The Spare

The Outsiders Sequence #3

by Annie Neugebauer

Kasper is tired of these extended family reunions. No matter what she does, she’s always the odd one out. She’s used to feeling outnumbered, but on this remote camping trip, those numbers keep changing.

Genres: Horror, Novella

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 9, 2027

About the author

Annie is a novelist, nationally award-winning poet, and two-time Bram Stoker Award-nominated short story author. She’s the author of The Extra, The Other, and The Spare (The Outsiders Sequence, a series of novellas), You Have to Let Them Bleed (collection), and Once the Darkness Comes (forthcoming novel). You can visit her at www.AnnieNeugebauer.com.

Reviews

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

Jasper is the black sheep of the family, and the last thing she wants is to attend the Schultz family’s Thanksgistmas reunion at a secluded campsite. But when she takes a walk away from camp with her aunt Norma, something happens, and from there, things go completely off the rails!

Honestly, my head was literally spinning trying to keep up with everything happening at such a fast pace. I was struggling to make sense of it all, and just when I thought I might be getting somewhere, along comes something else!

Annie Neugebauer, I NEED TO GET INSIDE YOUR HEAD! Seriously, how on earth did you think this up? I would love to know what was going through your mind while writing this because, blimey, it’s WILD!

Blending horror and psychological suspense, The Spare brings strange happenings, unsettling vibes and a whole lot of confusion as things take increasingly bizarre turns. There’s so much going on that my brain was working overtime trying to keep up!

If you enjoy horror that gets under your skin and takes you somewhere seriously strange, this could be one to look out for. I certainly wasn’t prepared for just how bonkers things would get!

Thank you to NetGalley, Shortwave Publishing, and Annie Neugebauer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publishing date: 9th March 2027

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Spooky Season 2026*

I had the opportunity to read an early copy of The Outsiders Sequence 3-THE SPARE-and it was the most CHILLING episode yet.

The Shultz clan has gathered for their annual family reunion, and they have the bright orange Shultz Crew hoodies to prove it.

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas (Thanksgistmas) is not the ideal time of year for camping, as the nights can get quite cold, but it was the most affordable option for everyone. The tents have been pitched, and the SIXTEEN Shultz family rules have been posted right near the Christmas tree.

Rules like #2-No screens-(and cell phones have been gathered and put away accordingly)

And, if you have read sequences one and two-you know how dangerous that can be….

You will notice that in each “sequence” certain things appear, without explanation and you will leave each sequence with unanswered questions, including this one. And, yet-I want MORE! I love these novellas!

We may never have any definitive answers but we know that SOMETHING is happening at campgrounds everywhere but the EXTRAS, the OTHERS and the SPARES may not always stay behind…

Where are they now? I’m not sure that I want to know……..

Expected publication date: March 9, 2027

The Extra: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Other: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

These NOVELLAS do not build on one another so, I feel like they can be read in any order or as standalones.

Thank You to Annie Neugebauer and Shortwave Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.

[Bo.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family camping trip in the middle of nowhere, a long list of rules courtesy of Meemaw, and a Thanksgiving-Christmas celebration that goes completely off the rails. Annie Neugebauer certainly knows how to make a family gathering uncomfortable! The Spare is the third book in her Outsiders Sequence, and this time we're heading into the Texas Panhandle with Kass and her extended family for their annual Thanksgistmas.

Kass has always felt like the odd one out among her relatives, and after an accident involving her aunt, things take a very strange turn. The trouble is, nobody believes her when she insists something isn't right. I felt quite sorry for Kass because the more she tried to explain herself, the more frustrated everyone became with her. Her family drove me up the wall at times, and I couldn't blame her for starting to question her own sanity!

The mystery develops through little inconsistencies that become harder to ignore, while the remote canyon, approaching storm and lack of phone reception make Kass's situation even more unsettling. The family rules at the beginning of each chapter were a clever touch too, considering how she was treated whenever she questioned anything. It was also fun spotting the little connections to the previous books.

