It took a bit to get into the story, but it's such a unique retelling of Sleepy Hollow. A few twists through out!

Thank you to NetGalley, Karina Hale and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book is a bit of a conundrum. It’s very well paced and entertaining to read, however the world building seems to rely a smidge too much on the established lore of Sleepy Hollow. I still don’t really understand the goals or motivations of any of the characters, and we don’t really get a clear backstory on any of the three mains either. The main romance in this book also seems a bit more show than tell, and I’m not sure I truly believe they’re in love vs just in lust.

All that said it was an extremely fun read with a fresh take on the Sleepy Hollow legend. I am very tempted to pick up the next book in order to get some answers to the MANY questions I have!

If you don’t read dark romance, I could see this book as triggering but if you do read that genre, this book is not so much. I gave us a five stars because I am obsessed with sleepy Hollow and I love this retelling. I also love that it is a why choose. You can have brains and Braun and eat your cake too or in this case other things. I love this author‘s writing style. I have read some other things by her, and she really brings new life to retellings and I think she did the story some justice and gave it a breath of new life.

Hollow by Karina Halle is the retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in a gothic erotic romance kind of twist.

Kat, Brom, and Ichabod end up in a relationship together as they try to find out what happened to Brom while he was missing for four years and solve the mysterious murders happening in Sleepy Hollow.

This is a terrific retelling that is NOT your high school version of the story -and that's most definitely NOT a bad thing.

I read this book quickly and want more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was an amazing fast read! I was completely obsessed with the story throughout the whole book! This is the first book by this author I’ve read and honestly it definitely won’t be my last!
This book had some perfect spice! So if you are looking for sleepy hollow vibes with spice that is SPICY then this book is perfect for you! The gothic vibes also makes this book Perfect for spooky season!

An erotic retelling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with twist and turns and lots of spice. The book by Halle centers on Kat, Brom and Ichabod the characters know from Irving’s story, but in Halle’s version they are all linked by not only the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but by sex and magic. The book is very spicy, in fact I think my ebook was smoking a time or too, from the heat generated on the pages. The book deals with dominant and submissive sexual relationships, between the all the main characters. It’s a ménage a trios, but is written in such a manner that I as the reader felt the deep lust, caring and love between the characters. Here is where Halle sets herself apart from other spicy authors, if I mentally removed all the intimate scenes this is still a solidly written book, with lots of mystery and magic. The one unfortunate part is that it ends on a cliff hanger. I look forward to reading book two.

This piqued my interest first and foremost because it's a retelling of (or inspired by) "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," which is one of my favorite stories to read around Halloween. Also, ever since the TV show "Sleepy Hollow" had a brilliant first season and then kind of got lost afterward, I've been interested in other takes on the story (hopefully ones with more of a focus and not just throwing whatever at the wall to see what sticks). Romance, sure. I'm always a sucker for a good love story.

So, yes. I was absolutely going to request this when the email hit my inbox. And I was glad to have that request approved.

And what did I think of the story?

The characters are solid. I really liked this take on Crane, Katrina, and Brom. I also like the idea of Sleepy Hollow being the location for a secret school of magic. I was even into the "Why Choose?" aspect of the romance.

My biggest complaint? This story is supposed to take place in the late 1800s (even though the original short story is set in 1790 and was released in 1820). But all of the characters act and sound like they're in modern day. In fact, I enjoyed the story MUCH better if I pictured a modern day setting. If you're going to change the setting, just make it modern day and call it good. I haven't read anything else by this author, but I'd be shocked if she's written anything else in a historical setting.

But that's really it. Everything else is interesting and entertaining and a really good retelling of the story.

I just want to scream I need book 2 so bad!!!
A super dark, spicy, scary, witchy and twisted tale of Sleepy Hollow has the reader feeling taking a ride I’m not sure they are ready for. The headless horseman is at it again, and by “at it”, I mean in a M/M/F situation, which is WAY different than I remember 😉.
With a student/teacher trope and a haunted school, this story packs so much crazy in only 300+ pages, I finished in 24 hours. Unlucky for me and the characters, this story finishes on so many unanswered questions.
I had such a fun time with this read, and it was perfect for a smut-filled start to fall. My only critiques is all the unanswered phenomena got so weird and confusing, I’m not sure how it’s all going to wrap up in book 2.

Karina Halle just knows how to write an absolutely thrilling gothic romance. With witches, ghosts, oh my, Hollow was a wonderful start to the spooky season with its suspense, spice, twist and just overall plot.

A Sleepy Hollow retelling that delivered on the dark academia, spooky, gothic vibes.

We follow Katrina, Ichabod, and Brom as they deal with the headless horseman, and the mysteries of their school and the witch coven. While also navigating their relationships with each other. This book is a dark romance and quite spicy, which isn’t my typical genre of choice. But I felt the plot was strong and could have carried its own, making the spice not completely necessary for this story. Overall, I enjoyed this book and will most likely continue on with the next book in hopes that it remains plot driven.

With spooky season right around the corner, this was the perfect way for me to get into the Halloween vibes. I absolutely LOVE a good smutty book with some creepy vibes. I cannot wait to see where things go with Brom, Crane and Kat 😏 Running to the next one!

If you are a fan of Karina you know what you’ll be getting with this one.

This book was really fun if it’s what you’re looking for. It’s spooky, it’s sexy, it’s mysterious and the setting was really incredible. The romances for me felt a little too insta love, and honestly kind of took over the story, if you’re looking for something that is primarily romance and spice, this is for you! I prefer my books to be more plot forward, but that may have been my fault for going into this book and author blind. It wasn’t my favorite but I think it could be yours!

Once again I have fallen in love with a brooding man in a Karina Halle book.

I remember when the Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci Sleepy Hollow came out in 1999- I was 15 and it tickled a Gothic bi-panic itch that I didn't know I had. This book threw me back into those memories, and the vibe is just as delicious now as it was then. I also didn't expect to be so emotional seeing that aspect of sexuality explored in this story- the bi-awakening experience and subsequent fear so many experience due to antiquated societal 'norms' that can taint love and acceptance. Yes, this is set in 1875, but that staggering reality makes this even more impactful- those same outdated beliefs are still so prevalent today. So, Bravo for this social commentary while delivering immaculate Gothic witchy vibes and delectable spicy scenes. The dark, suspenseful, sinister setting and characters make you wonder who is truly good or evil. I cannot wait to dive into Legend!

Hollow is a dark, seductive retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow that mixes gothic atmosphere, romance, and supernatural suspense in an addictive way. Karina Halle takes the bones of the classic tale and spins it into something bold and modern, with a lush setting that feels both eerie and enchanting.
Kat is a compelling protagonist, caught between her family’s legacy, her complicated feelings for Ichabod Crane, and the mystery surrounding Brom’s return. The triangle between Kat, Brom, and Crane is charged with tension, blending desire, danger, and emotional conflict that adds depth to the unfolding mystery. I especially enjoyed the way Halle leaned into the gothic vibes, making Sleepy Hollow itself feel like a character.
With its mix of romance, horror, and legend, Hollow is a fresh and daring take on a familiar story. It’s equal parts eerie and passionate, with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages. A solid start to a duet that promises even more intrigue in the next installment.

I mean who doesn't want their boyfriends to be boyfriends? This is Karina Halle's sleepy Hollow retelling and I absolutely love it. It got a little bit of everything.... Dark academia, spice, rituals, witchcraft, murder mystery! I also love the new cover! Thank you so much for this Arc and I can't wait for legend!

3.5 stars

Listen, I LOVE Sleepy Hollow, so I jumped at the opportunity to read Hollow because who doesn't love a reimagining of one of their favorite legends/movies?!

Overall, I loved the spooky vibes, all around gloomy gothic atmosphere, and the horror leaning plot. However, I wasn't really a fan of Kat, Brom, and Crane's triad. It was a bit too insta-lovey for me, which isn't a favorite trope of mine, but the spice was excellent. Despite that, I am looking forward to Legend!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group | Ace | Netgalley for the arc!

Hollow starts off very mysterious, with an eerie backdrop and an abundance of intrigue. It’s definitely giving gothic, spooky- there’s a backdrop of forest and basically everything is one big question. It’s kind of like a fever dream sort of atmosphere.

I really liked how everything opened up and made you start questioning everything and everyone, I was excited to dive in the unknown of Sleepy Hollow and figure it out.

What I didn’t like, was that once the spice was introduced, I felt like that took center stage and the plot I was interested in just drifted away. I know there’s a second book but there was very little satisfaction to finding out answers in the first one, for me personally.

Overall, if you’re looking for a half plot but half spice driven book, with a MMF relationship, and lots of mysteries on a creepy gothic backdrop, you might like this. The relationship between professor and student is always iffy, it’s college so it’s an appropriate taboo but I did feel like their connection was a little instantaneous.

Overall pretty decent, I just recommend going in appreciating the vibes.

3/5

Unfortunately insta love will never quite work for me. Having it twice over as this is a throuple just was too much for me. I just couldn’t fully feel the connections between Brom, Kat, and Crane because it was just so sudden.
I loved the atmosphere and the descriptions of sleepy hollow and especially the weather.
I thought the horror leaning parts of the book were excellent and genuinely scary but there weren’t enough of them to keep me fully invested.
The plot for sure took a backseat for the romance but as the romance wasn’t working for me, I couldn’t get myself to care about the long chapters about it.
If this had been more plot focused, I’d have enjoyed it far more. Unfortunately, as it is, I don’t think this worked for me!
But it for sure could for those who don’t mind insta love and romance heavy books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc!

3.5⭐️ I always enjoy Karina Halle and this was no different. As this is book one in the duology, I’m not holding it to much against it that this book seemed to be a little lighter on the unhinged spice than I’m used to with her. But the book did really set everything up well and the retelling aspects of it are fantastic. There is enough of the original story that you kind of know what’s going on but of course the new, romance twist. I’m definitely excited to read book 2 and find out how our trio end up.

I can not say enough good things about this book!! Just when you think you know just know that you have no idea!!! The best mixture of plot, spice, character growth, and amazing writing! I can't wait for book two!