I adore the growing renaissance of Modern Gothic that has appeared in recent times. This books takes a likely familiar scenario (a mother moving her family in with her new partner) and transforms it into something much creepier. While it's easy to aspire to a spooky house full of mystery, the reality here is really not a life anyone would welcome!

While 'The Keeper of the Key' could be considered a fairytale retelling, the characters feel original and well-defined, certainly relatable even within the very gothic setting. The author's skill in voicing her young protagonist drew me in, and (in the grand tradition of horror movies since forever!) while I wanted to yell at her to stand up to her mother as everything slides downhill, I can understand how difficult this would be. A key facet of YA fiction is the powerlessness that teenagers can feel, and being physically isolated as well as losing one's family connections to a stranger is evoked beautifully.

The atmosphere reminded me of 'The Haunting of Hill House', with sounds and feelings working to create fear over anything visible or tangible; the nastiness of the father-figure was Bronte-esque. The whole package is inspired by the best in gothic fiction, and I'm sure this book will in turn connect with a new audience for the genre.

2.5 ☆

this is more ya thriller than ya horror imo.

the plot was fun until the last bit and then it got confusing. there wasn’t enough build up for all of that and it felt kind of a letdown. i wanted to reallyyyy like this one because

- decent title
- nice cover
- interesting blurb

but i just wanted to finish it because i’d read too much to dnf (also i would have felt bad since i got an arc)

good enough to break up my longer reads ¨̮ tysm to netgalley for the arc ~

While I enjoyed the general premise of the story, I found the writing to be lackluster. Lots of repetitive usage of certain phrases, as well as the writing in general. I often found myself taken out of the story due to some of the word choices.

This genuinely might be the best book I've read all year... It was so good.

I absolutely loved the characters of the story, especially Rachel, she was the perfect balance of teenage hormones and angst and a character that was likeable who you wanted to root for and to survive. And ofc I was obsessed with Nick! I also really like how the author wrote the other characters, they were all brought to life and interwoven really well in the story.

The way the author writes (which was excellent by the way, I was blown away by the writing!) was definitely a factor in how gothic and creepy the book felt. Whilst I was reading I felt like I was inside the house, going through things with Rachel. I could feel everything that was happening.

And the story?! Oh my god, I loved the story it was so good! I had a little inkling/idea about a couple of things that happened, but it didn't spoil the story that I figured those out.

I just loved everything about this book from the gothic vibes, to the creepy atmosphere, and the claustrophobic feeling. Plus, the realisation that sometimes not even being under the duvet covers can help you...

Content warning: toxic relationships, gaslighting, physical assault, gun violence, blood & gore, murder, emotional manipulation, parental death

As a big fan of gothic novels, I was excited to dig into this one, unfortunately it was a miss for me. Morgan House (and what happens there at night) was just creepy enough to make me uncomfortable reading it in the dark and how the house aspects of the plot play out were well done. Unfortunately I spent too much of the novel screaming at Rachel for going from a first meet with Nick to all that happens as SO unrealistic given the strong women that raised her (she isn't quite the innocent female protagonist gothic novels are known for). It was obvious from the start that something was off with both Nick and Geoff and that pulled me out of the plot over and over again. What takes place between Rachel and Nick was uncomfortable in the moment but made worse once all information is revealed and I'm concerned that the life lesson is one that teen readers will miss in favor of the "romance" parts of the plot.

I do wish Willson didn't continuously use iterations of "the beast inside of me" to describe the anger Rachel was feeling. The repetitive nature of that description got old real quick. Also Willson kept alternating between Ms and Mrs when referring to the bookstore owner (hopefully this is something that got picked up in final edits).

The cover art is great though and I think it will catch readers' eyes.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Parliament House Press in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Keeper of the Key
Author: Nicole Willson
Publishers: Parliament House Press
Genre: Paranormal Fiction
Main characters: Rachel, Rachel‘s mom, Gram, Geoff, and Nick.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Keeper of the key was an OK read. I thought it would be more scarier, but it was interesting. It didn’t intrigue me, but was somewhat entertaining. It starts out with Rachel, her mom, Geoff, and Gram. Rachel and her mom are living in a small apartment. Rachel‘s mom is seeing Geoff. Rachel lost her dad recently and she doesn’t really care for Geoff. But Geoff seems to be trying extremely hard to get along with Rachel, even though he can be overbearing. Out of the blue Rachel‘s mom and Jeff tell her they’re moving to Jeff’s home in Saint Mary. It’s a bigger place than her mom’s small apartment. They’ve moved into Morgan House, a big eerie old house to Rachel, but her mother seems to love it. As soon as moving in, Rachel starts seeing things and hearing things. And even ends up in the basement without knowing how she got there. Her mom and Geoff don’t know what is going on, but Geoff is the most agitated about it. Time goes on and Rachel gets out and rides around Saint Mary. She comes to a bookstore and meets the owner and her dog Toby. While she’s there she meets a boy named Nick. They start a relationship very quickly. And I mean VERY quickly. I don’t really like this part in the story because I believe it is very rushed and Rachel is very young. It’s as if sex has to happen now so I find this disturbing and don’t like this part of the story. And also in this story, it seems Rachel is very selfish at times and very rebellious. The eerie happenings and hauntings and ending up in the basement keeps happening. One night something happens and there’s an intruder. Geoff goes after the intruder, but gets killed. Rachel‘s mother isn’t the same after so recently losing her first husband and now her second one. I can’t tell you anymore because it will give the ending away and tell you more than you need to know at this point. There is moderate language and cursing. A good story, but too much distraction of other things that take away from it in my opinion. Thank you to #NetGalley, the author. Nicole Willson, And the publishers, Parliament House Press for the opportunity to read and review #The Keeper of the Key. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nicole Wilson’s The Keeper of the Key is an eerie, atmospheric blend of gothic mystery and supernatural suspense that pulls readers into the secrets of Morgan House. With its relatable protagonist, chilling setting, and a plot that steadily builds tension, this novel delivers a haunting story of family, grief, and the restless dead.

Plot Overview

Sixteen-year-old Rachel’s life is uprooted when her mother announces they’re moving to St. Mary, Virginia, to live in Morgan House, the decrepit mansion owned by her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff. Isolated from her friends, Rachel struggles to adjust to Geoff’s strict rules, especially his strange demand that she stay out of the basement. But when unexplained forces begin to draw her to the forbidden cellar, Rachel is plagued by disturbing visions of a shadowy man and cryptic warnings from the dead. As tragedy strikes her family, these apparitions intensify, revealing sinister truths about the house’s past—and its hold on Rachel’s future.

Strengths

Wilson excels at creating an unsettling atmosphere, turning Morgan House into a character in its own right. The mansion’s creeping dread seeps into every corner of the story, heightening the stakes as Rachel unravels its mysteries. The novel balances psychological tension with supernatural thrills, keeping readers guessing about what’s real and what’s a product of Rachel’s imagination.

Rachel is a compelling protagonist whose struggles with loneliness, grief, and adjusting to her new life are authentic and relatable. Her romance with Nick adds warmth and light to the otherwise dark narrative, while her conflict with Geoff injects layers of familial tension that make her journey more complex.

The pacing is steady, building from minor disturbances to full-blown terror. Wilson deftly weaves in clues to the mansion’s past, keeping readers engaged as Rachel pieces together its secrets.

Themes

The Keeper of the Key explores themes of isolation, family dynamics, and the weight of unresolved trauma. It also delves into the thin veil between the living and the dead, asking how far one should go to uncover—and confront—the truth. Rachel’s resilience in the face of loss and fear adds an empowering dimension to the story.

Critique

While the novel’s atmosphere and tension are top-notch, some elements of the mystery may feel familiar to fans of the gothic genre. Additionally, the supporting characters, particularly Geoff and Rachel’s mother, could benefit from more depth to make their motivations and actions feel more grounded in the story.

Conclusion

The Keeper of the Key is a gripping supernatural mystery that will appeal to fans of haunted house tales and coming-of-age stories with a dark twist. Nicole Wilson masterfully blends eerie suspense with emotional depth, crafting a story that lingers long after the final page. With its relatable protagonist, creepy mansion, and well-executed twists, this novel is a chilling treat for readers who love their mysteries laced with the paranormal.

I was riveted by this gothic tale in #KeeperoftheKey. A strong female lead goes to live with her mom and new boyfriend and quickly realizes something is wrong with house. There are thrills and chills within this novel 4.5 stars. Since there are not any half stars, I rounded up to a five.

