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Dear Celeste #4
She Writes in Red: A Dear Celeste Novel
After a betrayal shatters her life, Celeste retreats to northern Michigan to start over. But a letter to her
Dear Celeste
advice column pulls her straight into someone else’s nightmare.
Andi, a woman haunted by her childhood, believes the farmhouse she now lives in is cursed. Sixteen years ago, her best friend died after a childhood prank—and she’s convinced the woman who lived in the house had something to do with it.
Now, the house is stirring, and Andi is terrified.
As Celeste investigates, she’s drawn into a chilling puzzle of buried memories, twisted truths, and a presence that refuses to rest.
What begins as a search for answers soon becomes a fight for survival.
If you love dark secrets, haunted houses, and slow-burn terror, don’t miss She Writes in Red.
Andi, a woman haunted by her childhood, believes the farmhouse she now lives in is cursed. Sixteen years ago, her best friend died after a childhood prank—and she’s convinced the woman who lived in the house had something to do with it.
Now, the house is stirring, and Andi is terrified.
As Celeste investigates, she’s drawn into a chilling puzzle of buried memories, twisted truths, and a presence that refuses to rest.
What begins as a search for answers soon becomes a fight for survival.
If you love dark secrets, haunted houses, and slow-burn terror, don’t miss She Writes in Red.
Audible Audio
Published December 16, 2025
About the author
J.R. Erickson
37 books1,002 followersJ.R. Erickson writes novels that blend murder mysteries with haunted houses. Her Northern Michigan Asylum series are novels of paranormal suspense inspired by a real former asylum in Traverse City. Her current books, the Troubled Spirits series, are all inspired by real crimes, which she covers in her true crime podcast, Bitter Endings.
Jacki is a lifelong lover of all things spooky, and started penning scary stories in childhood. She grew up in Mason, Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. These days, Jacki resides near Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, son, and three cats.
Jacki is a lifelong lover of all things spooky, and started penning scary stories in childhood. She grew up in Mason, Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. These days, Jacki resides near Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, son, and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 7, 2025
So damn good!! I’m so addicted to this series.
August 23, 2025
This book grabbed me from the very first page! The mystery, unknown, the chills, the twists, AND the supernatural elements!!! I am here for every single bit of it!
I love all of this Authors books but this series lives rent free in my head!
I love all of this Authors books but this series lives rent free in my head!
August 19, 2025
JR Erickson does it again. I love her books. This one took a much darker turn, and I really appreciate it. Poor Celeste. Poor Andi! She put these characters through the ringer, but it led to one heck of a story.
December 8, 2025
Book 4
Book 4 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The plot and characters are well developed and had a few good twists throughout the book. The ending is a bit odd, as the girl doesn't get into trouble or is arrested for what she's done. Overall it was a fun read and I look forward to the next book.
Book 4 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The plot and characters are well developed and had a few good twists throughout the book. The ending is a bit odd, as the girl doesn't get into trouble or is arrested for what she's done. Overall it was a fun read and I look forward to the next book.
August 20, 2025
Whenever there is a book coming out by this author, I drop what I am doing and read the book. This new book about Celeste,turned out to be a more dark subject than the former books in this series. Losing someone a person cares about is hard enough but to wonder if outside sources had a part in the person’s demise is something altogether different. As both Andi and Celeste try to discover what this house wants they are both sent in different directions. As I read this book, I got the most creepiest vibes. When I read to the part of the basement, I swear I heard noises from the other room in my house. I was by myself so it really freaked me out. Did I stop reading? No, I kept reading this terrifying book. I have read all the books written by this author and I believe this is the spookiest one yet. The atmosphere of the house plus what history Celeste finds out about the house made for a gripping ghost story.
November 10, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Really loving this series! It’s been a great ride, watching FMC and her abilities grow, as well as her relationship with other characters. I love this author‘s writing style, and how she ties even the smallest details up in a pretty little bow at the end. This book however left me wanting just a little bit when compared to the last three. I found the story to be a little creepier/chilling than the last few, leaning into more paranormal reasonings behind things as opposed to solid evidence, and left me wanting for a more solid ending to this particular book (excluding the epilogue and relationship growth within characters). Overall a solid read, and looking forward to Celeste’s own story playing out in the next book!
