(Mostly) Human Resources

Entity Case Files #1

by Grace Viall

Amongst mountains as old as time, the jackalopes and ghouls are the least of your worries.

Working in Human Resources was not what Alexys had in mind when she joined Entity, the company who categorise and manage the monsters and cryptids of the world. But after her dad was killed as a Warden in the Appalachian Mountains, she was filled with noble ideas of carrying on his legacy... from behind the safety of a desk.

But when one of her new Wardens, Elliot, goes missing, her chances of promotion go missing too. Determined to find him safe and sound, she marches off into the mountains to find him herself.

Because Elliot had been talking about sightings of a highly dangerous and never-recorded monster, The Hollow Walker, and she's promised herself that no Warden will ever die on her watch.

Meanwhile Nic, Director of Research and Cataloging, is not one to ignore the words 'never-recorded'. With Alexys, his work nemesis, leading the charge into the mountains, he's not going to let her have all the fun. If he can be the youngest Entity employee to discover a new monster, his name will go down in the annals of cryptozoology... and if it means spending some extra time with Alexys then he's not one to argue.

But Alexys and Nic are about to discover why the Appalachian Mountains are the last place you want to find yourself after dark.

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Paranormal, Fiction, Mystery, Cozy Fantasy

352 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2026

About the author

Having been raised on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains by a pair of bookworms, Grace Viall can usually be found in a randomly selected state park or forest gathering inspiration for her monster-filled fantasy projects. Grace is currently living in Maryland (US) with her husband and two dogs and is an avid reader and book hoarder. She grew up with a grandfather who loved to spin stories around campfires, and that love of storytelling has stayed with her as she pursues her career as an author. Grace’s hope is to give a new life to old stories but with her own special twist.

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mix of horror and romance I didn't know I needed.

This story was so easy to get into. The pacing is fast, the world-building is interesting, and I loved learning about Entity and the monsters.

Alexys and Nic have the best dynamic. Their rivals-to-lovers was done so well. He’s a total know it all and she spent most of the time just being annoyed by everything he said, which made for some top tier banter. Her personality might not be for everyone, but I had the best time with her.

Also... is there something wrong with me?? Because the second Silas showed up, I was immediately wondering if he was a potential love interest. Even with what happened at the end, I’m still thinking maybe…

The horror side of this was the biggest surprise. I didn’t even realize it was going to be gory, but it balanced out the romance so well. I’m already so excited for the next one.

4.5 rounded up because why not

─ ✦ ────

✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: I’m finally starting this ARC and this better be as good as it sounds! 🥺

⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Ricarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my mind I'm in love with this genre that I like to call "corporate fantasy", but in reality these books just never blow me away. Blending fantasy or horror with cozy humor and putting it all into an office environment sounds pretty good to my ears, but I often have a hard time caring about the actual story. And this happened here as well. The story is about this company called Entity that is responsible for everything regarding paranormal creatures. They register sightings of monsters and cryptids, classify them, monitor their activities and send someone to investigate potential dangers on site. Alexys prefers desk work to all of this, though. She works in HR and is the person who supervises the people who do the field work. She's never in contact with any monsters, but she does read the case files meticulously as she is looking for a connection to her own unnatural nightmares. For no apparent reason, Alexys has some kind of nemesis in the company and just doesn't get along with this guy from Researching & Cataloging. Nic is super nerdy about cryptids and obsessed with their habits and he thinks that Alexys is not invested enough or something. I didn't really get why they didn't like each other, but their arguments were very childish and lowkey insufferable to read. I preferred Nic's chapters over those from Alexys, but I didn't like their interactions at all. And then they just turn horny and start losing their minds when they see a spot of bare skin of the other. The two of them of course end up on a field trip together and they do not have a plan whatsoever but still keep arguing about everything. The actual horror creature moments weren't bad, but they just didn't mix well with these characters for me. There's also very little world building and I never got any idea how the existence of monsters shaped civilization. That was just left out completely. However, I can totally see how other readers might enjoy this. It could be easy fun with an unusual premise, but I just couldn't get into this story.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Rina | Worldsbetweenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the arc Aria | Head of Zeus!

„Maybe we aren't supposed to know the secrets or mysteries of the earth, Some things aren't meant to be tagged, studied, and contained.“

🌲workplace rivals
🪾dangerous creatures
🌲Appalachian folklore
🪾forced proximity
🌲rescue hiking trip

What I liked:
- The worldbuilding and the idea of a corporation being tasked with investigating sightings of mystical creatures. The creatures are classified according to different standards and the Human Resources Department is responsible for leading and approving missions carried out by Wardens, who handle the fieldwork across designated areas. There’s also a research and cataloging department, as well as the Reapers, who deal with the most dangerous creatures.
- The setting was right up my alley! A hike through the Appalachian Mountains, full of folkloric creatures, with stories from old witches, strange whistlings in the woods and more than one creepy sighting.

What I didn’t like:
- The ending makes it seem like this book is not a standalone, because a major plot line wasn’t concluded. I know that how a book is marketed is not necessarily the author’s fault, so I won’t consider it in my rating, but I’m not at all a fan of finding out at the end of a book that it isn’t a standalone.
- Despite having lost her father and being a stickler for rules, the protagonist sometimes makes questionably naive and foolish choices. Who, in her position and with her knowledge, would venture alone into creature-haunted woods? She has no plan, no sense of direction, and no real understanding of her surroundings. It felt unrealistic to me that the character would behave that way. In general she behaves a bit headless in a lot of situations.

