What do you think?
Rate this book
Betwixt
An atmospheric short story by bestselling author, Evie Gaughan.
'When Catherine revisits Hollowbrook cottage on a stormy October night, she crosses paths with a mysterious stranger who is not all that he seems. On a night when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, all that is real and unreal meet in a nowhere place, at a nowhere time.'
'When Catherine revisits Hollowbrook cottage on a stormy October night, she crosses paths with a mysterious stranger who is not all that he seems. On a night when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, all that is real and unreal meet in a nowhere place, at a nowhere time.'
35 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2015
About the author
Evie Gaughan
7 books1,584 followersEvie Gaughan is a writer and artist living in Galway City, beside the sea. Her books are a mix of genres, incorporating her love of history and a penchant for magic in the everyday.
Evie also writes under the pseudonym Evie Woods and her fourth novel, The Lost Bookshop, has become a Sunday Times Bestseller and was shortlisted for a British Book Award.
One More Chapter (Harper Collins) will publish all of Evie's backlist, beginning with The Story Collector which will be published in July 2024.
Evie also writes under the pseudonym Evie Woods and her fourth novel, The Lost Bookshop, has become a Sunday Times Bestseller and was shortlisted for a British Book Award.
One More Chapter (Harper Collins) will publish all of Evie's backlist, beginning with The Story Collector which will be published in July 2024.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 28, 2024
Sweet short story about All Hallow's Eve and the thinning of the veil between worlds. The rural Irish setting adds to the charm.
July 13, 2026
This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.
A captivating and haunting short story.
A captivating and haunting short story.
October 22, 2019
Catherine Ryan, a solicitor working in Galway, has recently lost her husband. Still grieving, she decides to revisit 'Hollowbrook' a cottage that they went to together to rekindle fond memories.
The night she chooses to visit Hollowbrook is 'All Hallow's Eve', and as all good ghost stories go... It was a dark and gloomy night...
So gloomy and foggy, that Catherine actually hits a person with her car while she is looking for the drive to the cottage. Seemingly unharmed, her victim introduces himself as Sergeant Andrew Montague. She takes him to the cottage to access his injuries, if any. It is the least she can do...
"When someone you love is gone, there is no comfort. Just a readjustment to life without them."
MY THOUGHTS
After reading a review of this short story by a fellow bookblogger, I thought it would be the perfect late October read. I was right!
Some might call it a gothic ghost story, some might say it was a time-slip love story, whatever you call it "Betwxit" is an excellent story to be read at this time of year.
A story that explores loss and eternal love.
If you're looking for an atmospheric, quick, seasonal read, then this is the one to pick. Highly recommended.
The night she chooses to visit Hollowbrook is 'All Hallow's Eve', and as all good ghost stories go... It was a dark and gloomy night...
So gloomy and foggy, that Catherine actually hits a person with her car while she is looking for the drive to the cottage. Seemingly unharmed, her victim introduces himself as Sergeant Andrew Montague. She takes him to the cottage to access his injuries, if any. It is the least she can do...
"When someone you love is gone, there is no comfort. Just a readjustment to life without them."
MY THOUGHTS
After reading a review of this short story by a fellow bookblogger, I thought it would be the perfect late October read. I was right!
Some might call it a gothic ghost story, some might say it was a time-slip love story, whatever you call it "Betwxit" is an excellent story to be read at this time of year.
A story that explores loss and eternal love.
If you're looking for an atmospheric, quick, seasonal read, then this is the one to pick. Highly recommended.
September 23, 2025
3.5 stars
March 27, 2025
Entertaining haunting listening 😏😕
This kindle ebook novella and author is free from Amazon
Catherine is on vacation to recover from her husband's death. She hits a man with the car. He is ok and they talk in the house she has rented and the fun begins 😃
I would recommend this novella and author to readers of family relationships haunting novels 👀😉 2025 🤗🌙
This kindle ebook novella and author is free from Amazon
Catherine is on vacation to recover from her husband's death. She hits a man with the car. He is ok and they talk in the house she has rented and the fun begins 😃
I would recommend this novella and author to readers of family relationships haunting novels 👀😉 2025 🤗🌙
May 22, 2016
Beautiful story
I enjoyed reading this book it gets you thinking is there more out there loved this book my thanks to the author Evie Vaughan for the pleasure of reading this amazing story and than I would be delighted to recommend this wee story to my friends so to all happy reading from wee me.
I enjoyed reading this book it gets you thinking is there more out there loved this book my thanks to the author Evie Vaughan for the pleasure of reading this amazing story and than I would be delighted to recommend this wee story to my friends so to all happy reading from wee me.
