Happy Hour

by Gemma Amor

Genres: Horror

224 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 20, 2026

About the author

I'm a Bram Stoker, BFA and Shirley Jackson Award nominated horror fiction author, podcaster, artist, editor and voice actor/audiobook narrator from Bristol, in the U.K.

I write novels and audio drama stories for the wildly popular NoSleep Podcast and various other horror fiction podcasts. My most recent works are ITCH! from Hodder & Stoughton, FIRST DATE from Datura Books and the forthcoming HAPPY HOUR from Shortwave Books, out Oct 2026.

Find me at @manylittlewords on most social media platforms.

Repped by Becky LeJeune at Confluence Literary (Lit) and Sean Berard at Untitled (Film)

Reviews

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian is the owner of The Dirty Minx, and to him, revenge is best served in a suspiciously red and viscous highball glass. This novella was delectable, brutal, and surprisingly deep in its brevity. There are two pretty fun characters to follow, some macabre scenes with glaring commonalities with politicians and the money hungry, and the camp is truly the perfect amount, never tipping the scales of being too on the nose. Amor really shined in this vaporwave adjacent horror novella, and I gorged myself on this prose. Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Cyndi Farfsing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quick-paced horror novella. The author did a fantastic job with the pacing, and it was surprisingly clever with its art symbolism. This was a refreshing read, and I can absolutely see the “Goosebumps for adults” vibes.

We meet Brian, the owner of a super luxe, elite bar. He’s poured everything into making the place feel curated and swanky. But unfortunately, Brian finds himself in a bit of a bind and discovers an unexpected ally for some pretty dark deeds.

I appreciated the balance of camp without tipping into cheesy while keeping the pace moving and the characters interesting. The story unfolds in a fun way, with the present moving forward and the flashbacks moving backward. It was disorienting in a good way and kept me wanting to turn the pages.

My only critiques are really a product of the novella format. I absolutely could have read a full-length novel about Brian and the Dirty Minx. Readers who enjoy fast-moving, dark, slightly campy horror will have a great time with this one.

[Nerdy Nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the 1812 Overture as a backdrop, this novella is a perfect symphony! I hung on to every note, never daring to look away, a profound YES ringing emphatically in my ears with each chapter!

How clever as well, to keep the reader in suspense by leaving a sentence mid-thought, only to pick it back up moments later.

I’ve read 25 books so far this year, and this one takes the alcopop. A new favourite! A dark read that seeps into you like a cold drink on a warm sunny day. The beginning will sink its claws into you, so beware - consumed in just one sitting, you won’t be able to put it down.

Amor, you’ve done it again! I f**king love you, you dirty minx!

Brian is the owner of an exclusive and luxurious bar. He curates a decadent experience enhanced with fine liquors for the rich and famous. Brian is also fuelled by deep-seated anguish and a longing for vengeance. An irresistible pairing, as you’ll soon find out.

Let the 1812 Overture play 🎶

[Dayana Qistina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This, to him, was what revenge was: a job done, and done well.”

Thanks to Netgalley and Shortwave Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Hour by Gemma Amor is where a campy adult horror comes in a fun pack. It was perfectly balanced despite being written in two timelines, past and present, driven by the main character’s complex personality. Brian’s mind itself was the pièce de résistance. The brain and the muscles of a man. I appreciate how he was consistently going back and forth with his longing for vengeance, deep-rooted from grievances due to flawed human nature. The author did a good job keeping the dark satirical tone tethered to the very end. A clever, punchy composition of classic horror. You know how it starts but never wish for it to end.

[Shaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Gemma Amor for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Happy Hour coming out October 20, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love horror stories. I thought this would be fun. It was definitely short, but it reminded me of 90s stories. It was great. I’d check out more books in the series.

[Chris Panatier · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my blurb, this is all you should need:

Gemma Amor's HAPPY HOUR is a bittersweet cocktail of comeuppance served in a blood-smudged highball glass with a garnish of guts. So much fun, I drank it down fast, and now I'm hammered.

[Natasja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Killer VHS series so I was very happy to get the chance to read this ARC. Happy Hour is a very fun, dark, and campy read, a great addition to the series. Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Video Nasty take on Poe's The Cask of Amontillado. Just don't think about it too much.