EV Knight's latest is an entry in the illustrious tradition of Shirley Jackson's Haunting of Hill House. In this permutation, a famous horror author commissions work from an obscure southern gothic artist who happens to be a big fan of his. It's an irresistible opportunity that she embraces, until, at the threshold of a new phase of her career, an unexplainable physical malady leaves her crumpled at the entrance to the house. The protagonist's marriage is less than harmonious, which seems to be the result of her husband's stereotypical insensitivity. Emotional aspects of the story, such as the artist's enthusiasm for her new project and her dread surrounding her struggling relationship, are heavy-handed and unpolished, resorting to using all caps to convey emphasis to the reader. While there's nothing wrong with coloring inside the lines in a traditional haunted house story, there's also nothing very original about this one. Readers seeking a book with the genetics of Jackson's Hill House should look to Richard Matheson, Elizabeth Hand and Scott Thomas.

Thanks to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

2.5 stars. The title is perfection—the exact title to grab my attention. The story itself wasn’t great. I loved the history of the house and the atmosphere. Hated Miles so much. He’s a total idiot. And the Rhett/Remi mix-up was included in every damn chapter. Both names are ridiculous for a baby. Emily is going through some serious postpartum depression and she’s just so unhinged. Their marriage is unhealthy and that seems to be the focus of this book—not the haunted house. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

It’s been a struggle to find a good thriller lately, so I’ve jumped straight to horror! (Also, prepping for Spooky Season, of course.) The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel was an absolute blast! Sure, the characters could’ve been a bit more fleshed out—it really leans into that “all men are dumb and I despise them” vibe 😂. But I was totally spooked, hooked, and entertained the whole way through. It’s one of those “just one more chapter” reads, and suddenly, it’s over before you know it. I absolutely loved the setting—a haunted, old southern house in Savannah, GA—and the atmosphere was spot-on creepy. It might not be for everyone, especially those who’ve dealt with PPD, but I had a fantastic time with it. Big thanks to NetGalley for an eArc of this book! Pub day is September 12th!

The storyline was compelling and interesting however the chapters from Miles’ perspective were painful to read. I absolutely hated him, which may have been the point - narcissist, misogynistic, patronizing, he was all of them. I didn’t really understand the point of the whole issue of the baby’s name and found it annoying. I did like that I thought I knew what would happen but the book went another way. Overall I’d give this a 3.5/5.

Hmmm…………

I didn’t hate this book, however, I didn’t love it either. Unlikeable characters don’t bother me but there’s something about this couple that made smile a lil when bad things happened to them. I’m not sure that was the intent of the author, though. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The premise is top tier and has a ton of potential to be a truly interesting story—just didn’t hit the mark.

Anyways, I’ll be recommending this book because dark and bleak are some readers’ vibe and they”ll definitely get their fill.

The writing is… immature. Miles is an absolute caricature of a “smart guy” and is so unbelievably unlikable it just leaves his character flat.

I will say the horror scenes were pretty good and unnerving, but that’s really the only positive.

Thank you so much for letting me read and review this book. I loved the plot very unique. Its so funny how the husband goes out and buys the house because what couple hasnt experienced their SO going out and getting something without talking first. It was a very relatable book. I also loved that the house originally was going to be for a book cover and turned into their family home. So I do have a huge fear of small closed spaces and this book gave trapped in the best way, the walls always felt closer and closer the more the book progressed. I'm a huge fan

Are you looking for a haunted house story? This may not be for you. The house is haunted, but that part of the story is quite thin.

Are you looking for something bleak with no reprieve? This is the vibe you're seeking. Darkness o plenty.

This story is about Emily's sad life. Miles, her husband, is awful, so awful that I almost gave up at the 15% mark. By that point his sexism, mansplaining, gaslighting, and homophobia was too much. He added some fatophobia on top as well. He's despicable in all the ways. Even when he was dealing with tragedy, I didn't want to root for him. Emily is a victim of unfortunate circumstances, held together by trauma and post-partum depression. Her you can root for, but you never really get to know her. I wish there was more character there.

Ultimately, this is a dark story. It's written well, but it wasn't quite my jam. If you want to see dark humanity with a haunted backdrop, it may be for you.

To be the inspiration for a new famous horror book would be such a dream come true. I loved the premise of this book. My mind went to all kinds of scenerios that could happen. I really liked the main character and what she went through was so very realistic. I felt so hard for her the whole time. The husband though I felt he meant well drove me crazy. Believe her already!! I loved that he drove me crazy and kept me guessing what he was doing. The side characters worked so well to move the story. I kept thinking this is gonna be a 5 star for me. The only thing that slowed it down for me was the very ending because (for me) it got a little bit repeative and tropey. I also loved the baby and his characters storyline disappointed me. I needed a HERO at the end of the story. However, it fit for a horror book. This house spirit is truely a genuine villian. The story got sad but that is to be expected because the situations and topics are so real and so many families and women deal with them. Giving this book a strong four. I would both buy and recommend but I am sure it will get some mixed reviews. make sure to read the disclaimers for trigggers.

I loved, loved, loved this book! It was so easy to dive into and I was invested from the very first chapter. This is probably one of my most recent favorite ghost stories. The POV goes back and forth between husband and wife Emily and Miles as they each go about very different ways of figuring out what happened to their infant son after moving into a spooky old Victorian home in Savannah. There is a background story as well of an author, Cooper Yancy, who Emily is hired by to do a book cover for and it all comes together beautifully.

At times I was so lost in the story of Emily and Miles that when Cooper would sneak back in, it was almost like I had forgotten about him.

This story was so captivating and fascinating and showed the depths of grief and hope and the lengths a mother will go to for her baby.

Wonderful stuff in this book. I definitely recommend!

*The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel* is a spine-chilling tale that masterfully blends psychological suspense with eerie horror, offering readers a gripping exploration of fear, reality, and the secrets that lurk behind seemingly innocuous facades.

The novel centers around Emily Lawrence, a talented artist commissioned to design the cover for a horror novel. Her chosen subject, an old, enigmatic house, becomes the focal point of the story. Emily’s fascination with the house goes beyond artistic intrigue—it’s a reflection of her inner turmoil. The house, with its unsettling aura, holds a dark allure that intrigues her but also hints at deeper, more sinister secrets.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Emily’s husband, Miles, purchases the house for their family, believing it to be the ideal home for their growing family. His decision is motivated by his desire to support Emily, who is sidelined by a high-risk pregnancy. However, the move brings with it a series of unsettling events that escalate from disturbing whispers to a palpable sense of malevolence.

As Emily begins to experience eerie occurrences—voices and a sense of a child's presence—her mental state becomes increasingly fragile. The novel excels at blurring the line between supernatural and psychological, leaving readers to question whether the haunting is real or a product of Emily's stress and trauma. Miles, grappling with his own challenges, struggles to balance caring for Emily and their newborn son with his skepticism about the supernatural claims.

The tension in this book is skillfully built through a combination of atmospheric setting, psychological depth, and emotional stakes. The house itself is more than a mere backdrop; it is a character in its own right, its oppressive presence and hidden secrets driving the narrative forward. The author’s ability to create a palpable sense of dread and suspense makes the novel an engrossing read.

The disappearance of the baby adds a harrowing twist to the story, amplifying the stakes and forcing both Emily and Miles into a desperate search for answers. The emotional and psychological tension is heightened as the couple navigates their crumbling sanity and the ever-looming threat of the house’s dark influence.

*The House on the Cover of a horror novel* is a compelling horror novel that will keep readers on edge with its blend of psychological suspense and supernatural horror. It’s a thought-provoking read that delves into themes of fear, perception, and the impact of trauma, all set against the backdrop of a house that seems to hold a dark secret. For fans of psychological horror and unsettling mysteries, this book is a must-read that promises to leave a lasting impression.

The premise of this book was really interesting and I was really looking forward to reading, however the book did not live up to the expectations. The book felt quite rushed and everything was happening very quickly without much impact on the reader. The characters were quite bland and needed further developing in order to make the ordeals believable. It was also predictable, the storyline was very quick and I think it needed further development.

Approximately 1/4 of this book was entertaining. I have never read about a more disconnected married couple with no interesting facts or characteristics about them. Emily, the main character, was extraordinarily boring. Her husband, Miles, is extraordinarily stupid.

This story was supposed to be about a haunted house set in Southern Gothic Savannah (where I read the book). Meanwhile, it felt like a kooky horror soap opera. Some of the dialogue was so cliché and emotionless and the plot was empty. I also found multiple grammatical errors throughout my reading.

Throughout the beginning chapters, both Emily and Miles bring up Emily getting fat during pregnancy, which feels fat-phobic in its repetition and probably deserves a trigger warning for people with eating disorder trauma. There were a lot of unnecessarily gory and slimy feeling moments, which steered the story away from the haunted house genre.

This is a slow story with a devastatingly barren ending.

The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel was a 3.5 Star read for me.

I really enjoyed this book! I find it really difficult to come across horror/thriller novels that have a paranormal plot. I just want ghosts, hauntings and exorcisms, and this book finally delivered those elements to me!

I loved that this books has multiple POVs, I think that's quite rare to find in the horror genre. It was definitely needed to bring that depth to the characters so that you as the reader can really understand their thoughts and feelings.

I enjoyed the characters too. Even though Miles is extremely easy to hate, I think his character was perfect for the story and enhanced the plot.

The writing was fantastic and I really enjoyed the ending of the book! I wasn't sure how it was going to end but I think it perfectly encapsulated the entire plot.

I very much enjoyed the read. I would definitely recommend if you're after a horror with a unique take on the 'Haunted House' trope.

Side note: I did notice a couple of spelling and grammatical errors throughout the book. I picked up a few when referring to Cam who is non-binary and was referred to as 'him'. I thought that information may be useful for the Author/Publisher.

I loved the idea of an artist and writer creating a Gothic Horror story with the house first. But this turned into a totally different book pretty quickly. It was more a pregnancy horror. Absolutely horrible people for the main characters, a dash of homophobia and fat shaming, gaslighting and insulting behavior from Miles (the husband) and absurd choices abound. The writing is so scattered in some places, and overworked and too detailed in others. I don’t think anyone would have expected the graphic pregnancy details in a haunted house story. I think the whole story could do with some reworking and if not, some heavy content warnings.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this and give my honest review.

If you enjoy a good, albeit slightly over the top, haunted house story then make sure to add this one to your list! It’s fast-paced and easy to read with characters who are pretty well developed. I spent most of my reading experience wanting to strangle the husband but I’m pretty sure it’s intentional 😅

The plot heavily features pregnancy and motherhood so be warned if that’s a sensitive topic for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, RDS Publishing and EV Knight for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this thinking I was going to read a typical haunted house story, and while it was, it focused more on the horrors of a difficult pregnancy, postpartum depression, and unsuppotive spouses.

As for the characters, I couldn't find anything that I liked about any of them. Emily and Miles is by far one of (if not) the worst couples. There was gaslighting, no communication, and lack of respect.

I kept waiting for the story to ramp up, but it just never got there. I felt the atmosphere was lacking and I was never pulled in. I wanted to see more of the hauntings and wish the backstory of what caused the hauntings was more fleshed out. The ending is quite bleak, however, this is what saved the story for me.

I want to give a huge thanks to RDS Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Well, confession up front: I did NOT like the characters. But EV Knight knows how to keep her readers interested even if they find the main characters unlikeable, and it turned out I finished the book, loved it, and have no complaints! Actually, the plot went into directions I never suspected nor would have predicted from the synopsis or the reviews. Plot-wise, it's a Southern Gothic story of the family-going-insane type. Bleak, dark, mostly humorless, with a very heavy sense of claustrophobia and miscommunication among the characters. The house is obviously haunted, perhaps too obviously and this makes for some unrealistic and wooden dialogue; that said, this never dissuaded me from reading on. In fact, perhaps the true protagonist is that sinister house: keep your eyes fixed on it and you will surely enjoy the tale, even the twist in the ending. Well done!

The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel by EV Knight

Emily Lawrence, an artist by trade, is contacted by Cooper Yancy, a famous author, with a proposal. He wants to commission her to do the cover art for his next novel and use it as inspiration in writing the tale. Searching for ideas, Emily comes across a perfectly eerie dwelling for the book's cover. While investigating the home, she experiences a medical emergency. At the hospital, doctors give Emily and her husband, Miles, the fantastic news that she is pregnant, although with some slight complications. Enduring a rough birthing of their son, Emily seems withdrawn and begins to have traumatic visions of her son and family. EV Knight, our storyteller, begins to unfurl a masterclass of suspense. As the lies unfold, so too does the history of the old southern abode.

Drenched with decay and rot, I trudged forward into the realm of uncertainty. The author painted horrific implications, wave after wave, unrelenting. Picture those fairytale-like homes from the south, ones that speak to onlookers. Their architectural beauty masking century-old tales within. The story of someone or something hurting one's child is at the forefront, triggering an all-encompassing need for safety, yet finding no one to help. The story wallowed in a familiarity of horrific comfort I love. It was different, and within its pages, I felt a sense of freshness in the writing style. Pages flowed easily, the nature of its sinister ideas hitting their mark.

A decrepit beauty invaded my demeanor as I set the book down. I found myself enamored by this tale and can give it a solid endorsement. 4 out of 5 stars, highly recommended for fans of the hauntingly horrific genre.

Many thanks to RDS Publishing/Raw Dog Screaming Press for the free ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Unfortunately, this one is going in my DNF pile pretty early. Miles is INFURIATING. Actually, Emily is, too. These people don’t tell each other anything!! Who buys a house without telling their partner? I’m barely into this book and I can’t handle the lies and gaslighting between these two. With a little homophobia from Miles sprinkled in, just for funsies, I guess.

Sometimes an unlikeable character in horror can be fun, while you sit back and just wait for them to get what’s (hopefully) coming to them. But being in Miles’ POV is excruciating, and Emily honestly isn’t much better. I think the relationship between these characters is *part* of the horror, so maybe I’m just not the target audience.

I think this book is well-written from what I’ve read so far, and the premise is indeed interesting. I’d recommend seeing for yourself if this book is for you, this rating is just my personal opinion. I would be open to trying other titles from this author. I may come back to this one with a fresher attitude in the future.