What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sweetest Kind of Scary
Everyone in Hollow Creek knows Lucy Bennett. She's not sure anyone has ever actually seen her.
Lucy is the sweet one. The dependable one. The girl who opens the bakery at 4:15 every morning and once got dumped for being too much like the marrying kind and not enough like the fun kind. So when the Black Veil Masquerade rolls into town, she buys a dress that isn't her, dabs on perfume that isn't her, and kisses a masked stranger on a moonlit balcony — then runs before midnight, before either of them can take off the mask.
It's the bravest thing she's ever done. And she's certain she'll never know who he was.
Except the stranger said something on that balcony he shouldn't have known. Something that hits a little too close. Something that makes her wonder if the safest night of her life was actually the most dangerous one.
Because a mask can hide a face. It can't hide the fact that someone has been watching her — really watching her — for a long, long time.
Small towns don't keep secrets. Her best friend is starting to notice she's different. The whole town is starting to notice. And Lucy's ex is coming home for the Halloween Ball with a new fiancée and a very short memory of who broke whose heart.
Whoever was behind that mask, she's about to find out.
And it's going to change everything.
THE SWEETEST KIND OF SCARY is a cozy, swoony, small-town Halloween romance packed with pining, a masquerade you won't forget, a slow-burn secret worth every page, and the kind of happily-ever-after worth waiting for. Grab your cider, light a candle, and fall.
Lucy is the sweet one. The dependable one. The girl who opens the bakery at 4:15 every morning and once got dumped for being too much like the marrying kind and not enough like the fun kind. So when the Black Veil Masquerade rolls into town, she buys a dress that isn't her, dabs on perfume that isn't her, and kisses a masked stranger on a moonlit balcony — then runs before midnight, before either of them can take off the mask.
It's the bravest thing she's ever done. And she's certain she'll never know who he was.
Except the stranger said something on that balcony he shouldn't have known. Something that hits a little too close. Something that makes her wonder if the safest night of her life was actually the most dangerous one.
Because a mask can hide a face. It can't hide the fact that someone has been watching her — really watching her — for a long, long time.
Small towns don't keep secrets. Her best friend is starting to notice she's different. The whole town is starting to notice. And Lucy's ex is coming home for the Halloween Ball with a new fiancée and a very short memory of who broke whose heart.
Whoever was behind that mask, she's about to find out.
And it's going to change everything.
THE SWEETEST KIND OF SCARY is a cozy, swoony, small-town Halloween romance packed with pining, a masquerade you won't forget, a slow-burn secret worth every page, and the kind of happily-ever-after worth waiting for. Grab your cider, light a candle, and fall.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
“It’s the kind of dress you wear when you want someone to look at you and forget their own name.”
“The best nights start alone.”
“I want to walk into the dark and let the dark show me something I’ve never seen before.”
“Masks stay on until midnight. Names are technically discouraged.”
The Sweetest Kind of Scary is the perfect Halloween romance! It starts off with masked strangers and ends with a cozy romance. You have all the Halloween vibes mixed into a fun age-gap, best friend’s brother romance!
Lucy and Cole are just so cute! I loved both of them from the moment we met them! Cole is head over heels for Lucy and has been for four years. Lucy is just getting out of a bad breakup and is learning to be herself without the opinion of others.
Lucy has the bestest best friends a girl could ask for, Poppy and Sadie. Poppy is the planner, the leader, the person with the clipboard who may be slightly crazy, but we love her!. Sadie, well Sadie is our murder cat! Sadie is usually found with a knife and something named Gerald!
Overall, 5 stars! Read this book! You won’t regret it! You get to enjoy all the cozy Halloween vibes of Lucy and Cole! Along with Gerald 1 and Gerald 2 pumpkins, a murder cat, and a slightly crazy planner, you can’t go wrong with this cozy Halloween romance!
Tropes:
Best friend’s brother
Halloween Vibes
Small town
Masked stranger
Cozy bakery energy
Age gap romance
“The best nights start alone.”
“I want to walk into the dark and let the dark show me something I’ve never seen before.”
“Masks stay on until midnight. Names are technically discouraged.”
The Sweetest Kind of Scary is the perfect Halloween romance! It starts off with masked strangers and ends with a cozy romance. You have all the Halloween vibes mixed into a fun age-gap, best friend’s brother romance!
Lucy and Cole are just so cute! I loved both of them from the moment we met them! Cole is head over heels for Lucy and has been for four years. Lucy is just getting out of a bad breakup and is learning to be herself without the opinion of others.
Lucy has the bestest best friends a girl could ask for, Poppy and Sadie. Poppy is the planner, the leader, the person with the clipboard who may be slightly crazy, but we love her!. Sadie, well Sadie is our murder cat! Sadie is usually found with a knife and something named Gerald!
Overall, 5 stars! Read this book! You won’t regret it! You get to enjoy all the cozy Halloween vibes of Lucy and Cole! Along with Gerald 1 and Gerald 2 pumpkins, a murder cat, and a slightly crazy planner, you can’t go wrong with this cozy Halloween romance!
Tropes:
Best friend’s brother
Halloween Vibes
Small town
Masked stranger
Cozy bakery energy
Age gap romance
September 26, 2026
"I wore this dress to disappear behind, once. I'm wearing it tonight to be seen."
The Sweetest kind of Scary is a small cozy ready that makes you long for autumn leaves to fall of the trees and a cup of tea as you read it.
I loved the character growth that Lucy went through in her journey of self love. I know it's a Halloween read and at one point she is dressed as a witch. But the moment she realizes that she is enough just the way she is, is another kind of magic.
Lucy is very much the main character in this story. Cole gets his own chapters where he shares his point of view but mostly it's written from Lucy's perspective and everything is centered around her. So much so that it took me a minute to realize what Cole actually does with his life besides the fact that he's just always there and that his sister constantly takes over his house.
If you're looking for a book where he falls first, then this is definitely it because Cole was falling forever... Lucy just took a minute to catch him.
Thank you Brittany for letting me read this ARC!
And... to quote Brittany Evermore in her acknowledgements: "Buy the dress. Always buy the dress."
