Shout out to NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for this ARC! I read The Monsters We Made in the middle of a heat wave, which was the absolute perfect atmosphere for this book. It's incredibly atmospheric, balancing the real life horror of illness, death, and the environment with the horror of potentially paranormal happenings. Peyton June has a talent for weaving a story that feels grounded and incredibly easy to picture. I really enjoyed this book and it will be perfect for a summer release. I'll be recommending it to everyone.

I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a fun ride throughout. I thought it was the perfect length and nothing dragged. Overall a very solid cryptid story and I appreciated the subtle queer romance happening alongside the story. I say subtle not because it wasn't outright stated, but because the storyline of the cryptid is the main focus of the book. I will be recommending it to the teens at my library that I think will enjoy it.

I’m a total sucker for anything involving cryptids or alien-type mysteries, so this book was right up my alley. The whole idea of strange creatures, unexplained happenings, and the possibility that something unknown might be lurking out there immediately pulled me in. It gave the story such a creepy and exciting vibe that made it impossible for me to stop reading.

The atmosphere was incredible too. The setting felt eerie and secretive, and there was always this feeling that something bigger was going on beneath the surface. Every chapter revealed a little more and made me want to keep reading just one more chapter to see what would happen next.

I also really enjoyed the characters and how everything slowly came together. The story balanced the mystery, tension, and emotional moments really well, and I found myself fully invested in how everything would unfold.

Overall, I loved everything about this book—the creepy vibe, the mystery, the cryptid elements, and the way the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you enjoy stories with strange creatures, possible alien mysteries, and an eerie atmosphere, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Peyton June and W.W. Norton & Company for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Monsters We Made by Peyton June is a suspenseful small town story that blends horror, mystery, and a touch of sci fi in a way that feels both eerie and grounded. The book follows Lenny, who co runs an alien hunting show, and Claire, a local who pulls them into her town with the promise of something strange lurking just out of sight. What starts as a search for answers quickly turns into something much deeper as the town’s secrets begin to surface.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the setting being in this small town where people are forced to protect one another whether they want to or not, and how that sense of closeness also created tension and secrecy. The dual POV worked so well and I liked getting to know both Lenny and Claire as they navigated everything happening around them. Their dynamic felt natural and added another layer to the story alongside the aliens, the town’s residents, and the growing unease.
There was horror and suspense where there needed to be, but what stood out to me most were the deeper conversations about feeling trapped and not belonging in a small town. That theme was woven in a way that felt real and fitting for the characters and their choices. I also loved that the romance stayed more of a subplot, which honestly surprised me since I usually gravitate toward romance heavy stories. There were enough hints and buildup between Lenny and Claire that when they finally got together it felt natural and not rushed, especially compared to Claire’s past relationship.
The mystery surrounding Old Lucky was handled really well and kept me engaged the entire time without giving too much away too early. I also loved how everything came full circle by the end. There is a sense of a cycle continuing with new people coming into town and still not believing, while we see how much Claire has changed after everything she experienced. It gave the story a lasting impact that stuck with me even after finishing. Overall this was such a fun and engaging read with a great mix of tension, emotion, and intrigue.