Do Better

by Adam Allen

Two brothers, estranged by the actions of one at the other's wedding rehearsal dinner, must reunite in order to battle an evil that preys on the fears and weaknesses of the most base and primitive of creatures, the white man. As body counts rise and the destruction and chaos erupts across the world, the only way to save themselves is to stop thinking only about themselves.

Genres: Horror, Supernatural

136 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Christine Harrold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply scary, socially conscious, modern horror novella about estranged brothers who need to come together to fight an evil entity haunting lonely men.

Allen confronts, head on, the selfish, self-obsessed young men who have allowed their sense of entitlement to influence their relationships and social expectations.

Clever, approachable, RIGHT NOW storytelling, realistic characters and dialogue, shocking violence and truly scary hauntings, Allen shines a light on the self-made “epidemic of male loneliness” placing the blame where it belongs.

Allen not only told a great story, he had SOMETHING TO SAY, and I appreciate both aspects of Do Better.

[Donna Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tongue-in-cheek look at toxic masculinity, Allen explores the epidemic in a way only a horror author knows how. Through the slow, insidious build-up of all these weird, seemingly unrelated incidents knitting themselves together, you start to see the big picture of a problem that's far larger than a one-off death. And honestly, it looks impossible to solve. Speaking from his own experiences, Allen showcases how no one is safe (my favorite kind of horror), and even the most well-intentioned folks can fall victim to those dastardly voices in their heads. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely, brutal, and very well done - a quick and satisfying read!

[Emma E. Murray]

A quick fun read with some good jump scares and gore, likable characters, plus Benny the dog is an adorable character that gives a bit of comic relief :)

[From The Reader’s Nest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opens, sets the scenes, then is non-stop. At first, the book lays a foundation and you fall in love with Benny, the Corgi, and start to learn about Max’s dysfunctional family relationships.

Very quickly, the book starts laying down creepy weird incidents that are odd but not sure why it’s happening…and then after part 2 and 3 - HOLY SHIT!! It all connects and BOOM you are locked in!

The messaging in this book is so timely and solidly positioned as to why we are here.

Body horror scenes that are going to stay in my head and make you want to hug your dog, for their loyalty and love.

Do Better is using the horror genre as such a tool to teach and expose societal issues and even norms and the implications of we don’t change.

[COQUI · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes Do Better truly distinctive is how masterfully it intertwines horror with the narrative of self-improvement. The unsettling imagery and eerie atmosphere aren’t just for shock, they serve as metaphors for the inner demons we battle every day. Moments of dread and tension are woven through the story’s structure, with each terrifying encounter reflecting a deeper psychological struggle: guilt, stagnation, denial, or the fear of change itself. It uses horror not as decoration but as a storytelling device, allowing the reader to feel the cost of inaction and the weight of self-deception. The result is a haunting yet thought-provoking journey where every scare has meaning, and every shadow reveals a truth we’d rather avoid.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can tell the author poured his heart into every word and page of this novella.

It is a story that is very important for the times we’re living in. There will be one, if not many, characters you relate to yourself or reflect characteristics of someone you know which make this an all too relatable read.

Coupled with the cutest fictional good boy, what else could you ask for?