Really loving this series! It’s been a great ride, watching FMC and her abilities grow, as well as her relationship with other characters. I love this author‘s writing style, and how she ties even the smallest details up in a pretty little bow at the end. This book however left me wanting just a little bit when compared to the last three. I found the story to be a little creepier/chilling than the last few, leaning into more paranormal reasonings behind things as opposed to solid evidence, and left me wanting for a more solid ending to this particular book (excluding the epilogue and relationship growth within characters). Overall a solid read, and looking forward to Celeste’s own story playing out in the next book!
October 10, 2025
Better read than most S. King books I have read!
June 30, 2026
2.5
I liked some of the origin ideas for the hauntings. But, idk... It was quite chaotic: The author puts the plot into weird holds accompanied with weird reasonings and this whole "she was a emotionally detached scientist and now she is a free spirit" spiel is getting out of hand. The author has blueprint sentences such like "Celeste should not do X since she is a rational scientist and that X is stupid, not helping and dangerous but she does it either way (again)." It gets tiring.
I liked some of the origin ideas for the hauntings. But, idk... It was quite chaotic: The author puts the plot into weird holds accompanied with weird reasonings and this whole "she was a emotionally detached scientist and now she is a free spirit" spiel is getting out of hand. The author has blueprint sentences such like "Celeste should not do X since she is a rational scientist and that X is stupid, not helping and dangerous but she does it either way (again)." It gets tiring.
May 14, 2026
DNF at chapter 17 (31%).
I can't handle any more Dear Celeste. I've thrown in the towel. I can't even force myself to read her for book club anymore. Buckle up for this review, because it's my final rant about Erickson and this infuriating series. I'm done.
I so desperately wanted this series to focus on spooky ghost mystery solving and Celeste's growth of understanding and accepting the paranormal world and her powers, but it quickly became a thriller focused on her marriage and personal family issues, which I find much less interesting in large part due to Celeste being an infuriating and unsympathetic character.
Celeste accepted her powers very readily and somehow nearly mastered them on her own, despite having a team of people that also have paranormal powers who could have helped her only made a meaningful appearance in this book. Friends only make appearances in this series to further the plot and meet Celeste's immediate needs. She needed a support system now that she's pregnant, so all of these people that made brief appearances in the previous three books are all prominent characters that have strong and close relationships with Celeste. I was so confused when Erickson started dropping the names of these individuals as though I should know who they are. They got a handful of paragraphs dedicated to them a book or two ago!
Now on to my criticisms of this book specifically.
Celeste seems to have a completely difference personality and thought process in each book, which could be explained away personal growth over the series but does not align with her experiences. In this book, she is being retconned as a sad loner who has never known friendship, which is being done to justify the sudden prominent reappearance of the Memento Mori group. I will forever harp on about the fact that she had a life-long best friend in the first book that she dumped and has never thought of again.
She is also being rewritten as a hater of the hard sciences and dismissive of academics. While it's true that this facet of her personality has been touched on throughout the series, it's given such prominence and presented as such a hard change in this book that it's now integral to her new personality. It'd be one thing if Celeste reflected on her initial passion for working in the sciences and reflects on how it's changed since the accident, but instead Celeste has sudden disdain for the work that she enjoyed so much for many years (because Erickson is so reliant on writing things as black and white rather than nuanced). It's made so much worse in this book, where Erickson writes Celeste to have further disdain for the sciences because she's a soon-to-be mother. Case in point:
Right, because all scientists are cold and analytical.
The following quote is what truly sent me over the edge:
MANY people find it fulfilling, including Celeste at one point! Pharmaceutical scientists save and improve millions of lives, how in the world could someone who chose to work in this no longer see that just because she got hit by a car? Erickson's writing referencing what scientists do and how they think makes it painfully clear that she has no familiarity with the field and made no attempt to portray it accurate, which is frustrating when the book's protagonist makes a huge point to "think like a scientist" while solving paranormal mysteries. Whenever Celeste is tasked with thinking like a scientist at the beginning of a case, it more closely resembles thinking like a detective. I won't even touch on the final facet of Celeste's new personality in this book (queen of mindfulness and wellness), there are plenty of other things to talk about.
