the premise of this book was really interesting, too bad that a great premise can't compensate for a book that is poorly written and doesn't create a deep connection between the reader and the characters: it seems like a jumble of tropes put together, everything that is trendy now just because it's liked, but the substance is really little; the protagonist is a ghost, characterized only by her OCD and the fact that she wants to "live", even if it's not clear why her father keeps her locked up, and she doesn't think twice about abandoning him; jax, even if he is a cool demon who makes us see the stars, is a flat character: I couldn't describe his character to you, except that he is madly in love with Soleil as soon as he lays eyes on her. The plot itself is not bad, but it almost seems like a collection of moments not interconnected with each other, making the narration even more distant from the reader.

This book is a cute short read if you don't take it seriously.
I couldn't figure out what Halloween represents in this universe. Is FMC just personally obsessed with it? No one else seems to go on about the "magic of Halloween" as much as she does. That was a bit weird.
The first two parts of the book are honestly very cringe. The third part is the best, and I almost feel like everything prior to that just didn't receive as much attention, and was just put together to lead to the third part.
The parts that describe the feelings of anxiety definitely feel the most real. You can tell the author has personal experience and knows what they're talking about. I could relate to a lot of it, and honestly, these might be the most realistic descriptions of anxiety and anxious thoughts I've read in a long time.
Most of the book feels like a fever dream, but it was a fun, okay read.
There are a lot of typos in this version, not sure if that is something I should report on, but it was very noticable.

This is one of my favorite fall/Halloween fantasy books I’ve read! This book had me hooked from the start and I didn’t want to put it down. The beginning of the book being set on Halloween in a small town started the book off with good vibes and I wish we got to see the characters in the town and celebrating. Overall this book felt like everything happened too fast and I wish at times it would have slowed down a bit and that we got a little bit more world-building, especially in the demon world. I really liked the characters and I enjoyed the side characters as well, especially the ones you meet in the demon world. If you are looking for a book to read with fall vibes then this would be one that I would recommend. Thank you so much NetGalley and M. K. Ahearn for an ARC of this book.

⭐️ 3/5
🌶 2/5

That's all she wrote, folks.
This felt very predictable. I found myself constantly eye-rolling at the cliche 'cheesiness' of the dialogue and certain scenes.

If wasn't really anything intruiging or exciting, yet it was still readable. If you like demon/human romance with spice, romance and low world building as an easy read, then this is it.

Book Review:

I had high hopes for this book, especially since the blurb compared it to Howl's Moving Castle, one of my all-time favorites. However, I found the connection to be unclear. While the premise sounded fun and intriguing, I ended up feeling a bit confused throughout the story.

The romance had elements of insta-love, which made sense since the characters had a history, but it still felt abrupt for the reader. The introduction of a spicy scene without fully establishing their relationship felt jarring.

On the plus side, the book definitely captures those spooky Halloween vibes, making it a good pick for the season. I appreciated how the main character, Soleil, portrayed OCD in a realistic way; it resonated with me as a fellow OCD girl.

That said, some characters, particularly Soleil, came across as immature and a bit annoying at times. The male lead felt like a typical romantic fantasy archetype, but I did think it was sweet that he nicknamed her "little flame."

The pacing also felt off, with some sections racing by while others dragged. I can see why this book might resonate with some readers, but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. Maybe my expectations were too high because of the Howl's Moving Castle comparison.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! You can find my Goodreads review and look out for my TikTok wrap-up at the end of the month.

A spooky and spicy romance between two fated supernatural beings. The premise of a girl being locked up each halloween is actually interesting; there's so much intrigue there, and opportunity for the story to unfold into a vast, immersive world. Unfortunately, while the idea was there, the execution wasn't what I hoped it would be. Especially since I read this while reading another similar book (purely by coincidence), which I ended up loving, I feel like this book could have been much better.

Actual rating: 3.5
Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and the author M. K. Ahearn for giving me the oportunidade to read this book in exchange of my honest review.
One Hollow Love was an easy read, and the anxiety representation was really well done. I just felt everything happened too fast. I also wanted more depth to the characters and the world.
It is a perfect book for the season, especially for the upcoming Halloween.

I didn't really understand the blurb for this. It said that it was like Howl's Moving Castle (one of my favorite movies of all time, just check my Letterboxd four), but I don't see it.

The blurb/description sounded like a lot of a fun and like something I would be really interested in, but I just found this book a bit confusing. And a bit insta-love/insta-lust, which made sense because the characters previously knew each other, but that's a bit sudden for the reader. You need to show the reader that these characters have a relationship before immediately throwing in a spicy scene that doesn't really make sense.

This definitely has spooky Halloween-y vibes, so if this sounds like the type of book you like, I would definitely read it in spooky season!

Our FMC, Soleil, is a fellow OCD girlie. And it felt like a pretty dang accurate literary depiction, which I REALLY appreciated and respected.

These characters can be quite a bit annoying and nonsensical at times, especially Soleil. She has a certain immaturity to her that makes her annoying. And the MMC is way too romantasy formulaic for me. But I did think it was so cute that he called Soleil "little flame." Such a cute nickname, he got a point from me for that.

The pacing of this book felt a bit off. It felt stop-and-start. Some parts went by so fast and others seemed to drag.

I can definitely see an audience for this book, but it just wasn't me. Maybe the Howl's Moving Castle expectations were too high and it was my fault that I was as disappointed as I was with this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly wrap-up.

While I was initially excited about the Hocus Pocus-inspired premise and the promise of a morally grey male lead, One Hollow Love unfortunately didn't live up to my expectations. I found myself struggling to connect with the characters and the overall plot, ultimately leading me to DNF the book.
Specific Feedback:
Insta Love: The insta-love trope is notoriously difficult to pull off effectively, and in this case, I felt that the MCs lacked the necessary chemistry. There was a notable absence of banter or playful interactions that could have helped to develop a more compelling connection between them.
Morally Grey MMC: While the idea of a morally grey male lead was intriguing, I found that the MMC fell short of the wit and playful energy of characters like Howl or Rhysand. Comparing him to such iconic figures may have set unrealistic expectations.

In conclusion, while I appreciate the opportunity to read One Hollow Love, I was ultimately disappointed by my reading experience. I believe that with a bit more character development, a stronger connection between the MCs, and a more engaging plot, this book could have been a captivating read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book on exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I was originally really excited to read this book. the description said it was a mixture of Howl’s Moving Castle and Hocus Pocus. Since I love Howl, I was hoping to like this book and feel that whimsical romantic magic that story has.

I did not feel that. This felt like an extremely poorly written 1990s Halloween movie. There is a lot of instalove, there is virtually no plot or world building at all, and the dialogue and writing is very mediocre. I think I have read better Cloud Strife fanfic on wattpad that the writing in this book.

I honestly would not recommend this book. There are so many better written books out there than this.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this in exchange for an honest review. I wish I liked it more. :(

Absolutely loved the Halloween and fall vibes at the beginning of the book! The fmc Soleil with her ocd and anxiety was an interesting twist and I loved how Jax was able to help her with it. Also always a big fan of when the mmc has a nickname for the fmc and I really liked „little flame“!!
The traveling between the realms on Halloween was such a cool concept, I just wish we would’ve gotten more of that and more of the fall vibes like in the beginning.
The plot twist I felt like were all somehow foreseeable but still overall a very nice fast paced standalone fantasy perfect for the spooky season!
The review on my Instagram @bookbounddreams will be posted on Monday (16.09.24)

Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for an eARC. Soleil’s father locks her in her room every Halloween to protect her. She is so tired of this and wants to experience Halloween. Halloween night she sneaks out her window to see the town festival. She meets a mysterious man who turns out to be a demon. They spend a few hours together and sleep together. He has to leave at midnight but promises to return next year with hopefully a way to stay longer. The instant love and pretty much no reaction to meeting a demon bothered me. Couldn’t get into this one and just felt it was cringy at times and boring others times. Just wasn’t for me.

I struggled with this book.
I was sold on the marketing of howls moving castle meets hocus pocus and this definitely did not deliver that…

This is probably not aimed at me trope wise- I don’t enjoy Insta love. The FMC is annoying. We learn next to nothing about the MMC the whole book. The time frame the story unfolds in is days. There’s no depth build up or chance to really get to know the characters.
Even the supporting characters were just there to make the FMC not look as ridiculous as she would if they didn’t support her.

Thanks for the opportunity in reading. I hope it finds the demographic of people who will enjoy it.

This book was a decent read, I couldn't really get into the premise though - the mfc seemed so accepting of the whole idea of demons super quick for me and then just kind of went with everything. I may come back to this book later, because the plot was engaging but this wasn't for me right now.

This book has such a good concept to it but I felt this wasn’t fully executed. Everything seemed to move super quick and I felt that just as I was getting into a scene, it was over. I also struggled to connect with the main character as she seemed quite self involved, for example her whole thing about having no friends whilst in a scene with two loyal and loving friends really irked me.
I truly believe this book could be amazing if it just had a little more put into it and was a little less rushed.
I will only be reviewing this via NetGalley.

"One Hollow Love" promises a story of love, magic, and adventure, but it falls short in several key areas, making for a mixed reading experience. The story centers on Soleil, a young woman longing to escape her ordinary life and the expectations imposed by her father. Her search for freedom and love leads her to an unexpected encounter with Jax, a half-demon from a world she thought only existed in stories. Their worlds intersect on a fateful Halloween night, setting the stage for a year-long separation and a promise that drives the narrative forward.

While the premise of "One Hollow Love" is intriguing—blending the real world with a magical realm—the execution of the world-building is underwhelming. The fantasy elements feel underdeveloped, lacking the depth and richness that could make the story's setting truly come alive. There are glimpses of interesting concepts and magical rules, but they are never fully fleshed out, leaving the reader with more questions than answers about how this other world functions and its significance to the plot.

The central romance between Soleil and Jax, which is supposed to be the emotional core of the book, also feels rushed and unconvincing. Their connection sparks quickly, but without enough development to make their bond feel genuine or compelling. The whirlwind nature of their initial meeting on Halloween night doesn’t provide enough time for readers to see why they would be drawn to each other beyond surface-level attraction. This lack of emotional depth makes it difficult to fully invest in their relationship or root for their reunion.

Character development, particularly for Jax, is another area where the book falters. As a mysterious half-demon, he has the potential to be a layered and complex character, but his backstory and motivations remain vague throughout much of the novel. Soleil, too, starts as a promising character with her desire to break free from her mundane life, but her growth feels stagnant as the plot progresses. Instead of evolving naturally through her experiences, she often comes across as reactive rather than proactive, which diminishes her strength as a protagonist.

The pacing of the story is another issue. There are moments where the narrative drags, with lengthy passages that do little to advance the plot or deepen the reader's understanding of the world or characters. This uneven pacing affects the story's tension and makes it difficult to stay engaged, especially during the middle portions of the book where the story seems to meander.

While "One Hollow Love" has moments that shine—such as the initial concept of intertwining two vastly different worlds and the tension of a year-long wait—the overall execution leaves much to be desired. For readers looking for a well-developed fantasy world or a deeply moving romance, this book might not fully satisfy those expectations. It feels like a story that had great potential but needed more depth, world-building, and a stronger foundation for its central relationship.

Overall, "One Hollow Love" offers a premise filled with potential but ultimately doesn't deliver a compelling or memorable experience. The underdeveloped world-building, unconvincing romance, and uneven pacing make it a book that may not resonate with all readers, especially those who crave more substance and depth in their fantasy romances.

DNF @ 50%
The pacing of this book is a low point for me. The book starts with a young woman who is in college but reads like a pre-teen, sneaking out of her bedroom window because her father locks her up on Halloween. She meets a demon, they hook up, he goes back to his realm, and then she sneaks home before we flash forward exactly one year to the next Halloween. It meant we didn't learn anything about the character, her father, their relationship, her life at school where she is apparently socially struggling.
The character is written with OCD and since this is own voices I had hoped it would be addressed and developed more but the FMC only exists to be with this demon who stands her up the following year. By 50% I wasn't invested in the characters, the world felt low stakes considering she gave up everything for a man she met once for a couple of hours a year ago, and the setting felt dull despite the implied danger.
I had hoped for more from a book pitched as Howls Moving Castle meets Hocus Pocus and honestly think this comparison should be removed from marketing.

The perfect read for spooky season, in my opinion. This book was just *chef's kiss* delicious. When I tell you I was giggling and twirling my hair 🤭

Our FMC, Soleil, has been locked in her room and has never truly experienced the fun of Halloween. She sneaks out, and meets Jax, a half demon. I'm not usually a fan of insta-love but this was beautifully done. Jax has to return to the demon realm at the end of the night, and a year later, Soleil goes to the demon realm to find him. I did find this a bit weird given that they only met once, and she was willing to go to literal hell for him, but hey, who am I to judge?

I had expected it to be a darker fantasy novel, given the whole demon thing, but it was a more vanilla fall/autumn vibes. It was such a fun read and I definitely recommend you add this book to your fall tbr!

DNF ~ @30%

I was really hoping to like this (Howl's Moving Castle and Hocus Pocus vibes? Sounds wonderful!). Unfortunately, I don't think this book delivers on that promise and just really isn't for me.

We follow Soleil, a college student living with her controlling and abusive father. She livesin a town where it is known that demons and spirits will break through the veil on Halloween night (at least I think?) and her father locks her up every Halloween. Finally, one year she breaks out through the window to explore the Halloween festivities and meets Jax, a hot guy with black hair who is also half-demon. His demon ancestry means he must live in the demon realm all year except for the few hours on Halloween nights. They promise to meet again the next year, but Jax doesn't show. Heartbroken, Soleil decides the only solution is to travel to the demon realm....

and this is where I needed to stop. The insta-love and flat characters were not compelling enough for me. Soleil is supposed to be in college (so at least 19/20?) and is able to live and work and do things in the real world most of the time, yet she is portrayed as a naive, pre-teen like character who has never ventured outside her own home. She meets Jax and they spend maybe like 4 hours together max, they have some rather vanilla sex and she's ready to follow him to the ends of the earth (no hate to vanilla sex, but if I'm gonna be so enamoured with a guy that I'll follow him to the demon realm after knowing him for like 2 seconds, the sex needs to have been earth shattering. She's no inexperienced virgin either, as it is noted she has dated/had sex with at least one other guy). Jax seems like he's gonna be that dark and moody guy with a hidden heart of gold, which is just a bit overdone as a trope for me.

I love the general ideas and motivations behind this story (Soleil's OCD, dealing with abusive parents, the idea of demons/witches interacting with the real world on Halloween), but the execution just isn't for me.

This is an essential fall read! The author describes this as Hocus Pocus meets Howl's Moving Castle and I couldn't agree more. There are demons, witches, vampires, and a whole other world where they live. We also get a bit of spice too. I have questions about some side characters and hope this gets turned into a series if it isn't already!