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The Girls Are Never Gone
Dare Chase doesn’t believe in ghosts.
Privately, she’s a supernatural skeptic. But publicly, she’s keeping her doubts to herself—because she’s the voice of Attachments, her brand-new paranormal investigation podcast, and she needs her ghost-loving listeners to tune in.
That’s what brings her to Arrington Estate. Thirty years ago, teenager Atheleen Bell drowned in Arrington’s lake, and legend says her spirit haunts the estate. Dare’s more interested in the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death—circumstances that she believes point to a living culprit, not the supernatural. Still, she’s vowed to keep an open mind as she investigates, even if she’s pretty sure what she’ll find.
But Arrington is full of surprises. Good ones like Quinn, the cute daughter of the house’s new owner. And baffling ones like the threatening messages left scrawled in paint on Quinn’s walls, the ghastly face that appears behind Dare’s own in the mirror, and the unnatural current that nearly drowns their friend Holly in the lake. As Dare is drawn deeper into the mysteries of Arrington, she’ll have to rethink the boundaries of what is possible. Because if something is lurking in the lake…it might not be willing to let her go.
Privately, she’s a supernatural skeptic. But publicly, she’s keeping her doubts to herself—because she’s the voice of Attachments, her brand-new paranormal investigation podcast, and she needs her ghost-loving listeners to tune in.
That’s what brings her to Arrington Estate. Thirty years ago, teenager Atheleen Bell drowned in Arrington’s lake, and legend says her spirit haunts the estate. Dare’s more interested in the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death—circumstances that she believes point to a living culprit, not the supernatural. Still, she’s vowed to keep an open mind as she investigates, even if she’s pretty sure what she’ll find.
But Arrington is full of surprises. Good ones like Quinn, the cute daughter of the house’s new owner. And baffling ones like the threatening messages left scrawled in paint on Quinn’s walls, the ghastly face that appears behind Dare’s own in the mirror, and the unnatural current that nearly drowns their friend Holly in the lake. As Dare is drawn deeper into the mysteries of Arrington, she’ll have to rethink the boundaries of what is possible. Because if something is lurking in the lake…it might not be willing to let her go.
Audiobook
First published September 7, 2021
About the author
Sarah Glenn Marsh
26 books793 followersSarah Glenn Marsh writes young adult novels and children's picture books.
She lives, writes, and paints things in Virginia, supported by her husband, four rescued greyhounds, three birds, and many fish.
If she could, she'd adopt ALL THE ANIMALS.
Oh, and she'd love to be your friend here on Goodreads, or over on Twitter http://twitter.com/SG_Marsh!
She lives, writes, and paints things in Virginia, supported by her husband, four rescued greyhounds, three birds, and many fish.
If she could, she'd adopt ALL THE ANIMALS.
Oh, and she'd love to be your friend here on Goodreads, or over on Twitter http://twitter.com/SG_Marsh!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 537 reviews
October 10, 2021
There were some things I loved about this: like the fact that our main character is a bisexual, diabetic young girl who runs a spooky podcast. I LOVED how in the audiobook we could hear parts of her podcast with the creepy music, it was so cool. I really enjoyed the first 50%, but then I started losing interest and found the story to get kind of cheesy. I think the comparison to The Conjuring just had my expectations a little too high, but either way this book was a fun way to kick off October. 👻
October 23, 2021
Another creepy book perfect for Halloween. I love this time of year so much but between all the ghost shows I’ve been watching, and all the horror books I’ve been reading, I’m going to need at least a short break of reading some warm and fluffy romance:) This has been a good year for YA horror and The Girls Are Never Gone is another book to add to that list. While there were other books in this category that I enjoyed more this year, this was a good, solid read that held my attention the whole way.
I’ve mentioned this before but there seems to have been more gross horror than scary horror lately. While I will happily read both genres, I’m looking more for the creepy and flat out scary. I was happily suspired that I thought this book had a very good mix of both gross and scary. In terms of the gross there was this slim and decay that covers everything in the book. It’s funny, the characters were constantly taking showers, and the ick was so perfectly conveyed that I could not help but want to jump into my shower as soon as I finished the book.
I liked how the scary parts were woven in with the grossness. There is the underlying fear of never knowing what to expect and even who you can really trust that messes with you head, in a good horror way. Not to mention lots of little moments that would definitely be good jumps scares, especially if this book were turned into a movie. The creepiness here will keep you on your toes. While I was not as scared as I was while reading To Break a Covenant, I purposely put this book down last night so I could read the rest today in the sunlight.
There were a few things I wasn’t crazy about which revolved around the main character some. I liked her as a main character but her skepticism got old really fast. I don’t know any person that would take that long to realize something paranormal was going on. While that was annoying, that wasn’t my biggest issue. The main character was supposed to be a very experienced ghost hunter. She talked about bringing all this equipment and was going to debunk this supposed haunting for her podcast. The problem was that more than half the time she didn’t seem like she knew what she was doing. She stopped using all but the most basic tools in her arsenal and it didn’t seem to fit with this great investigator persona. I did really like all the podcast parts, but I wish there was a little more to that part like I wished there was more to the ghost investigating.
The sapphic romance was super cute. I was surprised how many times the characters got to have these small intimate moments together when they are in a middle of a horror book. Marsh handled this well and it gave this darker book some lighter moments that it needed. I believe the ages of the three main characters were 17, 18, and 19, or somewhere in that range, so Marsh was able to keep it a sweet YA romance, yet you could still tell that they had chemistry and one could even believe that they could have potential as a long term couple.
TLDR: A well written YA horror book that was a good mix of scary and gross horror. There was a cute sapphic romance to give the book a little light, but I still would recommend reading this book with the lights on. There were a few bumps, I wish the main character was more into the ghost hunting parts, and one of the twists was easier to see coming that I had hopped, but this was still a very entertaining horror book. I also have to mention that there was an adorable service dog and some of the better Type 1 Diabetes rep I've read in a fiction book. I will absolutely read anything sapphic that Marsh writes in the future.
I’ve mentioned this before but there seems to have been more gross horror than scary horror lately. While I will happily read both genres, I’m looking more for the creepy and flat out scary. I was happily suspired that I thought this book had a very good mix of both gross and scary. In terms of the gross there was this slim and decay that covers everything in the book. It’s funny, the characters were constantly taking showers, and the ick was so perfectly conveyed that I could not help but want to jump into my shower as soon as I finished the book.
I liked how the scary parts were woven in with the grossness. There is the underlying fear of never knowing what to expect and even who you can really trust that messes with you head, in a good horror way. Not to mention lots of little moments that would definitely be good jumps scares, especially if this book were turned into a movie. The creepiness here will keep you on your toes. While I was not as scared as I was while reading To Break a Covenant, I purposely put this book down last night so I could read the rest today in the sunlight.
There were a few things I wasn’t crazy about which revolved around the main character some. I liked her as a main character but her skepticism got old really fast. I don’t know any person that would take that long to realize something paranormal was going on. While that was annoying, that wasn’t my biggest issue. The main character was supposed to be a very experienced ghost hunter. She talked about bringing all this equipment and was going to debunk this supposed haunting for her podcast. The problem was that more than half the time she didn’t seem like she knew what she was doing. She stopped using all but the most basic tools in her arsenal and it didn’t seem to fit with this great investigator persona. I did really like all the podcast parts, but I wish there was a little more to that part like I wished there was more to the ghost investigating.
The sapphic romance was super cute. I was surprised how many times the characters got to have these small intimate moments together when they are in a middle of a horror book. Marsh handled this well and it gave this darker book some lighter moments that it needed. I believe the ages of the three main characters were 17, 18, and 19, or somewhere in that range, so Marsh was able to keep it a sweet YA romance, yet you could still tell that they had chemistry and one could even believe that they could have potential as a long term couple.
TLDR: A well written YA horror book that was a good mix of scary and gross horror. There was a cute sapphic romance to give the book a little light, but I still would recommend reading this book with the lights on. There were a few bumps, I wish the main character was more into the ghost hunting parts, and one of the twists was easier to see coming that I had hopped, but this was still a very entertaining horror book. I also have to mention that there was an adorable service dog and some of the better Type 1 Diabetes rep I've read in a fiction book. I will absolutely read anything sapphic that Marsh writes in the future.
December 26, 2021
I saw “Sadie meets The Conjuring” and immediately started levitating. I am desperate for this.
September 29, 2021
Actual rating: 4.5 stars rounded up
The perfect ghost story heading into fall!
Dare is our bisexual heroine with type 1 diabetes and a podcast about paranormal investigation. After a breakup, she's spending the summer as an intern rehabbing a supposedly haunted historical house where a girl drowned in the lake. Dare isn't sure ghosts are real and mostly debunks them, but she wants to be proven wrong. This might be the summer of meeting ghosts....and maybe a cute girl as well.
