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EERIE

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A Dark Academia Romantasy

Welcome to Bear Towne University, Alaska—where ancient magic coils through ivy-covered halls; the forest is alive, and falling in love may be the most dangerous mistake of all.

A missing sister. A deadly scholarship. A monster with a crush.

Hailey Hartley has never had a normal life--her dreams bleed into reality, and the nightmares are getting worse. When her sister vanishes without a trace, Hailey's only clue leads her to a place no one's ever heard a secret university for the paranormally curious, hidden deep in the Alaska wilderness.

She didn't think it was real. She definitely didn't say yes. But she got a full ride.

Hailey came to ParaScience University for a fresh start. She didn’t expect restless spirits, carnivorous trees, or a campus built on secrets.

She didn’t expect him.

His eyes burn with knowledge he shouldn't have, and when he touches her, the world trembles. He claims he's the only thing standing between her and a 3,000-year-old monster determined to drag her into the dark. As secrets unravel and attractions ignite, Hailey must decide who to trust--and whether the creature who swears he's protecting her might also be the biggest threat of all.

Inside EERIE, you’ll Forbidden loveDark academiaSupernatural suspenseSlow-burn romanceDeadly secretsA morally complex love interestIf you love romance with consequences, EERIE will haunt you long after the final page.

Perfect for readers who A Discovery of WitchesThe Atlas SixNinth HouseZodiac AcademyA mostly warm, open-door romantasy where monsters are real, dreams are dangerous, and love is lethal.

Magic, monsters, and mayhem await. Enrollment is mandatory. Survival is extra credit.

510 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2025

34 people are currently reading
45 people want to read

About the author

C.M. McCoy

2 books1,009 followers
Yay! See the great things Kirkus Reviews had to say about EERIE: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

I'm an Irish dancer and retired Air Force officer living in the Great White North. Though I hold a B.S. in chemical engineering and German, I'm far happier writing stories involving Alaska and monsters (with an awkward kiss in the mix.) While working 911 dispatch for Alaska State Troopers, I learned to speak in 10-codes, which I still do...but only to annoy my family. In the writerly world, I'm the PR Manager at Inklings Literary Agency. My debut novel, EERIE, is a teen paranoramal with romance and released 15 Dec 2015 through Omnific Publishing/Simon and Schuster. It was featured in an April 2016 issue of PEOPLE. My work is represented by Michelle Johnson.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,468 reviews79 followers
December 28, 2025
4.5 stars
This is one of the best young adult paranormal romance books I have read this year. For a debut novel, CM McCoy has done an impressive job. It includes many elements that I love: it is dark, quirky, suspenseful, and often hilarious.

Eerie is a multilayered tale with threads that may not initially make sense, yet they mesh beautifully. The writing is well-crafted, unique, fun, and magical, while also being heartbreaking at times. What makes it even more exciting is its unpredictably strange nature, which is undeniably appealing. The cast of characters is extensive, featuring banshees, ghosts, carnivorous splinters, murderous staplers, bookworms, poltergeists, and more. You will find some characters that you love to hate and others that you hate to love.

You may find yourself torn between crying and laughing out loud. This is one of those books that can send chills down your spine or make you feel like you've lost your sanity along the way.

This book is a gem that needs to be uncovered page by page, layer by layer; therefore, I won’t give away any spoilers.

But the ending... I eagerly wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Jannie Krout.
20 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2025
First off thank you for letting me be an arc reader. This book was a big page turner for me. I was immediately hooked from the first chapter. The book left me, wanting to know which direction this was gonna go from the very beginning because I very much felt like I was riding along this journey as Hailey was. It was well written well thought out , and I’m very excited for book two. I have so many questions from where this left off and I didn’t see it coming.
Profile Image for Jessica Thomas.
167 reviews11 followers
November 21, 2025
This book was so confusing (IN THE BEST WAY)! I loved how I felt lost in the world and there was so much I had to learn along the way to survive… I loved the FMC she seemed very brave and somehow relatable despite us not having much in common. It was also great watching her try to decide what is best for her and her life… BUT THE END??? Shocked!!!! 😮
52 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2025
5 out of 5 stars

Eerie by C. M. McCoy

This is the first book by the author that I’ve read. I have to say the books I’ve been reading lately are making it hard for me to choose which one is my favorite. Eerie gives me a whole other place to run to when I get lonely and want to run. Asher, Fin, and Hailey are really fun, but can be very confusing. You’ll have to read to get what I mean.

