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Licorice
An instant New York Times bestseller!An instant indie bestseller!A PW Best Book of 2026An Indie Next PickA JLG SelectionA young, and frightened kitten is brought starry-eyed into a new household. A boy named Max is trying desperately to get over the loss of his former beloved pet. But ghosts don’t always enjoy being forgotten. Sometimes they have to make their presence known.Both spine-chilling and heartwarming, funny and charming, Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor winning author Kara LaReau has written a story about fitting in, standing out, overcoming fear, and finding a place called home.In her cage at the Mount Charles Animal Shelter, Kitty has no other choice but to be the captive audience of the opinionated Bunny Van Hopper. But it’s better than the woods. Kitty can still remember the rain that came and swept everything… everyone… away. Here, at least she she has food and company, even if Bunny’s words scare her.And then Max appears at the shelter. Max has adopted all sorts of pets over the years. Rumor has it that he treats all of his pets with care and kindness. And of all the animals at the shelter, he actually chooses her—a scrawny, and scared kitten. Kitty is going to be home at last. But she can’t seem to get Bunny’s words out of her head as Max takes her away in her carrier…“You’re going to regret this! I just know it!” Bunny Van Hopper cries. And perhaps Bunny is right…There is scent lingering in the house on 5 Manderley Road. The scent rises from every chair leg, every carpet fiber, every throw pillow, even inside the bathtub. Everything smells like Licorice. It is the strongest upstairs in Max’s room, almost overpowering. If the smell isn’t enough, Duchess, the family’s old parrot, won’t let Kitty forget that she is a replacement. And soon, Kitty finds herself trapped in the long shadow of the cat that came before her. But is it just a shadow? Or is there something really there on the other side of it…haunting her…Licorice is a fantastically kid-friendly book full of mystery and suspense, for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and Aaron Reynolds.”
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2026
About the author
Kara LaReau
47 books137 followersKara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and at Scholastic Press. Among other celebrated titles, she edited Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and the Mercy Watson series. She is the author of picture books such as UGLY FISH, illustrated by Scott Magoon, Baby Clown, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, and Goodnight Little Monsters, illustrated by Brian Won; chapter book series Witchycakes, illustrated by Ariane Moreira and The Infamous Ratsos, illustrated by Matt Myers; and middle-grade trilogies The ZomBert Chronicles, illustrated by Ryan Andrews, and The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, illustrated by Jen Hill. Kara lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and daughter and their cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 21, 2026
A shelter cat goes home with Max Winter to 5 Manderley Lane.
For Kitty, this is an opportunity she did not think she deserved.
And why does her new house smell so much like Licorice, the previous cat?
Here's what I liked:
🎨The illustrations by Kelly Murphy were fantastic! Really enjoyed the scenes she brought to life for us throughout the book and that amazing cover, too!
🐈⬛ Kitty is our narrator and we see the entire story through her eyes. She has some challenges to overcome including the voice of Bunny Van Hopper taunting her from the shelter and Duchess the parrot's judgmental ways in the Winter home.
📚 I am a big fan of the original masterpiece by Daphne du Maurier. This sounded like a great idea.
While I was intrigued by the premise, now I am wondering if the target audience will really appreciate it when a cat replaces the unnamed narrator in the original Rebecca? Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Available as of October 20, 2026.
For Kitty, this is an opportunity she did not think she deserved.
And why does her new house smell so much like Licorice, the previous cat?
Here's what I liked:
🎨The illustrations by Kelly Murphy were fantastic! Really enjoyed the scenes she brought to life for us throughout the book and that amazing cover, too!
🐈⬛ Kitty is our narrator and we see the entire story through her eyes. She has some challenges to overcome including the voice of Bunny Van Hopper taunting her from the shelter and Duchess the parrot's judgmental ways in the Winter home.
📚 I am a big fan of the original masterpiece by Daphne du Maurier. This sounded like a great idea.
While I was intrigued by the premise, now I am wondering if the target audience will really appreciate it when a cat replaces the unnamed narrator in the original Rebecca? Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Available as of October 20, 2026.
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April 2, 2026no because why ARENT there more retellings of classics reimagined to be about cats? this is a really important question and kara lareau should not be the only one asking it!
August 2, 2026
I don’t cover middle grade books often, but when Scholastic reached out about this ARC, I knew it would be special! I don’t cry often when reading friends, but this one got me!
When Kitty is adopted from the shelter after losing her whole family, Max brings her home and is loving and good. But the scent and memory of Licorice, Max’s previous cat lingers, and Kitty doesn’t know if she is good enough, or just a replacement in Licorice’s shadow.
