Veterinarian Piper is pragmatic enough to know her marriage wasn’t working, which is why she left Dylan a year ago and pretends it hasn’t hurt like hell every day since. Then Dylan calls out of the blue and tells her to come right away for an animal emergency. Piper arrives on the ranch that used to be her home to find her horse savagely killed. She can’t fathom what could have done it. One thing, however, is obvious. Piper still loves Dylan.
Dylan isn't over Piper, not by a long shot. After her horse was ripped apart by something he’s pretty sure wasn’t a bear, it feels so good to hold Piper in his arms again. If only they could find a way to undo the mess that drove them apart.
An epic blizzard hits, trapping Piper and Dylan on the ranch for what just might be their one chance at reuniting. But as things get a whole lot scarier, it’s clear something evil has brought them together.
Hunted by the supernatural, they must fight for their lives, but can they also fight for their love?
Joy enjoys imagining something creepy in every situation, starting with a fourth-grade theater production when she became convinced a monster lived under the stage. She might not let different foods touch on her plate, but she’s fearless when it comes to mixing love stories and horror in her scary good romances. Joy is currently a school librarian, but has worked in a pet store, a safari park, and vet hospitals and holds a Zoology degree. Animals always feature in her writing. On a good day, her two cats and pug make room on the couch for Joy and her family. They live outside Denver, where Joy experiences frequent shaming that she’s never gone skiing in her life. She enjoys reading, traveling, board games, and going with her English husband to explore castles in Britain, where she finds plenty of romantic, spooky inspiration.
"Old Cravings" by Joy Jarrett is a fast-paced, edge of your seat Paranormal Romance!
Horror, you say? Along with paranormal happenings, time travel and a little romance? Well, don't mind if I do!
Piper and Dylan are divorced but still have feelings for one another, although neither will admit this to the other one! He blames her for leaving the marriage. She blames him for an indiscretion that caused the divorce.
Out of the blue, Dylan calls Piper to let her know Lightning, her horse has been viciously attacked. When Piper arrives at Dylan's ranch she finds he has already put the horse down due to the extent of her wounds. Who or what literally ripped this animal to shreds?
Seeing Dylan again stirs feelings in Piper she hopes he doesn't pick up on. Dylan just wants Piper to come home, for things to be right again! When Dylan calls with another request for Piper's veterinary skills, she agrees to help on the ranch in spite of the impending blizzard.
But, it's not the blizzard that's causing havoc on the ranch with the animals. Strange and unbelievable occurrences continue to happen. And, it's getting creepier and creepier fast!
This story is a perfect blend between horror and romance. I have to tell you, I haven't been on the edge of my seat like this in a very long time with any book! I can't believe how this story caught me by surprise and if one more thing was to happen, I might have a cardiac moment!
A bit of a kitchen sink, you say? Well, yes absolutely, but somehow it all works. Don't ask me how though. All I do know is it's well written, with well-developed characters and for me, the backstory romance is what drew me in. I had trouble putting it down and at the end of every chapter, I wanted more and to keep reading!
I highly recommend this book to those who love the genres of Horror, Paranormal and even Romance! I will definitely be looking for what's next from this author. I want to see what she's got up those Zoologist sleeves of hers, because I just know it's bound to be interesting!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 beautiful stars! I just loved this book! Horror, you say? YES!
Thank you to BookSirens, Literary Wanderlust and Joy Jarrett for a free digital ARC of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
When I enjoy a book I generally give it a five star. Once in a while I run across a book that makes me think I should save those 5 stars for amazing books and give the books I enjoyed a 4 star. This is one of those times. I would give this book a 6 star if I could.
This story is really creepy. I grew up in the mountains around ranches like where this takes place. Maybe that helped my case of frightful dread but this book has that build up that takes you there. In nature elk shedding velvet is one of those truly horrible normalities but this story will always have me looking at it a little different! I sure did get spooked reading this!
