Never read these stories before bed. Some gave me nightmares!

There were a few stories with a deeper meaning, a few that scared the absolute shit out of me and others that were meh.

One that I loved but also terrified me was the backward man.

Overall not a bad collection of short stories.

This book is one twisted piece of work. From monstrous grandmas to corpse is getting revenge every story it’s like a nightmare you really don’t want to have. I loved his writing style it was a new and refreshing style I have never seen before and I loved it. I wanted to listen to this as I fell asleep but there was no sleeping what I started Reading it. Almost every story would be worth buying on its own. I received this book from NetGalleyShelf and a publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I loved this anthology. Each story was fresh and full of nightmare fuel.
My favorite had to be The Wallpaper Man with The Crowing in a close second.

The Wallpaper Man follows a young man suffering through hardships, the loss of his mother, which in turn cause the loss of his father, because he struggles to find meaning in life.
They eventually move, fresh start, but the Wallpaper Man is still there. Asking Nick for a name. A name to sate it’s hunger, feeding off the fear and pain of its meal. But for a long time Nick refuses.
Until he meets Roger, a nasty kid, that makes his life miserable. He gives the Wallpaper Man his name, and Roger is no longer a problem.
Then, Nick is faced with a choice, the Wallpaper man ravenous, enjoys the scent of Nick’s younger sister, Piper,
Piper is now plagued by their father and his nightly visits. He dooms one to save the other., right up until the end. He does everything he can to save Piper.

That’s just one of several unique tales in this book. Each offering different types of tales, each gut-wrenching, each new for the genre.

Definitely a great book, and would recommend to someone who loves the dark, scary things in life.

My thanks to Caleb Stephens, Books Go Social and Netgalley.
I didn't finish these stories. I don't like these type of books. Tales of loss is not what I look for.
I'm giving a middle rating. Why? Because I can. Also, the writing was fine. It was truly a case.if "it's me."

If Only a Heart and Other Tales of Terror

[Blurb goes here]

This is a collection of short stories. In following tradition, some of them are great, some, not so much. While most are enjoyable, a few are tedious. Kid gets into trouble, alcoholic parent makes it worst, or ignores the kid's peril altogether.

This strange fixation some authors have, on the lack of will power from adults, is present in most of these and other stories, specially when the main characters are children or young adults. Your spouse died? Alcohol will take your pain away. Frustrated with your life? Alcohol will somehow fix it. Lost your job? Alcohol. What follows is obviously parental abuse/neglect...It gets tiresome after a while.

I do get that kids are to be the victims of their parents, to move the stories forward. Kids have to "feel" abandoned, so the reader gets more invested on them. I do wonder why, half of the stories in this anthology, are to be victims of such an obvious cliché. There's tens of ways to avoid it, and still make the characters/adventure relatable.

Some of the stories become obvious, after reading a few pages. You mostly know what's going to happen, what the big reveal/twist ending, will be.

Still, not all is lost to such things. There are a few great tales, well worth going through the ones missing the target.

Thank you for the free copy!

An awesome collection of short stories that explore loss, grieving and love but in the most eery way. If you’re a fan of creepy af short stories, this’ll be perfect for you! I also love the added artwork throughout. Adds to the creep factor and I loved the art style itself.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this collection of tales of terror, each story was really well done. I loved the pictures in the book and that they were a great introduction to each story. The characters were what I was hoping for and I had so much fun and terror reading each one. My favorite stories were STAY OUT OF THE SWAMP, JASPER DOUCET and YOU ALWAYS WANTED A GARDEN.

"Jasper chuckled and waved at the bartender for another. “Shit, kid, your ma’s dead. Lord knows I loved my sister, but that woman could have lived a little more. Now, raise your damn glass so I can toast her proper.” That did the trick. Dylan lifted the tumbler and Jasper clinked it. “To Lisette. A finer woman, Louisiana has never known.”