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The Inn-Sitter
Heather Mihok Heather Mihok 10/27/2022 280Binding Paperback 0.71lbs 8.00h x 5.25w x 0.63d 9798986524917 Young Adult
- GenresHorrorYoung Adult
278 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2022
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61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 5, 2022
...There are no sounds inside the house, other than the odd ticking of the grandfather clock. It's kind of an eerie place. All I wanted was to be alone, but now I'm not so sure. I didn't realize how oppressive isolation can be. loc.421 Kindle ebook
THE INN SITTER by Heather Mihok surprised and entertained me. The plot is solid, so are the character and story development, and the suspense persists. When the fMC/first person narrator, Hazel/mystery isn't rubbing up against the malicious inn itself and all its buddies, she's creating her own conflict with everyone she meets with her mile-wide boundaries. This lady's got some history! This is a good, tense read, as any horror book should be.
There are tiny errors; one of the character's eyes change color from scene to scene in the beginning, for example. But I also want to point out how smoothly this author handles transitions, even between different timeframes. She's a master of the flashback. I thought the ending went off the rails a little bit, though, to be honest. There was a lot happening at once; several story threads, some of which didn't necessarily need to be involved at this point of the plot, all trying to twist together. But the stakes were definitely high, so you'll be on the edge of your seat!
The twist at the end was well conceived, I thought. I certainly didn't see it coming. Mihok laid some excellent red herrings!
Thank you KatieandBreyPA, BookSirens, and Heather Mihok for an ARC of this very fun horror book!
Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Finished: October 2022
Recommended to: horror fans, fans of haunted house stories, horror with twist endings, horror stories with the redemption trope
TW: drug and alcohol consumption (of page), DV (mostly off page), violence against children, guns and shooting
*Follow my Instagram book blog for all my reviews, challenges, and book lists! http://www.instagram.com/donasbooks *
THE INN SITTER by Heather Mihok surprised and entertained me. The plot is solid, so are the character and story development, and the suspense persists. When the fMC/first person narrator, Hazel/mystery isn't rubbing up against the malicious inn itself and all its buddies, she's creating her own conflict with everyone she meets with her mile-wide boundaries. This lady's got some history! This is a good, tense read, as any horror book should be.
There are tiny errors; one of the character's eyes change color from scene to scene in the beginning, for example. But I also want to point out how smoothly this author handles transitions, even between different timeframes. She's a master of the flashback. I thought the ending went off the rails a little bit, though, to be honest. There was a lot happening at once; several story threads, some of which didn't necessarily need to be involved at this point of the plot, all trying to twist together. But the stakes were definitely high, so you'll be on the edge of your seat!
The twist at the end was well conceived, I thought. I certainly didn't see it coming. Mihok laid some excellent red herrings!
Thank you KatieandBreyPA, BookSirens, and Heather Mihok for an ARC of this very fun horror book!
Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Finished: October 2022
Recommended to: horror fans, fans of haunted house stories, horror with twist endings, horror stories with the redemption trope
TW: drug and alcohol consumption (of page), DV (mostly off page), violence against children, guns and shooting
*Follow my Instagram book blog for all my reviews, challenges, and book lists! http://www.instagram.com/donasbooks *
October 4, 2022
I just want to thank the author, Heather Mihok, and BookSirens for allowing me to read this amazing arc in return for an honest review.
This book, in my opinion, was honestly amazing. The writing was brilliant and well done, the atmosphere of the book was very beautiful.
The book has a great amount of thriller and horror along with just a splash of romance.
It was a haunted house with a *twist*, and I love those.
I was shocked by the ending, but can’t say I didn’t at least sort of feel it coming!
If you want to read a book that will give you goosebumps and that you absolutely cannot put down, I highly recommend this book!
This book, in my opinion, was honestly amazing. The writing was brilliant and well done, the atmosphere of the book was very beautiful.
The book has a great amount of thriller and horror along with just a splash of romance.
It was a haunted house with a *twist*, and I love those.
I was shocked by the ending, but can’t say I didn’t at least sort of feel it coming!
If you want to read a book that will give you goosebumps and that you absolutely cannot put down, I highly recommend this book!
November 5, 2022
When I started this book, I thought it's not going to work for and in the beginning it didn't. When I reached almost 30% mark I was intrigued and at 50% I was enjoying it a lot. I was slammed with the twists and was left with a very satisfactory ending.
Pacing: It is not a very long book, about 280 pages but the pacing is a bit slow in the start and in the end it picks up the pace. Although this type of pacing doesn't work for me but I understand this was required for the plot.
Plot: I loved the plot, the introduction of back story was brilliant, it answered the why questions. The creepy moments and goosebumps and feeling of always looking over the shoulder is the heart of the story.
Main Character: I loved the fact that Temperly the main character is so rational and logical that it gives the plot a realistic quality. She has a lot to deal with. Running from her past has landed her in the inn. And when the things start getting out of control in a place which was supposed to be her lay low made me feel for her.
3.5 rounding up.
Pacing: It is not a very long book, about 280 pages but the pacing is a bit slow in the start and in the end it picks up the pace. Although this type of pacing doesn't work for me but I understand this was required for the plot.
Plot: I loved the plot, the introduction of back story was brilliant, it answered the why questions. The creepy moments and goosebumps and feeling of always looking over the shoulder is the heart of the story.
Main Character: I loved the fact that Temperly the main character is so rational and logical that it gives the plot a realistic quality. She has a lot to deal with. Running from her past has landed her in the inn. And when the things start getting out of control in a place which was supposed to be her lay low made me feel for her.
3.5 rounding up.