👻 About the Book

There are a thousand things sixteen-year-old Rachel would rather do than upend her life to move into Morgan House, an old, run-down mansion owned by her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff.

But when her mother announces they’re relocating to St. Mary, Virginia to live with him, Rachel’s cut off from her friends and life as she knows it. St. Mary is a remote, lonely place, and the best thing about it is Nick, a guy she knows is worth keeping when he takes her to a cemetery on their first date.

Rachel struggles to get along with Geoff and his mile-long list of annoying house rules—in particular, his bizarre insistence that she stay out of the basement. But something in Morgan House plays by its own rules. At night, an unknown force pulls Rachel down to that forbidden cellar, showing her harrowing visions of a strangely familiar man lurking in the shadows. When a sudden tragedy strikes her family, those visions become more frequent—and more violent.

The dead issue urgent warnings, and if Rachel doesn’t heed them, she’ll become part of Morgan House forever.
Author: Nicole Willson
Release Date: Nov 12 2024
Genre: Young Adult, Gothic horror

📚 How I See it

The entire time I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think about how teenage me would have been obsessed! The creepy vibes of Morgan house and the spooky ghosts that haunt its walls will make you think twice about going to the bathroom at night.

I strongly recommend this book for anyone new to the horror genre that feels a little nervous about diving into the deep end, this is the perfect place to start. You get the spooky without too much scary. And if you're a teen looking for a haunted manor, ghosts and a protagonists that likes to hang out in cemeteries... this is a must read.

🎀 Find Me Here

Blog: lipstickhorror.com
Instagram: instagram.com/lipstick.horror


Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own thoughts

Interesting story with some creepy elements, many of which had to do with the relationships within the book rather than the Gothic horror aspects. I enjoyed the scary parts with the things that go bump in the night but the toxic relationships between Rachel and Nick, and Tara and Geoff were just off-putting and took away from the rest of the story for me. Without those, and I realize some of it had to be included to move the story along, but the ghost story would have been better for me.

The Keeper of the Key is a spooky, suspenseful read that pulls you in right from the start. The creepy atmosphere and mysterious house are so vivid they almost feel alive, and the story keeps you hooked with its mix of horror and supernatural twists.

The main character is likable and her journey is both intense and emotional. Willson does a great job building tension, and the themes of trust and survival add some depth to the scares. There are a few spots where the story slows down or feels a bit repetitive, and I would’ve loved more backstory on some of the supernatural stuff, but overall, it doesn’t take away much from the experience.

If you’re into eerie, character-driven horror, this book is definitely worth checking out. It’s a haunting read that sticks with you after you’re done. Solid 4 stars from me!

I'm always getting asked for spooky/horror books for teens, as a book seller. I Wish this book came out in October, it would have been I solid recommendation for me to give!

This has many good twists and turns, and definitely had me on my toes.

The 16 year old FMC is likeable and a typical teen without doing the absolute most. The pacing was something I had a problem with, but that can be me and my need to have something constantly happening.

Firstly I want to say that I really did enjoy this book and I thought that the characterization was spot on. I loved the protagonist Rachel and thought that she was a feisty, independent and believable character navigating her way through this story. My only qualm was that I felt the pacing was a little off and there could have been large parts of the story edited and cut which would have made the reading of the story gain more impact instead of dragging in parts which took away from the ‘drama’ and intensity of the overall plot. Nevertheless an enjoyable read!

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“The Keeper of the Key” by Nicole Willson is a young adult gothic thriller set in rural Virginia, where Rachel and her mother move into an eerie, isolated house. With its chilling, atmospheric setup, Morgan House is a key player in the unfolding horror, blending supernatural elements with real-life tensions. The house’s hidden past and the unsettling behaviors of Rachel’s mother’s controlling boyfriend, Geoff, amplify the disturbing dynamics within the story. Be aware that there is some blood/gore with the supernatural aspects, and the mother’s boyfriend is also very controlling of Rachel’s behavior. The book also features an unhealthy, toxic relationship with Rachel’s own boyfriend.

