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Blood on the Cottage Floor

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THEIR FAMILY SECRETS ARE DRENCHED IN BLOOD

The annual cottage getaway to Elm Ridge Falls should have been bliss for Amelia and her sisters. Instead, a looming threat stalks the secluded forest. Trapping them in the confines of the once tranquil vacation home.
The Barlow sisters return to the cottage with one thing in mind, escape. Escape from a secret affair, a retaliatory coworker, and an abusive partner. They were going to bask in the warmth of the summer sun, cruise along the lake, and unwind by the nightly campfires. Though, the skeletons in their closet would soon catch up to them. Unable to outrun the destructive men in their lives, a sighting of a uniquely masked individual, lurking in the shadows, taunts each of them with his mysterious presence.
When one of their family members go missing, Amelia is left to fight for her sister’s survival. One-by-one they start to fall victim to the remote wilderness. Snatched up like prey by a cunning killer. Angry and alone, Amelia seeks out her abducted family, hellbent on vengeance. The concealed killer leads her in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Uncovering secrets that were never meant to see the light of day.

348 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2026

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About the author

Elle G. Keating

3 books34 followers
Elle G Keating is a horror author from Ontario, Canada. She is a devoted mother, who enjoys spending time with her son when she's not writing.
Her Passion for the horror genre was ignited at a young age, beginning a relentless quest to explore the darkest corners of her imagination. With a pen in hand and a head full of frightful inspiration, Elle has crafted a collection of spine-tingling short stories, hoping to transform each one into full-length novels. She composes tales that captivate and terrify, inviting readers to embrace the thrill of the unknown.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for GCR | Book Realm.
277 reviews65 followers
Read
August 1, 2026
I had the opportunity to read an early copy of Blood on the Cottage Floor. My full review will be posted closer to the July 31 release date.

Review

Blood on the Cottage Floor sounded like it would be exactly my kind of thriller. It had family secrets, a secluded setting, danger, and a mystery with plenty of room for twists, but unfortunately, it never fully pulled me in.

The pacing was slower than I personally prefer, and it took too long for me to feel invested in either the characters or what was happening. The twist itself was good, and I could see the potential in the darker direction the story took, but by the time everything came together, I was too disconnected for it to have the impact it probably should have.

This was not a bad read, but the journey to the reveal felt too slow for me, and I never felt fully grounded in the atmosphere or emotionally connected to the characters.

I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy slower psychological thrillers, family secrets, isolated settings, and mysteries that take their time building toward the final reveal.
Profile Image for Madame Strange.
196 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 12, 2026
“Blood On The Cottage Floor” - “A nice annual cottage getaway with the family, what could possibly go wrong?”

★★★★☆

This was a great debut, giving me exactly what I bargained for! A cottage out in the woods, family drama and all the summer slasher vibes you’ll need for SummerWeen! Good twists, badass female energy and a lot of blood on the cottage floor. For anyone who likes their stories scary and isn’t afraid of some gore this is a must read!
Profile Image for Simon Godin.
Author 1 book33 followers
July 3, 2026
Keating’s debut was a lot of fun. I don’t usually read slashers but this has everything you could want and more. I wasn’t expecting crazy twists and they actually caught me off guard so I was quite impressed. The story is really well set up in the first third and made me care for the characters. Great end game and set up perfectly for the sequel.
Profile Image for Shannon pumpkinqueen73.
164 reviews3 followers
July 25, 2026
This was an intense twisted thriller, slasher that I couldn’t put down!
This story played out like a movie in my head as I read it. I had some suspicions but it was more than I could have imagined.
I don’t want to say too much to spoil the story, so if you enjoy thriller slasher vibes that keep you guessing, I highly recommend.
Be warned there’s much visceral carnage.

Thank you so much Elle for the early copy, I look forward to seeing what comes next
Profile Image for Curtis Miller.
1 review
May 25, 2026
5 stars - Blood on the Cottage Floor absolutely hooked me from the very first chapter.

This book does not ease you into a peaceful summer retreat before things go wrong. Right out of the gate, we’re introduced to each of the Barlow sisters alongside the toxic, manipulative, and outright dangerous men in their lives. Every one of them feels capable of being the ultimate villain of the story, which creates this constant sense of distrust and tension that never lets up.