October 4, 2022
This was my first read by this author and will not be my last! Perfect amount of predictability and total surprise. Thriller for sure! Loved the build up! The ending wraps the book up in an all-questions-answered way, but still leaves the possibility of a part 2.
Thank you to the author and Book Sirens for the advance review copy for leaving an honest review!
Thank you to the author and Book Sirens for the advance review copy for leaving an honest review!
October 24, 2022
Hazel is on the run and has the good luck of finding a job watching over an inn while the owners are away. Not only can she hide, but make money to help her continue her travels. There is no one staying at the inn at the particular time of year, so it is just Hazel and the owner’s dog in the quiet building. Quite quickly, strange things begin to happen. Items disappearing and reappearing, strange smells, disturbing sounds, and possible ghostly sightings. Hazel isn’t sure if she is losing her mind from the pressure of her personal life or if the place is really haunted. She begins making some friends in town who happen to have expertise in the paranormal. As they investigate, Hazel’s past comes knocking and some interesting twists present themselves.
This is a terrific teen/YA horror novel. It has a bit of a slow start as it sets up Hazel’s background and the situation she is in, but once the spookiness begins, there’s no stopping. I love a good ghost story and while this one is geared toward a younger age group, the atmosphere is skillfully set and the characters well-developed.
This is a terrific teen/YA horror novel. It has a bit of a slow start as it sets up Hazel’s background and the situation she is in, but once the spookiness begins, there’s no stopping. I love a good ghost story and while this one is geared toward a younger age group, the atmosphere is skillfully set and the characters well-developed.
October 5, 2022
This was a genuinely enjoyable and suspenseful tale.
I read this over the course of a day, it held my attention so much I didn't want to put it down.
I loved the dual storyline of our main character looking after the Inn where other worldly things might be happening but also running away from her dangerous past.
The beginning reminded me of the film Psycho. I liked having a main character who I was not entirely sure I could trust to begin with.
The author did a fantastic job of building the feeling of dread and I was really quite creeped out at parts!
I felt like I had the story figured out but there were some surprising twists that lead to a bittersweet but satisfying ending.
The main character (whose real name we don't find out until late on in the book) was fantastically well written, she did make bad decisions sometimes but I really felt like I knew and understood her motivation by the end of the book.
Slight spoilers.....
My only criticism (and totally my personal opinion) is the final act included a couple of deaths which I felt did not really add to the plot but I found really heartbreaking.
Overall a really enjoyable thriller with horror elements, highly recommended. I look forward to reading further work by the author.
Many thanks to the author and Booksirens for providing me with a digital ARC to provide an honest review.
I read this over the course of a day, it held my attention so much I didn't want to put it down.
I loved the dual storyline of our main character looking after the Inn where other worldly things might be happening but also running away from her dangerous past.
The beginning reminded me of the film Psycho. I liked having a main character who I was not entirely sure I could trust to begin with.
The author did a fantastic job of building the feeling of dread and I was really quite creeped out at parts!
I felt like I had the story figured out but there were some surprising twists that lead to a bittersweet but satisfying ending.
The main character (whose real name we don't find out until late on in the book) was fantastically well written, she did make bad decisions sometimes but I really felt like I knew and understood her motivation by the end of the book.
Slight spoilers.....
My only criticism (and totally my personal opinion) is the final act included a couple of deaths which I felt did not really add to the plot but I found really heartbreaking.
Overall a really enjoyable thriller with horror elements, highly recommended. I look forward to reading further work by the author.
Many thanks to the author and Booksirens for providing me with a digital ARC to provide an honest review.
October 7, 2022
A paranormal thriller is not a genre I typically read, and I am so glad I did not pass up the opportunity to read this. Full of heart racing action, goosebump producing suspense, and hair raising thrills, "The Inn-Sitter" is everything I would expect from a horror novel. Diabolical villian? Check. Flawed protagonist? Check. Shocking twist? Check. From the creepy, old inn, full of stuffed animal heads, no wifi, and a spacious dark attic to the small, backwoods town full of questionable characters, no stone was left unturned by the author to create the perfect chilly ambiance for this thriller. Aside from a couple of totally unbelievable passages, "The Inn-Sitter" encompasses everything a thriller should and is a must read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 22, 2025
The best thing about reading indie horror is when you pick up a book, knowing little about it, and you get COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY.
17 year old Temperly considers getting the temp job as an off-season caretaker of a bed and breakfast as an amazing price of luck. Recently orphaned, Temperly is forced to lie about her name, her age and her experience, so she can be safe and hide from a violent boyfriend.
Temperly soon learns that this job was too good to be true. Alone, struggling so hard to be strong and independent, her situation slowly spirals into terror.
I stayed up until after 3am reading this book. I think all of us can see ourselves in Temperly, when we were put into situations we were not ready for, and we want so bad to succeed. She makes good, relatable choices in untenable situations. She is believable and sympathetic and one of the best depictions of a teenage FMC I have ever read in a horror novel.
The Inn-Sitter is a perfect example of YA Horror and I see this book enticing many young readers into the horror genre.
17 year old Temperly considers getting the temp job as an off-season caretaker of a bed and breakfast as an amazing price of luck. Recently orphaned, Temperly is forced to lie about her name, her age and her experience, so she can be safe and hide from a violent boyfriend.
Temperly soon learns that this job was too good to be true. Alone, struggling so hard to be strong and independent, her situation slowly spirals into terror.
I stayed up until after 3am reading this book. I think all of us can see ourselves in Temperly, when we were put into situations we were not ready for, and we want so bad to succeed. She makes good, relatable choices in untenable situations. She is believable and sympathetic and one of the best depictions of a teenage FMC I have ever read in a horror novel.
