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Call Off the Dark
"After her husband's murder, Helen quickly remarries and moves off grid to become a tradwife. Her trauma deepens when a stranger arrives. A twisty genre-bender." —People
“My favorite kind of so moving about true love and the aftermath of loss, and at the same time, twisty, confounding and impossible to put down.” —Clare Leslie Hall, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Broken Country
A haunting, atmospheric debut thriller with a love story at its heart—currently in development as a television series with Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions!
Helen and Tyler were soulmates, a couple with a storybook beginning and an enduring bond, until Tyler’s sudden murder shattered her world. Numb with grief and desperate for escape, Helen impulsively marries Wade—a near stranger—and goes off-grid with him to a farmhouse in rural Washington.
Trading her polished Seattle existence for a tradwife life of canning vegetables and sewing during the day, she battles insomnia, PTSD, and haunting memories of Tyler at night…until Wade's brother Isaac shows up. The Isaac died years ago in a farm accident, and Wade insists they're now in danger.
Helen isn’t sure what to believe. Is Isaac back from the dead? Is Wade manipulating her? Or is Helen's mind unraveling? As her suspicions close in from every side, Helen must navigate a maze of secrets, grief, and uncertainty—where trusting the wrong person could be fatal.
A stunningly original debut, Call Off the Dark blends a spine-tingling thriller, an immersive psychological drama, and a heart-piercing love story that reminds us of the magic in human connection and that our truest partners in life can keep us tethered to the world, even from the grave.
“My favorite kind of so moving about true love and the aftermath of loss, and at the same time, twisty, confounding and impossible to put down.” —Clare Leslie Hall, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Broken Country
A haunting, atmospheric debut thriller with a love story at its heart—currently in development as a television series with Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions!
Helen and Tyler were soulmates, a couple with a storybook beginning and an enduring bond, until Tyler’s sudden murder shattered her world. Numb with grief and desperate for escape, Helen impulsively marries Wade—a near stranger—and goes off-grid with him to a farmhouse in rural Washington.
Trading her polished Seattle existence for a tradwife life of canning vegetables and sewing during the day, she battles insomnia, PTSD, and haunting memories of Tyler at night…until Wade's brother Isaac shows up. The Isaac died years ago in a farm accident, and Wade insists they're now in danger.
Helen isn’t sure what to believe. Is Isaac back from the dead? Is Wade manipulating her? Or is Helen's mind unraveling? As her suspicions close in from every side, Helen must navigate a maze of secrets, grief, and uncertainty—where trusting the wrong person could be fatal.
A stunningly original debut, Call Off the Dark blends a spine-tingling thriller, an immersive psychological drama, and a heart-piercing love story that reminds us of the magic in human connection and that our truest partners in life can keep us tethered to the world, even from the grave.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
Hallie Shepherd
1 book81 followersHallie Shepherd is an author, screenwriter, actor, and producer. Her debut novel, Call Off the Dark, blends psychological suspense, gothic tension, and a deeply felt love story.
Originally from a tiny town in the Pacific Northwest, Hallie grew up running around in the woods, shooting “short films” with her friends on a video camera, and writing a weekly column for the county newspaper.
Her background in film and television influences her love of cinematic novels that balance pacing and atmosphere, as well as storytelling that moves between genres rather than staying inside a single box. Her favorite books are those with gray-area complexity that reveal both darkness and light.
Hallie now lives in Los Angeles with her filmmaker husband, where she continues writing stories for both page and screen.
Hallie’s Website
Follow Hallie on Instagram
Originally from a tiny town in the Pacific Northwest, Hallie grew up running around in the woods, shooting “short films” with her friends on a video camera, and writing a weekly column for the county newspaper.
Her background in film and television influences her love of cinematic novels that balance pacing and atmosphere, as well as storytelling that moves between genres rather than staying inside a single box. Her favorite books are those with gray-area complexity that reveal both darkness and light.
Hallie now lives in Los Angeles with her filmmaker husband, where she continues writing stories for both page and screen.
Hallie’s Website
Follow Hallie on Instagram
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Call Off the Dark by Hallie Shepherd
I'm really dipping my toes into horror right now and I've learned I can't expect to know what is going because we are not going to get answers (or answers that make sense) when it comes to this kind of horror story. So I just took it all in and really was horrified for a number of reasons. One reason was that Helen goes from her interesting (although sometimes boring) big city life and jumps head first into being a subservient, way off the grid, lonely housewife for a man she surely doesn't love and maybe doesn't even like at all.
I love country living but I'd never want to give up myself to become whatever Helen has become but she is dealing with major grief after being present for the brutal murder of her first husband, Tyler, in that big city they had loved so much. Losing her husband, especially in such a violent manner, did something to Helen's brain and heart and when she has a chance meeting with a stranger named Wade, she is primed to make a very impetuous change to a life that had become meaningless and worthless to her.
In her new life in the middle of rural Washington, where Helen rarely sees anyone, Wade likes it that way, so he even makes sure she doesn't get to go to town much anymore. Helen doesn't help her mental health by reading Plath and Poe. She can't sleep, her mind wanders back to Tyler all the time, and she knows she's made a huge mistake becoming an "insta trad wife" but she doesn't have it in her to do anything else. Helen does know her something has to give and it just may be her sanity.
Then Wade's brother, Isaac, shows up and things take a turn for the worse mostly, but at least it's different. The thing is, Wade says his brother is dead, he was there when Isaac died, and something is very wrong for this dead man to be in their house, talking to them, flirting (maybe) with Helen, and wavering between menacing and friendly. So, is Wade crazy, is Helen crazy, and what's up with brother Isaac? There is a little bit of Helen that wasn't even happy in her past life and that had me wondering about her in this life. Has she lost touch with reality? It was hard to relate to Helen, who was too different from me before the trad wife transformation and then once she is Wade's wife, I could see how Helen could go crazy by the smothering life she is living with Wade. Who is real, what is real, and is there any escape? I like the way the story ended because it surprised me. I certainly would have had no idea where to go with what was going on.
Publication September 22, 2026
Thank you to William Morrow, SOTC Early Read, and NetGalley for this ARC
I'm really dipping my toes into horror right now and I've learned I can't expect to know what is going because we are not going to get answers (or answers that make sense) when it comes to this kind of horror story. So I just took it all in and really was horrified for a number of reasons. One reason was that Helen goes from her interesting (although sometimes boring) big city life and jumps head first into being a subservient, way off the grid, lonely housewife for a man she surely doesn't love and maybe doesn't even like at all.