This book is, truly, amazing. It’s a retelling of Daphne du Maurice’s REBECCA through the eyes of a formerly feral cat, haunted by the spirit of the beloved pet that came before her. It is a kid-friendly, light psychological horror about fitting in, overcoming fear, and finding your place. It’s extremely touching! And you all know I am obsessed with cats. I am so glad that I said yes to this book and didn’t dismiss it due to the intended reading age. This is one that everyone can enjoy. I haven’t been touched by a book like this in a while.
Thank you to Scholastic for the ARC! Book drops 10/20/26 and the final copy has an incredible sprayed edge!
When Kitty is adopted from the shelter after losing her whole family, Max brings her home and is loving and good. But the scent and memory of Licorice, Max’s previous cat lingers, and Kitty doesn’t know if she is good enough, or just a replacement in Licorice’s shadow.
This book is, truly, amazing. It’s a retelling of Daphne du Maurice’s REBECCA through the eyes of a formerly feral cat, haunted by the spirit of the beloved pet that came before her. It is a kid-friendly, light psychological horror about fitting in, overcoming fear, and finding your place. It’s extremely touching! And you all know I am obsessed with cats. I am so glad that I said yes to this book and didn’t dismiss it due to the intended reading age. This is one that everyone can enjoy. I haven’t been touched by a book like this in a while.
Thank you to Scholastic for the ARC! Book drops 10/20/26 and the final copy has an incredible sprayed edge!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Kitty is a feral cat who has been taken into a rescue facility where she has to deal with Bunny Von Hopper, a spoiled and talkative rabbit whose elderly owner had to surrender her. Max Winters and his mother visit the facility to look for a new cat for Max, whose previous cat, Licorice, died under circumstances no one will discuss. Kitty is shy and mangy, but Max takes a liking to her, and she is soon going home with the family to 5 Manderly Lane. There, he meets Fred the turtle, Cookie the hamster (whose sibling Muffin mysteriously disappeared), and Duchess, a parrot owned by several generations of the family. Kitty is a little concerned about the fact that her bed smells like another cat, and there are tufts of black fur around. She's scared of Max's friends, Josh and Bella who frequently comment that Kitty is nothing like Licorice, who was vivacious and daring. This leads Kitty to continually promise herself to "try harder". There is also a neighborhood squirrel, Scur, who makes comments about Kitty "stealing" Licorice's place. Max is wracked with guilt, because he thinks he caused his cat's death, and when his mother thinks she sees Licorice running about the neighborhood, he starts to doubt himself. Is Licorice really dead? When a tree under which the cat is buried must be cut down, Max works himself into a state and demands to look into the box. Shockingly, a teddy bear is there instead of a cat. What secrets are being kept, and what really happened to Licorice?
Strengths: This is certainly an imaginative and innovative way to introduce classic literature to young readers, and I can see people who love cats enjoying this. It's been a long time since I read Rebecca, but it is easy to see how various animals are based on characters in the book, and certainly some of the names are evocative as well. There's a dark undertone to Kitty's story, just like the original; there's some discussion that Licorice may have eaten a hamster, and is certainly suspected of another character's demise. Max's mother is a little wacky, added some humorous mood lightening. Max's grief over his cat is compounded by his guilt.
Weaknesses: The premise of this didn't work for me, but perhaps that is because I am NOT a cat person. My dog Leo didn't hesitate for a minute before making himself comfortable in my deceased dog Pongo's bed, although I did wash all the bedding first. I don't think a cat would worry about another cat being their before, as long as there was food and love. I also have doubts about whether middle school students will have any knowledge of DuMaurier's classic 1938 Gothic novel, or have a desire to see it retold with cats. I seem to be in the minority in these opinions.
What I really think: This is a good choice for cat loving teachers and librarians who really like retellings of classic tales, like Tercier and Aguirre's Dan in Green Gables: A Graphic Novel: A Modern Reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, or Colman's Gilded Girl or Myracle's Incredibly Penelope (reimaginings of Burnett's 1905 A Little Princess), or Yun's Pippa Park, which has elements of Dickens' Great Expectations. I will not be purchasing this for my library.