Erickson's portrayal of Andi is hamfisted and disjointed. She has to clearly convey, over and over and over again, that Andi is immature through her inner dialogue (which is typical for Erickson's style of telling rather than showing). There is no attempt made to convey this through Andi's actions, so much so that this portrayal contradicts with Andi's actions and lived experience. Prior to moving back to her home town, Andi maintained a stable job, relationship, a home, and even a dependent (her dog) without any issue. Truly immature people struggle with many of these things. Erickson's examples of Andi's immaturity (eating snacks for dinner, wearing overalls, enjoying spending time with children) aren't truly immature at all. What Erickson really should have been portraying is a young adult that feels stuck in the progression of her life and tied to childhood trauma, which is entirely possible to do without trying to describe them as a teenager.
These were my two main issues with this book that motivated me to call it quits. Adding on Erickson's poor writing (primarily her unrealistic dialogue and overreliance on directly stating things to the reader), her penchant for making antagonists cartoonishly evil (Johnathan's parents using their son's perfect school attendance as a defense for attempted murder), and the fact that the ghost-hunting aspect of the paranormal detective series remains in the background of the plot, I've finally called it quits. My book club and I no longer care what happens to Celeste beyond this point and we can't be bothered to fight our way to the end anymore.
I can't handle any more Dear Celeste. I've thrown in the towel. I can't even force myself to read her for book club anymore. Buckle up for this review, because it's my final rant about Erickson and this infuriating series. I'm done.
I so desperately wanted this series to focus on spooky ghost mystery solving and Celeste's growth of understanding and accepting the paranormal world and her powers, but it quickly became a thriller focused on her marriage and personal family issues, which I find much less interesting in large part due to Celeste being an infuriating and unsympathetic character.
Celeste accepted her powers very readily and somehow nearly mastered them on her own, despite having a team of people that also have paranormal powers who could have helped her only made a meaningful appearance in this book. Friends only make appearances in this series to further the plot and meet Celeste's immediate needs. She needed a support system now that she's pregnant, so all of these people that made brief appearances in the previous three books are all prominent characters that have strong and close relationships with Celeste. I was so confused when Erickson started dropping the names of these individuals as though I should know who they are. They got a handful of paragraphs dedicated to them a book or two ago!
Now on to my criticisms of this book specifically.
Celeste seems to have a completely difference personality and thought process in each book, which could be explained away personal growth over the series but does not align with her experiences. In this book, she is being retconned as a sad loner who has never known friendship, which is being done to justify the sudden prominent reappearance of the Memento Mori group. I will forever harp on about the fact that she had a life-long best friend in the first book that she dumped and has never thought of again.
She is also being rewritten as a hater of the hard sciences and dismissive of academics. While it's true that this facet of her personality has been touched on throughout the series, it's given such prominence and presented as such a hard change in this book that it's now integral to her new personality. It'd be one thing if Celeste reflected on her initial passion for working in the sciences and reflects on how it's changed since the accident, but instead Celeste has sudden disdain for the work that she enjoyed so much for many years (because Erickson is so reliant on writing things as black and white rather than nuanced). It's made so much worse in this book, where Erickson writes Celeste to have further disdain for the sciences because she's a soon-to-be mother. Case in point:
And though Celeste’s scientist mind could usually take such data and file it away, this new Celeste—the one who now shared her body with another living being—felt a terrible urge to scream.
Right, because all scientists are cold and analytical.
The following quote is what truly sent me over the edge:
"Most of my time and energy, and Jonathan’s too, went to the lab …” Which suddenly struck her as absurd. Whose life purpose was developing pharmaceutical drugs in a lab?