The story is also about love rekindled, forgiveness and longing. In many ways. A romantic western horror story. Amazingly done.
I was just blown away by Joy's writing. It pulls you in and doesn't let go. The characters are so alive and relatable. I believe this is her first book and I truly hope she writes many more. I am definitely a fan now.
I received this book as an ARC from Booksirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a page-turner! Suspense, horror, and a second-chance romance all combine for a fresh and amazing genre-bender. The Colorado winter mountain setting is atmospheric and perfectly creepy, with a perfect balance of supernatural stalking and rekindling an old romance. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next one to come out!
“Fear, he fed on fear, because he could not satisfy his other appetites. Yet, he could not stop trying.”
I received a free copy of this book from Booksirens in exchange for truthful review.
Plot A year after leaving her husband, Piper is thrown into a series of events that mean she must speak to him for the first time since she left. She’s a dedicated veterinarian so couldn’t ignore his call that an animal on his ranch needed her immediately. The animal emergency was unlike anything she’d ever seen. Brutal. This was just the first of many horrors in store for Piper and Dylan. After an enormous blizzard brings them together yet again, it’s up to the divorcees to work together to keep themselves and everyone they care about safe from who, or what, is lurking in the shadows.
What I Liked I can’t begin to explain how shocked I was with Old Cravings. I saw it on BookSirens as a horror romance and since I’m pretty sure I’ve never read this combination before, I thought sure, I’ll give it a go. Honestly I didn’t expect much. I am so wholly surprised with was Joy Jarrett managed to do with this book. It’s almost like she picked 5 completely random things that could happen, threw them into the plot and miraculously made them work so well. With every chapter I struggled to put the book down. The writing was good, the characters well-written and the suspense from the plot was enough that I continuously needed to know what happened next. I also have to say that this book genuinely spooked me. I’m glad I was reading Old Cravings snuggled up in bed next to my boyfriend instead of being home alone as I think I’d probably have had to sleep with the light on.
What I Disliked There’s not much I disliked honestly. I didn’t find myself caring too much about the romance aspect (even if it is categorised as a romance novel) since the thriller/horror parts were so good. It’s not even that the romance parts were bad, they just weren’t as interesting as the madness going on around it.
Rating An easy 4 stars for Old Cravings. I enjoyed it from start to finish and will definitely be on the lookout for anything Joy Jarrett writes in the future. It’s unsurprising that she was a veterinarian and has a zoology degree herself as you can really feel the love for animals through her writing. I recommend Old Cravings to anyone who is a fan of romance, horror, thrillers and suspense. I really do hope to see plenty of people picking this up and enjoying it as much as I have.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. There was so much happening here. I found it very spooky, interesting and a real page-turner. I actually sat down and read it all in one go because I was so interested in the story. Now I'm tired and will go to work tired but it was worth it.
One piece of feedback I would suggest centered around Dylan and Piper. I think that rather than the characters verbalize justifying their anger the focus should have been on the two of them building a relationship by learning to trust each other, communicate, support each other and work together. This would have built their relationship and stop reduce the likelihood of a future separation. Relationships can't work if their is only one person compromising. Piper knew who Dylan was before they married. That is true. But Dylan knew who Piper was too. The writing seemed biased and it did not sit right with me. It was simply not fair. Piper had her dreams too. Dylan could have supported her or... I dunno... compromised. I felt Piper was the one comprising and justifying Dylan actions. Meanwhile, Dylan was blaming Piper and justifying his actions. Expecting an apology was way too much for me. I would suggest keeping this in mind for future written work.
The sex scenes were not raunchy but was not necessary to the story development. I just didn't think that it was really fitting with what was happening at the time or appropriate. I mean they were fighting for their lives. Putrid odors, bodies ripping, blizzard and trapped in a barn. With all that going on the sex scene just did not work for me. A kiss I would have understood. The hint of more to come? Sure. But what was written did not fit.
