Smile for the Cameras by Miranda Smith

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Ella is a former actress looking to break back into the entertainment business after her mother dies. The only catch is that she needs to attend the reunion of a slasher movie she did 20 years ago. There she reunites with her former cast to begin the weekend, only old secrets begin to surface. A deadly secret Ella and her cast mates share resurfaces, and people start dying in ways similar to those in their slasher movie, Grad Night. Ella needs to figure out if she will let the killer and guilt get to her or reprise her role as the Final Girl.

The book is told in three different ways: Then, Now, and the script of the movie the book is based on. At first, I thought I wasn't going to like it that way, that there could be some confusion with the story and timeline. But that wasn't the case. It was necessary for the story, especially when people start dying the way the deaths happened in the movie. Very well done.

What I loved most about this book was how it read. The characters were good, yes. I cared about Ella. I felt connected to Ella, especially with her anxiety. Even that wasn't the best part. The book read like a slasher movie. A campy, somewhat predictable (not a bad thing, plus there are some surprises) slasher movie we all know and love. Not to mention the nostalgia factor. Us horror buffs often wish for reunions or reboots (if done right) of our favorite horror movies and/or franchises (I'm looking at you, Nightmare on Elm Street). And you can clearly see the movies that the author borrowed ideas from. If the author isn't a horror fan, I'd honestly be surprised.

The book was a fun and quick read. Perfect for any horror fan, but especially those who are fond of slasher flicks. Do yourselves a favor this summer and get yourselves a copy of this book. I know I will. I plan on giving this another read over the summer by the fire pit before I settle in for a Friday the 13th marathon.

5/5

The Serial Killer Support Group by DB Stephens

 Thank you netgalley, the publishers, and DB Stephens for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book contains subject matter that some readers may find disturbing. Book talks about domestic violence. Review contains spoilers.

On New Years Eve a young woman named Jess is abused by her boyfriend, which lands her in the hospital. Knowing she can not continue to stay in this relationship, she leaves. A flyer that had been shoved into her hands, advertises a domestic violence support group. Needing help, she attends, meeting women who are just like her. The group gives her life back. She forms a bond with these women, gains back her confidence, and stands up to her abusive ex.

We are also introduced to The Caretaker. A nameless man, a vigilante. He has one purpose, and that's to make these abusive men pay. At first he attacks these men the same way they attacked their partners. Then it elevates to murder. The victims, all the abusers of the women in the group. The police, especially a Sgt Salam, needs to figure out who the killer is. But is the killer a man or someone else? That's where the serial killer support group comes into play.

I have to say, I loved this book. It hits you right in the face from the start. It can get a bit brutal when describing the violence towards the men, but scales back when referring to the women. Don't get me wrong, it can be a bit graphic, but there is a respect given. Jess, the main character, grows as a person. And I found myself loving her and cheering for her when she stood up for herself. I suppose the criticism I have is with Sgt Salam. Not so much her as a character. She is a domestic abuse survivor, and while that's super important for this book, the brief introduction from her abuser wasn't. It was two lines and then nothing. Unnecessary. You don't have to introduce the abuser to show the damage he has done. Overall, I loved this book. And this is one of the books I will purchase a copy of when it comes out. Not something I do often. I suggest you do the same when it comes out.

5/5

The Cut by CJ Dotson

Thank you Netgalley, the publishers, and CJ Dotson for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Some readers may find the content upsetting. Contains spoilers.

Sadie Miles takes her toddler and runs from her abusive fiance, finding herself in a sleepy lake side town in Ohio, looking for a fresh start. In order for her to start her new life, she needs a job. This is where she finds herself a house keeping job at the L'Arpin hotel. From the first night she starts noticing strange things happening at the hotel. Guests mysteriously disappearing, co workers disappearing, and strange tentacle creatures that come from the water. No one believes anything Sadie claims she has seen. Writing it off as paranoia due to her pregnancy. But the truth is, they are all hiding something sinister. This includes Gertie, the kind old lady who took care of her daughter for her while she worked. Sadie finds herself in the fight of her life against the hotel, the tentacle creatures, and her abusive ex Sam(but don't worry, he gets what's coming to him).

I have to say I love this book. I got an uneasy feeling from the beginning, in the best way possible. And what I thought would be a haunted house story, changed into a monster story, leaving me pleasantly surprised. CJ Dotson did a wonderful job referencing domestic violence without being graphic. Proving you can tackle sensitive subject matter respectfully. I would have liked more character development with Sadie, but I suppose can't fault her for not growing, given her situation. Maybe more of an explanation about the lake and the creatures. With that being said, I really did enjoy this book and would read again. 

4/5 

What Happened At Hawthorne House by Hadassah Shiradski

 Review contains spoilers....

Thank you net galley and Hadassah Shiradski for a copy in exchange for !y honest review.

This novella is about a children's game that turns sinister and the consequences of the game. Contains subject matter that may be upsetting to some readers.

This book takes place at an orphanage in 1929. A group of girls come up with a game called The Clover Court, where much like real life royalty, the Queen holds the power. It starts out innocent enough. Girls vying for the position of queen, where they hold power in the game and amongst the girls in their day to day. At first I was bored. Girls being mean. Yawn. We get it. But then it turns sinister. And yes, that's where it got my attention. These girls turn violent on top of their cruelness. And it ends with their death. That held my attention.

And then we get the second half. While I love that we get what leads to the haunted house,it falls flat on the haunted house part. The house is being rebuilt and a medium is overseeing the development. His goal is the rebuild the Hawthorne House while he attempts to finish the game and set the girls free. This never happens. It just ends after a group of what I assume mediums enter, years after the house is rebuilt. Just nothing. It ends. No solution, good or bad. Very unsatisfying to a book that started out strong.

The first half had me on the edge of my seat. The second half was a struggle for me to finish. So much more could have been done to bring this novella full circle. To end it. Honestly would not read again and would only recommend you read the first half. The ending of the first half is enough to get you what you need from this novella.

3/5 rating