This was an okay read for me. I really don't enjoy when there is romance in horror b0oks. I was expecting more horror in this one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

I was given an advanced copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Veil is an atmospheric work of gothic horror that incorporates the genre’s most compelling hallmarks: a solitary heroine, a crumbling ancestral estate, and a lingering sense of dread. The author skillfully evokes the tradition’s classic motifs while infusing them with a contemporary perspective, resulting in a narrative that feels both enduring and original.

Veil is a haunting exploration of legacy, trauma, and the ghosts we inherit — both literal and metaphorical. Gothic horror aficionados will find much to admire in Clulow’s work, and new readers to the genre may find it an ideal introduction.

The suitcase acts as a real-life veil, concealing the emotional struggles Suze faces, just as her mother, Emma (introduced in Chapter 1), concealed hers. Both mother and daughter seem to have locked away their true selves from the world, creating a metaphorical veil that hides deep pain.

Emma, once married in the opening chapter, ended up in a mental institution. Suze appears to be on a similar path, as if repeating history. The veil becomes a powerful symbol, connecting past and present. This is especially vivid when the narrator descends into Klegger Dhu and feels the trauma of her mother’s past, including the violence from her grandfather.

Suze’s bond with Harlan is heartwarming, and his support of the narrator is sincere. In contrast, the narrator seems too quick to accept Hislop’s plan to restore the house. Suze’s grandfather’s cruelty—using his own daughter in electroshock experiments—is heart-wrenching. Ava, while well-meaning, is misguided, and the dual wedding dresses reveal Emma’s love for her partner, Samantha, which I was really surprised by.

The ending felt slightly abrupt; one or two more chapters exploring Suze’s life with children or her relationship with Ava could have provided more closure. Still, the story is thought-provoking and will linger in my mind.

Through the Veil and Into the Chills

This haunting, poetic mystery wrapped me in goosebumps as I followed a veil-cloaked dive into secrets, sorrow, and the kind of ghostly revelations that linger long after the last page.

Veil is a haunting and atmospheric horror romance that blends ghostly echoes of the past with a deeply personal journey of emotional awakening. The story unfolds through a mysterious wedding veil that lets the protagonist glimpse the dark secrets of her family's history, and it’s just the right mix of eerie and heartbreaking. I loved how the suspense kept building with every flicker of the veil’s visions—it made me feel like I was right there in that crumbling house, desperate to know the truth. This was one of those reads that stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

Clulow has such visual and poetic writing, especially for the setting descriptions. I did miss some more character arcs and explorations. I didn’t particularly relate to the main character. I did like the symbolism featured throughout, and the psychological aspects.

A mixed one for me, I did enjoy it and it was super spooky but I just didn’t find the characters enjoyable.
A good read, I think I just wanted a bit more.

A haunted veil + family secrets + one emotionally blocked woman = OMG YES PLEASE! 😱💀 I tore through Veil like it was a cursed love letter I wasn’t supposed to read. The vibes are spooky, the romance is tragic, and the drama? Top tier! The veil shows her the past, but also shows us just how messed up and magnetic a ghost story can be. It’s romantic, twisted, and totally addictive. You like your love stories with a side of dread and dead people? This one’s for you. 🕯️💘👀

This book was listed under romance and while that was certainly a theme, it was a pretty tough emotional read. I didn't love any of the characters really and I didn't think it truly dove into Suze's emotional trauma well enough even though it pointed it out throughout the whole book. It was an enjoyable read, but I felt it could have done a better job exploring themes of grief and Suze's behaviors.