What a Nightmare

by Rebekah Faubion

They called her a nightmare, so she became one.

Haven Powers has spent years trying to disappear. Once a loud, troublemaking girl who defied every expectation in her small town of Friendship, Texas, now she’s learned to hide her fire behind a quiet receptionist’s smile. It’s safer that way—for her, and for everyone else.

When an unsettling encounter with her predatory boss cracks open the tightly locked box inside her, Haven dreams a terrifying dream about him, only to wake up and discover it’s come true; he’s dead. Desperate to gain control of this deadly power once and for all, Haven returns home.

Welcomed suspiciously with open arms, Haven is immediately met with the ghosts of her past. Under the suffocating pressure of the town and her family who believe obedience is next to godliness, Haven soon finds herself on a path to revenge. She’ll show them what happens when the girl they called too much, too loud, too everything, finally lets her demons loose.

Genres: Horror, Queer, Lesbian, Adult, LGBT, Fiction, Halloween

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 13, 2026

About the author

Rebekah Faubion is a queer author and screenwriter living in Los Angeles. Her books include the YA dark speculative thriller Lost Girls of Hollow Lake out now from Delacorte Press, sapphic rom-coms The Lovers and The Sun and the Moon, and her adult horror debut What a Nightmare, releasing October 13th, 2026 from Berkley Pub. She enjoys reading tarot, bingeing horror novels way past her bedtime, and thinking up places to bury the body—for the plot, of course.

Reviews

[Chelsea Conradt]

I am so here for What a Nightmare. Dark, feminist horror that had me ‘one more chaptering’ all night!

[Lorin (paperbackbish)]

Thank you Berkley for my free ARC of What a Nightmare by Rebekah Faubion — out Oct 13!

» READ IF YOU «
🔥 love a good girl who's done being good
👁️ want to dish out justice in your nightmares
🌵 can practically feel the heat radiating off a small-town Texas setting

» SYNOPSIS «
Haven used to be loud and defiant, everything her small-town Texas family told her not to be. Now she's learned to disappear behind a bland presence—it's just safer that way. But when a vengeful nightmare about her boss comes true one night, Haven starts to fear her own mind. She returns home, thinking she can discover the source of her power, but first she'll have to deal with her family, the true nightmares.

» REVIEW «
Haven is suuuuch a satisfying lead to spend this book with. Watching her sick her nightmare fantasies on people who genuinely deserved it scratched an itch I didn't know I needed scratched. There's just something hella cathartic about a woman finally letting herself want bad things to happen to bad people, especially after a lifetime of being told to "be less."

And her family, my lord. Faubion writes that specific flavor of small-town religious household a little *too* well—I found myself hating them on Haven's behalf for like the whole book. It's the kind of family horror that doesn't even need the supernatural stuff to get your emotions up. But hey, those parts were fun as hell too.

The Texas summer setting was also a little too real, had me sweating right along with Haven. I want a peach! This is Southern horror with a real bite to it, and Faubion nails the balance between psychological buildup and full-fledged supernatural payoff. Don't miss it!

» RATING «
🔥 I'm Scorched 🔥

» READ-A-LIKES «
• Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
• Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
• The Hunting Wives (TV series)
• Carrie by Stephen King

[Kassandra]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

After nine years away, Haven Powers returns home to confront the trauma she’s spent years trying to escape. But coming back isn’t easy. Strange things happen whenever Haven falls asleep, she has vivid, violent dreams, only to wake up and discover that people have actually been hurt. Her family’s suspiciously warm welcome only deepens the mystery. As she struggles to gain control of her increasingly dangerous powers, Haven realizes that returning home has only made them stronger. Once seen as the family’s uncontrollable daughter, she’s determined to prove that no one can keep her contained. And with revenge on her mind, the consequences could be devastating.

I thought the premise was really intriguing, and the writing was well done. However, the story moved a little too slowly for my taste. While I appreciate a slow-burn buildup, it felt like the plot didn’t really take off until around the 70% mark, and then everything wrapped up rather abruptly. I also had a hard time connecting with the cast, as most of the characters were difficult to like or relate to.

Despite those issues, this was my first experience with this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’m interested in reading more of their work.

[Faiz]

4.0

What a Nightmare is an immensely gripping southern horror novel all about a dysfunctional family with dark secrets. The prose is simple without being boring, and I found myself breezing through it. It characterizes Haven a lot with her blasé crudeness amongst a bunch of fake-smiling southern conservatives trying make people think they’re your perfect Christian men and women. If you deep south imagery turned into horror, slight magical realism, and queer girls who are a little problematic, this is the book for you.

This is something I’d gladly put in the “female rage” genre as Haven is nothing if not a woman who bites back. She’s the absolute anti-thesis of the ironically named Friendship in all of its “stuck in time” conservative glory. She’s an unmarried, childless, bisexual who refuses to roll over for the abusers the town makes excuses for. A core part of this story is how institutions like church protect abusers. As well as how women can be complicit in the systematic abuse of women, like Haven’s mother or Charity Turner. While it doesn’t stray away from pointing them out as part of the problem, it’s also far kinder to them than some of the men Haven encounters. It definitely tries to be nuanced. I’m not sure how much I’m satisfied with Olympia Powers ending, since the final act is more abrupt than I’d like, but it does aim for nuance.

I think the ending is the weakest part in retrospect. The build-up is slow, which I liked as part of a horror mystery, but you’re not given a lot of time to sit with the reveals. It’s extremely chaotic, which very well might be the intention. Besides that, I would’ve liked a little more done with Winter. This isn’t a book about queerness, but it is a C-plot that didn’t feel totally wrapped up by the time we reach the end. We don’t get much insight into how Haven understands her bisexuality as someone from a very conservative area. She understands queerness as something to not do in Friendship, but I don’t know if that was another conflict with her family or an internal struggle like her abuse. I think it’s a bit of a miss opportunity that wouldn’t have taken much page time. But I digress. I probably wouldn't recommend this as "queer horror" but i'd absolutely recommend it as general mystery/horror.

[Cheyenne]

I really loved this! Haven Powers is now one of my favorite protagonists! The way this book deals with locking away trauma and it seeping out anyway is just so good! The small town vibes, the family with many messed up issues, the revenge! So well written! I do wish we got a little more of Haven and Winter! But I definitely get that this was more about her getting answers and finally being free than romance! I really appreciated the opportunity to read this before release

I received an eARC from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[mandie ੈ♡˳]

Okay, I have thoughts about this one because I really wanted to love it more than I did.

What a Nightmare had such a creepy premise and that's what really worked for me overall. Haven comes back to Friendship after being away for several years, and between her complicated family history and the nightmares that start becoming a lot more real than they should be, I was immediately curious about what was going on.

And honestly, Haven was probably my favourite part. Watching her try to make sense of the dreams while dealing with everything waiting for her back home kept me invested. I also really liked the small town secrets, the family drama, and her relationship with Winter. There were definitely moments where I was like okayyy, NOW we’re getting somewhere.

I think my biggest issue was that the pacing didn't always work for me. There were parts that really pulled me in and had me wanting to know what would happen next, but there were also stretches where I found myself wishing things would move a little faster.

That said, I really liked the overall creepy vibe and the themes of feminine rage and confronting your past. There’s something about a woman finally being pushed too far that will always have my attention.

So, three stars from me. Not a new favourite, but I definitely didn’t regret reading it. And I’m still curious enough about Rebekah Faubion’s writing to pick up another book from her.

Thank you to NetGalley and and Berkley for this arc!

[Amanda Ingram]

I really wanted to love this one more than I did because the premise is SO good. Female rage turning into literal horror? Absolutely yes. I also really liked the way the story played with repression, trauma, anger, and what happens when you spend years being told the parts of yourself that are hurting are actually the problem.

There was a lot here that I found interesting, especially the idea behind Haven finally embracing the thing she’s been taught to fear about herself. I just wish the execution had landed a little better for me.

The last 25–30% is where I started to lose the thread. So much happens so quickly that the ending felt more chaotic than cathartic, and I found myself trying to piece together what was literally happening versus what was metaphorical. Once I understood what the book was going for, I liked the idea behind it a lot more, but I wish that payoff had been clearer while I was actually reading it.

I also really, really wanted more Winter. She brought a little warmth and softness into Haven’s story, and I kept wishing she had a bigger role, whether that meant more romance, more involvement in the plot, or just more page time in general.

Overall, I think this had a really strong concept and some themes I genuinely liked. It just didn’t quite come together for me the way I hoped it would, but I’m still glad I read it. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[Jenn]

DNF. The writing style on this one just isn't working for me. Which is weird because I've enjoyed other books by this author. 🤷‍♀️

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

What A Nightmare by Rebekah Faubion, haven Powers has been running from the nightmare that is her family for two years when they find her again living as Haven Smith in Chicago. coincidentally it’s right after her boss committed a transgression and through Haven‘s nightmares he winds up dead the next day and so getting out of Dodge is definitely a good plan and as they say there’s no place like home and since her dad Earl is sick home is where she goes. it doesn’t take long for the awkwardness and uncomfortable feelings to reappear soon after her arrival to put a cherry on top of the shit show that is her family her abusive ex even shows up to see her. Trent is the son of the pastor in despite his abuse her dad wanted her to marry him to combine both their powerful families. while everyone else in her family is falling in line she refuses to and the longer she stays in Friendship Texas the worst life becomes before it’s over her boss in Chicago isn’t going to be the only person to die at the whims of Haven but then again Haven almost doesn’t live through the ordeal either. I did not like this book I did not like Haven I thought she was extremely unlikable, I got so sick of hearing about her box with the tree and rusted lock on it I found some of the book confusing like when she’s looking for the noise in her room she opens the closet in the closet’s empty but then it says she sees the shadow of a little boy wearing a hat in Luckys closet which makes no sense cause she was looking in the closet in her room and that just made no sense to me and that’s just one example it seemed like whatever was happening that scenario could change from her being in an office talking to her brother to the next thing he’s nibbling on his dad‘s severed arm and then they go back to normal talking. I did not like this book I won’t say it was hard to follow cause there’s enough that you can follow the story but I think the old southern homophobic religions bad trope has been done way too much or maybe I just read way too much I DK. I did not like this book there were no likable characters all her brothers had pretty southern names surprised no one was named Junior or Bubba and the way she described people being nice almost seen derogatory like you know they were nice like a head cheerleader or head of class type person and it just came off as if you also shouldn’t like that type of person. IDK I’m not explaining myself well but this wasn’t a great book I finished it and I am so glad it’s over. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonest review,

[Emily]

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for this advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

"What a Nightmare" by Rebekah Faubion

5/5 stars

It's not often that I read a book that I know will stick with me for a long time. "What a Nightmare" by Rebekah Faubion is one of those books.

Described as a Carrie tribute, "What a Nightmare" follows Haven Powers as she confronts memories of her past and the powers she's had since she was young.

I absolutely loved this book! The thing I loved the most was how eerie everything felt. No matter what part of the book I was reading, I kept feeling chills (ironic, since majority of the book is set in Texas). One thing that especially stood out to me was the exploration of the horror of surveillance in a small town. Living somewhere with no privacy in your life sounds like a dystopian nightmare. But Faubion was able to show how the idea of living in a town where everyone knows everyone (something often portrayed in media as sweet and wholesome) can be anxiety enduring, creating problems amd deavasting consequences that shouldn't have occurred.

I also loved the explorations of generational trauma (especially within women) and how systems of power and status (in society, communities, etc.) keep this trauma going. It felt like a theme that was woven into the story rather than somwthing thrown in. It's obvious that there was so much thought and care put into exploring this topic in a sensitive way that also made sense for the story.

I was very drawn towards the characters in this story. There was no character in this book that I didn't have strong feelings towards. I would physically cringe reading about the sleaziest characters and become emotional reading about the more sympathetic characters. To this day I keep thinking about them and where a continuation of the book might have taken them.

Overall, this is a great horror novel and I would definitely recommend it to others!

[lily ♡]

**Thank you to the publisher for providing me an eARC of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**

A heart-wrenching yet empowering novel about breaking the cycle of abuse, burning your demons down to the ground, and taking them to hell with you. I’m conflicted about this story because there were moments where I was barely slogging through, and moments where I truly couldn’t put the book down.

Perhaps it’s because I have religious trauma of my own, but the whole homecoming/family history/small town part of this story really left a pit of dread in my stomach and unsettled the hell out of me. Which means the author did her job, because that sort of all-too-familiar dread, dressed up in a southern accent and Bible verse about loving thy neighbor, is what Haven was experiencing. However, because of this, it took me a long time to get through the novel, and it felt like the pacing was off where the middle really dragged on.

When things started picking up towards the end, though, this turned into a real page turner. I couldn’t wait to see how things concluded with the more supernatural elements. I also absolutely love watching terrible men eat shit and die, so that was a huge plus for me.