Hailey never thought she would be alone in the world. Without her sister, her parents, or her Uncles. She did have Holly until she took out the trash and never returned. Her Uncles did find her, but it wasn’t good news. Then the bartender, Fin, left her after the funeral of her sister. They were friends, or so she thought. Then there was the guy from her dreams who she didn’t have a name for. Well, not until he told her his name, Asher. She says this to a boy who is trying to hit on her: “No, that’s not it at all, Tage, I just… I don’t… well, I certainly don’t want to hear all about it in history class tomorrow, and even if the galloping gossipers didn’t find out about it directly, they’d sense that something juicy was afoot with their hag antennas— not that you were going to kiss me in the first place, or that I was daydreaming about it on the boat, because I only thought about it for a second when you told me how much you enjoyed seeing Holly and me dancing…”

Asher is an Envoy and is not supposed to be on Earth. He’s supposed to be in the Ather and he can’t go home until one of the girls dies. Holly died and he didn’t do anything to stop it because if he did then he would reveal who is supposed to die. Envoys aren’t supposed to get human feelings because they’re not human and they can die if they do get human emotions. Asher starts to feel these feelings and he wants nothing, but for the other Envoys to go home so he can be with Hailey. He tells Hailey this when they are getting ready for a dinner neither of them want to be at: “Cobon will find us tonight, Hailey. It’s better if we meet him here. He won’t hurt you— I promise. Remain calm in here, Hailey. Do not feed into his madness. Do not enrage him.”
49 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2025
Eerie by C.M. McCoy is a fantastic fantasy book. I loved it and was sucked in quick. I am big fan of Fin. Which after you read you will understand. Asher is interesting and made me go back and forth several times, especially since he doesn’t understand emotions, but he is learning. But you will cheer big for Hailey and her roommate Gisselle. Oh, and I can’t forget Tomas. Ok so I would say so much more, but I don’t want to ruin the book it’s just so good. Ok so I can say this book is great, and there are so many secrets surrounding Hailey and Holly’s family that it keeps you guessing. This is one you cannot figure out right out the gate. But the end!!! OMG! Seriously HAVE TO HAVE THE NEXT BOOK!! Why did you leave us with the end…and not the end!!
1 review
December 6, 2025
I RIDICULOUSLY LOVED THIS BOOK! I never wanted to put it down and I would be over the moon to see these characters come to life for a live action movie! I actually read it twice and I have never done that. Seriously, this book would make the BEST movie! The writer does a great job of changing angles for each of the important figures as the book pivots perspective. I was surprised at the ending (and maybe a little distraught) and even more shocked to find how much my personal view of a main character changed from the beginning to the end. This is a must read book and I will be giving it as a gift to several book-worm friends! PLEASE write book 2 ASAP!!!
Profile Image for Marcy Barth.
297 reviews13 followers
November 11, 2025
Absolutely love this book and I cannot wait for book 2!! Been waiting years for it, in fact.

I love Hailey’s character and how you felt the highs and lows she felt. CM McCoy truly draws you in from the first page and you can’t help but need to complete the book.

The dynamic between Hailey, Fin & Asher makes you flip-flop on what Hailey should do. But secrets and lies tear her apart and you feel as traumatized as Hailey through all of the things she goes through with those two men.

Giselle cracks me up and you can’t help but long for her and Hailey to truly become friends. Frankly, who wouldn’t want to be friends with Giselle? Except maybe Fin of course!! LOL She is so awesome and one of my favorite side-kicks in books.

Hailey is such a lovable character that you only want her to survive & thrive, but will she? Everything about who she is IS stacked against her. Everyone around her seems to only want to use her for some nefarious scheme or another that it’s hard to know who to root for!!

CM McCoy’s writing instantly draws you in and keeps you wanting more. She has such a gift bringing you into the story with the characters. Her writing just flows, if you know what I mean, and is so easy to be captivated be all the characters you cross.

I read this book multiple times years ago when it first came out and never forgot about it, ever, and I’ve read hundreds & hundreds of books since then. To say I’ve been waiting for book two forever is not a lie and I’ve been so excited knowing I’ll get to read it soon!! This one by far is one of my all time favorites.

