Billed as a modern ghost story, this short and beautiful book definitely has a spooky vibe! Mila has aged out of the foster system and applies for a job working at The Farm, a remote family/commune that takes in orphans and cares for them. The one catch? The farm is haunted by some nice ghosts. While on the farm, Mila has to grapple with her past as she struggles to fit in.

Though it sounds a bit contrived (and a little creepy), the beautiful writing makes it an enjoyable experience of a novella. Other reviews have mentioned that Lacour is a master of writing loneliness, and that is certainly the case here. Mila’s pain and desire to fit in are palpable throughout her narration. I enjoyed discovering the mystery of the farm through her eyes.

My one complaint: there are A LOT of very interchangeable characters here. Beyond Mila and Lee, I had a hard time keeping everyone straight. For someone who loves a character-driven novel, this was definitely hard for me. But the mystery and writing kept me going. This would be a great, quick read for spooky season, especially if you like a Gothic novel!

TW: Death; ghosts; emotional abuse