What do you think?
Rate this book
Neon Moon
Darlene Boone is a survivor. For more than a year, she’s been bartending at the famous Teegarden Saloon, a honky tonk in the Texas Hill Country, while attempting to put her life back together in the wake of an abusive past. But when an axe-wielding maniac descends on The Teegarden during one of the bar's busiest nights of the year, Darlene, along with everyone else in the crowded establishment, will have to put down their whiskeys and take up the nearest weapon if they're to survive this unexpected night from hell. No one knows if they'll make it out alive, least of all Darlene, but one thing's for sure no matter Texans don't go down without a fight.
- GenresHorror
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Grace R. Reynolds
22 books57 followersGrace R. Reynolds is a native of the great state of New Jersey, where she was first introduced to the eerie and strange thanks to local urban legends of a devil creeping through the Pine Barrens. Since then, her curiosity with things that go bump in the night bloomed into creative expression as a dark poet, horror, and thriller fiction writer.
When Grace is not writing she can be found dreaming up macabre scenarios inspired by the mundane realities of life. Her debut collection of poetry “Lady of The House” was released in December 2021 by Curious Corvid Publishing.
Connect with Grace at www.spillinggrace.com or follow her on Instagram @spillinggrace.
When Grace is not writing she can be found dreaming up macabre scenarios inspired by the mundane realities of life. Her debut collection of poetry “Lady of The House” was released in December 2021 by Curious Corvid Publishing.
Connect with Grace at www.spillinggrace.com or follow her on Instagram @spillinggrace.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 11, 2026
Neon Moon is a short, fast paced honky tonk slasher about love, friendship, and revenge. The story is primarily told from the POV of Darlene, a waitress at The Teagarden Saloon, which has a famous reputation for country music. The bloody, gruesome story takes place in a single night at the Teagarden with a few chapters that are flashbacks to the past. The writing is poetic at times, unique for a slasher story, and makes sense because reading the acknowledgment chapter you’ll see Grace writes poetry. In a short amount of time I fell in love with Darlene and the tight knit group of friends at the Teagarden, including a curious little marsupial with a cowboy hat.
Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a unique take on the slasher trope with some unexpected plot twists and a fun ending. I look forward to more from Grace Reynolds!
Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a unique take on the slasher trope with some unexpected plot twists and a fun ending. I look forward to more from Grace Reynolds!
May 4, 2026
Neon Moon by Grace Reynolds is a gritty, pulse-pounding story that pairs bloody action with a strong emotional sub plot. Set almost entirely within the chaos of a honky-tonk under siege, the novel thrives on claustrophobic tension. No phone reception, tensions high, shattered bottles. A bachelorette party. Oh, and a psycho with an axe. Every quick decision carries weight. In the novel, we meet Darlene Boone, a protagonist shaped by trauma, but not defined by it. Reynolds handles her past with care, allowing it to influence Darlene's instincts and resilience without reducing her. When violence erupts, Darlene's fight to survive becomes more than simply physical. It's a reclamation of control in a world that has tried to take it from her. The supporting cast adds texture and unpredictability, especially when their hidden secrets surface in the midst of utter chaos. There is a raw and almost defiant sense of place here as well. The Teegarden Saloon feels familiar, loud, and fiercely Texan, grounding the horror and bloodshed in something tangible. Balancing brutality with heart, Neon Moon delivers a tense, character-driven slasher that doesn't ask who will survive, but rather who they will be when they do. Thank you so much Grace for sending me an early copy! You can pick this up when it publishes May 05, 2026 from Dark Matter INK.
December 4, 2025
Grace Reynolds has crafted a perfect, mean, gritty slasher with this horror tale set in a landmark honky tonk. Darlene is a bartender that has been through it, and she brings a don’t mess with me attitude, along with a pet possum, Levi, to her work.
But one night, with the bar filled with regulars and a bridal shower party, a brutal killer strikes, and she has to rely on all her survival skills to make it through the night.
Reynolds clearly knows her slashers, as she plays with the genre norms in fun ways while still delivering the beats we know and love. The kills in this book are honestly horrifying. They are blended with emotion as many of these characters we truly care about, and none of them are quick, easy deaths. They honestly hurt to read and that makes them so effective.
Darlene, our beautiful, smart, resilient final girl is no victim, and she is a fantastic character from beginning to shocking ending. If you are at all interested in slashers, you have to pick this one up.
But one night, with the bar filled with regulars and a bridal shower party, a brutal killer strikes, and she has to rely on all her survival skills to make it through the night.
Reynolds clearly knows her slashers, as she plays with the genre norms in fun ways while still delivering the beats we know and love. The kills in this book are honestly horrifying. They are blended with emotion as many of these characters we truly care about, and none of them are quick, easy deaths. They honestly hurt to read and that makes them so effective.
Darlene, our beautiful, smart, resilient final girl is no victim, and she is a fantastic character from beginning to shocking ending. If you are at all interested in slashers, you have to pick this one up.
March 1, 2026
Neon Moon is the hauntingly poetic journey of a bombshell that two-steps her way into trouble with a man. Darlene Boone is a survivor. Like any daddy with a shotgun, her usuals at the Teegarden helped keep a dark secret to protect their girl. But did they actually do her any favors? Or was the biggest hero of the story actually an opossum with a cowboy hat? Neon Moon releases in May! Check it out.
See additional reviews on my IG page @wyvernscollection
See additional reviews on my IG page @wyvernscollection
April 20, 2026
When I got back into reading a few years gory horror novellas are what kept the train moving. Eventually they all started to feel the same with cardboard characters, sexualized violence cranked so high it’s goofy, and an afterthought of a plot. Neon Moon, the story of a bartender coming back into her own after domestic violence, subverted my expectations after initially being disappointed when I saw its length.
This truly does feel like a slasher movie in the 80s way rather than the Terrifier way. Despite only being 75 pages, Reynolds lets the story build so the deaths are more effective but still fairly brutal. The villain felt the hokiest, reminding me a lot of Leo Johnson, who I also always found hokey. The rest of the characters were well fleshed and unfortunately familiar as a Nashville resident (ugh woo girl bachelorettes).
Big props on the cover too. The raised up mass market skull covers are my fondest memory of getting into adult horror as a kid at the library. Looking forward to more from
Reynolds!
This truly does feel like a slasher movie in the 80s way rather than the Terrifier way. Despite only being 75 pages, Reynolds lets the story build so the deaths are more effective but still fairly brutal. The villain felt the hokiest, reminding me a lot of Leo Johnson, who I also always found hokey. The rest of the characters were well fleshed and unfortunately familiar as a Nashville resident (ugh woo girl bachelorettes).
Big props on the cover too. The raised up mass market skull covers are my fondest memory of getting into adult horror as a kid at the library. Looking forward to more from
Reynolds!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Looking for a bloody romp in a famous Texas dive bar but crave the voice of a polished storyteller? Well, welcome to NEON MOON. Reynolds deftly blends wonderfully tasty prose with an early 90s B-movie horror vibe in this truly enjoyable novella.
Is this a good time to share my disdain for country music? Why would I want to read a story about a famous dive country bar? Because, I’m thirsty for dollar beer night and if anyone can pull this off, it’s Grace Reynolds.
I needed a pallet cleanser, a brief respite from the gothic ocean I normally soak in so, I nudged Reynolds for an ARC. And this story delivered fully on her promise.
Opening the story, her talent is apparent, reminding me of why she’s my favorite poet in the horror game. But Reynolds soon pivots into full-on slasher writer, effortlessly bobbing and weaving between the depths of the two styles. Her voice never fails to reach me. This story has excellent (and often campy) characters, plenty of blood for the slasher crowd, a revenge/redemption story, a dash-o-grief, and a pitcher full of fun.
Entertainment level = high.
Is this a good time to share my disdain for country music? Why would I want to read a story about a famous dive country bar? Because, I’m thirsty for dollar beer night and if anyone can pull this off, it’s Grace Reynolds.
I needed a pallet cleanser, a brief respite from the gothic ocean I normally soak in so, I nudged Reynolds for an ARC. And this story delivered fully on her promise.
Opening the story, her talent is apparent, reminding me of why she’s my favorite poet in the horror game. But Reynolds soon pivots into full-on slasher writer, effortlessly bobbing and weaving between the depths of the two styles. Her voice never fails to reach me. This story has excellent (and often campy) characters, plenty of blood for the slasher crowd, a revenge/redemption story, a dash-o-grief, and a pitcher full of fun.
Entertainment level = high.
Want to Read
April 13, 2026I loved this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What do I, nerd of the masked killer genre, want in a good slasher? Well first I’ll take an isolated location, with its own unique vibe, something a little bit different to what we’ve seen before. Then give me a terrifying killer obviously, and some brutally twisted kills, all from the victim’s POVs to make it that much more poignant. Then, make me care: give me a small cast of friends, and let me root for them. And then, of course, there’s the Final Girl—the haunted past, the dreams up in the air, and a killer come to change her life for good. Mix it all up well enough, and you’ve got a damned good slasher, and in Neon Moon, Grace R. Reynolds has the secret sauce because her debut novella is set at a legendary Texan country music bar where the whisky-swilling and rhinestone-flashing denizens are about to meet a killer set to ruin their honky-tonking good night. And crucially, this book isn’t just a successful rendition of everything I said above, but something with a lyrical beauty all of its own. This is a great slasher, and a big statement from Reynolds.
Plot wise, Darlene is bartender at the famous Teegarden Saloon. She’s also an abuse survivor. And one fateful night, during a busy night at the Saloon, both her, her regulars, the visiting country band and the drunk bridal party will have to contend with a hatchet-wielding maniac who’s descended on the Teegarden to make it a night to remember.
Character wise, I was instantly impressed by Reynolds’ ability to, in the short confines of a novella, quickly make you care about both the barstaff and the barflys at the Teegarden, thanks to her skill with natural dialogue and her ability to get you to care about a character in just a couple of pages. There’s a sense of Texan goodwill here, that sense of found family that’s separate from the religion or more divisive culture some might associate with the South (I may be projecting here—as ever, the reader’s prerogative, I’m afraid—but there’s a feel of a more progressive Texas in this book, of the welcome stereotype-challenging kind). And there’s also a new addition to the “animal companion” library in the form of an opossum (Google it, fellow Brits) which I think makes this my first opossum-centric story, though hopefully not my last. The story, though, belongs to Darlene, and the way Reynolds writes her throughout and ties her story of abuse to the plot without making it define her puts you under no illusion that whether or not she survives the night, she has more than earned her Final Girl status.
But alongside the great character work is a great killer, and I winced at the horrific brutal deaths from the insane hatchet-wielding maniac stalking the Teegarden, all described from the victim’s POVs, many of whom go out with poignant heroism or even a little bit of poetry. I was reminded in this sense of the great work of Brian McAuley’s recent slashers; but Reynolds has an art all of her own here, at the same time brutally and vividly described yet also enhanced by the poetic prose she can clearly pull off. Indeed, there’s a certain dreamlike quality to the whole thing, even as the insane climax hits, like this is all taking place in a honky-tonk nightmare in some sleeper’s mind as they drift off under a Texan moon.
Overall, with a truly horrific killer to remember and characters you’ll come to root for in the unique setting of a Texas honky-tonk saloon, Reynolds gives us some Southern slasher charm with lyrical prose all steeped in a whisky-soaked nightmare of Survivor revenge and Texan grit. An innovative slasher that made me stop my table dancing long enough to take note of an exciting new horror voice.
Plot wise, Darlene is bartender at the famous Teegarden Saloon. She’s also an abuse survivor. And one fateful night, during a busy night at the Saloon, both her, her regulars, the visiting country band and the drunk bridal party will have to contend with a hatchet-wielding maniac who’s descended on the Teegarden to make it a night to remember.
Character wise, I was instantly impressed by Reynolds’ ability to, in the short confines of a novella, quickly make you care about both the barstaff and the barflys at the Teegarden, thanks to her skill with natural dialogue and her ability to get you to care about a character in just a couple of pages. There’s a sense of Texan goodwill here, that sense of found family that’s separate from the religion or more divisive culture some might associate with the South (I may be projecting here—as ever, the reader’s prerogative, I’m afraid—but there’s a feel of a more progressive Texas in this book, of the welcome stereotype-challenging kind). And there’s also a new addition to the “animal companion” library in the form of an opossum (Google it, fellow Brits) which I think makes this my first opossum-centric story, though hopefully not my last. The story, though, belongs to Darlene, and the way Reynolds writes her throughout and ties her story of abuse to the plot without making it define her puts you under no illusion that whether or not she survives the night, she has more than earned her Final Girl status.
But alongside the great character work is a great killer, and I winced at the horrific brutal deaths from the insane hatchet-wielding maniac stalking the Teegarden, all described from the victim’s POVs, many of whom go out with poignant heroism or even a little bit of poetry. I was reminded in this sense of the great work of Brian McAuley’s recent slashers; but Reynolds has an art all of her own here, at the same time brutally and vividly described yet also enhanced by the poetic prose she can clearly pull off. Indeed, there’s a certain dreamlike quality to the whole thing, even as the insane climax hits, like this is all taking place in a honky-tonk nightmare in some sleeper’s mind as they drift off under a Texan moon.
Overall, with a truly horrific killer to remember and characters you’ll come to root for in the unique setting of a Texas honky-tonk saloon, Reynolds gives us some Southern slasher charm with lyrical prose all steeped in a whisky-soaked nightmare of Survivor revenge and Texan grit. An innovative slasher that made me stop my table dancing long enough to take note of an exciting new horror voice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Neon Moon is the story of Darlene, a bartender at the Teegarden Saloon in the Texas Hill Country.
She is trying to rebuild her life after leaving an abusive relationship. Fortunately, she has the support of her boss and the Teegarden’s regulars. Darlene finally seems to be on her way to some kind of “normal.”
That all changes one fateful evening when an axe murderer shows up at the bar and starts hacking and slashing his way through the clientele.
His name is Hatchet, and he has an axe to grind. To have a shot at survival, Darlene will have to summon her fighting spirit once again.
Neon Moon was a really fun read! The author immersed me in the vibrant subculture of a honky-tonk bar. There is live country music, good-natured banter between Darlene and the regulars, an obnoxious bachelorette party, and a shared history of heartbreak and missed opportunities.
As a true horror-comedy, this novella doesn’t take itself seriously, while still delivering on gory kills.
There is a twist near the end of the story, and although it didn’t make a lot of sense, the action kept the momentum going until the last page.
This novella was a pleasure to read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the movies Heart Eyes (2025) and Logan Lucky (2017). The former is a slasher rom-com and the latter is a high-energy comedy set in West Virginia that has a memorable bar fight scene.
Favourite quote:
“Sequin sparkles in meat. Curious. Dazzling. An invitation to try, Hatchet picks up the bedazzled Stetson hat and places it upon his crown. He’s a real rhinestone cowboy now, and he has finally arrived.
Hatchet sucks the crimson delight off his fingers, like BBQ sauce on brisket. For so long he’s been a scavenger, a vulture feasting on highway carrion as he prepared for this special night.”
She is trying to rebuild her life after leaving an abusive relationship. Fortunately, she has the support of her boss and the Teegarden’s regulars. Darlene finally seems to be on her way to some kind of “normal.”
That all changes one fateful evening when an axe murderer shows up at the bar and starts hacking and slashing his way through the clientele.
His name is Hatchet, and he has an axe to grind. To have a shot at survival, Darlene will have to summon her fighting spirit once again.
Neon Moon was a really fun read! The author immersed me in the vibrant subculture of a honky-tonk bar. There is live country music, good-natured banter between Darlene and the regulars, an obnoxious bachelorette party, and a shared history of heartbreak and missed opportunities.
As a true horror-comedy, this novella doesn’t take itself seriously, while still delivering on gory kills.
There is a twist near the end of the story, and although it didn’t make a lot of sense, the action kept the momentum going until the last page.
This novella was a pleasure to read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the movies Heart Eyes (2025) and Logan Lucky (2017). The former is a slasher rom-com and the latter is a high-energy comedy set in West Virginia that has a memorable bar fight scene.
Favourite quote:
“Sequin sparkles in meat. Curious. Dazzling. An invitation to try, Hatchet picks up the bedazzled Stetson hat and places it upon his crown. He’s a real rhinestone cowboy now, and he has finally arrived.
Hatchet sucks the crimson delight off his fingers, like BBQ sauce on brisket. For so long he’s been a scavenger, a vulture feasting on highway carrion as he prepared for this special night.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second I saw this book cover around social media, I knew I had to have it. The hatchet-wielding skeleton cowgirl, the desolate landscape, and THAT TITLE! I grew up on 90s country, so Brooks & Dunn will always catch my attention. If you’re a horror reader, however, you are likely all too aware that the most badass cover and book title can frequently let you down when you realize that the graphic design and snappy premise were really all the author had going on - that, and a good marketing strategy. Because I’ve been disappointed so many times, I was SO PLEASED when Grace R. Reynolds’ new novella did not set the same trap. This blood- and whiskey- soaked Western slasher packs a punch, from both the action standpoint and the backstory. The characters are fully fleshed out without dragging down the breakneck pace. Tough Texan Darlene Boone and her pet opossum, Levi (who wears a tiny cowboy hat AND lives through the horror, according to Reynolds’ thoughtful beginning note) are firing up yet another shift at the Teegarden Saloon with a mix of regulars and tourists - including a boisterous bachelorette party - but they quickly learn it’s not going to be a normal night of live music and slinging liquor. Darkness descends on the saloon when patrons start disappearing, and by the time their absences are noticed, it’s too late for the folks inside. NEON MOON is a tight, gory, and fun-as-hell tale of justice, vengeance, and survival. And in case you missed it THERE IS A PET OPOSSUM WEARING A TINY COWBOY HAT! What else do I have to say?! NEON MOON is out May 5th and you’ll be cryin’ into your beer if you miss out. A Texas-sized thank you to Dark Matter INK and Grace Reynolds for the e-ARC via NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dive Bars & Buckets of Blood - PERFECTION!
Neon Moon by Grace Reynolds is an absolute blast of a slasher. It is fun, unhinged, and unapologetically bloody in all the right ways. Neon Moon follows a group of unlikely regulars visiting their grimy dive bar called Teagarden, where a string of brutal, escalating murders turns a familiar late‑night refuge into something far more dangerous. This book leans into its horror roots, delivering kills that are genuinely disturbing while still maintaining that irresistible, midnight‑movie energy. The kills are the perfect balance for a slasher that knows exactly what it’s doing. Reynolds isn’t afraid to push things just far enough to leave an impression, and it works.
The imagery, especially surrounding the Teagarden dive bar, is pitch‑perfect. You can practically smell the stale beer and neon lights humming in the background, grounding the chaos in a space that feels lived‑in and iconic. The characters are genuinely likable, which only makes the tension sharper and the stakes higher, and their dynamics give the story an extra layer of heart beneath the carnage. At its core, this is just such a fun horror novel. The novel moves fast, the gore is vivid, and the plot is wildly entertaining. The flashbacks paired with the end reveal of this novel had my jaw on the FLOOR. This story is the kind you devour in one sitting. Neon Monn is a slasher that you absolutely have to read this year!
Neon Moon by Grace Reynolds is an absolute blast of a slasher. It is fun, unhinged, and unapologetically bloody in all the right ways. Neon Moon follows a group of unlikely regulars visiting their grimy dive bar called Teagarden, where a string of brutal, escalating murders turns a familiar late‑night refuge into something far more dangerous. This book leans into its horror roots, delivering kills that are genuinely disturbing while still maintaining that irresistible, midnight‑movie energy. The kills are the perfect balance for a slasher that knows exactly what it’s doing. Reynolds isn’t afraid to push things just far enough to leave an impression, and it works.
The imagery, especially surrounding the Teagarden dive bar, is pitch‑perfect. You can practically smell the stale beer and neon lights humming in the background, grounding the chaos in a space that feels lived‑in and iconic. The characters are genuinely likable, which only makes the tension sharper and the stakes higher, and their dynamics give the story an extra layer of heart beneath the carnage. At its core, this is just such a fun horror novel. The novel moves fast, the gore is vivid, and the plot is wildly entertaining. The flashbacks paired with the end reveal of this novel had my jaw on the FLOOR. This story is the kind you devour in one sitting. Neon Monn is a slasher that you absolutely have to read this year!
Review of advance copy received from Author
NEON MOON is the kind of book that reminds you why you love reading. It will immediately draw you in and not let go until the very, blood soaked, crispy end. NEON MOON is as much of a love letter to the Texas Hill Country as it is to classic slashers and final girls.
NEON MOON by Grace R. Reynolds
Published by Dark Matter Magazine
Available May 5, 2026
NEON MOON follows Darlene Boone, a bartender at a legendary honky tonk in the middle of nowhere Texas Hill Country. She's rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive relationship with the help of her bar regulars and beloved pet opossum, Levi. One night, everything at the honky tonk turns to horror as a violent maniac crashes in, leaving a path of destruction in his wake.
Grace's writing is equally beautiful as it is haunting, weaving a story that is equally poetic and bloody throughout the entire story. Everything comes alive, from the sticky linoleum floors, to the smell of old beer on the dance floor. Grace is able to capture the horror that happens that night in such a way that I've never experienced before. The characters feel well worn, like someone you've known your entire life. Even though the story is short, you feel the entire history of these characters with the little time we have with them. Darlene herself is worth every moment of this story, and anyone will fall in love with her and her tenacity.
NEON MOON by Grace R. Reynolds
Published by Dark Matter Magazine
Available May 5, 2026
NEON MOON follows Darlene Boone, a bartender at a legendary honky tonk in the middle of nowhere Texas Hill Country. She's rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive relationship with the help of her bar regulars and beloved pet opossum, Levi. One night, everything at the honky tonk turns to horror as a violent maniac crashes in, leaving a path of destruction in his wake.
Grace's writing is equally beautiful as it is haunting, weaving a story that is equally poetic and bloody throughout the entire story. Everything comes alive, from the sticky linoleum floors, to the smell of old beer on the dance floor. Grace is able to capture the horror that happens that night in such a way that I've never experienced before. The characters feel well worn, like someone you've known your entire life. Even though the story is short, you feel the entire history of these characters with the little time we have with them. Darlene herself is worth every moment of this story, and anyone will fall in love with her and her tenacity.
May 10, 2026
A new twist to a classic slasher trope? Sign-me up! While I’m not sure what I was expecting, the colorful cast of characters helped boost this short story to 3.5⭐️ (rounded up)
The story opens in a very classic slasher way - the predator hunting the prey as they run through a bumpy landscape attempting to find help. It’s here that the metaphors of predator and prey are first introduced and will later be built upon. But most importantly, we learn that the killer is somehow familiar to their victim.
The rest of the story takes place within a local bar, following Darlene - our blonde, curly haired final girl - and a menagerie of cowboys and bachelorettes. As the bar crowd lingers under neon lights, they are slowly picked off one by one in horrifically gruesome ways. So, who is this killer? And what connection do they have to our locals, if any?
Through flashbacks, we learn more about the events that led Darlene to this night - primarily at the hands of her abusive, long-dead, ex-husband. However, we also catch a glimpse into the secrets our other bar patrons may have when looking at the motives of the killer currently terrorizing them.
Unfortunately, I felt like the story really built in the first half but the reveal of who the killer was… well let’s just say it was on the nose. From there, it felt like an inhuman rush to kill everyone, which took away from the cinematic nature of the story to that point.
Overall, it was an interesting read! The author did a wonderful job of blending slasher elements talked about above while containing the story within one setting. Additionally, the gorey action scenes were written to make you squirm and hold your breath!
🍺 Slasher short story
🍺 Colorful cast
🍺 Pet Opossum
🍺 DV
🍺 He gets what he deserves
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
The story opens in a very classic slasher way - the predator hunting the prey as they run through a bumpy landscape attempting to find help. It’s here that the metaphors of predator and prey are first introduced and will later be built upon. But most importantly, we learn that the killer is somehow familiar to their victim.
The rest of the story takes place within a local bar, following Darlene - our blonde, curly haired final girl - and a menagerie of cowboys and bachelorettes. As the bar crowd lingers under neon lights, they are slowly picked off one by one in horrifically gruesome ways. So, who is this killer? And what connection do they have to our locals, if any?
Through flashbacks, we learn more about the events that led Darlene to this night - primarily at the hands of her abusive, long-dead, ex-husband. However, we also catch a glimpse into the secrets our other bar patrons may have when looking at the motives of the killer currently terrorizing them.
Unfortunately, I felt like the story really built in the first half but the reveal of who the killer was… well let’s just say it was on the nose. From there, it felt like an inhuman rush to kill everyone, which took away from the cinematic nature of the story to that point.
Overall, it was an interesting read! The author did a wonderful job of blending slasher elements talked about above while containing the story within one setting. Additionally, the gorey action scenes were written to make you squirm and hold your breath!
🍺 Slasher short story
🍺 Colorful cast
🍺 Pet Opossum
🍺 DV
🍺 He gets what he deserves
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
I knew I had to read this as soon as NetGalley approved me. How could I resist a saloon, live music, an opossum in a cowboy hat, and a hatchet-wielding maniac?
Darlene is our bartender, and she’s really going through it. It’s been a year since her abusive husband’s death, and she’s trying to keep it together while serving a hen party and managing a live band. But their night is violently interrupted by a Leatherface like killer. However. Darlene is done cowering...
The fast pace of the story perfectly amplifies the manic chaos and the characters’ desperate fight for survival. There’s barely a moment to breathe as the gory massacre unfolds.
Despite its short length, the author brilliantly captures the claustrophobic, drunken atmosphere of the Teegarden Saloon and the bloody pulp splattering its walls. "Denim and fringe fold into one another like a patchwork quilt of fabric and skin.”
The writing feels almost poetic at times, evoking just enough emotion to form real, if fleeting, attachments to the characters.
I read this in one sitting, and it absolutely did not disappoint!
I knew I had to read this as soon as NetGalley approved me. How could I resist a saloon, live music, an opossum in a cowboy hat, and a hatchet-wielding maniac?
Darlene is our bartender, and she’s really going through it. It’s been a year since her abusive husband’s death, and she’s trying to keep it together while serving a hen party and managing a live band. But their night is violently interrupted by a Leatherface like killer. However. Darlene is done cowering...
The fast pace of the story perfectly amplifies the manic chaos and the characters’ desperate fight for survival. There’s barely a moment to breathe as the gory massacre unfolds.
Despite its short length, the author brilliantly captures the claustrophobic, drunken atmosphere of the Teegarden Saloon and the bloody pulp splattering its walls. "Denim and fringe fold into one another like a patchwork quilt of fabric and skin.”
The writing feels almost poetic at times, evoking just enough emotion to form real, if fleeting, attachments to the characters.
I read this in one sitting, and it absolutely did not disappoint!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With a yeehaw and a hell yeah love a good contained horror setup, and Neon Moon by Grace R. Reynolds absolutely delivers on that front.
Darlene Boone is already the kind of character I root for. She’s not starting from zero, she’s clawing her way back after surviving an abusive past, and that history sits with her in a way that actually matters once everything goes sideways. When the violence hits, it’s not just about staying alive, it’s about refusing to be powerless again.
And this book does not ease you in. The second that axe shows up, it’s chaos. A packed honky tonk, nowhere to run, and whatever you can grab becomes a weapon. I could feel how tight and loud and out of control everything was. It has that gritty, dive bar energy where you know no one is coming to save you. Reynolds described it so well you can smell the alcohol, the sweat, the testosterone.
Darlene is the heart of this. She’s scared, but she’s done letting fear make her small, and that shift is what kept me locked in. I love a final girl who fights back, and this one earns it.
That said, it’s fast. Like blink-and-you-missed-something fast. Some of the side characters didn’t fully stick for me, but honestly, that almost adds to the panic of it all. People blur when survival is the only thing that matters.
This is a quick, brutal, neon-lit slasher with just enough emotional weight to make it hit harder than expected. If you like your horror intense, contained, and fueled by pure survival instinct, this one works.
Darlene Boone is already the kind of character I root for. She’s not starting from zero, she’s clawing her way back after surviving an abusive past, and that history sits with her in a way that actually matters once everything goes sideways. When the violence hits, it’s not just about staying alive, it’s about refusing to be powerless again.
And this book does not ease you in. The second that axe shows up, it’s chaos. A packed honky tonk, nowhere to run, and whatever you can grab becomes a weapon. I could feel how tight and loud and out of control everything was. It has that gritty, dive bar energy where you know no one is coming to save you. Reynolds described it so well you can smell the alcohol, the sweat, the testosterone.
Darlene is the heart of this. She’s scared, but she’s done letting fear make her small, and that shift is what kept me locked in. I love a final girl who fights back, and this one earns it.
That said, it’s fast. Like blink-and-you-missed-something fast. Some of the side characters didn’t fully stick for me, but honestly, that almost adds to the panic of it all. People blur when survival is the only thing that matters.
This is a quick, brutal, neon-lit slasher with just enough emotional weight to make it hit harder than expected. If you like your horror intense, contained, and fueled by pure survival instinct, this one works.
March 2, 2026
The kitschiest honky tonk west of the Mississippi. Neon Moon takes a classic slasher story, traps it in an isolated dive bar in the Texas Hill Country, and pulls the wool over our eyes with lush prose and fully developed characters who meet an unfortunate end one by glittering cowgirl booted, Stetson hatted one. I read Neon Moon over two hours, unable to put it down. Reynolds's prose was immersive and accessible, giving the most discerning reader a love for a bit of blood and guts. Seeing as I have driven through that backcountry many times, knowing exactly when and where cell service ends, I had a healthy bit of hair standing on my arms reading this. Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy. I truly bloody loved my time in Neon Moon. And I love Levi. Obviously.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
throwing a brutal axe-wielding maniac into a packed honky tonk was already enough to sell me, but what made this work so well was how much personality the setting had. the entire book feels loud, sweaty, chaotic, and claustrophobic in the best way.
darlene was a great lead, tough without feeling invincible, and easy to root for from the start. i also appreciated that the story gave her emotional weight beyond just being a badass final girl.
the pacing is FAST, and once things kick off, it barely lets up. if you want a quiet, atmospheric horror, this is not that. this is blood, panic, and survival mode.
overall, a super entertaining slasher with heart, grit, and enough carnage to keep me happy.
darlene was a great lead, tough without feeling invincible, and easy to root for from the start. i also appreciated that the story gave her emotional weight beyond just being a badass final girl.
the pacing is FAST, and once things kick off, it barely lets up. if you want a quiet, atmospheric horror, this is not that. this is blood, panic, and survival mode.
overall, a super entertaining slasher with heart, grit, and enough carnage to keep me happy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book grabbed me by the belt buckle and tossed me in the saddle from the first line! A pacey novella you can breeze through in one sitting, Neon Moon is one hell of a wild ride. It’s a honkey-tonk slasher with a bad-ass FMC at the reins and let me tell you when I say it does not disappoint with gore… that is a Texas-sized 10-4. If I’m being honest, one scene in particular, (equally creative and spicy) lives rent-free in my brain. IYKYK. Neon Moon brings the familiarity and suspense of the nostalgic slasher we all know and love while blending it with poetic lyricism, a trademark of Reynold’s style.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks NetGalley for an advanced copy!
This book was a great horror read. I am not aware if western horror is a thing, as this was my first western themed horror read but it totally needs to be (if its not already). I loved that this book gave a different story and vibe to many of the same played out horror stories we see done time and time again. It felt original and fresh. The author paints very descriptive scenes, making you feel like you are in the story (this can be a lot if you have a weak stomach, some scenes are gory-beware!). Overall, it was a great and entertaining read. I look forward to more western horrors! Love, Levi's #1 fan!
This book was a great horror read. I am not aware if western horror is a thing, as this was my first western themed horror read but it totally needs to be (if its not already). I loved that this book gave a different story and vibe to many of the same played out horror stories we see done time and time again. It felt original and fresh. The author paints very descriptive scenes, making you feel like you are in the story (this can be a lot if you have a weak stomach, some scenes are gory-beware!). Overall, it was a great and entertaining read. I look forward to more western horrors! Love, Levi's #1 fan!
Read
April 30, 2026Cover and concept are absolutely killer but unfortunately this one didn't land for me. I can see that I'm in the very few people who this didn't work for, and I truly wish it did! I was taken out of the story several times trying to figure out what details I was missing as it felt like I was missing portions of the story? There were some very creative and unique kills that I always appreciate in a slasher, I just ultimately needed a little more.
I will certainly check out future work from this author. Thank you Net Galley, Dark Matter INK, and Xpresso Book tours for the E-ARC! All opinions are my own.
I will certainly check out future work from this author. Thank you Net Galley, Dark Matter INK, and Xpresso Book tours for the E-ARC! All opinions are my own.
May 6, 2026
This one didn't exactly pull me in right away. The bird analogies didn't really work for me and didn't seem to hold any meaning in the end. Unless it was supposed to represent that these people were fragile, easy victims? I'm not sure, and despite being a short book, a lot of it felt over-written. The slasher scenes were descriptive and visceral but then seemed to go on too long and dulled the impact for me. The reveal also felt a little clunky and awkward. Maybe if more time was spent on the lead up and reasoning for that instead of all the other over-written sections, it would have flowed better.
Not a bad read, but not a great one.
Not a bad read, but not a great one.
May 15, 2026
Neon Moon was a fast, fun and very bloody western slasher read with strong revenge-driven energy.
The whole book felt like a chaotic 80s/90s B-movie in the best possible way — over-the-top violence, messy characters and that kind of claustrophobic atmosphere as almost all the action takes place in the same location.
It’s also a very quick read, which made it easy to get through in one or two sittings. If you enjoy gore slashers and fancy something fast and short, this one definitely delivers.
And honestly… the opossum was iconic. It added such a memorable touch to the story.
I’d recommend it to fans of retro slasher movies and fast-paced horror.
Thnak you Netgalley for this ARC!
The whole book felt like a chaotic 80s/90s B-movie in the best possible way — over-the-top violence, messy characters and that kind of claustrophobic atmosphere as almost all the action takes place in the same location.