March 25, 2026
Betwixt is a very short, short story from. Evie Gaughan, aka Evie Woods.
There are no surprises in this story, but it is a charming little ghost story set on All Hallows Eve.
There are no surprises in this story, but it is a charming little ghost story set on All Hallows Eve.
January 1, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was a little strange but honestly a good little short story, and a good way to end the year!
This was a little strange but honestly a good little short story, and a good way to end the year!
November 3, 2024
Interesting story story.
September 1, 2024
The argument is mildly interesting, but the book is badly written. The author really needed an editor.
January 24, 2021
"That's why it's called fishing, not catching."
I was bored one day and went o a free-kindle-books shopping spree. And I came across this short little thing. It's a nice cosy story suitable for a cold foggy sunday evening. I'm quite happy that I had no idea what the genre was prior to reading it. Mystery? Horror? Romance? Historical fantasy fiction? Knowing anything about it would have probably made it too predictable.
I was bored one day and went o a free-kindle-books shopping spree. And I came across this short little thing. It's a nice cosy story suitable for a cold foggy sunday evening. I'm quite happy that I had no idea what the genre was prior to reading it. Mystery? Horror? Romance? Historical fantasy fiction? Knowing anything about it would have probably made it too predictable.
March 26, 2021
Another great quick free read for Kindle from Amazon! (Currently not free but keep an eye out.)
This was written in 2015 but has the feel of a creepy gothic. Two great quotes--
"That's why they call it fishing and not catching."
"It doesn't get easier...but you get stronger."
While it's a pretty cover, it doesn't really capture the story.
This was written in 2015 but has the feel of a creepy gothic. Two great quotes--
"That's why they call it fishing and not catching."
"It doesn't get easier...but you get stronger."
While it's a pretty cover, it doesn't really capture the story.
November 4, 2025
Perfect Little Ghost Story!
On the heels of Halloween, what a clever little trinket I stumbled across. Short and sweet, a little mystery, a little lore…perfect short story with a bittersweet and warmly sad ending.
On the heels of Halloween, what a clever little trinket I stumbled across. Short and sweet, a little mystery, a little lore…perfect short story with a bittersweet and warmly sad ending.
Read
September 21, 2018This was a very short story....I loved it! I'll probably check out other books by this author.
I don't want to tell you anything about it because I might give away something. Grab a
Kleenex you may need one along the way..... :)
I don't want to tell you anything about it because I might give away something. Grab a
Kleenex you may need one along the way..... :)
August 5, 2020
This is a lovely little, Halloween eve ghost story of a grieving widow, comforted by a grieving ghost from the Spanish Civil War. I enjoyed it very much and may want to read more from this author.
January 1, 2026
Did not expect such a short short story. Was hoping for some adventure to set out
January 15, 2026
A quick short story. Nice.
April 11, 2020
A sweet and haunting short story.
August 2, 2026
Betwixt
Spooky, yet warm . This story is of love and lost with a eerie touch. You will love it.
Recommend for anyone to read.
Spooky, yet warm . This story is of love and lost with a eerie touch. You will love it.
Recommend for anyone to read.
July 19, 2026
So small, and somehow it still got me.
I thought this would be a quick ghost story. Read it, enjoy the mood, move on. But I finished it and just sat there for a minute.
It was heavier than I expected. Not loud. Just quietly sad.
I don’t think the story needs one clear answer. Maybe the other character is real. Maybe she’s imagined. Maybe she’s just grief needing a voice. I kept changing my mind, and I liked that.
What stayed with me was the feeling of being stuck. Both characters seem to be looking back at something even while they’re trying to keep going.
Not healed. Not destroyed either. Just carrying it around with them.
And then this line:
“Life doesn’t get easier, we get stronger.”
Usually I’d roll my eyes a little at something like that. It sounds too neat. Too ready to turn pain into a lesson.
But it worked here because the story doesn’t make grief pretty. People leave. Things break. You don’t get a clean answer that suddenly makes everything worth it.
You just keep going, I guess.
Not in some huge inspiring way. More because there isn’t really anything else to do.
Tiny story. Quiet, sad, and better than I expected.
I thought this would be a quick ghost story. Read it, enjoy the mood, move on. But I finished it and just sat there for a minute.
It was heavier than I expected. Not loud. Just quietly sad.
I don’t think the story needs one clear answer. Maybe the other character is real. Maybe she’s imagined. Maybe she’s just grief needing a voice. I kept changing my mind, and I liked that.
What stayed with me was the feeling of being stuck. Both characters seem to be looking back at something even while they’re trying to keep going.
Not healed. Not destroyed either. Just carrying it around with them.
And then this line:
“Life doesn’t get easier, we get stronger.”
Usually I’d roll my eyes a little at something like that. It sounds too neat. Too ready to turn pain into a lesson.
But it worked here because the story doesn’t make grief pretty. People leave. Things break. You don’t get a clean answer that suddenly makes everything worth it.
You just keep going, I guess.
Not in some huge inspiring way. More because there isn’t really anything else to do.
Tiny story. Quiet, sad, and better than I expected.
December 2, 2024
Stranger
Catherine had recently lost her husband and no longer wanted to be alone in their house with his memory. She decided to take a short holiday to the country cottage where they had their first getaway.
Having difficulty seeing through a fogged up window, Catherine struck someone with her car. He was a soldier who thought he was fine, but she took him back to the cottage just in case.
This is a nice story of woman getting unusual help for her grief.
Catherine had recently lost her husband and no longer wanted to be alone in their house with his memory. She decided to take a short holiday to the country cottage where they had their first getaway.
Having difficulty seeing through a fogged up window, Catherine struck someone with her car. He was a soldier who thought he was fine, but she took him back to the cottage just in case.
This is a nice story of woman getting unusual help for her grief.
August 23, 2024
I liked it but wish it had been a bit longer.
March 11, 2026
In Betwixt Catherine is on her way to a place she and her love had visited in better times. She is now grieving, needing solace from the sweet memories of their time in a hidden away cabin.
Getting lost, in a dark and stormy night, she hits a man on the side of the road. Both being cold and drenched, she invites him into the cabin to get warm and to make certain he's okay.
Something about the stranger allowed Catherine to really grieve her loss.
It all took place on All Hallows Eve, a time betwixt life and death, heaven and earth.
4 stars for Betwixt.
Getting lost, in a dark and stormy night, she hits a man on the side of the road. Both being cold and drenched, she invites him into the cabin to get warm and to make certain he's okay.
Something about the stranger allowed Catherine to really grieve her loss.
"He didn't try to smother her with platitudes, like every other well-meaning person in her life. He just let her sit there with all of the jumbled up feelings grief produced.In the morning, the stranger was gone, as if he had never been there.
Blowing her nose with a crumpled old tissue she found in her jeans pocket, she looked up at him with a wry smile, "Aren't you going to tell me that it'll get easier?"
"It doesn't get easier,' he said flatly. "But you get stronger."
"Wow, that's actually sort of helpful," she said, feeling slightly less awful about everything.
"That's because it's true. People say all sorts of things to try and comfort the living, but when someone you love is gone, there is no comfort, just readjustment to life without them."
It all took place on All Hallows Eve, a time betwixt life and death, heaven and earth.
4 stars for Betwixt.
June 29, 2019
Locations can evoke memories, and on Halloween night in Evie Gaughan's Betwixt, the worlds of grieving individuals can collide.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Mourning the loss of her husband, Catherine escapes her home and seeks out the location of their first trip together, a remote cottage called Hollowbrook. Making her way to the cottage on a stormy October night, she crosses paths with a mysterious man, by hitting him with her car. When the man refuses to allow emergency services to be called, Catherine insists on looking after him for the night to make sure that he's okay. Sitting up late to drink and talk about their respective woes, Catherine learns that the man is searching for his girlfriend and she promises to help him find her. When she wakes in the morning and he's gone, she realizes that she wants to go home. On her way she stops to chat with the cottage owner, revealing far stranger things than she bargained for.
A brief, but touching and haunting story develops a palpable atmosphere and a narrative that captures attention. Though the story's revealing moment was fairly predictable and not overly shocking, it was still enjoyable and handled in a good manner. While characterization could have been developed more, there was a good sense of the three primary players in the short time readers were following their lives and how they intersected. The ending provides a decent thoughtful punch, but I would have liked to have a little more to more fully provide closure to their lives instead of the more abrupt ending provided.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Mourning the loss of her husband, Catherine escapes her home and seeks out the location of their first trip together, a remote cottage called Hollowbrook. Making her way to the cottage on a stormy October night, she crosses paths with a mysterious man, by hitting him with her car. When the man refuses to allow emergency services to be called, Catherine insists on looking after him for the night to make sure that he's okay. Sitting up late to drink and talk about their respective woes, Catherine learns that the man is searching for his girlfriend and she promises to help him find her. When she wakes in the morning and he's gone, she realizes that she wants to go home. On her way she stops to chat with the cottage owner, revealing far stranger things than she bargained for.
