twinkle_flavored's reviews
23 reviews

I loved it. 
I loved it. I loved it.
This was a beautiful, magical, and well written story rich with Chinese folklore. Excuse me while I hole up and read everything this author has written to date. Any words of praise I have will only cheapen it. Read this, it’s wonderful. 

Disclaimer: if you do not like gothic horror literature, this is not for you and that’s fine- that being said I loved it! I loved it with my whole chest. 

This is Alice in Wonderland, tumbles into the Labyrinthine ballroom scene, and everyone starts doing acid in the haunting of Hill house. 

‘A wife? No, what he needed, wanted, was a place to hold him and his secrets. A little hidden door that led to all kinds of hidden places in a woman, and she had agreed. She had come and let him fill her.’

The writing style changing with the tone once she arrives, and begins to experience the house is brilliant. You experience things the way Orabella is experiencing them… I can’t really say more without giving it away, but didI mentioned, I love this book? 

‘She couldn’t force her mouth into the shapes to form words, to turn the sound that poured from it into something understandable by human ears.’

The writing is beautiful, it’s dripping with atmosphere, and I want to read it again, to catch things I didn’t catch before.  Expertly crafted gothic horror 😮‍💨. 

The last paragraph of the epilogue gutted me 

damnit elias💔🥲

I did not go into this expecting to love this book as much as I did/do. Full transparency, it was *meant* to be a pallet cleanser, but I absolutely love and adore everything about this book! A magical Halloween themed town where ‘paranormal’ and humans live side-by-side, cozy fall vibes, ✨magic✨, a murder mystery, laugh out loud moments, and literally the cutest of cute romances (honestly I’m smitten!), what more could a girl ask for?! Honestly, read this book. Do it. I recommend it for self-care. 

P.s. Dear sweet authors, Please give me 7 more stories in this magical town, with its even more magical residents, or my heart will absolutely break, please and thank you much 🙏💚

This is a cozy, fall flavored, open door Halloween romance. This served as a good pallet cleanser for this spooktober after finding myself psychologically shook by Shirley Jackson (like always lol).
The writing is much better than I expected, but ultimately read like a very spicy YA. That being said, I very much enjoyed the time I spent with the (admittedly underdeveloped) characters, and in Pleasantville. My only true gripe is that I felt the portion that

dealt with her sister, was rushed. 

To the point it made the ending, and things that surrounded those events, far less satisfying to me.

I understand she will have her own book

,  but I think you owe it to your readers of this  book to offer a certain amount of explanation/context/ closure- especially as it deals with our male and female MC. That being said- If you are looking for a quick, fun, seasonal read with a dash of (honestly well written) spice this October, ‘Spookily Yours’ will give you pumpkin latte flavored HEA ;)

Gosh dang it Shirley Jackson, you always leave me questioning my own sanity. My favorite still remains, ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’, but this classic is still well worth the read. I adore how she writes, creates an atmosphere that is so tangible it almost manifests itself, surrounding the reader as you consume each page. My heart aches for Nell. Some of her internal dialogue (eloquently scripted) is still running on repeat in my head.
A short, beautiful, and unique spooky season read, if you’re looking for a vibe. 

Full transparency, I find it difficult to give a proper ‘review’, bc this is truly a book you should go into blind (Although I do recommend checking trigger warnings). Abstract’ish, non spoiler impressions? Unexpected everything! A lovely descent in, and out of madness. And there’s a cat! So a successful psychological horror/thriller/something between the two as far as item concerned. Well written (really lovely writing), oddly satisfying ending, but also- that feeling you get after you read one of those books is…😱🤯🤪 well, my brain Is still in recovery. However, I found this book to be deliciously well executed. Totally recommend for those moments you need your brain turned inside out for the sake of literature and the joy of actual unpredictability.