The rotating perspectives between the sisters move fast, almost as fast as Twisted Sister playing “Tear It Loose” off Under the Blade, but the story never loses focus. Instead, each chapter peels back another layer of the characters, their trauma, and the secrets hiding beneath the surface. The deeper the story goes, the more invested you become in every sister and every horrifying revelation.

What impressed me most was how the book balances its twists with the moment-to-moment tension. The secrets buried in this story run deep, and while the payoff is incredible, the journey getting there is just as engaging. You’re never simply waiting for the next reveal because every chapter feels important, suspenseful, and emotionally charged.

And that ending? I was glad to see that Elle G. Keating did not disappoint in giving readers exactly what we were hoping for by that point in the story. The payoff felt earned, satisfying, and left me immediately wanting more. Now that I know we’ll be getting a sequel, I genuinely can’t wait to see what Elle comes up with next.
Profile Image for Sara.
1,408 reviews
July 7, 2026
4.5 stars ⭐️ Thank you to the author and book funnel for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a huge horror fan and I love slashers…this book did not disappoint! I devoured it! The setting is remote, the characters are great (you love and hate some…loved the Karma for one character I despised), and the plot was fast paced. I literally couldn’t put it down…I had to know what happened and who was behind it. There were many great plot twists and only one I thought was a bit predictable. This kind of story would make an excellent horror movie, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats!
Overall an awesome read and can’t wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Claire K.
26 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2026
✨What starts as a weekend away for Amelia Barlow and her sisters turns into a weekend from hell in this new summer slasher from Elle G. Keating. 🔪🩸. ✨

Right off the bat we know that Amelia is hiding something, but when we get to the cottage we realize that she isn’t the only one.
At one point I found myself saying “no way, that’s too much”, but then by the end of the book I was actively avoiding real life responsibilities to keep reading.
I feel like if this was a movie, the dad absolutely needs to be played by the dad in GET OUT. No one else would make sense.

If you’re into family drama, masked intruders, and like, a lot of gore and machetes, check out Blood On The Cottage Floor releasing July 31st!! 🔪🩸
Profile Image for Twisted Soulmates Podcast.
3 reviews
June 23, 2026
What a roller coaster ride WOW!
I was so invested in the story and couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what was going to happen next. Never a dull moment in this one. So much happens in these 300 pages and it’s nonstop from start to finish. Cannot wait for the sequel!!!
Profile Image for VibekeN.
75 reviews1 follower
Read
July 24, 2026

The Barlow family are ready for their annual cottage getaway in secluded Elm Ridge Falls. Anthony, the patriarch, is a wealthy businessman, and the cottage is as luxurious as it gets. Cheryl, the mother, and their three adult daughters are all coming along. Maggie, the oldest, is eight months pregnant. Chloe, the youngest is trying to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend. Amelia, the middle child, is all business and daddy’s good girl.

The family vacation is short lived. In town, they come across missing posters of girls from the area. Strange noises start echoing through the surrounding woods. Are they being watched? Is it a bear? A man? Something is lurking out there, and one of the sisters starts receiving threatening text messages. Soon, old secrets and ugly truths claw their way to the surface.

This story was fast-paced from the start. I was hooked right away. Then it settles into more of a murder mystery atmosphere, where you’re trying to piece together who did what. I enjoyed the story underneath the horror: sisterhood, family dysfunction, buried trauma, and how the past can catch up with you no matter how hard you try to break away from it.

Keating writes women with claws. Not perfect women. Real women. Women capable of surviving terrible things and becoming terrible things in return.
I love horror that lets women go feral.

This was my first Keating read, but it will not be my last. She writes women in a way that I love to read. Thank you so much for sendiing me an ARC.

Blood on the Cottage Floor drops on July 31.
I recommend you make this your holiday read for 2026.

-Vibeke 🖤
Profile Image for Tina.
136 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 15, 2026
What a wild ride! I originally had a thought of who was doing what but then talked myself out of it with every twist and turn. I love trying to figure out who the bad guys are so I really enjoyed this. I also loved the overall trope of this book and reading the author's interests at the end make the whole vibe of the story and Amelia make total sense. I also really liked that the perspective shifted between the sisters a bit, while still feeling like it was mainly Amelia's story. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Profile Image for Bea Hasemore.
26 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2026
When Amelia and her family head to their cottage in the woods they don’t realise that there is more ahead of them than a relaxing weekend…

A perfect summer slasher, full of twists & turns, blood & guts and bad ass women!
Profile Image for Gwen mitchel.
46 reviews
July 18, 2026
Absolute Slasher Perfection!

Elle Keating completely knocked it out of the park with Blood on the Cottage Floor! If you are a fan of classic slasher horror mixed with modern, unapologetic energy, you need to pick this up immediately.

The pacing was relentless, the tension was through the roof, and the atmospheric cottage setting served as the perfect backdrop for total chaos. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t flip them fast enough.

What truly elevated this book for me was the incredible cast of kick-ass female characters. They weren't just helpless tropes waiting around to be rescued; they were fierce, smart, and fought back with everything they had. Watching them take charge and face the horror head-on was easily my favorite part of the entire ride.

It is bloody, thrilling, empowering, and everything a horror fan could possibly want. Five stars aren't enough!
Profile Image for Emily Lundquist.
48 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a twisty turny thriller that kept me guessing! I had my suspicions about the main twist, and I was halfway there. This book was packed with action and didn’t let up until the very end.

There were some elements that fell a bit flat for me writing-wise. I think this needs another pass from an editor to keep track of consistency, whether it’s if someone is sitting or standing, what location we’re at, who is speaking/narrating, and consistencies that are true to the location. For example, there are no grizzly bears in Michigan. Stuff like that takes me out of the story and can be confusing, making me stop and go, “wait, where are we? What’s happening??”

However, this was a KILLER start! With a solid round of edits, this could be incredibly spectacular. The story is GOOD, I think it just needs a tune up from an editor.

Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy!
Profile Image for Byrann Gowan.
32 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟I now declare Elle G. Keating the Queen of Canadian Horror!!

Wow, what a ride this was! Keating knows how to write such nuanced characters and she especially knows how to write an AMAZING protagonist!! Once the terror starts, it doesn't stop!

Amelia was an absolutely amazing character, and from the beginning, she is someone that you root for. She doesn't take any disrespect from anyone, and that is evident in her backstory! And from the moment she realized who the attacker was, I couldn't put the book down - I absolutely HAD to keep going and see what happens!!

If I could give this more than 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 on here, I absolutely would! Great job, Elle! You've written a true thrill ride into horror and I was all here for it! I can't wait to see what you do next!
Profile Image for The Morbid Mama ☠︎︎.
115 reviews173 followers
July 30, 2026
I had the honor of being able to receive an arc of Blood on the Cottage Floor and let me tell ya, it checked every box! This book was filled with juicy, bloody goodness that had my jaw on the floor. The family dynamic was messy af but I just saw so much of myself in Amelia. She has got to be one of my favorite MC’s I’ve read about in a while! The story had awesome pacing but when the book hit 70%, it got crazier than I ever expected. It was nonstop destruction and I gobbled up every damn word 😍 So if you love bad ass female leads, revenge, and absolute chaos, this one is for you!

Thank you so much Elle for giving me a chance to read this bad ass book! 🥰
Profile Image for KaysKillerReads.
100 reviews9 followers
July 19, 2026
This book takes place amongst all the trauma and drama of the Barlow family’s cottage weekend. Between the family issues, personal struggles, and all the small-town drama, I genuinely had no idea where this story was going to take me.

By the end, I definitely did not expect the twist that was in store for us! I could not put this book down because I needed to know whose trauma was at the centre of the horrible weekend this family was experiencing.

This story did not disappoint. It was an action-packed thriller with a strong woman who refuses to let her circumstances define her. I loved watching everything come together, and the ending made the journey completely worth it.

I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s a fantastic, quick summer read that will keep you glued till the end.
Profile Image for Elle Keating.
Author 3 books34 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 14, 2026
This author has some twisted ideas but I like her vision
Profile Image for Dani-Lynn Harris.
Author 4 books16 followers
July 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸🩸 - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮

🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Amelia, Chloe, & Maggie

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕unhinged man-child
📕masked maniac
📕manipulation
📕domestic violence
📕kidnapping

🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤
“It’s a full fucking house of horrors.”

“The male ego can shift into a violent pinnacle of madness.”