The Sweetest kind of Scary is a small cozy ready that makes you long for autumn leaves to fall of the trees and a cup of tea as you read it.
I loved the character growth that Lucy went through in her journey of self love. I know it's a Halloween read and at one point she is dressed as a witch. But the moment she realizes that she is enough just the way she is, is another kind of magic.
Lucy is very much the main character in this story. Cole gets his own chapters where he shares his point of view but mostly it's written from Lucy's perspective and everything is centered around her. So much so that it took me a minute to realize what Cole actually does with his life besides the fact that he's just always there and that his sister constantly takes over his house.
If you're looking for a book where he falls first, then this is definitely it because Cole was falling forever... Lucy just took a minute to catch him.
Thank you Brittany for letting me read this ARC!
And... to quote Brittany Evermore in her acknowledgements: "Buy the dress. Always buy the dress."
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wanted to like this so much but unfortunately the way it was written was disjointed and didn't work for me
The obsession with the exact time and her necklace was irritating and overdone and the storyline felt forced and didn't flow
Its a quick cute Halloween romance that hopefully you enjoy more than I did
Thank you Brittany for the ARC opportunity 💕
❤️ How I Rate Books
⭐ didn't like it
⭐⭐ it was ok
⭐⭐⭐ I liked it
⭐⭐⭐⭐Loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing! Will reread!
The obsession with the exact time and her necklace was irritating and overdone and the storyline felt forced and didn't flow
Its a quick cute Halloween romance that hopefully you enjoy more than I did
Thank you Brittany for the ARC opportunity 💕
❤️ How I Rate Books
⭐ didn't like it
⭐⭐ it was ok
⭐⭐⭐ I liked it
⭐⭐⭐⭐Loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing! Will reread!
Review of advance copy received from Author
As the title suggests this book is so sweet!!! Cole is a consent king and knows exactly what Lucy needs. Of course, 4 years of watching and holding back feelings will do that to a guy. And Lucy is an awkward lil cinnamon bun that's emotional recovering from a breakup with a guy that did not deserve her. And, as always, the best friend characters are the the best supporters! If you're looking for a cute little Halloween read, look no further!
Ps. I was an ARC Reader.
Ps. I was an ARC Reader.
October 4, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from author. / Reseña de una copia anticipada enviada por la autora.
"The Sweetest Kind of Scary" introduces us to the world of Hollow Creek, where Lucy Bennett is known for being sweet and dependable, and who was dumped by her ex for being... well, boring, basically. So she decides to take matters into her own hands, be brave and do something unexpected for her, and that's how she ends up kissing a stranger on a balcony during the Black Veil Masquerade.
This story raised a lot of feelings, so let's look at it like an album and go for the A side (the positive) and the B side (not so positive).
On the A side, the biggest strength this story has is Lucy's character development. Though it could've been strengthened, we do see Lucy change and go from being "sweet, dependable Lucy Bennett" to being a woman who stands up for herself and goes after what she wants. All in all, the story shows us Lucy's growth and makes her character relatable, because she never stops being sweet in favor of being brave, she just stops letting herself be a doormat.
Also, the Black Veil Masquerade was my favorite scene. Though I kinda knew what to expect, I must admit I really enjoyed the scene! The banter was kinda fun and there was the excitement of the masked man, and Lucy letting herself be brave and not letting everyone else decide who or what she is.
As for the B side...
I really wanted to love this book. It had such a wonderful premise and really good bones to build upon. Sadly, I couldn't connect with the story the way I thought I would since it ends up falling flat. It was definitely a very cozy read, it's very low stakes (which isn't necessarily bad in itself) but also its "tropes" are more of a tag than a development within the story. the forced proximity feels even more forced when you realize she's 26 and Cole is 34 and he's all the time with his sister and her friends and it's almost past 60% of the book that we even know that he supposedly has a job outside of hanging out with them.
I found myself being taken out of the story way too often, as well, by the writing itself. It's a sweet, light story, but the inner monologue for the characters was way too repetitive. There were also moments where certain phrases or even entire paragraphs were a lot of words to say absolutely nothing, they didn't make sense and just kept circling back towards what we already knew. It brought up that feeling where something's not right and you can't quite place it,—and it ended up feeling like nails on a chalkboard. In particular this happened often, too, with the dialogue, which felt like random pieces of conversation between the characters' inner monologue and the description of their day—mixed in with weird phrases that no one would say out loud or repetitive and cliché "comebacks" such as "I contain multitudes" when the conversation has nothing to do with that.
I ended up cringing a bit every time they mentioned the necklace. I understand its purpose as a motif and to represent Lucy's character growth, but it got too repetitive to the point where I didn't even care for its meaning. Pointing out the purpose of the necklace explicitly every single time kind of defeats the purpose of subtlety.
That's also another part of the writing itself that took me out of the story. Everything was said explicitly on the page, there was barely any subtext at all. As a reader, I couldn't even try to form my own conclusions or theories or even relish in the subtle, small moments where slow-burns usually shine because I was immediately told how I should feel.
All in all, it definitely is a cozy read, enjoyable enough, season-appropriate, but could've used a better hand at editing—development and line-editing-wise.
Thank you to Brittany Evermore for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
"The Sweetest Kind of Scary" introduces us to the world of Hollow Creek, where Lucy Bennett is known for being sweet and dependable, and who was dumped by her ex for being... well, boring, basically. So she decides to take matters into her own hands, be brave and do something unexpected for her, and that's how she ends up kissing a stranger on a balcony during the Black Veil Masquerade.
This story raised a lot of feelings, so let's look at it like an album and go for the A side (the positive) and the B side (not so positive).
On the A side, the biggest strength this story has is Lucy's character development. Though it could've been strengthened, we do see Lucy change and go from being "sweet, dependable Lucy Bennett" to being a woman who stands up for herself and goes after what she wants. All in all, the story shows us Lucy's growth and makes her character relatable, because she never stops being sweet in favor of being brave, she just stops letting herself be a doormat.
Also, the Black Veil Masquerade was my favorite scene. Though I kinda knew what to expect, I must admit I really enjoyed the scene! The banter was kinda fun and there was the excitement of the masked man, and Lucy letting herself be brave and not letting everyone else decide who or what she is.