My only gripe is I wish the author had done more with the little flirtmance between Haven and Winter. The protagonist’s queerness is not really touched upon beyond this dynamic in a few scenes, and selfishly I wish there would have been more. At the same time I also understand that this was not the central theme of this story. This was about the cycle of abuse and women’s autonomy, and while queerness can be a facet of that, it is not at the forefront in this story.

Overall, a great read. Definitely check the list of content warnings before you start this one, though. Perhaps if I’d taken them more to heart I wouldn’t have ventured into this story, but as long as it took me to stomach, I don’t regret it.

[Nikki Kossaris]

What a Nightmare is furious, cathartic horror that sinks its claws in early and never lets go. At its heart is Haven Powers, a woman who has spent years shrinking herself to survive. Watching her return to Friendship, Texas and confront the people who taught her that she was “too much” is equal parts heartbreaking and empowering.

The novel captures the suffocating weight of small-town expectations, religious judgment, and the pressure placed on women to be quiet, agreeable, and easy to control. Haven’s journey feels deeply personal, and her anger is more than justified. When her nightmares begin bleeding into reality, the horror becomes a vehicle for exploring repression, trauma, and the consequences of forcing someone to bury who they are.

What makes this story work so well is that the supernatural elements never overshadow the emotional core. The real monsters are often the people who claim to love you while demanding your obedience. Every encounter with Haven’s family and hometown carries a sense of dread that rivals the novel’s darker, more fantastical moments.

Haven is an unforgettable protagonist. Flawed, vulnerable, and simmering with rage, she feels incredibly real. Her transformation throughout the story is both devastating and deeply satisfying, especially for anyone who has ever been told they were too loud, too emotional, or too difficult.

What a Nightmare is horror with teeth. It’s a story about reclaiming power, embracing anger, and refusing to make yourself smaller for the comfort of others. Dark, emotional, and wildly cathartic, this one left a lasting impression.

[mariela]

thank you netgally for providing this for me to read ♡

ok so i was struggling since the beginning, i love a metaphor, i love a simile, and i love description! but HOLY MOLY. i get ittttttttttt and at the 20% mark i was over it. “my eyes are cobalt blue with deep navy rim and sparks of robins egg.” <333333 ur eyes are blue thats it omg
another thing i just cannot get over is the main character attempting to move past the texas better than thou attitude while literally acting the same way lmao i live in texas and have my whole life, yes there are SOME people who believe with a certain look they should get everything and more but constantly harping on them isn’t much different than them harping on you 😭

the pacing was weird, the first 70% is a lot of description a lot of talking about the over the top texan money, ranches and a whole lot of my eyes are blue, his eyes are blue, her eyes blue, the horses eyes? BLUE. and then the last 30% where the exciting entertaining part happens it wraps up sooooo quickly. i also think i expected a little more?? i just felt like her rage throughout the book could be more, her anger imo was just judgmental and we truly never got to SEE it, until the end as to why she was “a nightmare” which could work but i wanna see a lil more nightmare "not the woe is me i can never be loved or have friends wah". also pls i beg not every book needs a romance plot. i promise your book will be okay without it!!!

with all that being said i do still like the premise and how it wrapped up sksks

[Tabitha Malinowski]

ARC review:
She's making their nightmares come true. A book with the plot of revenge with very Carrie vibes... Count me in! I absolutely ate this book up and enjoyed it. It had a slow build up; but it was totally worth it. It was a YA horror with a touch of fuck the patriarchy that I didn't know I needed.

When it comes to our FMC she starts out as a victim. Rightfully so, with all the trauma she experienced with her family and pretty much everyone else (specifically an older man) in that small town of Texas. When she slowly starts to realize she has a power that she can use for revenge. It makes her evolve. She comes to be one with her power, no longer a victim; but a survivor.

Honestly, I think the way the nightmares were brought to life and her getting her revenge is my absolute favorite part of the story all together. The author did such a great job bringing the story together. Handling the trauma, bringing the characters to life, and overall the story as well.

This is a novel I wish I could see as a movie. I think it would be a hit! Also, there were elements of our FMC being romantically involved with another woman. But this wasn't a story about romance as it was for revenge. ❤️

My overall rating:
5/5⭐s

[BeMandyReads]

What a Nightmare by Rebekah Faubion.
Release 13 October 2026.
In Faubion’s adult debut, Haven Powers returns home to Friendship, Texas to face the family she ran away from 9 years earlier. Haven knows she needs to face her past and her family if she’s ever going to move on with her life.

I enjoyed Haven from the start. I loved the setting of her family’s home in Texas and the messy family dynamic. The character work shines and I could picture each person vividly. The catty small town dynamic and the oppressive heat really set the tone as the pressure builds around Haven’s return.

The nightmare side of things was a little slow for me. I think it was to shadow how the character was feeling? When the smoke started, I was never quite sure what was happening and neither was Haven.
My ah-ha moment was around 80% and my heart exploded. I felt the like the pay off was worth the earlier repetition and ambiguity. There are solid “good for her” moments and just desserts that are satisfying.

I saw this book comped as “a queer Carrie retelling” and that did hook me. After reading, I think I would’ve enjoyed the story more without that comp.

I liked this one and look forward to more from this author.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

[Ali Bunke]

What a Nightmare blends psychological tension with horror, focusing on trauma, and being told that your pain is the problem. Haven Powers, who has spent her adult life hiding the bold, rebellious parts of herself, is pushed past her limits when her predatory boss triggers a dangerous power she can’t control. After dreaming of his death and waking to find it real, she returns to Friendship, Texas, where old expectations resurface.

I found the themes compelling, especially the way Haven eventually embraces the part of herself she was taught to fear. The idea that trauma is the monster gives the plot a strong core, and the horror elements deliver plenty of intensity and gore.

At the same time, the pacing felt uneven. The ending was a bit chaotic and rushed, and I struggled to piece together certain parts of the narrative. While the story ultimately offers a solid payoff and an interesting mix of psychological and supernatural horror, the structure and flow made it harder at times.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Monika Porter]

I tried. I really did. But this book had me fighting for my life to stay engaged. I lost track of how many times I considered DNFing, which is never a great sign. I’m all for descriptive writing, but if I have to read one more detailed breakdown of someone’s iris color like it’s vital to the plot, I might scream.

I can absolutely see what the author was going for with the whole “horror as a metaphor for trauma” angle. It’s very on-trend right now, and when it works, it really works. Unfortunately, this just didn’t quite come together for me. I think the story felt all over the place with too many moving parts and not enough follow-through. The character relationships weren’t strong enough for me to really care… for example, the Winter and Matilda storylines are so flat. By the end, everything was rushed, with a bunch of information thrown in at once and still so many unanswered questions.

All that said, I think some readers might get more out of this than I did. I’m just left more frustrated than satisfied.

[Jenn]

Southern girls (and specifically GenX/millenial) learn from a very young age how to shove it all in a box and stuff it in the dark recesses of their minds. Emotions, box. Neglect, box. Abuse, box. Hope, box. All of it straight into the damn box and be good little compliant, submissive, smiling, picture perfect, God fearing girls.

Rebekah Faubion takes that box and turns it into a nightmare full of female rage and revenge. Haven Powers (the FMC) is done with running, done with being assaulted, done with not being able to remember why she even needed this box to begin with. A reckoning is coming to Friendship Texas, and her name is Haven.

The book starts out like a slow summer Sunday, rolling across your skin and seeping into your brain. The mystery builds and digs its nails into your palms, holding you in for the ride. The deeper you get into the story the quicker it starts to pick up until you’re rolling downhill to the climatic ending. Whew.

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for this ARC

[Paige]

dnf @ 50%

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the arc!

unfortunately, this is a miss for me. I was so stoked for this one. I was expecting horror, drama, psychic powers, and perhaps a sprinkle of murder.

there are sooo many references to this "locked box" that it could be a drinkin game. by 50% in, we had FINALLY opened it to one memory. okurr. it is then implied Haven can see into others' memories while they slept. too bad I never got to find out if this is true, bc it was too slow.

if you LOVE world building in a very boring way, you may enjoy this. personally, I don't need long descriptions of a small TX town. I already know they're homophobic and problematic. spare me & get to the good stuff.

I did end up jumping ahead to the last chapter(s) to see if it was a fun enough ending for me to continue, and it was not. happily DNFing and moving on to my next read.

[Alyssa]

Ooooo this was good. Faubion's romances were very fine for me, quick, light reads. Horror is CLEARLY where she is meant to be. The premise is gripping from the first chapter, and the slow burn of memories being unraveled was well paced. Her family is batshit insane, the small town is practically a cult, but the way family obligation, status, money, power are all wrapped up into these people. The fact that the entire book is about a metaphor about women's trauma and (forced) ability to "box up" and remand "normal" and "Presentable". Woof, I felt that too deeply. Yes this book is perfect for spooky season, but honestly is perfect for when you feel that undeniable rage about something out of your control.

Thank you Berkley for the gifted e-arc

[candaxe reads]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of What a Nightmare by Rebekah Faubion.
4.5 stars!
What a dream follows Haven Powers who has a unfortunate problem with her boss. She then has a dream and all I will say is that he dies. Then she finds out it wasn’t really a dream and her boss truly is dead. She then must work through letting herself free.
I am so here for the feminine rage this book gives. It 100% gives Carrie vibes and I love it so much. The trauma she has endured to just letting go is great. This might just be my favorite book that Rebekah has written and I cannot wait for everyone to read this book.

[Sydney]

Thank you to Berkley for early access to the eARC of What a Nightmare.

⭐️⭐️💫

I mean, it was alright??? The metaphor was strong, trauma as a literal monster/demon of sorts and locking away the bad moments/feeling. I think I enjoyed the general writing, the author is a good writer. BUT I found myself bored a lot in the first like 70% 😬 I kept going because I agreed to be a part of the blog tour but I likely will see if I can get out of it. I think the ending wrapped up a little too nicely for everything that went on, as well.

I’d be interested in another horror book from this author because their gore and writing during the nightmare scenes were both really good.

[Kaycee McKee]

This was an okay read, but there were just too many things that didn't work for me. I didn't like how often things would happen without any real acknowledgement of the aftermath, or how the story would bring things up without ever fully explaining them. I also struggled with the memory loss aspect. While the gaps in her childhood memories make sense given her traumatic upbringing, her memories felt like they came and went based on what the plot needed her to know. The ending was also very rushed and didn't feel satisfying at all after all the buildup. Overall, there were some really interesting ideas, but the execution kept it from being one of my favorites.

[Rhonda]

What a Nightmare was an enjoyable read with plenty of unsettling moments and strong Carrie-like vibes throughout. There’s a growing sense of unease that builds as the story unfolds, making it an easy book to get caught up in.

While it isn’t overly complex, it delivers exactly what I was hoping for—a creepy, entertaining read with a dark atmosphere and echoes of classic supernatural horror. If you’re a fan of stories like Carrie and enjoy watching tension slowly build into chaos, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Raven Grant]

As a big fan of a Carrie I jumped at the chance to read this book as well as being a big fan of Faubions. Haven is a character that many can relate to as she grew up in a family she never truly belonged in. Having abilities she doesn't quite fully understand Haven returns back home to Texas to visit her sick father. As time passes tensions burn in her family's home as many truths come to light.

Thanks again to the author for the eARC

[Montzalee Wittmann]

What a Nightmare
By Rebekah Faubion
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this wonderful book! I was thoroughly engrossed in this story. Great world building, believable characters, and suspenseful atmosphere the whole time.
This story unfolds slowly, giving the reader little drips of info here and there to tease us. It was fun trying to figure out a dozen mysterious things. All the clues had my heart beating faster, which happened often due to the frequency of the clues.
This is a different kind of horror novel. No jump scares, just a constant pressure that something or someone is coming and it wasn't good. The stalker behind you feeling. I loved it!
If you like horror, this is for you. If you want to try horror but are afraid to jump in, try this. This is easily 5 stars!

[Brenda Marie]

Some incredible woman's rage going on in this book!
Starts strong with Haven defending a coworker from her lecherous boss. Haven realizes shortly after she needs to uncover her lost memories to make herself whole - and figure out the little wooden box with smoke. It appears as her rage builds, pulsing and promising pain to whomever has caused her ire.
A really great look at childhood, parental impacts and how do we put ourselves back together.

[Molly Haniszewski]

The tension in this one gave me major Carrie vibes. Small-town horror is usually hit-or-miss for me but I adored how this was written. Excellent visual descriptions made everything so easy to picture. Haven is such a well-written character and it's so easy to root for her as she takes her vengeance.

I received an eARC from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[BookishKB]

🔥❤️‍🔥 What a Nightmare ❤️‍🔥🔥

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Horror
• Revenge Story
• Small Town Secrets
• Psychological Horror
• Supernatural Powers
• Feminine Rage
• LGBTQ+ Rep
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: October 13, 2026
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Liz Parker]

Unresolved trauma with a heavy dose of feminine rage? Count me in. Rebekah Faubion brings the darkness of the human heart to life on the page in a way that will not only shock and horrify you, but will force you to grapple with the idea that revenge might just be the best and only answer.