MANY people find it fulfilling, including Celeste at one point! Pharmaceutical scientists save and improve millions of lives, how in the world could someone who chose to work in this no longer see that just because she got hit by a car? Erickson's writing referencing what scientists do and how they think makes it painfully clear that she has no familiarity with the field and made no attempt to portray it accurate, which is frustrating when the book's protagonist makes a huge point to "think like a scientist" while solving paranormal mysteries. Whenever Celeste is tasked with thinking like a scientist at the beginning of a case, it more closely resembles thinking like a detective. I won't even touch on the final facet of Celeste's new personality in this book (queen of mindfulness and wellness), there are plenty of other things to talk about.
Erickson's portrayal of Andi is hamfisted and disjointed. She has to clearly convey, over and over and over again, that Andi is immature through her inner dialogue (which is typical for Erickson's style of telling rather than showing). There is no attempt made to convey this through Andi's actions, so much so that this portrayal contradicts with Andi's actions and lived experience. Prior to moving back to her home town, Andi maintained a stable job, relationship, a home, and even a dependent (her dog) without any issue. Truly immature people struggle with many of these things. Erickson's examples of Andi's immaturity (eating snacks for dinner, wearing overalls, enjoying spending time with children) aren't truly immature at all. What Erickson really should have been portraying is a young adult that feels stuck in the progression of her life and tied to childhood trauma, which is entirely possible to do without trying to describe them as a teenager.
These were my two main issues with this book that motivated me to call it quits. Adding on Erickson's poor writing (primarily her unrealistic dialogue and overreliance on directly stating things to the reader), her penchant for making antagonists cartoonishly evil (Johnathan's parents using their son's perfect school attendance as a defense for attempted murder), and the fact that the ghost-hunting aspect of the paranormal detective series remains in the background of the plot, I've finally called it quits. My book club and I no longer care what happens to Celeste beyond this point and we can't be bothered to fight our way to the end anymore.
June 10, 2026
This story was kind of "faith in humanity restored"! for me. I liked the idea of somebody coming back from being dead with different perceptions, experiences, dealing with the "unknown", developing these new skills. I understand that it must be pretty hard for anyone that based their lives in science. Add in a whole plot of an "accident-not-accident", a cheating husband, a murdering plot, all of that sums up, but at times I was like "where are the ghosts or whatever?" By the end of book 3 I was a bit disappointed that there was no confrontation between Celeste and her father, but I hope it will be in the future (I mean, come on! He not only took a teen to the marriage bed on her wife's nose for Pete's sake, but murdered Celeste´s mom, hid her body and kept the deceit to her and her brother for the rest of their lives! Wouldn't you go and, I don't know, at least spit on his face?!)
But in this book, Celeste FINALLY quit being an alcoholic, which was the characteristic I despised about her, and gets involved in the heaviest story so far. In the end, I don't understand how Dani could be spared by the law regarding her abducting a child, not even a mention of it, but it's sthg I could dismiss in favor of the whole story. It was thrilling, spooky, with all that a good ol' ghosts/evil possession story could have.
Can´t wait to read the next book!
But in this book, Celeste FINALLY quit being an alcoholic, which was the characteristic I despised about her, and gets involved in the heaviest story so far. In the end, I don't understand how Dani could be spared by the law regarding her abducting a child, not even a mention of it, but it's sthg I could dismiss in favor of the whole story. It was thrilling, spooky, with all that a good ol' ghosts/evil possession story could have.
Can´t wait to read the next book!
August 21, 2025
I waited until I could fully immerse myself in this book, knowing from experience that J.R. Erickson’s writing pulls me in so deeply that I lose all sense of time. She Writes in Red was no exception.
The story centers around Andi, a young woman haunted by a traumatic event from her childhood—the death of her beloved friend Marco on Devil’s Night. What began as innocent fun between three pre-teens turned into a tragedy after a prank at the neighborhood’s infamous spooky house went terribly wrong.
Years later, Andi is still grappling with PTSD and decides to confront the ghosts of her past. But the demon she faces isn’t just metaphorical. With the help of Celeste, who is navigating her own emotional turmoil, the two women delve into the dark history of the farmhouse—and what they uncover is truly the stuff of nightmares.