As for the B side...
I really wanted to love this book. It had such a wonderful premise and really good bones to build upon. Sadly, I couldn't connect with the story the way I thought I would since it ends up falling flat. It was definitely a very cozy read, it's very low stakes (which isn't necessarily bad in itself) but also its "tropes" are more of a tag than a development within the story. the forced proximity feels even more forced when you realize she's 26 and Cole is 34 and he's all the time with his sister and her friends and it's almost past 60% of the book that we even know that he supposedly has a job outside of hanging out with them.
I found myself being taken out of the story way too often, as well, by the writing itself. It's a sweet, light story, but the inner monologue for the characters was way too repetitive. There were also moments where certain phrases or even entire paragraphs were a lot of words to say absolutely nothing, they didn't make sense and just kept circling back towards what we already knew. It brought up that feeling where something's not right and you can't quite place it,—and it ended up feeling like nails on a chalkboard. In particular this happened often, too, with the dialogue, which felt like random pieces of conversation between the characters' inner monologue and the description of their day—mixed in with weird phrases that no one would say out loud or repetitive and cliché "comebacks" such as "I contain multitudes" when the conversation has nothing to do with that.
I ended up cringing a bit every time they mentioned the necklace. I understand its purpose as a motif and to represent Lucy's character growth, but it got too repetitive to the point where I didn't even care for its meaning. Pointing out the purpose of the necklace explicitly every single time kind of defeats the purpose of subtlety.
That's also another part of the writing itself that took me out of the story. Everything was said explicitly on the page, there was barely any subtext at all. As a reader, I couldn't even try to form my own conclusions or theories or even relish in the subtle, small moments where slow-burns usually shine because I was immediately told how I should feel.
All in all, it definitely is a cozy read, enjoyable enough, season-appropriate, but could've used a better hand at editing—development and line-editing-wise.
Thank you to Brittany Evermore for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 8, 2026
The Sweetest Kind of Scary
By: Brittany Evermore
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fun, cozy, and sweet fall read. And I was so excited to dive into this book because I’m a such a sucker for fall. This had all my favorites…sweet fall treats, Halloween activities, fall cozy vibes, and a cute romance.
I was immediately hooked. I loved that there was a Cinderella type feel when she disappeared at midnight. This gave it such a cute vibe and it made it perfect for their love story.
Lucy is such a sweet person. Her character development was amazing. She became this confident woman who realized she was more than what people expected (….Liam… 🙄😒)
And she had the best people around her to remind her, like Cole. And let me tell you, Cole was head over heels in love with her. This man yearned for her for so long and seeing their love develop had me giggling so much. He had the biggest crush on her and literally LOVED everything about Lucy.
As much I do love reading romance books that contain smut 🤭 I will say that it was refreshing to read a book with closed door spice. I do LOVE reading about the cute and the sweet side of romance. And this book captured just that. And the romance still made me smile and giggle which is a win for me 🥰
Also I wanted to add that I loved Poppy so much. She takes all the fall activities very seriously. And I only hope to become like her when it comes to this time of year. I want all the fall bucket lists and activities!!!
By: Brittany Evermore
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fun, cozy, and sweet fall read. And I was so excited to dive into this book because I’m a such a sucker for fall. This had all my favorites…sweet fall treats, Halloween activities, fall cozy vibes, and a cute romance.
I was immediately hooked. I loved that there was a Cinderella type feel when she disappeared at midnight. This gave it such a cute vibe and it made it perfect for their love story.
Lucy is such a sweet person. Her character development was amazing. She became this confident woman who realized she was more than what people expected (….Liam… 🙄😒)
And she had the best people around her to remind her, like Cole. And let me tell you, Cole was head over heels in love with her. This man yearned for her for so long and seeing their love develop had me giggling so much. He had the biggest crush on her and literally LOVED everything about Lucy.
As much I do love reading romance books that contain smut 🤭 I will say that it was refreshing to read a book with closed door spice. I do LOVE reading about the cute and the sweet side of romance. And this book captured just that. And the romance still made me smile and giggle which is a win for me 🥰
Also I wanted to add that I loved Poppy so much. She takes all the fall activities very seriously. And I only hope to become like her when it comes to this time of year. I want all the fall bucket lists and activities!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Have you done anything stupid lately?"
Yeah not read this sooner for starters.
Meet Lucy Bennett, quiet and guarded baker who has more to her if someone would just stop and notice her. That's exactly what Cole Mercer did, for four years he watched and catalogued everything Lucy. From the way she tucks in herself, to the tiny shield she wears around her neck or simply when gravity offends her. All it took was a masquerade ball, a mask and a dress that she believed concealed her and a kiss with a stranger on a balcony to unchain Lucy from the shadows. To dare to be.
This story is for the girls who stand in the back, who choose quiet because being vulnerable is unimaginable. To be seen is to be loved and Brittany not only nailed what it's like to be this girl, but she made an ending feel so tangible and possible! Not just a future with our forever person but that we have people in our lives that see you for all that you are and never push you to be more. But will definitely do your eyeliner while mad. To the guys who sit back and wait, who don't rush, give you that space to choose, to be all you can and not expect more - are the ones worth taking the mask off for. I absolutely loved how cozy and warm this story makes you feel and it was a perfect October opener that I will be thinking about for the foreseeable future. This is the type of read you wish was a movie.
Yeah not read this sooner for starters.
Meet Lucy Bennett, quiet and guarded baker who has more to her if someone would just stop and notice her. That's exactly what Cole Mercer did, for four years he watched and catalogued everything Lucy. From the way she tucks in herself, to the tiny shield she wears around her neck or simply when gravity offends her. All it took was a masquerade ball, a mask and a dress that she believed concealed her and a kiss with a stranger on a balcony to unchain Lucy from the shadows. To dare to be.