Highly recommend this book/series. I am positive the next book will be as good if not better than the first. So excited!
Profile Image for Jess.
19 reviews
January 15, 2026
I am very pleasantly surprised with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the world that was created around the paranormal. I was afraid it would be a little too YA for me but it wasn’t at all. Hailey is straight out of high school and into her first year of paranormal college, so keep that in mind when choosing this book if that age range is not your style. There was romance but not much spice 🌶️, which to be honest was quite refreshing in the world of “romantsy” today. I wouldn’t say that the writing style was the absolute best I’ve ever read, but it did the job and kept me engaged and wanting to find out what would happen next. The pacing was a bit off and confusing at times, but it didn’t distract too much from the story. My major complaint throughout the whole story is the way the two male characters treated Hailey. Both are love interests but both suck at being the kind of man a girl would want to be with. There are reasons for both of their behaviors, which you can decide if that gives them a pass or not, but Hailey is very young and innocent and kind of just takes the mistreatment when I wanted to yell at her to stand up for herself. Though I suppose her being such a good, light soul is the reason the men chose her to begin with. I just kept hoping for a little more fight in her. The world building was so fun and a refreshing take on the paranormal. I hope to learn more about Tomas and where he came from and why he latched onto Hailey and her hair. I also hope Matthew is okay after the last bit of action at the end. Team Giselle because you always need a friend to tell you how it is without the fluff. I wish such a college existed, I’d sign up immediately. Anyways, give this book a shot, you won’t be disappointed and I will be one of the first in line when the second comes out later this year.

✨I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.✨
Profile Image for Ariel Jensen.
68 reviews8 followers
January 6, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Breakdown: Characters 9/10 · Atmosphere 9/10 · Writing 8/10 · Plot 8/10 · Intrigue 8/10 · Logic 8/10 · Enjoyment 10/10 · Genre-specific 10/10
Tropes: Fish out of water, love triangle
Spice:🌶️(1/5) A couple kisses and raised heart rates

Eerie is a compelling paranormal romance that excels in atmosphere, character development, and unpredictability. Initially, paranormal elements' clarity is withheld, allowing understanding to unfold gradually alongside the FMC. Rather than creating confusion, this approach strengthens immersion and builds a steady sense of anticipation (Atmosphere 9/10).

The character work is a standout, particularly in the two MMCs, who are written as strong and effective opposites. McCoy reveals their backgrounds in thoughtful layers, providing just enough history to deepen investment without disrupting pacing. This balance made the relationships feel dynamic and well-earned (Characters 9/10).

Plot-wise, Eerie avoids the predictability common in the romance genre. I was consistently engaged, questioning motivations, allegiances, and where the story would ultimately lead. That sense of intrigue—never confusing, but always compelling—was one of the book’s greatest strengths (Intrigue 8/10).

Overall, the writing is solid (8/10), the plot is cohesive (8/10), and within its genre, Eerie stands out (Genre-Specific 10/10). Romance is present but low-spice (limited to kisses and emotional tension), making this an accessible read for both longtime paranormal romance fans and readers new to the genre. This is a book I will happily reread and strongly recommend to veteran paranormal genre readers and those looking to dip their toes in, perhaps for the first time. I eagerly await book two, as it will be an immediate read upon release.
Profile Image for Santana.
399 reviews8 followers
January 3, 2026
Hailey’s life has never been normal. Her dreams blur into reality, the nightmares keep getting worse. When her sister disappears, leaving behind a bloody shoe, the only clue she has leads her to a secret university hidden deep in the Alaskan wilderness. The school studies the paranormal. She did not believe it existed until she was accepted with a full ride even though she never even applied..

ParaScience University is not at all what Hailey hoped for. The campus is dangerous and full of secrets. Plus there is Asher, the boy from her dreams (literally), who claims he is the only thing standing between Hailey and an ancient monster determined to claim her.

Eerie is dark, strange, funny, and completely unpredictable. The worldbuilding is wild in the best way, packed with ghosts, banshees, creepy objects, and characters you will love instantly. The story slowly unfolds piece by piece, and nothing is quite what it seems.

This book hooked me from the first chapter. Hailey is brave, relatable, and easy to root for. Asher is dark and mysterious with a soft side. And that ending shocked me. I need book two immediately.

If you love dark academia, supernatural suspense, and complicated love interests, this one is absolutely worth reading. I am anxiously awaiting the next instalment!
Profile Image for Melissa Saxton.
272 reviews6 followers
January 6, 2026
Hailey Hartley has never been normal, she suffers from utterly realistic dreams that often she immediately cant remember and a fire in her childhood that her parents died in and now its just her sister and "uncle" running an Irish pub, which at least allows her to keep her one love, dancing.

When her sister suddenly goes missing with only a disturbing clue left behind, Hailey is on a mission to find her sister, or at least...what happened to her as everyone seems to be keeping secrets.

But the clues lead to a university in Alaska that she suddenly has a full scholarship to but knows near nothing about, but wanting answers about her sister she goes.
Instant attraction also ignites in a very forbidden pairing leaving her with even further confusion. Shes told by a monster with a inappropriate crush her death can release thousands year old beast from his chains so she'd being protected, but is that the truth?
Who can she trust in a school where the trees are alive and paranormal abounds... is she really being protected or is something more sinister trying to take over?
This one will hook you quick with a loveable main character, slow burn and dark romance and that paranormal academy quirk we all love.
Profile Image for Angela.
8,582 reviews123 followers
December 30, 2025
4 Stars

Eerie by C.M. McCoy is a captivating blend of paranormal suspense, romance, and dark academia that pulled me in from the very first chapter. It gives ‘Zodiac Academy’ vibes – but with its own unique flare and identity.
The novel follows Hailey, a relatable and determined heroine whose life takes a sharp turn when she’s drawn into a world where monsters are real, love can be dangerous, and trust is a rare commodity.
Ms. McCoy’s worldbuilding is rich and immersive – and the paranormal/supernatural elements feel fresh - where the rules of this Eerie universe are revealed in tantalizing layers.
The story leaves things a little ‘open’ - hopefully setting the stage for a series to come – yet it still delivered a satisfying mix of closure and anticipation.
Eerie is perfect for fans of paranormal/fantasy who crave danger, mystery, and a romance that keeps you guessing. It’s a thrilling first installment that promises even more twists to come.
Can’t wait to see where we go from here.
Happy Reading…
Profile Image for Candida Furbush.
832 reviews10 followers
December 31, 2025
I absolutely loved reading this book. This isn't a genre I read very much of but I am so glad I decided to dive right into this one. This book had me going through so many emotions. I had a hard time putting it down once I started. I found this story to be original and rich in detail. There is an array of diverse characters that you will love and some you will hate. This book is dark, dangerous, sad, funny, and some much more. Hailey is extremely strong in a lot of ways and naive in so many others. I enjoyed watching her grow and change with all the things that have happened to her and the new things she has learned. I was a big fan of Giselle, Hailey's roommate from the moment she was introduced. There are so many more things I could say and point out but I don't want to give anything away. I will just say this is a mullet read and I can't wait for book two to come out. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Nancy Williams .
28 reviews4 followers
January 6, 2026
I entered EERIE with the anticipation of truly creepy reading, but what it gave me instead was an atmosphere so thick with tension that it sucked me in from the very first page. The writing is sharp and immersive, making every shadow, sound, and silence feel intentional and disconcerting. I loved how the story builds dread so slowly and without cheap scares-it kept me wondering at all times. The characters seemed real and imperfect, making the eerie things happen to hit even harder. There were points at which I had to step back and breathe because of how intense the suspense was. The pacing was great, neither dragging nor rushing the reveals at all. By the end, it would prove to be just the right kind of fulfilling and creepy. This is definitely a five-star must-read for people like me who enjoy dark, morose tales lingering in memory long after the final page has been turned.
3,104 reviews34 followers
January 16, 2026
When I first started reading EERIE, I expected a typical YA fantasy story that kept my attention for as long as I was reading it and no more. However, this book had so much more to offer and I found that once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop. I absolutely loved reading about Hailey. There as something about her character that drew to me her and I found myself becoming invested in her journey so easily.
The overall story was so interesting. It had a refreshing take in terms of what it had to offer and I couldn’t stop myself from reading this book. The author has created a world that is unique and completely captivating. This was a brilliant book, and even better because it isn’t what I expected.
147 reviews7 followers
January 5, 2026
Eerie by C.M. McCoy is an amazing paranormal romance. Hailey and Holly Hartley work at their uncle’s Irish Pub and Irish Dash there too. They were very close until the day Holly was murdered. Haiely wanted to put as much distance at she could between her home in Pittsburgh and the college that she planned to attend. This finds Hailely at a very unusual school in Alaska where creatures of all kinds attend classes. The world that McCoy creates pulls you into college with Hailey. I didn’t want to put this book down. This story has multiple layers that build upon each other and so many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

