Old Roads

by S.A. Price, Cara North, Molly Burkhart

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Pseudonym for Stella & Audra Price

Bi-continental, Stella and Audra break all misconceptions about siblings. Writing as a team they have produced well over eighteen novels as well as several novella's and short stories. And nary an argument has come from it.

On their off time from writing, Audra is a makeup artist and Stella is a graphic artist and web designer, as well as the convention director for the Authors After Dark convention. They both love animals and have several including several snakes and a peacock.

Audra lives in Scotland with her husband and children, while Stella Lives in South Carolina with her dogs Moo and Poe and her husband.

Reviews

[Jessica Rigsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound Nightmares: This story is a fever dream in the best possible way. From the moment the main character stumbles upon the abandoned looking Victorian house, the story never loosens its grip. What begins as curiosity quickly spirals into a twisted, sensual, and psychologically haunting survival game inside a house that feels alive and aware.

Each “brother” is wildly distinct, which keeps the pacing fresh and unpredictable. The half spider orchestrator is calculating and cruel. Sauga, the rattlesnake Naga, is dangerous, intense, and layered with unexpected complexity. And the raven brother adds a mysterious, almost philosophical presence that shifts the tone in a way that deepens the world rather than derails it. None of them feel recycled. Each encounter escalates both the stakes and the tension.

The horror elements are vivid and unsettling. The doll room. The jars of preserved body parts. The doppelganger drowning in the glass tank. Those scenes linger. They are atmospheric without being gratuitous, and they build a creeping dread that never quite lets you breathe easy.

What really elevates the story is the psychological thread running beneath it all. The questions about identity, survival, freedom, and choice make it more than just a monster house tale. The protagonist feels human in her fear, her stubbornness, her sarcasm, and even in the moments she questions her own sanity.

The writing balances sensual tension, horror, and dark fantasy in a way that feels intentional and immersive. It commits fully to its concept, and that confidence shows on every page.

If you love dark fantasy with gothic vibes, monstrous brothers, eerie riddles, and a heroine forced to outwit a house designed to consume her, this book delivers.

Unsettling. Seductive. Smart. And wildly addictive.

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This part of the anthology, Route 40: Altered Perception by Miranda May

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Overall:

This story takes place with the MC’s Riley, Tyler, Darryl and
Jesse going on a week road trip to look for some
paranormal activity. They decide to travel along side
Route 40.
I love how much the boys are protective and all over Riley.
The love they have for her is just so good. They all want her
and they want each other too. Now, they are driving at
night when they pick up a hitch hiker, and that is when the
story gets goo. They break down and out of no where
comes a carnival, which is strange, cause everyone
seems to be dressed in a different era from all over. Well,
gets even more when, they go and decide to ride The
Tunnel of Seduction. It gets spicy from there.

I am really wanting more of their story. I am happy they all
get their HEA.
Miranda May has done is again and pulled another amazing
story. I defiantly will always recommend her books.

#anthology #AuthorMirandaMay #BookReview #paranormal #Whychoose

[Sierra Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got the chance to read Route 40 (by Miranda May) in the anthology and let me just say... I LOVED it!!! Miranda does a fantastic job with sucking you in right from the first page and keeping you hooked for the entire book. This piece is no different! I especially LOVED the angle where Riley heads out on a road trip with her roommates -- 3 men that are very much interested in her.
They went looking for proof of the paranormal... I daresay they found it! The location they stumbled upon was chilling (in the best ways) and also exciting. This one seemed very eager to help bring their interests to light and I ate it up!!!

If you're looking for some amazing supernatural pieces, I HIGHLY recommend Miranda's piece!! I eagerly look forward to reading the rest of them!

Now I need to find more books with ghosts!!

[Alimay · Rating 4 out of 5]

OLD ROADS

Dark, lonely, abandoned roadways and towns can lead to something... mysterious, adventurous. Eight authors, eight supernatural tales of horror, happiness, regret and revenge, all set to the backdrop of the desolate highways, that could lead to love, luck, life and death.

ON A DARK HIGHWAY

This is a review for Route 40: Altered Perception by Miranda May

This is a short novella within an anthology from Miranda May. It features four best friends taking an end of university roadtrip to discover supernatural adventures. When they start to give up on the ghostly realm, a hitchhiker provides the spark they were looking for, not just the supernatural vibe but the friends to lovers vibe as well. Short, sweet and complete, this story and it's characters will have you seeking all things supernatural and why-choose romance. A perfect escape.