This was a fantastically spooky story with complicated families, brave girls, malevolent spirits, and a very cute romance. I've not seen a lot of type 1 diabetes represented in stories and it's cool to see the author share what her own experience with that has been like through this character. It's woven into the narrative and we see the way it impacts her on a daily basis. This is definitely one to check out! I received an advance copy of this book for review via netgalley. All opinions are my own.
The perfect ghost story heading into fall!
Dare is our bisexual heroine with type 1 diabetes and a podcast about paranormal investigation. After a breakup, she's spending the summer as an intern rehabbing a supposedly haunted historical house where a girl drowned in the lake. Dare isn't sure ghosts are real and mostly debunks them, but she wants to be proven wrong. This might be the summer of meeting ghosts....and maybe a cute girl as well.
This was a fantastically spooky story with complicated families, brave girls, malevolent spirits, and a very cute romance. I've not seen a lot of type 1 diabetes represented in stories and it's cool to see the author share what her own experience with that has been like through this character. It's woven into the narrative and we see the way it impacts her on a daily basis. This is definitely one to check out! I received an advance copy of this book for review via netgalley. All opinions are my own.
May 30, 2022
I’ve read lots of Thrillers, especially YA Thrillers but it’s been too long since I’ve read a good old fashioned scary YA Horror. And the spectacularly spooky cover of The Girls Are Never Gone held some promise this might be the perfect book to give me some hair raising chills. Unfortunately my hair stayed perfectly in place.
“I’ve always been drawn to the dark. I’ve never seen a ghost, or a body, or known someone who’s gone missing, but when bad things happen I just can’t look away. And in just a few hours, I’ll be standing on the shore where Athaleen Bell spent her final moments.”
Dare is a high school student producing a podcast about exploring the paranormal specifically haunted houses. She is not new to recording material on ghostly apparitions. She and her ex had a YouTube Channel called Strange Virginia dedicated to paranormal activity. But Attachments is all Dares and her first season is going to be about the mysterious death of 17 year old Athaleen Bell who drowned in the lake on the antiquated Arrington Estate in 1992. Athaleen went for a swim on a beautifully warm day, any swimmer, especially one as avid as her should have had no problem treading the calm waters of the lake that day. Then there was the state of Athaleen’s body that baffled the Coroner. Her body was sunken and skeletal in just a few hours with no justification. To this day Athaleen’s death is still an unsolved mystery and some believe her spirit haunts the property.
Dare signs up as a volunteer to help the historical society renovate the Arrington Estate into a museum. That way she has the whole month of July to research her case and see if there are truths to the tales of any ghostly hauntings. Dare keeps her non belief status a secret as she digs for evidence that there are other explanations to Athaleen’s death and the unexplained chilling phenomenon on the estate. She strikes up a friendship with Quinn, the owner’s teenage daughter and Holly another volunteer and they spend most of their time repairing and investigating together.
Things start to happen that Dare can easily explain away as an over active imagination as they work on the house. But over time the phenomenon gets more sinister. An eerie old fashioned doll that seems to have a hold on Holly, a chilling face staring back at Dare in the mirror, and messages warning Quinn with her own paints. Are these unexplained events someone playing with their heads or is there really something to the rumors about Arrington being haunted? And will Dare and friends be safe if they stay?
The story itself had so much promise. It had all the right makings to create a truly scary book. Creepy old house. Mysterious lake where several girls had inexplicably drowned. Beat up old doll that gave off Annabelle vibes. Victorian call boxes that come to life even though the wires were cut, etc. Even with all these factors it just didn’t work for me.
I think it was bogged down with too many layers, some very irrelevant.
There were too many mysteries going on in one book and it confused my already overly addled brain. It starts out with Dare’s investigation on Athaleen but then progresses to research on other girls from different timelines. It’s all connected but still too much. I would elaborate more but I think that would ruin a lot of the book.
I think it’s great that Sarah Glenn Marsh wrote about a character with a “disability”. Dare has type 1 diabetes and to help manage it she has Waffles a service dog that detects abnormal glucose levels. Waffles isn’t actually very good at his job and she has to rely on good old fashioned checking it herself a lot, but he’s still a perfect little side kick for Dare. The problem that I had with the whole diabetes subject was how often it was brought up. “The jittery feeling in my legs convinces me that my blood sugar is getting to low. The glucose tablets I took must not have kicked in yet.” “I shoved three glucose tablets in my mouth..” “As I shove my diabetes equipment into the top drawer of the dresser…”, and so on. This is just a few of the many times I read about Dare’s diabetes. It got to the point where I thought maybe SGM should title this The Paranormal and Type 1 Diabetes: Should You Really Mix Them Together? It has a nice ring to it don’t you think?! You get the point I’m sure. It was just a bit of an overkill.
The character development wasn’t really there. I really didn’t know much about the characters except Dare has a podcast and diabetes obviously. So I wasn’t really feeling a connection. I think I was feeling Waffles more than anyone else!
If a book is boring that is a cardinal sin. Even with all the things that I wasn’t feeling from The Girls Are Never Gone it was never boring. I think SGM has skills. She’s great with descriptives. I could picture the story playing out in my head. The pacing was great and I was kept engaged.
The ending of the book hints at a possible sequel. Sometimes sequels are even better than their counter parts, so I might be willing to delve back into the world of Dare and the mysterious Arrington Estate.
Thank You Penguin Teen for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
“I’ve always been drawn to the dark. I’ve never seen a ghost, or a body, or known someone who’s gone missing, but when bad things happen I just can’t look away. And in just a few hours, I’ll be standing on the shore where Athaleen Bell spent her final moments.”
Dare is a high school student producing a podcast about exploring the paranormal specifically haunted houses. She is not new to recording material on ghostly apparitions. She and her ex had a YouTube Channel called Strange Virginia dedicated to paranormal activity. But Attachments is all Dares and her first season is going to be about the mysterious death of 17 year old Athaleen Bell who drowned in the lake on the antiquated Arrington Estate in 1992. Athaleen went for a swim on a beautifully warm day, any swimmer, especially one as avid as her should have had no problem treading the calm waters of the lake that day. Then there was the state of Athaleen’s body that baffled the Coroner. Her body was sunken and skeletal in just a few hours with no justification. To this day Athaleen’s death is still an unsolved mystery and some believe her spirit haunts the property.
Dare signs up as a volunteer to help the historical society renovate the Arrington Estate into a museum. That way she has the whole month of July to research her case and see if there are truths to the tales of any ghostly hauntings. Dare keeps her non belief status a secret as she digs for evidence that there are other explanations to Athaleen’s death and the unexplained chilling phenomenon on the estate. She strikes up a friendship with Quinn, the owner’s teenage daughter and Holly another volunteer and they spend most of their time repairing and investigating together.
Things start to happen that Dare can easily explain away as an over active imagination as they work on the house. But over time the phenomenon gets more sinister. An eerie old fashioned doll that seems to have a hold on Holly, a chilling face staring back at Dare in the mirror, and messages warning Quinn with her own paints. Are these unexplained events someone playing with their heads or is there really something to the rumors about Arrington being haunted? And will Dare and friends be safe if they stay?
The story itself had so much promise. It had all the right makings to create a truly scary book. Creepy old house. Mysterious lake where several girls had inexplicably drowned. Beat up old doll that gave off Annabelle vibes. Victorian call boxes that come to life even though the wires were cut, etc. Even with all these factors it just didn’t work for me.
I think it was bogged down with too many layers, some very irrelevant.
There were too many mysteries going on in one book and it confused my already overly addled brain. It starts out with Dare’s investigation on Athaleen but then progresses to research on other girls from different timelines. It’s all connected but still too much. I would elaborate more but I think that would ruin a lot of the book.
I think it’s great that Sarah Glenn Marsh wrote about a character with a “disability”. Dare has type 1 diabetes and to help manage it she has Waffles a service dog that detects abnormal glucose levels. Waffles isn’t actually very good at his job and she has to rely on good old fashioned checking it herself a lot, but he’s still a perfect little side kick for Dare. The problem that I had with the whole diabetes subject was how often it was brought up. “The jittery feeling in my legs convinces me that my blood sugar is getting to low. The glucose tablets I took must not have kicked in yet.” “I shoved three glucose tablets in my mouth..” “As I shove my diabetes equipment into the top drawer of the dresser…”, and so on. This is just a few of the many times I read about Dare’s diabetes. It got to the point where I thought maybe SGM should title this The Paranormal and Type 1 Diabetes: Should You Really Mix Them Together? It has a nice ring to it don’t you think?! You get the point I’m sure. It was just a bit of an overkill.
The character development wasn’t really there. I really didn’t know much about the characters except Dare has a podcast and diabetes obviously. So I wasn’t really feeling a connection. I think I was feeling Waffles more than anyone else!
If a book is boring that is a cardinal sin. Even with all the things that I wasn’t feeling from The Girls Are Never Gone it was never boring. I think SGM has skills. She’s great with descriptives. I could picture the story playing out in my head. The pacing was great and I was kept engaged.
