I chose it randomly on NetGalley (thank you so much NetGalley and RBmedia for this audio ARC). I saw the cover and read the title and thought it would be a book about vampires.

I got this book back in March and totally forgot about it. I saw it yesterday, didn't have anything new to read, and gave it a go.

Amazing.

I liked it so much. The narrator did an amazing job. I am not really sure if I liked this book because of how it is written or because of the audiobook, but I had an amazing experience nonetheless.

There are a few things that bothered me.
Who TF buys a house for $100? I am sorry, but why?
After she discovered what was happening, my suspicious self would not trust anybody.
The ending feels a little rushed. I don't know if the author wanted to be done with the book or if that was the intention, but it feels like they didn't know how to end it.

I love that for some reason,  books with mothers / about motherhood are keep coming in my life , now that I am mother . I feel seen and I love it

This book really shines when it comes to world-building and creating that cozy small-town atmosphere. The author clearly put a lot of effort into character development, which made the story more engaging and emotionally grounded—not just a typical spooky tale. I genuinely enjoyed the balance of eerie elements with strong, believable characters.

The one thing that pulled me out of the story was the protagonist’s sudden, inexplicable knowledge of explosives. It felt out of place and unearned, especially in an otherwise well-developed and realistic character arc. That detail cost the book a star, but overall, it's a solid and immersive read.

4.25 rounded up!
I one shot this today and I loved it. This was so bonkers yet SO realistic. I can totally see a small southern town operating like this and wouldn't be surprised if this was loosely based on a true story.
I loved Billie and her drive to turn her life around after there had been so much loss. I did have a hard time understanding exactly HOW she kept going when the losses kept coming later on in the book, but I'll chalk that up to her being a tough cookie.
I REALLY loved the way this story wrapped up and how Billie 'got the bad guys'. It was incredibly clever and totally realistic. I don't want to give too much away, but I thought this was a great thriller/horror and definitely recommend it if you're looking for something with a little bit of a weird, southern edge! Thank you Netgalley for my ALC & ARC!

I could not put it down! Through the first few pages, I thought what am I reading, but it all ties in so expertly in the end! I l stayed up half the night finishing it.

Billie needs a change. Her famous NY restaurant closed during the pandemic, and her mother moved away and joined a cult. She is disappointed and hurt and having trouble talking to her therapist husband, Peter, about her feelings. When she sees an advertisement for a small town in Georgia offering an incentive for outsiders and small businesses to come there for $100 per house, she is more than intrigued. Land for her daughter, Meredith, and a new start is too good to pass up. She talks Peter into going, and they move to Gentle Julianna.

But when they get there, strange things begin to happen. Peter is not himself and the cat, Ramsey, acts possessed. They have strange dreams and unsettling thoughts. The town is run by a few prominent families, and it becomes more and more evident that they are covering up secrets. What will they do to keep their secrets hidden?

This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me! It had twists where I literally gasped. I was on the edge of my seat through at least 2/3 of the book. The characters were flawed, and life was messy which I love. There is redemption and some justice.

This was a solid read🙂‍↕️ I liked the different characters that we came across both in the present and in flashbacks, but they did sometimes blend together bc there was so many names to keep track of. I also felt like this book leans much more toward and mystery/thriller than a horror novel to be quite honest and I think that’s why I wasn’t as impacted by it. Don’t get me wrong, the culty small town is very much giving the illusion of horror, but when you actually get down to it 95% of the town is actually oblivious to the horrible things going on and they’re genuinely just vibing😭 I also listened to the audio, which was actually pretty good quality and I enjoyed the narrator’s voice (a plus that they’re a member of SAGAFTRA as well!)

Do you like the episodes of Vampire Diaries that involve the founding families? Then you’ll Probably like this book.

-Small southern town vibes with spooky vibes of feeling like you and your family are slowly losing it
-Being convinced that something weird is happening, but the entire town is acting as if everything happening is absolutely normal

When I read chapter one I thought I knew exactly where this book was going, and I’m not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed by that. But I thought the vibes were already immaculate and I liked the writing, and figured it would be a fun time nonetheless. I’m SO SO glad I read this, because oh boy was I so wrong about knowing where the book was going, okay I was a little right but not at all in the way I thought I was. I really enjoyed this book. Also I appreciate a smart MC, I didn’t want to constantly throw things at her, and the couple of moments I did it wasn’t her fault but a position she was forced into.

There was a point where I was very leery of a character's choice because I didn’t think it made sense for that character, and then more and more decisions from that character didn’t make sense, and it started to really bother me. But I promise by the end it will all make sense.

One of the things I loved the most about this book is kinda hard to describe without revealing way too much so this might not make sense to those who haven't read it yet (or honestly even if you have read it). I really adored how the main character didn’t know some major things herself until another character pops up.
Everything in this book is a little sloppy and I don’t mean in writing or plot, no I mean in the way the MC gets information, or what happens to the MC. And
How the MC gets information and what happens to the MC is so sloppy, and I don’t mean that in way of writing or plot. No, I mean that the things that surround the MC seems messy, in stark comparison to the town feeling so clean and pristine and put together. It might be because of the two locations of the town and the house she is living in, but I think it's more all of the things that surround her and how she takes it in, and how her life is slowly falling apart. I think the stark contrast between her and the town is very important. I feel as certain other characters ( not all, if they are founding family they stay pristine, for the most part) enter her orbit, and have more and more interactions with her they also seem to be pulled into that more messy category. Think of what all I'm saying in way of vibes from characters and not in literary terms.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for this ARC Audio Copy!

I have been enjoying Gothic Horror books so much and was really excited about this book. This book does not wait to shock you, often times with horror books it eases you in slowly but this one hits you with a shock right out of the gate, and then slowly builds tension off of that through the rest of the story. Filled with eccentric and sometimes unlikable characters, including the main characters at times, this southern gothic horror does a great job of keeping you hooked through the entire story.

I really enjoyed the unsettling atmosphere in this book (seriously, what's up with the secret well?).
The main character is flawed but relatable and the whole town hints at the doom to come. The pacing was incredibly slow and some things felt like a bit of a reach to me, so I'm ending at a 3☆ overall.

Thank you, Netgalley for the copy to review!

If something sounds too good to be true...

A gorgeous furnished house in rural Georgia, completely furnished for $100 AND a small-business startup loan? That might classify as too good to be true, but I for one am glad that Billie Hope and here family didn't think so and moved to Juliana, because I loved every single page of Gothictown. Emily Carpenter's latest release is so deliciously creepy, with just enough paranormal to raise the hair on the back of my neck without going over the top. For animal lovers like me who might be wondering, Ramsey and Ever are both fine at the end,

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. I thought the storyline was original and kept me intrigued. This is a solid gothic thriller and I would absolutely recommend! I will definitely be checking out more of this authors writing. I also really liked the narrator, I can be picky sometimes but this one worked for me.

3.5! Move to small town Georgia and buy a house for only $100?! Hell yeah! This family did. Leaving New York after the pandemic took her restaurant was a pretty easy choice for Billie and her family, Peter and Meredith. And Juliana, Georgia was idilic. Friendly neighbors, families bartering each other for good deals, and a massive house paint a pretty picture. Their cat goes feral, Peter can’t sleep and is obsessed with finding an uncapped well on their property that was passively mentioned by a town member. But Billie’s new restaurant is thriving! And Mer is having so much fun exploring and making friends! When Peter’s exhaustion gets the better of him and creates friction in their marriage and the town’s perception, it starts to get real! And as the mysteries of this small town are revealed, all hell breaks loose! I am not typically a thriller-reader, but really enjoyed this one! I love how it was creepy and diabolical!

Southern Gothic is definitely the vibe of Gothictown by Emily Carpenter. It was creepy and filled me with unease.

Billie Hope got an email with the offer of a lifetime - move to Juliana, GA and have an amazing house for $100 as part of a way to add some new life to the town. Having shut her restaurant down during the pandemic, it seems like a great way to start fresh. Billie, her husband, Peter, and their daughter Meredith were welcomed with opens arms, but there are weird things happening and stories of past horrors. Peter has trouble sleeping and the walls of "Gentle Juliana" felt like they were closing in.

The inclusion of Billie's mom in the story was slightly confusing, and the ending seemed to be wrapped up a little too tidily. Overall, an atmospheric engaging read that drew me in.

Cassandra Campbell did a wonderful job with the narration, including several different deep-south accents and genders.

Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded books for the chance to review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review..

Our flawed female mc gets a pandemic incentive to purchase a dirt-cheap, gorgeous old house and start a restaurant in an idyllic small town. Things are perfect until the townspeople start behaving oddly with warnings about mysterious open well on their property that they can't seem to locate.
This was the first book I've read that mentions the pandemic and explores how it influences the main character's behaviour and decision-making, which was an aspect that I found really interesting. Broadly I did not find that it connected to my personal taste. I think this is because the beginning felt slower than I anticipated, and I wasn't especially interested or invested in the main character and her internal world.
However, I do think that many people will love the cult-y atmosphere and creepy plot twists.

Billie Hope lost her popular restaurant due to the pandemic, so when she reads an email offering an initiative program for a small southern Georgia town named Juliana, she tells her husband Peter about it. They wonder if this offer is too good to be true, $100 to own a home and an offer of a grant to open a business, they apply anyway and are thrilled to be accepted.

Billie, Peter and their 6 year old daughter, Meredith waste no time in pacing up and heading to Juliana. Billie finds the townspeople kind of odd and suffocating. Peter who is working from home as a therapist becomes obsessed with the fact that there maybe an uncovered well somewhere on their 12 acres, he’s not sleeping and he starts snapping at Billie. Billie finds the perfect location and starts to get her new restaurant open, and then finds herself drawn towards Jamie, the man who runs the antique shop next to hers.

Billie spins starts to realize that this town is not a blessing, that there is something dark beneath its lucious lawns. Can Billie figure out what is wrong with gentle Juliana before it’s too late?

This was an okay listen, the narrator was enjoyable to listen to. I did find the book was longer than was necessary but overall was a pretty good listen.

Thank you to NetGalley, the audio house, narrator and author for the opportunity to listen to a complimentary copy of this audiobook in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This one hooked me right away. Billie moves her family from NYC to a small Southern town thanks to a post-pandemic incentive program that seems too good to be true… and, of course, it kind of is.

The story is a slow burn in the best way, and I loved watching the layers of charm crumble to reveal something extremely dark. It had just enough mystery and atmosphere to keep me constantly uneasy, in a good way.

I listened to the audiobook and loved it so much I ended up getting a physical copy too. Definitely recommend for fans of unsettling small-town suspense.

Emily Carpenter's latest Southern Gothic thriller, soon to be a TV series, GOTHICTOWN, is a dark, creepy, and wickedly delicious thriller. It beckons you into a seductive world, where all your desires can be fulfilled… if you're willing to pay the price.

The story unfolds in a seemingly idyllic town in Georgia, rich with history and a chilling atmosphere, making it a captivating read for fans of the genre. A restaurateur from NYC is lured to a Southern town in Georgia, post-pandemic, with all the enticing incentives that turn into a horror nightmare for her and her family.

About...

Billie Hope was the successful owner of a New York restaurant called Billie's, which celebrities often frequented; however, during the pandemic, she was forced to close it.

She is at odds since her mom decided to join a cult in Maine, and she misses the busy restaurant to keep her busy.

She learns of a Southern town, two hours north of Atlanta, in (fictional) Juliana, Georgia, offering incredible incentives to build up the city and business. A beautiful, spacious Victorian home (furnished), land to grow things for a restaurant, and a large grant to open a restaurant. Billie is delighted, thinking this is fate.

Gentle Juliana Beckons You…

"Start your life today in a community that cares, courtesy of the Juliana Initiative.

Founded in 1832, Juliana, Georgia, is an idyllic, historic, riverside mill town that offers every amenity you need to start your new business, continue your remote work, or set up your practice in a safe, secure, and vital environment away from city life. Juliana has always been its own town, and we are proud of it. The weather is warm here and so are the people. We welcome all to our jewel of the South."
— Gentle Juliana

Finally, Billie convinces her husband, Peter (therapist), and young daughter, Mere, to make the move, filled with hope and excitement at the prospect of the beautiful home and the opportunity to open her dream restaurant.

But then, things take a bizarre turn. Sleep becomes elusive, nightmares and strange events unfold, evil forces of Juliana surround their home, and the town's leaders exhibit peculiar behavior. Rumors about a well on their property add to the mystery. Beneath the town's warm hospitality, something sinister lurks. As the stress mounts, their marriage is tested, and Billie is left grappling with the inexplicable.

The story is filled with suspense and tension, keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering if they will escape.

Check out the website for more: Gentle Juliana. So much fun and a playlist!

My thoughts...

I loved GOTHICTOWN! The author cleverly creates the Southern Gothic chilling atmospheric setting that is so enticing on the outside with a menacing sinister horror lurking with every page turn and those creepy EVIL characters!

From the evil forces of Juliana to its eccentric characters, sins of the town's past, and sinster ghostly events, all make for an engrossing unputdownable tale.

GOTHICTOWN is the author's finest work, and I eagerly anticipate a sequel. The TV series based on this gripping tale only adds to the excitement.

Audiobook...

The audiobook is superb, narrated by one of my favorites, Cassandra Campbell! Her performance was award-winning, elevating the story with vivid settings and the perfect impressive voice for all the characters, particularly Billie! I highly recommend the audiobook.

The area...

An Atlanta gal for many years, spending my entire career there, living in Vinings, Buckhead, and Midtown, and later Big Canoe, GA (which I loved) about an hour north of Atlanta, and dated a guy in Dalohenga (mentioned in book) until I moved to Florida. I love stories set in Georgia, and Atlanta will always be home for me (my grown sons wish I still lived there as Florida is not an easy drive from NC). I adore and support Atlanta authors.

Author's Note...

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's note. It provided a fascinating insight into the inspiration behind the book and the history of Roswell, GA. Wow, I couldn't wait to find the inspiration, which added depth to the story and made me appreciate the author's work even more.

Ironically, years ago, I was the Director of Membership and Events for the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, overseeing the cities of Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Mountain Park, and I was not aware of all this scandalous history! Later, I was an associate publisher for Atlanta's largest commercial real estate directory for many years, Atlanta B2B Magazine, Publisher of Atlanta New Homes Data Book, and several online commercial real estate companies in Atlanta, covering these areas. It is always fun to learn something new. Fascinating. Thank you, Emily!

Note to Emily...

Please write a ghostly Gothic book set in Columbus, GA! This town also has many historic Victorian homes, and the city has ghosts, very mysterious, creepy, and strange townspeople, making this a perfect setting. I had a client located downtown, and I spent six months there and could not wait to leave! Lots of haunting stories here.

Recs...

GOTHICTOWN is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Ashley Winstead, Stacy Willingham, Laura McHugh, and Jennifer McMahon—for readers who enjoy well-written Southern Gothic tales with a touch of horror.

Thanks to Kensington, Recorded Books, and NetGalley for the gifted advanced review and listening copies in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: March 25, 2025
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DNF at 44%. I had high hopes based on the start of this one, but it lost me.

In this story Billie takes her family to a small Southern town for a fresh start. You know from the prologue that this town has a dark history and dark traditions. They start having weird dreams, and Billie’s husband gets obsessed with finding a supposed abandoned well on the property. Presumably the dark traditions of the town come into play and things go from there.

I loved the prologue and what I thought that meant about the story I was going to get. I wanted a Hot Fuzz type of plot but more as a serious thriller. Instead I got a lot of domestic marriage and relationship woes. I couldn’t care less about Billie’s marriage, I didn’t come to this book for family drama. I was super bored with all that. And then the well stuff with her husband just dragged on and on. I wanted to shake them and be like, just google a company to take care of this!! 😂 There wasn’t enough spooky or gothic or thrilling to keep me engaged.

If you don’t mind something slower paced with as much about the relationship dynamics as the “horror,” then this one might be worth a try.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I finished Gothictown a few weeks ago, but due to a family emergency, I’m just now getting to write my review — and I’m so glad I finally can, because this one definitely deserves it.

This audiobook completely pulled me into its world. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, was phenomenal — she brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotion that made the experience even more immersive. I loved the eerie, Southern Gothic atmosphere and the slow-burn tension that built steadily throughout the story.

Billie’s journey to “Gentle Juliana” had me hooked from the beginning, and even though I found myself wanting a little more from the resolution (especially after all the chaos, murder, and secrets that unraveled), the ride getting there was absolutely worth it. It’s the kind of story that keeps you pressing “just one more chapter” because you have to know what’s coming next.

If you enjoy creepy small-town mysteries, hidden pasts, and a whisper of Southern horror, Gothictown is well worth the listen. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of Shirley Jackson, Gillian Flynn, and slow-burn psychological thrillers.

Thank you to Emily Carpenter, NetGalley, and RBmedia for the opportunity to listen to this hauntingly vivid audiobook!

Rating: 4/5 stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tempted by a remarkable pandemic deal, restaurateur Billie Hope settles her young family of three in a small town in Georgia. Though quaint, there’s something off about their new home—strange dreams, mysterious locals, creepy lore…a deeply atmospheric southern gothic!

Overall have very positive feelings towards this title. It was entertaining and captured the lazy-relaxed small town vibe incredibly. There was a bit of confusion with the back and forth between present and historical past, and I will say, without spoilers, that it felt as though you could see the twist coming from a mile away. It ended wrapped up in a very tidy bow, which was too neat for my liking but perhaps satisfying for others.

Kinda creepy... I guess

We follow our main character Billie, who lives in New York with her husband and daughter post-pandemic. Billie had a restaurant that she shut down because of the pandemic and her mom also moved away so there isn't much left for her and her family. Lucky enough she gets an offer from the Mayor of Juliana, Georgia, who gives her an offer she'd be crazy to turn down- a home in Juliana for $100! After making the move things are working out really well, Billie fits right in. There are just a few things that don't seem just right and slowly it all comes out.

I loved the concept but I was so disappointed. There wasn't one character I liked and I found the plot just wasn't as interesting as I hoped. There were times when I hoped for a different outcome but no such luck, I might have come into this book with way too many expectations which probably clouded my rating.

Thank You to Emily Carpenter, RBmedia and NetGalley for the audio-digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!