This story is for the girls who stand in the back, who choose quiet because being vulnerable is unimaginable. To be seen is to be loved and Brittany not only nailed what it's like to be this girl, but she made an ending feel so tangible and possible! Not just a future with our forever person but that we have people in our lives that see you for all that you are and never push you to be more. But will definitely do your eyeliner while mad. To the guys who sit back and wait, who don't rush, give you that space to choose, to be all you can and not expect more - are the ones worth taking the mask off for. I absolutely loved how cozy and warm this story makes you feel and it was a perfect October opener that I will be thinking about for the foreseeable future. This is the type of read you wish was a movie.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
I wanted to like it. The bones are good. But it reads like a first draft.
DNF 44% ( Chapter 14)
What is with the obsession of knowing the exact time? I don't care if it's 9:15 or quarter past 10. The only point at which the exact time mattered was the countdown to midnight. All the others took me right out of the story.
There are continuity errors. Not many, but enough that it was irritating. Especially in Chapter 13, when it was supposed to be the same event from his perspective, it's not how it happened in her perspective at all. In her perspective she is lying next to him on his bare chest and then in his perspective he's sitting at the edge of the bed watching her. This is the main reason I DNF'd, not because of the continuity error, but because I prefer my romances to be sweet and clean. This was fade to black. And they're stupid about it too. He is her best friend's sister so if things don't work out it ruins more than just their relationship. Instead of figuring out if their relationship will work before sleeping together, they save that for after and don't want to tell his sister in case it doesn't work out. Newsflash: it's too late.
I wanted to like it. The bones are good. But it reads like a first draft.
DNF 44% ( Chapter 14)
What is with the obsession of knowing the exact time? I don't care if it's 9:15 or quarter past 10. The only point at which the exact time mattered was the countdown to midnight. All the others took me right out of the story.
There are continuity errors. Not many, but enough that it was irritating. Especially in Chapter 13, when it was supposed to be the same event from his perspective, it's not how it happened in her perspective at all. In her perspective she is lying next to him on his bare chest and then in his perspective he's sitting at the edge of the bed watching her. This is the main reason I DNF'd, not because of the continuity error, but because I prefer my romances to be sweet and clean. This was fade to black. And they're stupid about it too. He is her best friend's sister so if things don't work out it ruins more than just their relationship. Instead of figuring out if their relationship will work before sleeping together, they save that for after and don't want to tell his sister in case it doesn't work out. Newsflash: it's too late.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cute little Halloween themed clean romance.
I adore that The Sweetest kind of Scary is set in October. It's got super cozy Halloween vibes.
I enjoyed all of the characters. Cole & Lucy are very sweet together. I love how nothing gets past Sadie, and how much Poppy loves all things Halloween and that they really go all out for Halloween events and fun. I absolutely want to throw Halloween parties / movie watching marathons and attend costume balls.
The story is a message about being brave and buying the dress. There was a lot of character growth for Lucy. After a bad breakup that left her feeling boring, she goes on a journey of discovery, to believing that she deserves to be seen, and that she is not boring, but is brave. Cole has noticed her all along, he was just waiting for her to look up.
It starts as masked strangers and turns into an adoring relationship.
The writing was fast paced, which I appreciated, so I didn't have to wait for anything.
Overall a very cute spooky season read.
Thank you to the author, Brittany Evermore for allowing me to be an ARC reader for The Sweetest Kind Of Scary and getting to meet all of these adorable characters. 🎃🖤
I adore that The Sweetest kind of Scary is set in October. It's got super cozy Halloween vibes.
I enjoyed all of the characters. Cole & Lucy are very sweet together. I love how nothing gets past Sadie, and how much Poppy loves all things Halloween and that they really go all out for Halloween events and fun. I absolutely want to throw Halloween parties / movie watching marathons and attend costume balls.
The story is a message about being brave and buying the dress. There was a lot of character growth for Lucy. After a bad breakup that left her feeling boring, she goes on a journey of discovery, to believing that she deserves to be seen, and that she is not boring, but is brave. Cole has noticed her all along, he was just waiting for her to look up.
It starts as masked strangers and turns into an adoring relationship.
The writing was fast paced, which I appreciated, so I didn't have to wait for anything.
Overall a very cute spooky season read.
Thank you to the author, Brittany Evermore for allowing me to be an ARC reader for The Sweetest Kind Of Scary and getting to meet all of these adorable characters. 🎃🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
🎃 **The Sweetest Kind of Scary – Brittany Evermore** 🧡
Als ARC-reader voelde ik me echt vereerd dat ik deze leuke oktober-thema-novelle mocht lezen! Dit was mijn eerste kennismaking met de schrijfstijl van deze auteur en ik heb er ontzettend van genoten. 🥰
Ik vond het thema heel leuk, maar vooral de extra aandacht voor de karakters en de positieve, zoete alledaagse romantiek hebben me helemaal ingepakt. En dan Cole… 🥹 Hij voelt zó realistisch als een echte *boy next door*. Als ik mijn vriendinnen allemaal een vriend mocht gunnen, dan gunde ik ze stuk voor stuk hun eigen Cole. 😂❤️
En ben je toevallig een *The Vampire Diaries*-fan? Dan voelde dit voor mij een beetje als de gemiste *“and they lived happily ever after”* van Bonnie en Enzo. Misschien leg ik die link ook vooral door Lucy’s achternaam… wie weet. 👀
Ik weet in ieder geval één ding zeker: dit boek ga ik cadeau doen én elk jaar opnieuw lezen. 🧡
En dan Poppy, Coles zus! Haar activiteiten en tradities zijn zó leuk dat ik meteen dacht: dit moeten we eigenlijk gewoon zelf gaan doen. 🎃🍂
Een heerlijke, zoete oktober-read die voor mij zeker een blijvertje is! 🍁❤️
Als ARC-reader voelde ik me echt vereerd dat ik deze leuke oktober-thema-novelle mocht lezen! Dit was mijn eerste kennismaking met de schrijfstijl van deze auteur en ik heb er ontzettend van genoten. 🥰
Ik vond het thema heel leuk, maar vooral de extra aandacht voor de karakters en de positieve, zoete alledaagse romantiek hebben me helemaal ingepakt. En dan Cole… 🥹 Hij voelt zó realistisch als een echte *boy next door*. Als ik mijn vriendinnen allemaal een vriend mocht gunnen, dan gunde ik ze stuk voor stuk hun eigen Cole. 😂❤️
En ben je toevallig een *The Vampire Diaries*-fan? Dan voelde dit voor mij een beetje als de gemiste *“and they lived happily ever after”* van Bonnie en Enzo. Misschien leg ik die link ook vooral door Lucy’s achternaam… wie weet. 👀
Ik weet in ieder geval één ding zeker: dit boek ga ik cadeau doen én elk jaar opnieuw lezen. 🧡
En dan Poppy, Coles zus! Haar activiteiten en tradities zijn zó leuk dat ik meteen dacht: dit moeten we eigenlijk gewoon zelf gaan doen. 🎃🍂
Een heerlijke, zoete oktober-read die voor mij zeker een blijvertje is! 🍁❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cole & Lucy
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was such a cute Halloween romance with a little bit of everything I enjoy… Cinderella vibes, secret identity, best friend’s brother, and lots of pining. The romance itself was lovely, especially watching Cole and Lucy slowly find their way to each other.
