Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, Parliament House Press for my arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I don't think I'm the right audience for this one. It is definitely a YA book but seems to be targeted towards the younger end of the genre, occasionally flip-flopping towards older with the sex scenes. That said, I think if you've never read any Gothic stories, this may be a fine entry into the genre.

This book definitely reads as a very young YA - which is totally okay! There’s a little spice but it wasn’t too much to handle. This was a quick read for me. The book falls predictable I wish the author would have written more thrill throughout instead of leaving it for the ending. I would definitely recommend this if you want to get into reading horror but you’re not ready to full send. It’s a great little spooky book and would make the perfect halloween read!

3.5⭐️
I am thankful to have gotten the eARC for free from Netgalley and the author so I can leave my voluntary review.

I’m having a hard time with what rating to give this. I don’t usually round up but I may sit on this and adjust later but for now, it fits with my “it was an ok read” for 3 stars.

I’m trying to wrap my head around this book I think the issue is that it reads like an older end of the middle grade genre. An introduction to horror if you will, except the content goes into the YA category due to the sexual activity that most wouldn’t want their middle graders reading!

The description of the book is captivating for sure! And I did read this very quickly as ai wanted to know what happened. Unfortunately it was really predictable throughout. The other issue is while the FMC Rachel is going through what she does, the reaction that she and the adults in her life have just aren’t realistic at all. I don’t want to give spoilers out but I’ll say a basic “if you see and interact with a ghost of any sort, you don’t just carry on with your business.”

The ending has the thriller type excitement but that level could have come way earlier as she worked through the challenges of the house she lived in. But it didn’t. The story sort of meandered along where 3/4 of the book could have been condensed into the first several chapters and then delved into the meat of the situation or had better responses to the light interactions she had at times.

All that being said, teenagers around 14-15 years old who want an entry into horror may really jive with this story and enjoy it as it was well written for the most part.

As I said it’s a bizarre reaction I’ve had to it as I wanted to keep turning the page even with the head scratching! So maybe I’ll change my mind as I sit on it!

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

-spoilers contained in this review- This was a great book that really surprised me! In the first half I felt like there was more telling than showing in the way it was written. It improved as the book progressed. I wish that the FMC’s first kiss was more believable. I automatically knew something was up with Nick just with how awkward it was. I also already knew the house would get burnt down when she took a mental note of the gas and matches randomly in the basement, so I would omit that. Otherwise a fantastic read. I love how real all the characters are. Their flaws are top notch. The parent teenage struggle is relatable and this book made me feel like I was a teenager again. Props to the author for making a wonderful book that I could not put down until I finished it! That says a lot and it doesn’t happen very often.

Although this is obviously aimed at a younger audience than me I still had a good time with it. The writing was good, the story was fun and engaging and the characters felt very realistic
I did find it a bit predictable but still enjoyed the story which flowed well and read quickly

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc

I'll admit - I wasn't expecting to get as sucked into this as I did, but this was a single=sitting book for me. A mystery centered on a Gothic house with a suspicious female protagonist? Immediate yes.

Rachel finds herself moving in with her mom and her mom's new boyfriend after the death of her father, and there's just something not right about the house they've moved in to. It's ancient and creaky, and for some reason Geoff - her mother's boyfriend - has the basement absolutely off limits. At the same time Rachel is trying to find her footing in a new town with new friends, like Nick, while trying to understand the strange things that keep happening in the house and the news of young women who have gone missing over the last few years.

I physically couldn't put my Kindle down once i started this book because I had to understand what was going on - the writing was enthralling, and I thought I knew exactly where the story was going when it turned my expectations back on myself with a plot twist. Nicole Willson absolutely knows how to create tension and draw out suspicion, and I really enjoyed their writing style...it very much reminded me of An Inspector Calls. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery/haunted house/Haunting of Hill House-type story, and I can't wait to read more of their work.

