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Soul's Haven #1

Shadows of Summer

What if your dreams weren’t dreams at all?

19-year-old Sadie Anderson planned one last trip with her mother to a luxury mountain resort before college. But everything shatters when the shadows start following her—ones only she can see. And her dreams—no, nightmares—are becoming too real. Especially the one with him. The mysterious guy who shouldn’t exist, yet does. Through him, she glimpses a world stitched between sleep and a gateway to a realm called Soul’s Haven.

August Clarke lives by one don’t get attached. It’s how he’s survived decades as a demon, ferrying souls for Death while posing as an ordinary college student. It’s routine. Predictable. Safe. Until her. The girl from his dreams. The one who shouldn’t be his problem. He should walk away, but once he’s intrigued, he never backs down, and Sadie is becoming impossible to resist.

Together, they must discover why Sadie’s soul is different and why their connection feels like something long forgotten. But with darkness closing in and time running out, one question

Can they uncover the truth in time, or will the shadows claim it all?

304 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2026

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About the author

S.L. Zeidan

2 books12 followers
I was born and raised in Georgia, where I write emotionally unhinged fiction between chasing toddlers and blasting mood playlists.
I spent a decade in my local parks and rec department—basically Leslie from Parks & Rec, but with April’s sarcasm—which taught me to organize everything… except my own plotlines.
Drawn to all things spooky and twisted fairytales, I started two stories on the same coin: the dark and haunting Shadows of Summer and its satirical, whimsical roast, Inkbound.
When I’m not reading, writing, or drinking enough caffeine to wake the dead.

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5 stars
25 (58%)
4 stars
15 (34%)
3 stars
3 (6%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Myriam.
1 review
July 12, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

What a thriller this book was! I was hooked from the first chapter. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded and did not anticipated the ending. I have to say I went through a rollercoaster of emotions with this book. I felt scared, nervous, sad, happy, pissed off, and most of all I was kept on my toes.
Profile Image for lights off im reading.
14 reviews4 followers
August 29, 2026
If you like ghosts, demons, mystery, tension, and just the right amount of romance sprinkled in, this is 100% the book for you! 👻🔥 There was always something happening, and every time I thought I had things figured out(or so I thought) another surprise would come along and completely change my theories. Just go ahead now and add this one to your TBR! 📚👻🖤

I loved the mystery and suspense woven throughout the story, and the tension kept me turning the pages because I genuinely needed to know what was going to happen next. The romance was the perfect addition without taking away from all the darker elements that made this story so much fun to read.

I truly enjoyed this book and was honestly bummed when I reached the end. I’m definitely going to be looking forward to the next book because I NEED to know what comes next!
Thank you to S.L. Zeidan for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
52 reviews
June 23, 2026
‎"Because people who push others away… usually need someone to stay."

‎This novel is a paranormal thriller that unfolds the story of a girl going through her own hell, trying to ground herself to a fragile reality while holding onto the demon itself.

‎Sadie is a strong character who starts as shy and insecure, with her therapist as her lifeline and her chaos and bottomless hope carrying the rest. August, on the other hand, has more similarities to her than one might think they're both the aftermath of grief, of loss, of a beloved, with different scars.

‎The story takes you on a good roller coaster, as every thriller is supposed to. However, the plot gets loose at the end and feels rather "skimmed" than earned, even though most of the book was beautifully set from the world-building to the unraveling of the plot.

‎It is advertised as a slow-burn romance, though in my opinion, it is not. The romance elements are there from the care trope to the subtle yearning but the timing doesn't qualify it as a second-chance romance, especially since all the plot development came from their relationship status. Nonetheless, it was still a great story that I binge-read in one sitting, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

‎The ending felt incomplete or rushed, since we don't get the full lore of certain characters, and some significant events lose their impact and are left in a gray area.

‎This book would be great for someone who enjoys the care trope and a slowly coming-out-of-their-shell arc, specifically with magical elements and witches


‎I know I enjoyed it quite a lot. And Miriam's character really came unexpectedly. As a Lebanese myself, I rarely see my culture represented by indie authors in literature even though the circumstances of said character were unideal, it still resonated with me deeply, especially the language and typing commonly used.

‎I hope you enjoy your tour in Sadie's world as much as I did.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

‎Happy reading ◉‿◉
Profile Image for Holly.
278 reviews248 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 12, 2026
If you’ve ever wanted to read a book that would make you feel like you’re watching an early 2000s gothic horror—the kind that was more about atmosphere and psychological thrills and creepy vibes—then you’re gonna wanna get your hands on SHADOWS OF SUMMER.

It’s been some time since I’ve written a review, so I’m a little rusty, but this one deserves it. Let’s start off with our setting:

An eerie haunted hotel with shadows in every corner and a heck-ton of dark secrets. Does it get better than that? I’ll tell you: no.

First we’ve got our FMC, Sadie Anderson. Sadie is soft, relatable, and kind. The first line that made me vibe with her was:

Then I realize I am staring at a stranger like a complete weirdo, so I whip around and pretend to be normal.

I saw so much of myself in Sadie. As a teenager, she desperately wants to fit in. To have friends.

She said ripped jeans were tacky, so I threw mine out, even though they were my favorite.

(I definitely don’t have a story about being 13 and plucking my eyebrows to pencil lines because my “friend” thought they looked bad).

She’s also flawed, and due to her negative image of herself, tends to view others through a lens that's slightly distorted. When she meets a new friend, Rachel, she latches on quickly. Rachel is fun and outgoing and exactly what Sadie needed. She doesn't judge. She knows what it's like to wear a mask.

Rachel in a nutshell: "Good. I hate doing dumb things alone."

She's the kind of friend who gets the shovel first, asks questions later.

Iykyk

Sadie has been through a lot. To the point she’s almost gotten used to the pain. And then she meets August.

And somehow, my body relaxes, like it’s finally remembering what it’s like to not be in flight mode.

Sadie in a nutshell:

August is sarcastic and closed-off emotionally. He gives some of the best one-liners. He is charisma and a touch of bizarre whimsy in a snarky, golden-eyed package.

To dreams…and other delightful absurdities.

But he’s more than that, too.

Most lyrics remind me of feelings I prefer to ignore.

August, basically:

And also maybe:

And finally we have Eden, a badass who pretends she doesn’t have feelings. Or worries she doesn’t. She’s also a bit of a snob, and S.L. Zeidan does a great job of casually and consistently reminding us of that.

You don’t get to fall apart now.

Eden is also relatable in that she judges herself harshly while also not considering herself. She comes across as having not a care in the world, but there’s a fight going on inside of her.

I can be angry and be good.

Eden, basically:

Each character has many facets and hidden depths, and enough flaws to feel real.

This book will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and possibly freak you out a little. And it will make your job drop. Whenever you think you’ve discovered all the twists—yeah, nope. There’s more. The clues and hints are woven in with perfect subtlety that keeps you turning the pages and making guesses. The settings, the atmosphere, the spookiness, the ghosts, the unknown, the doors. This story will give you one seriously haunted summer.

Not to mention it has some of the coolest, creepiest, most creative imagery ever:

Still, the piano plays me, wringing sound from whatever remains of my hands.

This story asks us:

What is justice? Where is the line?

I don't know. You'll have to read it to find out.
6 reviews
August 6, 2026
Shadows of Summer is an ambitious, atmospheric debut with a genuinely clever central mystery, a protagonist whose emotional interiority is drawn with real care, and a demon love interest with more depth than the genre typically offers. It loses some of its early tightness once the full mythology needs to be explained, and it ends firmly mid-story rather than resolved, which will frustrate readers hoping for a complete arc in one book. Given the heavy content warnings the author lists upfront, it earns its upper-YA rating; this isn't a light read regardless of the paranormal romance packaging. For readers who enjoy dark, angel-and-demon-adjacent YA fantasy with real emotional stakes and don't mind a series commitment, this is a strong, promising start from a first-time novelist.

Rating: 4 / 5. The voice, the central mystery structure, and the way the horror mirrors the protagonist's home life are genuinely well done for a debut. It loses half a point for the info-heavy back stretch and the unresolved ending, both common growing pains for a first novel launching a series, but the craft on display here is well above average for the genre.
Profile Image for Kim.
9 reviews
July 1, 2026
I have to say I did enjoy this book even though is was a little rollercoaster 😅.
The begonnen was a little confusing, a lot is happing very fast (which is great!) And throughout the story pieces are starting to come together which i enjoy. But I can see that it can take too long for some people to finish the book.

This book is labeled as dark fantasy and dark it is. I love it when a book is actually dark and we see the dark and insecure thoughts of characters. The real life struggles you can recognize yourself in and i absolutely love battling a dragon in my books but this book hit closer too home because with some struggles this could be me.

It wasn't a 5 star read for me yet because im missing a real connection to the main characters. I would have loved to get some more back story and help me connect more. Hopefully this will come in the next book knowing this will be a series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Megan.
1 review
June 11, 2026
*Review of advance copy received from Author

This is my first Arc reader ever, so here I go.

I love the friendships in this book. I want to join Sadie and Rachel's friend group at the haunted hotel. Rachel was my favorite character. As a fellow foodie and true crime fan, I immediately connected with her. The plot kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had figured something out, another twist proved me wrong. Everything came together in a way that felt intentional and satisfying. August was the perfect mix of broody, funny, and charming. His relationship with Sadie felt natural, and their chemistry never felt forced.
The horror elements added tension without being overwhelming. If you enjoy paranormal mysteries, romance, and twists, I definitely recommend this one. Now I need Book 2 please. Patiently waiting.
4 reviews1 follower
Read
April 26, 2026
*Review of advance copy received from Author

To say Shadows of Summer was an emotional rollercoaster with twists and turns would be a bit of an understatement. I was immediately hooked right from the beginning and I enjoyed the different perspectives of the FMC and the MMC. And speaking of the FMC she might just be one of the most relatable characters I've ever come across. The ending left me wanting.. no.. needing more. This book does cover some heavy topics (alcohol abuse being the main one) which are mentioned in the trigger warnings at the beginning. If I had to choose a key takeaway from this book it would be the importance of staying true to one's self and not letting the darkness take over.
Profile Image for Colleen Sloan .
40 reviews
August 15, 2026
It is a little bit confusing at first but eventually it all clicks together and makes total sense. The rollercoaster is bizarre but it and totally works. If you are reading it and think you want to give up then hold out till the story straightens out and you will be glad, and then you will look back and say "Ohhhhhhh". I have a lot of questions about August, Eden and Noah. I hope there are more books and prequels I would love to hear the origin stories of some of the characters. I really enjoyed hearing the stories of the people in the "dreams" that was put together all nicely. I will say that at my age this isn't a genre of book I normally gravitate towards but 17-22 I would have been totally obsessed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessica Schafer.
Author 1 book37 followers
June 2, 2026
Shadows of Summer left my jaw on the floor. So many layers are developed patiently — and often mysteriously — throughout the narrative that when everything finally clicks into place at the end, I was genuinely speechless. The story is woven with such intricate threads that the moment I finished, I wanted to start it again… and I’m not someone who rereads books.

I loved the voices of the main characters: the FMC’s humor is sharp, and the MMC’s sarcasm is delicious. The whole thing is a wild, compelling ride, perfect for readers who love a blend of paranormal and dark fantasy. If a second book is coming, I’ll be first in line to read it.
Profile Image for Chaos.
4,169 reviews128 followers
June 10, 2026
3.5/5

For the most part, I did like this book. I found certain phrases and plot building to be odd. There were places where the dialogue was stunted either because Sadie's thoughts were everywhere or August's way of speaking was so formal. As the story went on, I could understand why things were confusing but I just kept getting frustrated. There were parts towards the middle that went at lightning speed but others where the pacing dropped off. I love the vibes of the story because it was very creepy and weird. Both MCs weren't bad either. They were young but not stupid young in the way they acted. I appreciated that so much.
Profile Image for Chailee Gardner.
12 reviews
September 4, 2026
Holy plot twist! I felt like I never knew what was going to happen next and I loved it, I was constantly on my toes and couldn't stop reading. Right when you think the twists are over you are thrown into another one which at times could get a little confussing and yiu really had to think back to certain points in tbe book but things started to click into place eventually. I loved how throughout the book you really could see the growth of Sadie from a people pleaser who really didnt have a backbone to someone who knew what she wanted and stood up for herself. Overall it was a very good read and im excited to read the next book and see what else is in store for sadie!
Profile Image for Chloe  Bishop.
19 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 18, 2026
Omgoodness......this book surprised me in the best ways! It's not my usual genre, but this story had me hooked from the start 💜 there's a soft and kind FMC, a funny and sarcastic MMC, and a chaotic best friend. It's incredibly atmospheric (haunted hotel, possessed typewriter), and the twists will keep you guessing! If you're looking for a YA horror / paranormal romance with characters who will steal into your heart and take up permanent residence there, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Shadows of Summer 💜👻✨️
2 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2026
If you love gothic vibes, yearning and a supernatural mystery you should pick up this novel.
The setting is a sprawling, very old and fancy hotel on a lake.
The FMC is quirky and sweet but she has 2 problems: Her alcoholic mother and the ghosts that are haunting her
The MMC is a lawyer/demon who drinks too much and can’t figure out why he’s drawn to the FMC
There is something different about her and as he helps her face the ghosts that haunt her their chemistry is undeniable and the reason for the hauntings is uncovered.
I devoured it in two days.
I can’t for book 2!
6 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2025
I love this book and cannot wait for it to be published so I can have it on my physical bookshelf. I was an Alpha reader for Souls Haven and gave some input on a few things, however, the plot of this story kept my attention, and I hated to put it down. When I did, I couldn't wait to get home and pick it right back up again. This is a very interesting book that is unlike others, I highly recommend!!!
Profile Image for Chelsea Romeo.
75 reviews
June 15, 2026
Zeidan promises her work is unhinged. In this debut, she delivers. I was on a rollercoaster of emotions. Four stars because I did enjoy the characters and the read. There wasn't a clear plot until the end. It felt chaotic. Which I understand is the whole premise of the story. If there will be a. sequel continuing Sadie's journey, I would definitely read it.

Thank you to S.L. Zeidan and BookSirens for the free eARC in exchange for my review.
Profile Image for Ariana Brekker.
6 reviews
July 26, 2026
This was such a fun read, and I'm absolutely obsessed with the chaos Zeidan brings. If you think this is just another everyday haunting story, you are widely mistaken. This book hooks you from the first page and takes you on a wild ride that you never would've guessed.

As a fan of V.E. Schwab and her spooky books, I was very much pleased to have gotten my hands on this one. Definitely a great summerween choice. 🖤
Profile Image for Momma Beignet.
58 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2026
Well that was NOT how I expected the plot to go but I AM HERE FOR IT. And I need more 😍

Before Sadie heads off to college in the fall, her and her mom plan one last trip to a mountain luxury resort.

When they get there, Sadie starts having nightmares and seeing shadows. Her nightmares feel real...too real...

Remember. Remember. Remember.

Why can't she remember?

Will she remember...or will the shadows catch up with her.
Profile Image for aliza ♛.
71 reviews5 followers
September 4, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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3.5 / 5 stars ⭐️
I actually really enjoyed this one! I was a little confused in the beginning, but once I got into the flow of the story, I was hooked.

I don't usually read horror, let alone a paranormal romance, so this was definitely a step outside my comfort zone, but I'm so glad I picked it up! Such a fun, spooky read if you're looking to try something a little different!
1 review1 follower
September 7, 2025
This book was so amazing! S.L. Zeidan truly is a genius author! Sadie has become my fictional best friend through her travels. I was one of the beta readers for this book and I cannot wait for S.L. Zeidan to be able to share all of her hard work with you all! The plot is so engaging, you'll be left wanting more!
Profile Image for Farrahlea.
262 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy
May 29, 2026
S.L. Zeidan is a new to me author and this isn't my usual genre and I'm glad. I had high hopes for this read and I was not disappointed at all. It catches and doesn't release you till you have read the whole book. I enjoyed all the twists and turns and it kept you thinking. There were a few times where you thought you got it but then it turned. It was a fun read.
Profile Image for R.M. Carpus.
Author 9 books52 followers
June 14, 2026
This story hooked me from the first page! It's full of heart, humor, and has such an original plot. The characters are so real and the vibes are immaculate - the perfect spooky summer read. 10/10 recommend. Add this to your TBR! S. L. Zeidan is an author to watch . . . can't wait to read more of her work!
Profile Image for tre.wandereads.
554 reviews
August 17, 2026
It was a really good read. The stage was set well, the story panned out how I was expecting it to pan out. I like the characters. They have a certain depth to them that is rarely showcased in books. There is also growth in the romance worth the read. I like that it was suspenseful yet also not just mindless stress all throughout. It was still nurturing in its delivery!
Profile Image for Lydia.
36 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2026
Dude my only complaint is I can’t rate this higher! The twist the turns! The dragon spice lol! (Not a spoiler lol) from start to finish the book pulls you in! So grab a snack climb into your tub and settle in to this amazing read! Also there better be a book 2! Cause I will be reading it asap! This author is so good! I can’t recommend enough! Such an interesting twist to a haunting story!
Profile Image for Morgan Speight.
6 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2026
ARC REVIEW

I absolutely loved this book! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen a new twist would emerge! I ate this up! I can’t wait for it to be published so I can own a physical copy!
Profile Image for LindaMarie Lugo.
18 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 28, 2026
What a captivating start to a series!!
Love the unique world, the mystery surrounding Sadie, and August is simply impossible not to LOVE! The story kept me engaged from beginning to end! And now I’m impatiently waiting for book two!
Profile Image for Casey Salazar.
18 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2026
This book is a must read ! It caught my attention quick I could not put it down if you like paranormal elements mixed with the 2000’s vibe you will absolutely love this book it was sooo good definitely recommend 1000/100
Profile Image for Pepper Smart.
20 reviews
September 1, 2026
This book was so addictive and haunting to me! I love paranormal mystery with creepy atmospheres and emotional moments, but my most favorite was the unexpected twists. I was guessing till the end. I was a fantastic start that left me wanting more. Can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for mavi.
55 reviews
September 7, 2026
I had a good time reading this, even if it was a bit predictable. Sadie and August's dynamic was great, and I'm eager to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you to BookSirens and S.L. Zeidan for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for BombshellDanielle.
399 reviews6 followers
June 2, 2026
Demons angels witches oh my! This is a crazy mystery that gets weirder and more unbelievable as it goes!!

Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews