This is one of the best YA books I’ve read in the past few years! It kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire story. HIGHLY recommend this to ALL readers!

What sets this novel apart is its masterful ambiguity regarding who the true protagonists and antagonists are, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Davis skillfully weaves a complex narrative where the lines between right and wrong blur, leaving readers questioning their own perceptions.The uncertainty of how the story will conclude adds an extra layer of suspense, making it difficult to put the book down.

Davis's attention to detail in character development is commendable, drawing readers into the inner workings of each character's mind and motivations. The gradual integration of Phoenix into the family adds a captivating dimension to the plot, akin to watching a suspenseful movie unfold on the pages of a book.

One aspect that left me wanting more was the dissolution of the relationship between Phoenix and Mel. Given the depth of their connection, I found myself yearning for a more satisfying resolution to their story arc. This is a minor issue when the rest of the novel just blew me away! Fantastic book!

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.

This book was not what I was expecting at all! I never read the blurb so I really had no idea what I was getting into. The cover made me assume it would be somewhat scary. It wasn’t but It was amazing.

The book follows Phoenix and her mom Nina as they charm and steal to get by. Immediately I felt for them and the things they had to do to survive. Eventually they end up in Jasper Hollow to get revenge against Ellis Bowman for ruining Nina's life. Throughout the story I kept trying to figure out every single twist but it wasn’t easy. This book consumed me! It’s been some time since a book has hooked me in like that.

The book has a few several flashback chapters that show what happened to Nina in the past. We get to hear exactly why she wants revenge.
I really loved having her POV, Nina’s life was so interesting to me.

Phoenix herself was an interesting character. She was very relatable and I just wanted to hug her.

This book was so well written, the author does an amazing job at keeping you hooked. I would definitely recommend to those looking for a twisty, YA mystery. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

I’m DNF’ing this. I tried multiple times to get into it but every time I just get really bored and lack focus/interest.

The Hollow Inside is a dual timeline YA mystery following Phoenix in the present day storyline and Phoenix’s Mom, Nina, back when she was a teenager. Nina is from the town of Jasper Hollow and she has been aching for revenge since she was 17 and was forced to leave town. Nina has been prepping Phoenix to help her achieve the revenge she so desperately wants and Phoenix is ready to do it. Ultimately, this is a story about a small town filled with complicated relationships and plenty of secrets.

Phoenix is helping her mom get revenge on the man she blames for ruining her life. To do this Phoenix basically infiltrates his family and tries to find out all his secrets. As Phoenix grows closer to the members of the family she also starts to become entangled in their lives and things start to become increasingly more complicated.

Davis does an interesting thing where we get to know Nina as Phoenix’s mom and it is very easy to not like her. Then we get to know teenage Nina and it was so interesting to see how she was Before and what she has become After. I really appreciated the complexity that it brought to the story and I found myself enjoying past Nina’s storyline the best.

I’m a huge fan of YA mysteries but this one fell a little flat for me. Phoenix’s storyline was ok but I found parts of it unbelievable and I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending. The buildup of everything was great and some of the reveals I didn’t see coming but overall I didn’t love the story as a whole.

Great, twisty thriller for the right reader! I thought I left my feedback but apparently it didn't save. Anyway - I recommended this to our school (high school) librarian because I am sure the students will love it. It is fresh and such a fast read.

The Hollow Inside is all about Phoenix and her mother’s relationship and their gypsy life living on the streets and heading to seek out her mother’s revenge, but as the story goes on more truths are uncovered and Phoenix learns some serious hard truths.
This is a story that kept me hooked from the get go. Something about it was thriller, adventure, mystery all wrapped up into a ball. I stayed up way too late to finish.
This is going to be a book I book talk immediately to those who want a murder mystery without the gruesome murder side. It’s a YA book, but I could see even mature 6th graders handling it with ease.
CW: stealing, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, kidnapping, sexual relation, LGBTQ+, affair, murder

First off be warned for homophobia it's not a huge plot point but yeah.

Now, I loved the writing in this. I think I went in expectating more horror but that's whatever. I will confess it did take a few chapters to really get hooked and then I couldn't stop reading and devoured the book. It covered so much and was carefully constructed. I can't believe how well everything unfolded. That's hard to find, especially in a YA novel. I was blown away. There was such good suspense and intrigue.

It definitely got dark and I love the way the character, as well as her thoughts, changed at time went on and she began finding things out on her path to revenge. Seemed very honest and realistic.

Even as an adult you'll be fully engaged and enjoy very much. Man, secrets and lies are the best.

First of all, this book was AMAZING!! I think it is probably my favourite read of the year so far. It took a couple chapters for me to get hooked, but oh my goodness was I hooked. This plot was so carefully constructed and the big reveals came at just the right moments. My heart really felt for all of these characters and I loved how we were taught to sympathise with them, while also being forced to understand the toxicity that was present in some of the relationships. It covered so many different perspectives when it comes to family and I just really enjoyed the story. It was unlike anything I have ever read and I seriously hope I get the chance to read more work by this author because she is so talented. Thank you so much to the publisher for the review copy!

An interesting story from a hot new female up and coming author. I enjoyed "The Hollow Inside" and can't wait to read more from Brooke Lauren Davis.

Phoenix is on the run with her mom Nina. Phoenix believed Nina when she told her Phoenix's father beat her and wanted to take Phoenix away from her because she's not her biological mom. Now after years on the run Phoenix and Nina are returning to Jasper Hollow, the town Nina grew up in so Nina can get revenge on the man who ruined her life. This story is addicting. The plot, the characters, the setting which was a character within itself. Nina is a horrible person. Never thinking of Phoenix and only wanting to live in the past. Phoenix is suckered by Nina because she's like a mom to Phoenix. I wish Phoenix could have seen the light sooner.

The small town setting of this book worked so well, it really brought both the small town gothic vibe and set the scene of the tourist empire built on secrets and lies. The characters were well written and it was interesting how Phoenix’s perspective of the other characters and herself changed as she unearthed more secrets on the journey to revenge. The story is even darker than anticipated and some of the darkest moments make it hard to continue to sympathize with Phoenix and Nina. That said their journey was compelling and well paced through the whole book and impossible to put down.

This Book! This book!
I literally was spellbound by the intro: poison can be a person.

Trigger Warning: Murder, kidnapping, manipulation, abuser, grooming, toxic parent & homophobia.

Through this whole book, you get theories and clues that slowly help you piece together what is happening behind the scenes in this town and with this family and Phoenix. Your growing suspicion and doubt about the mom, Nina, is also pulled into question because something about her doesn't seem right, just like how we feel about Ellis. This was such a good psychical thriller and really showed a toxic parent relationship where you feel love and hate for them.
Also, that plot twist at the end that I wasn't expecting!

I am in love with this book, and I can't wait to get my copy on my shelf, instant five stars!

Phoenix and her stepmom Nina have spent years on the road, stealing and swindling to get by. Their final destination is Nina's hometown of Jasper Hollow. She wants to bring down the man who she feels ruined her life, Ellis Bowman.

Phoenix manages to get an "in" with the Bowman family and finds that it's hard to know exactly who's telling the truth.

I thought this book was great. It was fast-paced but the mystery unfolded slowly. I like the flashbacks of Nina's past as well. There were a couple of twists and turns that I didn't see coming; and I thought this was very well done for a YA mystery.

I also liked that Phoenix wasn't super smooth and quick when it came to thinking on her feet. She came across as a realistic teenager, which makes a lot more sense than the perfect characters that are present in a lot of YA books.

Omigosh what a fantastic debut! Seriously... amazing. I am really impressed with the unique premise, plot development, and character development. This is definitely an author I will be keeping my eye on!

The book follows Phoenix and her mom Nina as they charm and steal to get by. They eventually end up in Jasper Hollow to get revenge against Ellis Bowman for ruining Nina's life. I loved Phoenix's interactions with the Bowman family. Melody (the Bowman daughter/sister) was such a great character. She was tough and smart, but vulnerable at just the right times. I was such a fan of the relationship between her and Phoenix - from suspicious and wary, it grows into a really genuine connection. The development of these two was just incredible. Nina herself was such an interesting character. I absolutely loved her background story woven into the novel.

Every character we met in this book is unique and intriguing in their own way. Aside from Phoenix, Nina, and Melody, we have Neil and Ellis, the Bowman son and dad, Jill, the Bowman mom, and even Pastor

I just really can't get over how well written this book was. Past and present, twists and turns, the book grabbed my attention right from page one and held it to the very end. The book was an onion lol! So many new and exciting layers with each chapter, I couldn't get enough! Honestly the only thing I can tell you is that you MUST give this one a try. I'm really impressed. Fantastic job Brooke! Looking forward to your future projects!

Definitely interesting. I don't know if this kind of story is for me but the writing was incredible.

This was truly a phenomenally written novel. It was written in such an engaging and absolutely perfectly detailed way, in which allows the reader to really picture what the author is talking about. I felt that it was definitely realistic, captivating, and unputdownable. I would definitely recommend to those looking for a twisty, YA thrill ride, although I think most adults will enjoy it just as much! I think it was very riveting and did have high tension and lots of fun shocks!


Will make sure to buzz around platform and use low Amazon reviewer number!

Phoenix and her mom have spent many years living on the road, stealing things to get by. When they arrive at Jasper Hollow, Phoenix is tasked by her mom to help get revenge on Ellis Bowman, the person who ruined her mother's life many years before.

Everything about Ellis seems completely different from the way he was described to Phoenix. When an opportunity comes for her to enter the Bowman household, she takes it up to carry out their plan.

Things on the surface aren't what they seem. Secrets hidden from the past will soon be dug up. What is the truth?

I liked how there were many layers to the story, each slowly unfolding as the story went on. It alternated between the past and the present, which I thought was a nice touch. The characters grow and you see how they aren't at all perfect as they seem to be.

There were many plot twists I didn't see coming and I was very excited to continue reading. The book kept me engaged and it was over before I knew it.

Overall, The Hollow Inside was a great story about secrets being revealed after many years. It kept me engaged throughout and I really enjoyed reading it.

As children, we typically take our parents word as truth. We have no reason to question their honesty and trust them to take care of us and love us. When we first meet Phoenix, the protagonist of The Hollow Inside, her mother Nina has just asked her to break into and rob someone's house. Unfortunately, this isn't a request that surprises Phoenix. She and her mom live unconventional lives, and it seems like nothing surprises Phoenix at this point. She has learned to roll with the punches and do as her mom says--it's just easier that way.

As we move further into the story and learn more about the relationship of Phoenix and Nina, it becomes clear that their relationship isn't the typical mother-daughter bond. Nina has a complicated backstory, and throughout the book we get a glimpse at it in detailed chapters from her point of view. Phoenix knows some of her mom's history, so when they end up in her mother's hometown looking for revenge, it's not a total surprise. It quickly becomes clear that Nina has a plan and that Phoenix is going to play a big part in it.

Phoenix is a smart girl and she's had to put her quick wittedness to use a lot to keep up with her mom. Her newest plan involves finding the people who have hurt her in the past and putting them in their place, using Phoenix to get close enough so that when the time is right, Nina can strike. What she doesn't count on is her daughter getting too close, something that could make or break her complicated scheme and maybe even turn her loyal daughter against her.

I've really been enjoying the YA genre lately and this book is a terrific addition to the category that I think both boys and girls can enjoy. I look forward to reading more from Brooke Lauren Davis and was very impressed with this, her debut publication!

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this excellent YA thriller!

Phoenix and her mom, Nina, live on the road, stealing what they need to survive, until one day, Nina decides that they are going back to her childhood home so she can get revenge on a man who she claims ruined her life. Phoenix has always gone along with her mom's schemes, and now she is at the forefront, trying to get close to this man to find some evidence of wrongdoing so Nina can expose his past. As Phoenix gets closer to the man and his family, she starts to wonder if her mom is telling the whole truth about what really happened, and discovers some secrets about her own past as well.

This is truly an excellent thriller, full of twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes the whole way through. Phoenix herself is an interesting protagonist, and all the other characters are deep and interesting as well, especially Phoenix's mom Nina. The book includes several flashback chapters that show what happened to Nina in the past, which add extra depth and layers of complexity to the story. The broken relationships between parents and children make the book feel very nuanced and real, and I very much enjoyed following the development of all the relationships as the story progressed.

Highly recommend!