The ending was creepy, and once again Annie has left me with more questions than answers! I know that's part of the appeal of this series, and I do enjoy a bit of ambiguity, but there's also a part of me that wants to know what on earth is going on. Write another book, Annie, please! The Other remains my favourite of the three, but this has been such an entertainingly strange series, and The Spare gets a solid four stars from me. I'd recommend picking this series up if you're a fan of bizarre, unexplained mysteries with a bit of a Twilight Zone vibe!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book in The Outsiders Sequence and one that I've been eager to get my greedy little hands on!

Like family reunions? Think again!

The Schultz family reunion this year will be a camp out in Northern Texas to celebrate Thanksgristmas. Twenty-four year old Kass would rather be doing anything else but since her family already looks at her like the black sheep she doesn't want to complain or bring any unwanted attention to herself. She'll just need to go with the flow until they can pack up and head out.

Unexplained and unsettling things go down leaving the reader to wonder if the Schultz family is who they really say they are.

I love the idea that Neugebauer had with this series but unfortunately this is my least favorite of the three. I didn't really like Kass or the Shultz family and I felt the humor took away from the impact this story could have had.

I was never once spooked and I didn't get any answers though the ending did resolve on a chilling note that I did appreciate.

I do think this is a worthwhile reading experience. Book 2 was AMAZING and by far my favorite. If you like speculative horror-lite short stories with ambiguous endings then look no further - this trilogy will scratch that itch. 3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for my complimentary copy.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is bananas. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE ARE EXTRA PEOPLE?! Pretend I know how to insert gifs and imagine Jennifer Lawrence crying and saying "what do you mean? What do you MEAN?!"

I think the second book is my favorite. But honestly, they all got my heart racing and the adrenaline pumping. I think there's just something so fundamentally scary about not being able to prove who you are. As always this leaves me with more questions than it answered. Because it answers absolutely none. I need a novella just explaining everything and giving me closure. The only reason this is getting 4 stars and not 5 is because Kasper made dumb choices. I don't want to spoil it so I can't rant about it lol. All in all, enjoyable conclusion to The Outsiders Sequence. Give me more weird novellas, Annie. I'll read 'em.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Dutchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Outsiders Sequence is set in a canyon state park in Texas. The Shultz family, all 11 of them…(or is it twelve?) always have a yearly family reunion that Kasper despises. She always feels like the outsider of the group. This year is no different and then to make matters worse things take an odd turn.

I liked where this one went, and the first little weird occurrence caught me off guard. I liked how there were discreet references to the previous books. I definitely recommend reading them in order, but you don’t have to. For those expecting answers….

I absolutely love this sequence of books. They hit the perfect combination of weird and speculative. Do I find them frustrating…kinda, but that’s what makes them work for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[gabbie (trying to catch up 🥲)]

Ahhh the last book in the The Outsiders Sequence!!! Netgalley pls

[Jan Agaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn't think this was necessary but I'm glad it exists because these books stress me out in the best way

[Matt · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This is the third (and I believe last) book in a series of novellas.
They are all fairly short and can easily be read in a day or two.
All of the books work as standalones as the characters and situations are different in all of them.
There is one common item that exists in all of them that I believe is significant, but I still don’t know why it’s significant (I don’t want to mention what it is because I think that would be a potential spoiler).
If you’ve read the three books you probably know what I’m referring to.

My main gripe with this series is that every book has a very ambiguous ending.
I’m sure the author had a reason for doing this, but even with fiction I prefer having facts and closure instead of speculation.
Anne Neugebauer is a great writer who knows how to tell a story that grabs readers attention and keeps it.
I just wish that she would give her books a proper conclusion.

This was my least favorite in the series.
It wasn’t a bad read and did have an interesting plot, but I found myself feeling frustrated on behalf of the FMC because of the way her family treated her.
And then an incomplete cliffhanger ending made me feel more frustrated.

Overall I enjoyed this series (particular the first two books), but I’m okay with it ending (unlike the books).

Thanks to Shortwave Publishing for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley.

