4.1 (3,001 ratings)

Hollow: A Gothic Shade of Romance, Book 1

Name: Hollow: A Gothic Shade of Romance, Book 1
Rating: 4.1 (3001 reviews)
Author: Karina Halle
ISBN: B0FR81GMNL

by Karina Halle

witches

About this book

Kat Van Tassel’s life was mapped out long ago, but fate had other plans when her childhood sweetheart, Brom Bones, vanished into thin air. Now nineteen and enrolled at the prestigious Sleepy Hollow Institute, Kat finds her world upended by her enigmatic professor, Ichabod Crane. As she dives into the forbidden arts of necromancy under his tutelage, she discovers that her teacher is as dangerous as the dark magic he commands.

The atmosphere shifts from tense to terrifying when a transformed, amnesiac Brom returns to town, coinciding with a string of gruesome murders linked to the legendary Headless Horseman. Caught between a man she once loved and a mentor who demands her complete devotion, Kat is thrust into a high-stakes game of survival. This gripping dark romance weaves a gothic web of secrets where the line between scholar and sacrifice blurs.

Blending the eerie allure of a paranormal academy with the pulse-pounding intensity of a forbidden love triangle, this story is a masterclass in atmospheric tension. With its slow-burn pace, simmering spice, and a cliffhanger that demands immediate answers, it is the perfect pick for readers craving a sinister twist on a classic legend. Prepare to lose yourself in a world where shadows bite back.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B0FR81GMNL

Reader Reviews

great 🖤😊🎃

October 24, 2025

I just finished reading a book titled *Hollow*, which offers a captivating retelling of the classic *Sleepy Hollow* story. This book unfolds as a slow burn, delving into the tale of a girl haunted by a headless horseman. If I could, I would give it ten stars! The writing is so beautiful that I found it impossible to put down. It's a fantastic read for spooky season or any time of year. The characters are well-developed, and the story is filled with mystery, featuring unexpected twists and turns...

Interesting premise! Spicy sleepy hollow/headless horseman retelling

November 5, 2025

3.5/5 Thank you to Berkley publishing for a copy of this ebook. The views expressed below are my honest opinion on the book. I’ve been sitting with this book for a few days now to really make up my mind on it. Overall, I really enjoyed the premise of the sleepy hollow/headless horseman retelling. I also really enjoy the magic aspects and certain elements of the school. The vibes of the book were also great for the October/November fall period. A few things I wasn’t as big of a fan of were...

I lived the story line.

January 5, 2024

3.5 stars for me. I absolutely loved how this story came together. The ending leaves you on a cliff hanger and makes you wanna run straight for the next book. The spice was 🌶🌶. 5 .... I know we're setting up the story, so I'm not upset about it. Why 3.5 stars? Repetition! I'm not fond of books that repeat the same stuff over and over, we got it the first time and if we didn't, we definitely got it the second time (I hope). I also knew that Brom was going to be the horseman... I saw it coming...

A Gorgeous Sleepy Hollow Retelling

October 30, 2023

If you’ve ever watched Sleepy Hollow but wished it was smuttier and Why Choose? This is for you. 💍 Childhood betrothal 🔮 Witches 📓 Dark Academia ⏳ Age Gap x 2 📚 Teacher/Student 🕯️Cozy Horror 🐎 Only One Horse ⛓️ Light Dom/sub 🤐 Secrets ❓Mystery I loved everything about this book. It’s dark. There are secrets and magic and hauntings. I was hooked from start to finish. My favorite thing is how well-developed the relationships are. Katrina and Brom’s relationship is sweet, passionate, and a...

Gothic mystery with fantasy and spice

November 16, 2025

A spicy, Gothic, mystery fantasy thriller. This was a good read with great characters, and there is a lot of romance and yearning, with the forbidden attraction between teacher and student. The mystery parts are really good too, and I really look forward to seeing how this one ends up. )