If something seems too good to be true... that's because it usually is. However, Billie and Peter didn't seem too worried about the offer to buy a house in Georgia for a whopping $100, because they've been wanting buy something of their own and get out of New York. After settling in, they begin to question their decision. The town seems strange and suddenly Peter is experiencing insomnia.

While I thought the start was bit slow, I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were fairly likeable (though they certainly have questionable moments?). The setting was picturesque small southern town with tight-knit, tight-lipped residents.

I did feel like this was a thriller more than a horror novel, but regardless - I enjoyed it. I liked the end and thought Emily did a great job at wrapping the story up.

Thank you to RBMedia and NetGalley for the ALC. I thought the narrator did a great job.

"There’s something about Juliana, something off-kilter and menacing beneath its famous Southern hospitality. No matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and whether, they’ll ever leave."

OK, say it with me now- if you get an offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Especially if it's an email offering you a chance to buy a house in a little Georgian town for $100. Like, if you accept this off, you may as well collect your Darwin Award too.

Billie and her family take the offer of purchasing a hundred dollar house and find out there is also a business grant available for Billie to open a restaurant in town. The offer couldn't come at a better time, since Billie had to close her insanely popular New York restaurant due to the pandemic. A new start is just what the family needs... but not in this Stepford-like community.

Although you know everything is going to bad, the story is still intriguing and I really enjoyed the characters. You get invested in what happens to Billie and her family (not giving too much away) but the "and everyone clapped" moment made me roll my eyes.

Overall, a creepy story that may make you wonder about your cat :)

I received a free audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I had high hopes for Gothictown by Emily Carpenter, especially with its eerie cover and promising premise. The book started off strong, creating a chilling, supernatural atmosphere that immediately pulled me in. But as the story progressed, it shifted away from those eerie supernatural vibes and veered more into a small-town conspiracy theory. Unfortunately, that transition didn’t work for me.

By the halfway mark, I found myself bored, waiting for something to reignite the initial intrigue. The pacing felt uneven, and the supernatural elements that hooked me early on faded away rather than evolving into something truly compelling. I listened to the audiobook, and while the narration was fine, it didn’t do much to make the story more engaging.

Overall, Gothictown had potential, but the genre shift and lack of payoff left me disappointed. If you’re into slow-burn mysteries with town secrets, it might work for you—but if you’re looking for a true supernatural gothic thriller, you might want to look elsewhere.

Gothictown was my first real foray into the thriller and Southern Gothic genres, so I really wasn't sure going in whether or not I would enjoy it. It looked interesting, though, so I figured I'd give it a try, and I ended up really enjoying the story. The characters were interesting and decently nuanced, the narrator was engaging and made the characters come to life, and I was sucked into the story from the beginning.

One of the things that I found really interesting about this story was the way it was framed. As the reader, I was given information that the characters didn't have, which meant I could normally figure out what was going to happen next (although there were still moments that left me going "Wait. Did that just happen? Please tell me that didn't just happen. Oh, shoot. It actually happened." and there were also events that I still haven't gotten over.). That being said, the fact that I had information the characters' didn't and so could predict what was coming actually ended up increasing the tension for me. Things that the characters wrote off as normal or slightly strange had me wanting to yell at them to run because I knew those instances weren't as harmless as they seemed.

I also really appreciated the conclusion of the story. I felt like it wrapped things up pretty nicely and left an otherwise-grim book in a hopeful place. I tend to be frustrated when people only highlight problems in their writing without also providing thoughts about possible solutions, so it was refreshing to see what seemed like a realistic way forward for the characters.

I think there were only two detractors for me. First, I really didn't appreciate one of the main arcs in the middle of the story that centered strongly around one character's infidelity. That arc was really hard to get through and almost led to me dnf'ing the book. I'm glad I didn't because the rest of the book was really well done and more than made up for it, but it still wasn't my favorite and did detract. Second, I was a little disappointed by the way the author handled religion. I think she handled one element of religion-gone-wrong well, but then she generalized to religion in general from that one point and that bothered me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the author for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I'm so glad I went out of my comfort zone on this one, and I might need to explore the thriller genre a little more after having finished this one.

Ah yes, the too-good-to-be-true real estate deal—a classic setup for either a feel-good Hallmark movie or a psychological horror story. Spoiler: This ain't a Hallmark movie.

Billie Hope gets an email promising a huge Victorian house for only $100 in a small Georgia town eager to revive its post-pandemic economy. (At this point, I was already yelling, Billie, no! Have you never seen a horror movie?) But off she goes, husband and kid in tow, because what could possibly go wrong?

At first, Juliana is everything she hoped for—Southern charm, business grants, zero rent struggles, and plenty of space. But soon, the town’s hospitality starts feeling a little... Stepford-esque. There’s something sinister simmering beneath all the sweet tea and polite smiles. And Billie starts to realize that moving in was a lot easier than moving out.

This book takes that "small-town charm with a dark secret" trope and runs with it. The tension builds slowly, like a pot of spooky Southern gumbo, until you’re fully simmering in dread.

