Bed and Breakfast by A.M. Kherbash is a horror novella that takes place in a remote bed and breakfast, chosen by husband Nolan to rekindle the spark between him and his grieving wife, whose struggling to find closure after a late miscarriage. Leah, the creepy innkeeper/owner, initially refuses to allow them to stay in their booked room. After pleading on Nolan’s part, they are allowed o visit the room just briefly- until Leah pulls a 180 and enthusiastically allows them to stay while transforming into an involved and generous host. It doesn’t take long for Nolan to discover that Leah is more than she seems, all the while trying to recover his wife who is seemingly loosing her mind.

The concept is interesting and the writing is solid. I think although the author’s intention of laying the framework for a story that is “really” about “letting go” and of becoming obsessed (and subsequently how it affects those around a grieving person), the idea gets washed out in the pacing of the story. Interestingly enough, when I’ve been presented with more complex concepts through a horror story I typically find myself in the same frame of mind as “this meeting could’ve been an e-mail”- overserved. However, in the case of Bed and Breakfast, I feel like I would have been more satisfied if this story was fleshed out further, into a longer novel with more depth and backstory holding the weight of the themes we’re meant to explore.

Overall, the story was an easy read (less than four hours from start to finish), creepy and descriptive- but forgettable.

Bed and Breakfast tells the story of Nolan, a man clinging to the fragile hope of repairing his marriage after an eventful year. Hoping to recreate happier times, he returns to a bed and breakfast with his wife, Emma, where they once spent an idyllic weekend. What follows is a descent into obsession, surrealism, and unraveling memory, as grief and desperation distort the boundaries between reality and illusion.

The premise is compelling: the exploration of a fractured relationship, set against a mysterious, possibly haunted backdrop, offers rich ground for horror and psychological depth. The narrative plays with time jumps and disorientation effectively, and the writing style is clear and accessible, which helps ground the reader even when the structure gets nonlinear.

However, while the concept drew me in, the execution didn’t fully work for me. The story often felt surface-level when it could have gone deeper emotionally or thematically. The horror elements leaned more confusing than unsettling, and the plot developments didn’t always feel earned. As the story progressed, I found myself struggling to stay invested, and by the end, the resolution felt rushed and somewhat implausible. The emotional impact I was hoping for never quite landed.

That said, I think there’s a specific audience that may appreciate its surreal tone and the ambiguity it leans into. Readers who enjoy dreamlike, disjointed storytelling and character studies tinged with psychological horror may find it intriguing. It simply wasn’t the right match for my preferences.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. This is a creepy novella done right. A man and his wife decide to revisit a bed and breakfast they once spent their time at to rekindle their love after something tragic happens.

I didn’t really get into this book it was a slow read for me I would read something else by this order I just couldn’t get into this read for some reason

I did not know much about this story going in and I think that is for the best - Bed & Breakfast is a horror novella about a husband and wife, Nolan and Emma, who have grown apart after a traumatic event. In an attempt to rekindle their romance, Nolan books them a surprise stay at the B&B that they vacationed at a year prior. However, when they arrive, they find that they B&B is under new management.

This story went in a direction that I wasn't really expecting from the synopsis. A.M. Kherbash wrote a very unsettling and disorienting novella. Nolan and Emma are both a little unlikeable, which added to the tension in this novella. I'm keeping my review brief because knowing less going into this is probably for the best.

Thank you NetGalley and A.M. Kherbash for the eARC!

A couple in trouble books a room at a bed and breakfast they had been to the year prior as the husband hopes to break his wife's melancholia after losing their baby. Nothing is as it seems as the wife garners a strange relationship with the even stranger owner.  

I really wanted to like this more than I did. The writing style was well done and the way everything was described gave a sense of dread and foreboding, which I love to see in a horror novel. But it just didn't do it for me. It was kind of boring and the ending was lackluster. I was waiting for the big "scary" moment to happen, and ultimately, it ended just ok. There were a couple passages that felt out of place, and I almost had to go back and reread them because it didn't make much sense. Then again, maybe that was the whole point.

Did I hate it? No. Would I read it again? Probably not.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bed and Breakfast by A.M. Kherbash was effectively creepy and freaky. Being in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people while coping with interpersonal problems can be really disorienting, as Nolan and Emma learn.

Kherbash’s writing was realistic and relatable. Emma and Nolan are going through a really difficult time, one that many people can relate to, which made this all the more scary to me. It all felt so possible.

Bed and Breakfast is a horror novella that follows a couple whose relationship is beginning to fracture. They are starting to understand that they want different things out of their respective lives. Nolan plans a weekend away in hopes to rekindle their flame and lift Emma’s spirits after she has spent months in a deep state of grief. They return to a bed and breakfast they had loved only a year before. This time though, they find the quaint bed and breakfast is under new ownership and things are…. strange.

The author did an excellent job of building tension and suspense through the atmosphere and chilling writing style. Nolan’s terror and confusion builds and is felt throughout the novel. Bed and Breakfast is written in such a way that it’s not entirely clear what is reality and what is a dream/vision/hallucination. The reader is allowed to interpret the intention and significance of each eerie occurrence. The ending is left fairly wide open which also allows the audience to decipher what may or may not have occurred.

My imagination went wild while reading this. I would love to pick the author’s brain! Bed and Breakfast is one that I’ll think about often. While not as obviously scary as I had hoped, Bed and Breakfast definitely delivered on the uneasy and eerie feeling. I’ve intentionally been ambiguous in this review because I do feel it is important to go in blind for the best experience.

I would recommend this to readers who appreciate psychological and/or environmental horror. Thank you to NetGalley and A.M. Kherbash for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bed and Breakfast from A.M. Kherbash is a short but rollercoaster of a read.

We are introduced to Emma and her husband Nolan who booked them 2 nights at a bed and breakfast. We also meet Leah who is the owner of the b&b. We learn that Emma is ignoring her husband Nolan because he cheated and Emma is recovering from the loss of a pregnancy and is depressed. The book takes a dark and interesting turn, but is one of those books that seem to end abruptly

Thank you A.M Kherbash for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This book published July 31st 2025

A couple arrives at a bed and breakfast to rekindle their relationship, which has been shaken by several miscarriages.

Overall, I enjoyed this novella! It was intriguing at times, and definitely had a creepy vibe. My main critique is that it straddles eerie/domestic thriller/mystical in a way that felt indecisive to me. I wish there was a little more explanation behind elements like the mushrooms or baby dolls. And it definitely became muddied towards the end, either symbolic or confusing!

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.

After spending a lovely weekend at a bed and breakfast, Nolan returns a year later with his wife, Emma, hoping to relive those happy memories and move past a painful event that has cast a shadow over their marriage. Nolan deeply—almost desperately—loves Emma, and in the wake of her grief, he’s willing to do anything to bring happiness back into their lives.

The novella jumps straight into the action, which I appreciated, especially in a shorter story. However, I felt the ending was too abrupt, leaving me wanting more closure.

There were eerie and unsettling moments, creating an intriguing atmosphere, but the plot sometimes felt surreal and hard to follow. The dreamlike quality added to the suspense, yet I struggled to connect the dots. The characters were well-drawn, though I believe a more straightforward plot would have heightened the tension and fear factor.

While Bed and Breakfast is categorized as horror, I wouldn’t classify it as such. It leans toward a psychological thriller with an unsettling tone rather than outright horror.

After a traumatic year, struggling couple Nolan and Emma return to a Bed and Breakfast where they had previously vacationed during happier times. But this is no longer the sunny B&B they remember. Now under new management, the sole proprietor casts a foreboding presence over their stay. They sense that something is amiss — perhaps they should have listened to their instincts to flee at the first opportunity.

There were some genuinely satisfying creepy elements and hair-raising jump scares in the first half of the book. I loved the way the Kherbash built the tension at the outset by throwing out one creepy tidbit after the other. I felt some Hitchocockian vibes here -- almost a "Psycho" atmosphere. The prose was effectively executed (allowing for typos given this is an early ARC), and the characters felt authentic and compelling.

While the first half had me hooked, I was confused by the last quarter. I realize it is a tightrope writing horror; if you overexplain it loses its edge… But I needed a little more hint as to how the various loose threads came together in this story. It left me feeling frustrated after I had become so attached to the characters. That said, I am reviewing an early ARC, so the contents may change before publication.

The horror device here is primarily psychological horror, reminiscent of classic Hitchcock or Ira Levin. I would love to read more from this author — while I was a little frustrated with parts of this book, the psychological elements were spot on and the prose was rhythmic and absorbing.

Thank you NetGalley and A.M. Kherbash for sending me an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

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.

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

The description of the book makes you think this is almost a self help book. The reviews and cover let you know it's a horror. Super quick Novella that is sure to prevent you from traveling alone.

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,

I was not a fan of this book unfortunately. I found this way to similar to movies like The visit or speak no evil but not done nearly as well. I can see what the author was going for but this just didn't work for me.

Bed and Breakfast by AM Kherbash is a chilling and surreal horror novel that blends psychological dread with cosmic horror. The story unfolds in a remote, unsettling inn where reality feels unstable, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and unease. Kherbash’s writing is vivid and unsettling, with a creeping tension that builds throughout. The novel’s dreamlike logic and eerie imagery make it a unique and disorienting read, perfect for fans of unsettling, mind-bending horror.

A young couple, he a teacher, she fighting depression after a miscarriage, plan to spend a weekend away at a bed and breakfast they had visited a year earlier. Nolan hopes to revive his failing marriage to Emma but when they arrive, they are unwelcome. This was a chance to flee. Host Leah is definitely odd and tells them the B&B is closed. Chance #2. Nolan asks if they could just see the room they stayed in year earlier. Leah allows them to and then announces that they are welcome to stay for the weekend. They are delighted. It’s too late for chance #3. Then the horror begins.

I think that true horror novels begin by pulling you in to a perfectly believable story. As you become familiar with the characters and the location, small disturbing details begin. Suspense builds and by the time all heck breaks loose, you are right there being terrified with the characters. Bed and Breakfast begins too quickly for the reader to become invested. I think it would work better as a longer novel or a short story. A novel begins with Nolan and Emma at home and spends time introducing them and their problems. A short story concentrates on Leah and her plans and leaves the couple as background figures. 3 stars but I hope A. M. Kherbash keeps writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and A. M. Kherbash for this ARC.