I really have been enjoying the slasher genre lately. If you like the Scream franchise or any type of movies like that you will enjoy this book. It’s a little bit of a slow build but you see Hannah slowly unraveling in the story and towards the end you don’t know who to believe. I really enjoyed this book and the ending made me have whiplash LOL. Thank you netgalley and poisoned pen press for an e arc!

I like reading dark novels and this one definitely delivered. Even though I enjoyed this book, I still felt something was missing. I think the story felt rushed and underdeveloped in certain aspects. I think the author could have pushed the envelope even more than he did. Overall, the story was fun and demented and it kept engaged and entertained.

I love the cover for this one and was intrigued by the spiritual retreat setting. Being isolated in the desert was also a great idea.

Unfortunately though, this one fell a bit flat for me. There was a lot of cheesy dialogue between very cliche and two dimensional characters. The plot was okay but in my opinion it needed more tension and build up, I wasn't even a bit spooked which was a shame. I also would have liked the opportunity to think around some of the themes myself rather than have everything laid out so plainly. There were quite a few big themes and I think focusing more on one or two might have helped with this allowing more space for subtlety.

Didn't love the ending which felt rushed, random and just meh.

Overall I liked the themes and it was a quick and easy read but didn't quite work for me.

Fantastic summer slasher - everything you want in a thrilling, fun novel.
Combining the indulgence of a smug healing retreat with rusty blood-soaked brutality of a campy horror film, I had a great time reading this. I appreciated the character development, and the theatrical deaths.
An essential read for any slasher fan

ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ ʟᴠʟ: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This would have been 5, but the wrap-up wasn't it for me. Nonetheless, that was some mental gymnastics to throw the reader off.
ᴛʜʀɪʟʟ ʟᴠʟ: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Starting from the beginning, the story sets up a highly suspenseful atmosphere and maintains it. The storytelling was delivered at a pace that was perfect for a slasher thriller genre. It made me paranoid about all the little things the characters did. However, it did not last after things resolved.

Final rating: 4⭐️
Really had high hopes for this one to be my first 5-star read this year. Nonetheless, it's a really fun read and would recommend for lovers of psychological, slasher thrillers. Also, thanks Netgalley for including this on #CampNetgalley 🫶🏻

Was very enjoyable didn’t know spect all the twist and endings. Would definitely recommend to others

Oh my god. I could not put this book down. From the first page I was hooked. It’s got everything of the classic twisty slasher trope that I absolutely love. The kills were clever and over the top. Figuring out who was the one orchestrating it all was written beautifully. This is clearly written from one horror fan to another, and because of that I am now a Brian McAuley fan.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Midsommar meets Scream in this twisted, blood-soaked thrill ride set in the sun-bleached wilds of Joshua Tree. Brian McAuley blends wellness culture, ghostly trauma, and slasher horror into a chilling, fast-paced story that’s as unhinged as it is addictive. Hannah’s descent into paranoia and survival is both gripping and gory—perfect for fans of cult vibes and killer retreats. Just don’t get too relaxed… nothing is as zen as it seems.

This book was straight up *amazing*. As a fan of slashers, this book ticked all the right boxes. I don't want to categorize it as "just" a slasher either; there's so much more to this book than just popcorn thriller kills. McAuley did a great job of throwing out red herrings without being obvious about it - to the point where I suspected all of them but also was completely surprised by the big reveal. It's a masterful job in storytelling and just so much fun to read in general. I love the take on toxic positivity and wellness and spirituality steeped in capitalism, not to mention the blatant callout of cultural appropriation that we see so many "gurus" guilty of. This book surprised me at every turn and is definitely one that will stick with me. I would absolutely love to see it made into a slasher movie - with the right team, it would be an awesome adaptation. Even though I know how it goes, this is a book I plan to buy and return to again and again when the mood strikes. I'm also set on checking out the rest of McAuley's works now, as I am very intrigued and want to read more!

I read this book in practically one sitting, I could not put it down! We follow Hannah and her group of friends on a wellness retreat to work through their traumas and relax. But it turns out this trip will be anything but relaxing.

I really enjoyed following these characters, however unlikeable some of them were. I was living for the drama and loved determining what was real and what Hannah may or may not have been hallucinating. The atmosphere was eerie and there were plenty of twists and turns that took me by surprise.

However, I was disappointed by the ending and felt it did a disservice to the story. Besides this, I really enjoyed this book and would be excited to read more of this authors work!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher to access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 ⭐️

i devoured this book in two sittings, literally stayed up till 1 am. to finish it, and when i finally slept, it gave me nightmares. that’s how intense and immersive it was. i genuinely enjoyed every bit of it. it was fast-paced, full of tension, and had me flipping through the pages.

the writing style stood out to me the most, there’s something oddly beautiful about how the author describes even the most brutal kills. it’s poetic and seamless, almost artistic, and honestly? i’m soooo jealous of that talent. 😮‍💨

the way the main character’s trauma was portrayed felt incredibly real and thoughtfully done. it didn’t feel overdone or rushed, it unfolded naturally and added real emotional weight to the story.

pacing-wise, it was perfect. the kills were graphic and intense, and that final twist? completely caught me off guard.

if you enjoy horror tropes done well, think: a remote setting, eerie locals, complicated friendships, and a killer on the loose, this book delivers on all fronts. bloody, fun, and unforgettable. 🩸

I cannot stress just how much I loved this book. It’s tropey, it’s camp and it’s PERFECT.
I love slashers so much.
I read this as a NetGalley eARC and as soon as it is released I am buying g a shelf trophy. This will be on my favourites list at the end year- mark my words.

Sigh. Another author who should have just written a screenplay. Not that this would have been anything special as a horror movie (plot-wise, it’s… weak) but it at least might have been fun. This is a real drag. I really dislike stories where something from the main character’s past is kept secret for most of the book and there’s an implication that what they’ve done is really bad, and then it’s revealed in the end they did absolutely nothing wrong. Maybe that could work with a character I really loved and felt for, but Hannah was so irritating that the reveal of her innocence just made her more boring.

I think the mystery could have been better set up and the red herrings/mini-twists were truly just stupid. I didn’t care for one single second about any of the characters and their one-liners were infuriatingly dumb (“I’m an empath” is trying soooooo hard to be like Bodies Bodies Bodies or something of that ilk and it just doesn’t work!) I did appreciate how gory this was and how excellently the murders were described (very cinematic!) so that probably makes this a 1.5 star. Overall I very much did not enjoy myself.

I love a good slasher book, and this one was absolutely fabulous! In true slasher fashion, the rules don't always apply (sorry, Scream), and just when you think you know what is going to happen next, you probably don't. I loved the creative and gory ways people were killed, and I appreciated the setting, which is a remote wellness retreat. I am looking forward to reading more by Brian McAuley because this one hit the mark!

I was very hooked in the beginning. There's definitely enough twists and turns to keep reading. (Spoilers) However, I did feel that the ending felt a little "cliche" when it's revealed who is behind it all and how Tess is apparently indestructible. Enjoyed the read and appreciate the advanced copy approval!

Woah? No Spoilers of course but I was so shocked by the reveal of this killer. Honestly might be the first time it's happened in a book. Also the setting was so Unique also reminds me of a film coming out soon "Find your friends” which i’m hoping will give
me the same feels this book die. If you like films like Cabin fever or Friday the 13th (2009) you’ll love this. so PLEASE race to get your copies on September 2nd.

Grieving the death of her fiancé Ben (in some type of snowy ourdoorsy incident) a year ago and addicted to Xanax to a career-endangering point, Hannah agrees to go on a “wellness” retreat with her friends to a mysterious, exclusive spa in Joshua Tree.
Hannah is seeing Ben not only in her nightmares but is hallucinating him in her waking hours and hopes a relaxing weekend will help her reset her mental health.
The retreat is in a remote location with no cell service, no electricity, no plumbing. They won’t even let them keep their phones . No way anything will go wrong, right?
I don’t want to give anything away, but this is the point where the novel turns into classic horror movie type slasher, and the idyllic getaway becomes a fight for survival.
Is the killer the weirdly psychic guru Pax, the indigenous assistant Kimi, the ghost of gold miner Waylon Barlow,,or could it be one of her friends?
#BreatheInBleedOut has all the elements of a perfect slasher: imperfect, relatable characters, humor, and thrilling kills. Maybe don’t take it as your quiet holiday read, though, unless you want to be constantly looking over your shoulder and wondering if everyone you see is plotting to murder you.
My suggested taglines:
The sound bath will be a blood bath!
Instead of meditation, decapitation!
They came for inner peace, they’ll leave in pieces!
Favorite dialogue: “Their love language is Lies of Omission.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so good! I am a HUGE fan of horror so if you are not a fan, do not read this book. This book took me a little bit to read because it genuinely left me unsettled! I had to sit in my car in silence once I finished it. I felt like throughout the book I kept saying "wait what" in the best way possible. I will say I am usually skeptical about a male author writing from a woman's POV but my goodness Brian McAuley DID THAT. This was my first book written by him and I can confidently say I am a stan. I will be recommending this book to my book club to read for October as well as recommending it to absolutely anyone who likes horror.

This book tells the story of Hannah, a medical intern trying to move forward with her life after the tragic death of her boyfriend, Ben. Struggling with anxiety and depression that are starting to interfere with her work, she takes the advice of her best friend, Tess, and joins her on a spiritual retreat. They're accompanied by three old college friends: Jared, Luna and Miles.

The retreat is exactly the kind of place that white people obsessed with healing, enlightenment, and spirituality tend to flock to. It's isolated, completely cut off from the outside world, has no electricity, and is run by a host who spouts inspirational phrases like a modern-day guru blending a dozen religions and cultures into one. The goal? To make participants feel unique and on the verge of some never-before-seen journey of self-discovery.

Things start to unravel when Hannah, who seemed to be haunted by her boyfriend’s memory, begins to see visions of a masked man lurking around the retreat. Or maybe... something else is going on?


My thoughts:

I have to admit I’m not exactly the biggest fan of slasher films. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I watched one. When it comes to horror, whether in books or on screen, I tend to lean more toward monsters or the paranormal. So even though I was in the mood for something a little scarier, the slasher label didn’t exactly get me excited. But what a pleasant surprise this turned out to be!

Yes, it sticks pretty closely to the classic slasher formula (think Scream), and no, most of the twists aren’t exactly unexpected. But there’s something about it - maybe the narrative voice, maybe the characters, maybe the writing itself - that pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages. Before I knew it, two hours had passed and I hadn’t even realized.

Also, I have to say: I was first drawn in by the cover, and it absolutely delivers. It looks like the poster of an old-school horror movie in the best possible way.


What I liked:
• Hannah’s character development
• The way the story touches on important topics like cultural appropriation, sexism, and the erasure of Indigenous peoples
• Its attention to mental health

What I didn’t like:
• Some scenes felt too short or rushed, especially the more suspenseful ones, which could’ve used a bit more buildup


Final thoughts…

I had an amazing time! Breathe In, Bleed Out was such a gem. I went in expecting a decent read and ended up with a full-on ride that kept me hooked from start to finish. I’ll definitely be checking out more of Brian McAuley’s work.

What a fun read! This book was like a scary movie brought to life. I was fully engaged from start to finish and didn’t want to stop reading. It had everything I love in a good horror story: tension, suspense, and just the right amount of creepiness to keep me on edge without being over the top.

The plot centers around a group of estranged friends, each bringing their own baggage, with one character in particular hiding a backstory that unfolds slowly throughout the book. The setup is classic: a secluded get-away meant to reconnect and relax, but of course, things start to go very wrong very quickly.

The suspense builds in all the right places, and the spooky atmosphere had me second-guessing everything. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing, and I loved the pacing, it never felt like it dragged. If you’re a fan of slasher films or enjoy horror stories with strong cinematic vibes, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and author Brian McAuley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this e-book. All opinions shared are my own.