A decent story with an enthralling atmosphere. At first, Rachel, the main character, felt insufferable, but I got used to her. I wasn’t a fan of the insta-love thing with Nick. Something felt off about this guy, but thankfully, everything resolved just right. The ending was very satisfying, and I enjoyed meeting the ghosts.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was thoroughly entertained by this one. Knowing it was geared a bit more to older YA readers, I adjusted my character experience and fully think Willson did a great job with the FMC. Immediately trusting a cute guy when your life was uprooted as a 16 year old? Sounds about right. I thought the twist was a little easy to figure out but still wasn’t sure how it would all fall into place which made me want to keep reading. Will recommend for spooky szn!

This book had me HOOKED from the first few pages. I have read Tidepool by Nicole Willson and absolutely adored it, I rated it 5 stars, and it’s one of my favourite books. So I was excited to see that she was bringing out a Gothic Haunted House story, as they’re one of my most beloved type of stories. This is a book that will keep you turning the pages, I was so captivated by what was going to happen next, and the writing really keeps you enthralled and wanting to read on. The way Geoff was written, with all the niggling remarks reaaaaaally made me dislike him, and I really enjoy when a book can give me an emotional response like that.

This is a young adult book, which I don’t often reach for and did so because I have loved the author’s previous work Tidepool. I think it would be both a perfect starter book for someone just getting into Horror or Gothic fiction, and an eerie, enthralling fun read for fans of the genre. There are some really beautifully written haunting scenes, and I LOVE how strong willed the women in this book are.

This is a Gothic Ghost Story that will keep you guessing and turning the pages.

Pick this up if you like: gothic haunted house stories for spooky season, strong gothic heroines and la Beetlejuice’s Lydia Deetz, eerie haunted houses, ultra creepy ghosts and haunting scenes.

My review will also be posted on my Instagram & TikTok, this book will also be featured in my Autumn TBR TikTok.
I have also rated this book on StoryGraph

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ebook copy of “The Keeper of The Key”.

This story centers on our main character, Rachel, a sixteen-year-old who has to leave everything behind after her father’s unexpected death. She loathes her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff, but has no say in moving far from home to St. Mary, Virginia, to live in Morgan House -Geoff’s isolated and dreadful residence. I felt compelled to finish the book the minute I started reading it. I needed to know what the deal was with Morgan House and why the men in this book act so weirdly and annoyingly. While Rachel is no likable character herself, I like how outspoken she is, how stubborn and how well she gets along with her grandmother. What I didn’t like was how unfazed she seemed by the disturbing occurrences that happened to her. I like a courageous MC but I feel like she brushes off quite a lot of terrifying things to the point it makes her less credible.

The house is a character in its own right, doors close of their own volition, things fall and break, and teeth are scattered everywhere. The horror elements are gruesome and what you would expect from a horror read. But I wanted more. The fact that the horrific scenes ended swiftly made them less haunting. The text flows nicely, it is fast-paced but the alternation between “calm” dinner scenes and cold fingers on ankles feels a bit too sudden.

The book would have benefited from a few more pages. The creepy sounds and visions started way too early in the story before I had any time to get used to some sort of normalcy. I would have liked more space for descriptions of the town, the bookstore, the cemetery, or even Morgan House. I couldn’t immerse myself fully in these locations and see them vividly. I wish we had more descriptions of the characters as well. I understand the need to keep an air of mystery around Geoff and Nick, but I felt like Rachel and her mother’s relationship was underdeveloped which made me care less about what might happen to them. Overall, I enjoyed the plot, I enjoyed the characters but I wanted to know more about them so that when the ending hit, I could feel actual worry for them.

I would recommend this book to young adults, 15+ readers that are new to the genre, as it is not a laborious read.

Nicole did an excellent job writing this book. It had a good amount of tense moments, along with other light-hearted moments. It had very relatable content for young adults/older teens regarding relationships and family dynamics. After reading this book, I'm glad that I don't have basement😏 I enjoyed the book and would recommend to others.

super thrilling and downright addicting!! i loved this from start to finish. it was such a quick read because the content itself was so addicting you couldn't put the book down. i will definitely read more from this author.

As teens and young adults devour shows such as Wednesday and films like Beetlejuice are being revitalised for a new audience, a book like this is just perfect for right now. A pretty scary, gothic, haunted house mystery, where the floorboards creak, basement doors lock unexpectedly, and a creepy wannabe stepdad all combine to make a compelling YA read.

16 year old Rachel doesn't want to have to give up her old life to go and move with her mom to a creepy old house in the woods with her mom's new boyfriend. But she wants her mom to be happy and with her dyed black hair and penchant for wearing purple and black, with the occasional Cure t-shirt, many people think she'll be really happy in a big ole spooky house. But things get pretty terrifying pretty quickly, and with the help of the cute boy she meets in the bookshop in town, Rachel tries to solve the mystery of Morgan House.

I read this book in one sitting, it's a real page turner, and will be devoured by a teen audience.

YA gothic/horror/thriller
3.75 ⭐️
A suspenseful book with a creepy house at the center and mysterious and unusual happenings. At times the book reminded me of Starling House because of the focus on the house element and the house almost as a character itself. While I was interested in the plot, the characters were not as likable as I enjoy in my books. Overall, a fun and creepy read. Thank you NetGalley and Nicole Willson for the ARC!

Really interesting! definitely enjoyed this one. this kept me entertained for the most part. if you enjoy a little bit of a dark side to literature this is one of the books you would be guaranteed to liking.

Rachel's mom becomes serious with her partner Geoff and moves 16 year old Rachel into Geoff's home Morgan House. Immediately weird things start to happen in the home like noises and seeing dead women. Geoff and Rachel don't get along and to make matters worse Geoff thinks Rachel is faking the issues with the house to break up her mom and him.
Is Rachel faking or is the house haunted?

Rachel’s mum’s boyfriend is overbearing, with far too many rules, but Rachel can’t do anything to change her mum’s mind about them moving in with him. When Rachel moves to Morgan House, an hour away from her old life and everything that she knows, straightaway she experiences nightmares and horrific visions. The only saving grace of the move is Nick, a local guy who listens to Rachel and believes her.
Fast-paced and a great inclusion of so many gothic horror tropes alongside the intensity of being a teenager. This was a fun read!
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc.

Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial | Parliament House Press books for this ARC for review. This was a super fun and a bit creepy thriller. Rachel is 16yrs old and definitely DOES NOT want to move into a huge, creepy mansion with her mother's boyfriend< Geoff, and leave her friends and change schools. The only saving grace is that Rachel meets a guy named, Nick. He seems fun, even if he took her to a cemetery for their first date. Rachel continues to fight with Geoff, and she hears weird noises in the house. Then she starts seeing things that aren't really there, or are they? Is Rachel going to survive living in this house?

I enjoyed "The Keeper of the Key" right from the start, with its creepy ghost moments and gripping premise that kept me hooked. Although the villain felt a bit predictable and the ending didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it was still a fun read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys modern Gothic YA horror.

The story follows 16-year-old Rachel, who reluctantly moves into a creepy mansion with her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff, who insists she stay out of the basement. As Rachel experiences terrifying visions tied to the house, especially after a family tragedy, she must uncover the truth before the house traps her forever.

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Keeper of the Key initially caught my eye because who does love haunted houses? But it's so much more than that; it's about a girl and her struggles. Rachel has had a rough couple of months, having to deal with her father's death, her mother moving on from her father, and her mom's new boyfriend, Geoff. Rachel and Geoff from the start never seem to be on the right page, both disliking each other for different reasons. When her mother announces that they are moving into Geoff's house, away from her whole life, Rachel loathes him and his house even more. The house even seems to not like her either; she starts having intense nightmares and waking up in strange places that are impossible to get to sleep walking. But there is no other excuse for that behavior until there isn't. Meanwhile, Rachel tries to find good things within the new town; there isn't much but a boy, Nick. They start to get close, forming a relationship, learning about each other, and figuring things out for herself. Nicole Wilson writes a great young adult horror/gothic novel with twists and turns that are never expected. This book kept me up at night wondering what was happening in the next chapters.

This was a good atmospheric gothic read. I really felt drawn into the story with all the horror happening in the house.

It has a lot of twists and turns.

If you are looking for a book to read into the night under the covers - this one is for you.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC. All opinions are my own

Very well written YA gothic horror which kept engrossed throughout.

The writing style is effortless and flows beautifully. The description of the house and hauntings are atmospheric and creepy without being OTT.
The characters are pretty flushed out, yes there is a hint of the stereotypical bad relationship between the new step-parent and the kid, but it serves a large purpose and pushes the storyline. The 16 year old FMC is likeable and a typical teen, depicted through attitude and language, without it being condescending to the target audience.

Overall an enjoyable read that I would recommend

Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Parliament press for the ARC for review

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Parliament House Press, for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Rachel's world gets turned upside down when her mother and Geoff, her mother's boyfriend, announce a sudden move to Geoff's house. He and the main character do not get along, and the sinister house does not help. Especially when it seems like the house itself wants Rachel gone.

The premise of this book got me hooked. I love family drama and haunted houses, and the combination was right up my alley. The book was fast-paced, really easy to read and digest, perfect for teens who want a light, slightly creepy read. The horror aspects were very light, and the mystery was very well maintained throughout the story. It kept me invested throughout the whole book.

I feel the need, however, to criticise two things: the repetiveness of Rachel's "night problems" in the first half of the book and the pace of the relationship. I do understand the need for both of them, as they were part of the plot construction, but, personally, I was slightly bothered.

Overall, the book was very fun and enjoyable! 4 stars from me!

This book, honestly, took a turn that I was not expected, but was easy enough to put together once the pieces fell into place. But with an intro excerpt from the story of Bluebeard, I thought I knew exactly what I was getting into, and I was pleasantly surprised that that wasn’t the case, when all was said and done.

As thankful as I am that I decided to push through the lull this book experienced at about a quarter in, I wish that The Keeper of the Key got to its point quicker. If it had, this certainly had the potential to be an out of the park 5-star read. But because it didn’t, I feel that the overall ambiance and impact of the book suffered as a result.

What most interested me about this book in particular was the allure of a gothic fiction novel that rested as the unique intersection of gothic and young adult. Gothic fiction having a reputation for being willing to go places that would certainly not be suitable in your average young adult novel, I was curious to see how those themes would playout for a reading population that typically wasn’t the target.

The overall composition of the book was very easy to follow and digest. The writing teetering between typical fiction prose and something otherworldly, which further contributed to the experiences that Wilson was no doubt seeking to elicit throughout the journey into Morgan House and its surrounding township. The issue is that the blurred line between showing and telling became a tad obvious in points of the story where things were often explained outright rather than built up to and experienced wholly by the reader. In this way, a lot of the reactions felt manufactured rather than organic when they arose.

Similarly, it also contributed to a phenomenon where you likely could have skipped several pages in between each one read and still completely understand the story and what happened to our protagonist, Rachel, as she sought to uncover what it was being hidden with Morgan House’s walls.

Rachel, herself, is also a bit insufferable in the way she goes about things, but this can largely be chalked up to her being sixteen years old, which further emphasizes her naivete to a world she thinks she understand, as well as her petulance when things aren’t exactly how she herself thinks they need to be. There were several moments where I, myself, had to remind myself that Rachel was only sixteen, as there were several instances where it read to me like she was intended to be written as an adult with fully formed experiences.

The several horror scenes that did occur were interesting, until they became repetitive. In truth, these scenes when analyzed together gave away the twist of the book long before it was actually revealed and thus made the reveal a bit lackluster, even if some elements of it were interesting.

Beyond Rachel herself, the rest of the characters are fully fleshed out and thus feel wholly secondary to the protagonist and the house that sits and represents the edifice of her ire and curiosity both.

Overall, I wouldn’t say that The Keeper of the Key was a bad book, per se, but it was lacking something that I had gone into it thinking would be there. I enjoyed what was given to me, though not quite as much as I would have liked. For this reason, I’m rating it 4 stars.

I do, however, recommend this book for individuals who like a darker plot in their young adult fiction, for those that enjoy gothic fiction and gothic horror but would prefer to digest something a little more tame, and for individuals who enjoy a love story with a twist.

I also would like to thank NetGalley, Parliament House Press and Nicole Wilson for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

*thank you to netgalley, the author and the Parliament House Press for the ARC <3*

Please note: SPOILERS START AND END WITH [ ]

3.5/4 stars

Oh my god the ending...

*deep breath*

Okay, let’s get started.

In The Keeper of the Key we see things from Rachel’s pov, a 16 year old who has to shift out of her town and go live with her mom’s new boyfriend in a big creepy house in another state. However, it’s not just any house. Rachel hears, sees and feels paranormal activities that won’t leave her alone.

I'll start out by saying I haven't read many gothic or horror books. This was my first book in the gothic/horror genre and according to me it is the perfect gothic read if you want to get started with and explore this genre.

if im being honest, in the start it was very boring. I had to get myself to actually start reading and not just procrastinate about it. It hadn’t got interesting until 40% of the book. I was tempted to DNF this more than once, and I probably would’ve if it hadn’t been a short read.

Coming on to the characters. Rachel was quite annoying after some time. In her defence, I could relate to her more than once and was able to understand where those thoughts came from but at some point they just got to repetitive and I feel that she should could have just tried to understand other’s opinions instead of behaving the way she did. Adding on to this, I don’t feel like we had much character development (for any character) throughout the book, however that is understandable as I don’t expect them to be in a short book as this.

I was really into the story when Nick came into the picture. Many gothic/horror readers don’t like this part but as I usually read romance or fantasy this really helped me continue the story without DNFing it. However Nick was a HUGE red flag RED CARPET and Rachel was just too naive and lovesick to see that. [ I HATED the way he always just wanted to go to Morgan House or any place where they would be without any people as their “alone time”. (hide spoiler)]. And this book shouldn't exactly be marketed as YA due to the sexual activity in between the characters.

One thing I really did not understand was that, Rachel was furious at her Mom for moving in with a guy she barely knows, according to her, but on the other hand she was sharing every single thing from what is happening with her family (geoff, mom, gram, etc) to the paranormal activities in her house without know ANYTHING to Nick. The irony.

Moving ahead, OH MY GOD! I WAS IN UTTER SHOCK AFTER BEING 70% IN THE BOOK.

[ GEOFF DIES GETS MURDERED!? OMG, THAT WAS UNEXPECTED. (hide spoiler)]

this really intrigued me more into the book and i just couldn't stop reading. And that fact that we got another plot twist just after this? [ Rachel's father was cheating on Rachel's mom! (hide spoiler)] that was just *boom*.

At some point I thought the book was getting repetitive, however that was necessary for the ending to build up so ig that's fine. The writing was a bit lacking in description, I couldn't imagine the setting much at all. I am still a bit clueless on how Morgan House should look from the inside and to some extent the outside as well.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, it was a great introduction for me to the horror and gothic genre. I would recommend this to you if you want to get started with this genre. Otherwise, it was an okay read.
<3

Thank you so much to Parliament House Press, NetGalley, and Nicole Willson for this ARC. I really enjoyed this novel—if you love a good haunted house book with semi-annoying characters, then I would recommend.