I am not generally into time travel stories; however, this one was was pretty well done. In the end, I would read this author's work again. I think they are talented at writing but would suggest a few of my above mentioned edits.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⚖️⚖️ONE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE⚖️⚖️ Blazing bullets buck! Joy delivers one incredibly tumultuous, turbulent, ground shaking, rock-my-world tsunami, laying out the nailbiting facts, horrendous lessons and ruthless determination, gracing the space and expanding the genre, launching this bad boy to staggering heights. One edge of your seat, action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, block busting dynamo, brimming with riveting drama, gripping intrigue, underlying threats, spiraling danger, electrifying suspense and nerve racking situations ensure, ramping up the exuberance and terror, wrapping this jewel up sleek, shiny and tight. A raging vortex chocked-full of daunting struggles and unnerving triumphs converge as the perilous twists and wicked turns unfold, revelations are unearthed and battle lines are drawn, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to life brilliantly. The characters interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Fantastic job Joy, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
This is a well written book with a strong cast of characters. The author does a fantastic job developing the story and pulled me in from start to finish reading. She brings a paranormal romance with a horror story and kept me glued to the pages with her vividly painted scenes and creepy and mysterious story line. It moves fluidly and is an intriguing story. Loved it!!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I need to give this one 2 different ratings. I went into the book thinking one thing and was super surprised by some of the content. So here we go! I went to an event at my local library and met Joy Jarrett. (She was lovely BTW) and was eager to read Old Cravings. My friend also purchased the book and we did a buddy read! We definitely had a lot to chat about!
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 I think Joy Jarretts writing is AWESOME! Easy to read, flowed.. I honestly couldn’t tell it was her first book.
But… Content: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 I am not a fan of fantasy/mythical stuff. So it was hard for me to take the story serious.
I would definitely read another book by her, don’t get me wrong, she is amazing as a writer but please give us a book with a cheating spouse and a murder! (Kind of kidding.. but not really!)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was experiencing a reading slump until I found Old Cravings! I loved this book because it had all my favorite things: horror, romance, charming characters, and quick wit. The romance between the two characters was sweet, but I do think there were a few loose ends concerning their past. Overall, I had a lot of fun reading Old Cravings. It kept me guessing, and I devoured the book in one sitting!
Definite page turner! Great mash up of paranormal, romance, horror and suspense! Completely a book you can’t put down. Prepare to be wowed as this story crosses genres effortlessly. I was quite impressed and will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author! Almost a 5 star for me. Definite 4.5!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There were times as I read this book that I was thinking it might end up a four-star book for me, but ultimately I found I couldn't quite justify going for that "I really liked it" rating. I liked it, but I didn't really like it in it's whole.
I am likely not the target audience for this book, as I don't read much horror or romance (I especially tend to try to avoid romance.) There were times when I found myself rolling my eyes at the occasional horror trope trotted out here, and a couple of the "romantic" moments struck me as just...icky... rather than appealing. I'm not talking about the sex scene, although there is a sex scene.
If this book were a movie I would probably rate it PG-14 because of grisliness, the occasionally genuinely frightening mood, and some obscenities and that one sex scene. It's not especially explicit, but it's not behind closed doors either.
This is a story that feels sometimes like it's just throwing everything the author can think of into the mix, a bit of a kitchen-sink exercise, with time travellers, mountain lions, supernatural antler-headed creatures, blizzards and cave bears and tiki torches, oh my.
There are times where it felt like it was almost getting away from it's creator, but she manages to keep hold and bring it more or less all together, in the end, which is certainly admirable. Although, I'm not sure we got an entirely satisfactory answer as to why all the crazy stuff was happening to our characters specifically, except perhaps it was all metaphorically about marriage.
There are twists and surprises. I'm grateful that it seems like the "Big Bad Monster" in this story is an original creation rather than another any old wendigo - (as an aside it seems to me like the wendigo has been flogged to death recently in horror stories... and there is a recognized wendigo influence here...)
There was one twist I expected and was disappointed when it didn't happen, a few others I predicted, a few I predicated correctly, a few I predicted incorrectly... the author did a nice job keeping me guessing.
As someone who grew up in a place with seriously severe winters, I felt that the descriptions of the cold that takes hold during the blizzard these characters face was a bit lacking. I even started wondering if perhaps the author has never really faced a proper arctic blast of -30F or -40F, but her bio says she lives in Denver... Maybe it doesn't get quite prairie-brutal cold in Denver? Or perhaps the author just didn't want to get into great depth about cold. Fair enough, and she is maintaining quite a fast pace through much of the book.
The first (slower) 25% or so of this book was quite moodily frightening. I was going to read this at night, but I decided after awhile I'd better quit, in case I caught nightmares.
Then, the next day, and it may have just been my mood, but as creatures and strangenesses started piling up, I found some of it rather strangely funny, although I don't see other reviewers saying they found it a bit over-the-top comedic, and I don't want to be insulting if that humour was unintentional. It might have just been my own strange sense of humour projecting onto this book.
There are some bits that I felt were intending to be funny, but most of those more obvious jokes didn't land for me. Some did, just not all of them. I found the "hey, this is just like a horror movie!" stuff a bit annoying. Fortunately there wasn't too much of that.
I liked the detail of the anti-predator lights on the ranch, they added a nice touch to the setting.
I was bemused that one of our heros, early on, after being chased into her house in town by a cougar, does not call animal control or police about there being a cougar in town. (I live in a small valley town and have animal control's number stuck on my fridge just in case.)
There was perhaps a couple of missed inconsistencies and a few typos. (I think there's one scene where a human character is using...all three of their hands.)
A couple of times the view point switches to that of the monster, which I wasn't really a fan of.
I was disappointed there wasn't ever an "escape the besieged ranch on horseback!" moment.
This is a story with a lot of imagination and dark vision, and I was happy to complete it on the third morning. I found it a bit uneven, predictably wasn't a fan of the occasional romance-stuff, but it was pretty enjoyable. Really I'd like to give this a 3.5 out of 5.
I was happy to receive an advanced reader's copy for free through BookSirens in expectation of an honest review. Which this is.
I want to thank BookSirens and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a ride! I've recently started branching into the horror/thriller genre and have previously read the second book in this series. [I mostly read them out of order because the second book was set in my home state of Oregon]. Jarrett had me on the edge of my seat throughout the book, and I did not want to put it down. I only did it because it was midnight. The way that she can weave a romance subplot into the horrific myth-based mysteries she writes is fantastic and honestly reminds me of why I love reading. The narrative draws you in and you remember being 10 years old and reading under a blanket with a flashlight.
I will say that I did not connect as much with the characters in this book as I did the second. Piper and Dylan's dynamic is a second-chance romance which is not always my favorite romance trope. I also really struggled with their personalities. The way that they were written felt a bit too stereotypical and a little belaboured. It kept coming up that they were so different but no concrete evidence was given other than political affiliation but only Piper's was specifically stated, Also, Dylan felt a little too held by the patriarchy at some points throughout the story. He wanted to keep Piper safe and I did feel the chemistry between them, but both of them wanted to be the boss and sometimes I couldn't tell if Dylan was being misogynistic or Piper saw him that way since we were switching between their points of view.
I also found it difficult to buy into how Piper's relationship with her father and her parent's relationship generally played into her psychology. There just were not a lot of details surrounding this and it was a big plot point in terms of Dylan and Piper's relationship.
I did love the last third of the book. I felt like Dylan and Piper came into their own as people and within their relationship. It was my favourite part and the ending! So good.
As mentioned, I was on the edge with regards to the horror aspects of the book and while it kept me entertained and afraid at points it did feel a bit convoluted. The entity that they are fighting seemed to keep becoming more complicated as the book progressed and honestly without any background knowledge of the myths used to develop the story I did have to google afterwards to make sure I understood completely.
I would highly recommend this book. It's well written. It's scary. It's a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of a parent
Minor: Pregnancy There is a LOT of animal harm and death in this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but it's not one of my best reads. But first of all there were a few funny quotes I'd like to share:
The dog lapped greedily at the beer, but the Catahoula hound also ate horse shit so he wasn't exactly a good judge of taste
She held the phone like a weapon. Like a weapon, but not one.
Then he screamed. It was a manly scream, but still. He had to acknowledge he'd just screamed.
I really wanted to give this book more stars than 3, but I couldn't justify that. The begining of the book was too slow for me. The book is 250 pages, but it took me forever to finish. I mostly struggled in the first half. It was a combination of me being scared of what might happen and not wanting to have nightmares so I didn't read before bed and me not really caring about what happened. Yes, it was funny and creepy, but I wasn't hooked. It was too easy for me to put the book down after a chapter. That all changed around page 100, the story really started there. The horror came to life and I was at the edge, waiting what would happen. I didn't know, was scared of what would follow and had a hard time stopping. Around page 180 all was well again, or so they thought, but there was one sentence (and the fact the book stil had some pages to go) that showed me the story wasn't over yet, so I kept on reading until all was done.
For the people who have misunderstood the book by the phrase 'Scary Good Romance' , trust me this book is much much more of what it claims for.
The book starts with some creepy and mysterious happenings at Dylan's Ranch as well as Piper's House. Dylan and Piper were once married but got divorced because of some misunderstandings. But, these creepy events calls their combined attention and help.Although they were divorced, their love for each other never subsided. Piper reaches the ranch so that she could help one of the horses but while sorting out that they find a 'strangely dressed' injured woman , dead bodies and other bloody human and animal parts. Also, they find themselves in between some strange and horrific creatures. They couldn't understand if this is just a bad dream or if it's really happening with them? But, why is it particularly happening to them? Will they find a way out?
I loved the writing style of the Author. The story is written in such an amazing way. The build up, characterization all were on point. The best part is that everything felt so realistic.Ending of each chapter intrigues you on reading the next, ultimately getting you hooked to the whole story. With nail-biting and eerie episodes to a lot of suspense elements, this book is definitely a page turner. The backstory on why these things actually happen and the time paradox thing was amazing. The book also shows how misunderstandings and ego can ruin an otherwise beautiful relationship. This book is actually a wholesome package of Horror+Thriller+Romance skillfully woven together. Recommended!!!!
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the author and this is my honest review from the heart.
What I liked about the book: it pulls you in immediately and does not let go until the very end. I like a strong female lead, and Piper is definitely a strong character. She’s someone that I could be friends with. I was rooting for Piper and Dylan, not only to survive the circumstances, but also I wanted them to get back together and live happily ever after.
There were a couple things I was not crazy about. I don’t like books, TV shows, or movies where animals are hurt. The death of a beloved horse plays into the plot/storyline, so I get it. But I skipped over those parts as they were pretty explicit. If you’re like me, and you are sensitive to animals being hurt/killed - you have been warned.
The other thing I was not super crazy about, the tension was super high throughout the entire book. Now for some people, this is not going to be a problem. In fact if you like horror fiction you’ll probably enjoy the amount of tension in this book. Personally, I need humor or sex or something that will alleviate the tension at various points throughout. But again, that’s my personal opinion. For those of you who enjoy high tension horror books, you’ll probably like that aspect of this book.
In conclusion:
As it says in the description, it is a horror/romance. The romance is there, but it does not overshadow the horror aspect of the story. People who are looking for a straight up romance, this may not be the one for you. If you are looking for a horror story, and even if you’re not a fan of romance, you’ll probably enjoy this one. The writing is solid and the characters are likable and believable. I would definitely recommend this to people who like a good horror story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Piper is a veterinarian who's been divorced for about a year. So, she's surprised when her ex, Dylan, calls out of the blue telling her that he has an emergency with one of his animals. Piper arrives at his ranch to find her horse dead, killed by something unknown. They had no idea what could have done it. Piper and Dylan both soon realize that neither is over the other but they're not sure they can fix things. When an epic blizzard hits trapping them together, things soon become much scarier and it becomes clear that something evil is at play. They must fight the supernatural for their lives while at the same time they must choose to fight for their love.
Joy Jarrett is a new to me author and I'm so glad that I found this book. It was very well-written with well-rounded characters and a fast-paced plot. I was drawn into this tantalizing tale from the start and kept hooked until the finish. I absolutely loved this book which was an amazing combination of horror, romance, and the paranormal. This unique and captivating story was a beyond thrilling read that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. I quite simply didn't want to put this book down and I'm really looking forward to more from this remarkable author. I will say that fans of Stephen King may enjoy this book ~ I certainly did.
This is an amazing juxtaposition of a truly scary evil story and a rekindling of a second-chance love. I would never have thought putting those two together would work, but somehow it does!
While something supernatural is definitely stalking the couple, evidenced by Veterinarian Piper’s horse being ripped to shreds which was what had Dylan call her to come back initially for the emergency, her being back with him made it clear she was where she wanted to be. Piper had left Dylan a year ago and regretted it ever since. Then Dylan’s call came, urgently asking her to come to the ranch right away.
Dylan and Piper realized they still loved each other and they will try to find a way to repair the damage to their marriage – while also trying to find out what killed her horse. He was pretty sure it wasn’t a bear.
And while they are puzzling over what creature is out there, an epic blizzard hits which traps Piper and Dylan on the ranch. Yes, it gives them the chance to work on their marriage. But things also get more frightening when the evil moves closer. Make no mistake, they are now hunted by the supernatural and in a fight for their lives. But if they survive, perhaps their love will be stronger than ever after the ordeal that has only just started.
I’ve been reading more paranormal titles recently, but I’m picky and don’t like vampires or animal-shifting. When I saw the description of a second-chance romance combined with a good vs. evil theme, I couldn’t resist.
Let me say straight out that I’m not a fan of horror. I can’t watch horror movies and really never caught the Stephen King or John Saul craze. And there is horror in Joy Jarrett’s OLD CRAVINGS.
With all of that said — I LOVED this book.
Watching Piper and Dylan work through their individual fears and insecurities was so satisfying especially when the second plot of a horrific evil creature actually forces them to face their past and their future.
There are wonderful side characters and plenty of worry that perhaps they are not who or what they seem.
Jarrett captures beautifully the scariness of taking trash out to a Dumpster in a dark alley while feeling that you’re being watched (yes, I looked over my shoulder while reading).
If horror and second-chance romance are your things, don’t wait — grab this book now!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first three-quarters of this kept me riveted. It was strictly daytime reading so my overactive imagination didn't dream about the book. The mystery was intriguing but maybe too much. Too many elements and myths as to what it could be. I would have liked some more setup explaining the legend, its powers, and its weaknesses. Piper and Dylan's dynamic was realistic for a divorced couple not over each other yet. The instant trust they had when everything went to shit, shows there was more to their relationship than even they realized. Piper's willingness to sacrifice herself for Dylan to have a future was a poignant moment that spoke to her character well. Once the first culmination happened, I felt like the book tried too hard to keep going and it got a bit confusing with the time travel part. There was no explanation for Ronnie's recovery when it looked like she was dead. I did enjoy the potential set-up for future books, I could easily see Piper & Dylan traveling Winchester style tackling Witherlings and other supernatural predators. I received a complimentary copy of Old Cravings via BookSirens. All opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.
Veterinarian Piper is trying to start over after separating from her husband, Dylan. When Dylan calls her out of the blue and asks her to come back to the ranch. Her horse has been savagely attacked by something and has to be put down. What attacked her horse and some other animals on the ranch? When an epic blizzard hits their area Dylan again needs Piper's veterinarian expertise. But this blizzard is not like any normal blizzard it has a supernatural feel to it, and something is hunting them. Can they survive this storm while battling their growing feelings for each other?
This book sucked me in right away and I could not put it down. I did find the main characters to be a little dull and their "romance" to be lack luster. But I enjoyed the mystery around the monster hunting them. There are several instances of violence towards animals. If you are very sensitive about that type of thing this book may not be for you. Personally, I usually can't deal with descriptions of violence against animals, but I did not find the ones in this book to be terrible. Overall I enjoyed this book.
I really enjoyed this book! I never expected how well the anxiety and fear from a horror story could mix with the emotions for rekindling romance. The tension built up really well (it's so creepy) and just never dropped, and the story took really unexpected and interesting turns. It's worth reading for the surprise! Relationships were really well built up between all characters (not just the main ones), including animals and villains.
I did lose immersion a couple times. Some of the actions or thoughts of the characters seemed a bit unreasonable or over-the-top (as is common in horror stories). It wasn't very strong, but did jar me just enough.
Overall, very satisfying! Some of the images and scenes are haunting and have stuck with me in the way that good stories will, cropping up in my thoughts as I go about my life. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One word to describe this book..WOW! Really great book! It was a definite page turner and the suspense and mystery had me on my toes! This book was a suspenseful roller coaster of a ride which made it appealing. You want to solve the mystery with the characters! When you think you have it figured out, another turn of events happen.
I am a lover of paranormal romance and mystery and this book did not disappoint! That being said, a western paranormal romance and mystery is not really my kind of book but I took a chance and I have to say it amazed me. Piper and Dylan are amazing characters. I like knowing their history and how they became where they are.
If you get this book, you will not be diasppointed. Must read for all paranormal readers out there!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Yee haw! I have never read a horror/romance before and I have to say that it’s a genre I would read again! This story is particularly well written and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Like seriously, I had to just stop reading in the middle of a chapter in order to get sleep because every chapter end made me want to keep reading! Did I actually get sleep? No! I had to pull my appendages in from the edge of the bed and snuggle closer to my husband. The gore level was a little much, but the supernatural and mythological aspects where so interesting that it wasn’t too bad. There is time travel too! It’s quite a melting pot of genre but it definitely worked. Super cool, engaging, and thrilling story... with romance! Highly recommend. I will explore more from this author! 💔🦌💀🧟♂️🐴🤠👩⚕️❤️ I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
A cowboy romance meets stuff nightmares are made from? Yes, please! From the first glance of the cover, I knew this was a book I wanted to read. Right out of the gate, the author is able to pique the readers interest and leaves you hungry to learn more. Our main characters Piper and Dylan are no strangers to each other, sharing a marriage and a divorce but when the going gets tough, they find themselves turning back to each other to battle an evil force like no other. I did find myself landing squarely on team Dylan and wanting to shake some sense into Piper a few times.
I appreciate stories without loose ends or being left hanging. Just when you think it’s the closing act, the author takes you for another spin for good measure! This isn’t a book I had to close at night or kept me up with an eye open, but rather an easy read that has a supernatural element mixed in with a romance.
This was my first book by this Author and I have to say I really enjoyed this story.
If you are looking for a book that has everything, well stop looking. Its called Old Cravings!!
It was fast paced, great characters, both main and secondary characters, paranormal which threw me for a loop, but a pleasant loop, love, angst, and good ole thriller to top it all off. Wow, what more could you ask for.
Joy took me on a wild ride and when I started this book I hung on for dear life and I loved every minute of it.
I didn't want this story to end really. It was a nice ending which I am a total sucker for.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Joy Jarrett’s fantastical book Old Cravings is a second chance romance imbued with a clever mixture of prehistoric and mythical creatures for a heart pounding, and suspense filled graphic horror story...as the story unfolded and the tension ramped up I literally couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough! The combination of genres, seemingly unrealistic, within the one story could have been cheesy if not executed correctly, but this author expertly wove the differing elements together to create an entertaining and engaging read.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.