The Inn-Sitter is a perfect example of YA Horror and I see this book enticing many young readers into the horror genre.
October 29, 2024
I had such a good time with this story. It's pretty fast paced and there were a couple of times where events made my gasp out loud. Temperly can be a little frustrating at times, but she is a teenager so I guess that's par for the course.
Even as a YA story, it's engaging for adults (as I am mostly an adult), and never really struck me as childish which happens sometimes with other YA stories.
Would recommend.
Even as a YA story, it's engaging for adults (as I am mostly an adult), and never really struck me as childish which happens sometimes with other YA stories.
Would recommend.
November 2, 2022
Overall this was a fun thriller with a twist I wasn't really expecting. This was a bit of ever classic stranger watching someone else's home, but it was unique and twisted.
October 30, 2022
Well hello again everyone! If you’ve stopped by my blog before you’ll know that I sometimes have to have some time away from digital life due to ill health. So, I’m now trying to ease my way back into writing again, after being beaten up by my health problems…so keep your fingers crossed for me, that I get a few weeks respite from the pain and the overwhelming fatigue, so that I can get some book reviews out there! So stay tuned…and hope!
Today I’m reviewing The Inn-Sitter by Heather Mihok, which is a really interesting mix of horror, paranormal mystery, crime thriller/serial killer, psychological thriller and coming of age story, dealing with some heavy topics like grief and loss, abusive relationships, drugs and trafficking and the foster care system. This book has some DEPTH. It’s listed as YA but I’m not sure it’s suitable for younger teens. I mean, I would have LOVED it at age 14, or even younger, but I was an odd kid who grew into an even odder adult! Basically, what I’m saying is that it should be fine for more mature teens, but it is not for the faint of heart. I’ll list off some content warnings/trigger warnings to ensure nothing is sprung on you.
Content/Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent and being orphaned
Abusive relationships
Drugs and trafficking
Gangs
Foster care system
Isolation
Stalking/being watched
Murder/serial murder
Trauma, and its aftermath
The last warning is for people like me who can’t read or watch anything that has animal death or cruelty. If you’re like me, I’d avoid any pages around 82% in, or at least be forewarned. It’s actually the only thing that keeps this book from being a 5⭐️ read for me, as I don’t like the use of that device in books or other media.
The Blurb
‘When seventeen-year-old Temperly takes a gig looking after a closed-up inn based in the mountains of Virginia, she can’t believe her good luck. With foster care looming and a dope-peddling ex hell-bent on punishing her for a deal gone wrong, the chance to hide in seclusion and make a few bucks seems too good to be true.
But strange things happen that can’t be explained. Lights flicker. Taps turn on by themselves. Banging sounds keep her up at night. She’s not afraid of ghosts, but when the unexplained turns dangerous she agrees to an investigation with the town’s only paranormal experts – an aging medium and a precocious, ghost hunting child. With each photo taken and every question asked, they uncover secrets of the inn, each more horrifying than the last. As her past catches up to her, can she learn the grisly truth about the inn before it’s too late?’
So, onto the review…
This book had me from the opening lines…
‘The wind pushes against my back, cold and blustery, as my temporary knight in shining four-wheel drive disappears back down the way we came. He’d told me his name when I climbed into the passenger side of the SUV, but I can’t remember now. The mantra in my head must’ve buried it. Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me. Because that’s what happens to hitchhikers, right? It’s Stranger Danger 101: you hitch and then your body ends up in a ditch somewhere, mangled beyond recognition.
Imagine getting this far just to end up in a body bag.’
I thought it was so well crafted, and a great hook. The way Mihok writes instantly elevates the text into images in my head, which is sadly not true of all authors. So, I was already impressed by the writing after just a few lines, which was a very good sign! I didn’t expect this book to have so many LAYERS. Every time I peeled back a layer to the story there was another thorny, complex layer to tackle. As you can see by the trigger warnings this book doesn’t pull its punches and tackles some heavy shit, and does it well. Moving from terror and flight at the outset of the book, to a wary feeling of relief and through the gamut of the uncomfortable realisation of isolation and the creeping sense of horror that comes from realising that maybe you’re not so alone after all. By the end of the book you’re so punch drunk from one twist after another, until the final denouement which deftly weaves everything back together leaving you wondering what just happened!
This book was just such a surprise. I expected a rather lightweight ghost story/horror and got so much more. It hits on most genres in some way, there’s even a little hint of romance! I’m very much looking forward to a book 2, as the ending definitely planted some seeds for more. I’m also extremely interested to read more books from Heather Mihok. The only hitches for me was that 82% issue, and the YA issue,so I had to knock a star off for that, but it’s more like half a star, giving this a well deserved 4.5⭐️!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Book Sirens, Katie and Brey PA and Heather Mihok for allowing me the chance to review this book.
Today I’m reviewing The Inn-Sitter by Heather Mihok, which is a really interesting mix of horror, paranormal mystery, crime thriller/serial killer, psychological thriller and coming of age story, dealing with some heavy topics like grief and loss, abusive relationships, drugs and trafficking and the foster care system. This book has some DEPTH. It’s listed as YA but I’m not sure it’s suitable for younger teens. I mean, I would have LOVED it at age 14, or even younger, but I was an odd kid who grew into an even odder adult! Basically, what I’m saying is that it should be fine for more mature teens, but it is not for the faint of heart. I’ll list off some content warnings/trigger warnings to ensure nothing is sprung on you.
Content/Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent and being orphaned
Abusive relationships
Drugs and trafficking
Gangs
Foster care system
Isolation
Stalking/being watched
Murder/serial murder
Trauma, and its aftermath
The last warning is for people like me who can’t read or watch anything that has animal death or cruelty. If you’re like me, I’d avoid any pages around 82% in, or at least be forewarned. It’s actually the only thing that keeps this book from being a 5⭐️ read for me, as I don’t like the use of that device in books or other media.
The Blurb
‘When seventeen-year-old Temperly takes a gig looking after a closed-up inn based in the mountains of Virginia, she can’t believe her good luck. With foster care looming and a dope-peddling ex hell-bent on punishing her for a deal gone wrong, the chance to hide in seclusion and make a few bucks seems too good to be true.
But strange things happen that can’t be explained. Lights flicker. Taps turn on by themselves. Banging sounds keep her up at night. She’s not afraid of ghosts, but when the unexplained turns dangerous she agrees to an investigation with the town’s only paranormal experts – an aging medium and a precocious, ghost hunting child. With each photo taken and every question asked, they uncover secrets of the inn, each more horrifying than the last. As her past catches up to her, can she learn the grisly truth about the inn before it’s too late?’
So, onto the review…
This book had me from the opening lines…
‘The wind pushes against my back, cold and blustery, as my temporary knight in shining four-wheel drive disappears back down the way we came. He’d told me his name when I climbed into the passenger side of the SUV, but I can’t remember now. The mantra in my head must’ve buried it. Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me. Because that’s what happens to hitchhikers, right? It’s Stranger Danger 101: you hitch and then your body ends up in a ditch somewhere, mangled beyond recognition.
Imagine getting this far just to end up in a body bag.’
I thought it was so well crafted, and a great hook. The way Mihok writes instantly elevates the text into images in my head, which is sadly not true of all authors. So, I was already impressed by the writing after just a few lines, which was a very good sign! I didn’t expect this book to have so many LAYERS. Every time I peeled back a layer to the story there was another thorny, complex layer to tackle. As you can see by the trigger warnings this book doesn’t pull its punches and tackles some heavy shit, and does it well. Moving from terror and flight at the outset of the book, to a wary feeling of relief and through the gamut of the uncomfortable realisation of isolation and the creeping sense of horror that comes from realising that maybe you’re not so alone after all. By the end of the book you’re so punch drunk from one twist after another, until the final denouement which deftly weaves everything back together leaving you wondering what just happened!
This book was just such a surprise. I expected a rather lightweight ghost story/horror and got so much more. It hits on most genres in some way, there’s even a little hint of romance! I’m very much looking forward to a book 2, as the ending definitely planted some seeds for more. I’m also extremely interested to read more books from Heather Mihok. The only hitches for me was that 82% issue, and the YA issue,so I had to knock a star off for that, but it’s more like half a star, giving this a well deserved 4.5⭐️!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Book Sirens, Katie and Brey PA and Heather Mihok for allowing me the chance to review this book.
October 19, 2022
Overall: In this supernatural thriller, 17-year-old Temperly has run away from a life that’s gone unbearably wrong. She plans to hide in the mountains of rural Virginia and figure out what to do next while earning as small fee as a temporary caretake (or inn-sitter) for a couple with an isolated property and a family emergency. But she quickly feels as trapped in the inn as she did in her past life, with strange noises in the night and no one to confide in but the owners’ sweet dog, Skippy. Is the inn haunted? Or is Temperly just imagining things due to the traumas of her past?
Likes: I liked a lot of things about this one; it’s a challenge to write this review without spoilers! The Inn-Sitter successfully combines elements of the thriller genre with the supernatural, no easy feat. Some of the characters are quite creative, especially a boy with an unusual hobby. There was a big twist that I didn’t see coming, as the author had successfully distracted me from some carefully placed clues! The conclusion was satisfying without being too neat and tidy. Temperly is a sympathetic character, and her actions mostly made sense for a naïve teenager who’s off on her own for the first time and in denial about her need for emotional connection, healing, and help.
Dislikes: Again, I’m trying to avoid spoilers! Although there’s an eventual explanation for their behavior, for much of the book I found it hard to credit that Raina and Bob would leave their inn in the hands of a complete stranger. And I’m not sure I bought that a character didn’t know someone could be tracked through a phone or social media. Something bad happens to an animal, and while it wasn’t completely gratuitous, I also didn’t think it was necessary. The pacing of the book felt uneven to me.
FYI: abusive relationships, death of a parent, terminal illness, murder, assault, stalking, invasion of privacy, drug use. References to kidnapping, torture, imprisonment
Thank you to the author, Heather Mihok, and Katie and Brey PA for providing an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Likes: I liked a lot of things about this one; it’s a challenge to write this review without spoilers! The Inn-Sitter successfully combines elements of the thriller genre with the supernatural, no easy feat. Some of the characters are quite creative, especially a boy with an unusual hobby. There was a big twist that I didn’t see coming, as the author had successfully distracted me from some carefully placed clues! The conclusion was satisfying without being too neat and tidy. Temperly is a sympathetic character, and her actions mostly made sense for a naïve teenager who’s off on her own for the first time and in denial about her need for emotional connection, healing, and help.
Dislikes: Again, I’m trying to avoid spoilers! Although there’s an eventual explanation for their behavior, for much of the book I found it hard to credit that Raina and Bob would leave their inn in the hands of a complete stranger. And I’m not sure I bought that a character didn’t know someone could be tracked through a phone or social media. Something bad happens to an animal, and while it wasn’t completely gratuitous, I also didn’t think it was necessary. The pacing of the book felt uneven to me.
FYI: abusive relationships, death of a parent, terminal illness, murder, assault, stalking, invasion of privacy, drug use. References to kidnapping, torture, imprisonment
Thank you to the author, Heather Mihok, and Katie and Brey PA for providing an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
November 2, 2022
When I requested this book, I had no idea the ride that I was in for! Part ghost story, part mystery, this paranormal thriller, will take you on a fast paced, heart thumping ride.
Temperly Jacobs is a young woman on the run. Having escaped her abusive boyfriend, she's taken a job sitting at an inn for an older couple while they attend to an ailing family member. The inn located at the base of the Virginia mountains is in a remote area close to the town of Fox Valley. She can't believe her luck, a week of solitude and the chance to make some money to get further away from her drug dealing ex.
Except that she soon discovers that she may not be alone after all. Strange things start to happen, lights flicker, banging can be heard in the attic, even the tap in the bathroom turns on by itself. Temperly isn't sure what's going on but she's positive it's not ghosts. One day while in town she's introduced to a woman who turns out to be a medium and she warns Temperly that she should leave the inn immediately as it is not safe for her. Being skeptical she just shrugs off the warning, that is until things begin to get dangerous. Temperly reaches out to the woman who brings in a local paranormal investigator, who turns out to be a child, and they come to help.
What happens next is nothing sort of action packed, scary and thrilling all at the same time. Secrets will be uncovered and as her past catches up with her an all-out showdown will take place, threatening all who are involved.
This book was fantastic. I was shocked by the end and literally could not stop reading. The writing is fast paced and well written. By the end of the last chapter, I had tears in my eyes. If you love a great paranormal thriller, then this is the book for you. I definitely look forward to more from this author. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Temperly Jacobs is a young woman on the run. Having escaped her abusive boyfriend, she's taken a job sitting at an inn for an older couple while they attend to an ailing family member. The inn located at the base of the Virginia mountains is in a remote area close to the town of Fox Valley. She can't believe her luck, a week of solitude and the chance to make some money to get further away from her drug dealing ex.
Except that she soon discovers that she may not be alone after all. Strange things start to happen, lights flicker, banging can be heard in the attic, even the tap in the bathroom turns on by itself. Temperly isn't sure what's going on but she's positive it's not ghosts. One day while in town she's introduced to a woman who turns out to be a medium and she warns Temperly that she should leave the inn immediately as it is not safe for her. Being skeptical she just shrugs off the warning, that is until things begin to get dangerous. Temperly reaches out to the woman who brings in a local paranormal investigator, who turns out to be a child, and they come to help.
What happens next is nothing sort of action packed, scary and thrilling all at the same time. Secrets will be uncovered and as her past catches up with her an all-out showdown will take place, threatening all who are involved.
This book was fantastic. I was shocked by the end and literally could not stop reading. The writing is fast paced and well written. By the end of the last chapter, I had tears in my eyes. If you love a great paranormal thriller, then this is the book for you. I definitely look forward to more from this author. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
November 5, 2022
Temperly is on the run. At 17 she has tragically lost her mother and with no other family she is destined for the foster care system. Temperly finds temporary refuge with her boyfriend, Monster, but she soon discovers why he goes by the name Monster.
Temperly sees an ad to look after an inn in Virginia that's closed for the season and sees a way for her to escape and hide out until she can figure out what's next, and make some money while she's at it.
But, this job is certainly not what she expected and soon strange and terrifying things start to happen to her at the inn.
The Inn Sitter is a slow burn for sure. But, when things got going it was unputdownable. The Inn Sitter is a terrifying, heart pounding, tragic story. This story had so many twists to it and one I definitely did not see coming. As I mentioned, there was tragedy and loss, so it definitely didn't have a complete happily ever after. I still feel a bit sad about everything that happened in the end.
I loved Temperly and the supporting characters in this book. They were such great characters. As Temperly realizes she needs help at the inn her path crosses with a paranormal investigator and psychic. You'll be surprised at both of them, but the paranormal investigator especially, adds an element of fun to the story.
Overall, the Inn Sitter was a well written easy read. It's a YA novel but will appeal to adults too. It had lots of vivid descriptions in it and I could really put myself at the inn. If you like to be scared and you like ghost stories, you'll like this book! Also, it might make you crave hot chocolate!
Thanks @katieandbreypa and @heathermihok for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Temperly sees an ad to look after an inn in Virginia that's closed for the season and sees a way for her to escape and hide out until she can figure out what's next, and make some money while she's at it.
But, this job is certainly not what she expected and soon strange and terrifying things start to happen to her at the inn.
The Inn Sitter is a slow burn for sure. But, when things got going it was unputdownable. The Inn Sitter is a terrifying, heart pounding, tragic story. This story had so many twists to it and one I definitely did not see coming. As I mentioned, there was tragedy and loss, so it definitely didn't have a complete happily ever after. I still feel a bit sad about everything that happened in the end.
I loved Temperly and the supporting characters in this book. They were such great characters. As Temperly realizes she needs help at the inn her path crosses with a paranormal investigator and psychic. You'll be surprised at both of them, but the paranormal investigator especially, adds an element of fun to the story.
Overall, the Inn Sitter was a well written easy read. It's a YA novel but will appeal to adults too. It had lots of vivid descriptions in it and I could really put myself at the inn. If you like to be scared and you like ghost stories, you'll like this book! Also, it might make you crave hot chocolate!
Thanks @katieandbreypa and @heathermihok for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 27, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love haunted house books, they are my favorite subgenre of horror. I was really excited to read this one. My interest was piqued right from the beginning but it did seem to take a while to pick up. I had so many different theories of what was happening, as new information was revealed I couldn't keep predicting what was going.
It finally picked back up during the paranormal investigation and when I couldn't put this book back down. I felt so many emotions while reading this book; almost feeling exactly what Temperly was experiencing in the moment. Temperly was far from my favorite character, by the end I was annoyed with her and just didn't like her. But I had to remind myself she is still a child herself and she has gone through so much trauma in such a short amount of time.
One of my favorite things about this book is ultimately you have no idea who can be trusted. If there were even any ghosts and who did these ghosts actually belong to? I can also appreciate the ending, I think this novel was wrapped up nicely and I was left with no questions or feeling of any loose ends that weren't met. I can only mark it as a 4 only due to it taking the story a while to pick up, otherwise this was a great novel and can't wait to read more from the author.
I love haunted house books, they are my favorite subgenre of horror. I was really excited to read this one. My interest was piqued right from the beginning but it did seem to take a while to pick up. I had so many different theories of what was happening, as new information was revealed I couldn't keep predicting what was going.
It finally picked back up during the paranormal investigation and when I couldn't put this book back down. I felt so many emotions while reading this book; almost feeling exactly what Temperly was experiencing in the moment. Temperly was far from my favorite character, by the end I was annoyed with her and just didn't like her. But I had to remind myself she is still a child herself and she has gone through so much trauma in such a short amount of time.
One of my favorite things about this book is ultimately you have no idea who can be trusted. If there were even any ghosts and who did these ghosts actually belong to? I can also appreciate the ending, I think this novel was wrapped up nicely and I was left with no questions or feeling of any loose ends that weren't met. I can only mark it as a 4 only due to it taking the story a while to pick up, otherwise this was a great novel and can't wait to read more from the author.
October 18, 2022
I FLEW through this book. It was so good! I thought it was going to be a simple paranormal book but it had some exciting twists toward the end!
From the start you know that Tea, aka Hazel, has a past and I just got a feeling that all the lies and what she was running from was going to come back and get her. Never would I have guessed how the author made that happen! It’s heartbreaking and awful some of the things that happened.
The only reason this did not receive a full 5 star rating from me is because the climax did seem a little forced. Kind of like the author ran out ideas and just threw it down. I would have liked to read more of a buildup I guess. Also I just was not a huge fan of Temperly, the main character. She could have come clean to anyone at any point. Instead she kept it all in until everything went wrong. Even then she didn’t explain herself until the end to anyone.
This is definitely a great read for spooky season or anytime you’re looking for a great thiller!
Thank you to the author and @katieandbreypa for this arc copy!
From the start you know that Tea, aka Hazel, has a past and I just got a feeling that all the lies and what she was running from was going to come back and get her. Never would I have guessed how the author made that happen! It’s heartbreaking and awful some of the things that happened.
The only reason this did not receive a full 5 star rating from me is because the climax did seem a little forced. Kind of like the author ran out ideas and just threw it down. I would have liked to read more of a buildup I guess. Also I just was not a huge fan of Temperly, the main character. She could have come clean to anyone at any point. Instead she kept it all in until everything went wrong. Even then she didn’t explain herself until the end to anyone.
This is definitely a great read for spooky season or anytime you’re looking for a great thiller!
Thank you to the author and @katieandbreypa for this arc copy!
October 21, 2022
Let’s start out with the disclaimer that I typically don’t do horror. I’m the worlds biggest scaredy cat and so easily spooked. Seriously, just walk in a room if my back is turned and I’ll be jumping.
I absolutely loved this. Did I have to set it down the first night reading because I knew I’d end up not sleeping? Yes, yes I did. With all the spooky details to keep you on the edge and wanting to play detective, the character growth, and a pretty fast pace, this is a suck you in and can’t put down kind of read. I had a hunch in the beginning but nothing serious enough where the twist at the end was too obvious. We’re left with just enough unanswered of the past and some of the side characters that I just couldn’t pin exactly what I thought down. That ending too! Oh how satisfying. Between the redemptions and the tiny flash forward, I loved that we saw the impact the experience left.
If you’re a spooky ghost-hunter, horror lover- this is a must read for you. If you aren’t, I still highly recommend! Just maybe only read during the day and not alone.
I absolutely loved this. Did I have to set it down the first night reading because I knew I’d end up not sleeping? Yes, yes I did. With all the spooky details to keep you on the edge and wanting to play detective, the character growth, and a pretty fast pace, this is a suck you in and can’t put down kind of read. I had a hunch in the beginning but nothing serious enough where the twist at the end was too obvious. We’re left with just enough unanswered of the past and some of the side characters that I just couldn’t pin exactly what I thought down. That ending too! Oh how satisfying. Between the redemptions and the tiny flash forward, I loved that we saw the impact the experience left.
If you’re a spooky ghost-hunter, horror lover- this is a must read for you. If you aren’t, I still highly recommend! Just maybe only read during the day and not alone.
October 28, 2022
The inn-sitter by Heather Mihok.
When seventeen-year-old Temperly takes a gig looking after a closed-up inn based in the mountains of Virginia, she can’t believe her good luck. With foster care looming and a dope-peddling ex hell-bent on punishing her for a deal gone wrong, the chance to hide in seclusion and make a few bucks seems too good to be true.
But strange things happen that can’t be explained. Lights flicker. Taps turn on by themselves. Banging sounds keep her up at night. She’s not afraid of ghosts, but when the unexplained turns dangerous she agrees to an investigation with the town’s only paranormal experts – an aging medium and a precocious, ghost hunting child. With each photo taken and every question asked, they uncover secrets of the inn, each more horrifying than the last. As her past catches up to her, can she learn the grisly truth about the inn before it’s too late?