If you love creepy, slow-burn thrillers where the setting feels like a character (one that’s definitely plotting something), then buckle up—because Juliana’s doors swing one way.

I've recently been enjoying a good atmospheric horror, and this one delivers. We get a lot of the explanation in the introduction, which made me a bit tentative, but honestly it was fun to watch the rest of the story unravel... and there were still many surprises in store. Recommended!

A cultish thriller. I stepped out of my usual genres for this because it sounded interesting. And it was. The story was written well. My only criticism is I wish we learned more of the town & founders background as the story progressed rather than in the prologue. It would’ve added a lot more mystery & edge of your seat guesswork that way. Overall a great read for any lover of thrillers.

This was a good audio book. I chose to listen to this over doing other activities. The narrator was good ,but she often slipped out of character, switching from one voice to another at the wrong moment. While many elements of the story were predictable, there were still some unexpected twists and I enjoyed listening to the story play out.
I'd recommend this book for readers who love stories set in the American South.

🥀 Gothictown | 2.5 stars 🪦

I don't rate books I don't like publicly—except for Netgalley books.

Billie Hope, a New Yorker turned Georgian, doesn't want to uncover all of the secrets in her new home. She got the house and property for $100. Then the dreams start occurring.

Mind you, up until this point, the book was great.

Then, Billie cheats on her husband and spends the rest of the book making excuses for it. I'd half consider the rest of the story was made up as an excuse.

While I enjoyed the cozy mystery, it wasn't a truly gothic story. The writing was good, the story concept was great, keeping it above two stars.

All opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me this book.

"Death was so strong here. It was all around me, in the rotting leaves, and fallen trees, and all the decaying corpses of squirrels and rabbits and god knows what else hidden from sight. Death held me firm in its grip so I couldn't run, so it could warn me of something. But what?"

Gothictown by Emily Carpenter

THESE PEOPLE ARE F*CKING CRAZY!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to Netgalley, Recorded Books and Kensington for the ALC of this audiobook. I have had my eyes on this, waiting with bated breath for this since it was announced. I feel so honored to have had the chance to be one of the firsts to experience it.

"Juliana has always been its own town, and we are proud of it. The weather is warm here, and so are the people. The perfect place to raise your family, or start one at last. Purchase your dream home in Juliana for just $100, and receive a generous business grant from our town council. We welcome all races, genders, and orientations. religions and creeds, to Georgia's gentle jewel.""

YOU GUYS, this is the - P E R F E C T GOTHIC READ - I do not even think I could even put into words my feelings of it perfectly, but I will certainly try. The dread you feel is immediate, you will instantaneously be distrustful of the residents of Juliana. Always remember what your (my) momma says: if it looks to good to be true, it is. To be fair, who wouldn't jump at a big beautiful home in a quaint, little town for only $100? In *this* economy? I understand why Billie Hope did what she did, but she should've kept herself in New York, it might have been safer. I'm naturally distrustful, so I was already on edge, and I guessed a few things here and there, but Emily Carpenter masterfully kept me on my toes. I was sat for this, and will probably move it towards the top of my 'will always recommend' list. Too good, too good.

"It felt like death inside my home. Death was in the air, I smelled it all around me. It seeped into my skin, coursed through my veins."

Gothictown provides all the elements it promises: creepy small town; many, many secrets; family drama; and a penultimate unraveling. Cassandra Campbell absolutely *kills it* in the narration. I was so tuned into her, and am walking away a huge fan. You will be left feeling uncomfortable, with the unease and paranoia, and a questioning of everyone around you after this experience.

"Power is so much bigger than a weapon you hold in your hand. We know that because we've found real power, power that's not of this Earth, that's not contained."

A thriller with teeth and a town that lies right on the edge of perfect and insanity 5his was a great bookm I love a horror novel and when I heard this was compared to Shirley Jackson's the Lottery that got me even more excited the writing was atmespeheric and sharp and I felt the layers of trepidation and panic as well as the perfection of being Ina. Small town where you could truly build a community. I felt thia book did a great job of almost indoctrinating you into believing the hype of the town as well you look around and everything is beautiful no crime the town is nice and you can build your dreams and become apart of a community. I felt I was drinking the kool-aid for most of the book even wanting to ignore all the red flags and hide the. Almost. That speaks to great writing and plot for you to feel the pull that the main character feels as well as if it's your own. I liked Billie alot at the starts and at the middle she started to drive me a little crazy with the self loating and constant panicking but she won me over at the end. I loved the twists this book took as well as the ending I really loved that and felt it gave the town some much needed closure as well as the characters. I definitely recommend this was a fun read that kept me on my toes.

The narrator of this book, Cassandra Campbell, did an excellent job of keeping this story alive. She did each character perfectly. Gave me chills and cringes and made my tears flow in places. She made this story come to life.

This was a wonderful book. Emily Carpenter has done a great job of pulling me in and making my day. This is such a good book. From start to finish. Not holds barred.

When Billie is at the lowest in her life she receives an email that will change her life. Not just her life but her husband Peter and their daughter Mere's lives also. Billie is at a point where she needs a drastic change. Her restaurant has closed due to the pandemic and her mother moved off to join a cult. Things are not going good for her. Her husband is a therapist who can easily work from home, and anywhere.

This family move from NY to GA and start a fresh life. The email that Billie received was from a town called Juliana. Juliana, GA it seems is a small town and you can buy a home for only a hundred dollars. She can own a new restaurant and have plenty of land for a garden and for her daughter to be able to run and play without worries. In Juliana, GA there is no crime. Everyone gets along for the most part. And it's easy to get what you need to do whatever it is you are doing. They barter with each other a lot.

But there is also secrets in this small town. Deadly secrets. Things that have happened over the years that the founding fathers believe have made the town prosper and thrive. Seems you can do or have almost anything in Juliana if you know the right person. But there are secrets.... Deadly secrets... Be warned.

This was a very exciting read for me. From start to finish I enjoyed it. It made me hold my breath in a few places. Cringe a lot and I did shed some series tears too.

If something seems to good to be true run from it. Run fast and hard.

Thank you #NetGalley, #Kensington, #rbMedia, for this ARC.

Five big stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley, RBmedia, and Cassandra Carpenter for an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t love it but I also didn’t hate it. Billie uproots her family on a whim after receiving a spam email about a grant to sell houses/property in a small southern town for $100. This character makes a lot of questionable choices which is probably to be expected since her mom joined a cult. 😅

I feel like the story only fell flat for me because the story was cliche and predictable.

3.5/5⭐️
Slow but picks up a little over halfway. The last 25% had me clenching fists, stressful but great. Interesting story line, author paints a good picture of the town and the vibes. Enjoyed the ending. Good narration.

4 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to RBmedia | Recorded Books for the ALC via NetGalley! 💌

💀 WELCOME TO GOTHICTOWN 💀

Listen. The moment I saw Southern Gothic and haunting, atmospheric vibes, I knew I had to get my hands on this. And let me tell you—this did NOT disappoint.

🏡 Premise? Billie Hope, a former NYC restauranteur, moves her family to Juliana, Georgia, enticed by a too-good-to-be-true pandemic-era incentive: a $100 Victorian home and a grant to start fresh. But once they settle in, the town’s saccharine Southern charm starts to feel... off. Nightmares. Tension. An unsettling obsession from the town elders. And the creeping realization that Juliana doesn’t just welcome newcomers—it swallows them whole.

🔪 The Vibes:
✔️ Creepy small-town secrets
✔️ Cult-y energy lurking under that sweet hospitality
✔️ Family drama + an unraveling marriage
✔️ Slow-burn suspense that turns into a full-blown nightmare

🎧 The Narration:
Cassandra Campbell NAILED this one. Her voice carries that perfect mix of warmth and unease—exactly what you need for a slow-burn psychological horror like this. She brings Billie’s tension and paranoia to life, making every whispered secret and chilling moment hit even harder.

👀 The Good:
📖 The atmosphere? IMMACULATE. The town’s eerie warmth seeps into your bones before it chokes the life out of you.
😨 The slow-burn tension? Perfection. I was yelling at Billie through my earbuds like, "GIRL, GET OUT!"
🎭 The characters? Flawed. Messy. Real. Billie and Peter aren’t perfect, and that just makes their unraveling even more delicious.

🤨 The Meh:
✧ Some subplots (especially Billie’s mom drama) felt like they distracted from the juicy, spine-tingling horror.
✧ The ending? A bit rushed—I needed more time to soak in the chaos!

📢 Final Verdict: If you love cults, small-town horrors, and that slow, creeping dread that makes you question EVERYONE, this one’s for you. If you’re into unsettling mysteries, eerie atmospheres, and stories that get under your skin, YOU’LL EAT THIS UP.

⚠️ But fair warning: If you get an email offering you a dream house for cheap? DELETE IT. IMMEDIATELY.

🔮 Pub Date: March 25, 2025
💀 CWs: Infidelity, death, violence, murder

I don't normally do anything that's even horror-adjacent, but this was clever and interesting (and not too creepy).

Review copy provided by publisher.

Interesting read. A family makes a move after finding the perfect home for just $100. The offer seems too good to be true. The whole town seems to know each other, but there is something weird going on. Why is the family having trouble sleeping?

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the ALC!
The narrator did a great job keeping my attention!

This is the perfect novel for fans of Southern Gothic horror (specifically perfect for those who are also fans of Old Gods of Appalachia). I LOVED this book and would absolutely read again!

3.5 Stars

This was a crazy twisty story! It wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. It kind reminded me of a creepy Scooby Doo episode. I think I would of liked it more if it would of been a little bit shorter. It kinda dragged on through the middle of the book. Great ending though and was overall and enjoyable read. The narrator was fantastic! I loved how she captured the funny accent of the towns people.

Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

Listening to Gothictown was interesting. Positives? Great atmosphere, love the history of the town, and overall well written. Negatives? Mostly I just didn’t care for the main character. I just think it was a selfish thing to do to uproot her family like that and move to somewhere she knew nothing about. She’s mainly the reason I didn’t give Gothictown four stars. But honestly I’d still recommend to those who love great atmosphere and quiet towns with secrets.