We are officially less than a week away from Halloween. And while that may seem close, there is still plenty of time to curl up with a scary, spooky or ghostly read. Below, we rounded up the 9 best Halloween books. They’re sure to bewitch you from page one!
Want to travel back in time to 1921 Russia and live in a haunted house? Then try The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore. Or if you would rather sink your teeth into a swoon-worthy paranormal love story, crack open My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine.
Keep scrolling to discover all of our Halloween book recommendations. Happy hexing!
Wishes, witches and spells gone wrong…this steamy and festive rom-com has it all. Young witch Vivienne “Vivi” Jones uses her magic to put a seemingly mild curse on Rhys Penhallow, who broke her heart. Nine years later, the annoyingly handsome Rhys returns to town, and she realizes her hex was not so harmless after all. As local happenings turn creepy, Vivi is forced to work with Rhys to save the town and break the spell. Will love follow?
What readers are saying: “I laughed, I swooned, I laughed again. The banter between Rhys and Vivi was pitch perfect, and the Halloween vibes were exactly what I wanted to read.”
This spooky scare installment of Tonya Kappes’ Holiday Cozy Mystery series is filled with twists and turns. While on her town’s local ghost walk, reporter Violet Rhinehammer quickly realizes that one of the fake bodies is indeed real! Now Violet is determined to catch the killer before Holiday Junction’s Halloweenie Festival is ruined. A fun and festive Halloween tale.
What readers are saying: “Another addictive read joining Violet in her new hometown, and this time, we get to celebrate Halloween with her! I completely enjoyed this book and look forward to more visits with Violet soon!”
Readers are taken back to 1921 post-revolutionary Russia in this eerie tale. When a group of Bolsheviks takes over Irina and Lili Goliteva’s family mansion in Moscow, the sisters are ordered to move into the cramped attic. Soon, the spirits of their deceased family members awaken, and one of the officials is found dead. As secrets come to light, the two sisters must dig for answers.
What readers are saying: “Early Soviet Russia, dispossessed aristocracy, Slavic folklore, ghosts and evil family machinations made this Russian gothic novel the perfect Halloween read.”
This delightful, hauntingly funny and smart debut is perfect for rom-com lovers! No one wants a vampire as a roommate, but for artist Cassie Greenberg, that is exactly what happens. Desperate for a place to live, she decides to live in an almost too-good-to-be-true apartment in central Chicago, with the alluring (yet slightly odd) Fredrick J. Fitzwilliam. Sure, he leaves her heart-melting notes around the apartment and asks about her art, but he has a very old vocabulary and stores bags of blood in the fridge. Now, Cassie wants Frederick to come clean…and when he does, she’s shocked. Her new roommate is a vampire…and he has a proposition for her.
What readers are saying: “This is a laugh-out-loud, entertaining and eccentric paranormal romance between a quirky, selfless, artsy heroine and a cinnamon bun immortal with dreamy Mr. Darcy vibes.”
This debut novel has it all: family secrets, the bond of sisterhood and an unexpected twist of fate. The story follows Anne, Beatrix and Violet Quigley after the untimely death of their parents. Together, the sisters have made a business of threading together the stories of tea leaves left at the bottom of customers’ cups. Suddenly, the Council of Witches comes to them with news that the City Diviner has lost her powers, and the sisters find themselves being pulled in different directions. And it seems that an old family curse trying to separate them is in effect. As they battle time to rewrite their futures and save the other witches, the sisters have no choice but to bargain with fate.
What readers are saying: “This turned out to be such a cozy read. It feels like a comforting hug that leaves you with a sense of calmness. It’s a slower story but it’s even-paced (which I think further adds to the coziness). This is Sivinski’s debut book and I think she did a lovely job with it.”
Known for her enthralling and eerie page-turners, Rachel Harrison delivers a darkly comedic love story in her new thriller. Rory Morris moves back to her hometown, and past memories resurface. After a night out where she runs into her old almost-flame, Ian, Rory hits a large animal with her car. When she gets out to investigate, she’s attacked. Somehow, Rory survives—but soon life starts to look and feel different. She’s now suddenly strong and drawn to the moon…and she begins to feel like she’s changing into someone, or something, else. A gripping, sharp horror romance that’s perfect for Halloween!
What readers are saying: “While it’s more little horror light or cozy horror, Such Sharp Teeth is fast-paced and hilarious while still being beyond adorable. It’s very female-forward and about loving who you are. Plus, comedy and horror are my favorite combination, and Rachel Harrison does it right.”
This classic tale is written in flashbacks and follows Louis de Pointe du Lac as he recounts his life as a vampire to a reporter. Soon, though, Louis begins to open up about how he grappled with his violent nature and the complicated relationships he had with his maker, Lestat, and “daughter,” Claudia.
What readers are saying: “I love getting into the Halloween spirit with a classic ‘monster’ book—and Anne Rice novels are my go-to,” says Carey Ostergard, First for Women Executive Editor. “This book was dramatic, compelling and spooktacular!”
Readers are taken back to 1962 in this bone-chilling tale. Jemma Barker is desperate to escape her life in Chicago, so she accepts a job with the Duchon family in New Orleans. But the Duchons are not what they seem and they look down on Jemma. Then she discovers the family is under a curse—and they believe Jemma has the power to break it. As Jemma digs into their history, more dark secrets come to the surface.
What readers are saying: “Del Sandeen’s This Cursed House has everything I want in a spooky season read. It’s a little bit spooky, there are wrongs of the past that must be corrected, and there’s a whole lot of dysfunctional family dynamics happening. The vivid way that both the setting and the characters are described, I was able to put myself right into that southern mansion and almost picture myself sitting down to dinner with the Duchon family.”
Love is brewing in this wonderfully witchy rom-com! When Reggie Johnson answers a job ad, she’s astonished to find that she’s not applying to work at her favorite card game, Spellcraft: The Magicking. Instead, she’s applying to be an actual witch. As in, real magic. Sure, the job has perks: good pay, room and board and her boss is fun. The only problem is warlock Ben Magnus, her employer’s nephew and the most arrogant, frustrating man to ever cast a spell. Now, Reggie faces navigating this new world of magic and her complicated, chemistry-filled feelings for a certain warlock.
What people are saying: “Go Hex Yourself is a romantic masterpiece and the sexiest, most bewitching take on enemies to lovers I’ve read in ages.”
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