Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I love a spooky forest story and this book definitely delivered on the spooky forest. 

The story itself was different from what I expected it to be, but I did enjoy it. 

The characters were not very likeable, which was unfortunate. I also wish the ending was a bit more satisfying.

The twist were very predictable, I think the book overall read more YA despite the MC being 23. 

It also felt like the story was trying to say something about beauty/ beauty standards/ aging, but it never really added up to a coherent message.

I would recommend this if you're looking for an atmospheric creepy forest story.

First of all thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

“The Forest Of Missing Girls” sank it’s roots deep into me and didn’t let go!

★★★★★

This was my first book by Nichelle Giraldes and I found myself captivated by her writing. The story holds an atmosphere that is both dark and unsettling while also feeling tender and empowering.
It blends mystery with something deeper, more morbid and mysterious. Yet at the heart of it, it’s about identity, survival, and carving out who you are and want to be when the world tries to shape you into something else.

I know this one will stick with me and haunt me in the best way possible.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ /5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

With my recent love of the botanical horror genre, this book’s description on NetGalley immediately caught my attention and I knew I had to put down my current read to dive into this one the moment my request got approved. And it’s safe to say I was NOT disappointed!! This book was such a captivating, fascinating read as someone who loves some of these darker topics covered throughout this book.

One of my absolute favourite things about this book was the dual POV. I thought it was absolutely brilliant how we don’t truly know who the secondary POV is until a good chunk of the way through the book. I’ve never read a book where that has been done before and I thought it was such a unique element that worked perfectly with the story.

While the plot of this book was phenomenal, there were a few things I didn’t love that make this book a 4 rather and a 5 star rating, in my opinion. Firstly, I didn’t really LOVE any of the characters. I liked Evie quite a bit, but everyone else kind of fell flat — or the parts of characters I liked weren’t explored as deeply as I would have preferred. I also didn’t love the ending of the book. While it wasn’t horrible by any means, I wish it was more… impactful, I guess? Without spoiling anything specifically, I will say that I wished the missing girls were able to get revenge for themselves rather than someone else doing it for them.

Overall, this book was a great read and it’s absolutely worth it simply for how brilliantly the story unfolds by the use of the dual POV.

5 ⭐️ - This was such a fun, creepy read that had me covered in goosebumps, unable to put the book down. I was hooked.

Things I liked-

- This book combined elements of murder-mystery, Blair Witch and Frankenstein all wrapped up into a very interesting story.
- There was enough mystery throughout the book that kept you engaged and needing to know more, without leaving huge plot holes or loose ends.
- You could feel the forest watching you throughout this book. Such a cool setting that really brought out the ominous terror.

Things I didn’t like-

I genuinely can’t think of a thing. I was thoroughly entertained all throughout the story. There should probably be another edit pass. But mostly everything was polished!

Thank you NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC! I really loved this story!

The Forest of Missing Girls was so much more than I could have imagined! From the setting of the woods in contrast to the bustle of LA, the world the story sets up a moody and foreboding feeling right from the get go.

The plot was unique and the characters were well fleshed out. I didn’t have high expectations for this one with the title being so basic but I’m pleasantly surprised. The only thing that could have made this more interesting to me is if there were some POV moments from Mother. Her character was interesting and seeing through her eyes would have added a bit more.

Excellent book! I could not put this down

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I definitely wasn't expecting the horror aspect to this story, and it was a refreshing surprise! I was glad that I found myself rooting for the main character and her sister, because I usually have a hard time relating to characters.

The mother was very unlikeable... And only somewhat redeemed herself IMO. There's definitely a lot of generational trauma to unpack here.

This was such a unique book and I loved it so much!! I would describe it as a dark fairytale with a bit of magical realism. The atmosphere was dark and kept me super intrigued throughout the whole book.

When Lea heads back home to live with her family after a bad break up, her sister’s best friend goes missing in the woods directly behind their home. The same woods that have taken numerous girls over the years.

Lia suspects that her mom knows more about the forest and what is going on. As Lea investigates where these girls have gone, she gets WAY more than she bargained for!

Thanks to NetGalley, author Nichelle Giraldes and Poisoned Pen publishing for the ARC and opportunity to honestly review this book.

The author is new to me. I chose to request this book because of the title and the short synopsis. It sounded like it would thrilling with some horror attached.

While a good part of the book was creepy, it was just too far fetched. I was at 8% in when I figured out a good portion of the ‘twist’ and just kinda kept reading to see where the author would take it.

I don’t mind a bit of fantasy in a book and I feel this had so much more potential to earn it more stars. I truly believe in the healing powers of being out in nature, but this just went too far.

I would not have continued to read if it wasn’t an ARC. I gave it 2 stars because the premise surrounding missing girls was great, it just seemed to fall apart from there.

2⭐️⭐️

Rating: Great (4.25 stars)

In short: The Forest of Missing Girls is a dark fable for adults, with depth, raw emotion, and a chilling atmosphere. It’s not an easy, breezy read, it demands your attention, but it absolutely rewards it. The horror lingers, the writing enchants, and the story will stick with me for a long time.

Ooh, forests! I have such a soft spot for stories set in the woods, there's always this eerie, atmospheric vibe, no matter the genre. And this book absolutely delivers on that front. The forest feels alive and breathing, the perfect backdrop for this dark, unsettling horror story.

One of the first things that stood out was how the protagonist isn’t named right away. That might seem like a small detail, but on an e-reader it means you can’t just flip back to the blurb to remind yourself. Still, it ends up working in favor of the story, it creates a sense of distance, a slow burning mystery. Who is this woman? What we do know is that she’s relatable, especially to anyone who's ever had to start over.

This was my first time reading anything by this author, but wow, what a strong, immersive writing style. It’s vivid and descriptive, with subtle nods to Grimm’s fairy tales. The narrative almost feels like a dark fable, a modern myth. It gave me similar vibes to Her Soul to Take, especially in terms of atmosphere, the looming forest, the hidden threats… I loved it.

The sibling dynamics, especially with a big age gap, hit me right in the heart. As the eldest daughter with much younger siblings myself, I recognized so many of the emotions described, the sense of responsibility, distance and connection. The mother daughter relationship, too, is riddled with tension and a quiet sense of something being… not quite right.

The setting feels very current, post-COVID, with familiar references to work, social life, and the general sense of navigating a changed world. At the same time, the book carries a depth that makes it more demanding than a typical thriller. Every detail matters, and that means this isn’t a quick or light read. It asks for focus and rewards it.

By the halfway mark, I was deep in my own theories, always a sign of good storytelling. My mind was racing with possibilities, some of them more correct than others.

Some scenes are genuinely disturbing. I don’t get queasy easily from books, but this one made me feel things, and not always in a good way. Again, I mean that as a compliment: the horror is visceral, lingering, and effective. I even found myself wondering what inspired the author, the coldness, the twisted ‘perfection’, it evoked comparisons to the dehumanizing cruelty of real life medical atrocities. I wouldn’t be surprised if this book gave readers nightmares, it’s that vivid and unsettling. I had a nightmare or two.

The build up to the climax is excellent and kept me glued to the pages. Unfortunately, I do feel like the major plot twist came a little too early, which slightly deflated the tension in the final chapters. That said, the ending is still strong, disturbing, thought provoking and open enough to hint at a possible sequel. Which, honestly, I would read in a heartbeat, no matter how disturbed I was by this one.

The forest itself deserves special mention. Its portrayal as a living entity, almost sacred in the way it echoes Native American spirituality, without it was ever mentioned, is beautifully done. There's something magical about how the author breathes life into it, eerie and beautiful at once. It’s the kind of atmosphere that can only come from an American setting, and it left me in awe.

Ophelia and her boyfriend break up, which inspires her to return home for a few months. From the moment she arrives, though, her mother’s comments about her appearance and life make her feel like she shouldn’t have come. Her sister is there too, and that’s why she decides to stay.

The next thing we know, one of her sister’s friends has gone missing. And that’s very bad news in their town because whenever a girl goes missing by the woods, she’s missing forever.

That‘s pretty much all I can tell you without giving spoilers. However, I’ve read thousands of thrillers and horror novels, and I have to say that this one does something that no other book ever has. It’s shocking and uncomfortable, but it never crossed certain lines (that I kind of wanted to see the author cross). This one will stay with me for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

A really great read. There were a lot of aspects that I was not expecting, which I enjoyed, and the concept was interesting and fresh.

I’m a sucker for a story with creepy woods. If creepy woods exists as its own sub genre, it’s my favorite. This story keeps you entranced and on the edge of your seat. Each time you have a guess a new thing is thrown in and you’re back to wondering what’s going on.

If you love stories that blend haunting atmospheres with gripping mysteries, The Forest of Missing Girls by Nichelle Giraldis is a book you won’t want to miss! This atmospheric novel whisks you away to a small town shrouded in secrets, where every shadow seems to hide a story waiting to be uncovered. The story follows a determined protagonist who delves into the chilling disappearances of girls in the surrounding woods, uncovering tangled truths that threaten to swallow her whole. Giraldis paints a vivid picture of the eerie forest—creepy trees whispering secrets, shadows lurking just beyond sight—and keeps the suspense simmering throughout. The characters are compelling, each with their own scars and motives, making their interactions feel authentic and intense. What I loved most was the way the story kept me guessing—just when I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist popped up! The pacing is tight, full of suspenseful moments that made it hard to put down. The author also weaves in themes of friendship, trust, and confronting fears, which adds depth beyond the mystery. A couple of plot points could have been more fleshed out, but overall, The Forest of Missing Girls delivers a thrilling ride into the unknown. Perfect for fans of atmospheric crime thrillers and dark secrets hiding in the woods. I’m giving it 4 stars for its engaging storytelling, creepy vibe, and the edge-of-your-seat mystery.