“Paul’s second threatening email in the last twenty-four hours was giving unhinged man-child vibes.”

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
In my first experience with this author, I was completely captivated. The pacing is flawless, the secrets are compelling, and the storytelling is so vivid it feels cinematic. The author does an exceptional job of evoking genuine fear and dread, pulling the reader directly into the bleak, isolated cottage setting. An unputdownable thriller that commands your attention until the final page.

*spoilers*
The annual family reunion at the cottage in Elm Ridge Falls is supposed to be a fun, relaxing trip so she can reconnect with her sisters, Chloe and Maggie. A way to get her mind away from the sexist career she was stressing over for. But along the ride there, a silhouette shows up in the middle of the road causing her to swerve, nearly dodging a collision. Even as she continues forward towards the cottage, she manages to keep notice of the male still walking nearby increasing her paranoia that he's following her.

When she finally arrives, an unsettling feeling brushes over her after hearing subtle noises coming from the woods but with the help of her sister, brushes it off as just nature. Instead of feuding from not seeing each other much lately, they decide to start afresh during the week they have together. But it seems like her family are all holding their own secrets within the seven months she has been gone. It's not until Maggie mentions that she saw a man on the trail that lead them to the lake they spent the day at that Amelia starts to feel uneasy.

And then, Ari goes missing. Just as Maggie’s secret about their child comes to view spiraling the family into arguments. One by one, tensions rise as each sister captures a view of the mysterious man. See, each sister has their own dark secret involving a male figure in their life. And each one has their own reason why someone would try to come after them. And then, one by one, they disappear. And soon, the man's face is revealed. Well, at least the mask that hides his true identity.

Now the reveal was a fun homage to all your favorite horror films you grew up on. Or should I say, slasher films. And it works for the story. But the ending is one you wont see coming and makes for an epic conclusion. Amelia is a strong female main lead who always puts the health of others before her own.

🖤𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵🖤
This was a great summer slasher book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Action packed and full of gore. Twists that unfold by the end. The dynamic of women versus men was prominent and worked well as a kind of ‘good for her’ type horror story. Absolutely thrilling and I know others are going to enjoy this book as much as I did.

**no AI was used to generate any part of this review**
Profile Image for Jennifer Kristin.
51 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 28, 2026
I had applied for an ARC of Blood on the Cottage Floor and was lucky enough to have it approved. Thank you so much Elle!

Where to start with this book...? Holy cow. What a banger. If you love a thriller where the characters are deep in the woods, potentially fighting for their lives, have some family drama going on, and intense feminine rage... boy is this book for you.

We start off following three adult sisters: Maggie (the oldest), Amelia (the middle), and Chloe (the baby.) They're taking a trip with their parents and Maggie's husband to their family cabin in the middle of the woods. They're excited for relaxation, spending time on their dad's boat, and ultimately spending some quality time together. Things start pretty innocently - Chloe thinks she sees someone out in the woods but her family quickly allays her fears and chalks it up to her having a few too many adult beverages. It isn't until the whole family is back together again that Amelia and Maggie admit that they too thought they saw a hooded man at some point on their first day there. Was it all just a strange coincidence? As their time progresses, it becomes obvious that something is definitely going on and it seems that no one really believes them. That's when the family decides to take it into their own hands.

I don't want to say much more about the book as I would probably kick someone if they spoiled this one for me but just know that the twists in this book are really something else. We seem to narrow it down as to who we think might be terrorizing the family. I had my own theory but I could never have figured out the absolute adventure that we'd go on after we found out who was responsible.

If I had to compare a movie to this book I think it would have to be something like Ready or Not (either the first or the sequel) but minus the paranormal/deal with the Devil (I'm so sorry if that spoils the movie for you - you should still watch it, it's fantastic). Does it get gory? Absolutely. Did I love every second of it? Guilty as charged. I could only hope that there will be a sequel to this book eventually so we can see how things progress once the first book is through. Elle G. Keating has gained a fan for life.
Profile Image for Mickey.
932 reviews299 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 31, 2026
Amelia and her sisters head to a remote lakeside cottage hoping to escape the problems waiting for them back home. But when a masked figure begins stalking them from the shadows, their peaceful getaway turns into a nightmare. As family secrets unravel and one of the sisters disappears, Amelia must hunt down a ruthless killer before her family is destroyed for good. The deeper she digs, the more she uncovers truths that were meant to stay buried.