✍🏻 Writing style: 4/5
👥 Characters: 4/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 4/5
📝 Story & Plot: 3,75/5
✨ Vibes: 4/5

•Is this my go-to genre? yes
•Will I buy a physical copy? yes
•Will I read more books by the author? yes

[justine ⊹ ࣪ ˖ (slump era)]

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⊹₊

pre-read : i've been really intrigued about this book ever since i saw the author talking about it on threads. literally ran to netgalley to put in a request once it was up 🏃🏻‍♀️💨

[Kat]

Ok, so imagine if Supernatural was dedicated specifically to Appalachia, AND was also a romcom. That’s basically (Mostly) Human Resources.

I have absolutely no idea how to review this book, because what I just read felt like such a rough/early product, even for an ARC. I’ll be really curious to flip through a finished copy and see how much it changes.

Looking at the largest possible picture, I did enjoy this! I really liked the overall story, the spooky lore and horror elements, and the Appalachian setting. If you squint, this is a great book.

The problem lies in basically all of the details. The grammar and sentence structure are… creative. The characterization is frustratingly inconsistent for both main characters, and they’re constantly making stupid decisions that make no sense for supposed professionals. The dialogue is also often very awkward, stilted, and juvenile. Because of that, the romance REALLY didn’t work for me; in fact, I’d say I actively disliked it. Alexys’s antagonism toward Nic feels incredibly arbitrary and childish, like it was shoehorned in just to check the “rivals” box, and their (minor) relationship development feels primarily based in attraction, not any real emotional connection or depth.

Also be warned: this is not a standalone! It doesn’t exactly leave on a cliffhanger, but it leaves a lot of threads hanging and is definitely not intended to be satisfying as a self-contained story. I’m intrigued about the direction the plot is going, so I’ll probably read the sequel in spite of my mixed feelings about this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[The Morbid Mama ☠︎︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy SHIT. This book scratched every single itch I try to scratch in a book. The characters were perfection, the story was FANTASTIC, and the abundance of cryptids? TOP. NOTCH. Chapter 37 quite literally had me on the edge of my seat so badly my CHILD almost knocked me off the couch 😭 But nothing compares to the creepishly realistic imagery that Grace filled my head with when describing The Hollow Walker 😱 it gave me so much anxiety, but luckily the chemistry between Alexys and Nic combatted that real quick 🙂‍↔️ Oh and did I mention there are whiskey loving Jackalopes? 🤣

I was lucky enough to do a buddy read with this one and we had so much fun sending our dream casting picks back and forth! 🥰 We definitely have to do that again soon!

Lastly, HUGE thank you to Crooked Lane for my arc of this one! The minute I read that description, I KNEW that book would be made for me!! 😍

[lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book and ended up reading it in around six hours because I simply couldn't put it down.

One of my favourite things about this book was the setting. The mysterious, atmospheric backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains was so cool and genuinely creepy at times, which worked perfectly for me as I've always been slightly terrified of them. The setting felt both fascinating and unsettling, adding so much tension to the story.

I also loved the concept of the story. A monster hunting agency is already such a fun idea, but making Alexys work in HR so perfect and unique. The mix of workplace drama and very real monster dangers was *chefs kiss*.

The relationship between Nic and Alexys was another huge highlight. Their banter had me giggling throughout, and I loved watching them grow from work nemeses into genuine friends. The romance was handled perfectly, it never took over the story and instead felt like a delicious little sprinkle on top. I love a slow burn, so now I desperately need book two because I am absolutely not done with these characters yet.

What really kept me hooked was the way the tone constantly surprised me. It felt fun, witty, and entertaining, and then suddenly something dark and genuinely scary would happen. Several moments completely shocked me in the best possible way and kept me desperate to know what would happen next.

Overall, this was an addictive, atmospheric read with fantastic character dynamics, great humour, and some wonderfully dark twists. I had an amazing time with it and can't wait to continue the series.

[Erin (erinsreadingroom)]

DNF @ 39%

Please note I do include some minor character-related spoilers in this review to best explain my thoughts.

I absolutely loved the premise of this and really wanted to sink my teeth into a story with horror elements as it’s not my typical genre. I was really intrigued by the Appalachian setting alongside the lore behind the many monsters and cryptids that inhabit this world. I enjoyed that their existence was explained as a result of direct evolution from creatures that already existed within their ecosystems which made their presence feel more realistic to believe. I am, however, a little frustrated by the lack of marketing and visibility that this book is actually the first book in a trilogy rather than the standalone that I thought it was going to be. Knowing it was a trilogy going in would’ve massively altered my expectations when getting started on the story as I would’ve understood that this is going to be a plot that takes time to conclude. I can see how strong the concept is and I imagine this would have continued to grow had I carried on reading… but unfortunately my reasoning for DNF-ing is vastly due to the main characters themselves.

For the most part by the 39% point I find myself not particularly caring for neither Nic nor Alexys enough to feel invested in their story. Both characters behave immaturely and seemingly dislike one another for reasons not yet explained which was getting frustrating. The only reason I could discern why Alexys ‘hated’ Nic so much was because he worked within the department that she had initially applied to work in… so it very well could have been as a result of jealously? This is just purely speculation but it’s the only reason that I could come up with using the limited information we have by this point. I still have no idea as to why Nic potentially ‘dislikes’ her in return (if he ever does) and I presume this would be explained later in the story.

Alexys felt like a complete contradiction to me because she declared herself to be an absolute rule follower who is incredible at her job and yet when a Warden under her jurisdiction goes missing… she doesn’t report it to the necessary people within the company? A company whose responsibility it is to keep track of the many monsters and cryptids of the world would surely have an extraction or safeguarding plan in unfortunate situations like these? Alexys held no direct responsibility for Elliot’s disappearance as she explicitly told him to not follow a lead that has not been authorised and yet she’s convinced that she’ll be held at fault by her superiors? What makes it even worse is it seems like her primary reasoning for panicking for a Warden under her care going missing is it meaning she could miss out on the promotion that she’s been coveting. Below is a direct quote which is what leads me to believe this about her character:

“But as much as she wanted help, she couldn't contact anyone at Entity. It would be career suicide, and her father's legacy would be completely ruined.”

Alexys is displaying behaviour that puts her own needs and ambitions above the life of her coworker/employee at this point in the story and I just couldn’t find myself getting past her selfishness and naivety. Her worry for Elliot is secondary to how his disappearance could affect her directly which made her come across as very unlikeable for me. Alexys ultimately ends up feeling determined to save Elliot herself and marches into the forest completely untrained and unprepared with basically no wilderness skills to keep herself alive. She doesn’t carry any reliable, extensive knowledge on cryptids either despite working for a company that specialises in them… so honestly she just came across as selfish, irresponsible and a liability to me.

I have little to no connection to Nic by this point because his inclusion in the story is very little. Something that frustrated me was he incidentally did bear a semblance of responsibility for Elliot’s disappearance because he encouraged his pursuit on an unsanctioned case as it also aligned with his own selfish interests. Nic has coveted the mysterious cryptid that Elliot’s runs away against orders to find for years and finally thinks he has an opening to find it himself. Despite being partially responsible Nic continues to allow Alexys to carry her own guilt (at this point in the story) and refuses to admit to the part that he has played in their circumstances.

Something else that has really bothered me is that Alexys books a hotel room by herself with a singular double bed for somewhere to stay whilst she tries to track Elliot down. She checks into her room to discover two double beds inside instead and thinks nothing of it after a long journey. Nic, deciding himself to tag along without notifying his superiors and therefore lying about why he isn’t in the office, ends up manipulating his way into her hotel room without her consent nor knowledge because the hotel has 'no other rooms available.' Baring in mind by this early point in the story these two people only know each other as distant coworkers. They're not friends or even friendly, so this quite literally is a strange man that has manipulated his way into the hotel room of a sole female traveller. Alexys initially responds in disagreement but the whole thing ends up being brushed aside quickly (I assume) because he's the future LI and ultimately means her no harm. Regardless of his intent, this whole situation made me very uncomfortable to read as that is a very dangerous situation to present a woman in and I really don't appreciate the way the whole thing ends up brushed off.

I will say that I felt really intrigued by Silas’s character and had already formed some theories about who he is based on his interesting dialogue. He seems like a really compelling and complex inclusion that I can see potentially being really important to the overall story.

I’m genuinely really gutted to have not enjoyed (Mostly) Human Resources as I had super high expectations and anticipated this being a new favourite book by the premise alone. It does have a lot of early positive reviews and high ratings so unfortunately I just don’t think that I am the right target audience for this book. I will always encourage readers to try it out for themselves and form their own opinions.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Mostly) Human Resources ✨Review✨
thank you so much partner @alcovepress @crookedlanebooks for the gifted ARC!

(Mostly) Human Resources
by Grace Viall
out now!

About the book 👇🏽

Alexys joined Entity, the secret organization that manages the world’s cryptids hoping to honor her late Warden father from the safety of an HR desk. Focused on earning a promotion, she spends her days overseeing Appalachian Wardens and butting heads with Nic, the infuriatingly attractive Director of Research.

But when a Warden disappears while investigating a dangerous new monster, Alexys heads into the Appalachian wilderness to find him and protect his family from the loss she knows too well. Nic follows, hoping to make a career defining discovery of his own. Forced to work together, the two rivals soon realize the ancient mountains hold far deadlier secrets than jackalopes and ghouls.

My thoughts 💭:

This has to be one of the most creative and entertaining books I’ve read all year! The premise alone had me immediately adding it to my TBR. I’m a sucker for cryptids in books, and when you throw in workplace rivals with a dash of romantic tension, I’ll be there! This definitely leans into the cozy side of fantasy, even with monsters lurking around every corner. The humor and quirky cast made it a fun reading experience. The world was imaginative without feeling overwhelming, and I loved discovering all of the different cryptids along the way. This is a slow burn through and through but a solid set up for book two (that I will totally be reading). I don’t think I’ll forget the jackalopes and their love for whiskey! If cryptid adventures, workplace rivals, and slow burn romance sound like your kind of fun, I recommend adding this one to your TBR!

What to Expect👇🏽
👹 Cryptids galore
🏔️ Appalachian mountain setting
💼 Workplace rivals
❤️‍🔥 Slow-burn romance
✨ Quirky
🧭 Monster hunting
🥃 Whiskey loving jackalopes

Happy reading 📖✨👹🥃💼

[millena ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently I’ve completely lost the ability to check whether a book is a standalone bc this has to be like the tenth time THIS YEAR (!!!) that I’ve started a book and only realized at the very end that it’s getting a sequel 😭

ANYWAY, I have to admit I was a little disappointed but I think that was mostly bc of the expectations I built up beforehand. It felt like it was trying to blend too many genres and ~for me~ it just didn’t quite come together. That said, I can totally understand why it worked so well for so many people.