I love country living but I'd never want to give up myself to become whatever Helen has become but she is dealing with major grief after being present for the brutal murder of her first husband, Tyler, in that big city they had loved so much. Losing her husband, especially in such a violent manner, did something to Helen's brain and heart and when she has a chance meeting with a stranger named Wade, she is primed to make a very impetuous change to a life that had become meaningless and worthless to her.
In her new life in the middle of rural Washington, where Helen rarely sees anyone, Wade likes it that way, so he even makes sure she doesn't get to go to town much anymore. Helen doesn't help her mental health by reading Plath and Poe. She can't sleep, her mind wanders back to Tyler all the time, and she knows she's made a huge mistake becoming an "insta trad wife" but she doesn't have it in her to do anything else. Helen does know her something has to give and it just may be her sanity.
Then Wade's brother, Isaac, shows up and things take a turn for the worse mostly, but at least it's different. The thing is, Wade says his brother is dead, he was there when Isaac died, and something is very wrong for this dead man to be in their house, talking to them, flirting (maybe) with Helen, and wavering between menacing and friendly. So, is Wade crazy, is Helen crazy, and what's up with brother Isaac? There is a little bit of Helen that wasn't even happy in her past life and that had me wondering about her in this life. Has she lost touch with reality? It was hard to relate to Helen, who was too different from me before the trad wife transformation and then once she is Wade's wife, I could see how Helen could go crazy by the smothering life she is living with Wade. Who is real, what is real, and is there any escape? I like the way the story ended because it surprised me. I certainly would have had no idea where to go with what was going on.
Publication September 22, 2026
Thank you to William Morrow, SOTC Early Read, and NetGalley for this ARC
October 8, 2026
omg this shit had me HOOKED!!
Okay, so this book follows Helen after the tragic loss of her first husband, Tyler. While she’s still deep in her grief, she marries Wade and moves to bum-fuck-middle-of-nowhere, where she quickly finds herself living the trad wife life she definitely did NOT sign up for.
She’s grieving, struggling mentally, adjusting to her new life, and THEN her second husband’s supposedly dead brother shows up???
girl… you have been through ENOUGH.
What really made this book work for me was the past and present timelines. We get Helen’s life with Tyler while also watching her navigate her current situation with Wade and Isaac. Add in the supernatural elements, dead animals, and the constant feeling that something is VERY wrong, and I genuinely had no idea where this story was going.
The story leans heavily into Helen’s grief, which honestly made everything feel even more unsettling. And listen… a very toxic part of me was rooting for the bad guy. I’m not proud of it, but I’m also not taking questions at this time.
Also, THE AUDIOBOOK EATS. Like truly. This narrator was so talented that I genuinely didn’t need a full cast. She was giving every character their own personality and absolutely carried the whole thing.
Overall, this was creepy, unpredictable, emotionally messy, and exactly the kind of shit that keeps me saying “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m.
I need this as a movie!!
Okay, so this book follows Helen after the tragic loss of her first husband, Tyler. While she’s still deep in her grief, she marries Wade and moves to bum-fuck-middle-of-nowhere, where she quickly finds herself living the trad wife life she definitely did NOT sign up for.
She’s grieving, struggling mentally, adjusting to her new life, and THEN her second husband’s supposedly dead brother shows up???
girl… you have been through ENOUGH.
What really made this book work for me was the past and present timelines. We get Helen’s life with Tyler while also watching her navigate her current situation with Wade and Isaac. Add in the supernatural elements, dead animals, and the constant feeling that something is VERY wrong, and I genuinely had no idea where this story was going.
The story leans heavily into Helen’s grief, which honestly made everything feel even more unsettling. And listen… a very toxic part of me was rooting for the bad guy. I’m not proud of it, but I’m also not taking questions at this time.
Also, THE AUDIOBOOK EATS. Like truly. This narrator was so talented that I genuinely didn’t need a full cast. She was giving every character their own personality and absolutely carried the whole thing.
Overall, this was creepy, unpredictable, emotionally messy, and exactly the kind of shit that keeps me saying “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m.
I need this as a movie!!
August 26, 2026
After losing her husband to a senseless act of violence, Helen moves to a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere and adopts a simpler lifestyle. She has remarried and is trying to move on, but everything is upheaved when her husband‘s brother shows up out of nowhere.
Where I think this book really excelled was showing the grief and loss that Helen felt. By having the past timeline showing how she and Tyler met gave a good snapshot as to who she was as a character and what she was feeling with her grief. I found those parts of the novel had the heaviest emotional impact. I thought it gave a good reason for why Helen chose to move to the farmhouse, isolated deep within the woods, and adopt a tradwife style of living. The setting was loaded with atmosphere, and the choice of poetry that Helen read gave it an extra eerie flair.
Where I feel like it lost me a little bit was with the supernatural elements, as well as Helen’s relationship with Wade and Isaac. I just didn’t find it believable. Not the supernatural elements, the actual relationship piece of it. Maybe because I didn’t get enough backstory on Wade that I had a hard time relating to that relationship. As for Isaac, I think that relationship is going to be a little tricky with readers. I feel like they’ll either love it or hate it. While I liked his role in the novel, I wasn’t a fan of his relationship with Helen. It was odd. But these are all just personal preferences as always.
While for most of the book I found it impossible to put down, around the 65% mark it started to drag a little bit for me. I think maybe the combination of all the different genres didn’t work 100% in this case, but it was still a very compelling read.
This is definitely a good debut novel and an author to be on the lookout for.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Where I think this book really excelled was showing the grief and loss that Helen felt. By having the past timeline showing how she and Tyler met gave a good snapshot as to who she was as a character and what she was feeling with her grief. I found those parts of the novel had the heaviest emotional impact. I thought it gave a good reason for why Helen chose to move to the farmhouse, isolated deep within the woods, and adopt a tradwife style of living. The setting was loaded with atmosphere, and the choice of poetry that Helen read gave it an extra eerie flair.
Where I feel like it lost me a little bit was with the supernatural elements, as well as Helen’s relationship with Wade and Isaac. I just didn’t find it believable. Not the supernatural elements, the actual relationship piece of it. Maybe because I didn’t get enough backstory on Wade that I had a hard time relating to that relationship. As for Isaac, I think that relationship is going to be a little tricky with readers. I feel like they’ll either love it or hate it. While I liked his role in the novel, I wasn’t a fan of his relationship with Helen. It was odd. But these are all just personal preferences as always.
