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A Single Beat
A scream breaks the quiet of Brooke's suburban neighborhood.
Wielding a knife, she walks down her street to find her neighbor being eaten alive by killer insects.
Brooke locks eyes with them...
She's next.
Having just lost her mom, anxious and introverted Brooke's world is upturned when the planet is infested by flesh-eating bugs. Trapped with a new friend, Brooke realizes the insects might not be the only threat to their lives. Her fellow survivors may not be what they seem, especially not the dark, mysterious man Brooke is growing closer to. Facing dwindling supplies and unsure who to trust, Brooke will have to learn just how far she's willing to go to survive.
Wielding a knife, she walks down her street to find her neighbor being eaten alive by killer insects.
Brooke locks eyes with them...
She's next.
Having just lost her mom, anxious and introverted Brooke's world is upturned when the planet is infested by flesh-eating bugs. Trapped with a new friend, Brooke realizes the insects might not be the only threat to their lives. Her fellow survivors may not be what they seem, especially not the dark, mysterious man Brooke is growing closer to. Facing dwindling supplies and unsure who to trust, Brooke will have to learn just how far she's willing to go to survive.
- GenresHorror
268 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novel does something I love in a book. It gets right to the point from the start and takes you on a horrifying, sometimes gory, and sometimes humorous journey into an apocalypse of a very differnt nature than what you might expect.
Brooke is the first person narrator and she has ADHD, anxiety, and an overall aversion to fellow people. She prefers to grow and can her own food just so she doesn't have to interact with others at a grocery store. She has no family nor friends, just work acquaintances. One day she hears screams outside and sees an old neighbor lady being attacked by giant multi-legged bugs. These creatures are eating her and chase Brooke back into her house. But this is a nationwide, if not world wide, invasion.
This is the trigger for our fantastic story as Brooke discovers some things about the bugs and has to decide who to align with among the very few people she finds that have survived. There's a lesbian couple who she feels very at home with but there's also a psychopath named Fox, a man who doesn't seem to have any feelings and is, admittedly, a mass murderer.
The main story really isn't about the bugs, how to not draw attention to them, or even the state of the rest of the world. This is Brooke's story with her thoughts, feelings, and sometimes very funny introspections about her life and how she came to be who she is. les a final girl and more a survivalist who sometimes stumbles her way into being lucky. She's a great character and I could have spent more time in her head even after the book was finished.
Against the background of this bug apocalypse, there will be scenes of horrific gore and clsoe encounters which makes your heart race but it's perfectly balanced with the nuance of this woman and her thoughts laid bare. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Brooke is the first person narrator and she has ADHD, anxiety, and an overall aversion to fellow people. She prefers to grow and can her own food just so she doesn't have to interact with others at a grocery store. She has no family nor friends, just work acquaintances. One day she hears screams outside and sees an old neighbor lady being attacked by giant multi-legged bugs. These creatures are eating her and chase Brooke back into her house. But this is a nationwide, if not world wide, invasion.
This is the trigger for our fantastic story as Brooke discovers some things about the bugs and has to decide who to align with among the very few people she finds that have survived. There's a lesbian couple who she feels very at home with but there's also a psychopath named Fox, a man who doesn't seem to have any feelings and is, admittedly, a mass murderer.
The main story really isn't about the bugs, how to not draw attention to them, or even the state of the rest of the world. This is Brooke's story with her thoughts, feelings, and sometimes very funny introspections about her life and how she came to be who she is. les a final girl and more a survivalist who sometimes stumbles her way into being lucky. She's a great character and I could have spent more time in her head even after the book was finished.
Against the background of this bug apocalypse, there will be scenes of horrific gore and clsoe encounters which makes your heart race but it's perfectly balanced with the nuance of this woman and her thoughts laid bare. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
October 9, 2026
🪳THE END OF THE WORLD, CENTIPEDE MONSTERS & A MORALLY GRAY MAN?! SIGN ME TF UP. 💀🖤
First of all, let me make one thing VERY clear. I am a HOE for end-of-the-world movies, zombie apocalypses, and anything that involves humanity fighting for its damn life. SOOO when I saw this book was an apocalyptic horror?! BABY, I RAN to sign up. 🏃♀️💨
AND LET ME TELL YOU… I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.
Let’s talk about our girl BROOKE. 👏 She’s incredibly intelligent, a little bit autistic, resourceful, and an absolute BADASS. Because PLEASE explain to me how your first thought when encountering a giant centipede monster is, “Hmm, let me capture this little nightmare and STUDY IT.” GIRL WHAT?! 😭
COULDN’T BE ME. I see a regular-sized bug and suddenly I’m an Olympic track star. 🏃♀️💀
But honestly?! I LOVED HER. The way her brain worked, her determination, and her ability to adapt and survive had me absolutely hooked.
And can we talk about the morally gray man?! 👀🖤 Because WHO doesn’t love a man who would do absolutely ANYTHING to protect his girl?! YES PLEASE. WE LOVE A QUESTIONABLE MAN WITH UNQUESTIONABLE LOYALTY. 🤭
This book had me HOOKED and officially put me in my spooky horror era. 🎃 I will say, I was hoping for a little more terror. I wanted to be checking under my bed and questioning every noise in my house. 😂 But even though it wasn’t quite as scary as I hoped, I still had SUCH a good time reading it!
AND THAT ENDING?! EXCUSE ME?! 😭
Was it perfect for the story? YES.
Was I emotionally prepared? ABSOLUTELY TF NOT.
Am I upset that it’s over? YOU BET YOUR ASS.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book. The characters, the apocalyptic chaos, the creepy creatures, and the survival aspect were everything I wanted. I just wish we had MORE because I was not ready to say goodbye!
First of all, let me make one thing VERY clear. I am a HOE for end-of-the-world movies, zombie apocalypses, and anything that involves humanity fighting for its damn life. SOOO when I saw this book was an apocalyptic horror?! BABY, I RAN to sign up. 🏃♀️💨
AND LET ME TELL YOU… I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.
Let’s talk about our girl BROOKE. 👏 She’s incredibly intelligent, a little bit autistic, resourceful, and an absolute BADASS. Because PLEASE explain to me how your first thought when encountering a giant centipede monster is, “Hmm, let me capture this little nightmare and STUDY IT.” GIRL WHAT?! 😭
COULDN’T BE ME. I see a regular-sized bug and suddenly I’m an Olympic track star. 🏃♀️💀
But honestly?! I LOVED HER. The way her brain worked, her determination, and her ability to adapt and survive had me absolutely hooked.
And can we talk about the morally gray man?! 👀🖤 Because WHO doesn’t love a man who would do absolutely ANYTHING to protect his girl?! YES PLEASE. WE LOVE A QUESTIONABLE MAN WITH UNQUESTIONABLE LOYALTY. 🤭
This book had me HOOKED and officially put me in my spooky horror era. 🎃 I will say, I was hoping for a little more terror. I wanted to be checking under my bed and questioning every noise in my house. 😂 But even though it wasn’t quite as scary as I hoped, I still had SUCH a good time reading it!
AND THAT ENDING?! EXCUSE ME?! 😭
Was it perfect for the story? YES.
Was I emotionally prepared? ABSOLUTELY TF NOT.
Am I upset that it’s over? YOU BET YOUR ASS.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book. The characters, the apocalyptic chaos, the creepy creatures, and the survival aspect were everything I wanted. I just wish we had MORE because I was not ready to say goodbye!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
i received this arc for free through netgalley and am writing this review voluntarily
i had a lot of fun with this!! its a lovely mash-up of quite a few genres its hard to fit into a box. there’s a bit of horror, thriller, a splash of romance, mystery, and was even a bit campy at times! i’ll be completely honest, i was a bit nervous because 98% of the romance i read is queer and i didn’t know if that would put me off of this one. i’m pleased to say this was NOT the case. there is a romance subplot but there is so much going on in this one that it doesn’t overpower the thriller/apocalyptic nature of the book! and i think cooke did a fantastic job balancing all these elements!
my favorite part about this one was the writing. i loved the mix of genres here (which might not be for everybody) but i think it kept the story very fresh and fun. we get lovely tender moments of brooke (our protagonist) dealing with the grief of losing her mom and the over-thinking, anxious mind she has. there’s beautiful found-family and chosen community elements, as she unites with friends and neighbors. campy and humorous banter between her and the romantic interest. and of course, killer insects and murder. there’s a little something for everyone!