[Ari ☠︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Neugebauer has done it AGAIN. Just like The Extra and The Other, The Spare had me equally as dumbfounded and confused about what the hell is going on in those damn woods! My heart aches for poor Kasper and the treatment she receives from her family, and then to be thrust in this confusing nightmare of a situation?! I genuinely felt like I was losing my damn mind. BUT, I thought I heard that this was the last book in the series, but that ending makes me wonder if there might be more? 👀 This book is PERFECT for those looking for a fast paced, single sitting, mind fuck of a book. I’m hoping, with every ounce of my being, that Annie gives us more in The Outsiders Sequence series!

Lastly, I’d like to give a huge thank you to Shortwave and NetGalley for my are of The Spare!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

👯‍♀️ 🌳 The Spare by Annie Neugebauer 🌳 👯

Here comes trouble, and make it double. 👏 Neugebauer can do no wrong. 👏 Feel free to etch that into my tombstone.

Let’s talk about The Spare. First off, if you haven’t was any other books in The Outsider Sequence, you’re in luck, because you don’t need to read those to read The Spare. Although, you definitely should because both are FANTASTIC books. The Spare follows a dysfunctional family get together in the woods to celebrate the holidays. But when an accident occurs, our main character is left stunned by the following chain of events. So was I—in the best way possible.

Neugebauer does an incredible job packing so much in a novella. I want it to be longer, but at the same time, it’s perfect how it is. The mental gaslighting and twists make The Spare and others in this series the perfect read to break a slump.

Join my Patreon to see a full review and recap of the series.

https://www.patreon.com/AshsSpookyCor...

This one comes out March 9th, 2027. Don’t mind me running to preorder this one 🏃

Bookshop link 🔗 https://bookshop.org/a/79577/97988973...

[Craig Matthews · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Following the novellas The Extra and The Other, Annie Neugebauer returns to the Outsiders Sequence with The Spare. We return to a campsite environment, this time following Kasper Schultz as she prepares for a big family trip. She's always felt like the black sheep of the family, with her relatives rolling their eyes and overlooking her input - little does she suspect that in this reunion, she'll end up more outnumbered than ever.

If you're looking at the reviews for The Spare, chances are that you've read and enjoyed the previous two books. If so, I expect that you would like this one, too – it's the same quick read that I finished in a single session; it has details that link it to the other books (in addition to the overarching plot, of course), and it's similarly mysterious but does flesh out some more of the unknown. If you're new to the series, though, you don't have to read the others first. I'd personally suggest reading them in order, but this is standalone enough that you won't necessarily miss out on anything picking this up first.

There is an aspect of diminishing returns creeping in, unfortunately. There's a difficulty in striking a balance between keeping the mystery present and providing enough new information, which is mostly successful, but more entries may run the risk of becoming more formulaic. Personally I'd love Neugebauer to mix it up and give us a full-length novel with some real reveals and some true answers, but that's just my own desire – if there's a 4th novella released with this formula, I'd grab a copy in a heartbeat.

[Maggie (EvermoreBooklore) · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Hands down, my favorite novella series out there! Every single one of these books has been an absolute BANGER. They’re all unique and mind bending, yet they share this weird common thread that makes the series (I mean sequence) even better.

Kass is camping with her family when an accident leaves her separated from the group. Strange things begin to happen, making Kass question everything she thought she saw. Things get even stranger when her twin arrives.

Technically The Extra, The Others and The Spare could all be read as standalones, but there’s one creepy thing they have in common. When it happens in each book, it makes the storyline that much better because we KNOW the psychological mind games are about to begin. And I absolutely LOVE that!

I’m so sad that this is probably the end of this fantastic series (or at least, I think that’s what the author said). But one thing I know for sure is that whatever Annie writes next, I will be preordering like I have been. I’ll also be over here begging to keep receiving advanced copies because I am absolutely OBSESSED with this author’s writing and need it asap.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series! This one thoroughly creeped me out. Seeing your family leave with your doppelganger is a nightmare come true. I really hope this isn't the end of these short stories because I really enjoy reading them!

Thank you to NetGalley, Shortwave Publishing, and Annie Neugebauer for the e-arc.

[Alisa Saiko · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

My love for this series is honestly immeasurable. Every novella brings something different to the table while adding another piece to the Outsiders lore. The Spare was easily one of my most anticipated releases of 2026.

I was NOT prepared for how sad this story would make me. Kasper was so easy to connect with, and watching the dread slowly build around her was genuinely heartbreaking. Annie Neugebauer has this way of pulling you into a story that makes putting the book down feel impossible. I flew through this one.

But here's the thing. I NEEDED MORE. I wanted to know who the Outsiders were, where they came from and what the hell they actually wanted. Give me answers, Annie!

Although, in saying that, I'm also someone who loves an unhappy ending and the opportunity to let my twisted little brain fill in the gaps. Maybe wanting more is a testament to just how good Annie is at building a world that gets under your skin and refuses to leave.

With the Outsiders series seemingly coming to an end, I'm equal parts devastated and excited to see what Annie does next. If this really is the conclusion, what a way to finish.

I will never stop recommending this series. If you haven't picked it up yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!

Thank you Netgalley and Shortwave Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[Kelsey Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow. I knew this would be another five star read before I even read it. The books in the outsiders sequence really do make you feel like you’re loosing your mind, and this one took that to a whole new level! I felt so sorry for Kasper. I’m so sad this is the last book in the outsiders sequence as I could read 100 more of them, but I feel it was wrapped up nicely and in true Annie style, still leaves us hanging. Thank you to shortwave publishing, NetGalley & Annie for allowing me to read an early copy 🌲📚⛰️

If you haven’t read the outsiders sequence series yet then see this as your sign. Absolutely incredible and I’ll never shut up about it!!

[Matthew Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so beautifully devastated after this one! I understand how Kass feels, how she relates with her family (if for different reasons) so it was impossible to not be fully engrossed in the even before uncanny things start to happen. She’s the one who feels talked over, side eyed, missed by her large, boisterous family, but she always shows up anyway. And, well, this is short and I don’t want to spoil this one so I need you to pick it up release day so we can discuss every little aspect of it.

[Bandit · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I read the other two books in this trilogy, so this was a given. Though standalones, they do follow the shared theme, and the author's take on "otherness" is compellingly wrapped in eerie sameness.
This time, she continues to wreck camping (and rightly so, what an abysmal activity!) with a story of a family get together (speaking of abysmal activities!) gone very wrong.
The author's main strength is in-the-moment writing. Not quite stream of consciousness, but she ably puts the readers in the mindset on her protagonists with the play-by-play, minute-by-minute stylings.
Though it may not wow, it does entertain. And what better format for such things as a novella.
Thanks Netgalley.

This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/

[Natasja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC, I was so excited! The Outsiders Sequence is SO good. I finished The Spare in one go. For such a short read, it's packed with atmosphere, story, characters, tons of tension, paranoia and creepiness. I can't wait to read more from Annie Neugebauer.

[unstable.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Richard Quist · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spare by Annie Neugebauer is the third and final book in The Outsiders Sequence. We join Kasper Schultz (Kass to her family and friends) as she and her brother Dylan arrive at a remote Texas campground in early December for a family get-together to celebrate "Thanksgistmas" - a combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

Kass, we learn, has always felt a bit "out of touch" with her family. Taken for granted, at times even dismissed as being over-dramatic. While she would have preferred to take a pass on this reunion, she hasn't ever been good at speaking up for herself with her family, so staying home really wasn't an option. As the story unfolds, her discomfort with her family becomes more apparent. But when Kass realizes that something is "off," can she find a way to make her family listen... before it's too late?

I really enjoyed the other stories in this series and had high expectations for The Spare. It exceeded those expectations and was even better, and creepier, than I hoped! Even though I had some idea of where this story might go, Neugebauer still managed to keep it fresh and surprising. If anything, my familiarity with the first two stories enhanced the building sense of dread I felt the further along I read. Although this story shared some common elements with the others, it had its own tent full of unsettling twists that kept me glued to the page and wouldn't let me put the book down. 

The 3 stories in The Outsiders Sequence are related, but completely independent. The characters, settings and situations are very different, and while there aren't any spoilers/cross-references between them I recommend reading them in publication order: The Extra, The Other, and then The Spare. Follow these links to read my spoiler-free reviews of both The Extra and The Other. 

In her afterword, Neugebauer claims she enjoys camping. I'll take her at her word, but I won't be accepting any invitations to go hiking in a remote area anytime soon.

