DNFed at 11%

Thank you to netgalley and penguin random house for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this book was a queer, young adult horror novel I had to get my hands on it but after starting it, i realized pretty early on it wasn’t for me. I felt as if it was written for a much younger audience and while I usually do well with young adult novels the age range of this intended audience can still highly differ from book to book. To me, it felt like this book would be perfect for someone in high school.

The reason I felt the need to dnf was mainly centered around the fact that this did feel written for a younger audience and other issues I had with the writing in general. Some sentences felt choppy, unrealistic, and just lacking detail which took away from the flow of the story and imagery that followed, making it hard for me to get into the flow of the book itself and to picture the events that took place.

I also found it lacking in the overall horror aspect. While it was creepy, the stakes just weren’t big enough for me and I felt the story had a lot going on and too many plot points to tackle at once and in doing so really put the horror plot on the back burner, but it did do well in tackling “the horrors of everyday lives”; the horrors of living as a queer person everyday are very real and very worth talking about and i do appreciate that this book attempted to do that.

While this book wasn’t for me, i do believe it could serve as a very important read for the right person at the right time in their life and I believe other readers could really get a lot out of a book such as this one.

In Come Out, Come Out, Natalie C. Parker weaves a haunting tale of friendship, identity, and the secrets that bind them. The story follows Fern, Jaq, and Mallory—three friends whose emerging queer identities force them to find solace in an abandoned house deep in the woods, away from their unaccepting families. However, one fateful night, Mallory never returns from their secret hideout, leaving Fern and Jaq with no memory of what happened. Five years later, as Fern and Jaq approach graduation, they seem to lead typical straight, cisgender lives. But when a vengeful spirit resembling Mallory begins haunting them, they are forced to confront their past. As the spirit's presence grows stronger, Fern and Jaq remember their true selves, the love they had to hide, and the dark secrets lurking in the woods.

Come Out, Come Out is a delightfully dark novel that tackles the erasure of queer and trans identities with a powerful narrative about the resilience of friendship and the courage to embrace one’s true self. Parker masterfully creates an atmosphere filled with suspense and tension, making the reader feel the weight of the secrets and fears the characters carry. The book is more than just a ghost story; it is a poignant exploration of identity, acceptance, and the power of found family. The portrayal of Fern and Jaq's journey from denial to acceptance is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, and the supernatural elements add a chilling layer to the narrative. This novel is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that beautifully captures the complexities of queerness while highlighting the importance of standing up against the real monsters in our world.

Interesting horror story tied into queerness and coming out of the closet. Quick read with interesting characters..

Come Out, Come Out is a horror book that will feel all too familiar to anyone who has struggled with their own self-identity.

This book is an emotional gut punch in identifying and living in your true self while the horrors of the world continue to unfold and haunt your daily life. The book explores what horrors exist with in your own family and community and then builds on that in order to great an atmospheric, haunting read. Part paranormal horror- party YA coming-of-age, there's something here for everyone.

The book does have a slow burn feel, so getting into the thick of the story can feel slow, but the pay off is worth it. The world that is built for the reader will feel familiar and haunting all at once.

I love a good young adult horror book. This did not disappoint. A paranormal story that will have you excited to read it.

If this had been a queer contemporary, it would have been stellar - with the “genderless” school musical and breaking free of rigid expectations and budding romances - but the horror elements were a square peg in the round hole of that very solid contemporary base. It was like every now and then (and I really do mean on rare occasion) Parker would remember that this was marketed as a horror novel and would throw in a little vaguely creepy moment.

Because of the addition of the horror elements, though, a lot of the side characters (particularly in Jaq’s half of the story) didn’t get a chance to bloom. Devyn existed to be objectively hot and give advice. John existed to be the nice boyfriend that we’re supposed to feel vaguely bad for.

There’s also a distinct lack of answers for what the rest of the world looked like during the Mallory/Fern/Jaq friendship (circling back to John the boyfriend in particular) and how Fern and Jaq were perceived afterwards. I dunno, the whole 7th grade section just felt so detached from the “present day” that I couldn’t puzzle out how we got there, regardless of the amnesia (did everyone else ALSO have amnesia??)

Major disappointment after the hype I had for this one.

There's nothing like great queer horror, and Come Out, Come Out is great queer horror. I initially requested this arc because the cover was stunning, and I'm so glad I was able to give it a read!

Full honesty - if you're looking for an absolutely terrifying horror, this isn't it. This is a story of two queer people finding and accepting themselves with a thriller/horror backdrop. It's emotional and moving, and I'm so glad this book exists!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC!

"Come Out, Come Out" is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of self-discovery and queer identity. The narrative, imbued with a nostalgic undertone, offers a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in a society that often seeks to suppress their true selves.

While classified as horror, the novel's primary focus lies on the emotional journey of its protagonists. The horror elements serve as a powerful metaphor for the societal pressures and internalized homophobia that can haunt queer individuals.

