I really enjoyed this book. The beginning intrigued me and left my dying to find out what was going to happen to these sisters, especially, would Guthrie begin talking again? There were a couple chapters during the build up to the unusual behaviors being noticed that I thought were rather slow, but I realize they were probably necessary to build the characters. I was just wanting more interaction with Guthrie and her fascination with bones. I was extremely happy when it finally came up again! Once they left for the camping trip, the pace started to pick up and then I couldn’t put the book down.

I enjoyed the eerie descriptions of the woods as well as the really well thought out descriptions of the characters' faces/reactions, particularly Guthrie. It’s very hard to convey a characters’ personality when the character doesn’t speak but I think Gus was the character I understood the most because even the narrator kept her feelings tight to the chest.

This book was a fantastic creepy take on family trauma and I absolutely loved it!

We start with our girlies, Chase and her younger sister Guthrie, that have lived on the road with their parents for nearly a decade, and after an incident that left little Guthrie selectively mute their parents are ready to dig some roots and settle down their family in the beautiful yet creepy Pando, Utah where their Dad takes a job as a fire lookout and move in to the Fire Tower in the middle of the forest to overlook the sea of trees of Pando. Soon we learn these woods are more than what they seem, along with the family secrets and traumas. I honestly loved this book and wish I could re-read it again for the first time. This was a slow, eerie, atmospheric and fully immersing read,a truly amazing read! To me it felt like I was watching a a24 film and wouldn't be surprised if it became one! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading this ARC.

Lonely Places was filled with trauma and the horror we can manifest into the world. Chase and her family experience the woods in different ways, yet it is a manifestation of their own, shared trauma. I greatly enjoyed how the horror in this book was portrayed, the eerie feeling of the woods and the trees who watch us. I've felt their eyes on me before so to read how Kate Anderson describes them so vividly brings me right back to that place. This novel is filled with all the right pieces of horror and I devoured it in a single afternoon.

3.5⭐️
This story follows a really interesting story especially if you have ever read any of the testimonies of people who have gotten lost at national parks. I really liked how the author kept things simple for the explanation of this phenomenon in able to reach target audience. I was fairly engage trying to figure out what happened that led to this move. Also, the woods mix with the horror of past events was excellent. MY major complain is this could have benefited from being longer to add depth to characters and atmosphere. It would have allowed to be more creepy and really understand Chases commitment to Gus.

This undoubtedly draws some inspiration from various creepypastas and urban legends (you’ll recognise it when you get to it), and is overall an enjoyable, easy read that I believe will appeal to teens more than adults. Lonely Places sits firmly in the “creepy,” genre, without being full-blown horror. The book puts more of a focus on trauma, self-doubt and the complex web of family relationships, while using unnerving themes and elements to add to the tension and propel the story forward. I was never truly frightened, but the writing does a great job of creating an ominous atmosphere and highlighting the loneliness and grief that permeates the underlying threads of the story. Fans of slow-burn, supernatural horror and poignant prose will find a satisfying read in this book.

A pretty standard, hollywoodesque ghost story reminiscent of a certain famous reddit series in r/nosleep (if you know, you know). It benefits from the refreshing point of view of a parentified teenager suffering her well intentioned but still neglectful parents.
The best parts are the overall imaginery and the wonderful amount of bones included.

This was a beautifully written book! This story delves through an atmospheric world that feels almost folk horror like. The whole book oozes with atmosphere, so you will have no problem immersing yourself into Pando, and even less of a problem attaching yourself to these well written, likable characters. This is a moving story that deals with trauma, indecision, and has underlying lessons that you can take away when you finish the book, but also? It’s so creepy! This was the first page turner I have read in a while. I can’t wait for more from this author.

First off, let me just say that this story had a great plot and it was solid almost all the way through. I related to the main character (Chase) so much, having parents that pick and choose when they want to be parents or just blatantly shrug off important situations. It irritates me to no end. Although sometimes Chase becomes paranoid and gets a bit overbearing, she’s one of the only characters that has her head on straight.
Although the story had a great build up and had me hooked after the first chapter, the ending was a bit anticlimactic and happened too fast for my liking. All the build up was diminished in less than a page and it wasn’t that good. I felt like Tessa Shaw’s story had so many plot holes and it didn’t make that much sense when it got down to it.

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FYI: on a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars ~ Nothing at all. Chefs kiss. No notes.
*4 Stars ~ It could us some slight adjustments here and there but pretty solid overall.
*3 Stars ~ Adjustments need to be made and rewriting needs to be done. Good but could be a lot better. I read it once and don’t need to do it again.
*2 Stars ~ This book needs a lot of work. Whether it be rewriting the plot, characters, style or ending. Something or everything needs to be changed.
*1 Star ~ Dumpster fire.

"Lonely Places" dives deep into the eerie and haunting mysteries of Pando Aspen Grove, taking readers on a journey through trauma and supernatural suspense. The story follows Chase and her family, who settle in a Fire Lookout Tower after a harrowing incident involving her younger sister, Guthrie.

Chase, the older sister trying to hold her family together, is drawn into the unsettling atmosphere of Pando. Her sister, traumatized into silence since a terrifying night in the woods, starts communicating with an old tree and collecting bones—an eerie obsession that mirrors the unsettling aura of the forest.

What really hooked me about this book is how the author crafted Pando as a character itself. The grove feels alive with unease and mystery, adding a layer of suspense that kept me eagerly turning pages. Chase's character development is also beautifully handled as she navigates guilt and tries to protect her sister from the eerie forces at play.

While it's not heavy on gore, "Lonely Places" builds tension through eerie encounters and the psychological unraveling of its characters. It's more about the creeping dread and the emotional impact of past traumas than jump scares, which I found refreshing in a horror novel.

I loved how the story integrates local folklore and the setting of Boone, NC, which added depth and made the atmosphere even more immersive. However, I wished for a bit more exploration of the Lonely Places themselves and a deeper dive into Guthrie's initial encounter, which felt like it left me hanging a bit.

Overall, "Lonely Places" is a haunting summer read that blends psychological depth with supernatural suspense. It's perfect for anyone who enjoys atmospheric horror and wants a story that lingers long after you finish the last page.

Lonely Places is the perfect summer horror read! I loved the way Anderson used the heat and the isolation of summer to pull out all the dark emotions in her characters and their experiences. She perfectly described the loneliness of life on the road and made Chase relatable and interesting. I enjoyed the sweet teen romance, and the tentative friendships felt real. Chase's relationships with her sister and her parents pulled at my heart without feeling sappy. I appreciate the way several recent flux books dig into dark and twisty stories without holding back, unafraid to explore complicated relationships and unusual magical/horror/sci-fi constructs, and Lonely Places is no exception. Lonely Places is a compelling, exciting read full of creative twists and unexpected feelings, and teens won't be able to put it down!

It’ll be difficult for me to describe just how much I loved this book. The elements of horror and suspense wrapped into a heartwarming story about family and facing trauma was so incredibly seamless and effective. I’ll definitely be buying a few books as gifts when it finally comes out. I miss the characters already.

Lonely Places is about a teenage girl, Chase, who moves with her family to a fire lookout, after a traumatic incident involving her younger sister, Guthrie. Her family has been on the move constantly for years, but all Chase wants is to go back to the town where she grew up. Chase gets a job at the nearby summer camp, where she starts hearing unsettling things about the lookout. At the camp she meets Wilder, who works as a lifeguard, and they quickly become close. But as Chase starts to spend more and more time with Wilder, she spends less and less with her younger sister, who has been acting strangely ever since they arrived. Chase has to try and protect her sister against all the strange occurrences that have been happening, until she suddenly disappears.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the setting, I really felt as if I were there myself, I had no trouble conjuring a picture in my minds eye and it made reading this book much more enjoyable for me. I haven't read this genre before, and although I enjoyed this book and I can definitely see how this could be an amazing read for others, it just didn't quite draw me in the way I had hoped it would. That being said I would say it's a good recommendation for horror fans!

Many thanks to Net Galley and North Star Editions for this opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Kate Anderson's debut novel, „Lonely Places“, is a captivating young adult folk horror that delves into the complexities of trauma, family dynamics, and the allure of the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of an isolated fire lookout nestled within a grove of aspen trees, the story follows sixteen-year-old Chase as she confronts her own past while trying to save her sister from a sinister otherworldly threat.

Plot and Setting

The narrative centers around Chase and her family, who have made a lifestyle of running from difficult conversations. Their latest escape leads them to a remote fire lookout, where the isolation amplifies the tension and unresolved issues within the family. Anderson skillfully uses this secluded setting to create an atmosphere of unease and foreboding, perfectly complementing the folk horror elements of the story.

Character Development

Chase, the protagonist, is a well-crafted character whose journey of self-discovery and bravery forms the heart of the novel. Her struggle to confront her own childhood trauma while desperately trying to rescue her sister Guthrie from a strange and sinister world is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The dynamic between the sisters adds depth to the story, highlighting themes of loyalty and the lengths one will go to protect family.

Themes and Atmosphere

Anderson explores weighty themes such as trauma, isolation, and the supernatural with a deft hand. The book's folk horror elements are effectively woven into the narrative, creating a sense of creeping dread that permeates the story. The author's ability to balance the real-world struggles of her characters with the encroaching otherworldly threat is particularly noteworthy.

Writing Style

For a debut author, Anderson demonstrates a strong command of atmosphere and pacing. Her prose effectively captures the eerie beauty of the aspen grove and the claustrophobic tension of the fire lookout. The gradual unveiling of the supernatural elements keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the mysteries lurking in the lonely places.

Minor Criticisms

While the book is generally well-executed, some readers might find the pacing in the middle section a bit slow. Additionally, certain secondary characters could have been developed further to add more depth to the overall narrative.

Conclusion

„Lonely Places“ is a promising debut that showcases Kate Anderson's talent for blending realistic family drama with chilling folk horror elements. It's a thought-provoking exploration of how trauma and isolation can shape our perceptions and relationships. This novel will appeal to fans of young adult literature who appreciate a darker, more introspective story with supernatural undertones. Anderson has established herself as an author to watch in the YA horror genre.

Immersive and gorgeously written, with spooky and really eerie elements. I really connected with the characters and found them really well developed. Overall an interesting read with a really important message.

Thank you to NetGalley, North Star Edition, Flux and the author for an e-ARC for my honest review.

Chase and her family have been living in a converted school bus for nine years across the USA. After a traumatic experience six months ago, her parents decide to settle down for a year in Pando where they will be living at a fire lookout to give the family some much needed stability. Chase and her sister, Guthrie (Gus) have always had a very close relationship but after “that night” 6 months ago Gus has stopped talking and Chase has become more protective of her.
Soon after arriving at the lookout Gus starts talking to trees, finding bones and even though her parents think she’s slowly become herself again, Chase senses and observes that something is terribly wrong. This place is not making Gus become herself again. This place is something that changes Gus and everyone who visits the woods completely. This is a place where birds sing in loops and bones sprout like mushrooms and you start seeing things that aren’t really there - or are they?

Lonely Places is a YA fiction/horror with a psychological plot. It’s a slow burn and it keeps its readers guessing of what comes next. It gives off dark and eerie vibes and you get the feeling that someone is always watching. These Aspen trees are creepy. Actually the whole forest is super creepy.

The book touches upon trauma, healing, family, love, guilt and relationships. The whole book is based on traumas in different forms: buried traumas, childhood traumas, family traumas and new traumas. All of the themes are linked and it’s intriguing to read how all details in the book are connected and how the story unfolds.

The characters are very believable and and I really enjoyed how Chase’s character develops throughout the book. She acts as a third parent for Gus but gradually that changes and she starts to live her life as a teenager with a new job, having friends and a boyfriend. Her relationship with Wilder is very sweet and turns out to be life changing for her. The family dynamic and the change in it is captivating and honest, and their healing as a family is beautiful.

Lonely Places is very well written and I really enjoyed it! I will never ever visit Pando after reading it 😅 but I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense, eerie and dark vibes, YA and psychological plots and twists.

I was hoping for more insight about “that night” and I would really have liked to hear more about “The Lonely Place”. I could read a whole book just about that place. Please make that happen, Kate! The book ended way too fast 🤍

This was such an immersive real with great spooky forest atmosphere and a deft handling of family trauma and silence. I didn't love all aspects of the ending, but some of the messaging was great. The main character is really well-developed, too.

Always on the go, always on the road, sixteen-year-old Chase and her younger sister Guthrie are always moving. To allow their children an upbringing off the beaten tracks and society's expectations, their parents travel through the country, never stay anywhere for too long. After their recent move to a fire lookout, deep in the Utah woodlands, Chase is tired of the nomadic lifestyle and yearns for a more stability and a true home. But her future is not her only concern, after an incident with her sister Guthrie in the woods prior to the move, the little girl stopped talking altogether. In the new environment, she shows increasingly worrisome behaviours, which didn’t seem to concern her free spirited parents, but Chase all the more.

Lonely Places is a well-crafted, creepy story surrounding family, relationships and trauma. I immensely enjoyed my read, as the story unfolded quite slowly around the well fleshed out characters, like the roots creeping in, you immediately get a feeling of dread from the atmosphere of the place. Chase is a great main character, with a lot of self-reflection, especially for someone her age, and it’s great following her and her inner turmoil and witnessing her opening up slowly. I enjoyed the love story as well, it’s tender, slow and purposeful.

The story carefully grows as more and more unsettling and supernatural situations come into play, giving the place a truly haunted feel and brings our characters to reflecting on their past, present and future.

It’s a great, eerie, summer read with lovely characters in an enticing setting. 4.25 - 4.5

Chase and her little sister Guthrie "Gus" have lived a nomadic life with their parents on a skoolie - a converted schoolbus. But since "that night," Gus hasn't spoken a word, and their parents decide to live in a lookout in the middle of Pando, an interconnected forest in Utah. But the forest seems to bring back the feelings of "that night." Chase is seeing things, and Gus keeps wandering off and collecting bones. When Chase starts working at the local summer camp, she learns of bad things happening at Pando...

This book sucked me in and didn't let go. Chase was an intriguing character with her unconventional history, and the hints at what happened "that night" drove me on to find out. Plus the forest was so creepy! I loved the setting and the atmosphere. Chase's romance with Wilder was cute in a way I didn't expect. I also loved how everyone's histories ended up interconnecting in the end just like the forest.

If you've ever been haunted by a house, this book is for you.

Chase and her family have been living in a remodelled school bus for long enough. Now they're moving into a Fire Lookout Tower in the middle of the woods- something else Chase has had enough of.
Chase suspects her life on the road is the result of her family running away from something. But all Chase wants is to go back home, where Grandma and Grandpa lived before The Accident. Her home long before That Night, when her kid sister went missing in the woods.

But life at the Fire Lookout is strange- Dad is acting cagey, Mom is in denial, and Chase's little sister Gus will only talk to the trees.

Chase makes friends while working at a summer camp, but also learns of the dark history of the Fire Lookout Tower.

This is a very well written creepy novel about trauma, liminal places, and how one event can alter your life forever.

The family in this book have been living in a converted bus, traveling across the country trying to be self reliant and be more attuned to nature. At least that's what the father wants. The rest of the family, including his wife and two daughters, are less sure about it.

The main protagonist is the oldest daughter. She looks forward to being on her own and having a more stable connected life. She doesn't want their current lifestyle at all.

When her father takes a job as a fire lookout at Pandora (a very real place that I recommend you Google. It's fascinating!) for a year she decides to get a job at a campground nearby to save money for her independence.

A year earlier, she left her younger sister in the woods and her sister became lost. When they found her, she was traumatised and hasn't spoken a word to anyone since. She's normal in every way except she doesn't speak. The guilt eats away at the older sister.

But being at Pando and living in the fire lookout tower soon takes a frightening turn. She begins seeing things that could not be there and her younger sister becomes obsessed with collecting bones from the woods surrounding them. And her sister seems to talk to the trees.

There's something really creepy about the way this author writes about Pando. The backstory of a young girl who went missing from that very watchtower years ago adds to this horror mystery as the past and the present collide.

This is more psychological horror and there's not a lot of blood and gore but it is effectively tense and keeps you reading as the mysteries of Pando slowly begin to be discovered.

This novel deals with past trauma and guilt in a way that perfectly fits the supernatural elements and it makes for a fantastic page turner. I highly recommend it.