If you’ve ever wanted to be chased, teased, and seduced by your best friend’s brother in a haunted mansion while wearing a maid costume—Lee Jacquot’s Hollows Grove is your spicy Halloween fantasy come true.
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🕸️ Plot Summary: Murder, Mischief, and Maid Outfits
Eva has one goal: survive a company Halloween party hosted at Hollows Grove, a sprawling estate with more secrets than rooms. Unfortunately, she’s roped into co-hosting the event with Dorian Davis—her best friend’s older brother and lifelong tormentor. Dorian has spent two decades perfecting the art of driving Eva up the wall, and now he’s got her trapped in a real-life murder mystery game where the stakes are high and the sexual tension is higher.
As the party unfolds, so does a deliciously twisted game of cat and mouse. Dorian doesn’t just want to scare Eva—he wants to unravel her. And Eva? She’s not as immune to his antics as she pretends to be. Cue the hallway chases, locked doors, and one unforgettable scene involving a maid costume and a very persuasive villain.
“Turns out, Dorian didn’t want to scare me. He wanted to hear me scream. To hear me beg.”
🖤 Characters: Hot, Haunted, and Hilariously Horny
Eva is a snarky, self-aware heroine who’s equal parts sass and vulnerability. She’s spent years dodging Dorian’s tricks, but beneath her sarcasm lies a woman who’s tired of pretending she doesn’t want him. Her inner monologue is sharp, hilarious, and often filthy—in the best way.
Dorian Davis is the ultimate Halloween treat: possessive, wickedly charming, and hotter than hell. He’s the kind of man who hides behind corners just to make you jump—and then pins you against the wall to make you moan. Confident, calculating, and emotionally layered, Dorian is more than just a walking thirst trap. He’s a man who’s waited years to claim what he wants.
“You’re not scared of me, Eva. You’re scared of how much you want me.”
Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their banter? Sharp enough to draw blood. Their sex scenes? Let’s just say you’ll never look at a murder mystery game the same way again.
🎭 Tropes That Slay
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Best Friend’s Brother: Forbidden, familiar, and full of tension.
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Enemies to Lovers: With pranks, insults, and unresolved sexual tension.
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Forced Proximity: Trapped in a mansion, playing a game that gets way too real.
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Halloween Romance: Costumes, candles, and creepy corridors.
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Possessive Hero: Dorian doesn’t share. Ever.
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Spicy Novella: Short, sharp, and sizzling.
Jacquot leans into these tropes with gleeful abandon, making them feel fresh, filthy, and emotionally satisfying.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings
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Explicit sexual content
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Light bondage and consensual power play
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Verbal degradation (consensual)
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Mild horror elements (haunted house setting, murder mystery game)
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Emotional manipulation (in a romantic context)
Jacquot handles these elements with care, ensuring consent and emotional clarity throughout. But if you’re sensitive to intense sexual dynamics or psychological tension, proceed with caution—and maybe a glass of wine.
🔥 Smut Score: 10/10 Would Get Haunted Again
This novella is unapologetically spicy. The scenes are graphic, emotionally charged, and woven seamlessly into the plot. Dorian is a master of dirty talk, and Eva’s reactions are as raw as they are relatable. Whether it’s a hallway encounter or a whispered threat in the dark, Jacquot knows how to make you squirm—in the best way.
“I want you to run, Eva. I want to chase you. Catch you. Ruin you.”
🎃 Why It Works: Humor, Heat, and Heart
Despite its short length, Hollows Grove packs a punch. The pacing is tight, the dialogue snappy, and the emotional payoff surprisingly satisfying. Jacquot doesn’t just give you spice—she gives you stakes. Eva and Dorian aren’t just playing games; they’re confronting years of tension, desire, and denial.
The murder mystery game adds a layer of intrigue and chaos, turning the haunted house setting into a playground for seduction. It’s campy, clever, and just creepy enough to keep you on edge.
👻 Final Verdict: A Haunted House You’ll Want to Get Lost In
Hollows Grove is a wickedly fun, smutty novella that blends humor, heat, and Halloween hijinks into one irresistible package. If you love enemies-to-lovers with a side of dirty talk and a dash of haunted mansion chaos, this book is your perfect October read.
It’s short, sharp, and sexy—and it’ll leave you begging for more.
Rating: 4.5/5 screams.
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