Lucy was such a sweetheart, and I really enjoyed seeing her step outside the safe version of herself she’d always been. The masked-ball setup was fun, and the mystery around her ‘hero’ kept things interesting.
Of course, the one trope in these books that drives me absolutely crazy made an appearance. Why does the sister feel so betrayed, and why does it somehow become all about her?! I was rolling my eyes more than once.
I also wasn’t completely sure about Lucy’s ex situation… I may have missed it, but I think he left her for his new fiancée? Either way, Lucy is considerably nicer to him than I would have been!
With slow-burn pining, a little mystery, forced proximity, and fade-to-black spice, this was a sweet and cozy read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was such a cute Halloween romance with a little bit of everything I enjoy… Cinderella vibes, secret identity, best friend’s brother, and lots of pining. The romance itself was lovely, especially watching Cole and Lucy slowly find their way to each other.
Lucy was such a sweetheart, and I really enjoyed seeing her step outside the safe version of herself she’d always been. The masked-ball setup was fun, and the mystery around her ‘hero’ kept things interesting.
Of course, the one trope in these books that drives me absolutely crazy made an appearance. Why does the sister feel so betrayed, and why does it somehow become all about her?! I was rolling my eyes more than once.
I also wasn’t completely sure about Lucy’s ex situation… I may have missed it, but I think he left her for his new fiancée? Either way, Lucy is considerably nicer to him than I would have been!
With slow-burn pining, a little mystery, forced proximity, and fade-to-black spice, this was a sweet and cozy read.
September 26, 2026
This was a very cute contemporary romance and definitely a read I needed at this time.
I enjoyed it but there were a few points that I just couldn’t quite wrap my head around. Like the fact that Cole is 8 years older that his sister but he lets her do whatever she wants at/to his house and he tags along with her and her friends. To me that’s weird but it could be because I never experienced anything like that so it seemed unrealistic? But we also have to remember this is fiction.
I also think we could’ve had more of Cole yearning. I get that he had wanted Lucy for 4 years, but I didn’t feel the yearning of a man who has been helplessly in love with his sister’s best friend for years.
Besides my two minor complaints that really aren’t that big of a deal, Cole and Lucy are super cute and very much a light heart love story. The ending of the book was probably the redeeming quality of the book because we get to see Lucy be the woman she finally accepts herself to be and Cole witness Lucy be the woman he always knew she was deep down.
I enjoyed it but there were a few points that I just couldn’t quite wrap my head around. Like the fact that Cole is 8 years older that his sister but he lets her do whatever she wants at/to his house and he tags along with her and her friends. To me that’s weird but it could be because I never experienced anything like that so it seemed unrealistic? But we also have to remember this is fiction.
I also think we could’ve had more of Cole yearning. I get that he had wanted Lucy for 4 years, but I didn’t feel the yearning of a man who has been helplessly in love with his sister’s best friend for years.
Besides my two minor complaints that really aren’t that big of a deal, Cole and Lucy are super cute and very much a light heart love story. The ending of the book was probably the redeeming quality of the book because we get to see Lucy be the woman she finally accepts herself to be and Cole witness Lucy be the woman he always knew she was deep down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, thank you so much for the ARC! 🖤
I always want to start by saying that everyone has different opinions and reading preferences, and unfortunately, this one just wasn’t quite for me.
I thought it started off really strong with the masquerade ball and was excited to see where the story was going to go. But as I got further into it, I felt like the same storyline was repeated in each chapter, just with a different fall activity happening. After a while, it started to feel a little repetitive for me.
The writing style was also something I struggled with. There were quite a few repeated words and phrases that pulled me out of the story at times.
That being said, I can definitely see this being a cute read for someone who is looking for a closed door romance with ALL the October and fall vibes. If you love cozy fall activities, Halloween vibes, and a sweet romance, this could definitely be one for you!
Unfortunately it just wasn’t my cup of tea, but as always, everyone’s reading tastes are different!
I always want to start by saying that everyone has different opinions and reading preferences, and unfortunately, this one just wasn’t quite for me.
I thought it started off really strong with the masquerade ball and was excited to see where the story was going to go. But as I got further into it, I felt like the same storyline was repeated in each chapter, just with a different fall activity happening. After a while, it started to feel a little repetitive for me.
The writing style was also something I struggled with. There were quite a few repeated words and phrases that pulled me out of the story at times.
That being said, I can definitely see this being a cute read for someone who is looking for a closed door romance with ALL the October and fall vibes. If you love cozy fall activities, Halloween vibes, and a sweet romance, this could definitely be one for you!
Unfortunately it just wasn’t my cup of tea, but as always, everyone’s reading tastes are different!
October 12, 2026
This was such a cute, cozy little Halloween romance!
Lucy and Cole were absolutely adorable together! I especially enjoyed watching Lucy grow throughout the story and slowly realize that she deserves to be loved and appreciated for exactly who she is. Their relationship was sweet, and I loved the whole masked strangers aspect of their story.
