I really wanted to love this book, but I feel like the thriller aspect got lost amongst the romance and vice versa. Overall, it was still a good story and still a 3 star read for me. Fantastic concept and with a bit better execution, could’ve been a 5 star read for me.

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I was SO disappointed that there was never a reveal that her cat was actually a familiar and that she was a witch and didn’t know it. It truly felt like all signs were pointing that way during the entire book, but it just never happened and it felt like it would’ve fit in with the paranormal vibes of the secret society aspect.

🖤 My Review

This book was highly addictive from the very first page and absolutely perfect for thriller and true crime fans. The eerie New England setting, the legal drama, and the darkly romantic undertones made it an ideal fall and Halloween read. I could not put this ebook down—the twists kept coming, and each chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery. It’s atmospheric, chilling, and unputdownable!

A must-read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers with a gothic edge.

✨ Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was dark, eerie, and exactly the kind of fall read I was hoping for. It gives you that small-town, spooky vibe with a mix of romance and mystery that kept me hooked. I loved the atmosphere……Ross really nails that chilling, New England autumn feel.

The characters were engaging, and I liked the push-and-pull of trust, betrayal, and secrets. There were a couple parts that felt a little predictable, which kept me from giving it the full 5 stars, but overall it was such a good read.

If you’re looking for a moody fall book with suspense, and a touch of forbidden romance, this one’s a solid pick. Perfect for cozy, candle-lit reading nights

I’ve really enjoyed previous novels by Rektok Ross, and Salem’s Fall didn’t let me down! Such an easy and fun read with great thriller aspects, a great read!

This was such a fun, binge worthy, and deliciously spooky Halloween-inspired thriller!

We follow James, our FMC, as she searches for answers in Salem’s Fall caught between the high-profile trial of a mysterious billionaire accused of murder and her own family’s dark secrets. The story unfolds as a countdown to Halloween, building suspense around whether another murder will happen or not.

The book is packed with witch trial lore, eerie occult rituals, an enchanting autumn atmosphere, and yes… a lovable black cat.

I especially loved how Salem’s Fall, while clearly inspired by Salem, is its own town with a distinct history and atmosphere. That creative twist made the world feel fresh and immersive.

What also stood out was the meticulous detail in the legal aspects—the courtroom dynamics, the law firm politics, and the realistic complexity of handling such a major case. I kept wondering how Ross pulled it off, until I read the author’s note and realized she was a trial attorney before becoming an author. It shows in every detail!

After this book and Spring Harvest, Rektok Ross has officially become an auto-buy author for me.

And one more thing shout out to whoever designs her covers because they’re absolutely stunning.

This book has all the workings to be a spooky comfort read for years to come. Especially from coming from my own first hand experience of living in Salem I would say that I got the vibes perfectly.

Thank you IC13 Books for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given.

James Woodsen, an new criminal defense lawyer is thrown into the murder trial of one of the most prominent figures in the area, Damien Blackhollow, who is accused of killing his fiancee.

This book has a lot of different things going on, a little paranormal (maybe), a little romance, a little magic. While James is trying to get information to prove her client is innocent, this leads to past (rituals) murders. I really kept going back and forth through the whole story wondering if Damien was guilty or innocent. If you like witches and rituals, I think you would like this one.

Salem’s Fall was such a dazzling, fun read—teetering between cozy and creepy. Almost like an adult version of Halloweentown 🎃✨ Definitely one for the girlies who love spooky season vibes with a touch of glamour 💓.

James Woodsen is used to being underestimated. Top of her class at Harvard Law, brilliant and beautiful, she’s just become the youngest female associate at Boston’s most elite criminal defense firm. But after a devastating misstep, she has one last shot at redemption: defend Damien Blackhollow, a dangerously charming billionaire accused of murdering his fiancée.

Following the trail to the eerie New England town of Salem’s Fall, James uncovers a dark legacy tied to secret societies, ritualistic murders, and a haunting family curse. With Halloween looming and the line between justice and desire blurring, the tension had me flipping pages late into the night.

Overall, a sparkling mix of atmospheric chills, mystery, and gothic glamour. I really enjoyed it—just shy of perfect, but absolutely worth the read! 🌙🖤
And I absolutely loved the bonus epilogue

This was my first time reading a Thriller book, and Rektok Ross is a new author for me. I enjoyed reading this book; it caught my attention from beginning to end. This book will have you feeling so many feelings, like you're on the highest roller coaster ever. This would have been a good read around Halloween time as well. lol. I look forward to reading more of Rektok Ross' work.

Thank you, NetGalley and Rektok Ross, for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Salem's Fall.

James is a young blonde attorney who constantly feels like she has to prove herself. After messing up a previous case, she throws herself into long hours at the firm, hoping to earn back trust while working on a new project. When her boss Quinn lands a new client, James is the only one available, so she’s assigned to show up for arraignment the next morning. That client turns out to be Damien, an enigmatic billionaire accused of killing his fiancée. The case hits close to home for James, who sees similarities to her own mother’s death, a crime her father is currently serving time for. Determined and emotionally tied to the outcome, she dives into the investigation, only to find herself caught in a web of danger. Her life is suddenly on the line, and she isn’t sure if Damien is a man she can trust or a man hiding deadly secrets. One of my favorite parts was when James travels to Salem. The mix of paranormal elements, secret societies, and eerie atmosphere gave the story great Halloween vibes. No one feels safe in Salem, not even James. Will she uncover the truth behind the slaying? Or will Damien’s secrets stay buried? If you’re in the mood for a dark psychological thriller, legal drama with spooky vibes, check this one out.

A very special thanks to Netgalley + Ic13 Books for the gifted arc.

I love how she has “season themes” and if i am not mistaken this is the last one from that series.
Anyhow, i love how the author is putting factual law stuff in the book. I mean duh she is a lawyer. But she puts those details in but without it being too overwhelming and being very over the top.

Thank you to my partners, Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse and NetGalley, and the author. I appreciate the gifted eARC and am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 • Early on, I found myself stumped as to why James didn’t push the narrative of her own mother’s murder. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for that to become a main aspect of the story. The mystery of that combined with the present was the perfect mixture to create the suspense that carried me through!

2. 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐭 • I love a story that just keeps me guessing. While Damien seemed like he could easily be guilty, I kept thinking that it couldn’t be that simple. The twists were sprinkled in just the right moments to make my mind continue to ponder!

3. 𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 • There is definitely a supernatural aspect to this thriller that made it made it all the better. And it does make me want to research more about New England cults, so Rektok has done her job well!

4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 • It did seem like the story really faded away from the murder case that was at the heart of the story. I wondered how James could be gone for weeks and nothing really seemed to happen with the case. And while we are led to believe that the charges would be dropped, we never truly did find out the resolution.

5. 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 • Sometimes love just seems to creep up when and where you least expect it. I wasn’t sure just who I wanted to win out in the end, and I’m honestly not sure I’m completely satisfied with the ultimate choice. But, maybe that’s what makes this book just a bit different from the others!

Spooky vibes with a touch of romance!

Salem's Fall has been a cozy ride to the infamous Salem, with a morally grey man and a career driven woman, who are unable to stay away from each other.

When James Woodsen gets an opportunity to represent Damien Blackhollow, she is thrilled. If this succeeds, she will be promoted. But Damien is one of the wealthiest and most charming man she has ever seen. Attractions rise but not without trouble. Damien is dangerous and he is convicted of murdering his fiancee and if James isn't aware, she too might be on the path of danger.

I loved the plot of the story. It was interesting and I was curious to know whether Damien was the one behind the infamous Halloween Death. The connection of the case to supernatural elements also made this story engaging.

The romance between James and Damien follows the trope of forces proximity. It's a good choice, especially if one likes morally grey men as main characters.

The suspense and investigation part was my favourite in the story. The journey James takes in Salem to find the truth of Damien Blackhollow was something that I looked forward to.

Overall, this is a good choice of read, especially for Fall and Halloween vibes.

I absolutely loved this read! The witchy vibes are what pulled me in and the title I am a horror / Halloween hype girl, but what really pulled me what the authors writing and the intriguing mystery if Damien killed his fiance or not, and the lawyer James was determined to prove her spot on the firm but also see what secrets Damien was hiding from the past and present, this thriller had me on the edge of my seat each page and chapter of what would happen next, and the fact that someone was watching James each move she got closer to answers a threat was made and very many close calls to death. Can James prove Damien is being framed for murder and Morally Grey MMC that's also a billionaire or does James get love struck by his charm? guess you better read to find out this read had spooky vibes , haunting paranormal aesthetic witch vibes with a dash of spice, thrillers , murder, twists and turns the ending will leave you shocked!

YOU GUYS. This book? So good. A little wild, yes, but that’s the point, right? The Halloween vibes are off the charts (have you seen that cover??), and now I’m obsessed with the boo baskets the author’s been posting, I NEEED one ASAP.

Salem ✔️
Black cat ✔️🐈‍⬛
Haunted house ✔️
Scary hot billionaire ✔️

I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It’s a perfect mix of thriller and dark romance, and honestly, the only “con” is how out there it gets but it’s fiction, it’s meant to be out there.

If you’re looking for the ultimate Halloween read wrapped in a gorgeous spooky package, please grab this one immediately. Now off to read the summer one. 🐈‍⬛💀🎃👻

Salem’s Fall was one of those books I picked up thinking, “Okay, cool spooky vibes,” but it ended up being so much more layered than I expected. It had all the eerie, witchy, small-town atmosphere I love in a fall read, but what really stuck with me was how it explored fear, control, and the danger of groupthink. Super relevant and unsettling in the best way.
It’s dark without being overly graphic, and suspenseful without relying on cheap scares. My only small critique? I wish a couple of side characters had been drawn out a little more, but honestly, the story was so gripping I didn’t dwell on it.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity!

Salem's Fall is my first read by Rektok Ross and I have to find time to go read all the books now. The vibes in this book is so good. It's creepy, witchy, paranormal, and the events are all taking place prior to but leading up to halloween. I think this book would be a perfect halloween read!!
Jamie works for a law office that was just handed their biggest case yet with a very high profile client. She will be on the team defending Damien Blackhallow, a billionaire who is being accused of murdering his fiancé. As she starts to follow up on leads, she finds herself in a New England town, Salems Fall. Salem's fall is not just any place. It is believed have powers emanating throughout because many accused witches met their demise there. She doesn't believe in any of that sort of thing and is determined to find the answers that will help Damian. But when he shows up in Salem's Fall as well to accompany her on her quests since he's out on bail, they find themselves drawn to each other. But drawn to him or not, she knows it could never be. He is her client and she doesn't want to cross that line. The evidence is leading her down paths she never thought she would be taking, until she finds herself at the center of it all.
This story is thrilling, chilling, and spooky. I loved the characters, biut especially James. She's so brave and unafraid. She does what needs to get done.
I highly recommend giving this a read. It's a perfect read for spooky season. I highly recommend giving this one a read!

Thank you to Ic13 Books and NetGalley for a copy of this to in exchange for my honest opinion.

James is ambitious and nervous about making a second mistake that could cost her her career as a lawyer. Enter Damien and his arrest for the murder of his fiancé. This case is her chance at redemption. However, it will lead her down the spooky rabbit hole of cults, secrets, high society, power and the past. Luckily, she has Lucky, her black cat, to guide and comfort her.

The vibes of this story are spooky and spectacular. I was sucked right in and read this story in two days. It probably would have been one day, but work and sleep got in the way! I was there, strapped in for the entire rollercoaster.

I really enjoyed James, she's ambitious and driven, but also loves deeply. Damien is not a good guy, but also loves deeply. The magic was vague and mysterious. The settings are beautiful and eerie.

I highly recommend. 5 stars. I always recommend checking content warnings. Romance is closed door, no gore, some swearing and alcohol use.

I enjoyed the spooky, witchy vibes of the book. A billionaire gets accused of murder and the main female character is one of his lawyers. As she’s trying to prove him not guilty she stumbles on a mysterious, spooky secret society. This book was ok for me, I felt it was rushed and made the relationships a little far fetched for me.

I absolutely LOVED this one! Everything from the cozy, fall setting of Salem's Fall, to the characters, and to the secret society/killings. This was one that kept me hooked from the very beginning all the way to the very last page. Honestly, I would love to see a sequel as that's how much I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this one for anyone who likes a good thriller with some tame dark romance. This is a great addition to anyone TBR for spooky season as well.