I liked the characters but the romance didn’t really do much for me and I also found the paranormal elements pretty average. The first few chapters actually made me think I was going to love both a lot more than I ended up doing. Overall, it was still a fun and quick read but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a unique, fun read!

The premise immediately caught my attention. After her father is killed while working as a Warden in the Appalachian Mountains, Alexys decides to follow in his footsteps by joining Entity, the organization responsible for managing the world's monsters and cryptids. Instead of becoming a Warden herself, however, she ends up working in Human Resources, which gave me a good laugh because, apparently, even cryptid organizations need an HR department!

Everything seems fairly routine until one of the Wardens assigned to Alexys disappears while investigating a mysterious new creature. Determined not to lose anyone else on her watch, she heads into the Appalachian Mountains herself to find Elliot before it's too late.

Joining her is Nic, the Director of Research and Cataloging, who has absolutely no intention of letting someone else discover a previously undocumented cryptid before he does. Their shared mission creates a fun dynamic as they venture deeper into the mountains in search of both Elliot and the mysterious creature.

I really enjoyed the concept behind this story. The idea of a company dedicated to cataloging and managing monsters and cryptids felt fresh and unique, and I loved learning more about how the organization operated. It was a fun blend of fantasy, mystery, and adventure that kept me interested throughout. I also liked how the love story between MCs developed.

While I enjoyed the overall story, I occasionally struggled to fully connect with some of the characters, particularly Alexys, and there were moments where the pacing felt a little uneven for me. Even so, neither of those issues took away from how entertaining the overall experience was.

Overall, this was a creative and enjoyable start to what promises to be a fun new series. With its original premise, interesting world-building and plenty of cryptid mystery, I'm definitely curious to see where the next installment takes us.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...

[rose ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“of course, dyre. i wouldn’t want you to have to learn how to interact with other humans.”
“see, this is what i admire most about you, keane. your consideration for others.”

an HR professional and her professional rival must learn to work together if they want to survive what haunts the appalachian mountains after dark.

when her newest warden goes missing in pursuit of a never-recorded monster, alexys is forced to leave her cozy office behind to track him down, nightmares be damned. she didn’t count on nic, director of research and cataloguing, inviting himself along on her rescue mission. alexys might have joined entity to carry on her father’s legacy, but she planned on doing that from the safety of her desk. hiking through the woods of west virginia with an annoying (and annoyingly cute) know-it-all as her only backup? definitely not in her plan—but nic’s encyclopedic knowledge of cryptids might just come in handy, and it turns out his company isn’t so bad either.

not a perfect debut, but an incredibly fun one. (mostly) human resources calls to mind the x-files episodes that mulder and scully spend traipsing through the woods in pursuit of some cryptid or cult. alexys and nic’s dynamic, too, feels strongly inspired mulder and scully. scrap the ever-changing alien storyline and substitute an ever-so-slightly suspicious organization that manages the world’s cryptids (as long as you can afford their fees, of course), and that’s the vibe of (M)HR: what if the x-files was an entire company instead of two weirdos in the FBI’s basement, and two weirdos still ended up investigating rumors of cryptids in small, isolated communities?

there are a few things that kept (M)HR from being a 5-star read for me. i wish the tension between alexys and nic was a little more… well, tense. their relationship is certainly more of a slow burn than most recent books manage (which i always appreciate), but their chemistry was hit or miss for me (particularly at the beginning). the mulder x scully comp is what first prompted me to pick up this book, so i did feel a little let down in that regard—although their banter later made up for it. (and to be fair, pretty much every ship falls short of MSR for me. they are the OTP.)

i also felt like the middle was stronger than the beginning or ending. the reader is dropped into the story quite abruptly, and then the end of alexys and nic’s time in the field escalates very rapidly when i would have liked to explore that part more (specifically some of the choices alexys makes).

that said, i had a great time. a fast-paced adventure, appalachian folklore, monsters, an opposites attract slow burn—what’s not to love? i didn’t want to put it down and i want book 2 right now. it’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for something both a little creepy and a little cozy.

“there are always two sides to a story: the monster and the victim.”

i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

rating: 4.0/5.0 stars

“maybe we aren’t supposed to know the secrets of mysteries of the earth. some things aren’t meant to be tagged, studied, and contained.”

[bee ⭑.ᐟ · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this!

the beginning of this was super promising, but quickly became uninteresting and kind of annoying.
this left me with a lot of questions, where did all these supernatural beings come from? have they always been on earth? how does living alongside them effect everyday life? there seemed to be no worldbuilding around any of this and i really wished there was.
also alexys was incredibly irritating, i know her and nic don’t get along but some of her actions towards him were so unwarranted especially under some instances, i just found her to be annoying. however nic was pretty likeable and i did enjoy his banter. but the two of them constantly bickering i found tiresome, mixed in with the romantic feelings just felt super odd!
the pacing felt slow in between and lost my interest.

[makilah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I was initially very excited to read this book, especially after hearing it compared to one of my favorite TV shows, The X-Files. The premise sounded right up my alley: Alexys Keane works in human resources for a company called Entity that investigates monsters and cryptids. When one of her employees, Elliot, goes missing in the Appalachian Mountains, she has to team up with her workplace nemesis, Nic Dyre, to figure out what happened to him.

Unfortunately, I ended up liking the potential of this book more than the execution.