I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting. Erickson masterfully blends psychological suspense with supernatural elements, creating a gripping and atmospheric tale. I highly recommend She Writes in Red to fans of haunting mysteries and emotionally resonant storytelling.
The story centers around Andi, a young woman haunted by a traumatic event from her childhood—the death of her beloved friend Marco on Devil’s Night. What began as innocent fun between three pre-teens turned into a tragedy after a prank at the neighborhood’s infamous spooky house went terribly wrong.
Years later, Andi is still grappling with PTSD and decides to confront the ghosts of her past. But the demon she faces isn’t just metaphorical. With the help of Celeste, who is navigating her own emotional turmoil, the two women delve into the dark history of the farmhouse—and what they uncover is truly the stuff of nightmares.
I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting. Erickson masterfully blends psychological suspense with supernatural elements, creating a gripping and atmospheric tale. I highly recommend She Writes in Red to fans of haunting mysteries and emotionally resonant storytelling.
August 22, 2025
She Writes In Red is the fourth installment in JR Erickson's Dear Celeste collection. This issue was everything I expected and so much more! This time around Celeste chooses to help Andi, a young woman haunted by her past, and obscessed with the house that Andi thought started it all. But as the grip tightens around Andi, Celeste is forced to admit that the house's story started long ago, and that it's darker than anyone could have imagined.
The storyline is fast-paced and very well written. The characters are expertly developed and engaging. There is such a haunted vibe throughout the book. I often felt drawn into the scene, to the point of desperately wanting to turn around and run away. I don't remember the last time I read a story so powerful that I didn't want to put it down at night because I was afraid of what I would see when I closed my eyes.
Overall, She Writes in Red is a superb addition to the Dear Celeste series, easily the darkest one yet. Crafty cliffhanger aside, I highly recommend it as well as all of the Dear Celeste novels.
The storyline is fast-paced and very well written. The characters are expertly developed and engaging. There is such a haunted vibe throughout the book. I often felt drawn into the scene, to the point of desperately wanting to turn around and run away. I don't remember the last time I read a story so powerful that I didn't want to put it down at night because I was afraid of what I would see when I closed my eyes.
Overall, She Writes in Red is a superb addition to the Dear Celeste series, easily the darkest one yet. Crafty cliffhanger aside, I highly recommend it as well as all of the Dear Celeste novels.
September 1, 2025
Super great read! I have read everything I can by JR Erickson and this one is good. with reference to the Dear Celeste series it is the scariest book so far. I kept trying to come up with the scientific explanation for what was happening at this house that Andi is trying to remember or deal with or just get over! I stayed up all night to finish this book! It is very good. I did have a little trouble with remembering the last Dear Celeste book because it has been a while for me but otherwise this is a great read! Celeste has been through so much and her NDE has brought her closer to a group of people that actually understand what she is going through. Her creepy husband is still somewhere out there and I can't wait to find out what his deal is, but
Celeste is strong and motivated and gets through this next adventure heroically. I wish Dear Celeste could go on indefinitely, but whatever JR Erickson is going to author next will be just as amazing. Go download the other installments of this series, you will not regret it!
Celeste is strong and motivated and gets through this next adventure heroically. I wish Dear Celeste could go on indefinitely, but whatever JR Erickson is going to author next will be just as amazing. Go download the other installments of this series, you will not regret it!
July 16, 2026
This will just be a summary of the events in the book. If you do not wish to get spoiled, do not read.
Celeste is about two months pregnant, has moved into an apartment in the friend's back garden, and is helping a lady solve her haunted house problem. Celeste finally goes to therapy! Jonathan's highschool ex girlfriend died 3 weeks after breaking up with him from a hit-and-run which is sus.
Dante (dead boy Marco's older brother) was engaged to Gwen (Marco's childhood friend), but she commited suicide after she went to the house. Andi (the girl who asked for help) is being possessed by maybe a demon, and it's making her try to kidnap kids. Simon (Eliza - the friend Celeste's living with - 's missing younger brother) was killed by a pevious lady possessed by the house demon. The entire friend group who've died before all come together to help Celeste purge the evil, and then the house is set on fire.
