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Starveout Creek: Rootbound
Jasmine has spent years running—to be seen is to be hurt, and she refuses to be hurt again. When she flees to her late grandmother’s isolated house on the edge of Starveout Creek, she expects nothing more than silence, dust, and a place to finally stop.
The woods have other plans.
Strange dreams slip beneath her skin. The house creaks with memories that aren’t hers. Something watches from the trees—patient, hungry, and far too familiar. As the history of her family slowly rises to the surface and an all too real threat closes in, Jasmine begins to some places don’t let you leave.
Rootbound is the first book in the Hungry and Haunted series—a dark, atmospheric tale of desire, homecoming, and the monstrous things that wait where the road ends.
The woods have other plans.
Strange dreams slip beneath her skin. The house creaks with memories that aren’t hers. Something watches from the trees—patient, hungry, and far too familiar. As the history of her family slowly rises to the surface and an all too real threat closes in, Jasmine begins to some places don’t let you leave.
Rootbound is the first book in the Hungry and Haunted series—a dark, atmospheric tale of desire, homecoming, and the monstrous things that wait where the road ends.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review of Starveout Creek: Rootbound, by A.J. Weatherall.
Thank you to A.J. Weatherall for the opportunity to read this ARC. Since this is an indie debut, I was excited to apply.
I normally gravitate toward romantasy, especially books with magic, enemies to lovers, action, etc. so this was different from what I usually read. The haunted house, family secrets, ghost romance, and the idea of being bound to the land caught my attention. And then there was “nightmares as a love language,” which definitely made me curious. I wanted to step outside my usual reads and give this one a chance. I'm glad I did.
The story follows the FMC, Jasmine, as she runs from the hurt she is experiencing in her life and heads to her grandmother’s house in Starveout Creek. But as she settles in, she starts realizing there is much more to her grandmother’s house and the woods surrounding it than she expected.
The writing is probably my favorite part of the book. A.J. Weatherall really writes with all the senses. I could see the woods, hear things happening around Jasmine, feel the atmosphere, and almost smell the trees, leaves and mud. There is something very poetic and lyrical about the writing, and I really liked the metaphors and symbolism throughout the story.
The woods were one of the things that really stayed with me. They almost felt like their own character, and there was always this feeling that something was there, watching or waiting. I also really liked the recurring imagery, especially the owls. I liked how they seemed to represent protection and how their appearances felt meaningful throughout the story.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. They gave me pieces of the story without giving everything away, and I liked putting those pieces together as I read. There is this underlying feeling throughout the story that something is not quite right, especially as Jasmine begins to realize she may not be alone. I’m not going to say more because I don’t want to give anything away.
The plot moved along at a good pace, and there was enough happening to keep me interested. As I closed each chapter for the evening, I found myself thinking about the book and wondering what was going to happen next. I wanted to keep reading, which is always a good sign for me.
I wasn’t really sure about some of the romance elements, especially the bisexual subplot and the ghost romance, since those aren’t things I normally read. I went into it with an open mind, though, and I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying those parts of the story.
The intimate scenes were also more sensual and erotic than what I would consider typical “spice.” They felt more focused on the connection and tension between the characters rather than just being there for the sake of adding spice.
The ending definitely surprised me. I didn’t see it going where it did, and I’m not going to say anything more because I don’t want to spoil it. I liked that I couldn’t predict everything that was going to happen.
Overall, this was definitely a change from my usual romantasy reads, but I’m really glad I stepped outside my comfort zone for this one. The writing, atmosphere, mystery, and the woods were what stayed with me most. I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading it.
If you enjoy atmospheric paranormal stories, haunted houses, creepy woods, family secrets, ghost romance, and a mystery that slowly unfolds, I definitely recommend giving this one a try. Highly recommend!!
Releases August 30, 2026
Thank you to A.J. Weatherall for the opportunity to read this ARC. Since this is an indie debut, I was excited to apply.
I normally gravitate toward romantasy, especially books with magic, enemies to lovers, action, etc. so this was different from what I usually read. The haunted house, family secrets, ghost romance, and the idea of being bound to the land caught my attention. And then there was “nightmares as a love language,” which definitely made me curious. I wanted to step outside my usual reads and give this one a chance. I'm glad I did.
The story follows the FMC, Jasmine, as she runs from the hurt she is experiencing in her life and heads to her grandmother’s house in Starveout Creek. But as she settles in, she starts realizing there is much more to her grandmother’s house and the woods surrounding it than she expected.
The writing is probably my favorite part of the book. A.J. Weatherall really writes with all the senses. I could see the woods, hear things happening around Jasmine, feel the atmosphere, and almost smell the trees, leaves and mud. There is something very poetic and lyrical about the writing, and I really liked the metaphors and symbolism throughout the story.
The woods were one of the things that really stayed with me. They almost felt like their own character, and there was always this feeling that something was there, watching or waiting. I also really liked the recurring imagery, especially the owls. I liked how they seemed to represent protection and how their appearances felt meaningful throughout the story.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. They gave me pieces of the story without giving everything away, and I liked putting those pieces together as I read. There is this underlying feeling throughout the story that something is not quite right, especially as Jasmine begins to realize she may not be alone. I’m not going to say more because I don’t want to give anything away.
The plot moved along at a good pace, and there was enough happening to keep me interested. As I closed each chapter for the evening, I found myself thinking about the book and wondering what was going to happen next. I wanted to keep reading, which is always a good sign for me.
I wasn’t really sure about some of the romance elements, especially the bisexual subplot and the ghost romance, since those aren’t things I normally read. I went into it with an open mind, though, and I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying those parts of the story.
The intimate scenes were also more sensual and erotic than what I would consider typical “spice.” They felt more focused on the connection and tension between the characters rather than just being there for the sake of adding spice.
The ending definitely surprised me. I didn’t see it going where it did, and I’m not going to say anything more because I don’t want to spoil it. I liked that I couldn’t predict everything that was going to happen.
Overall, this was definitely a change from my usual romantasy reads, but I’m really glad I stepped outside my comfort zone for this one. The writing, atmosphere, mystery, and the woods were what stayed with me most. I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading it.
If you enjoy atmospheric paranormal stories, haunted houses, creepy woods, family secrets, ghost romance, and a mystery that slowly unfolds, I definitely recommend giving this one a try. Highly recommend!!
Releases August 30, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
Starveout Creek: Rootbound by AJ Weatherall
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Starveout Creek: Rootbound by AJ Weatherall was such an atmospheric and unsettling horror read. From the very beginning, there is something about Jasmine arriving at her late grandmother’s isolated home that immediately feels off. The quiet surroundings, mysterious woods, strange dreams, and unexplained occurrences create this constant sense of uneasiness. I loved how the story made ordinary things feel threatening, almost as though danger was hiding just beyond the edge of what Jasmine could see.
👉Jasmine was a character I found especially interesting because so much of her journey is tied to her fear of vulnerability. She has spent years running from the idea of being seen because she believes that being noticed only leaves you open to being hurt. Watching her arrive at a place connected to her family and slowly become entangled in its secrets gave the story an emotional layer that went beyond the supernatural horror.Her personal struggles made the frightening events feel more meaningful because she was not only confronting something outside herself, but also everything she had tried so hard to leave behind.
👉The grandmother’s house and the surrounding woods were easily some of my favorite parts of the book. The setting has such a strong presence that it almost feels like another character in the story. There is a sense that the house remembers things Jasmine does not, while the woods seem to be hiding something ancient, patient, and hungry. As more of her family history begins to surface, the mystery becomes increasingly compelling, and I loved the feeling that every discovery was revealing another piece of something much darker.
👉I also really enjoyed the slow-building tension. Instead of depending entirely on sudden scares, the story creates fear through atmosphere, uncertainty, and the feeling that something is constantly watching. That kind of horror works especially well for me because it allows the imagination to do some of the work.
Happy reading 😊
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Starveout Creek: Rootbound by AJ Weatherall was such an atmospheric and unsettling horror read. From the very beginning, there is something about Jasmine arriving at her late grandmother’s isolated home that immediately feels off. The quiet surroundings, mysterious woods, strange dreams, and unexplained occurrences create this constant sense of uneasiness. I loved how the story made ordinary things feel threatening, almost as though danger was hiding just beyond the edge of what Jasmine could see.
👉Jasmine was a character I found especially interesting because so much of her journey is tied to her fear of vulnerability. She has spent years running from the idea of being seen because she believes that being noticed only leaves you open to being hurt. Watching her arrive at a place connected to her family and slowly become entangled in its secrets gave the story an emotional layer that went beyond the supernatural horror.Her personal struggles made the frightening events feel more meaningful because she was not only confronting something outside herself, but also everything she had tried so hard to leave behind.
👉The grandmother’s house and the surrounding woods were easily some of my favorite parts of the book. The setting has such a strong presence that it almost feels like another character in the story. There is a sense that the house remembers things Jasmine does not, while the woods seem to be hiding something ancient, patient, and hungry. As more of her family history begins to surface, the mystery becomes increasingly compelling, and I loved the feeling that every discovery was revealing another piece of something much darker.