I will say, I’m usually someone who enjoys a little more drama, tension, and angst in my romances, so I found myself wishing there was a bit more conflict. Everything seemed to fall into place pretty quickly. However, I can definitely appreciate a romance that doesn’t rely on unnecessary miscommunication or a third-act breakup!
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced, feel-good romance filled with Halloween charm, lovable characters, and just the right amount of sweetness. If you’re looking for a lighthearted seasonal romance without all the emotional chaos, this one is definitely worth picking up!
A huge thank you to Brittany Evermore for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book! 🖤
Lucy and Cole were absolutely adorable together! I especially enjoyed watching Lucy grow throughout the story and slowly realize that she deserves to be loved and appreciated for exactly who she is. Their relationship was sweet, and I loved the whole masked strangers aspect of their story.
I will say, I’m usually someone who enjoys a little more drama, tension, and angst in my romances, so I found myself wishing there was a bit more conflict. Everything seemed to fall into place pretty quickly. However, I can definitely appreciate a romance that doesn’t rely on unnecessary miscommunication or a third-act breakup!
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced, feel-good romance filled with Halloween charm, lovable characters, and just the right amount of sweetness. If you’re looking for a lighthearted seasonal romance without all the emotional chaos, this one is definitely worth picking up!
A huge thank you to Brittany Evermore for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
🍂 ARC Review: The Sweetest Kind of Scary 🍂
This was such an enjoyable read and the perfect little palette cleanser! I absolutely loved the cosy autumn vibes that made this book feel like the perfect read for the season. There’s something about an autumnal romance that just hits differently.
One of my favourite things was the he falls first trope, which always has a special place in my heart. The romance was thoroughly enjoyable, and I found myself getting swept up in the story.
My favourite quote has to be:
“She was a secret then. A thing I wanted in the dark and could not have in the light.”
I did notice a couple of phrases being repeated throughout the book, but it didn't take away too much from my overall enjoyment.
Overall, a cosy, enjoyable read that was exactly what I needed. Perfect for curling up with a blanket and a cup of tea on a crisp autumn evening.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
This was such an enjoyable read and the perfect little palette cleanser! I absolutely loved the cosy autumn vibes that made this book feel like the perfect read for the season. There’s something about an autumnal romance that just hits differently.
One of my favourite things was the he falls first trope, which always has a special place in my heart. The romance was thoroughly enjoyable, and I found myself getting swept up in the story.
My favourite quote has to be:
“She was a secret then. A thing I wanted in the dark and could not have in the light.”
I did notice a couple of phrases being repeated throughout the book, but it didn't take away too much from my overall enjoyment.
Overall, a cosy, enjoyable read that was exactly what I needed. Perfect for curling up with a blanket and a cup of tea on a crisp autumn evening.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hello! Here is another ARC review for "The Sweetest Kind of Scary" by @Brittany Evermore | Author 📚 . Please consider preordering, as Lucy and Cole’s story will be available for purchase on October 7th.
This book is truly the Halloween version of Cinderella, ranging from the protagonist fleeing from her prince to wondering if they will ever meet again. Lucy transitions from having low self-esteem to becoming a queen, eventually realizing that being herself and feeling comfortable in her own skin is her greatest superpower. Cole is the type of man who has been waiting for four years to be noticed; he is a sweet gentleman who demonstrates subtle care toward her throughout the story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A special shout-out to Poppy and Sadie for being such supportive best friends. If you enjoy best friend's brother romances, I highly recommend cozying up with this one.
#TheSweetestKindOfScary #AuthorBtittanyEvermore #booktok #bookrecommendations #Kindle
This book is truly the Halloween version of Cinderella, ranging from the protagonist fleeing from her prince to wondering if they will ever meet again. Lucy transitions from having low self-esteem to becoming a queen, eventually realizing that being herself and feeling comfortable in her own skin is her greatest superpower. Cole is the type of man who has been waiting for four years to be noticed; he is a sweet gentleman who demonstrates subtle care toward her throughout the story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A special shout-out to Poppy and Sadie for being such supportive best friends. If you enjoy best friend's brother romances, I highly recommend cozying up with this one.
#TheSweetestKindOfScary #AuthorBtittanyEvermore #booktok #bookrecommendations #Kindle
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Omg!! I devoured and I mean devoured this book!! It’s so cute and cozy and such a nice change of pace. It gave me all the Halloween romance vibes. I’m so sad it ended but the ending was perfect!
Lucy Bennett is the home town baker. She gets up everyday and opens the shop. She is the person that everyone can depend on no matter what. Whatever you need, she is there. But she doesn’t want to do that. Her ex said she was boring and she wants to prove him wrong.
Cole Mercer is Lucy’s best friend’s brother. They all grew up together and know each other like the backs of their hands. He is quiet, reserved and focuses on his work. But he wants this Halloween to be different. He wants to be seen by her.
Will Lucy become the version of herself she wants to be? Can Cole finally get the girl without ruining his relationship with his sister? Will this be The Halloween they will never forget?
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Omg!! I devoured and I mean devoured this book!! It’s so cute and cozy and such a nice change of pace. It gave me all the Halloween romance vibes. I’m so sad it ended but the ending was perfect!
Lucy Bennett is the home town baker. She gets up everyday and opens the shop. She is the person that everyone can depend on no matter what. Whatever you need, she is there. But she doesn’t want to do that. Her ex said she was boring and she wants to prove him wrong.
Cole Mercer is Lucy’s best friend’s brother. They all grew up together and know each other like the backs of their hands. He is quiet, reserved and focuses on his work. But he wants this Halloween to be different. He wants to be seen by her.
Will Lucy become the version of herself she wants to be? Can Cole finally get the girl without ruining his relationship with his sister? Will this be The Halloween they will never forget?
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am such a fan of this author and her writing style. She has a way of creating a quick, engaging read that pulls you in from the very beginning and keeps you turning the pages until the very end.
This story truly comes full circle, and following Cole and Lucy through all the twists, turns, and everything they have to fight for was such a ride. I loved watching them fight to be seen, to be loved the way people are supposed to be loved, and to never settle for less than they deserve. 🥹
One of my favorite things about her stories is the characters but also the way she makes a small town feel like a character of its own. It becomes part of the story, part of the relationships, and part of what makes everything feel so connected.