Celeste and Harris get together (he'd broken up with his girlfriend) and the Celeste is promptly kidnapped by Jonathan and Liz.
Celeste is about two months pregnant, has moved into an apartment in the friend's back garden, and is helping a lady solve her haunted house problem. Celeste finally goes to therapy! Jonathan's highschool ex girlfriend died 3 weeks after breaking up with him from a hit-and-run which is sus.
Dante (dead boy Marco's older brother) was engaged to Gwen (Marco's childhood friend), but she commited suicide after she went to the house. Andi (the girl who asked for help) is being possessed by maybe a demon, and it's making her try to kidnap kids. Simon (Eliza - the friend Celeste's living with - 's missing younger brother) was killed by a pevious lady possessed by the house demon. The entire friend group who've died before all come together to help Celeste purge the evil, and then the house is set on fire.
Celeste and Harris get together (he'd broken up with his girlfriend) and the Celeste is promptly kidnapped by Jonathan and Liz.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2026
I picked up She Writes in Red on a whim and ended up completely absorbed. This book has that rare combo of lush, vivid writing and a plot that keeps tightening its grip—page after page (or chapter after chapter), it feels like the story is quietly stacking questions until you realize you’re holding your breath.
The atmosphere is a standout. The descriptions are so sharp and intentional that the setting feels alive, and the intrigue comes in layers—nothing is served up all at once. Every time I thought I understood where things were heading, another detail shifted the ground just enough to make me doubt it again (in the best way).
I also read this out of order from the author’s other books and still followed along easily, which made it even more enjoyable. Now I’m absolutely going back to read the rest, because this one made me an instant fan.
Warning: there’s a cliffhanger—so have the next book ready, because you’re going to want to start it immediately.
The atmosphere is a standout. The descriptions are so sharp and intentional that the setting feels alive, and the intrigue comes in layers—nothing is served up all at once. Every time I thought I understood where things were heading, another detail shifted the ground just enough to make me doubt it again (in the best way).
I also read this out of order from the author’s other books and still followed along easily, which made it even more enjoyable. Now I’m absolutely going back to read the rest, because this one made me an instant fan.
Warning: there’s a cliffhanger—so have the next book ready, because you’re going to want to start it immediately.
August 22, 2025
This book gave me the chills, I had goosebumps throughout the story. You know that tingly, creepy feeling you get at the base of your neck up your scalp, yeah, that’s what I had. In addition to that I felt like my hair, I have long hair, was standing up, like static from a balloon or friction. There was one point in the book that I was tasting blood, but then realized I was chewing on the inside of my cheek, so into the book that I wasn’t even paying attention that I was doing it. Parts of the book felt so real to turn out that it wasn’t, it was one of the Oh My Goodness moments. Being on the edge of your seat or in my case chewing your cheek just to see what happens next. Absolutely loved the book, Celeste is awesome!! Jacki you have written a phenomenal book!!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
August 18, 2025
She Writes in Red is A Dear Celeste Novel and it's an amazing read. This time Celeste returns to Northern Michigan after a betrayal ends up devastating her life, so she heads there to start over. She gets a letter from the column she has and this time it ends up she goes straight into someone else's nightmare. This is a page turning read from beginning to end and will have your heart pounding. The author wrote this well and I enjoyed every character in this one. I can't wait for the next read from this author and from this series. The ending of this one was so well done. I loved this one a lot and would recommend it to every reader especially to those who love paranormal suspense reads. Thank you to the author for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review of She Writes In Red.
December 1, 2025
Very supernatural
Each book in this series has included more supernatural elements than the previous one, and this one is very scary, a horror story rather than the much milder tales with helpful apparitions. Celeste goes to help Andi, a woman whose childhood friend died suddenly after a prank at a local spooky house. The house exudes malice and evil, quite a difference from the loving world of the afterlife Celeste and her friends with near death experiences encountered. Otherwise, Celeste’s life is settling into a new normal, despite her husband still being on the run to escape jail for his attempt to kill her. The house is a main character here, and it is very bad, managing to destroy everyone who lives there. Spooky and tense.
