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Sweetside Motel
With the pandemic sweeping the globe, Sarah Ng makes a desperate escape from Toronto to start a new life. But when her car breaks down in Sweetside, an isolated country town, she is forced to quarantine with two charming but disquieting brothers who run the local urban a decaying roadside inn nicknamed the “Suicide Motel”. Trapped between the threat of xenophobic violence and her dark past, she must convince the brothers to help her escape. But how can she know who to trust when everyone, including herself, has their ghosts?
E.L. Chen’s contemporary twist on the gothic novella is an unnerving exploration of fear and what it means to be haunted.
E.L. Chen’s contemporary twist on the gothic novella is an unnerving exploration of fear and what it means to be haunted.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2026
2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Chen
12 books22 followersE. L. Chen is the author of Summerwood/Winterwood, Sweetside Motel, Slasher Summer, and One of Us Is Already Dead. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her son and many TBR piles. Find more about her at elainechen.com.
**Disclaimer: I resurrected this account to support my fellow writers, so everyone gets 4 or 5 stars.**
**Disclaimer: I resurrected this account to support my fellow writers, so everyone gets 4 or 5 stars.**
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
OMG, why did I love this book so much? Forget what you think this novella is about— I went in expecting one thing and got completely blindsided by a story I couldn't put down. I was obsessed.
If both brothers tell you those exact two sentences, which one do you trust?
The sensitive painter with a physique of a teenager who wants to escape the house? OR
The charming, rugged brute who doesn’t show much emotions and wants everyone to stay in the house?
The book also tackles the devastating effects of abuse, the way it can twist a person into the very monster that hurt them. While that's a heavily debatable topic (does abuse create a killer, or just activate something already there), the way Sarah owns her pain and trauma is powerful. I loved that she recognized her ex-boyfriend’s (Ben's) manipulation for what it was, refusing to take the blame from anyone, including her own brother.
One detail that really hit hard was reading about Sarah, a Chinese woman, constantly having to put on masks, being overly sweet and nice, just to avoid instigating hate or appearing threatening in a world already plagued by racism and xenophobia, with COVID just adding fuel to the fire. It felt heartbreakingly real, watching her deny her own identity just to function.
The premise is simple: Sarah, on the run, has to deal with a racist cop and a not-so-helpful trucker before landing at the ominous "Suicide Motel." She meets Caleb, one of the owners, and he is surprisingly charming, apologetic for the others' behavior, overly protective of his brother and her, and ruggedly handsome. Yes, the author insists a lot on Caleb’s blue eyes and big frame, but honestly who can blame her? I’m also a sucker for blue eyes and rugged handsome men.
Her paranoia around Caleb felt so realistic and aching. Unlike so many female characters in books who ignore giant red flags, Sarah is mature, cautious, and thinking. She likes him, she wants to trust him, but she doesn't fully let her guard down, and that refusal to be instantly foolish was incredibly refreshing.
The suspense kicks up a gear when she meets the second brother, Elijah—the younger, sensitive painter. Things quickly turn sinister as he mentions they still expect their dead father to return home from the forest. What starts as a crime thriller suddenly becomes a spine-chilling horror, forcing you to take a deep breath every few paragraphs.
While Sarah is forced to wait for her brother to come and get her out of there, she’s trapped in this loop of dealing with the two odd brothers and their bizarre behaviors. After all that, we take another sudden turn when Ben knocks on their door and Sarah is forced to face her previous failure of getting rid of him. The man tries to take her back home but she no longer takes his abuse and control. With Elijah trying to protect her, he ends up being hurt by Ben which in return compels Sarah (or perhaps doesn’t force her at all, she actually enjoys it) to finally kill him. When Caleb returns home, he’s doing everything he can to protect both of them just as he did for Elijah for years (you’ll soon understand why).
I’m not ashamed to admit that up until the end (~ 100+) I still had no idea what I was reading. Was Sarah suffering from some mental illness? Were the two brothers ghosts? Which brother was the evil one? Was the house haunted and that’s why they were unable to leave? Or was this all Sarah’s hallucinations, living an entire life in her own head? Till the end I couldn’t tell you 100% what was what and who was who, and I LOVED IT!
And rest assured, this sweet and lovable trio is anything but what you think. Even with all the messed-up stuff going on, the characters, Sarah and those two brothers, felt incredibly real, and I was hooked on their disturbing dynamic. They actually all belong together and in the most messed up twisted way, the ending is utterly satisfying.
Many, many thanks to E.L. Chen, Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
“I’d lock your door.”
“Be careful around him…He hasn’t been the same since Dad died.”
If both brothers tell you those exact two sentences, which one do you trust?
The sensitive painter with a physique of a teenager who wants to escape the house? OR
The charming, rugged brute who doesn’t show much emotions and wants everyone to stay in the house?
The book also tackles the devastating effects of abuse, the way it can twist a person into the very monster that hurt them. While that's a heavily debatable topic (does abuse create a killer, or just activate something already there), the way Sarah owns her pain and trauma is powerful. I loved that she recognized her ex-boyfriend’s (Ben's) manipulation for what it was, refusing to take the blame from anyone, including her own brother.
One detail that really hit hard was reading about Sarah, a Chinese woman, constantly having to put on masks, being overly sweet and nice, just to avoid instigating hate or appearing threatening in a world already plagued by racism and xenophobia, with COVID just adding fuel to the fire. It felt heartbreakingly real, watching her deny her own identity just to function.
The premise is simple: Sarah, on the run, has to deal with a racist cop and a not-so-helpful trucker before landing at the ominous "Suicide Motel." She meets Caleb, one of the owners, and he is surprisingly charming, apologetic for the others' behavior, overly protective of his brother and her, and ruggedly handsome. Yes, the author insists a lot on Caleb’s blue eyes and big frame, but honestly who can blame her? I’m also a sucker for blue eyes and rugged handsome men.
Her paranoia around Caleb felt so realistic and aching. Unlike so many female characters in books who ignore giant red flags, Sarah is mature, cautious, and thinking. She likes him, she wants to trust him, but she doesn't fully let her guard down, and that refusal to be instantly foolish was incredibly refreshing.
The suspense kicks up a gear when she meets the second brother, Elijah—the younger, sensitive painter. Things quickly turn sinister as he mentions they still expect their dead father to return home from the forest. What starts as a crime thriller suddenly becomes a spine-chilling horror, forcing you to take a deep breath every few paragraphs.
While Sarah is forced to wait for her brother to come and get her out of there, she’s trapped in this loop of dealing with the two odd brothers and their bizarre behaviors. After all that, we take another sudden turn when Ben knocks on their door and Sarah is forced to face her previous failure of getting rid of him. The man tries to take her back home but she no longer takes his abuse and control. With Elijah trying to protect her, he ends up being hurt by Ben which in return compels Sarah (or perhaps doesn’t force her at all, she actually enjoys it) to finally kill him. When Caleb returns home, he’s doing everything he can to protect both of them just as he did for Elijah for years (you’ll soon understand why).
I’m not ashamed to admit that up until the end (~ 100+) I still had no idea what I was reading. Was Sarah suffering from some mental illness? Were the two brothers ghosts? Which brother was the evil one? Was the house haunted and that’s why they were unable to leave? Or was this all Sarah’s hallucinations, living an entire life in her own head? Till the end I couldn’t tell you 100% what was what and who was who, and I LOVED IT!
And rest assured, this sweet and lovable trio is anything but what you think. Even with all the messed-up stuff going on, the characters, Sarah and those two brothers, felt incredibly real, and I was hooked on their disturbing dynamic. They actually all belong together and in the most messed up twisted way, the ending is utterly satisfying.
Many, many thanks to E.L. Chen, Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed that the modern gothic in a Canadian setting with a heavy sprinkling of weirdness was done in such a compact way, Chen made a gothic for the gothic hesitant, impressive.
The vibes were immaculately unsettling. Sarah's social isolation and how sanitary measures at their peak really messed with people's head were rendered in a really effective way.
I really enjoyed most of my time with this book.
Here's what I didn't enjoy so much. Heavy spoilers in the rest of this paragraph read with caution if you plan on maybe reading this book. The premise is that Sarah has . I would have loved that shift if it had been handled better, but it felt clumsy and undercooked.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for providing me an eARC of this book.
The vibes were immaculately unsettling. Sarah's social isolation and how sanitary measures at their peak really messed with people's head were rendered in a really effective way.
I really enjoyed most of my time with this book.
Here's what I didn't enjoy so much. Heavy spoilers in the rest of this paragraph read with caution if you plan on maybe reading this book. The premise is that Sarah has . I would have loved that shift if it had been handled better, but it felt clumsy and undercooked.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for providing me an eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The cover and description of Sweetside Motel immediately caught my eye, and the premise hooked me from page one. Sarah Ng is forced to quarantine with two charming yet deeply unsettling brothers who run a decaying roadside inn known locally as the “Suicide Motel” an urban legend with an ominous reputation. From the very start, the atmosphere is tense and unsettling, drawing you into an uneasy setting that never lets up.
This novella is a gripping thriller filled with twists that keep you turning the pages. The writing is effective, building suspense with a creeping sense of dread along the way. While I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, I did feel the ending was a bit rushed compared to the careful buildup earlier in the story. Still, it’s a compelling and memorable read that delivers on its promise of tension and intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley, Interstellar Flight Press, and E. L. Chen for the opportunity to ARC Sweetside Motel.
This novella is a gripping thriller filled with twists that keep you turning the pages. The writing is effective, building suspense with a creeping sense of dread along the way. While I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, I did feel the ending was a bit rushed compared to the careful buildup earlier in the story. Still, it’s a compelling and memorable read that delivers on its promise of tension and intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley, Interstellar Flight Press, and E. L. Chen for the opportunity to ARC Sweetside Motel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not a bad novella (seemed a bit long for a novlla!). A bit creepy, but also a bit confusing. Achieves what the author set out to I believe. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 3, 2026
During the pandemic, Sarah Ng is running from her controlling ex-boyfriend, Ben, leaving Toronto & heading for her brother's place. Her car breaks down in Sweetside, an ironically named isolated town & she is forced to stay at Sweetside Motel for 2 weeks as her car cannot be repaired until then. The brothers Caleb & Elijah seem ok people but anger simmers just below the surface of Caleb, & Elijah seems scared of him = which is strange because both brothers warn her that the other "hasn't been the same since dad died."
Sarah learns that the motel is nicknamed "Suicide Motel" as several men have gone missing from there, & the wind whistling through the trees surrounding the place sounds like screaming. Trapped there due to the pandemic & also the racist attitudes of the townspeople towards outsiders, who can Sarah trust?
OK, creepy motel, isolated town, weird townspeople - yep I was in from the synopsis so I admit I was a little disappointed that the motel actually featured so little in the story. After all, what's more scary than an isolated empty motel? Whilst the angles of racism in the pandemic, & how women endeavour to remain unthreatening (i.e. the smiling & nodding, the placating etc) with unstable men to avoid violence were well done, the horror itself was rather disappointing & for me the ending just didn't jibe with the rest of the story. I liked it enough to read it all though. 3.25 stars (rounded down)
SUMMARY:
Plot: Good in parts - how it dealt with the racism around the pandemic & the conveyance of constant vigilance of women around unstable men was good but I felt the ending didn’t jibe with the rest of it.
Writing Style: Good - I liked it enough to read it all.
Enjoyment Level: Moderate - could have been creepier & disappointing that the motel featured so little.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Interstellar Flight Press (IBPA), for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Sarah learns that the motel is nicknamed "Suicide Motel" as several men have gone missing from there, & the wind whistling through the trees surrounding the place sounds like screaming. Trapped there due to the pandemic & also the racist attitudes of the townspeople towards outsiders, who can Sarah trust?
OK, creepy motel, isolated town, weird townspeople - yep I was in from the synopsis so I admit I was a little disappointed that the motel actually featured so little in the story. After all, what's more scary than an isolated empty motel? Whilst the angles of racism in the pandemic, & how women endeavour to remain unthreatening (i.e. the smiling & nodding, the placating etc) with unstable men to avoid violence were well done, the horror itself was rather disappointing & for me the ending just didn't jibe with the rest of the story. I liked it enough to read it all though. 3.25 stars (rounded down)
SUMMARY:
Plot: Good in parts - how it dealt with the racism around the pandemic & the conveyance of constant vigilance of women around unstable men was good but I felt the ending didn’t jibe with the rest of it.
Writing Style: Good - I liked it enough to read it all.
Enjoyment Level: Moderate - could have been creepier & disappointing that the motel featured so little.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Interstellar Flight Press (IBPA), for the opportunity to read an ARC.
December 9, 2025
Sweetside Motel starts off with a bang and doesn't ever really let up. The reader quickly learns that Sarah Ng is on the run and, unfortunately, her day gets a lot worse when she's forced to quarantine in a racist town against her will during the pandemic.
This little novella reminded me of Bat Eater for obvious reasons. And that's a good thing! I cared about what was happening to Sarah. I wanted her to “win.”
My biggest criticism is definitely the length. I don't necessarily have an issue with the shift that Sarah goes through but it would've been more believable if we'd had more time to sit with it. Similarly, the ending didn't necessarily feel totally wrong, but it was definitely rushed. That last chapter or two felt more like a summary than fully fleshed out scenes. And that was disappointing. Sweetside Motel needed a bit more meat on its bones to be a full five star experience. But it's honestly impressive what this story managed to do for me in such a short amount of time. I can't wait to read more of E.L. Chen's work.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and E.L. Chen for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This little novella reminded me of Bat Eater for obvious reasons. And that's a good thing! I cared about what was happening to Sarah. I wanted her to “win.”
My biggest criticism is definitely the length. I don't necessarily have an issue with the shift that Sarah goes through but it would've been more believable if we'd had more time to sit with it. Similarly, the ending didn't necessarily feel totally wrong, but it was definitely rushed. That last chapter or two felt more like a summary than fully fleshed out scenes. And that was disappointing. Sweetside Motel needed a bit more meat on its bones to be a full five star experience. But it's honestly impressive what this story managed to do for me in such a short amount of time. I can't wait to read more of E.L. Chen's work.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and E.L. Chen for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 24, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Interstellar Flight Press and E.L. Chen for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
Sweet side Motel is this good, quick short story. I fell in love with this book. I was hooked from the very beginning. E.L. Chen's character development and world building is phenomenal. I truly appreciate that E.L. Chen brought to light the fact that verbal abuse can be just as detrimental, if not more, than physical abuse. The twists, turns and suspense is chef's kiss.
I wholeheartedly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this book.
Sweet side Motel is this good, quick short story. I fell in love with this book. I was hooked from the very beginning. E.L. Chen's character development and world building is phenomenal. I truly appreciate that E.L. Chen brought to light the fact that verbal abuse can be just as detrimental, if not more, than physical abuse. The twists, turns and suspense is chef's kiss.
I wholeheartedly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really loved the creepy, unsettling tone throughout this story. Give me more stories that focus on unhinged women who give into their deepest demons, this was so entertaining to read!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #SweetsideMotel #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #SweetsideMotel #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Imagine you are trying to escape from an abusive ex, but your car breaks down in a small, isolated, country town called Sweetside, but the locals aren’t so sweet… Sarah Ng is traveling during the height of the Pandemic, where xenophobic violence is on the rise and traveling options are extremely limited. She is forced to quarantine with two brothers who run a deteriorating roadside inn, Sweetside locals have nicknamed it the “Suicide Motel,” due to mysterious guest disappearances.
Sweetside Motel definitely had Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho vibes, but with a very different story. During Sarah’s stay at Sweetside Motel, some locals pay her an unfriendly visit. The town wasn’t happy to hear that an outsider was in town, and not only is that outsider Chinese, but they come from Toronto, a big city. They broke the windows of every unit and spray-painted a racist slur in fierce red letters. Sarah constantly puts on masks, smiles, and acts overly apologetic and sweet to make others feel comfortable around her. Thinking back on the early 2020’s when Covid-19 was spreading rapidly throughout the world, everyone was doing their best to adjust to the “new normal” of social distancing requirements, stay-at-home orders, and mounting anxieties about the spread of Covid-19. People of Asian descent had an additional burden of heightened racial tension due to the belief that they were solely responsible for the cause and spread of Covid-19. E.L. Chen did a great job at incorporating this struggle into Sarah’s character.
To help keep Sarah safe, Caleb welcomed her into his and Elijah’s home, Sweetside Manor, located a short distance behind the Motel. Sarah describes Caleb as charming, seemingly nice, and ruggedly handsome. It’s very clear from the beginning that Caleb cares a lot about his brother, Elijah, and wants to make sure he is taken care of. You can tell that Sarah is attracted to Caleb and possibly likes him, but she is having difficulty trusting him, most likely due to her past ghosts…Caleb rooms Sarah in his deceased father’s room, but before exiting, he advises Sarah to keep her door locked. Oh, but of course, Sarah cannot help herself and leaves her room. As Sarah roams Sweetside Manor, she soon finds and meets Elijah, the younger brother.
