I felt like this was a well done mystery/horror story. The characters were well developed. I didn’t want to put it down.

I must say that I am so tired of authors slamming Christianity with little digs. In this one it was a line about “Bible shit”. It was unnecessary to the story. In a story about intolerance, I found this rather ironic.

LOVED IT. Where was all of this YA horror when I was younger?

So many good things here, starting with this GORGEOUS cover. This is a f/f enemies-to-lovers romance, one of the protagonists has two dads that are TV ghost hunters (!!!!), and there is a significant amount of spooky, dark, atmospheric ghost hunting. I seriously could not ask for more from a YA horror/paranormal mystery.

I read this book so fast because I desperately needed to know what was going on, and the resolution of the mystery aspect was unique and satisfying. Without giving away too much, I did think there was a bit of hand-waving of certain parts at the end, but overall I thought it "stuck the landing", which is always the most important thing for me in these type of books. I feel like I have to say though, the GHOSTS CAN TEXT and it was completely unnecessary and took away from the mood for me whenever it happened.

But seriously, read this book. It was so unique and enjoyable, and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Definitely check for trigger warnings on this one (the ARC has them listed in the beginning of the book, which I think is great), because there are some dark moments.

*eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot had a lot of suspense and the multiples perspectives kept me on my toes. I also loved the representation of queer romances and how they can be treated in a small closed-minded town. It's fast paced and reads like a blend of mystery/thriller and urban fantasy. What a ride! I highly recommend.

I am never, ever going to be able to stop thinking about this book. The Dead and the Dark is absolutely incredible - it’s dark, and haunting, and sad and tinged with hope. The writing is rich, and every page sinks deeper and deeper into you, keeping your eyes glued to the page until the very end.

As far as spooky ghost stories go, this one is pretty good.

I really enjoyed Logan as a character and learning what really happened to her and in Snakebite

There are a few characters that may surprise you, and I loved the LGBTQ aspect to this book.

Definitely a recommended read!

The Dead and the Dark is the most enjoyable book I have read in a while. It’s certainly one of the best young adult mysteries/thrillers I have ever read. Even though the plots are totally different, it's right up there with Sadie in terms of how well-written it was.

What you really need to know about this book is that it’s a paranormal mystery/thriller about one lonely girl, her two ghost-hunting dads, and her unlikely new friends.

I loved everything about this book. The characters were phenomenal. The setting was creepy. The plot was amazing.

The plot, indeed, was one of the best things. I didn't find it boring or predictable or contrite. Sometimes mystery books (especially ya ones) can fall into a trap where the solution to the big mystery isn't all that satisfying, but I didn't feel that way at all. The plot was always keeping me on my toes as it slowly uncovered layers of mystery and haunting. You can tell from the beginning that there’s something deeper going on than what appears on the surface, and the book keeps you guessing.

I am so sorry that I just don’t have a coherent review right now, but the point is that I really liked this book. It was intriguing and creepy, and also incredibly relatable and full of hope and love. I will definitely be recommending this book to others, and I will be reading whatever Courtney Gould puts out next.

“Ghosts are death, but maybe death can mean different things. I don’t know. If pain is the measure, I promise Snakebite is full of ghosts.”

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould, tells the story of Logan and her two fathers returning to their home town of Snakebite supposedly in search of ghosts for their ghost hunting show. When teens begin disappearing in town after their arrival, the town starts to suspect Logan’s fathers. And as Logan starts to see that maybe not everyone in the town is so terrible, she also starts learn that her family has more secrets than she ever realized.

This book had so much more depth than I was anticipating and the characters are the type that get under your skin and won’t let go. Logan is both broody and funny. I wanted to route for her and shake her through out the book. I love how the book addressed diversity and homophobia. I loved the haunting aspects of the story too. I was truly captivated by this book and am still thinking about it days later. It’s one I would highly recommend. It gets five full stars from me.

This review has been posted to Goodreads. It will be posted to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and my Instagram account after publication

Courtney Gould's debut novel is a nailbiter! Logan has just arrived in Snakebite, Oregon with her dads and everything is not okay. The dark is lurking throughout the town, teenagers are disappearing and everyone believes Logan's ghost hunting dads are responsible. So what does any teenager do? She sets out to find out what is happening and prove her dads' innocence. This novel is dark and dangerous, spooky and a bit creepy. The first quarter or so was confusing, I won't lie. You're introduced to the darkness with no explanation and it's like you're left blindfolded with no one guiding you to any answers. But the answers slowly come around so buckle up for this wild ride. This novel is worth it - I loved that it was queer friendly, paranormal but not out of this world too much, a thriller but not really horror, well paced, and characters well fleshed out.

I feel that I am just cranking out these ebooks left and right this year and also that I am reading more new releases than I normally do. Mostly my reading consists of backlist titles, but this year, I want to read what everyone else is because I feel that when I do read a book that is hyped, it usually falls flat. This time, I read a book that is not going to be released until August and I can be one of the people hyping up a book.

Going into this, I did not know much except that it is a YA paranormal and it is LGBTQIA+. Also that it took place in a small town in Oregon called Snakebite. When I first started reading it, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the main character's parents have their own paranormal investigator TV show. Something like Ghost Adventures but fake like Ghost Hunters. I am loyal to Ghost Adventures. Also I know that it mentions the tv show in the synopsis, but I try to stay away from synopsis if I can help it. Anyways, right off the bat where some of the dialogue was included when out MC Logan was watching her dads was VERY CRINGE! That is the only con I had with it.

The small town vibes was cliche. Not all small towns are like the one described and there is a sentence in the book that states that all the other small towns that they stayed in were exactly like Snakebite where the citizens hated every outsider and they were very old school and brought the pitchforks to the people if they were gay. While reading I thought I knew who the bad guy was and BOY WAS I WRONG! It was plot twist after plot twist. It also spooked me a couple times and I read this at night when I had some peace and quiet and my husband was sleeping. There was a particular moment where I was reading about Logan, the MC, hearing thump thumping noises and then my husband moans the word no in his sleep. I was freaked and did not sleep good whatsoever.

I ended up giving this a 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed the paranormal and spookiness. It was thrilling and mysterious and it did bring a tear to my eyes maybe once or twice.

I received a copy of this book from Wednesday Books and Netgalley.

Yes. Oh yes. A bunch of ghost hunters in a small town? Yes, please! A pervasive sense of dread? A mystery that slithers it's way into your very being?
This book has it all!

Ghost hunter's come to Snakebite, OR to solve the mystery of Snakebite that involves a missing teen. But there is a whole lot more than meets the eye. Something much more sinister is at work. Their daughter, Logan, gets dropped right into the middle of it. Family drama, small town prejudices, and mayhem ensues.

This book was a pleasant surprise. More spooky than scary. More mystery than horror. Well written. The small town atmosphere created a unique dynamic that was eerie with a side of bigotry.
Fun to read. A page turner.

Simply wonderful, and unlike anything I have ever read before. The dynamics of these characters were beautiful, intriguing, and mesmerizing. I couldn't put this down, and can't believe I waited so long to embark on this journey after receiving a copy. I will be recommending this to all of my Young Adult readers and friends.

I already know that this book will make my 2021 Top 10 list. This book is an incredible ride from start to finish and left me blown away. Courtney Gould knows how to craft a perfect horror-thriller that keeps the reader guessing and theorizing until the very end. I don’t usually gravitate toward horror books – I fall on the wimpy side – but this one was the right amount of scary to leave me creeped out, yet not so scary that it was unreadable. Just look at that masterpiece of a cover and tell me you’re not already a tiny bit obsessed with this book!

This book is perfect for fans of paranormal TV shows such as Ghost Adventures. We’re first introduced to ghost-hunting dads Brandon Woodley (~40, gay) and Alejo Ortiz (~40, bi, Hispanic) though a snippet of their TV show ParaSpectors, where they’re simultaneously investigating a haunted basement and putting on a lovey-dovey show for the audience. They’ve had to move around frequently due to the show, leaving their daughter Logan Ortiz-Woodley (17, lesbian) without a strong sense of home and disconnected from her dads, especially the more aloof Brandon. When Alejo and Logan join Brandon in Snakebite, Oregon, where he’s been location scouting for six months, Logan finds herself quickly wrapped up in the mysteries of the unwelcoming, creepy little town.

Snakebite is the only home Ashley Barton (18) has ever known, and she was in love with it until her boyfriend Tristan Granger suddenly went missing. Ashley is determined to find out what happened to him and refuses to give up when everyone else deems the case hopeless. Ashley is also curious about why the inhabitants of Snakebite are hostile toward the Ortiz-Woodley family and so quick to blame Brandon Woodley for Tristan’s disappearance. As Ashley is determined to find out what happened to Tristan and Logan is determined the prove her dads innocent, they end up teaming up to figure out what’s going on in Snakebite.

Many readers will come for the sapphic romance, and while the romance is not the focal point of the book, it did not disappoint. It’s a messy, tenuous kind of slow burn. It’s opposites-attract in a way, as Ashley is the earnest golden child of Snakebite and Logan is an acerbic perpetual outcast, but despite their differences, the girls are drawn closer by their pain, their hopes, and their dreams. I came to adore their relationship and I think that they complement each other perfectly.

As the title suggests, this book is dark. The very first scene sets the tone, dialing the creep factor up to 100, and that creepiness continued to lurk in the corner of my mind throughout the entire book. Do you ever have those dreams where things are definitely off, but you can’t put your finger on exactly how? Well, that’s exactly how I’d describe the town of Snakebite, Oregon. The place reeks of insidious grudges and implied sordid history and uneasy, deafening quiet. The fact that Ashley and Logan could bring themselves to investigate amazes me – I would have been the type to just lock myself away and cry – but I think their bravery points to the strength they were able to gain from each other <3.

Speaking of darkness, Ashley and Logan (and by extent, readers) spend a great deal of the story left in the dark. They’re desperate for clues, but the adults in their lives seem intent on hiding some key information. The constant hedging is oh so frustrating, but I found it to be the glorious type of frustrating that kept me hooked and left me desperate to find out why the adults were hedging in the first place.

I absolutely adored this book’s writing style. I savored it and sat in my feels and oh god, I found myself relating so hard to the characters’ collective sadness. As backstories are revealed and emotions are shared, I got increasingly attached to these characters, which only intensified the thrills and scares. And there was one chapter toward the end that hit me like an emotional truck – I was wholly unprepared (No, I didn’t cry, but I was surprisingly close)!

TL;DR: Read this book if you’re up for it. It’s freaking brilliant.

Content warnings can be found on the author's website.

The piecing together of all the stories felt somewhat clunky, and I think this is what caused it to have a rough start. After about 30% of the way through, things really started to come together in an interesting way. The murder mystery aspect was really neat, and I’m glad that the allusion to the paranormal didn’t end in a mental illness cop-out. I liked Ashley and Logan more than I expected to. As for the horror side of things, this book would be good for people who don’t have the stomach for gore in thrillers. There aren’t very many descriptors of violence, and Gould tends to lean towards “fade to black” style writing for young adult reading.

All in all, I thought this was a “keep you on the edge of your seat” mystery, and it truly had me hooked.

The full review will be posted on August 2nd, 2021.

[Content warning: possessing, missing person, hate crime against LGBTQ+ people, death, asphyxia (strangulation, drowning), gun, alcohol (underage recreational drinking)]

I adore the concept of the story, the horror of the Dark, and the overall mystery. THE DEAD AND THE DARK is a story about being alive.

Logan Ortiz-Woodley (17, lesbian) grew up on the road and struggles to understand what home is. Her dads Alejo Ortiz (bi) and Brandon Woodley (gay) host the ghosthunter show ParaSpectors and they were constantly on the move. When Brandon’s short visit to their hometown Snakebite becomes six months, the Ortiz-Woodley family moves from LA to the small town. But Tristan Granger has been missing since Brandon’s arrival, and no one is particularly happy to see the Ortiz-Woodleys back in town, including Tristan’s girlfriend and Barton Ranch owner’s daughter Ashley Barton (18).

The writing is absolutely beautiful. I love the permeating sadness throughout the narrative, how the descriptors were all slightly morbid, and the yearning for love, belonging, and family is so prominent in every section. Gould’s writing makes me ache, and the characters she creates are just as amazing.

Ghosthunter dads and their lesbian daughter form the best queer family. But Logan feels like Brandon doesn’t like her, and when they move back to Snakebite, she is othered by the townspeople. She is untethered from life and even Alejo’s jokes couldn’t keep her happy. We see the formation of an unlikely friendship between Logan and Ashley, who has likely never known any other queer person in her life, as they work together to try and find Tristan.

Having a whole cast of characters with distinct personalities is a huge feat in itself, and I love that almost every single character in THE DEAD AND THE DARK is so real that I feel like I’ve met them by the time I finished the book. It’s not just Logan, Alejo, Brandon, and Ashley, but also Ashley’s mother Tammy, Tristan, etc. They are not perfect humans, but perfectly real.

The main mystery is intriguing and kept me hooked until the end. It was slightly frustrating when the adults (Alejo, Brandon, Tammy, and a few others) deliberately keep information from our primary narrators Logan and Ashley, but in the end, I understood the choice and thoroughly enjoyed the heartbreaking yet tender and hopeful story.

THE DEAD AND THE DARK is possibly the most scary book I have ever read. The paranormal aspect is too close to reality to stay apathetic, and the symbolism of the Dark too terrifying to ignore. For maximum horror, read at night with soft flickering lights and static noises playing in the background. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys paranormal stories, sapphic love, and beautiful prose.

Thank you to Courtney Gould and Wednesday Books for approving me an advanced readers copy of The Dead and The Dark via NetGalley to read and review.

I requested a copy of this book mainly for the GORGEOUS cover, but also because I wanted a break from reading YA sci-fi fantasy stories. I'm so glad I requested this YA paranormal mystery standalone book. It made me realize I should incorporate more eerie paranormal books into my TBR list.

Besides the paranormal mystery plot, I enjoyed the character growth from Ashley, one of the main characters in this book. This book is a multi-POV story, which I prefer over single POV and was happy to not only hear from Logan and Ashley's POVs, but also this unknown dark, mysterious POV that added an intriguing layer of mystery to the plot.

I look forward to reading more books from this debuting author!

This book has a thing that I love that not enough books have. The villain gets glthe a few short, eerie, non descript POVs that leave you questioning and feeling unsettled. Similar to what Renee Ahdieh did spectacularly in The Beautiful. It was brilliant.

I absolutely loved Logan and Ashley. Their romance was precious, believable, and I rooted for them the whole time.
While most of the time the author did a great job of keeping their voices distinct, she used a few phrases regularly that stuck out to me in both povs such as “character could taste their heartbeat”. When things like that get repeated it takes me out of the narrative.

I loved Alejo, and think many of the side characters were great (Bug, Ashley’s mom), but others felt a little fleshed out than I’d prefer (Fran, the sheriff, Elexis’s friend who died). I think this book lagged a bit in the middle which didn’t do it any favors. Also I didn’t understand why Alejo left flowers at the grave and don’t get why they didn’t just tell Logan the truth way sooner. Everything at the end could’ve been avoided if they’d told her years earlier, and brandon never gave a good explanation for why they didn’t.

However I think lots of great stuff was featured here. Queerness, dealing with homophobia, small town life, unrequited love. I loved that the town seemed like it’s own character especially when it’s darkness literally came to life. Overall, I recommend it!

ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
I guess I'm going to be the odd woman out here, but The Dead and the Dark for me just fell flat. We have the heroine, Logan who we find out is a lesbian being raised by her two dads. They return to her fathers' hometown for what she first believes is an investigation as to the disappearance of a local teen. Her fathers are paranormal investigators. Then we find out about the Dark. The big bad wolf of the story is literal Darkness. Is it a being? A demon? How was it first created? It explains the connection it has to the characters but not how it was first created and why it wanted to wreak so much havoc in the small town. Too many plot holes and not enough answers.

Gravedigging? Ghost hunters? LGBT-themed characters? “The Dead and the Dark” was simply out of this world, and I loved it!

Let’s start with the plot. I love mystery thrillers, and being that this was a paranormal-themed one, it made it so much better! I had no idea what was going to happen or who was being the killings. The author also throws a few convincing red herrings when the reveal catches you off guard and makes the story memorable! Moreover, the story is fast-paced, where so much happens. I also loved how the author gave “The Dark” its perspective at the interludes.

Coming to the characters, they are all amazing! I loved Ashley and Logan as individuals, and I loved them both together. Ashley mourns the loss of Tristan but still gives Logan a chance. Logan, on the other hand, knows she won’t fit in and wants to leave. The way they become friends is so fluid and gradual that you cannot help but love the pair. They drive the story so well. Some of the highlights were when they dig the grave or when Ashley sees Brandon’s footage.

Similarly, even Brandon and Alejo are adorable in their manner. Brandon was surprisingly complex, and it was interesting to see the various emotions he goes through. On a side note, the author also adds humor to the tale, like when Logan brings Elexis and Nick with her to Ashley. I had a wonderful time reading this one.

Overall, “The Dead and the Dark” is the perfect YA paranormal mystery thriller romance to pick up, and it won’t disappoint!

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Storygraph!