The quick verdict
I’m known to love the masked men trope, so three of them at a Halloween party was already a very good start. Scream for Us by Molly Doyle gave me the masks, the possessiveness, the dirty talk and the dark revenge, and I loved it.
Five stars and four and a half chillies. The spice was amazing, but the little caring moments between all that chaos got me too.
And Ghost? He has definitely made my list of top unhinged book boyfriends. I tried to be fair to all three. I do love them for different reasons. But I’ve finished the book now, and I’m choosing Ghost.
The rundown
Quinn is usually happier at home reading her spicy books than going out. Relatable. This time, she heads to a Halloween party in Salem and decides to be a little reckless.
There she meets three men in horror masks: Ghost, Jason and Michael. After Ghost steps in when someone won’t leave her alone, the attraction moves quickly, and Quinn finds herself having a very different night from the one she expected.
That’s as much plot as I’m giving you. This is a dark why-choose novella, and I think it’s better to discover just how far the night goes for yourself.
Real talk
The pace worked for me straight away. I wanted a short, spicy Halloween story, and I was happy for things to get going. The atmosphere, the mystery of the masks and that immediate tension all worked together.
At first, the masked men had most of my attention. I liked Quinn’s bookish homebody side, and I enjoyed watching her decide to let go for a night. As I learned more about her past, though, I became more invested in her. Seeing her stand up for herself was a highlight.
Ghost had me early. The confidence, the possessiveness, the way he pays attention to what she wants. Then there’s the dirty talk. The dirty talk is amazing. Add “little Quinn”, “good girl”, hand necklaces and a blindfold, and yes, this was very much working for me.
He’s also completely unhinged about protecting her. The revenge side of this book absolutely delivered for me as dark fiction. I’m keeping the details to myself because I don’t want to spoil it, but if you like a fictional man taking “touch her and suffer” very seriously, Ghost is worth meeting.
Jason and Michael got me with their softer sides. Jason reassuring Quinn that she isn’t a burden stood out, and I loved Michael helping her calm down. Those moments made me care about them beyond the masks.
Even the smaller gestures worked: checking she’s okay, taking her painful shoes, carrying her. I loved that all three had their own moments of caring for her. The tenderness alongside the danger was a big part of the appeal for me.
And the group chemistry? Absolutely delivered. The spice kept getting better as I read. I finished at four and a half chillies, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the ending and wanted more. There isn’t anything significant I’d change about this novella. It gave me exactly what I wanted, and I’m definitely continuing the series.
Tropes & vibes
- Three masked men and one heroine
- Why choose / reverse harem
- Halloween party atmosphere
- Immediate attraction and fast-moving heat
- Possessive, dangerous protectors
- Touch her and suffer
- Dark revenge
- Tenderness alongside the chaos
- Plenty of praise and dirty talk
The tiny details that did the damage
- “Little Quinn”. Ghost had my attention.
- “Good girl”. He kept it.
- Hand necklaces and the costume-belt blindfold. The whole combination worked for me.
- Possessive, but willing to share. Apparently I have room for several questionable fictional decisions.
- Jason taking her shoes while Ghost carries her, with Michael checking she’s okay. All three getting involved in looking after her.
- Jason’s reassurance when she opens up. That softer side got me.
- Michael helping her breathe through her distress. Another reason to love him.
Read this if…
If you love masked men, dark revenge and plenty of spice, read it. Especially if the caring gestures get you just as much as the possessiveness. I loved both here.
If graphic violence, intense possessiveness or a very fast-moving relationship aren’t your thing, check the warnings before picking this up. The Halloween setting comes with real darkness, and the content goes well beyond a spooky party.
EmberSas ratings
- Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
- Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️½ / 5
- Favourite: Ghost. Definitely Ghost.
- Dirty talk: Amazing
- Book-boyfriend status: Ghost has made the top unhinged list
- Ending: Enjoyed it and wanted more
- Continuing the series: Definitely
Group chat verdict
I loved this so much. Three masked men, amazing dirty talk, dark revenge and little caring moments that made me love them even more.
I did say I loved all three for different reasons, and I still do. But I take it back about not having a favourite. It’s Ghost. He’s definitely made my list of top unhinged book boyfriends.
Five stars, four and a half chillies, and I want more. Luckily, there are more books in the series, because I will definitely be reading them.
Comfort-level note
This is an adult dark romance with explicit sexual content, multiple partners, attempted sexual assault, graphic violence, murder, bullying, trauma, self-harm and suicide references, breath play, knife play and other intense content. This is a summary, not a complete list. Check Molly Doyle’s content warnings for Scream for Us before reading.
Final vibe
Three masked men, four and a half chillies, and Ghost making himself very comfortable on my book-boyfriend list.
Sip, Snack & Smut: A Dark Little Halloween Pairing
Three masked men, a Halloween party and four and a half chillies call for a reading-night menu with a little drama. These are my Scream for Us pairings from the Halloween double feature:
The sip: My Poison Apple Martini brings the Halloween-party mood to your glass. The recipe includes an alcohol-free Antidote option too.
The snack: My Bloody Red Velvet Brownies keep the dark, dramatic theme going on the plate. Much easier to explain to visitors than your current Kindle chapter.
Make it a double feature with Hallowpeen and the full menu in my Halloween Double Feature reading night.
Make Room for Your Next Fictional Obsession
Ghost has made the book-boyfriend list. Apparently my Kindle, bookshelf and car need to reflect my excellent fictional judgement. If this is your kind of reading night, here are a few things from my EmberSas shop to go with it.
For the Ghost effect: My Touch Her and Die Vibes Kindle Insert is for the readers who love their fictional men protective and a little dangerous. Ghost certainly understood that assignment. This is a printable digital download with PDF and PNG files for decorating a clear Kindle case.
For the days you refuse to pick just one: My Why Choose Romance Kindle Insert feels appropriate after spending the night with Ghost, Jason and Michael. Yes, Ghost is my favourite. That does not mean I am giving either of the others up. This is a printable digital download, with PDF and PNG files included.
For your shelf of questionable fictional men: My Dark Romance Bookshelf Sign gives that corner of your reading nook a fitting address. A little 3D-printed bookshelf decor for the books you love and the men you would struggle to explain.
For your next dangerous fictional decision: My Dark Romance Recipe Bookmark brings a recipe-card design to your next paperback, with a warning label on the back. It is printed on cardstock, laminated and finished with rounded corners. Ghost has already supplied plenty of inspiration for the reading list.
For taking your reading tastes on the road: My I'm a Dark Romance Addict Car Air Freshener gives the car a little dark-romance energy too. This reusable freshener can be refreshed with your favourite perfume or essential oil. Your fictional crushes can remain safely on the Kindle.
For four-and-a-half-chilli reading habits: My Smut on Board Car Coasters make your bookish priorities fairly clear. These reusable neoprene coasters have a non-slip backing and rinse clean. A little spice for the cup holders, without the Halloween-party aftermath.
For pumpkins beside the next chapter: My Spooky Season Spicy Chapters Kindle Insert pairs reading ghosts, pumpkins, books and candles with orange and pink lettering. Apparently the Kindle case also needs a Halloween outfit.
The Kindle inserts are printable digital downloads with PDF and PNG files. No physical insert, case or device is included. Shelf signs are physical items. Check the individual product pages for sizing, options and care instructions.
The Kindle inserts are digital files to print yourself; no physical insert or device is included. Check the product pages for sizing, options and care instructions.
