No. Just no.
It's not a horror book, more of a family drama. The bikkering between our main character Rachel and her mothers boyfriend overshadowed every horrory scene. And there were not that much of those creepe episodes in the book to begin with. Every ghostly encounter were the same and got boring towards the end of the book.
Characters were annoying to say the least. Rachel especially was like a spoiled brat from the beginning to the end of the book. It urked me to no ends how she judged her mother for rushing into new relationship, when she herself gave her virginity to the guy she met few days ago. She declared that she loves him even thow she didn't even know his age, where he lived, what was his surname and so on.
The story itself was too long, just a perfect snore-fest.

I really loved Rachel's character. She felt like a very authentic teen and made me cringe a bit at the memory of all the times I was probably just like her. I loved how certain key themes in a female teen's life were handled. I was rooting for her and had to resist flipping to the end to find out what would happen. It is a horror story after all... I am glad I did NOT peek and let the ending unfold!

One thing about me is that I love any story embedded within a gothic setting - bonus points for haunted houses. And additional bonus points for the gothic house-as-a-character trope. Ticks all the boxes.

Heed the Dead or Join Them, said the warning on the cover, and I braced myself for a good read.

When 16-year-old Rachel Morley’s mother, Tara, decides to accept boyfriend Geoff’s invitation to move into his mansion, Morgan House, in St Mary’s, Rachel feels uprooted. When they get to Morgan House, Rachel gets the creeps. She can’t help feeling that someone is watching her. Soon strange things begin to happen. She feels a strange presence in the house and hears odd noises.

Her mother, eager to build a future with Geoff, hopes Rachel will settle. But that won’t be easy as Geoff has lots of rules, the strangest of which is that Rachel is never to go into the basement.

Luckily what makes her new town bearable is the presence of Nick Alexander, a good-looking guy who takes Rachel to the cemetery on their first date. Suddenly, the town of St Mary doesn’t feel so unbearable. The only trouble is that Morgan House seems more dangerous than ever. Each night she has horrible dreams about something evil in the basement, and a strangely familiar man whose face she can’t see, then wakes up to find herself in the basement, even though she doesn’t remember having gone there.

The book is written in the 1st person present tense PoV of Rachel. The author creates a sense of dread. The eerie atmosphere weighs us down. The writing evokes the right imagery. The pace is good. Even though I guessed the source of the mystery, I still continued reading.



Geoff is a pain from the beginning, at least to Rachel. But he comes across as one-dimensional. Initially, there is nothing to redeem him in Rachel’s eyes.

The mother’s character could have been a little stronger. She doesn’t seem to have any agency of her own. She tells Rachel to give Morgan House a shot, and that if she doesn’t like it, they will leave. But then when Rachel expresses her misgivings, she still won’t move.

Another time, she tells Rachel that if she is not happy with Geoff’s proposal, she will decline. But then, she accepts the proposal. In both instances, Rachel settles down and makes peace with her decision. Which is a letdown, given her fierce desire to leave.

They don’t decide to leave until the very end. They should have at least made an attempt to leave.

Overall, I felt that there should have been more scenes with Rachel and her mother together, without Geoff around. We don’t get to see the mother-daughter dynamic enough. Also, Rachel mentions her father initially, but then halfway through the book, she comes to know something about her dad that she hadn’t known and that detail seemed forced. Having come to know of that fact, Rachel stops stressing over it, and doesn’t mention it again. This is strange, given that relationships play a huge part in this book.

There were some things that weren’t clear.

Why was Rachel targeted? Just because she lived in the house?

What was the deal about the key in the title? Why does that key show up so late?

Rachel talks about another kind of ghost, when friendships fizzle out. I found this very sad. She knows that best friend, Elena, will soon forget her. On the other hand, Rachel herself forgets about Elena, once she meets Nick.

Characters: 5/5
Story/Plot: 5/5
Writing: 4/5

This atmospheric read follows Rachel, a 16 year old girl, as she is forced to move into her new step-fathers creepy mansion. Hours away from her friends and other family members, Rachel has a lot of trouble adjusting. Her step father Geoff is not making it any easier. As she starts to see some unnerving things in the house and the tension with Geoff escalates, secrets come out.

This YA book was very easy to read and I flew through it. I will say the writing was not flowery at all, but was still descriptive enough to paint a vivid narrative. The characters all elicited a strong emotion ( some of them I disliked quite a bit), and had great flaws. It is well paced and suspenseful, I even got the chills with some of the more spooky scenes. I was able to predict where it ended up going, but I enjoyed it anyway!