Thanks to Shortwave Publishing for providing an eARC for review through NetGalley.

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dammit Annie Neugebauer, why you gotta do us like this. The Outsiders Sequence can't end! That is exactly what I said when I finished the final novella in the series, The Spare , and was sitting in awe of what I just read. The Spare is another banger from Neugebauer, a completely unsettling psychological horror that I just simply couldn't put down.

Kasper is tired of these extended family reunions. No matter what she does, she’s always the odd one out. She’s used to feeling outnumbered, but on this remote camping trip, those numbers keep changing.

While this is a review of The Spare , Neugebauer's final book in The Outsiders Sequence, I won't be able to stop myself from at least diving a little into the previous two books. The Extra and The Other , while not sequels or prequels – but a sequence, give the same vibe and feelings as The Spare does, but somehow Neugebauer continues to outdo herself. In The Extra, we try to navigate a trip where 10 go hiking but 11 are actually there and they all know each other. The Other sees a couple hiking and finding their complete doppelgängers. Now, The Spare we find ourselves in another story where the number of people isn't exactly what it seems.

There are unsettling horror stories filled with blood, guts and gore, but there are also these types of tales where it just made me feel uncomfortable and really wanting to help our protagonist Kasper and her attempt to navigate the situation she finds herself in. I couldn't help but put myself into Kasper's shoes and determine how I would handle such a crazy and terrifying experience. Trying to explain what is happening, when you really don't know what is happening would be infuriating, horrifying, and scary. Those who you think know you, may not actually know you.

I have felt like the odd one out before, in a group of family or friends, so this feeling of being a spare is something that resonated with me beyond the supernatural science-fiction horror we read in The Spare . Neugebauer expertly tells a story that is far-fetched but also somehow hits close to home that, again, strikes this uncomfortable chord that reverberates long after reading.

With each of these novellas in the series, including The Spare, Neugebauer quickly puts us in a place of uncomfortable mystery. The author tells a story in a limited number of pages that lands with impact, leaving a crater behind that isn't deep enough for how far my jaw has dropped. How you can pack a punch in a novella like this is beyond me, glueing me to each and every page from beginning to end.

The Spare is an unsettling and downright brilliant story that adds to The Outsiders Sequence perfectly. Annie Neugebauer caps off her series of novellas with a bang, crafting a story that resonated personally while making me feel uncomfortable in the best possible way. The Spare is a fantastic psychological horror that goes to show that a lasting impact can be felt in a short number of pages.

The Spare hits bookstores everywhere on March 9, 2027 from Shortwave Publishing.

NOTE: We received an advance copy of The Spare from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

[Jessica · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I hate being that person that says it, but I'm kinda bummed about this third story in this series.

I ATE UP the first two books - the extra & the other - and couldn't wait for book 3 to hopefully tie in some of the lore that we've come to learn about that's lurking in the campground. Unfortunately, I felt like this was the least impactful of the 3 stories, as it was more focused on Kasper and her isolation in her family rather than the supernatural elements that have been occurring in the forest.

Perhaps all three titles being what they are, are all symbolic as we all can feel out of the loop and disconnected from ourselves, our loved ones, friends, family, and the like. Truly all 3 groups of people we meet in this world have their own type of fears within them that they are trying to grapple with, and the supernatural element just exacerbates what's already lurking within our characters throughout these stories.

In short, I was really hoping for some type of expansion on what was going on in the campground throughout the series, but it looks like we'll never know. I'm okay with that, I guess I was just anticipating some answers perhaps. Still, I find this series to be fantastic and will always recommend it to others.

Thanks so much to Shortwave Publishing & NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and my review is left voluntarily.

[RavenReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot adequately express how much I love this series. Every installment somehow manages to get weirder than the last, like Hitchcock and H.P. Lovecraft got together, had a fever dream, and decided to make it everyone else’s problem.

One of my favorite things about this series is its unapologetic embrace of ambiguity. Neugebauer has mastered the art of leaving readers questioning what they’ve just experienced without making them feel cheated for not having every last detail spelled out. That is an incredibly difficult balance to strike. There’s a fine line between deliciously unsettling uncertainty and I have no idea what the hell I just read, and I’m furious about it, and this series walks that line beautifully.

