I'm applauding Carissa Orlando for creating a magnificent piece of work that seamlessly blends different genres, including horror, mystery, dark comedy, supernatural thriller, domestic suspense, and psychological thriller. The story perfectly combines concepts from Insidious, The Exorcist, and The Sixth Sense in a haunted house theme. It's hard to stop myself from flipping the pages, and I am completely engrossed in the amazing writing.

📚#thrillerfriendsbuddyread 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰📚

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an ebook via @netgalley and the audiobook via @prhaudio
———
Margaret and Hal finally move to their own home after years of renting. Even though the realtor discloses a couple of murders in the house, they purchase the house at a steal price. However they soon realize they have a lot of ghosts for company, some benign, others not so much. Every September, the walls bleed blood and the ghosts become mercurial. Hal can’t take it anymore and wants to leave the house. However Margaret loves the house even with its eccentricities, and nothing can take her away from it, not even her husband or the ghosts. Soon, Hal disappears. Katherine, their daughter, comes home to find her father, right during September when the house is at its worst. Margaret has protected her daughter from the house’s happenings all these years but now Katherine will have to discover a lot of secrets the house and her family holds, while Margaret will have to come to terms with the family’s past.

GUYS, THIS BOOK IS 𝐈𝐓!!! Perfect horror book with all the gore and spooks but also layered with important themes of spousal relationships, mustering the courage to say enough is enough, and a mother who will protect her child from the most vile dangers at all costs! Are we sure Carissa Orlando is a DEBUT author??? This book was ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! I had all the feels, I was entertained, I was angry, I was sad, I was hopeful, I was rooting for the main character, I was spooked… aaaand I am still reeling from that ENDING!!! OMG, PLEASE MAKE THIS BOOK INTO A MOVIE ALREADY!😱Five bloodthirsty stars from me!!!
——
🩸Fun fact: Did you know that realtors in majority of the states in the U.S are not required to disclose when a property is 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝? Which state are you from? What is the disclosure law of stigmatized properties in your state?🩸

“‘Sometimes when people do terrible things, things they wouldn’t do if they were of sound mind, they don’t remember much of it,’ Jones said. ‘Sometimes they don’t remember any of it at all.’”

What a fabulous way to begin spooky season! 4.5 stars. I really really enjoyed this book. It is gory and so creepy with the house being the main character. I love when the main character in a book is a place or building!

“‘What I think is so neat about horror movies,’ I said, ‘is that they shine a light on what we think is scary. Not just ghosts and demons, but what we find really scary.’”

The September House is a multi genre, expertly layered, utterly engrossing story. The audiobook was fantastic! The narrator added so much to the story for me. She captured Margaret’s angst perfectly, and the banter between her and her daughter Katherine seemed so genuine and believable. “Language!” I highly recommend you add this to your spooky tbr!

Thank you @PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook #PRHAudioPartner and thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC.

**Many thanks to Shelf Awareness, Berkley, and Carissa Orlando for an ARC of this book via NetGalley!**

Warning: Outlier Review Ahead!

When Margaret and her husband Hal find the PERFECT gothic house, they are willing to overlook a LOT. Flaws in the wood, cracks in the paint...anything can be repaired, and they are prepared to start the next chapter of their lives. As new empty nesters with their daughter Katherine off at college, the house feels like the perfect project to keep them occupied AND a place to create new memories together. So what if things feel a bit...off?

Until September arrives...bringing bloody walls and bloody WAILS along with it.

After 4 years of living in this terror, Hal is ready to head for the hills...but Margaret is steadfast in her resolve. After all, this is HER house, and she's open to sharing it...even with ghosts. If she can follow the rules, then THEY can too. But when her daughter Katherine arrives after panicking when she doesn't hear back from her father, Margaret wonders if she can maintain her relationships with her haunted houseguests AND keep them away from her daughter and she's more than curious about exactly what became of Hal too. Why exactly are there blocks of time she just can't remember? Can she keep her delicate balance without putting Katherine in danger? Or is the house desperate to keep its secrets...and make Margaret and Katherine PERMANENT residents?

Gothic stories and haunted house stories are hit or miss for me. I'm a sucker for ghosts, but they need to be SOMEWHAT believable, terrifying ghosts. And for a while, I was very hopeful that the ghosts in this house would be enough to make this story truly work for me. There are several intriguing haunts to choose from, each with a unique personality and some (minor) backstory. But while Orlando created a perfect atmospheric house of haunts, I realized early on that she also planned this to read as dark humor...and for me, it just didn't.
I didn't find the byplay between Margaret and her various ghostly companions that interesting...more like run of the mill chatter. Since it was so accepted that the ghosts were part of every day life for Margaret, they sort of lost their spook factor at times and weren't really cracking me up either...and since this was such a huge piece of the narrative, I had a hard time connecting to the plot for most of the book.

There's also the character of daughter Katherine, who I found obnoxious at best, a priest willing to try to shake the ghosts from the walls, and a couple of unimportant detectives to round out the group...but again, nobody felt memorable in a GOOD way. I was only half invested in the missing persons aspect of the book, so it didn't really matter to me what had happened to Margaret's husband. Head Spook Master Vale was creepy, sure, but I had trouble believing that Margaret would put up with all of this craziness JUST to stay in her home..even with the extra incentive provided by Orlando to explain her actions. If you're patient enough to get through all of this, the last 20% of this book DOES pick up and goes into more surprising territory, so much so that I almost bumped up my rating on that alone. After some time to sit with my thoughts, though, I don't feel like this bit of bait and switch tacked on at the end was QUITE enough to make up for the pacing and the lack of excitement I felt along the way.

Though we are just heading into spooky season, this 'early' horror release is sure to spook and delight many gothic horror fans. This debut may be a bit rough around the edges, Orlando shows a lot of promise. I just think in this case her main character Margaret could have taken a little advice from Green Day....and had someone just wake her up when September ends.

3.5 stars

Margaret and Hal have dreamed of being homeowners all of their lives when they manage to get a crazy deal on an old Victorian home…only, it’s full of ghosts. Every September it gets especially bad until Hal up and leaves. Margaret’s adult daughter makes a visit to the home for the first time after this and things get a bit wild.

THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE by Carissa Orlando is a fantastic debut!

This book was about so much more than the spooky (and downright gross) shit, and delved so beautifully into the relationships between both the living and the dead.

I absolutely loved Margaret as a character (even if she did make me roll my eyes on occasion) and just had such a fun time with this book!

Twisting horror and humor at the same time, this will make for the perfect read this fall!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: September 5

I love a good haunted house book, so I was picking this up no matter what. And Carissa Orlando did not disappoint. In fact, Orlando has found a fresh perspective on the genre. Packed with genuine horror, The September House is also a psychological study of what haunts us and why sometimes the scariest monsters lurk closest to home. For fans of Grady Hendrix and Paul Tremblay.

I enjoyed the main character & her daughter. A very interesting dialogue & the family dynamic. But, I did find the story a bit long winded & lots of repeating.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

When Margaret finds the Victorian house of her dreams is both available AND affordable, she jumps at the chance to buy it. But as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. Soon after Margaret and her husband, Hal move in they find out about the hauntings-plural. Interestingly enough, they are the kind of ghosts you can set your watch by as they return every September, just like clockwork.

Very quickly the story moves from their just moving in, to the rolling of eyes as another September rolls around. By now Margaret has grown used to the house’s quirk factor-blood dripping from the walls and the predictably gruesome spirits that come out of the shadows. Her husband, however, has never adopted the same ho hum approach. One day he decides he can’t take it anymore and begs Margaret to leave with him before he ultimately ends up leaving, solo.

Margaret’s life doesn’t change much in Hal’s absence. She has her neighbor and even the pesky ghosts to keep her introverted soul company. But a different form of trouble arises when Margaret’s daughter, Katherine insists on coming to visit, worried since she has been unable to reach her father. Now it’s not the ghosts giving Margaret the spooks, but the idea of the truth about her real life haunted house coming to light.

The September House is a very interesting read that’s hard to review. That’s mainly because it felt like a few different books in one. The first segment was unexpectedly laugh out loud funny, full of dry humor that I loved. But the book took a very dark turn when it ventured unexpectedly into history of abuse. Rounding out the genres was the most predictable and expected one, horror. But amazingly, this was genre was not at the forefront. As a result, it was a hard book to take a true temperature on, or to discuss with others who have yet to read it.

What I can say is that it was a highly original and entertaining story, perfect to rattle the bones of readers this fall.

So freaking good!!! I couldn't put this one down! Bravo, Carissa Orlando, on your debut novel! Definitely giving Grady Hendrix vibes, but totally something unique and addicting. Horror at its finest with a humor twist! Highly recommend reading, and if you get a chance to listen to the audiobook, do it! The narrator was absolutely amazing!!

*Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the #gifted egalley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

Thank you NetGalley and Ms. Orlando for giving me the opportunity to review The September House. If there was such a thing as a cozy horror genre this would be it. Think, Leave It To Beaver meets The Haunting on Hill House. The main character feels like a mom straight out of the 50's. Her observations on the abominations that dwell at the September House are endearing. The reader begins to wonder if this should be categorized as horror till the ending. .Oh yes, the ending makes it very much a horror, I will be definitely recommending this book.

Margaret and Hal love their new Victorian style home they got for a steal. Then they discovered why. Every September the blood comes from the walls, and the former inhabitants arrive to haunt the current inhabitants.

I think it’s quite fitting that the September House will be my favorite read of September. It’s September 1st as I write this, but I think it’s a safe assumption. If you like horror with dark humor (think Grady Hendrix), this book is for you. I absolutely adored the characters, the history that you slowly learn, the creepiness, and the humorous collected responses of the main character. This is a book to keep and reread over and over.

“This wasn’t my first time trying to prepare a meal while dodging the fangs of a dead child who wished me bodily harm.”

The September House comes out 9/5.

If this book isn't made into a movie, I will be so mad.

Carissa Orlando had me glued to the pages with her dark story of ghosts and murder. There were so many layers within these pages. I found myself wondering if the main character Margaret was going crazy, or was it something else. Usually I can figure out the plot long before the end of the book, but this read had me guessing the whole time.
Margaret seemed to be a super sweet character who drove the story forward with how easy it was for her to brush her situation under the rug and hide the ghostly happenings from those who entered the home. This quiet demeanor kept me off guard as the story climaxed. Wonderful!

I loved the scene when the priest opened the basements door and his whole mouth filled with flies. It was truly disgusting and frankly awesome.

This book deserves 6 stars, but since I'm only allowed to give 5 out of 5 stars, that is what you get. Loved this book and can't wait to see what else Orlando has for me.

This was probably the best book I read in August, and I have no doubt it will be one of my favorite books of the year. It's not only a story with some genuinely gruesome moments, it's an intriguing plot that is full of both heart and humor. I honestly would love to see this as a movie, or more likely a mini-series, because I have no doubt that in the right hands it would be fantastic. Orlando revamps the classic haunted house story in a fantastically inventive way, as well as adding elements to it that bring even more to the story. I think my only possible complaints (besides the fact that this book had to end) is that one of the reveals at the end I guessed fairly early on, and the ending did feel just slightly rushed; I think it probably could have been expanded a little and that might have given it a little something more, but honestly as it stands it was still a damn good ending. Aside from those two very small things I loved it. The characters were great, the writing was fantastic, and the author managed to handle serious topics in a respectful manor while blending in just enough humor to keep things from getting too heavy (I actually found myself laughing out lout several times as I read), with a truly terrifying core plot and some grotesque imagery. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be attempting to hand-sell this novel to as many people as I can, and I've been trying to formulate a shelf-talker in my head since I finished it yesterday. I will also happily be buying a copy to put on my shelf (and to support the author) and I will be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next from this upcoming talent.

Margaret, and her husband, buy their dream home, a reasonably priced, Victorian house. That is until September of every year, thats when the horror begins for the next 30 days. The walls bleed, ghosts of former occupants roam the halls and the basement is home to the serial killer, Master Vale.

Forced to endure the screams, terrors and the boarded up basement, Hal can't take it anymore and begs Margaret to runaway from their home. She won't leave, so he takes off or so she believes. Her daughter comes to suspect something is amiss and rushes home to the nightmare of September.

The ghosts view her daughter as an unwelcome guest, and all HELL breaks loose as the search for Hal commences. The September House is wildly entertaining with its secrets, hauntings and house of horrors. Margaret is one badass fighter against the ghouls.

This book is the perfect atmospheric read for fall.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary copy.

What a way to start off the spooky season. This book is captivating, with strong characters and very much haunted house. American horror show feels.

I enjoyed the first person pov and how the story just slowly unraveled in front of you.

Margaret and Hal bought a beautiful Victorian home – their dream home – but didn’t realize what they were in for. After a few years, their adult daughter, Katherine (who doesn’t have the best relationship with her parents) still hasn’t been to visit, but the past month or so, every time she calls, her mother has an excuse as to why her father is unable to speak with her. Katherine wants to know what’s going on, and insists on visiting.

Meanwhile, this is the start of the 4th September they’ve been in this house. Septembers are bad. Much worse than the rest of the year. You see, Margaret has learned the rules of the house, but they tend to go out the window in September. Margaret has been living with a large variety of ghosts – mostly happily, as the bulk of the ghosts do not mean harm. She just needed to get used to them and their rules… in addition to their mutilated looks. In fact, one of the ghosts, Fredericka, was a servant and is happy to continue serving Margaret. Hal wasn’t able to see all the ghosts, but was able to see a couple, the boy, Elias who is ok if you stay out of his way, but he looks intimidating and will bite you if you get close enough. Worse, though, is Master Vale in the basement. He definitely wants to do harm. About a month earlier, Hal begged Margaret to leave with him, but Margaret refused to leave their dream home. She knows and follows the rules, so it will all be ok.

But with Hal gone (though Margaret won’t admit that to Katherine), Katherine wants to find out what’s going on. But Margaret can’t let Katherine see the ghosts! (Or the bleeding walls. Or hear the screams.) What would she think!? But its September and the ghosts are just ramping up for the worst month of the year.

I really liked this. There are definitely gruesome parts, but there were humourous bits mixed in, as well. I liked the ending. Things went one way then another. I thought it was done well. I loved that Margaret insisted on finding ways to live with the ghosts. Once she figured out the rules, things were ok (except maybe in September!).

This was a fun one!! My first thought upon finishing this one was "what did I just read?" and I just sat there staring at my Kindle for a few seconds. Just when I thought I knew where it was going, I was surprised and satisfied to find out that I was wrong. I liked how the things that happened in the house only happened during the month of September and enjoyed reading as they happened and as they got worse throughout the month. I also liked that the characters in this one were realistic - they were neither good nor bad and it was impossible to like them the entire time. My only gripe about this one is I felt like some things were left unanswered and I didn't get complete closure at the ending. Overall, this is a very creative book that is perfect for fall/spooky season!

I was really impressed with this book. It blends a ton of different genres - mystery, horror, suspense, thriller - which is no easy feat! I loved the plot of this novel, and it kept me engaged throughout, with few exceptions. My main qualm is that the big twist was predictable to me.

Read if you like:
👻 Ghost Stories
🏠 Haunted Houses
🚫 Missing Persons Cases
🩸 Blood and Gore
☝🏻 Single POV
☁️ Atmospheric Reads

What would you do if you finally became a homeowner only to find out your house was haunted AF, and that every September the house freaks out more than normal?! For me, I’d be getting the fuck outta dodge (pretty sure I grew up in a haunted house and NEVER got used to it), but that is definitely not the route that Margaret and Hal took…

When the book opens we learn all about the buying process and how Margaret and Hal came to own ‘The September House’ and you understand why Margaret doesn’t want to leave despite all of the quirks that come with the house, and why she tries to cover up the quirks when her husband goes missing and her adult daughter comes to visit for the first time to figure out where her dad went.

I loved Margaret’s narration of the story as she was a perfect narrator and the storytelling was so well done that made the book completely bingeable for me as I finished in about a 24 hour period.

I really loved how Margaret cared for the home and her haunted friends and really got to know them. This part of the story definitely gave found family vibes that was unexpectedly touching for this horror.

This book wasn’t what I expected (not sure what I was really expecting) but I definitely loved the story telling as it blew me away.

I highly recommend this one for spooky season and hope that it will be a big hit this fall and that everyone enjoys the story of the September house!

Thank you so much to Berkley for my ARC of this one!

Holy crap, that was satisfying. And funny. And scary. And fun.

A haunted house story with the twist that the occupant is doing just fine, thanks, and can handle it. Or so she thinks. But when her daughter wants to visit after her husband has left, she's got to figure out how to keep her daughter safe while also coping with September, the month when the haunting comes to a fever pitch.

Definitely going in my top ten for the year