Kitty is a feral cat who has been taken into a rescue facility where she has to deal with Bunny Von Hopper, a spoiled and talkative rabbit whose elderly owner had to surrender her. Max Winters and his mother visit the facility to look for a new cat for Max, whose previous cat, Licorice, died under circumstances no one will discuss. Kitty is shy and mangy, but Max takes a liking to her, and she is soon going home with the family to 5 Manderly Lane. There, he meets Fred the turtle, Cookie the hamster (whose sibling Muffin mysteriously disappeared), and Duchess, a parrot owned by several generations of the family. Kitty is a little concerned about the fact that her bed smells like another cat, and there are tufts of black fur around. She's scared of Max's friends, Josh and Bella who frequently comment that Kitty is nothing like Licorice, who was vivacious and daring. This leads Kitty to continually promise herself to "try harder". There is also a neighborhood squirrel, Scur, who makes comments about Kitty "stealing" Licorice's place. Max is wracked with guilt, because he thinks he caused his cat's death, and when his mother thinks she sees Licorice running about the neighborhood, he starts to doubt himself. Is Licorice really dead? When a tree under which the cat is buried must be cut down, Max works himself into a state and demands to look into the box. Shockingly, a teddy bear is there instead of a cat. What secrets are being kept, and what really happened to Licorice?
Strengths: This is certainly an imaginative and innovative way to introduce classic literature to young readers, and I can see people who love cats enjoying this. It's been a long time since I read Rebecca, but it is easy to see how various animals are based on characters in the book, and certainly some of the names are evocative as well. There's a dark undertone to Kitty's story, just like the original; there's some discussion that Licorice may have eaten a hamster, and is certainly suspected of another character's demise. Max's mother is a little wacky, added some humorous mood lightening. Max's grief over his cat is compounded by his guilt.
Weaknesses: The premise of this didn't work for me, but perhaps that is because I am NOT a cat person. My dog Leo didn't hesitate for a minute before making himself comfortable in my deceased dog Pongo's bed, although I did wash all the bedding first. I don't think a cat would worry about another cat being their before, as long as there was food and love. I also have doubts about whether middle school students will have any knowledge of DuMaurier's classic 1938 Gothic novel, or have a desire to see it retold with cats. I seem to be in the minority in these opinions.
What I really think: This is a good choice for cat loving teachers and librarians who really like retellings of classic tales, like Tercier and Aguirre's Dan in Green Gables: A Graphic Novel: A Modern Reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, or Colman's Gilded Girl or Myracle's Incredibly Penelope (reimaginings of Burnett's 1905 A Little Princess), or Yun's Pippa Park, which has elements of Dickens' Great Expectations. I will not be purchasing this for my library.
February 8, 2026
Counting books in my reading challenge that I copyedited or proofread. It's only fair. It's a lot of reading I'm not including otherwise!
Such a cute take on du Maurier's Rebecca!!! 😊
Such a cute take on du Maurier's Rebecca!!! 😊
Want to Read
July 30, 2026Described as a "retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca for young readers" with a cat as the main character?? Sign me the f up.
November 14, 2026
This delightful middle-grade novel is basically a retelling of Daphne du Maurier's book, Rebecca. I'm embarrassed to say that I have not read Rebecca, nor seen the movie; however, I still enjoyed reading Licorice. It's touching, a little spooky and quite entertaining. I think upper elementary kids would love it! Plus, who can resist that cover!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to scholastic for sending me this beautiful arc! I love the fact that the twists and turns are so well thought out, and not forced on you. I’m gonna re-read this so many times my book read count will sky rocket!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read this to my 12-year-old daughter. The target audience seemed to really enjoy it. At first, I was a little neutral about the book in terms of my own enjoyment. However, I thought the ending was really great. I would rate this as mildly spooky. I would not put it in the horror category. I thought there was a nice undercurrent theme of picking out your friends wisely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a devout cat person and lover of anthropomorphic novels (especially ones from a cat's POV), I was predisposed to really love this book and, unfortunately, I really didn't.
I thought the book wrapped up marvelously, but the twist came out of left field for me. (I'm not terribly familiar with Rebecca). There was not nearly enough foreshadowing of the truths that were ultimately revealed. Even the book's description from the publisher describes Licorice as Max's former "cherished pet." I grew so impatient and frustrated with Max's behavior toward Kitty - even though I believed he was acting out of grief. Then it turns out, actually, he wasn't? I disliked Josh well before his true nature was revealed. And poor Kitty was so passive and overly eager to please. She seemed to have none of the typical feline spunk and attitude. Even her name was bland, poor thing.
I do know that a lot can change between an ARC and a published book, so I'm hoping this one sharpens up a bit. I do think younger middle grade readers might enjoy Licorice despite the issues I had with it. Though Licorice ending up as a heartless predator complete with bloody fangs might be a bit scary.
I thought the book wrapped up marvelously, but the twist came out of left field for me. (I'm not terribly familiar with Rebecca). There was not nearly enough foreshadowing of the truths that were ultimately revealed. Even the book's description from the publisher describes Licorice as Max's former "cherished pet." I grew so impatient and frustrated with Max's behavior toward Kitty - even though I believed he was acting out of grief. Then it turns out, actually, he wasn't? I disliked Josh well before his true nature was revealed. And poor Kitty was so passive and overly eager to please. She seemed to have none of the typical feline spunk and attitude. Even her name was bland, poor thing.
I do know that a lot can change between an ARC and a published book, so I'm hoping this one sharpens up a bit. I do think younger middle grade readers might enjoy Licorice despite the issues I had with it. Though Licorice ending up as a heartless predator complete with bloody fangs might be a bit scary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 29, 2026and so MAYBE this book made me cry on a public bus! who are you, the crying police?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A young, frightened kitten is brought into a new household, after spending most of its early life outside. The boy named Max, who adopted Kitty, is desperately trying to get over the loss of his former beloved pet. But ghosts don’t always enjoy being forgotten, sometimes they just must make their presence known… Soon Kitty finds herself trapped in the shadows of Licorice, the cat who came before her. Is it just a shadow or is something really haunting her?
This is such a fun, creepy read with even a twist at the end you won’t see coming! From Kitty’s backstory to the fear Kitty feels and the story of Licorice, the emotions certainly run high in this book and when mixed along with a creepy ambiance and a sense of being watched, this is a home run of all things creepy.
This story is a retelling of Daphne du Maurice’s Rebecca and while I have never r4ead Rebecca, this story had me adding it to my TBR. Some are concerned that middle schoolers won’t care about a classic retelling and as someone who hasn’t read Rebecca, I can say that this book stood well enough on its own and I think anyone reading this book will enjoy it without the added comparison. The story being told through the perspective of a cat is such a fun and unique reading experience. The main themes of craving to fit in, overcoming fear, making new friends, and overall, a sense of finding your place in this world was touching and so education, especially for the targeted age group of this read. I will say the book does get a little repetitive, but that doesn’t take away from the atmosphere and emotions that you feel throughout.
The undertones of the spooky vibes mixed with so many coming of age themes and life lessons makes this the perfect read or any middle schooler who enjoys their books with a little twist at the end. And while I am not the target audience, I really enjoyed the read as well. I mean cats and ghosts? What’s not to love?
This is such a fun, creepy read with even a twist at the end you won’t see coming! From Kitty’s backstory to the fear Kitty feels and the story of Licorice, the emotions certainly run high in this book and when mixed along with a creepy ambiance and a sense of being watched, this is a home run of all things creepy.
This story is a retelling of Daphne du Maurice’s Rebecca and while I have never r4ead Rebecca, this story had me adding it to my TBR. Some are concerned that middle schoolers won’t care about a classic retelling and as someone who hasn’t read Rebecca, I can say that this book stood well enough on its own and I think anyone reading this book will enjoy it without the added comparison. The story being told through the perspective of a cat is such a fun and unique reading experience. The main themes of craving to fit in, overcoming fear, making new friends, and overall, a sense of finding your place in this world was touching and so education, especially for the targeted age group of this read. I will say the book does get a little repetitive, but that doesn’t take away from the atmosphere and emotions that you feel throughout.
The undertones of the spooky vibes mixed with so many coming of age themes and life lessons makes this the perfect read or any middle schooler who enjoys their books with a little twist at the end. And while I am not the target audience, I really enjoyed the read as well. I mean cats and ghosts? What’s not to love?
October 27, 2026
If you had told me one of my favorite books of 2026 would be a retelling of Rebecca with cats, a bunny, an African grey parrot and some other assorted animals, I would have said - you know me too well, friend.
THIS BOOK IS GENIUS and I loved it. The sheer audacity to reframe Rebecca as a grade-school chapter book about a feral cat in a shelter named "Kitty," because remember, the protagonist of Rebecca has no name!
Seriously, I am in awe of the chutzpah it took to do this. And it's a damned good book, too.
THIS BOOK IS GENIUS and I loved it. The sheer audacity to reframe Rebecca as a grade-school chapter book about a feral cat in a shelter named "Kitty," because remember, the protagonist of Rebecca has no name!
