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Sour Candy
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
73 posts | 67 read | 102 to read
"Four months to the day he first encountered the boy at Walmart, the last of Phil Pendleton's teeth fell out." At first glance, Phil Pendleton and his son Adam are just an ordinary father and son, no different from any other. They take walks in the park together, visit county fairs, museums, and zoos, and eat together overlooking the lake. Some might say the father is a little too accommodating given the lack of discipline when the child loses his temper in public. Some might say he spoils his son by allowing him to eat candy whenever he wants and set his own bedtimes. Some might say that such leniency is starting to take its toll on the father, given how his health has declined. What no one knows is that Phil is a prisoner, and that up until a few weeks ago and a chance encounter at a grocery store, he had never seen the child before in his life. A new novella from the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of THE TURTLE BOY and KIN. Praise for Kealan Patrick Burke "one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror "- Booklist "A newcomer worth watching."- Publisher's Weekly "one of the best writers in horror fiction today."- Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of ROT & RUIN and PATIENT ZERO "Reminiscent of Stephen King"- The Green Man Review "a true master of his art"- Zonacrypt
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review
ericarobynreads
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

What a twisted and intense psychological tale! While I do love my sour candy, I don't think I'm going to look at it the same way ever again...

Check out my full review here:
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/sour-candy-by-kealan-patrick-burke/

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magyklyXdelish
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Mehso-so

A solidly creepy and short read. I guess I was expecting a little more from it.

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FantasyChick
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

This was pretty good. Nothing amazing but it was quick and creepy. I'd read more books by him.

About time I finally got this one off my TBR though. It's been years! 🤣

#Scarathlon2022 #TeamSlaughter #BookspinBingo
@Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks

30 likes6 comments
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Rachiiebookdragon
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
Pickpick

A creepy book!

Read for Spoopathon

blurb
AmandaBlaze
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Eggs Ominous !! 2y
WJCintron I read it! And the author is SO NICE!!! 2y
23 likes2 comments
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FantasyChick
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Using a #TrappedOnAnIsland pick for today's prompt! Can't wait to dig into this one. It's only been on my TBR for forever 😈

#OminousOctober #Candy #Scarathlon2022 #TeamSlaughter #PhotoChallenge
@Clwojick @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Eggs ❤️🖤❤️ 2y
34 likes1 comment
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PageShifter
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Mehso-so

This had quite nice atmosphere: there were some moments when I loved how I didn't know what was true and what wasn't.

Plot was really solid, no complains about it. But there were big holes in logic. The ending gave us a solution that didn't make sense if you ponder it a bit.

This was interesting and entertaining but didn't get me to bite my nails.

Thanks for for recommendation @WJCintron

#BigJuneReadathon #SciFiJune

WJCintron I‘m glad you took the time to read it. I‘m sorry it wasn‘t a pick for you. Thanks for keeping me posted. 🙏😃 2y
PageShifter @WJCintron I liked this and had good time with it! And did you notice how there was mentioned a novella by Ray Bradbury?? You can find it from this tagges book, you might like this book! 2y
WJCintron @PageShifter Yay! I‘m glad you did. Thanks for reminding me. I just stacked it! 😃🙏 2y
14 likes3 comments
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WJCintron
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

Book 47 Popsugar RC
✅A #BookTok recommendation: Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WOW! I loved this book!
It‘s a horror, but not the type of horror full of blood and monsters, but the one that makes you feel uneasy and anxious. That makes you think, doubt the MC and feel for him at the same time. Is he descending into madness? Is it real? When you finally know what‘s going on, you can‘t help but think WTH.
MORE IN COMMENTS ⬇