Elijah isn’t as handsome as Caleb, but he is sweet, kind, and seemingly innocent. As Sarah begins to thank Elijah for his and Caleb's hospitality, he assures her that it’s no trouble, that they always keep clean sheets on their Dad’s bed in case he returns. This immediately rings alarms for Sarah, because Caleb told her that he was dead, but before she can ask Elijah more, they hear Caleb’s car enter the driveway. The look of terror appears on Elijah’s face, he urges Sarah to return to her room, and advises her to lock her door, then disappears back downstairs.
Sarah runs back to her room and locks the door behind her, but she is only left with more questions.
This is when the suspense began to grow. The story keeps you guessing. You can’t tell who or what poses the biggest threat. Can Sarah trust Caleb? Elijah? Is their Dad alive? Is she hallucinating? Or is the apparition real? Every time I finished a chapter, I would be astonished, wondering who is safe, who Sarah can trust, and if anyone else is going to snap. The events that transpired at Sweetside Manor have definitely affected Sarah and really show how trauma reshapes how people connect and cope. I really enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. Even though the pace was fast, every chapter felt thrilling, suspenseful, and creepy. I did not want it to end. My only complaint is that this book wasn’t longer! I highly recommend it to anyone that like’s horror and short stories.
Thank you, E.L. Chen, Interstellar Flight Press, for providing this eArc for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Sweetside Motel definitely had Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho vibes, but with a very different story. During Sarah’s stay at Sweetside Motel, some locals pay her an unfriendly visit. The town wasn’t happy to hear that an outsider was in town, and not only is that outsider Chinese, but they come from Toronto, a big city. They broke the windows of every unit and spray-painted a racist slur in fierce red letters. Sarah constantly puts on masks, smiles, and acts overly apologetic and sweet to make others feel comfortable around her. Thinking back on the early 2020’s when Covid-19 was spreading rapidly throughout the world, everyone was doing their best to adjust to the “new normal” of social distancing requirements, stay-at-home orders, and mounting anxieties about the spread of Covid-19. People of Asian descent had an additional burden of heightened racial tension due to the belief that they were solely responsible for the cause and spread of Covid-19. E.L. Chen did a great job at incorporating this struggle into Sarah’s character.
“Being female and Asian, she has to wear masks of a different kind. A friendly, innocent smile. Clothes that don’t draw too much attention. A casual speech pattern, dropping the Gs from her verbs and softening her Ts, to show she’s not one of them.”
To help keep Sarah safe, Caleb welcomed her into his and Elijah’s home, Sweetside Manor, located a short distance behind the Motel. Sarah describes Caleb as charming, seemingly nice, and ruggedly handsome. It’s very clear from the beginning that Caleb cares a lot about his brother, Elijah, and wants to make sure he is taken care of. You can tell that Sarah is attracted to Caleb and possibly likes him, but she is having difficulty trusting him, most likely due to her past ghosts…Caleb rooms Sarah in his deceased father’s room, but before exiting, he advises Sarah to keep her door locked. Oh, but of course, Sarah cannot help herself and leaves her room. As Sarah roams Sweetside Manor, she soon finds and meets Elijah, the younger brother.
Elijah isn’t as handsome as Caleb, but he is sweet, kind, and seemingly innocent. As Sarah begins to thank Elijah for his and Caleb's hospitality, he assures her that it’s no trouble, that they always keep clean sheets on their Dad’s bed in case he returns. This immediately rings alarms for Sarah, because Caleb told her that he was dead, but before she can ask Elijah more, they hear Caleb’s car enter the driveway. The look of terror appears on Elijah’s face, he urges Sarah to return to her room, and advises her to lock her door, then disappears back downstairs.
Sarah runs back to her room and locks the door behind her, but she is only left with more questions.
“Why would Elijah warn her to lock her door? Why would Caleb say the same thing? What are they not telling her about the other?”
This is when the suspense began to grow. The story keeps you guessing. You can’t tell who or what poses the biggest threat. Can Sarah trust Caleb? Elijah? Is their Dad alive? Is she hallucinating? Or is the apparition real? Every time I finished a chapter, I would be astonished, wondering who is safe, who Sarah can trust, and if anyone else is going to snap. The events that transpired at Sweetside Manor have definitely affected Sarah and really show how trauma reshapes how people connect and cope. I really enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. Even though the pace was fast, every chapter felt thrilling, suspenseful, and creepy. I did not want it to end. My only complaint is that this book wasn’t longer! I highly recommend it to anyone that like’s horror and short stories.
Thank you, E.L. Chen, Interstellar Flight Press, for providing this eArc for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 10, 2026
These are men who never have to think about how much space they take up because they’re used to people making room for them.
This is a riveting read. Riveting in that I was getting worked up while reading this but I would take breaks, squeeze my stress ball and then find myself continuing with the story.
She’s read the news stories of increasing racist attacks, yes, but they always seem to happen outside her comfortable boundaries.
I was just telling someone today we read/see/hear etc what's going on in the world but as long as it isn't directly taking place where you are or affecting you, what do we do? We quickly move on. It's a very apathetic way of living but at the same time we all have our stressors that make us this way.
“I’d lock your door.”
Tell me one more time to lock this door! Tell her one more time to lock this door!
Let us know she has to lock that fucking door one more time and I flip a figurative table!
The story sets up and carries horror-lite movie tension/dread well...but sadly it does not end/culminate/deliver well. The end of Chapter 9 is when my adrenaline got pumping...just a tinsy bit, but then it's all over too quickly and Sarah Chapter 15 was another one where you are meant to get the blood pumping but for me personally, I was like okay, let's get to the end.
It’s what a nice girl would say.
Bitch, be a bad gyal! The number of times I paused because I was also mad at Sarah for smiling, for being polite, for apologizing, instead of getting her shoes on and running were too many. Too fucking many!
This is sort of my first official COVID related book, because for the others that I have read the pandemic is sort of mentioned as a memory or mentioned but it doesn't feature centre stage in the plot but in this one it's a boogeyman character all on it's own. I had to go and look up Canadian COVID restrictions at the height of the pandemic. Creepy little small town. Like now I was interested in what is happening in Sweatside.
Who’s taking care of whom? Sarah almost laughs out loud.
Personally I wouldn't classify this under horror. It was more heavily focused in psychological horror territory. And so much self doubt, so much of is she having a mental breakdown episode or is she experiencing something paranormal (aka ghost related). Is Sarah our unreliable narrator? And I honestly hate such characters. I can get going over scenarios in your head until you exhaust yourself but the minute a character stars acting this way, then that way, then no, do this like he said, without putting their foot down and deciding for themselves, not just placating an antagonist, I feel like slapping people.
“He lies so you don’t get mad,” he adds, and her teeth grind together because that’s what he always said. “I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding.”
Racism features and the grin and take it attitude made me want to burst. Gaslighting and domestic abuse are others that feature prominently.
I wasn't a fan of Chapter 16 but high points for it feeling very Twilight zone adjacent.
So, in conclusion, not bad, not the greatest but an interesting enough read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We first meet Sarah, a Chinese-Canadian woman, while she's driving furiously away from Toronto. And what a way to start this novella because all we get (at first) is that she's panicking and she's got blood on her. Sarah's having such a great night because shortly after we're introduced to Sarah, her car breaks down in a town called Sweetside, and she's "rescued" by her knight in shining armor: a racist p.o.s. officer who eventually calls her a tow truck. When the tow truck arrives, racist officer is outdone by even more racist mechanic shop owner. I was mad before chapter two was even over. We'll see this type of behavior marinate in the rest of the novella - keeping Sarah fixed in this small town with even smaller minds.
