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Wasps in the Ice Cream is a captivating Coming of Age Horror novella that quickly reminded me why I love this subgenre.

It's the Summer of 1987 and Mark Prewitt spends his time working at the local ice cream shop, avoiding his parents, tinkering on his dream car and engaging in miscellaneous hijinks with his best buds.

When the other boys stage a prank on the mysterious Farrow sisters, it goes too far and one of them gets hurt. Mark is riddled with guilt after the fact. He should have stopped it, but he didn't. Seeking to make amends with the girls, he ends up befriending the middle sister, George.

She's unlike anyone he has ever known and he's drawn to her like wasps to ice cream. The more time he spends with George, the less time he has for everyone else. Mark finds himself keeping a lot of secrets, but he should have known in a town this small, it was bound to blow up in his face. What happens when you fall for the girl everyone hates? Mark is about to find out.

Spoiler Alert: It's not good.

Y'all, I really enjoyed my time with this story. I know when some people think of Horror books, they think, 'scary books, things that scare me', and then if they don't get scared by a book, they say, 'this isn't Horror'. For me, Horror is a much more nuanced genre than that and thinking only books that literally scare you can be classified as Horror is simplifying the genre unfairly.

A good example of this is one of my fave subgenres of Horror, the Coming of Age story. Wasps in the Ice Cream is a perfect example, channeling all of the essential vibes. This basically transported me back to the Summer of 1987. Coming of Age always hits home for me. Literally nothing could be happening and I still find myself so invested.

There's something about the innocence and feeling of possibility in viewing the world through that lens. The emotional traumas and challenges the protagonists have experienced up to this point in their lives only scratch the surface of what the world will ultimately dish out for them. It's such a special time. Nostalgia for days.

Also, it's in the presentation. You generally have an Adult narrator, who is reflecting back on some pivotal moment in their life. Something that impacted them so deeply, it helped to shape the adults they became; good or bad.

There also tends to be powerful friendships and the exploration of sexuality. All of this is mixed together with deeper things that scare us; sometimes supernatural, sometimes not. I felt McGregor did an amazing job telling Mark's story. It felt so authentic. I believed everything I was being told and understood how the events of this Summer shaped Mark's future, choices, wants and desires.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys an engaging Coming of Age Horror story. If you are just looking for scares though, you'd be best looking somewhere else.

Thank you so much to the publisher, RDS Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. The audiobook is fantastic. The narrator truly captured Mark's character. Well done!

This was an enjoyable coming-of-age tale about a boy named, Mark Prewitt. Mark and his friends don't always make the best decisions, but that's what youth is all about-making one learning mistake after another as we climb the ladder towards adulthood.

We also get to see Mark fall in love for the first time. The only problem is that he falls in love with one of the Farrow sisters-a family touted across town to have dealings with the occult in a time when suspicions were rampant, and used as a tool in which to justify bigotry and cruelty towards people who didn't fit the mold.

As McGregor weaves this nuanced tale-which reminded me of being in a town created by King-there are threads that represent various facets of humanity woven throughout the tale. I found these aspects to be the scariest theme of this story; after all, humanity is the conduit through which
darker actions and mindsets thrive.

If there was one thing that could have tipped this book into the five-star range, it would have been the inclusion of higher stakes and/or more of a horror element.

I highly recommend this book to readers looking for an interesting and new take on the coming-of-age story. And if you are interested in the audiobook, Dan Lawson is the narrator and he did a really great job on top of having a really interesting reading voice that fits the uniqueness of this tale.

I read and reviewed an advanced audiobook copy of this book thanks to RDS Audio via Netgalley. All honest opinions are my own.

5.0
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF THE YEAR!
It has 80s horror, witches and a story about forbidden relationships. I loved the haunting aspects and I also loved the stranger things 80s setting. I will be posting this on my Twitter to anyone who will listen. Also I will be flooding my goodreads about this audiobook.

Okay to start - I can’t decide if I love this cover or if I hate it. I found myself just staring at it as I listened to the audio - the audio that I could not put down by the way.

This is such a “basic” story that isn’t basic at all. It follows a teenage boy in high school and all the nonsense he gets into including meeting and befriending one of the “weirdos” in town. As the person who was the weirdo in town, I found this to be really interesting and I was never sure where it was going to go. It definitely felt like it followed the thought processes of a teenager and that made it feel more realistic.

The narration kept us in a creepy-ish state throughout the entire story and that vibe continued through our introduction to the literal wasps in the ice cream to the ending that actually took me by surprise.

I feel like while I didn’t love this, I definitely really enjoyed it and I think it’ll be in the back of my mind for awhile.

"Wasps in the Ice Cream" is a captivating coming-of-age story that offers a unique blend of heart, heartache, and horror.
Mark, the main character, is a relatable teenager who is struggling to find his place in the world. He takes a summer job at an ice cream parlor to escape his mundane life, but things quickly turn sour when he and his friends start bullying the reclusive Farrow sisters. As he tries to make amends, he finds himself drawn into their world and inevitably falling for one of the sisters, which quickly turns the things around.
What I loved about this book is how well the characters are written. McGregor has a great talent for capturing the messy and complicated feelings of teenagers and making them feel real. I found myself rooting for Mark even when he made bad decisions, and I was invested in the outcome of his story. I didn't want it to end, as i absolutely enjoyed being emersed into their conversations.
Overall, i consider this a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good, heartfelt coming-of-age story with a touch of horror.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an audiobook version.

Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for this audio ARC. Dang, I was not expecting to love this story this much. It gave me Carrie and Christine vibes, which is the best way to my heart.

This is a must read, especially for the summer.

Title: An Engaging Tale with an Audio Book Misstep: "Wasps in the Ice Cream" Review

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

Tim McGregor's "Wasps in the Ice Cream" offers a captivating and atmospheric story that delves into the complexities of forbidden love, small-town secrets, and the consequences of our choices. While the novel itself is a pleasant and engaging read, it's important to note that the audio book's narrator leaves much to be desired, detracting from the overall experience.

Set in the summer of 1987, the narrative follows Mark Prewitt, a teenager grappling with the challenges of navigating his father's new marriage and spending aimless hours with his friends. Drawn into a web of peer pressure, Mark reluctantly participates in a cruel prank targeting the reclusive Farrow sisters, only to later regret his actions deeply.

McGregor expertly crafts the bond between Mark and George, the middle sister of the Farrow family, who is portrayed as an intriguing and complex character. George's practice of witchcraft and her use of folk magic to protect her loved ones adds depth to the story, providing a unique backdrop for the blossoming relationship between her and Mark. Their shared moments of loneliness, love for books, and exploration of homemade spells create an authentic connection that captivates readers.

The supernatural elements take center stage when George invites Mark to partake in a séance to communicate with her deceased sister, unraveling a tale of mystery and tragedy. McGregor adeptly maintains a sense of suspense, keeping readers engrossed and eager to uncover the truth.

However, it's crucial to address the issue with the audio book narration, which unfortunately hampers the overall experience. The narrator's delivery is marred by an inflection that constantly sounds like he's posing a question, creating a jarring effect. This peculiar intonation almost made me abandon the audio book altogether, as it failed to capture the true essence of the story. It's disheartening when the narrator's performance distracts from the otherwise immersive atmosphere and well-crafted characters.

Despite the audio book's shortcomings, McGregor's storytelling shines through, particularly in his portrayal of small-town life. The stifling environment, permeated by gossip and judgment, provides a palpable backdrop for Mark and George's forbidden relationship. The tension rises as their secret becomes increasingly difficult to conceal, and the author deftly explores the theme of loyalty, prompting readers to ponder the choices we make when faced with conflicting loyalties and self-discovery.

In conclusion, "Wasps in the Ice Cream" delivers an engaging and atmospheric tale that seamlessly weaves together themes of forbidden love, witchcraft, and small-town secrets. Tim McGregor's narrative keeps readers invested throughout, despite occasional pacing issues. However, it's important to note that the audio book narration detracts from the overall experience, with the narrator's questionable delivery style proving distracting. For those seeking an immersive read, opting for the physical book version may be a more rewarding choice.

This was easily a 4.5 star read for me. It’s a well written story about a boy coming to age in a small town. He meets George a girl whose family has suffered an unimaginable loss and the shocks of that loss have reverberated through the family. A bitter sweet tale of love both found and lost, major mistakes and how small minded small towns can sometimes be. I would not call this a horror book though, I found it to be more about small town gossip, a family in grief and the boy whose trying to balance it all.

This book wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t a horror story it’s more of a coming of age tale. I didn’t really like this book nor did I dislike it.

I'd read a review copy of this one a while back and really enjoyed all of the graphic and gruesome horror components, ensuing a level of fear into readers and I just love getting to listen to it on audio as well. I am so thankful to RDS Audio and Tim McGregor for granting me access.