated how fleshed out their stories were, enough so that I could feel real empathy towards them and the things that ultimately lead to them ending up in this place. 🥹
Anyway, I’ll go ahead conclude this review by saying again how much I enjoyed this read and recommend it if you’re a fan of paranormal horror, but do keep in mind that this YA, so annoying teens exist, and though this does seem to lean more towards upper YA, it’ll still read as such.
Thank you to Entangled: Mayhem Books via Netgalley for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
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