Seriously, I am in awe of the chutzpah it took to do this. And it's a damned good book, too.
November 2, 2026
rebecca is not especially kid-friendly classic & turning it into a middle grade animal story was just a miss for me...the violence in the story would definitely be upsetting to some readers even if it realistically depicts the predatory nature of cats...best part--just now noticed licorice's body used as the iris in kitty's eye on the cover--clever...
October 21, 2026
I can't believe such a brain exists in this world; someone who thinks, "when I got a new kitten after my older cat died, I was immediately reminded of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca." And then decides an extremely direct Rebecca retelling, but with cats, could be a perfectly appropriate story for middle grade readers. And honestly, despite my complete lack of belief going in, it absolutely works. Life is such a rich tapestry.
September 16, 2026
Thanks to Scholastic for the physical ARC! Love the cover and interior illustrations.
A lonely kitten, a cold crate at the animal shelter. A grieving boy, with a home too recently empty. Together, they share something of an understanding about loss and loneliness, so the boy’s mother allows him to bring her home. Kitty’s fine-tuned senses make for a rather uncomfortable start to her new living situation, as the smell of Licorice pervades everything in reach. She wants to bond with Max, but the smells, sounds, and environment is so much to take in. And worse, the family’s old parrot was a great friend of Licorice, won’t let Kitty forget her, and worst of all, makes her feel lesser. While I haven’t personally read Rebecca by Maurier, I can absolutely picture how this middle grade would play out as a gothic tale with humans.
I really liked how the two characters of Max and Kitty played off each other. Max is stubbornly holding on to the cat he recently lost, and Kitty in a way is holding on to the feral life she just lost, especially as it represented a life where she still had her mother and siblings. They both experience overstimulation from the newness, and their different reactions felt like a good display of grief. As an ex-pet owner myself, I understand the desire for a companion but also the shocking guilt at the idea that you’re moving on. It was so nice to see portrayed on the page, and I think it’s a healthy thing for a young reader to understand. It really can be a learning process on how to coexist with something again, and I loved the fact that Kitty gets her own journey with it too.
As this comes from a gothic tale, there is certainly some spookiness going on! I’m glad for it, as I usually only read middle grade if it’s horror or touching on an important topic (ie. grief), and thankfully this has a bit of both! I can’t exactly pinpoint what, but the air of the story just seems to perfectly lend itself to being told through a cat? Does that make sense? I don’t know, but like, also I do? The new environment mixed with a cat’s senses fit perfectly into a creepy atmospheric piece and I want more. Also it’s always enjoyable to read a story where the humans are flabbergasted in a “tHeRe’S nO wAy ThE pArRoT dId ThIs,” way when the reader knows the parrot totally was letting itself out of the cage. I think that’s one of the reasons why the story works so well.
I enjoyed the mystery and thriller aspects too. As I said, I haven’t read the source material, so there was a point with the cardboard box that I feared things were about to go full Pet Sematary, but they don’t. I had some sneaking suspicions after that that turned out to be true thankfully. More than anything, I liked the ending and the reconciliation. It felt like part of a healing journey I needed to be apart of having lost my friend, too.
Perfect for fans of Rebecca (I’d imagine), middle grade, horror, and cats! All ages can find something to enjoy here.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-licori...
A lonely kitten, a cold crate at the animal shelter. A grieving boy, with a home too recently empty. Together, they share something of an understanding about loss and loneliness, so the boy’s mother allows him to bring her home. Kitty’s fine-tuned senses make for a rather uncomfortable start to her new living situation, as the smell of Licorice pervades everything in reach. She wants to bond with Max, but the smells, sounds, and environment is so much to take in. And worse, the family’s old parrot was a great friend of Licorice, won’t let Kitty forget her, and worst of all, makes her feel lesser. While I haven’t personally read Rebecca by Maurier, I can absolutely picture how this middle grade would play out as a gothic tale with humans.
I really liked how the two characters of Max and Kitty played off each other. Max is stubbornly holding on to the cat he recently lost, and Kitty in a way is holding on to the feral life she just lost, especially as it represented a life where she still had her mother and siblings. They both experience overstimulation from the newness, and their different reactions felt like a good display of grief. As an ex-pet owner myself, I understand the desire for a companion but also the shocking guilt at the idea that you’re moving on. It was so nice to see portrayed on the page, and I think it’s a healthy thing for a young reader to understand. It really can be a learning process on how to coexist with something again, and I loved the fact that Kitty gets her own journey with it too.
