Shivers and Thrills is the perfect cozy fall read. Light hearted and fun will still having a handful of serious beats, this book stars a poly relationship of James, his husband Vitorre, and Vitorre's boyfriend Kurama.

Vitorre is experiencing self-doubt and is struggling in his position as Prince of Thrills so he goes seeking new forms of fear which is how he meets James. Together they tour the rest of the Kingdoms to learn more about different forms of fear and deepen their relationship as they get to know each other.

This book was sweet and fast - absolutely worth the read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the Arc

I didn’t expect to get through this so quickly since the writing style isn’t usually my go-to, but the mix of drama and humor made it impossible to put down.

The story is wonderfully strange—odd creatures and appearances that range from funny to creepy—yet it all comes together in a way that’s surprisingly entertaining. It's a great cozy Halloween romance/ autumnal romance read. Vittore, the “Prince of Thrills,” was especially fun to follow. His failed attempts at being scary (reminds me of Sully) and his run-ins with James, the corpse who changes everything, were equal parts hilarious and oddly heartfelt.

What I loved most is that it’s not just about romance, but also about adventure, identity, and figuring out what really matters. The character dynamics—especially with Kurama’s cool detachment—kept things fresh, and the kingdom-hopping added plenty of excitement.

Overall, this book is quirky, dramatic, funny, and unexpectedly warmhearted. It made me laugh out loud more than once, and I’m grateful to the author (and NetGalley!) for such an entertaining read.

I wanted to enjoy this, the concept and summary sound really fun, but it's just not for me. The writing feels quite stilted and the plot did not draw me in at all.

ARC review

I went into this book with the thought that it would be a light read with lots of fun. I'm sad to say that this book was a miss for me. The concept and the plot did appeal to me, but once I started reading that wore off. I felt like the book being promoted as a whimsical and humorous read was what ended up throwing me off, because I didn't experience it like that. I wasn't drawn in at all and it honestly feels like such a shame.

The relationship between Vittore and James feels very off as they have completely different views on what makes a relationship and it clashes a lot. It started off well, but then not sure how to word it it just didn't develop well. Their relationship just seems toxic. Vittore frequently states that he will manipulate James so that he'll do or say what he wants and that just rubbed me the wrong way. James is not really better either as he manipulates by withholding thoughts, feelings etc and does so to keep Vittore "happy". I don't really feel like their issues were resolved at the end either.

Thank you A.C. Harrah and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect book for the spooky season! This was such a good read, and I laughed so much reading this.


There was a few times I struggled to read it, as it was a bit on the corny side with jokes. While I laughed, there was that fine line between funny and corny

✨Arc Review✨
Thank you to the author A.C Harrah for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

-All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fast-Paced, Chilling, and Surprisingly Addictive

Shivers & Thrills by A.C. Harrah is a collection (or a singular story — depending on the structure) that truly lives up to its name. Packed with eerie moments, unsettling twists, and an undercurrent of psychological tension, this book makes for an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read — especially for fans of horror and suspense who are looking for something that doesn’t demand too much time but still delivers a punch.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its readability. Harrah’s writing is fluid, straightforward, and accessible, which makes the book incredibly easy to fall into. It’s a quick read — not because it lacks substance, but because it’s genuinely hard to put down once you start. The pacing is tight, with just enough buildup to keep you invested and enough payoff to make each moment worth it.

There’s a nice balance of “classic horror” vibes with a more modern storytelling style. While some elements might feel familiar to seasoned horror readers, they’re executed with a fresh energy that keeps the experience from feeling predictable. Harrah knows how to build tension without over-explaining, which adds to the suspense and allows your imagination to do some of the work — always a good sign in this genre.

That said, there were moments where I wanted just a bit more development — either in the characters or the setting — to deepen the emotional impact. A few scenes could’ve benefited from a slower burn or more detail to really heighten the sense of dread. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise compelling read.

Overall, Shivers & Thrills is a solid four-star experience. It’s entertaining, atmospheric, and perfect for those times when you want a dose of horror without committing to something too heavy. Whether you're reading it in one sitting on a rainy afternoon or sneaking in a chapter before bed, it's the kind of book that stays with you — in all the best creepy ways.

🧛 Vampire romance / paranormal romance — Vittore is a vampire and has supernatural duties and lifestyle.

⚰️ Undead / Corpse partner — James is an animated corpse who becomes Vittore’s partner.

💍 Marriage of convenience / Impulsive marriage — Vittore marries James more or less on a whim or in an impulsive moment.

🌍 Worldbuilding with supernatural realms — Different kinds of frightful creatures, kingdoms, weird “World of Frightful Things.”

😈 Identity / Reputation crisis — Vittore is dealing with his loss of flair in scaring humans and what that means for his title “Prince of Thrills.”

⚠️ Jealousy & polyamory — There is mention of jealousy/relationship dynamics in polyamorous representation.

😆 Macabre humor / Tone: playful + spooky — The story strikes a balance of eerie, weird, macabre elements mixed with humor.

🛤️ Adventure & self‑discovery journey — Vittore travels to other kingdoms, grapples with what it means to cause terror, learns what matters.

The concept was good but I don't think it was executed as effectively as I hoped.
I did enjoy how silly it was, a nice break from most of the books that I read.
It was cozy and perfect to start the fall season off.
I did enjoy it for the most part and love LGBTQIA+ Representation.

I struggled with this one, I didn't dislike it but I did struggle with it. I found the concept interesting, but it just didn't pull me in. However if you like a fun paranormal read then this is definitely a book for you.

Shivers & Thrills promises whimsy with a touch of macabre in this cozy paranormal romance.
Vittore, vampire and Prince of Thrills, goes on sabbatical to fix his creative block. Finds an undead husband instead.
I found the concept interesting, but the writing style just didn’t click for me.
Perfect if you’re looking for a cozy and fast-paced paranormal romance without spice.

If you thought weddings were complicated, wait until you dive into Shivers & Thrills. A. C. Harrah takes the idea of “till death do us part” and twists it into a witty, gothic celebration of love, identity, and the odd places where we find both.
The book balances playfulness with sincerity: on one side, a clever meditation on what it means to thrill and inspire, and on the other, a delightfully offbeat romance that is oddly touching, even when it wanders into the bizarre.
Harrah’s style is sharp and light-footed, the kind of writing that makes you grin at one line and pause thoughtfully at the next. It’s not a heavy read—it’s the sort of story that makes you smile at its strangeness while quietly sneaking in a few truths about connection and self-discovery.
In short:
A charming, gothic romp with brains, heart, and a wicked sense of humor. Perfect for readers who like their stories both quirky and tender.

NetGalley ARC. Playfully dark, Tim-Burton-esque world. Vittore the vampire scares humans to power his land, but after a string of failed scares, he takes a break to travel to other lands and discover new ways to scare humans. He impulsively marries a corpse (NOT a zombie) he finds in the ground, hoping that marriage will provide some terrors, and they learn about each other as they travel. To give you an idea of the world, Vittore also has a boyfriend who is a bird, and an ex-girlfriend who is a gorgon.

Really creative world, cool inventions, fun ideas. The characters could have been a bit deeper and the writing a bit sharper but overall the originality made it a fun read. 3.5 rounded up to 4!

The concept of this book was charming, and I expected (and got) something rather silly. My issues are with the execution. Vittore's character is goofy but also shallow, and the other inhabitants of The World of Frightful Things are equally sketchily drawn. The plot is thin and the world-building vague. I enjoy a fluffy paranormal romance very much, when deftly written, but this one couldn't hold my attention. I didn't finish it.

This was a fun read! I love reading books with the perfect Halloween vibes but add lgbtq+ characters and it gets even better

I don’t usually read LGBTQIAP+ romance, so I was a little unsure at first, but Shivers & Thrills turned out to be a refreshing surprise. A.C. Harrah delivers a story that is playful, irreverent, and full of macabre humour without ever becoming melodramatic. The dynamic between Vittore, the vampire prince, and James, his unlikely partner, is both absurd and oddly endearing.

What I appreciated most is that the book offers a light and entertaining way into a genre I’m not typically drawn to — bold, funny, and unapologetically queer, yet never heavy-handed. A quirky, fun read that makes the spooky feel silly in the best possible way.

Fun, fast-paced romance involving a vampire and a member of the undead (but not a zombie) who're newly met and married. As they try to figure out how to balance excitement, fear and their relationship, they have some delightfully silly adventures. Harrah manages to write a romance that is simultaneously kinky and closed-door, which I enjoyed immensely.

Phew—I finished it!! Honestly, I didn’t expect to read it this fast considering the writing style isn’t usually my thing, BUT the author’s mix of dramatic and humorous narration made it impossible to stop.

This is, to be honest, a weird story. The creatures are weird, their names are hard to remember, and their physical appearances are definitely strange (and sometimes scary!)—but somehow it all works. Weirdly entertaining is the best way to describe it!

I especially loved Vittore’s way of thinking. The story follows him, a vampire who’s named the Prince of Thrills because his greatest joy was scaring humans in the “Mundane World.” But when his tricks stop working and people find him funny instead of scary (a little Monsters Inc. vibe here!), his whole world flips upside down. The scene where he stumbles on a corpse with one hand raised above the grave—let me just say, it’s both hilarious and ridiculously dramatic. From there, the story spirals into the strangest (and funniest) proposal I’ve ever read.

While Vittore sets out with the goal of mastering fear again, what he really learns is that chasing “scary” moments isn’t worth it if it means losing James, the corpse who unexpectedly changes everything for him. And that’s what made me love this story—it’s not just about romance, but also about adventure, identity, and learning what matters most. Their journey through other kingdoms was entertaining, and the conflicts between characters felt believable rather than just added drama.

I also really liked Kurama’s cool indifference and how his interactions added to the dynamics between Vittore and James. That said, I’ll admit this: MMM/polyamory isn’t really my favorite trope, and I honestly wish there had been a content warning about it because I don’t usually read that. But aside from that, this book still managed to make me laugh, smile, and enjoy the ride.

Overall, it’s unique, silly, dramatic, and oddly heartwarming. Thank you to the author for making me laugh, and to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I found this story to be very unique and quirky. It has humor, character development, story progression and covers dark subjects.

This was a very fun book to read. The story will take you on a journey through different realms/worlds such as a world of tricksters and a world of sirens and mermaids. I loved how each world was unique along with its inhabitants.

Vittore and James are still learning so much about one another and during that time, they start to butt heads. I loved seeing James learn to speak up for himself more and it was heartbreaking to hear what lead to James animated corpse state.

🧛M/M Relationship
🧛Polyamorous Representation
🧛Quirky Humor
🧛Worlds Built on different kinds of Fear
🧛Character Development
🧛Self Reflection

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book *all thoughts and opinions are my own*

This was a really fun book! It was silly and goofy and didn’t take itself too seriously.
I really enjoyed the setting and the different places the characters visited.
It was nice to see a polyamorous relationship represented and exploring the jealousy that can occur within these relationships.
It was also an interesting look at burnout but in a no serious setting- the main character has lost his flair for scaring.
Overall I enjoyed this book and it reminded me a bit of the nightmare before Christmas!

In the World of Frightful Things, Vittore the vampire loves anything frightening and thrilling, and holds the title of Prince of Thrills, but when his attempts at frightening fails, he decides to take a sabbatical to find his confidence and motivation again. A spur-of-the-moment decision sees him married to the gorgeous animated corpse that is James, and together they go on a journey that is part honeymoon and part soul-searching.

This was a fun and wimsical romp, where you never knew what was going to be around the next corner, or where the plot was going to go (in a good way). Loveable characters with their own flaws, an interesting unexpected world which made sense within its own parameters while still being something I, at least, had not encountered before. I especially loved the healthy and un-apologetic display of polyamory and how to navigate jealousy within polyamorous relationships.

The only thing that bothered me with the book was that while it was great that the story had a large amount of different types of ‘monsters’ from different cultures, their apperances were generally not described, but rather expected of the reader to know, so I ended up needing to google some of them to be able to picture them in my head. It wasn’t a big problem, just the only thing I could fault the book with.

I think this book would be great for anyone who likes the spooky and the weird, or who wants to explore a cool new world. It’s also good for anyone who wants to see good polyamorous representation and see partners help each other grow. I would not recommend it to children as there are some slightly spicy bits, but it’s an easy to read story that moves at a nice pace and gives you many surprises.

I received a free digital ARC copy of this book for reviewing from the author A. C. Harrah and their publisher Independent via Netgalley, which I am very thankful for. However, my review is based on my honest opinions.

This was a unique concept for a paranormal romance novel, it was everything that I was looking for from the description and of the cover. I was engaged from the first page and enjoyed getting to know Vittore and James, I enjoyed the use of vampires and zombies. I thought it uses the fear of losing their ability to scare humans. A.C. Harrah was able to write a strong storyline and was a unique concept.