The ending of the book hints at a possible sequel. Sometimes sequels are even better than their counter parts, so I might be willing to delve back into the world of Dare and the mysterious Arrington Estate.
Thank You Penguin Teen for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 7, 2021
The MC has a service dog and I'd like you all to know that the dog does survive.
Dare Chase doesn't believe in ghosts. But her secret as a skeptic is kept far from her paranormal podcast Attachments, which is her first podcast by herself since her breakup with her ex. Dare is determined to find more ghost lovers and that's why she's set off for a summer internship at Arrington Estate. Thirty years ago, Atheleen Bell drowned in the lake and rumors say her spirit still haunts the estate. But Dare thinks a living culprit could behind it.
When Dare arrives she finds several surprises like Quinn, the owner's cute daughter and Holly, a friendly local whose agreed to help so she can apply to college. But things aren't all right at the Estate: threatening messages are appearing on the walls, Holly is almost drowned in the lake and something is lurking in the mirror behind Dare's own reflection.
This was so fucking creepy. Like just as creepy as The Dead and the Dark and a little bit over that. The house had such a presence and it was not a welcoming one. The longer the girls are in the house the more it makes it clear it wants them to leave. Or Else. I loved the mix of horror, ghosts and murder mystery this book had going on. It was the perfect creepy atmosphere and it definitely helped that we had two sapphic MCs.
In addition there's also chronically ill rep! Dare is a type 1 diabetic and brings her insulin pump, and service dog whose supposed to let her know her blood sugar gets dangerous-- which Waffles does his best. I was not expecting this but I loved seeing it! I want more books with disabled or chronically ill rep!
Then there's the relationships between the three girls. I loved seeing them bond and getting closer through all the awful stuff that happened. I especially loved seeing Quinn and Dare develop their romantic relationship. They were just so damn cute together. The ending leaves us with hope but not all things are well so I am crossing my fingers for a sequel!!
Rep: Bisexual chronically ill female MC (type 1 diabetes), sapphic Bourican/biracial love interest.
CWs: Animal death (not on page, but skeletons are found), blood, chronic illness (type 1 diabetes), death, ghostly haunting, medical content, murder, stalking, toxic relationship, violence, vomit.
Dare Chase doesn't believe in ghosts. But her secret as a skeptic is kept far from her paranormal podcast Attachments, which is her first podcast by herself since her breakup with her ex. Dare is determined to find more ghost lovers and that's why she's set off for a summer internship at Arrington Estate. Thirty years ago, Atheleen Bell drowned in the lake and rumors say her spirit still haunts the estate. But Dare thinks a living culprit could behind it.
When Dare arrives she finds several surprises like Quinn, the owner's cute daughter and Holly, a friendly local whose agreed to help so she can apply to college. But things aren't all right at the Estate: threatening messages are appearing on the walls, Holly is almost drowned in the lake and something is lurking in the mirror behind Dare's own reflection.
This was so fucking creepy. Like just as creepy as The Dead and the Dark and a little bit over that. The house had such a presence and it was not a welcoming one. The longer the girls are in the house the more it makes it clear it wants them to leave. Or Else. I loved the mix of horror, ghosts and murder mystery this book had going on. It was the perfect creepy atmosphere and it definitely helped that we had two sapphic MCs.
In addition there's also chronically ill rep! Dare is a type 1 diabetic and brings her insulin pump, and service dog whose supposed to let her know her blood sugar gets dangerous-- which Waffles does his best. I was not expecting this but I loved seeing it! I want more books with disabled or chronically ill rep!
Then there's the relationships between the three girls. I loved seeing them bond and getting closer through all the awful stuff that happened. I especially loved seeing Quinn and Dare develop their romantic relationship. They were just so damn cute together. The ending leaves us with hope but not all things are well so I am crossing my fingers for a sequel!!
Rep: Bisexual chronically ill female MC (type 1 diabetes), sapphic Bourican/biracial love interest.
CWs: Animal death (not on page, but skeletons are found), blood, chronic illness (type 1 diabetes), death, ghostly haunting, medical content, murder, stalking, toxic relationship, violence, vomit.
September 17, 2021
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
Wow!!! Apparently i'm lucky AF because I just read an absolutely chilling, incredible, just the sort of fear I crave, gothic Haunted House based novel! Spirits, terror, chills, prose that boasts INCREDIBLE, haunting, hair raising imagery, twists & turns... this book HAS IT ALL! And IMMEDIATELY after reading another haunted house book that was ACTUALLY scary & chilling, too, which hasn't happened in YEARS!
Totally counting my lucky stars rn! Especially because the cherry on the damn top was a f/f relationship! Love love love the LGBTQIA+ rep, woo! Totally fantastic read!
(I am feeling like I shouldn't sound so damn happy about being scared out of my wits, but I have literally loved anything scary since I could read, probably even before— Nightmare Before Christmas was my JAM as a toddler practically haha! Bless my mom & dad who were always totally cool with their teeny little girl diving into RL Stine books way younger than I probably should've, ah & Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark, which I think was my first ever terrifying read. I read them ALL SO young haha. I love fear & thrills from anything that that comes from something fictional or is, well, fake. I have CRAZY levels of anxiety, and it makes me feel more in control of my fear, if that makes sense? To CHOOSE to be afraid of something I choose, instead of real life things).
ANYWAY 100% recommend!!! If you've been looking for a genuine haunted house scare, this book is most definitely for you! It's one i'm glad I didn't read at night though, so WATCH OUT & read if you dare!😉
Wow!!! Apparently i'm lucky AF because I just read an absolutely chilling, incredible, just the sort of fear I crave, gothic Haunted House based novel! Spirits, terror, chills, prose that boasts INCREDIBLE, haunting, hair raising imagery, twists & turns... this book HAS IT ALL! And IMMEDIATELY after reading another haunted house book that was ACTUALLY scary & chilling, too, which hasn't happened in YEARS!
Totally counting my lucky stars rn! Especially because the cherry on the damn top was a f/f relationship! Love love love the LGBTQIA+ rep, woo! Totally fantastic read!
(I am feeling like I shouldn't sound so damn happy about being scared out of my wits, but I have literally loved anything scary since I could read, probably even before— Nightmare Before Christmas was my JAM as a toddler practically haha! Bless my mom & dad who were always totally cool with their teeny little girl diving into RL Stine books way younger than I probably should've, ah & Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark, which I think was my first ever terrifying read. I read them ALL SO young haha. I love fear & thrills from anything that that comes from something fictional or is, well, fake. I have CRAZY levels of anxiety, and it makes me feel more in control of my fear, if that makes sense? To CHOOSE to be afraid of something I choose, instead of real life things).
ANYWAY 100% recommend!!! If you've been looking for a genuine haunted house scare, this book is most definitely for you! It's one i'm glad I didn't read at night though, so WATCH OUT & read if you dare!😉
September 6, 2021
4.5/5 Stars
I’m not gonna lie to you guys, I’m a huge wimp when it comes to all things horror (much to my girlfriend’s dismay) – I absolutely hate gore and I’ve seen a grand total of two horror movies in my entire life, and I’m not joking when I say that one of them was the Daniel Radcliffe Woman in Black film… So, I’m always a bit wary going into horror novels, though admittedly I’ve enjoyed every single one I’ve read, but this book just felt like it was on a whole other level!
The book follows Dare who runs her own supernatural true-crime based podcast which is severely lacking in followers after her split with her boyfriend and leaving their joint podcast. But one day, Dare receives a comment on one of her episodes from a viewer suggesting that she check out the tragic story of Atheleen Bell who drowned in the lake at Arrington Estate – a story that is well known among the small town’s residents, though no one really knows what happens. So, staunch paranormal unbeliever Dare takes on an internship at the Estate to help renovate it to it’s former glory, and alongside Quinn – the daughter of the woman who now owns the Estate – and Holly – another intern – the three of them set out to get to the heart of Atheleen’s tragic death, but the house has other ideas up its sleeve…
Straight away when I read the synopsis, I knew I had to pick it up – not only did it sound right up my street with the whole podcast aspect, feeling a lot like Buzzfeed Unsolved, but I am also a huge sceptic when it comes to ghosts, much like Dare is. I love watching shows and reading books where houses are some sort of spooky entity where things go bump in the night because I love to try and figure out the logical reasons why – I would absolutely take those thousands of pounds to spend the night in a haunted house, I’d happily sleep the whole time! And she didn’t disappoint! I loved when Quinn (another supernatural true crime podcast lover) would voice her fears about what was going on in the house and Dare would, albeit very kindly, explain why it was really just something mundane. However, the whole time you’re reading the book you’re left with this heavy, lingering feeling that something is, in fact, not quite right.
Speaking of Dare and Quinn, I loved how much of this book was actually character driven, and didn’t focus 100% on the plot with what actually happened to Atheleen Bell. There was some really great Type 1 Diabetes rep in the book in the form of Dare who has dealt with the condition for most of her life and has an adorably dopey service dog who accompanies her to the estate. Another aspect that sold me on this book was the fact that this is a sapphic horror novel and Dare is proudly bisexual while Quinn is a lesbian and I loved to see it, especially in a YA novel! Alongside Holly who really just wanted the internship to get out of her small town that she feels stuck in, every one of the main characters felt really realistic and had whole lives outside of them being at the estate, which made the book all that more enjoyable to read and really sucked me into their story. Their friendship was also so wonderful to see and it was really heartening to see that when they did make mistakes and upset each other, there was no hesitation over apologising – their pride took a backseat to their friendship and it was such a refreshing point that we don’t see a lot in YA and I was pleasantly surprised by it.
I can’t go too much into the plot in this review as it is a very tense horror novel and I don’t, in any way, want to spoil it for you, but I would like to talk a bit about how fantastic Sarah Glenn Marsh’s worldbuilding and atmospheric writing is. I loved the whole small town where everyone knows each other’s secrets vibe that this book had, and something about that sort of setting just screams autumn read to me, so this is the perfect time to pick this book up. Paired with the heavy, looming, nightmarish feel that this book had, alongside some slightly gory scenes, this book really had me shaken, and I stupidly read the book late at night before going to bed and had to stop and watch silly videos for about half an hour after I put the book down before I felt comfortable enough to go to sleep! My only criticism of the book is the ending, but not in the way you might be thinking – we do get a really satisfying end to Atheleen’s mystery and everything surrounding the house, but I wish we’d gotten more closure in the way of Dare, Quinn and Holly’s lives – particularly Holly – because they played a huge role in my enjoyment of the book, and I just felt a little let down that it was wrapped up so simply.
Overall, this was the perfect read for this time of year, and with Halloween on the horizon this is definitely a book that you must pick up if you’re in the mood for a book that is more than it seems and is also sure to chill you to the bones!
Thanks to Netgalley, Razorbill and TBR and Beyond Tours for an eARC copy as part of the book tour - all opinions are my own!
Want more sapphic books? You can find me here: Book Blog | Twitter | Instagram
I’m not gonna lie to you guys, I’m a huge wimp when it comes to all things horror (much to my girlfriend’s dismay) – I absolutely hate gore and I’ve seen a grand total of two horror movies in my entire life, and I’m not joking when I say that one of them was the Daniel Radcliffe Woman in Black film… So, I’m always a bit wary going into horror novels, though admittedly I’ve enjoyed every single one I’ve read, but this book just felt like it was on a whole other level!
The book follows Dare who runs her own supernatural true-crime based podcast which is severely lacking in followers after her split with her boyfriend and leaving their joint podcast. But one day, Dare receives a comment on one of her episodes from a viewer suggesting that she check out the tragic story of Atheleen Bell who drowned in the lake at Arrington Estate – a story that is well known among the small town’s residents, though no one really knows what happens. So, staunch paranormal unbeliever Dare takes on an internship at the Estate to help renovate it to it’s former glory, and alongside Quinn – the daughter of the woman who now owns the Estate – and Holly – another intern – the three of them set out to get to the heart of Atheleen’s tragic death, but the house has other ideas up its sleeve…
Straight away when I read the synopsis, I knew I had to pick it up – not only did it sound right up my street with the whole podcast aspect, feeling a lot like Buzzfeed Unsolved, but I am also a huge sceptic when it comes to ghosts, much like Dare is. I love watching shows and reading books where houses are some sort of spooky entity where things go bump in the night because I love to try and figure out the logical reasons why – I would absolutely take those thousands of pounds to spend the night in a haunted house, I’d happily sleep the whole time! And she didn’t disappoint! I loved when Quinn (another supernatural true crime podcast lover) would voice her fears about what was going on in the house and Dare would, albeit very kindly, explain why it was really just something mundane. However, the whole time you’re reading the book you’re left with this heavy, lingering feeling that something is, in fact, not quite right.
Speaking of Dare and Quinn, I loved how much of this book was actually character driven, and didn’t focus 100% on the plot with what actually happened to Atheleen Bell. There was some really great Type 1 Diabetes rep in the book in the form of Dare who has dealt with the condition for most of her life and has an adorably dopey service dog who accompanies her to the estate. Another aspect that sold me on this book was the fact that this is a sapphic horror novel and Dare is proudly bisexual while Quinn is a lesbian and I loved to see it, especially in a YA novel! Alongside Holly who really just wanted the internship to get out of her small town that she feels stuck in, every one of the main characters felt really realistic and had whole lives outside of them being at the estate, which made the book all that more enjoyable to read and really sucked me into their story. Their friendship was also so wonderful to see and it was really heartening to see that when they did make mistakes and upset each other, there was no hesitation over apologising – their pride took a backseat to their friendship and it was such a refreshing point that we don’t see a lot in YA and I was pleasantly surprised by it.
I can’t go too much into the plot in this review as it is a very tense horror novel and I don’t, in any way, want to spoil it for you, but I would like to talk a bit about how fantastic Sarah Glenn Marsh’s worldbuilding and atmospheric writing is. I loved the whole small town where everyone knows each other’s secrets vibe that this book had, and something about that sort of setting just screams autumn read to me, so this is the perfect time to pick this book up. Paired with the heavy, looming, nightmarish feel that this book had, alongside some slightly gory scenes, this book really had me shaken, and I stupidly read the book late at night before going to bed and had to stop and watch silly videos for about half an hour after I put the book down before I felt comfortable enough to go to sleep! My only criticism of the book is the ending, but not in the way you might be thinking – we do get a really satisfying end to Atheleen’s mystery and everything surrounding the house, but I wish we’d gotten more closure in the way of Dare, Quinn and Holly’s lives – particularly Holly – because they played a huge role in my enjoyment of the book, and I just felt a little let down that it was wrapped up so simply.
Overall, this was the perfect read for this time of year, and with Halloween on the horizon this is definitely a book that you must pick up if you’re in the mood for a book that is more than it seems and is also sure to chill you to the bones!
Thanks to Netgalley, Razorbill and TBR and Beyond Tours for an eARC copy as part of the book tour - all opinions are my own!
Want more sapphic books? You can find me here: Book Blog | Twitter | Instagram
January 18, 2022
Dare has always been a skeptic when it comes to ghosts.
Despite exploring haunted places for her YouTube channel, she has never found evidence to support the existence of the supernatural. Of course, she keeps her skepticism to herself as she begins a new paranormal podcast which revolves around the drowning death of Atheleen Bell thirty years ago. The locals attribute her death to the ghosts of Arrington Estate, but Dare is sure there is a more logical (and human) explanation and is determined to find out what really happened.
At first, Dare is able to discredit a lot of the theories surrounding this supposed haunting. But the longer she's at Arrington Estate, the harder it gets to explain away all the strange experiences and feelings of dread surrounding the lake. Will she be able to find out what or who really killed Atheleen Bell? Or is history doomed to repeat itself?
There were so many creepy things going on in Arrington Estate!
The slow build of events kept me questioning and second guessing if these things were in fact supernatural. As much as I liked the house, the lake was the real star of the show here. It sent chills down my spine, especially as it slowly started creeping inside the house. I was dying (no pun intended) to know what lurked in its murky depths.
Dare was a such a wonderful and inspirational main character. Her courage and strong will despite her struggle with Type I Diabetes was endearing and made me root for her. Plus, the relationship she had with her service dog was so precious! (Side Note: Nothing bad happens to the dog). Additionally, the friendship between Dare, Quinn and Holly was a joy to read. They developed such a deep and meaningful bond throughout the story.
What I really enjoyed about the characterization, however, was the ghosts. Their stories were fleshed out and the reader was able to connect with who these girls were before their deaths. It made for a deeper and more tragic connection with the ghosts and the impact on the lives of all the people their deaths affected.
Admittedly, I'm not a very sentimental person...but the ending did get to me. It was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I just loved it!
This is a well done YA ghost story with characters that you care about. If you're into paranormal literature/haunted houses (and don't mind the sentimental), I recommend this book.
Despite exploring haunted places for her YouTube channel, she has never found evidence to support the existence of the supernatural. Of course, she keeps her skepticism to herself as she begins a new paranormal podcast which revolves around the drowning death of Atheleen Bell thirty years ago. The locals attribute her death to the ghosts of Arrington Estate, but Dare is sure there is a more logical (and human) explanation and is determined to find out what really happened.
At first, Dare is able to discredit a lot of the theories surrounding this supposed haunting. But the longer she's at Arrington Estate, the harder it gets to explain away all the strange experiences and feelings of dread surrounding the lake. Will she be able to find out what or who really killed Atheleen Bell? Or is history doomed to repeat itself?
There were so many creepy things going on in Arrington Estate!
The slow build of events kept me questioning and second guessing if these things were in fact supernatural. As much as I liked the house, the lake was the real star of the show here. It sent chills down my spine, especially as it slowly started creeping inside the house. I was dying (no pun intended) to know what lurked in its murky depths.