From the beginning, “The Keeper of the Key” hooks you with its spooky ambiance, immersing you in Rachel’s disquieting experiences. While the plot incorporates classic haunted house tropes, it manages to add fresh twists that keep you guessing, though some parts involving the basement were a bit repetitive. There are moments of genuine suspense as Rachel encounters ghostly presences and experiences terrifying scenes that lend the book a distinctly creepy atmosphere. The setting feels gothic yet modern, making it suitable for a YA audience (though there are some adult themes) while still embracing darker themes.

While Rachel’s boyfriend, Nick, is introduced as a romantic interest, their relationship is problematic, with Nick showing toxic traits that mirror the unhealthy relationship between Rachel’s mother and Geoff. The "insta-love" element between Rachel and Nick feels rushed and doesn’t offer much depth, detracting from the story’s focus on the horror aspects. There were some aspects of their relationship that were unsettling, and it was odd that Rachel never seemed to question any of it, like how she had never been to Nick’s home and how she knew basically nothing about him while he was also very pushy about the physical aspect of their relationship.

Another aspect that affects the book’s impact is the pacing. Although the book begins with a promising setup, it experiences a lull about a third of the way through. The story could have benefited from a quicker progression to keep readers fully engaged. Despite these drawbacks, the final third of “The Keeper of the Key” introduces unexpected twists about Morgan House’s secrets, giving the story a relatively unpredictable ending. Although the twist might not fully shock all readers, it adds layers to the mystery and wraps up the story in a way that brings closure to Rachel’s journey.

For fans of YA horror, particularly those intrigued by the intersection of gothic and young adult fiction, “The Keeper of the Key” offers a solid, darkly engaging experience. While it may not reinvent the genre, “The Keeper of the Key” delivers a mysterious plot with just enough intrigue to keep you hooked until the end.

The Keeper of the Key fallows Rachel a 16 year old girl who in the past year lost her dad and her home. Rachel and her mother, Tara shared a small flat. And though Rachel is still morning the loss of her dad it seems that Tara is more than ready to move on.

Tara and her boyfriend Geoff decide it is time they all lived under one roof. The problem is that the roof in question is that of Morgan House. While Rachel is willing to give it all a shot for her mothers sake there are more than just creepy vibes in Morgan House, a lot more.

The only thing, or should I say person who make the move worth while for Rachel is a boy in town called Nick. With a morbid personality and long dark hair Nick catches Rachel's interest immediately.

Unfortunately, things in Morgan House go from bad to deadly quite quickly and it seems the only person who is willing to help is Nick. That is until Rachel finds out about Amber. Will Rachel figure out the truth or die trying?


It may seem surprising but the book did cover a lot of topics, grief, loss, change, betrayal, the importance of trust. I was also glad to see how it dealt with over bearing stepparents and feminism. The was also a line by the grandmother that I think prevented the spin of the book from becoming sexist towards men which I found to be a positive.

While there were lots of well handled topics, I felt this book was not a five star.
Perhaps because I am older than the target audience, but a lot of the book seemed predictable.
Tara was made out to be a desperate woman so intent on a relationship that she wilfully ignored the abusive behaviour of Geoff to the point of marrying him despite his abusive treatment of her daughter.

Rachel's constant romanticising of Nick's bad behaviour. And even when he constantly hounds her to have sex with him again. (though his attempt to get her alone could have been to murder her.) It felt as though the character played into the dumb victim cliché.

After so much of the book being about Geoff's toxic behaviour I was annoyed that none of it was cleared up. Yes we know he had a toxic family growing up but honestly his behaviour could have been dealt with better. I feel like it was an over flogged red herring. I'm not sure subtilty had anything to do with this book. While again I am much older than the target audience I think even a teen age me would have seen where this was going.

I think having Nick admit he was living in the house the whole time was a big plot hole. Ghosts I can understand, even poltergeist but were we really to believe that Geoff never realised someone was in the house all those years he lived there?

Rachel realised Geoff had lived with other people just by walking into a room but Tara didn't? and lets remember Rachel was still grieving her father and Tara wasn't. So if Tara's trust issues were so bad why was it Rachel who noticed all of this?

Over all I think it was the atmospheric writing that kept me reading. I did like how Willson wrote a turn of phrase. I do wish they weren't repeated as much as it did become white noise near the end of the book. There were definitely parts where I felt I was there. So I do think I like Willson's writing style, it's just a shame the story was so heavy handed.

Worth a read but not a reread for me.

I’m a sucker for anything gothic, so I was excited to read this. I loved that the house had a mind of its own. It felt like a well-developed character, which added to the overall eerie experience.

I didn’t particularly like Rachel, which made it difficult to care about what was happening. I was intrigued about what was really going on, the story behind the house, and what Geoff was hiding, but as to caring what happened to Rachel, I struggled.

I got a bad vibe from Geoff right from the start. Like Rachel, I knew something wasn’t right with him. The fake cheerfulness, his controlling and judgemental manner, and his insistence that Rachel should change aspects of herself grated on my nerves.

I had similar feelings toward Nick. I didn’t like how their relationship moved super quick and it seemed unrealistic. However, I guess Rachel’s isolation and loneliness could account for that. One thing I did like was that the author did a fantastic job of developing them and I believe they were supposed to be unlikeable and untrustworthy.

The plot moved slowly, which made it hard to stay invested. It also felt like nothing was happening at times. However, I thought the ending was constructed so well and it was a satisfying ending. Overall, a decent read.

I enjoyed this YA Gothic mystery read. Rachel is a 16-year-old whose life is turned upside down when her mom decides to move them to Saint Mary Virginia to live in a creepy old house owned by her boyfriend Geoff. Rachel and Geoff don’t get along and when she starts to see dead women and other creepy things, he thinks she is making it all up. She meets Nick, a mysterious boy who becomes her boyfriend, but something isn’t right about him. The storyline was good and I love a creepy read for the fall. Some of the parts gave me chills, which doesn’t happen often! I also love the twist at the end. I didn’t see that coming! If you’re looking for a creepy read this one’s a good one!

Keeper of the Key was a fun little surprise. I only occasionally read in the horror genre but this had a spooky house, teen angst, a broody love interest, and mystery to solve.
I love most when YA books have realistic teenagers. Yes, I understand the appeal of the capable teen protagonist but I’m sort of over it. I want teens being teens and this book does not disappoint. You can feel all the heightened emotions and the utter distain for the truly oblivious adults.
I also thought the spookiness was just right for upper YA- chilling but not distressing. The MC really goes through a lot with relational growth and this mysterious boy and her mom’s less than nice boyfriend. I loved trying to figure out who was the true villain in the scenario. I do feel that the title of the book… well you’ll see if you read it.

The cover sold me for this book and once I started reading I just couldn't put it down.. I was indeed intrigued with all the situation, the rushed marriage, the moving to a weird house, the girl with problems.. Well the direction I thought it was completely changed and I loved it.. The FMC was definitly a fierce girl and that was indeed amazing

Now this was a creepy read! Loved the vibes all throughout and the ending was very satisfying. A solid 4.5/5 for me!
Hated Geoff tho. Lol

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more and more about the Morgan House and about Geoff. I wasn't expecting everything that happened and were revealed to go that way. I did guess bits and pieces of it. Like not trusting some characters.

I really liked Rachel! She was very realistic and wasn't entirely dumb. Besides with Nick.. but 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm glad that she stands up for herself and that she didn't just take being walked all over.

From the start I didn't like Geoff and I certainly did not like how he treated Rachel. And her mom?! Omg she was making me so irritated because she wasn't listening to her daughter or standing up for her against Geoff at all! Until the end ish. Geoff had me yelling at my phone while reading, about the hair dye, the vegetarian and eating eating and holy fudge especially about when he went through her sh*t?! Found condoms and had the audacity to get mad?! Omg I was getting so pi**ed!! Glad that her mom finally! Finally stood up for her fecking daughter!! If anyone ever were to talk to my non-existent child like that?! Feck that! I'm gone. Lmfao Her mom wasn't my favorite at all really, but she wasn't as bad as Geoff!

The creepy bits!! They were written so well! Had me getting goosebumps and chills and had me getting scared every so often! I literally had to put my phone down at one time and just go dudeeeeee ewwww stopp too spooky! Lmao I loved it!

The ending felt very satisfying to me. I really enjoyed how it was written. And I guess right to an extent, wasn't entirely correct about everything and everyone, but imma take it. I actually would love to have this on my shelf, and not just because it has a gorgeous cover, well.. that's part of it, but because I also really enjoyed the story!

I highly recommend this book! It gives off amazing gothic creepy haunted house vibes, perfect for spooky season ngl!