To start, I loved the idea of paranormal investigators who focus on creatures and cryptids rather than the usual ghosts and hauntings. However, I felt like the book focused far more on Alexys and Nic's romance than on the actual paranormal investigation part. I would say the book was about 70% romance and 30% plot. Going in, I expected them to actually investigate Elliot's disappearance in a sort of Mulder-and-Scully fashion, but that ended up taking a backseat to their relationship.

I also wasn't particularly convinced by Alexys and Nic's relationship either. I found Alexys's treatment of Nic at the beginning of the story incredibly childish, especially for someone who works in human resources. I think her hostility toward him could have been amusing rather than annoying if there had been a better reason for it beyond the fact that he simply gets under her skin. I also found it strange that she spends so much of the book being rude and hostile toward him while simultaneously being very distracted by how attractive he is.

The transition from Alexys being openly hostile toward Nic and Nic finding her behavior amusing to the two of them suddenly developing romantic feelings also felt too abrupt for me. Since it seems like the author plans to continue the series, I think I would have enjoyed their relationship much more if it had more time to develop over the course of multiple books.

The pacing was mostly fine, although there were a few chapters where it felt like all the characters were doing was walking around and talking.

The cryptids, however, were easily my favorite part of the book. I really enjoyed the jackalopes, the Haint, and the Hollow Man; they really gave me a Supernatural/Buzzfeed Unsolved vibe that I really liked. I was genuinely interested in learning more about all the monsters Entity investigates and how the company operates, and I really wish the book had spent more time exploring that side of the story.

Overall, this wasn't a bad read, but I definitely think I went into it with (too) high expectations and it didn't really deliver for me. I'd honestly describe this as more of a fun popcorn read than the X-Files-style paranormal mystery I was hoping for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle Strona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Alexys works in Human Resources, and while it’s not what she always imagined, she’s now joined the Entity who manage monster and cryptids. Alexys’ dad was unfortunately killed while working for the same company, but Alexys wanted to carry on his legacy… but from behind her desk, where she is safe. That is until her Warden, Elliot, goes missing, and she is determined to find him and goes to the mountains for herself. Alexys’ nemesis, Nic, who is the director of Research and Cataloging, ends up following her to the mountains after Alexy ditches him, and they are forced to work together to try and find both Elliot and the Hollow Walker. But the longer they spend together, the closer they become.


I loved the world-building in this book! The author was so descriptive that you feel like you can picture the monsters they are facing and the world she created. The mountains had such a spooky vibe, and I loved it. I also loved the fact that their job is finding these monsters and taking care of them.

I loved Alexys’ character! She was a badass, and I loved to see how her character delved throughout the book. When we first met her, she was shy and scared. But as the story progressed, you could see her coming into who she is as a person, and doing anything she can to save the people she cares about. I also loved the banter between Alexys and Nic!! They were so cute, and I couldn’t stop laughing at their banter.

Overall, I highly enjoyed the book and would recommend it!

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review (and many others) plus essays and booklists are now available on my blog!

Alexys works in the Human Resources department for Entity a company that catalogues, studies, and contains cryptids, attempting to honor the legacy of her father who worked in the field as a Warden and died as a result. Now, one of the Wardens she's meant to oversee goes missing chasing an undiscovered creature called the Hollow Walker, and the only person who can help her search for him is her infuriatingly charming coworker, Nic. Will they be able to overcome their rivalry and maybe even find some common ground before the forest consumes them?

This was largely a miss for me. Based on the description I was hoping for something like a slice-of-life/rom-com set in the SCP foundation (which I need someone to write desperately), and what I got was Supernatural meets Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies, which also sounds fine but is significantly less up my alley. The romance and plot are cute enough but not compelling enough for me personally and it really just became a mystery which I rarely like. It's a little funny and a little scary, but I would have preferred that it picked a lane and really committed.

I had some trouble with the characters too because on the surface I liked Alexys and Nic fine, but good lord, are these people stupid. Like 80s camp horror movie "We should split up!" "I'll check the basement!" "I'll check the attic!" "I'll check the woods!" "Ooh, let me put on this haunted necklace!" levels of stupid. I don't know about you, but if I worked for a company that dealt exclusively in cryptids and I was walking around in a forest I've been told was full of monsters and a cute little boy offered to take me back to his house, personally I would not follow that little boy! Furthermore, if I did follow that little boy and he turned out to be a cryptid trying to kill me, I would not return the next day and once again let that boy lead me somewhere! A secondary location! Absolutely not! Alexys and Nic make a variety of baffling decisions that made me slowly lose empathy for them, topped off by a certain decision that Alexys makes at the end which I understand was out of desperation but also still think was stupid.

Ultimately, I think this just wasn't what I was expecting and it turned out to not be my kind of book. I was also under the impression that this was a standalone, so be aware of that. I'm sure there will be people who this is better suited to, but I won't be continuing the series.

Thank you to Grace Viall and Alcove Press for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy reading!

[Emma (ejm_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

(Mostly) Human Resources has an identity crisis. Having now read the book, I’m honestly not sure where the notion that it is a cosy fantasy came from (and would question a certain book box’s upcoming choice for their cosy fantasy subscription)! From what I can see the author hasn’t described it as such and I didn’t request it thinking it would be cosy. The book is definitely more in line with a horror/paranormal fantasy with a side of humour. The stakes are high and the violence is prevalent!

Now that’s over, let’s get into the story! It feels very original and I love the idea of a global company dealing with the various creatures around the world and what that comes with including office politics and bureaucracy. The world building was done well and anyone who has had an office job can relate to the never ending emails, mandatory reviews and general work frustrations the characters go through. Describing Alexys’s job as HR might be a bit of a stretch but it works for a fun title.

I did like Alexys and Nic but I thought their romance was under developed. They start off as workplace rivals with a lot of banter and snark which felt quite childish at times. Through forced proximity they are then suddenly caring for each other and the L-bomb is being thrown around. I personally didn’t see the shift in their relationship and the lack of honesty between the two of them by the end of the book made it hard to root for their relationship. I know it’s a set up for book two and I hope we see more depth to their relationship as the series continues.

I really liked the folkloric aspect to the book - the various creatures and cryptos of the Appalachians. This was the main reason for requesting the book and I had a fun time reading it. I will be continuing the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

[Mischa (misch_is_bookish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book had me hooked immediately. Appalachian folklore? Say lesssssss! I was so excited to dive into this world and all of its creepy creatures.

Unfortunately, while it started out really strong, it lost me somewhere along the way. I wanted so much more from the world-building. I was hoping to learn more about how these creatures interact with and influence the world around them and honestly, I just wanted to encounter more of them! Instead, the pacing felt slow, with a lot of telling rather than showing. There was so much talking and introspection that it started to drag in places.

I also never really connected with the characters. Alexys annoyed me more often than not, and the fact that she knew so little about her own job frustrated the heck out of me. I feel like I knew more about what not to do than she did in her own line of work. I liked Nic more, but his selfishness and lack of growth is jarring! He had a ton of potential so I'm hoping book 2 will see him being less of an ass. Their romance also didn't work for me. It felt like they went from dislike to all consuming love in the span of a few days, and I just couldn't buy into it.

That said, there are soooo many interesting plot points that I want to see play out that was set up herr. This book very much felt like it was laying the groundwork for book two, and because of that, I definitely plan to continue the series as I have QUESTIONS. I'm hoping the next book grows the world, answers some of my questions, and delivers a more fleshed out world and characters.

Overall, it was still a fun, easy read with a cool af premise, even if the execution didn't quite live up to it for me!

[Temi (temisreads)🧸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐
The cover of this book is just stunning and immediately had me wanting to read this!! Overall, this was a fun read!! The setting of the Appalachian mountains added a deeply visual atmosphere to picture and the plot was entertaining. Cryptids and monsters are a normal part of life and it is Alexys’ job to handle all the paperwork that naturally comes with it. Getting all the background and world building surrounding the monsters was fun and kept me engaged while reading! While the romance was cute, it definitely took a backseat and at times didn’t feel necessary at all. I would have loved more information on. The Entity but knowing this is a series I am hopeful that is to come in the next books! I am interested to see what happens next in the series and where the story is heading!

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Office romance but put them in the appalachian mountain with some creepy folklore creatures. It’s kind of rivals to lovers but it’s more like she finds him attractive, but he is a know-it-all, so she gets easily annoyed with him. She’s also internally fighting off her attraction to him, and he likes the negative attention so he purposely does things that annoy her.

I really vibed with the writing style. I also loved the characters, they felt very real. Their banter was really fun, but I also felt the FMC could be a little too mean sometimes! But he liked it ;)

The pacing felt really slow at first, at about 40% I finally felt like the plot was happening and was confused as to how everything was going to wrap up in the next 60% of the book. Then I realized this is the first book in a series where we are still going to follow our main characters and their journey continues in book 2. There are a lot of things that don’t get wrapped up in the end because of this, but there is a lot of set up for a 2nd book, which is good.

I am definitely interested in reading book 2 when it releases, I’ll have to do a reread of this one though! I am definitely interested in reading more from Grace Viall again in the future, this was a fantastic debut. We need more romance/horror blends out there!

TW: arachnophobia

[Jaylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

(Mostly) Human Resources was an enjoyable and atmospheric read! Full of folkloric creatures and workplace drama, this book did not disappoint. The setting was a highlight of this book along with the cryptids, and I can’t wait to learn more about them. This book sets up for future installments that can go in all kinds of different directions and I’m looking forward to see what the author does with this world and characters.

This book was a unique and fresh blend of genres. With slowburn, tension, and forced proximity, Alexys and Nic’s banter was fun to read. I do feel like it was kind of clunky though and the romance could be a hit or miss. For me, while fun, there were definitely times when their banter became too much affecting the pacing and story. Some decisions from the characters I also did not like, but there’s always room for growth with them.

With the setup of the ending, I’m looking forward to more monster hunting! The monsters were so eerie, especially The Hollow Walker. This book definitely does dip into some darker elements which I’m not complaining about. From the tidbits at the beginning of each chapter to the mysterious characters we meet along the way, I will definitely be checking out the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Jamie Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and was completely blown away when I realized, halfway through, that this was a debut novel. That kind of discovery mid-read is such a rare and exciting feeling, and it just made me appreciate everything about it even more.

The whole premise hooked me right away. Following our main characters as part of a company that hunts down cryptids and monsters was such a fresh and fun concept. The world building was vivid and immersive, and the descriptions of the creatures were detailed enough that I could picture everything clearly. It pulled me in from the very first pages and never let go.

The characters were genuinely loveable, which can be hard to pull off in a duo dynamic. The banter between the two leads was so much fun to read, but what really stood out to me was that it never crossed the line into being mean spirited or demeaning. There was always this underlying layer of respect between them, even when they were getting on each other's nerves. That balance is really hard to get right, and the author nailed it. It felt real and grounded in a way that made me care about both of them so much.

The pacing was also really well done. I never once found myself waiting for a scene to be over or losing interest. Every chapter kept me engaged and wanting to read just one more page. For a debut, this was impressively polished from start to finish, and I will absolutely be watching this author going forward.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced reader copy. This review is entirely my own.

[Beth England · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a fast-paced, gripping and easy read - this one is for you!! I read this in 24hrs, and was utterly hooked. It was a classic case of ‘‘just one more chapter”.

Alexys works in Human Resources at Entity, a company that categorises and manages the world’s cryptids. When one of the Wardens in her area goes missing, she works with Nic (a colleague from the research team) to try to find him.

This book was a combination of urban fantasy, horror, folklore and romance. The setting of the Appalachian Mountains was beautiful, and the author described everything so flawlessly. The scenery, the monsters, the folklore, everything was really easy to understand and immerse into. I really felt like I was there with the characters.

I really loved Alexys as a character. She’s determined and brave, and incredibly selfless. Nic as well really grew on me as the book progressed. Their relationship development was really lovely to read. It gives rivals-to-lovers and forced proximity vibes, and I their banter was brilliant. .

I have so many unanswered questions and I really hope a sequel is in the works?! Overall this book was a delight to read, and I had such an enjoyable time. I can’t wait to read more of this authors works in the future.

[Teagan King · Rating 5 out of 5]

My editorial review:

Cozy, and with just the right amount of adventure and romance, (Mostly) Human Resources deserves to be read with a hot cup of a tea and a snug blanket. Viall has crafted an original world ripe with magic, thrills, and dangerous creatures around every corner. I didn’t want the book to end!”

-Teagan Olivia King, author of SPIT BACK THE BONES

[Sanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect blend of horror fantasy and romance I didn’t know I needed! Set in a very corporate world where there’s an organization that specializes in investigating (as well as researching, cataloging and sometimes exterminating) the sightings of supernatural creatures called Entity where our protagonist, Alexys Keane works in the HR department.

Determined to follow in her late father’s footsteps yet afraid to go actually out in the field, Alexys is content with her very mundane office life. Until one of her Wardens (those responsible for investigating the cryptids and monsters in the wild) goes missing on an unsanctioned mission. Determined to find him, she joins forces with her office arch nemisis, the know-it-all Nic Dyre, a man she literally can’t stand, and travels to the Appalachian Mountains…Whilst traversing through the haunted, ancient landscape, they encounter a variety of monsters including frightening ghouls, vicious Jackalopes, and even the never before seen Hollow Walker—a monster of legends and one of its kind…as well as Nic’s latest obsession. But the Hollow Walker isn’t the deadliest thing in the mountains and sometimes it’s the people who are the real monsters in disguise…

This was such an original and captivating debut read! I loved discovering all the monster and witch lore, and the slow-build relationship between Nic and Alexys was a delight, their banter making me laugh on so many occasions. I think both of these characters were equally strong and complex in their own right. Alexys is full of snark and sass but deep down she’s just a girl with her own insecurities (and nightmares that plague her) just trying to live up to her father’s reputation.

This is not a standalone but rather the beginning of a very intriguing trilogy! The little snippets at the beginning of each chapter taken from interviews, the Entity employee handbook, and grimoire entries from a family called Fairchild in the 1500s were also a nice touch which added to the storyline.

If you like workplace rivals to lovers, banter with a touch of humour and sass, cryptids and monsters which are very much treated as a fact of life amidst the lore and eerie landscape of the Appalachian Mountains, I highly recommend this debut trilogy!

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did you know the Appalachian mountains predate fossilized skeletons? They are densely wooded and notoriously spooky. It’s a perfect setting for things to get weird.

I should have loved this. A bureaucratic organization for weird shit? Regional folklore and monsters? Give me all of it. Unfortunately, this execution did NOT work for me.
Alexys summarizes Nic quite nicely: “You’re a heartless, egotistical bastard, Dyre.” Every interaction for the first 50% of the book shows Nic being a self-centered, condescending prick. He runs off to West Virginian not because he played a role in a warden going missing but for his own gain. Even Nic knows he sucks:

🐇 “There he’d gone again, putting himself first and completely ignoring the people around him in favor of his own goals. Selfish bastard that he was.”

Viall might have tried to make him ND coded but not hard enough. He reads as too self-absorbed and arrogant to care he’s socially awkward.

🐇 “I’m not even trying to make you hate me. It’s just effortless.”

Alexys wasn’t vastly more sympathetic. She was frequently too stupid to live. She’s from Georgia, her dad is on the memorial wall at the agency, and she’s supposedly competent at her desk job but a monument to ineptitude in the field. No satellite GPS, no standard issue safety beacons for wardens, no base knowledge of standard regional cryptids. I can’t root for someone so averse to their own survival.

However you slice it, I cannot abide someone using it as an excuse to be cruel, reckless, or inept. Rivals to lovers usually has quippy banter. Viall’s characters had petty, childish bickering. I’m supposed to root for a grown woman screaming “I hate you” to an odious Brit? Any truces, growth, or relationship development was too little, too late.

I kept reading not for Nic or Alexys but for the monsters and bigger mystery. Viall’s use of place and folklore was excellent. One of the first things you learn about Appalachian lore is never whistle after dark. The second is “If you hear someone call your name and you can’t see who, no, you didn’t.”

The world was great but the characters and relationships were NOT. I did not like either character, I did not buy their feelings changing, and I didn’t like the ending. I would not recommend this. 2.5/5

Side note: Common ravens live all throughout the Appalachian mountain range and can mimic human speech. The lore likely started with these clever corvids.

[ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not going to lie… I’m confused by the ending. Is this not a standalone? I have so many questions and so many plot points I need sewn up!

In all honesty, I put this off for a little while because I wasn’t 100% sure if the genre switch would be my cup of tea, but I had SUCH a fun time. The middle third of this book was so incredibly strong, I couldn’t put it down. Chapter after chapter of interesting story, crazy cryptid characters, and twists I only kinda saw coming.

The premise of this book is so unique, which I have been NEEDING after so many similar books back to back. Alexys works for Entity, a company that hunts monsters that stem from folklore or people seeing them but are not confirmed by science (cryptids). She’s in the HR department and when her Warden Elliot goes on an unsanctioned mission to find the “Hollow Walker” deep in the Appalachian Mountains, she goes after him… with a little help from Nic, head of the research and cataloging department. They encounter countless creatures/monsters/cryptids while searching for Elliot, and the bulk of the book is that search in the woods. Their time in the wilderness with the monsters was so intriguing, I couldn’t stop reading.

My main issue with the book: [redacted for spoilers] Now I feel like a conspiracy theorist because there’s so much left unsaid with this ending!

All in all, this was so incredibly fun, their little quips were a fun reprieve from the intensity of the monsters. If there’s another book, I need quite a few things wrapped up, but I loved it other than those few things!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

[Bethany (is booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked:

-Appalachian folklore and location. It’s a hugely underused location, and those mountains are OLD. The supernatural and Appalachia together is an absolute chefs kiss blend.
-fast paced story, we immediately get thrown in to Alexys’ corporate day to day life.
- Monsters and myth
- Decent Campy fun vs horror balance

What I didn’t:
The writing style lends itself to very ‘telling
And not showing story telling’ , which to me feels very dry and it’s hard for me to connect with story and characters. I also feel the characters other than the side characters actually, didn’t feel as distinctive as they should have.
This was an overreaching issue for me. This won’t be a problem with some readers, I just want my world lived in and to feel for the characters.
When monster inhabit the world I want to know how that affects everyone, normal people and ones that hunt them. Do you see them walking home? Or is it a rare event? Either way, I want to know. I can’t say it hit the mark there either. It seems the Entity is secretive…I just don’t know how that really makes sense.

After about 25-27% the book really picked up for me and I started to really enjoy the mystery element. But the pacing is clunky. I honestly I liked the book but it feels like it could have used a few more rounds of editing and fleshing out some character development.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press/ Alcove for the ARC in exchange for a review!

[Alyssa Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

Thank you, LibraryThing & AlcovePress, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked IMMEDIATELY, I fell in love with our main characters, Nic and Alexys, within the first couple of chapters, and I really liked how we focused more on cryptids and local culture versus a more popular paranormal or supernatural creature like ghosts, demons, or fae. The overall concept and some of the red tape and politics that everyone faces in corporatized worlds really showed depth into their lives and the struggles they faced. Especially with Alexys and her supernatural nightmares, considering she felt like she couldn't afford a more in-depth search into her problems.

Now, Nic and Alexys? ADORE them, their personalities both fit together, yet I KNOW Nic was being annoying on purpose, kindergarten bully style. We really do get to see a rivals-to-friends (and maybe lovers) development in this book that I am very excited to see either: 1.) crash and burn when they learn each others secrets or 2.) develop further and they finally both get the support systems they need and deserve. I fear they are a little trauma-bonded now after the whole 'losing a staff member to a cult that fears an unheard of god and almost (literally) dying' so excited to see how this develops further!

The plot went along nicely though, and the overall vibe was soooo good, very spookey ookey without being too boring or too terrifying, and there is so much depth that is just waiting to be explored. I am angry on Alexys behalf at the ending though because wtf. I shan't spoil it, and I know it will be good development for later books but ugh 😒 did not appreciate it. I also really enjoy the cryptids!! It was so cool to get more history on them and how they are tied into communities and culture, as things to be feared, annoyed with, lived alongside of, and even exterminated like pests. The concept of a corporation that literally just takes care of the cryptids that haunt people like a pest service is so cool, and I am very excited for this to continue.

There were a few typos that I am hoping are just because this is an e-ARC, and sometimes the secrets part of Alexys and Nic's relationship did not vibe with me, but overall, this was a great read, and I would 100% recommend it for a nice fall read.

[Kaitlin Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books | Alcove Press for the eARC.

This takes workplace romcom to a whole new level!

This is such a vivid and imaginative story- an HR representative and a cryptid researcher who get tangled up in mysteries and monsters! Alexys is following in her father's footsteps with her job at Entity. Instead of a Warden, Alexys is an HR rep, which is totally completely fine! She does not desire a life of adventure or excitement.....enter Nic. Her moody and mysterious colleague who unexpectedly shows up to her in person work examination and causes utter chaos.

This is definitely a slower burn. Some of the middle dragged and the pacing was off, which led to me not fully connecting to the MCs. This is part of a series, so there is a lot of setting up for future stories and plotlines, which I understand, but did not realize it was a series going into it!

I just love a new story concept- HR for monster hunting! This was a wholly unique concept and I am excited to see what other creatures we get to meet next. This was a solid debut and start of a series which is set up to be full of twists and turns! I look forward to learning more about the creatures and this immersive world.

Overall, this was a quick, fun read. I enjoyed the premise and while the execution lacked in the middle, the overall effect was still positive. I think this series will only get better with time as the author finds their footing in this supernatural world.