ABOUT THE BOOK
It's been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she's a publishing pariah and hasn't been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true.
Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling "book without a soul," as Pen called it. All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her.
But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they're stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethinking their feelings, and… maybe they shouldn't have been enemies at all? But if they can't stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out.
MY REVIEW
Penelope's public meltdown at BookCon marked a thrilling start to her journey which took her to a haunted castle in Scotland. The clash with best-selling author Neil Storm, accused of selling out Native people with stereotypical portrayals, led to her self-imposed writing exile plagued by guilt.
I found Penelope's character development challenging. Despite her evident passion for the Native cause, her volatile and judgmental attitudes towards Neil often left me frustrated. Her tendency to hurl accusations before fleeing the scene struck me as counterproductive, hindering her progress as a character.
On the other hand, Neil's patient and reserved demeanor, though initially uninteresting, offered a stark contrast to Penelope's fiery temper. His admiration for her work and dedication to the Native cause hint at depths waiting to be explored. I found myself eagerly awaiting his development, yearning for him to assert himself in the face of Penelope's confrontations.
The realistic portrayal of Native horror writers and their struggles within the industry was a commendable aspect of the story. However, the rapid transition from enemies to lovers between Penelope and Neil felt rushed. Years of animosity diffusing within a day seemed improbable, although the entertaining banter and sexual tension between them were captivating.
The supernatural elements, including spooky encounters and the presence of ghosts, provided an added layer of intrigue. Certain scenes sent shivers down my spine, but the resolution of the ghost story left me wanting more. The lack of explanation of the ghost's connection to Penelope felt like a missed opportunity and could have added depth to the plot.
If you are looking for a quick read with supernatural elements and spicy romance, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Wilkens for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Colby Wilkens is an author of YA and Adult Romance and Horror. PNW born and raised, she writes full-time in Seattle with her partner and 2 cats. She is very active on social media, where you'll find her often posting about her latest reads and travel.
Follow Colby on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
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