This one absolutely blindsided me.
I saw slasher + cabin in the woods and immediately thought, "Yep, that's going straight on the TBR." Honestly, I didn't need any more convincing than that. What I wasn't prepared for was just how brutal this book was at times.
Right from the start there's this underlying sense of dread hanging over everything. The tension simmers quietly in the background, getting tighter and tighter until the whole thing finally explodes into absolute chaos. And when it does, it doesn't hold back.
The characters were one of the strongest parts for me. They're flawed, messy, and far from perfect, but their family dynamics felt believable enough that I became invested in what happened to them. Which, of course, made everything hurt a little more.
I did manage to figure out one of the connections fairly early on, specifically the link between what was happening and certain family members, but that's where my detective skills ended. Every other reveal caught me completely off guard, and I loved that. Just when I thought I had a handle on where things were heading, the book yanked the rug straight out from under me.
If you're looking for a slasher that delivers atmosphere, tension, family drama, shocking twists, and some genuinely brutal moments, this one deserves a place on your shelf.

🩸 The Panic Verdict: A cabin-in-the-woods nightmare that escalates into absolute chaos.
Profile Image for Jordan.
98 reviews80 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 29, 2026
I’d like to start by thanking Elle G. Keating for the ARC of "Blood on the Cottage Floor" in exchange for an honest review. This slasher, with a psychological edge, delivered vastly more than I expected!

I am going to be very transparent and honest. I am a white male. This has definitely allowed me to have a lot of blinders on in life to aspects I never knew about until I was married and had daughters and truly LISTENED. Listened to my wife's life experiences and fears and those of her friends and colleagues of different genders, races, orientations, etc. And I am still learning! But one thing that I cannot ignore is the microscope that it has put on men and the "Male Ego". This is what attracted me to this book, along with a deep love of the Slasher genre. And boy did it deliver!

For fear of spoiling aspects of the book, I won't say too much about plot details. But what I will say is that this focuses on a family vacationing in a remote location. The family is made up of a Mother, Father, and three sisters at very different points of their lives. The three sisters’ relationships showcase distinct toxic dynamics, underscoring the fragile male ego throughout. The accountability contrast is where this book shines: the sisters grow, while the men don’t.

The pacing starts slow, building tension, then shifts to relentless action. If there was one aspect that bugged me a little bit, it would be that there was a lot of travel between locations, and I’ll say a map would’ve helped with orientation. But confusion or not, the pacing and action kept me fully engaged. I’ll be one of the first in line to buy a hard copy, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting a sequel.
Profile Image for erika • dead wrong reviews.
167 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 31, 2026
4/5 ⭐️ • 0/5 🌶️

• tropes + themes •

- Masked Slasher
- Strong “Final Girl” FMCs
- Creepy Cottage Setting
- Unconventional HEA, maybe?

• summary + thoughts •

The story slowly introduces us to each of the three sisters and hints that they all have something to hide. We are also learning these secrets may be contributing to the hooded figure that seems to be popping up all around them during their cottage getaway. The family goes through a LOT during this story, and we find out everyone's secrets, and there is an unconventional HEA. Sidenote: It has been confirmed (via the acknowledgement at the end of the book) that there will be a book 2.

Overall, as someone who loves scary movies and books, I enjoyed the book. I was able to guess the villain(s) fairly early, but that isn’t out of the norm for me. This did not make the book any less interesting because the killer is not confirmed until way later in the book, and there is a twist as to why they kill.

The author gives vivid descriptions of the fight scenes and the aftermath of the gore. They also set the atmosphere/character moods throughout the book to really create a clear picture in my head. However, I do feel like the length of the book could have been a little shorter while keeping the integrity of the story.

There were a few things that made me pause the book out of frustration and ask the characters WHY WOULD YOU DO/NOT DO THAT?! I am also not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope, so the characters not giving the full truth because they think it is helping by shielding feelings, but ultimately creating trouble, is starting to get to me about halfway in.
Profile Image for Alexandra  Bollella.
70 reviews
Review of advance copy
July 9, 2026
Chaotic,intense, Eerie.

An Annual family Barlow trip to their remote cottage in Elm Ridge Falls was supposed to be to unwind, enjoy the great outdoors and well-spent family time. For Amelia and her two sisters Chloe and Maggie this was a way to escape their current realities they're each faced with. An unknown mysterious person was found Lurking throughout the forest. Amelia and her sisters found strange boot marks found among the forest and start hearing unwelcoming sounds as the days progress. Amelia's family is consumed by the darkened forest, now she's fighting for their survival as they are now trapped and brought through endless terror and obstacles. As the vicious killer is now playing a game of hide and seek. Secrets soon unravel that no one was ever intended to know.

This book has every element of an epic slasher! I had goosebumps while reading this! It had every layer of horror, psychological suspense and a scare factor was out of this world! There were moments in the book my heart was pounding as you can feel the fear in each of the characters. It's fasted paced with a roller coaster of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. The ending blew my mind!

"True, but nothing beats a good ol' kitchen knife. Michael beats Jason any day."


Thank you so much Elle G Keating for the sending me an ARC copy through Book Funnel! If you are looking for a good horror slasher book I highly recommend this! Perfect book for summerween!

Blood on the Cottage Floor will be released July 31, 2026!
Profile Image for Spicy_Horror_Guy.
118 reviews13 followers
July 31, 2026
I received this book as an ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am hiding this under a spoiler tab because I plan to edit my review to lean more spoil-filled once the book has been out for a few weeks.

This book is a twisty, gory, and entertaining ride! I went into it expecting more of a standard slasher, and while it has some of those elements, it leans much more as thriller-horror.

One of my favorite aspects was the gore. There are several scenes that get surprisingly bloody and graphic. Personally, wish the book had leaned even further into the gore! All of the little call-outs to various horror movies were fun to spot along the way. I also, for the most part, enjoyed Amelia as the main character. She gets some great moments to shine, along with plenty of gory fun.

While I had an overall good time reading this, a few things kept me from rating it higher. Some of the twists felt a little too predictable. That said, I still enjoyed trying to piece them together and seeing if my guesses were right. I also felt some of the antagonists leaned a bit too heavily into being evil simply for the sake of being evil for my personal tastes.

Overall, I still had a fun time reading this. I noticed there's already a sequel in the works, and I'd definitely be interested in seeing where the story goes, even if not every aspect of the plot worked 100% for me. Once again thank you to Elle G. Keating for sending me an arc of the book !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for jess.readstoomuch.
209 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 1, 2026
Thank you to for the incredible opportunity to read the e-arc for Blood on the CottageFloor!

🩸 Page Count: 384
🏚 Pace: Fast
🔪 Themes: Survival Horror, Female Rage, Good For Her

Holy smokes! Clear your schedules folks because this is the kind of unputdownable book that you finish at 3:00 am with all the lights turned on. I can't remember the last time I finished a book so quickly!

I actually found this book through a suggested post on Instagram (look at Meta doing its thing for once 👀) and thought it looked interesting. I love me a good Slasher whether that's a book or movie I don't mind. And boy did I get a Slasher! Cabin-in-the-woods settings are a staple for a reason so expect a gritty, visceral, and deeply unsettling ride.

The annual family vacation to Elm Ridge Falls should have been bliss for Amelia and her sisters. Instead, a looming threat stalks the secluded forest.
A story of rage and revenge. Blood on the Cottage Floor isn’t your run-of-the-mill whodunnit slasher.

This book made me feel everything, happiness, sadness, and anger. You name it, I probably felt it! At one point the book just royally pissed me off but in that good way a brilliant, well-written book should. Elle G. Keating takes us on a psychological rollercoaster. If you love tense atmospheres, claustrophobic settings, and trying to guess who to trust, this is your next 5-star read. It's been a few months since my last 5-star book so it was about damn time!

There are a lot of themes going on here so please check out the warnings if you have any triggers.



✨️ Publishes July 31st 2026 ✨️

Profile Image for BookishDogMamaKate.
96 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 19, 2026
I read Blood on the Cottage Floor by author Elle G. Keating.

Amelia heads to a planned vacation at her parent’s cottage near the small town of Elm Ridge Falls. Just a chill get together with her folks, pregnant sister Maggie and her husband and her other sister Chloe. It has all the things; a lake, woods, deer, an occasional bear, posters of years missing women put up in the town.

