This was a really unique take on the old Holly Hobby character, that was totally spooky! I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a scary YA read!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

I've been reading this on and off for a while now and it hit me - I don't really want to finish it but I've gotten far enough in that I can give an opinion.

I think it's an interesting and slightly creepy story. I love that it includes sewing because that's underrepresented in todays society in most cases. I love that they "escape" the city to the country - where it's creepy - and that there's a nice high school vibe going.

What didn't capture me much is just the plot up until the point I stopped. I wish more had happened and I was more invested.

I might come back to it and wouldn't warn anyone away from it at this point, just that I wasn't "captured". Depending on content (after the part that I've read to) it could be a good book for a true teen reader (as I am an adult) if they like "creepy" things.

My rating (for now): 3*

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.

"Holly Horror" by Michelle Jabes Corpora is a thrilling rollercoaster ride through the twisted underbelly of Hollywood, blending elements of horror, mystery, and suspense with expert precision. Corpora's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this gripping tale, which is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

At the heart of "Holly Horror" is a compelling narrative that explores the dark side of fame and fortune in the entertainment industry. Corpora deftly navigates through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, peeling back the layers to reveal the sinister forces lurking beneath the surface. The result is a chilling and immersive reading experience that will leave readers spellbound.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its richly drawn characters, each with their own secrets, motivations, and hidden agendas. From the enigmatic protagonist to the colorful cast of supporting characters, Corpora has created a diverse ensemble that leaps off the page with vivid realism. As the plot unfolds and tensions rise, readers will find themselves deeply invested in the fates of these characters, rooting for them to uncover the truth and survive the horrors that await them.

Corpora's writing is atmospheric and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the glitzy yet sinister world of Hollywood. From the shadowy back alleys of Los Angeles to the opulent mansions of the elite, the setting serves as a chilling backdrop for the unfolding drama. The author's attention to detail is impeccable, immersing readers in a world where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks around every corner.

What sets "Holly Horror" apart is its masterful blend of suspense and supernatural elements. Corpora weaves together a gripping mystery with eerie paranormal occurrences, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that will leave readers breathless and eager to uncover the truth behind the chilling events unfolding in Hollywood.

In conclusion, "Holly Horror" is a pulse-pounding thrill ride that delivers on every level. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and spine-tingling plot, it is a must-read for fans of horror and suspense. Michelle Jabes Corpora has crafted a masterpiece that will linger in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page.

3/5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

Thank you NetGalley & publisher for this eARC.

OH MY GOD, this book is actually a series??
Because I DID NOT EXPECT FOR THIS ENDING

Overall, this book is an easy read filled with suspense, a little horror, supernatural, creepy, gothic, small-town scene and I love it. Have not read a mid-grade/teen book for a long time and I am glad that this book has made the experience great.

Recommended to anyone who loves this genre.
I just can't wait for book two.

I will be completely honest, I didn't have many expectations going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised because I REALLY enjoyed it!

In the 1800's there was a girl who disappeared. In the 90s, a young girl named Holly Hobbie disappears as well. Now, Evie Archer and her mother and brother move into Holly's old house following her parent's divorce. We find out that the locals call the house haunted, and that already sets the mood for the rest of the novel. While she is living in the house, weird things happen, and there are traces of the girl that disappeared all those years ago, which Evie finds herself slowly discovering one by one, in addition to feeling as though she is being followed by some ghostly figure in her house.

I loved the atmosphere of this book, with the house being one of my favourite parts. The use of the creepy dolls was a cherry on top, perfect for the story. The town was also so well characterized, I like how prominent it was in the story.

I do wish there were more horror elements rather than just some spooky vibes, which led me to feel as though this was more middle-grade than YA. Nonetheless, I still rather enjoyed my time with the story. 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 Stars
Holly Horrow is an addicting, fast-paced, spooky YA novel. I read this very quickly and overall enjoyed it. I liked the concept of a darker reimaged classic but found the pacing and characters lacking. The writing style was very YA, almost middle-grade at times (which I don't mind, however, I was expecting a different quality), but the general story was intriguing enough that I didn't put it down.

Thank you, NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I tried to like this one but I think I wasn't exactly sure what I was in for and it wasn't what I was expecting so I don't think the mood and what I read were aligning right. It was decent though.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

𝘼 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙚𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩.

I had so many thoughts about this book after finishing it. I don’t normally gravitate towards the YA genre anymore, but the premise of this one had me so intrigued.

I was immediately hooked when I started reading this book, it had such a creepy vibe to it and was so atmospheric. This is honestly such a great read for fans of RL Stine, it read super quick and is the perfect spooky book for young readers.

I enjoyed the concept behind this story and I thought the writing was so easy to follow. I was so intrigued in finding out the mystery behind Holly. I had a difficult time rating this book as part of me enjoyed it but part of me had a few issues.

Firstly, I feel like the pacing was all over the place. At times the book felt so rushed and twists were randomly thrown in. Also, I feel like the author tried too much with the book. There were some subplots that were briefly mentioned and then overlooked.

While the book was enjoyable as a whole, I wish it would’ve delved more into some of these side plots. I think the book was fun as a whole and is perfect for the spooky season (especially for younger readers). The book does have a small cliffhanger though so maybe I’ll need to pick up the sequel!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

Holly Horror is a great YA horror for many readers...I was not one of those readers. While it had many good parts, overall enjoyment just wasn't there.

"Holly Horror" weaves a dark narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. This YA horror novel stands out for its ability to genuinely evoke fear, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

At the heart of the story lies the relatable theme of coming of age, expertly blended with spine-tingling horror. Evie Archer's life takes a drastic turn after her family's painful divorce, and the Horror House in Ravenglass, Massachusetts, becomes the unsettling backdrop for her new reality. The tension builds steadily as Evie uncovers the haunting history of Holly Hobbie, whose mysterious disappearance sets the stage for a tale of the supernatural.

The sense of unease is palpable throughout the narrative, and I found myself tensing with each unfolding event. The atmosphere is expertly crafted, immersing readers in a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, leaving a lingering sense of dread. The presence of a strange shadow and the gradual takeover of Evie's life by traces of Holly's existence contributes to the novel's spine-chilling effect.

One of the standout elements of "Holly Horror" is its fast-paced and addicting plot. The story propels forward with a relentless momentum, ensuring that readers remain hooked and eager to unravel the mysteries shrouding the Horror House. Evie's journey is both captivating and harrowing, as she grapples with the unknown and unearths the unsettling truths hidden within the walls of her new home.

While the horror elements are prominent, the novel also successfully explores Evie's struggles and the challenges of navigating adolescence. These coming-of-age vibes add depth to the narrative, making the characters more relatable and the overall experience more fulfilling.

In conclusion, "Holly Horror" is a standout YA horror novel that delivers genuine scares alongside a compelling coming-of-age story. With its well-paced plot, atmospheric setting, and a perfect blend of horror and emotion, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre. I rate it 4.5 stars for its ability to keep me hooked and genuinely frightened throughout.

A young girl moves to a new house with her family to find a missing girl case and dives into the dark past of how she disappeared. A shadow begins to follow her, could it be Holly’s???

This book is about a girl named Evie who moves to Massachusetts with her mom and brother and moves into a house that her aunt can't bare to be in. The house is called the Horror House for whatever reason you will find out. She starts seeing a shadow, and does research on who it could be. She finds out about a young girl named Holly who used to live in the house and one night went missing never to be seen again. Is she imagining things or could it be Holly after all these years? If so where did she disappear to and why hadn't no one ever seen her again? This reads like a YA book and was very informative and the story was entertaining.

I couldn't stop flipping the pages of this one—I enjoyed it more than I had anticipated! The book reminds me of Holly Hobby and Stephen King from the 1980s. The novel unravels the enigma surrounding the characters—and closes on a shocking note!

This was a really creepy read, I can see students enjoying this and will be adding to my collection.

Holly Horror (Holly Horror #1) by Michelle Jabès Corpora is a solid and fun YA horror novel. It's premise is pretty cool and it has a great cover. Plus, the story is creepily atmospheric. The characters are a bit lacking for me though and as it went on Evie started to get on my nerves a little too much. The story also needs to be tightened up a bit in the middle because it begins to get bogged down. Also, somehow I managed to forget all about the real Holly Hobbie character up until about the halfway mark. When I was little, I remember there a bit of a rivalry between the Holly Hobbie kids and the Polly Pocket kids - and I was one of the Polly Pocket kids.

This was one of my most anticipated books to come out I just love the spooky feeling of the story and the characters give

Hello, I’ve attempted to read this several times and for some reason I’m just not clicking with it. I’ve been noticing that this keeps happening to me with Young Adult books. I have a hard time getting into the mindset of someone so much younger. I’m so sorry ! I didn’t realize that about my reading preferences until after I’d requested this book. I have no other feedback other than I think I’m just not the right audience for it. I don’t want to force myself to finish it and then leave a bad review.

There's no denying that the cover art for this book is creepy. A skeletal head in a prairie bonnet is a spooky image, especially when early scenes involve that head turning to look at people. The book doesn't live up to that promise, though. The plot on the whole is a pretty standard one and doesn't push much in the way of boundaries. Characters follow fairly expected patterns of behavior. The ending leaves a fair amount to be desired as well. While it's clearly setting up for a sequel, it doesn't do enough to resolve it's plot.

Holly Horror was a creepy paranormal read that I really enjoyed. I love the cover of this book and that’s what initially made me want to read it. I also found the synopsis extremely intriguing and I love YA horror books.

This story revolves around teen Evie who moves to Massachusetts with her mom and brother after her parents’ divorce. Her and her family move into what the locals refer to as the Horror House. The house has a dark past and soon Evie must face the horrors that lurk within her home.

This book had several chilling moments that I loved. There’s the old house with a dark past, a creepy talking doll, and an overall eerie atmosphere.

I’m eagerly awaiting the 2nd book in the series since this book ended on a cliffhanger. I need to know what happens! If you love YA horror books, definitely read this one.

4/5 stars

I was pulled in from the cover, and was not disappointed! Holly Horror has romance, creepy plots, and it's super atmospheric, perfect for October! It was a quick, simple read.