Monstera by Delilah S. Dawson

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (Goodreads summary)

A reclusive young woman moves into what seems like the perfect apartment and is obsessively drawn to her mysterious neighbour, who keeps a lush garden and is hiding a deadly secret… Eat the Ones You Love meets Wilder Girls in this sensual, sapphic, botanical horror novella from the New York Times-bestselling author of Bloom and House of Idyll.

When Lucy McClintock moves into a dreamy Victorian in downtown Savannah after years of suffering under the rule of her overbearing grandfather, she feels like she's won the lottery—well, outside of the creepy landlord. She soon notices a glorious green haven in the backyard and meets her downstairs neighbor, Saskia, a weightlifter who lives in a magical apartment overflowing with plant life and beautiful artwork. Naïve and lonely Lucy is drawn to strong and secretive Saskia, and as the two women grow closer, they discover they share more than just an apartment building…

A seductive, heady, sinister breathless romance and bone-chilling suspense collide in this sweet and deadly tale.

my thoughts:

Enjoyed this short novel by Delilah S. Dawson. I was expecting horror and instead got a romance with a splash of horror. Monstera is about Lucy and Saskia, two neighbors drawn to each other, and the secrets they harbor. It's sexy, eerie, and suspenseful. And, it's a treat to read. I gobbled it up in one sitting and found it to be a fun and delightful story. 

Dawson is a great writer and Monstera is a clear example of her talent. The book has unforgettable characters and an unputdownable story. We get romance vibes and some creepiness woven together that help build up the mystery factor of the story. And, we also get a bit of botanical horror now and again, which adds to the darkness of the story. Overall, Dawson has created a horror romance that is more lovely than scary. 

I would happily recommend Monstera to fans of Dawson - you are going to love this book to bits! Make sure to grab a copy ASAP. 

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Fitcher's Bird by A. G. Slatter

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Once upon a time, three young sisters survived a catastrophic house fire… Years later, one of them disappears and then another and it is left to the eldest sister to find out whether something else survived… A dark, twisty, page-turning modern gothic horror from the multi award-winning author of The Cold House.

When sisters Chloe, Zoe and Dido were children, their father died and their mother could no longer care for them, so they were sent to live with the local doctor’s family: mother, father and three sons. Soon after, however, Ashwood Farm burned to the ground, and only the three young girls survived.

Years later, the sisters live very separate lives, each dealing with their painful past in different ways. But when first Chloe, and then Zoe disappears, it’s left to Dido to rake through their history and find out if her sisters are still in the world or paying the price for what happened that long ago summer night.

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved Fitcher's Bird by A. G. Slatter. I found myself settling in and gobbling up this lovely short novel in one sitting. It was the perfect read for a rainy evening - a dark fairy tale mystery that intrigued me right from the start. I found myself easily engaged with all three sisters, Chloe, Zoe, and Dido. Their history, their disappearances, and their lives, which were full of sadness, loss, and horror with a splash of hope. I loved the power of the folk tale and how one's faith in it could garner power within. I don't know the Grimm's fairy tale of Fitcher's Bird, but from what I read in Slatter's story I want to read it. I just loved how this story felt like a story - it swept me away and ignited my imagination and reminded me how much I love fairy tales. 

I would happily recommend Fitcher's Bird by Slatter to fans of her work and to anyone looking for a great new read - you are going to LOVE this novella to bits! I know I did. Make sure to grab a copy and dive right in ASAP - you won't want to miss out on this delicious story. It's quite a gem!

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monday Musings...

The heat is back and it is even more unbearable than before. Ugh. And yet, I drag myself out of bed and make sure to walk in the early morning - hoping for some cool breeze, but getting stifled by the humidity instead. Oh well, needs must, right? I have to get my steps in - LOL!

The neighborhood is getting in the festive mood of Halloween. I see more and more decorations outside of each house - this year it's all about ghosts for some reason. We went the skeleton and spiders route instead. I did see the coolest Frankenstein - very tall (of course) in an autumnal plaid blazer looking like he was ready to dance it out. I loved it! Oh, and the other morning it was still dark outside when I went for my walk I thought I saw some other people walking towards me. I thought to myself who is that, and then laughed when I realized it was one of those giant garage poster decorations of zombies. It looked 3D in the dark and so I thought they were people walking out of the house. LOL! Talk about trippy. 

Oh, and I finished a book - a spooky one for the season, although it really wasn't that scary thankfully:

I'm still dipping in and out Ghost Stories by Siri Hustvedt. It's about loss, grief, and love - so it's taking me awhile to get through. I am loving it though, so I'm glad I'm taking my time with it. 

I'm not sure what I'll start next, but I'm loving that I have gobbled up two books recently - makes me feel like my love of reading is ignited once again. Hurrah!

The West Wing is the show I've decided to rewatch for the nth time. I love it and it makes me smile. Of course I need to watch the new Tracker episode that premiered last night - I can't wait! I love Colter!

Alright, I better get started at my desk. Wishing you all a great Monday. Happy reading!

My Friday Five...

1. Just finished reading...

2. Started a fresh journal for October and I am loving it. I'd been feeling stuck in my journaling, but a new month makes me feel like it's time for a fresh start. So, this is working out perfectly at the moment. 

3. I'm still rewatching Aurora Teagarden on Hallmark and enjoying the mysteries she gets herself caught up in. And, I finally finished A Different World (the new one) and loved it. I can't wait for the next season. 

4. The spiders my sister put up on her house for Halloween decor keeping falling - Yikes! We need to figure out how to keep them stuck on the house. 

5. I've decided to give up sugar again - ugh! I already miss it. LOL!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Happy reading!

The Memory Tree by Heather Davey

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

A sinister Gothic folk horror from the bestselling author of The Ghosts of Merry Hall, in which a family in modern day England find their new home beset by the terrifying ghosts of the past. Ideal for lovers of gothic chillers by Laura Purcell, Susan Hill and Rebecca Netley.

When her husband, Ben, takes on his first parish in the rural community of Hope-Upon-Barrow, Kate Greenway feels like it could be a fresh start for the family. But from the moment they arrive, something just feels… off. It could be the mysterious housekeeper, Mrs Butterworth, so demanding and controlling of the family. It could be the locals, with their strange rituals and rites. Or it could be the yew tree which stands in their garden, whose presence brings headaches, visions and disturbing, unfamiliar memories that do not belong to Kate. 

As she investigates the strange things happening to her, Kate begins to delve into the history and memories of Hope-upon-Barrow, and the more she uncovers, the more she risks losing herself to something deadly and ancient. 

An extraordinary new Gothic chiller from the bestselling author of The Ghosts of Merry Hall.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a spooky story. Perfect for this holiday season. The Memory Tree by Heather Davey is dark, creepy, and chilling. It's got everything that a great horror story needs - dual timelines to tie the story together, because history always repeats itself and is rather dreadful at times. An old yew tree that is center stage. A small town filled with superstitions and secrets. And, of course, a bit of mystery to keep you on your toes. Oh, and did I mention the characters - unlikeable and unreliable - the exact kind you want in a story that is filled with weird and uncanny moments. How fun and frightful!

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read. You are going to LOVE this one! Make sure to grab a copy and dive right in. Happy reading!

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!