''A chilling new gothic horror novel that will sink into your bones.''
This book started off promising. The first quarter of the book delivered on the promised chills and creeps. I definitely checked the shadows in the room a couple of times. Somewhere around the middle it wandered off into the woods and then rushed up the path to the end.

Rachel not Rach, even I was sick of Geoff calling her that, is the typical teen moved from her friends to a new town. She was grumpy, whiny, and written well. Her mother came off as a weak character and person. Geoff had all the hallmarks of the creepy boyfriend/stepdad. Nick, the new town boy and summer crush who came off a little lacking for a main character.

Alongside the horror is teen romance which moves fast, feels rushed and lacks any real foundation beyond a couple of lone teens. They go from a couple of dates, to sex, to love in a matter of chapters. Yes, they seemed to have a connection, but the depth of it all moved to fast to be interesting. Nick also comes off as a coercive character, which is well written and believable. In fact once the real horror moves onto knocking doors and crying Nick easily slips into the lead as the scary part of the book.

The ending was an interesting twist on the haunted house trope, but certain elements in the ending needed more exploration throughout the story.

Grab this book for a dark night read, but keep a light on because you never know what might be hiding in the shadows.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, the publisher Parliament House Press, and author Nicole Willson.

TW: Guns, Death, and stabbing by Garden Shears

Rachel is a 16/17 year old who is forced to move from her normal life in Rockville to St. Mary because her mom (Tara) is moving in with her boyfriend Geoff. Not only is it bad enough that her mom is moving in with someone she doesn't like, the house is big and creepy (its name is The Morgan House) and the wi-fi coverage is horrible. Geoff continually warns Rachel to stay out of the basement and she thinks that is a weird rule until one evening she has a strange encounter with a ghost in the house and she wakes up to find herself in said basement. This happens to Rachel on more than one occasion and her mom thinks she might be sleepwalking and Geoff thinks she's being a spiteful teenager and this causes a rift between all three. There are things in Geoff's past that he is intentionally hiding from Rachel and her mom that have to do with the basement.

Not all is bad in St. Mary. She finds a bookstore.... that has a puppy greeter!!! Who wouldn't that make someone happy?? I know it would me. But, she meets a boy named Nick whom she gets to know and vice versa. As much as Rachel gets to know Nick, there seems to be some secrets he's holding as well.

I will say this book worked well with my ADD because the chapters were shorter, I really enjoyed that. I will say I was disappointed as there was a character introduced as a missing person and was mentioned a few times but it was never wrapped up as what happened to them. You could assume what happened but actually knowing would have been better. This book did keep me guessing for a little while but once I figured it out, it all made sense. One of my favorite lines is: "'God damn it.' Instead of letting the things in this house - whoever or whatever they are - take me down to the basement, I'm going down there myself." I love this fuck it attitude, it just reminds me of me.

First of all I want to talk about how absolutely gorgeous the cover of this book is, definitely one of my favorites and what initially drew me to it. It does read like your standard young adult horror book but that's okay, as a 33 year old I still really enjoyed it. It was very eerie and spooky, the author did a fantastic job with describing the setting. I loved the character of Rachel and how much she stood up to my least favorite character Geoff and I loved the romance she had in this book. I was definitely not expecting some of the twists, some of which I cheered for and some that made me sad. I loved how descriptive the author was for all the spooky things that happened to Rachel, I could actually visualize them in my head which aided in freaking me out more. I'm very excited to continue reading from this author.

Many thanks to Parliament House Press for the gifted copy for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an arc!

I adored Tidepool by Nicole Willson, so when I saw she was writing a new book about a spooky house, I was so excited. I love any stories involving gothic or haunted houses, and this one did not disappoint.

Sixteen year old Rachel does not want to go live at Morgan House with her Mother & Geoff, her soon-to-be stepfather. But her family drama becomes the least of her worries as she begins to see strange, scary things in her new home. What happened at this house? And can she figure it out before it's too late?

