The writing is really stiff and dense for what i think is a YA but the characters are too immature to be proper NA characters. i thought it was kinda struggling figuring out what it wanted to be

This book was beautifully written, and I loved seeing the asexual representation in the main character. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a queer and unsettling dark fantasy thriller!

2.5 ⭐️

♡ Spooky Settings
♡ Great Representation
♡ Beautiful Writing Style

For the record the writing was beautiful in this book, C.G. Drews writing style was genuinely so gorgeous! The representation in this book is also amazing. It deals with things such as sexual identity, eating disorders, and mental health all of which are written so well. Not to mention how stunning the cover of this book is which is the reason I looked into the synopsis in the first place.

However, having said that I didn’t really like this book. Some of the horror parts felt like they didn’t mesh well with the rest of the story. I feel like I’m missing something after reading the last few chapters. The psychological horror vibes only appeared in the last quarter of the book. I was expecting it to be a little more intense in the beginning, however, it was rather mundane.

Most of this book focuses on the main character, Andrew longing for his best friend, dealing with his sexual identity, and working on his self acceptance in general. And while I enjoyed the importance of some parts of it, I just feel like it flopped. For romance being a major part of the plot it felt lacking and boring to read. I would love to have seen more desire or actual romance instead of the intense and to the main characters knowledge one sided pining. There were a few parts I thought were good but then I blinked and they were over.

The same thing seemed to happen with the horror/creepy aspects. Something would happen but it never really went anywhere.

The ending was especially disappointing. I kept waiting for it to get better and it never did. The ending itself (without spoilers) was frustrating to piece everything together and honestly I’m still kinda confused as to what happened. The hint that it all could be in Andrew’s mind or that the monster were real and no one but Andrew and Thomas knew about them? The back and forth of that was just aggravating.

Either way, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
POV:Third Person
Release Date: 29, October 2024
Rep: Asexual (Main Character), Bisexual (Love Interest)

⚠️ Content Warnings:
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Bullying, Death, Body horror, Homophobia, Gore, Blood, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Cursing, Acephobia/Arophobia, Gaslighting, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Sexism, Vomit, Self harm, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

I absolutely devoured this book. I loved everything about it: the gothic school surrounded by a sentient forest, codependent queer relationships, the macabre fairy tales. I flew through this. The only thing I'm not completely sold on is the ending is a bit more open ended than I typically like.

Thanks to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.

I really liked this! It’s sort of challenging to talk about it with giving too much away, but I really did like it. The characters felt well fleshed out, and the atmosphere was excellent. Seriously, the atmosphere is really key for this book, I think that’s definitely what I’ll remember from it. I also liked the ambiguity to it, I appreciate books that trust the readers to have their own interpretations. I really recommend this.

This book was everything and more. It was the right amount of darkness mixed with the right amount of romance, and the fact that it was an LBGT storyline made it even more better. Honestly, I loved everything about the story, and how it took accepting the trauma and the darkness and everything in between to end the suffering and the monsters that were made into a reality. I also really love that the book focuses on the beauty of art and writing, and really kind of bases the whole story around it in a way that is just so beautifully written and worded and for someone who is an artist like myself it makes me very happy to see because sometimes we forget the beauty in art even through all of its darkness, because art is a reflection of things that you’re feeling and things you can’t say out loud to the world so the fact that this story made those feelings and darkness and trauma and terrors, real in a way that spoke volumes was fantastic.

The story itself is interesting and as a fan of dark academia myself, I certainly see the appeal, especially for teen audiences. The prose itself was poetic in a way that I feel will resonate with some readers. It was not my style, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless.

Holy Moly …. my words can never do this story justice.

Every once in a while - while I am writing a review of a book - all I want to do is quote the book itself. I find this is often true when the writing of an author is so striking and poetic, it takes my breath away & I struggle to put into words what the book did to my emotions. All of this to say, Don’t Let the Forest In is one of those books.

It hadn’t hurt, the day he had cut out his own heart … No one would want a heart like his. But he’d still cut it out and given it away.

Everyone saw Andrew as shattered and fragile, and maybe he was to them. But when Thomas looked at Andrew’s sharp edges, he thought them dangerous and beautiful—not weak.

Don’t Let the Forest is about an asexual boy & his feelings for his best friend.
It's about monsters, but in the end, it’s about our pain & anxieties & how we handle them.

When something moved in the dark, everyone’s first instinct was to go inside and hide under the covers. As if monsters couldn’t open doors and crawl into bed with you.

I used to say that I was not much of a horror fan, but I think it’s time I stop, as I find that I tend to devour books like these. The books where tension & pain is clawing it’s way into your body/mind & attempting to tear your heart out? Like an undercurrent so strong it will leave you yearning for breath. A story that digs & digs yet, despite all the uneasiness & anguish, it embraces you & melts your walls you carry inside. Don't Let the Forest In is gruesome at times but oh so gentle & comforting simultaneously.

This was the place where he roared and grew taller, where his smile could make flowers bloom and his energy could flow endless and untamed.

For those who love Ian Reid’s writing & can handle more anguish, this one is for you. C.G. Drew’s writing reminded me so much of his.