[Emmi (bookish_redpanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check CWs before reading

Route 60: Altered Perceptions by Miranda May

A quick read that grabs you instantly, and both satisfies as a complete novella, but also leaves you hoping and wanting for more.

I really enjoyed this read from May, where best friends/roommates finally act on feelings they've all had for each other for a long time. As always, I love the fact that May writes polycules, and they work so well and everyone has their distinct characteristics, as well as place in the relationship.

I adored the paranormal element to this one, and enjoyed the semi-suspenseful element of the story.

Really hope May returns to this group and this universe, as I would absolutely eat up more about these characters.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Route 40: Altered Perception
By: Miranda May

This is a quick read that has a bit of mystery and intrigue throughout it. Riley has a sweet personality that you can tell she likes to have fun. The guys all have been in love with her for a long time but have never told her. We see that they are looking for a supernatural adventure after college and before the go off starting their new jobs. What they encounter is definitely a fantastic adventure and leads to a lot of confusion being worked on. It is fabulously written and developed. It is a fantastic read and doesn’t disappoint. I enjoy how it is.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Route 40 Altered Perception only

Supernatural searching vacation before life begins. These four have been great friends but secretly they are all in love with each other. Now they are off on an adventure before the boys come clean.

This was a fun but quick read. I love and hate anthologies. It's great for a taster of an author but when I really enjoy a story I want so much more. This falls on the I want more category.

I loved the ghost carnival and how it kept hinting that they were more than friends. It was a fun way to move out of the friend zone. Plus the spice was hot.

[Queenbeereads_sugarandspice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for Miranda May's Route 40: Altered Perception


I could have happily read more about these four; I loved their dynamic. Four besties, three guys who are all in love with the girl, and they’re all together too – my favourite kind of why choose! 
 
It was an interesting concept using the supernatural carnival to help push these four together after they’ve been keeping their feelings secret for so long, but I really enjoyed it. Loved that they had a little token to keep as well as a reminder! 

[AndreasBookFinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This part of the anthology, Route 40: Altered Perception by Miranda May, is a why choose, poly supernatural story. Riley, Tyler, Darryl, and Jesse head out on a road trip looking for something paranormal and end up with a disappearing hitchhiker, a broken-down car, and a weird carnival that keeps pushing them together. This was such an easy, quick read… I finished it in one sitting without getting distracted. I thought it might be a little spooky, but I couldn’t stop reading and really liked the ending. I’m definitely looking forward to more of these short reads and seeing who shows up next.

[Milena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Route 40 Altered Perception was awesome! I loved the spin Ms May took with this short PNR story that gives us ghosts while being the friends to lovers trope. You can definitely feel the sparks fly between the characters. The road trip was a fun surprise that made me giggle and laugh. Riley and the guys definitely found what they were looking for plus more they didn’t know they needed.
The other authors wrote some awesome stories that I enjoyed. I laughed, giggled, groaned, and thoroughly enjoyed the stories, each with a paranormal twist.

[Melissa Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story so much.

It gave being pushed together by outside forces to a whole new meaning. Daryl, Jesse, Taylor have been in love with their best friend Riley since they all joined the supernatural club.
But when the group decides to take one last supernatural trip together before life gets serious, deciding to travel Route 40, which has a long and rich supernatural history.

Little did they know this trip would change their whole relationship.
If you want a fun read then I definitely suggest giving this a go.

[TheheartofBrigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun anthology filled with short stories written by different authors. I will put a review for one of the short stories here.
Route 40: Altered Perception is written my Miranda May. We meet Riley and her three best friends, Daryl, Jesse, and Tyler, as they get ready to leave on a road trip. Not just any road trip. No this road trip is along Route 40 seeing if they can spot some supernatural things along the way. This leads to some fun and interesting experiences.

[Lily Kanojia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had specifically read Route 40 by Miranda May. Unfortunately, I did not love this story because I felt the beginning was lacking; I needed to know the main characters and more background before the start of the book. But I really loved and enjoyed all of the overprotective and spice that was brought into this book! This was a good storyline, and I absolutely see where it was going, but I wish there was more background when it came to the start of the book.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy," Old Roads take you to places as diverse as the authors that wrote the tales. I’m not a fan of horror so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get through this collection of spooky tales but I did and I’ll admit the stories followed me long after I put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed these tales about the powers that be out there. If twisted and spooky is your jam you’ll enjoy these different stories.

[Alic3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This part of the Anthology, Rout 40: Altered Perception by Miranda May

Riley, Daryl, Jesse and Tyler just graduated and are starting their jobs in a week. They decide to rake a trip along Route 40 in search of the Supernatural before they start working. Along they way they pick up a hichhicker and end up at a Supernatural Carnival. The attendant tells them she hopes that they find clarity at the Carnival.

They do end up finding clarity.

[Juanita Mullens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Route 40: Altered Perception
by Miranda May
Riley is in love with her 3 best friends. Tyler, Jesse and Daryl are in love with Riley, and also love each other. To open their eyes to what their hearts all feel, they will go on a supernatural adventure together to let loose before life takes over after college. Can a dispearing hitcher, a haunted carnival and ghostly BnB set them on a steamy path to the love they already feel? This is a sweet, steamy, funny, quick read I enjoyed it so much.

[Ashly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is specially for Miranda May’s short: Route 40, which I really enjoyed. It was fun, short and sweet. It’s a great taste of the style Miranda brings to her books. I loved the whole concept of her short story and would love to read more from these characters or from this world she built. It would be fun to see it all expand.
This is definitely a quick short story, but worth the read for me.
5⭐️ 3🌶️

[Amanda Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Route 40: Altered Perception by Miranda May

This review is for Altered Perception only. If you love the supernatural and spice this is the story for you. It is also a friends to lovers RH with sword crossing. It is a short story but the story feels complete and it ends in an HEA. The spice is really good and involves some piercings. I really loved it!

[ChristiLovesBooks_smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing Route 40 Altered Perception, included in the Old Roads (old gods) Anthology by Miranda May @mirandamatauthor.

This was a cute novella about Riley, Daryl, Jesse & Tyler that I thoroughly enjoyed reading! Tropes: Contemporary, Why Choose With MM, Friends to Lovers, Ghost Hunting, Carnival, No 3rd Act Break Up & HEA!

[Ange Bennetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for Miranda May's story, Route 40. I loved this quirky story. Like a horror story told around the campfire, 4 travellers find a strange fair that shouldnt exist. In amongst the fun they have on the rides amd enjoyong fair foods, they also discover what happens when 3 guys who are all on love with the same woman, let her know. This was spooky, steamy and most of all fun!

[Sylvia Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Route 40 by miranda may:

If you're in the mood for a bit of supernatural and best friends to lovers you'll love this short story. Riley, Tyler, Jesse and Darryl are on the hunt for the supernatural when they stumble upon a ghost carnival. It was a very interesting concept and a quick read.

[veronika_21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Route 40 by Miranda May was an amazing short story, the connection between the supernatural and “mundane” world was done very well. It read so smoothly that before I realized it, I was at the end. It’s a shame there isn’t more, I would read a whole novel in this world.

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Route 40:Altered Perception by Miranda May

Riley sets off on a road trip with her three best friends, Daryl, Jesse and Tyler in search of the paranormal. They're all in love with each other but landing in a mysterious carnival helps their relationship grow. Steamy and great fun.

[Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Specifically for

ℜ𝔬𝔲𝔱𝔢 40: 𝔄𝔩𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔓𝔢𝔯𝔠𝔢𝔭𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫
By Miranda May

This was honestly a super fun and quick read. There’s fun times, spooky moments and a carnival that i would absolutely love to be part of if given the chance.

[Kristanhreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for Miranda May’s Route 40 Altered Perception. I loved this novella and would definitely love it if Miranda turned the ghost carnival into a series. The carnival was a fun way for Riley, Jesse, Darryl, and Tyler to take that step to be more than just best friends.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance to read Unbound Nightmares by N.F. Schmitt and it did not disappoint, unless you count wanting more a disappointment. I really hadn’t been in a fantasy mood but 1 girl and 4 brothers with different powers, yes please.

[Alissa Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read route 40, and oooh. Usually not a fan of "bam here lets thrust you in the middle" but this?? This was SO good. The unrequited love is always my jam lol miranda may is always a great read. The dynamic is so sweet, I want a full length book asap! 🤣

[Crystal Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Route 40: Altered Perception by Miranda May

This novella was so interesting to read! Riley and her besties go on a road trip to find haunted areas. Along the way, Riley and her besties figure out things about themselves. Definitely a quick spicy read!

[Alisha Cottingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was out of my normal wheelhouse but it was so good. Each story had me on the edge of my seat flipping pages so quick. Well done by each author.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Route 40 by Miranda May in this anthology, and I can’t wait to read more of the stories! I adore protective guys, swoon!