Thank you to NetGalley and Parliament House Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Triller/horror YA with a spooky house.
The description of this book pulled me in and I enjoyed reading the book to the point in parts I struggled to put the book down. During the read I thought there were several instances where the FMC could have gotten out of the house - however it all lead back to her ensuring her mother's happiness. I also didn't love the romance aspect overall with the 'love-bombing'/insta-love from the MMC, but that might just be personal frustration/opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review - sorry on the delay in reviewing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Parliament House Press for the ARC.

My rating: 4 stars

This book completely took me by surprise and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. I loved that the pace is nice and fast and I read this in one sitting which is very rare for me. I just needed to know what was going to happen next.

Even though Rachel is only 16, I found her character to be relatable and not too immature. I have read other YA books where the FMC is a very young 16, but I felt like Rachel acted in a way that my niece of the same age would. The author did a good job of making Geoff very unlikeable and it made you really sympathise with Rachel. The bad tension between Rachel and Geoff was very believable. I would have ideally liked a little bit more development between Rachel and her Mum because they seemed like they were close, but then her Mum seemed to easily disregard her feelings and concerns at times, despite saying Rachel is her number 1 priority. Gram was a fantastic character though and her relationship with Rachel felt very genuine. Nick is a bit of a problematic character but I think it's fairly obvious from the start that he isn't being 100% honest.

I really enjoyed the gothic haunted house vibes and it was sufficiently creepy. I'm not great with horror/supernatural stories but I thought this was just the right level for a YA book. The descriptions of the creepy house are very detailed and help with the tension. I would have liked a little bit more build up to the haunting/creepy activity starting because it's almost instant. As in the first night Rachel moves in, but honestly that's the biggest criticism I have with this book.

Overall, it's a really intriguing and compelling read, and I will definitely read more from Nicole Wilson.

Nicole Willson’s The Keeper of the Key blends small-town charm with eerie supernatural suspense, delivering a story that’s equal parts haunting and heartfelt. Sixteen-year-old Rachel’s reluctant move to Morgan House sets the stage for a compelling mystery filled with secrets, visions, and a touch of romance.

The strength of this novel lies in its atmosphere. Morgan House, with its shadowy halls and forbidden basement, is as much a character as Rachel herself. The tension between Rachel and her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff, adds emotional depth, while Rachel’s blossoming relationship with Nick brings moments of warmth and levity. The supernatural elements—visions of a familiar yet terrifying figure and an escalating sense of danger—keep the reader hooked.

Rachel’s resilience and determination make her a relatable protagonist, and her journey from frustration to bravery is inspiring. The story’s twists and turns, while occasionally overwhelming, add a sense of unpredictability that keeps the pages turning.

The Keeper of the Key is perfect for readers who enjoy a good haunted house tale with a mix of family drama and supernatural intrigue. It’s a story that lingers, leaving you wondering what might be hiding in the shadows.

I loved the gothic vibes of this story. The tone was very YA though and was hard to get through at times. Rachel is very much a teenager. The supernatural elements were good and kept the story interesting. I enjoyed the twist at the end.

I adore the growing renaissance of Modern Gothic that has appeared in recent times. This books takes a likely familiar scenario (a mother moving her family in with her new partner) and transforms it into something much creepier. While it's easy to aspire to a spooky house full of mystery, the reality here is really not a life anyone would welcome!

While 'The Keeper of the Key' could be considered a fairytale retelling, the characters feel original and well-defined, certainly relatable even within the very gothic setting. The author's skill in voicing her young protagonist drew me in, and (in the grand tradition of horror movies since forever!) while I wanted to yell at her to stand up to her mother as everything slides downhill, I can understand how difficult this would be. A key facet of YA fiction is the powerlessness that teenagers can feel, and being physically isolated as well as losing one's family connections to a stranger is evoked beautifully.

The atmosphere reminded me of 'The Haunting of Hill House', with sounds and feelings working to create fear over anything visible or tangible; the nastiness of the father-figure was Bronte-esque. The whole package is inspired by the best in gothic fiction, and I'm sure this book will in turn connect with a new audience for the genre.

2.5 ☆

this is more ya thriller than ya horror imo.

the plot was fun until the last bit and then it got confusing. there wasn’t enough build up for all of that and it felt kind of a letdown. i wanted to reallyyyy like this one because

- decent title
- nice cover
- interesting blurb

but i just wanted to finish it because i’d read too much to dnf (also i would have felt bad since i got an arc)

good enough to break up my longer reads ¨̮ tysm to netgalley for the arc ~

While I enjoyed the general premise of the story, I found the writing to be lackluster. Lots of repetitive usage of certain phrases, as well as the writing in general. I often found myself taken out of the story due to some of the word choices.

This genuinely might be the best book I've read all year... It was so good.

I absolutely loved the characters of the story, especially Rachel, she was the perfect balance of teenage hormones and angst and a character that was likeable who you wanted to root for and to survive. And ofc I was obsessed with Nick! I also really like how the author wrote the other characters, they were all brought to life and interwoven really well in the story.

The way the author writes (which was excellent by the way, I was blown away by the writing!) was definitely a factor in how gothic and creepy the book felt. Whilst I was reading I felt like I was inside the house, going through things with Rachel. I could feel everything that was happening.

And the story?! Oh my god, I loved the story it was so good! I had a little inkling/idea about a couple of things that happened, but it didn't spoil the story that I figured those out.

I just loved everything about this book from the gothic vibes, to the creepy atmosphere, and the claustrophobic feeling. Plus, the realisation that sometimes not even being under the duvet covers can help you...

Content warning: toxic relationships, gaslighting, physical assault, gun violence, blood & gore, murder, emotional manipulation, parental death

As a big fan of gothic novels, I was excited to dig into this one, unfortunately it was a miss for me. Morgan House (and what happens there at night) was just creepy enough to make me uncomfortable reading it in the dark and how the house aspects of the plot play out were well done. Unfortunately I spent too much of the novel screaming at Rachel for going from a first meet with Nick to all that happens as SO unrealistic given the strong women that raised her (she isn't quite the innocent female protagonist gothic novels are known for). It was obvious from the start that something was off with both Nick and Geoff and that pulled me out of the plot over and over again. What takes place between Rachel and Nick was uncomfortable in the moment but made worse once all information is revealed and I'm concerned that the life lesson is one that teen readers will miss in favor of the "romance" parts of the plot.

I do wish Willson didn't continuously use iterations of "the beast inside of me" to describe the anger Rachel was feeling. The repetitive nature of that description got old real quick. Also Willson kept alternating between Ms and Mrs when referring to the bookstore owner (hopefully this is something that got picked up in final edits).

The cover art is great though and I think it will catch readers' eyes.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Parliament House Press in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Keeper of the Key
Author: Nicole Willson
Publishers: Parliament House Press
Genre: Paranormal Fiction
Main characters: Rachel, Rachel‘s mom, Gram, Geoff, and Nick.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Keeper of the key was an OK read. I thought it would be more scarier, but it was interesting. It didn’t intrigue me, but was somewhat entertaining. It starts out with Rachel, her mom, Geoff, and Gram. Rachel and her mom are living in a small apartment. Rachel‘s mom is seeing Geoff. Rachel lost her dad recently and she doesn’t really care for Geoff. But Geoff seems to be trying extremely hard to get along with Rachel, even though he can be overbearing. Out of the blue Rachel‘s mom and Jeff tell her they’re moving to Jeff’s home in Saint Mary. It’s a bigger place than her mom’s small apartment. They’ve moved into Morgan House, a big eerie old house to Rachel, but her mother seems to love it. As soon as moving in, Rachel starts seeing things and hearing things. And even ends up in the basement without knowing how she got there. Her mom and Geoff don’t know what is going on, but Geoff is the most agitated about it. Time goes on and Rachel gets out and rides around Saint Mary. She comes to a bookstore and meets the owner and her dog Toby. While she’s there she meets a boy named Nick. They start a relationship very quickly. And I mean VERY quickly. I don’t really like this part in the story because I believe it is very rushed and Rachel is very young. It’s as if sex has to happen now so I find this disturbing and don’t like this part of the story. And also in this story, it seems Rachel is very selfish at times and very rebellious. The eerie happenings and hauntings and ending up in the basement keeps happening. One night something happens and there’s an intruder. Geoff goes after the intruder, but gets killed. Rachel‘s mother isn’t the same after so recently losing her first husband and now her second one. I can’t tell you anymore because it will give the ending away and tell you more than you need to know at this point. There is moderate language and cursing. A good story, but too much distraction of other things that take away from it in my opinion. Thank you to #NetGalley, the author. Nicole Willson, And the publishers, Parliament House Press for the opportunity to read and review #The Keeper of the Key. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nicole Wilson’s The Keeper of the Key is an eerie, atmospheric blend of gothic mystery and supernatural suspense that pulls readers into the secrets of Morgan House. With its relatable protagonist, chilling setting, and a plot that steadily builds tension, this novel delivers a haunting story of family, grief, and the restless dead.

Plot Overview

Sixteen-year-old Rachel’s life is uprooted when her mother announces they’re moving to St. Mary, Virginia, to live in Morgan House, the decrepit mansion owned by her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff. Isolated from her friends, Rachel struggles to adjust to Geoff’s strict rules, especially his strange demand that she stay out of the basement. But when unexplained forces begin to draw her to the forbidden cellar, Rachel is plagued by disturbing visions of a shadowy man and cryptic warnings from the dead. As tragedy strikes her family, these apparitions intensify, revealing sinister truths about the house’s past—and its hold on Rachel’s future.

Strengths

Wilson excels at creating an unsettling atmosphere, turning Morgan House into a character in its own right. The mansion’s creeping dread seeps into every corner of the story, heightening the stakes as Rachel unravels its mysteries. The novel balances psychological tension with supernatural thrills, keeping readers guessing about what’s real and what’s a product of Rachel’s imagination.

Rachel is a compelling protagonist whose struggles with loneliness, grief, and adjusting to her new life are authentic and relatable. Her romance with Nick adds warmth and light to the otherwise dark narrative, while her conflict with Geoff injects layers of familial tension that make her journey more complex.

The pacing is steady, building from minor disturbances to full-blown terror. Wilson deftly weaves in clues to the mansion’s past, keeping readers engaged as Rachel pieces together its secrets.

Themes

The Keeper of the Key explores themes of isolation, family dynamics, and the weight of unresolved trauma. It also delves into the thin veil between the living and the dead, asking how far one should go to uncover—and confront—the truth. Rachel’s resilience in the face of loss and fear adds an empowering dimension to the story.

Critique

While the novel’s atmosphere and tension are top-notch, some elements of the mystery may feel familiar to fans of the gothic genre. Additionally, the supporting characters, particularly Geoff and Rachel’s mother, could benefit from more depth to make their motivations and actions feel more grounded in the story.

Conclusion

The Keeper of the Key is a gripping supernatural mystery that will appeal to fans of haunted house tales and coming-of-age stories with a dark twist. Nicole Wilson masterfully blends eerie suspense with emotional depth, crafting a story that lingers long after the final page. With its relatable protagonist, creepy mansion, and well-executed twists, this novel is a chilling treat for readers who love their mysteries laced with the paranormal.

I was riveted by this gothic tale in #KeeperoftheKey. A strong female lead goes to live with her mom and new boyfriend and quickly realizes something is wrong with house. There are thrills and chills within this novel 4.5 stars. Since there are not any half stars, I rounded up to a five.

👻 About the Book

There are a thousand things sixteen-year-old Rachel would rather do than upend her life to move into Morgan House, an old, run-down mansion owned by her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff.

But when her mother announces they’re relocating to St. Mary, Virginia to live with him, Rachel’s cut off from her friends and life as she knows it. St. Mary is a remote, lonely place, and the best thing about it is Nick, a guy she knows is worth keeping when he takes her to a cemetery on their first date.

Rachel struggles to get along with Geoff and his mile-long list of annoying house rules—in particular, his bizarre insistence that she stay out of the basement. But something in Morgan House plays by its own rules. At night, an unknown force pulls Rachel down to that forbidden cellar, showing her harrowing visions of a strangely familiar man lurking in the shadows. When a sudden tragedy strikes her family, those visions become more frequent—and more violent.

The dead issue urgent warnings, and if Rachel doesn’t heed them, she’ll become part of Morgan House forever.
Author: Nicole Willson
Release Date: Nov 12 2024
Genre: Young Adult, Gothic horror

📚 How I See it

The entire time I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think about how teenage me would have been obsessed! The creepy vibes of Morgan house and the spooky ghosts that haunt its walls will make you think twice about going to the bathroom at night.

I strongly recommend this book for anyone new to the horror genre that feels a little nervous about diving into the deep end, this is the perfect place to start. You get the spooky without too much scary. And if you're a teen looking for a haunted manor, ghosts and a protagonists that likes to hang out in cemeteries... this is a must read.

🎀 Find Me Here

Blog: lipstickhorror.com
Instagram: instagram.com/lipstick.horror


Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own thoughts

Interesting story with some creepy elements, many of which had to do with the relationships within the book rather than the Gothic horror aspects. I enjoyed the scary parts with the things that go bump in the night but the toxic relationships between Rachel and Nick, and Tara and Geoff were just off-putting and took away from the rest of the story for me. Without those, and I realize some of it had to be included to move the story along, but the ghost story would have been better for me.

I'm always getting asked for spooky/horror books for teens, as a book seller. I Wish this book came out in October, it would have been I solid recommendation for me to give!

This has many good twists and turns, and definitely had me on my toes.

The 16 year old FMC is likeable and a typical teen without doing the absolute most. The pacing was something I had a problem with, but that can be me and my need to have something constantly happening.