Really good read. Loved the cover. Eerie. 5*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When seventeen-year-old Temperly takes a gig looking after a closed-up inn based in the mountains of Virginia, she can’t believe her good luck. With foster care looming and a dope-peddling ex hell-bent on punishing her for a deal gone wrong, the chance to hide in seclusion and make a few bucks seems too good to be true.
But strange things happen that can’t be explained. Lights flicker. Taps turn on by themselves. Banging sounds keep her up at night. She’s not afraid of ghosts, but when the unexplained turns dangerous she agrees to an investigation with the town’s only paranormal experts – an aging medium and a precocious, ghost hunting child. With each photo taken and every question asked, they uncover secrets of the inn, each more horrifying than the last. As her past catches up to her, can she learn the grisly truth about the inn before it’s too late?
Really good read. Loved the cover. Eerie. 5*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2022
Seventeen-year-old Temperly takes a gig looking after a closed-up inn nestled in the mountains of Virginia as a way to hide from the foster care system and her abusive ex-boyfriend. The owners of the inn don't ask many questions and leave Temperly in charge with only a couple of areas that are off-limits. When strange things begin to happen, Temperly must decide if the money and out-of-the-way location are worth the terror she feels staying in the inn alone.
This novel is a fast-paced page-turner. Temperly is a tough but vulnerable character with a practical and logical mind. She has made some tactical errors and questionable life choices, but it's hard not to get behind her inquisitive personality when she tries to get to the bottom of the seemingly inexplicable events she experiences at the inn.
If you are looking for a read-it-in-one-sitting horror thriller, this is a great pick. It hits you with a dose of the paranormal and real-world bogeymen for a tension-filled story to round out your spooky season reading!
This novel is a fast-paced page-turner. Temperly is a tough but vulnerable character with a practical and logical mind. She has made some tactical errors and questionable life choices, but it's hard not to get behind her inquisitive personality when she tries to get to the bottom of the seemingly inexplicable events she experiences at the inn.
If you are looking for a read-it-in-one-sitting horror thriller, this is a great pick. It hits you with a dose of the paranormal and real-world bogeymen for a tension-filled story to round out your spooky season reading!
October 16, 2022
So grateful to have the opportunity to read an review this ARC. This is the perfect story for spooky season.
Seventeen year old Temperly/Hazel is running away....from everything. Her mom dying, and abusive relationship, being put in foster care, etc. She wants to get away. So she takes a job inn-sitting for an older couple to make some extra cash.
The inn is in a small, sleepy town. Kind of out in the middle of nowhere. But this inn isn't just any inn. It's haunted and this scares Temperly/Hazel. Sounds, movements, writing on walls.
After enlisting the help of the town psychic and town ghost hunter, who is 10 years old by the way, Temperly/Hazel learns that the inn is just haunted....but learns things that are every teenage girls worst nightmare.
This book was captivating from the very start and just keeps you on the edge.
Seventeen year old Temperly/Hazel is running away....from everything. Her mom dying, and abusive relationship, being put in foster care, etc. She wants to get away. So she takes a job inn-sitting for an older couple to make some extra cash.
The inn is in a small, sleepy town. Kind of out in the middle of nowhere. But this inn isn't just any inn. It's haunted and this scares Temperly/Hazel. Sounds, movements, writing on walls.
After enlisting the help of the town psychic and town ghost hunter, who is 10 years old by the way, Temperly/Hazel learns that the inn is just haunted....but learns things that are every teenage girls worst nightmare.
This book was captivating from the very start and just keeps you on the edge.
October 29, 2022
This is one of the spookiest books I have read in a long time! The tension just builds and builds, and the ending is really quite shocking. Temperly is a great main character - strong and not easily scared. She is in a pretty desperate situation and trying to keep a low profile and that just adds to the whole feeling of claustrophobia when her ‘safe haven’ starts to feel a little more dangerous.
I think that ghost stories are often a lot better when it involves isolation in some way, so Temperly stuck in this inn away from the town without her phone to call for help really adds to that feeling of peril. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of being scared!
I received an ARC of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and is written voluntarily.
I think that ghost stories are often a lot better when it involves isolation in some way, so Temperly stuck in this inn away from the town without her phone to call for help really adds to that feeling of peril. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of being scared!
I received an ARC of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and is written voluntarily.
December 14, 2022
I couldn't put this down! I was sneakily reading this at work, on the train and any spare moment I had. It was beautifully written, some sentences I had to stop to read over again because I loved how they sounded.
The atmosphere and settings were cosy, and I usually have trouble picturing scenery when reading but had no issue creating the inn, the town and its characters in my head. I loved the characters - everyone had a unique, believable personality and it made me care for them so deeply that I was genuinely devastated when anything happened to them.
I read it as an eBook but will be purchasing a physical copy to have in my collection and to read over again. I'm just sad I won't get to go on any new adventures with these characters! I'm sure Heather Mihok will become my new favourite author.
The atmosphere and settings were cosy, and I usually have trouble picturing scenery when reading but had no issue creating the inn, the town and its characters in my head. I loved the characters - everyone had a unique, believable personality and it made me care for them so deeply that I was genuinely devastated when anything happened to them.
I read it as an eBook but will be purchasing a physical copy to have in my collection and to read over again. I'm just sad I won't get to go on any new adventures with these characters! I'm sure Heather Mihok will become my new favourite author.
October 24, 2022
The Inn Sitter by Heather Mihok is a twisted ghost story with a lightning fast pace. The storyline never lagged. Something is always happening in this book. It’s got no fluff. Short chapters let you pick up the book when you only have a few minutes at a time. The characters are likable and I found myself rooting for them—especially when things got really ugly. There is a moderate amount of gore. Some of the mental images are going to stick with me forever.
The Inn Sitter is the perfect read to snuggle up with in your favorite reading spot. But Beware….You won’t think about those noises coming from your attic in the same way ever again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The Inn Sitter is the perfect read to snuggle up with in your favorite reading spot. But Beware….You won’t think about those noises coming from your attic in the same way ever again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 9, 2022
As soon as I started reading this I felt cold creeped out and unnerved... it was the best feeling 😍.
Chapter 11 gave me goosebumps 😱 I could only imagine how she felt alone. I still run into bed when I turn the light off l snd I'm 28, Married and have an almost 1 year old 🤣.
This story was absolutely fantastic and I had so many feelings during the book. I couldn't believe the twist near the end 🤯.
It is such a well written story, the cover is spooky and the story is brilliant!
1, 2, 3 BE BRAVE 😭
Get your hands on this book, it's released on the 27th of October in time for Halloween 👻🎃.
Chapter 11 gave me goosebumps 😱 I could only imagine how she felt alone. I still run into bed when I turn the light off l snd I'm 28, Married and have an almost 1 year old 🤣.
This story was absolutely fantastic and I had so many feelings during the book. I couldn't believe the twist near the end 🤯.
It is such a well written story, the cover is spooky and the story is brilliant!
1, 2, 3 BE BRAVE 😭
Get your hands on this book, it's released on the 27th of October in time for Halloween 👻🎃.
October 21, 2022
Truly terrifying! I had to finish the book in one sitting because I was too scared to switch off the light part way through the book. The Inn Sitter is not for the faint hearted.
Temperly is very sympathetically written, I really felt for her plight, both before arriving at the inn and after. The author does a great job in helping us to care for Temperly, making us even more invested in her well-being.
The book is great for atmosphere, building a deep sense of foreboding before really launching the scares.
The Inn Sitter is brilliant. Don’t read it in the dark!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Temperly is very sympathetically written, I really felt for her plight, both before arriving at the inn and after. The author does a great job in helping us to care for Temperly, making us even more invested in her well-being.
The book is great for atmosphere, building a deep sense of foreboding before really launching the scares.
The Inn Sitter is brilliant. Don’t read it in the dark!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 27, 2022
I enjoyed this book. The Inn Sitter has the perfect amount of suspense to keep the reader engaged and needing to know what happens next. This book has its fair share of twists and turns and will have you wanting to solve the mystery. Temperly/Hazel has run away from all the bad in her life. Her mom is dying, she was in an abusive relationship, not to mention the other struggles in her life. When she takes a job as an inn sitter for this elderly couple, she has no clue whatsoever about what is truly happening at the inn, or what she is getting herself into. This book creeped me out and gave me my fair share of goosebumps. I would recommend this, especially if you are looking for a spooky season read.
October 28, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Murder mystery like this novel is a popular genre. At first, I thought the intended audience was young adult because the protagonist narrator was a 17-year-old orphan. But the plot conflict suggest more adult themes. The writing held suspense at times and the characters were alright, but it felt like I was reading someone's book and not enough to feel absorbed in the story.
Honestly, I don't think I would spend another several hours reading a book by this author nor would I buy this book for my secondary school library. But I would recommend it to a friend that enjoys mild thrillers.
Murder mystery like this novel is a popular genre. At first, I thought the intended audience was young adult because the protagonist narrator was a 17-year-old orphan. But the plot conflict suggest more adult themes. The writing held suspense at times and the characters were alright, but it felt like I was reading someone's book and not enough to feel absorbed in the story.
Honestly, I don't think I would spend another several hours reading a book by this author nor would I buy this book for my secondary school library. But I would recommend it to a friend that enjoys mild thrillers.
October 29, 2022
This was a well-written book, full of tension and loads of creepy atmosphere. Temperly Jacobs is on the run fromm her abusive boyfriend and takes a temporary job as a housesitter at a remote Inn. But, instead of finding peace and quiet and time to decide where to go next, she begins to encounter strange happenings at the Inn.
Part, thriller, part ghost story, the author has created a fast-paced book full of great characters and loads of tense moments. If you enjoy a good ghost story, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed. I was given the opportunity to read an ARC of this book through Booksprout and chose to review it.
Part, thriller, part ghost story, the author has created a fast-paced book full of great characters and loads of tense moments. If you enjoy a good ghost story, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed. I was given the opportunity to read an ARC of this book through Booksprout and chose to review it.
December 5, 2022
It took me a little longer to start reading this than I intended since I sort of forgot about having it, and I regret every wasted second I didn’t spend reading it. This book was FANTASTIC. I had to sleep with the light on one night because I was spooked, I cried a bit at the end, my heart started pounding so hard I had to take a break. I had no idea where this was going until it ended. And then it started back up again and my mind was blown. I literally can’t write about any specifics since that would ruin all of the surprises you could read yourself. READ THIS BOOK!!!
I received an ARC, but my opinions are all mine.
I received an ARC, but my opinions are all mine.
May 1, 2023
First and foremost I have to gush at how well Heather brings the reader into that creepy-cozy mood of the Inn that the young mc Temperley house-sits. She finds this opportunity in a sleepy little town while on the run from her own troublesome life. From the beginning, I was brought into a prickling sense of looming dread which I love with these kinds of books. The quiet suspense feels like I'm constantly walking on eggshells for Temperly and desperate to know what the hell is going on. And without spoiling, let's just say, I did not figure out the ending this time! (I'm usually pretty good at that 😉)
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