They Call Her Regret

by Channelle Desamours

In this young adult speculative mystery, a teen must find a way to free a cursed witch in order to save her best friend before time runs out.

Every year horror-loving Simone Washington throws an epic Halloween party for her classmates. Party-planning is her favorite escape from the dark secrets in her past, and this year, she’s taking things up a notch with an invitation-only event to celebrate her eighteenth birthday—something that will leave the halls of Pinegrove Academy flooded with gossip about the big ghoulish bash. The overnight stay at Doll’s Head Lake will be filled with spooky pranks and scary stories told by the fire—including the legend of a local witch named Regret.

But those dark secrets from Simone’s past are forced to the surface at the party when her best friend Kira dies under questionable circumstances. The witch appears and offers Simone a if Simone can figure out how to release Regret from the curse trapping her at the lake within fourteen days, all of Simone’s regrets will be erased. If Simone accepts, Kira’s life will be immediately restored. But if she fails, Kira will die again—and Simone will be the one to kill her.

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

Channelle Desamours is an author and a high school science teacher. When she’s not napping to recover from her five a.m. writing sessions, Channelle can be found building tiny homes on The Sims 4 or cheering for Atlanta United at soccer matches. NEEDY LITTLE THINGS is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Brittany’sBoundByBloodBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only regret I have about They Call Her Regret is that I didn’t clear my schedule before starting it because once I opened it, this witchy mystery had me absolutely spellbound. 🧙‍♀️

I won this book right around Halloween, which felt like perfect timing for a story that leans hard into spooky season: haunted lakes, creepy legends, and an overnight Halloween party that goes terribly, tragically wrong. Simone Washington, horror obsessed party planner and queen of distraction, is such a compelling lead. On the surface she’s all vibes and pranks, but underneath she’s carrying some heavy secrets. When her best friend Kira dies at the party and the legendary witch Regret appears with a horrifying bargain free Regret from her curse in fourteen days or lose Kira forever, the book shifts into a tense, time ticking mystery that blends grief, guilt, and supernatural danger in really satisfying ways.

The writing is beautifully balanced: spooky but not cheesy, emotional without getting melodramatic. The prose flows so smoothly that chapters just… disappear. One minute you’re “just reading a few pages,” and the next thing you know, you’ve burned through half the book and your real regret is how late it suddenly is. The pacing is fast without feeling rushed, every scene feels purposeful, and the tension builds steadily as Simone digs deeper into Regret’s past and her own. I really liked how the story used the witch’s curse as a metaphor for the weight of regret and the temptation to rewrite your past, while still delivering all the eerie campfire story vibes promised by Doll’s Head Lake.

What really worked for me was how grounded the relationships felt, especially Simone’s connection to Kira and the messy, very human ways friends can hurt and fail each other. The supernatural stakes are high, but the emotional stakes are just as sharp, and that’s what makes the ending land so well. This isn’t just a haunted lake story; it’s a story about grief, forgiveness, and what it costs to try to undo the past.

If you like YA horror with heart, cursed witches, and mysteries that keep you turning pages long past your bedtime, They Call Her Regret is absolutely worth conjuring onto your TBR. No hexes needed. 🕯️📖

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners for an ALC of They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours 


Honestly when I first saw this was part of Macmillan Young Listeners I had to do a few double takes.. once again, all the flabbers to my name were gasted. wow, just wow.. I meannnnn I really should have guessed since 89% of stories that involve high schoolers usually are.. but this story was just so, SO good, engrossing, and intense (in all the best ways). It just really never dawned on me that it was the target audience. 


Horror is in my blood, ok?.. I'm kinda an expert and thissss 🤌🏼🤌🏼....🤌🏼🤌🏼 Is horror at its absolute finest 🤌🏼


My fellow horror professionals will more than likely agree when I say, a top pet peeve of ours is when a story has a ton of potential but there are too many loose ends or plot holes. This plot was so air tight I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if Ms Desamours worked part time for the military insulating submarines.  A horror book where the plot is as solid as the entertainment..is the BEST, most exhilarating  experience! Especially since (in my opinion) the genre as a whole tends to have more great books with plot holes than the other way around. Listen, if you've personally had better experience consider me personally jealous because realistically I'd probably have an easier time finding the Sorcerer's Stone than a steady flow of horror books with solid and entertaining plots. Very needless to say this was very much appreciated and enjoyed! 

When I first started reading this I had a whole spiel rolling around my cranium, about how this would be the PERFECT way to kick off your 2026 spooky season but after completing it I genuinely don't recommend waiting that long and if you do, you'll regret it 


Until next time 
Hades
🩵

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s tradition for horror-loving Simone Washington to throw the best and spookiest parties for Halloween. So this year was no different, except that it was going to be on her eighteenth birthday. The thrill of planning and scaring her friends masks her regrets and dark past; she doesn’t want to confront. And if there’s one thing about Simone, it’s that she has many, many masks.

Planning to throw her birthday party at Doll’s Head Lake, Simone thinks of ways to prank her friends, staying true to the spooky past the lake is rumored for, including the legend of a ghost witch named Regret. But when her friend, Kira, dies after falling into the lake, Simone is desperate to do anything to bring her friend back to life–even if it means having to make a deal with a witch. But there’s a catch: Kira will come back to life, but Simone must learn how to set Regret free from the curse of the lake. If she fails to do so, Kira will die again, but Simone will be the one to do it.

I have never been a fan of the horror genre. I am a scaredy cat and have been for a long time. 😅 That is, until recently, when I became a fan of watching gamers play horror games, which helped me overcome my fear of scary stuff. Heck, I even watched The Conjuring series and want to watch all the movies again. 🤷‍♀😂

So, in light of spooky season being here and Halloween quickly approaching (time is flying! 😱), I thought it was fitting that I should read possibly my first horror book. That’s where this gem comes in.

Granted, it’s not as scary as I was hoping it would be. I finished this book at like two o’clock in the morning and slept just fine, whereas The Wasp Trap kept me awake for some inexplicable reason. Make it make sense, Sarah. 🤦‍♀ But it was still deliciously creepy and oh so crazy because ho-ly cow! I was not expecting those plot twists and correlations at all! And that ending? I mean, it’s horror. What did I expect? 😅

Although all the characters were great and did their jobs as characters, I will say it drove me crazy how the lover of horror, Simone, was literally doing everything you are NOT supposed to do when you strike up a deal with a witch. I’m not going to go into too much detail (you have to read the book to find out 😉), but there are certain things you don’t touch, you don’t talk to, and you don’t. Let. In. And I’m going to leave it at that.
But Cory, Simone’s friend and crush, was by far my favorite character. He was so freaking sweet, kind, and such a good friend and person, overall. He’s the best! ☺

Everything else about this book was fantastic. The writing was balanced, flowed flawlessly, and told the story well. There were parts that I didn’t understand, but I think that’s due to editing, so I’m not going to worry about it. The plot was super interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat, and made my jaw drop! 😲 I’m still in shock at how everything that went down, and the latter half of the book will live rent-free in my mind until another book takes that place. 😅

If you are looking for an intriguing and creepy story, this book is for you! I totally recommend it! 👻🎃🧡

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the free arc! All opinions and statements are my own!

❗Content Warnings❗
Murder, death, violence, blood, & drug and alcohol use.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No–just kissing and mentioning it, too. (🌶/5)

[Alyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t exactly a scary horror (maybe more moody/reflective) but there were definitely creepy aspects that were done really well. Sometimes I find it difficult to get into YA but this was everything I like about good YA—the teenagers actually read like teenagers, they mess up, overthink, and don’t magically act like tiny adults with perfect insight. The stakes feel personal and urgent but not world-ending. And like all good horror (IMO), it draws a straight line between the supernatural stuff and how horrifying just being a person can be. Great October read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this. This book had sooo many amazing quotes that I'm going to have to reread it once I can get a physical copy so I can mark them all. The writing was amazing, the story was dark and the ending was... fun 🤣. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing this story to life.

[Joseph Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC, winning it on Goodreads.

This is truly a roller coaster of a ride. Twists and turns. A creepy doll and a ghost witch, that wants to be released, from the curse that keeps her at Doll Head Lake.

When Simone, throws a Halloween party at a cabin near Doll Head Lake. A friend ends up dead. Was it an accident, or was he killed?

Regret, shows herself to Simone and gives her 14 days to release her. The stakes are high, because Simone can right everything that went wrong that night.

Or it can get so much worse!

A fast paced page turner, you will not want to put down.

[Beth Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's her senior year, and to celebrate, Simone is throwing herself a spooky birthday party at a cabin on the lake. She knows to expect some drinking and maybe some poor decisions, but she never thought her party would end with a life-ending accident. But a witch named Regret appears and offers Simone the chance to change things, as long as Simone can figure out how to free Regret from her cursed existence. But that means Simone will have to uncover her own secrets she's kept buried for years, and face her own regrets.

This is not my usual genre, but I'm glad I stuck with this one -- I was about a third of the way through the book and when I found myself pretty invested. Definitely a compelling story and appropriately mysterious, with eerie talking dolls and a chilling but complex villain. Elements of the plot are reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart.

This is a thriller, so not a feel-good read, but still so compelling. Overall, I liked this!


Violence/murder. Substance abuse.
Some language, including a couple of f-bombs, but not as many as I expected.


Thanks to Libro.fm for the advanced listening copy!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Channelle Desamours has done it again!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needy Little Things was one of my favorite books of 2025, so I was so excited when I saw this book available to download on Netgalley early.

I was finally able to start this book yesterday during some downtime at work, and let me tell you that I HATED putting this book down. It is such a wild ride from start to finish and I finished it in about 24 hours.

I will add more thoughts to this review later but I just wanted to leave these initial thoughts for right now.

Also thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this wonderful book!

- Laura

[Rayna Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🤭

[Rachel Auer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am happy to report that this book is not scary, and I didn't have to DNF it. I thought it would be horror, but it isn't at all.

It's a story about regret, forgiveness, and justice.

I loved that this book wasn't so black and white about what was right and wrong. There were things a lot of the characters were holding onto to protect those they loved, and setting those burdens free helped not only them but those around them. As it was said in the book, "justice for one could be justice for all." That really was the ultimate theme of the story. I loved how it all came together on October 30th, but I also loved all the moments of Simone collecting the information to get her there and break the curse.

It was a well-thought-out story that I'm glad I got to read during spooky season!

*I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.*

[Hone · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audio courtesy of Macmillan Young Listeners, Channelle Desamours, and NetGalley, as well as the Libro.fm Audiobook Listening Copy Program.)

5⭐

I’ve been sitting on this review for about a week now, processing my reading hangover, replaying moments from the book, and generally just feeling my feels. I loved it… I’m just struggling to express how I loved it.

I guess we’ll start here:

“I'm afraid I'm not good.”