What makes Sarah's situation even more excruciating is that it's the height of COVID, which adds more context to the interactions at the onset of the novella. Since Sarah's car will take a while to be fixed, she ends up staying at the local motel called (you guessed it) Sweetside Motel. Let's just say Sarah does not have a good time at the motel, so she ends up relocating to the home of the motel's owner, Caleb Vass, and his brother Elijah. Sarah's stay with the Vass brothers quickly becomes uncomfortable. No spoilers here, but it's clear Sarah needs to get out of town as quickly as possible. The rest of the novella is just as bizarre as the beginning. Something's off with the brothers, the manor they live in, and the surrounding woods, and that's all I'll say.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. While it's titled Sweetside Motel, we really see very little of it compared to the time we're in the Sweetside Manor - the Vass brothers' house. There were times where I wanted more context for what Sarah went through before the events of the novel, especially when it comes to Graham and Ben. Her relationships with them are complicated, and I wanted to know more because they seem to inform what happens in the second half of the text. Regardless, Chen's authorial voice is mighty compelling; the way she writes atmosphere is satisfying. If I weren't reading several books at the same time, I would have finished the novella in one sitting. I'm happy I stumbled upon this one, and I can't wait to read more of her work.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Interstellar Flight Press, and E.L. Chen for this ARC. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
What makes Sarah's situation even more excruciating is that it's the height of COVID, which adds more context to the interactions at the onset of the novella. Since Sarah's car will take a while to be fixed, she ends up staying at the local motel called (you guessed it) Sweetside Motel. Let's just say Sarah does not have a good time at the motel, so she ends up relocating to the home of the motel's owner, Caleb Vass, and his brother Elijah. Sarah's stay with the Vass brothers quickly becomes uncomfortable. No spoilers here, but it's clear Sarah needs to get out of town as quickly as possible. The rest of the novella is just as bizarre as the beginning. Something's off with the brothers, the manor they live in, and the surrounding woods, and that's all I'll say.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. While it's titled Sweetside Motel, we really see very little of it compared to the time we're in the Sweetside Manor - the Vass brothers' house. There were times where I wanted more context for what Sarah went through before the events of the novel, especially when it comes to Graham and Ben. Her relationships with them are complicated, and I wanted to know more because they seem to inform what happens in the second half of the text. Regardless, Chen's authorial voice is mighty compelling; the way she writes atmosphere is satisfying. If I weren't reading several books at the same time, I would have finished the novella in one sitting. I'm happy I stumbled upon this one, and I can't wait to read more of her work.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Interstellar Flight Press, and E.L. Chen for this ARC. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review: Sweetside Motel by E.L. Chen
When Sarah Ng flees COVID-era racism in the city, she ends up at the "Sweetside Motel"—a charmingly decayed roadside inn with a local reputation for suicides and two brothers who are unsettlingly charming in a way that usually never ends well.
E.L. Chen starts strong, weaponizing the isolation of lockdown and the very real anxiety of being Asian-American in 2020. This is a heavy, unblinking look at domestic violence, mental health, and the crushing weight of loneliness. Chen handles these dark themes with impressive care, building a world of quiet horror that feels ready-made for a film adaptation. Between the atmospheric dread and the constant twists, it will keep you guessing right up until the end—and then keep you guessing even after the end.
About halfway through, the story's GPS crashes and loses all signal. The nuanced themes of systemic racism seemingly check out of the motel early, replaced by a second half that prefers to linger in the shadows rather than explain itself, causing a bizarre disconnection compared to the start. Our protagonist begins making choices that suggest her common sense was also a victim of the pandemic; she stays oddly indifferent while family members are possibly being brutalized, and she develops a "love interest" that doesn't make sense in this current time or situation.
This sense of unreality is worsened by dialogue and character reactions that often feel strange and awkward. In several instances, both brothers deliver the exact same lines of dialogue on multiple occasions—a repetitive quirk that creates scenarios so unbelievable they pull you right out of the tension.
By the time we hit the reveal, the motives are so vague they practically gaslight you into thinking you missed an entire chapter. I backtracked a couple of times just to be sure I didn't miss anything important, but alas, I did not. While the suspense is top-tier, the ending essentially ghosts the reader, leaving you to piece together a conclusion from a narrative that got twisted up and lost somewhere along the ride.
The Verdict: A moody, effective slow-burn that perfectly captures the "everything is wrong" feeling of the pandemic. It’s a great atmospheric ride, even if the final destination is a bit of a mystery.
Many thanks to E.L. Chen, Interstellar Flight Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.
When Sarah Ng flees COVID-era racism in the city, she ends up at the "Sweetside Motel"—a charmingly decayed roadside inn with a local reputation for suicides and two brothers who are unsettlingly charming in a way that usually never ends well.
E.L. Chen starts strong, weaponizing the isolation of lockdown and the very real anxiety of being Asian-American in 2020. This is a heavy, unblinking look at domestic violence, mental health, and the crushing weight of loneliness. Chen handles these dark themes with impressive care, building a world of quiet horror that feels ready-made for a film adaptation. Between the atmospheric dread and the constant twists, it will keep you guessing right up until the end—and then keep you guessing even after the end.
About halfway through, the story's GPS crashes and loses all signal. The nuanced themes of systemic racism seemingly check out of the motel early, replaced by a second half that prefers to linger in the shadows rather than explain itself, causing a bizarre disconnection compared to the start. Our protagonist begins making choices that suggest her common sense was also a victim of the pandemic; she stays oddly indifferent while family members are possibly being brutalized, and she develops a "love interest" that doesn't make sense in this current time or situation.
This sense of unreality is worsened by dialogue and character reactions that often feel strange and awkward. In several instances, both brothers deliver the exact same lines of dialogue on multiple occasions—a repetitive quirk that creates scenarios so unbelievable they pull you right out of the tension.
By the time we hit the reveal, the motives are so vague they practically gaslight you into thinking you missed an entire chapter. I backtracked a couple of times just to be sure I didn't miss anything important, but alas, I did not. While the suspense is top-tier, the ending essentially ghosts the reader, leaving you to piece together a conclusion from a narrative that got twisted up and lost somewhere along the ride.
The Verdict: A moody, effective slow-burn that perfectly captures the "everything is wrong" feeling of the pandemic. It’s a great atmospheric ride, even if the final destination is a bit of a mystery.
Many thanks to E.L. Chen, Interstellar Flight Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A suspenseful, atmospheric horror that starts strong but gets a bit disconnected due to confusing character choices.
The first chapter of this novella hooks you immediately. Set in a creepy, atmospheric motel, it delivers major "Bates Motel" vibes and builds a lot of suspense right out of the gate. I loved the inclusion of themes focused on COVID related racism, which added a layer of modern-day relevance to the story and important social commentary. However, while the themes of COVID-related racism were a strong part of the beginning, they seemed to completely vanish by the halfway mark, which felt like a missed opportunity.
There was a lot to enjoy about the suspense here. I loved that the motives of the boys were hard to figure out at first, it really kept me guessing. However, as the story progressed, those motives never actually became clear. Even after the reveal, many of their earlier actions didn't have a logical explanation.
The book started to feel a bit disconnected and unrealistic for me in the second half. I found the protagonist’s reactions very bizarre; at one point, a family member might be seriously injured, yet she seems almost entirely indifferent to it, which felt very strange. On top of this, the love interest felt incredibly random; there was no clear reason why the protagonist would be interested in him, which made her choices feel out of character and extremely frustrating to follow. Additionally, while I understood the protagonist was struggling with a guilty concience, I couldn't quite bridge the gap between her feeling guilty and her becoming violent and manipulative - I cant explain this too much without spoilers but it was very strange.
Overall, while I loved the setting and the initial hook, the pieces didn't quite fit together by the end, leaving the story feeling a bit disjointed as well as difficult to empathize with any characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The first chapter of this novella hooks you immediately. Set in a creepy, atmospheric motel, it delivers major "Bates Motel" vibes and builds a lot of suspense right out of the gate. I loved the inclusion of themes focused on COVID related racism, which added a layer of modern-day relevance to the story and important social commentary. However, while the themes of COVID-related racism were a strong part of the beginning, they seemed to completely vanish by the halfway mark, which felt like a missed opportunity.
There was a lot to enjoy about the suspense here. I loved that the motives of the boys were hard to figure out at first, it really kept me guessing. However, as the story progressed, those motives never actually became clear. Even after the reveal, many of their earlier actions didn't have a logical explanation.
The book started to feel a bit disconnected and unrealistic for me in the second half. I found the protagonist’s reactions very bizarre; at one point, a family member might be seriously injured, yet she seems almost entirely indifferent to it, which felt very strange. On top of this, the love interest felt incredibly random; there was no clear reason why the protagonist would be interested in him, which made her choices feel out of character and extremely frustrating to follow. Additionally, while I understood the protagonist was struggling with a guilty concience, I couldn't quite bridge the gap between her feeling guilty and her becoming violent and manipulative - I cant explain this too much without spoilers but it was very strange.
Overall, while I loved the setting and the initial hook, the pieces didn't quite fit together by the end, leaving the story feeling a bit disjointed as well as difficult to empathize with any characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
sweetside motel follows sarah as she flees toronto, a relationship, and the suffocating fear of the early covid years. stranded in a snowdrift, she finds shelter in the abandoned rooms of the sweetside motel, alongside two brothers living nearby in the looming manor. from the outset, the isolation is palpable, the kind that presses in on your chest. 🌲
this novella blends horror with social commentary in a way that feels both furious and intimate. themes of sinophobia, trauma, paranoia, and survival coil tightly together, creating a story that’s as much about what fear does to us as it is about what we might become because of it. there’s a slow, creeping sense that nothing here is quite safe, that even moments of tenderness are shadowed by suspicion and desperation. the romantic tension simmers uneasily beneath everything, tangled up with the desire for escape and the longing for a life unmarked by violence and control.
the horror here isn’t just external. it’s internal, shaped by memory, prejudice, and the way trauma can quietly distort the self until something feral begins to surface.
🔨 a twisting horror tale of how trauma and experience can shape us into something monstrous
❄️ lush, chilling imagery of snow, cold, and isolation, with woods that seem to lean closer with every fear
🫀 an intensely close narrative that borders on suffocating, mirroring the dread and confinement of the story
🏚️ paranoia, desire, and the aching pull of freedom woven into every interaction
“in sweetside, the wolves don’t bother with sheep’s clothing.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
i would have loved a little more space at the end to linger and deepen some threads, but the frenzied pacing keeps the tension razor sharp and the atmosphere intact. a powerful, unsettling read. thank you so much to the author and interstellar flight press for the arc.
this novella blends horror with social commentary in a way that feels both furious and intimate. themes of sinophobia, trauma, paranoia, and survival coil tightly together, creating a story that’s as much about what fear does to us as it is about what we might become because of it. there’s a slow, creeping sense that nothing here is quite safe, that even moments of tenderness are shadowed by suspicion and desperation. the romantic tension simmers uneasily beneath everything, tangled up with the desire for escape and the longing for a life unmarked by violence and control.
the horror here isn’t just external. it’s internal, shaped by memory, prejudice, and the way trauma can quietly distort the self until something feral begins to surface.
🔨 a twisting horror tale of how trauma and experience can shape us into something monstrous
❄️ lush, chilling imagery of snow, cold, and isolation, with woods that seem to lean closer with every fear
🫀 an intensely close narrative that borders on suffocating, mirroring the dread and confinement of the story
🏚️ paranoia, desire, and the aching pull of freedom woven into every interaction
“in sweetside, the wolves don’t bother with sheep’s clothing.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
i would have loved a little more space at the end to linger and deepen some threads, but the frenzied pacing keeps the tension razor sharp and the atmosphere intact. a powerful, unsettling read. thank you so much to the author and interstellar flight press for the arc.
March 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press| Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles, as well as the author for this ARC.
#NetGalley #InterstellarFlightPress #IndependentBookPublishersMembersTitles #IBPA #ELChen #SweetsideMotel #Horror #Fiction #Novella #BookReview
Title: Sweetside Motel
Author: E.L. Chen
Format: eBook
Publisher: Interstellar Flight Press| Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles
Publication Date: March 2, 2026
Rating: 4 Stars
Themes: Pandemic, Racism, overcoming abuse, family, betrayal, humans as monsters
Trigger Warnings: Racism, xenophobia, pandemic, COVID, domestic abuse, gaslighting, psychological abuse, violence, murder, violence, isolation,
Staring in the thick of the pandemic, Sarah Ng is on the run from her abusive boyfriend when her car breaks down in a small and isolated town. Sarah is forced to quarantine in a decrepit motel run by two creepy brothers who may or may not want to help.
This novella was twisty and turny in the most unique way. I have to admit to being pretty blindsided by the ending. The brothers keep saying creepy and cryptic things, often repeating exactly what the other said. The best part of this book was the squirmy dread and the dubious reality that’s present throughout. The violence is there, but it’s not the focus. This is character-driven horror. The ending is a bit ambiguous for my taste, but I get it. The bending of reality was the focus in order to throw twists at the unsuspecting reader.
It’s atmospheric and visceral and plays on the reader’s sense of reality. I’d recommend this to any reader who likes a quick read that still requires thought.
#NetGalley #InterstellarFlightPress #IndependentBookPublishersMembersTitles #IBPA #ELChen #SweetsideMotel #Horror #Fiction #Novella #BookReview
Title: Sweetside Motel
Author: E.L. Chen
Format: eBook
Publisher: Interstellar Flight Press| Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles
Publication Date: March 2, 2026
Rating: 4 Stars
Themes: Pandemic, Racism, overcoming abuse, family, betrayal, humans as monsters
Trigger Warnings: Racism, xenophobia, pandemic, COVID, domestic abuse, gaslighting, psychological abuse, violence, murder, violence, isolation,
Staring in the thick of the pandemic, Sarah Ng is on the run from her abusive boyfriend when her car breaks down in a small and isolated town. Sarah is forced to quarantine in a decrepit motel run by two creepy brothers who may or may not want to help.
This novella was twisty and turny in the most unique way. I have to admit to being pretty blindsided by the ending. The brothers keep saying creepy and cryptic things, often repeating exactly what the other said. The best part of this book was the squirmy dread and the dubious reality that’s present throughout. The violence is there, but it’s not the focus. This is character-driven horror. The ending is a bit ambiguous for my taste, but I get it. The bending of reality was the focus in order to throw twists at the unsuspecting reader.
It’s atmospheric and visceral and plays on the reader’s sense of reality. I’d recommend this to any reader who likes a quick read that still requires thought.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sweetside Motel by E.L. Chen
Rating : 4⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 138
Duration : 2 Days
----------------
Firstly, this is not my usual type of book, but it’s a new year and I wanted to branch out and try something new, this seemed interesting and the added bonus that I could read it from an internet browser whilst working, secret reading is always the best reading.
Sweetside Motel is both a terrifying and engaging modern Gothic tale set during a cold Canadian winter during Covid times. Sarah, looking to escape her past breaks down whilst driving through a small picturesque but isolated town, during the height of lockdown, an overly efficient police officer orders her to quarantine in the only available place, the Sweetside Motel. This story centers around her struggles and acceptance of both herself and her surrounding, filled with suspense, urban legends and trees.
Spoiler free as always.
This story gripped me ad though I kind of had an idea where things were heading the story and my expectations twisted numerous times before the intense and satisfying conclusion
The worldbuilding in this book is exquisite, I really felt as though I was out there in the snow drifts and trees and the characters both well fleshed out and believable (to a point) and especially liked the breakdown or acceptance even of Sarahs journey and psyche.
I will definitely looking into more of E.L. Chens books and this genre more so throughout the year
Thank you to Netgalley & Interstellar Flight Press for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
Rating : 4⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 138
Duration : 2 Days
----------------
Firstly, this is not my usual type of book, but it’s a new year and I wanted to branch out and try something new, this seemed interesting and the added bonus that I could read it from an internet browser whilst working, secret reading is always the best reading.
Sweetside Motel is both a terrifying and engaging modern Gothic tale set during a cold Canadian winter during Covid times. Sarah, looking to escape her past breaks down whilst driving through a small picturesque but isolated town, during the height of lockdown, an overly efficient police officer orders her to quarantine in the only available place, the Sweetside Motel. This story centers around her struggles and acceptance of both herself and her surrounding, filled with suspense, urban legends and trees.
Spoiler free as always.
This story gripped me ad though I kind of had an idea where things were heading the story and my expectations twisted numerous times before the intense and satisfying conclusion
The worldbuilding in this book is exquisite, I really felt as though I was out there in the snow drifts and trees and the characters both well fleshed out and believable (to a point) and especially liked the breakdown or acceptance even of Sarahs journey and psyche.
I will definitely looking into more of E.L. Chens books and this genre more so throughout the year
Thank you to Netgalley & Interstellar Flight Press for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
November 25, 2025
This copy was made available to me for free through NetGalley. I want to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this.
Sweetside Motel
By E.L. Chen
Description from NetGalley:
With the pandemic sweeping the globe, Sarah Ng makes a desperate escape from Toronto to start a new life. But when her car breaks down in Sweetside, an isolated country town, she is forced to quarantine with two charming but disquieting brothers who run the local urban legend: a decaying roadside inn nicknamed the “Suicide Motel”. Trapped between the threat of xenophobic violence and her dark past, she must convince the brothers to help her escape. But how can she know who to trust when everyone, including herself, has their ghosts?
:Official Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 Stars
Sweetside Motel is a quick read, but don’t let that fool you. It packed heavy punch. It was suffocating in a very unexpected and uncomfortable way.
The plot is simple, but Chen’s writing is anything but. She takes an honest and raw approach to the subject matter, laying it bare for the reader to sit with. Or squirm, if you’re like me.
There’s mystery, heavily supported by the setting of the story. The snowy isolation set alongside a dark and menacing forest only adds to the tension the characters face with their own internal struggles and secrets.
I would recommend this read to anyone who’s up for a fast paced thriller, and who also doesn’t mind a little gore.
We all know the pandemic was hell on earth. But this story takes it to another level.
Sweetside Motel
By E.L. Chen
Description from NetGalley:
With the pandemic sweeping the globe, Sarah Ng makes a desperate escape from Toronto to start a new life. But when her car breaks down in Sweetside, an isolated country town, she is forced to quarantine with two charming but disquieting brothers who run the local urban legend: a decaying roadside inn nicknamed the “Suicide Motel”. Trapped between the threat of xenophobic violence and her dark past, she must convince the brothers to help her escape. But how can she know who to trust when everyone, including herself, has their ghosts?
:Official Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 Stars
Sweetside Motel is a quick read, but don’t let that fool you. It packed heavy punch. It was suffocating in a very unexpected and uncomfortable way.
The plot is simple, but Chen’s writing is anything but. She takes an honest and raw approach to the subject matter, laying it bare for the reader to sit with. Or squirm, if you’re like me.
There’s mystery, heavily supported by the setting of the story. The snowy isolation set alongside a dark and menacing forest only adds to the tension the characters face with their own internal struggles and secrets.
I would recommend this read to anyone who’s up for a fast paced thriller, and who also doesn’t mind a little gore.
We all know the pandemic was hell on earth. But this story takes it to another level.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!
A really good novella. Bates Morel / Psycho vibes mixed with paranoia and the distance of COVID. Our FMC is Asian, and 2020 is the worst year for her. When fleeing her abusive boyfriend, her car breaks down in a small town that takes COVID too seriously. The Sheriff goes to the extreme of boarding people in their houses to ensure the quarantine rigors are met. In these circumstances, Sarah has no choice but to stay in the town’s motel for 2 weeks, before she’s let outside and someone even thinks of fixing her car. Shortly after moving into the motel run by two charming brothers, there is a racist incident, which results in MC joining the brothers in their main residence. The oppressive nature of the times and the race are portrayed so vividly and painfully, and give a window to the reader of what it felt like when the entire world blamed you for their misery because of your skin color. Missing men, stories of screams, and the reputation of the place, known as the Suicide Motel, add a flair of danger, a thriller/horror style to the book.
Sarah is scared of all men because of the abuse she experienced at the hands of her ex; she’s also scared of all people because of her origins; being stuck with two very handsome but somewhat unusual men does not make it better for her. Each brother recommends locking the door, emphasizes caution, and mentions that the other one is ‘not the same’ and ‘not to be trusted’.
The story held it together until 85% mark, when the ending felt a bit rushed. Nonetheless, I still give it a solid 4 stars.
A really good novella. Bates Morel / Psycho vibes mixed with paranoia and the distance of COVID. Our FMC is Asian, and 2020 is the worst year for her. When fleeing her abusive boyfriend, her car breaks down in a small town that takes COVID too seriously. The Sheriff goes to the extreme of boarding people in their houses to ensure the quarantine rigors are met. In these circumstances, Sarah has no choice but to stay in the town’s motel for 2 weeks, before she’s let outside and someone even thinks of fixing her car. Shortly after moving into the motel run by two charming brothers, there is a racist incident, which results in MC joining the brothers in their main residence. The oppressive nature of the times and the race are portrayed so vividly and painfully, and give a window to the reader of what it felt like when the entire world blamed you for their misery because of your skin color. Missing men, stories of screams, and the reputation of the place, known as the Suicide Motel, add a flair of danger, a thriller/horror style to the book.
Sarah is scared of all men because of the abuse she experienced at the hands of her ex; she’s also scared of all people because of her origins; being stuck with two very handsome but somewhat unusual men does not make it better for her. Each brother recommends locking the door, emphasizes caution, and mentions that the other one is ‘not the same’ and ‘not to be trusted’.
The story held it together until 85% mark, when the ending felt a bit rushed. Nonetheless, I still give it a solid 4 stars.
January 7, 2026
While fleeing Toronto in search of a new life and a sense of freedom, Sarah Ng’s car breaks down near the isolated—and deeply prejudiced—rural town of Sweetside. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, she is forced to quarantine with two brothers at their motel, ominously nicknamed by locals as the “Suicide Motel.” Though the brothers are outwardly kind and accommodating, there is an unsettling undercurrent to their hospitality. Trapped between the threat of xenophobic violence and the weight of her own dark past, Sarah must determine whom she can trust—if she can trust anyone at all, including herself.
Sweetside Hotel is an engaging and swiftly paced novella. E. L. Chen excels at world-building, creating a gothic, eerie, and suspenseful atmosphere that perfectly frames the narrative. She effectively highlights the narrow-mindedness and fear of “the other” that became especially visible during the pandemic, while also drawing attention to the many forms abuse can take and the lasting consequences such experiences leave behind. The story also raises thoughtful questions about how parents, partners, and those closest to us shape our identities.
Although the ending is somewhat predictable and the twists are foreseeable, following the story’s path to its conclusion remains compelling and satisfying.
Overall, Sweetside Hotel is a well-crafted short read of just the right length—dark, atmospheric, and thought-provoking.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Interstellar Flight Press for the ARC opportunity in exchange for an honest review.
Sweetside Hotel is an engaging and swiftly paced novella. E. L. Chen excels at world-building, creating a gothic, eerie, and suspenseful atmosphere that perfectly frames the narrative. She effectively highlights the narrow-mindedness and fear of “the other” that became especially visible during the pandemic, while also drawing attention to the many forms abuse can take and the lasting consequences such experiences leave behind. The story also raises thoughtful questions about how parents, partners, and those closest to us shape our identities.
Although the ending is somewhat predictable and the twists are foreseeable, following the story’s path to its conclusion remains compelling and satisfying.
Overall, Sweetside Hotel is a well-crafted short read of just the right length—dark, atmospheric, and thought-provoking.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Interstellar Flight Press for the ARC opportunity in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5⭐ rounded down
thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review <3
i went into this one feeling genuinely excited. it started out strong and i was especially interested in how the story seemed to want explore the racism that surfaced during the COVID pandemic; a commentary that could have been really impactful. unfortunately, that thread never felt fully explored the way i wished it had been.
the premise itself was right up my alley: a small-town horror with some eerie Bates Motel vibes, strange locals, and a sense of unease. i was fully on board at the start, but as the story went on it began to fall flat for me.
a big reason for this was the way the pandemic was portrayed; which felt very odd and sort of unrealistic? it almost felt like the world was dealing with a zombie outbreak than an actual pandemic. houses being boarded up to prevent people from leaving felt so far-fetched that it kept pulling me out of the story rather than immersing me in it.
the main characters also behaved in ways that felt strangely off, which i will admit that i do feel like is entirely for the purpose of creating that unsettling atmosphere, but i found myself rather feeling dumbfounded by some of the choices made by the main characters. the creepiness never fully settled in for me and I found myself more eager to finish the book than curious about where it was heading.
in the end, it just didn’t deliver on the promise of its premise for me.
thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review <3
i went into this one feeling genuinely excited. it started out strong and i was especially interested in how the story seemed to want explore the racism that surfaced during the COVID pandemic; a commentary that could have been really impactful. unfortunately, that thread never felt fully explored the way i wished it had been.
the premise itself was right up my alley: a small-town horror with some eerie Bates Motel vibes, strange locals, and a sense of unease. i was fully on board at the start, but as the story went on it began to fall flat for me.
a big reason for this was the way the pandemic was portrayed; which felt very odd and sort of unrealistic? it almost felt like the world was dealing with a zombie outbreak than an actual pandemic. houses being boarded up to prevent people from leaving felt so far-fetched that it kept pulling me out of the story rather than immersing me in it.
the main characters also behaved in ways that felt strangely off, which i will admit that i do feel like is entirely for the purpose of creating that unsettling atmosphere, but i found myself rather feeling dumbfounded by some of the choices made by the main characters. the creepiness never fully settled in for me and I found myself more eager to finish the book than curious about where it was heading.
in the end, it just didn’t deliver on the promise of its premise for me.
