Uhhh this book was definitely a change from my normal reading. The premise sounded interesting - a mix of nature/science horror and romance - but it ended up being heavy on the romance for most of it. Not to mention that this was a very very weird romance where I didn't care for either character at all.

The plot itself was pretty predictable and the mc was sooo oblivious like girl I wanted to yell at her through the page! However the end did surprise me and it was a fast paced read overall.

Fan of Yellowjackest this is for you! Is a mysterious,dark and easy read that i devoured! I loved every work of the author and Karina have yet disappointed me !

This book fell a little short for me. I enjoyed the story at first. The concept was good and there was definite suspense and some scary stuff going on. But after a while I wanted more stuff explained. I like the main character and the live interest. The spice was spicing. But the characters were supposed to be super smart to be there for an internship but I felt like a lot could have been done with that. The big mystery about what was going on I felt was super rushed at the end. Which fell flat for me.

3.5⭐'s rounded up to four. I don't know what I was expecting with Grave Matter, but it was entertaining. Halle knows how to create a setting and build suspense in this romantic horror/thriller, I'll give her that. The pacing at the beginning is a tad choppy & the writing could've been more polished. I was not a fan of the therapist/client relationship, it wasn't really necessary for the story & it made the main couple hard to stomach at first. Honestly, Kincaid being both a neurosurgeon and psychologist at age 37 was less believable than the horror elements of the book. Those two specialties require so much school, the dude would realistically be 60 before finishing both areas of study. But I digress. Grave Matter is a good read if you're looking for something a little different than your average erotic horror/thriller. There's a lot of genre blending that was fun for me and I'll definitely keep this one in my collection.

A compelling and eerie novel that masterfully blends mystery and horror. The story is gripping, with well-paced suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. While some plot twists might be anticipated, the overall experience is highly engaging. The atmospheric writing and chilling setting make "Grave Matter" a standout read for fans of the genre.

This book was sooo good! Was absolutely addicted to finishing this book! I wasn’t a big fan of the ending and how predictable it was but it was a great refresher!

Loved this. Karina Halle is always a win for me. Great FMC and intriguing storyline. If you like her other books, chances are high you will like this one, too.

Love love love this book! The story line was original and I was hooked from the very beginning! Will definitely recommend!

I love this one! I couldn’t put it down. The characters were amazing. And i had so much fun reading this one

This was by far one of my favorite reads for the year already! It’s the perfect mix of horror, thriller, and dark romance rolled into one book.

Readers also get the perfect blend of body horror and nature horror in this book. It’s subtle and slow moving at first but I promise it gets good fast. I enjoyed that this wasn’t the most generic type of horror, and in doing so stretched the bounds of creativity. The plot twists are some of the best that I have read, and was nothing that I could have saw coming from a mile away. The writing and slight fragmented timeline takes a little getting used to but it’s not a make or break to the story.

I really loved the characters, both primary and secondary. Some of them take longer to love and all of them are complex in their own way. It makes for an absolutely stunning development of emotions and characters, one that I found as shocking as the plot itself.

Grave Matter by Karina Halle is nothing short of brilliant. With every turn of the page, Halle crafts a story that’s equal parts thrilling, chilling, and deeply emotional, proving once again why she is a powerhouse in the world of dark romance and suspense.

From the very first chapter, Grave Matter pulls you in with its atmospheric tension, richly developed characters, and a plot that is as complex as it is captivating. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, filled with passion, vulnerability, and a sense of danger that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Halle has a unique ability to make even the darkest moments feel poignant and beautiful, making every twist and turn not just shocking, but meaningful.

The worldbuilding is top-notch—Halle’s writing is evocative and immersive, creating a haunting backdrop that draws you deep into the mystery and suspense of the story. But it’s the characters that truly make Grave Matter shine. They’re flawed, complex, and incredibly real, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them, questioning their choices, and feeling every emotion they experience. The emotional depth of this story is extraordinary, offering moments of pure heartbreak, redemption, and catharsis that stay with you long after the final page.

Grave Matter is a rare gem that combines dark, atmospheric thrills with tender, heart-wrenching romance. Karina Halle has truly outdone herself, delivering a novel that is as addictive as it is beautifully written. It’s a must-read for fans of dark romance, suspense, and complex, unforgettable characters. Halle continues to prove she is a master of her craft, and Grave Matter is a testament to her immense talent.

Yes Yes Yes and ten times over. this was my first book of Karina’s and it damn sure wont be my last because this is the wildest ride of a book I have read recently and I had the time of my life binge reading it and silently freaking the hell out bc I had no one to run and scream to about what was happening I literally cannot wait to force my friends to read this just so I can get all of their raw & unhinged reactions to this masterpiece. Dark academia with a science focus is so rare in the romance genre and I ate up the mad scientist vibes, the mycology theme, and the eco-horror. So incredibly refreshing!! And amidst the mindfuckery is fantastic neurodivergent representation, themes of genius vs. madness, grief and self acceptance, and a sexy, smoldering romance. Read it, you'll be thankful.

Sydney Denik is a graduate mycology student who’s life is falling apart. However when she is given a once in a lifetime opportunity to work at the secretive prestigious Madrona Foundation as part of a summer research program studying Alzheimer’s, shit hits the fan, literally. It`s a really creepy story with lots of twist and turns, the mood of the island and the feeling of an unreliable narrator makes this story good, but not good enough, at least for me.

The premise of this book was really exciting, but the completion of it was just lacking for me, unfortunately. But If you love the professor x student trope and some ADHD representation, this book may be for you as I`ve seen many raving reviews about it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

“We have a saying here, don’t try to change the lodge. Let the lodge change you.”

Tropes:
🍄 SciFi x Phycological Thriller
💀 Dark Academia x Gothic Horror
🍄 Neurodiversity Rep
💀 Teacher/Doctor x Student/Patient
🍄 Women in STEM
💀 Isolated PNW
🍄 BDSM & Degradation

“I have this need to restrain you. To pin you down like a butterfly. To marvel at your beauty but to know that you are caught, that you are mine.”

If Karina Halle writes it, I'm reading it. No questions asked. And boy this one was a wild ride! It was spooky, suspenseful, thought provoking, and of course spicy. Sydney is a grad student and mycologist that has been selected to be part of the student study program with Madrona Institute, located on an isolated inlet of Vancouver island. There are so many twists and turns, you don't know if the lodge is haunted, Sydney is going crazy, or something more sinister is happening in the labs at Madrona. This story kept me on the edge of my seat and had me hooked! It's perfect for spooky/fall season with the eerie, thriller and horror aspects. Wes Kincaid is a double dose of forbidden for Sydney to fall for, he's her teacher and her psychologist. He's a neurosurgeon and works for Madrona. Is he on her side or one of them, can he be trusted? The heat and tension between them was sizzling and felt almost destined.

I really loved this book and the ride it took me on. If you want the perfect fall read, with tons of twists you won't see coming and the feeling of WTF is happening - read this!

"See, boys are allowed to be mad scientists. But when women do it? We’re simply labeled crazy. And even at eight years old, I knew there was a difference."

A perfect dark gothic romance I ate this up. The atmosphere was everything. A bit graphic and gruesome at times so only read if comfortable with that. I think I’ll re-read this in the fall/winter this year 💞

This book was so dark and twisty, but also spicy. It had everything I love in a book in it. Sydney and Wes were really intriguing to follow. I love the way this author pulls you in with the atmosphere and it keeps you invested in the characters. Five out of five stars easy.⭐️

The story was deliciously dark & twisted. Perfect for fans of thrills, dark romance and delving into the unknown. I’d also like to give props to Karina Halle for her versatility in weaving different genres into one masterpiece.

This is such a great combination of spooky, spicy, and sci-fi.

It's fast-paced, twisty, and delivers quite the horror punch.

I really liked that it had ADHD representation. It's not often that you find it well written and without any judgement.

After an incident causes Sydney Denik to lose her scholarship at Stanford, she heads to Vancouver Island to work at the Madrona Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to cure Alzheimer’s and other terminal illnesses using fungi harvested from indigenous land. Sydney hopes to rebuild her future there but once isolated on the island with some of the brightest minds in the field, strange and unexplainable things start happening, making her question not just her surroundings, but her own mental state.

Sydney is immediately drawn to Dr. Wes Kincaid, a professor and psychologist at the institute. She feels a deep connection with him and starts opening up about the hallucinations she’s been experiencing. However, the more she gets to know him, the more she wonders if he’s hiding something. The chemistry between them is undeniable and the steamy scenes are perfect.

I’ll admit, the pacing felt a bit slow at first. However, the eerie atmosphere and ominous tone of the story had me questioning everything, and there was a point in the middle where I had no idea where the story was going. What’s really happening at Madrona? Are the students being experimented on with the mushrooms? Is this place haunted? Or is Sydney just losing her mind?

Then came the twists, brilliant and shocking. I didn’t see any of it coming, and all the pieces that didn’t seem quite right finally fell into place. This story is unlike anything I’ve read before. I loved how the plot takes center stage, with the romance being only a subplot. Grave Matter combines horror, suspense, romance, and gothic elements into an intense, spine-chilling ride that’s impossible to put down. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Karina Mackenzie for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

Karina Halle is an auto buy author for me. But man this book made me say "what the actual fuck" multiple times and I absolutely loved that!