Dare was a such a wonderful and inspirational main character. Her courage and strong will despite her struggle with Type I Diabetes was endearing and made me root for her. Plus, the relationship she had with her service dog was so precious! (Side Note: Nothing bad happens to the dog). Additionally, the friendship between Dare, Quinn and Holly was a joy to read. They developed such a deep and meaningful bond throughout the story.
What I really enjoyed about the characterization, however, was the ghosts. Their stories were fleshed out and the reader was able to connect with who these girls were before their deaths. It made for a deeper and more tragic connection with the ghosts and the impact on the lives of all the people their deaths affected.
Admittedly, I'm not a very sentimental person...but the ending did get to me. It was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I just loved it!
This is a well done YA ghost story with characters that you care about. If you're into paranormal literature/haunted houses (and don't mind the sentimental), I recommend this book.
September 16, 2021
It’s a slow build, both in terms of the haunting and the slowburn romance. We first really get to know the characters, with a few weird things happening in the background with the house, like a glowing light in the middle of the lake or a glimpse of something in the mirror. It’s atmospheric, and even before anything particularly scary happens, there’s a real sense of Arrington Estate as a character with its own personality and motives.
I really enjoyed the podcast element — it reminded me of Indestructible Object by Mary McCoy (review), which is another queer YA with a bisexual main character who had a project with her ex-boyfriend and had to start over when they broke up! In both of these books, they nail the podcast excerpts: they really “sound” like podcasts–and ones I would listen to! The creepy atmosphere, on the other hand, reminded me of The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (review), which I also really enjoyed.
I am very happy that sapphic YA horror is beginning to have enough titles to choose from! This is a perfect read for a breezy fall afternoon.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
I really enjoyed the podcast element — it reminded me of Indestructible Object by Mary McCoy (review), which is another queer YA with a bisexual main character who had a project with her ex-boyfriend and had to start over when they broke up! In both of these books, they nail the podcast excerpts: they really “sound” like podcasts–and ones I would listen to! The creepy atmosphere, on the other hand, reminded me of The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (review), which I also really enjoyed.
I am very happy that sapphic YA horror is beginning to have enough titles to choose from! This is a perfect read for a breezy fall afternoon.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
January 7, 2022
3.5 stars
Welcome to another episode of "Publishers Misleading Readers with Book Comparations". Conjuring meets Sadie? NOPE.
Not scary enough (or at all) to be compared to Conjuring, and has nothing in common with Sadie other than MC having a podcast (but the story isn't even told through it!).
Now that I got that out of the way, this was a good book. Nice writing, decent characters. I am yet to be impressed with a paranormal horror YA book—there really isn't anything that can blow my mind when the villian in each one of them is a copy/paste ghost—but it did keep me on my toes for quite a few pages.
Also, the ending was quite intriguing. Can't say it made perfect sense, but it interested me enough to be excited for the sequel...if it ever comes out, that is.
Welcome to another episode of "Publishers Misleading Readers with Book Comparations". Conjuring meets Sadie? NOPE.
Not scary enough (or at all) to be compared to Conjuring, and has nothing in common with Sadie other than MC having a podcast (but the story isn't even told through it!).
Now that I got that out of the way, this was a good book. Nice writing, decent characters. I am yet to be impressed with a paranormal horror YA book—there really isn't anything that can blow my mind when the villian in each one of them is a copy/paste ghost—but it did keep me on my toes for quite a few pages.
Also, the ending was quite intriguing. Can't say it made perfect sense, but it interested me enough to be excited for the sequel...if it ever comes out, that is.
September 2, 2021
Thank you to Penguin Teen for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dare, the main character, has a popular podcast where she investigates places that may be haunted. She used to do this podcast with her ex, but now that she is flying solo she wants to show she can do this on her own. Dare winds up in a small town, with a very old creepy house where multiple girls have drowned in the lake next to it, or the girls just disappeared. Quinn the current resident of this house claims she is being haunted and something is wrong with the house.
I enjoyed The Girls Are Never Gone, it had your classic horror and haunted house tropes. I liked the main character Dare and I really liked the Type 1 Diabetes representation. Throughout the book we actually learn about Dare and how she has diabetes and what that means, which I thought was interesting and it wasn’t over the top information. I loved learning the mystery about this haunted house and all of the history from it’s previous owners. A few parts did give me chills and had me a little spooked.
I do wish it would have had more horror, I felt like the first half of the book was learning about the house and the town. The second half finally picked up pace and you really got to see read about some spooky parts, I just wish it would have been more fleshed out. The only other aspect I didn’t actually enjoy was the romance. It felt weird and awkward and I think it really took away from the tension of the book. Usually I’m okay with romance in any sort of genre, but I felt like this really took away from the haunted house horror vibes.
All in all I did really enjoy this book and can’t wait to read more from this author.
Dare, the main character, has a popular podcast where she investigates places that may be haunted. She used to do this podcast with her ex, but now that she is flying solo she wants to show she can do this on her own. Dare winds up in a small town, with a very old creepy house where multiple girls have drowned in the lake next to it, or the girls just disappeared. Quinn the current resident of this house claims she is being haunted and something is wrong with the house.
I enjoyed The Girls Are Never Gone, it had your classic horror and haunted house tropes. I liked the main character Dare and I really liked the Type 1 Diabetes representation. Throughout the book we actually learn about Dare and how she has diabetes and what that means, which I thought was interesting and it wasn’t over the top information. I loved learning the mystery about this haunted house and all of the history from it’s previous owners. A few parts did give me chills and had me a little spooked.
I do wish it would have had more horror, I felt like the first half of the book was learning about the house and the town. The second half finally picked up pace and you really got to see read about some spooky parts, I just wish it would have been more fleshed out. The only other aspect I didn’t actually enjoy was the romance. It felt weird and awkward and I think it really took away from the tension of the book. Usually I’m okay with romance in any sort of genre, but I felt like this really took away from the haunted house horror vibes.
All in all I did really enjoy this book and can’t wait to read more from this author.
October 21, 2021
If a dog doesn't want to go into a house.. maybe you shouldn't either.
The Girls Are Never Gone was an okay book. I'll admit that I was pretty excited to jump into this because of the synopsis. Any book that gives me conjuring vibes is a horror book that I want to dive into. Zero hesitations whatsoever from me.
Unfortunately, I think I overhyped the book to myself. Trust me, it happens. Ever since I met the characters, I knew something was off. Whether it was a character, or two, or the actual haunted house itself. All I knew was that I needed to dust off my detective cap and try to solve this mystery myself. Move over Nancy freaking Drew - Dare and I are on the case!
Now the characters were okay. I probably would have enjoyed this a bit more if the random romance wasn't thrown my way. It felt a bit forced at times and then towards the end I just didn't really care for it. Any of it. So I wasn't completely surprised with how things ended either.
As for the creepiness? Eh, it was okay. Nothing really scared or wowed me. What happened was okay but I just kind of felt over it. Which kind of sucks because I was actually excited to jump into this book and I ended up being disappointed with it all.
In the end, I'm sad with what happened to Holly and I'm glad that Waffles wasn't murdered.
The Girls Are Never Gone was an okay book. I'll admit that I was pretty excited to jump into this because of the synopsis. Any book that gives me conjuring vibes is a horror book that I want to dive into. Zero hesitations whatsoever from me.
Unfortunately, I think I overhyped the book to myself. Trust me, it happens. Ever since I met the characters, I knew something was off. Whether it was a character, or two, or the actual haunted house itself. All I knew was that I needed to dust off my detective cap and try to solve this mystery myself. Move over Nancy freaking Drew - Dare and I are on the case!
Now the characters were okay. I probably would have enjoyed this a bit more if the random romance wasn't thrown my way. It felt a bit forced at times and then towards the end I just didn't really care for it. Any of it. So I wasn't completely surprised with how things ended either.
As for the creepiness? Eh, it was okay. Nothing really scared or wowed me. What happened was okay but I just kind of felt over it. Which kind of sucks because I was actually excited to jump into this book and I ended up being disappointed with it all.
In the end, I'm sad with what happened to Holly and I'm glad that Waffles wasn't murdered.
May 19, 2021
Loved this!
Official review to come.
Official review to come.
October 27, 2023
I reply enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook!!! Mild spoilers coming!!! I especially love how cute Dare and Quinn are together!!! They are just sweet and make a cute couple. The storyline was also super interesting, I just had to know what happened next.
The ghosts were creepy for sure!!! There were a few moments I was crawling out of my skin while listening. Ahhhh!!!!! And Dare was almost annoyingly in denial. Like come on girl!! Open your eyes and mind!!
The rest of the characters were totally likable too, and I felt for them when creepy things started to happen. In my opinion, you never see the ending coming. My jaw dropped and I was in disbelief, it was great!!
I recommend this to those who enjoy a good haunting story with touches of an adorable girl/girl relationship.
The ghosts were creepy for sure!!! There were a few moments I was crawling out of my skin while listening. Ahhhh!!!!! And Dare was almost annoyingly in denial. Like come on girl!! Open your eyes and mind!!
The rest of the characters were totally likable too, and I felt for them when creepy things started to happen. In my opinion, you never see the ending coming. My jaw dropped and I was in disbelief, it was great!!
I recommend this to those who enjoy a good haunting story with touches of an adorable girl/girl relationship.
September 10, 2021
I received a free copy of the book via Edelweiss and Razorbill, so thank you!
If you're easily scared and want a creepy read for fall, this is probably the one for you. If horror runs through your veins like me, this will feel familiar.
Dare wants to start her own podcast separate from the one she shared with her now ex-boyfriend and ends up in Arriginton Estate where its rumored hauntings are sure to be great for her fresh start. But what Dare does is try to debunk supposed hauntings and doesn't believe that ghosts are actually real. She meets with Quinn, the estate owner's daughter, and Holly who are all there to help transform the estate into a museum. But instead of debunking the hauntings, the girls find themselves involved in something far more sinister than they ever imagined.
Things I loved:
The queer reps
A chronically ill protagonist (she has Type 1 diabetes)
the lovable dog
a spooky and tense setting
Things I didn't love:
The familiar story of a vengeful ghost
the flat romance
the tropes
the lack of connection to any of the characters
I think people who are just getting into the genre will find this intriguing and scary. But for horror veterans like this old gal, the story hit differently. Those looking to get into the genre will enjoy this book. But horror fans will find that this one won't keep you up at night.
If you're easily scared and want a creepy read for fall, this is probably the one for you. If horror runs through your veins like me, this will feel familiar.
Dare wants to start her own podcast separate from the one she shared with her now ex-boyfriend and ends up in Arriginton Estate where its rumored hauntings are sure to be great for her fresh start. But what Dare does is try to debunk supposed hauntings and doesn't believe that ghosts are actually real. She meets with Quinn, the estate owner's daughter, and Holly who are all there to help transform the estate into a museum. But instead of debunking the hauntings, the girls find themselves involved in something far more sinister than they ever imagined.
Things I loved:
The queer reps
A chronically ill protagonist (she has Type 1 diabetes)
the lovable dog
a spooky and tense setting
Things I didn't love:
The familiar story of a vengeful ghost
the flat romance
the tropes
the lack of connection to any of the characters
I think people who are just getting into the genre will find this intriguing and scary. But for horror veterans like this old gal, the story hit differently. Those looking to get into the genre will enjoy this book. But horror fans will find that this one won't keep you up at night.
September 1, 2021
1/5⭐
received an e-arc from Net Galley
REVIEW
I was really excited for this book based on the summary. I love stories about ghosts, houses that are haunted, and podcasts. Unfortunately, this book was not good. These characters were 18/19, and there were also two adults that we saw frequently. Despite the age of the characters the story and the writing felt so childish. I kept thinking these characters were 12 years old instead of their actual age. The characters and plot were not developed at all. The story jumped from one thing to the next so quickly and sometimes I forgot who was even talking because everyone sounded the same. This was a story that I quickly forgot everything after I read because nothing was memorable.
My biggest positive from this book is the Type 1 Diabetes representation. The main character is this book is diagnosed with diabetes and it is talked about throughout the entire story. We see what it is like when her blood sugar is too high or too low, and when her medical equipment fails. She also has a service dog. I have been wanting to read a book with Type 1 Diabetes representation and I think it was well done in this book.
received an e-arc from Net Galley
REVIEW
I was really excited for this book based on the summary. I love stories about ghosts, houses that are haunted, and podcasts. Unfortunately, this book was not good. These characters were 18/19, and there were also two adults that we saw frequently. Despite the age of the characters the story and the writing felt so childish. I kept thinking these characters were 12 years old instead of their actual age. The characters and plot were not developed at all. The story jumped from one thing to the next so quickly and sometimes I forgot who was even talking because everyone sounded the same. This was a story that I quickly forgot everything after I read because nothing was memorable.
My biggest positive from this book is the Type 1 Diabetes representation. The main character is this book is diagnosed with diabetes and it is talked about throughout the entire story. We see what it is like when her blood sugar is too high or too low, and when her medical equipment fails. She also has a service dog. I have been wanting to read a book with Type 1 Diabetes representation and I think it was well done in this book.
March 18, 2022
*3.5
if i had to rate the last 20%, this would be more of a 4.25 star read. unfortunately there was another 80% and, well... :')
but i do really want a sequel so!!!!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review! This did not affect my opinions in any way.
if i had to rate the last 20%, this would be more of a 4.25 star read. unfortunately there was another 80% and, well... :')
but i do really want a sequel so!!!!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review! This did not affect my opinions in any way.
January 14, 2023
3.5 stars.
dare became way too annoying as an mc there for a while and i honestly considering dnfing. things picked up again though and the ending bumped it up to 3.5 instead of a regular 3. it was pretty fast paced after the first 20% but it felt almost too rushed in parts. overall the story is cool and the other characters were great :)
dare became way too annoying as an mc there for a while and i honestly considering dnfing. things picked up again though and the ending bumped it up to 3.5 instead of a regular 3. it was pretty fast paced after the first 20% but it felt almost too rushed in parts. overall the story is cool and the other characters were great :)
September 16, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh is an atmospheric horror that is prefect for the fall season. Following a girl who takes an internship at a haunted house, this one contains spine-chilling images and a strong main character who is also diabetic. I especially enjoyed the eerie descriptions of the house, which leave the reader with the unsettling feeling that something sinister is going on.
After breaking up with her boyfriend, who also happens to be the co-host of her supernatural YouTube series, Dare decides to go solo and continue her work on her own ghost-themed podcast. When a fan suggests she investigate the Arrington Estate, which rumours say is haunted by the spirit of a girl who drowned in the lake, Dare takes an internship at the house for the summer. Despite her podcast, Dare doesn’t believe in ghosts, even when she meets the house’s current (and cute) inhabitant, who is convinced the estate is genuinely haunted. However, as the summer goes on and Dare starts to have frightening experiences of her own, she is forced to call her supernatural skepticism into question as she works to uncover what really happened in the lake.
❀ CLEVER MAIN CHARACTER
Dare is a clever main character, and I enjoyed her voice. She is very rational, and because she likes an explanation for everything, she doesn’t believe in the ghost that is said to roam the halls of the Arrington Estate. I found this to be an interesting dynamic with her supernatural-themed podcast, and I enjoyed the way she is forced to question what she believes as she begins to experience the unexplainable at the house. Dare also has diabetes, which plays a significant role in the book. Chronic illness is rarely represented in horrors and thrillers, and I appreciated how the author works in information about what it is like to be diabetic alongside the more harrowing elements of the plot. Additionally, Dare has the most adorable service dog. I’ve never seen a service dog in a book before, and I am so glad this one provides this representation.
❀ IMMERSIVE ATMOSPHERE
One of my favourite parts about this book is its immersive atmosphere. Sarah Glenn Marsh has done a masterful job bringing the haunted house to life, and the Arrington Estate is so well-written that it feels like a character itself. The occurrences in the house that become gradually more threatening make the story perfectly suspenseful, and there are some truly terrifying images that make the spirit of the house jump off the page. I always love an immersive setting, and even though this is by no means a place I would want to visit, the writing sucked me in.
❀ A SUSPENSEFUL READ
The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh is a suspenseful read that is sure to keep readers up at night. The concept of interning at a haunted house is so intriguing, and I enjoyed the main character and the way her diabetes is worked into the story. The house itself is also vividly described, making this a great read for those looking for an tense horror with great representation.
The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh is an atmospheric horror that is prefect for the fall season. Following a girl who takes an internship at a haunted house, this one contains spine-chilling images and a strong main character who is also diabetic. I especially enjoyed the eerie descriptions of the house, which leave the reader with the unsettling feeling that something sinister is going on.
After breaking up with her boyfriend, who also happens to be the co-host of her supernatural YouTube series, Dare decides to go solo and continue her work on her own ghost-themed podcast. When a fan suggests she investigate the Arrington Estate, which rumours say is haunted by the spirit of a girl who drowned in the lake, Dare takes an internship at the house for the summer. Despite her podcast, Dare doesn’t believe in ghosts, even when she meets the house’s current (and cute) inhabitant, who is convinced the estate is genuinely haunted. However, as the summer goes on and Dare starts to have frightening experiences of her own, she is forced to call her supernatural skepticism into question as she works to uncover what really happened in the lake.
❀ CLEVER MAIN CHARACTER
Dare is a clever main character, and I enjoyed her voice. She is very rational, and because she likes an explanation for everything, she doesn’t believe in the ghost that is said to roam the halls of the Arrington Estate. I found this to be an interesting dynamic with her supernatural-themed podcast, and I enjoyed the way she is forced to question what she believes as she begins to experience the unexplainable at the house. Dare also has diabetes, which plays a significant role in the book. Chronic illness is rarely represented in horrors and thrillers, and I appreciated how the author works in information about what it is like to be diabetic alongside the more harrowing elements of the plot. Additionally, Dare has the most adorable service dog. I’ve never seen a service dog in a book before, and I am so glad this one provides this representation.
❀ IMMERSIVE ATMOSPHERE
One of my favourite parts about this book is its immersive atmosphere. Sarah Glenn Marsh has done a masterful job bringing the haunted house to life, and the Arrington Estate is so well-written that it feels like a character itself. The occurrences in the house that become gradually more threatening make the story perfectly suspenseful, and there are some truly terrifying images that make the spirit of the house jump off the page. I always love an immersive setting, and even though this is by no means a place I would want to visit, the writing sucked me in.
❀ A SUSPENSEFUL READ
The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh is a suspenseful read that is sure to keep readers up at night. The concept of interning at a haunted house is so intriguing, and I enjoyed the main character and the way her diabetes is worked into the story. The house itself is also vividly described, making this a great read for those looking for an tense horror with great representation.
September 27, 2021
"If I want to have a wild night while I’m here, it won’t be with a boy- it’ll be with a ouija board and a couple of dead Victorian girls whose idea of wild is putting a splash of liquor in their tea."
The Conjuring meets Sadie in this ghostly tale that will have you constantly looking over your shoulder.
Ghosts have always been a part of my life. I’ve been able to see them for as long as I can remember. My husband and I lived in a haunted house for many years and we were glad to finally put that house behind us. Those memories still haunt us to this day and it’ll be an experience we’ll never forget.
Sarah wrote a story that involves a house that has been in her family for a very long time. It was even featured in an episode of Ghost Adventures. I suggest you check it out after reading this. You’ll get a better understanding of the eeriness a house can create.
This story hit me like a ton of bricks. The ghostly happenings gave me goosebumps as it brought back memories of the house I used to live in. A lot of things that happened to Dare and Quinn have happened to my husband and I. Sarah got all of that scarily accurate in this story. It made this story that much more amazing and intriguing.
The characters were very likable. They all had their own strong personalities that made them stand out. One didn’t outshine the other because they were all strong. The one character that I absolutely adored was Waffles. He was a good boy and I’m glad he made it out safely. I don’t think I would have forgiven Sarah if she harmed Waffles.
The Girls Are Never Gone was a spooky read that will make you sleep with the lights on. It was a great story that will leave you wanting to read more about Dare and her ghostly podcast. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I’ll always recommend books by Sarah and this one is no different. I highly recommend this book for lovers of a good scare.
The Conjuring meets Sadie in this ghostly tale that will have you constantly looking over your shoulder.
Ghosts have always been a part of my life. I’ve been able to see them for as long as I can remember. My husband and I lived in a haunted house for many years and we were glad to finally put that house behind us. Those memories still haunt us to this day and it’ll be an experience we’ll never forget.
Sarah wrote a story that involves a house that has been in her family for a very long time. It was even featured in an episode of Ghost Adventures. I suggest you check it out after reading this. You’ll get a better understanding of the eeriness a house can create.
This story hit me like a ton of bricks. The ghostly happenings gave me goosebumps as it brought back memories of the house I used to live in. A lot of things that happened to Dare and Quinn have happened to my husband and I. Sarah got all of that scarily accurate in this story. It made this story that much more amazing and intriguing.
The characters were very likable. They all had their own strong personalities that made them stand out. One didn’t outshine the other because they were all strong. The one character that I absolutely adored was Waffles. He was a good boy and I’m glad he made it out safely. I don’t think I would have forgiven Sarah if she harmed Waffles.
The Girls Are Never Gone was a spooky read that will make you sleep with the lights on. It was a great story that will leave you wanting to read more about Dare and her ghostly podcast. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I’ll always recommend books by Sarah and this one is no different. I highly recommend this book for lovers of a good scare.
November 8, 2022
Blue haired, type 1 diabetic, bisexual main character? Sign me tf up, yes I’m relating straight away! Add in ghostbusting, skeptics, drama and mystery and I’m in love! The representation and information provided was smooth and a honest delight to read, especially as someone still coming to terms with their diagnosis 21 years later. The creepy factor was on high and having the investigator be a skeptic eliminated all the “oh that’s so easily explained and not scary at all” vibes, what happens when the skeptic runs out of logical reasons? The truth is revealed and it’s oh so captivating
September 2, 2021
The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Pub date: September 7, 2021
4 stars
Dare had a popular podcast, that is until she and her boyfriend broke up. Now she’s on her own and starting up Attachments – her own podcast where she’ll investigate haunted locations. When one of her followers (there’s not many) tips her off about a place that has a history of drowned girls and ghostly hauntings, she signs up to help renovate the run-down house. On arrival, it turns out that the tip came from the daughter of the home’s owner who’s currently being haunted and well, there’s an attraction between Dare and Quinn and it’s a sweet romance. I digress! One of the things I loved most about this book aside from the LGBTQ+ rep which, seriously, done so well – Dare is someone that other teens can look up to – is Waffles, Dare’s service dog. Dare has Type 1 Diabetes and it’s a great representation that as an RN, I loved to see! Another favorite is when a place feels like an actual character and this house is a malevolent and present one!
There is a huge creep factor and a lot of scares – just in time for spooky season and the secondary characters are just as compelling as the main. I love to see strong female relationships in any context and the relationships between the three girls gave me big feels.
I loved the dark and eerie atmosphere, the pacing and the twisty ending that still has me thinking about it. I feel like there’s a potential for a sequel? Yes? I hope so because I want more of this world and its characters!
My thanks to Penguin Teen for the DRC!
Pub date: September 7, 2021
4 stars
Dare had a popular podcast, that is until she and her boyfriend broke up. Now she’s on her own and starting up Attachments – her own podcast where she’ll investigate haunted locations. When one of her followers (there’s not many) tips her off about a place that has a history of drowned girls and ghostly hauntings, she signs up to help renovate the run-down house. On arrival, it turns out that the tip came from the daughter of the home’s owner who’s currently being haunted and well, there’s an attraction between Dare and Quinn and it’s a sweet romance. I digress! One of the things I loved most about this book aside from the LGBTQ+ rep which, seriously, done so well – Dare is someone that other teens can look up to – is Waffles, Dare’s service dog. Dare has Type 1 Diabetes and it’s a great representation that as an RN, I loved to see! Another favorite is when a place feels like an actual character and this house is a malevolent and present one!
There is a huge creep factor and a lot of scares – just in time for spooky season and the secondary characters are just as compelling as the main. I love to see strong female relationships in any context and the relationships between the three girls gave me big feels.
I loved the dark and eerie atmosphere, the pacing and the twisty ending that still has me thinking about it. I feel like there’s a potential for a sequel? Yes? I hope so because I want more of this world and its characters!
My thanks to Penguin Teen for the DRC!
September 19, 2021
This story is pretty scary, with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing - and I was going to read the entire book to find out what on earth was in that locked room damnit. I liked that this blended the traditional horror tropes - spooky old house, a dark lake, noises in the walls - with the modern - a podcast, a sapphic relationship and independent girls, clearing out the house as a summer job. Dare's diabetes was written perfectly, I felt, and while I had no knowledge of it I'm fairly certain it's something the author knows about personally.
This is a slower paced story, as Dare, Quinn and Holly clean the house and Dare comes to terms with the very real supernatural events happening around them, but this worked, because this story was as much about the girls bonding as it was about the girls in the past that had died. I did want more from the romance, Dare and Quinn clashed a lot as Quinn knew that the house was haunted and Dare just kept dismissing her.
I have to admit that I found the ending disappointing. This story didn't need a pantomime villain reveal, my least favourite trope, and the events at the end of the story really left me with more questions than answers, especially about Holly. I was also disappointed by the outcome of Dare and Quinn's relationship, something that I hope we'll see more of in future books - surely this is the start of a series?
This is a slower paced story, as Dare, Quinn and Holly clean the house and Dare comes to terms with the very real supernatural events happening around them, but this worked, because this story was as much about the girls bonding as it was about the girls in the past that had died. I did want more from the romance, Dare and Quinn clashed a lot as Quinn knew that the house was haunted and Dare just kept dismissing her.
I have to admit that I found the ending disappointing. This story didn't need a pantomime villain reveal, my least favourite trope, and the events at the end of the story really left me with more questions than answers, especially about Holly. I was also disappointed by the outcome of Dare and Quinn's relationship, something that I hope we'll see more of in future books - surely this is the start of a series?
August 14, 2023
This book should be called The Diabetes is Never Gone. As much as I like the representation within this book, the diabetes part of it is so overdone. I feel like I learned more about diabetes than the actual mystery of the house and the girls. As for the characters overall, they didn’t feel like their age to me. I assume this book is supposed to take place in an alternate 2021, but the references and fashion decisions are pretty outdated. Almost everything Quinn wears sounds like something out of the 2010s. The novel also could’ve been finished way earlier than it had. Most of the pages were just talking about diabetes and unnecessarily withholding information. And the conclusion of the mystery was just messy and confusing. Overall, I'm just confused.
July 3, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up only bc of the last chapter…I audibly gasped
June 20, 2021
4 stars. Sarah Glenn Marsh is one of those authors that I will read automatically without knowing anything at all of the premise. I've never been disappointed.
In the vein of The Haunting of Bly Manor, a queer haunted house story. Dare begins a summer internship to help restore an old and dilapidated house next to a lake where a girl mysteriously drowned two decades before. Dare recently broke up with her boyfriend, with whom she had a YouTube channel about ghosts, and now she is striking out with her own ghost-themed podcast despite being more Scully than Mulder, and took this internship mostly to investigate the supposedly haunted house to try to jump start her podcast. She had been tipped about this house by a fan, who turns out to be the dorky but lovable daughter of the woman who purchased this house... and who believes she has experienced the house's haunting first hand.
I loved the diabetic representation of the main character. I have a cousin who is also a type 1 diabetic and it was wonderful to read a "hero" with this same medical condition, having to incorporate everything that goes with this condition into real adventure and drama. It wasn't just an ailment that was mentioned once and forgotten like other authors might have done - every step of the way, Dare is having to be conscious of her blood sugar and the way she is feeling. Not to mention that this also was an excuse for her to have a medical alert dog named Waffles who gets to be in almost every scene and play a big part.
I loved the development of Dare and Quinn's relationship. I especially appreciated Dare's confidence in realizing - hey I think this girl likes me too, rather than having a whole song and dance around what is obvious to the reader. I also really liked the fact that there didn't have to be a large discussion around Dare's sexuality. Like Sarah's main character in the Reign of the Fallen series, Dare is unapologetically bisexual and there needs to be no explanation about why Dare was dating a boy and is now interested in a girl.
The ghost story itself felt very classic and unfolded all its mysteries slowly and deliberately. There was nothing terribly shocking, but still very satisfying and a wonderful Halloween read or perfect for anyone who wants a good creepy haunted house story.
Thank you Razorbill and Edelweiss for the ARC! And thank you Sarah Glenn Marsh for writing books and characters (and animals) that always feel like home. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'll read anything and everything you write.
In the vein of The Haunting of Bly Manor, a queer haunted house story. Dare begins a summer internship to help restore an old and dilapidated house next to a lake where a girl mysteriously drowned two decades before. Dare recently broke up with her boyfriend, with whom she had a YouTube channel about ghosts, and now she is striking out with her own ghost-themed podcast despite being more Scully than Mulder, and took this internship mostly to investigate the supposedly haunted house to try to jump start her podcast. She had been tipped about this house by a fan, who turns out to be the dorky but lovable daughter of the woman who purchased this house... and who believes she has experienced the house's haunting first hand.
I loved the diabetic representation of the main character. I have a cousin who is also a type 1 diabetic and it was wonderful to read a "hero" with this same medical condition, having to incorporate everything that goes with this condition into real adventure and drama. It wasn't just an ailment that was mentioned once and forgotten like other authors might have done - every step of the way, Dare is having to be conscious of her blood sugar and the way she is feeling. Not to mention that this also was an excuse for her to have a medical alert dog named Waffles who gets to be in almost every scene and play a big part.
I loved the development of Dare and Quinn's relationship. I especially appreciated Dare's confidence in realizing - hey I think this girl likes me too, rather than having a whole song and dance around what is obvious to the reader. I also really liked the fact that there didn't have to be a large discussion around Dare's sexuality. Like Sarah's main character in the Reign of the Fallen series, Dare is unapologetically bisexual and there needs to be no explanation about why Dare was dating a boy and is now interested in a girl.
The ghost story itself felt very classic and unfolded all its mysteries slowly and deliberately. There was nothing terribly shocking, but still very satisfying and a wonderful Halloween read or perfect for anyone who wants a good creepy haunted house story.
Thank you Razorbill and Edelweiss for the ARC! And thank you Sarah Glenn Marsh for writing books and characters (and animals) that always feel like home. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'll read anything and everything you write.
October 24, 2021
I was so excited diving into this book but in the end it feels like there was something missing. The book was ok, audio was very well done but the multitude of female characters and skeptic air overshadowing each page made it hard to really be invested. The MC is a closet skeptic of the paranormal yet has her own show investigating just that. Her disbelief took away from what should have been heart racing and fear inducing scenes. Luckily there’s a dog named Waffles who kinda saved the book for me especially after that disappointing end. He was just a cool dog and a great character yet he was totallymisunderstood. Almost every moment of paranormal activity had the dog trying to warn them away and not a single time did anyone heed his warnings smh 🤦🏽♀️ Then I’m kind of irked with how everything appeared in the end. One of the characters loses her mom to the (real) spirit of her sister whose been haunting the home and lake and everything seems hunky dory. Only in the heroines wrap up podcast we learn one of the girls whom we thought was saved is actually most likely dead and also taken up as the new resident ghost. I mean it kinda makes the book pointless if you ask me. The only thing that really comes of the events are the MC now believing in the paranormal, that’s pretty much it. I dunno it just leaves me letdown.
March 28, 2022
Trigger warnings: death of a child (in the past), animal death, drowning, horror, vomit, medical content.
Meh. I had really high hopes for this one because a) that cover is creepy as hell and b) sapphic YA horror and c) podcast element! I've been loving the prevalence of podcast horror/thriller books in the past couple of years, and I was hoping this one would be just as great.
Sadly, the podcast element was...almost immediately abandoned for the most part. Like, there would be mentions of comments, of subscriber counts, of Dare doing interviews. But the vast majority of the podcast related stuff happens off page, and that was something of a disappointment to me.
I appreciated that Dare was diabetic, but I honestly ended up feeling like I knew more about her blood sugar levels than I did about the actual horror aspect of the story. Like, it felt like there were constant creepy moments - the bells ringing, the water, the shadows - but none of it quite meshed together for me into a coherent plot.
Add in a fairly sudden romantic relationship and this just...wasn't what I was hoping it would be. That being said, Waffles is a Very Good Boy and I love him.
Meh. I had really high hopes for this one because a) that cover is creepy as hell and b) sapphic YA horror and c) podcast element! I've been loving the prevalence of podcast horror/thriller books in the past couple of years, and I was hoping this one would be just as great.
Sadly, the podcast element was...almost immediately abandoned for the most part. Like, there would be mentions of comments, of subscriber counts, of Dare doing interviews. But the vast majority of the podcast related stuff happens off page, and that was something of a disappointment to me.
I appreciated that Dare was diabetic, but I honestly ended up feeling like I knew more about her blood sugar levels than I did about the actual horror aspect of the story. Like, it felt like there were constant creepy moments - the bells ringing, the water, the shadows - but none of it quite meshed together for me into a coherent plot.
Add in a fairly sudden romantic relationship and this just...wasn't what I was hoping it would be. That being said, Waffles is a Very Good Boy and I love him.
October 18, 2021
Another spooky read for October! I'm really killing it this year with the horror and mystery books and I'm so happy.
I thought the premise of this was fun, if not the most original storyline. I'm up for a haunted house with a secret history and ghosts telling you to get out. There's also an adorable dog named Waffles who is the goodest boy and I'm happy to report he does live! Besides a great dog, there's chronically ill rep in Dare, who has type one diabetes, a biracial character, and an LGBTQ relationship. Shout out for great rep!
The beginning of the story was good and established some spooky things early on. I appreciated that Dare was a skeptic and tried to see the rational reasons for things before jumping on the ghost train. By the middle, I started getting confused with the previous girls who had died and wasn't sure who was who. I also thought it got pretty slow for a bit and just wanted to move into the scary parts.
The ending has a nice wrap up and isn't totally a happy ever after, which fit well. The narrator for the audio did a pretty good job and threw in a couple accents to keep things interesting.
I thought the premise of this was fun, if not the most original storyline. I'm up for a haunted house with a secret history and ghosts telling you to get out. There's also an adorable dog named Waffles who is the goodest boy and I'm happy to report he does live! Besides a great dog, there's chronically ill rep in Dare, who has type one diabetes, a biracial character, and an LGBTQ relationship. Shout out for great rep!
The beginning of the story was good and established some spooky things early on. I appreciated that Dare was a skeptic and tried to see the rational reasons for things before jumping on the ghost train. By the middle, I started getting confused with the previous girls who had died and wasn't sure who was who. I also thought it got pretty slow for a bit and just wanted to move into the scary parts.
The ending has a nice wrap up and isn't totally a happy ever after, which fit well. The narrator for the audio did a pretty good job and threw in a couple accents to keep things interesting.
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