Very cool idea/storyline- but this one just about misses the mark for me. Needs just a few tweaks in the horror department to get where it wants to go, however I can see the vision overall. The characters don't feel fully fleshed out and the plot seems to be missing some key details.

Thanks to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for an eARC copy of The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel by EV Knight.

I was drawn to this by the title, who else has been curious when a real house is used for a cover of a horror novel? To make that question into a novel was a wonderful idea and it got me excited to read it. I needed to know. Turns out, this is one of the best haunted house books I've read in quiet some time as EV Knight does a wonderful job detailing the house and giving the setting it's psychological horror dues. EV Knight also does such a great job touching on postpartum depression, which can be a heavy subject and the way it is written into the story flawlessly makes the growing fear that much more real. It is certainly a book you are not going to want to put down.

When artist Emily gets contacted by THE big horror author, she feels as though this job could change her life. Little does she know that the house, and what's growing inside her, might have plans that differ from her dreams.

The book offers different POVs of the situation, but ultimately, leaves quite a bit of desire for me. This story brought up many different feelings, such as claustrophobia and anxiety, but I was so frustrated with the lack of communication between Emily and Miles.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

EV Knight’s The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel is everything a horror fan could wish for—creepy, atmospheric, and absolutely gripping from start to finish. Knight masterfully blends classic horror tropes with fresh twists, creating a haunting tale that feels eerily familiar yet utterly original.

The story centers around a mysterious house that seems to leap off the pages of a horror novel, pulling both the characters and the reader into its dark, twisted history. The pacing is impeccable, and the tension builds with every chapter, leaving you on edge until the final, mind-bending twist. Knight's descriptive writing brings the house and its horrors to life in terrifying detail, making you feel as though you’re wandering its cursed halls yourself.

What really sets this book apart is its characters—realistic, flawed, and entirely relatable. Their descent into the house’s mysteries mirrors our own, and by the end, you feel every chill, every shock, and every emotional blow.

If you're a fan of haunted houses, psychological terror, and beautifully written horror, The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel is a must-read. This is the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page—and might make you think twice before picking up another horror novel!

Okay, I'm taking off one star because I disliked the characters so much, but I loved this horror novel, and it is a horror. This is one of the bleakest and most depressing novels I've read in a while. The biggest problem is the couple who move into the house: the husband buys a house without telling his heavily pregnant wife, and she is the one who originally suffers the most because of the haunting. That was just the first clue about how awful the husband was -- he couldn't even remember to call the baby by the right name.
It was creepy enough in the beginning when some old-fashioned toys kept showing up, but then Emily got locked in the nursery while Miles was out and had a traumatic birth. This was horrible and graphic, but then the house hides the baby too. I couldn't put this down. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

EV Knight's The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel starts with a compelling image: a house on fire. Miles, the husband we meet at the flashback opener of the book and later come to hate, is at his wits end and trying anything he can to free himself and his family from the haunted house he made the mistake of purchasing.

Why'd he buy it? He thought his wife, Emily, a cover artist and painter who had been obsessively painting the spooky property for a big Stephen King-level client, wanted it. She'd finally gotten pregnant with their miracle baby and they needed more space and had the money, so he did the scariest thing that happens in the book - he bought a house without consulting his spouse. From there, the conceit of the novel - a haunted house that was supposed to be painted and instead becomes the main character's actual home - begins to fall into line with what we know from the subgenre. Mysterious things start to happen. We, and the characters, learn new information about the house's former inhabitants. And the situation gets precipitously worse.

From start to finish, The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel feels a bit heavy-handed and obvious. Miles, the husband, is almost comically awful. He won't stop gaslighting his wife about a problem that he almost exclusively created. Similarly, Cooper, the author Emily is working with as the setup for the book, is equally problematic. He creates a media circus that only exacerbates the tension at the core of the novel (which I won't spoil) and eggs Miles' bad behavior on. Even a random man that Miles encounters at a bar practically begs him to punish his wife for (over)reacting to the hell-house he's thrust upon her.

All in all, I respect the gender criticism and feminist undertones of this novel, but did not love it as a haunted house story. The ending is rather unsatisfying and there weren't really any creative or interesting reveals, twists, or unexpected turns. It's a beautiful Zillow listing with no surprises that's worth the browse but isn't my dream home.

As a mother, this spoke to me. It was extra creepy and atmospheric. I loved the supernatural elements, and hated that the husband had an explanation for every bump. Overall, this book was perfect for the upcoming season!

I read/watch a lot of paranormal stories so I’m always on the hunt for something that’s really going to surprise or spook me. Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it for those starting out in the horror/paranormal genre, but for me, it didn’t quite scratch the itch. I did enjoy that I couldn’t tell if the house was truly the problem or if it was severe postpartum depression and anxiety. I will say that my dislike for both Emily and Miles made it difficult to finish to book at times. While their lack of communication added to the story, it was extreme to the point of being unbelievable for me.