While for most of the book I found it impossible to put down, around the 65% mark it started to drag a little bit for me. I think maybe the combination of all the different genres didn’t work 100% in this case, but it was still a very compelling read.
This is definitely a good debut novel and an author to be on the lookout for.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75! Helen's husband Tyler is murdered. She is devastated and can't cope with grief, so she married a man she barely knew and goes to live with him in Wyoming. She's feeling the isolation of their farmhouse and things become even weirder when Wade's brother, Isaac reappears. The thing is.. Wade claims Isaac died in an accident many years earlier..What is going on?
Isaac warns Helen that she is in danger. Helen is caught between a lie and a truth.. is she hallucinating? Is grief getting to her? Is it affecting her mental state? Or is Wade manipulating her?
The audiobook is great! Pressley always delivers. FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW
Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow and the author for an early ARC.
Many thanks to HarperAudio for an early ALC.
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes
Speed: 1.75-2x
Publication date: September 22, 2026
Isaac warns Helen that she is in danger. Helen is caught between a lie and a truth.. is she hallucinating? Is grief getting to her? Is it affecting her mental state? Or is Wade manipulating her?
The audiobook is great! Pressley always delivers. FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW
Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow and the author for an early ARC.
Many thanks to HarperAudio for an early ALC.
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes
Speed: 1.75-2x
Publication date: September 22, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ughhh, I wanted to love this, but this was not for me. The romance in this book was so insta-love, and I didn't love Helen as a protagonist. I loved that this took place in Washington, and it even mentioned Fairhaven and Bellingham, which was so cool! But I wanted so much more from the plot. This book is very readable though, I devoured this audiobook in two sittings.
Here's the vlog where I read this one and a few others: https://youtu.be/21KG6qZUzKQ
Here's the vlog where I read this one and a few others: https://youtu.be/21KG6qZUzKQ
May 19, 2026
Call Off the Dark is a brilliant, genre-bending novel that caught me completely off guard.
Featuring a dual timeline, the story balances a sweet, meet-cute romance in the past with an eerie, unsettling horror narrative in the present. Think Emily Henry meets Melissa Albert, as weird as that sounds. Layered beneath the atmospheric tension is a deeply moving exploration of grief and trauma, handled with a quiet, profound simplicity that really sticks with you.
If you enjoy off-the-grid survival elements similar to The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, atmospheric dread, and stories that use horror as a lens for real-world emotional weight, this is a must-read. It’s a unique, quiet banger of a book, and Hallie Shepherd is definitely an author I'll be watching closely in the future. 4.5/5 stars!
Thank you to Jen at William Morrow (Harper Collins) for sending me an ARC copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This sounds so gooooooood.
Featuring a dual timeline, the story balances a sweet, meet-cute romance in the past with an eerie, unsettling horror narrative in the present. Think Emily Henry meets Melissa Albert, as weird as that sounds. Layered beneath the atmospheric tension is a deeply moving exploration of grief and trauma, handled with a quiet, profound simplicity that really sticks with you.
If you enjoy off-the-grid survival elements similar to The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, atmospheric dread, and stories that use horror as a lens for real-world emotional weight, this is a must-read. It’s a unique, quiet banger of a book, and Hallie Shepherd is definitely an author I'll be watching closely in the future. 4.5/5 stars!
Thank you to Jen at William Morrow (Harper Collins) for sending me an ARC copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This sounds so gooooooood.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a free copy of, Call Off the Dark, by Hallie Shepherd, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Helen had it all with Tyler, and then he unexpectedly passed away. Moving on way to fast, she marries Wade, and goes out of town with him, a near stranger. This women makes great choices. prefer books that stay on one time line and dont go back and forth over multiple years. This book had to much sex and not enough haunting or thrills.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Surprise Stars - now available
Helen and Tyler’s love story takes center stage in this new one from debut author Hallie Shepherd. But it’s also a ghost story, horror, and thriller.
It took me a while to understand what was happening in this story. Helen is now married to Wade and living off the grid in Washington. She’s sewing her own dresses while Wade tends to the trees on the property. She’s very skittish, and night noises spook her. They are very isolated, only going to town once a month for groceries and an awkward call to Helen’s parents.
She had a very different urban life with Tyler that sounded mostly idyllic. That life ended when Tyler was tragically murdered. Explains her issues with night noises.
Helen seems to be losing her grip on reality, communing with coyotes, raccoons, and crows. She gardens but dreams of burning it all down. And she misses Tyler like crazy. One day, Helen is shocked when Wade’s brother Isaac shows up. She thought Wade had no siblings. She’s even more shocked when Wade later tells her that Isaac died in a farming accident. How could Isaac be a ghost? He seems very real.
This part of the book was very confusing for me. Was Helen imagining everything? Has she completely lost her mind? She gets immersed in poetry; think Edgar Allen Poe and Emily Dickinson.
I need to do a better job of screening books before I decide to read them because I have decided that horror is just not my cup of tea. The ending was intriguing, but I was left wondering about a lot of details.
I was glad I buddy read this one with Marilyn because she could talk it through with me.
My thanks to Scene of the Crime and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
Helen and Tyler’s love story takes center stage in this new one from debut author Hallie Shepherd. But it’s also a ghost story, horror, and thriller.
It took me a while to understand what was happening in this story. Helen is now married to Wade and living off the grid in Washington. She’s sewing her own dresses while Wade tends to the trees on the property. She’s very skittish, and night noises spook her. They are very isolated, only going to town once a month for groceries and an awkward call to Helen’s parents.
She had a very different urban life with Tyler that sounded mostly idyllic. That life ended when Tyler was tragically murdered. Explains her issues with night noises.
Helen seems to be losing her grip on reality, communing with coyotes, raccoons, and crows. She gardens but dreams of burning it all down. And she misses Tyler like crazy. One day, Helen is shocked when Wade’s brother Isaac shows up. She thought Wade had no siblings. She’s even more shocked when Wade later tells her that Isaac died in a farming accident. How could Isaac be a ghost? He seems very real.
This part of the book was very confusing for me. Was Helen imagining everything? Has she completely lost her mind? She gets immersed in poetry; think Edgar Allen Poe and Emily Dickinson.
I need to do a better job of screening books before I decide to read them because I have decided that horror is just not my cup of tea. The ending was intriguing, but I was left wondering about a lot of details.
I was glad I buddy read this one with Marilyn because she could talk it through with me.
My thanks to Scene of the Crime and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
September 3, 2026
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Thanks to all!
I gave it 4/5 ⭐️
I enjoyed:
- the atmosphere and location. I Love a story based in the woods and the descriptions in this book were really pretty. Picturesque.
- Tyler and Helen’s love story. I like a duel timeline and getting to look back at how they met/fell in love made me understand Helen’s grief more because I could feel how much she loved him.
- I love these new books with like a trad wife element- but I like that in this one Helen doesn’t ever act like she just lovessss living like this which is refreshing.
- That i wasn’t sure till the end which way things were going to go. I kept changing my mind on how it would end .
Things I didn’t enjoy as much-
- This was more literary the first half of the book which wasn’t bad it just took a while to get to the “thriller” part of the book.
- This book is ultimately about Helen and her grief but I would have liked a little more on Wade and Isaac.
September 28, 2026
A very strong, emotional debut thriller that constantly left me questioning the truth surrounding this dysfunctional trio out in the woods.
Through this atmospheric, paranoia-filled story we are left with the understanding that grieving someone you love isn’t about letting go of the grief, but learning how to not let it drown you so that you can move forward.
CW: death, grief, violence, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, murder, depression, infidelity, hallucinations, drugging, misogyny, mentions of past child abuse
Through this atmospheric, paranoia-filled story we are left with the understanding that grieving someone you love isn’t about letting go of the grief, but learning how to not let it drown you so that you can move forward.
CW: death, grief, violence, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, murder, depression, infidelity, hallucinations, drugging, misogyny, mentions of past child abuse
September 22, 2026
Thank you Hallie Shepherd and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
I really enjoyed how complex the female main character was. She really was struggling through a lot and the situation she was in for the majority of the book I could completely identify with. The detachment from society while living so isolated. The setting also enabled the author to have her characters deal with their inner turmoil through nature and I liked how Shepherd accomplished this.
I did like the Tyler storyline, I think that was the best narrative within the book.
The brother stuff was kind of wierd but I didn't hate it.
The narration for the novel was great.
Good read.
I really enjoyed how complex the female main character was. She really was struggling through a lot and the situation she was in for the majority of the book I could completely identify with. The detachment from society while living so isolated. The setting also enabled the author to have her characters deal with their inner turmoil through nature and I liked how Shepherd accomplished this.
I did like the Tyler storyline, I think that was the best narrative within the book.
The brother stuff was kind of wierd but I didn't hate it.
The narration for the novel was great.
Good read.
September 23, 2026
After seeing a few reviews for this one I looked into it and the premise intrigued me. This was an atmospheric and tense debut that grabbed me, but was a bit slow to start. As it progressed I was more invested and it got really good. I love an unreliable narrator, and this one definitely gave me that. Helen's husband and soulmate, Tyler, Is tragically murdered, and she is riddled with grief. She impulsively marries a new man, Wade, who's basically a stranger and moves to an off grid farmhouse with him. But this new life and the isolation starts getting to her. And things get very weird and start messing with her head. This book explores mental health, grief, and trauma in a unique way and it was definitely gripping. I'll be so curious to see what Shepherd writes in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
April 7, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ I have read a lot of thrillers and a lot of romance novels. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the two combined but I loved it. The author did a great job exploring the blurred line between fear and lust. I felt so trapped in the house with Helen for a majority of the book and understood why she chose her personal methods of escapism, even if risky on many levels. There were also deep themes of friendship, love, trauma, regret, and insanity. Very well done!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
October 3, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for providing an ALC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Uhm so a simple question, what was the point?
Every aspect of this story besides our main character and the raw exploration of her grief and loss felt very underdeveloped. I enjoyed the past timeline and honestly felt like that was were the book shined.
The present timeline was underwhelming at first, which I will give the benefit of the doubt that it was probably the goal, and once Isaac was introduced it became so obvious with the supernatural element that it was boring to read.
Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me.
Uhm so a simple question, what was the point?
Every aspect of this story besides our main character and the raw exploration of her grief and loss felt very underdeveloped. I enjoyed the past timeline and honestly felt like that was were the book shined.
The present timeline was underwhelming at first, which I will give the benefit of the doubt that it was probably the goal, and once Isaac was introduced it became so obvious with the supernatural element that it was boring to read.
Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
AUTHOR: @hallie.shepherd
PUB DATE: September 22, 2026 by @williammorrowbooks & @harperaudio
PAGES: 352 pages
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE: Psychological Horror/Ghost Fiction
🫶🏼 A big THANK YOU to @williammorrow, @harperaudio, the author, and @netgalley for gifting me an advanced digital copy and the audiobook! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
📖 QUICK SYNOPSIS: After losing the love of her life, Helen makes a huge change and moves to a remote farmhouse with her new husband, Wade. Things get strange when Wade’s brother Isaac suddenly shows up, especially since Wade claims Isaac died years ago. As Helen tries to figure out what’s really going on, she starts questioning who she can trust in this eerie, suspenseful story.
✍️QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: I really enjoyed this debut by this author! The plot felt so unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. I never quite knew where the story was going, and the strange, eerie atmosphere kept me invested! I’ve honestly never read anything else quite like this. It was such a page-turner and perfect for spooky season. It’s more thrilling and suspenseful. I didn’t find it to be scary. I’m excited to get this one for my shelves!
PUB DATE: September 22, 2026 by @williammorrowbooks & @harperaudio
PAGES: 352 pages
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE: Psychological Horror/Ghost Fiction
🫶🏼 A big THANK YOU to @williammorrow, @harperaudio, the author, and @netgalley for gifting me an advanced digital copy and the audiobook! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
📖 QUICK SYNOPSIS: After losing the love of her life, Helen makes a huge change and moves to a remote farmhouse with her new husband, Wade. Things get strange when Wade’s brother Isaac suddenly shows up, especially since Wade claims Isaac died years ago. As Helen tries to figure out what’s really going on, she starts questioning who she can trust in this eerie, suspenseful story.
✍️QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: I really enjoyed this debut by this author! The plot felt so unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. I never quite knew where the story was going, and the strange, eerie atmosphere kept me invested! I’ve honestly never read anything else quite like this. It was such a page-turner and perfect for spooky season. It’s more thrilling and suspenseful. I didn’t find it to be scary. I’m excited to get this one for my shelves!
July 22, 2026
This was such a delightfully weird read! This atmospheric thriller drew me in right away and just kept getting better as the story progressed. It had me wondering what was real and what wasn’t up until the very end.
I enjoyed the dual timeline, as it provided insight from the past as well as what was currently going on with the characters. This was definitely one of those stories where the past was important in order for everything to click in place at the end.
The off-grid lifestyle Helen and Wade decided to partake in did a good job at creating an isolated and atmospheric setting for the story. This certainly added to the eeriness when Isaac came into the picture.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it for a while.
Read this if you like:
→ Off-grid lifestyle
→ Love story
→ Mystery
→ Stories about grief
Thank you @Williammorrowbooks
for the gifted copy of the book.
I enjoyed the dual timeline, as it provided insight from the past as well as what was currently going on with the characters. This was definitely one of those stories where the past was important in order for everything to click in place at the end.
The off-grid lifestyle Helen and Wade decided to partake in did a good job at creating an isolated and atmospheric setting for the story. This certainly added to the eeriness when Isaac came into the picture.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it for a while.
Read this if you like:
→ Off-grid lifestyle
→ Love story
→ Mystery
→ Stories about grief
Thank you @Williammorrowbooks
for the gifted copy of the book.
Did Not Finish
August 27, 2026I often go into ARC’s reading only the blurb so that I can give an unbiased review as possible.
With this novel I didn’t get very far. For starters, the writing style was not for me. Too much describing and less experiencing, but the main character was so unlikeable, making super stupid choices right out of the gate, and I really had no empathy for her. She married a man, but not for love, while still grieving the loss of her ex-husband. It’s not the 1800’s where women have less agency. Then she chooses the trad wife life with him, but somehow is getting painted as a victim. Boohoo, I honestly think that set up is enough for me to hope she has a bad life.
Then we hit the seance stuff, which is not my forte, so opted to read reviews to see if there were redeeming aspects to this book. There are some favorable ones, but reading the content others wrote about ghost/demon/paranormal erotic scenes, I have opted to DNF this one. I imagine if I continued it would be a 1 star, but I won’t rate on GR due to not reading enough. The amount I did read, I did not enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
With this novel I didn’t get very far. For starters, the writing style was not for me. Too much describing and less experiencing, but the main character was so unlikeable, making super stupid choices right out of the gate, and I really had no empathy for her. She married a man, but not for love, while still grieving the loss of her ex-husband. It’s not the 1800’s where women have less agency. Then she chooses the trad wife life with him, but somehow is getting painted as a victim. Boohoo, I honestly think that set up is enough for me to hope she has a bad life.
Then we hit the seance stuff, which is not my forte, so opted to read reviews to see if there were redeeming aspects to this book. There are some favorable ones, but reading the content others wrote about ghost/demon/paranormal erotic scenes, I have opted to DNF this one. I imagine if I continued it would be a 1 star, but I won’t rate on GR due to not reading enough. The amount I did read, I did not enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
October 3, 2026
So if I’m being totally honest, I really struggled with this one. It starts out intriguing enough, and the mystery surrounding what happened to Helen’s first husband definitely kept me reading. But as far as anything creepy, scary, or suspenseful? Not much happens until you’re at least twenty plus chapters in.
I was also really excited for the trad wife aspect to play a bigger role in the plot, but it ended up being pretty minimal. She makes her own clothes, picks worms off the garden plants, and never gets to go into town. So there, I summed it up for you!
Once the supernatural element finally shows up, the tension does pick up a notch, and I’ll give it credit for keeping me guessing. Unfortunately, the resolution was so underwhelming that I was left wondering why I’d stuck with it for so long. I kept hoping the story was building toward something completely different than what we ultimately got.
I’m not sure I’d classify this as thriller or horror. Heartbreaking? Yes, very much so. Strange? Definitely. Atmospheric? Sure. However, neither particularly thrilling nor scary, this one was sadly a miss for me.
I was also really excited for the trad wife aspect to play a bigger role in the plot, but it ended up being pretty minimal. She makes her own clothes, picks worms off the garden plants, and never gets to go into town. So there, I summed it up for you!
Once the supernatural element finally shows up, the tension does pick up a notch, and I’ll give it credit for keeping me guessing. Unfortunately, the resolution was so underwhelming that I was left wondering why I’d stuck with it for so long. I kept hoping the story was building toward something completely different than what we ultimately got.
I’m not sure I’d classify this as thriller or horror. Heartbreaking? Yes, very much so. Strange? Definitely. Atmospheric? Sure. However, neither particularly thrilling nor scary, this one was sadly a miss for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. 3.75⭐️ Brittany Pressley was an amazing narrator for this story!
Helen was such an interesting and complex FMC! Some decisions made were questionable for sure, however understandable for a woman in the throes of grief.
The setting in which the story takes place is definitely mysterious and creepy – and I actually liked the supernatural aspects, as it fit well with the narrative (if not also making it the reveal a tad predictable). Overall, this was a good read!
Helen was such an interesting and complex FMC! Some decisions made were questionable for sure, however understandable for a woman in the throes of grief.
The setting in which the story takes place is definitely mysterious and creepy – and I actually liked the supernatural aspects, as it fit well with the narrative (if not also making it the reveal a tad predictable). Overall, this was a good read!
October 7, 2026
I should’ve DNFed, my first impression was “I can’t listen to this horrible dialogue.” I don’t mind the mixing of genres but they were all underdeveloped. I guess the story was trying to explore grief or something? The writing was not strong enough for the ending to be ambiguous and the narrative to lack a clear point.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
5 star book review: I am SHOCKED this is a debut. I picked this book up yesterday and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. This was such a unique story about grief. It had genres of romance, thriller and a bit of horror sprinkled in there and I could have read 500 more pages of Helen’s story. I loved the flashbacks, and was completely heartbroken for Helen throughout the entire story. This is going to be a top read of the year, if not my number one.
October 25, 2026
WHat the heck Helen? Your husband just passed so you marry again so soon? AHHHHH no no no. In no way is that how or what you should do after you lose your supposed *soulmate*. Absolutely not. Then things just get weird and i'm not talking in a good way. Come on Helen seriously? Also, calling this a thriller is quite the stretch. More like a slow meandering stroll through a dark forest where you sometimes feel uncomfortable but not scared. Anyway this book was not for me.
