It's no coincidence that Brian McAuley's Breathe In, Bleed Out reads like you're watching a slasher movie. McAuley has a background in screenwriting and it's obvious that he's pretty good at it. It's also obvious that he loves horror movies and has studied them a great deal. He manages to weave many of the genre's essential tropes into a story that is witty, engaging, gory, and just plain fun to read.

The pacing starts out a little slow, but there's enough there to keep you wanting to read just a little bit more. And before you know it, things start to snowball into a finish that'll keep you guessing right up until the end. McAuley only has a few books under his belt so far, but it's clear that he's got a bright future ahead of him.

4-1/2 stars

Horror/Slasher fans listen up!!! This was excellent! @brianmcwriter transcended this story to the next level, and it was bloody and gory and all the good things trauma is made of!! I love the inclusion of the retreat and all the puns relating to it! The characters were decidedly shady and flawed, which made the who dunnit a bit tricky to figure out. This was fast-paced, keep you on the edge of your seat action, and I loved it! I would highly recommend it was such an easy read chapters just flowed into each other - I love his writing style and will be back for more!

Thank you to @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for this advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.

#fortheloveofreading📚❤️ #fortheloveofbooks #justonemorepage #bookscapemember #booksarebetterthanpeople #tiffanystales
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Breathe In, Bleed Out felt like actively reading a slasher movie on par with films like I Know What You Did Last Summer and My Bloody Valentine.

Hannah is an absolute wreck after being the lone survivor of a proposal gone wrong in the mountains. Herr mind, her job, and her friendships are falling apart. So why not go on an all expenses paid spiritual retreat in the desert to mend those broken friendships and maybe get over you trauma in the process, mind you the retreat is most definitely giving off "this is a cult" vibes.

Breathe In, Bleed Out was a bloody slasher romp with all the good and bad trope of the genre. There were those moments where you know the main character shouldn't leave their friend behind or check out that mysterious sound and yet they always do - while cliche, it's still fun if you know that's exactly what you're getting into. It was perfect quick and fun Summerween read.

I’ve been eyeing this book for quite some time because of the cover, so when it became available for Camp NetGalley I snatched the opportunity to give it a read.

The first chapter in itself is wild, setting you up for the ride you’re about to take when you dive in.

Hannah is experiencing hallucinations and nightmares of her dead boyfriend Ben, who died a traumatic death in the wilderness, that are causing her to spiral. When her best friend signs their friend group up for a healing retreat isolated in the desert, Hannah thinks it might be a good idea to help move on from the past that’s haunting her.

Not long after they arrive, things quickly go south as the friends are picked off one by one. When you find out who the killer is your mind will be blown.

I normally don’t enjoy slasher books as much because I feel like they don’t build up enough suspense, however, Brian McAuley delivered! The gore was excellent. I definitely got goosebumps while reading. Could not put it down. Breathe In, Bleed Out is a BLOODY good time!

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC opportunity. This is an honest and voluntary review. </i>

I really enjoyed this book. Like a good slasher film that employs hoodie but is also about friendships and how those can evolve, change and even fade away, with time. The story kept me riveted from beginning to end.

Slasher, desert retreat, twists, and a bit of woo-woo, and you got yourself a killer story.

Hannah is struggling with the loss of her fiancé, relying heavily on drugs until she makes a mistake, and nearly kills a patient of hers. In an effort to detox herself and set herself right, she agrees to go to a wellness retreat with her friends. Despite its peaceful, promising atmosphere, there is something more sinister a foot.

This had the same whodunnit energy as Scream which I absolutely loved. I didn’t know who the killer was and the final reveal was honestly the person I didn’t expect at all, which I loved.

I enjoyed the criticism of the wellness industry. The amount of religious and spiritual beliefs that have been appropriated by capitalistic endeavors and used to prey on the vulnerable is staggering and incredibly heartbreaking in many ways.

Again, like other books I’ve read, the juxtaposition of grief and horror really works here. You have Hannah dealing with grief and guilt over her fiancé’s death and it directly affects her ability to survive and how she grows and faces the monster at this wellness retreat.

Overall, this is a fun read! I want to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eArc! Breathe In, Bleed Out hits the shelves September 2, 2025.

I can’t remember the last time I was up until 4am to finish a book. But Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley did just that! I think this may be the first horror book I’ve read and it set the bar high.

From the first page, I had to know what happened. Hannah was such an unreliable narrator. It was hard to know what was real and what was a hallucination! I enjoyed the nostalgia and the gore! I had so many guesses on who the killer was, and I NEVER predicted who it actually was 🤯🤯🤯.

This book read like a slasher film, and that’s exactly what the author was trying to do! This was an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Poised Press Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.75/5 stars
At a remote Joshua Tree wellness retreat, Hannah—still reeling from the trauma of her fiancé’s mysterious death—seeks healing with old friends. Instead, the weekend turns into a nightmare when a masked killer begins picking them off in gruesome, creative ways.

Brian McAuley delivers a fast-paced slasher that blends horror, dark humor, and a sharp critique of the self-help industry. Hannah’s grief and emotional scars add depth to the tension, making the blood-soaked chaos feel both brutal and personal.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this arc!

I had a lot of fun with this slasher! Hannah is spiraling after the death of her fiancé, mentally just unwell. Her best friend Tess convinces her to go on a spiritual retreat to some exclusive place near Joshua Tree, along with her old college friends. And cue “Bodies” by Drowning Pool, because once we’re out there, they start piling up, and in the most gloriously deranged ways! It was exciting, fast-paced and honestly kept me guessing. I thought that I had it figured out too, but alas, I did not. I also really enjoyed Hannah’s sarcasm and sort of bleak outlook on certain things. Looking back at my highlights on my kindle (which I cannot share yet as this is an ARC and not published), I feel like I related to Hannah in some sort of dark ways. I also enjoyed how it makes fun of ridiculous shit in certain circles, like the wellness culture, and rich people who are rich for no reason. It was done well. McAuley obviously touches upon trauma and mental health as well. None of these things are a deep dive, but enough to give this slasher a little bit of substance. Very entertaining. Loved it!

Breathe In Bleed Out is a journey through trauma, rage, and recovery that pulls you in from the very first page. This being my first slasher horror novel has really impressed me, from the way the author portrays the raw and brutal nature of healing to the way he keeps you engaged and wondering what’s next.

This story is centered around a protagonist that is trying to hold her shattered world together after suffering from the loss of someone she loved. She suffers to navigate the guilt, PTSD, addiction and revenge that she is so desperate to “release” from.

If you love a horror book with an emotional twist Breathe in, Bleed out is a must read! The author balances chaos and a meaningful journey of healing while also portraying just how difficult these battles can be. This author does not shy away from life’s hardest realities. Happy reading! : )

Can I just say that I absolutely love this book!!!

The story was of Hannah, a medical intern, who goes to a healing retreat with her friends. There she encounters the grim reality that the retreat wasn't what it appeared to be and her life was in danger!

It was engaging from the very beginning. The combination of horror, mystery, and psychological thriller was capable of giving an interesting feel for the readers.

The presence of a folklore in the name of an old miner was capable of instilling fear in me and there were moments I was confused on how a ghost could be stopped by Hannah.

Another element that made me love this book was the ending. It was totally unpredictable and it's rare when every possible conclusion that we had turned out to be false.

I highly recommend this book. Huge thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me a chance to read such an amazing title 🌷

Within the first two pages you are already saying WTF?!?!

We meet Hannah after a tragic trauma filled moment in her life. She is struggling to get through and finds herself with an addiction to cover the pain. Her thoughtful friend, Tess, invites her on a secluded healing retreat. All hell breaks loose once they arrive.

The author is quick to get your mind all twisted up. You find yourself questioning whether Hannah is crazy? Or heck if you are too? Is something sinister taking place? Or is Hannah just seeing things?

I love a good slasher book. The plot was good and strong until 3/4 of the book. First part I loved. Great build up of Hannah and her issues. Other characters typical slasher personality types. The setting of being secluded away from help in the middle of nowhere. The author getting in your head questioning whether Hannah is plain nuts, fantastic. Scenes where her friends encounter the miner fabulous and explosive. A a quarter of the book to go left me wanting more. Which felt rushed unfortunately to the end. The author set up good scenes leading to what I thought would be more explosive encounters which drizzled to a poof.

Creepy moments, gore, questioning your sanity.... I recommend giving it a read.

Twist after twist kept coming. It's an absolutely scary delight dealing with the horrors of trauma and difficulties of healing.

Hannah's traumatized from the death of her partner and is slowly losing her mind to the survivor guilt. Heavily dependent on drugs after making a mistake she's told to take a break from work. Her college friends invite her on a trip to a relaxation retreat in the desert. But things start to go wrong... Very wrong...

I absolutely loved suspense this book gave and definitely wasn't expecting certain twists. The twists really were twisting and the unmasking of the killer ... 🫣 Well you'll just have to read to find out.

This is definitely a book for lovers of thrillers, and fast paced suspense.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and poison pen press for the E-ARC.

Hannah lost her boyfriend Ben in the wilderness an year ago and she's been lost ever since. So when her friend Tess invites her to go to a wellness retreat, she reluctantly agrees. And when she gets there it feels like she might be actually healing. But then somebody starts killing off her friends one-by-one and she's not sure what is going on anymore. Hannah is struggling to differentiate between what is real and what's in her head. But she must survive this somehow.

I absolutely loved this book! It is an easy read and things move really fast in the wilderness. I think I'm in love with the author's writing style and might pick up some of his other works.
However, there are plot-holes and the ending seems a bit hurried. There are a lot of plot points that never get resolved. Overall it's an enjoyable afternoon read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

. Breathe In, Bleed Out is an entertaining and often darkly funny ride that will likely appeal to fans of the Scream franchise and slasher films in general. The story features sharp, fast-paced dialogue and a twisted sense of humor that permeates many of the character deaths — often framed with a deliciously ironic edge. Depending on your expectations, this tonal blend may be part of the fun or a bit disorienting, as the novel frequently straddles the line between horror and satire.

One of the book's strengths lies in its self-awareness and genre-savvy style, but that same playfulness occasionally undercuts the tension. A key reveal in the final act aims for a Scream-like twist but feels somewhat contrived, lacking the setup needed to make it land with impact. Additionally, the dialogue during the story's falling action stretches believability — particularly if you're reading this expecting a grounded horror narrative rather than a darkly comedic genre mashup.

That said, Breathe In, Bleed Out is a fun and fast-paced read. If you approach it with an appreciation for camp, meta-commentary, and bloody irony, you'll likely enjoy the ride. Just don’t go in expecting a traditional horror experience.

5/5 stars. Thank you to Mr. McAuley, the publisher, and Netgalley for the eARC!

Is this book perfect? No. Is this exactly what every slasher film lover needs to read? Yes. I could picture this being a summer slasher flick a la Scream (with a little more humor added to it).
The way McAuley writes is so easy to read and to visualize. I have other books from him already on my TBR that I'll have to move up. Will I read it again? Definitely. Making this easily a 5/5 for me. Even if the title makes me sing "Machinehead" by Bush every. damn. time.

We follow Hannah, recovering from the death of her fiance Ben, as she finally agrees to go on a trip with her college friends. This trip is to Avidya, a spiritual retreat outside of Joshua Tree. And sometimes the trip is literal... As her friends disappear one by one (in ways that remind me of some sort of crystal-infused <i> Final Destination</i> scenes), Hannah has to figure out if it's all in her head or there really is something going on at Avidya.

For anyone looking for a really fun, quick read that feels like the typical summer slasher movie, this is for you.

If you’re a fan of slasher novels with a delightful twist, "Breathe In, Bleed Out" is a must-read. From the very first page, I was drawn into a world filled with suspense and unexpected turns. The protagonist, Hannah, is incredibly relatable and lovable, making it easy to root for her throughout her harrowing journey.

What sets this novel apart are the intriguing characters that surround Hannah. Each of her friends comes with their own unique quirks, adding depth and humor amidst the dark theme of the story. The author does a fantastic job of developing their personalities, making them memorable and engaging.

The murders are as macabre and gory as any horror fan could hope for, creating a visceral reading experience that kept my heart racing. Just when I thought I had figured out the killer's identity, the plot took an unexpected turn that completely caught me off guard.

Overall, "Breathe In, Bleed Out" is an excellent addition to the slasher genre. It's perfect for those who enjoy a mix of suspense, quirky characters, and a well-executed twist. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and the author, Brian McAuley, for this ARC. The book is released on September 2, 2025. You can get it them from your local bookstore.

Breathe In, Bleed Out was the perfect slasher novel! I was hooked from the start and kept me guessing til the end! This was the first book I have read by Brian McAuley and it won’t be my last. Thank you Camp NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARC of this book.

YESSSS THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED!!! A lil retreat topped with ghost stories and murder! I loved how this book went and getting an amazing final girl moment was even better!!!! The murder scenes were the perfect amount of graphic and I truly felt pulled in and part of the story as I was reading! 10/10 recommend!!!


*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*

I read Breathe In Bleed Out in just two days — I was completely hooked and couldn’t stop thinking about it. From the first chapter, I felt pulled into the main character’s world, and the emotional depth of the story really stuck with me.

Omg and those gory scenes — the trauma, the healing, the quiet strength underneath all the pain. Some scenes hit hard, and others made me pause just to take it all in. It reminded me of I know what you did last summer.

What stood out most for me was how the book showed that healing isn’t a straight path, and that it’s okay to fall apart before rebuilding. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, long after you finish it.

Highly recommended for fans of mystery and thrillers fiction that isn’t afraid to go deep. I’m so grateful for the chance to read this ARC and will be watching closely for what this author writes next.