Thank you NetGalley and RDS Publishing for this ARC!

The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel by EV Knight ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this horror novel (though the ending DEVASTATED me.) You’ll have to read to find out.

Emily is commissioned my author Cooper Yancy to paint the cover of his new horror book. He’s looking to be inspired and Emily has found the perfect eerie home. Her “loving” husband miles finds paintings of the house thinking it’s Emily’s dream home so he decides to buy it. Which is an obvious deadly mistake but the ride to get there was so very fun and spooky.

Perfect for fans of haunted houses.

This was a quick and slightly eerie read. A pregnant artist is hired to create the cover of her favorite author's newest horror novel. She finds the perfect house to use as inspiration, a house that fascinates and terrifies her in equal measure. Thinking that her fascination means she loves the old home, her husband purchases it as a surprise.

After moving in, eerie and unexplained things begin to occur. Is the house truly haunted? Will it allow its newest tenants to live in peace? While this was by no means terrifying, it did have it's moments where it registered on the creep meter.

The imagery of a house often plays a significant role in horror literature, symbolizing both safety and danger. In this ghostly horror story, the house is a character in itself, holding secrets, past traumas, or supernatural elements. Overall, this novel set in Savannah blends psychological suspense with traditional horror elements, creating an atmosphere of dread and intrigue that kept me engaged until the final page. I loved how the ending made it all come together.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The House On The Cover Of A Horror Novel by Evie Knight, I was so excited to get this book, A haunted house story is like a romance you know how it’s going to end but it’s about the journey and with this book they were mini surprises and OMG moments but unfortunately they also had moments when you were like WTF? Emily gets a chance to do the cover of a horror book that has yet to be written by Cooper Yancey he wants the picture to inspire him to write a great southern Gothic novel. The only thing is when she goes to see the house she starts having traumatic pain and is rushed to the hospital right before entering. This is when she learns she is pregnant. Throughout her pregnancy she paints versions of the Home which makes her husband Miles think she loves the house because she didn’t tell him about the book cover, nor about Cooper Yancey. Needless to say when he blindfolds her to surprise her with their new home, it’s the creepy house she’s been painting. she isn’t happy and doesn’t hide this from miles. It doesn’t take long before the haunting to start and OMG is this house haunted. There were many things I loved and didn’t love about this book I think if you haven’t read many haunted house stories you will probably really love this book it is well written with the exception of miles’s flimflam back-and-forth opinions because right when he thought one thing he would immediately think the complete opposite the next minute. Not to mention Miles‘s patriarchal attitude I mean he even took Trent‘s word a man he just met over the belief he should’ve had in his wife and ran with it. I also wish the author would’ve balanced out the Horror by giving us a little positivity at the end of the book but to each his own I did like it and do recommend it if you love haunted house stories you will probably like this one.. I think if they had better communication and not keep secrets. As soon as she said she didn’t tell Miles about the call from Cooper the first thing I thought is my husband would’ve been the first person I called had something that awesome happened to me either way it’s a book and it was entertaining so it did it’s job and I do recommend it.#NetGalley, #RawDogScreamingPress, #EvieKnight, #TheHouseOnTheCoverOfAHorrorNovel,

Emily “Em” Lawrence is a commission based artist who is approached by a famous horror author. He is specifically interested in Southern Gothic horror and chooses Emily’s eye for his particular project, to her overwhelming chagrin. She finds the perfect home- and right away, she knows this home is to be the inspiration for her horror novel project. When her husband, Miles, comes across the multiple sketches, he decides to buy the home. Why not- he’s trying to be helpful to his recently pregnant and high risk wife, assuming her plethora of drawings are thanks to her love for the home.
Oh, buddy- husbands, you should REALLY check with your wives before you decide to buy a home. Yes, it’s extremely precious to attempt to take one more giant and looming decision off a pregnant woman’s plate, but Emily really should have gotten a say in where she wanted to choose the eternity of her marriage and motherhood.
There is an assortment of creepy vintage toys, wallpaper that seems to glare alarmingly even when you’ve thought you’ve covered it, a supportive and fun/quirky/witty sister in law/ best friend combination, and a couple who have achieved pregnancy who have been trying for what seems like eons to them.
There are some segments of this book I will NEVER forget- and I just adore when that happens. I truly do love the unsettling, claustrophobic, insidious whispers this home provided. Kudos to the author for a very good haunted house book!
Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the eARC.

The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel by EV Knight

Oh this place..this place has secrets..

Man, what a ride- I couldn’t put this book down.

Author, EV Knight masterfully intertwines creativity, motherhood, and haunting secrets within a Southern Gothic setting. Artist Emily Lawrence, finds herself deeply drawn to an eerie, abandoned house while working on a cover for Cooper Yancy’s new novel. This house, with its tragic history and unsettling vibes, becomes a character in its own right, shaping Emily’s journey and her mental state.

After Emily finds out she’s pregnant she’s rushed to the hospital and put on bed rest. Her loving husband Miles, in an attempt to support and surprise Emily during this hard time,decides on a whim to purchase the very house he finds paintings of in his wife’s studio. Believing she painted them out of love for the home, he decides this will be the perfect place for his growing family.
Weird things start happening to Emily in the new house -toys returning over and over again, weird whispers, old timey music playing out of nowhere .Miles, although very supportive is hesitant to believe her and thinks it could be just postpartum depression.
The story’s tension escalates when Emily’s baby.,Rhett goes missing, prompting a desperate search that reveals hidden truths about the house and its former occupant, Dr. Leeds. With Cooper Yancy at the helm,he gathers information and uses his popularity to create media coverage. Meanwhile, motherhood juxtaposed with horror creates a gripping atmosphere for Emily, into a world where the past meets the present.
The book ends in a haunting finale that questions the nature of reality and explores loss,madness and the supernatural . With vivid imagery and a compelling plot, Knight has crafter a haunting tale that lingers long after the final page. The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel is a profound exploration of how art reflects life—and how, sometimes, life can mirror horror.

This is a great year for haunted house novels and EV Knight's The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel falls somewhere comfortably in the middle of the pack. To be honest, it's not doing anything new or twisting tropes, but it is performing them with enthusiasm and a good sense of fun amidst an overarching narrative about motherhood. It's comforting in its own horrifying way.

Emily Lawrence is given the opportunity of a lifetime: paint the book cover that will inspire a famous horror novelist and earn 50% of the profits. However, that opportunity quickly sours when her husband, Miles, buys the terrifying Victorian mansion she's inspired by in an attempt to provide for their new family of three. Things automatically go wrong (as they do) and creepy toys, creepy music, and a general sense of unease permeate Emily's life. But is this just a bad case of post-partum depression or could the house actually be haunted? When their baby is taken, will Miles and Emily be able to set aside their bickering and find him?

Knight writes a slick plot that is engaging and hard to put down. Like I said earlier, many of the scares and things that happen are fairly textbook haunted house narrative, but they're still entertaining and fun to watch as the characters encounter them. The switch between Miles and Emily's perspectives works to keep readers on their toes with whose narrative they believe: is the house actually haunted or is Emily losing it? Both characters make good arguments for either option and the novel ends ambiguously enough that I could see readers having multiple interpretations of what happens. Bits and pieces of the book reminded me of the first season of American Horror Story with just as dysfunctional a couple. As other reviewers have said, a lot of the conflict could be solved with communication but where's the fun in that?

I recommend The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel to readers who can't get enough of the haunted house genre, but aren't necessarily looking for something new. It's great for those looking for the horrors (and gore) of pregnancy and motherhood on the page. Readers who enjoy Knight's other works will still find a good voice within these pages. Plus that cover is gorgeous.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED the idea of the artist drawing pictures for the author for his horror novel really interesting and I haven't read it yet.

I also found the first chapters really exciting - right from the start. However, it quickly developed in a different direction... for me it was more of a "pregnancy horror" and I didn't want to read something like that.

The characters were okay... except Miles, who was anything but likeable. He had some good moments but for the most part he upset me. Maybe that's how it should be ^^

Of course, many clichés are used again, such as the pregnant woman who you don't believe anyway. Things that suddenly appear again even though you have OBVIOUSLY thrown them away and no one cares?? OK??

It's a real shame that the book turned out this way. For example, you could have included her drawings for the cover in the actual book so that the horror factor would be greater.

The beginning of the book was so great, but unfortunately the tension was lost for me. Really a shame!

I really enjoyed The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel. I cared about the main characters, Emily and Miles and the ending devastated me. All in all a good book.

The House on the Cover of a Horror Novel by EV Knight is so good omg!!! I wasn't expecting for this story to be THIS good but it totally is. I loved it so much!

Ok, so ...

Maybe it's because I read so much horror ... but, damn ... I was hoping for more from this book. I think it had something, and just kind of dropped the ball.

I read a lot, and like I said, horror is my genre. So, if you're someone who isn't used to the same ole horror tropes kinda rinsed and repeated, you might enjoy this.
If I had read it as a horror newbie, I probably would be thrilled. (Minus the dialogue ... Some of that just needs work, IMO.)

But other than that, it felt very generic.
It just felt like the equivalent of a Blumhouse movie, and I thought I was sitting down for A24.

Wasn't really anything new. But very readable.

I'd recommend this to my friends who are breaking in to horror.
But if you read a lot of it like I do, you may want to wait and check this one out of the library or something before deciding to purchase.

This book was amazing! Ev is such a good writer. I felt the horror and emotions of the characters and they felt very real. I get disturbed by pregnancy stuff when it is in horror stories because something always goes wrong and there is one scene i was quite perturbed by. The ending is something else. I love EV's books and she is an author I will automatically purchase on the day of release. Five stars.