I’m in a mood for some really scary stories right now. I can say it’s the time of year, which would be true, but an easy answer. However, it’s really just my love of scary stories! I love them! Always have, ever since I was a kid growing up with brothers who loved scaring me with the scariest stories they’ve ever heard or could make up. It wasn’t long before they had me reading Barker, King, Koontz, Rice and Saul. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become squeamish with many of the hard-core horror stories, but I still love a really good scary story. When I came across this one, it sounded good and kind of creepy!

The story starts 20yrs ago on Halloween, when Jessica was babysitting Olivia while their parents went to a costume party. Jessica and Olivia are instructed by their parents not to leave the house. Driftwood has a long history of children going missing. Well, they do leave and somewhere in the woods, Jessica loses Olivia, along with consciousness and her memories of that night. Olivia is never found.

Fast forward 20yrs, and Jessica is a straight up pill popping, bourbon drinking, hot mess and has been since that fateful Halloween night. Addiction and sleep deprivation and nightmares can do that to a person. She also spends way too much time in her head and babbling to herself. She is extremely annoying and kind of pathetic for most of the story and not a very likeable FMC. Three creepy homeless kids (two boys and a girl) who show up early in the story, and the two boys end up kind of stalking Jessica and definitely breaking in and stealing stuff from her when she’s not home. Oh, and she has a fangirl obsession with paranormal writer, Elliot Reed.

As luck would have it. Elliot Reed is having writer’s block trying to churn out his next bestselling book that is due in a few months. After pouring over several headline stories that he can use as inspiration, he settles on the story of the missing children in Driftwood and heads out for KY in order to conduct interviews and check the place out. It’s a dark and rainy night when he arrives and he crashes his rental car in the woods on his way up the Appalachian Mountains to Driftwood. In a disoriented haze, and probably a concussion, he believes he sees a little girl next to him. Shortly thereafter, he meets Jessica and off they go to solve the mystery of the missing kids of Driftwood.

Most of the story flips back and forth between Jessica and Elliot. Jessica’s chapters flip back and forth between her past, of the night Olivia disappeared, and the present of finding out what is happening to Driftwood’s missing children along with Elliot. They spend several nights scouring some creepy underground caves with creepy crawlers and other reptiles scurrying about, with goopy globs of who knows what hanging around that end up getting in their lungs and coming out later in coughing fits.

Most of Driftwood’s law enforcement is useless and not the least bit interested in finding out what’s going on in Driftwood. Yeah, that’s not suspicious – at all! However, Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, who is a detective on the case of the latest missing child, is trying to pump Jessica for her memories of the night Olivia is missing. He believes there is a connection to all of the other missing kids. Most of the story kind of plodded along and it wasn’t until deep into the second half (the last 15%) that the story really picked up and redeemed itself from being a disappointing read.

The character development of both Jessica and Elliot got better by the end of the story. Jessica was still kind of a hot mess but getting better and Elliot turned out to be a halfway decent guy by the end of the story. The creepy kids were probably the most interesting characters in the story. The pacing was steady, I guess, steady going kind of nowhere for most of the story, but definitely picking up in the end. The storyline was interesting enough to want to finish it and not DNF it, although, I felt that the writing failed the storyline in ways that could have made the storyline even better. Don’t ask me how, I don’t really know. I’m not a writer, I’m just an avid reader, but perhaps a better plot and characterization would have been a good start.

The ending definitely saved this story and by that, I mean it was the deciding factor between a 2star review and a 3star review. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.3 that I will be rounding down to a 3star review. I want to thank NetGalley, Collective In Limited for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #CollectiveInkLimited #GlimmerintheHollows

I did unfortunately DNF this book around 25% which I do hate to do, but felt I gave the book a good shot.
I was very intrigued by the summary, loved the cover, but the story fell flat. It was very difficult to follow what was going on, conversations between characters just felt odd and forced, and I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable. It felt like the characters were offered at face value with no real understanding of their backstory or motivations.

I think the book has a really interesting concept but overall not well thought out.

Instead of saying this was a mix of a bunch of different supernatural/science-fiction type shows, I will say that this story was its' own with a genre mashup. The strongest point was the atmosphere which felt creepy. The weakest was the romance aspect that honestly would have made the story better if it was left out. Without spoilers I will say that the character's inner dialogue and reactions have a lot to do with how the reader feels and the creepy feeling in this was strong up until a certain point, and then it was just non existent. Overall this was an okay read that I recommend giving it a shot, you may end up loving it. Three stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Collective Ink Limited for this ARC.

I really didn’t like this book and I am gutted, I am unsure if it wants to be a horror book but to me it failed at this. I hope that it got better as it went as I DNFd this book after 30%

I honestly didn’t like this. It had such potential but it falls short. The book doesn’t seem to know which genre it wants to be in and I found that to be incredibly annoying.

This gave me vibes of The X-Files, Stranger Things, and maybe even Supernatural. And that's what kept me reading this, despite not really engaging with all of the characters or with certain elements in the story. The concept of this is great, and it's the concept that first made me want to read this. But I do think some elements were muddled and others over-simplified. The writing style almost felt more suited at YA that adult fiction, despite this not being a YA book.

But there are good things about this story. The scenes with the kids appearing out of the woods, and at different locations, were great. I think if those scenes were more detailed and expanded in the story, it would cement that theme for the reader. Because that concept is wonderful and gripping. It's also creepy. But then the creepiness is somewhat diminished because the protagonist loses her fear. In books like this, character reactions are important. I didn't feel the reactions were always consistent with the situation.

Introducing the author character was interesting. I can't say I enjoyed the romance angle that came with his character, but I like that tie in to him being a paranormal/sci-fi author and suddenly finding himself a character in his own story. That was fun and gave a great theme and vibe. The romance side, because it was so quick and felt a bit corny at times, didn't work so well with that part of the book, but hey, I think other readers may think differently and be all for it.

The last chapter or two of this was amazing. And that tells me the author knows how to write in this genre. It's just a shame that wasn't replicated for the entire book. I found that section entirely captivating. It makes me curious to what the author will write next.

There were lots of things to like about this book- the imagery was exceptional, capturing the magnetic pull we have with others, and the idea that so much more exists in the world around us. It was labeled as a horror fiction novel; however I did not get a horror vibe from this novel. There were moments that gave me the shivers, but I would categorize it as supernatural/science fiction. It's the 'Secret World of Og' meets 'Stranger Things'. Main character, Jessica, is hard to like at times. I was most drawn to the supporting characters, Anthony and Mark. The novel was a tad confusing at times as it tried to explain the complexity of what was happening in the novel. Given that at times it comes from a child's perspective, it didn't necessarily make the novel feel too underdeveloped. It was a unique read and again, the imagery was quite magical- would make for a great movie!
Thank you #NetGalley and #CollectiveInkLimited for the ARC :)

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"𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅."

Twenty years ago, six-year-old Olivia vanished in the small town of Driftwood, leaving her babysitter, Jessica, haunted by the mystery. Though she has no memory of that night, Jessica is plagued by nightmares of two girls falling into darkness. Olivia’s disappearance was just the first in a series of child vanishings, sparking a myriad of conspiracy theories and local legends.
When author Elliot Reed arrives in Driftwood seeking inspiration for his next novel, he joins forces with Jessica in a desperate search for answers. As they dig deeper, they often find themselves at odds with the police, uncovering unexpected and chilling secrets that could change everything.

𝘈 𝘎𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 is Lorna Selley's debut novel, featuring a captivating and haunting storyline. Selley has crafted a perfect thriller with combinations of psychological suspense, a chilling atmosphere and the paranormal.

The characters are imperfect and can have moments where they are frustrating but this makes them more human and relatable. There is a romance element in the book which I didn’t find very appealing. While it had its sweet moments, I believe it would have been better as a much more subtle subplot.

Even so, the story of the missing children is so intriguing and I loved watching the characters delve into solving this mystery. It was heartbreaking, uncanny and a unique take on the theme of child disappearance.

I think this is a very creative and interesting debut and I look forward to seeing what Selley comes up with next!

Release date: 1st November 2024

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for my ARC of this book.

Fabulous and creepy. Can't wait to read more by this author

5/5

The back holler feel is fantastic. As someone who grew up in the piedmont of North Carolina, the setting here rings true, and I love it! The plot however feels incomplete to me, and I had difficulty jumping between characters.

The blurb for this book was fantastic and had me really excited to read

What appears to be a a straightforward missing girl mystery is in fact something different!

The descriptions and attention to detail was fantastic and I imagine fans of stranger things will love this book

Unfortunately for me it fell a bit flat. The characters weren’t very likeable and the love story between Jessica and Elliot was frustrating and felt contrived.

It felt as though the author had blended several genres and for me it didn’t work.

Most of the action happens in the latter stages of the book. Resulting in what felt like a rushed and unsatisfactory conclusion.

This book was. perfect. If you enjoyed Anni Taylor's series I think you would love these. The intrigue. The discussion around childhood trauma. The writing. Everything was great. I need another book stat.

I don’t have many words for this book because it’s left me just speechless. It was so unexpected in the best of ways.

2.5 stars rounded to 3. The story has a lot of potential, but is marred by an unnecessarily simplistic, almost YA tone (mind, it's not marketed as young adult), a bizarre, light mood, and a romantic atmosphere which seemed to come out of nowhere. Everything felt forced and didn't gel properly, as if someone had collated several drafts together by selecting fragments rather an overall story.

