Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the e arc! The Haunting of Emily Grace is a novel that centers around a carpenter who has just managed to pull herself out of the depths of grief and try and turn her life around by getting back into what she loves: carpentry. Except the job she was given was not a regular carpentry job, she has been referred by a friend to continue building and putting together this huge three-story house situated on a rocky island near the western Canadian and American border. Out of desperation, she takes the job, despite knowing that the original carpenter and designer of this interesting house is the missing wife of the millionaire who resides there. She quicky befriends some of the mainlanders and learns of the disturbing ghost hauntings reported from that island and the sinister rumors of the man's missing wife. As she attempts to keep her head down and finish what she came there to do, disturbing happenings and accusations begin to make our main character question how safe she is staying at that house. I was absolutely gripped for this book and experienced so much anxiety, fear, and anticipation. I can recognize that a down-on-her-luck woman moving into this eerie house on an isolated island plagued by storms, rocky waves, and ghost hauntings is not the most unique concept and has been done many times, but I can't help but still reach for them because this book really did leave me so anxious to know who can be trusted and who can't. Fake identities and suspicious vanishings are stuff that hook me, and I think this book did it so well. I kept trying to put it together in my head but still couldn't accurately guess what was going to happen. I wasn't really bothered by it, but readers should know that there are some pretty heavy mentions of suicidal ideation and parental grief. I did enjoy how Emily was able to try and make peace with some of her grief with the help of her new friends. I will say that some of the chapters ended a little abruptly or unusually. Some of the endings felt a bit unnatural and I was caught off guard expecting the chapter to continue but then turned the page to a new chapter. I enjoyed this book very much and found myself especially invested during the latter half of the novel. 4/5 stars.

here are my thoughts on the book:

⊹ it felt like the author told us things instead of letting us see them happen.
⊹ i expected some horror, as promised, but didn't find any in the story.
⊹ the ending felt very rushed.
⊹ i was often left feeling quite confused.

Creepy and atmospheric, a great read for spooky season. Given the title, I did expect more haunting, specifically more haunting directed at Emily Grace. It was more like, Emily Grace gets caught up in an awkward and maybe dangerous family dynamic while working on an island known for paranormal activity. But that's much less catchy of a title.

Thanks to NetGalley for early access.

This was a great book, ultimately I do wish it was a little more horror/ghosty, I felt like it was a great thriller but could’ve been soooo much better as a horror. I found a lot of story was hearing sounds and I would’ve loved this to have been elevated into more, as I love a scary ghost story👻

Overall, I rated this 3.5⭐️ a great thriller and I think it is a good one to anyone who likes a thriller I just found the title a little misleading and I think it expected me to want more! But overall a good read!

The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor is a gothic-leaning thriller with a chilling premise. The story centers around Emily Grace, whose haunting past and eerie surroundings create a strong sense of atmosphere from the very beginning. The setting is dark and unsettling, with plenty of creepy moments that kept me curious about where the story was headed.

Elena Taylor’s writing style is engaging and easy to follow, and she does a nice job of pulling readers into the unsettling mood of the book. The mysterious elements and the slow unraveling of Emily’s past were intriguing, and I appreciated the tension that built as more secrets came to light.

However, while the atmosphere was strong, the story itself did not always live up to its potential. Some of the twists were predictable, and there were moments where the pacing dragged, making it harder to stay fully invested. I also felt that some of the character development could have gone deeper, which would have added more emotional weight to the haunting aspects of the plot.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with spooky vibes and a strong gothic setting, but it fell a bit short of being truly memorable. If you enjoy eerie thrillers with a supernatural edge, this one might be worth picking up.

Thank you to Elena Taylor, Severn House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.

I really enjoyed this book! Emily Grace was a relatable character with all she had been through and was struggling with and I appreciated that.
The twist at the end of the book was really unexpected and I really liked that, because not many books surprise me after reading so many. I think the writing was good, giving just enough details when needed but not giving too much away at the same time.
My jaw was really on the floor when I learned who was really doing all of the "haunting"!
Also Adrian and Emily Grace are so cute together And Morgan just made me so happy 😀

This is a spooky read and one I really enjoyed.

There is plenty of drama and is a read that doesn't give much away. I felt as though it was quite a guessing game.

It is a book that is not for everyone but I enjoyed my reading time.

I enjoyed liked this book as a thriller, but never got the haunting spooky vibes that were described in the synopsis which are really what I was looking for. If I set that aside it’s an interesting slow paced mystery with a mansion on a secluded island and some indications that Emily Grace, who is the carpenter working on the mansion, and Cameron, the homeowner, aren’t alone on the island. I did love the setting of the island in the Pacific Northwest and the quaint town with really interesting residents. If you want a slower thriller with a bit of mystery that takes place on a super moody setting, this is up your alley!