Each book in this series has included more supernatural elements than the previous one, and this one is very scary, a horror story rather than the much milder tales with helpful apparitions. Celeste goes to help Andi, a woman whose childhood friend died suddenly after a prank at a local spooky house. The house exudes malice and evil, quite a difference from the loving world of the afterlife Celeste and her friends with near death experiences encountered. Otherwise, Celeste’s life is settling into a new normal, despite her husband still being on the run to escape jail for his attempt to kill her. The house is a main character here, and it is very bad, managing to destroy everyone who lives there. Spooky and tense.
August 21, 2025
JR Erickson is one of my favorite authors to read. I am always sad when the book is over and then anxiously start waiting for the next installment. She Writes in Red is no exception. First, I like the fact that each book is different but I get to learn the characters as they stay somewhat the same. I find myself sometimes angry at Celeste, sometimes sad for her, but always learning more. Second, this one is dark and twisted, perhaps more than the others, but I like it that way. I am never disappointed, I always get hooked from the first page, and it never takes me very long to finish. Thanks again for a great read - now when can we expect the next one? ;)
August 21, 2025
I think this book has broken me. I love Celeste and her journey has been a tough one so we go into this with her crazy husband still on the run after trying to kill her his accomplice in prison, her dad in prison for killing her mother and a young boy and her pregnant. Its all so much but she’s fighting on. She goes to the aid of a young woman searching for answers about the death of her childhood friend and this opens a can of worms for her, her friends and the community.
Honestly this book was just brilliant i was completely freaked out and hooked from start to finish. Can i just say that epilogue has broken my emotions!
Honestly this book was just brilliant i was completely freaked out and hooked from start to finish. Can i just say that epilogue has broken my emotions!
October 7, 2025
Read in a single sitting in one day. I’m going to be so sad when this series ends. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Dear Celeste books and know there’s only one more after this.
Solid 4.5/5 stars. This had everything. The supernatural element was better in my opinion than the other books. Celeste grew more into her new self and the developments in the friend group made me smile. The ending, I knew something would happen and wasn’t surprised although wondering that the ‘woman’ has to do with it. No spoilers here.
This is a kindle unlimited read so free to read if you subscribe. I had this in pre order though!! 4.5/5 stars. Mae sure to read all the Dear Celeste books I order.
Solid 4.5/5 stars. This had everything. The supernatural element was better in my opinion than the other books. Celeste grew more into her new self and the developments in the friend group made me smile. The ending, I knew something would happen and wasn’t surprised although wondering that the ‘woman’ has to do with it. No spoilers here.
This is a kindle unlimited read so free to read if you subscribe. I had this in pre order though!! 4.5/5 stars. Mae sure to read all the Dear Celeste books I order.
August 18, 2025
It was just a harmless prank by teenagers, Andi, Marco and Gwen when they decided to enter an old house. Only they entered an accursed house with dire consequences. Marco immediately fell ill and died while Andi and Gwen had an unhealthy obsession with the house. Andi even rents the house and is plagued by nightmares. Then Andi asks Celeste for help. Celeste has her own personal issues but can she really save Andi? A captivating page turner which gave me the chills. The description of the house and the nightmarish events within have been graphically portrayed.
August 21, 2025
I've been a big fan of JR Erickson's books, and this one did not disappoint. It's the fourth book in the Dear Celeste series. When I was reading it at night, I felt like I was being watched, and the strange noises I heard made me feel uneasy. The author's descriptions were incredibly detailed, which made it feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. I was completely absorbed in the story from start to finish, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The author did a great job of building suspense and keeping me on the edge of my seat.
August 24, 2025
Best of the series so far!
This is the darkest and the best of the Dear Celeste so far.
Celeste decides to help Andi with her haunted house problem after she receives a plea for help. But the house isn't just haunted. It is evil.
As she dives deeper into the history of the house, Celeste will need all the help she can get.