"A Glimmer in the Hollows" by Lorna Selley is an intriguing read with a richly developed setting and a plot that takes unexpected turns, delivering a pleasant surprise. The story's direction is refreshingly original, though the ending feels a bit rushed, leaving some elements underexplored. At times, the book has a youthful tone that might appeal to fans of young adult fiction, which could be a hit or miss depending on your preferences. Overall, it's a solid read with its share of strengths and some areas that could have been polished further

In A Glimmer in the Hollows we follow Jessica, a woman living in Driftwood haunted by the disappearance of Olivia, a 6 year old that vanished the night Jessica was babysitting her. Two decades later her past comes back to taunt her, making her remember the night everything changed.

The blurb of A Glimmer in the Hollows was phenomenal and i was very excited to read it. The first few pages promised a very eery and atmospheric writing, helping to set me in the mood to really enjoy the book.

I wasn’t much of a fan of any of the characters. Although i sympathized with Jessica a few times, it was also easy to dislike her. The same can be said about Elliot. They came off as pretty immature and annoying.
I must say i really enjoyed the somewhat romantic sub-plot Jessica and Elliot had going on, it made me excited. I really enjoyed how it started but it soon turned old news - the characters just kept circling each other again and again, never finding one another.

The whole plot came off as a bit of a surprise, i didn’t really expect it to go in the direction it went and i’m glad for it. On the other end, i do wish we had a few more pages to read. The ending felt rushed and it made me feel like something was missing - it all concluded in a very quick manner. Nevertheless, it was extremely fun to read this book.

**A Glimmer in the Hollows* is a spellbinding tale that entwines mystery, suspense, and the eerie folklore of a mist-shrouded mountain town. This atmospheric novel is a gripping exploration of secrets buried deep within the shadows of Driftwood State Park and the dark recesses of memory.

The story begins with a chilling premise: the mysterious disappearance of six-year-old Olivia Garcia in Driftwood State Park twenty years prior. Jessica Paige, her babysitter that fateful night, has lived with the haunting memory and fragmented visions ever since. Now, as a troubled adult, Jessica is driven by her nightmares and a consuming need to uncover the truth behind Olivia’s vanishing and the local legends that seem to veil the town in darkness.

Jessica’s quest leads her into the heart of Driftwood’s enigmatic forest, where she encounters two feral boys who appear to hold the key to her past. As she befriends and protects them, the boundaries between reality and myth blur, revealing layers of Driftwood’s sinister history. The author's vivid descriptions of the Appalachian setting create a palpable sense of foreboding, making the forest itself a character in the story—a dark, oppressive presence that mirrors the characters' inner turmoil.

Enter Elliot Reed, a bestselling author with a fascination for the paranormal. His arrival in Driftwood, coinciding with Jessica’s investigation, brings a new dynamic to the story. Elliot’s charm and professional curiosity offer both a potential ally and a romantic interest, complicating Jessica’s search for answers. Their joint exploration of Driftwood’s legends leads them deeper into the town’s unsettling mysteries, providing a fresh perspective on the folklore and adding a layer of intrigue to the narrative.

**A Glimmer in the Hollows** excels in its rich, atmospheric storytelling and complex character development. The novel deftly balances Jessica’s personal journey with the unfolding mystery, creating a compelling blend of psychological tension and supernatural elements. The interplay between Jessica’s fragmented memories and the local legends adds depth to the narrative, making the reader question what is real and what is imagined.

The author’s ability to weave a sense of unease and suspense through both the setting and the characters is commendable. The forest’s haunting presence, combined with Jessica’s unsettling visions and the enigmatic behavior of the feral boys, keeps readers on edge, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth.

This novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural mysteries. It offers a hauntingly immersive experience, blending personal trauma with eerie folklore and suspenseful storytelling. **A Glimmer in the Hollows** is a mesmerizing journey into the dark heart of Driftwood, where every shadow hides a secret, and every memory is tinged with the unknown.

Wow wow wow. I loved this. It took me a bit to get into, I'll admit, but once I did I couldn't stop reading. I even dreamt about this book. I did not see where it was going until it went there, but man I loved it.

The cover grabbed me, but unfortunately the story didn't match up. The book showed some promise but couldn't stand up to an annoying main character and an unnecessary romantic plot line that left me uninterested.

Really not for me...I found this book completely daft. There was no redeeming feature: the characters were two dimensional, the plot was bizarre and not well crafted.
I forced myself to read as much as I could, then skimmed to the end, reading the last 10%, which confirmed my decision not to waste too much time with the middle.