cooke creates such a visceral atmosphere. while reading it, the only way i could think of describing it is sort of cinematic. it was so easy to place myself in this suburban apocalypse. there were also some really cool plot twists that i wasn’t expecting, definitely a story that keeps you on your toes! and i really came to enjoy all the characters in this world. lily cooke has a new fan in me and i’m excited to see what she does next!
i had a lot of fun with this!! its a lovely mash-up of quite a few genres its hard to fit into a box. there’s a bit of horror, thriller, a splash of romance, mystery, and was even a bit campy at times! i’ll be completely honest, i was a bit nervous because 98% of the romance i read is queer and i didn’t know if that would put me off of this one. i’m pleased to say this was NOT the case. there is a romance subplot but there is so much going on in this one that it doesn’t overpower the thriller/apocalyptic nature of the book! and i think cooke did a fantastic job balancing all these elements!
my favorite part about this one was the writing. i loved the mix of genres here (which might not be for everybody) but i think it kept the story very fresh and fun. we get lovely tender moments of brooke (our protagonist) dealing with the grief of losing her mom and the over-thinking, anxious mind she has. there’s beautiful found-family and chosen community elements, as she unites with friends and neighbors. campy and humorous banter between her and the romantic interest. and of course, killer insects and murder. there’s a little something for everyone!
cooke creates such a visceral atmosphere. while reading it, the only way i could think of describing it is sort of cinematic. it was so easy to place myself in this suburban apocalypse. there were also some really cool plot twists that i wasn’t expecting, definitely a story that keeps you on your toes! and i really came to enjoy all the characters in this world. lily cooke has a new fan in me and i’m excited to see what she does next!
October 7, 2026
As Brooke navigates this strange new reality, she’s forced to make uneasy alliances with the few survivors left.
Unapologetically chaotic, delightfully dark, and surprisingly intimate, this novel delivers an apocalyptic survival story that hits the ground running and never lets up. What elevates this book above standard creature feature horror is its razor-sharp character focus.
The graphic skin crawling horror is masterfully offset by witty internal monologue and genuine heart. I was hooked from start to finish.
Unapologetically chaotic, delightfully dark, and surprisingly intimate, this novel delivers an apocalyptic survival story that hits the ground running and never lets up. What elevates this book above standard creature feature horror is its razor-sharp character focus.
The graphic skin crawling horror is masterfully offset by witty internal monologue and genuine heart. I was hooked from start to finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2026
Warning: THIS IS A COMEDY and not even a romance. If you were looking for a serious horror mystery story, this is not it. And this is not a romance either. The male love interest only comes into play around page 150. This book is almost 300 pages and the main fucking love interest doesn't show up until halfway through... ??? There is also no actual romance. They banter a lot, but they never get romantic with each other until the very last few pages.
Maybe I'm the stupid one here, I thought "Dangerous mysterious contract killer" meant a man who is serious and gruff, not a banter machine that immediately falls in love with the FMC for no reason at all. Genuinely, there is NO build up to these two. Banter does not count as building a relationship, neither of them EVER say what they like in the other person. There isn't even any instalust to blame here, they just are... there... together... because the author forced them into this space and I guess they like each other. I am seriously wondering if I have the same copy as everyone else. Why would you market this as a horror mystery apocalypse with romance when none of these things are true? I go into more detail about this below my ratings.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
[Overview]
✍️ Writing Style: 4/5
📖 Plot / Storyline: 1/5
🌙 Character Depth: 1.5/5
🔥Character Interactions: 1/5
💬 Banter: 1/5
💕 Couple Dynamics: 0/5
I feel like the author needs someone to help her with advertising this better, because this almost feels like false advertisement. This is not horror, mystery or romance. I would've also appreciated the comedy/humor tag, because EVERYONE in this book is a banter machine, almost no one is having a normal conversation. I was under the impression this would be a serious book, but it's not. No one is taking this apocalypse serious, there are 0 repercussions. Everyone just goes outside like it's a normal day and the insects are barely there. I don't understand why you would use the apocalypse setting only to.... not use it. Our ANXIETY FMC has ZERO problems going outside, because she has medications that help her slow her heartrate... I ask: What is the point of making the insects react to your heartbeat and then have our FMC immediately solve that? Her anxiety should've been a major plotpoint against the insects, she shouldn't have been able to go outside! But she went outside CONSTANTLY.
