This was a fantastic collection of short horror stories. Stephens writes relatable characters and puts them in horror-filled situations. It hooks from the first story and pulls the reader through a collection of easy to picture situations that fills them with dread. I can't wait to pick up a paperback copy later today!

I was given an ARC from NetGalley and would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read it. I am voluntarily leaving my unbiased review.

A collection of short stories that are unique, fun and frightening. His 13 horror stories offer something different each time. “The Wallpaper Man” is the first short story. It’s about a family that moves into a Victorian type house. There appears to be something in the wallpaper that is seen by the boy. Tension builds up as the story continues. When the boy notices that the something is after his younger sister,. The boy wonders if there is some way to stop it. Is there?

Each story by the author is exquisite with many dark twists that will keep whoever reads them on the edge of their seat.. I enjoyed each story as it surprised me how well written the stories were. It was so rewarding to read each one. I hated it to end. The horror in each story is perfect!

I really liked this author’s way of giving these individual stories a voice of their own while also making them recognisable as his own. Each story was messed up and sad and sometimes unsettling, but also just really fun to read. My favourites were;
- The Wallpaper Man
- Don’t Let Her In
- Welcome to Camp Klehani!
- You Always Wanted a Garden
- The Backwards Man
- A Slide Infinite

Thank you NetGalley for the copy!

This is an enjoyable collection of horror stories. Almost all of them feature monsters, sometimes the monsters are supernatural, but some of the humans are quite monstrous too. Most of the characters experience emotional pain, regrets and a lot of anger. Even without the extraordinary circumstances that the characters find themselves in, readers can probably relate to such feelings. Being alive in this modern world and time can be so painful. The horror and the monstrous seem almost natural in a world like this.

I am not sure about the illustrations though. I feel that most of them give too much of the storyline away too soon. I prefer to find out what happens by reading about it.

My favourites are “The Backward Man,” “The Crowing” and “The Wallpaper Man.”

I came for the cover and stayed for the stories.
Clearly, the artwork is just…..ah, Beautiful! Absolutely stunning!
Did the stories live up to the promise? Definitely. A really engrossing book. The short stories really appeal to me at the moment as I’m currently going through a bit of a reading “blip”.
I’m struggling to concentrate on anything for a period of time, so I’m reading but a lot slower than usual. With this book, it was perfect. Each time I finished a story, I felt like I’d accomplished something and enjoyed doing it.
Would I recommend this book? Again, it’s a yes from me. From the front cover onwards, it’s fab!
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for my arc.

*I recieved an Advanced Readers Copy of this collection in return for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.*

I was attracted to this collection because of the cover and description, but I found within something that felt similar to the way "Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark" felt when I was 8 or 9 reading it the first time. Like peeking into the tormented souls of others to feel the horrors of their own lives, it was raw and open and honest in a refreshing way, and I loved the campfire feel of many of the stories.

I rated this four stars because some of the stories were slow-going for me, but they were all worth it upon completion. I highly recommend this collection for anyone interested in the horror short-story format.

This was a thrilling ride that centred around families, suffering and the heart-wrenching emotions that encompass us.

This collection of 13 stories is a daring collection of life and death with enthralling writing and creepy descriptive context.

If horror stories are your thing, then this is the anthology for you.

I found myself covering my mouth several times while reading this book. I did not want to get the attention of the things on the page.
I could feel the panic of the characters as the author found imaginative ways to bring about their end. I could feel the suffering of the characters guilt, grief, and loss. I could feel the dread at what they had become. Most importantly was that every story made me experience what the characters were going through. It is hard to do that I one short story let alone all of them.
Caleb Stephens has no boundaries with his unique and twisted imagination and I am here for it. So many great stories, my heart was ripped out, chewed up, and spit on the floor with this one. It was also broken multiple times, damn you Caleb.

I usually don't read many anthologies, but the cover really pulled me in to reading this one. I am so happy I did because I absolutely loved these stories. Each story was so well written and entertaining. If I had to pick a favorite I would say, Don't Let Her In, had to be it. I love a good creepy granny and it delivered.

I really enjoyed how each story gave us a different kind of horror. While all of them were creepy, some were gut wrenching, and I enjoyed the mix. The writing was very good and easy to digest, making this seem like a quick read. I devoured these stories, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Caleb Stevens work.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy dark, twisted, tales that are both fun and creepy.

The art for each story is absolutely chilling. Stories are pretty good, enough of a variety to keep me interested throughout the whole collection.

This was a fascinating collection of horror and we have seen a dearth of story collections of this type in the past few years...Thank God we still have these twisted minds writing to feed our humdrum lives. After finishing this book, I was inspired to look farther for additional classics, and wound up ordering some older Ellen Datlow collections that I read man years ago. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity to preview this book!

I actually ended up dnfing this after the second story. Didn't appreciate the ableist language that was used by the author.
(-this review is written by someone who is wheelchair-dependent.)

It's been a long time since I have read something that caught my attention from the first line. Even when I put the book down, I was thinking about the story I was reading. Because see, this is skillful writing. Almost master-like, the way some images, descriptions, and comparisons were written, it gave us a very precise and clear idea of the emotions and pain the characters were going through. And we felt them too. This is really the type of reading that has me wondering if I should call the writer and ask him if he is alright and if he needs a hug or some warm beverage to appease his soul.

I also enjoyed the fact that also the themes were very similar from story to story, it did not feel redundant or annoying quite the opposite. each story felt unique, in its pain and its thoughts of love.

great read.

This one was a very interesting read for me. I came for the horror and it somehow gave a little bit of what I wanted. The thing that I have noticed is that there's not much build up to the suspense and the horror. We're given all information from the get-go and it really did take away a lot of the suspense that we could've experienced if there's a built up tension.

Honestly i've enjoyed this one quite a bit, with it's dark factor and interesting stories it made a very good Sunday read. The best part was definitely the writing as i've found myself being immersed deeply and equally with every story, it paints such a nice picture of the horrifying circumstances in which these characters found themselves and i literally couldn't stop until the end. The four star rating is purely because i felt that all of the stories needed to be longer, i couldn't properly connect with them since they ended right when i started to form that special bond with them. However, it just might be a 'me' thing and i wouldn't wonder if the length of the stories hasn't affected anyone that much. I recommend this to every horror fan wholeheartedly.

A collection of creepy, gory tails. These include ghosts, shadows and the unknown. A short collection, so quickly read and a good, creepy read for Halloween!

If Only A Heart..and Other Tales of Terror
by Caleb Stephens
due for release October, 2, 2022
BooksGoSocial
#netgalley #IfOnlyAHeart

Whats most terrifying to me is the horror we can feel inside, not the horror we can see. What is most scarey comes from within. These 13 short stories explore human nature, and had a lasting effect on me, the tension and fear was intensely engaging. Each story explores psychological terror that reaches into your psyche and touches that spot of tension that makes horror so good. Well written, hard to put down and even harder to forget. If your lloking for short stories that reach deep with characters that make you feel their fear, I suggest this very creepy novel. The Wallpaper Man, I Will Wait For You, Welcom To Camp Klehani and You Have To Let Him Burn were my favorites. The illlustrations were scary and perfect for each story. Excellent collection of terrifying stories Id highly recommend.
Huge thanks to #netgalley, #BooksGoSocial and the author, Caleb Stephens for sending this e-book for review.

A new to me author and one I can't wait to read more from!  This collection of thirteen tales offers a great variety, with timelines from the 1300's to modern day, and stories involving psychological, physical, and paranormal horrors.  Many of the stories incorporate the theme of loss at different levels and in often macabre and sinister ways.  This is a definite must to put on your Halloween to-read list!

If only a heart
Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading!!


The collection of stories and illustrations at the start of them were great.

My favourites were

The wallpaper man

A wallpaper talon extends from the wall, dipping gently to twirl a lock of pipers hair.
“I like this one. Is this to be my gift? Is this to be my next name?”


The backward man

“But that wasn’t the worst part. No, the worst part always came after I saw him.”

Thank you netgalley for the Arc

If Only a Heart takes you on some harrowing adventures, accompanied with disturbing illustrations.

My favourite tales were: “Don’t let her in”, “Welcome to Camp Klehani”, and “The Atoll”.

Like the author mentions in his acknowledgments, I too read the hobbit at a young age. It changed my life and I read and read and read, finding whole new worlds opening up before me. Caleb’s tales were so well written I could easily immerse myself into each one.

It was an absolute dark delight to read this collection of stories.


Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and BooksGoSocial for a copy.