This is a fast-paced story, perfect for spooky season. It does tend more young-adult, but that's fitting as the main character is a teenager; I think teen readers will relate more to Rachel, but I was rooting for her as an older reader as well. The book is well-written, and engages the reader quickly; the plot & mystery were well-structured, and kept me turning pages as I tried to figure out the mystery with Rachel.

I would recommend The Keeper of the Key to fans of spooky mysteries & gothic houses; a comparative read would be The Doll's House by Lisa Unger. Overall, I think this is another success from Nicole Willson, and I hope she keeps writing!

So I really wanted to like this book, but by the time I reached 28% in (after 3 weeks) I finally had to admit that I just didn't care. Rachel was annoying, but mostly because there was no real reason to dislike Geoff. Sure he talked to her like she was a kid, but he didn't have children of his own and that's how those people tend to talk to kids. I assume he gets worse further in, but I don't care. Then there's Nick. The only reason Rachel liked him was because he was a guy. I'd thought we, as a species, had outgrown that trope, but I guess not. He wasn't cute, he dismissed her thoughts and feelings, and I could see the writing on the wall. I thought perhaps eventually Rachel would realize that she was acting just like her mother, moving too fast on a guy she barely knows, but I just don't care to find out if that happens. Also the whole "Nick's made me the happiest I've been since I moved to St Mary's" is stupid because she's only been there like 3 days. It wasn't months of unhappiness, just 3 days. Plus the two had only spoken twice (one of those times being extremely disturbing) before that declaration.

As for Morgan House, of course everything started as soon as they moved in. But so much time is spent on Rachel hating Geoff, missing wi-fi, and Nick, that the house seems like an entirely separate story. Things that would have freaked out any normal person, get dismissed quickly so Rachel can concentrate on Geoff, wi-fi, and Nick.

More time is spent on Rachel's inner thoughts than on what's going on around her and most of her thoughts are very repetitive. When she's talking to Nick at the cemetery, more time is spent on her thoughts than on their conversation. Which the conversation was full of red flags, but Rachel was so busy thinking about her dad and 3rd grade teacher that she had to have been standing there, silently, for nearly the entire visit. Why is Nick attracted to her? Probably because he's just looking for his next victim not a girlfriend.

Also, 28% of the way in, we've only been introduced to Elana (who's quickly shoved out of the picture), Geoff, Mom, Rachel, Nick, and the bookshop owner. There's little description of the town. According to Geoff, St Mary's has a good school system, but the only person Rachel's age that seems to live there is Nick. The world of the book comes off as very small and compartmentalized. The stuff that happens at Morgan House is very rarely even thought about except when the things are currently happening and once they're over, Rachel just seems to quit caring about them except for a stray thought here and there.

**Book Review: The Keeper of the Key by Nicole Willson**
**Rating: 4.5 Stars**
Thanks to NetGalley, Parliament House Press, and Nicole Willson for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.

I absolutely enjoyed *The Keeper of the Key*. It was creepy, atmospheric, and delivered all the gothic fall vibes I was hoping for. The eerie setting and suspenseful narrative had me hooked, and I could easily see this story being adapted into a great movie. There were genuinely scary parts, and the story kept me glued to my Kindle from start to finish.

Did I guess the ending? Yes. Did that take away from the experience? Not at all. Even though I figured out the main twist, there were plenty of surprises along the way that kept me engaged.

While the book is clearly YA, that didn’t bother me. As a mother of teenagers, I occasionally found myself siding with the adults over the main character, but I think that actually helped me connect with the story on a deeper level.

Overall, I’d highly recommend *The Keeper of the Key* if you’re in the mood for a creepy, quick, and fun YA read perfect for spooky season!

When Rachel, a sixteen year old is uprooted from her life to move to an isolated house in the remote town of St Mary, Virginia, she begins to have nightmares or visions that blur reality. Are they a result of the move because she does not like her mom’s boyfriend, and she is away from her fiends, or is there something more sinister happening in the house?
A found the story entertaining, eerie and relatable to my teenage self. I enjoy when an author can envoys feelings that are relatable. You feel for Rachel in her grief, confusion, her desire to be there for her mom, and the excitement of her first love.
I feel that the male characters; Geoff and Nick. old have used more character development, it may have been intentional to create more mystery; however left me with more questions. Or that could be my older self needing more answers.
As a YA, gothic thriller, it is a compelling story that borders on supernatural.

My nerves were shattered by the time I finished this book.

If follows Rachel as she moves from her familiar hometown and friends to a huge spooky house owned by her mums boyfriend.

Creepy goings on, a hot new boyfriend and a stepdad she just can't see eye to eye with all end in a huge twist you'll never see coming.

Really enjoyed this book, was quick passed, had a great amount of mystery that kept you guessing throughout and the ending was both unexpected and amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Nicole Willson for the opportunity to review the ARC of The Keeper of the Key. This book is perfect for October, spooky and twisted in the best ways. To save from spoilers, I want to say that I gave it a four, as some parts were just not quite my thing. But I would read another book from Nicole, and see how I feel! Some characters were better than others, and the twist? I sort of felt like there had been clues throughout the novel, but I just wasn't prepared. 4/5!

Nicole Willson writes a deliciously spooky novel that had me gripped from the moment I picked it up. Haunted house horror is always so chilling to me, the idea that ghosts surround us is both hopeful and horrible. The feeling of being watched, hearing footsteps when no one is home, visions or apparition appearing from thin air! Our FMC is mostly unbelieved by the adults around her, forced to deal with personal trauma, and navigating a horror haunted house with just her wits and little pieces of information. I would rate this a 5-star but unfortunately the ending fell a bit flat for me. However, it does fit into the theme of YA so I won't hold it too much against this book. Overall, it was a thrilling read and I can't wait to revisit it come spooky season.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nicole Willson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Keeper of the Key coming out November 12, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own. .

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’m obsessed with the dark, old house trope. I loved the writing. I thought there was a lot of mystery and suspense. It really held my interest. It was fast paced. I loved Rachel’s character. I thought she was smart and strong. I’d definitely read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys haunted house stories!

very fun and easy to read with a unique premise!! I really loved it and the main character had a strong personality.

I am absolutely blown away by Nicole Willson's "The Keeper of the Key". At first, I really didn't think I would enjoy it. The main character is a 16-year-old who is VERY much a 16-year-old. The novel is incredibly fast-paced and at times I felt like there just wasn't enough attention given to certain events. But I made myself get out of my 32-year-old mindset and quit judging based on my current stage of life. And what a change.


The book follows 16-year-old Rachel who has her life uprooted when her mom decides to move in with her new boyfriend, Geoff. Geoff lives far away from Rachel's old city and friends, isolating her from her old life, and to make matters worse, his house is old and creepy. Rachel has never liked Geoff and once she moves in, her relationship becomes strained, at best. Not to mention, she begins to see horrific things and wakes up trapped in Geoff's basement at night. Rachel's only relief is her new boyfriend but something starts to seem off about him too.


There are so many good things to say about this book. First, the scenes where Rachel experienced supernatural events were genuinely creepy. It's been a long time since I've read a book that gave me chills but Willson succeeded. Second, Willson's take on hauntings was absolutely unique. It gets boring hearing the same old parlor tricks over and over. Cold spots here. Scratching noises there. This was not the case with The Keeper of the Key and thank goodness for that! It was such a breath of fresh air. My third and final praise for this book is that the plot twist at the end was an actual twist. Not knowing what would happen was such a wonderful treat!


Anyway, I could rant and rave about this book forever. Aside from it feeling a little rushed and sparse in some details, I HIGHLY recommend this book if you want a quick, fun read.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Well, that was an interesting ride!

Rachel is a typical teen, except that she is still mourning her dad's death and now her mom is insisting that they move in with her mother's boyfriend Geoff. There is no doubt that Geoff and Rachel do not get along - the tension is all there. And Geoff, although he wants a family has no idea how to handle an angsty, grieving teen. In fact, Rachel, doesn't fit the mold of what a child should be for Geoff at all - but this has to do with his own background.

Add to it that Geoff moves them into a spooky old house in the middle of the woods where there is hardly any internet (cue the spooky music). A house that doesn't seem to like Rachel at all. And Geoff has a hundred rules - but one is absolute - Do NOT, ever go into the basement! Of course Rachel plays Nancy Drew and snoops out the creepy basement as well as digs up things about Geoff's past.

And of course there is the moody, mysterious boy that comes in at just the right time. Becoming her friend, becoming her listening ear and pressuring her for sex, and once she gives in (fade to black, off page) he has her where he wants her. He professes his love and seems to always support her. But there's something off about him just like with Geoff.

But these dynamics are not the whole situation. Only Rachel can hear the house and the house has a lot to say. Rachel is awakened in the night to someone screaming, crying and calling out. She sees the dead women with open, gaping wounds reach out to her and drag her into the basement. After being found in the middle of the night screaming in the basement Geofff accuses her of making it all. Why is she in the basement anyways? And how did she lock herself in?

The end is interesting.

Characters are interesting. Story plot is good. However, here is my major question - The book is titled Keeper of the Key - I expected more information on this key, for it to play a bigger role. Yes we see it on the "keeper's" neck (I don't want to give away the end). But how did that person become the keeper, and what is that person a keeper of? And I realize that they person was part of the house - or rather the house became that person's heart and therefore the person had to stay close to the house. But I felt like the key was kind of just thrown in there without real explanation. And now someone else has the key - but to what effect? I don't know - I just felt like this element of the story (which was really good) was simply left undone.

Thank you for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book review 📚
The Keeper Of The Key by Nicole Wilson
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Okay so this book is perfect for Halloween season, the spooky vibes that happen throughout are just perfect for this time of year.

Now, I don’t know if Wilson has done any other books, or if this is a debut but I will be finding out afterwards because her writing is PHENOMENAL. I actually can’t fault a single thing about her writing. She had me hooked from page one, she creates such a rich and atmospheric world where every single detail comes to life.

Rachel (FMC) is truly what made this book what it is. She’s only 16, but she’s a mature and sensible 16-year-old. She isn’t bratty, moody, or selfish. How struggles are so relatable and joining her on her journey is truly compelling.

For a YA book, it is absolutely fantastic and it kept me so entertained throughout, with both the good and the bad, along with the spooky!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC for this book!

It was a little slow in some parts, but overall engaging enough to keep my attention to the end - and I’m glad I stuck it out! The twist was unexpected and it ended up being a great story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I enjoyed this way more then I thought I would. Usually, anytime I see pop culture references it's an immediate DNF, but I decided to stick it out and boy am I glad I did.

This was a fast paced ya gothic horror that I finished in a single sitting. The pacing if phenomenal, there wasn't a single dull or wasted moment. Though predictable, it still gave me a few twists I didn't expect. The setting was creepy and the strange happenings were described perfectly. I enjoyed every moment!

Incredible. Read this in just one day, which is unusual for me. It gave me chills, frustration at boys (again) and made me genuinely curious for whats to come next.

Though the MC is only sixteen, she behaves very mature (very mindfull :)) and I related to her in many ways. I find it harder to read books about younger MC's as I grow older, but Rachel is written a lot more believable and not so childish. Know how you sometimes get ANNOYED when the MC makes an obvious wrong decision in horror novels/movies? Yeah, Rachel didn't do that. And somehow that made the story spookier!

The writing was nice and easy - there were no overly long poetic descriptions of the surroundings, but it did manage to create the spooky vibe very well. I am glad I read this during daytime... Also, the ending's a rollercoaster, and i'm here for it.

A perfect quick but chilling gothic read!