WJCintron LOVED the ending, so much! I was so afraid to reach the ending fearing it would ruin it for me, but it didn‘t disappoint. It made it even better. A smirk drew on my face and I was content. Perfect ending for me.
Burke managed to develop the main characters so well in such a short amount of time, it‘s crazy. I did felt for Phil since the beginning. He won me on that first scene at the candy aisle. MORE ⬇
2y
WJCintron The descriptions were so vivid, I swear I could hear that boy screaming bloody murder. I would have been as desperate as him. I would have left the supermarket, no questions asked. BTW, no spoilers, but I loved his references to the emotions: “relief” would have meant the same to me in that situation.
The book is short, but packed with horror and you can‘t stop reading because you want to know more. MORE ⬇
2y
WJCintron The chapters are short, which I love, plus the titles are catchy, giving you a sense of what‘s gonna happen, so you keep on reading. Each of them have a punch and something you didn‘t see coming.
The novel is easy to understand, and the characters are relatable. Only the female cop, annoyed me to the bone. Which is also good, ‘cause it means she was well crafted.
MORE ⬇
2y
See All 12 Comments
WJCintron I didn‘t hate the kid. I don‘t know if that‘s weird, but I loved the voice the author gave him. It fit perfectly with the way he described him. I loved his sweet sarcasm, and innocence/intelligence at the same time. The perfect combination to make us fear him. Not the cliched baby talk or possessed type of character.
MORE ⬇
2y
WJCintron Overall, this is a great book every horror/thriller fan should read. Kealan Patrick Burke did an amazing job setting the atmosphere and making us feel as if we were in Phil‘s shoes. I felt uneasy, lost, depleted from my emotions to the point of not caring at all and then, he managed to strike me with all of them at the same time, which made me question so many things. What would I do in his situation?
MORE ⬇
2y
WJCintron At a point I asked myself: Did I really have that thought in my mind just now? I mean, I‘m a mother. And crazy as it is, he manages to make me feel for the kid. What?!
That‘s what a great writer does! It makes us feel and question things, even when what‘s happening is totally bizarre.
I would love to see this turned into a movie.
Thanks, Kealan Patrick Burke, for the ride! It was a crazy one!
A PLUS is, the author is such a nice person!
2y
thereadingpal Stacked. It seems pretty cool 2y
WJCintron @thereadingpal I recommend it! It's a fast read! I don't think you'll be disappointed. 😃 👍 2y
bthegood sounds good - stacked, thanks for the review - 🙂 (edited) 2y
LitStephanie I love your thorough review! Thanks! 2y
WJCintron @bthegood 👍😃 Hope you like it. It‘s a different kind of horror. 2y
WJCintron @LitStephanie 😃🙏👍 2y
50 likes4 stack adds12 comments
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BeeMagical
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

Book 85📚 4⭐️

Super creepy novella, only 100 pages - so, definitely worth the read!

She burns. He burns. We all fall down🔥

25 likes1 stack add
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AmandaBlaze
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

This novella was well-written and had a lot of sinister menace packed into it. This is the 3rd book I read from Sharon's TBR for the #Sharreadathon.
@alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Professional_Book_Dragon

WJCintron That's amazing!! Thanks for all you do! I'm reading that one for the #Sharreadathon. The author is on Twitter and he is very nice! Thanks for sharing!! ❤ 2y
AmandaBlaze Thanks! 2y
25 likes1 stack add2 comments
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

A short and unique read. Will definitely be reading more from this author.

94 likes4 stack adds
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vivastory
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Day 3 of #21DaysofHorror
Kealan Patrick Purke's novella, about a guy who sees a boy throwing a temper tantrum at a grocery store, soon turns into one of the most compelling yet strangest stories of cosmic horror that I have ever read. This was the first book by Burke I read & it remains my favorite. A couple of months ago I read Jeremy Shipp's Bedfellows, which now strikes me as very similar yet there's no contest. Sour Candy is much👇

vivastory better than Bedfellows. From what I understand Burke is working on a prequel novella/novel for SC. I'm very excited for that one. 3y
Angitron I love KPB! Reading another of his right now! 3y
LeahBergen This sounds freaky! 😱 3y
See All 9 Comments
vivastory @Angitron Which one? I need to read more. I've only read 3. 3y
vivastory @LeahBergen It's pretty wild. 3y
Reggie Have you read akin by him? It‘s soooo good. I‘ve read other stuff by him but oddly enough not SC. 3y
vivastory @Reggie No, that one has been on my TBR for awhile. It's been a bit since I've read him, I think I'll make Kin the next one. 3y
Angitron @vivastory Dead Leaves 3y
vivastory @Angitron That sounds perfect for the season. Buying the ebook now! (I also now have the White Stripes song playing in my head 😂 ) 3y
68 likes9 comments
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BRB_ImReading
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

"Four months to the day he first encountered the boy at Walmart, the last of Phil Pendleton's teeth fell out."
Captivating right out of the gate! This is a short read at just over 140 pages and I was hooked. This is so creative and weird and was just the book I needed to kick off October. Talk about original story, I've never read anything like it!

#octoberreads #horrorbooks

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HeathHof
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

We made it to our destination and the foggy/gloomy weather combined with being in the woods left me craving some horror. Started and finished this short story and it was preetttttyyy creepy. It was only 60 some pages from start to finish but IMO has the makings of a great horror film! 😱
#summer2021 #readonvacation @lauram

vivastory This is one of my favorite horror novellas, apparently Burke is working on a prequel 3y
HeathHof @vivastory I'll keep my eyes peeled for that to come out.👀 3y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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she.hearts.horror
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

💀💀💀💀💀💀 short + sour + horrific 😃

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TheNeverendingTBR
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

This 84 page novella was dark and fast-paced with an interesting and unique plot.