A genuinely fantastic book, excellent writing, eerie, and scary. J.R. Erickson is brilliant and skillfully draws you down into the darkness.
Can't wait for the next book!
This is the darkest and the best of the Dear Celeste so far.
Celeste decides to help Andi with her haunted house problem after she receives a plea for help. But the house isn't just haunted. It is evil.
As she dives deeper into the history of the house, Celeste will need all the help she can get.
A genuinely fantastic book, excellent writing, eerie, and scary. J.R. Erickson is brilliant and skillfully draws you down into the darkness.
Can't wait for the next book!
August 28, 2025
Holy mother forking shirt balls! When I say that she pulled the pin and threw the grenade, that's the kind of jaw dropping, heart pounding cliff hanger this author writes! The characters are wonderful as always. We get to see how Celeste is bonding with all the members of the Memento Mori group. We get thrills, chills, and suspense. We get loss of time, creepy sounds, and ghosts. If you haven't read books 1-3 yet, do that before you grab this one!
Full review on my website on 9.2.25.
www.mommodeloading.com
Full review on my website on 9.2.25.
www.mommodeloading.com
September 27, 2025
The scariest Celeste adventure
This book was worth the wait. And now I need more! Celeste is continuing on her adventure of life. She is facing what life has thrown at her. Then she receives a letter that seems random but turns out was her destiny. As she helps a woman running from her past she helps a town solve a mystery. The twist is so shocking. Not many books can scare me. This one had me feeling real fear and eerie chills. The ending left me with my mouth open. We need more Celeste!
This book was worth the wait. And now I need more! Celeste is continuing on her adventure of life. She is facing what life has thrown at her. Then she receives a letter that seems random but turns out was her destiny. As she helps a woman running from her past she helps a town solve a mystery. The twist is so shocking. Not many books can scare me. This one had me feeling real fear and eerie chills. The ending left me with my mouth open. We need more Celeste!
December 20, 2025
Fantastic Read!!
Had me so completely immersed in her books that I literally couldn’t put them down. The way she writes makes every scene jump off the page, like you’re watching your favorite TV show unfold right in front of you. UGH!!!
And now I have to wait until April 26th, 2026 to read Veil of Pines 😭😭😭 I am not okay.
If you’re looking for an amazing read, love thrillers, paranormal vibes, or a series that has you jumping up, yelling at the book, and refusing to put it down, this is an absolute MUST-READ!! 🙌😍
Trust me… your TBR list needs this. 📖🔥
Had me so completely immersed in her books that I literally couldn’t put them down. The way she writes makes every scene jump off the page, like you’re watching your favorite TV show unfold right in front of you. UGH!!!
And now I have to wait until April 26th, 2026 to read Veil of Pines 😭😭😭 I am not okay.
If you’re looking for an amazing read, love thrillers, paranormal vibes, or a series that has you jumping up, yelling at the book, and refusing to put it down, this is an absolute MUST-READ!! 🙌😍
Trust me… your TBR list needs this. 📖🔥
August 19, 2025
And this is why JR Erickson is one of my favorite authors! This is without question the creepiest of all her books. I was on the edge of my seat and yelling at the book multiple times! Even covering my eyes and peeking through my fingers to read! 😂 Celeste has quickly become a favorite character and I have enjoyed her journey throughout the series. You won't regret diving into this series. Each installment is better than the last. I'm already dying to read the next book!
August 21, 2025
Each book in this series gets better. Erickson does a great job throughout the series striking a balance between the "monster of the week" and the overarching story of Celeste's life.
I love a good haunted house story, and this one is super creepy. The image of an insane woman writing on her walls with blood isn’t going to leave my mind anytime soon.
I do recommend rereading the previous books shortly before reading this one. I didn’t and I had a hard time remembering who everyone was.
I love a good haunted house story, and this one is super creepy. The image of an insane woman writing on her walls with blood isn’t going to leave my mind anytime soon.
I do recommend rereading the previous books shortly before reading this one. I didn’t and I had a hard time remembering who everyone was.
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