Summerween: 80s coming of age horror: satanic panic and things that go bump in the ‘burbs

by Dot Dash

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2026

Reviews

[Stacy]

ARC REVIEW

This book is all about Reagan and Nicola, and they're super stoked to kick off their most excellent summer vacation. But, things are getting downright bizarre in Reagan's hood and town. Maybe her neighbors are secretly an evil kidnapper and a devil worshiper, or maybe they just have an imagination that's totally out of control. Based in the 80’s this book is a fun filled terror ride! 

I love this cover!

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review

[Sophie Leigh]

A great little 80s style coming of age story.

[Michael J.]

"Summerween: One Hell of a Party" is a fun, strange, and charming spooky-season story with a great ’80s coming-of-age feel. It follows preteen best friends Reagan and Cola as they try to make sense of the increasing weirdness in their neighborhood while Port Eventide prepares for Summerween.

One of the things I enjoyed most was how the book captures childhood imagination. For a good stretch of the story, I wasn’t sure whether Reagan and Cola’s minds were running wild or if something genuinely sinister was unfolding. That uncertainty gives the book a playful, eerie quality without making it feel like straight horror.

This leans more toward spooky mystery and childhood adventure than intense scares, so readers looking for full-on horror might find it gentler and more of a slow burn. However, for those who enjoy Halloween atmosphere, oddball neighborhood legends, creepy adults, and nostalgic kid-led mysteries, there’s plenty to like here.

Dot Dash creates a memorable world in Port Eventide, and the friendship between Reagan and Cola gives the story its heart. It’s weird, funny, eerie, and brimming with summer-night mischief.

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

[Debra]

As a lover of Halloween and all things spooky, I was intrigued by Summerween. This comes after celebrating Halfway to Halloween in May at a huge event so why not. I did enjoy this one somewhat though the text in places seemed strange in phrasing and word choice in spots. I had to reread in those spots multiple times sometimes to figure out what the author was trying to convey. The ending was inconclusive and open ended which leaves it open for more novels. Did it all really happen or was it a dream?

Not a whole lot of background on the author either. Who is Dot Dash really??

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

[candle_thrill]

This one was a really fun ride!! spooky, halloweenesque and with that stranger things vibe. I really liked how all the kiddos had their own personality, lore, insecurities and ways of handling complex stuff, even the secondary characters were interesting and had their own voices. I also think the small town scenario is really well written, with the perfect dose of nostalgia. The ending was top-tier, and perfectly wraps up the whole book. I am a huge horror reader, and I would say that this book is perfect for a more "light" kind of horror, more eerie than terrifying. Thank you so much for the ARC opportunity.

[Nicola Powell]

What a vibe! Highly recommend this as a short a sweet fun time!

This was such a wild read, I loved it, the nostalgia had me from page one! A coming of age story of two girls in the 80s tracking down the suspicious activity from the old lady neighbour.

The humour was spot on, I had so much fun reading this. So many moments were such throwbacks (I’m a 90s kid but fully relate) which had me smiling at the nostalgia of it but laughing at the accuracy of the ridiculousness. As a fellow Cola, I wish I was that cool as a kid 🫠🤣

[Megan Beech]

As someone who loves everything and anything Halloween and 80s-esque things, this book was an absolute gem for me to read! It has all the components of a great adventure story: thrills, suspense, and all around good fun! This cover is amazing and is definitely eye catching (even though as we readers know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but as you all know, we tend to do anyway). I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a definite re-read for me and a story a honestly really enjoyed!

[Natasja]

This was such a fun read. A bizarre, coming of age, 80's summer's fever dream mixed with suburban horror. Half the time, you don't really know if what is happening is real or if it's the imagination of Reagan and Cola running wild. I loved the ending, which really showed the small town weirdness of Port Eventide and its Stepford Wives residents. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Zimbellina]

ARC Review. Reagan and Cola have the summer off to enjoy whatever their heart desires. But things in town are weird and Reagan’s next door neighbour might be a satanist trying to raise the devil.

This was a decent book. There were moments of humour which were appreciated. I couldn’t bring myself to actually connect with Reagan. Maybe it’s because she was juvenile but most of her actions annoyed me. I liked the 80sness of the book, that was very enjoyable.

[ChanaReadsHorror]

This was a fun little book. I highly enjoyed it and I am excited to see what the next entries are like. My one draw back is that the lead up to the party where things go sideways took up the majority of the story and the ending felt rushed. I really wish it would have been balanced a little more in that way.

[Christina]

This is a arc for me to reveiw for you. Stuff happens to some kids in there neighborhood. As they were very excited for there summer to kick off. Some weird things are going . Kidnappers. Killers, ??