Each of the sisters has secrets they bring. Any one of which could follow them there. And when they separately see what looks like a man lurking in the immediate area….they must decide between the cost of revelation or the cost of everyone’s safety.

That’s all I’m saying. You are just going to have to read it. You really must read it…because WHAT THE HECK DID I JUST READ?? In one sitting. Twice needing to realize I was holding my breath…

Grips…immediately. Character development…excellent. Getting invested in them…seamless. Suspense…(see above; my forgetting to breathe..). Twists…like driving the switchbacks on mountain roads. Some very effective story driven gore…yes ma’am! Will I make my non-horror reading husband listen to me talk all about it…happening already.

This book will make a fabulous future summer horror thriller on screen. I’d bet on it!

Highly recommend.

I received an advanced reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Courtney.
171 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 3, 2026
If you're looking for a great slasher thriller for the summer, look no further. This wild ride kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The gore, suspense, and twists were all executed brilliantly. The women in this book were absolute badasses.

While I was able to predict early on who was behind everything, I was still fully invested in seeing how it would all play out. The fast pacing made this book hard to put down.

🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸

Annually, the Barlow family takes a summer getaway to their family-owned cottage in Elm Ridge Falls. It's a small, cozy town that even has a local bookstore. It should be a time of bliss for the family and a welcome break from daily life. And boy, do they all need one.

The family has three grown daughters, and each of them is going through a difficult time, even though they've kept their struggles to themselves. So when the trip that should feel peaceful instead has the girls constantly on edge, looking over their shoulders at every noise, they realize this getaway is far more than they ever could have imagined.
Profile Image for Adrienne Williams.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 14, 2026
This book is a wild ride with twists and turns as windy as the mountain road we come in on! I could not put it down. If you enjoy slasher mysteries, creepy thrillers, or just good ol fashion feminine rage- you’ll love this!
The book starts at a cozy vacation spot where we meet the family. We get the point of view of each of the three daughters in the first several chapters and learn that each of them is hiding a secret gnawing away at them. Things take a creepy turn as each of them sees a hooded figure in the woods at different times. As the story unravels things begin getting creepier and creepier as we find each woman has a reason to believe the mysterious stranger is a man wishing them and their family harm. Their party begins disappearing one at a time and the danger increases all around- but who is responsible?! You’re gonna have to read it to find out!
I found this to be a page turner- I finished it within a day of starting it! The story takes you through so much and every time you think you have it figured out, Bam! New twist! I can’t wait for book 2!
Profile Image for Oracle and Ink.
12 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2026
📖 Story Snapshot

A family trip to an isolated cottage quickly escalates into anything but a peaceful retreat. Dark secrets, shocking revelations and figures moving through the shadows make this an unforgettable book that’s impossible to put down.

✨ My Thoughts from the Pages

I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book, and it had me hooked from the very first page. By the final page, I’d completely lost track of time.

The story was fast-paced and brilliantly written, with characters you’ll both root for and love to hate. With twists and turns around every corner and characters appearing and disappearing throughout, the final reveal had me on the edge of my seat.

👀 Overall Vibe

Dark, tense and impossible to put down. If you love isolated settings, shocking twists and secrets that keep you guessing until the very end, this is one you’ll fly through… and it will leave you questioning everything.


Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful next chapter ✨

Angharad | @oracle_and_ink 🫶🏻📚😊
Profile Image for Trish.
513 reviews43 followers
July 24, 2026
It took me a few chapters to get into this one. The first couple of chapters pushed my buttons a bit, and I wasn't sure where things were headed. But once the story found its footing... wow. Things escalated fast.

I loved the alternating POVs of the sisters. It added so much depth to the story, kept the pacing moving, and made all of the drama and family secrets even more entertaining. There was never a dull moment. The isolated cottage setting was one of my favorite parts. It created the perfect eerie atmosphere and made everything feel even more unsettling.

This book got so creepy that it actually gave me nightmares. As it progressed, it leaned hard into the graphic horror, and the gore was absolutely top tier. I really loved the feminine rage throughout the story and the incredible strength of the women. It all came together in a brutal, satisfying way.

This was a really strong debut. If you love fast-paced horror, isolated settings, slasher vibes, plenty of family drama, and violence, I definitely recommend checking this one out.
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