3.5

A snow, spine-chilling book about grief and the horrors of the unknown.

The Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno is a book about a man who recently lost his wife to a tragic accident. Months later he is still having a hard time moving on. So, he decides to move to Colorado to get away from the constant reminders of her. But weird things start happening at the cabin-things that subtly originated back before his wife died. Will Thiago be able to accept and move past his grief? Or will he let it consume him.

This was such a unique book. I feel like it did a horrifying, yet accurate portrayal of what grief is like in some people.
Obviously we all grieve differently.
I was super invested in the story itself! I will say the ending became a bit confusing/muddled for me, but I enjoyed the beginning and middle. I was a bit disappointed that there was not more of the Alexa knockoff "Itza" featured in the book.
The way it's pitched sounded like it was going to be a possessed smart device type of story.

There are some heavy themes in this book so make sure to look up content warnings before starting. A few examples are harm to an animal, death, body horror (nothing extreme), etc...

Also, this book is on kindle unlimited. It has some snowy elements and makes a great winter read! It's short sitting at 251 pages.

Would you buy a house for 1 Euro (equivalent to $1.09 USD) if the only condition for living there was staying there for a minimum of 5 years?

What if I told you the house was in Italy and that it may or may not be haunted amongst other things?

Kate and Tommy believe they’ve scored the opportunity of a life time. They bought a house and moved from the United States to Italy. The house was only one euro thanks to the new program the mayor is running to try and repopulate the old Italian city.

This seems like the perfect opportunity for the young couple, and will actually allow Tommy to get closer to his family that lives in the same town. But not everything is as it seems. Secrets are lying both within the walls of the house and within Tommy’s family.

This book was such a spooky delight. I’m Italian myself, so it was really cool to see some of the customs I’ve experienced first hand portrayed in the book! I loved the slow build haunting that took a wild turn in the last 50 pages.

My rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is coming out January 30th, 2024!

Be sure to snag it if you’re looking for a book filled with ghosts, demons, creepy houses, Italian food/customs, and so much more!

What Feasts At Night by T. Kingfisher is a fantastic follow-up to What Moves The Dead. It follows Alex, Angus, and Miss Potter as they journey to a lodge in disarray. Strange things are happening. There’s rumors of a breath stealing monster that preys upon people when asleep.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s atmospheric and a great winter read. I was glad to dive a bit further into Alex’s character. The monster appearing in dreams is sure to haunt yours tonight.

This book is a short read at 160 pages, but it packs a punch!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

Lore Perseous wanted out of the life that took her family. But when the Agon (a seven day period where nine Greek gods are hunted and if killed, will pass their powers onto the killer) begins in New York City, she is quickly forced back into the life she thought she left behind.

Lore is full of non-stop action! I wished there were a few more breather chapters. Lore is also full of twists and betrayal. I honestly did not see most of the twists coming.

Lore also felt mature. It did not shy away from violence and death. There were times I forgot I was reading a YA book.

I liked this book but I wouldn’t say I was in love with it. I can’t put my finger exactly on what held me back, but there was definitely something that kept me from becoming fully enamored and invested. Still, this is a solid book and I’m glad to have picked it up.

I read this as a buddy read and I have to say that buddy reads are amazing motivators

✨ Book Review ✨

Let’s talk about Wonderland by Zoje Stage.

This book was the pick for @creepitrealbookclub January Snowed In theme. And let me say that book hit the mark on the snowy atmosphere! At times the book definitely had some The Shining vibes.

Overall I enjoyed the book. It follows a family who is moving from busy NYC life to a remote cabin in the snowy woods. Weird weather phenomenon begin happening nearly the second after they arrive. Something isn’t right… Someone or something is watching them.

I really enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of this book. The isolated feeling really sunk in the more you read. I also really loved the supernatural elements featured in the book as well. The book had a few spine chilling moments.

A few things that didn’t work for me was the sluggish pace of the plot and the repetitive use of the children’s names.

I gave this book 3.5 stars! A solid wintery read sure to make you want to curl up in front of the fireplace instead of playing in the snow.

✨Book Review✨

Come With Me is a book about loss and the lengths we will go to find some semblance of closure.

When Aaron Decker’s wife Allison dies in a tragic accident, he’s left alone, going through the motions. He receives a box of her belongings from work. In it he finds a receipt from a motel out of state. Curiosity gets the better of him and he quickly finds himself sucked into a rabbit hole of mystery and secrets. Allison has hidden some dark secrets. She may not be who she says she is.

This book was a ride. It starts out super strong, full of raw grief and emotion. Then we dive into the mystery of Allison and her past. It was a slow journey and I think that’s what brought the book down a star for me. Little things were revealed at each stop along the way.

The ending was sad yet felt complete.

Overall a beautifully written book. This was my first Ronald Malfi book and it definitely won’t be my last.