While the description sounded right up my alley, particularly going into the Fall season, something about the writing in this novel didn't fully click with me. I appreciated the character development and the switching pov's between each chapter (between the co-protagonists), but the writing style was a little bit clunky and made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in this story. The horror elements were a slow enough burn at the very beginning, and I appreciated the cult development too, so I think this is a 'me' issue and hardly the book's fault or problem.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's/Underlined for allowing me to read and review this title!

SMALL TOWN MONSTERS is about two teenagers from separate lifestyles. We have Vera Martinez who is the daughter of two renowned demonologists, who travel the world in order to help people fight off demonic possession and other crisis. Vera is very much an outcast due to her parentage and is bullied by her classmates for being different and wearing all black. Maxwell Oliver is a normal teenager with many friends and is not exactly popular but is well-known. Max has been known to make fun of Vera behind her back, like his friends, and doesn't hang out with her because of rumors that surround her house and family.

Max starts to experience a darkness inside his house: Max's mother is waking up in the middle of the night, acting strangely, and dangerous towards him and his younger sister Chloe. As the situation escalates, Max realizes he needs Vera's help.

In the town of Roaring Creek, both Vera and Max notice that strange things are not only happening to them but the people living in town. With the possibility of a cult rising, and Max's mother attacking her son and daughter, Vera and Max have their hands full in this thriller, compared to The Conjuring and The Vow.

My review:
I'm personally a huge fan of The Conjuring films, and have loved almost every single one that has come out in the universe of Conjuring. I don't remember if I've seen The Vow or not, but I am a big fan of horror/thriller films and appreciate any book that tries to replicate the feeling of watching one.

SMALL TOWN MONSTERS was overall a good read. It was fast paced and to the point, while trying to make sure to develop our main characters Vera and Max. There were some moments though when the pacing did slow down towards the end and dragged just a little bit. I liked Vera and Max as main characters and felt the development was just enough to keep me engrossed in their arcs. There is a little bit of romance but it's definitely not a huge part of the book. The attraction is there and there is a little bit of kissing but it's not a focal point, so don't go into this expecting to be YA romance with horror: this is a YA thriller with a dash of romance.

The writing is good and the story concept is great. I do see where the author took inspiration from The Conjuring films and any film with an exorcism, even the dedication is to the Warren's family.

I liked the idea of the cult with the Sunshine group and wish the author expanded on it more.

Underlined has a fun line of books ranging between many different genres and I plan on reading more from this publisher/author in the future.

3.5 to 4 stars.

Billed as “The Conjuring meets The Vow!” was an interesting by-line for a YA horror novel, as I’m not sure how many thirteen or fourteen-year-olds would know either of those shows. To be honest, I had to look The Vow up and even though I can see the relevance the blurb really needs to be more teen friendly to attract those who like cults, the supernatural and exorcisms. Small Town Monsters was a terrific read and the split chapter narratives between ‘Vera’ and ‘Max’ were perfectly balanced, engaging and played a big part in creating a convincing horror novel which should be equally attractive for both boys and girls. Vera is the daughter of a family who have special powers and operate as exorcists however, the ‘gift’ seems to have jumped a generation and Vera is just a normal teenager. Max has his own problems, and his mother is a recovering alcoholic who is very disconnected, and he is worried that she might hurt his little sister. Max’s dad died in a fire a few years earlier and he has had to grow up fast, working in the family restaurant and dealing with his school friends, who lack his maturity.

The setting of the novel is terrific and lots of bad things happen in the town of Roaring Creek, with Max thinking something supernatural is wrong with his mother he approaches Vera for help. The problem is the two have been in the same classes since primary school but have never ever spoken to each other and the dynamics between the two teens is a real strength of the novel. I loved both characters and their contrasts, Vera was an outsider and Max was popular, but leads a complicated life because of his family. There is more than one angle to the supernatural which has a real Latin American feel to it, taking in Santa Muerte (Saint Death), aspects of exorcisms, demon possession and a sinister cult which begins to infiltrate the people of the town. Small Town Monsters was a terrific blend of horror, thriller, spooky small-town secrets and a convincing slow burning romance. AGE 12+