August 30, 2026
Unsure if I finished this book or if it finished me. FRTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4/5
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and Hallie Shepherd for gifting me with this ARC to review. Despite me taking a minute to get into the story, I really ended up liking it!
Liked:
-Helen is a very painful ball of grief. I felt so bad for what she had to go through with witnessing Tyler die and watching the future she’d planned with him die too. Despite me not losing a significant other, I did lose my dad as a teenager and I related so much to the pain, anger, emptiness, and sadness that Helen was going through. I’m glad that she’s now able to fully process her grief and start letting go so she can learn to live again.
-supernatural elements are our friends. I always enjoy a good mystery with some supernatural elements thrown in the mix. I think the author added the right amount of it in the story. If it leaned more towards supernatural I don’t think it would’ve worked well with the whole story of Helen processing her grief funny enough.
-flashback moments. I truly did love seeing Helen and Tyler’s love story bloom. Sometimes you just find the right person and it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to you. They deserved so much more time with each other, but I think it really does reinforce the idea of living everyday like it’s your last, because we don’t know when death is going to come for us in the end.
Disliked:
-it was a slower start. I don’t mind that typically as long as there is at least some interest in dialogue or something going on between characters. Wade and Helen were really like two people living around each other, not with, if that makes sense. Until Issac showed up I didn’t know if I was going to end of liking this story as much as I did.
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and Hallie Shepherd for gifting me with this ARC to review. Despite me taking a minute to get into the story, I really ended up liking it!
Liked:
-Helen is a very painful ball of grief. I felt so bad for what she had to go through with witnessing Tyler die and watching the future she’d planned with him die too. Despite me not losing a significant other, I did lose my dad as a teenager and I related so much to the pain, anger, emptiness, and sadness that Helen was going through. I’m glad that she’s now able to fully process her grief and start letting go so she can learn to live again.
-supernatural elements are our friends. I always enjoy a good mystery with some supernatural elements thrown in the mix. I think the author added the right amount of it in the story. If it leaned more towards supernatural I don’t think it would’ve worked well with the whole story of Helen processing her grief funny enough.
-flashback moments. I truly did love seeing Helen and Tyler’s love story bloom. Sometimes you just find the right person and it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to you. They deserved so much more time with each other, but I think it really does reinforce the idea of living everyday like it’s your last, because we don’t know when death is going to come for us in the end.
Disliked:
-it was a slower start. I don’t mind that typically as long as there is at least some interest in dialogue or something going on between characters. Wade and Helen were really like two people living around each other, not with, if that makes sense. Until Issac showed up I didn’t know if I was going to end of liking this story as much as I did.
Want to Read
February 27, 2026oooh this one sounds good!! Pub date: 09/2026
** ARC REC"D THANK YOU! **
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
** ARC REC"D THANK YOU! **
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Call Off the Dark is an interesting, ambitious, and ultimately, for me, kind of odd novel about the grieving process.
The main character, Helen, was married to her soul mate, Tyler, until he was tragically murdered. To escape her all-consuming memories and crushing grief, Helen rushes into a second marriage with a man named Wade, who takes her to live off the grid on a remote farm in the Washington wilderness. Helen loses herself in a life of cooking and cleaning and gardening, but then Wade’s brother, Isaac, arrives at the farm, which upends everything – because Wade insists that Isaac is dead.
Unfolding on dual timelines, we follow the course of Helen and Tyler’s relationship, which is juxtaposed with her current “tradwife” life with Wade. The past and present structure shows how much everything has changed for Helen, including her mindset and mental health. Her past was happy and free and full of love; her present is restrictive and claustrophobic and hopeless. Isaac’s arrival brings tension and a mounting sense of dread to the present narrative, which made it much more appealing to me than the past; after a while, the past timeline began to feel like filler, just marching towards its inevitable conclusion.
I found both of Helen’s husbands uninteresting – Tyler because he’s too perfect, and Wade because he’s too one-dimensional. Isaac is fascinating, despite (or maybe because of?) the fact that he remains mostly an enigma. Helen is a complex protagonist, and I enjoyed watching the fluctuations of her character arc throughout the book. She’s an effective conduit for exploring grief and healing, trauma and PTSD, and resilience.
I thought the supernatural element, while interesting, could’ve been handled with more finesse. I wanted a clearer explanation for what happened at the end of the book; it ultimately felt muddled and left me frustrated, confused, and kind of annoyed.
Ultimately, I really liked the ideas Hallie Shepherd presented here, but I didn’t completely vibe with the execution of those ideas. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and William Morrow for the early reading opportunity.
The main character, Helen, was married to her soul mate, Tyler, until he was tragically murdered. To escape her all-consuming memories and crushing grief, Helen rushes into a second marriage with a man named Wade, who takes her to live off the grid on a remote farm in the Washington wilderness. Helen loses herself in a life of cooking and cleaning and gardening, but then Wade’s brother, Isaac, arrives at the farm, which upends everything – because Wade insists that Isaac is dead.
Unfolding on dual timelines, we follow the course of Helen and Tyler’s relationship, which is juxtaposed with her current “tradwife” life with Wade. The past and present structure shows how much everything has changed for Helen, including her mindset and mental health. Her past was happy and free and full of love; her present is restrictive and claustrophobic and hopeless. Isaac’s arrival brings tension and a mounting sense of dread to the present narrative, which made it much more appealing to me than the past; after a while, the past timeline began to feel like filler, just marching towards its inevitable conclusion.
I found both of Helen’s husbands uninteresting – Tyler because he’s too perfect, and Wade because he’s too one-dimensional. Isaac is fascinating, despite (or maybe because of?) the fact that he remains mostly an enigma. Helen is a complex protagonist, and I enjoyed watching the fluctuations of her character arc throughout the book. She’s an effective conduit for exploring grief and healing, trauma and PTSD, and resilience.
I thought the supernatural element, while interesting, could’ve been handled with more finesse. I wanted a clearer explanation for what happened at the end of the book; it ultimately felt muddled and left me frustrated, confused, and kind of annoyed.
Ultimately, I really liked the ideas Hallie Shepherd presented here, but I didn’t completely vibe with the execution of those ideas. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and William Morrow for the early reading opportunity.
September 23, 2026
4.75🌟
Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy of Call Off The Dark in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
One of the more thought provoking reads I've come across in a very long time. Literary horror at its finest that brilliantly mixed the supernatural with some heartbreaking and important dialogue surrounding grief and what it takes to deal with it, work through it and come out the other side of it.
The story kicks off as we are introduced to Helen who retreats to an off the grid cabin with her new husband Wade to escape the devastating grief of losing her former husband Tyler who was murdered during a home invasion gone wrong. We immediately see the dynamic between Helen and Wade being one where both don't really care for one another very much. Wade is demanding and really takes this off grid lifestyle to heart, aggressively so at times, shutting down Helen's minor requests at freedom and forcing her to solely rely on a nearby neighbor Agnes as her only secret anchor to the outside world.
Flashbacks of Helen's joyful past with Tyler really do highlight the suffocating misery of her present to the point where Helen tries to communicate with Tyler with hopes that he contacts her from the great beyond. You see the struggle Helen has with reality early on, even seeing other ghostly figures, one that looks strangely like herself. Just as Helen is deciding whether life with Wade is still a life worth living, a stranger shows up at the cabin and that's where the real mystery of the book and the writing chops of the author begin to kick into high gear.
I absolutely loved the character play in this novel. Helen was so compelling and whether it was through the flashbacks or the present day timeline, you really got to know her fully and all of the sadness and confusion and pain she felt I could feel that as well. The book really makes you question what is real and what is not. Are the experiences Helen is going through, from wanting to connect with Tyler, to seeing other ghostly figures real or is it all in her head? The supernatural aspects of this book were grounded in so much reality that anything otherworldly that was taking place seemed like it was not strange at all.
Helen was in a fight for her life and that battle was truly more mental than physical which allowed for so much growth for her character and gave the story so much depth. I was blown away with how much I cared about her outcome and how I was able to resonate with the things she was going through without actually suffering the kind of loss she did. There were huge stakes for Helen and a massive amount of unresolved trauma she had to work through to step out of the dark and reclaim her life and the actual supernatural horror elements were a believable enough pairing to really set this story apart from anything else I've read.
There are so many different aspects of this book that come into play throughout that the premise really does not get into and that made this such a surprising read because of it. I honestly had such a great reading experience with this one, working through the ins and outs of the narrative to the point where I felt like I was on the journey right alongside these characters. Such a well written novel and one that I know will definitely stick with me for a long time.
Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy of Call Off The Dark in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
One of the more thought provoking reads I've come across in a very long time. Literary horror at its finest that brilliantly mixed the supernatural with some heartbreaking and important dialogue surrounding grief and what it takes to deal with it, work through it and come out the other side of it.
The story kicks off as we are introduced to Helen who retreats to an off the grid cabin with her new husband Wade to escape the devastating grief of losing her former husband Tyler who was murdered during a home invasion gone wrong. We immediately see the dynamic between Helen and Wade being one where both don't really care for one another very much. Wade is demanding and really takes this off grid lifestyle to heart, aggressively so at times, shutting down Helen's minor requests at freedom and forcing her to solely rely on a nearby neighbor Agnes as her only secret anchor to the outside world.
Flashbacks of Helen's joyful past with Tyler really do highlight the suffocating misery of her present to the point where Helen tries to communicate with Tyler with hopes that he contacts her from the great beyond. You see the struggle Helen has with reality early on, even seeing other ghostly figures, one that looks strangely like herself. Just as Helen is deciding whether life with Wade is still a life worth living, a stranger shows up at the cabin and that's where the real mystery of the book and the writing chops of the author begin to kick into high gear.
I absolutely loved the character play in this novel. Helen was so compelling and whether it was through the flashbacks or the present day timeline, you really got to know her fully and all of the sadness and confusion and pain she felt I could feel that as well. The book really makes you question what is real and what is not. Are the experiences Helen is going through, from wanting to connect with Tyler, to seeing other ghostly figures real or is it all in her head? The supernatural aspects of this book were grounded in so much reality that anything otherworldly that was taking place seemed like it was not strange at all.
Helen was in a fight for her life and that battle was truly more mental than physical which allowed for so much growth for her character and gave the story so much depth. I was blown away with how much I cared about her outcome and how I was able to resonate with the things she was going through without actually suffering the kind of loss she did. There were huge stakes for Helen and a massive amount of unresolved trauma she had to work through to step out of the dark and reclaim her life and the actual supernatural horror elements were a believable enough pairing to really set this story apart from anything else I've read.
There are so many different aspects of this book that come into play throughout that the premise really does not get into and that made this such a surprising read because of it. I honestly had such a great reading experience with this one, working through the ins and outs of the narrative to the point where I felt like I was on the journey right alongside these characters. Such a well written novel and one that I know will definitely stick with me for a long time.
September 19, 2026
Call Off the Dark had so many individual elements that worked for me, but unfortunately they never quite added up to a completely satisfying read. Hallie Shepard is a strong writer, the premise immediately intrigued me, and the isolated rural Washington setting creates this wonderfully stifling, uneasy atmosphere. There’s a sense throughout the book that something isn’t quite right, and I really enjoyed that underlying tension.
I do think it’s worth noting that despite being marketed as a thriller, this never felt like one to me. There are absolutely unsettling moments, mystery surrounding what’s happening, and some paranormal elements, but the pacing is much more of a slow burn psychological drama. The strongest part for me was actually the exploration of grief and loss. Helen’s grief is woven into everything, the choices she makes, her relationships, her memories, and even her ability to trust her own perception of what’s happening around her.
Unfortunately, the slow pace also worked against the story at times. Parts dragged for me, and by the final stretch I found myself more ready for it to end than eager to discover what happened. I was hoping all of the strange pieces and unanswered questions would eventually click together in a way that made the slower journey worthwhile.
Instead, the ending left me feeling more confused than satisfied. It felt muddled and a little too unexplained for my taste, especially after spending so much time waiting for answers. There’s plenty here that I admired, the writing, atmosphere, unusual premise, and thoughtful examination of grief in particular, but overall this landed squarely in the middle for me.
Perfect for readers who love:
* Slow burn, atmospheric fiction
* Isolated rural settings
* Stories centered on grief and loss
* Psychological uncertainty
* Paranormal elements
* Unreliable perceptions
* Unsettling rather than action packed reads
* Genre blurring stories
September 21, 2026
Thank you @harpercollins for the gifted audiobook...this is my honest review.