As this comes from a gothic tale, there is certainly some spookiness going on! I’m glad for it, as I usually only read middle grade if it’s horror or touching on an important topic (ie. grief), and thankfully this has a bit of both! I can’t exactly pinpoint what, but the air of the story just seems to perfectly lend itself to being told through a cat? Does that make sense? I don’t know, but like, also I do? The new environment mixed with a cat’s senses fit perfectly into a creepy atmospheric piece and I want more. Also it’s always enjoyable to read a story where the humans are flabbergasted in a “tHeRe’S nO wAy ThE pArRoT dId ThIs,” way when the reader knows the parrot totally was letting itself out of the cage. I think that’s one of the reasons why the story works so well.
I enjoyed the mystery and thriller aspects too. As I said, I haven’t read the source material, so there was a point with the cardboard box that I feared things were about to go full Pet Sematary, but they don’t. I had some sneaking suspicions after that that turned out to be true thankfully. More than anything, I liked the ending and the reconciliation. It felt like part of a healing journey I needed to be apart of having lost my friend, too.
Perfect for fans of Rebecca (I’d imagine), middle grade, horror, and cats! All ages can find something to enjoy here.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-licori...
July 22, 2026
Review of advance reader copy provided by NetGalley.
I just loved this book. I can’t wait to get it in the hands of students, and I predict it will spread by word of mouth. This kitten protagonist is scrumptious. Found alone in the woods and brought to an animal shelter, “Kitty” is taken in by a boy grieving the recent loss of his cat, Licorice. The scent and memory of Licorice lingers larger than life. As Kitty tries to fill her shoes, which seems impossible, things in the house get stranger and stranger. In this lovable mystery, there is a lot of intrigue to keep the pages turning. One thing is for sure, you will be rooting for this cuddly cutie to fit in with her new family. Highly recommend!
I just loved this book. I can’t wait to get it in the hands of students, and I predict it will spread by word of mouth. This kitten protagonist is scrumptious. Found alone in the woods and brought to an animal shelter, “Kitty” is taken in by a boy grieving the recent loss of his cat, Licorice. The scent and memory of Licorice lingers larger than life. As Kitty tries to fill her shoes, which seems impossible, things in the house get stranger and stranger. In this lovable mystery, there is a lot of intrigue to keep the pages turning. One thing is for sure, you will be rooting for this cuddly cutie to fit in with her new family. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
All of us just really want a home, don't we?
When a storm washed away her mother and siblings, a feral kitten was found alone in the wild and brought into the local animal shelter. Traumatized and scared of just about everything, she takes to heart advice given to her by the older rabbit who is in a nearby cage (and who has lots of opinions about everything). Bunny convinces her to do her best to be adopted, and somehow she manages to do just that when a kind young boy named Max visits the shelter looking for a new pet to adopt. Kitty, as Max calls her, senses a sadness in Max similar to her own. But settling in to her new home isn't easy at all. There are other household pets, including a supercilious parrot named Duchess who makes it clear that she doesn't think that Kitty belongs there. Kitty soon discovers that Max had another cat before her, a beautiful one named Licorice, and Kitty can smell her everywhere. Most of the other animals don't want to talk about Licorice, but Duchess is only too happy to tell Kitty how she compares to her predecessor. She falls far short in just about every way, and she is afraid that she will never truly belong in this new home....and may even be sent back to the shelter. What happened to Licorice, and will Max ever love Kitty as much as he did her?
Licorice is a middle grade novel that reimagines the classic Gothic story Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier from an adopted cat's point of view. Kitty is an orphan who lost her family and sense of security during a storm, and she blames herself for the loss. Barely able to survive alone in the unforgiving wilderness, she then struggles to adapt to the loud, bright, crowded (but safer) world first inside the shelter and then inside the Winters home on Manderley Lane. Her insecurity makes her easy prey for the critical Duchess, and being surrounded by reminders of Licorice everywhere only worsens her anxiety. She does her best to be just like Licorice, hoping that will make Max love her and want to keep her forever, but eventually learns that finding her own place in the world doesn't mean she has to become someone else. At its heart this is a story that blends together mystery, suspense, a yearning to belong, and a belief in happily ever after, Kitty is a very relatable character, especially for the target age, full of doubt and insecurity and trying her best to fit in to a world she doesn't completely understand. The tale isn't nearly as dark as the book from which author Kara LaReau drew inspiration, but the parallels between the two are cleverly rendered. Fans of Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate and Aaron Reynolds should definitely add this to their TBR pile. I found it heartwarming and just a little spooky, beautifully illustrated, and I was rooting for Kitty and Max to find their happily ever after from the beginning till the end. My thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for allowing me access to this charming story in exchange for my honest review.
When a storm washed away her mother and siblings, a feral kitten was found alone in the wild and brought into the local animal shelter. Traumatized and scared of just about everything, she takes to heart advice given to her by the older rabbit who is in a nearby cage (and who has lots of opinions about everything). Bunny convinces her to do her best to be adopted, and somehow she manages to do just that when a kind young boy named Max visits the shelter looking for a new pet to adopt. Kitty, as Max calls her, senses a sadness in Max similar to her own. But settling in to her new home isn't easy at all. There are other household pets, including a supercilious parrot named Duchess who makes it clear that she doesn't think that Kitty belongs there. Kitty soon discovers that Max had another cat before her, a beautiful one named Licorice, and Kitty can smell her everywhere. Most of the other animals don't want to talk about Licorice, but Duchess is only too happy to tell Kitty how she compares to her predecessor. She falls far short in just about every way, and she is afraid that she will never truly belong in this new home....and may even be sent back to the shelter. What happened to Licorice, and will Max ever love Kitty as much as he did her?
Licorice is a middle grade novel that reimagines the classic Gothic story Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier from an adopted cat's point of view. Kitty is an orphan who lost her family and sense of security during a storm, and she blames herself for the loss. Barely able to survive alone in the unforgiving wilderness, she then struggles to adapt to the loud, bright, crowded (but safer) world first inside the shelter and then inside the Winters home on Manderley Lane. Her insecurity makes her easy prey for the critical Duchess, and being surrounded by reminders of Licorice everywhere only worsens her anxiety. She does her best to be just like Licorice, hoping that will make Max love her and want to keep her forever, but eventually learns that finding her own place in the world doesn't mean she has to become someone else. At its heart this is a story that blends together mystery, suspense, a yearning to belong, and a belief in happily ever after, Kitty is a very relatable character, especially for the target age, full of doubt and insecurity and trying her best to fit in to a world she doesn't completely understand. The tale isn't nearly as dark as the book from which author Kara LaReau drew inspiration, but the parallels between the two are cleverly rendered. Fans of Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate and Aaron Reynolds should definitely add this to their TBR pile. I found it heartwarming and just a little spooky, beautifully illustrated, and I was rooting for Kitty and Max to find their happily ever after from the beginning till the end. My thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for allowing me access to this charming story in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ Gifted by the publisher—thank you so much for the copy! ✨
Licorice by Kara LaReau 🐈⬛👻📖
What an eerie little book! I went into this one familiar with Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca but having never actually read it and now I’m convinced I need to fix that😂 I think knowing the original story would have added another layer to the experience but Licorice absolutely stands on its own as a wonderfully haunting modern gothic tale for younger readers.
Kitty is adopted by a loving family at 5 Manderley Road but it doesn’t take long for her to realize she may not be the only cat lingering in the house. The memory and perhaps something more of the beloved cat who came before her seems to be everywhere🐈⬛👀
I loved the atmosphere of this one. It’s mysterious and a little spooky without being too much and there’s something so intriguing about slowly realizing there may be more than meets the eye. The whole “living in the shadow of the pet who came before you” premise is such a clever way to bring Rebecca to a younger audience.
And my daughter is completely enthralled by the cover and is picking this one up next! I cannot wait to chat with her about it and hear what she thinks of this oh so haunting story🥹📚
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Licorice by Kara LaReau 🐈⬛👻📖
What an eerie little book! I went into this one familiar with Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca but having never actually read it and now I’m convinced I need to fix that😂 I think knowing the original story would have added another layer to the experience but Licorice absolutely stands on its own as a wonderfully haunting modern gothic tale for younger readers.
Kitty is adopted by a loving family at 5 Manderley Road but it doesn’t take long for her to realize she may not be the only cat lingering in the house. The memory and perhaps something more of the beloved cat who came before her seems to be everywhere🐈⬛👀
I loved the atmosphere of this one. It’s mysterious and a little spooky without being too much and there’s something so intriguing about slowly realizing there may be more than meets the eye. The whole “living in the shadow of the pet who came before you” premise is such a clever way to bring Rebecca to a younger audience.
And my daughter is completely enthralled by the cover and is picking this one up next! I cannot wait to chat with her about it and hear what she thinks of this oh so haunting story🥹📚
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
November 13, 2026
A scared little kitten is adopted by a reluctant boy who has just lost his kitty. Do you believe in ghosts, even kitty ghosts that might come back and make their presence known? I am not sure if Max did at first, but it soon became clear to Max that it happens, and this ghost is always getting the Kitten into trouble. The house's parrot and other animals keep their distance, and Kitty can’t figure out why. But do ghosts always stay ghosts?
This is a very different book, and I never saw the ending until it was too late. Licorice is a character that changes depending on who is talking or thinking about her at the time. It seems as if Kitty has some big shoes to fill, but is trying to learn all she can to be the best kitty for Max. She shows a resilience that is not only brave but commendable. Max has his own feelings to work through and is pushed by his mom to pick a new kitty, maybe before he is ready. Max has his friends but is not sure they understand him now. This is a very good book for kids: action, suspense, and mysterious what more can you ask for?
Book provided by NetGalley
This is a very different book, and I never saw the ending until it was too late. Licorice is a character that changes depending on who is talking or thinking about her at the time. It seems as if Kitty has some big shoes to fill, but is trying to learn all she can to be the best kitty for Max. She shows a resilience that is not only brave but commendable. Max has his own feelings to work through and is pushed by his mom to pick a new kitty, maybe before he is ready. Max has his friends but is not sure they understand him now. This is a very good book for kids: action, suspense, and mysterious what more can you ask for?
Book provided by NetGalley
October 29, 2026
What a great retelling of Rebecca! I wasn’t sure how LaReau was going to turn a gothic romance into a gothic boy-and-his-cat tale, but the new roles she creates work quite well within the original storyline. It all comes together with lovely lessons on the importance of trusting yourself, not making assumptions, grappling with grief, and finding out what home means to you. It’s slow and low-stakes enough that I’m not sure how much a young reader would enjoy it, but I’m not the best judge of that.
October 31, 2026
Du Maurier’s Rebecca transformed with a cat protagonist, and an African grey parrot as Mrs. Danvers—I didn’t know I needed this in my life but thank goodness for the NYT book review that made it so. This author clearly loves the original and I got so much joy from seeing how she took those familiar characters and plot elements and so cleverly redid them. It’s age appropriate but still spooky and melancholy and with an ending that makes perfect, delicious sense. The illustrations are a big part of the fun. I wish Joan Fontaine was still alive to read the audiobook lol.
November 11, 2026
“Sometimes I dream about the house at 5 Manderley Lane…”
Licorice is a lovely retelling of the classic Rebecca, reimagined with pets. The book did an excellent job of creating suspense, intrigue and important, difficult lessons for younger readers, while giving some Du Maurier flavour for older readers. I was also getting Kate DiCamillo vibes throughout with the illustrations. Really enjoyed this book and I think it will become a favourite for young readers.
Licorice is a lovely retelling of the classic Rebecca, reimagined with pets. The book did an excellent job of creating suspense, intrigue and important, difficult lessons for younger readers, while giving some Du Maurier flavour for older readers. I was also getting Kate DiCamillo vibes throughout with the illustrations. Really enjoyed this book and I think it will become a favourite for young readers.
October 15, 2026
🩶🐈⬛ This book was such a page-turner. This is a retelling of the classic story, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I loved the eerie atmosphere and the characters you can’t trust. It was so much fun to read and I enjoyed finding out what was going to happen next. This artwork in this book is also beautiful. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a light, eerie story, especially if you like cats.
November 4, 2026
Feline-themed retelling of the novel REBECCA. Well-written, with an appealing lead character in Kitty, and charmingly illustrated. Though geared towards children, it can be appreciated by cat-loving readers of all ages. I really should get around to reading the du Maurier original one day.
October 24, 2026
Kitty is a replacement cat trying to escape the shadow of the former cat, but is it a shadow? Ghosts don’t always like to be forgotten and Licorice is not going to go quietly. This a good choice for cat loving teachers and librarians and will be an easy sell for third grade and up.
October 25, 2026
I would’ve never thought of a re-telling of Rebecca for kids, but here it is! A fun read, plus a gorgeous cover and sprayed edges.
Want to Read
October 19, 2026haven't you always wanted to read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, except if Rebecca was a CAT. this is the funniest thing ever im freaking rolling
October 23, 2026
i think its a great storyline and all but i expected more than what it gave
October 22, 2026
Ummmm. What did I just read? Rebecca. Rewritten for children. With cats. This was insane. And not in a good way.
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