⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

I’m not sure what I expected from the blurb of this book but this cool, fascinating and quite frankly creepy story wasn’t it, I was surprised in the best way.

This is a real page turner, the last 20% had me in a chokehold and I couldn’t put it down! The unexpected twists are the best part of the book.

What I loved:
- I liked Dusty as a main character, she acted like I think any 17 year old would if they suddenly woke up as a monster.
- the creepy atmospheric setting is described so well.

I’m already looking forward to the next instalment, hopefully we can hear more of Sarah’s story as we continue Dusty’s adventure. This ends on a fascinating cliffhanger and I need to know what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I wasn't certain what to anticipate from the book's summary, but this captivating, intriguing, and somewhat unsettling narrative exceeded my expectations in the best possible way.

The book's unique tone and unexpected twists made it a compelling page-turner. I was thoroughly engaged and enjoyed it immensely. The cliffhanger ending has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Ruby Jean Cottle has crafted a truly captivating and original story in Black River. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into Dusty's world, a world both familiar and unsettlingly strange. The blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance is expertly woven together, creating a unique and thrilling reading experience unlike anything I've encountered lately.

Dusty is a wonderfully relatable protagonist. Her desire to escape into books and the wilderness resonated deeply, and watching her navigate the confusing changes happening to her was both fascinating and heartbreaking. The mystery surrounding her transformations kept me constantly guessing, and the hints of darker forces at play added a layer of suspense that had me eagerly turning the pages.

And then there's Will! The quiet and mysterious love interest immediately captured my attention. The connection between Dusty and Will is palpable, and the added element of a thirst beyond mere attraction adds an intriguing and slightly dangerous edge to their relationship.

Cottle's writing is beautifully descriptive, bringing the setting of Black River to life. I could almost feel the earth beneath my feet and smell the scent of the forest. The pacing is perfect, balancing moments of quiet introspection with heart-pounding action and suspense.

Black River is more than just a genre-bending YA novel, it's a story about self-discovery, embracing the unknown, and fighting for what you love. I was completely invested in Dusty's journey, and I'm already eagerly anticipating the next installment in this promising series. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance who are looking for something fresh and exciting!

This one’s going on the favourites list!

Black River is a modern day sci-fi fantasy (light on the sci-fi) with a splash of horror. It follows Dusty, a 17 year old who one week starts going through some weird changes that make her question who she is. She has a hunger she can barely control, especially around Will who she just started to connect with.

The writing of this book absolutely sucked me in. Dusty's connection with the land and the world around her to quite literally ground herself felt visceral in the descriptions. I could almost hear the sounds of the forest and feel the soil between my toes.

I do wonder what it is that I still really enjoy about YA books as I'm getting into my 30s, but I couldn't put this book down. It's very vibey, and reminiscent of The Vampire Diaries (TV show as I’ve not read the books to compare) but maybe a little less melodramatic. There's a dark overtone because of the plot (if you don't like blood, this isn't for you) and some quite detailed descriptions that had me completely invested in what was happening to the characters.
The teens all feel like real people, with their own worries and anxieties - and the way the author ties it all into what's happening just made for a perfect book.

If I had any critiques at all, it would be that the third person switching perspectives is maybe a little confusing a couple times throughout the book. I was able to get my head around them but I could see how it might put someone else off.

Absolutely fantastic debut, from an Aussie author - I have a deep hunger for the next book as that cliffhanger… I need to know where it goes.
Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Black River’ is an unreal, utterly captivating debut YA novel that will have you on the edge of your seat thinking “WAIT WHAT!?”. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the blurb but when Ruby said if you liked ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Twilight’…. I was sold. It’s a sci-fi fantasy (with a beautiful sprinkling of romance) that follows 17 year old Dusty who begins to experience strange occurrences and things happening to her. I genuinely didn’t expect the story to happen the way it did and I enjoyed every moment of it. The setting, the vibes, the physical chills I experienced, IMMACULATE. Ruby Jean Cottle has definitely made her debut mark with this novel and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us.

Black River by Ruby Jean Cottle is a beautifully unexpected gem, set in a small town in the Adirondacks.

I usually gravitate toward darker, spicier reads, but this YA blend of fantasy, SciFi, and romance completely drew me in. The character dynamics are rich and believable—I especially loved the tension and emotional push-pull between the leads. There’s mystery, layered world-building, and just enough twists to keep you guessing (the ending genuinely caught me off guard!).

What really stuck with me is the way the FMC is evolving and I can’t wait to see how she holds on to herself in what’s clearly becoming a much bigger battle. Cottle’s created a world I want to come back to, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where she takes her characters next.

3.5/4ish stars! I am so here for this YA fantasy debut! Seventeen-year-old Dusty’s life in the mountains goes sideways when she starts changing- new senses, weird thirst- and then meets the mysterious Will in the forest. Slow-burn romance? Check. Dark, spooky vibes? Double check. And there’s a real tension as Dusty discovers chilling forces lurking in her shadowy hometown .

The world-building is immersive, the cast is compelling, and the romance is spicy but not overwhelming (). Think paranormal with bite- this one’s block-your-plans level good.

Massive thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia (and NetGalley if you’ve read the ARC) for letting me dive into this thrilling, atmospheric story. Already buzzing for the sequel!!!

Beautiful, well written, and gripping.

This book sucked me in with relatable characters and wonderful descriptions. I felt like I was there and found myself thinking about the location and characters during my day to day life, wanting to go back and read more.

It's quite balanced, but towards the end, I was ready to know what the hell was going on, and I felt like it didn't quite move quickly enough for me... until it did.

I still feel like there are some unanswered questions, or maybe it's just that I want to read more.

Thank you for this ARC copy from Netgalley. I'll be keeping an eye out for more by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me an advanced copy of this book.

Black River is a wonderful, atmospheric debut that really pulled me in with its eerie setting - perfectly matched to the creeping suspense. Cottle's writing is immersive, with a lyrical, almost poetic quality that made the story feel rich and textured. This book had the intrigue and mystery of an episode of Stranger Things, which I really enjoyed.

I liked Dusty as a main character. I found her smart, curious and careful in a way that felt quite real. The connection between her and Eli was interesting and it was nice to see this develop into something unexpected, although I did feel that their realisation about being the same came a bit too easily. There were a few slow spots where I struggled to stay engaged, but I'm glad I stuck with it.

I didn't realise this was the start of a series - I have so many questions! But I'm very impressed by this as a debut. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for book two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for the ARC.
Absolutely loved this book! Was hooked from the start and kept on the edge of my seat. The plot twists took me by surprise and I enjoyed the character and relationship developments. Ugh, it’s just so good!!
Can’t wait for more from this author.

Thank you to the author and NetGallery for picking me to read this as a ARC.

Black River is a compelling story, This book with have you on edge. It's abit creepy in part's but you have to keep reading to find out more. It's thats kind of story once you open it your hook so be warned... I will definitely read another of Ruby's books.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Darkly addictive, fog-drenched, and full of teeth... this is the vampire comeback we’ve been dying for. I normally wait until the end of the year to hand out my 5 stars, but this one? Black River deserves it now.

From the very first page, Black River wrapped around me like mist on a mountain trail, quiet, eerie, disorienting, and impossible to shake. Ruby Jean Cottle doesn’t just write atmosphere, she builds it. Every word feels like it’s humming with something ancient, something watching, something waiting. This book had me feeling like I was being followed through the woods... and I loved it.

Dusty is the kind of protagonist I always fall hard for: bookish, introspective, craving solitude but desperate for understanding. Her journey is strange, slow, and intimate in that YA-liminal-space kind of way—where the lines between body and mind, girl and monster, love and survival, all blur. Her changes are physical and emotional, and that duality made me ache for her.

And Will? Oh, Will. That brand of brooding, mysterious, gentle-but-dangerous love interest that screams 2000s paranormal gold. The chemistry between him and Dusty was palpable, but it was that underlying “I shouldn’t want this” tension that really elevated their dynamic. There's romance, yes—but there’s also thirst. A hunger that’s not just metaphorical. It's got bite.

This gave me:
- Twilight fog but make it unsettling.
- Vampire Diaries small-town secrets and simmering powers.
- Teen Wolf vibes with forest horror and teenage drama.

And all of it layered with deep psychological and emotional weight

I adored the 00s paranormal nostalgia here, but this wasn’t a copy-paste job of old tropes. Cottle reimagines the vampire narrative in a way that feels fresh, contemporary, and just deeply felt. She’s not just playing with paranormal romance; she’s deconstructing the cost of it. There’s grief. There’s body horror. There’s fear, identity crisis, and the brutal loss of innocence. And I was here for every page.

By the end? I was feral. I devoured 400 pages in less than a day. The ending left me cold, breathless, and needing more at 1am. There’s a cliffhanger. You’ve been warned. But that only makes me more desperate for book two.

Final thoughts: If you’ve ever wanted a YA paranormal that feels like reading fog and fire at the same time, Black River is for you. Ruby Jean Cottle has carved out something haunting and tender, something bloody and beautiful. A must-read for fans of atmospheric genre blends, slow-burn romances, and characters with claws.

Dusty wants nothing more than to escape into a book and the wilderness around her. One morning Dusty wakes to find a leaf in her hair and dirt on her feet, and with a tired feeling behind her eyes that she can't escape from. After meeting Will, a boy in her class, for the first time, Dusty realises it may not just be an attraction that makes her heart beat faster - she may be longing for what's under his skin. A thirst.

Black River reminded me of being a teenager again, scouring the bookstores to get my hands on any vampire book I could. Cottle's writing is absolutely beautiful and she has a knack for slicing together cringy teenage moments with an unsettling presence taking over these teens' lives.

There's a lot going on here, between the confusion that Dusty & Eli feel, the mysterious connection between Will & Dusty, and the grief that haunts Dusty and Opi from their mother leaving. Unfortunately, Dusty and Eli aren't the only ones going through changes, and some others are not handling it as well.

The way that Cottle has crafted this story is beyond beautiful. I ate up every single world. I cannot wait for more books in this world and to continue Dusty's story!