👉I also really enjoyed the slow-building tension. Instead of depending entirely on sudden scares, the story creates fear through atmosphere, uncertainty, and the feeling that something is constantly watching. That kind of horror works especially well for me because it allows the imagination to do some of the work.
Happy reading 😊
October 8, 2026
**🌲 THE WOODS ARE WATCHING… AND I AM OBSESSED 🌲**
Thank you to A.J. Weatherall for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Okay… THIS was such a vibe! 😍 *Starveout Creek: Rootbound* was completely different from what I normally pick up, but I am SO glad I stepped outside my comfort zone for this one.
The creepy woods? The haunted house? The family secrets? The strange dreams? The feeling that something is ALWAYS watching?! YES. 👏🏻 PLEASE. 👏🏻
The atmosphere in this book was EVERYTHING. A.J. Weatherall’s writing pulled me straight into Starveout Creek, and I could practically see and feel the woods around Jasmine. The woods honestly felt like their own character, and I loved how unsettling they were. There was this constant feeling that something was hiding just beyond what Jasmine could see, and it kept me turning the pages.
I also really loved the multiple POVs and the way the mystery slowly unfolded. I was constantly trying to piece together what was happening right alongside Jasmine, and every time I thought I had something figured out… nope. 😂
The romance was definitely outside my normal comfort zone, but honestly? I ended up enjoying it WAY more than I expected. The supernatural elements mixed with the romance made this such an interesting read.
And that ENDING?! 👀
EXCUSE ME?!
I did NOT see that coming!
This book had atmosphere, mystery, creepy woods, family secrets, paranormal elements, romance, and just enough unanswered questions to keep me hooked. I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn't reading it, and that's always a huge win for me.
If you love atmospheric paranormal horror, haunted houses, creepy woods, ghost romance, family secrets, and mysteries that keep you guessing, **ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR TBR!**
**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 STARS!**
A creepy little trip to Starveout Creek that I absolutely do not regret taking. 🌲👻🖤
Thank you to A.J. Weatherall for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Okay… THIS was such a vibe! 😍 *Starveout Creek: Rootbound* was completely different from what I normally pick up, but I am SO glad I stepped outside my comfort zone for this one.
The creepy woods? The haunted house? The family secrets? The strange dreams? The feeling that something is ALWAYS watching?! YES. 👏🏻 PLEASE. 👏🏻
The atmosphere in this book was EVERYTHING. A.J. Weatherall’s writing pulled me straight into Starveout Creek, and I could practically see and feel the woods around Jasmine. The woods honestly felt like their own character, and I loved how unsettling they were. There was this constant feeling that something was hiding just beyond what Jasmine could see, and it kept me turning the pages.
I also really loved the multiple POVs and the way the mystery slowly unfolded. I was constantly trying to piece together what was happening right alongside Jasmine, and every time I thought I had something figured out… nope. 😂
The romance was definitely outside my normal comfort zone, but honestly? I ended up enjoying it WAY more than I expected. The supernatural elements mixed with the romance made this such an interesting read.
And that ENDING?! 👀
EXCUSE ME?!
I did NOT see that coming!
This book had atmosphere, mystery, creepy woods, family secrets, paranormal elements, romance, and just enough unanswered questions to keep me hooked. I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn't reading it, and that's always a huge win for me.
If you love atmospheric paranormal horror, haunted houses, creepy woods, ghost romance, family secrets, and mysteries that keep you guessing, **ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR TBR!**
**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 STARS!**
A creepy little trip to Starveout Creek that I absolutely do not regret taking. 🌲👻🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this! The creepy woods, haunted house, family secrets, and overall atmosphere pulled me in right away. The writing was probably my favorite part. I could really picture the woods and feel that something wasn’t quite right.
I also liked the multiple POVs and how the mystery slowly came together. Some of the romance was outside my usual comfort zone, but I actually ended up enjoying it more than I expected. And that ending? Definitely not what I saw coming!
This was different from what I normally read, but I’m really glad I gave it a chance. If you like paranormal romance, creepy woods, secrets, and a little mystery, I’d definitely recommend this one!
I also liked the multiple POVs and how the mystery slowly came together. Some of the romance was outside my usual comfort zone, but I actually ended up enjoying it more than I expected. And that ending? Definitely not what I saw coming!
This was different from what I normally read, but I’m really glad I gave it a chance. If you like paranormal romance, creepy woods, secrets, and a little mystery, I’d definitely recommend this one!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews