An atmospheric, haunting historical mystery that hooked me right from the start!

The gothic vibes are spot on—Goodman creates a setting that’s both beautiful and eerie. The mystery surrounding the orphanage and town kept me guessing, and the subtle supernatural elements were well done. Verity’s relationship with her sister was a highlight, though I wish the secondary characters had been fleshed out more.

While the pacing was a bit slow in spots, I loved the creepy atmosphere and the suspenseful plot made it a pretty good read.

An entertaining read with engaging characters and eerie twists. I really enjoyed the setting and concept of this book, and it made for a good, spooky October read. And how about that cover?? Gorgeous.

Love an interesting supernatural Ozarks book! This had everything--the premise was on point and the execution was spooky and well done.
The publisher generously provided me with a copy of the book upon request on NetGalley. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

Unveiling the Mysteries: Dive into "Eventide" by Sarah Goodman


Step into the atmospheric and haunting world of "Eventide" by Sarah Goodman, where secrets lurk beneath every shadow and madness whispers through the trees. This spellbinding tale transports readers to Wheeler, Arkansas, in 1907, where darkness dwells and mysteries abound.

Atmospheric and Spooky: From the moment you crack open the pages of "Eventide," you'll be enveloped in an atmosphere thick with tension and mystery. Goodman masterfully crafts a setting that feels both eerie and captivating, drawing readers into a world where every creak of the floorboards and whisper of the wind sends shivers down the spine.

Well-Written and Engaging: Goodman's prose is nothing short of enchanting, weaving a tale that effortlessly transports readers to another time and place. Through vivid descriptions and richly drawn characters, she brings the town of Wheeler to life in vivid detail. Prepare to be completely whisked away on a journey that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

For Fans of "Small Favors" by Erin A. Craig: If you loved the dark and atmospheric vibe of "Small Favors" by Erin A. Craig, then "Eventide" is a must-read for you. Both novels share a penchant for spine-tingling suspense, haunting secrets, and a richly drawn setting that becomes as much a character as the people who inhabit it.


Why You Should Pick Up "Eventide":

Immerse yourself in a world of mystery and intrigue set against the backdrop of rural Arkansas in 1907.
Experience the spine-tingling atmosphere and eerie superstitions that permeate the town of Wheeler.
Follow the gripping story of Verity Pruitt as she unravels the dark secrets of her family's past and the sinister forces at play in the town.
Enjoy Goodman's beautifully written prose and richly drawn characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Discover why "Eventide" is the perfect read for fans of atmospheric and spooky tales with a hint of mystery and romance.


"Eventide" is a captivating blend of mystery, suspense, and supernatural intrigue that will leave you breathless until the very last page. With its atmospheric setting, well-written prose, and engaging characters, this is a book that is sure to haunt your dreams long after you've turned the final page. So, don't miss out on the chance to uncover the mysteries of Wheeler and lose yourself in the spellbinding world of "Eventide."

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

When their father descends into madness after the death of their mother, Verity Pruitt and her little sister Lilah find themselves on an orphan train to rural Arkansas.

In Wheeler, eleven-year-old Lilah is quickly adopted, but seventeen-year-old Verity is not. Desperate to stay close to her sister, Verity indentures herself as a farmhand. But even charming farm boy Abel Atchley can’t completely distract her from the sense that something is not quite right in this little town. Strange local superstitions abound, especially about the eerie old well at the center of the forest. The woods are play tricks, unleashing heavy fog and bone-chilling cold…and sometimes visions of things that aren’t there.

But for Verity, perhaps most unsettling of all is the revelation that her own parents have a scandalous history in this very town. And as she tries to unearth the past, sinister secrets come with it—secrets that someone will go to violent lengths to protect….

Such a great concept and even better execution! This book was a well rounded YA thriller that I'll be recommending to people who like this genre.

I really liked this one a lot! This is one of those stories that sucks you in from the very first page, and sometimes you just need a book to pull you in. I'm so glad that this book was there for me when I needed that. I loved that this book wove together magic and mystery, although I do feel like magic was used to answer too many questions towards the end of the book. This can be a pet peeve for me, but it didn't inhibit my overall enjoyment. I thought this was a really unique and fun book!

This was a kind of gothic Appalachian kind of tale. It had dark overtones that were supported by dark themes. A decent read.

Set in a small town of the early 1900’s Arkansas, this story was a perfect start to my fall season with all its paranormal activities and splashes of magic. This young adult historical fiction/mystery novel kept me up late at night reading, and I could not get enough of its atmospheric setting and all the amazing characters. I even dare to say that I got some Anne of Green Gables vibe at the beginning of this book, before all the spookiness started. The mystery of this book was slowly and skillfully unwrapped by the author, and I was mesmerized by the story's plot and setting.

Eventide is a wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to read more books by this author. If you love books that blend multiple genres together and create a perfect blend of mystery and paranormal themes then this is a perfect read for you.

First let me say that I enjoyed Eventide by Sarah Goodman. it is an atmospheric young adult fantasy with thriller aspects. It begins by placing readers right in the thick of things. The book is set in Wheeler, Arkansas. A small town with dark secrets and a haunting forest.

Verity and her sister have been sent to Wheeler following the death of their mother and the mental breakdown of their father. Verity soon discovers that something isn't right in the woods that surround Wheeler. As she attempts to figure out the strange things she's encountered she uncovers some dark truths about her family as well.

I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere, paranormal aspects, hints of magic and the sisterly bond in this historical fiction.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Teen for my digital arc of the book to review.

This was just okay, it wasn't earth shattering, the story was fine, there was nothing wrong with it, but it was just eh for me. Not something I'll remember for long after reading.

Verity Pruitt and her younger sister Lilah have lost so much. Their mother has passed away and their father is so consumed by grief that he is no longer able to take care of them. He also starts to have visions, so he is whisked away to an asylum. Since Verity and Lilah are under 18 and don’t have any relatives who can take them in, they are sent on an orphan train to Wheeler, Arkansas.

Once they arrive, they discover that Lilah has been adopted, but Verity is out of luck. Or so she thinks. She manages to convince a couple with a nearby farm to let her help them until she is old enough to take care of Lilah.

Verity quickly senses that something is off about her new town. Nobody wants to go near the forest. There is a well at the center of it, and she keeps seeing a little girl near it. She also begins to have visions that have her questioning her own sanity. As she begins to investigate, Verity learns that her family has ties to Wheeler.

Goodman successfully crafted a spooky atmosphere that isn’t too harrowing for those who might be reluctant to pick something like this up. The mystery seemed straightforward at first, but some details genuinely surprised me.

I wanted to like the characters, but I couldn’t connect with any of them. There was also a random love triangle thrown in that barely served any purpose. I also felt like the ending was rushed and that everything felt a little too convenient.

I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to read something dark and atmospheric, but not too spooky. The book has a slow, but intensifying pace. Despite the ending feeling rushed, the epilogue wrapped up the story quite nicely.

A beautiful, tragic piece of historical fiction. When young Verity and Lilah lose their mother to death and then their father to madness, they’re packed up and send on an orphan train to Arkansas. Younger Lilah is adopted, Verity is not. She does find a home and work nearby so she can stay in contact with her sister. But then she finds out that her family has a history in the town. And the more she discovers about that history, the more in danger they both become.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I admit in my joy at joining NetGalley I may have been overzealous in my requesting numbers. As this book has already been published, I am choosing to work on the current upcoming publish date books in my que. As I complete those I will work on my backlogged request and will provide a review at that time. I again send my sincere thanks and apologies.

A thrilling and haunting look at how heartbreak can hurt others.

This is a wonderful read. I asked for an advanced copy of this book initially due to the inclusion of the Orphan Train, which I have included in my own work programming. The story from the moment Verity and Lilah stepped off the train hooked me and kept me in a well (sorry) of curiosity. One of my favorite novels read this year, if not decade.

I absolutely loved how spooky EVENTIDE was--the setting was flawless and it was the perfect example of good, strong historical thrillers. The setting was totally immersive and unique, and I felt that Goodman clearly researched the time and made it come alive for her readers. The mystery at the heart of the book was absolutely creepy, and it was enhanced by the author's playing on lore, myth, and mental illness.

I really liked the main character, but it was the supporting characters that drove this one home for me. Verity's protectiveness of her sister was a high point, but I loved her adoptive family more than anything.

While I thoroughly enjoyed EVENTIDE for about 75% of the book, the last 25% was rushed, a bit campy, and a tad too predictable for my taste. I think Goodman is a terrific writer and I would 100% read one of her books again, but I think she'd be better suited to a duology where she can really delve into the conclusion and flesh it out more.

I was very interested in this book based on the synopsis. Unfortunately, for me, the world building and characters fell flat and did not keep my interest. DNF at 78% after several attempts to give it a fair shot for an honest review. I will not be sharing my thoughts/opinions on this title outside of NetGalley.

Eventide
Author: Sarah Goodman
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5
Reviewed: Maya

[Trigger Warning: death of a baby, death of a parent, mental illness, murder, sex-shaming,]

I went into this book not really knowing much about what it was and having zero expectations, so I was very pleasantly surprised. The writing style is so good, making the story very easy to read and creating the mysterious, page-turning atmosphere. The storyline was well-developed and it was clear that Goodman put a lot of planning into her novel. The blending of the genres was done so seamlessly, and reminded me of my love for historical fiction. The characters, especially Verity, were created so well and I was shocked to learn this book was a debut! The relationship between Verity and her younger sister, Lilah, was so powerful and I really enjoyed Verity’s journey of finding both her original family and discovering that blood does not determine family either. At some points, their sibling relationship seemed a bit too strong (i.e. unrealistic), but it did not affect the novel for me. My only complaint is that the book didn’t last long enough - I just needed a bit more at the beginning and ending, which would have made it 4.5 or even 5 star read. I would recommend this, especially if you want a thrilling mystery set back in the day.

4.5 ⭐

This was a really fun, historical horror read. I loved the feel of the story, reminisant of the movie "the ring" but in a totally different setting and with it's own twists. I highly enjoyed the characters. Verity is an amazing MC and I loved not only watching her grow into her own, but also her sense of adventure, her need to find out what was going on/what happened and her love story. The side characters were just as good. I loved that the romance was there, but it wasn't fully the main focus of the book. I loved the family secrets and the mystery. This is a book that will stay with me and I would enjoy reading again in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.