I received a free copy of, The Haunting of Emily Grace, by Elena Taylor, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Emily Grace is in a downfall, she lost so much, but is still taking it day by day. Emily has a new job that locals say is haunted. This was a really intriguing read, I was cheering for Emily Grace the whole time, I was reading the book.

This was a Quick dark read. Is it ghosts or something more sinister? I did occasionally get the creeps reading this as things went bump in the night.
Loads of hints as to the ending, which was quite complex, but I still hadn't fully figured it out, which I love!

3.5 rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this arc. A thoroughly enjoyable, twisty and dark tale which had me gripped from start to finish. A brilliant read for those who love a good mystery.

Dark. Spooky. Breathtaking.
And yet every sentence has Elena's unique wit and charm.



When Emily Grace first comes to the island, it's an escape. The last chance she has at becoming the person she once was or at least more normal than she is now. But what she's met with is a house that seems tethered to the underworld and an employer who seems to be cursed.

What better start to a book is there than this? I picked up this book and absolutely could not put it down! Even though it's sometime before we get Emily's. Emily Grace's full story. We know she's in pain and trying to rebuild her life or at least overcome her circumstances.

The setting is one that will stay with me forever. An island barely inhabited lost in time. A house, on the most uninhabited hard to get you part of that island, that can't decide if it's part of the cliff, sky, water, or underworld?

And the creep factor? Off the charts. Warnings from the locals, strange occurrences, and the voices in her head all work together to send an already fragile Emily Grace to the brink.

Emily Grace's grief seems so real. As you experience life through her eyes you can't help but to feel the pain she's feeling every moment.

It's time for you to decide who is haunting Emily Grace.

** this review will be posted on Hott Books post-release and on social media

Set on a storm-swept, isolated island off the Pacific coast, The Haunting of Emily Grace weaves mystery, suspense, and psychological tension into a richly atmospheric tale. When Emily Grace, a skilled carpenter with her own haunted past, is hired to finish building a luxurious home, she walks into more than just an unfinished project. The house belongs to millionaire Cameron—whose wife mysteriously vanished seven months earlier—and rumors swirl that the home is cursed or even haunted.

Elena Taylor does a fantastic job with setting—the island feels alive, eerie, and beautifully remote. The detailed descriptions and immersive atmosphere place you right there alongside Emily, especially as strange occurrences begin to unfold around her. While the first half of the novel is a slow burn, it never drags, and the suspense builds steadily until the second half becomes truly unputdownable.
The title is both literal and metaphorical. Emily is haunted by her own trauma as well as by the eerie energy of the home and the secrets it holds. There’s a subtle creepiness throughout—nothing over-the-top, but just enough to keep you unsettled in the best way.

Part mystery, part ghost story, and part emotional exploration, The Haunting of Emily Grace is a compelling, atmospheric read that lingers after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of slow-burning suspense with a psychological twist.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

While I thought the plot was set up nicely, I felt the read was slow paced. This continued on through out the whole book for me. However, the characters are well thought out and are easily relatable and I really enjoyed the ending. While the book sets you up for a "haunting," do not be fooled. Someone is up to something, and you will just have to read to find out who and why.

I am giving this book 3.5 solid stars. I recommend this read to anyone who wants a different psychological thriller vibe.

Thank you NetGalley, Elena Taylor, and Publisher for the eArc.

"The Haunting of Emily Grace" by Elena Taylor is a suspense novel with shades of "Rebecca" and underlying themes of grief, isolation, and psychological dread. Written in first-person POV, it follows a grieving woman with a water phobia who takes a job on an isolated island and must come to terms with ghosts both past and present. That said, it isn’t a traditional ghost story—the heroine is haunted more by her own past and present than by spirits.

Emily Grace is a carpenter (a refreshing choice of profession) hired to finish work on a mansion called the End of the World—a fitting name—on the secluded island of Monk’s Rock, surrounded by a harsh, unforgiving sea. The home was commissioned by millionaire Cameron and designed by his wife, Katrina, who vanished in a sailing accident and is presumed dead.

Locals whisper that the house is cursed, but Emily isn’t deterred—the job is her lifeline. She befriends the clairvoyant Juniper and Adrian, the ferry’s first mate, yet unsettling events soon follow: wet footprints outside her door, vague noises, ghostly whispers through the forest, and a specter in the window. The arrival of Chloe, Cameron’s estranged daughter, and a series of accidents and stormy nights deepen the tension. Unsure whom to trust, Emily is determined to uncover the truth, even at great risk.

Atmospheric and haunting, the book was intriguing to read from start to finish. The writing is evocative, bringing the cold, eerie setting vividly to life. It moves slowly, but I found it enjoyable—the isolated island was the perfect stage for the story’s suspenseful vibes. There’s a slow-burn romance, but it takes a definite backseat to the plot. Readers who prefer fast-paced thrillers may need patience, but those who enjoy immersive, slow-building suspense will appreciate it.

I admired Emily’s resilience as she worked through grief and fear of the sea, and I appreciated the message that we don’t simply overcome loss—we learn to live with it. Chloe, on the other hand, was irritating, though her presence kept the intrigue. I especially enjoyed the uncertainty around which character could be trusted, and the plot kept me guessing until the end.

The remote setting, gothic atmosphere, and the mystery of the missing woman all gave me strong "Rebecca" vibes—a book that has long been a favorite of mine. While the conclusion tied up the loose ends, it felt a little rushed, with the final chapter leaning more on telling than showing. Still, I enjoyed the book, slow parts and all, and would recommend it to fans of atmospheric suspense. Just go in with an open mind and don’t expect a ghost story per se.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

Elena Taylor’s The Haunting of Emily Grace is the perfect book to usher in fall reading season. Despite its title, this isn’t a traditional ghost story—though there are spectral elements, the true “haunting” is Emily’s grief and guilt over the loss of her daughter.

Emily arrives at “The End of the World,” an isolated modern, coastal mansion at the request of Cameron, a widowed millionaire who hires her to complete his late wife Katrina’s vision for the home. The longer Emily stays, the more she senses that Katrina’s death may not be what it appears.

Conflicting stories arise: Adrian, the town ferry’s first mate, blames Cameron; Cameron insists Adrian is at fault. Both characters remain sympathetic and likable, which heightens the tension and keeps readers guessing.

Taylor skillfully builds an atmosphere of suspense, layering in stormy weather, small-town folklore, and unsettling incidents within the house itself. The pacing is strong throughout, though the resolution feels a bit rushed compared to the eerie build-up.

One of my favorite passages is Emily’s observation about grief:

“Stupid things like a key chain or a cheap toy… a plastic travel cup. They become imbued with some connection to the person we’ve lost. And it feels like giving that item up is giving up a part of that connection. Even if the item itself is unimportant, it feels, well… it feels like everything.”

The Haunting of Emily Grace is an ideal pick for readers seeking a suspenseful, atmospheric thriller to complement autumn’s chill.

After reading some reviews on this book, I was a little hestiant to start it. But I did and finished it in one day!

Greiving after the loss of her child, a woman accepts a job to help finish a house on a high cliff overlooking the sea.. She will be working for a bereaved widower who wife has disappeared and presumed dead. As she begins her job, eerie events begin to occur and she wonders who she can trust in this suspence packed story. Is it the sad widower, his daughter or new friends that she has made in the small town?

The scenery , the people, and who did what kept me reading to the very end. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book! Emily Grace was a relatable character with all she had been through and was struggling with and I appreciated that.
The twist at the end of the book was really unexpected and I really liked that, because not many books surprise me after reading so many. I think the writing was good, giving just enough details when needed but not giving too much away at the same time.
My jaw was really on the floor when I learned who was really doing all of the "haunting"!
Also Adrian and Emily Grace are so cute together And Morgan just made me so happy 😀
I think the author did a good job of telling this story in a way that left you wanting more. I know I definitely binged this book and I am sure my friends will also when its released

Wow! This book draws you in and keeps you wondering what’s going to happen. I loved this entire book! If you love a gripping, suspenseful thriller this book is for you!

This was a decent read, though I felt that the title was a little misleading. It centers on Emily Grace, who takes a job as a carpenter to finish building a secluded house owned by an eccentric millionaire off the coast of Washington state. She is reeling from the loss of her child and wants a new project to take her mind off of things, but gets more than she bargained for when weird things happen around the house and various people come into her life unexpectedly.

The book started out pretty slow but started to pick up pace halfway through. It was initially hard to tell if this was a supernatural story or not, and I enjoyed the suspense around that. The setting was atmospheric and very well done. I felt like the mystery came together pretty quickly and the last part of the book was extremely fast-paced after the first part of the book was a slow burn- I personally would have preferred more even pacing throughout. When all was revealed, it was interesting, though not the way I expected the story to go. I thought the author did a good job tying up loose ends and felt that the ending of the story worked.

Overall, this was a decent book but the uneven pacing and surprise about where the story went were not ideal for me. I did enjoy the read though. Thanks to Negalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.