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Haze
When Eliza Owens gets a phone call in the middle of the night from a girl she’s never met, she doesn’t know what to think. The girl introduces herself as Paige, and says she used to date Erik Stern, Eliza’s fiancé. What’s more, she has something important to discuss.
The only problem? Paige has been dead for years.
Believing it to be a sick prank, Eliza tries to force it from her mind until Sam, Eliza’s older sister, tells her she met Paige only a few weeks before. And, according to Sam, Paige has nothing nice to say about Erik.
The fight which follows shatters the lives of everyone involved, and Erik disappears without a trace.
Five years later, Erik returns to town after his father’s death. Old wounds quickly resurface, and with them several burning questions. None the least of which is: Who spoke to Eliza and Sam if it wasn’t Paige? And why?
The only problem? Paige has been dead for years.
Believing it to be a sick prank, Eliza tries to force it from her mind until Sam, Eliza’s older sister, tells her she met Paige only a few weeks before. And, according to Sam, Paige has nothing nice to say about Erik.
The fight which follows shatters the lives of everyone involved, and Erik disappears without a trace.
Five years later, Erik returns to town after his father’s death. Old wounds quickly resurface, and with them several burning questions. None the least of which is: Who spoke to Eliza and Sam if it wasn’t Paige? And why?
220 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
June 19, 2020
HAZE by Rebecca Crunden is the first book that I have read by this author. I’ve seen this classified as paranormal and urban fantasy and as ghost fiction, but to me the paranormal part of the book took second place (in a good way) to family drama, domestic violence, grief, romance, addition, friendship and much more.
Eliza Owens is nineteen years old and engaged to Erik. She gets a call from a stranger that purports to me Erik’s former girlfriend, Paige. Following this Eliza, Erik, her sister Sam and Sam’s girlfriend are hiking in the rain when a confrontation ends in disaster.
The characters had plenty of flaws and some virtues and felt very real. Their motivations seemed believable and well-drawn. Conflicts arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling forced or contrived. The atmosphere was dark and often foreboding, but this was broken up by some humor and lightness. The prose was well-written and absorbing with a clever and creative plot that was paced well.
Overall, this was a dramatic, intense, tragic and absorbing novel. If you enjoy family dramas with some supernatural suspense and romance, then this may be the next book for you.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Eliza Owens is nineteen years old and engaged to Erik. She gets a call from a stranger that purports to me Erik’s former girlfriend, Paige. Following this Eliza, Erik, her sister Sam and Sam’s girlfriend are hiking in the rain when a confrontation ends in disaster.
The characters had plenty of flaws and some virtues and felt very real. Their motivations seemed believable and well-drawn. Conflicts arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling forced or contrived. The atmosphere was dark and often foreboding, but this was broken up by some humor and lightness. The prose was well-written and absorbing with a clever and creative plot that was paced well.
Overall, this was a dramatic, intense, tragic and absorbing novel. If you enjoy family dramas with some supernatural suspense and romance, then this may be the next book for you.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
November 4, 2021
HAZE by Rebecca Crunden made for the perfect autumn read with spooky, atmospheric vibes, and a small-town setting where everyone has known everyone forever and there’s a sense in the air that something isn’t *quite* right. 🎃🦇👻
Erik and Miles have been best friends forever. Miles quickly became one of my favorite characters in the novel—total cinnamon roll. Erik has the tough role of having a creep father who abused his now-dead mother and who now terrorizes the town. So he’s pretty much shunned. His girlfriend Eliza gets a call from his ex-girlfriend Paige… except that can’t be right, because Paige died five years ago. Without spoiling events too much, Eliza goes to meet her, there’s an argument… and someone important to Eliza winds up dead.
The novel picks up again five years later. I really loved the way the novel was so richly detailed, particularly in the details of small-town life and how the character relationships would have resulted. It’s real and messy and everyone is connected, whether they’re friends or exes, or enemies. Erik returns to town five years later. Eliza is in a bad place. They’re both trying to understand what happened that night five years ago. I really loved the way the novel slowly revealed more information as well worked our way towards the end. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a character-driven paranormal romance!
Erik and Miles have been best friends forever. Miles quickly became one of my favorite characters in the novel—total cinnamon roll. Erik has the tough role of having a creep father who abused his now-dead mother and who now terrorizes the town. So he’s pretty much shunned. His girlfriend Eliza gets a call from his ex-girlfriend Paige… except that can’t be right, because Paige died five years ago. Without spoiling events too much, Eliza goes to meet her, there’s an argument… and someone important to Eliza winds up dead.
The novel picks up again five years later. I really loved the way the novel was so richly detailed, particularly in the details of small-town life and how the character relationships would have resulted. It’s real and messy and everyone is connected, whether they’re friends or exes, or enemies. Erik returns to town five years later. Eliza is in a bad place. They’re both trying to understand what happened that night five years ago. I really loved the way the novel slowly revealed more information as well worked our way towards the end. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a character-driven paranormal romance!
Shelved as 'my-books'
February 26, 2023// a note from the author //
This book is actually the first novel I ever properly started and completed. I published A Touch of Death first, but I started it a few months after this one. I had a lot of fun writing this small town ghost story and I hope you enjoy it :)
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
This book is actually the first novel I ever properly started and completed. I published A Touch of Death first, but I started it a few months after this one. I had a lot of fun writing this small town ghost story and I hope you enjoy it :)
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
July 3, 2020
First off, I would like to thank Crunden for sending me a copy of her book for review! It took me awhile to get to it, but we did it! Anyways, I ended up really enjoyed this book! I started it last night and really had a hard time putting it down, and I ended up finishing it the next day!
One thing I really liked about the story was how real it felt. For a Supernatural book, it had very real feelings and situations that people can relate to. The one thing I would say that I wasn’t of fan of in this book was the time jumps. I would find myself after a 5 year time jump wanting more detail, or knowing a little more of what went on during that time. My favorite part in the book for me had to be the ending! I just loved how after everything that happened, everyone seemed to be healing and it just felt after so much time in sadness and grief, there is finally some hope for the future!
All in all, this is a really fast-paced read that will grab you from the beginning until the very end! The one book that I can think of comparing this one to is “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater! If you like family drama, supernatural elements, and enticing read, this is the book for you!
Final Rating: 4 Stars
One thing I really liked about the story was how real it felt. For a Supernatural book, it had very real feelings and situations that people can relate to. The one thing I would say that I wasn’t of fan of in this book was the time jumps. I would find myself after a 5 year time jump wanting more detail, or knowing a little more of what went on during that time. My favorite part in the book for me had to be the ending! I just loved how after everything that happened, everyone seemed to be healing and it just felt after so much time in sadness and grief, there is finally some hope for the future!
All in all, this is a really fast-paced read that will grab you from the beginning until the very end! The one book that I can think of comparing this one to is “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater! If you like family drama, supernatural elements, and enticing read, this is the book for you!
Final Rating: 4 Stars
April 25, 2020
Five years earlier, their young love was shattered when a mysterious phone call from a dead girl and a horrible death sends Erik running from the town that hated him for what his father did. Now Eliza has sunk into a world of drugs, and the men who deal them.
When Erik’s father dies, he returns to handle his affairs, still in love with Eliza, but still not feeling good enough for her. Who has she become? What has happened to her and why? The truth lay buried in the past, a truth no one would believe. So many lives destroyed, could it be that only the dead know what really happened?
I had a hard time actually liking some of the characters, but, as a whole, this is a good read with a supernatural twist woven through it! Rebecca Crunden brought out her dark side and HAZE is the perfect title for this gritty read.
Dark, heavy with a mysterious atmosphere and at times, raw, this is not a feel good tale, there is self-destruction, drug addiction and some pretty scary stuff going on in those woods!
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: August 5, 2018
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Paranormal Suspense
Print Length: 267 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
When Erik’s father dies, he returns to handle his affairs, still in love with Eliza, but still not feeling good enough for her. Who has she become? What has happened to her and why? The truth lay buried in the past, a truth no one would believe. So many lives destroyed, could it be that only the dead know what really happened?
I had a hard time actually liking some of the characters, but, as a whole, this is a good read with a supernatural twist woven through it! Rebecca Crunden brought out her dark side and HAZE is the perfect title for this gritty read.
Dark, heavy with a mysterious atmosphere and at times, raw, this is not a feel good tale, there is self-destruction, drug addiction and some pretty scary stuff going on in those woods!
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: August 5, 2018
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Paranormal Suspense
Print Length: 267 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 1, 2020
I was given a free e-copy of this book through the For Love of a Book ARO program. This does not in any way change my opinion or rating. I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.
So I'm honestly a bit bummed out after reading this book. I was so looking forward to it after enjoying A Game of Wings and Marks. But this book didn't hold up in my eyes. It started out great, but then nothing really changed, and by that, I mean that the book progressed so slowly that at times it felt as if it didn't move at all. It felt like the story was building up to something, and it was the promise of that something that kept me reading. But in the end, it was anticlimactic. The romance was ok at best and it wasn't creepy or suspenseful like I believe it was meant to be. Mediocre all the way through I'm afraid. I would still be more than happy to read more books by Crunden. But this one was a bust for me.
So I'm honestly a bit bummed out after reading this book. I was so looking forward to it after enjoying A Game of Wings and Marks. But this book didn't hold up in my eyes. It started out great, but then nothing really changed, and by that, I mean that the book progressed so slowly that at times it felt as if it didn't move at all. It felt like the story was building up to something, and it was the promise of that something that kept me reading. But in the end, it was anticlimactic. The romance was ok at best and it wasn't creepy or suspenseful like I believe it was meant to be. Mediocre all the way through I'm afraid. I would still be more than happy to read more books by Crunden. But this one was a bust for me.
February 10, 2019
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this read and my rating is actually 3.5.
What I liked;
This was a really well paced Mystery Thriller, I found it hard to put this down for very long at a time, I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next!
I liked all of the characters (Miles was my favorite) and felt that they were really well developed and realistic.
Also a nice little twist at the end that I wasn't expecting.
What I didn't like;
There is really very little I disliked about this book, if there was anything to mention it wold probably be that I didn't feel enough suspense around the supernatural elements of the story, but this did not take anything away from the book for me.
Overall I would recommend this for anyone that likes a good Mystery Thriller, definitely a page turner!
I really enjoyed this read and my rating is actually 3.5.
What I liked;
This was a really well paced Mystery Thriller, I found it hard to put this down for very long at a time, I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next!
I liked all of the characters (Miles was my favorite) and felt that they were really well developed and realistic.
Also a nice little twist at the end that I wasn't expecting.
What I didn't like;
There is really very little I disliked about this book, if there was anything to mention it wold probably be that I didn't feel enough suspense around the supernatural elements of the story, but this did not take anything away from the book for me.
Overall I would recommend this for anyone that likes a good Mystery Thriller, definitely a page turner!
December 18, 2022
This is one of the best books I've read of late, and I'll tell you exactly why...
1) I'm an emotional reader, meaning I read for the feels, and this had ALL of them. Most of all, it's a heavy emotional read, but it doesn't mean there's just bad stuff happening all the time, there's also laughter when you least expect it. I love that!
2) I loved how real the characters were, how the female MC was no virginal dumb princess who needed to be saved, but she made her own decisions, even though, objectively they were bad ones. The male MC was flawed as much as he was haunted. And I personally loved Miles, the male MC's best friend because he was 'sunshine in a bottle', who made the heavy moments lighter.
3) This book discussed heavy and important subjects such as r@pe, domestic abuse, drug use, and so on, in a real way, and never in a way that was too much or unbearable to read. Most of the heavy stuff happened off page, which was a relief to me because dealing with all the horrible aftermath of everything was heavy enough.
4) I really enjoyed the writing style - the imagery was vivid, the pace was quick, and the internal monologue just enough for you to get the best of all worlds. Sometimes writers go too much into 'telling', but I assure you, this story is all 'showing', getting you in the mood, and making you feel like you're there, you're living it.
5) I loooooooved the twist at 82% of the novel. I had no idea this was where the story was headed! I also loved the whole mystery of why everything was happening and the main characters trying to solve it.
6) Finally, I adored Eliza and Erik's relationships and that it had so many ups and downs, to the very final pages.
A few warnings:
1) A possible trigger is drug abuse.
2) For most of this book, the paranormal element is not a big thing, although I really enjoyed that part as well. It's just that, if you expect a 100% paranormal book, you should know that this is a story about humans and their struggles first, and then paranormal second.
3) I love heavy books. I love emotional books. But if you're looking for a feel-good read or something light, maybe that's not what you're looking for. If you enjoy the whole span of human emotion and are not scared of feeling all of it, then this could be for you.
I think that's all! I really like this author's writing style, so I'm sure I'll read more of her books, and I really do recommend this one. 5 stars absolutely deserved.
1) I'm an emotional reader, meaning I read for the feels, and this had ALL of them. Most of all, it's a heavy emotional read, but it doesn't mean there's just bad stuff happening all the time, there's also laughter when you least expect it. I love that!
2) I loved how real the characters were, how the female MC was no virginal dumb princess who needed to be saved, but she made her own decisions, even though, objectively they were bad ones. The male MC was flawed as much as he was haunted. And I personally loved Miles, the male MC's best friend because he was 'sunshine in a bottle', who made the heavy moments lighter.
3) This book discussed heavy and important subjects such as r@pe, domestic abuse, drug use, and so on, in a real way, and never in a way that was too much or unbearable to read. Most of the heavy stuff happened off page, which was a relief to me because dealing with all the horrible aftermath of everything was heavy enough.
4) I really enjoyed the writing style - the imagery was vivid, the pace was quick, and the internal monologue just enough for you to get the best of all worlds. Sometimes writers go too much into 'telling', but I assure you, this story is all 'showing', getting you in the mood, and making you feel like you're there, you're living it.
5) I loooooooved the twist at 82% of the novel. I had no idea this was where the story was headed! I also loved the whole mystery of why everything was happening and the main characters trying to solve it.
6) Finally, I adored Eliza and Erik's relationships and that it had so many ups and downs, to the very final pages.
A few warnings:
1) A possible trigger is drug abuse.
2) For most of this book, the paranormal element is not a big thing, although I really enjoyed that part as well. It's just that, if you expect a 100% paranormal book, you should know that this is a story about humans and their struggles first, and then paranormal second.
3) I love heavy books. I love emotional books. But if you're looking for a feel-good read or something light, maybe that's not what you're looking for. If you enjoy the whole span of human emotion and are not scared of feeling all of it, then this could be for you.
I think that's all! I really like this author's writing style, so I'm sure I'll read more of her books, and I really do recommend this one. 5 stars absolutely deserved.
July 4, 2020
I want to start this off by thanking Rebecca for the eARC! I'm so glad I got the opportunity to review this novel, and it is definitely one of her best works hands down.
.
Let’s dive right in! One of my favorite aspects of HAZE would have to be the relationships between each character and how they worked to develop as a whole. I loved how Miles and Erik had a brotherly connection, and how they supported each other no matter what (especially the banter—I loved the banter). Eliza was a compelling character dealing with real world problems and looking for answers in the wrong places. The message was compelling as well, and teaches us that friends and family must stick together in harsh times. We only truly falter when we are left alone.
.
Something that bothered me a bit would be the time jumps. I feel like the first chapter (the one where Erik and Eliza are nineteen) could have been weaved throughout the story. This would have made it more suspenseful as the reader would be wondering what came down between them and what really happened that day in the woods. And this next bit is just a purely personal idea, but I believe it would have been an even greater ending if the book had stopped with Erik leaving and then had some internal thoughts from Eliza. That way there could be a second book allowing more time for Eliza to develop out of her drug habits and Erik could have tried to find a way back to her. This would have erased the large time jumps at the end, and made for a dramatic ending on a cliffhanger. I didn't exactly see a main antagonist, though I have a feeling it was Logan. If more would have been included with him and his connection to the whole plot, that would have made a big impact with his character.
.
A dark, daring read that is sure to reach for the hearts of teens and adults alike, HAZE encompasses the necessity for friendship and community in our world today.
.
Final grade: 4/5⭐️
.
(WARNING: This book has strong themes, such as suicide, drug abuse, and sexual assault. Would not recommend for children of 13 and younger.)
.
Let’s dive right in! One of my favorite aspects of HAZE would have to be the relationships between each character and how they worked to develop as a whole. I loved how Miles and Erik had a brotherly connection, and how they supported each other no matter what (especially the banter—I loved the banter). Eliza was a compelling character dealing with real world problems and looking for answers in the wrong places. The message was compelling as well, and teaches us that friends and family must stick together in harsh times. We only truly falter when we are left alone.
.
Something that bothered me a bit would be the time jumps. I feel like the first chapter (the one where Erik and Eliza are nineteen) could have been weaved throughout the story. This would have made it more suspenseful as the reader would be wondering what came down between them and what really happened that day in the woods. And this next bit is just a purely personal idea, but I believe it would have been an even greater ending if the book had stopped with Erik leaving and then had some internal thoughts from Eliza. That way there could be a second book allowing more time for Eliza to develop out of her drug habits and Erik could have tried to find a way back to her. This would have erased the large time jumps at the end, and made for a dramatic ending on a cliffhanger. I didn't exactly see a main antagonist, though I have a feeling it was Logan. If more would have been included with him and his connection to the whole plot, that would have made a big impact with his character.
.
A dark, daring read that is sure to reach for the hearts of teens and adults alike, HAZE encompasses the necessity for friendship and community in our world today.
.
Final grade: 4/5⭐️
.
(WARNING: This book has strong themes, such as suicide, drug abuse, and sexual assault. Would not recommend for children of 13 and younger.)
August 3, 2020
A gripping and alluring tale of love and loss wrapped with the thick air of mystery that will keep you up all night.
Buy this book on Amazon! Read this review and other book reviews at Discover Elysian
This honest review is a collaboration with the author, Rebecca Crunden. All opinions are my own.
As a fantasy reader who is not a fan of mystery and horrors, I didn’t think I’d like this book. I mean, ghosts? No, thank you. But then I headed to Amazon and Goodreads and read some of the reviews. They stated that this is not just a mystery supernatural novel, it is about love, friendship, and family. You see, I love books that are filled with messages about those three things so right after that, I was convinced to read it. And now, I’m very glad to give this book a chance.
I was hooked from the beginning! It started out smoothly with enough details to let the readers know the context of the story but not enough to give away anything and will make them craving for more. Those details were delivered in beautiful writing that brought the atmosphere of mystery to come to life. The next thing I’m about to say will reveal I’m the biggest scaredy-cat in town but seriously, I was scared for good when I was reading this book. It felt so real and there were super creepy moments that got me to put down my Kindle in order to calm my heart and distinguish my fear.
It’s not just the writing, the story itself was engaging and unpredictable. When I read the synopsis, I thought the story would go one way but then it surprised me when it goes another way, and it was so much better than what I imagined. I like the way it heavily focused on love and family. When I read it, I thought this is not a book that will only give you enjoyment. If you look closer, you’ll find that there are so many things to learn from it. I, personally, gained a new perspective on loss, depression, grief, and regret.
All of those great things are supported by awesome and relatable characters. They were all living a normal and happy life until one day, the world decided to turn upside down and they were left with scars. We all have our own experiences with the horrible things in life and that’s why I found these characters were like my friends. I felt their pain, I felt their joy and despair. Their reaction to things that happened to them helped me figure out my own feelings and problems.
The characters were all great but my favorite characters are Miles and Erik. Both of them were best friends since they were kids maybe that’s why their relationship felt so warm and comforting. I love their banters and the way they always have each other’s back. Miles was a funny, friendly, and easy-going one while Erik was more serious and stiff. In spite of their differences, they were practically brothers and it was just beautiful. Oh, I do want to mention other characters’ relationships. I can’t say much because I don’t want to spoil anything. You’ll find more than a romantic relationship that equally, if not more, interesting and unique in their own way. Those relationships will show you how messy and complicated life can be.
Even though I really liked this book, I couldn’t help but feel as it nearing the end, the side characters were changing. There’s a big chance it’s only me who feels this way because I liked the characters too much so I pay very detailed attention to them. In the first half of the book, they felt alive with their raging and varying emotions. Then, when secrets started to unravel, they just felt different for me. Their actions seemed unlike their own. But it was only for a passing moment and I only felt it strongly for one particular character. They were back to act like themselves in the last chapters. Maybe this happened because there were limited pages and the story have to focus on the main problem, not them.
Overall, I had a great time reading Haze. I’m totally satisfied with the ending! It was perfect and fitting for not only the story but for the characters as well. This is not a book with a heavy mystery that will make your head spin or ghosts that will haunt you for days. Haze is a well-written, gripping, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching tale about life, love, and grief with strong characterization and dark secrets that will keep you on your toes. If you love reading YA books that are relatable with mystery and ghosts, you need to read this book, I really recommend it!
RATING: 3.5⭐ (Rounding it up to 4!)
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi
Buy this book on Amazon! Read this review and other book reviews at Discover Elysian
This honest review is a collaboration with the author, Rebecca Crunden. All opinions are my own.
As a fantasy reader who is not a fan of mystery and horrors, I didn’t think I’d like this book. I mean, ghosts? No, thank you. But then I headed to Amazon and Goodreads and read some of the reviews. They stated that this is not just a mystery supernatural novel, it is about love, friendship, and family. You see, I love books that are filled with messages about those three things so right after that, I was convinced to read it. And now, I’m very glad to give this book a chance.
I was hooked from the beginning! It started out smoothly with enough details to let the readers know the context of the story but not enough to give away anything and will make them craving for more. Those details were delivered in beautiful writing that brought the atmosphere of mystery to come to life. The next thing I’m about to say will reveal I’m the biggest scaredy-cat in town but seriously, I was scared for good when I was reading this book. It felt so real and there were super creepy moments that got me to put down my Kindle in order to calm my heart and distinguish my fear.
The line between life and death seemed like it could be as wide as the ocean or as thin and frail as thread.
It’s not just the writing, the story itself was engaging and unpredictable. When I read the synopsis, I thought the story would go one way but then it surprised me when it goes another way, and it was so much better than what I imagined. I like the way it heavily focused on love and family. When I read it, I thought this is not a book that will only give you enjoyment. If you look closer, you’ll find that there are so many things to learn from it. I, personally, gained a new perspective on loss, depression, grief, and regret.
All of those great things are supported by awesome and relatable characters. They were all living a normal and happy life until one day, the world decided to turn upside down and they were left with scars. We all have our own experiences with the horrible things in life and that’s why I found these characters were like my friends. I felt their pain, I felt their joy and despair. Their reaction to things that happened to them helped me figure out my own feelings and problems.
With matching smiles, they stepped inside, both trying to remind themselves they sometimes it was okay to hope. Sometimes good things did happen.
The characters were all great but my favorite characters are Miles and Erik. Both of them were best friends since they were kids maybe that’s why their relationship felt so warm and comforting. I love their banters and the way they always have each other’s back. Miles was a funny, friendly, and easy-going one while Erik was more serious and stiff. In spite of their differences, they were practically brothers and it was just beautiful. Oh, I do want to mention other characters’ relationships. I can’t say much because I don’t want to spoil anything. You’ll find more than a romantic relationship that equally, if not more, interesting and unique in their own way. Those relationships will show you how messy and complicated life can be.
Even though I really liked this book, I couldn’t help but feel as it nearing the end, the side characters were changing. There’s a big chance it’s only me who feels this way because I liked the characters too much so I pay very detailed attention to them. In the first half of the book, they felt alive with their raging and varying emotions. Then, when secrets started to unravel, they just felt different for me. Their actions seemed unlike their own. But it was only for a passing moment and I only felt it strongly for one particular character. They were back to act like themselves in the last chapters. Maybe this happened because there were limited pages and the story have to focus on the main problem, not them.
Hope not just for a life after death, but for a love that was strong enough to endure it.
Overall, I had a great time reading Haze. I’m totally satisfied with the ending! It was perfect and fitting for not only the story but for the characters as well. This is not a book with a heavy mystery that will make your head spin or ghosts that will haunt you for days. Haze is a well-written, gripping, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching tale about life, love, and grief with strong characterization and dark secrets that will keep you on your toes. If you love reading YA books that are relatable with mystery and ghosts, you need to read this book, I really recommend it!
RATING: 3.5⭐ (Rounding it up to 4!)
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August 22, 2020
Haze is the story of Erik and Eliza, and their enduring love for one another through many ups and downs over a period of 10 years or so, written by Rebecca Crunden. It was originally released in 2018, and I very much enjoyed reading this.
There are some supernatural elements and plenty of mystery and suspense in this book. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and give it a solid 3.5 stars – rounded up to 4!
Our story starts with two young boys trying to summon the dead. Erik’s mum died and he desperately misses her and wants to see her again.
‘Back when his mother was alive. Back when his life didn’t involve death’.
It is very sad to see a boy miss his mother so, and get angry when he can’t summon her. You can feel his pain. You can feel his desperation. Well, it didn’t work and Erik must accept that. Fast forward nine years and Erik has a fiance called Eliza and looks to be moving forward with his life.
One night Eliza receives a phone call from an apparently dead ex of Erik’s. She goes to meet the girl and unfortunately runs into Erik’s dad, Logan. Logan is the town bully and murdered his own wife previously. He and Erik don’t get on, understandably, and here our drama really starts.
When an ‘accident’ happens to Sam, Eliza’s sister, Erik leaves town and the relationship is over. He doesn’t return to town for another five years, and when he does his father is dead and Eliza is living a less than perfect life. Eric is feeling guilty and ashamed and he pines for the girl he lost.
‘Where she panicked continuously about losing the ones she loved, Erik was forever angry about all that he had lost already.’
The story contains references to drugs, murder, ghosts and mental health issues. It isn’t a ‘nice’ read. Plenty of drama and suspense, there is an air of mystery throughout the whole book. I read it over two nights, but could have easily read this in one sitting.
Crunden writes well, and the story has pace as well as suspense. The supernatural elements are all well described. I am not usually a fan of sci-fi or fantasy, so when I read it, I had high expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Character development is good here, each of the main characters was thoroughly fleshed out and I liked a couple of them by the end, after not having too much affection for anyone at the start. I was satisfied with the ending, it ties up all the loose ends nicely and had a feel-good vibe, that wasn’t out of place or corny.
Overall, I would recommend this to fans of slightly supernatural mysteries, it is basically a romance novel underneath though, so don’t go in thinking otherwise.
https://thebeautifulbookbreak.com
There are some supernatural elements and plenty of mystery and suspense in this book. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and give it a solid 3.5 stars – rounded up to 4!
Our story starts with two young boys trying to summon the dead. Erik’s mum died and he desperately misses her and wants to see her again.
‘Back when his mother was alive. Back when his life didn’t involve death’.
It is very sad to see a boy miss his mother so, and get angry when he can’t summon her. You can feel his pain. You can feel his desperation. Well, it didn’t work and Erik must accept that. Fast forward nine years and Erik has a fiance called Eliza and looks to be moving forward with his life.
One night Eliza receives a phone call from an apparently dead ex of Erik’s. She goes to meet the girl and unfortunately runs into Erik’s dad, Logan. Logan is the town bully and murdered his own wife previously. He and Erik don’t get on, understandably, and here our drama really starts.
When an ‘accident’ happens to Sam, Eliza’s sister, Erik leaves town and the relationship is over. He doesn’t return to town for another five years, and when he does his father is dead and Eliza is living a less than perfect life. Eric is feeling guilty and ashamed and he pines for the girl he lost.
‘Where she panicked continuously about losing the ones she loved, Erik was forever angry about all that he had lost already.’
The story contains references to drugs, murder, ghosts and mental health issues. It isn’t a ‘nice’ read. Plenty of drama and suspense, there is an air of mystery throughout the whole book. I read it over two nights, but could have easily read this in one sitting.
Crunden writes well, and the story has pace as well as suspense. The supernatural elements are all well described. I am not usually a fan of sci-fi or fantasy, so when I read it, I had high expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Character development is good here, each of the main characters was thoroughly fleshed out and I liked a couple of them by the end, after not having too much affection for anyone at the start. I was satisfied with the ending, it ties up all the loose ends nicely and had a feel-good vibe, that wasn’t out of place or corny.
Overall, I would recommend this to fans of slightly supernatural mysteries, it is basically a romance novel underneath though, so don’t go in thinking otherwise.
https://thebeautifulbookbreak.com
June 20, 2022
Haze is a romantic and fun ghost story with some mythological references. I'm all about mysteries that keep having me guessing. Rebecca always does an awesome job with character development and description with rich details and emotion.
September 9, 2020
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Haze
Erik is a boy plagued by his father's crimes. But despite the town whispering behind his back, he’s found love and his life is steering itself in the right direction. Engaged to Erik, Eliza couldn’t be happier. Until her sister begins to question Erik and Eliza receives a phone call from one of Erik’s exes. But his ex is dead. Doubts begin to surface and they come crashing to the surface in a single act that will change Erik and Eliza forever.
Be ready to dive into turbulent emotions, lost love, and supernatural mystery when you pick up Haze by Rebecca Crunden. The characterization done throughout this book is out of this world. I was riveted by the character arcs as pieces of the puzzle began to unravel, and the past was peeled back bit by bit. The supernatural elements are subtle at first, growing as the characters began to discover more about the past.
If you are a fan of redemption arcs, then you will enjoy Haze. Readers will watch characters fall to their lowest points and fight their way towards becoming better people. There is also an overarching mystery that the characters try to solve as they relive past events. The focus of this book is not the fantasy element, but rather the character relationships and learning how to overcome tragedy.
I enjoyed every minute of this book! The back and forth between Erik and Eliza kept me glued to the pages. The tension and the conflict between these two characters were so heart wrenching. I needed to know if they could overcome their past. I highly recommend Haze to fans of romance and supernatural mystery.
Erik is a boy plagued by his father's crimes. But despite the town whispering behind his back, he’s found love and his life is steering itself in the right direction. Engaged to Erik, Eliza couldn’t be happier. Until her sister begins to question Erik and Eliza receives a phone call from one of Erik’s exes. But his ex is dead. Doubts begin to surface and they come crashing to the surface in a single act that will change Erik and Eliza forever.
Be ready to dive into turbulent emotions, lost love, and supernatural mystery when you pick up Haze by Rebecca Crunden. The characterization done throughout this book is out of this world. I was riveted by the character arcs as pieces of the puzzle began to unravel, and the past was peeled back bit by bit. The supernatural elements are subtle at first, growing as the characters began to discover more about the past.
If you are a fan of redemption arcs, then you will enjoy Haze. Readers will watch characters fall to their lowest points and fight their way towards becoming better people. There is also an overarching mystery that the characters try to solve as they relive past events. The focus of this book is not the fantasy element, but rather the character relationships and learning how to overcome tragedy.
I enjoyed every minute of this book! The back and forth between Erik and Eliza kept me glued to the pages. The tension and the conflict between these two characters were so heart wrenching. I needed to know if they could overcome their past. I highly recommend Haze to fans of romance and supernatural mystery.
April 30, 2020
“Death is a friend who greets us at the end...”
Haze, a supernatural mystery romance by Author Rebecca Crunden, had me intrigued from the very first pages. It featured children enacting a ritual to summon the dead, complete with a jar of grave dirt. This scene sets the stage nicely for the whirlwind "butterfly-effect" to come. And what a whirlwind it was!
Haze is haunting, suspenseful, tragic, and surprising, not to mention compelling and creepy. It features flawed characters who feel like real people, with unique voices and well-crafted dialogue. It also features a gripping family dynamic between Eliza and her parents, and Erik and his father. There's a lot to like and even more to be spooked by!
Supernatural stories are among my very favorites and this paranormal mystery didn't disappoint! The happily-ever-after ending was completely satisfactory and I'm glad it concluded in the way it did. Overall, if you dig mysteries, ghosts, and romance, pick up your copy of Haze!
Haze, a supernatural mystery romance by Author Rebecca Crunden, had me intrigued from the very first pages. It featured children enacting a ritual to summon the dead, complete with a jar of grave dirt. This scene sets the stage nicely for the whirlwind "butterfly-effect" to come. And what a whirlwind it was!
Haze is haunting, suspenseful, tragic, and surprising, not to mention compelling and creepy. It features flawed characters who feel like real people, with unique voices and well-crafted dialogue. It also features a gripping family dynamic between Eliza and her parents, and Erik and his father. There's a lot to like and even more to be spooked by!
Supernatural stories are among my very favorites and this paranormal mystery didn't disappoint! The happily-ever-after ending was completely satisfactory and I'm glad it concluded in the way it did. Overall, if you dig mysteries, ghosts, and romance, pick up your copy of Haze!
August 17, 2021
Move over Ruth Ware, Riley Sager, and Simone St. James, because the next big thriller author is here! With Haze, Rebecca Crunden has crafted a multi-genre story that is engaging, heart-wrenching, and completely unforgettable. It is also a book that will stay with me for quite a long time.
Haze follows the story of Erik and Eliza, a couple of young people who are absolutely in love while also dealing with Erik's troubled past and brutal home life. Eliza receives a phone call from Paige, who happens to be Erik's ex-girlfriend. The only issue with this? Paige has been dead for years. After a tragic occurrence, Erik and ELiza are torn apart and do not reconnect until five years later, when many unanswered questions and mysteries need to be resolved.
I loved so many things about this book. One of my favorite aspects of it is that it is more than just one thing. It's a thriller, yes, and also a mystery and a ghost story, but it is also so much more than that. It's also a love story. It's about family and friends, and how to find yourself again after the loss of a loved one. It's about recovering from abuse and forging a new life for yourself. So while it is indeed a heart pounding story about ghosts, it is also about many difficult themes such as: death, grief, drug use, violence, alcoholism, depression, self harm, and suicide. It might seem like that is a lot to fit into one book, but it did not feel that way at all when reading. The narrative flowed really well, the characters were interesting and multi-faceted, and the dialogue was fantastic. You know you're reading a great book when you care almost as much about the minor characters (Go Miles!) as you do the main characters.
I would highly recommend this book. Once I started it I could not put it down until the very end!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. :)
Haze follows the story of Erik and Eliza, a couple of young people who are absolutely in love while also dealing with Erik's troubled past and brutal home life. Eliza receives a phone call from Paige, who happens to be Erik's ex-girlfriend. The only issue with this? Paige has been dead for years. After a tragic occurrence, Erik and ELiza are torn apart and do not reconnect until five years later, when many unanswered questions and mysteries need to be resolved.
I loved so many things about this book. One of my favorite aspects of it is that it is more than just one thing. It's a thriller, yes, and also a mystery and a ghost story, but it is also so much more than that. It's also a love story. It's about family and friends, and how to find yourself again after the loss of a loved one. It's about recovering from abuse and forging a new life for yourself. So while it is indeed a heart pounding story about ghosts, it is also about many difficult themes such as: death, grief, drug use, violence, alcoholism, depression, self harm, and suicide. It might seem like that is a lot to fit into one book, but it did not feel that way at all when reading. The narrative flowed really well, the characters were interesting and multi-faceted, and the dialogue was fantastic. You know you're reading a great book when you care almost as much about the minor characters (Go Miles!) as you do the main characters.
I would highly recommend this book. Once I started it I could not put it down until the very end!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. :)
January 21, 2019
I always get excited when I find out that Rebecca is releasing another book and this stand-alone was no exception. It was different than her other work in regards to genre but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. I devoured it in one sitting because I simply couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next! The characters were all intriguing as well, but I’d have to say that Miles was my ultimate favorite. I think I developed a little bit of a crush on him by the end.
July 8, 2020
CAWPILE Rating: 9.4
Paige is dead. She has been dead for years. At least that's what everyone thought. When Eliza Owens receives a phone call one night from this dead girl asking to meet up, her curiosity gets the best of her and she can't help but go. The events that follow this detrimental decision will send the Owens, Eliza's fiance Erik, and a few other close friends on crazy journey to figure out what really happened to Paige, and why she has come back.
Before I begin this review, I wanted to say thank you to the author for sending me an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Like stated above, I was sent an E-ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review, and to be honest I was a little worried at first. This book is classified as a 'Paranormal mystery romance novel', which is not something I pick up a lot. It seemed interesting though, so I went for it. Oh my goodness, I'm SO GLAD I DID. I can not explain how many feelings this book made me feel, and the fact that this is a standalone makes it that much more heartbreaking. I want the characters again, and now that I have finished the book I really want to re-read it (which says something because I NEVER re-read books).
One of the things I loved the most about this novel were the characters. They were so realistic, funny, relatable, and oh my gosh were their relationships the best. Miles was probably one of my favorite characters in this book, and I'm really thinking he may be one of my favorite book characters of all time. His relationships with the other individuals written in this book were so raw and real. However, he was not the only character I fell in love with. I want to refrain from ranting about everyone (but who are we kidding, this whole review is just one big love-rant) so I'll just say this; The character in this book felt very realistic to me. Their development through this story had me shocked, and I found myself gasping, laughing, and tearing up at times. Everything about them (even the antagonists of the book) was compelling, and I never found myself bored or wishing someone was different.
The next topic (since I'm following the CAWPILE rating system of this review) I would like to discuss is the atmosphere. 10/10. I literally have no other words for it. The mood and tone throughout this whole book had me in shock, and whenever something happened I physically felt the emotions. What more could I ask of a book? When something sad happened, I was tearing up. When the characters were being sarcastic and witty I found myself laughing and taking mental note of the nicknames and jokes used (though I don't know when I would ever use them). The world-building was amazing and flowed well with the plot of the story, however I did forget about the 'paranormal' side of things since that really does not come in until later in the book. That worked though, since there was no reason for the characters to think ghosts were involved until they began figuring things out a little bit.
Now, hear me out. I loved the writing of this book and I actually found it captivating. The descriptions were real to me and I could picture everything perfectly. However, there were some mistakes throughout the book. In fact, I believe a whole chapter number was missing. Some things were worded a little strangely, but I know that sometimes what makes sense to one person may not make sense to another, so I did not take off any stars for this (heck, I don't think I would have taken off any stars even if it made sense to no one since the rest of this book was so freaking amazing and it only happened a few times).
The plot of this book was very unique too me. I am very new to the paranormal romance genre so I'm not sure what is overused and what is not, but I believe this was pretty unique (at least compared to what I have seen/heard people talk about). There were some twist this story turn that I was not expecting at all, which I LOVED because I hate it when you can guess the whole plot from the first few chapters. I included the one thing I thought was a little strange below, but since it is a spoiler I will be doing that little 'spoiler' thing.
Another huge thank you to Rebecca Crunden for sending me the E-ARC of this book! I apologize if anything is misspelled or anything like that since I am quite tired at the time of writing this!
Thank you for reading, and have an amazing rest of your day/night ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
Paige is dead. She has been dead for years. At least that's what everyone thought. When Eliza Owens receives a phone call one night from this dead girl asking to meet up, her curiosity gets the best of her and she can't help but go. The events that follow this detrimental decision will send the Owens, Eliza's fiance Erik, and a few other close friends on crazy journey to figure out what really happened to Paige, and why she has come back.
Before I begin this review, I wanted to say thank you to the author for sending me an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Like stated above, I was sent an E-ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review, and to be honest I was a little worried at first. This book is classified as a 'Paranormal mystery romance novel', which is not something I pick up a lot. It seemed interesting though, so I went for it. Oh my goodness, I'm SO GLAD I DID. I can not explain how many feelings this book made me feel, and the fact that this is a standalone makes it that much more heartbreaking. I want the characters again, and now that I have finished the book I really want to re-read it (which says something because I NEVER re-read books).
One of the things I loved the most about this novel were the characters. They were so realistic, funny, relatable, and oh my gosh were their relationships the best. Miles was probably one of my favorite characters in this book, and I'm really thinking he may be one of my favorite book characters of all time. His relationships with the other individuals written in this book were so raw and real. However, he was not the only character I fell in love with. I want to refrain from ranting about everyone (but who are we kidding, this whole review is just one big love-rant) so I'll just say this; The character in this book felt very realistic to me. Their development through this story had me shocked, and I found myself gasping, laughing, and tearing up at times. Everything about them (even the antagonists of the book) was compelling, and I never found myself bored or wishing someone was different.
The next topic (since I'm following the CAWPILE rating system of this review) I would like to discuss is the atmosphere. 10/10. I literally have no other words for it. The mood and tone throughout this whole book had me in shock, and whenever something happened I physically felt the emotions. What more could I ask of a book? When something sad happened, I was tearing up. When the characters were being sarcastic and witty I found myself laughing and taking mental note of the nicknames and jokes used (though I don't know when I would ever use them). The world-building was amazing and flowed well with the plot of the story, however I did forget about the 'paranormal' side of things since that really does not come in until later in the book. That worked though, since there was no reason for the characters to think ghosts were involved until they began figuring things out a little bit.
Now, hear me out. I loved the writing of this book and I actually found it captivating. The descriptions were real to me and I could picture everything perfectly. However, there were some mistakes throughout the book. In fact, I believe a whole chapter number was missing. Some things were worded a little strangely, but I know that sometimes what makes sense to one person may not make sense to another, so I did not take off any stars for this (heck, I don't think I would have taken off any stars even if it made sense to no one since the rest of this book was so freaking amazing and it only happened a few times).
The plot of this book was very unique too me. I am very new to the paranormal romance genre so I'm not sure what is overused and what is not, but I believe this was pretty unique (at least compared to what I have seen/heard people talk about). There were some twist this story turn that I was not expecting at all, which I LOVED because I hate it when you can guess the whole plot from the first few chapters. I included the one thing I thought was a little strange below, but since it is a spoiler I will be doing that little 'spoiler' thing.
Another huge thank you to Rebecca Crunden for sending me the E-ARC of this book! I apologize if anything is misspelled or anything like that since I am quite tired at the time of writing this!
Thank you for reading, and have an amazing rest of your day/night ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
September 17, 2020
Free copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
4 mysterious stars!
Haze has Rebecca Crunden’s classic charm, humour and mystery wrapped up around a heartbreaking story involving four people who go into the forest one day – and come out completely changed.
Our story begins with a little prologue, where we witness two 10-year-old boys who decide to recite a spell in an attempt to talk to the recently deceased mother of one of the boys. This tear-jerking chapter sets the scene for a story that truly demonstrates the ways death can break apart a family, and proves how hard healing can be, and how this healing process tends to be two steps forward, one step back.
“‘Actions have consequences, Eliza. Even the actions of children.'”
From here we snap forward to years later, where we meet Eliza, her sister, Sam, and her boyfriend – from the prologue – Eric. Eric and Eliza are happily engaged and Eliza can’t wait to tell her big sister, until she gets home and Sam begins telling Eliza to go slower with Eric and be careful. Though this overprotective-big-sister act is reasonably normal for Sam, Eliza still feels a little hurt, and is shocked that Sam would turn against Eliza’s love. Not long after this, Eliza, Eric, Sam and Sam’s girlfriend – Maya – go into the forest to celebrate Maya’s promotion. This celebration ends in tragedy for everyone, and leaves Eliza with a broken heart and no-one around her that she feels she can truly rely on.
From here, the story snaps forward another 5 years, and Eric has returned to the town he left behind 5 years ago. The reunion that follows is not exactly one for the movies, and we witness how much that night in the forest truly destroyed Eliza. However, Eliza and Eric agree to work together to try and work out what happened that night, and to try and discover who turned Sam again Eric all those years ago. From here we get to meet Miles – a.k.a. the love of my life, the best character in this book, and absolute angel.
“Bottled sunshine, that was Miles.”
Together, this wicked threesome (no, not in that way, remove that thought from your mind right now) explore the town, dig up old memories and discover once and for all what happened that night in the forest.
The characters in this book were so damn believeable, and so easy to relate to! Pain and grief twisted these characters into shells of their previous selves, but slowly we began to witness the recovery of these characters, and we felt their pain and guilt every step of the way. As said, Miles was my absolute favourite character, but I also really liked Eliza and Eric, as they were just so easy to feel for and they were really the perfect MC’s for this book. The novel swapped between different POVs, mostly Eric and Eliza’s, but also Roger’s – a dick but a dick that I kinda felt for – from time to time. This really made sure that the reader experienced the same thing that the characters were going through, and nicely framed the book.
Now, another Miles quote, just because I love him.
“‘I considered myself a wizard until I was eleven.’
She grinned. ‘What happened when you were eleven?’
‘My letter from Hogwarts never came.'”
This story talked about the way that death can break people apart, and demonstrated how alcohol, drugs and sex are what some people turn to when they’re at their lowest. We also got to see the way friendship and love can build people back up, and with the added paranormal storyline woven into this one, this novel became one that was quite captivating. The (short) length of the book only improved it, in my opinion, as it felt like it was the perfect length, and Rebecca Crunden didn’t attempt to drag the novel on, which was a really nice change to the lengthy books I often read.
All up, Haze was a captivating, touching and very interesting novel that I believe most people would enjoy, and one I also believe is a nice book to read in-between longer books! Thank you to the author and FLOAB book club for the free copy!
4 mysterious stars!
Haze has Rebecca Crunden’s classic charm, humour and mystery wrapped up around a heartbreaking story involving four people who go into the forest one day – and come out completely changed.
Our story begins with a little prologue, where we witness two 10-year-old boys who decide to recite a spell in an attempt to talk to the recently deceased mother of one of the boys. This tear-jerking chapter sets the scene for a story that truly demonstrates the ways death can break apart a family, and proves how hard healing can be, and how this healing process tends to be two steps forward, one step back.
“‘Actions have consequences, Eliza. Even the actions of children.'”
From here we snap forward to years later, where we meet Eliza, her sister, Sam, and her boyfriend – from the prologue – Eric. Eric and Eliza are happily engaged and Eliza can’t wait to tell her big sister, until she gets home and Sam begins telling Eliza to go slower with Eric and be careful. Though this overprotective-big-sister act is reasonably normal for Sam, Eliza still feels a little hurt, and is shocked that Sam would turn against Eliza’s love. Not long after this, Eliza, Eric, Sam and Sam’s girlfriend – Maya – go into the forest to celebrate Maya’s promotion. This celebration ends in tragedy for everyone, and leaves Eliza with a broken heart and no-one around her that she feels she can truly rely on.
From here, the story snaps forward another 5 years, and Eric has returned to the town he left behind 5 years ago. The reunion that follows is not exactly one for the movies, and we witness how much that night in the forest truly destroyed Eliza. However, Eliza and Eric agree to work together to try and work out what happened that night, and to try and discover who turned Sam again Eric all those years ago. From here we get to meet Miles – a.k.a. the love of my life, the best character in this book, and absolute angel.
“Bottled sunshine, that was Miles.”
Together, this wicked threesome (no, not in that way, remove that thought from your mind right now) explore the town, dig up old memories and discover once and for all what happened that night in the forest.
The characters in this book were so damn believeable, and so easy to relate to! Pain and grief twisted these characters into shells of their previous selves, but slowly we began to witness the recovery of these characters, and we felt their pain and guilt every step of the way. As said, Miles was my absolute favourite character, but I also really liked Eliza and Eric, as they were just so easy to feel for and they were really the perfect MC’s for this book. The novel swapped between different POVs, mostly Eric and Eliza’s, but also Roger’s – a dick but a dick that I kinda felt for – from time to time. This really made sure that the reader experienced the same thing that the characters were going through, and nicely framed the book.
Now, another Miles quote, just because I love him.
“‘I considered myself a wizard until I was eleven.’
She grinned. ‘What happened when you were eleven?’
‘My letter from Hogwarts never came.'”
This story talked about the way that death can break people apart, and demonstrated how alcohol, drugs and sex are what some people turn to when they’re at their lowest. We also got to see the way friendship and love can build people back up, and with the added paranormal storyline woven into this one, this novel became one that was quite captivating. The (short) length of the book only improved it, in my opinion, as it felt like it was the perfect length, and Rebecca Crunden didn’t attempt to drag the novel on, which was a really nice change to the lengthy books I often read.
All up, Haze was a captivating, touching and very interesting novel that I believe most people would enjoy, and one I also believe is a nice book to read in-between longer books! Thank you to the author and FLOAB book club for the free copy!
July 16, 2020
This is a raw and gritty book that surprised me. I wasn't expecting the darkness surrounding Eliza and Erik, but as the tale unfolded I found myself intrigued by all the different elements involved. This is a little bit of a mystery - how did Sam die and who is impersonating Paige, but as the truth is revealed it is more than you would have ever expected.
The story starts out with two young boys trying to bring back someone from the dead. I didn't think much about it after that intro, but it is key to this story but all of the details are not revealed until about 3/4 of the way through the book. The story then jumps forward about 7 years and we are meet Eliza who is engaged to Erik but receives a call from someone that is dead wanting to warn her about him. That throws a kink into the story because how could someone that is dead contact Eliza? To top it off, this person has also been talking to Eliza's sister, Sam. The story really gets interesting at this point.
There is another jump in time, now it is 5 years later where the bulk of the book is set. Eliza has gone off the rails and is a drug user and no longer with Erik. This part of the book I had the hardest part with due to the drug use. I also didn't understand how Eliza could afford to pay for drugs if she wasn't working. Granted, Roger probably gave her a lot of it in trade, which is sad because Eliza had so much potential but the death of her sister sent her into a downward spiral. While this portion of the book is set in a relatively short period of time, so much happens to understand what happened and for Eliza and Erik to work through the events of the past. They both have issues to address within themselves and with each other.
The supernatural angle was intriguing and I feel like there are still some unanswered questions based on how the book ended. They may be more on my end and I want to know more about the journey Erik took and how it concluded.
We give this book 4 paws up.
The story starts out with two young boys trying to bring back someone from the dead. I didn't think much about it after that intro, but it is key to this story but all of the details are not revealed until about 3/4 of the way through the book. The story then jumps forward about 7 years and we are meet Eliza who is engaged to Erik but receives a call from someone that is dead wanting to warn her about him. That throws a kink into the story because how could someone that is dead contact Eliza? To top it off, this person has also been talking to Eliza's sister, Sam. The story really gets interesting at this point.
There is another jump in time, now it is 5 years later where the bulk of the book is set. Eliza has gone off the rails and is a drug user and no longer with Erik. This part of the book I had the hardest part with due to the drug use. I also didn't understand how Eliza could afford to pay for drugs if she wasn't working. Granted, Roger probably gave her a lot of it in trade, which is sad because Eliza had so much potential but the death of her sister sent her into a downward spiral. While this portion of the book is set in a relatively short period of time, so much happens to understand what happened and for Eliza and Erik to work through the events of the past. They both have issues to address within themselves and with each other.
The supernatural angle was intriguing and I feel like there are still some unanswered questions based on how the book ended. They may be more on my end and I want to know more about the journey Erik took and how it concluded.
We give this book 4 paws up.
October 21, 2022
It’s been a long time since I’ve finished a book in 24 hours but Haze is one of those rare stories that instantly sucked me and left me constantly wanting to read more.
Crunden does an wonderful job detailing small town life. I felt like I was in Eliza and Erik’s world from the first chapter. Their romance also felt incredibly genuine even without tons of backstory or that much time getting to see the two together.
As the story progresses, the air of mystery and intrigue increased until it reached a dramatic conclusion that I never saw coming. The characters emotions and reactions were all so potent and I truly experienced what they did as they found out the secret that had affected all of their lives.
This was an amazing read which has the perfect amount of spooky tones for this Halloween season. I highly recommend this to any fans of paranormal romance!
Crunden does an wonderful job detailing small town life. I felt like I was in Eliza and Erik’s world from the first chapter. Their romance also felt incredibly genuine even without tons of backstory or that much time getting to see the two together.
As the story progresses, the air of mystery and intrigue increased until it reached a dramatic conclusion that I never saw coming. The characters emotions and reactions were all so potent and I truly experienced what they did as they found out the secret that had affected all of their lives.
This was an amazing read which has the perfect amount of spooky tones for this Halloween season. I highly recommend this to any fans of paranormal romance!
October 21, 2022
Really, really enjoyed this one! Filled with mysterious events and haunting spirits, it’s perfect for the Halloween season. The writing is well done, and the characters had lots of depth. I particularly liked how realistic their reactions/ emotions felt given their circumstance. The subject matter is pretty heavy, so definitely check for triggers, etc (although nothing is explicit and is mostly referenced to in the past) before reading.
PS really liked the ending!
PS really liked the ending!
October 10, 2023
A great read.
This story had so many different elements. Romance, mystery, paranormal, friendship, and relationships. It was well written, the words flowed easily and made for an enjoyable story. Loved the ending.
This story had so many different elements. Romance, mystery, paranormal, friendship, and relationships. It was well written, the words flowed easily and made for an enjoyable story. Loved the ending.
April 28, 2020
wow this was interesting.. spooky.. action packed.. fun.. some spots that werent expected... ending that made me go.. omg! lol.. it was well written and i really liked it
May 11, 2024
Quite the supernatural book with a twist--I guess you'd call it--near the end that took me by surprise. (Not in a bad way at all, it explains why Erik's the way he is... It just seemed to come out of nowhere.) Eliza and Erik have some major darkness around them. (Even though understandable considering what happens, her downward spiral into drug use was unsettling for me.)
With ghosts, mysterious deaths, hauntings, and unsolved mysteries, I can see this as a great spooky Halloween story!
With ghosts, mysterious deaths, hauntings, and unsolved mysteries, I can see this as a great spooky Halloween story!
September 26, 2018
4.5 stars. I started this at lunch today and had such a hard time putting it down to go back to work. I did not expect that ending :O but I loved it. The writing is very well done. The characters felt realistic, flaws and all.
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February 9, 2022Great story. Full review in issue 5 of Indie Bites at www.silversunbooks.com
May 17, 2020
So wow.
This was a creepy, creepy book, but I think that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much.
In the very beginning of the book, we’re introduced to two children in a cabin who are preparing a ritual to bring someone or something back to the dead. Fast forward some years and we’re introduced to one of the kid’s (Erick’s) fiancé Eliza. When she gets a call from a deceased ex of Erick’s, questions begin to fly. It’s not long after that in which Erick accidentally kills Eliza’s sister, Sam. Unable to deal with what’s happened, he leaves town and Eliza slips into a haze (clever story title by the way) of drugs and sorrow.
So I loved each of the characters in a different way. They felt like real people, especially Eliza, and the way that she coped with her sister’s death. Her downward spiral of despair I think all people have experienced at one point or the other. Erick was perhaps my favorite character though. He went through such a range of emotions throughout the entirety of the story that we got to see exactly what kind of character he was in nearly every situation imaginable.
All in all, this is a fantastic story with something for everyone whether that be romance, suspense, paranormal, mystery, or intrigue. The author beautifully weaved real elements such as death and loss with supernatural elements making for a magical book that’s easy to get lost.
If you’re looking for something solid but outside the box, this is the book for you.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This was a creepy, creepy book, but I think that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much.
In the very beginning of the book, we’re introduced to two children in a cabin who are preparing a ritual to bring someone or something back to the dead. Fast forward some years and we’re introduced to one of the kid’s (Erick’s) fiancé Eliza. When she gets a call from a deceased ex of Erick’s, questions begin to fly. It’s not long after that in which Erick accidentally kills Eliza’s sister, Sam. Unable to deal with what’s happened, he leaves town and Eliza slips into a haze (clever story title by the way) of drugs and sorrow.
So I loved each of the characters in a different way. They felt like real people, especially Eliza, and the way that she coped with her sister’s death. Her downward spiral of despair I think all people have experienced at one point or the other. Erick was perhaps my favorite character though. He went through such a range of emotions throughout the entirety of the story that we got to see exactly what kind of character he was in nearly every situation imaginable.
All in all, this is a fantastic story with something for everyone whether that be romance, suspense, paranormal, mystery, or intrigue. The author beautifully weaved real elements such as death and loss with supernatural elements making for a magical book that’s easy to get lost.
If you’re looking for something solid but outside the box, this is the book for you.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
June 13, 2020
A modern-day fairy tale with a cast of engaging characters with a variety of realistic flaws, Haze is a quick and entertaining read. The story begins with the idyllic love of Erik and Eliza, only to be shattered by tragedy. Erik disappears following the tragedy, leaving Eliza to spiral out of control. Upon his return, the duo team up with the likeable stoner Miles to get to the bottom of strange encounters, unsolved mysteries, and the truth behind several deaths that touched their lives over the years. The ending was most unexpected, shifting it more from a traditional ghost story to more of a fairy tale. I was interested from start to finish, and the book was exactly the right length, something that is often missed.
June 7, 2022
Haze is definitely on the darker spectrum of books I’ve read, in terms of characters and general tone - occasionally uplifted by the “bottled sunshine” side character Miles, who really brightened (and stole) the scenes he was in.
Character interactions were done well and realistic, given how a death in the family (especially of mysterious circumstances) would affect the living - to say nothing of the continued contact from beyond the grave. The explanation behind this contact - the most chilling being Erik’s long-dead ex, Paige - was surprising and led into an ending I definitely wasn’t expecting.
While amazed at how much story was fit into this book (as in, a relatively quick read, all things considered), I would have loved to read more! But all in all, a great read!
Character interactions were done well and realistic, given how a death in the family (especially of mysterious circumstances) would affect the living - to say nothing of the continued contact from beyond the grave. The explanation behind this contact - the most chilling being Erik’s long-dead ex, Paige - was surprising and led into an ending I definitely wasn’t expecting.
While amazed at how much story was fit into this book (as in, a relatively quick read, all things considered), I would have loved to read more! But all in all, a great read!
November 8, 2021
I Hope There's More to This Story!
If you're on the hunt for a slow-burning mystery with subtle supernatural undertones then, this is the book for you! Come for the mystery, stay for the drama, and marvel at the final reveal.
If you're on the hunt for a slow-burning mystery with subtle supernatural undertones then, this is the book for you! Come for the mystery, stay for the drama, and marvel at the final reveal.
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