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What Happens at Nightfall: A Novel – A Supernatural Cemetery Romance of Gilded Age Curses and Second Chances
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig returns with What Happens at Nightfall, a delightfully Gothic romantic adventure, complete with a little bit of demon-hunting.
In the sprawling Gothic expanse of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Recently laid off and searching for purpose, Jess reluctantly joins her best friend on a supposedly fun nighttime cemetery tour. Separated from her group by accident, she discovers a bunch of terrified boys and a strange, ancient key. Both lead to Green-Wood’s surprisingly handsome resident arborist, Adam Chervinsky.
Recently widowed, Adam has more to protect than the leafy residents of Green-Wood. His children, still dealing with the loss of their mother, are acting strangely. A haunting is afoot, and Jess seems to know more than she’s letting on. Sparks fly between Jess and Adam—and the unquiet spirits of Green-Wood rise from their century-long slumber.
As Jess and Adam delve deeper into the cemetery’s haunted history, they uncover a Gilded Age curse, a ghostly socialite, and a demonic pact that stretches across generations. What lies hidden in the Green-Wood’s splendid Vanderwilt mausoleum? As the line between the living and the dead blurs, and the shadows of Green-Wood begin to stir with malevolent intent, Jess must confront not only the supernatural forces but a shocking connection to the past if she and Adam truly want to live happily ever after.
In the sprawling Gothic expanse of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Recently laid off and searching for purpose, Jess reluctantly joins her best friend on a supposedly fun nighttime cemetery tour. Separated from her group by accident, she discovers a bunch of terrified boys and a strange, ancient key. Both lead to Green-Wood’s surprisingly handsome resident arborist, Adam Chervinsky.
Recently widowed, Adam has more to protect than the leafy residents of Green-Wood. His children, still dealing with the loss of their mother, are acting strangely. A haunting is afoot, and Jess seems to know more than she’s letting on. Sparks fly between Jess and Adam—and the unquiet spirits of Green-Wood rise from their century-long slumber.
As Jess and Adam delve deeper into the cemetery’s haunted history, they uncover a Gilded Age curse, a ghostly socialite, and a demonic pact that stretches across generations. What lies hidden in the Green-Wood’s splendid Vanderwilt mausoleum? As the line between the living and the dead blurs, and the shadows of Green-Wood begin to stir with malevolent intent, Jess must confront not only the supernatural forces but a shocking connection to the past if she and Adam truly want to live happily ever after.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Lauren Willig
41 books4,811 followersLauren Willig is the New York Times bestselling author of nineteen works of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages, awarded the RITA, Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards, and chosen for the American Library Association's annual list of the best genre fiction. After graduating from Yale University, she embarked on a PhD in History at Harvard before leaving academia to acquire a JD at Harvard Law while authoring her "Pink Carnation" series of Napoleonic-set novels. She lives in New York City, where she now writes full time.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's been a long time since I've picked up a book by Willig and this was a welcome return to her work! I'm used to her stories having more of a dual timeline with most of it happening in the past, but this book is set entirely in the present, mostly in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. Jess is recently laid off and is filling most of her time by following around her best friend, this time on a nighttime tour through the cemetery. When Jess accidentally gets separated from the group, she happens upon a boy who seems to be in distress and volunteers to walk him home. Conveniently, his home is within the walls of the cemetery, because his father is the resident arborist, Adam. When Adam then volunteers to walk Jess back to the subway (and check on the family mausoleum that his son opened), they wander into some supernatural happenings, and neither of them can resist the mystery.
I thought this was a fun read with just the right amount of spookiness and tension. I liked the ties to the Gilded Age, and how Willig integrated the beauty of the cemetery into the story. There also was a lot of humor worked in, which was a nice contrast to all the weird happenings. The romance is a smaller part of the story, but still entertaining. I enjoyed this, and look forward to working more of Willig's books into my current reads.
I thought this was a fun read with just the right amount of spookiness and tension. I liked the ties to the Gilded Age, and how Willig integrated the beauty of the cemetery into the story. There also was a lot of humor worked in, which was a nice contrast to all the weird happenings. The romance is a smaller part of the story, but still entertaining. I enjoyed this, and look forward to working more of Willig's books into my current reads.
August 21, 2026
This is a story I would never have expected from Willig. Ghosts, demons, & curses? No, but I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, I love everything that Lauren writes, so not completely surprising. Greenwood cemetery in New York is hiding some secrets. Only Jess and Adam can defend against this supernatural creature. Along the way they find love, new friends, and few more special moments that makes me this story amazing. Perfect for a cozy fall day.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a little different from this author. I did think it was a little slow moving at times. I thought the characters were annoying and it was a little predictable. It’s a good book for your October reading list.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What Happens at Nightfall
~Lauren Willig
Renowned for blending historical elegance with sharp wit, Lauren Willig ventures into Gothic noir in What Happens at Nightfall. A lushly layered story that mixes romance, mystery, and the supernatural world. Set in Brooklyn's legendary Green-Wood Cemetery, this story delivers her trademark charm with a darker, more haunted edge. Where grief meets magic and love stirs beneath the weight of the past.
Jess accompanies her friend Kimmy to a haunted cemetery tour at Green-Wood and gets separated from the group. As is looking for a lost item, she encounters a terrified young boy among the headstones and walks him home. His home happens to be the cemetery arborists house, where she meets Adam, the arborist. Adam is a widower, raising two children – Melinda and Ben who are still grieving over the death of their mom.
As Adam and Jess form a connection, something ancient awakens deep withing Green-Wood. Jess digs deeper and finds out disturbing history about the cemetery and those buried there, she is determined to protect Adam and his children. But after that malevolent force targets her, she realizes that saving Adam's family, and herself, will require her to confront more than just what resides within the cemetery.
Willig's cast of characters shine with complexity, vulnerability, and their own unique quirks. Jess is clever, skeptical, and impulsive. Obtaining more bravery than despites life's disappointments than she realizes. Adam is broody and grief-stricken, but grounded by tenderness and duty to protect what is his. The Vanderwilt lineage, decadence of the Gilded-Age plagued with secrets and generational sins that linger into the present. Even Green-Wood Cemetery is alive with character – rooted in history, historic monuments, and legends pulse with eerie vitality. The emotional despair, wit, and slow-burn attraction between Jess and Adam bring about a story built on trust amid chaos, rather than impulsivity.
Pacing is steady and deliberate, allowing truths to unravel naturally. Every scene is infused with authenticity – historical facts about the cemetery seamlessly blending with fictional curse creating a world that feels immersive and tactile. No jump scares here, Willig uses her writing to engage readers directly into the scenes creating a gripping cinematic atmosphere. Those craving frantic action will find this slower, but the rewards lie in the sustained tension and emotional depth rather than spectacle.
Willig's What Happens at Nightfall is a Gothic thrill – eerie and tender, rich in history and emotion. If you appreciate a slow-burn romance, haunted secrets, and stories that breathe atmosphere, this story will draw you into the mist through cemetery gates as they creak closed locking you in through the very end!
Releasing October 6, 2026 and available for pre-order now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dZaTPt
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lauren Willig for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC What Happens at Nightfall. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
~Lauren Willig
Renowned for blending historical elegance with sharp wit, Lauren Willig ventures into Gothic noir in What Happens at Nightfall. A lushly layered story that mixes romance, mystery, and the supernatural world. Set in Brooklyn's legendary Green-Wood Cemetery, this story delivers her trademark charm with a darker, more haunted edge. Where grief meets magic and love stirs beneath the weight of the past.
Jess accompanies her friend Kimmy to a haunted cemetery tour at Green-Wood and gets separated from the group. As is looking for a lost item, she encounters a terrified young boy among the headstones and walks him home. His home happens to be the cemetery arborists house, where she meets Adam, the arborist. Adam is a widower, raising two children – Melinda and Ben who are still grieving over the death of their mom.
As Adam and Jess form a connection, something ancient awakens deep withing Green-Wood. Jess digs deeper and finds out disturbing history about the cemetery and those buried there, she is determined to protect Adam and his children. But after that malevolent force targets her, she realizes that saving Adam's family, and herself, will require her to confront more than just what resides within the cemetery.
Willig's cast of characters shine with complexity, vulnerability, and their own unique quirks. Jess is clever, skeptical, and impulsive. Obtaining more bravery than despites life's disappointments than she realizes. Adam is broody and grief-stricken, but grounded by tenderness and duty to protect what is his. The Vanderwilt lineage, decadence of the Gilded-Age plagued with secrets and generational sins that linger into the present. Even Green-Wood Cemetery is alive with character – rooted in history, historic monuments, and legends pulse with eerie vitality. The emotional despair, wit, and slow-burn attraction between Jess and Adam bring about a story built on trust amid chaos, rather than impulsivity.
Pacing is steady and deliberate, allowing truths to unravel naturally. Every scene is infused with authenticity – historical facts about the cemetery seamlessly blending with fictional curse creating a world that feels immersive and tactile. No jump scares here, Willig uses her writing to engage readers directly into the scenes creating a gripping cinematic atmosphere. Those craving frantic action will find this slower, but the rewards lie in the sustained tension and emotional depth rather than spectacle.
Willig's What Happens at Nightfall is a Gothic thrill – eerie and tender, rich in history and emotion. If you appreciate a slow-burn romance, haunted secrets, and stories that breathe atmosphere, this story will draw you into the mist through cemetery gates as they creak closed locking you in through the very end!
Releasing October 6, 2026 and available for pre-order now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dZaTPt
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lauren Willig for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC What Happens at Nightfall. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At thirty-seven Jess Waters has found herself spending her night following her best friend around a cemetery in Brooklyn on the Domiciles of the Damned tour because she has nothing better to do. Her career has imploded and the only thing waiting for her at home is her Netflix queue and a dead plant. If you look at the plant in the right light it might be considered sculptural. Possibly. Her best friend Kimmy writes popular nonfiction, her paperbacks are staples of airport bookstores. The one she is currently researching is about Susan Smith McKinney Steward, the first African-American female doctor in New York, who happens to be buried in Green-Wood Cemetery. Hence them following a tour guide dressed in a bustle carrying a parasol and wearing more purple than anyone should. Adam Chervinsky is the live-in arborist at Green-Wood Cemetery. He's been a widower for four years trying to get by by feeding as many different chicken recipes as possible to his two children. Melinda is fifteen and wicked smart and seems to have herself put together even if she's developing a deep aversion to chicken. Ben is a different story. He was closer to his mother and at eleven he is starting over at a new school. It's because of Ben that Jess and Adam are destined to meet. In order to impress some boys at his new school Ben has borrowed the key to his mother's family crypt. The Vanderwilt mausoleum is impressive and imposing, with a bust of the Gilded Age matriarch, Cornelia, perched on the roof like a bird of prey. Something scares the boys off and Ben bumps into Jess and Jess, separated from her tour, helps Ben home through a hellacious storm. The least Adam can do is walk Jess to the subway, but she's missing her OMNY card, which must have been lost when Ben bumped into her. They decide to take the long way around, look for Jess's card and lock up the vault. Eerily, the card is at the vault and the vault isn't just open, a stained glass orb that was part of an interior window has been shattered and there's a Ouija board and battery powered candles. The tomb is worthy of M.R. James and Jess is happy to get out of there as soon as possible but there's a problem. There's a parasol. A parasol which was definitely part of her tour guide's ensemble. Adam has been more than generous so she offers to take the parasol back to it's owner and she sighs as she assumes that that will be the last time she sees Adam. Fate and history have other plans in store. The Domiciles of the Damned tour is operated out of a building just blocks from Jess's apartment in Suite 66 on the sixth floor. Only, it's not an office, it's an apartment. The apartment of the tour guide if the clothes in the closet are anything to go by. The murder board is another matter. She's not sure if the guide wants to raise the dead or summon a demon but whichever it is is going to happen this coming weekend at the solstice. And Adam needs to be told. Because it's not just pictures of demons littering the wall, but also pictures of his daughter Melinda. Adam is spooked. He thinks that maybe Jess is stalking his daughter and arranged everything. It's been hard for him to open up after he lost everything in an instant. What is this woman hiding? She has to be dishonest and crazy doesn't she? Because otherwise everything he's even known is wrong and demons might exist. But what's scariest of all is that maybe he can move on with this woman of immense power who he's just met and has spent her life trying to make herself smaller.
What's interesting about Lauren is that she doesn't write what she most likes to read. From years of reading her recommendations it's clear that she loves all things supernatural. Because of her I've found other favorite authors, Ben Aaronovitch, Heather Fawcett, and Daniel O'Malley just to name a few, and yet, her name isn't among this list of supernaturally inclined authors. She's been the queen of historical fiction for so long that even the modern framing devices have gone the way of the dodo. And yet it was because of her modern day characters that first appeared in The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, Eloise Kelly and Colin Selwick, that I first became a fan of hers. If you're a fan of the Pink Carnation series you know that they are somewhat controversial characters, in that at one point they were almost shown the door. But they survived and made it all the way to their HEA in the twelfth and final volume of the series. As I mentioned above, since then Lauren's work has been phasing out using a modern day framing device. In fact, if it wasn't for her Team W books, she hasn't had any modern device or characters for over a decade now. And the thing about Lauren is, she's really good at working in modern references and jokes, which is why I so connected to Eloise and Colin in the first place. It felt a shame that it looked like, at least from my point of view, that she was burning out on history. Her books were still as brilliant as ever, but they felt more and more entrenched in the history and not having any room to breath. Though, if you've ever seen her exuberantly promote a book you know, she barely stops for breath. Therefore when she announced What Happens at Nightfall I was overjoyed. This was a chance for her to get back into romancelandia and write the type of book she herself would read. But, because of her historical bent, the history of Green-Wood Cemetery gives the supernatural aspects a grounding that I don't think a lot of other authors of the supernatural achieve, the aforementioned authors excluded. Green-Wood was its own character. It came alive with Lauren's treatment. She used actual monuments and events to tie into the backstory of how exactly the Vanderwilts ended up with a demon in the family. History going hand in hand with the hellish. Though, for me, I don't know why I'm all in for the demonic but the angelic just felt too religious. Must be me revolting from my Catholic education. As for our hero and heroine? They are perfect, in the most imperfect way. What's more, you can feel Lauren is having fun. She's riffing on all the things she loves, I particularly loved the love for Warehouse 13 and Young Sherlock Holmes. I want more Lauren books like this. Just a thrill ride of fun and emotion and love and the demonic, a little like Evil was. Because what better message can a book have than to be loved and accepted for who you are? All of you, the demonic and the angelic.
What's interesting about Lauren is that she doesn't write what she most likes to read. From years of reading her recommendations it's clear that she loves all things supernatural. Because of her I've found other favorite authors, Ben Aaronovitch, Heather Fawcett, and Daniel O'Malley just to name a few, and yet, her name isn't among this list of supernaturally inclined authors. She's been the queen of historical fiction for so long that even the modern framing devices have gone the way of the dodo. And yet it was because of her modern day characters that first appeared in The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, Eloise Kelly and Colin Selwick, that I first became a fan of hers. If you're a fan of the Pink Carnation series you know that they are somewhat controversial characters, in that at one point they were almost shown the door. But they survived and made it all the way to their HEA in the twelfth and final volume of the series. As I mentioned above, since then Lauren's work has been phasing out using a modern day framing device. In fact, if it wasn't for her Team W books, she hasn't had any modern device or characters for over a decade now. And the thing about Lauren is, she's really good at working in modern references and jokes, which is why I so connected to Eloise and Colin in the first place. It felt a shame that it looked like, at least from my point of view, that she was burning out on history. Her books were still as brilliant as ever, but they felt more and more entrenched in the history and not having any room to breath. Though, if you've ever seen her exuberantly promote a book you know, she barely stops for breath. Therefore when she announced What Happens at Nightfall I was overjoyed. This was a chance for her to get back into romancelandia and write the type of book she herself would read. But, because of her historical bent, the history of Green-Wood Cemetery gives the supernatural aspects a grounding that I don't think a lot of other authors of the supernatural achieve, the aforementioned authors excluded. Green-Wood was its own character. It came alive with Lauren's treatment. She used actual monuments and events to tie into the backstory of how exactly the Vanderwilts ended up with a demon in the family. History going hand in hand with the hellish. Though, for me, I don't know why I'm all in for the demonic but the angelic just felt too religious. Must be me revolting from my Catholic education. As for our hero and heroine? They are perfect, in the most imperfect way. What's more, you can feel Lauren is having fun. She's riffing on all the things she loves, I particularly loved the love for Warehouse 13 and Young Sherlock Holmes. I want more Lauren books like this. Just a thrill ride of fun and emotion and love and the demonic, a little like Evil was. Because what better message can a book have than to be loved and accepted for who you are? All of you, the demonic and the angelic.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
ARC received through publisher giveaway on GoodReads
Before I picked this up, I had a short conversation with myself, trying to decide if this was a book I'd actually want to read. "Do I want to read a spooky book? "Spooky" is not typically something I seek out. Do I want to read a spooky book in August? Surely there are better months to read a quasi-horror novel. Right?"
In the end, I did talk myself into reading it, and I did mostly enjoy it. Mostly. My two biggest gripes with the story were the length (it felt overly long, somehow slightly repetitive and lacking on actual information at the same time) and the incredible disregard of all the clues that were thrown at, thrust towards, dropped on the laps of the two main characters throughout the entirety of the story.
The number of times a truly important, big or eye-opening piece of information was brought up then completely ignored by Jess - and sometimes Adam - floored me. They'd be all, "Wow, that's an interesting and likely very big clue. You gonna eat that Danish?" and then we'd go two or three or four chapters with them bumbling about, missing more - albeit, smaller - clues as they went, until something made them realize: "Hey...I knew that bit of information!" and they started figuring things out.
The alternating points of view were interesting and done well, despite the fact that I didn't immediately get some of the views we were pointed to. The characters were a bit...over the top? Jess with her initial moping, Adam with his initial distrust (dude, I get it. 2026 and stalkers and the AI age and all that - can't trust anybody, amirite?), Ingrid with her - whatever the heck Ingrid had other than her own puffed-up sense of importance and credibility - and even Kimmy, who couldn't be bothered to stop and help her friend - her best friend pick up the contents of her spilled bag. In the middle of the night. In the middle of a cemetery. Just. Really?
I think my favorite scene of the whole story came towards the end, an unexpectedly touching moment that caught me by surprise.
The end felt a bit rushed, and a tiny bit unbelievable (said with the acknowledgement that this book is about demons and such.) It was just too pat I also admit to not wholly loving the end end , which also felt rushed.
Despite all that, it is a quick and easy read. I do hope that they take a pair of scissors to at least some sections of the story before it publishes. The may "It was bad, Jess" and "not winning any Father of the Year awards" and so many more repeated sentences, paragraphs, scenes can be cut, trimming the book, and it won't even be noticed.
Also, bonus points to the author for taking the time to personally separate the historical from the fiction. I'd never heard of Green-Wood before this book, and kind of love that Nightfall is an actual thing. The more you know, I guess.
Before I picked this up, I had a short conversation with myself, trying to decide if this was a book I'd actually want to read. "Do I want to read a spooky book? "Spooky" is not typically something I seek out. Do I want to read a spooky book in August? Surely there are better months to read a quasi-horror novel. Right?"
In the end, I did talk myself into reading it, and I did mostly enjoy it. Mostly. My two biggest gripes with the story were the length (it felt overly long, somehow slightly repetitive and lacking on actual information at the same time) and the incredible disregard of all the clues that were thrown at, thrust towards, dropped on the laps of the two main characters throughout the entirety of the story.
The number of times a truly important, big or eye-opening piece of information was brought up then completely ignored by Jess - and sometimes Adam - floored me. They'd be all, "Wow, that's an interesting and likely very big clue. You gonna eat that Danish?" and then we'd go two or three or four chapters with them bumbling about, missing more - albeit, smaller - clues as they went, until something made them realize: "Hey...I knew that bit of information!" and they started figuring things out.
The alternating points of view were interesting and done well, despite the fact that I didn't immediately get some of the views we were pointed to. The characters were a bit...over the top? Jess with her initial moping, Adam with his initial distrust (dude, I get it. 2026 and stalkers and the AI age and all that - can't trust anybody, amirite?), Ingrid with her - whatever the heck Ingrid had other than her own puffed-up sense of importance and credibility - and even Kimmy, who couldn't be bothered to stop and help her friend - her best friend pick up the contents of her spilled bag. In the middle of the night. In the middle of a cemetery. Just. Really?
I think my favorite scene of the whole story came towards the end, an unexpectedly touching moment that caught me by surprise.
The end felt a bit rushed, and a tiny bit unbelievable (said with the acknowledgement that this book is about demons and such.) It was just too pat I also admit to not wholly loving the end end , which also felt rushed.
Despite all that, it is a quick and easy read. I do hope that they take a pair of scissors to at least some sections of the story before it publishes. The may "It was bad, Jess" and "not winning any Father of the Year awards" and so many more repeated sentences, paragraphs, scenes can be cut, trimming the book, and it won't even be noticed.
Also, bonus points to the author for taking the time to personally separate the historical from the fiction. I'd never heard of Green-Wood before this book, and kind of love that Nightfall is an actual thing. The more you know, I guess.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Willig, William Morrow & Harper Collins for the free, pre-publication copy (ARC or Digital Review Copy) of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As a self-proclaimed Tombstone Tourist, I was so excited when given the opportunity to dive into this spooky, yet cozy story about the fictional goings-on at the infamous Green-Wood Cemetery, a place I have longed to visit. How wonderful it was to be able to visit it in the pages of this delightful novel that painted such a vivid picture of the long winding trails of this almost 500-acre cemetery rooted with history.
We meet Jess, a thirty-something recently unemployed woman, as she is joining her dearest friend Kimmy for a cemetery tour. Things get a bit derailed on tour and she then encounters young Ben lost amongst the tombstones on that fatefully stormy night. Of course, wanting to aid the young boy, she walks him home, which happens to be right there on cemetery grounds where we then meet the cemetery’s arborist Adam, widowed father to Ben and his older sister Melinda. Their slow-burn coming together throughout this story was an absolute delight, it was so nice to feel the tension between them grow and for them to set boundaries based on each other’s circumstances. It felt so much more adult and mature in nature, people can’t always just dive into what they want because it not only affects them but all those around them. Being a bit older myself, I loved seeing a mature romance portrayed.
While Jess and Adam are our adventurous leads, and we have a plethora of lovely side characters including Adams kids, a cooky tour guide who turns out to be more than originally believed, a long-time always supportive friend whose education and patience is always there to assist Jess and others, the cemetery itself is most definitely the star of the show. With its history steeped in the Gilded Age, I found it fascinating how the author intertwined historical facts into the story. The descriptions of the tombstones and mausoleums brought each location to life, from the stone statues to colorful and precious stained glass it was easy to envision myself there with our ragtag group of misfits. I found myself constantly looking up images of this cemetery as I was reading, traveling amongst the tombs along with the characters, and learning so much more about this fascinating place.
Without giving too much away, our character’s journey basically leads up to Nightfall, an autumn arts festival hosted every year at the cemetery. The backdrop of the festival lends to the chaos of the climatic finale in such a unique way, one that I would never expect at a cemetery. And to learn that the festival is in fact a real one made me want to visit even more...with respect to the trees and all dwellers in this gorgeous place of course.
Another thing I found quite enjoyable in this book were all the references to things in the past that I too love myself, from Cher & Dionne in Clueless, to Lord of the Rings, Young Sherlock Holmes (a film I LOVED when I was younger) and the reference to the use of a bookmark from Shakespeare & Co., one of which I use myself. So many references scattered throughout this book made me smile, and I appreciated them all so much.
This book was spooky, but not scary, and had just the right amounts of paranormal demon hunting, cemetery wanderings and light romance to make this one of my most enjoyable cozy reads of the year thus far. I look forward to reading more of Lauren Willig’s books!
As a self-proclaimed Tombstone Tourist, I was so excited when given the opportunity to dive into this spooky, yet cozy story about the fictional goings-on at the infamous Green-Wood Cemetery, a place I have longed to visit. How wonderful it was to be able to visit it in the pages of this delightful novel that painted such a vivid picture of the long winding trails of this almost 500-acre cemetery rooted with history.
We meet Jess, a thirty-something recently unemployed woman, as she is joining her dearest friend Kimmy for a cemetery tour. Things get a bit derailed on tour and she then encounters young Ben lost amongst the tombstones on that fatefully stormy night. Of course, wanting to aid the young boy, she walks him home, which happens to be right there on cemetery grounds where we then meet the cemetery’s arborist Adam, widowed father to Ben and his older sister Melinda. Their slow-burn coming together throughout this story was an absolute delight, it was so nice to feel the tension between them grow and for them to set boundaries based on each other’s circumstances. It felt so much more adult and mature in nature, people can’t always just dive into what they want because it not only affects them but all those around them. Being a bit older myself, I loved seeing a mature romance portrayed.
While Jess and Adam are our adventurous leads, and we have a plethora of lovely side characters including Adams kids, a cooky tour guide who turns out to be more than originally believed, a long-time always supportive friend whose education and patience is always there to assist Jess and others, the cemetery itself is most definitely the star of the show. With its history steeped in the Gilded Age, I found it fascinating how the author intertwined historical facts into the story. The descriptions of the tombstones and mausoleums brought each location to life, from the stone statues to colorful and precious stained glass it was easy to envision myself there with our ragtag group of misfits. I found myself constantly looking up images of this cemetery as I was reading, traveling amongst the tombs along with the characters, and learning so much more about this fascinating place.
Without giving too much away, our character’s journey basically leads up to Nightfall, an autumn arts festival hosted every year at the cemetery. The backdrop of the festival lends to the chaos of the climatic finale in such a unique way, one that I would never expect at a cemetery. And to learn that the festival is in fact a real one made me want to visit even more...with respect to the trees and all dwellers in this gorgeous place of course.
Another thing I found quite enjoyable in this book were all the references to things in the past that I too love myself, from Cher & Dionne in Clueless, to Lord of the Rings, Young Sherlock Holmes (a film I LOVED when I was younger) and the reference to the use of a bookmark from Shakespeare & Co., one of which I use myself. So many references scattered throughout this book made me smile, and I appreciated them all so much.
This book was spooky, but not scary, and had just the right amounts of paranormal demon hunting, cemetery wanderings and light romance to make this one of my most enjoyable cozy reads of the year thus far. I look forward to reading more of Lauren Willig’s books!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early review copy.
I was immediately sucked into this story, because Willig is just that good. I didn't even mean to start reading it right away, I just glanced at the first page and then whoops! I read the whole chapter and didn't want to stop! I love her breezy, fun, and elegant style. Lately, Willig's historical fiction novels have been very serious, and it was wonderful and refreshing to read a contemporary book with a return to fun hijinks reminiscent of the Pink Carnation era. More like this, please, Ms Willig!
The spookiness level was perfect for me (a person who does not like to feel terrified). Gothic graveyards? spooky! Statues that move? creepy! Ghosts that throw urns at you? scary! Trees that can talk to the gardener? I'm intrigued! A demon who is possessing people? yeah that's freaky. Sometimes you get the demon's POV, which really helped dial back the terror, because the demon is a complete blowhard. Yes, he has the power to do some really awful things, but mostly he's obsessed with the fact that Baphomet gets all the attention instead of him.
Willig has clearly done her research and spent a lot of time in Green-Wood. I found myself googling pictures of some of the places described in the book. I found a NYT article about the real care-taker of Green-Wood, who really does live in a (VERY Gothic!) house inside the graveyard. Willig describes many of these locations, and her inspiration, in her author's note and acknowledgements at the end, with additional reference materials listed, which was fascinating and much appreciated! Even her demon, Belfagor, is a "real" demon who shows up in classic literature.
I did have a few complaints. After the "whoa what is going on here?" antics in the beginning, the pace did sag in the middle. Both Jess and Adam were incredibly slow to figure out a few things that were obvious to the reader, which was frustrating. The ending was a bit hand-wavey - they spent all this time saying “I don't know what to do about this demon” and then bam! In the end it's pretty simple.
I had so much fun reading this! The will they / won't they romance was a nice sub-plot. I loved how clever the title was, because the end of this book really is about what happens at the Nightfall event in Green-Wood. And there are quite a few unresolved issues, which leaves me feeling VERY hopeful that this will be the start of a series. I would love that! (Willig also teases us with the "next time? dragons" at the very end of her acknowledgements, and YES I'd love to read that too!! Please be reading this, Ms Willig!!!)
Unresolved plot points - POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!
What really happened to Jess's grandma?
Why did Jess's grandpa tear off across the country? (And why did no one ever question that?)
What other family does Jess have in Brooklyn? Are they also "gifted"?
What happened to Cornelia?
What did Ingrid's advisor make of her obsession?
Does Ingrid eventually get her PhD?
What is history of Adam's powers - did other family members have his ability?
Did Kate's family know anything about the demon?
words I looked up:
Putti (singular: putto) are art figures that look like small, chubby, naked, and often winged infant boys. Cherubs are religious imagery, putti are secular.
I was immediately sucked into this story, because Willig is just that good. I didn't even mean to start reading it right away, I just glanced at the first page and then whoops! I read the whole chapter and didn't want to stop! I love her breezy, fun, and elegant style. Lately, Willig's historical fiction novels have been very serious, and it was wonderful and refreshing to read a contemporary book with a return to fun hijinks reminiscent of the Pink Carnation era. More like this, please, Ms Willig!
The spookiness level was perfect for me (a person who does not like to feel terrified). Gothic graveyards? spooky! Statues that move? creepy! Ghosts that throw urns at you? scary! Trees that can talk to the gardener? I'm intrigued! A demon who is possessing people? yeah that's freaky. Sometimes you get the demon's POV, which really helped dial back the terror, because the demon is a complete blowhard. Yes, he has the power to do some really awful things, but mostly he's obsessed with the fact that Baphomet gets all the attention instead of him.
Willig has clearly done her research and spent a lot of time in Green-Wood. I found myself googling pictures of some of the places described in the book. I found a NYT article about the real care-taker of Green-Wood, who really does live in a (VERY Gothic!) house inside the graveyard. Willig describes many of these locations, and her inspiration, in her author's note and acknowledgements at the end, with additional reference materials listed, which was fascinating and much appreciated! Even her demon, Belfagor, is a "real" demon who shows up in classic literature.
I did have a few complaints. After the "whoa what is going on here?" antics in the beginning, the pace did sag in the middle. Both Jess and Adam were incredibly slow to figure out a few things that were obvious to the reader, which was frustrating. The ending was a bit hand-wavey - they spent all this time saying “I don't know what to do about this demon” and then bam! In the end it's pretty simple.
I had so much fun reading this! The will they / won't they romance was a nice sub-plot. I loved how clever the title was, because the end of this book really is about what happens at the Nightfall event in Green-Wood. And there are quite a few unresolved issues, which leaves me feeling VERY hopeful that this will be the start of a series. I would love that! (Willig also teases us with the "next time? dragons" at the very end of her acknowledgements, and YES I'd love to read that too!! Please be reading this, Ms Willig!!!)
Unresolved plot points - POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!
What really happened to Jess's grandma?
Why did Jess's grandpa tear off across the country? (And why did no one ever question that?)
What other family does Jess have in Brooklyn? Are they also "gifted"?
What happened to Cornelia?
What did Ingrid's advisor make of her obsession?
Does Ingrid eventually get her PhD?
What is history of Adam's powers - did other family members have his ability?
Did Kate's family know anything about the demon?
words I looked up:
Putti (singular: putto) are art figures that look like small, chubby, naked, and often winged infant boys. Cherubs are religious imagery, putti are secular.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lauren Willig clearly has a passion for historical context, a gothic setting and 80s pop culture. I'll give it three stars. I wanted the action to move quicker, the romance to burn hotter, and the demon to be serious.
While on a cemetery tour Jess gets separated from her group and finds the arborist's son Ben crying under a tree. She returns him to his house on the grounds, has a meet-cute with Adam and Melinda, his Dad and sister, and then Jess and Adam go back out into the cemetery to retrieve her lost subway card and close up the family mausoleum Ben was sneaking into. They find her tour guide's parasol in the mausoleum, and she offers to return it. When she does, she sees Adam's daughter Melinda's picture all over a murder board in the guide's abandoned office and calls Adam to let me him know. It's a great set-up. I was all-in for the first 25% or so but then it never lived up to the intensity level I was expecting.
The banter was very 90s sitcom-esque. There were sooo many asides and references to songs and movies that diverted from the plot at critical moments. It got frustrating rather than cute. I think all the characters had ADD. They couldn't stay ON TASK or on topic. They would've put things together a lot quicker if they'd stay focused. Demonic Cookie Monster didn't warrant more discussion? A ghost gives you a mysterious key and you forget about it for half the book? WAKE UP and smell some investigative skills, people! By 70% they were on borrowed time with this demon and me as a reader. I was so frustrated with the lack of urgency, putting two and two together and the frequent rehashing of both Jess and Adam's pasts. I needed the final action to kick off quicker, the stakes to get increasingly higher, but there were so many delays.
When the THREE historians they had "helping" brought in clues, they had sooooo much exposition. It's time for summary! A demon is hunting an 11-year old boy! The pace was too slow for the horror/thriller it was. I guess I just don't like books where the heroes are slower on the uptake than the reader. I want to be surprised. Did anyone think to look for Ben in the mausoleum? Well, yes I did about two chapters before the characters did. Even the demon seemed like a laughable doofus half the time. Was he an evil murderer or a goofy idiot? It was hard to tell.
Plus, where was the sexy pay-off for Adam & Jess? Several times I was confused when I pictured their scenes because one minute, they'd be knocked to the ground on top of each other and them getting up was never mentioned and then suddenly he's like pulling her arm to stop her from walking away and I'm like - oh, I thought we were still on the ground... The picture wasn't painted well in a few spots like that.
It made a unique addition to my Gothtober/Summerween TBR. It was an interesting blend of the genres of contemporary romance, romantic-comedy and gothic romance with historical fiction and supernatural mystery/horror. It was a bit of an identity crisis in a book. I couldn't figure out how to absorb it. I liked it, but it also drove me crazy.
While on a cemetery tour Jess gets separated from her group and finds the arborist's son Ben crying under a tree. She returns him to his house on the grounds, has a meet-cute with Adam and Melinda, his Dad and sister, and then Jess and Adam go back out into the cemetery to retrieve her lost subway card and close up the family mausoleum Ben was sneaking into. They find her tour guide's parasol in the mausoleum, and she offers to return it. When she does, she sees Adam's daughter Melinda's picture all over a murder board in the guide's abandoned office and calls Adam to let me him know. It's a great set-up. I was all-in for the first 25% or so but then it never lived up to the intensity level I was expecting.
The banter was very 90s sitcom-esque. There were sooo many asides and references to songs and movies that diverted from the plot at critical moments. It got frustrating rather than cute. I think all the characters had ADD. They couldn't stay ON TASK or on topic. They would've put things together a lot quicker if they'd stay focused. Demonic Cookie Monster didn't warrant more discussion? A ghost gives you a mysterious key and you forget about it for half the book? WAKE UP and smell some investigative skills, people! By 70% they were on borrowed time with this demon and me as a reader. I was so frustrated with the lack of urgency, putting two and two together and the frequent rehashing of both Jess and Adam's pasts. I needed the final action to kick off quicker, the stakes to get increasingly higher, but there were so many delays.
When the THREE historians they had "helping" brought in clues, they had sooooo much exposition. It's time for summary! A demon is hunting an 11-year old boy! The pace was too slow for the horror/thriller it was. I guess I just don't like books where the heroes are slower on the uptake than the reader. I want to be surprised. Did anyone think to look for Ben in the mausoleum? Well, yes I did about two chapters before the characters did. Even the demon seemed like a laughable doofus half the time. Was he an evil murderer or a goofy idiot? It was hard to tell.
Plus, where was the sexy pay-off for Adam & Jess? Several times I was confused when I pictured their scenes because one minute, they'd be knocked to the ground on top of each other and them getting up was never mentioned and then suddenly he's like pulling her arm to stop her from walking away and I'm like - oh, I thought we were still on the ground... The picture wasn't painted well in a few spots like that.
It made a unique addition to my Gothtober/Summerween TBR. It was an interesting blend of the genres of contemporary romance, romantic-comedy and gothic romance with historical fiction and supernatural mystery/horror. It was a bit of an identity crisis in a book. I couldn't figure out how to absorb it. I liked it, but it also drove me crazy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What Happens at Nightfall • Lauren Willig
A haunted cemetery romance with Gilded Age curses, demon hunting, second chances, and gothic chaos? Say less 🪦✨
This book feels like taking a nighttime tour through a cemetery and realizing halfway through that the ghosts are not the biggest problem.
Jess is newly unemployed, stuck in that weird life limbo where nothing feels certain, and somehow ends up separated from a cemetery tour in Brooklyn’s Green Wood Cemetery. Enter Adam, the widowed resident arborist trying to protect his grieving kids, his quiet life, and apparently everyone from whatever supernatural disaster just got unlocked.
And the vibes?
Immaculate.
Green Wood Cemetery feels like its own character in this story. Gothic, eerie, beautiful, strange, and full of secrets that absolutely refuse to stay buried. I loved how the historical mystery tied into the supernatural elements, especially the Gilded Age curse, the haunted mausoleum, and the demonic pact stretching across generations.
What I loved most was how this balanced spooky fun with real emotional heart. Adam is grieving. Jess is trying to figure out what comes next. Both of them feel a little lost, and watching them slowly trust each other while everything around them gets more haunted and unhinged was so satisfying.
The romance has that lovely second chance at life energy. Not just romantic love, but the kind where someone sees all the strange, messy, powerful parts of you and does not ask you to be smaller.
Also, demon hunting in a cemetery with romantic tension?
Yes please.
✨ Tropes & vibes:
🪦 haunted cemetery setting
👻 ghosts and demons
🖤 gothic romance
🌙 second chance at love
🗝 ancient key mystery
🏛 Gilded Age curse
🌳 widowed single dad
🔮 supernatural secrets
🕯 spooky but cozy
💞 slow burn connection
📚 Read this if you like:
Spooky romance, cemetery mysteries, haunted history, found purpose after life falls apart, and stories where the setting is just as important as the characters.
This was eerie, romantic, emotional, and so much fun. I would happily read a whole series of Lauren Willig taking us through haunted places with messy people falling in love.
#WhatHappensAtNightfall #LaurenWillig #ParanormalRomance #GothicRomance #BookReview @williammorrow
A haunted cemetery romance with Gilded Age curses, demon hunting, second chances, and gothic chaos? Say less 🪦✨
This book feels like taking a nighttime tour through a cemetery and realizing halfway through that the ghosts are not the biggest problem.
Jess is newly unemployed, stuck in that weird life limbo where nothing feels certain, and somehow ends up separated from a cemetery tour in Brooklyn’s Green Wood Cemetery. Enter Adam, the widowed resident arborist trying to protect his grieving kids, his quiet life, and apparently everyone from whatever supernatural disaster just got unlocked.
And the vibes?
Immaculate.
Green Wood Cemetery feels like its own character in this story. Gothic, eerie, beautiful, strange, and full of secrets that absolutely refuse to stay buried. I loved how the historical mystery tied into the supernatural elements, especially the Gilded Age curse, the haunted mausoleum, and the demonic pact stretching across generations.
What I loved most was how this balanced spooky fun with real emotional heart. Adam is grieving. Jess is trying to figure out what comes next. Both of them feel a little lost, and watching them slowly trust each other while everything around them gets more haunted and unhinged was so satisfying.
The romance has that lovely second chance at life energy. Not just romantic love, but the kind where someone sees all the strange, messy, powerful parts of you and does not ask you to be smaller.
Also, demon hunting in a cemetery with romantic tension?
Yes please.
✨ Tropes & vibes:
🪦 haunted cemetery setting
👻 ghosts and demons
🖤 gothic romance
🌙 second chance at love
🗝 ancient key mystery
🏛 Gilded Age curse
🌳 widowed single dad
🔮 supernatural secrets
🕯 spooky but cozy
💞 slow burn connection
📚 Read this if you like:
Spooky romance, cemetery mysteries, haunted history, found purpose after life falls apart, and stories where the setting is just as important as the characters.
This was eerie, romantic, emotional, and so much fun. I would happily read a whole series of Lauren Willig taking us through haunted places with messy people falling in love.
#WhatHappensAtNightfall #LaurenWillig #ParanormalRomance #GothicRomance #BookReview @williammorrow
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 / 5.0 Stars
This here is the perfect story to get you into the Hallowe'en spirit. Author Lauren Willig has deftly crafted a contemporary suspenseful Gothic horror with a delightful paranormal and romantic twist. Set in and about Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery, what better place is there to enjoy the spooky Hallowe'en vibe?
Recently out of work Jess Waters, has agreed to an evening's cemetery tour with her best friend, Kimmy. They get separated as a group of youths mow Jess down when fleeing out of a nearby mausoleum. One of the boys, Ben, is left behind and appears frightened. Jess agrees to escort the boy home to his cottage at the corner of the cemetery. His dad, Adam, is the arborist for the cemetery and this is the place which they call home, surrounded by the (usually) quietest of neighbors. A spark is ignited and then the ghosts come out to play with the living - much to their chagrin.
Ms. Willig is an absolute go to author for this reader. Her writing is richly detailed; the historic references are fascinating and well researched; and the mise-en-scène is exquisitely described. One sees the fluttering fall gingko biloba leaves in the waning sunlight and hears the soft rustling as the characters shuffle through the fallen leaves. One smells the decay and stench of death when a mausoleum is first opened after many passing years. The suspense is taut throughout with increase at the penultimate moment, before relaxing at the story's resolution. Highly recommend.
I am grateful to author Lauren Willig and her publisher, William Morrow for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication date: October 6, 2026
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 978-0063306172
This here is the perfect story to get you into the Hallowe'en spirit. Author Lauren Willig has deftly crafted a contemporary suspenseful Gothic horror with a delightful paranormal and romantic twist. Set in and about Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery, what better place is there to enjoy the spooky Hallowe'en vibe?
Recently out of work Jess Waters, has agreed to an evening's cemetery tour with her best friend, Kimmy. They get separated as a group of youths mow Jess down when fleeing out of a nearby mausoleum. One of the boys, Ben, is left behind and appears frightened. Jess agrees to escort the boy home to his cottage at the corner of the cemetery. His dad, Adam, is the arborist for the cemetery and this is the place which they call home, surrounded by the (usually) quietest of neighbors. A spark is ignited and then the ghosts come out to play with the living - much to their chagrin.
Ms. Willig is an absolute go to author for this reader. Her writing is richly detailed; the historic references are fascinating and well researched; and the mise-en-scène is exquisitely described. One sees the fluttering fall gingko biloba leaves in the waning sunlight and hears the soft rustling as the characters shuffle through the fallen leaves. One smells the decay and stench of death when a mausoleum is first opened after many passing years. The suspense is taut throughout with increase at the penultimate moment, before relaxing at the story's resolution. Highly recommend.
I am grateful to author Lauren Willig and her publisher, William Morrow for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication date: October 6, 2026
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 978-0063306172
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book for an honest review!
Gothic romance with adventure and demon hunting?? In a cemetery!? I'M ALL IN!
Recently laid off and searching for a purpose, Jess hesitantly joins her best friend, Kimmy, on a fun nighttime cemetery tour. Until she is separated from her group on accident, and discovers a terrified boy. Leading her to meet the resident arborist, Adam Chervinsky. A recently widowed, and has to protect more than the trees in the cemetery. Which are his two kids (who are hilarious by the way) Ben and Melinda
A haunting, brings them all together. And as the group delves deeper into the cemetery's haunted history, they begin to wonder... What lies hidden in the Green-Woods Vanderbilt mausoleum?
I found the information about being an arborist so fascinating. I’d love to read more about that job. Adam was such an endearing funny character and I love how amazing of a father he is and that he sings when he’s happy and cooking chicken constantly. He has such an amazing relationship with his children that I hope to have one day when I have kids.
Jess was quirky, relatable and honestly so kind and could read the room and knew exactly what to say. And I love that!
Overall, this was such a fun read! I love the slow burn between Adam and Jess and the mystery behind the cemetery and I love how they were all brought together. Also all of the clues! I was confused in some parts in the beginning but as I kept reading it all made sense!! My mind was blown away!
Gothic romance with adventure and demon hunting?? In a cemetery!? I'M ALL IN!
Recently laid off and searching for a purpose, Jess hesitantly joins her best friend, Kimmy, on a fun nighttime cemetery tour. Until she is separated from her group on accident, and discovers a terrified boy. Leading her to meet the resident arborist, Adam Chervinsky. A recently widowed, and has to protect more than the trees in the cemetery. Which are his two kids (who are hilarious by the way) Ben and Melinda
A haunting, brings them all together. And as the group delves deeper into the cemetery's haunted history, they begin to wonder... What lies hidden in the Green-Woods Vanderbilt mausoleum?
I found the information about being an arborist so fascinating. I’d love to read more about that job. Adam was such an endearing funny character and I love how amazing of a father he is and that he sings when he’s happy and cooking chicken constantly. He has such an amazing relationship with his children that I hope to have one day when I have kids.
Jess was quirky, relatable and honestly so kind and could read the room and knew exactly what to say. And I love that!
Overall, this was such a fun read! I love the slow burn between Adam and Jess and the mystery behind the cemetery and I love how they were all brought together. Also all of the clues! I was confused in some parts in the beginning but as I kept reading it all made sense!! My mind was blown away!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What Happens at Nightfall is a modern New York City ghost story, with plenty of suspense and romance to go around. Lauren Willig creates an engaging mystery which kept me trying to work out the clues along with the main characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jess doesn’t know what to expect when her friend Kimmy drags her on a tour of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood cemetery. She certainly doesn’t expect to rescue terrified 11 year old Ben from a terrifying experience, or be attracted to his single dad Adam, the cemetery’s resident arborist. Somehow Jess is pulled into the family’s drama and history, along with the mysterious incidents at the cemetery. Can Jess and Adam figure out what’s going on, and keep everyone in one piece too?
Read this book if you are a fan of:
🪦 Gilded Age history
👻supernatural goings on
🪦 romance
👻 haunted cemetery
🪦 mystery and suspense
This book is more mysterious ghost story than romance, but the well constructed plot kept me up late reading. I truly enjoyed the way the contemporary plot blended with the mysteries of the past. And, Adam’s children are the most realistic fictional kids I’ve read in a while, aside from their issues with demons of course.
What Happens at Nightfall is the perfect book to scratch the itch for paranormal fall reads. If you are a fan of mysteries with a touch of the supernatural and a bit of romance too, you’ll enjoy Lauren Willig’s latest book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this ebook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jess doesn’t know what to expect when her friend Kimmy drags her on a tour of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood cemetery. She certainly doesn’t expect to rescue terrified 11 year old Ben from a terrifying experience, or be attracted to his single dad Adam, the cemetery’s resident arborist. Somehow Jess is pulled into the family’s drama and history, along with the mysterious incidents at the cemetery. Can Jess and Adam figure out what’s going on, and keep everyone in one piece too?
Read this book if you are a fan of:
🪦 Gilded Age history
👻supernatural goings on
🪦 romance
👻 haunted cemetery
🪦 mystery and suspense
This book is more mysterious ghost story than romance, but the well constructed plot kept me up late reading. I truly enjoyed the way the contemporary plot blended with the mysteries of the past. And, Adam’s children are the most realistic fictional kids I’ve read in a while, aside from their issues with demons of course.
What Happens at Nightfall is the perfect book to scratch the itch for paranormal fall reads. If you are a fan of mysteries with a touch of the supernatural and a bit of romance too, you’ll enjoy Lauren Willig’s latest book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this ebook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book felt like a ghost story wrapped in a love story.
POV: you thought you were picking up a gothic romance… but suddenly you’re emotionally attached to a haunted cemetery.
This book felt like wandering through fog-covered graves at midnight while slowly falling in love.
We follow Jess after she gets separated during a haunted tour at Green-Wood Cemetery and accidentally walks a terrified little boy home… only to meet his broody widower father, Adam.
And from there..... Secrets, grief, ghosts, cursed history, and this incredibly atmospheric slow-burn romance start unfolding.
This isn’t horror with jump scares. It’s the kind of gothic story that creeps under your skin slowly. The cemetery honestly felt alive the entire time.
Adam is protective and grieving. Jess is skeptical but brave in ways she doesn’t even realize. And the tension between them? Quietly addictive.
The pacing is definitely slower and more deliberate, but honestly it worked for the vibe. Every chapter felt cinematic and eerie in the best way.
If you love:
🖤 haunted cemeteries
🖤 gothic atmosphere
🖤 grief and healing
🖤 slow-burn romance
🖤 old family secrets
🖤 stories that FEEL immersive
…this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to the publisherWilliam Morrow for the gifted eARC through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Confession: Atmospheric gothic romances own me every single time.
POV: you thought you were picking up a gothic romance… but suddenly you’re emotionally attached to a haunted cemetery.
This book felt like wandering through fog-covered graves at midnight while slowly falling in love.
We follow Jess after she gets separated during a haunted tour at Green-Wood Cemetery and accidentally walks a terrified little boy home… only to meet his broody widower father, Adam.
And from there..... Secrets, grief, ghosts, cursed history, and this incredibly atmospheric slow-burn romance start unfolding.
This isn’t horror with jump scares. It’s the kind of gothic story that creeps under your skin slowly. The cemetery honestly felt alive the entire time.
Adam is protective and grieving. Jess is skeptical but brave in ways she doesn’t even realize. And the tension between them? Quietly addictive.
The pacing is definitely slower and more deliberate, but honestly it worked for the vibe. Every chapter felt cinematic and eerie in the best way.
If you love:
🖤 haunted cemeteries
🖤 gothic atmosphere
🖤 grief and healing
🖤 slow-burn romance
🖤 old family secrets
🖤 stories that FEEL immersive
…this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to the publisherWilliam Morrow for the gifted eARC through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Confession: Atmospheric gothic romances own me every single time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A delightful paranormal romance that is also a paean to the history of the City of New York. I was so happy I got this ARC (my thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for granting me access). I finished my reading day leaving with a feeling of warmth and comfort- not all books can do that. Lauren Willig is one of the best romance writers and that’s so evident in this book.
Jess Waters has been laid off. She decides to take night tour of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery but gets separated from the group and locked in for the night. She meets little boy, Ben, whom she thinks at first is a ghost but it turns out he’s real and the son of the cemetery’s arborist, Adam. He has a connection with an old notorious Gilded Age family, the Vanderwilts, who are buried in the cemetery. When it appears demons may be around, Jess and Adam proceed to investigate.
The story is cute with great descriptions of some of the Gilded Age settings left in NY. I also found it funny - like Belagor, on of the spirits, wishing humans wouldn’t keep throwing salt at him - He wasn’t a chicken.” The story is nicely paced and I liked the partnership between Jess and Adam. Plenty of spookiness too (readers who like good Halloween reading fare should put this one on their list).
Be sure to read the Author’s Note. Fact vs fiction in this book is revealed. I particularly was intrigued by Willig’s Belagor and his history - love it when you learn new things.
Enjoyable read. Kudos to the author.
Jess Waters has been laid off. She decides to take night tour of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery but gets separated from the group and locked in for the night. She meets little boy, Ben, whom she thinks at first is a ghost but it turns out he’s real and the son of the cemetery’s arborist, Adam. He has a connection with an old notorious Gilded Age family, the Vanderwilts, who are buried in the cemetery. When it appears demons may be around, Jess and Adam proceed to investigate.
The story is cute with great descriptions of some of the Gilded Age settings left in NY. I also found it funny - like Belagor, on of the spirits, wishing humans wouldn’t keep throwing salt at him - He wasn’t a chicken.” The story is nicely paced and I liked the partnership between Jess and Adam. Plenty of spookiness too (readers who like good Halloween reading fare should put this one on their list).
Be sure to read the Author’s Note. Fact vs fiction in this book is revealed. I particularly was intrigued by Willig’s Belagor and his history - love it when you learn new things.
Enjoyable read. Kudos to the author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What Happens at Nightfall is a contemporary paranormal romance, following our protagonist Jess Waters. She is a recently laid off finance executive who decides to join her best friend Kimmy on a tour of Brooklynn's Green-Wood Cemetery, when she is separated from the group and meets the cemetery's head arborist, Adam Chervinsky. Jess and Adam quickly find themselves in the middle of a paranormal mystery involving a demon and his deceased wife's family, the Vanderwilts, who happen to have a mausoleum in the cemetery. In addition to dealing with a potential demon possession, Adam and Jess find themselves attracted to each other, and together try to navigate this attraction, while also working together to banish the demon before he can wreak further havoc upon the world.
This was a fun read for the beginning of Autumn, and the spooky vibes specifically were right on target. There was just enough tension as Jess and Adam tried to resolve the issue of the demon, both romantically and from the mystery aspect as well. The book itself read very quickly, and I did feel like the mystery and solution to the demon problem by the end was almost too easily resolved, with Jess magically understanding what to do (no pun intended). Overall, definitely a fun book for readers yearning for a little Autumnal romance with a spooky flair.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.
This was a fun read for the beginning of Autumn, and the spooky vibes specifically were right on target. There was just enough tension as Jess and Adam tried to resolve the issue of the demon, both romantically and from the mystery aspect as well. The book itself read very quickly, and I did feel like the mystery and solution to the demon problem by the end was almost too easily resolved, with Jess magically understanding what to do (no pun intended). Overall, definitely a fun book for readers yearning for a little Autumnal romance with a spooky flair.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Quirky, Charming, and Unexpected Read
I have never read a paranormal romance before, so I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when I started What Happens at Nightfall. But before long, I found myself completely drawn into the story. The quirky, humorous characters and the wonderfully unusual cemetery setting gave the book a charm that I really enjoyed.
I especially loved the fascinating bits of trivia sprinkled throughout the story, almost like little historical sidebars woven into the conversations. The history of the cemetery was another highlight for me. I found those details absolutely fascinating and thought they added so much atmosphere and personality to the story.
Lauren Willig’s historical fiction novels are some of my favorites, and if she hadn’t been the author, I probably never would have picked this book up. I’m so glad I did! It took me outside my usual reading comfort zone and introduced me to something completely different. What started as a book I wasn’t sure about turned into a thoroughly enjoyable and surprisingly delightful read.
A fun, quirky, atmospheric story with memorable characters and plenty of fascinating historical details. Definitely worth stepping outside your usual genre for!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.
#whathappensatnightfall #netgalley
I have never read a paranormal romance before, so I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when I started What Happens at Nightfall. But before long, I found myself completely drawn into the story. The quirky, humorous characters and the wonderfully unusual cemetery setting gave the book a charm that I really enjoyed.
I especially loved the fascinating bits of trivia sprinkled throughout the story, almost like little historical sidebars woven into the conversations. The history of the cemetery was another highlight for me. I found those details absolutely fascinating and thought they added so much atmosphere and personality to the story.
Lauren Willig’s historical fiction novels are some of my favorites, and if she hadn’t been the author, I probably never would have picked this book up. I’m so glad I did! It took me outside my usual reading comfort zone and introduced me to something completely different. What started as a book I wasn’t sure about turned into a thoroughly enjoyable and surprisingly delightful read.
A fun, quirky, atmospheric story with memorable characters and plenty of fascinating historical details. Definitely worth stepping outside your usual genre for!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.
#whathappensatnightfall #netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A thriller about a woman that feels lost in her life after losing her job, having trouble getting a new job and even though in her thirties, doesn’t know what she wants to do in her life now that she is unable to get a job in the field she was working. Now she’s on a tour of monuments in a graveyard with her best friend and gets knocked down by a couple of kids running past her like they saw a ghost. Well it is a graveyard after all. As she’s picking up everything that fell out of her purse she hears a voice like a bug in her ear, then finds a young boy under a tree… and things just continue to get weirder from there.
I enjoyed this book. A bit of thriller, a bit spooky with added cozy romance. It has a good flow, enjoyable characters (love the FMC’s best friend and the MMC’s daughter.. would love to read more of both) that just add to the story and don’t feel like fillers or placeholders as they have been in some of the books I’ve read lately. It’s humanized as the characters make relatable. You understand the miscommunications, the insecurities.
An enjoyable read.
Arc read
I enjoyed this book. A bit of thriller, a bit spooky with added cozy romance. It has a good flow, enjoyable characters (love the FMC’s best friend and the MMC’s daughter.. would love to read more of both) that just add to the story and don’t feel like fillers or placeholders as they have been in some of the books I’ve read lately. It’s humanized as the characters make relatable. You understand the miscommunications, the insecurities.
An enjoyable read.
Arc read
September 19, 2026
When I requested this book, I thought I was getting a romance set in a cemetery, and while there are romantic elements and plenty of cemetery atmosphere, this book turned out to be so much more than I expected!
Jess joins her best friend for a spooky tour through Green-Wood Gothic style cemetery when a group of boys accidentally send the contents of her purse flying. While gathering everything up, Jess discovers an ancient key and a little boy who has been left behind. Instead of finishing the tour, she decides to get the boy home, which leads her to an extraordinary house where his father, Adam, lives with his children.
From there, things get considerably stranger. 👀
This book packed a LOT into its 384 pages: tons of characters, history, family secrets, ghosts, demon hunting, and, of course, a little romance. There was definitely no shortage of things happening!
My biggest struggle was the length. This book took me an entire week to read, and despite being only 384 pages, it felt much longer because there was so much history and backstory to keep track of. I also found myself having to keep up with quite a few characters and secrets along the way.
That said, I really enjoyed the unexpected spooky elements and the way the story turned out to be completely different from what I thought I was signing up for. If you’re looking for a gothic, atmospheric read with romance, ghosts, secrets, and a little demon hunting thrown in, this might be one to add to your list. 🗝️👻
Jess joins her best friend for a spooky tour through Green-Wood Gothic style cemetery when a group of boys accidentally send the contents of her purse flying. While gathering everything up, Jess discovers an ancient key and a little boy who has been left behind. Instead of finishing the tour, she decides to get the boy home, which leads her to an extraordinary house where his father, Adam, lives with his children.
From there, things get considerably stranger. 👀
This book packed a LOT into its 384 pages: tons of characters, history, family secrets, ghosts, demon hunting, and, of course, a little romance. There was definitely no shortage of things happening!
My biggest struggle was the length. This book took me an entire week to read, and despite being only 384 pages, it felt much longer because there was so much history and backstory to keep track of. I also found myself having to keep up with quite a few characters and secrets along the way.
That said, I really enjoyed the unexpected spooky elements and the way the story turned out to be completely different from what I thought I was signing up for. If you’re looking for a gothic, atmospheric read with romance, ghosts, secrets, and a little demon hunting thrown in, this might be one to add to your list. 🗝️👻
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What Happens at Nightfall is such a fun blend of gothic mystery, supernatural suspense, and romance. Lauren Willig creates the perfect eerie atmosphere with the sprawling beauty of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, turning the setting into a character of its own. I loved the setup of Jess stumbling into a strange night at the cemetery tour, discovering the terrified boys and mysterious key, and being pulled into Adam Chervinsky’s world of ghosts, family secrets, and a haunting that hits much closer to home than expected.
What made this story stand out was the balance between the spooky elements and the emotional heart of the romance. Jess and Adam’s connection develops while they’re unraveling the Gilded Age curse, the ghostly socialite, and the secrets surrounding the Vanderwilt mausoleum, giving the mystery real stakes. The mix of demon-hunting, second chances, and a family trying to heal after loss made this feel like more than just a ghost story—it was a charming, atmospheric read with plenty of heart.
What made this story stand out was the balance between the spooky elements and the emotional heart of the romance. Jess and Adam’s connection develops while they’re unraveling the Gilded Age curse, the ghostly socialite, and the secrets surrounding the Vanderwilt mausoleum, giving the mystery real stakes. The mix of demon-hunting, second chances, and a family trying to heal after loss made this feel like more than just a ghost story—it was a charming, atmospheric read with plenty of heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my first experience with Lauren Willig and I want to read more by her- she seems very knowledgable about the time period and I love how she describes the setting.
The setting was so vivid- almost like a character itself. I fell down a Google rabbit hole looking at pictures of Green-Wood Cemetery and Tiffany stained glass windows. I had no idea stained glass was a thing people put in mausoleums.
I found the information about being an arborist so interesting, too. I’d love to read more about that job. Adam was such an endearing character- I love how he’s such a good dad and that he sings when he’s happy.
I don’t want to spoil anything but there were chapters from the point of view of a character you might not suspect and they were so interesting! This whole story felt so unique- I never knew where it was going to go, but I had a blast being along for the ride.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The setting was so vivid- almost like a character itself. I fell down a Google rabbit hole looking at pictures of Green-Wood Cemetery and Tiffany stained glass windows. I had no idea stained glass was a thing people put in mausoleums.
I found the information about being an arborist so interesting, too. I’d love to read more about that job. Adam was such an endearing character- I love how he’s such a good dad and that he sings when he’s happy.
I don’t want to spoil anything but there were chapters from the point of view of a character you might not suspect and they were so interesting! This whole story felt so unique- I never knew where it was going to go, but I had a blast being along for the ride.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I've been excitedly awaiting this story since the author first mentioned the premise (probably on Facebook) a couple years ago, and it did not disappoint!
I loved the characters -- their sass and their pop culture references. Their insecurities felt very real, but who doesn't wish they could be sassy while also being wildly insecure?
I felt the pacing was good and kept moving the story forward. I wanted to spend every spare minute reading. There were a couple "reveals" that I thought the characters should have realized sooner, but I'll give them a pass because their minds were being blown by one thing after another.
I also just love when a location essentially becomes another character in the story as Green-Wood does (figuratively). I want to learn more about it and go there and walk the miles and miles of walkways and imagine the lives of the permanent residents.
All in all, my only disappointment is that I can't read it again for the first time.
I loved the characters -- their sass and their pop culture references. Their insecurities felt very real, but who doesn't wish they could be sassy while also being wildly insecure?
I felt the pacing was good and kept moving the story forward. I wanted to spend every spare minute reading. There were a couple "reveals" that I thought the characters should have realized sooner, but I'll give them a pass because their minds were being blown by one thing after another.
I also just love when a location essentially becomes another character in the story as Green-Wood does (figuratively). I want to learn more about it and go there and walk the miles and miles of walkways and imagine the lives of the permanent residents.
All in all, my only disappointment is that I can't read it again for the first time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
WHAT HAPPENS AT NIGHTFALL was surprising, scary, funny, and heart-warming, a delightful adventure. My full sympathy was with Jess Waters from the start, limping through a tour of Green-Wood Cemetery-arboretum in unsuitable shoes, having her bag knocked to the ground, and being left behind (that the group didn’t help gather her stuff seemed rude, BTW). Then the trouble started, spooky chill wind, moody teen, falling statuary, a stalkerish guide . . . a demon? Friendship and possible romance lighten the mood, and wild parrots, in NYC — I had no idea!
I enjoyed the information in the Author Note section, and the reference to the Green-Wood web site, grateful for a virtual visit and wishing for a real one, perhaps for the Nightfall Celebration. I was happy to learn that there really are Monk Parrots in NYC also.
I read this book just as unseasonable heat gave way to more autumnal weather — perfect timing.
Warning: clear your schedule, as you won’t want to stop reading.
I read this book just as unseasonable heat gave way to more autumnal weather — perfect timing.
Warning: clear your schedule, as you won’t want to stop reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Apparently, all you need to turn a career crisis into a fresh start is a cemetery, a handsome arborist, a family curse, and a demon. Because naturally.
What Happens at Nightfall is a fun, atmospheric mix of Gothic mystery, paranormal chaos, romance, and humor. GreenWood Cemetery is easily the star of the show...creepy, gorgeous, packed with history, and apparently lousy with ghosts and demonic problems.
Jess and Adam are likable, the banter is sharp, and the supernatural weirdness is just spooky enough without turning the whole thing into nightmare fuel. I especially liked the way Willig balances the darker elements with humor and some genuinely sweet moments.
It’s not exactly reinventing the haunted cemetery, but honestly, sometimes you don't need innovation. Sometimes you just need people investigating a demon after dark while surrounded by dead people.
A charming, quirky, very fall-friendly read. Bring on the cemetery tours.
What Happens at Nightfall is a fun, atmospheric mix of Gothic mystery, paranormal chaos, romance, and humor. GreenWood Cemetery is easily the star of the show...creepy, gorgeous, packed with history, and apparently lousy with ghosts and demonic problems.
Jess and Adam are likable, the banter is sharp, and the supernatural weirdness is just spooky enough without turning the whole thing into nightmare fuel. I especially liked the way Willig balances the darker elements with humor and some genuinely sweet moments.
It’s not exactly reinventing the haunted cemetery, but honestly, sometimes you don't need innovation. Sometimes you just need people investigating a demon after dark while surrounded by dead people.
A charming, quirky, very fall-friendly read. Bring on the cemetery tours.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a very cool plot that was really well executed. The setting is dark and gothic, but the story itself is light and bright, and that contrast works really well.
Jess, Adam, and Melinda were all characters I genuinely loved, and the demon was honestly really funny, which I did not see coming at all.
You can tell Lauren Willig did her research on Green-Wood Cemetery because it felt so real and alive throughout the whole book.
There is a love story, but it is not spicy or lurid, and I actually really appreciated that. It felt natural and earned.
I do not want to give anything away, but the way this story resolves is not what you would expect, and it was the perfect ending.
4 stars, and I will absolutely be reading more by this author.
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jess, Adam, and Melinda were all characters I genuinely loved, and the demon was honestly really funny, which I did not see coming at all.
You can tell Lauren Willig did her research on Green-Wood Cemetery because it felt so real and alive throughout the whole book.
There is a love story, but it is not spicy or lurid, and I actually really appreciated that. It felt natural and earned.
I do not want to give anything away, but the way this story resolves is not what you would expect, and it was the perfect ending.
4 stars, and I will absolutely be reading more by this author.
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25/5
I was really excited for this book, it sounded like a lot of fun. And I like when a book has a little bit of everything. And this definitely had that. But I found this to be rather flat.
Things just sort of happened. And the characters felt rather flat as well. Even when exciting things were happening, it didn't feel all that exciting or action-packed.
I wanted more from the characterization, something more to root for from them.
I really liked a lot of the elements of this book, but the story just needed to be told a different way. I liked the cemetery setting and the mystical haunting mystery that created a fantastically eerie atmosphere. But I don't think this author's writing style is necessarily for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I was really excited for this book, it sounded like a lot of fun. And I like when a book has a little bit of everything. And this definitely had that. But I found this to be rather flat.
Things just sort of happened. And the characters felt rather flat as well. Even when exciting things were happening, it didn't feel all that exciting or action-packed.
I wanted more from the characterization, something more to root for from them.
I really liked a lot of the elements of this book, but the story just needed to be told a different way. I liked the cemetery setting and the mystical haunting mystery that created a fantastically eerie atmosphere. But I don't think this author's writing style is necessarily for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is like a Hallmark movie and an old school Disney channel Halloween movie had a baby, and I'm here for it. The entire time I was reading it that's what I imagined. I enjoyed it quite a bit but I probably would have more if I'd have read it in the fall. This is a great one to grab a blanket, a cup of coffee and crisp fall air and read in a day. My only complaints were at times things seemed so obvious it was ridiculous that the characters didn't see it. Like their level of just stupid or oblivious to it all was astounding. But otherwise I liked it all. I also think it'll be a good one to re-read every so often, it may not be ground breaking but it feels like a comfort show/movie that you can turn on and half pay attention too but still enjoy after the hundredth rewatch.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I apparently needed a cemetery, a handsome arborist, and a little demon hunting in my life because What Happens at Nightfall by Lauren Willig was the kind of delightfully weird reading adventure I didn’t know I was craving! I had such a fun time with this one and it’s wonderfully spooky Gothic atmosphere. Jess is trying to figure out what comes next after losing her job, and a nighttime cemetery tour turns into considerably more than she bargained for. Then there’s Adam, a widowed father and cemetery arborist who has plenty of problems of his own. Naturally, throwing these two together while ghosts, curses, and a centuries old demonic pact are making trouble seems like a perfectly reasonable idea! I enjoyed the mix of romance, mystery, humor, and supernatural mayhem. This was atmospheric, entertaining, and I’d definitely recommend this for your fall TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an ARC.
It's been a while since I've read Lauren Willig and it was nice to do it again. Her writing style has changed but it still feels familiar.
I didn't know how the paranormal, romance was going to work but Willig wrote in a very fluid manner. The hurdles the characters were going through felt like something that would happen to anyone minus the ghosts part, of course. Ben's arc was very solitary and sad.
I loved Jesse and Adam but Kimmy, Melinda and Ingrid were certainly my favourites. Shoutout to Cal and Cindy for their adaptiveness.
I want to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an ARC.
It's been a while since I've read Lauren Willig and it was nice to do it again. Her writing style has changed but it still feels familiar.
I didn't know how the paranormal, romance was going to work but Willig wrote in a very fluid manner. The hurdles the characters were going through felt like something that would happen to anyone minus the ghosts part, of course. Ben's arc was very solitary and sad.
I loved Jesse and Adam but Kimmy, Melinda and Ingrid were certainly my favourites. Shoutout to Cal and Cindy for their adaptiveness.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When Jess gets talked into meeting her friends at a famous cemetery ghost tour she had no idea that her life would be turned upside down. Who knows if it was the hunky caretaker she met while helping his son home or the events that led to unleashing a demon into the world but it did take her mind off being recently unemployed. A family curse, some haunted mansion hijinks and a flock of pirate parrots made me want to visit this famous Green-Wood Cemetery in NYC myself. If there is such a genre as cozy horror than this would be it. A little love, a little ghostbuster sleuthing and a little nod to New York City's past. Check out the author's notes for the interesting background story. My thanks to the publisher for the advance read.
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