131 reviews2 followers
January 15, 2026
I'm having trouble deciding on rating this book between a 3 and a 4. It had its ups and downs for me. Overall, I did enjoy most of it, so I've rated it as a 4. I think the world-building and paranormal/fantasy elements are well-thought-out and well-written. I thought the book was long and moved very slowly in parts. I had issues with the two love interests and their interactions with Hailey. I feel like they led her around, and she let them. It was hard to reconcile that with the heroine she's supposed to be. I think overall that's my biggest issue with the storyline. After that cliffhanger (I was not expecting), I will definitely be reading the next book.
254 reviews5 followers
December 29, 2025
The roller-coaster of emotions that I had from reading this book was insane! I absolutely could not put it down and was very thankful to have a few days off work to get lost in this story! I need the second book ASAP! Someone said this would make a great movie, and I agree completely. I love paranormal stories and this one was really unique. I do like Hailey's character as well as many others. If you enjoy paranormal and books that you just can't put down, this is absolutely one you need to read!
Profile Image for Ember Daley.
273 reviews4 followers
January 7, 2026
Can I have three more stars to give this? This book is a definite 8/10 stars, which is obviously equivalent to 4/5 but I feel like the 4/5 is demeaning. Anyway! I really enjoyed this book. It was very much different than what I read normally, but it was a good different. The characters are very interesting to me and I felt they were well written. I loved the world this author created and I truthfully wasn’t ready to leave. Being my first book from this author, may I have book two? There’s gonna be a second one right?
28 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2026
Ever had a 5 star, un-put-downable book totally sneak up on you? This one did!!! Eerie by cm McCoy is a brilliantly written, paranormal academia with mysterious romance and a WILD ending that has be begging for the next book! I love the story, the characters and their development, the beautiful illustrations at the end of the chapters (I’m team-bring back more illustrations in books please!) it was all wonderful and refreshing. I picked it up to take a peek and then devoured the whole thing in one sitting. Definitely worth it!
355 reviews6 followers
January 18, 2026
This book is a captivating blend of romance, suspense, and supernatural intrigue. The story immediately captivates you with its setting and compelling characters, making it difficult to put down. McCoy’s writing is vivid and engaging, perfectly balancing moments of tension with heartfelt emotion. Fans of paranormal thrillers will appreciate the unique twists and the immersive atmosphere that keeps the pages turning. Overall, EERIE is an exciting and entertaining read that leaves a lasting impression.
Profile Image for Cassidy Newell.
46 reviews
December 26, 2025
I went into this book not fully knowing what to expect. I haven’t read a paranormal book in a long time. I was not disappointed!! The only thing I am disappointed in, is that I have to wait for book 2, and I need it RIGHT NOW. The book starts out with Hailey, having a completely normal life, however when her sister disappears she is thrown into a paranormal world.
The world building is so amazing!! I am going to have to reread this book again and again until book 2 is released!
14 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2026
Eerie started off happy, then got sad very quickly… and then a little weird. The two MMCs were incredibly hard to figure out, which kept me constantly questioning everything. The book ends with a shell-shocking cliffhanger that genuinely caught me off guard. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat, and every chapter feels like a revelation — or a slap to the face. Absolute wild read, and I’ll definitely be picking up book two.
Profile Image for Taylor Bell.
9 reviews3 followers
January 14, 2026
i love a good paranormal story and this one did not disappoint! Eerie is a story about a girl searching for her missing sister and a lot of creepy things happen along the way. If you enjoy fantasy, paranormal mixed with some romance, you will love this book! I enjoyed the love triangle, along with everything else that was happening. Definitley recommend!!
Profile Image for LaliLovely.
98 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2026
This story is very unique & has quite a lot of fun , quirky bits to it . Spooky & suspenseful with a great amount of adventure . Hailee is a sweetheart of a character & I really disliked how she was treated by everyone throughout the book . Asher & Fin both gave me the ick for their immaturity & borderline behavior . The storyline is definitely my favorite part of the book !
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