Well, damn, girl, me too.

Simone lives in this place where she’s convinced she’s not a good person—that she’s the cause of every bad thing in her life—that her good intentions always result in bad outcomes—that she is unworthy of good things. And this belief is so pervasive in her narrative that I struggled, at first, to disagree with her.

She says she’s bad, so she must be bad. She’s obfuscating so many parts of her life; has so many secrets… The reader has no choice but to accept her premise.

But when we see her choices on the page—for example, her early decision to trade Kira’s life for Rich’s with stunning callousness—I didn’t think of her as “bad.” In fact, I was impressed with how unapologetic she was.

It wasn’t until the end, when she was F-O-R-C-E-D to examine all the dark corners of her psyche, that I thought, Girl, you aren’t bad… you’re a human, a teenager, a person with deep trauma. You are okay, Simone. I promise.

She’s one of the most complex characters I’ve read in recent memory. I don’t even know if I liked her, but I sure as hell appreciated her.

As for the book itself? Mysteries ABOUND. Mysteries stacked on mysteries stacked on mysteries. Is it too much? For some people, it might be, yes. I loved it, though. I didn’t even try to solve the mysteries, I just floated along as bits and pieces were revealed over time. I loved the twists and turns, I loved the multi-layered plot. But others might find it cumbersome. It’s a LOT of story. Not overly long, just dense.

I really appreciated the book's themes, even though they were consistently difficult: self-hatred, female rage, trauma, forgiveness, and the lies we tell ourselves. And horror-wise, there were genuinely spooky moments. The Pinterest scene where every photo in her feed is an image of the flood light above her garage? So unsettling.

Also, there was a bit of romance running through the story as well. Cory. That boy was delightful. He was genuinely kind and thoughtful, a very grounding presence for Simone. I also appreciated the portrayal of neurodivergence in his character.

Audio-Specific 🎧: 9 hours, 29 minutes. Narrated by Kristolyn Lloyd. Incredible voice work—her accents are amazing, and she manages to juggle a huge cast of characters. So solid. The ONLY thing I wasn’t super into was her initial performance of Regret. It felt way over the top and pulled me out of what would otherwise have been a genuinely terrifying scene, but eventually Lloyd seemed to settle into the role and it became more nuanced. Honestly, the over-the-topness may have even been the point, allowing the voice to evolve as Simone unraveled more of Regret’s mysteries.

📌 TL;DR: Spooky, gripping, and mysterious. Layers upon layers of plot wrapped around a complicated protagonist. A phenomenal YA!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook.

📝 Short Summary

This YA horror story centers around a deeply unsettling presence tied to a doll and a chilling countdown that creates constant tension. What starts as discomfort quickly escalates into something far more sinister, pulling you into a story where dread builds steadily, and the stakes feel uncomfortably close.

Review

This audiobook absolutely worked for me, and a huge part of that comes down to the narration. Kristolyn Lloyd did an incredible job bringing both the characters and the creeping sense of fear to life. Her delivery added weight to every moment of tension, and the pacing of the audio made the countdown element feel genuinely stressful rather than gimmicky.

Anything involving a doll is already a hard no for me, and this story leaned into that fear in the best and worst ways possible. The idea of a doll paired with a ticking countdown is pure nightmare fuel, and the story knew exactly how to sit in that discomfort without rushing through it. The creep factor was consistent, and the atmosphere stayed heavy throughout, which is exactly what I want from a YA horror.

What really stood out was how alive the characters felt through audio. The emotions landed, the fear felt real, and the story never lost its grip on the tone. This is one of those audiobooks where listening elevated the entire experience. While it’s firmly YA, it doesn’t feel watered down, and the horror elements are strong enough to leave an impression long after the final chapter.

✅ Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely. If you enjoy creepy YA horror and especially if dolls already freak you out, this audiobook is a must. Listening is the way to go with this one.

[Kris the retired librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if the scariest thing isn’t a monster—but your own regret?

They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours is a creepy, smartly layered YA mystery. The audiobook pulls you straight into the uneasy world of high school senior Simone, a sharp, feisty narrator who’s holding far more inside than she lets on.

Simone keeps parts of herself hidden from everyone—her dad, her best friend Kira, even from herself at times. When tragedy strikes, Simone is forced to make a deal that could lead to more tragedy & regret.

What makes this story work so well is how real the characters feel. The teenage characters sound like actual teenagers—messy, funny, defensive, & vulnerable. That authenticity isn’t an accident. The author teaches high school science & clearly understands how teens talk & think. The dialogue never feels forced or try-hard.

The atmosphere is where this one really shines. It’s more creeping dread than jump-scare gore. There’s an unsettling undercurrent running through the entire book—an “is this really happening?” kind of chill. Readers who want something scary but not bloody will be right at home here. It’s eerie without tipping into slasher territory.

There are also mysteries layered throughout-some obvious, others simmering in the background. A touch of romance slips in, but never hijacks the story. It adds texture without overwhelming the central tension.

The narration by Kristolyn Lloyd is excellent. She really captures Simone’s mix of confidence & anxiety, and her pacing keeps the tension constant. The eerie moments are scary without being overdone.

This book explores guilt, identity, friendship, & the ripple effects of the choices we make. It asks what regret can do to a person—and whether facing the truth is more terrifying than avoiding it.

I genuinely enjoyed this one. If you’re looking for a book that delivers chills without buckets of blood, this is an easy recommendation. Just don’t be surprised if every doll suddenly looks suspicious.

Thanks Macmillan Audio for the gifted early listen.

[Eros Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Horror feels like home to me.”

If you are looking for a young adult thriller with murder & a dark storyline then this may be the book for you.

-based in Georgia
-witchcraft, magic & spirits
-high school senior MCs
-slow paced storyline
-a horror loving FMC, Simone
-navigating life with divorced parents
-betrayal, forgiveness & healing
-a chilling, creepy thrill
-memorable villains
-the movie “The Ring” vibes
-the ebbs & flows of friendship
-uncovering dark secrets

The author has a beautiful writing style. It is always vividly descriptive & detailed. I felt like I was watching a TV show with Black kids trying to solve a ver dark mystery.

My only feedback about this was the pacing. 3/4 of the story was slow paced in a way that didn’t add to the build up of the plot. I couldn’t imagine teenage readers seeing the storyline through. The lack of pull had me putting this down consistently.

Overall, it was an okay read. I had higher hopes for it but, it wasn’t a bad story. Great concept, underwhelming execution.

Check your trigger warnings with this one.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this book in a giveaway and I wanted to read it right away so I could give a review.

Well, this book surpassed my expectations. I have one if few books in the past, some good some bad.

From the beginning, this book grabs you.

A refreshing book about a young girl who gives a party each year for her birthday for all her friends.
This year she wants a party to be different and finds an old cabin in the woods where she can do lots of pranks and scary stuff to our friends.

Let your imagination run for the pranks and cool stuff that could happen in addition to all of this stories wrapped around history of a family and small town.

Really enjoyed the book and so glad that I won it. I not have read it otherwise. But I will read her books in the future.

Thank you for the giveaway
Happy reading:)

[Skyye Breeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF..

I couldn't finish the book. It just didn't hold my interest. The story was just ok. It dragged on at times.

[Tyffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Channelle Desamours has done it again! Needy Little Things was my first 5 star book of 2025 and I think about rereading it at least once a week. They Call Her Regret doesn’t disappoint. This time Ms. Desamours takes us on a wild ride that includes a creepy doll, a haunted lake house, teenagers being teenagers, and a look at Regret, both the feeling and the witch.

The plot is solid, the characters are well developed and relatable, the horror elements don’t feel childish or performative. This is a fantastic read from start to finish. I love everything about this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for the ARC of this novel!

[Kara Garn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going into this book, and before long I was drawn into this world that had many layers and twists. I found myself trying to guess what would happen next, and the story really kept me guessing along the way!
It even gave me some nostalgic feels to reading Goosebumps as a kid.

Thank you to the publisher for the early copy

[Blurb It Down Official · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you discover a book purely by chance and end up genuinely grateful for whatever twist of fate put it in your hands. They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours was exactly that kind of unexpected find for me, a book I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own but ended up thoroughly enjoying despite some frustrations along the way.

The setup immediately establishes the kind of teenage energy that drives so many great horror stories: Simone throws elaborate birthday parties for her friend group every year, and this time she wants to elevate things beyond the usual celebrations. She discovers an old cabin deep in the woods that seems perfect for creating the kind of memorable, scary experience her friends will talk about for years.

What starts as party planning quickly spirals into something far more dangerous when the cabin’s history reveals itself. Desamours weaves together the immediate teenage drama with the darker backstory of the location, connecting present-day shenanigans to a family’s tragic past and the small town secrets that never quite stay buried.

The pacing grabbed me from the opening chapters and maintained momentum throughout. Desamours understands how to structure reveals so you’re constantly learning new information that recontextualizes what you thought you understood. The layers of history surrounding the cabin and the town itself add depth that elevates this beyond simple slasher fare.

The characterization across the board felt solid—each friend in the group has distinct personality and purpose rather than simply existing as potential victims. Desamours gives them enough individuality that you care about their fates while also understanding how their specific traits make them vulnerable to the unfolding horror.

However, and this is where I wanted to reach through the pages and shake someone, Simone’s choices drove me absolutely insane. Here is a character who supposedly loves horror, who should theoretically know all the rules about what not to do when supernatural forces are involved. And yet she proceeds to violate basically every single guideline about dealing with witches and curses. It created this particular kind of horror movie frustration where you’re screaming at the protagonist to stop being so recklessly stupid while also understanding that without those choices, there wouldn’t be a story.

The witch-related mythology and the specific nature of the curse felt fresh rather than recycled from a dozen other books. Desamours has clearly thought through the rules of her supernatural world, creating something that feels internally consistent even when characters are making terrible decisions about engaging with it.

The small town setting with its buried secrets and complicated family histories provides rich material. Desamours explores how communities carry trauma across generations, how some stories get preserved while others get deliberately forgotten, and how the past refuses to stay buried no matter how hard people try to ignore it.

The prank elements that initially seem like harmless fun take on darker implications as the real danger reveals itself. What the friends thought would be controlled scares become genuinely threatening situations, and Desamours handles that escalation effectively without making the shift feel abrupt or unmotivated.

Desamours’ writing style flows smoothly, maintaining readability even during more complex revelations about the cabin’s history and the curse’s mechanics. She balances exposition with action well, providing necessary context without bogging down the forward momentum.

I did encounter some sections that confused me, moments where character motivations or plot developments didn’t quite track. These felt like editing issues rather than fundamental story problems, places where perhaps a scene got cut or rearranged during revision without fully adjusting the surrounding material. They were noticeable but not frequent enough to seriously damage my overall enjoyment.

The balance between teenage friendship dynamics and supernatural horror worked well. The relationships feel authentic, these read like actual friend groups with their own histories, inside jokes, and tensions. When the horror elements intrude on their celebration, the disruption feels genuinely threatening because we’ve invested in their connections.

The stakes escalate naturally as more information about the cabin and its previous occupants comes to light. Desamours doesn’t rush toward the climax but instead builds tension steadily, allowing dread to accumulate as the friends realize they’ve gotten themselves into something far more dangerous than they understood.

They Call Her Regret demonstrates real promise from Desamours as a horror writer. She understands genre conventions well enough to both honor and subvert them, creating something that feels familiar without being derivative.

For readers who like:
The Final Girls Support Group or There’s Someone Inside Your House, anyone who enjoyed The Witch for its folklore elements, readers seeking YA horror with genuine scares, and those who appreciate small town secrets mixed with supernatural threats.

Final Verdict
They Call Her Regret is an engaging supernatural horror novel that succeeds more often than it stumbles. While protagonist choices may frustrate genre-savvy readers and some editing issues create occasional confusion, Channelle Desamours has crafted an entertaining story with solid pacing and genuinely creepy elements. The combination of teenage friendship dynamics with witch-based horror creates something that will appeal to YA readers while also satisfying adult horror fans seeking quick, engaging reads. I’m genuinely curious to see what Desamours writes next, as this debut shows real skill at balancing character work with supernatural threats. Sometimes the books you stumble across accidentally turn out to be the most rewarding, and this was definitely one of those happy accidents.

Grateful to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Channelle Desamours for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[CrackCabbage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: Not many likable (main) characters, but that’s not really an issue. The characters were fleshed out, had their own issues and internal struggles, they had secrets and distinct personalities. I didn’t find myself flipping back and forth trying to remember who was who because everyone was different, even in the way they spoke. Even side characters who phased out of relevance after a few chapters all had things that set them apart. I could tell you the names of side characters I liked and couldn’t stand (hypothetically, it’s 6 in the morning).

Setting: The setting wasn’t very memorable for me, all that really came through was that it was in a small-ish town with a lot of history behind it. The general setting wasn’t
too big of a deal, moreso certain areas of the town, so that’s a non-issue. I will say the way the characters speak doesn’t date the novel. There wasn’t much usage of modern slang, which is always good to me. If the year of the story isn’t integral to the plot, it’s best to leave out certain slang terms, in my opinion.

Plot: I’m a big fan of the plot line, there were some things that I felt didn’t add much or were slightly overdone, but overall it kept me hooked for the three hours it took to read and I didn’t find myself wanting to put the book down.

☆☆☆

Someone really likes be more chill (guy named rich catches fire, anyone?). It wasn’t until 56% that my brain stopped reading cameron as cameroon.

My new year’s resolution (only one this year, trying to be realistic for once) is to read more books. It’s January 1st and I’m locked in. I’m really liking this book and the pacing. I started at around 2:45am and almost exactly two hours later I’m at 73%. I thought at first the timeline the book gave would be too short, but I enjoy it a lot. I’m a huge hater of book endings usually (I’ve just always been like that, even my favorite book needed more, but that might just be due to enjoyment), but I have hopes for this story. I have an idea of where it’ll end up, but there have been a bunch of small clues that I know will mean something and I’m actually excited to see how it gets wrapped up.

I don’t know if it’s because they live in a small town or what, I grew up in a decent sized city and less than a month after my 18th birthday, I was caught in a similar (but not similar at all) situation (long story, someone died, they knew who did it, but they still needed to ask questions bc I was there and that’s their job) where I wasn’t allowed any of the same things that they would’ve given me had I still been 17. I was treated like a full adult and it was rough. Ended up with PTSD which goes great with my other acronyms. Not a diss on the story, but is it really a review by me if I don’t go off on a personal tangent at least once? Nope!

I’m at 84% and I felt kinda bad for the main character up until this point, but knowing what I know now, I really hope this falls into the trope where the only way to release someone from a spell is to take their place. This bitch is lowkey evil.

At the end of the book and lowkey every single character sucks ass. Like I get having flawed characters, but damn everyone’s a criminal. The only one that wasn’t was Rich. And he fuckin died. He sucked, but his only crime was being, excuse the language, a man-whore.

I didn’t expect the book to end on new year’s which is a bit silly, but it makes me happy :)

As expected, I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, but it’s one of the better ones I’ve read recently.

Finished the book at 5:35am~ so about a three hour read, I enjoyed it and besides some minor issues, I would recommend this book. Characters don’t have to be good people for a book to be good. I really want mcdonald’s. I’ve been craving it this entire time, they put subliminal messaging into this book.

4.5/5



if my review doesn’t seem too good, just know that i’ve been awake for way too long and am ending my day at 6am after powering through the entire book in one sitting 🙏

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Channelle Desamours’ “They Call Her Regret” is a haunting, emotional, and deeply human exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and the ghosts (both literal and metaphorical) that we carry with us. Equal parts mystery, supernatural thriller, and lyrical coming-of-age tale, this story combines atmosphere, heartache, and suspense into something unforgettable.

Set around the eerie Doll Head Lake, the story follows Simone, a teenager still reeling from shared trauma and guilt tied to her ex–best friend Cory. When she throws a Halloween party at a cabin near the lake, tragedy strikes; a friend ends up dead, and Simone’s life spirals into a tangled web of secrets, supernatural warnings, and buried regret. Soon, a ghost known as “Regret” appears, giving Simone fourteen days to uncover the truth behind her death and the curse that binds her. The mystery that follows is layered, emotional, and surprisingly tender, combining ghostly horror with a grounded look at grief and redemption.

Desamours’ writing is strikingly beautiful; it’s poetic without pretension, rich in emotional depth, and filled with haunting imagery that lingers long after the final page. The atmosphere is thick with tension: abandoned dolls in the woods, ghostly whispers, and a creeping sense that something or someone is always watching. Yet the book never relies solely on scares. Instead, it uses its supernatural elements to mirror the horror of real human emotions: guilt, loss, and the fear of never being able to make things right.

Simone is a standout protagonist. She is flawed, sometimes impulsive, and achingly real. Her regret over her past mistakes drives the story, and her search for forgiveness feels both personal and universal. The dynamic between Simone and Cory is a highlight: their friendship, fractured by trauma but laced with love, slowly rebuilds into something genuine and moving. Readers will find themselves rooting for both characters as they face not only the curse of Doll Head Lake but also their own inner demons.

While “They Call Her Regret” delivers plenty of eerie moments like with haunted dolls, vengeful ghosts, and bone-chilling warnings, it’s more moody and reflective than outright terrifying. The horror here is psychological, emotional, and deeply introspective. Desamours excels at connecting the supernatural with the human, showing how our own regrets can haunt us just as much as any spirit.

By the time the final revelations unfold, the story crescendos into a powerful, bittersweet ending that ties its mysteries together while leaving just enough open-ended possibility for reflection or perhaps a sequel.

Overall, “They Call Her Regret” is a haunting, beautifully written ghost story that focuses on emotional reckoning. Channelle Desamours delivers a chilling yet tender meditation on grief, guilt, and the courage it takes to forgive yourself. Lyrical, layered, and deeply affecting, this is not just a horror story; it’s an elegy for the mistakes that make us human.

[Chalon J · Rating 5 out of 5]

An advance copy was provided to me for free by the publisher.

Gripping, reflective, and suspenseful, They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours will have you contemplating whether it's time to let go of your darkest secrets. As Simone approaches her eighteenth birthday, she decides to level up her notoriously creepy parties by hosting one at the eeriest place she can think of: a cabin on Doll’s Head Lake, a spot rumored to be haunted. When the night takes a horrifying turn, and her best friend dies, Simone is faced with an impossible choice: make a deal with the witch who haunts the lake to bring her back to life or live with the consequences of her tragic accident.

There are so many elements I loved about this book and was especially drawn to how much the concept of regret came alive during Simone's story. It grips her tightly, shaping how she moves through the world and how she connects with others. To protect her secrets, Simone builds a carefully crafted persona, one she believes is worthy of the unconditional love she craves but doesn’t feel she deserves. Watching her wrestle with whether to reveal the truth, even if it destroys the mask she’s created, was compelling and kept me glued to her story. Desamours captures Simone’s strength and vulnerability with care, and the story’s climax will leave you rethinking everything you thought you knew about the characters. You won't believe how regret has left an indelible mark on all of their lives.

🎧 Audiobook Commentary:
Narrated by Kristolyn Lloyd, the audiobook is a must-listen. Lloyd seamlessly shifts between characters and emotional tones, capturing everything from lighthearted hijinks to chilling suspense and eerie supernatural encounters. Her performance pulls you straight into Simone’s world and enhances the tension and emotional weight of Desamours’s prose. I couldn’t stop listening due to the artful balance of the narration and the evocative storytelling.

✨ If you love thrillers that peel back the layers on secrets and haunting choices, They Call Her Regret deserves a spot on your reading list.

Star Rating: 4.5 (rounded up due to limitations on this platform)

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If it turns out you’re a demon, I’ll follow you to Hell.”

Anyone who thinks YA horror doesn’t go hard is wrong. The movements of the plot are very similar to any adult horror novel. Bad choices, unforeseen consequences, a dangerous deal to make things right, a short window to make good or face a greater horror. TW: harm and death of youths

Adults forget how intense it is to be a teenager. The fear, tension, and anguish are dialed up. The capability for cruelty is higher and consequences have even longer to reverberate. Simone has unresolved trauma and grief from losing a friend to a hit-and-run. When a teenager, or younger, dies, so much more is lost than just a kid. All that hope, promise, and potential, of who they were, could have been, and never will be.

Simone is a flawed character and a great example of ‘just because you know you’re lying to yourself doesn’t mean it’s not working.’ This is something most adults struggle with so I’m not salty seeing it in a teenager. She is desperate to do what’s right and has the best of intentions but not the best of executions. That’s how she comes to know Regret, the cursed with of Doll’s Head Lake.

Regret is a fascinating character. A mystical character that feeds on our regrets. She is more than human but less than divine. She has powers but they’re limited. The fact that Regret is not based on a widely known entity makes her even more interesting. This could go any number of ways.

I’m not sure what sub-genre this would fall under. It would fit under several. The one I kept coming back to was grief. Anger is a side of grief people forget about. Anger at yourself for what you could have done differently, at the person who is gone, at the mess you have to deal with.

I ‘read’ this on audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. I lost myself in the character voices as the plot unfolded. The story twisted, turned, and went places I was not expecting. The mystery was smart and layered, the characters were believable, and Desamours struck the balance of unsettling us without overstepping genre limits. If you’d like your heebies jeebied, look no further. 5/5

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚They Call Her Regret
✍🏻Channelle Desamours
Blurb:
In this young adult speculative mystery, a teen must find a way to free a cursed witch in order to save her best friend before time runs out.

Every year horror-loving Simone Washington throws an epic Halloween party for her classmates. Party-planning is her favorite escape from the dark secrets in her past, and this year, she’s taking things up a notch with an invitation-only event to celebrate her eighteenth birthday—something that will leave the halls of Pinegrove Academy flooded with gossip about the big ghoulish bash. The overnight stay at Doll’s Head Lake will be filled with spooky pranks and scary stories told by the fire—including the legend of a local witch named Regret.

But those dark secrets from Simone’s past are forced to the surface at the party when her best friend Kira dies under questionable circumstances. The witch appears and offers Simone a deal: if Simone can figure out how to release Regret from the curse trapping her at the lake within fourteen days, all of Simone’s regrets will be erased. If Simone accepts, Kira’s life will be immediately restored. But if she fails, Kira will die again—and Simone will be the one to kill her.
My Thoughts:
When Simone Washington's friend, Kira, dies at her annual Halloween party under questionable circumstances, a witch called Regret offers Simone a deal: choose someone else to die and then figure out how to free Regret in 14 days or her friend will d*e again. If she accepts, Kira's life will be restored, if not Kira will d*e at Simone's hand. I was hooked from beginning to end. A creepy doll and a ghost witch, that wants to be released, from the curse that keeps her at Doll Head Lake. I highly recommend this book, Add it to you TBR list.
Thanks NetGalley, Wednesday Books and Author Channel Desamours for the advanced copy of "They Call Her Regret" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#WednesdayBooks
#ChannelDesamours
#TheyCallHerRegret
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Child death, Grief

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Simone has been living with serious regret for a long time, but now she's living with regret AND Regret. Like most YA novels, the symbolism and messaging are very clear here, and Desamours takes an intriguing approach to teaching readers important life lessons in a fun and creepy way.

Simone loves to party plan, and this is a great deflection from her daily struggles. She's been living with feelings of abandonment by her mother for a long time, and she also has a great deal of guilt around the death of an important person in her life. That guilt is layered, and learning more about what it is and why her feelings are so complex is a true highlight of the novel. While Simone has high hopes for this party, things go so wrong there, and this puts her into the strange, supernatural realm of all things speculative. If you, like me, are a diehard fan of the utterly bonkers 1987 hit (that might be a strong word here) _Dolls_ (and I am a fan of any movie where someone is unironically dressed like '80s Madonna), then you, too, will be very into the way Desamours integrates the witchy elements here.

Clearly, Simone has a lot to manage and learn, but the good news is that she's a YA protagonist. She's not guaranteed a happy ending, but she will learn and she will grow, and readers will enjoy watching her on this journey. On a related note, I really liked the budding relationship in Simone's life, but I appreciated even more that it wasn't all she was about. There's much more to her and to her journey. She's a character audiences of all ages can root for and learn from, too.

On top of the supernatural and character driven wins in this novel, there are some nice twists and solidly creepy horror elements. There is a lot to like here, and for me, this is another consecutive hit from this author. I'll look forward to recommending it to students and beyond.

*Special thanks to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Libro.fm for this arc and alc respectively, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: They Call her Regret
Author: Channelle Desamours.
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Kristolyn Lloyd
Publisher: Macmillan Audio/ St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books
Genre: Paranormal, YA/Teen
Audiobook Pub Date: February 17, 2026
My Rating: 4 5 Stars
Pages: 304

Every fall Simone Washington throws a Birthday/Halloween party for her classmate from Pine Grove HS the party is an overnight event held in a cabin near Doll‘s Head Lake.
Her best friend Kira is a big help in finding a cabin as well as organizing an awesome party. She designed the invitation with an eerie doll as place!
Which everyone loves as they know ‘where’!
However tragedy strikes at the party when Kira falls and drowns. Under mysterious circumstances – rumors say she was pushed knowing she cannot swim.
Simone and Kira’s boyfriend Rich try to revive her with no use.

A witch appears known as “Regret” and makes Simone a deal. She must reveal her worse regret as the witch feeds on regrets and also may choose someone to die as a trade for Kira’s life. Simone has fourteen days to figure out how to free her own regret or her friend will die again and Simone will be the one who kills her.

Simone is reminded of the Witches deal via the creepy doll “Gabby Greta”!

Story kept me curious. There is sooooo much going in thus story it certainly kept me curious.

Plus actress, narrator Kristolyn Lloyd was FANTASTIC in performing ALL the characters- old, young, men, women, boys, and girls and nailed the creepy doll Gabby Greta.
I was so impressed with her performance I looked her up ~
She was born and raised in a suburb outside of Houston Texas, Kristolyn graduated from Klein High school where she ran track and was an active member of the Drama Dept. She studied at Carnegie Mellon University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Drama.

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio/ St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 17, 2026.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

All opinions are my own.

Thank you Wednesday Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press, for providing this book for review consideration.

⭐ Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars (I round to the nearest whole star when necessary.)

Genre: YA Horror Mystery

Vibe Check: Creepy. Emotional. Unsettling.

They Call Her Regret started a little slow for me, but once it found its footing, the pull to keep reading completely took over my weekend. The pacing builds steadily, and by the time the story fully opens up, the need to know is hard to walk away from.

The MC, Simone, must find a way to free the trapped spirit of a cursed witch in order to save her best friend before time runs out. Along the way, the book weaves together small-town legends, tragedy, dirty family secrets, and a lingering sense of regret that hangs over everything.

What stood out most was the atmosphere. I appreciated the creepy lore, dark secrets, and the emotional weight of friendship and loss all wrapped around a magical Black girl. The legends and search for the truth were fascinating, and the emotional undercurrent held my heart (and my breath) in its grip.

A solid pick for YA horror readers who enjoy slow-burn tension, spooky small-town vibes, and mysteries rooted in legacy, friendship, and regret.



Personal Statement on Reading

When I read, I want to disappear into a story—to be so immersed that I feel like I’m inside it, and so emotionally connected that I’m carrying the characters’ anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, or hope with me as I read. Reading books is a way to build empathy, satisfy curiosity, and find something real to chat about with people, and I believe it is imperative that we talk openly about books because they expand our understanding of ourselves and the world.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to see themselves in stories and to have access to stories that challenge, comfort, and connect us. My reviews focus on emotional immersion, authenticity, and the lived experience of reading—because the right book, at the right time, can change everything.

[Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not always the biggest fan of scary books, but this one was the perfect amount of creepy and mystery. We follow Simone Washington as she celebrates her 18th birthday and discovers that some urban legends are not really myths at all. Simone loves Halloween, loves scary movies, and typically throws a huge Halloween soirée every year. She finds out about the Doll's Head Lake legend when reading her friend's blog, and her BFF decides that they will use her family's cabin to throw a killer 18th birthday. Her family happens to own a well-taken care of cabin in the woods right by the lake. During this ill-fated party, she meets the Legend, a ghostly visage that calls herself Regret. Simone and Regret make a deal, and Simone only has 11 days to learn how to free Regret or face the consequences. As Simone digs up Regret's story, she uncovers more and more secrets and even some of her own.

This book follows a young girl who has done some suffering, has blocked out memories that will cause more suffering, and is just trying to survive being a teenager. I love the characters all around, even the villainous ones. They are all well-flushed-out characters who feel very authentic. A lot of times, when I read a YA, the characters are these 13-year-olds saving the world; this is a group of 17-18-year-olds acting their age. Making mistakes, trying to survive the trials of high school while also growing up. Throw in loss of friendships and a town curse, and you have some crazy stuff going down. I loved the ending as well. It was not what I was expecting, but it fit perfectly with how everything else in the story went. I would be ok without the creepy dolls, but Chucky did a number on me as a child. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this story. It was well thought out, everything flowed well, and it was more creepy than scary. The narrator was fantastic. I don't think I have listened to one of her books before, but she brought every character to life, and everyone had a unique voice that fit the vibe or feeling of everyone in the story.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

THEY CALL HER REGRET by Channelle Desamours (Feb 17, 2026)

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the earc

When Simone Washington's friend, Kira, d*es at her annual Halloween party under questionable circumstances, a witch called Regret offers Simone a deal: choose someone else to die and then figure out how to free Regret in 14 days or her friend will d*e again. If she accepts, Kira's life will be restored, if not Kira will d*e at Simone's hand.
THEY CALL HER REGRET is a haunting novel about how far one will go to save their best friend, how far one will go to save their own life. This YA novel is intriguing, and though the premise is familiar, Desamours' take on making a deal with the "Devil" (the woman called Regret) per se is unique and wicked.
The beginning of this started a tad slow. That's not a bad thing. I felt that it helped lead to the bigger picture, slowly building up the suspense---plus the mention of the creepy dolls added to the horror. As the story progressed (which is when Kira d*es), everything takes a turn. One that is emotionally turbulent, vicious, and witchy. THEY CALL HER REGRET is quite the tale. There's a darkness that coats the characters who are rich in dramatics and flaws. Simone, the main character most of all.
I really enjoyed Desamours' debut, and THEY CALL HER REGRET has similar vibes: speculative in nature with mystery mixed throughout. This plays out in a way that had me feeling sorry for the characters as I judged their many, many terrible decisions. Though, a lot of Simone's decisions were understandable.
As this book came to a close, a lot is revealed about Simone, about a lot of the characters actually. There were a few twists that added to the plot, and a few were even shocking. There was one in particular that left me speechless---specifically the whodunit in the bigger picture. Highly recommend

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Stepping a little outside my usual thriller comfort zone paid off in a big way with this one. ✨

Speculative YA fiction isn’t typically my go-to, but this story immediately intrigued me—and it absolutely delivered. I chose to experience it as an immersion read, which was the perfect decision and allowed me to fully sink into the world Channelle Desamours so thoughtfully created.

One of the standout elements for me was the way cultural influences were woven into the story. They added meaningful texture and made the world feel grounded and authentic without slowing the pacing. The audiobook narration by Kristolyn Loyd enhanced this even further. Her voice felt completely age-appropriate for the FMC, and her pacing worked beautifully at 1x speed. From a technical standpoint, her inflection and tone remained clear even when adjusting playback speed—which is always appreciated.

I really enjoyed the mashup of thriller and paranormal elements. The story is full of twists that keep the momentum going while still leaving room for character growth. What stood out most was the focus on the FMC and the decisions she’s forced to make. These choices aren’t impulsive or fleeting—she has to reflect on them, live with them, and understand their consequences. That reflective element gives the story a subtle coming-of-age feel as she learns more about herself, her limits, and what she’s willing to risk for the people she cares about.

🖤 In the end, this slightly spooky YA thriller doesn’t just entertain—it invites readers to think about how their own choices might look when the stakes are high and there’s no easy answer.


I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC and eARC from Macmillan Audio and Wednesday Books via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.