November 25, 2025
This is an extremely creepy twisty novella that will keep you on edge the entire time. Set during the heart of the pandemic, Sarah is an Asian - American woman who finds herself on the run after a fight when she leaves her abusive boyfriend. Her car breaks down in a small town and right away, she experiences some racism from the police officer and tow truck driver.
With nowhere to go and panicking, she's taken in by two brothers who own a small motel. People refer to it as the suicide motel but with no other options, Sarah accepts their offer.
Here's where the story starts getting really dread filled. The brothers tell her to lock her door and each of them seems to have something to say about the other. one Like there's no knives in the house and they each give her cryptic reasons why that is concerning the other.
You know something's not right but as it becomes apparent that Sarah can't leave (for various reasons which the book will explain) , a sense of impending violence looms over the narrative. And, yes, violence is a theme in this novella but sometimes the source of it isn't what you think.
This is a slam banger of an atmospheric book and you'll be forgiven for reading with the doors locked and the lights on. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
With nowhere to go and panicking, she's taken in by two brothers who own a small motel. People refer to it as the suicide motel but with no other options, Sarah accepts their offer.
Here's where the story starts getting really dread filled. The brothers tell her to lock her door and each of them seems to have something to say about the other. one Like there's no knives in the house and they each give her cryptic reasons why that is concerning the other.
You know something's not right but as it becomes apparent that Sarah can't leave (for various reasons which the book will explain) , a sense of impending violence looms over the narrative. And, yes, violence is a theme in this novella but sometimes the source of it isn't what you think.
This is a slam banger of an atmospheric book and you'll be forgiven for reading with the doors locked and the lights on. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
January 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for the ARC!
Sarah, a Chinese Canadian woman is on the run from her toxic fiancé. She left Toronto, planning to drive north to stay with her brother but her car breaks down outside of a small town named Sweetside. She has no choice but to obey local rules, and is forced to stay and quarantine for two weeks with the two brothers who run the local motel. While the brothers have been nothing but accommodating, Sarah has fears: the townspeople who see her as a disease carrier, her fiancé, and the strange ways of the brothers.
This was a short and quick read, about 120 pages. The story flowed very smoothly, and it definitely captured my attention the whole time. This story takes place during the pandemic, and if you were online, you would know that Asian communities had a bit of a rough time then. The micro aggression and outright racist behavior described in the book is very real.
Sarah was overall a likable character. Most characters were decently flawed, some more than others. I liked the flow, the characters made sense, and the progression and climax also was worth the time. I can imagine some readers not loving the end, but I don’t think there’s ever a perfect ending for any book.
Def recommend to anyone looking into multicultural lit, horror, and novellas.
Sarah, a Chinese Canadian woman is on the run from her toxic fiancé. She left Toronto, planning to drive north to stay with her brother but her car breaks down outside of a small town named Sweetside. She has no choice but to obey local rules, and is forced to stay and quarantine for two weeks with the two brothers who run the local motel. While the brothers have been nothing but accommodating, Sarah has fears: the townspeople who see her as a disease carrier, her fiancé, and the strange ways of the brothers.
This was a short and quick read, about 120 pages. The story flowed very smoothly, and it definitely captured my attention the whole time. This story takes place during the pandemic, and if you were online, you would know that Asian communities had a bit of a rough time then. The micro aggression and outright racist behavior described in the book is very real.
Sarah was overall a likable character. Most characters were decently flawed, some more than others. I liked the flow, the characters made sense, and the progression and climax also was worth the time. I can imagine some readers not loving the end, but I don’t think there’s ever a perfect ending for any book.
Def recommend to anyone looking into multicultural lit, horror, and novellas.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGally for the ARC.
At the height of COVID, Sarah fearfully flees her home looking for a fresh start. She finds herself stuck in a small-minded town, forced to quarantine for two weeks with two brothers in their musty old mansion. Housed in their missing father's bedroom, Sarah spends her time reading and watching the forest from her window, but something is off. She can feel the ghost of their father haunting her bed, and can hear screams from the forest. She must escape, but the brothers insist she stay. When an opportunity arises, Sarah runs for her life. Will she make it out?
I'll confess I'm not an avid horror reader, but this story kept me guessing until the end. I kind of hate all of the characters, not in a way that ruined the book, but because they were so human, and I found that confronting.
The fact that it was related to COVID made me not want to pick it up (we're all over covid, right?), however, I'm so glad I did. It didn't feel forced like so many books written during that time, and it didn't feel like covid dominated the story. It was used as a way to keep Sarah trapped and that reflects how many of us felt during that time.
I recommend Sweetside Motel to anyone who is looking for a story jampacked with suspense.
At the height of COVID, Sarah fearfully flees her home looking for a fresh start. She finds herself stuck in a small-minded town, forced to quarantine for two weeks with two brothers in their musty old mansion. Housed in their missing father's bedroom, Sarah spends her time reading and watching the forest from her window, but something is off. She can feel the ghost of their father haunting her bed, and can hear screams from the forest. She must escape, but the brothers insist she stay. When an opportunity arises, Sarah runs for her life. Will she make it out?
I'll confess I'm not an avid horror reader, but this story kept me guessing until the end. I kind of hate all of the characters, not in a way that ruined the book, but because they were so human, and I found that confronting.
The fact that it was related to COVID made me not want to pick it up (we're all over covid, right?), however, I'm so glad I did. It didn't feel forced like so many books written during that time, and it didn't feel like covid dominated the story. It was used as a way to keep Sarah trapped and that reflects how many of us felt during that time.
I recommend Sweetside Motel to anyone who is looking for a story jampacked with suspense.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As you follow Sarah, abandoned during the pandemic in an unwelcoming town, she makes the acquaintance of the two men who run the so-called “Suicide Motel.” These two are the only friendly faces she seems to encounter, but the question is, who can be trusted? The brothers, or even Sarah?
I loved this! The writing style was SO evocative and beautiful. I could turn to any page and find such a well-crafted line with such a deep meaning hidden beneath it. It was truly such an addictive writing style. The setting was so creepy and the tone throughout the book was so eerie. I felt on edge and panicked, just as Sarah did, through it all. The characters were so likable but I also didn’t know who to trust at any point of this story. Sarah’s experience as a Chinese woman during the height of the COVID pandemic was so scary and heartbreaking but real. There were some things I wish were explored more or backgrounds I wish we were given more context about, but it is a novella so I can’t be too picky. By the end, I was a little confused about some things but I liked the *unreliable narrator*-ness of it all.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this! It’s a fast-paced read with an excellent story and lots of mystery! It was one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read in a while!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc!
I loved this! The writing style was SO evocative and beautiful. I could turn to any page and find such a well-crafted line with such a deep meaning hidden beneath it. It was truly such an addictive writing style. The setting was so creepy and the tone throughout the book was so eerie. I felt on edge and panicked, just as Sarah did, through it all. The characters were so likable but I also didn’t know who to trust at any point of this story. Sarah’s experience as a Chinese woman during the height of the COVID pandemic was so scary and heartbreaking but real. There were some things I wish were explored more or backgrounds I wish we were given more context about, but it is a novella so I can’t be too picky. By the end, I was a little confused about some things but I liked the *unreliable narrator*-ness of it all.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this! It’s a fast-paced read with an excellent story and lots of mystery! It was one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read in a while!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc!
March 10, 2026
I couldn't sleep last night so I decided to look around NetGalley and see if anything caught my eye that wasn't super long & that I could read now - and landed on this one! I also skimmed the reviews very quickly (cause I didn't wanna spoil anything) just to see what I was in for. This book def gave me a little bit of "Bat Eater" vibes, because it took place during the pandemic and all the horrendous xenophobic violence. I wasn't the biggest fan of the romantic subplot, because I read horror for horror - so I was kinda meh about it. But I understand why it's done though in relation to the story, it just wasn't my fave. I was however a big fan of how the story played out. Is Sarah an unreliable narrator? Are the brothers alive? Ghosts? Is everyone dead? I HAD SO MANY QUESTIONS AND I LOVE THAT!!! I also was a big fan of the ending and final chapter/epilogue. It gave me the sense of closure that I like in a story like this and for it being a shorter story, I feel like all the questions I had were either answered or I was okay just never knowing. Overall if you're looking for a quick read that still keeps you on the edge of your seat AND you hate figuring out wtf is going on then this is the book for you friends!
**Thank you to NetGalley, Interstellar Flight Press & the author for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review!
**Thank you to NetGalley, Interstellar Flight Press & the author for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this novella originally drew me in. i enjoyed the premise, the use of the pandemic and small town mindset and how it alienated people, how pre-existing racist mindsets were further bolstered. i enjoyed the use of the woods, the way the trees added to the eeriness of sweetside manor.
i was wondering if ben was alive, but i didnt anticipate her brother calling him and giving him the directions to get sarah himself. i did however see the twist with elijah being a killer. he parroted what his brother said, he went into her room while she was sleeping, he knew what he was doing and the game he was playing. i found it very easy to understand how it’d be believable for someone to show him kindness and be sucked in to his young boy facade.
the way the house was written as though it was another living, breathing entity was nice. the setting of the manor was truly well developed and felt like it had flesh on its bones.
but sadly a choice in going from third person pov to second person pov in the very last chapter truly spoilt the experience of this for me. i was immediately brought out of the story and it left me feeling more about that change than anything else id already read. it was a disappointing ending overall because of that stylistic change.
i was wondering if ben was alive, but i didnt anticipate her brother calling him and giving him the directions to get sarah himself. i did however see the twist with elijah being a killer. he parroted what his brother said, he went into her room while she was sleeping, he knew what he was doing and the game he was playing. i found it very easy to understand how it’d be believable for someone to show him kindness and be sucked in to his young boy facade.
the way the house was written as though it was another living, breathing entity was nice. the setting of the manor was truly well developed and felt like it had flesh on its bones.
but sadly a choice in going from third person pov to second person pov in the very last chapter truly spoilt the experience of this for me. i was immediately brought out of the story and it left me feeling more about that change than anything else id already read. it was a disappointing ending overall because of that stylistic change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2026
A very solid, tense 'creepy small town in the woods' horror set in Covid period.
What I loved:
The setting (winter, Canadian woods, the height of Covid) was definitely the driver of this story. The sky the colour of 'old soup bone', the dark towering woods, the breathing manor that felt like a separate character, the angry people who use Covid as a justification for their open racism - all of that added to the unsettling tense atmosphere and the expectation that all of the tension will eventually boil over somehow.
The language - from vivid descriptions of the house to the way Sarah's experiences bleed into one another (the target on her back, the running commentary in her head) - I really liked how the novella was written.
Sarah - very well written, both extremely relatable and somehow 'off' at the same time.
What didn't work as well:
Actually, there's very little that didn't work well for me in Sweetside Motel. The ending was a little anti-climactic, but perhaps it fits the story better this way. I also found the voice change in the last chapter a little jarring, but again, I am sure it will definitely work for many others.
Overall, definitely recommended!
Thank you to NetGallet and the publishers for eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I loved:
The setting (winter, Canadian woods, the height of Covid) was definitely the driver of this story. The sky the colour of 'old soup bone', the dark towering woods, the breathing manor that felt like a separate character, the angry people who use Covid as a justification for their open racism - all of that added to the unsettling tense atmosphere and the expectation that all of the tension will eventually boil over somehow.
The language - from vivid descriptions of the house to the way Sarah's experiences bleed into one another (the target on her back, the running commentary in her head) - I really liked how the novella was written.
Sarah - very well written, both extremely relatable and somehow 'off' at the same time.
What didn't work as well:
Actually, there's very little that didn't work well for me in Sweetside Motel. The ending was a little anti-climactic, but perhaps it fits the story better this way. I also found the voice change in the last chapter a little jarring, but again, I am sure it will definitely work for many others.
Overall, definitely recommended!
Thank you to NetGallet and the publishers for eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2025
I am so glad I picked this up! I'm hard to please when it comes to thriller/suspense type books. I thought this was an engrossing, perfectly paced, satisfying read.
The writing is beautiful. Not overly poetic but filled with visceral metaphors. The author does a fantastic job conveying the stifling, dreamy atmosphere that comes with fear and adrenaline. There are some strong themes that could be discussed around the cycle of violence, but nothing more I can say with spoilers! Best to go in knowing as little as possible. I don't think the reveals are shocking but they are well executed.
If I had any criticism, it would be that the main character's personality seems to shift about halfway through. I can think of a solid justification, but it still felt abrupt to me. The entire book is quite short and the characters and relationships felt a little rushed because of it. Still, I don't think I would have preferred more words. The picture is painted beautifully, especially by the end.
This is one of those wonderful pieces of horror where you want so much more but you thank the author for not giving you too much, lest you drown in it.
The writing is beautiful. Not overly poetic but filled with visceral metaphors. The author does a fantastic job conveying the stifling, dreamy atmosphere that comes with fear and adrenaline. There are some strong themes that could be discussed around the cycle of violence, but nothing more I can say with spoilers! Best to go in knowing as little as possible. I don't think the reveals are shocking but they are well executed.
If I had any criticism, it would be that the main character's personality seems to shift about halfway through. I can think of a solid justification, but it still felt abrupt to me. The entire book is quite short and the characters and relationships felt a little rushed because of it. Still, I don't think I would have preferred more words. The picture is painted beautifully, especially by the end.
This is one of those wonderful pieces of horror where you want so much more but you thank the author for not giving you too much, lest you drown in it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to netgalley, e.l. chen, and interstellar flight press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was expecting a horror story, but that’s not what I found. I also didn’t experience a strong sense of suspense; instead, curiosity was the dominant feeling throughout the novel, perhaps because I went into it with high expectations.
I really liked that the story is set during the COVID era. I had never read a novel with this kind of setting before, and I found it quite interesting and unusual.
At the beginning, the novel felt rather slow, but as it progressed, it managed to keep me intrigued with the mystery surrounding the forest and the screams. For much of the story, I didn’t know who to trust, although I would have liked it to be darker and more unsettling.
I enjoyed the characters and found them likable, even though there were moments when I didn’t fully understand some of the decisions Sarah made.
Finally, the ending was my favorite part of the book. While I wish it had been explained in more detail, I think it works well as a conclusion for all the characters, including Ben🫣
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was expecting a horror story, but that’s not what I found. I also didn’t experience a strong sense of suspense; instead, curiosity was the dominant feeling throughout the novel, perhaps because I went into it with high expectations.
I really liked that the story is set during the COVID era. I had never read a novel with this kind of setting before, and I found it quite interesting and unusual.
At the beginning, the novel felt rather slow, but as it progressed, it managed to keep me intrigued with the mystery surrounding the forest and the screams. For much of the story, I didn’t know who to trust, although I would have liked it to be darker and more unsettling.
I enjoyed the characters and found them likable, even though there were moments when I didn’t fully understand some of the decisions Sarah made.
Finally, the ending was my favorite part of the book. While I wish it had been explained in more detail, I think it works well as a conclusion for all the characters, including Ben🫣
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I hate writing negative reviews, but I didn’t like this book. It was already gonna be an uphill battle because I tend to stay away from plots built around the pandemic. However, considering the identity of the main character, I thought the story would explore racism and xenophobia, which could have gone in a very interesting direction.
Around the halfway mark, I audibly said, “When’s this gonna get scary?” At that point, I was waiting for something either murdery or supernatural to happen, and honestly, I was a little let down. There was this continual theme of being haunted by the past, and the brothers were very clear about being unwilling to leave the motel. I completely misunderstood that to mean someone could be a ghost and unable to physically leave the motel. Which could open the story to go down a dark path, something I love with horror. But it didn’t. Instead, it built up this tension, and the climax fell flat in my opinion. I think if the story explored more of the spooky lore surrounding the ‘Suicide Motel’, I wouldn’t be left with so many questions.
My personal rule is that if I finish a book, I won’t rate it under 3 stars. Therefore, I gave the book 3.5 stars.
Around the halfway mark, I audibly said, “When’s this gonna get scary?” At that point, I was waiting for something either murdery or supernatural to happen, and honestly, I was a little let down. There was this continual theme of being haunted by the past, and the brothers were very clear about being unwilling to leave the motel. I completely misunderstood that to mean someone could be a ghost and unable to physically leave the motel. Which could open the story to go down a dark path, something I love with horror. But it didn’t. Instead, it built up this tension, and the climax fell flat in my opinion. I think if the story explored more of the spooky lore surrounding the ‘Suicide Motel’, I wouldn’t be left with so many questions.
My personal rule is that if I finish a book, I won’t rate it under 3 stars. Therefore, I gave the book 3.5 stars.
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