A brief, but touching and haunting story develops a palpable atmosphere and a narrative that captures attention. Though the story's revealing moment was fairly predictable and not overly shocking, it was still enjoyable and handled in a good manner. While characterization could have been developed more, there was a good sense of the three primary players in the short time readers were following their lives and how they intersected. The ending provides a decent thoughtful punch, but I would have liked to have a little more to more fully provide closure to their lives instead of the more abrupt ending provided.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
October 19, 2025
I picked this up for a quick read after finishing another one of Evie Woods’ books because I just wanted a bit more of a taster. I read it all in one night and really enjoyed it for what it was. My brain definitely did most of the work filling in the gaps and imagining the story, but that actually made it fun.
I love anything with a bit of a paranormal twist. I do wish there was a little more to it, but I still loved the feel of it. Evie’s writing always gives off that cosy, slightly otherworldly vibe that I can’t get enough of.
I’d recommend this for a really quick read to fill some free time or if you want a break from your main book .
I think the book is a 4/5 because it’s exactly what it says it is , a short novel and it’s written in a way that’s easy to read but tells a story quick in limited pages . Which is quite impressive to be able to do at such a good standard tbh
I love anything with a bit of a paranormal twist. I do wish there was a little more to it, but I still loved the feel of it. Evie’s writing always gives off that cosy, slightly otherworldly vibe that I can’t get enough of.
I’d recommend this for a really quick read to fill some free time or if you want a break from your main book .
I think the book is a 4/5 because it’s exactly what it says it is , a short novel and it’s written in a way that’s easy to read but tells a story quick in limited pages . Which is quite impressive to be able to do at such a good standard tbh
February 16, 2026
Having loved The Lost Bookshop and The Story Collector, I was curious to read Betwixt and even in short form, Evie Woods’ signature magic is unmistakable.
Though brief, Betwixt carries that familiar atmosphere I’ve come to expect from her writing: a liminal feeling, a sense of standing on the threshold of something unseen. She has such a gift for capturing those in-between spaces emotionally and spiritually, where change feels both frightening and full of possibility.
What struck me most is how much depth she manages to create in so few pages. The story feels delicate but intentional, layered with meaning beneath its surface simplicity.
Though brief, Betwixt carries that familiar atmosphere I’ve come to expect from her writing: a liminal feeling, a sense of standing on the threshold of something unseen. She has such a gift for capturing those in-between spaces emotionally and spiritually, where change feels both frightening and full of possibility.
What struck me most is how much depth she manages to create in so few pages. The story feels delicate but intentional, layered with meaning beneath its surface simplicity.
December 16, 2024
"Aren't you going to tell me it'll get easier?" "It doesn't get easier," he said flatly. "But you get stronger"
What a sweet little story. Catherine is mourning her husband and decides to go to a country cottage that holds lovely memories for her. Whilst negotiating a wet and windy road to the cottage she accidentally hits a man on the road. Luckily he is not injured and she invites him into the cottage to dry off. It seems they are both looking for the same thing.
What a sweet little story. Catherine is mourning her husband and decides to go to a country cottage that holds lovely memories for her. Whilst negotiating a wet and windy road to the cottage she accidentally hits a man on the road. Luckily he is not injured and she invites him into the cottage to dry off. It seems they are both looking for the same thing.
July 30, 2025
“Life doesn't get easier, we get stronger.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grieving her husband, Catherine returns to the cottage they’d visited together. On a rainy, Hallow’s Eve, she hits a stranger in the road. Taking him to the cottage to make sure he’s all right, they exchange stories that will change her life. Highly recommend this quick read!
“I'm going home now Catherine. Tell Sarah I will meet her there. When the time comes, he'll be waiting for you too.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grieving her husband, Catherine returns to the cottage they’d visited together. On a rainy, Hallow’s Eve, she hits a stranger in the road. Taking him to the cottage to make sure he’s all right, they exchange stories that will change her life. Highly recommend this quick read!
“I'm going home now Catherine. Tell Sarah I will meet her there. When the time comes, he'll be waiting for you too.”
July 19, 2020
Nice short story
Nice short story about a young and grieving widow. She is comforted by an elderly gentleman who she accidentally hit with her car during a downpour on a deserted country road at night. They wait out the storm together with meaningful conversation. The ending is not particularly surprising, but I like the way the author brings it all together.
Nice short story about a young and grieving widow. She is comforted by an elderly gentleman who she accidentally hit with her car during a downpour on a deserted country road at night. They wait out the storm together with meaningful conversation. The ending is not particularly surprising, but I like the way the author brings it all together.
January 3, 2023
This short story had so much potential. the details and atmosphere were so well written in the beginning ,and then, things just ended. Flat. Nothing. I twas totally predictable, which is okay. It happened so fast that i didn't realize it was done.
I give it 2 stars for failing to deliver a climax and closure.
I give it 2 stars for failing to deliver a climax and closure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews