Every October

by Suse Wilcox

Trouble seems to find Jennifer each October, and this year is no different. Her boyfriend stole her idea for a novel, and she is certain she no longer has a best friend. After she becomes entangled with people who remind her of the Addams Family, Jennifer suspects they are involved when her son and his friend go missing on Halloween.

Enjoy this comical and poignant Halloween story, which conveys a message of perseverance in the face of adversity.

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2025

Reviews

[Wendy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every October by Suse Wilcox is an easy read. At 119 pages, this beautifully written book can easily be devoured in one or two sittings. It is a bit of a mixed bag. The author successfully blends humour with the more serious burden of tragedies that beset the protagonist each October. Below the surface, the tale speaks of love, friendship, determination and perseverance. I recommend this as a cozy read for a rainy day.

[Kerisma Vere · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a huge fan of this author and was thrilled to discover another book of hers. "Every October" is both relatable and imaginative. I quite enjoyed the main characters Jennifer and Noah, mother and son, and the way the story wove each of their experiences together. I also found myself wondering how much of the book was based on real life-had the author ever had someone steal a book idea?-because it seemed that real. I took my time reading and savoured the story. It got intense towards the end and I found myself flipping the pages a little faster hoping things would work out well-but wont spoil that for other readers! My favorite passage from the book is a paragraph where Jennifer explains to her son how sometimes once we invest our time into a relationship we often give that person more leniency than is best and how important it is to listen to the red flags and those who try to warn us because they can see what we are not acknowledging-this hit home and I appreciated they way Wilcox explained it. A great read for all ages. Relatable characters, adventure/suspense, & mystery, warm relationships, and great values.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Every October” by Suse Wilcox follows the story of Jennifer, who lost her husband to an accident two years earlier. Although she works as a nurse, Jennifer is also a writer. The story that she wrote, a mystery, has been stolen by her boyfriend, Austin. Austin, now an ex-boyfriend, works in the publishing business, and had been pretending to “help” Jennifer with her story. Secretly, he submitted her work as his own and published it. She meets Gregory at work, and the two being to see each other. Gregory has a strange family that run a funeral home and coincidentally, Jennifer’s teenage son, Noah, is dating Gregory’s niece, Annie. The title refers to a reoccurring spate of mishaps that happen to Jennifer each October, and this year is no exception… This is an unusual and affecting mix of friendship drama and romance.

[Gracie Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every October is a fun and slightly quirky story that blends humor, mystery, and heartfelt moments. Jennifer seems to have terrible luck every October, and this year is no exception after her boyfriend steals her novel idea and her friendship with Ginnie becomes strained.

When her son and his friend go missing on Halloween, the story takes an intriguing turn. The strange neighbors and spooky autumn atmosphere give the book a playful Addams Family–style vibe that makes it a perfect seasonal read.

I especially enjoyed the balance of humor, mystery, and the touching relationship between Jennifer and her son. It’s a quick, entertaining read with a message about perseverance and pushing through difficult moments in life.

[Sheila Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous take on an October gone wrong. Jennifer seems to run into terrible luck right around Halloween each year. This year, her boyfriend steals her book idea and publishes it. They break up and it causes other issues. Like is he stalking her now? She is leaving 1-star reviews for his book making him go nuts.
It’s the comedy of errors that happens next that make the book so much fun to read. The book fair scenes are sad, touching, and hilarious at the same time. But it’s the story of love between Jennifer and her son Noah that gives this story its heart. A charming, funny at times, Halloween short story.

[Sherri Moorer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Jennifer dreads October every year. It seems that something awful happens. While the year that her husband died in a tragic accident was by far the worst, this year is a close second: her boyfriend stole her book idea, she gets in a fight with her best friend, and her son has been hanging out with a weird family and goes missing on Halloween Day.

Every October is a charming, encouraging, and inspirational tale that both makes you feel less alone in your troubles, and gives you comfort of perspective. I love how the chaos of Jennifer’s life points to wisdom and truth, despite her struggles. This is a great, short read that will keep you entertained and leave you inspired.

[J. Domino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elvis has left the building.

A Funeral Home Mystery? Well, Every October by Suse Wilcox takes that trope and presents us with a fun, unique story. The story centers around two best friends, Jennifer and Ginnie, who, despite taking different paths through life, come together to be a success by writing a book about their experiences. When Jennifer’s son and his best friend disappear, the world gets turned upside down.

It’s a fun, easy read, with realistic characters, including one that looks like Elvis. The book occasionally wanders, but then returns to the central theme. Without giving up too much of a spoiler, I’ll summarize the book by saying, “All’s well that ends well.”

[We Love Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every October by Suse Wilcox is a beautifully atmospheric story that captures the feeling of fall in such a vivid, nostalgic way. The writing has a soft, slightly haunting quality that my daughter and I both enjoyed, with the changing season reflecting the emotional undercurrents of the characters. It feels cozy and a little wistful at the same time.

Some of the transitions moved a bit quickly, but overall the tone, mood, and imagery make this a lovely seasonal read. A thoughtful, engaging story that’s perfect for curling up with on a crisp October evening.

[M.J. Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every October is a quirky book that is hard to categorize. It starts out as a typical women's fiction love story, then I thought it was turning into a horror story, only to end up as a teenage coming of age story. It also switches focus from the mother to the son several times. The dialogue is weak in places. Adults sound like young teens. It was also unbelievable that Jennifer (the mother) falls and breaks her arm the way it happened. A cute idea...just needs to decide what kind of book it is to be and who the audience is.

[Mark Smeltz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a little different than my usual fare, but it's set during Halloween--and I'll read just about anything concerning Halloween. This is a pretty light and breezy story: while it touches on ideas like grief and friendship along the way, it's also a comedy. The character Ginnie has a particularly funny moment towards the end, and the Lanken family reads like something between the Munsters and the McPoyles. There are a few story threads I would've liked to see explored a bit more (especially the Lankens), but everyone winds up in a good place by the end.

[Jagdish Arora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful autumn read that blends humor, mild suspense, and heartfelt moments. The story captures the cozy yet slightly eerie feeling of Halloween while focusing on everyday struggles like broken trust, friendship, and resilience. Jennifer is easy to root for, and the bond between her and her son gives the story its emotional core.

Light, quirky, and uplifting, this book is perfect for readers looking for a quick seasonal story with warmth and personality. It’s an enjoyable October pick that leaves you with a smile and a sense of comfort once the last page is turned.

[C.M. Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every October is a charming mix of humor, heart, and Halloween hijinks. Jennifer’s run of bad luck feels real and relatable, and I loved how the story balances laugh out loud moments with a tender look at friendship, motherhood, and perseverance. The oddball neighbors bring a playful spooky vibe, and the missing kids thread adds just enough tension to keep the pages turning. Warm, witty, and satisfying, this is a delightful seasonal read that leaves you smiling.

[Garima Bais · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Every October by Suse Wilcox! Jennifer’s story pulled me in right away. I felt her frustration when her boyfriend stole her novel idea and her heartbreak when her best friend drifted away. Things take such a wild turn when her son and his friend go missing on Halloween. It’s a mix of humor, mystery, and heart, with a great message about staying strong when life gets messy. Perfect cozy Halloween read!

[Pampy Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captures the subtle beauty of memories, change, and unspoken feelings. The writing is gentle yet evocative, drawing readers into moments that feel intimate and deeply human. The story unfolds at a reflective pace, allowing emotions to settle and linger, and stays with you like a familiar season returning each year.

[Rebecca Cathey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author wove several different story lines together and hopped the reader in and out of various characters points of view. The characters a well drawn, and there are few typos or editorial mistakes, which I appreciated. It's a quick read, well paced, and it kept me engaged.