It’s also a very quick read, which made it easy to get through in one or two sittings. If you enjoy gore slashers and fancy something fast and short, this one definitely delivers.
And honestly… the opossum was iconic. It added such a memorable touch to the story.
I’d recommend it to fans of retro slasher movies and fast-paced horror.
Thnak you Netgalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
YEEHAW! As a girlie born in Texas, that did have a joint Western themed bachelor/bachelorette party in the middle of nowhere, TX, that made it even more fun and even felt personal to me. I loved the atmosphere, I want to go to the Teegarden Saloon! (During the non slashing hours). This was a wildly fun romp in the hay, imaginative, atmospheric and well written, I love all the details about the way clothes, the saloon, how everything looked and felt. Very very fun kills, I had a particularly spicy favorite. LOVED THIS! Thank you Grace for the ARC read! <3
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Introduction: A thrilling, quick read, the start immediately begins to tease you of the horrors yet to come.
Vibes/Impressions/Themes: Brutal, gritty, Honky Tonk, a different type of Western, slasher, bloody, gory
Overall: Reynolds has written a slasher with a heart, with a final girl with past trauma, who you keep routing for (and Levi!). This is great fun, bloody with some pretty horrific deaths, and I love the Honky Tonk setting!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Vibes/Impressions/Themes: Brutal, gritty, Honky Tonk, a different type of Western, slasher, bloody, gory
Overall: Reynolds has written a slasher with a heart, with a final girl with past trauma, who you keep routing for (and Levi!). This is great fun, bloody with some pretty horrific deaths, and I love the Honky Tonk setting!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2026
If you know Grace R Reynolds from her phenomenal poetry collections, you know how reading an instruction manual from IKEA could bring you to tears if she had written it. Neon Moon is a slasher that feels like the sticky, old beer covered, neon sign reflecting floor of a honky tonk. The characters and dialogue are personable and relatable to the point you can smell the old wood. The horror present in this book is unrelenting and all the more anxiety inducing thanks to Reynold’s tremendous ability to firmly place characters in your heart. Protect Levi at all costs. K thx.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC
I'd like to thank Xpresso Book Tours, Dark Matter INK, and NetGalley for the chance to give "Neon Moon" an early read in return for an honest review.
"Neon Moon" is short, sweet, and vicious. It follows a fairly simple plot, but doesn't feel one-note in the slightest. We get a cast of characters that you want to root for, and a villain who does some gnarly kills. It's one hell of a good time, and I enjoyed eating up every bit of this.
Be sure to give "Neon Moon" a gander when it is published on May 5, 2026!
I'd like to thank Xpresso Book Tours, Dark Matter INK, and NetGalley for the chance to give "Neon Moon" an early read in return for an honest review.
"Neon Moon" is short, sweet, and vicious. It follows a fairly simple plot, but doesn't feel one-note in the slightest. We get a cast of characters that you want to root for, and a villain who does some gnarly kills. It's one hell of a good time, and I enjoyed eating up every bit of this.
Be sure to give "Neon Moon" a gander when it is published on May 5, 2026!
May 8, 2026
This is a powerful novella. Reynolds' writing is beautifully poetic as it punches you in the face. This sits firmly in the good 'ole fashioned slasher but carries itself enough to make it unique. Gripped from the start, we experience life in the microcosm of one small remote bar. In just over 100 pages, we get close enough and intertwined with our characters to feel like we've known them our whole lives. A gritty, gory revenge arc with strong female characters. I loved Neon Moon and I'm sure you will too!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*thank you netgalley for the ARC for me to give a honest review*
Woooo where to start. i really enjoyed this book it was a fun ride. The story involves Darlene Boone, a bartender which a new customer who ready to give her the Axe (all pun intended). This is 1st book i read by Grace Reyonlds and was not sure what exact category she wrote in. This is a fun read and i could see this as a campy horror movie in future.
Woooo where to start. i really enjoyed this book it was a fun ride. The story involves Darlene Boone, a bartender which a new customer who ready to give her the Axe (all pun intended). This is 1st book i read by Grace Reyonlds and was not sure what exact category she wrote in. This is a fun read and i could see this as a campy horror movie in future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You can tell Reynold’s has a background in poetry because although this is a slasher, her writing still flows beautifully and paints a vivid picture.
Our badass FMC Darlene has a sidekick opossum who loves French fries!? Sign me up for that!
I loved the small town, honky tonk atmosphere and the take-no-shit attitude of this cast of characters. The kills were brutal and no one was safe.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.
Our badass FMC Darlene has a sidekick opossum who loves French fries!? Sign me up for that!
I loved the small town, honky tonk atmosphere and the take-no-shit attitude of this cast of characters. The kills were brutal and no one was safe.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Welcome to The Teegarden Saloon. Pull up a stool, order a drink, and listen to live music. This is the place to have a bloody good time.
I’m kind of disappointed. I didn’t realize this was a novella. It gave me a sample of what a great book it could have been. The short story had a great premise, good characters, and a sampling of kills. I do recommend this if you are looking for a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews