This is a creepy novella which finds its pacing in the second half but holds your attention all the way through.

A husband and wife go to spend a weekend at a certain bed and breakfast which they fell in love with a year prior. They've been having a horrible year since that visit and they're drifting apart with a shared trauma. They hope to rekindle their relationship at this bed and breakfast.

But it's different now. The new owner is kinda creepy and weird although she seems nice and accommodating enough. Then a series of strange things occur and the couple find themselves stuck there, with the owner becoming more and more entangled with their lives.

The first half deals with the husband and wife and how they're each dealing with what's happened over the previous year. It's a good way to establish the characters and give readers a sense of the issues they're going through. But the second half is where the terror sets in as the owner begins to take over the wife, her obsession with mushrooms, some terrifying doll heads, and an overall sense of dread.

The ending is abrupt and ambiguous at best. It's one which can be interpreted in a number of ways and doesn't offer much in the way of answers. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. It leaves you thinking about it after you're done reading. Some people might be put off by it but I thought it left things with a mysterious flair.

I recommend this novella but it won't be for everyone.

A.M. Kherbash is back with a new creepy story and I am here for it!

In this thriller novella, a couple decides to spend a weekend at a bed and breakfast they previously visited and loved, in order to create new positive memories and move on from a traumatic event they recently experienced. But the new owner of the B&B is nosey and creepy and something definitely changed, it's the same place but it's so different now... and while Emma is appreciating this change of scenery, Nolan is creeped out and wants to leave... but he can't. Something is keeping them there.

From the very first page, I was immediately unsettled but intrigued, especially because the dynamic between Nolan and Emma and the reason for their drifting apart is not explained straight away. That helped building a tension that turned into a claustrophobic sadness and then into horror the more you go deep into the story. I was hooked until the very last line. The ending however was very abrupt and sudden and left me wanting for more. What happens next? I need to know!
Overall a fun read, with a lot of creepy doll heads and a witchy character that will make you think twice before stopping at a random B&B in the middle of nowhere.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

* I'd like to thank A.M. Kherbash and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#bedandbreakfast #NetGalley

Bed and Breakfast follows Nolan, who surprises his wife, Emma, with a staycation at the same cozy inn they visited the previous year. Hoping to mend their fractured relationship and rekindle happier times, he soon realizes something is off. The once-familiar place feels different—unsettling, altered in ways he can't quite explain. The presence of the inn’s odd owner, Leah, only adds to the growing sense of dread, turning what was meant to be a restorative getaway into something far more disturbing.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its atmospheric writing. The author successfully builds tension, evoking an uneasy feeling without slowing the pace. The creeping horror is amplified by Nolan and Emma’s fragile emotional state, making them particularly vulnerable to the unsettling figure who seems to know more about them than she should. Nolan’s growing helplessness is palpable, lingering until the very last page.

The ending is abrupt and ambiguous, leaving much open to interpretation. Rather than providing clear answers, it lingers in the mind. While some readers might find it unsettling, I felt it added an extra layer of mystery that suited the story’s eerie tone.

I’d recommend going in blind for the best experience. I was initially drawn to the book by its creepy cover—though it didn’t entirely deliver on what I expected, it still satisfied my craving for a chilling, unsettling read. If you enjoy slow-burning horror with a heavy sense of dread, Bed and Breakfast is worth checking out.

Bed and Breakfast follows a couple returning to a once beloved Bed and Breakfast hoping for an escape from reality, but what they find there is beyond their worst imaginations.

On jumping into this story I was immediately unsettled and wondering what was to come. The author took no time in getting straight into the action which I adore in a story this short. The atmosphere was tense between the characters from the get go and stuck throughout, making this such a fast paced story that I couldn't bare to put down. This book incorporates horror elements I eat up every time, such as the constant sense of dread with no real explanation, nature elements and helplessness. I do feel like the story would have benefited from a less abrupt ending and a little more of a conclusion to make the pay off a little less lacklustre. That said, I had a really fun time with this story and recommend this to anyone looking for a quick scare.

The less you know the better with a novella like this but in case you need them, here are the standout themes that could be triggers:
Content Warnings (minor vague spoilers): lots of talk of babies, miscarriages and infertility (no graphic scenes of any), lots of food talk, descriptions of eating, vomit, physical assault (non sexual).

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the advanced review copy of this book.

The writing, the atmosphere, the creepy unsettling vibes, it's all *chef's kiss*. Nolan and Emma are a loving couple struck by tragedy. He's trying to move on, she can't get out of the deep depression she finds herself stuck in. The emotions felt real and raw between them (but not over the top), especially when a third person comes in between them and starts meddling. This would make a perfect cozy, spooky fall read.

It's about this couple who stays at this B&B for a vacation. However, this bed and breakfast establishment has been taken over by a new management and this new owner has something up her sleeve.
The novella, while short, immediately established the couples backstory and reason why they are having this staycation at the B & B. The author is really good at describing the creepy and unsettling atmosphere of the place and situation, it feels like I can visualize the unfolding storyline on my mind. The pacing is great especially at the second act.

What happens when a loving couple develop diverging interests to the extent where they want different things from life? Can their relationship survive being pulled in two different directions? The couple in question are in a fragile state and the eccentric proprietor of the bed and breakfast seems to sense that and decides to prey on their vulnerabilities. I’m still not sure what to make of her, whether she’s simply a nosy busybody or a witch or a nightmarish form of succubus. There are hints of this early on, to say nothing of what’s implied to have happened in the last few chapters. As you can see it’s hard not to say much with spoiling anything, and for this one it’s best to go in blind. It’s a heartfelt, spooky novella with an ending that will leave you wondering what just happened. 4.5 rounded up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for this ARC.

I love Rosemary's Baby and The Yellow Paper, so naturally I ate this up. Some typos, but I was told this happens with early ARCs so I didn't mind. The ending caught me off-guard. I know some people will hate it, but I loved it. Poor Nolan!

Kherbash has created a delightfully creepy gothic, fungal, grief, vacation horror novella.

Nolan surprises Emma with a weekend away at the bed and breakfast they visited before they became pregnant. Emma is severely depressed after a late term miscarriage and Nolan just wants to@go back to the way they used to be. They are (not!) dealing with their grief in completely opposite ways.

But the bed and breakfast is under new ownership, and Leah, the innkeeper has dark motives.

I love that Kherbash has Nolan begin to lose his way, question his perceptions, have nightmares, faint dead away, hide under a desk, not speak up. It is refreshing since this is usually how the female MC crumbles in a gothic story.

Nolan’s narration becomes loose and confused and it is tense and claustrophobic and very disconcerting.

Leah is a deeply creepy character, very well written, and her true self is never really clear which makes her even more scary.

The ending is abrupt. And I have mixed feelings. It was shocking, WHICH I LOVE. BUT I think I just needed a couple of more paragraphs.

Isn’t that a great way to finish reading a novella, though? When the reader says, I WANT MORE!

I enjoyed this book. It was dry at first and I thought I wasn’t going to get into it, but it surprised me and I was reading so fast to find out what happens. The end was not my favorite which is why I give it 4 stars. I recommend this book if you enjoy very suspenseful suspense.

~thanks to the author and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read and review this book~

Super creepy. Not what I was expecting this book to turn out to be but I really enjoyed it. When you’re reading it at midnight, it’s definitely spooky. I loved the ending

What happens when love isn't enough to hold a relationship together? When a couple's desires and dreams diverge, can their bond survive the strain? This poignant and unsettling novella explores the fragile state of a relationship, as an eccentric B&B proprietor senses their vulnerabilities and begins to exert a mysterious influence. Her true nature is ambiguous, leaving the reader wondering if she's a mere busybody, a witch, or something far more sinister. To avoid spoilers, it's best to dive in blind. This heartfelt and spooky tale will leave you questioning everything, with an ending that will haunt you long after you finish reading. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this ARC

I want to say thank you to netgalley and the author.

Upon saying that , I started reading this ebook when I was in a middle of a heated argument with my husband. Out of frustration i grabbed my kindle and angrily just picked this specific book. I started to read not really thinking or planning on reading I was just needing to do something other than argue. After a few words in I was intrigued. I no longer enraged in anger with my spouse but only slightly annoyed. Annoyed now because he wanted to continue to argue when all I wanted was to continue reading. This is such a good horror novella. It's very creepy and gave me the goosebumps. I felt like I was in a fever dream. I enjoyed it so much. I would love the story to be longer to be honest. I really enjoyed the characters and i would have loved to keep reading because ot just felt unfinished to me. I guess you can chalk that up to me just wanting it to be longer. Love it,

Whew, Bed and Breakfast took me on a ride I wasn't fully prepared for! Let's start with the good stuff-this book absolutely delivered on the eerie, unsettling vibes I was craving. The atmospheric setting? Chef's kiss. The creeping sense of dread? Perfectly done. The kind of spooky that makes you question every creak in your own house? Oh yeah, It's got that.

But I have to be honest-this one was a tough read for me personally due to themes of infant loss and infertility struggles. It hit hard, and there were moments I had to step away. If those topics are sensitive for you, definitely go in with that in mind.

That said, A.M. Kherbash knows how to weave a story that lingers like a ghost in the back of your mind. The horror elements were on point, the tension built beautifully, and the ending? Let's just say it left me staring at the ceiling, it was abrupt but leaves you thinking.

Final verdict: A hauntingly good read with some heavy emotional punches-proceed with caution but enjoy the chills!
As always- thank you to Netgalley for a chance to read this in advance in exchange for my honest review

I saw the cover of this one and needed it! I love a creepy short story and this was it! I liked how eerie the characters were and the setting was creepy as well. I’m hoping to read more from this author.

I truly enjoyed this book, although it's hard to categorize it strictly as horror but there is definitely a blend of psychological horror infused with unsettling themes, which creates an atmosphere filled with tension and unease. There are undeniably some incredibly creepy moments that linger in your mind.

What struck me most was Kherbash's nuanced portrayal of grief and complex trauma. The insights felt so authentic that I could practically feel Emma's emotions radiating off the pages—her pain, confusion, and vulnerability were palpable throughout the narrative.

The book also explores intriguing themes surrounding mushrooms, which I found fascinating. However, I wished the author had delved deeper into this aspect, as I felt there was so much more to uncover about their significance and symbolism that was left somewhat unexplored.

There are sections where the text becomes disorienting and trippy, and I believe this was a deliberate choice by the author. It mirrors the dreamlike quality of the story, evoking the sensation of a fever dream that reflects Nolan's inner turmoil and fragmented realities.

While I empathised deeply with Emma’s grief, I struggled to connect with her or Nolan. This disconnection made it challenging to root for them as the story unfolded, even though I understood the complex layers of their struggles.

The ambiguous ending left me with a sense of contemplation that lingered long after I turned the final page, prompting me to ponder the deeper meanings behind the narrative.

This book was unlike anything I anticipated. The cover art is stunning and truly drew me in, setting high expectations. Even though it veered in directions I hadn't expected, I ultimately found it to be a rewarding experience. I'm now eager to explore more of Kherbash's work and see where their storytelling takes me next.

Thank you to the Author, publishers and Netgally for the ARC of this book. This review is my own.