I truly didn't think I would have liked this one as much as I did. But I really did enjoy it!

Holly Hobbie dolls was a big thing in my life because of my first name. My family leaned into the "brand" heavily. I distinctly remember a Christmas getting a slew of Holly Hobbie dolls and a tea set. So going into a story that I thought was going to completely change how I look at the brand was kind of daunting. And its because it was such a big part of my childhood. But the way the author made it so dang creepy was the best way to start off spooky season!

Evie's journey to find out what really happened to her second cousin, Holly Hobbie, was terrifying at times. There was instance in particular in her bedroom that made the hair on my arms stand up on end and I was looking around my bedroom for shadows. But the story was also heavily centered on the MC facing her internal demons and the trauma of her past that was eating her up inside.

I felt like the pacing of this book was maintained throughout, never felt bored. The author has ability to spin a truly terrifying tale. Not Stephen King level terrifying. But a solid YA terror that could make you look around the room expecting something to pop out at you. And the author definitely solidified what most of us think and feel...dolls are creepy.

What if you moved to a new town and found out that your new house is known to the locals as "Horror House"? I would be thrilled but most people probably would be scared and unsettled. A great spooky haunted house story for the high end of middle grade readers and lower end of young adult readers.

3.5/5 Stars

After her parent's divorce, Evie and her mother relocate to Massachusetts. When they arrive, she discovers that Hobbie House is better known as Horror House to the locals after a young girl named Holly disappeared from her bedroom.

This was very much a cover read for me. I think it looks so dang cool! This was a great little spooky read for the autumn. I think this would be a good bridge from middle grade readers who are wanting something a little spookier, but aren't quite ready for full blown horror as I definitely think it is geared to a lower YA audience. The characters did feel quite young at times, especially with their dialogue and some of their choices and actions. I liked Evie, and her need to discover what really happened to the Patchwork Girl. We're left on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I do own the second book in the duology so I am interested in seeing where the story goes.

A story I've hear before. A girl moves to a town, falls in love with a boy. Said boy's family has some dark secrets and a ghost bent on revenge. It was an ok tail, though I've not read/heard of the story this is a retelling of so it was a nice surprise. Though I did like the end and how it left everything set for a book 2.

Thank you to PRH Audio and Penguin Teen for my gifted review.

Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for the e-ARC of Holly Horror!

Books with mentions of Korean food? Yes, please. I 100% wrote down different things I want to attempt to cook 😅

Holly Horror was a fun creepy read! A few scenes were so good & detailed so well, it was easy to envision. I also adored the relationships between characters, romantically & platonically.

I have already started the sequel & I’ll have much more to say about that one because wow it’s 100x creepier & better.

I absolutely adored Holly horror and I’m very excited for the next installment in the future. My initial draw to the book was because of the cover but the story is creepy and mysterious, which hooked me right away. A phenomenal story I can’t wait to read more of this.

I wanted to enjoy this book based off the blurb and cover but the book felt like I was reading a middle grade novel and not a young adult book.

Oh, what a lovely cover this book has! It definitely caught my attention. Holly Horror by Michelle Jabès Corpora is the first installment in a YA horror series that puts a nightmarish twist on the classic Holly Hobbie character. I was thrilled by this fresh take. The book was fun and engaging, with some genuinely creepy moments, and it ends on a cliffhanger, which has me eagerly anticipating the next installment!

I was really interested in Holly Horror because of the book cover, but I ended up appreciating the quick ghost story. This one has all the classic ghostly elements like a creepy doll, ghosts, an old haunted house, and a spooky childhood song. While I did enjoy it, I felt like the only well-developed character was the main one. I'm also not a huge fan of the sudden cliffhanger ending, although I understand that this is the beginning of a series, so I can see why they chose to end it that way.

This was hard to review because I did find a lot of the plot to be really predicable but also still found myself dying to read more. The setting and vibe of this book are so well executed. I do think people who are newer to Horror as a genre will enjoy this more and it really could have worked a little better as a Middle Grade book in some ways. The characters are well written and I appreciated that there was more of an explanation for why the main character was keeping what was happening a secret and seeing how that information was revealed was well done. As I said the setting was also excellently done and the house was so interesting as was the towns history. I am really interested in learning more about the house and the town in the second book. All around this was still a really engaging read.

Holly Horror by Michelle Jabès Corpora is the first book in the young adult horror series by the same name. This new series is based on the old Holly Hobbie character which was cute and cuddly but this series definitely puts a nightmarish twist on the character.

Evie Archer and her family have moved to Ravenglass, Massachusetts for a fresh start in their lives and are hoping their new home and town are just want they needed. Evie quickly finds out though that her new home is known by the locals as the Horror House and thought to be haunted after events of the past.

Evie doesn’t start off scared of her new home as much as just wanting answers to the local rumors. Looking further Evie finds out that Holly Hobbie mysteriously vanished from the home one night and when Evie starts seeing and sensing things around her new home she questions whether it’s real or all in her imagination but is determined to get answers.

First thing I would mention with Holly Horror by Michelle Jabès Corpora is that while I did label this as young adult with teen characters I do think it falls on the young side of that reading range but not quite middle grade either, so somewhere at the end of one to the middle of the other range in ages. As for the story here though it’s a pretty good haunted house tale with plenty of scarier moments involved for the horror fans of this age. The story was somewhat wrapped up in the end but also left some bread crumbs laying around to entice readers onward to book two.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have very mixed feeling about this book. While overall I liked the story there were quite a few things that really didn't sit right with me. For example Evie's mother...holy unlikable character batman. This woman was terrible, I could not get over how terribly she treats and belittles her daughter throughout this story. I also wasn't particularly fond of the way all of the secondary characters development seemed to be squashed into the last like 10 pages of the book. It was such a quick switch and felt very lazy and unbelievable.

Complaints aside, I did enjoy this story at its heart. A ghost story that wasn't as scary/spooky as I expected, but there were definitely some fun "jump scares" scattered throughout. I liked the Aunt character and wished she was in the story more, but it seems like that will be happening in book two.The book ends on a pretty fun cliffhanger and I am curious to see where the story goes in the next book.

MY REVIEW: 3 Stars

The cover is awesome and so is the story line. Funny thing is I still have my old Holly Hobby doll. lol

The only reason I didn’t give the book more stars is it was a little bit too young adult for me, almost borderline middle grade.

I enjoyed the characters and the almost old time feel to the book and some of the creep factors. I think plenty of people will love this book.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Mel

This was a really unique take on the old Holly Hobby character, that was totally spooky! I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a scary YA read!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

I've been reading this on and off for a while now and it hit me - I don't really want to finish it but I've gotten far enough in that I can give an opinion.

I think it's an interesting and slightly creepy story. I love that it includes sewing because that's underrepresented in todays society in most cases. I love that they "escape" the city to the country - where it's creepy - and that there's a nice high school vibe going.

What didn't capture me much is just the plot up until the point I stopped. I wish more had happened and I was more invested.

I might come back to it and wouldn't warn anyone away from it at this point, just that I wasn't "captured". Depending on content (after the part that I've read to) it could be a good book for a true teen reader (as I am an adult) if they like "creepy" things.

My rating (for now): 3*

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.

"Holly Horror" by Michelle Jabes Corpora is a thrilling rollercoaster ride through the twisted underbelly of Hollywood, blending elements of horror, mystery, and suspense with expert precision. Corpora's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this gripping tale, which is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

At the heart of "Holly Horror" is a compelling narrative that explores the dark side of fame and fortune in the entertainment industry. Corpora deftly navigates through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, peeling back the layers to reveal the sinister forces lurking beneath the surface. The result is a chilling and immersive reading experience that will leave readers spellbound.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its richly drawn characters, each with their own secrets, motivations, and hidden agendas. From the enigmatic protagonist to the colorful cast of supporting characters, Corpora has created a diverse ensemble that leaps off the page with vivid realism. As the plot unfolds and tensions rise, readers will find themselves deeply invested in the fates of these characters, rooting for them to uncover the truth and survive the horrors that await them.

Corpora's writing is atmospheric and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the glitzy yet sinister world of Hollywood. From the shadowy back alleys of Los Angeles to the opulent mansions of the elite, the setting serves as a chilling backdrop for the unfolding drama. The author's attention to detail is impeccable, immersing readers in a world where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks around every corner.

What sets "Holly Horror" apart is its masterful blend of suspense and supernatural elements. Corpora weaves together a gripping mystery with eerie paranormal occurrences, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that will leave readers breathless and eager to uncover the truth behind the chilling events unfolding in Hollywood.

In conclusion, "Holly Horror" is a pulse-pounding thrill ride that delivers on every level. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and spine-tingling plot, it is a must-read for fans of horror and suspense. Michelle Jabes Corpora has crafted a masterpiece that will linger in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page.

3/5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

Thank you NetGalley & publisher for this eARC.

OH MY GOD, this book is actually a series??
Because I DID NOT EXPECT FOR THIS ENDING

Overall, this book is an easy read filled with suspense, a little horror, supernatural, creepy, gothic, small-town scene and I love it. Have not read a mid-grade/teen book for a long time and I am glad that this book has made the experience great.

Recommended to anyone who loves this genre.
I just can't wait for book two.

I will be completely honest, I didn't have many expectations going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised because I REALLY enjoyed it!

In the 1800's there was a girl who disappeared. In the 90s, a young girl named Holly Hobbie disappears as well. Now, Evie Archer and her mother and brother move into Holly's old house following her parent's divorce. We find out that the locals call the house haunted, and that already sets the mood for the rest of the novel. While she is living in the house, weird things happen, and there are traces of the girl that disappeared all those years ago, which Evie finds herself slowly discovering one by one, in addition to feeling as though she is being followed by some ghostly figure in her house.

I loved the atmosphere of this book, with the house being one of my favourite parts. The use of the creepy dolls was a cherry on top, perfect for the story. The town was also so well characterized, I like how prominent it was in the story.

I do wish there were more horror elements rather than just some spooky vibes, which led me to feel as though this was more middle-grade than YA. Nonetheless, I still rather enjoyed my time with the story. 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 Stars
Holly Horrow is an addicting, fast-paced, spooky YA novel. I read this very quickly and overall enjoyed it. I liked the concept of a darker reimaged classic but found the pacing and characters lacking. The writing style was very YA, almost middle-grade at times (which I don't mind, however, I was expecting a different quality), but the general story was intriguing enough that I didn't put it down.

Thank you, NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I tried to like this one but I think I wasn't exactly sure what I was in for and it wasn't what I was expecting so I don't think the mood and what I read were aligning right. It was decent though.