There's just something about a gothic YA book that always pulls me in! This gave me sort of Wednesday vibes which I loved and Beetlejuice (the main character even looks like Winona). This book is just very spooky and immersive. I love the writing style, the setting and the characters. I definitely want to reread this one during Spooktober to get all the vibes!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher Parliament House Press on Net Galley. To me this book is suitable for ages 13-16 or above if you are into these types of books. This was my first “horror” book I’ve read. It wasn’t really scary but it was definitely different. The book references Rachel resembling Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice and that reference followed me during the entire read. I feel like this book was inspired by Beetlejuice. Rachel seems like your average immature 16 year old girl that has been through tragedies that not many face at the ripe age of 16. She definitely has unresolved issues that are present throughout the book that are most noticeable with the way she treats and speaks with others. Based on the description of the book, while reading you will make inferences about what is going to happen. But I can tell you, you will be wrong. I was definitely wrong and was not expecting what happened. Give this book a read and see if you would like to visit Morgan House.

I’m not big on teen/young adult books anymore but there was something about the synopsis of this book that really pulled me in. In The Keeper of the Key we meet Rachel, a 16 year old who is being dragged out of her town to go live with her mom’s new boyfriend in a big creepy house. The thing is, it’s not just any house; Rachel hears, sees and feels paranormal entities that won’t leave her alone.
The writing felt very eery and magical at the same time. It was extremely easy to follow the story along, especially because the author keeps playing with the readers curiosity to find out what’s happening inside the house.
I feel like some readers might find Rachel a tad bit annoying but her way of thinking and doing things felt extremely real. The character resembles a real life teenage girl and i could feel my inner 16 year old relating to Rachel a lot.
The story in itself is very interesting. We learn more about the town, the people and the house as the book takes us on a spooky ride. I would’ve enjoyed it more if the horror aspect shined a bit more, some scenes felt a bit bland and repetitive, but i can understand the decision - after all, it’s meant to be read and enjoyed by teens too.
I definitely recommend The Keeper of the Key to gothic horror fans who want something a little tamer but still fun nonetheless.

Nicole Willson’s *The Keeper of the Key* is a masterful contemporary Gothic novel that blends supernatural elements with domestic horror, creating a suspenseful and chilling read that keeps you on edge. Following the success of her Bram Stoker Award-nominated *Tidepool*, Willson delivers a gripping narrative that dives deep into themes of trust, control, and the eerie unknown.

The story centers around sixteen-year-old Rachel, whose life is upended when her mother decides to move into Morgan House, an old and dilapidated mansion owned by her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff. The transition from her familiar life and friends to the isolation of St. Mary, Virginia, is a difficult adjustment for Rachel. Her reluctance is compounded by Geoff’s stringent rules, particularly his inexplicable prohibition against entering the basement.

Morgan House itself is a character in its own right—creepy and enigmatic, with a dark history that Rachel begins to uncover. The mansion’s sinister nature manifests in strange and terrifying ways, with Rachel experiencing nightmarish visions and being inexplicably drawn to the forbidden cellar. The haunting imagery and foreboding atmosphere created by Willson are particularly effective, enhancing the novel’s Gothic tone.

Rachel is a compelling protagonist, characterized by her bravery and determination. Her struggle to adapt to her new life, coupled with her growing curiosity about the house's dark secrets, drives the narrative forward. Willson crafts Rachel’s journey with depth and emotional resonance, making her confrontation with the supernatural elements of Morgan House both personal and poignant.

The tension in *The Keeper of the Key* is skillfully built, with each revelation adding layers to the mystery of the mansion and its connection to Rachel’s visions. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, maintaining a relentless pace that keeps readers eagerly turning pages. The tragic events that unfold further intensify the sense of dread, leading to a climax that is both surprising and satisfyingly eerie.

Willson’s writing is atmospheric and evocative, with a knack for creating vivid and unsettling imagery that lingers long after the book is closed. The juxtaposition of the mundane and the supernatural is handled with finesse, ensuring that the Gothic elements enhance rather than overshadow the emotional and psychological depth of the story.

*The Keeper of the Key* is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of Gothic horror and psychological suspense. Nicole Willson has crafted a narrative that is both chilling and engaging, with a fierce heroine and a chillingly atmospheric setting. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys their horror with a side of deep emotional impact and a touch of the supernatural.

This book, which has a fantastic cover, is a great introduction for YA readers to the gothic horror/haunted house genre. Morgan House is super creepy and there are some great haunting scenes in this one. Also has a great lesson to just tell the freaking truth to people and don’t be a jerk, unlike all of the male characters in this book. Fast read, spooky fun.