There was almost zero romance. The main love interest gets introduced HALFway through the book. HALF. And they only banter, banter, banter. It makes no sense for these two to be hanging around, Brooke needs him, but Fox doesn't need her. Yet he lets her hang around. And for some reason he falls in love? It's never clearly shown or stated WHY these two like each other. There is no build up, no proper moments between them and suddenly in the end we have these "epic" romantic declarations. You can't tag this as romance and not have them be romantic with each other until the LAST three pages.
I'd like to go over a few points at how this was advertised, these are literal quotes from the authors instagram of "Thing's you'll find" (in this book). 1) Forced proximity - They aren't forced to work together. The author forced them together, does that count? Because they aren't forced by the circumstances, Fox could just say bye. He does NOT need her, but Brooke needs him and for whatever reason he entertains her.
2) A Murder Mystery - Where? The supposed mystery is who killed the character we build up for 150 pages. But Brooke doesn't care all that much. She barely investigates this, then suddenly she knows who it is at the end and that's that. It was someone that we had no chance of knowning they were a suspect. It's not a mystery if no one is investigating, putting clues together and accusing someone we don't even know truly. That is not satisfying.
3) Found Family - Uhm... I guess the lesbian couple counts as found family? Not really though, Brooke barely visits them and they aren't even worth being called a supporting cast. Callie was found family, but we had to kill off the best character after 150 pages of build up lol.
4) People who are somehow worse than the monsters - what does that mean in the context of this book though? Absolutely nothing. Literally everyone she interacts with is kind and forthcoming. Only Callie's ex wasnt, but he was already established as an asshole and our genius protagonist sought him out so thats on her. Even our MMC is not shitty to her. I guess he kidnapped her but that was for literally no reason and he doesn't hurt her so... who exactly are these monstrous humans that are worse than the insects? "Insects aren't the only villain" - IS THE VILLAIN IN THE ROOM WITH US?
5) Horror... Again, where? Insects are horrifying yes. But none of the characters treat this apocalypse with fear. Even our ANXIETY FMC can't be bothered to take this serious. And her taking her meds shouldn't count. It's stupid she even gets those meds, what's the point in having anxiety if it's not treated as the flaw it could be. You literally have human eating insects that react to your heartbeat, which should be dangerous as fuck for someone with anxiety, but it's IMMEDIATELY solved through her taking meds. Which means everytime they go outside they are just bantering away. There is 0 danger, no one is even being attacked and they just loot places as if we are in a video game. There is 0 tension, 0 horror, 0 mystery and in my opinion 0 romance. These two have no chemistry, they don't make any sense together and tbh their banter is cringe. But you know what, fine, I'll just say my standards are too high for couples. That still leaves the rest of the story, which does not live up to the advertisement. This story could've been set in any other genre or setting, the apocalypse does NOTHING for the story, it does not affect them in any way. They always find what they are looking for, food, electricity, water, etc. is never running out and even the insects aren't a threat. What the fuck is the point here?
Last but not least I'd like to shoutout Callie and the insects. Callie, you were too good for this story and insects... I hate you, but you were done dirty. This was supposed to be your moment, but they didn't give you the spotlight you deserved 😔✊🏻
[Spoiler Section]
Maybe I'm the stupid one here, I thought "Dangerous mysterious contract killer" meant a man who is serious and gruff, not a banter machine that immediately falls in love with the FMC for no reason at all. Genuinely, there is NO build up to these two. Banter does not count as building a relationship, neither of them EVER say what they like in the other person. There isn't even any instalust to blame here, they just are... there... together... because the author forced them into this space and I guess they like each other. I am seriously wondering if I have the same copy as everyone else. Why would you market this as a horror mystery apocalypse with romance when none of these things are true? I go into more detail about this below my ratings.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
[Overview]
✍️ Writing Style: 4/5
📖 Plot / Storyline: 1/5
🌙 Character Depth: 1.5/5
🔥Character Interactions: 1/5
💬 Banter: 1/5
💕 Couple Dynamics: 0/5
I feel like the author needs someone to help her with advertising this better, because this almost feels like false advertisement. This is not horror, mystery or romance. I would've also appreciated the comedy/humor tag, because EVERYONE in this book is a banter machine, almost no one is having a normal conversation. I was under the impression this would be a serious book, but it's not. No one is taking this apocalypse serious, there are 0 repercussions. Everyone just goes outside like it's a normal day and the insects are barely there. I don't understand why you would use the apocalypse setting only to.... not use it. Our ANXIETY FMC has ZERO problems going outside, because she has medications that help her slow her heartrate... I ask: What is the point of making the insects react to your heartbeat and then have our FMC immediately solve that? Her anxiety should've been a major plotpoint against the insects, she shouldn't have been able to go outside! But she went outside CONSTANTLY.
There was almost zero romance. The main love interest gets introduced HALFway through the book. HALF. And they only banter, banter, banter. It makes no sense for these two to be hanging around, Brooke needs him, but Fox doesn't need her. Yet he lets her hang around. And for some reason he falls in love? It's never clearly shown or stated WHY these two like each other. There is no build up, no proper moments between them and suddenly in the end we have these "epic" romantic declarations. You can't tag this as romance and not have them be romantic with each other until the LAST three pages.
I'd like to go over a few points at how this was advertised, these are literal quotes from the authors instagram of "Thing's you'll find" (in this book). 1) Forced proximity - They aren't forced to work together. The author forced them together, does that count? Because they aren't forced by the circumstances, Fox could just say bye. He does NOT need her, but Brooke needs him and for whatever reason he entertains her.
2) A Murder Mystery - Where? The supposed mystery is who killed the character we build up for 150 pages. But Brooke doesn't care all that much. She barely investigates this, then suddenly she knows who it is at the end and that's that. It was someone that we had no chance of knowning they were a suspect. It's not a mystery if no one is investigating, putting clues together and accusing someone we don't even know truly. That is not satisfying.
3) Found Family - Uhm... I guess the lesbian couple counts as found family? Not really though, Brooke barely visits them and they aren't even worth being called a supporting cast. Callie was found family, but we had to kill off the best character after 150 pages of build up lol.
4) People who are somehow worse than the monsters - what does that mean in the context of this book though? Absolutely nothing. Literally everyone she interacts with is kind and forthcoming. Only Callie's ex wasnt, but he was already established as an asshole and our genius protagonist sought him out so thats on her. Even our MMC is not shitty to her. I guess he kidnapped her but that was for literally no reason and he doesn't hurt her so... who exactly are these monstrous humans that are worse than the insects? "Insects aren't the only villain" - IS THE VILLAIN IN THE ROOM WITH US?
5) Horror... Again, where? Insects are horrifying yes. But none of the characters treat this apocalypse with fear. Even our ANXIETY FMC can't be bothered to take this serious. And her taking her meds shouldn't count. It's stupid she even gets those meds, what's the point in having anxiety if it's not treated as the flaw it could be. You literally have human eating insects that react to your heartbeat, which should be dangerous as fuck for someone with anxiety, but it's IMMEDIATELY solved through her taking meds. Which means everytime they go outside they are just bantering away. There is 0 danger, no one is even being attacked and they just loot places as if we are in a video game. There is 0 tension, 0 horror, 0 mystery and in my opinion 0 romance. These two have no chemistry, they don't make any sense together and tbh their banter is cringe. But you know what, fine, I'll just say my standards are too high for couples. That still leaves the rest of the story, which does not live up to the advertisement. This story could've been set in any other genre or setting, the apocalypse does NOTHING for the story, it does not affect them in any way. They always find what they are looking for, food, electricity, water, etc. is never running out and even the insects aren't a threat. What the fuck is the point here?
Last but not least I'd like to shoutout Callie and the insects. Callie, you were too good for this story and insects... I hate you, but you were done dirty. This was supposed to be your moment, but they didn't give you the spotlight you deserved 😔✊🏻
[Spoiler Section]
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What makes A Single Beat stand out is its ambition. Lily Cooke blends a creature-feature apocalypse with a grief-driven character study and a dark psychological thriller, and when it works, it really works. Cooke's visual imagery is striking throughout. The eerie stillness of the suburbs, the unsettling presence of the bugs, and the claustrophobia of being trapped at home with your own grief all come through vividly on the page.
The premise itself is compelling: anxious, introverted Brooke has just lost her mom when the planet is overrun by flesh-eating insects. Trapped with a new friend and a mysterious man she is growing closer to, she must decide how far she is willing to go to survive. It is a very modern, very relatable kind of loneliness, and I was hooked by the setup.
Where the book lost me was in its execution. The tone shifts wildly, from emotional literary fiction to quirky survival comedy to hyper-sexualized thriller, often within the same chapter. The death of Brooke's mother is introduced as the emotional core, but it quickly fades into the background without meaningfully shaping her decisions, which made it hard for me to connect with her. Because her personality seemed to shift to fit whatever genre the scene required, I never felt like I truly knew who she was.
That said, I think this book will find its readers. If you enjoy genre-bending stories that refuse to fit neatly into one box, dark and morally gray protagonists, or campy, over-the-top horror with a chaotic tone, you may connect with this far more than I did. It is also a strong pick for readers who prioritize vivid, cinematic visuals over tight plotting.
A Single Beat had a lot of potential and a genuinely unique voice behind it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
The premise itself is compelling: anxious, introverted Brooke has just lost her mom when the planet is overrun by flesh-eating insects. Trapped with a new friend and a mysterious man she is growing closer to, she must decide how far she is willing to go to survive. It is a very modern, very relatable kind of loneliness, and I was hooked by the setup.
Where the book lost me was in its execution. The tone shifts wildly, from emotional literary fiction to quirky survival comedy to hyper-sexualized thriller, often within the same chapter. The death of Brooke's mother is introduced as the emotional core, but it quickly fades into the background without meaningfully shaping her decisions, which made it hard for me to connect with her. Because her personality seemed to shift to fit whatever genre the scene required, I never felt like I truly knew who she was.
That said, I think this book will find its readers. If you enjoy genre-bending stories that refuse to fit neatly into one box, dark and morally gray protagonists, or campy, over-the-top horror with a chaotic tone, you may connect with this far more than I did. It is also a strong pick for readers who prioritize vivid, cinematic visuals over tight plotting.
A Single Beat had a lot of potential and a genuinely unique voice behind it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Single Beat follows Brooke as killer insects take over the world. Having just lost her mom, Brooke is swept into a terrifying world where the only light is her friend who comes to live with her. As the flesh-eating bugs kill more of civilization and people show their ruthless side, Brooke has to figure out who to trust if she wants to survive.
What a great debut!! I adore post-apocalyptic stories, and this one had such great depth and heart to it. The insects were such a terrifying threat. There was such great atmosphere. Every time Brooke left her house, I was so on edge. The author did a great job with the pacing. I flew through the book and thoroughly enjoyed the end and twists. I found the book to have a lovely mix of horror, thriller, and comedic vibes. I am very excited to see what this author does next!
Brooke was a great main character. I loved how she was portrayed. She’s understandably a bit unmoored after the loss of her mom and doubled with her anxieties and introvertedness, she has to overcome a lot to survive. I adored her relationships with Callie and Fox. Both were so good and added a lot of heart to the story. I especially loved her time with Fox. He was such an intriguing character! Also, the cats. So freaking cute and precious.
If you love post-apocalyptic horror, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to Netgalley and Rabbit Tooth Press for the arc
What a great debut!! I adore post-apocalyptic stories, and this one had such great depth and heart to it. The insects were such a terrifying threat. There was such great atmosphere. Every time Brooke left her house, I was so on edge. The author did a great job with the pacing. I flew through the book and thoroughly enjoyed the end and twists. I found the book to have a lovely mix of horror, thriller, and comedic vibes. I am very excited to see what this author does next!
Brooke was a great main character. I loved how she was portrayed. She’s understandably a bit unmoored after the loss of her mom and doubled with her anxieties and introvertedness, she has to overcome a lot to survive. I adored her relationships with Callie and Fox. Both were so good and added a lot of heart to the story. I especially loved her time with Fox. He was such an intriguing character! Also, the cats. So freaking cute and precious.
If you love post-apocalyptic horror, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to Netgalley and Rabbit Tooth Press for the arc
October 22, 2026
I was really looking forward to a thrilling/spooky story for Halloween but this one wasn't really it. There was more of a focus on the characters (even though there wasn't really any character building) than the actual bugs so it really just felt like a post apocalyptic drama rather than scary. I think it would have had the same effect if it were just another one of those EMP wipes out the earth books but I guess the bugs do add a little more room for story building. The "friendship" with Callie at the beginning felt so weird and disjointed that you can tell by the middle/end that it was just there to use as a plot point. The book feels like it was written by three different people. In the beginning, the main character's internal dialogue as well as Callie's dialogue was very cringey and quite irritating. By the middle the book starts to pick up and I was actually going to give it a higher rating than I did but by the time I got to the end, the twist was very strange and the ending felt very forced for some type of resolution/ drama and it was obviously set up for some kind of sequel that I won't be reading. If you're looking for a thriller for the spooky season, you can go ahead and give this one a skip.
Thank you to Rabbit Tooth Press and Netgalley for this eARC.
Thank you to Rabbit Tooth Press and Netgalley for this eARC.
October 8, 2026
A Single Beat is one of those books that starts with a strong horror hook and ends up being much more about the people trapped inside it.
The central idea is great. Creatures that hunt you when your heart rate rises? Hell yes.
Brooke is messy, anxious, capable, and very human. Her relationships with Callie, Fox, and the world's weirdest little nightmare pet, Creep, are what really made the book work for me.
I especially liked that the human threat gradually becomes just as important as the monsters. There are some solid reveals, some genuinely nasty moments, a surprising amount of humour, and a romance that works because neither character suddenly becomes a different person to make it happen.
A few stretches in the middle could have moved faster for me, but the final act brings the major threads together really well.
And that ending absolutely earns the title.
Strong debut. Weird, bloody, funny, and much more emotional than I expected.
The central idea is great. Creatures that hunt you when your heart rate rises? Hell yes.
Brooke is messy, anxious, capable, and very human. Her relationships with Callie, Fox, and the world's weirdest little nightmare pet, Creep, are what really made the book work for me.
I especially liked that the human threat gradually becomes just as important as the monsters. There are some solid reveals, some genuinely nasty moments, a surprising amount of humour, and a romance that works because neither character suddenly becomes a different person to make it happen.
A few stretches in the middle could have moved faster for me, but the final act brings the major threads together really well.
And that ending absolutely earns the title.
Strong debut. Weird, bloody, funny, and much more emotional than I expected.
October 7, 2026
That ending nooooo!!! We were just getting started😭😭 this is only book one right? This was an emotional Rollercoaster I was not ready for when I picked this book from netgalley but I loved every minute of the torture it put my poor heart through.
Horror- not so much except I guess some of the gore counts
Mystery/thriller-✅️✅️✅️✅️✅️
Romance-✅️✅️ Needs book two! Please. 🙏
Brooks was the most relatable main character I have read since I started reading again 2 years ago.
The pacing❤️ Hints leading up to the reveal❤️ The friendship🥹❤️
The only negative is that I want more. Which I can't even really say it's negative as it wasn't because the story lacked anything I simply wish for 100 more pages to reconcile that damn ending😭😭
Horror- not so much except I guess some of the gore counts
Mystery/thriller-✅️✅️✅️✅️✅️
Romance-✅️✅️ Needs book two! Please. 🙏
Brooks was the most relatable main character I have read since I started reading again 2 years ago.
The pacing❤️ Hints leading up to the reveal❤️ The friendship🥹❤️
The only negative is that I want more. Which I can't even really say it's negative as it wasn't because the story lacked anything I simply wish for 100 more pages to reconcile that damn ending😭😭
October 11, 2026
Well. We just dove straight in with this one! I guess your neighbor being eaten alive by giant bugs (yes, BUGS!) will do that. haha I absolutely adore the main character! Everything about her. And I love that Brooke has always done her best to avoid everyone…until an actual apocalypse happens! But I love that the people she takes up with the most is a lesbian couple! (I feel so seen! haha) This was unexpectedly gory and so intense that it kept my heart racing the entire time! I literally could not put this down. And can we talk about that ending?! Forever recommending this to anyone that will listen!
Thank you so much Lily Cooke and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you so much Lily Cooke and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
October 22, 2026
Horror that at times is hilarious - the character arcs were my absolute favorite part because they were so active through, even right in the first 100 pages.
Honestly, the creeps kinda sound cute idk.
Honestly, the creeps kinda sound cute idk.
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