The story centers on two main characters, both grappling with their sexuality and gender identity. Their journeys of self-acceptance and coming out are portrayed with both empathy and authenticity. The novel's title is particularly poignant, reflecting the courage and fear associated with revealing one's true self to the world.

"Come Out, Come Out" is a highly recommended read for those seeking a nuanced and emotionally resonant exploration of queer identity and the power of self-love. The novel's themes of acceptance, community, and resilience are particularly relevant in today's world.

The premise of the book and the cover intrigued me and I was really excited to read it. I did enjoy the first few chapters but unfortunately I had to stop reading it because it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I thought the book would have a more paranormal spin on things and I was disappointed that wasn’t the case.

4.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC!

Come out, come out, wherever you are and read this book!
If you love queer stories and love horror, read this! This YA queer horror is exactly my kind of book, and I love that books like this exist. Come Out, Come Out had my attention from the start. I believe books like this would have healed something in me if I had them when I was growing up. I really enjoy when YA books explain that being queer is normal and there are people out there who can understand you and support you. This book is mostly a queer coming of age story with a little horror. I would have liked there to be more horror in the story. The horror parts were really good!
The horror is both supernatural and very much real at the same time. The characters were so well written and the character development was wonderful. I really do recommend this book highly to anyone! I loved it so much I preordered a physical copy for when it is released August 27, 2024!

4 stars
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Come Out, Come Out (what a great pun of a title) is an exploration of gender and sexuality, backdropped by the things that go bump in the night.

I hate to call this a fun book, based on the content, but I really enjoyed it. I read it in a single sitting. The plot was really unique and I like how it handled delicate matters regarding the LGBTQIA+ community in context of this conservative small town. The horror element of the book was interesting to read and I liked the shift in perspectives between Jaq and Fern, and the shift from present to past through Mal. Despite there being so many POVs with this element, the book really comes together nicely. I loved the twist at the end, I never saw it coming but it made so much sense overall. The pacing was good, throwing the reader right into the plot and using the shift in time periods to carry it along, so you really get the entire story. My only critique is that I actually could have used more horror. I feel like it incorporated the homophobia and transphobia into the horror and I wanted more straight up horror, as the -phobias got a little triggering.

I related so much with Fern and Jaq, having had my own identity crisis in the past. The book handles this topic really well and I like the journey the characters take to become their true selves. Their stories are unique, and I love their found family dynamic. The side characters further the story along nicely, and it was nice to see some evolution on their ends, too.

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more by this author.

Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker spellbinding LGBTQIA+ YA horror about queer teens who accidentally invoke a twisted spirit who promises help but delivers something sinister.
The author did a great job with the the characters, as well as keeping the pace going.
I really enjoyed this book. The setting was fantastic and oh so creepy. There are lots of twists and turns in this book and I like how everything kept being revealed

I don't even know how to start, this is a novel from two different perspectives, you have your traditional haunted forest what’s happening in the woods type of horror and the horror of ignorance and bigotry from people you love the most. It was an interesting book, but more of a coming of age and navigating LGBTQ+ struggle with some thriller vibes than an actual horror book. Although I enjoyed most of the book and the idea of where the story was heading it felt like Mallory part was missing a lot of plot as well as the ending felt sortha rushed. I might have enjoyed it more if it wasn't portrayed as horror but more of a coming of age thriller. I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

TW: Homophobia and religious trauma.

This was a wonderful YA queer thriller that beautifully tackles the importance of community and friendship when you are a teenager figuring out who you truly are but more so when you are discovering how you identify as a person. Especially when you do not have a supportive community at home.

This story was heartbreaking but hopeful, real and raw. The horror elements were good at trying to show the true horror of having to hide yourself and the damage that can do.

Pacing missed the mark at times; but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The quick cut: Two girls who barely interact come together to solve the mystery of why they are both being haunted by the ghost of a classmate who disappeared years ago.

A real review:
Thank you to Penguin Group for providing the arc for an honest review.

Figuring out who you are is hard enough, but when you don't necessarily identify with your born gender or expected sexuality - that process gets harder. For Jaq and Fern, that's something they will learn together when they discover they are both being haunted by a classmate who disappeared years ago.

Five years ago, three girls went into the woods and one named Mal never came out. Since that night, Jaq and Fern haven't remembered their lives before that point. Now in their senior year, they are practically unrecognizable. Jaq is a cisgender girl who is thoroughly in love with her boyfriend John. Fern is the queen of her school's theatre department. From the outside, their lives are fantastic. However, that idyllic image is shattered when they start seeing the ghost of Mal. Are they the reason she disappeared? What happened that night in the woods?

I would just like to say that I actually did get to the end of this book and enjoyed the overall story. While I can't relate to the gender or sexuality struggles of these characters, I can relate to their struggles with identity. Unfortunately, the way the story was written made it hard to stay fully engaged and made the pacing quite strange.

Jaq and Fern are living what many would consider the perfect life. It's not for them though because it's not the life that's true to who they are. Ferns struggle to accept what's happening to her made her more relatable to me of the two. Jaq's struggle is oriented more towards her parents desire to have her marry her boyfriend. I never experienced that type of parental pressure.

Seeing these two slowly rediscover their true identities and how that created new issues for them was a realistic feeling process. It's messy, difficult, and not always accepted. The family's reactions of acceptance, confusion, or rejection are handled well. Each one feels realistic and like something that could really happen to someone.

A fun horror story with pacing issues.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Three friends, all dealing with their own coming outs, and a house in the woods that took one of them.... and now the remaining two girls don't remember what happened to their friend and what happened to them... only that they are being drawn back in by the spirit of their dead friend. Fern, Jaq, and Mallory are three different people who know it's not safe to come out to their families... yet their friendship grows as they emerge into their identities, yet after an incident makes one of the girls come out to her mother and all three girls run into the woods to hide in an old abandoned house..... things go different as Mallory never makes it back home. Fern and Jaq lose their memories and are desperate to keep their own secrets, but after five years and on the verge of their graduation where they have seemingly happy straight cisgender lives....Mallory's spirit begins to haunt them. Fern and Jaq can't tell if Mallory is seeking revenge or if its something else... all they know is that they have to work together to get their memories back and find out what really happened to Mallory as well as come out themselves. This was part ghost mystery part coming out/coming of age story. It explores the queer identity, friendship, and growing pains. It's definitely a good read to add to your halloween tbr if you are looking for a queer read with a touch of spooky! While it started off great it fell off a bit for me and got a bit muddled in the end, but overall I would say it was a book worth reading at least once.

Release Date: August 27,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I did not expect to be tearing up by the end of this book, but here we are! Come Out, Come Out was pretty slow to start off but I was pretty hooked by 40%. I did struggle a little bit with the overall pacing and it got a little hard to follow at times, but I still really enjoyed this book. This was a book about self-discovery and acceptance. It was hopeful, terrifying, and sad all at the same time. The horror aspect was not just paranormal, and really ramped up in the societal commentary of the book. There is a lot on religious trauma in this book, so keep that in mind. I also want to give a big trigger warning for homophobia - all three main characters experience it throughout the book, whether it be external or internalized. It was hard to read at times knowing that there are parents out there who do treat their children the way these characters were treated. I really am glad the book ended the way it did. I truly appreciated all of the different hotlines and resources that were included at the end: National Suicide Prevention Hotline, Crisis Text Line, The Trevor Project, National Sexual Assault Hotline, Trans Lifeline, National Center for Transgender Equality, Love Is Respect, and Planned Parenthood. I have a lot more thoughts but it’s close to midnight and my eyes are tired from finishing this in a day.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the chance to review this book, all opinions are my own.

I have read several queer YA horror books this month and so I think my expectations going into this one might have been for something else. That is to say, there are definitely moments of horror but the true horror of the book is being forced to live a life as someone you are not or having the choice of who you want to be taken from you.

This book is about Fern and Jaq, two seniors in high school who are living two perfectly “normal” cishet lives. Then something happens at a party and they remember that 5 years ago they used to actually be friends, and they did something in the woods, and their other friend (who they forgot about) was killed! Oh and they are both super queer. The rest of the book is them coming to terms with this and how this fits into the lives they thought they were living. I think it follows the experience of a closeted teen (or adult) very well.

Because I was expecting more horror, Mallory’s (the murdered girl) chapters were actually my favorite and I really wanted to know more about the house in the woods and her experience there. Would have loved for the Gray Whales to have a bigger part too.

There were a lot of parts of this book that I did love. Especially all of the moments of found family and camaraderie between all of the queer people in the town just trying to find a safe space. I found the ending to be realistic (some families have unconditional love for their children and others do not) and I felt like it had some really hopeful moments.

Again, I really wanted more horror but that is totally a me preference and not a failing of the book!

4.25 stars

The beginning started out strong for me, however somewhere in the middle it felt like the plot became somewhat muddled. The elements of horror towards the end felt like a very sudden change from where the plot had been veering and because of that the horror element of this story fell flat for me. I do think the overall message behind this is important which did somewhat save the book for me. I think that this just fell a little bit short of what I was expecting.

Thank you Netaglley for the arc of this upcoming read!

This book is such a SOLID read. It instantly puts its reader into the plot, there is no massive story before the story. Which is one of my biggest gripes with reading. Give me the story I came for, dont fluff me up especially if not necessary. This book promises to be spine tingling, eerie, and although it delivers on both of those fronts. It also has a deeper meaning. There is the horror and then there is the social horror. The way the story is so rooted in reality and the struggles of identity. This is one I wont soon forget!