Billie Hope is a NYC restaurateur whose life is in shamble. So, when a tiny Southern town offers her a gorgeous old mansion for $100 and a grant to open a new restaurant, she’s like “Sure, why not? Sounds totally normal.” Spoiler: it is not normal. The town is sketchy.

I listened to this one, and the narrator ate. She gave each character their own vibe without overdoing it, and made the Southern charm feel extra eerie in all the right ways. Even when the plot dipped into slow-burn limbo, she kept it engaging — 10/10 would let her read my grocery list.

The atmosphere? Chef’s kiss. The story? Kinda wandered like it was lost in its own spooky neighborhood. I kept waiting for a big reveal or a twist that would make me scream (or at least gasp), but it just kind of ...vibed. Constant mild suspense energy.

That said, if you like slow-creepy, eerie-town-core with strong haunted-house aesthetic and just enough tension to keep you curious, it’s worth a listen. Don’t expect chaos — this one haunts like a ghost with social anxiety.

Overall, it was a good read.

Thank you @Netgalley and Publisher for the ALC!

The first half was a bit slower than I would have preferred, especially already knowing from the beginning what is going on, but the story really starts to pick up in the end. This story made me feel way more than I anticipated, I truly felt everything Billy was going through and it wrecked me. I was a bit let down in the end when I never got to see a gothic dark goddess/demon version of Juliana, but the overall imagery from the dreams and visions were spooky. What a shock that in the end, tax evasion was the key all along. Also, a bit odd we never find out what happened to Alice, at this point I would assume Major killed her, but his character was so back and forth I never really knew where he stood until the end. Thank you so much for letting me review this ARC!

First of all: Gothictown?! Say less.

I'm not even sure I fully read the description before requesting, but when I finally did (just before pressing play), I was nervous my expectations were too high. I love horror in every format, but gothic horror has my heart. And as a lifetime resident of the American Deep South, the Southern gothic genre ticks quite a few of my boxes.

I needn't have worried though, because Gothictown blew me away from start to finish. Carpenter blends small-town charm with eerie suspense in a way that felt decidedly natural. The story follows Billie Hope, a New York City restaurateur who relocates her family to the picturesque town of Juliana, Georgia, after a pandemic-era offer that seems too good to be true. What begins as a fresh start quickly turns into a nightmare as the town's shiny veneer of Southern hospitality begins to chip away, revealing the sinister secrets at the core of the Hope family's seemingly idyllic new home.

The novel's pacing is perfect; Carpenter builds tension with increasing speed, balancing mystery and suspense with some truly chilling moments. The town of Juliana was deliciously captivating, with its dark lore, twisted history, mysterious secret rituals, and creepy yet oddly likeable residents (until they weren't).

The narrator was perfect. I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job. Once I started listening, Gothictown wouldn't let me out of its grasp until I listened to the entire thing. Highly recommended!

Gothictown by Emily Carpenter is a slow burn horror that had me turning pages and unable to put the book down! Cassandra Campbell’s narration is fabulous!

The creepy atmosphere of Juliana, Georgia is excellently woven by Carpenter. The characters are realistically flawed, many of whom are very unlikable. While I found it difficult to fathom that a staunch New Yorker and restaurateur would purchase a grand home and acreage in Georgia for $100 and not be overwhelmingly suspicious, Billie Hope and her family leave the big city behind.

The town of Juliana exudes all the Southern charm of small town Georgia…and then things get creepy…and weird. The town is a character itself, albeit a strange one. Its tragic history and its struggles to thrive in a post-pandemic world were compelling. Even with all the space and acreage, the walls of Juliana start closing in quickly.

I enjoyed the nod to Shirley Jackson as well as the way the town elders twist the Bible verse from Psalms to suit their needs.

Billie’s repeated mentions of her mother living a cult-like existence resulting in Billie’s abandonment issues seem like an unnecessary plot point - especially when Billie can’t recognize the cult of Juliana.

I wished the nightmares, paranormal events, and links to the tragic victims were developed more strongly. I wasn’t a fan of the tied-with-a-bow ending scene in the restaurant as it almost seemed trite.

Thank you to Kensington Books for providing an advanced review copy of this title as well as RBmedia and NetGalley for an audio version of this title for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Gothictown and Emily Carpenter's writing style. The eeriness of Juliana grew so insidiously that it was easy to see how Billie was tricked into thinking she found her paradise and there were some genuinely disturbing moments that really stood out as phenomenal character development. Overall, I think this book is amazing and can find only one shortcoming: it felt predictable. There was a moment that seemed like it should've come as a shock to the reader, and certainly came as a shock to Billie, that I had easily guessed before the seed was even planted a chapter or so later. However, the impact of that moment on each character was phenomenally written and allowed for real growth and development of both Billie and the plot. I would definitely recommend Gothictown to anyone who likes a thrill or a creepy southern town.

I love a good Southern Gothic Novel and Gothictown by Emily Carpenter fit the bill. I listened to the audiobook and the single POV voice actress did a great job expressing the situation to where you truly believed she was the main character telling you what happened.

If you saw a house for sale in a small town in Georgia for $100 dollars each, would you jump at the chance to move your entire family and start over or would you think it sounds too good to be true?
Right, well many families jumped at the chance and things are quite what they seem.

This was a spooky tale of small-town politics, the good ole boys' system and a little bit paranormal hysteria. I think it is a great book for fans of Gillian Flynn.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of Gothictown by Emily Carpenter.
#gothictown #netgalley #audiobook

Billie moved with her family from New York to a small town in Georgia. She felt a fresh start was exactly what she needed. Slowly the towns secrets came to the surface when they needed to stay buried and this put Billie's family in danger. My only complaint was the cheating I almost didn't finish the book because of Billie cheating on Peter. I decided that this is something I committed to and would keep reading and I'm happy I did. I can say I will forgive the cheating, still didn't like it, but it was necessary for the plot to the story. This was a very enjoyable book and I would probably recommend it to friends after a few clarifying questions. I know most of my friends would DNF this book as soon as the kiss happened and I normally would too.

So this is a solid book. Character development, description of the setting and the storyline all worked beautifully. I definitely was glued to the words being read to me. The narration was done exceptionally well. What I don’t love was the constant going back to the space and time it all began and telling it over and over again. I also didn’t love the ending. I mean the ending itself was fine, but for some reason the final part of the ending seemed a little preachy. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it, but it’s not my favorite.

Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Southern gothic vibes!!! I love how the story starts to get more and more spooky as it progresses. I absolutely loooved it and would definitely recommend it if your looking for a southern spooky story

This was a fun, easy read. I enjoy an atmospheric thriller set in a small town with eerie vibes, and this definitely delivered on that front! It’s fast paced, intriguing, and definitely spooky.

That said, I found the main character incredibly frustrating—she kept making some of the dumbest decisions possible over and over again. But to be fair, she wasn’t the only one. Her husband avoided any real conversation or teamwork, opting instead to leave cryptic clues instead of, I don’t know, talking to his wife (as a therapist, no less—you’d think he’d understand the importance of clear communication, but I digress).

There’s also an element of infidelity that wasn’t satisfyingly handled for me. It was brushed aside as a response to stress and miscommunication, with blame constantly being shifted elsewhere. That made it hard to root for the characters, especially since neither parent seemed all that concerned about their young daughter’s safety.

As for the climax and conclusion… were there some overly convenient moments? Definitely. Overconfident villains giving their victims far too much freedom? Yep. A scene where an entire restaurant literally stood up and applauded? Also yes. But hey—it’s a popcorn thriller, and I feel like it did exactly what it said on the tin.

This one had such a cool concept — moody Southern setting, family secrets, a crumbling old mansion — and I was ready for full Gothic chaos. And while it delivered on atmosphere and intrigue, it didn’t fully stick the landing for me.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration was really well done — dramatic in all the right places, and definitely helped keep me engaged when the pacing dragged a bit. The story had twists and spooky vibes, but I never felt totally pulled into the emotional stakes or connected to the characters the way I wanted to.

What Worked:
🎧 Strong audiobook performance
🌫 Great setting and eerie aesthetic
🏠 Gothic family drama with solid intrigue

What Didn’t Work (for me):
🕰 Pacing felt uneven — some lulls in the middle
💭 Didn’t emotionally connect with the characters
❗️A few reveals felt a little too easy or convenient

Final Thoughts:
A solid read if you’re in the mood for a modern Gothic with a Southern flair. Not a favorite, but I’m still glad I gave it a shot — and the audio made for an atmospheric listen.

Actual Rating: 3.5/5

——————Mild Spoilers——————
This one turned out to be a fun, eerie read that kept my attention from the start. The setting—a small Southern town in a post-pandemic world—felt fresh and grounded, with just enough tension simmering beneath the surface to make you uneasy. The atmosphere builds nicely over the first half, and the creeping sense that something is off keeps you turning the pages.

Billie, the main character, is navigating a strained marriage and an unsettling new life in Julianna. When she starts connecting with a local man named Jamie, things get messy. Jamie is basically a walking red flag (girl, run) and I genuinely appreciated that Billie eventually picks up on it instead of falling headfirst into the “mysterious hot guy” trap.

Still, there were moments where I found myself rolling my eyes at her decisions. Trusting the wrong people, putting herself (and her daughter) in increasingly dangerous situations—it felt a little hard to believe sometimes. And there’s a scene toward the end that literally said “and everybody clapped”—it grated on me because it was so corny.

The ending ties up a little too perfectly for my taste, especially given how messy and sinister things get in the buildup, but that’s pretty common in thrillers. Overall, though, Gothictown was a compelling story with a great setting, and even when it was predictable, it never felt stale. I enjoyed the ride—a decent, uneasy read that had me theorizing the whole time.

I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and RBmedia for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.

Southern Gothic that completely pulled me in! The premise of buying a house for $100 sounds too good to be true to Billie and Peter Hope, and of course it is. They soon realize that beneath Juliana's charming small town vibe lurks something much darker.

Perfect blend of suspense that gave me eerie vibes! The atmosphere of the town was almost claustrophobic. I loved the mix of psychological tension, light horror and social commentary. If you enjoy gothic fiction with a modern twist and a touch of horror, definitely worth the read!

This was GOOD. Huge thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this one. I loved the vibes of Gentle Juliana. I also may be reading too much into this- but I’m taking away that it is our job to question tradition and those in power when they are harming others. A very applicable message right now.

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.

I really, really wish publishers would stop say thing things such as "elements of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery" or comparing a mystery to Agatha Christie. That sets me up to expect a really great, twisted, well written and well thought out book. And they really never are, are they?

From the first few minutes of the audio, my mind went to John Saul - I loved his books and often miss the fact that he doesn't write any longer. This had the spooky, creepy feel - the first chapter or so gave more of a feeling of a gothic novel than the title did. Something else I remember about John Saul was that any time something seems to good to be true, it is. It. Always. Is! With the old house as a character in the book (it really is), The September House also came to mind.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was spooky, good, creepy.

Narration: Excellent- she captured everyone’s different voices and added little accents to perfection. Sometimes single narration pulls me out of a story, but hers worked.

Story: 3.5 stars. Very interesting premise, but I guess I expected MORE? Idk it was enjoyable but it almost felt like I’ve seen the movie before. More “creepy small town” than “southern gothic” vibes.

A creep read that is guaranteed to make you question everything you thought you knew about any small town, including yours. A great atmospheric read!

With the current trend of returning to small-town living, this book really hits differently than it may have 10 years ago. As we all search for belonging and community in the post-pandemic world, Gothictown is the exemplar of allowing this desire to go to far, impeding all warning signs. A classic thriller, in which the reader is made aware of the monster behind the curtain from the beginning and is suspensefully waiting for the characters to pull the drawstring back to reveal its ominous presence.

Billie Hope, a big-city restauranteur receives an amazing offer and relocates her family to a small-town in the South. But cracks soon appear within the facade of this idyllic community, and something vicious and deadly seems to be leaking out, giving Billie's family nightmares and upsetting her family's bonds. Billie finds herself caught between spectres from the past and the real dangers of the present, trying to untangle the truth.

Apart from the thrilling plot, Gothictown deals with modern marriage dynamics, family bonds and communication, and reflections about the role one's ego plays in their choices. I would highly recommend to any reader that enjoys mysteries, suspense, and/or who dabbles in the supernatural.

🥀Gentle Juliana🥀

First of all, I'm not sure how this one is flying under the radar. It was so darn good! it kept me on edge and wanting to know what was going on with the town, the people, and those creepy dreams. It's definitely a thriller/mystery with horror undertones.

I. ATE. IT. UP.

They had me at a small town in Georgia, I live across the river in South Carolina and the way it's described, I could very well have passed this town at any given time, if it were real!

Billy, one day, get an email notifying her of an opportunity to purchase a home for $100 in a small town in Georgia. Billy, Peter (hubby), Mere(child), and their cat relocate to Juliana, a charming southern town, and they begin their new life that seems too good to be true, and that last part might be right.

▪︎Creepy small town & residents
▪︎Secrets
▪︎Domestic drama
▪︎Spooky dreams
▪︎A cat 🐈

On the narration:
I loved the narrator southern accent on this book, really felt close to home (literally) while listening to her, the way she changed between characters was good as well, as you could tell when there was a different character and not just the same monotone voice.

On the story:
I enjoyed the build-up and characters and their background, and I loved the family interactions that felt realistic. Liked the back and forth between then and now explaining the town, its residents, and their history on how things came to be. Overall, I enjoyed the pacing, the story, and the atmosphere it built, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a southern thriller/mystery!

I would like to thank NetGalley and RBmedia for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version in exchange for an honest review

Gothictown audiobook review
Wanted to start off by thanking netgally, RB Media, and Emily Carpenter for the ARC of this audio book.

Oh. My. God.
That could about sum up this entire review. This isn’t my usually go-to genre to read/listen to, but I was ABSOLUTELY strapped in for this story. I truly could not put it down from start to finish.

The twists, the turns, the subtle horror and intrigue, were all beautifully written. Part of what really kept me hooked on this book was also the Narrator Cassandra Campbell who did such a phenomenal job of portraying Billie and the emotions she infused into her narration.

This book is categorized as a mystery/thriller, but I loved the hints of horror you got in there as well. Not the gory, shock-and-awe sort of horror, but the type where you can feel the madness creeping in all around you, backing you into that corner, and you have no idea how the main character will ever escape the situation they’re in. The tension was beautifully written and intensely captivating, as were the snippets of backstory we got throughout the book.

If Emily Carpenter’s other works are anything like this one, I have quite a few titles to be stacking on top of my never ending TBR in the future 💀.

Overall rating- 5✨
Narrator- 5✨