They were beautiful together; they were magic and monstrous, and they had created a whole vengeful world between them.

Please read this book!

Thank you so much, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Edelweiss+ and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC. I'll never forget this story!
TW: eating disorder/ heavy depictions of murder, gore/ mentions of grief/ suicidal ideation/ losing oneself to dark thoughts

“It hadn’t hurt, the day he had cut out his own heart … No one would want a heart like his. But he’d still cut it out and given it away.”

This book was poetic, gory and interesting. The characters well developed, and I really enjoyed the storyline. When monsters leap from the pages they’re birthed on, one young writer and their artist best friend are in for an endless, nightly battle. And as the two grow closer, the monsters grow stronger. What if the only way to get rid of the art-borne creatures is to destroy what brought them to life in the first place?

**This book was received as an advanced review copy from NetGalley.

What a strange, oddly terrifying book. While I'd definitely classify it as young adult, I'm not sure what else would be appropriate. Maybe horror, maybe supernatural?

Andrew has an odd obsession with his friend. Trying to meander through his feelings for his friend and to try to understand his own sexuality has made for a complicated year. Especially when his twin sister is acting strangely. But that's not the only strange thing going on, something sinister is lurking outside the school and threatening the students within. With all his fears, Andrew knows he needs to do something, but isn't sure what he may be capable of.

I honestly didn't care for Andrew as a character. While I could appreciate his struggles, he was just a little too lackluster for me. What I did think was done appropriately though were his struggles with mental health. I thought they were portrayed in a compelling way while still giving him grace and understanding. His sister didn't feature as much but I can't say that she really added or took away from the story; she probably could have been left out entirely as her plotline seemed to come out of nowhere and not really need to serve a purpose. Thomas is the standout star of this series. He is wild, frightening, and wholly different from everyone else in the book.

I did enjoy the supernatural elements of this book and its theme on monsters, combined with the stresses of teenage life and the monsters that are human beings. While it got a little more out there by the end (well, as out there as you can get with a book already featuring the supernatural), I think that the visuals were stunning and the art described in the book fascinating. Would love to see some of the illustrations at some point (or would I?).

Interesting, and I can definitely see it being popular with the young adult crowd.

Review by M. Reynard 2024

I read this book in less than two days, and then I read it again ... and I never do that.

This is a thrill ride that's appropriate for YA readers, and yet still thrilling for adults. Smart, creepy and creative, Don't Let The Forest In is high on my list of books to recommend to everyone.

Sooo. Let me start off by saying; phew. What a ride!
( I’d 🔪 for a physical copy lol) and I didn’t go in with much expectations. I was wrongggggg!


The book is MM Psychological Horror with(Asexual/Bi Rep).. I loved every second of it!

Starting off there is content warnings of: Blood/Gore, Body Horror, Panic Attacks, Grief, Eating Disorder, Bullying, and Self-harm.

From the first page I was immediately hooked! The plot twist towards the second half unfolded into an even bigger plot twist and honestly was left feeling sick to my stomach. Not at all what I was expecting to happen whatsoever. The writing style was easy to keep up with, and didn’t leave me lost or confused! I finished this book in about 3 days. It’s literally 2am and I just read the last page and am feeling *beyond* empty. (Just like the author said in the acknowledgments you should 😭)

Honestly go request an ARC of this if you can! If not add it to your TBR/Pre-orders, something! It comes out October 29th 2024!

10000% Thankful for opportunity to read this early! Worth every minute I spent reading!

The writing and imagery were stunning. I love forest/nature horror and this book nailed it as far as that goes.

The twist was obvious after a certain point, but I didn’t mind that.. but I was still left hanging in the end. Which I would be okay with if there was a way for me to connect the dots on things that made sense for that psychological horror aspect- some of it I understand… some of it I don’t. IE- okay so this happened, but actually… and that makes sense, while simultaneously wondering about the other thing, because there isn’t much of way to figure that out.. so what’s the deal? Idk, I’m trying to explain it without spoilers!

Then the a-sexual aspect was a little confusing. I get that it’s a spectrum, but he was really very physically interested, at least up to an extent, with his friend who he is.. extremely toxically, in love with. Their relationship made me uncomfortable, I was actually more afraid for Thomas than anything by the end. I didn’t care much what happened to Andrew. At first I was rooting for moments between them, for them as a whole, and by the end I was like.. baby no.. leave that boy alone get OUTTA there. They were so codependent.

So yeah, I feel the end left a lot to be desired and it came really abruptly, so that made me feel a lot less about the story in the end. I don’t dislike the book as a whole, but I would have been more satisfied with a little pinch more of what could satisfy the curiosity that was piqued and kept me reading it in the first place.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC!

This is what LGBTQIA+ youth need to read this fall! Lovable and hateable characters with a bit of horror. What a horrifically wonderful mix!

Oooooh my God. My God. This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and. Just. Oh my God. 5000 stars.

The horror? Flawless. Nightmarish. Nauseating. Some of the descriptions were so disgustingly vivid, I grabbed at my throat and covered my mouth. I never want to read about worms or maggots again. There was also some pretty serious body horror at the end.

The romance? Flawless. Obsessive. Beautiful. There aren't enough asexual romantic books out there. Andrew broke my heart. How he felt "not normal", inadequate, that no one would want him because you can't just stop at kissing... 😢 Broken boys loving and protecting each other. Love is a violent monster. "Touch him and die" times infinity

The fairytales? Flawless. Fascinating. Dark. Disturbing!! I was in TEARS at the end.

I need this to come out so I can own a physical copy. Sleep with it. Cry over its pages some more. Breathe in that wonderful book smell.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

C.G Drews you have done it yet again! I stayed up so late reading this I didn’t want to put it down (I had to unfortunately). I’ve been following the release of Don’t Let the Forest In like a hawk, I can’t believe I finally got to read it. And I was not disappointed! This was my highly anticipated 2024 release and I am blown away (as I always am with them).

Drew’s writing is so, so visceral. Don’t Let the Forest In is a perfect fantastical story with twists and turns every single page! Not so horror as confusing and unreliably narrated. I’d consider this more on the realm of a psychological thriller than horror. The pain Andrew deals with is poetically all consuming and Drews really captures how smothering anxiety is, and making Andrew a very unlikeable character with many flaws. Andrew is relatable while also being the problem and personally, I found that an extremely entertaining factor. It was messy, confusing, and hard to stomach watching everything go from 0 to 100 in the span of seconds. Drew’s successfully wrote yet another gut wrenching, codependent dynamic between two boys who have no one else. It hurts me every time! Don’t Let the Forest In is a maddening yet beautiful story. I was on the edge of my seat. Another miraculous story. I am truly, truly amazed. Drew’s growth has skyrocketed and I cannot wait for more from them.

Thank you Netgally for letting me read this story in exchange for an honest review.

Attention grabber from the very first pages. A darker, psychological horror, with characters you connect with quickly. Author, CG Drew’s writes with much details allowing the reader to emerge into the world he has created.

Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read an early copy of this book!

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Summary: On the return of Andrew, his twin sister Dove, and his best friend Thomas to their senior year at Wickwood Academy, everything is different. Thomas is acting cagey and police are there, investigating his parents' inexplicable disappearance just the day before. Dove is ignoring her brother and Thomas after a fight between her and Thomas at the end of last year. On top of that, a fence has been erected between the school and the woods after something happened last year. Andrew is just trying to manage his senior year and his confusing feelings for his best friend. And then, he discovers Thomas has been fighting his drawings come to life- drawings directly inspired by Andrew's dark fairytale writings- every night. But are the monster worse than their complicated feelings for each other?

Review: Oooooh my god! Oh my god! I couldn't put this book down, in fact, my mom had to make me put it down so I would help her with something. I still finished it the same day. CG Drews has created such a fascinating bubble of horror with Wickwood Academy and the forests surrounding it. It never felt too small for the story it wanted to tell, and did well. All of the characters felt like they truly had their own bits of the story to tell.

Andrew (asexual) and Thomas (bisexual) are so codependent even when they're upset with each other and avoiding each other and it's so good. Andrew's little fairytales are so beautiful, even with how short they are, and so full of that horrific imagery that he and Thomas both love. Both of their creativity feeds off of each other in this cycle that's so symbolic of who they are and their all-encompassing feelings for each other.

(I will say there is some body horror in here I maybe should have expected given the synopsis but didn't, but I vibed with once I got over that initial surprise.)

The end of this book comes with an excellent twist that left me aching and excited for the end in equal measure. Andrew and Thomas have my whole heart and when this book comes out, I will be buying to add to my collection so I can reread and find all the details I missed on my initial read-through.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book!

3.5/5 stars

I am so torn about this book. I haven’t read many horror books, but objectively, this was so enjoyable. I thought the plot and the idea was so sickeningly mesmerizing. The prose in this book was so well done, and I found the characters to be pretty well developed for the most part. I really wasn’t ready for how gruesome this book would be, but I was so horrified that I couldn’t put it down.

I think my issue with this book is that the plot got kind of hazy towards the end. I got lost and am honestly still a bit confused about the ending. But maybe that’s just a me thing. I think the chemistry between the two main characters was great, and the plot twist at the end was really satisfying, if a little bit predictable.

Overall, this was a very entertaining, gruesome read. If you’re into horror with a diverse cast, I think this is definitely a good one to pick up!

Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews is a piece of art and I’m going to tell you why!
First of all, just look at the cover, it’s extraordinary! The artwork immediately drew in and set the tone for the book.

This is a YA horror novel with an asexual protagonist, poetic and DARK writing, with serious creepy and ominous vibes.

Andrew is a high school senior who writes the creepiest fairy tale stories, and Thomas is their friend who draws sketches of the terrifying monsters in Andrew’s stories.

They attend the isolated Wickwood Academy when one day Thomas’s abusive parents have disappeared, Thomas is acting very strange and he has blood on is sleeve.

Somehow the monsters that Thomas is drawing- the ones from Andrew’s stories- are coming alive and wrecking havoc on everyone they love.

If this sounds interesting to you- check it out on October 29th, 2024. Trust me, this is going to be one of the top YA horror books of the year and you’re going to want to check it out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC!