What the C+C Team is Reading This Spooky Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! At least, it is for me and some of my fellow C+C teammates. I wait for the spooky/Halloween season all year long, not only because that’s my general vibe, but also because it is perfect reading weather where I live in the Northeast of the United States. Around mid-September, we’ll start to get some chilly mornings that allow for reading under a cozy blanket with a warm cup of tea or a PSL. It’s absolute heaven.

So naturally, we need to put together a seasonal TBR with immaculate vibes to match. Now, some of us are more into the creepy/suspense/horror genre than others, so don’t worry! We still have a wide range of reads for you to dive into.

Here’s what’s on our list from now through November:

“One Dark Window” and “Two Twisted Crowns” by Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig’s “The Shepherd King” duology currently has me in a chokehold, and I am so not mad about it. These books are set in a fantasy world where magic is controlled by a series of cards and/or gained through an infection in a person’s youth. Those infected are cast off into the deadly mist that surrounds their kingdom, as they’re said to be a danger to those around them. The only way to lift the mist is to collect a set of all 12 varieties of cards. It’s very spooky, very creepy, and quite frankly the cards remind me of a tarot deck, so I love that.

This story centers around a rebellious group racing to gather all of the cards before their nefarious king does. And for you romance girlies, yes there is a love story subplot that will simultaneously make you swoon and break your heart.

Oh, and the main character has a literal nightmare monster in her head. So there’s that, too.

Add "One Dark Window" and "Two Twisted Crowns" on Goodreads

“When the Moon Hatched” by Sarah A. Parker

At first glance, the only thing spooky or scary about this book is the glossary of world-building terms and locations at the front. But I promise, you have no reason to be intimidated.

For those who are looking for a nice, big fantasy romance book to dive into, “When the Moon Hatched,” is your girl. There’s a lot of lore for those of us who adore solid world-building, several different kinds of dragons, dual POVs, and a badass assassin main character. The setting is incredibly unique, as is the system of magic, and the writing is super accessible and engaging.

The story follows the aforementioned assassin and an intriguing, heartbroken bounty hunter who stumbles upon her in a prison. There’s clearly not only a connection there, but also a mysterious past that they have to untangle. The back of the book says, “There’s more to their story than meets the eye, but some truths are too poisonous to swallow.” I don’t know about you, but that absolutely sold me.

Add "When the Moon Hatched" on Goodreads

“We Have Always Lived in the Castle” by Shirley Jackson

Okay, horror girlies, this one is for you. You probably already know Jackson from her classic short story, “The Lottery,” or her fantastic horror tome, “The Haunting of Hill House.” (It served as inspiration for the Netflix series of the same name, which happens to be one of my personal favorite shows of all time.) After reading “Hill House” last Halloween, “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” was immediately recommended to me.

This one is a short read at fewer than 150 pages, following a young girl as she uncovers the mysteries surrounding her very strange family. It’s described as, “taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis,” which is giving psychological horror/thriller vibes. So, if you want to indulge in some major creep factor this spooky season, this may be the right choice for you.

Add "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" on Goodreads

“Once Upon a Broken Heart” by Stephanie Garber

For some of us, the idea of the love of your life marrying someone else is perhaps the scariest thing imaginable. Well, that’s how things start in “Once Upon a Broken Heart.”

Our main character decides to make a deal with the evil Prince of Hearts in order to stop the wedding, but of course there’s a cost! His price is three kisses, but it’s not quite so simple. So now she has to navigate her own broken heart AND figure out a way to save herself from the mess it got her into. And to be so honest, who can’t relate to that?

This YA fantasy romance also has vampires. Which is not quite as relatable, but also very appropriate for spooky season.

Add "Once Upon a Broken Heart" on Goodreads

“Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Okay, having a crush on your boss is one kind of nightmare. It’s even scarier when that hot boss is a notorious, evil villain.

What started for many of us as a TikTok series has turned into the delightful, hilarious fantasy romance that is “Assistant to the Villain.” Our main character first falls face-first into a job with a notorious villain, then starts to fall face-first in love with him. And that’s complicated enough, but then she discovers that there may be someone out to get him and his entire circle. Not super fun for her, but very entertaining for us!

Add “Assistant to the Villain” on Goodreads

 

“Heartless Hunter” by Kristen Ciccarelli

Looking for a book about witches? How about an enemies-to-lovers story between a witch and a witch hunter?

In “Heartless Hunter,” witches were removed from power in a bloody revolution. Now, our main character works in the shadows as a vigilante called, “The Crimson Moth,” saving and protecting her fellow witches. But by day, she needs to keep up the charade that she’s just a rich party girl. (Think Bruce Wayne/Batman, but the fantasy romance version.) This brings her into super close proximity with the very people who are hunting her. And this all gets super complicated when one of those people is very hot and very easy for her to fall in love with.

Add “Heartless Hunter” on Goodreads

“Butcher & Blackbird” by Brynne Weaver

If you’re into slasher movies, man do I have a fun option for you. “Butcher & Blackbird” is a dark comedy romance centered around two vigilantes who like to hunt down serial killers.

This starts out as an annual competition to identify, locate, and murder a serial killer before the other one can, but turns into a twisted love story. It’s funny, it’s dark, it’s spicy, and it is so readable it’s ridiculous. (I actually finished this book in one sitting the first time around, and I’m pretty sure I’ll do the same when I re-read it.)

Definitely read through the long list of content/trigger warnings before starting this one, but if all looks okay to you, you will have an absolutely blast with it.

Add “Butcher & Blackbird” on Goodreads

So, what do you think? What’s will you be adding to your list, and what else should we add to ours? We can’t wait to dive in and discuss with you!