Actual Rating 1.5

This work is told from a dual timeline and multiple POVs, though one POV is the focus of the work. While the premise of this one was promising, unfortunately there wasn’t much that I enjoyed about the book overall. The work is exposition heavy, but unfortunately the exposition doesn’t really add much to the characters or the plot. It becomes repetitive and somewhat clunky with flashbacks, which detracts from the tension and atmosphere. The past timeline was the strongest, but wasn’t strong enough to carry the rest of the work.

There was a lot of judgmental writing/portrayal of women in this work, and it wasn’t solely tied to the characters’ perspectives. Women were often described by their breast size, their weights, or whether or not they were “sluts.” The vast majority of women in this work were not written in a flattering or positive light. On top of that, the male characters weren’t even written well. They felt like caricatures with minimal depth and development.

I don’t recommend this work at all, but I am an outlier. My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is more of what I was looking for! This was creepy and kept me guessing until the end. I loved the slow unraveling of the past placed perfectly amongst the events of the present. The mix of fact and fiction and trying to tell the difference was all of the fun. The true motives of all involved came to be known in a way that wasn't just throwing something in at the end. It was all unwound slowly.

This book turned out to be a nice surprise. The author wrote interesting characters and a plot with a creepiness that wove in and out of the plot as the story divided itself between two time periods. The writings flow was steady with some surprising reveals.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.

This moves back and forth in time on a familiar plot line - that something that happened to a group of people while they were adolescents has come back to haunt them when they are adults. But this is a bit different because it's really creepy. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me but know that this is nicely twisty.

Wicked Jenny was a wicked good time. It was suspensefull, well written, and imaginative with a good plot. While I suspected early on who ultimately the culprit was, I was surprised about motive and actions. The rough housing and banter tween the young boys was so spot on that is was nauseating. Boys are a handful. Overall, great execution with a real creep factor. Definitely worth a read.

Wicked Jenny can be best described as a thriller with paranormal/fairy tale elements or even light horror. Told in dual timelines, a group of adolescent friends find themselves as grown men haunted by their past. When one shows up dead, their lives start to unravel. Who or what is haunting and hunting them, and what secrets have they kept all these years? This story felt fresh and unique, and there was surprisingly good main character development despite not being a particularly long novel. Definitely check this one out if you love creepy stories or if you are apprehensive about dipping your toes into the horror genre.... this one is relatable and very readable for non-horror readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

A horror novel that intertwines childhood trauma with supernatural elements. Wicked Jenny explores themes of guilt, revenge, and the long-lasting effects of trauma. This, along with a haunting presence of a past that refuses to stay buried. Hilton skillfully blends psychological horror with supernatural elements and creates an atmosphere of suspense and dread that kept me turning the page. The story succeeds in keeping the tension high and the characters engaging.
Wicked Jenny was a haunting tale that explores the dark consequences of unresolved guilt and the lengths to which people will go to seek closure and revenge. If you're a fan of horror with a mix of psychological and supernatural elements, "Wicked Jenny" might be for you.

the story is compelling and the surprises just keep coming. the characters are so real, that you won’t be able to stop reading but it could have been explored more.

you will start to question everything and yourself which is INSANE. did i get scared? hell yes i kept looking over my shoulder hahaha.

highly recommend

"Wicked Jenny" is a creepy, atmospheric thriller with a strong, dark vibe and a twisty plot. While the pacing can be a bit slow at times, the spooky setting and surprising ending make it an enjoyable read if you’re into psychological suspense and revenge stories.

I love a slowburn but this was too slow even for me. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wicked Jenny by Matt Hilton is an intense and atmospheric thriller that grabs hold of you and refuses to let go. From the first page, Hilton establishes a gripping narrative with a chilling sense of dread, making it clear you’re in for a dark ride.

The story centers on themes of revenge, guilt, and the weight of the past, all brought to life through vivid prose and well-drawn characters. Jenny is a compelling figure—her presence looms large, a haunting mix of fragility and menace. Hilton does an excellent job of weaving in her backstory without bogging down the pace, which is relentless in the best way.

The pacing is one of the book’s greatest strengths. There are moments where the tension is almost unbearable, and Hilton masterfully balances action with quieter, emotionally charged scenes. The rural, eerie setting is beautifully described, adding a layer of isolation that heightens the stakes.

The only reason this isn’t a five-star read for me is that some of the twists felt slightly predictable, and a few secondary characters could have been fleshed out more. However, these minor critiques didn’t detract much from my overall enjoyment.

If you’re a fan of gritty, suspenseful thrillers with a psychological edge, Wicked Jenny is a must-read. It’s a chilling tale that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of Matt Hilton or anyone seeking a dark and satisfying story.

I enjoyed this book! It was well written and I liked the setting and description. The addition of some paranormal elements was great too. It was super creepy in parts.

I felt the relationships between the characters could have been explored a little more, and I did find it a bit slow paced at times. But overall, a really enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!

The spooks and the chills! I loved the setting of a psychological paranormal story, with it passing back and forth between the past and the present, to unfold events.

You really don't know who is behind anything until it all comes together in glorious revenge. Beautifully put together, entertaining, and hard to put down.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the copy!

Wicked Jenny is a decent thriller with a good atmosphere and a strong premise, but the uneven pacing and lack of emotional depth left me wanting more. It’s a quick read with a chilling vibe, but it didn’t fully deliver on the suspense or character development I was hoping for.
The twist at the end was surprising, but I didn’t find it entirely satisfying, as it felt somewhat rushed and not fully set up throughout the narrative.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Green Jenny or Wicked Jenny, an urban legend brought to life in this terrifying story of murder, deception and death.
It’s an addictive read that causes the reader many a shiver and a desire to leave the light on!
The ending is simply petrifying and shocking in equal measure, literally left me gasping for air.
Have you been a bad boy?
Well, keep looking over your shoulder because something may be coming to get you!
Thoroughly gripping and well deserving of a 5 star rating.
Highly recommended.

Net Galley ARC Review: Thank you so much to Net Galley for this opportunity!!
Overall, this story has a very interesting premise and there are some really fun twists!! However, I do feel like the characters were a bit boring and the ending was kind of predictable. It was ok but it wasn’t great.

I really liked this one! Kept me reading and excited to see the end. I didn’t quite guess the twist either. A nice blend of classic thriller with supernatural elements.

Andrew and his boyhood friends were “almost” witnesses to a horrific crime when they were younger. After the murder of one of their group, they reunite as adults and uncanny events occur. Are they all seeing the almost dead girl from their past? Has she recovered and moved back to town?

Coming of age horror with a spin on the folk horror story of Ginny Greenteeth.

I absolutely love the cover. It is what caught my attention and made me look at this book. Story was ok, nothing really special. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Woah this book was so good. I had such a great time reading this. I was on the edge of my seat/ Thank You Matt Hilton. I had no clue what was going to happen next.

The mind can be a powerful thing--especially when fueled by vengeance.

As teens, five friends tangentially witness a wrenching and violent attack on two female classmates. As far as anyone in town is concerned, the guilty party was caught and punished. But there seems to be someone (something?) convinced that those five friends know more than any of them have shared.

Wicked Jenny is gritty and gruesome. The more I read, the more I questioned what actually happened in the past and what was unfolding next. The horror genre isn't really my cup of tea, but I was engaged throughout much of the book. Things started to feel long-winded and somewhat repetitive, leading me to skim-read through some chapters until I reached the height of the vicious reveal.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.