I always love getting lost in her stories, and it was such an honor to have the opportunity to read The Sweetest Kind of Scary before the world gets to experience it. 🤍
This one is definitely worth adding to your TBR!
This story truly comes full circle, and following Cole and Lucy through all the twists, turns, and everything they have to fight for was such a ride. I loved watching them fight to be seen, to be loved the way people are supposed to be loved, and to never settle for less than they deserve. 🥹
One of my favorite things about her stories is the characters but also the way she makes a small town feel like a character of its own. It becomes part of the story, part of the relationships, and part of what makes everything feel so connected.
I always love getting lost in her stories, and it was such an honor to have the opportunity to read The Sweetest Kind of Scary before the world gets to experience it. 🤍
This one is definitely worth adding to your TBR!
October 11, 2026
Thank you so much for the opportunity of receiving an ARC copy☺️.
I really enjoyed the book and thought it was a really good romance book overall. I loved the Halloween aspect of it because I feel like we don’t get enough Halloween romances. The connection between Lucy and Cole was the best part of the book for me as their feelings felt genuine. I loved how Cole always payed attention to her and made her feel special. Overall, I thought the romance between the characters was beautifully written.
My only real issue with the book was that some parts of the story felt repetitive. There were certain traits about the characters that kept being mentioned throughout the book continuously and it made some parts of the book feel a bit slower to read than previous chapters.
Overall, though a really good romance book which I thoroughly enjoyed and I would recommend. Also, the fact it is set at Halloween is amazing! 🎃
I really enjoyed the book and thought it was a really good romance book overall. I loved the Halloween aspect of it because I feel like we don’t get enough Halloween romances. The connection between Lucy and Cole was the best part of the book for me as their feelings felt genuine. I loved how Cole always payed attention to her and made her feel special. Overall, I thought the romance between the characters was beautifully written.
My only real issue with the book was that some parts of the story felt repetitive. There were certain traits about the characters that kept being mentioned throughout the book continuously and it made some parts of the book feel a bit slower to read than previous chapters.
Overall, though a really good romance book which I thoroughly enjoyed and I would recommend. Also, the fact it is set at Halloween is amazing! 🎃
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a cute quick romance read that definitely put me in the Fall/Halloween spirit. The Fall and Halloween activities in the background was perfect and my favorite part of the book.. Lucy and Cole were very cute. My biggest gripe with this book was that I felt that it was very low stakes. I think I wanted and needed a bit more drama. Everything happened quickly and apart from Poppy, there wasn't really anything that was a roadblock for their relationship. This may just be a personal preference for what I like when it comes to my romance books. However, it's still worth a read if you don't want a third act breakup and not a lot of drama. Thank you Brittany for the ARC copy and being given the opportunity to read it!
October 8, 2026
Thank you Brittany Evermore for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
"The Sweetest Kind of Scary" is a story that I can only describe as cosy fluff. It has no real tension and is so rushed in its plot that we don't have the time or context to care much about the characters or their experiences.
Having read the blurb of this book I was hoping for a more supernatural element but was sadly disappointed that Halloween only serves as a cosy backdrop. The actual scene setting was well handled and gave good Autumn vibes but the writing style had large gaps and a lack of meaningful development.
A good story if you need a refresher in between bigger reads but not a book that I will remember in a weeks time.
"The Sweetest Kind of Scary" is a story that I can only describe as cosy fluff. It has no real tension and is so rushed in its plot that we don't have the time or context to care much about the characters or their experiences.
Having read the blurb of this book I was hoping for a more supernatural element but was sadly disappointed that Halloween only serves as a cosy backdrop. The actual scene setting was well handled and gave good Autumn vibes but the writing style had large gaps and a lack of meaningful development.
A good story if you need a refresher in between bigger reads but not a book that I will remember in a weeks time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy.
This was a fun little seasonal read. Lucy and Cole’s relationship is super cute, and the tension between them definitely makes the book. I love the best friends and all the Halloween vibes. The character development of the FMC is actually solid for a shorter book.
My only issue was some of the pacing was off, so it didn’t flow very well in places, and there were some sentences I had to re-read a few times because they felt like they didn’t make sense. But I was so engrossed in the book, it didn’t matter too much.
If you want a quick and cute seasonal read, definitely add this one to your TBR!
This was a fun little seasonal read. Lucy and Cole’s relationship is super cute, and the tension between them definitely makes the book. I love the best friends and all the Halloween vibes. The character development of the FMC is actually solid for a shorter book.
My only issue was some of the pacing was off, so it didn’t flow very well in places, and there were some sentences I had to re-read a few times because they felt like they didn’t make sense. But I was so engrossed in the book, it didn’t matter too much.
If you want a quick and cute seasonal read, definitely add this one to your TBR!
September 26, 2026
Thank you for the ARC, all opinions are my own. 🖤
This was an okay read for me. I liked the overall concept and there were definitely parts I enjoyed, but I found it quite repetitive at times and it started to pull me out of the story.
Also… what was the obsession with touching her necklace?! 😭 I swear that necklace was mentioned or touched approximately 100 times. After a while I was just waiting for it to happen again 😅
I did enjoy the romance and some of the sweeter moments between the characters, and there were parts that kept me interested, but overall I just wanted a little more variety and progression.
Not a bad read, but unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. 3⭐️
This was an okay read for me. I liked the overall concept and there were definitely parts I enjoyed, but I found it quite repetitive at times and it started to pull me out of the story.
Also… what was the obsession with touching her necklace?! 😭 I swear that necklace was mentioned or touched approximately 100 times. After a while I was just waiting for it to happen again 😅
I did enjoy the romance and some of the sweeter moments between the characters, and there were parts that kept me interested, but overall I just wanted a little more variety and progression.
Not a bad read, but unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. 3⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2026
The Sweetest Kind Of Scary. Thank you for this arc and letting me enjoy this sweet and lovable Halloween book.
If you know me you know I love Halloween and when I saw this book I could not say no to it.
We meet Lucy the sweet and quiet bakery girl who becomes brave and put on the fancy dress and a mask and heads to the ball.
Cole is Lucy’s best friend’s brother and has always been there. He always saw the girl behind the mask.
The story is about being brave and strong. The character growth for Lucy is wonderful to read! When she has a terrible breakup she finds out just how amazing she really is, and I thought that was beautiful.
If you know me you know I love Halloween and when I saw this book I could not say no to it.
We meet Lucy the sweet and quiet bakery girl who becomes brave and put on the fancy dress and a mask and heads to the ball.
Cole is Lucy’s best friend’s brother and has always been there. He always saw the girl behind the mask.
The story is about being brave and strong. The character growth for Lucy is wonderful to read! When she has a terrible breakup she finds out just how amazing she really is, and I thought that was beautiful.
September 29, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are honest and my own.
Grab your coziest blanket, put your fluffy slippers on, pour a big glass of apple cider, and get ready for the PERFECT Halloween romance. Lucy isn’t boring no matter what she’s been told & Cole well he’s devastatingly handsome & mysterious… and might just be her bestie’s brother. I’m a sucker for any romance set in a small town around Halloween… hello, that’s the dream! I also love when a playlist is at the beginning of the book it really sets the vibe.
Mark your calendars because you’ll for sure want to scoop up this book on October 7th!
Grab your coziest blanket, put your fluffy slippers on, pour a big glass of apple cider, and get ready for the PERFECT Halloween romance. Lucy isn’t boring no matter what she’s been told & Cole well he’s devastatingly handsome & mysterious… and might just be her bestie’s brother. I’m a sucker for any romance set in a small town around Halloween… hello, that’s the dream! I also love when a playlist is at the beginning of the book it really sets the vibe.
Mark your calendars because you’ll for sure want to scoop up this book on October 7th!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much for this arc!
I so badly wanted to love this book. Brittany is the sweetest author ever!
Overall, this book was a cute little read! For me, the wording of the writing was a little weird in some parts and it just kept throwing me off. The fixation on the necklace was confusing to me and I didn’t see the point in it really.
BUT, I did love the best friends brother trope and that yearning he has for her. The fact he waited 4 years to do anything, he is just so sweet and such a green flag.
The best friend/sister, poppy, was my favorite because she has such a personality and her vibe was everything.
0 🌶️
I so badly wanted to love this book. Brittany is the sweetest author ever!
Overall, this book was a cute little read! For me, the wording of the writing was a little weird in some parts and it just kept throwing me off. The fixation on the necklace was confusing to me and I didn’t see the point in it really.
BUT, I did love the best friends brother trope and that yearning he has for her. The fact he waited 4 years to do anything, he is just so sweet and such a green flag.
The best friend/sister, poppy, was my favorite because she has such a personality and her vibe was everything.
0 🌶️
October 8, 2026
Lucy is a bakery owner in the cute, Hallmarkish town of Hollow Creek. She’s dependable and (she thinks) unnoticeable. So she decides to step it up and buy the black dress for a Masquerade Ball.
Cole is 8 years older, and Lucy’s best friend’s brother.
He’s been infatuated with Lucy for 4 years.
Could there be a romantic kiss between 2 masked ‘strangers’ at the Ball? Perhaps 😁
Will Lucy find out who kissed her so well at the Ball? Probably 😁
I enjoyed this book and all of the characters, and especially the Halloween happenings in town.
It’s a cozy, slow burn, closed-door romance that will make you want to light a candle and wrap up in a blanket to read.
Cole is 8 years older, and Lucy’s best friend’s brother.
He’s been infatuated with Lucy for 4 years.
Could there be a romantic kiss between 2 masked ‘strangers’ at the Ball? Perhaps 😁
Will Lucy find out who kissed her so well at the Ball? Probably 😁
I enjoyed this book and all of the characters, and especially the Halloween happenings in town.
It’s a cozy, slow burn, closed-door romance that will make you want to light a candle and wrap up in a blanket to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Sweetest Kind of Scary does just what it says on the tin. It is a short, sweet, sappy story of love and a perfect little comfort read when you are snuggled up under a blanket with that pumpkin spiced beverage of choice waiting to be drunk.
Even at its short length this novella gives us plenty to sink our teeth into for Lucy and Cole and to see their budding romance come together in a neat little package warmed my heart.
If you want a book that gives you no drama, just happy feelings of all that October brings then this is a book for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Even at its short length this novella gives us plenty to sink our teeth into for Lucy and Cole and to see their budding romance come together in a neat little package warmed my heart.
If you want a book that gives you no drama, just happy feelings of all that October brings then this is a book for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 8, 2026
Grab your favorite Tea/hot coco/hot coffee and a nice fuzzy blanket and curl up. Be prepared to sit down and read a genuinely good Halloween romance.
Words cannot describe how enjoyable this book was. Lucy and Cole were amazing! So cute!! I loved them from the very beginning when we first met them.
We also can’t forget Lucy’s best friends either, Poppy and Sadie! The greatest friends a girl could ever ask for (I’m a bit jealous, why aren’t my friends like that) but hey, they were wonderful!!
I really enjoyed this 10/10 would recommend!!!
Words cannot describe how enjoyable this book was. Lucy and Cole were amazing! So cute!! I loved them from the very beginning when we first met them.
We also can’t forget Lucy’s best friends either, Poppy and Sadie! The greatest friends a girl could ever ask for (I’m a bit jealous, why aren’t my friends like that) but hey, they were wonderful!!
I really enjoyed this 10/10 would recommend!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cute little cozy Halloween themed book. It’s short.
Not the best I’ve read from Brittany.
Lucy is a baker who feels not seen and learns her ex is coming back to town for a Halloween party with a new woman. She goes and tries to put herself out there and become a new woman. She meets a stranger and has a moment with him. Unbeknownst to her it’s her best friends’s older brother.
Didn’t keep me interested much.
Not the best I’ve read from Brittany.
Lucy is a baker who feels not seen and learns her ex is coming back to town for a Halloween party with a new woman. She goes and tries to put herself out there and become a new woman. She meets a stranger and has a moment with him. Unbeknownst to her it’s her best friends’s older brother.
Didn’t keep me interested much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews