I am utterly shocked, I don’t think my review will do this book justice but I will try my best!

I don’t normally read YA Horror so it was a shock of how much I loved this story, I read it in one sitting. The writing was so beautiful and devastating, I really felt connected to the characters. I felt the queer representation was so real and I really connected to Andrew (we love ace rep!).

This book was so eerie and hard to stomach at times, being inside Andrew's head was really difficult at some points of the story but I feel as though it made the story much more disturbing, especially as Andrew is an unreliable narrator.

The setting of this book was so vivid to me, at some points it was a bit too vivid (not for the faint of heart) and I adored the dark fairytale elements of the story.

Overall, this book is a must for Autumn, a hard to put down book which will leave you on the edge of your seat. Beautifully written and incredibly haunting. Andrew and Thomas will stay with me for a long time!


“Sometimes there was no stopping pain. There was just seeing how much you could swallow before it spilled out your throat”

This book. Just a big wow for so many reasons. This dark mystery Over The Garden Wall type story is so beautifully haunting with its subject matter and writing style.

Right from the beginning, as we are introduced to Andrew we know something is off. And as our story goes on, the questionable narrative gets more and more twisted, making you second guess all the theories you had along the way.

Andrew and Thomas are so codependent that their relationship and trust in one another puts the mystery element forefront the moment Andrew gets to the academy. We are left to question what is true and what might not be through the love they share. In the end it’s the love/codependence that creates our solution.

Honestly the end is exactly what the authors intended. You are left with still some many questions, are Andrew and Thomas both living together happily in the afterlife? Did Thomas die and Andrew is imaging him as still alive like he did with Dove?

Honestly I adore how this book pushes the boundaries and constantly makes you think!

I was absolutely sucked into this book. The setting and ambience was impeccable and the way the story built had my constantly wondering what was going to happen next. Even though I am over a decade out of Highschool I was reminded about the difficulties of navigating it when you're still trying to understand who you are.

This is a great fall read with back to school and eerie Halloween vibes.

Creepy. Queer. Disconcerting fever dream.
The vibes of the backrooms but in a rich boarding school.
The vibe is laying on the moss covered forest floor with your crush (who just might be some kind of changeling wild child) while stargazing and slowly decomposing while the forest takes over and grows out of your bodies.
Everything is fine, just don’t look too closely.

“The forest had left its teeth marks all over them, and it would never leave them alone.”


✒️ When Andrew and his twin sister Dove arrive to Wickwood everything is a mess. Dove and Thomas, the third member of their inseparable trio, aren’t speaking to each other and Thomas’ parents have gone missing - with him as the main suspect in their disappearance. Andrew tries to make peace between Dove and Thomas, but they are both being so distant it’s impossible.

Each night Thomas goes the surrounding forest where the three of them used to spend so much time together, and returns looking more haggard each time. Could Thomas’ exhaustion and Dove’s cold shoulder have something to do with the odd monstrous creatures that Andrew has started seeing and feeling around him and is there a way to find out with all three of them still in tact? 🖋️

Y’all writing that synopsis was HARD because there is a lot going on in this book - and overall that is a really good thing. Let’s take some time to look at what didn’t work for me with this one and what did!

I really only have two complaints about this book and neither were enough to stop me from enjoying this one. I wasn’t a fan of the internal acephobia subplot and how it was portrayed, but I think a lot of that may just be me being burnt out on that type of representation for aspec folks.

My other complaint is likely more valid and universal, and that’s because at times I felt the book was repetitive initially which meant it took a while for the actually story to find its groove.

Now, for what this book did well! I loved just how hard this book went with creepy and disturbing imagery and the blend of psychological and magical horror was gripping.

The characters are messy codependent nightmares that you can’t help but love and the writing is gorgeous.

The finished edition also has illustrations which I just know are going to add a whole other layer to the beauty of this book.

All in all I give Don’t Let the Forest in a strong 4.25 stars and can’t wait to look into some of CG Drews’ backlog!

If you’re looking for something dark and twisted to read over Halloween, pick this one up when it comes out on October 29th!

Wow wow wow. I have no words this book was beautiful, heartbreaking, terrifying I’m speechless. The twists and turns, the imagery was insane. This would make an absolute beautiful movie. Please check this book out if you like queer stories, sentient forests, a lack of knowing what is real and not real!

4.5/5 ⭐️ this book is dark and twisting and heartbreaking. I cannot tell you how the monsters sunk their claws into this story and into my brain. The queer longing and the way we deal with trauma is explored through a dark and twisting fairytale lens. I recommend this book with my whole chest especially for the fall and winter months. You have no need to believe you shouldn’t read this just because it’s YA, it stands next to its adult counterparts.

First of all the cover is absolutely stunning! This book was thrilling, addictive, creepy! Young Adult Fanatsy, Horror, Thriller

I had been looking forward to this book for a long time and it didn’t disappoint! I loved the rep, the relationship that built between the MCs and the tension throughout.

Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews is a haunting and beautifully written YA gothic horror that completely captivated me from the very beginning. Set in a dark, mysterious boarding school surrounded by a sentient forest, this book combines atmospheric horror with a story about young love, grief, and friendship. And let me tell you—it hits hard.

The story follows Andrew, who returns to school after summer break only to realize that things are different this year. His twin sister, Dove, has distanced herself, and his best friend Thomas is behaving strangely—especially after his parents go missing under suspicious circumstances. But the real terror begins when Andrew stumbles into the forbidden forest and sees Thomas fighting off monsters. That moment sets the stage for a gripping, terrifying journey into a world filled with forest creatures and buried secrets.

The dynamic between Andrew and Thomas was one of my favorite aspects of the book. There’s a lot of angst, tension, and yearning between them, and their relationship felt so real and raw. Thomas, the brooding bad boy, is impossible not to love, while Andrew struggles with his emotions in a way that feels relatable and heartbreaking. There were definitely moments when I just wanted to yell at them to kiss already! But the slow-burn romance fits perfectly with the darker themes of the book.

Drews’ writing is poetic and atmospheric, really pulling you into the eerie world of the forest. The monsters, both literal and metaphorical, were terrifying, and the twists in the plot kept me guessing right up until the end. I have to admit, there were a few moments that broke my heart—this book doesn’t shy away from its emotional depth. But it was so beautifully written that I couldn’t help but love it.

If you’re a fan of dark academia, queer romance, and stories filled with emotional depth, Don’t Let the Forest In is a must-read. It’s perfect for those rainy autumn afternoons when you want something spooky and thought-provoking. Just be sure to check the content warnings before diving in because there are some sensitive topics explored throughout the story.

In short, this book was everything I wanted and more. The characters, the romance, the eerie setting—it all came together to create a story that will stick with me for a long time. Highly recommend this one for your spooky season TBR!

Andrew has just returned to boarding school after summer break. It used to be the three of them: Andrew, his twin sister, Dove, and their friend Thomas. But this year is different. They're not all together. And Thomas is a suspect in some mysterious happenings with his parents. Then the monsters come.

I'm not sure what I just read. It was terrifying and heartbreaking. A story of young love and the trials of school politics. It was definitely outside of my usual genre, but it was worth the read.

I loved this book so much. I'm OBSESSED . C.G. Drews is a magical genius who has created a haunting and beautiful story that will capturing you right from the start.

I honestly just want to gush about everything from the writing style to the characters, to the plot but I know if I do that I might get spoilery . Just know that in my opinion this was perfection, Andrew and Thomas are everything. 🥰

Don't Let the Forest In is a Queer YA gothic horror that tells the story of an imaginative young main drowning in his emotions as he battles monsters both physical and metaphorical . Filled with angst , yearning, found family, grief, pain, magic, forest monsters, and an ending that fits the story perfectly.

Thank you to MTMC Tours for the earc!

If your spooky TBR is missing a book with creepy monsters, a sentient forest and amating characters, I have really good news for you!

I loved CG’s previous books, so it wasn’t a question that I wanted to read her newest one. But I was afraid too, as this is a horror, and that’s not my go-to genre. And yes, it was absolutely creepy, so read TWs before jumping in!

This book was everything I wanted and even more. It broke my heart (multiple times to be honest), but it was so beautifully written I forgive it. One of my favorite parts of this book was the writing itself. Good writing is a key for good storytelling, and CG is amazing at this.

I loved the characters, especially Thomas! He’s a bad boy, but so charming, you can’t help, but fall in love with him. Andrew was an interesting character, but I wasn’t a huge fan of him. Their romance was amazing, though, I spent an embarrassingly long time wishing they would just kiss already. I did love all the side characters, Lana and Chole were so amazing friends for Andrew. I loved Dove and I really wish we could have seen more of her. We have a few not-so-good characters, but I’m happy to say, bullies will get what they deserve in this story.

And the plot twist! Or should I say twists as in plural? At the first, I actually had to put down the book and stared at the wall for a while, because it seemed extremely possible. At that point I actually questioned the whole book, and Andrew became the most unreliable narrator ever. Then a few pages later came the real twist, and I was shocked and heartbroken. I was happy that we finally learnt what happened at the end of the previous year and what happened to Andrew’s hand, and why people hate Thomas.

Overall, it was a fantastic book, perfect for a rainy autumn afternoon, but be sure to check the TWs if you’re planning on reading this book!

Don’t Let The Forest In is a YA horror that follows our main character, Andrew, his best friend, Thomas, and a bit of Andrew’s twin sister, Dove. The book opens up at the start of senior year and things are off to a rocky start. Dove, distances herself from Andrew as soon as they get back to school and when he meets up with Thomas, he sees that he has blood on his sleeve.

Later, when Thomas’ parents disappear without a trace, he begins to behave even more strangely and shuts Andrew out. That is until one faithful night when Andrew follows Thomas into the forbidden forest, near the school, and finds him fighting a monster. When Andrew sees this, he devotes himself to helping his friend defend the school and defeat the terrifying creatures.

As the story unfolds, the boys fight to learn the origin of the monsters and discover a way to end their reign of terror. Throughout this journey, buried secrets come to life and the truth threatens to destroy them both.

🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲

Asexual MC ✅
Queer rep ✅
Dark Academia (my forever love) ✅
Angst + mutual pining ✅
Captivating storyline ✅

🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲🖤🌲

Wow wow wow…….what a story!!! I’m absolutely gutted but in the best way possible. This is my first book by C.G. Drews and I am in awe of their writing style. Beautiful and poetic……..heartbreaking……..but yet so comforting at the same time. I was entranced and devastated throughout the entire book. If it weren’t for other responsibilities and momming, I would have devoured this in a few hours. I cannot wait to have the physical copy on my trophy……I mean…..book shelves.

This would be a great addition to y’all’s October/fall TBR. Be sure to check the content warnings before you dive in, as there are some sensitive topics discussed/outlined in the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC. Don’t Let The Forest In will be officially published on October 29th!

"All my stories are about you. They will always be about you."

Full review coming soon. :)

Thank you so much, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.

This YA fantasy/horror was ominous and creepy and beautiful in all the right ways. Kept me guessing until the very end.

Zuallererst muss ich sagen, dass die Danksagungen am Ende des Buches genau zutreffen: „Wenn du die letzte Seite umgedreht hast und die Wand anstarrst, ist alles wie es sein soll.“ und „Möge dich dieses Buch verfolgen.“ Beide Aussagen spiegeln meine Erfahrung perfekt wider.
Die Schreibweise ist eindrucksvoll und intensiv.

Ein besonders starkes Beispiel: „Für einen brutalen Moment dachte Andrew daran, seine Finger in Thomas' Schnitt zu stecken und die Rippe aus seiner Brust zu ziehen, um sie in die eigene zu nähen. Sie wären für immer vereint, vereint in Blut und Knochen.“

Andrew ist ein faszinierender unzuverlässiger Erzähler, dem man blind vertraut. Wenn du ein düsteres, psychologisches Märchen mit einer modernen Schule, einem lebendig werdenden Wald und queerer Repräsentation suchst, dann ist dieses Buch genau das Richtige für dich.

Es war grotesk und faszinierend und wird mich noch eine Weile verfolgen. Vielen Dank an den Verlag und MTMC Tours für das eARC!

Dark, dramatic prose with lots of descriptive horror. I think some of those horror elements were well done, just ultimately not enough character work, especially at the beginning to make me really care about the characters. I did want to keep reading to see what was happening. The way ink, stories, and illustrations were used was very intriguing.

I also didn’t really understand the setting and how the school functions. Some of the way the teachers and bullies reacted and spoke was straight up bizarre, but it could add to the unsettling creepy story you slowly get fed. The ace rep was a bit disappointing as it mixed with aromantic rep labeled as just ace. I think the ending had the opportunity to really nail if things were plot holes or intentionally vague and not making sense, and it didn’t do that for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form my opinions from.

Dark cottagecore horror fans eat your heart out. This one’s for you! Don’t Let the Forest In is a YA horror with gorgeous prose and queer representation. An easy and addictive read that’s perfect for spooky season.

Andrew and Thomas are two boys that share an obsession for one another and the monsters that haunt them. The dynamics between the two boys was perfection. So much angst and tension!

There’s some great exploration of mental health here too which was refreshing to see. It was done really well by the author.

Overall an incredibly unique YA horror story that will live rent free in my brain for a while yet.

P.S completely obsessed by this cover art.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for my eARC!

I'm giving up on this book at the 20% mark. I do like the twins and the way Dove sticks by Andrew even when she is exasperated by him. I have sympathy for him and his confusion over whether he is asexual or just not "gay enough" but it's all I can do to keep from skipping ahead or at least skimming because it's moving too slowly to keep my attention.