📖 CALL OFF THE DARK
🎧 10 hrs 10 min | 🗣️ Brittany Pressley
✌️ VIBE CHECK ✌️
🔀 Dual Timelines
👩❤️💋👨 Romantic Suspense/ 🤏🏼🌶️
😞 Grief, Loss & PTSD
🤨 Haunting/Alluring
🆕 Debut novel
🫖 THE TEA
Desperate to escape a horrific tragedy, Helen impulsively marries a near-stranger and moves to isolated rural Washington. Quickly she starts to question everything, including herself, her husband, and just exactly who she can trust in the dark.
💭 MY THOUGHTS
Wow, what a unique, genre-bending debut! I am usually pretty hesitant when thrillers try to mix in a romance, but Shepherd completely nailed it here. This book is a dark, atmospheric blend of psychological suspense, paranormal elements, and deep emotional trauma.
She handles topics like grief, loss, and the psychological fallout with care while keeping the tension high. Both timelines were strong, which can be hard to pull off, but I was fully absorbed in both. The mystery really builds chapter by chapter, and when you mix in that unexpected bit of spice, I was totally sold. 🙃🔥
🎧WHY THE AUDIO?!
I loved this narration. Brittany Pressley nailed the tone. The story is so atmospheric and haunting, and her light, smoldering breathy voice matched that moody, confused energy of Helen perfectly. Definitely grab the audiobook if you can.
⭐ FINAL VERDICT | 4.25🌟
It’s a total vibe! Dark, unique, and even a little salacious. This debut absolutely delivered one heck of a genre-bending ride. It’s a yes for me!
DeAnn @deannsreadingriot 🖤
#Bookstagram #BookCommunity #ThrillerBooks #BookReview #AudiobookLover
📖 CALL OFF THE DARK
🎧 10 hrs 10 min | 🗣️ Brittany Pressley
✌️ VIBE CHECK ✌️
🔀 Dual Timelines
👩❤️💋👨 Romantic Suspense/ 🤏🏼🌶️
😞 Grief, Loss & PTSD
🤨 Haunting/Alluring
🆕 Debut novel
🫖 THE TEA
Desperate to escape a horrific tragedy, Helen impulsively marries a near-stranger and moves to isolated rural Washington. Quickly she starts to question everything, including herself, her husband, and just exactly who she can trust in the dark.
💭 MY THOUGHTS
Wow, what a unique, genre-bending debut! I am usually pretty hesitant when thrillers try to mix in a romance, but Shepherd completely nailed it here. This book is a dark, atmospheric blend of psychological suspense, paranormal elements, and deep emotional trauma.
She handles topics like grief, loss, and the psychological fallout with care while keeping the tension high. Both timelines were strong, which can be hard to pull off, but I was fully absorbed in both. The mystery really builds chapter by chapter, and when you mix in that unexpected bit of spice, I was totally sold. 🙃🔥
🎧WHY THE AUDIO?!
I loved this narration. Brittany Pressley nailed the tone. The story is so atmospheric and haunting, and her light, smoldering breathy voice matched that moody, confused energy of Helen perfectly. Definitely grab the audiobook if you can.
⭐ FINAL VERDICT | 4.25🌟
It’s a total vibe! Dark, unique, and even a little salacious. This debut absolutely delivered one heck of a genre-bending ride. It’s a yes for me!
DeAnn @deannsreadingriot 🖤
#Bookstagram #BookCommunity #ThrillerBooks #BookReview #AudiobookLover
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you @williammorrowbooks @librofm #partner for the gifted copy of this audiobook!
This book was MOODY. Like…deeply moody. 🌑 And I freaking adored it. Call Off the Dark had an atmosphere that completely pulled me in from the immediate onset of the book. The setting felt so remote and unsettling and Hallie nailed the whole feeling of something just not being quite right throughout the entire book. I love when an author can make the setting feel like a character in the story and Hallie absolutely did that for me here with the woods, wolves and lack of transportation.
HELEN. Where do I even start with Helen?! She was such a complicated character. I found myself so intrigued by her but also constantly feeling this ache for her. The situation with her and Tyler literally broke my heart. I’m not even kidding, about halfway through this book I found myself getting a little weepy because the loss of him felt REAL. Hallie I think made her pain feel quite palpable...her despair felt soul crushing. Then there was her immediate clinginess to Wade and getting herself into a situation out in the middle of nowhere that kept my anxiety going. I don’t want to say too much because going in without knowing much is absolutely the way to experience this one, but I will say this: Trying to figure out what was real and what wasn’t had me feeling like I was trapped inside a fever dream. I LOVED that aspect of it. There were moments where I genuinely questioned which character was nuts...or maybe it was me?!
For a debut, I thought Hallie Shepherd did a REALLY great job creating a story that felt unsettling and atmospheric. It was emotional and the paranormal mystery definitely kept me guessing. The audiobook was very well done, I definitely appreciated the performance by Brittany Pressley as usual!
This book was MOODY. Like…deeply moody. 🌑 And I freaking adored it. Call Off the Dark had an atmosphere that completely pulled me in from the immediate onset of the book. The setting felt so remote and unsettling and Hallie nailed the whole feeling of something just not being quite right throughout the entire book. I love when an author can make the setting feel like a character in the story and Hallie absolutely did that for me here with the woods, wolves and lack of transportation.
HELEN. Where do I even start with Helen?! She was such a complicated character. I found myself so intrigued by her but also constantly feeling this ache for her. The situation with her and Tyler literally broke my heart. I’m not even kidding, about halfway through this book I found myself getting a little weepy because the loss of him felt REAL. Hallie I think made her pain feel quite palpable...her despair felt soul crushing. Then there was her immediate clinginess to Wade and getting herself into a situation out in the middle of nowhere that kept my anxiety going. I don’t want to say too much because going in without knowing much is absolutely the way to experience this one, but I will say this: Trying to figure out what was real and what wasn’t had me feeling like I was trapped inside a fever dream. I LOVED that aspect of it. There were moments where I genuinely questioned which character was nuts...or maybe it was me?!
For a debut, I thought Hallie Shepherd did a REALLY great job creating a story that felt unsettling and atmospheric. It was emotional and the paranormal mystery definitely kept me guessing. The audiobook was very well done, I definitely appreciated the performance by Brittany Pressley as usual!
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