But The Spare gives us something just a little different. Without spoiling anything, the ending offers the tiniest taste of something more. After a series that thrives on keeping its cards close to its chest, that little glimpse felt monumental. I am not exaggerating when I say I wanted to grab someone by the shoulders and yell about it.

If this is the final installment, I genuinely can’t think of a better way to end the series. It honors everything I’ve loved about these books while giving readers just enough to chew on. If it isn’t the end, then Annie Neugebauer is a menace for leaving me this excited. Chef’s kiss.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Shortwave Publishing, and Annie Neugebauer for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Bri_grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Shortwave Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Camping in December is never fun. Family reunions are never fun when you are the black sheep and a disappointment. And camping with your family while weird things are happening? Not only not fun, but also very scary.

I have read the previous two books of this series not so long ago and was so glad to get access to the third one. And all three of them are great at convincing me to never ever go camping. Ever. But seriously, it was just the perfect amount of family dynamics mixed with the creepiness factor. Also the author has the ability to make you really think about what you would do in these situations (not all authors are capable of that). And because of that, everything becomes even scarier when you can't help but imagine yourself in the main character's place.

By the way. no need to read the previous ones first - the books are related but not dependent on each other. But you should, because all of them are good.

[Stephanie K (reading_fiend) · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the free advanced digital copy.

These novellas are just so much fun. This is book 3 of 3 in the Outsiders Sequence series, and I enjoyed each bite-sized uncanny book in the trilogy even more than the last. While I'm sad that this is the final book of the trilogy, I'm also so excited for whatever Neugebauer does next.
If you like uncanny spookiness that includes things like mimics, dopplegangers, crop circles, and altered memories, and if you think a helping of sustained ambiguity adds to the experience, then I really can't recommend this series enough. And they can be read in any order! I read each of these as digital copies but plan to buy trophy copies of each book in the trilogy once The Spare is published (March 9th, 2027, friends).

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this story takes the trauma of family reunions to a whole new level. Reality itself begins to waiver in this twisted tale, every player a question mark, even our hopeless black sheep protagonist Kasper. Beyond the satisfyingly creepy twilight zone vibes, there are broader questions raised of what it means to belong within any group - and contrarily, what it means to be an outsider.

I loved the other two books in this series so was ecstatic to be approved for an advance copy of the third! You can really read these in any order, as they are stand-alone stories, but there are some common threads throughout all three books, and all deliver on eerie, chilling, atmospheric perfection. This author is basically going to be an auto-buy for me. Can’t wait for her next creation!

Thank you to Annie Neugebauer, Shortwave Publishing, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two previous novellas in this series were amazing, and this one did not disappoint! This author is truly my best literary discovery of the year. Once again, she delivers a deeply unsettling horror story that perfectly captures what I loved about the first two. I devoured this one and couldn’t put it down. Best feeling ever!

If someone asked me what kind of horror I love to read, I’d now say the kind written by this author. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Once again, the short but intriguing premise had me hooked before I even started reading. This author really knows how to pique my curiosity with just a few words!

Thank you to Annie Neugebauer, Shortwave Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

[KDub · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

The Spare by Annie Neugebauer is the third novella in The Outsiders Sequence. They're all standalones but set in the same uncanny, outdoorsy universe.

This book is fast-paced like the others, and I finished it in one sitting. While I think The Other is still my favorite of the series so far, I really enjoyed this one as well. Kasper, the FMC, is a fairly relatable character, as she struggles with her place in the family and standing up for herself. Of course, things get real weird, her grip on reality loosens, and you're left wondering wtf is going on right alongside her.

Highly recommended if you're into quick, uncanny horror stories!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for the eARC.

[RoxieReads🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Shortwave Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I loved the other two books in this series so was ecstatic to be approved for an advance copy of the third! I gave her other 2 books 5 star ratings and this defo deserves the same, I devoured it in one sitting. I really enjoy the concept behind these books, and seeing how it plays out with new characters, I really hope Annie Neugebauer decides to make another!