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The Monsters We Made
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10 copies available
U.S. only
Two friends must uncover the truth about the bloody reappearance of a cryptid in this queer, X-Files-inspired thriller from the author of Bad Creek.
To save her family’s struggling ranch, 18-year-old Claire fabricates a video of her hometown’s legendary alien cryptid, Old Lucky, that grabs the attention of paranormal vloggers Lenny and Evan. Lenny is plagued with doubts about their channel’s future, so catching Old Lucky might just be her chance at finding something real.
After Evan deserts Lenny, believing the investigation to be a hoax, Claire agrees to “help” Lenny uncover the history of Old Lucky—and preserve her deceit. But the more the girls are drawn together and the more clues they unearth, the more secrets rise to the surface. The cows are being mutilated, the ranch hand has disappeared, and the strange lights in the sky are back. Something inhuman lurks in Scarberry, where danger lives close to home. The Monsters We Made is an eerie and suspenseful exploration of one town’s dark history and the people who brought it back to life.
To save her family’s struggling ranch, 18-year-old Claire fabricates a video of her hometown’s legendary alien cryptid, Old Lucky, that grabs the attention of paranormal vloggers Lenny and Evan. Lenny is plagued with doubts about their channel’s future, so catching Old Lucky might just be her chance at finding something real.
After Evan deserts Lenny, believing the investigation to be a hoax, Claire agrees to “help” Lenny uncover the history of Old Lucky—and preserve her deceit. But the more the girls are drawn together and the more clues they unearth, the more secrets rise to the surface. The cows are being mutilated, the ranch hand has disappeared, and the strange lights in the sky are back. Something inhuman lurks in Scarberry, where danger lives close to home. The Monsters We Made is an eerie and suspenseful exploration of one town’s dark history and the people who brought it back to life.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 23, 2026
4882 people want to read
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March 24, 2026📡👽 The Monsters We Made by Peyton June 👽📡
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🛸 What to Expect
• Queer paranormal thriller
• Cryptid investigation
• Small town secrets
• Paranormal vloggers
• Missing persons
• Cattle mutilation
• Sapphic
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 23, 2026
📝 Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🛸 What to Expect
• Queer paranormal thriller
• Cryptid investigation
• Small town secrets
• Paranormal vloggers
• Missing persons
• Cattle mutilation
• Sapphic
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 23, 2026
📝 Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
The moment I saw a promotion for this book on social media, I knew I just had to read it. A queer horror novel featuring a paranormal investigation for a local alien cryptid in a weird and unwelcoming small farming town feels like it was made for me, and this book certainly didn't disappoint.
Our two main characters are Lenny, who runs a paranormal investigation YouTube channel with her sort of boyfriend Evan, and Claire, whose family owns a farm that was the setting of a popular alien sighting in the 1960s. The two meet when Lenny, who is currently on a road trip filming content for her YouTube channel, receives a video of a possible alien sighting on the same farm where a famous supposed alien lights photograph was taken many years before. This causes her to change course and head to Scarberry, Nebraska, where we meet Claire, who grew up on and now works on the farm where the original photograph and new video were taken.
What Lenny doesn't know is that Claire, who was hoping to drum up some new business for the farm through the popularity of Lenny's YouTube channel, had fabricated the video and now has to help to maintain her hoax as the paranormal investigation begins. What Claire doesn't know is that Lenny is a true believer in the local cryptid "Old Lucky" and the original "Scarberry Lights" phenomenon, as photographed by the original eyewitness in the 1960s, and she intends to get to the bottom of what's really going on in Scarberry.
Although their motivations differ, the girls team up to investigate, and what ensues isn't just the hunt for a cryptid but also a hunt for the truth. The truth about what Old Lucky is, the truth about the town, and the truth about themselves and each other.
I really enjoyed everything that this book had to offer, but I will highlight some of my favourite things about this novel here:
• The setting. This book is set in a very small, old mining town turned farming town where the locals are a little weird and a lot unwelcoming to outsiders. The setting of the farm was well-written and interesting, from the famous barn to the old farmhouse, to the accommodations they built for their alien enthusiast guests, and the surrounding cornfields. The author does a good job of capturing the vastness of the land in the small town, and each new location added to the overall feel of the story. All this to say, I really loved how the small-town vibe was written in this book. I think a strange, small town is the perfect setting for a paranormal story like this.
• The dual POVs. Having the POV of both Lenny and Claire added a lot to this narrative. Lenny is an outsider from a city with a social media following and a true believer. Claire is an insider in terms of location and an outsider socially in the town she grew up in, and she has never really believed the town's legends. The local/outsider and skeptic/believer viewpoints offer a good contrast in the story and add depth to the narrative. When the two would have meaningful interactions, I enjoyed reading about that interaction from their two separate viewpoints, and I think that writing it in this way helped to understand the characters better, as well as offering a better view of the town and what was happening as the novel unfolded.
• The characters. I really enjoyed both main characters and how the narrative helped me to understand them and their perspectives. Apart from them, the other characters in the novel added a lot to the story. Every character in this novel was believable, and their motivations made sense even when I obviously didn't agree with what they were doing or how they were handling a situation. I feel that the characters were well thought out and that this book benefited from not having a huge cast of characters, which lent to the small town, small population setting of the book.
• The mystery. Without giving too much away, I love how this book unfolded. I was always excited to find out what was going to happen next, and at no point did I fully know what was going on or what was going to happen next. It was fun to be able to develop my own theories while I was reading the book, and I had a hard time putting the book down once I got sucked into the story.
• The relationship between the main characters. It was nice to see how the main characters developed over the story and through their proximity to one another. From strangers, to friends, to maybe more than friends, I enjoyed being with them for every part of the journey. I liked that while this was happening, the book still mainly focused on the plot. I feel that this allowed for the relationship to develop slowly and naturally in a way that was more believable than if it had been the primary focus.
As I'm sure you can see, I really enjoyed this read, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the premise. It's a horror novel with a lot of heart, which has got to be one of my favourite types of horror novels.
The moment I saw a promotion for this book on social media, I knew I just had to read it. A queer horror novel featuring a paranormal investigation for a local alien cryptid in a weird and unwelcoming small farming town feels like it was made for me, and this book certainly didn't disappoint.
Our two main characters are Lenny, who runs a paranormal investigation YouTube channel with her sort of boyfriend Evan, and Claire, whose family owns a farm that was the setting of a popular alien sighting in the 1960s. The two meet when Lenny, who is currently on a road trip filming content for her YouTube channel, receives a video of a possible alien sighting on the same farm where a famous supposed alien lights photograph was taken many years before. This causes her to change course and head to Scarberry, Nebraska, where we meet Claire, who grew up on and now works on the farm where the original photograph and new video were taken.
What Lenny doesn't know is that Claire, who was hoping to drum up some new business for the farm through the popularity of Lenny's YouTube channel, had fabricated the video and now has to help to maintain her hoax as the paranormal investigation begins. What Claire doesn't know is that Lenny is a true believer in the local cryptid "Old Lucky" and the original "Scarberry Lights" phenomenon, as photographed by the original eyewitness in the 1960s, and she intends to get to the bottom of what's really going on in Scarberry.
Although their motivations differ, the girls team up to investigate, and what ensues isn't just the hunt for a cryptid but also a hunt for the truth. The truth about what Old Lucky is, the truth about the town, and the truth about themselves and each other.
I really enjoyed everything that this book had to offer, but I will highlight some of my favourite things about this novel here:
• The setting. This book is set in a very small, old mining town turned farming town where the locals are a little weird and a lot unwelcoming to outsiders. The setting of the farm was well-written and interesting, from the famous barn to the old farmhouse, to the accommodations they built for their alien enthusiast guests, and the surrounding cornfields. The author does a good job of capturing the vastness of the land in the small town, and each new location added to the overall feel of the story. All this to say, I really loved how the small-town vibe was written in this book. I think a strange, small town is the perfect setting for a paranormal story like this.
• The dual POVs. Having the POV of both Lenny and Claire added a lot to this narrative. Lenny is an outsider from a city with a social media following and a true believer. Claire is an insider in terms of location and an outsider socially in the town she grew up in, and she has never really believed the town's legends. The local/outsider and skeptic/believer viewpoints offer a good contrast in the story and add depth to the narrative. When the two would have meaningful interactions, I enjoyed reading about that interaction from their two separate viewpoints, and I think that writing it in this way helped to understand the characters better, as well as offering a better view of the town and what was happening as the novel unfolded.
• The characters. I really enjoyed both main characters and how the narrative helped me to understand them and their perspectives. Apart from them, the other characters in the novel added a lot to the story. Every character in this novel was believable, and their motivations made sense even when I obviously didn't agree with what they were doing or how they were handling a situation. I feel that the characters were well thought out and that this book benefited from not having a huge cast of characters, which lent to the small town, small population setting of the book.
• The mystery. Without giving too much away, I love how this book unfolded. I was always excited to find out what was going to happen next, and at no point did I fully know what was going on or what was going to happen next. It was fun to be able to develop my own theories while I was reading the book, and I had a hard time putting the book down once I got sucked into the story.
• The relationship between the main characters. It was nice to see how the main characters developed over the story and through their proximity to one another. From strangers, to friends, to maybe more than friends, I enjoyed being with them for every part of the journey. I liked that while this was happening, the book still mainly focused on the plot. I feel that this allowed for the relationship to develop slowly and naturally in a way that was more believable than if it had been the primary focus.
As I'm sure you can see, I really enjoyed this read, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the premise. It's a horror novel with a lot of heart, which has got to be one of my favourite types of horror novels.
May 7, 2026
I read “The Monsters We Made” as an ARC. The most compelling part of this book, for me, was the mystery. There were just enough little clues and hints to keep me turning pages to discover the truth, just like the main characters. To my delight, there were elements of the story that felt reminiscent of “The X-Files” as promised by the author. Although the writing style left something to be desired, I enjoyed the atmosphere and setting as well. Certain formatting choices sometimes made it difficult to follow which character was speaking or where the internal dialogue was coming from, but that may be uniquely an ARC issue. Overall, a solid three out of five stars rating from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“The Monsters We Made” by Peyton June is one of those books that has perfectly that mix of small-town mystery, paranormal chaos, and just enough real-world horror to make it hit harder than you expect. Before going into the review, I do want to provide a content warning for animal mutilation, specifically with cows. The book doesn’t go into too much detail, but this does happen a few times.
The story follows Lenny, a semi-famous paranormal investigator trying to rediscover why she loved the supernatural in the first place, and Claire, a skeptical small-town girl who’s mostly just trying to keep her family afloat. When Lenny shows up to investigate a recent alien sighting, it quickly becomes clear that something way bigger (and weirder) is going on.
At first, it seems like your typical “aliens in a creepy town” setup, but then you start getting hints about older legends, like these things called the Old Gods, and suddenly it’s not so simple. Strange noises, weird sightings, electronics failing, people acting suspicious. Even Claire, who starts off as a total cynic, can’t deny that something is seriously wrong.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the atmosphere. It’s very eerie and tense in that slow-burn way where everything just feels off. And the horror isn’t just supernatural; there’s also a lot of focus on environmental damage, illness, and how the town itself has been suffering for years. The mystery gets darker the more you learn, especially when you realize how many people have gotten sick or died under really suspicious circumstances.
The characters are solid, especially the dynamic between Lenny and Claire. They have very different motivations with Lenny is chasing truth and meaning while Claire is just trying to survive, but they balance each other well. Their relationship slowly develops into a bit of romance, and while it’s not the main focus, it adds a nice emotional layer (even if it feels a little rushed at times).
There’s also some good LGBTQ+ rep with Claire being a lesbian, though the book doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of small-town homophobia, which adds another layer of tension.
Plot-wise, it’s pretty engaging. The mystery keeps building, with clues piling up and more people in town clearly hiding things. Some twists are a little predictable, but the overall reveal is still satisfying, especially because the explanation combines both supernatural and human causes. It really leans into the idea that sometimes the scariest things aren’t just monsters; they’re what people are willing to do.
That said, the book isn’t perfect. The pacing can feel a bit uneven (some parts drag while others move too fast), and the dialogue sometimes reads a little younger than expected for YA. Also, if you’re here mainly for romance, you might be disappointed since it definitely takes a backseat to the mystery.
Overall, “The Monsters We Made” is a fun, eerie, and surprisingly thoughtful read. It mixes aliens, cryptids, and small-town secrets with deeper themes about greed, environmental damage, and the consequences of human choices. If you like creepy mysteries with a bit of sci-fi/paranormal chaos, it’s definitely worth checking out.
“The Monsters We Made” by Peyton June is one of those books that has perfectly that mix of small-town mystery, paranormal chaos, and just enough real-world horror to make it hit harder than you expect. Before going into the review, I do want to provide a content warning for animal mutilation, specifically with cows. The book doesn’t go into too much detail, but this does happen a few times.
The story follows Lenny, a semi-famous paranormal investigator trying to rediscover why she loved the supernatural in the first place, and Claire, a skeptical small-town girl who’s mostly just trying to keep her family afloat. When Lenny shows up to investigate a recent alien sighting, it quickly becomes clear that something way bigger (and weirder) is going on.
At first, it seems like your typical “aliens in a creepy town” setup, but then you start getting hints about older legends, like these things called the Old Gods, and suddenly it’s not so simple. Strange noises, weird sightings, electronics failing, people acting suspicious. Even Claire, who starts off as a total cynic, can’t deny that something is seriously wrong.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the atmosphere. It’s very eerie and tense in that slow-burn way where everything just feels off. And the horror isn’t just supernatural; there’s also a lot of focus on environmental damage, illness, and how the town itself has been suffering for years. The mystery gets darker the more you learn, especially when you realize how many people have gotten sick or died under really suspicious circumstances.
The characters are solid, especially the dynamic between Lenny and Claire. They have very different motivations with Lenny is chasing truth and meaning while Claire is just trying to survive, but they balance each other well. Their relationship slowly develops into a bit of romance, and while it’s not the main focus, it adds a nice emotional layer (even if it feels a little rushed at times).
There’s also some good LGBTQ+ rep with Claire being a lesbian, though the book doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of small-town homophobia, which adds another layer of tension.
Plot-wise, it’s pretty engaging. The mystery keeps building, with clues piling up and more people in town clearly hiding things. Some twists are a little predictable, but the overall reveal is still satisfying, especially because the explanation combines both supernatural and human causes. It really leans into the idea that sometimes the scariest things aren’t just monsters; they’re what people are willing to do.
That said, the book isn’t perfect. The pacing can feel a bit uneven (some parts drag while others move too fast), and the dialogue sometimes reads a little younger than expected for YA. Also, if you’re here mainly for romance, you might be disappointed since it definitely takes a backseat to the mystery.
Overall, “The Monsters We Made” is a fun, eerie, and surprisingly thoughtful read. It mixes aliens, cryptids, and small-town secrets with deeper themes about greed, environmental damage, and the consequences of human choices. If you like creepy mysteries with a bit of sci-fi/paranormal chaos, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have said it once and ill say it again, nothing is more unsettling then a small town. The Monsters We Made is a endearing story of the importance of authenticity, truth and community. Featuring an alien cryptid, mysterious phenomenon, rival vloggers, standing up to oppressive men, & a budding queer romance . I would describe the vibes as more spooky rather then scary necessarily. While the book touches upon some heavy topics, overall it was a fun, light read. I adored the queer, fat, & neurodivergent representation.
"But the show wasn't hers anymore. It had mutated into this ugly thing that was slowly sapping the life out of her. She couldn't keep going on like this. But she couldn't quite, either. Both options felt like losing."
This book truly succeeds is in the de-romanticization of influencer culture. Lenny's Youtube career is shown to have fundamentally altered the way she expresses herself and how she interacts with the world around her. Staying in an unhealthy relationship, abandoning friendships, trying to fit herself into a neurotypical box, and losing passion for things that used to bring her joy. At times the YouTube stuff felt a bit cringy, I think part of the issue is that the characters are written in a way that makes their actions / dialogue feel younger then their stated ages (18). Overall though I do think it was incorporated well into the plot and would resonate with a YA audience.
"Thou shalt not express an opinion on Old Lucky. He was both Scarberry's god and their unloved bastard child. Their mascot and the thorn inside their cowboy boots. He was the Thing We Do Not speak Of. "
I found the book to struggle with pacing. After a really strong start things fizzled in the middle. I don't know if I necessarily agree with marketing this as a thriller, felt much more like a slow burn mystery. Things do pick up at around the 75% mark, in fact some of the most interesting pieces of lore are reveling in that last 15%. These revelations are largely glossed over and reacted to rather underwhelmingly by our MCs, which was incredibly disappointing. If more time had been allotted for a deeper dive into the creature / the towns history. The ending itself left me feeling conflicted, its cute don't get me wrong, everything just wraps up so quickly and far too "cleanly" considering all the un answered questions.
* Thank you to the author, publisher & NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review. *
"But the show wasn't hers anymore. It had mutated into this ugly thing that was slowly sapping the life out of her. She couldn't keep going on like this. But she couldn't quite, either. Both options felt like losing."
This book truly succeeds is in the de-romanticization of influencer culture. Lenny's Youtube career is shown to have fundamentally altered the way she expresses herself and how she interacts with the world around her. Staying in an unhealthy relationship, abandoning friendships, trying to fit herself into a neurotypical box, and losing passion for things that used to bring her joy. At times the YouTube stuff felt a bit cringy, I think part of the issue is that the characters are written in a way that makes their actions / dialogue feel younger then their stated ages (18). Overall though I do think it was incorporated well into the plot and would resonate with a YA audience.
"Thou shalt not express an opinion on Old Lucky. He was both Scarberry's god and their unloved bastard child. Their mascot and the thorn inside their cowboy boots. He was the Thing We Do Not speak Of. "
I found the book to struggle with pacing. After a really strong start things fizzled in the middle. I don't know if I necessarily agree with marketing this as a thriller, felt much more like a slow burn mystery. Things do pick up at around the 75% mark, in fact some of the most interesting pieces of lore are reveling in that last 15%. These revelations are largely glossed over and reacted to rather underwhelmingly by our MCs, which was incredibly disappointing. If more time had been allotted for a deeper dive into the creature / the towns history. The ending itself left me feeling conflicted, its cute don't get me wrong, everything just wraps up so quickly and far too "cleanly" considering all the un answered questions.
* Thank you to the author, publisher & NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review. *
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Peyton June and W.W. Norton & Company for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Monsters We Made by Peyton June is a suspenseful small town story that blends horror, mystery, and a touch of sci fi in a way that feels both eerie and grounded. The book follows Lenny, who co runs an alien hunting show, and Claire, a local who pulls them into her town with the promise of something strange lurking just out of sight. What starts as a search for answers quickly turns into something much deeper as the town’s secrets begin to surface.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the setting being in this small town where people are forced to protect one another whether they want to or not, and how that sense of closeness also created tension and secrecy. The dual POV worked so well and I liked getting to know both Lenny and Claire as they navigated everything happening around them. Their dynamic felt natural and added another layer to the story alongside the aliens, the town’s residents, and the growing unease.
There was horror and suspense where there needed to be, but what stood out to me most were the deeper conversations about feeling trapped and not belonging in a small town. That theme was woven in a way that felt real and fitting for the characters and their choices. I also loved that the romance stayed more of a subplot, which honestly surprised me since I usually gravitate toward romance heavy stories. There were enough hints and buildup between Lenny and Claire that when they finally got together it felt natural and not rushed, especially compared to Claire’s past relationship.
The mystery surrounding Old Lucky was handled really well and kept me engaged the entire time without giving too much away too early. I also loved how everything came full circle by the end. There is a sense of a cycle continuing with new people coming into town and still not believing, while we see how much Claire has changed after everything she experienced. It gave the story a lasting impact that stuck with me even after finishing. Overall this was such a fun and engaging read with a great mix of tension, emotion, and intrigue.
The Monsters We Made by Peyton June is a suspenseful small town story that blends horror, mystery, and a touch of sci fi in a way that feels both eerie and grounded. The book follows Lenny, who co runs an alien hunting show, and Claire, a local who pulls them into her town with the promise of something strange lurking just out of sight. What starts as a search for answers quickly turns into something much deeper as the town’s secrets begin to surface.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the setting being in this small town where people are forced to protect one another whether they want to or not, and how that sense of closeness also created tension and secrecy. The dual POV worked so well and I liked getting to know both Lenny and Claire as they navigated everything happening around them. Their dynamic felt natural and added another layer to the story alongside the aliens, the town’s residents, and the growing unease.
There was horror and suspense where there needed to be, but what stood out to me most were the deeper conversations about feeling trapped and not belonging in a small town. That theme was woven in a way that felt real and fitting for the characters and their choices. I also loved that the romance stayed more of a subplot, which honestly surprised me since I usually gravitate toward romance heavy stories. There were enough hints and buildup between Lenny and Claire that when they finally got together it felt natural and not rushed, especially compared to Claire’s past relationship.
The mystery surrounding Old Lucky was handled really well and kept me engaged the entire time without giving too much away too early. I also loved how everything came full circle by the end. There is a sense of a cycle continuing with new people coming into town and still not believing, while we see how much Claire has changed after everything she experienced. It gave the story a lasting impact that stuck with me even after finishing. Overall this was such a fun and engaging read with a great mix of tension, emotion, and intrigue.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Maybe the real horrors were the monsters we made along the way... or however the saying goes. Joking aside, Peyton June has absolutely crafted an excellent atmospheric cryptid horror with The Monsters We Made. And while this absolutely is cryptid horror, it's also so much more than that. It's the fear that comes from grieving, uncertainty, resentment, and feeling trapped in your circumstances. It's the pain behind loss. It's the devastation and rage that set in when your whole world makes you feel like you're either not enough or too much- or sometimes both simultaneously.
While it did take a while for me to get into the story, I deeply enjoyed this book. And I do generally love a bit of a slower build up to the plot so that's never a deal breaker. The Monsters We Made NEEDED that build, though, so if you're someone who does struggle with pacing just note that you'll need a little patience starting out. ((The payoff is worth it!))
If you like cryptid horror, women getting sick of men and their oppressive bullshit, & small town corruption shenanigans then you're going to want to add this book to your TBR. While release isn't expected until June ((Honestly the only release month that makes sense to me here.)) that gives you plenty of time to pick up Bad Creek and to fall in love with Peyton June's writing like I have.
((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, W.W. Norton & Company, and Peyton June for this complimentary copy.))
While it did take a while for me to get into the story, I deeply enjoyed this book. And I do generally love a bit of a slower build up to the plot so that's never a deal breaker. The Monsters We Made NEEDED that build, though, so if you're someone who does struggle with pacing just note that you'll need a little patience starting out. ((The payoff is worth it!))
If you like cryptid horror, women getting sick of men and their oppressive bullshit, & small town corruption shenanigans then you're going to want to add this book to your TBR. While release isn't expected until June ((Honestly the only release month that makes sense to me here.)) that gives you plenty of time to pick up Bad Creek and to fall in love with Peyton June's writing like I have.
((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, W.W. Norton & Company, and Peyton June for this complimentary copy.))
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and Norton Young Readers for an eARC of this!
As soon as I heard that Peyton June's newest book was available on Netgalley, I dropped everything and requested it that exact moment. I adored Bad Creek and went into this with high expectations. I'm so pleased to say that this book exceeded my expectations.
This book follows our two main characters. Lenny, a paranormal investigator who runs a popular YouTube channel with her (not so) boyfriend Evan; and Claire, our hometown hero who wants to support her family and community while feeling outcasted by everyone. After an anonymous tip is sent to Lenny, she and Evan head to Scarberry, Nebraska to investigate and find out what is happening in this small farming community.
When I say that I could not put this book down, I mean it.
I feel like the part that stood out the most about this book was the setting. The eerie small town vibes mixed with the fact that outsiders are clearly not welcome. Scarberry really is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone and nothing is a secret (until it is).
June really manages to make sure that you as a reader are at the edge of your seat. I found myself questioning every interaction with every character. I felt like no one could be trusted and that mixed with the the eerie atmosphere and the secrets that you could FEEL with each page turn made this book completely unforgettable.
As soon as I heard that Peyton June's newest book was available on Netgalley, I dropped everything and requested it that exact moment. I adored Bad Creek and went into this with high expectations. I'm so pleased to say that this book exceeded my expectations.
This book follows our two main characters. Lenny, a paranormal investigator who runs a popular YouTube channel with her (not so) boyfriend Evan; and Claire, our hometown hero who wants to support her family and community while feeling outcasted by everyone. After an anonymous tip is sent to Lenny, she and Evan head to Scarberry, Nebraska to investigate and find out what is happening in this small farming community.
When I say that I could not put this book down, I mean it.
I feel like the part that stood out the most about this book was the setting. The eerie small town vibes mixed with the fact that outsiders are clearly not welcome. Scarberry really is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone and nothing is a secret (until it is).
June really manages to make sure that you as a reader are at the edge of your seat. I found myself questioning every interaction with every character. I felt like no one could be trusted and that mixed with the the eerie atmosphere and the secrets that you could FEEL with each page turn made this book completely unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!
Peyton June’s The Monsters We Made is a thrilling story that mixes alien mysteries with small-town secrets. The plot follows Lenny, a ghost hunter looking for a fresh start, and Claire, a local girl who is just trying to help her family survive. When they team up to look into "alien" sightings, they find something much scarier than monsters: a town falling apart because of greed and environmental damage.
The best part of the book is the sweet romance between Lenny and Claire. Even though they are very different—Lenny wants to believe in magic and Claire is a total skeptic—they balance each other perfectly. Watching them fall for each other while dealing with scary things in the woods adds a lot of heart to the story. It’s a "slow-burn" relationship, meaning it takes time to build, but it feels real because they have to trust each other to stay safe. They also deal with the hard reality of being gay in a small town, which makes their bond feel even stronger.
While the story starts off a bit slow, the ending is totally worth the wait. It’s a great read if you like creepy mysteries, strong female leads, and a cute queer love story that feels meaningful. It reminds us that sometimes the real monsters are the choices people make and the secrets they keep.
Peyton June’s The Monsters We Made is a thrilling story that mixes alien mysteries with small-town secrets. The plot follows Lenny, a ghost hunter looking for a fresh start, and Claire, a local girl who is just trying to help her family survive. When they team up to look into "alien" sightings, they find something much scarier than monsters: a town falling apart because of greed and environmental damage.
The best part of the book is the sweet romance between Lenny and Claire. Even though they are very different—Lenny wants to believe in magic and Claire is a total skeptic—they balance each other perfectly. Watching them fall for each other while dealing with scary things in the woods adds a lot of heart to the story. It’s a "slow-burn" relationship, meaning it takes time to build, but it feels real because they have to trust each other to stay safe. They also deal with the hard reality of being gay in a small town, which makes their bond feel even stronger.
While the story starts off a bit slow, the ending is totally worth the wait. It’s a great read if you like creepy mysteries, strong female leads, and a cute queer love story that feels meaningful. It reminds us that sometimes the real monsters are the choices people make and the secrets they keep.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed this small town mystery thriller! Peyton June did an amazing job of writing the uneasy atmosphere of Scarberry and the suspense. I really liked the idea of Old Lucky and how it was explored in the book. Another thing I think was done well was Lenny’s relationship with social media and being a YouTuber. She had a more nuanced approach to making videos and being a public figure that I think was refreshing, especially in such a media-centred society we have today.
The issue I had with this was mostly the pacing. The beginning was great, it had me hooked. But then, the middle kind of dragged for a long time before everything seemed to happen near the end (~15% left of the book). I feel like the middle could have fleshed out the twists we got to at the end, since I think it was a bit rushed and our main characters barely had time to process and react. Same with the romance between Claire and Lenny. They’re cute, and they had a lot of potential when the first met, but again, it seemed a bit rushed at the end. It covered a lot of things in such a short time.
Other than that, the novel was great! I think the mystery aspect was super interesting and kept me interested throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Review is entirely my own thoughts.
I enjoyed this small town mystery thriller! Peyton June did an amazing job of writing the uneasy atmosphere of Scarberry and the suspense. I really liked the idea of Old Lucky and how it was explored in the book. Another thing I think was done well was Lenny’s relationship with social media and being a YouTuber. She had a more nuanced approach to making videos and being a public figure that I think was refreshing, especially in such a media-centred society we have today.
The issue I had with this was mostly the pacing. The beginning was great, it had me hooked. But then, the middle kind of dragged for a long time before everything seemed to happen near the end (~15% left of the book). I feel like the middle could have fleshed out the twists we got to at the end, since I think it was a bit rushed and our main characters barely had time to process and react. Same with the romance between Claire and Lenny. They’re cute, and they had a lot of potential when the first met, but again, it seemed a bit rushed at the end. It covered a lot of things in such a short time.
Other than that, the novel was great! I think the mystery aspect was super interesting and kept me interested throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Review is entirely my own thoughts.
April 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was nothing I expected—in a good way. I’m not a huge fan of aliens but I was willing to give this book a chance since it reminded me of a YA X-Files.
While there are certainly extraterrestrial elements, the book reminded me more of a paranormal mystery rather than just aliens.
The plot was perfect—it had everything I loved; a good mystery, a realistic draw-in, and a little bit of teen angst. The pacing was overall great and it kept me hooked.
What I didn’t like as much were the characters. There wasn’t a whole lot of them but I still kept confusing the names and who the characters were in relation to the plot. Claire’s POV was more interesting than Lenny’s too, but that was because little details about Lenny were released throughout the story in odd segments. Whereas Claire’s POV seemed to perfectly place details about who she was straight away.
As for the other characters, again, I kept getting them confused so they didn’t really feel compelling (maybe from the lack of details about them?).
Overall, I really liked this book and I would recommend teens who are interested in Supernatural, Scooby-Doo, or any other paranormal show to check it out as it is entertaining to read.
This book was nothing I expected—in a good way. I’m not a huge fan of aliens but I was willing to give this book a chance since it reminded me of a YA X-Files.
While there are certainly extraterrestrial elements, the book reminded me more of a paranormal mystery rather than just aliens.
The plot was perfect—it had everything I loved; a good mystery, a realistic draw-in, and a little bit of teen angst. The pacing was overall great and it kept me hooked.
What I didn’t like as much were the characters. There wasn’t a whole lot of them but I still kept confusing the names and who the characters were in relation to the plot. Claire’s POV was more interesting than Lenny’s too, but that was because little details about Lenny were released throughout the story in odd segments. Whereas Claire’s POV seemed to perfectly place details about who she was straight away.
As for the other characters, again, I kept getting them confused so they didn’t really feel compelling (maybe from the lack of details about them?).
Overall, I really liked this book and I would recommend teens who are interested in Supernatural, Scooby-Doo, or any other paranormal show to check it out as it is entertaining to read.
March 22, 2026
4.5/5 Stars!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC of The Monsters We Made by Peyton June!!
The Monsters We Made wasn’t what I expected, but I did enjoy it!! It isn’t a traditional horror book, but it worked! I thought I knew what was happening, but kept getting shocked. I really had no idea how it was going to end. I also never expected what the true horrors actually were.
I really loved the writing and how descriptive it was, I could picture everything and feel how eerie the tone was. I also absolutely loved the ending and thought it was a perfect conclusion.
This book follows Lenny, one part of a duo from a paranormal YouTube channel, and Claire, a gift store worker at her family farm. Claire tries to help her family’s farm by using her hometown's local legend to draw out the YouTubers, however when they arrive it seems it may not just be a tale when unexplainable things start occurring. Lenny and Claire work together to figure out what’s actually real and what is actually going on in the odd town of Scarberry.
Overall, The Monsters We Made was a fun and unique read! This story left me rooting for Lenny and Claire not just as a couple, but as individuals who felt so real. I’ve never read anything like this and hope to see more!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC of The Monsters We Made by Peyton June!!
The Monsters We Made wasn’t what I expected, but I did enjoy it!! It isn’t a traditional horror book, but it worked! I thought I knew what was happening, but kept getting shocked. I really had no idea how it was going to end. I also never expected what the true horrors actually were.
I really loved the writing and how descriptive it was, I could picture everything and feel how eerie the tone was. I also absolutely loved the ending and thought it was a perfect conclusion.
This book follows Lenny, one part of a duo from a paranormal YouTube channel, and Claire, a gift store worker at her family farm. Claire tries to help her family’s farm by using her hometown's local legend to draw out the YouTubers, however when they arrive it seems it may not just be a tale when unexplainable things start occurring. Lenny and Claire work together to figure out what’s actually real and what is actually going on in the odd town of Scarberry.
Overall, The Monsters We Made was a fun and unique read! This story left me rooting for Lenny and Claire not just as a couple, but as individuals who felt so real. I’ve never read anything like this and hope to see more!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You had me at "gay cryptid book" 🫶
Lenny is one half of a YouTube channel who spend their time hunting cryptids, and her latest search has taken her to the small town of Scarberry looking for Old Lucky, an alien she's always dreamed of finding.
Claire works at Scarberry Farm and is worried that the tourism is starting to dry up. In an attempt to bring a renewed interest in Old Lucky, she sends doctored footage to the Odd Kids channel to lure them in with the promise of aliens...
But when evidence starts piling up that she isn't planting, she has to help Lenny decide: is this an elaborate hoax? Or is there more to the legend of Old Lucky?
Honestly didn't expect to love this as much as I did but oh my god!! Claire and Lenny were such wonderful characters, and I absolutely would follow their YouTube channel if it was real 😌
The writing was just fantastic - paced so well, hilarious one moment and serious the next, and touches on some really lovely themes about family and what it's like to be queer in a small town in America.
Had a great time and I'll be thinking about it for a while!!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for offering me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review 💕
Lenny is one half of a YouTube channel who spend their time hunting cryptids, and her latest search has taken her to the small town of Scarberry looking for Old Lucky, an alien she's always dreamed of finding.
Claire works at Scarberry Farm and is worried that the tourism is starting to dry up. In an attempt to bring a renewed interest in Old Lucky, she sends doctored footage to the Odd Kids channel to lure them in with the promise of aliens...
But when evidence starts piling up that she isn't planting, she has to help Lenny decide: is this an elaborate hoax? Or is there more to the legend of Old Lucky?
Honestly didn't expect to love this as much as I did but oh my god!! Claire and Lenny were such wonderful characters, and I absolutely would follow their YouTube channel if it was real 😌
The writing was just fantastic - paced so well, hilarious one moment and serious the next, and touches on some really lovely themes about family and what it's like to be queer in a small town in America.
Had a great time and I'll be thinking about it for a while!!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for offering me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review 💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a total sucker for anything involving cryptids or alien-type mysteries, so this book was right up my alley. The whole idea of strange creatures, unexplained happenings, and the possibility that something unknown might be lurking out there immediately pulled me in. It gave the story such a creepy and exciting vibe that made it impossible for me to stop reading.
The atmosphere was incredible too. The setting felt eerie and secretive, and there was always this feeling that something bigger was going on beneath the surface. Every chapter revealed a little more and made me want to keep reading just one more chapter to see what would happen next.
I also really enjoyed the characters and how everything slowly came together. The story balanced the mystery, tension, and emotional moments really well, and I found myself fully invested in how everything would unfold.
Overall, I loved everything about this book—the creepy vibe, the mystery, the cryptid elements, and the way the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you enjoy stories with strange creatures, possible alien mysteries, and an eerie atmosphere, this one is definitely worth picking up.
The atmosphere was incredible too. The setting felt eerie and secretive, and there was always this feeling that something bigger was going on beneath the surface. Every chapter revealed a little more and made me want to keep reading just one more chapter to see what would happen next.
I also really enjoyed the characters and how everything slowly came together. The story balanced the mystery, tension, and emotional moments really well, and I found myself fully invested in how everything would unfold.
Overall, I loved everything about this book—the creepy vibe, the mystery, the cryptid elements, and the way the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you enjoy stories with strange creatures, possible alien mysteries, and an eerie atmosphere, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley for this arc
5⭐️
Small towns have the best creepy vibes, makes me feel close to home.
This book is what I have been needing! It has many attributes that I love. Gravity Falls / Stranger Things / Stephen King / Scooby Doo and Good Girls Guide To Murder Vibes!!!!
The plot had me on my toes, trying to solve what Old Lucky was, while it sent me in many directions.
The characters pretty much acted their ages, were decent and we got a CURVY GIRL!!!
The dynamic between Lenny and Claire and the tension between them 😩!!! One of the ways Lenny described Claire was “Soft shape of a woman in an Ancient Greek sculpture “ AHHH!
This felt like a Nancy x Robin ship from Stranger Things. Claire also giving Wendy from Gravity Fall vibes.
The horror was a build up intensity, between the screeching cries and the mutilated cows ( also trigger warning for animal harm⚠️)
Overall I can’t wait to get a physical copy in my hands! Definitely going in my Top five of 2026!
I could not put this down! Am I going to get a headache for staring at my phone reading this?…Yes…Was it worth it? HELL YES !!!!
5⭐️
Small towns have the best creepy vibes, makes me feel close to home.
This book is what I have been needing! It has many attributes that I love. Gravity Falls / Stranger Things / Stephen King / Scooby Doo and Good Girls Guide To Murder Vibes!!!!
The plot had me on my toes, trying to solve what Old Lucky was, while it sent me in many directions.
The characters pretty much acted their ages, were decent and we got a CURVY GIRL!!!
The dynamic between Lenny and Claire and the tension between them 😩!!! One of the ways Lenny described Claire was “Soft shape of a woman in an Ancient Greek sculpture “ AHHH!
This felt like a Nancy x Robin ship from Stranger Things. Claire also giving Wendy from Gravity Fall vibes.
The horror was a build up intensity, between the screeching cries and the mutilated cows ( also trigger warning for animal harm⚠️)
Overall I can’t wait to get a physical copy in my hands! Definitely going in my Top five of 2026!
I could not put this down! Am I going to get a headache for staring at my phone reading this?…Yes…Was it worth it? HELL YES !!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy recieved from NetGalley
2.75 rounded up. I was immediately sold when I read that this novel was inspired by the X-Files and I think in some ways it achieved giving the story that same unsettling atmosphere the series embodies. However, there were a lot of elements I felt like could have been developed more and that unfortunately affected the overall quality of the story. I found the buildup to be very slow and the introduction of so many characters at the same time made it difficult to keep track of. My relationship to the characters was very passive and I struggled to connect with them in a way that made me want to root for them. It took a while for things to get interesting and at times, the stakes didn’t seem high enough. I did enjoy Old Lucky and all of the twists and turns the overall story took, some of the alien descriptions were genuinely creepy and there were a lot of classic (and new) sci-fi elements I really enjoyed and had fun with in the end. I wish I would have felt a bit more for that characters, I loved the queer representation. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
2.75 rounded up. I was immediately sold when I read that this novel was inspired by the X-Files and I think in some ways it achieved giving the story that same unsettling atmosphere the series embodies. However, there were a lot of elements I felt like could have been developed more and that unfortunately affected the overall quality of the story. I found the buildup to be very slow and the introduction of so many characters at the same time made it difficult to keep track of. My relationship to the characters was very passive and I struggled to connect with them in a way that made me want to root for them. It took a while for things to get interesting and at times, the stakes didn’t seem high enough. I did enjoy Old Lucky and all of the twists and turns the overall story took, some of the alien descriptions were genuinely creepy and there were a lot of classic (and new) sci-fi elements I really enjoyed and had fun with in the end. I wish I would have felt a bit more for that characters, I loved the queer representation. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 3, 2026
I was so excited to be approved for this ARC and I still can’t quite believe it! (Can you tell this was written by someone who never gets approved for ARCs?)
For me this book was a case of having a premise that set my imagination alight so much that the reality just didn’t live up to the crazy ideas it had spawned in me. However, I realised this pretty quickly and tried to enjoy the story for what it was - and that I did!
Both POVs were good, I was eager to find out what was happening in the town and how Lenny and Claire’s relationship would develop. I loved the world that was created here and the writing style was solid. I’ll definitely read from this author again.
Personally I prefer mysteries that ask more and more questions but also sprinkle in some answers throughout the narrative to keep the momentum going, whereas this asked more and more questions and then answered them all towards the end. That’s really my only gripe though, and your mileage will vary 🖤
I’d love to see Lenny and Claire get mixed up with some more paranormal phenomena but it was a satisfying standalone either way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Peyton June, Norton, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!
I loved this book so much!
The story follows Claire and Lenny, who come together to investigate a strange creature lurking in a small town. Claire doesn’t believe the creature is real, while Lenny wants to believe in it so badly!
I did not expect to fall in love with this story as much as I did, nor did I expect it to be so impactful. From reading about Claire’s struggles living as a lesbian in a small town and having to care and provide for her family, to relating to Lenny, who struggles to accept who she is outside of her “role” on the YouTube channel, I was just so surprised and loved every second of it.
This book had me reading nonstop. It’s incredibly addictive, and the writing is amazing. The plot was so engaging, and all the horror elements and storyline were executed perfectly!
I’m really happy that NetGalley gave me this chance, and I will definitely keep Peyton on my radar and read more of her books!
I loved this book so much!
The story follows Claire and Lenny, who come together to investigate a strange creature lurking in a small town. Claire doesn’t believe the creature is real, while Lenny wants to believe in it so badly!
I did not expect to fall in love with this story as much as I did, nor did I expect it to be so impactful. From reading about Claire’s struggles living as a lesbian in a small town and having to care and provide for her family, to relating to Lenny, who struggles to accept who she is outside of her “role” on the YouTube channel, I was just so surprised and loved every second of it.
This book had me reading nonstop. It’s incredibly addictive, and the writing is amazing. The plot was so engaging, and all the horror elements and storyline were executed perfectly!
I’m really happy that NetGalley gave me this chance, and I will definitely keep Peyton on my radar and read more of her books!
April 26, 2026
I really liked the interactions between Lenny and Claire; they had great chemistry from the beginning and played off each other really well. What got me is that I had a lot of trouble grasping Lenny. She’s had an obsession with Scarberry since she was a kid but we never get to know why? Like, how did she discover that story? Why is it that specific story that haunts her? The author tries to play it off as something cutesy at the end (very “the real victory was the friends we made along the way” vibes) but it left a huge gaping hole in Lenny’s character that never feels resolved.
The other characters (Bri and Warren especially but also Maeve) also were rather flat. Partially because they aren’t really very involved in the story up until the end, and partially because we’re so fixated on Evan for some reason?
The aliens were kind of fun. We always support queer self-discovery. But the book was not great overall.
{Thank you Norton Young Readers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
The other characters (Bri and Warren especially but also Maeve) also were rather flat. Partially because they aren’t really very involved in the story up until the end, and partially because we’re so fixated on Evan for some reason?
The aliens were kind of fun. We always support queer self-discovery. But the book was not great overall.
{Thank you Norton Young Readers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Monsters We Made follows two teens as they work to uncover the truth about a town’s legendary alien cryptid, Old Lucky.
I had a lot of fun with this one!! The concept was so fun. I love stories that focus on cryptids or aliens and teens hunting them. It was especially fun as one of the main characters is a vlogger. I think the story had a pretty good pace, it was a bit slow in the middle, but the ending is full of action and big reveals. I wouldn’t say I was surprised by the reveals, but they were satisfying.
I thought both characters were really well done. They each had a very distinct POV and I enjoyed their arcs. I especially liked Claire and found her journey to be moving and I’m so happy she had a happy ending. I quite liked the slowburn between Claire and Lenny. It felt very believable and their chemistry was really great!
If you love alien/cryptid haunting in a small town with a sapphic romance, definitely check this one out!
Thank you to Netgalley and Norton Young Readers for the arc
I had a lot of fun with this one!! The concept was so fun. I love stories that focus on cryptids or aliens and teens hunting them. It was especially fun as one of the main characters is a vlogger. I think the story had a pretty good pace, it was a bit slow in the middle, but the ending is full of action and big reveals. I wouldn’t say I was surprised by the reveals, but they were satisfying.
I thought both characters were really well done. They each had a very distinct POV and I enjoyed their arcs. I especially liked Claire and found her journey to be moving and I’m so happy she had a happy ending. I quite liked the slowburn between Claire and Lenny. It felt very believable and their chemistry was really great!
If you love alien/cryptid haunting in a small town with a sapphic romance, definitely check this one out!
Thank you to Netgalley and Norton Young Readers for the arc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To say I adored The Monsters We Made would be a gross understatement. It has everything a great book needs and more. Characters you can‘t help but root for. An incredible atmosphere. And an impeccable small-town mystery that feeds into the fear of wondering: Are those eyes glowing back at me just the cattle or something more sinister?
The Monsters We Made is primarily about aliens and finding yourself. And that is a huge strength of this story. The romance doesn't take center stage, and instead Lenny and Claire get the time to find out what they want from life and how they want to continue.
I loved the character growth, and while Lenny's behavior after the split was very mature, I still couldn‘t help wishing for a certain person to step in cow shit and ruin another pair of sneakers on her behalf.
My only gripe with this story is the ending. It's incredibly hard to stick a satisfying landing with such an immersive and tension-filled story, and for me, it didn't 100% work. The end of the last chapter is filled with many hopes for a future that seems VERY optimistic for how the story ends. However, in the epilogue everything worked out surprisingly well, which may not have felt very realistic but is what the characters deserve after everything they have been through.
If paranormal YouTubers, queer teens finding themselves, and a hunt for finding out what the hell is wrong in this small town sound like something you enjoy, I am begging you to pick up this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for providing me with this ARC in return for an honest review.
The Monsters We Made is primarily about aliens and finding yourself. And that is a huge strength of this story. The romance doesn't take center stage, and instead Lenny and Claire get the time to find out what they want from life and how they want to continue.
I loved the character growth, and while Lenny's behavior after the split was very mature, I still couldn‘t help wishing for a certain person to step in cow shit and ruin another pair of sneakers on her behalf.
My only gripe with this story is the ending. It's incredibly hard to stick a satisfying landing with such an immersive and tension-filled story, and for me, it didn't 100% work. The end of the last chapter is filled with many hopes for a future that seems VERY optimistic for how the story ends. However, in the epilogue everything worked out surprisingly well, which may not have felt very realistic but is what the characters deserve after everything they have been through.
If paranormal YouTubers, queer teens finding themselves, and a hunt for finding out what the hell is wrong in this small town sound like something you enjoy, I am begging you to pick up this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for providing me with this ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story takes place in a rural farm town, this town all of a suddenly over 60 years ago started having all sorts of problems with their crops growing, people became sick. It all started not long after someone reported sightings of an "alien" or was it an alien? Who knows as the main eyewitness recanted his statement years later. Paranormal investigators are now on the case to break it to see if there really is something sinister going on in this small quite town and someone paid to keep it silent.
What i loved about this book is the different perspectives of the characters in the story. It let us know what both parties were thinking instead of it being one-sided, the story line was great, it had some holes during the story line, some of which were filled in at almost the last chapter of the book. The book seemed to focus more on the relationships than on the actual paranormal aspect, however, it was still a good book.
What i loved about this book is the different perspectives of the characters in the story. It let us know what both parties were thinking instead of it being one-sided, the story line was great, it had some holes during the story line, some of which were filled in at almost the last chapter of the book. The book seemed to focus more on the relationships than on the actual paranormal aspect, however, it was still a good book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Peyton June, W. W. Norton & Company, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4 / 5 ⭐
First things first, I love cryptids, paranormal things, and overall eerie atmosphere! Second, I love queer romance! Put them together and you get this lovely read: The Monsters We Made.
I really enjoyed this book!!
I found myself on the edge of my seat when reading during suspenseful moments, and Lenny and Claire's relationship seemed to develop in such a natural way. I also really loved the deeper aspects of this book, like delving somewhat into influencer culture and the hardships of that.
I don't typically go for many horror or thriller novels, but this one was actually very nice and bearable for me. I felt very engaged and very intrigued by the plot and all the questions raised! And the fact that everything finally came to light and made sense in the end was very satisfying, and almost gratifying! This was such a fun read!
4 / 5 ⭐
First things first, I love cryptids, paranormal things, and overall eerie atmosphere! Second, I love queer romance! Put them together and you get this lovely read: The Monsters We Made.
I really enjoyed this book!!
I found myself on the edge of my seat when reading during suspenseful moments, and Lenny and Claire's relationship seemed to develop in such a natural way. I also really loved the deeper aspects of this book, like delving somewhat into influencer culture and the hardships of that.
I don't typically go for many horror or thriller novels, but this one was actually very nice and bearable for me. I felt very engaged and very intrigued by the plot and all the questions raised! And the fact that everything finally came to light and made sense in the end was very satisfying, and almost gratifying! This was such a fun read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
I knew I had to read this book from the summary and the cover. The cover is stunning. I love it when the cover accurately represents the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were well-written. I loved most of the quirky cast, except for a few. I read this book more for the vibes, so I don't have any critiques. There are discussions of grief, cancer, a drug-addicted parent, and sexuality. I wouldn't call this book light-hearted. There are heavier topics throughout the book, but it didn't feel like it was drowning me either. This book will be perfect to pick up this Summerween. It has a creepier atmosphere, and the fact that we are following a character who investigates the unusual. I loved the Scooby-Doo reference. If you know, you know. I can't wait to read another book by Peyton June. I would highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Peyton June, and Norton Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I knew I had to read this book from the summary and the cover. The cover is stunning. I love it when the cover accurately represents the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were well-written. I loved most of the quirky cast, except for a few. I read this book more for the vibes, so I don't have any critiques. There are discussions of grief, cancer, a drug-addicted parent, and sexuality. I wouldn't call this book light-hearted. There are heavier topics throughout the book, but it didn't feel like it was drowning me either. This book will be perfect to pick up this Summerween. It has a creepier atmosphere, and the fact that we are following a character who investigates the unusual. I loved the Scooby-Doo reference. If you know, you know. I can't wait to read another book by Peyton June. I would highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Peyton June, and Norton Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.5
Overall I had an enjoyable time reading this one, it took a while to get there but I did enjoy the cryptid/sci-fi mystery combined with the suspicious behaviour of the locals and the small town corruption made for an intriguing plot. I did have some issues with the pacing and was definitely much more interested in the latter half once the reveals started coming. I also had a few issues with the characters, I felt they read a little younger than their stated 18 years and found that many of the relationship dynamics felt quite forced throughout - especially with the romance toward the end. But overall I was definitely intrigued enough to continue and was satisfied with the story.
Thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy!
Overall I had an enjoyable time reading this one, it took a while to get there but I did enjoy the cryptid/sci-fi mystery combined with the suspicious behaviour of the locals and the small town corruption made for an intriguing plot. I did have some issues with the pacing and was definitely much more interested in the latter half once the reveals started coming. I also had a few issues with the characters, I felt they read a little younger than their stated 18 years and found that many of the relationship dynamics felt quite forced throughout - especially with the romance toward the end. But overall I was definitely intrigued enough to continue and was satisfied with the story.
Thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an e arc in exchange for an honest review!
So glad this met my expectations!!! I got the same feeling and vibe as I did while watching the x files, only this time it's teens solving this potentially extra terrestrial mystery. I loved the small town mystery that's been terrorizing the town for 60+ years, and whose people may or may not be hiding some shady secrets. The characters themselves were very likeable and I appreciated getting both POV's! While the main focus of the book is definitely the paranormal thriller aspect, the blooming romance between the two main characters was really sweet, and I liked seeing them turn from reluctant friends to something more.
So glad this met my expectations!!! I got the same feeling and vibe as I did while watching the x files, only this time it's teens solving this potentially extra terrestrial mystery. I loved the small town mystery that's been terrorizing the town for 60+ years, and whose people may or may not be hiding some shady secrets. The characters themselves were very likeable and I appreciated getting both POV's! While the main focus of the book is definitely the paranormal thriller aspect, the blooming romance between the two main characters was really sweet, and I liked seeing them turn from reluctant friends to something more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc copy.
The blurb is what pulled me in, but I will say I did struggle a bit with this one in terms of the pacing. I love the setting, the characters, and the non glamorous side of the influencer life. The dual pov gave it that added bit so that we got to see the story in two perspectives and I loved dual POV story. Along with the dual pov I really enjoyed the pace of the relationship of the main characters and how the side characters added to the storyline. This wasn’t so much of a thriller in my opinion, but I loved the mystery of it. All in all I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
The blurb is what pulled me in, but I will say I did struggle a bit with this one in terms of the pacing. I love the setting, the characters, and the non glamorous side of the influencer life. The dual pov gave it that added bit so that we got to see the story in two perspectives and I loved dual POV story. Along with the dual pov I really enjoyed the pace of the relationship of the main characters and how the side characters added to the storyline. This wasn’t so much of a thriller in my opinion, but I loved the mystery of it. All in all I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Shout out to NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for this ARC! I read The Monsters We Made in the middle of a heat wave, which was the absolute perfect atmosphere for this book. It's incredibly atmospheric, balancing the real life horror of illness, death, and the environment with the horror of potentially paranormal happenings. Peyton June has a talent for weaving a story that feels grounded and incredibly easy to picture. I really enjoyed this book and it will be perfect for a summer release. I'll be recommending it to everyone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It was definitely a slow start. I had to fight through the first 50 pages but once the mysteries and theories started to happen that’s when things got good! Lenny started her paranormal career all from an alien incident that happened in 1960s. The legend is called Old Lucky! And by chance she was able to go to this town and do an investigation all because of an anonymous video. But we learn soon that the anonymous emailer and Lenny get more than that they bargained for one night when “Old Lucky” decides to show up again
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to W. W. Norton & Company for this eARC!
For fans of: The X Files, Watcher
If you love stories about small towns with creepy stories traded down generations like fancy ceramic dishes, then this is the book for you. I couldn't put this book down, it's captivating; a story about a couple hunting UFOs out in the middle of nowhere find a lot more than they bargained for, and learn about themselves on the way.
The Monsters We Made also features queer characters, aliens, and an overall creepy, mysterious story.
Definitely will be picking up a copy when this comes out!
For fans of: The X Files, Watcher
If you love stories about small towns with creepy stories traded down generations like fancy ceramic dishes, then this is the book for you. I couldn't put this book down, it's captivating; a story about a couple hunting UFOs out in the middle of nowhere find a lot more than they bargained for, and learn about themselves on the way.
The Monsters We Made also features queer characters, aliens, and an overall creepy, mysterious story.
Definitely will be picking up a copy when this comes out!
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