The writing was very good although I prefer character-driven books but given that this is a novella, it ticks all the boxes as a short plot-driven story.

A perfect quick read before bed, which is what I used it for.

🍬

Think I'll try 'Kin' next, when I get around to reading another from this author.

Jari-chan Kin is not bad, I've read it last Halloween 😁 My favourite book by Burke is still The Number 121 to Pennsylvania & Others. 3y
TheNeverendingTBR @Jari-chan I'll need to check it out! 😌👌 3y
Reggie You‘ll love Kin because there is a lot of great characterization in there. It was so good. 3y
106 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Angitron
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

My second KPB book this month and I‘m sold! Really enjoy his writing, and as someone who doesn‘t scare easy when it comes to books, I was pretty chilled by this one. Great story, wonderful prose, and a truly frightening premise. I‘m a new fan!

quote
Bertha_Mason
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke

"He looked up at the sky as if disappointed that it had decided to rain without telling him."

quote
Bertha_Mason
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke

""Yours now," the woman said, though her split lip made it *Yoursh now*, her voice the sound of a rake through dead leaves, each word forcing the rent in her chin to widen like some strange vertical second mouth."

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Bookzombie
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

Even as an adult, you should never take candy from a stranger, especially a child. 😳

Also, these are not Sour Patch candies. It is not “Sour. Sweet. Gone.”

Burke packs a lot into 67 pages. The opening scene in the Wal-Mart creeped me out in several ways. Maybe this worked well for me because I don‘t have kids and honestly, sometimes kids creep me out. I‘m definitely going to pick up more by KPB. #Screamathon #BookspinBingo

vivastory I really liked this one. I also liked Blanky. Last night I read his latest which has slight House of Leaves vibes 3y
Bookzombie @vivastory I added both to my TBR. Thanks! 3y
Chrissyreadit Aren‘t you a teacher? Your review cracked me up. 3y
See All 8 Comments
Bookzombie @Chrissyreadit No, I‘m not a teacher, but that would make my review funny, lol. 3y
Chrissyreadit Oops! I don‘t know why I thought you worked in schools. Your review is still funny to me. 3y
Bookzombie @Chrissyreadit Thank you! 😁 3y
Reggie Have you read Kin by him? It‘s soooo good. 3y
Bookzombie @Reggie This was my first, but I will add that to my list. 😊 3y
38 likes1 stack add8 comments
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JoeMo
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

This was an absolutely great book and pleasant surprise for something to meet or exceed expectations! This was creepy and inventive and had some great twists and turns!

#scarathlon2020 #teamharkness #screamathon
15 pts + 20 pts (2 hr read) + 1 pt participation
36 points

21 likes2 stack adds
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JoeMo
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Four months to the day he first encountered the boy at Walmart, the last of Phil Pendleton‘s teeth fell out.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

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abookishbutterfly
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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I took a photo for Bookstagram. I posted the photo & came back to clean everything up, only to find Delilah waiting patiently to be a part of the photo. I think she‘s smarter than we ever give her credit for. Because any time I‘ve “forced” her into a book photo, she‘s received a treat in exchange for her cooperation. So if she patiently stood there for this photo without any prompting, the end result would be a treat, right?

I gave her a treat.

Velvetfur Aaww that adorable little face! And such a clever girl, knowing how things work like that 😁 💜 4y
abookishbutterfly @Velvetfur I shouldn‘t be too surprised she made the association, as she also thinks that if we go into the kitchen, we are getting a treat for her. She follows us in and goes up on her hind legs. She definitely seems to get what leads to treats but now expects that to be the end result every single time. 😂 4y
Velvetfur @Butterflyamore Aaawww she's such a cutie pie! 💜 4y
See All 7 Comments
ravenlee How could you not? 4y
Bette Smart AND cute. ❤️😊 4y
abookishbutterfly @ravenlee She knows she‘s hard to resist! 4y
abookishbutterfly @Bette She really is! 4y
63 likes1 stack add7 comments
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GeekGirlOnAQuest
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

What creepy and disturbing madness did I just read? For such a short novella, it packed in so much detail yet kept the pacing so I was just carried along wondering what weirdness would I encounter next! I really enjoyed this and want to read more from this author!

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abookishbutterfly
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

I liked this book a lot and am trying to control the urge to order another one of Burke‘s books immediately. I will probably fail.

Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3332478304

vivastory I loved this one. Just FYI many of his books are really cheap on Kindle 4y
abookishbutterfly @vivastory Thanks for the tip. ❤️ I do prefer physical copies and supporting my local bookstore. Looks like one book I‘m interested in is only available as an ebook so I might have to make an exception for that one. 4y
51 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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ItsAnotherJen
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

😳😳😳
What did I just read?

Onceuponatime I read this...and thought the same thing, haha! 😂 4y
vivastory Yeah, I was traumatized by this one... 4y
ItsAnotherJen This would be a fantastic October/Halloween read! Reminded me a little of Stephen King. 4y
cozypunk Ooooh, that cover! 😍 4y
91 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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abookishbutterfly
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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“Please be creepy! Please be creepy! Please be creepy!” If I keep encouraging this book to meet my creepy meter requirements, do you think it will work? When I read the synopsis to this novella, it sounded like it was exactly what I was looking for. With less than a hundred pages, it isn‘t a huge time commitment so I might pause current reads to see if this produces the satisfying goosebumps I crave.

ItsAnotherJen Looks intriguing! 4y
TheBookStacker If you‘re looking for creepy check out 4y
abookishbutterfly @ItsAnotherJen I read it tonight and really enjoyed it! 4y
abookishbutterfly @TheBookStacker Thanks for the recommendation! 4y
ItsAnotherJen @Butterflyamore I read it tonight too..😳 Crazy little book! 4y
50 likes1 stack add5 comments
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VeryLazyDaisy
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

My face after reading this AMAZING work of fiction in one sitting. Perfect story! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This fits well into the Weird Fiction genre.

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Perfect photo! Ha! That was my reaction too - with maybe a bit more 😬😖 4y
7 likes1 comment
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Daughter-of-words
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

Short and creepy novella
🍬🍬🍬🍬/5

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fandom_hellspawn99
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Okay I keep seeing this man pop up everwhere, I'm starting to think it's a sign 😂😂😂

night_shift I read Sour Candy and it was just meh. Not scary at all. Or even creepy. I know tons of people love his stuff though. 5y
26 likes1 comment
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wellreadredhead
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

A creeptastic novella that‘ll give you an aversion to sour candy 🍬

83 likes2 stack adds
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Elma
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Jee_HookedOnBookz Happy Birthday, @Elma! May all your dreams and wishes, especially book wishes, come true! ❤️🎂🎉 5y
Elma @Jee_HookedOnBookz Thank you, Jee!! My husband wouldn't let me get the mail the last couple days and I know he has some plans for the day. I'm anxiously awaiting to see what they will be. 5y
Jee_HookedOnBookz @Elma I'm sure he has! Have a great birthday! Please share with us some pictures, if you don't mind! 😊❤️ 5y
See All 8 Comments
Elma @Jee_HookedOnBookz Thank you! I will try to remember to take pictures. 5y
Jee_HookedOnBookz ❤️❤️😊 5y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled This book is NUTS 😬 5y
Elma @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I really want to read it. 5y
vkois88 ❤❤❤ 5y
80 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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BekahB
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

Book 2 of #24in48

This was super unsettling! A creepy kid with a dash of weird cosmic horror - I loved it! 😱

This is the first book I‘ve read by this author, but it won‘t be my last.

monkeygirlsmama Stacking 5y
Reggie Try Kin by him next. It was sooo good. It was as if McCarthy wrote The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. 5y
BekahB @Reggie oh wow! I‘ll definitely look for that one next. Thanks! 5y
65 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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wellreadredhead
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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@Carolyn11215 you are so amazing!! You got everything so perfectly right and thank you so much for sending a makeup package! #feedareader

Carolyn11215 Oh yay! It arrived. I‘m so pleased that you like the package. It was truly my pleasure to send a replacement package!! 5y
monkeygirlsmama Awesome 5y
75 likes2 comments
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BekahB
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Woo hoo! My internet is finally fixed - just in time for #24in48! Now I won‘t eat up my cellular data during the readathon. 😂

This is my stack so far. I‘m excited to jump into these books, but I have plenty of unread books waiting in the sidelines if needed. I also have a couple audiobooks and ebooks lined up. Hoping to put a small dent in The Stand. 📚

Karkar Oh you got some really good sounding books picked out!!! 5y
BekahB @Karkar I‘m excited for these! I‘m thinking of starting with Sour Candy. 5y
83 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Kmiloslavich
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

Still jet lagged from my trip and decided to creepy myself out at 4 am.

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Kappadeemom
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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I love this cover and it‘s was a super creepy read! A short story but it was perfect ❣️You will never look at a Sour Patch Candy the same again 😂

53 likes1 stack add
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Kappadeemom
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Or a grocery store 🤷‍♀️

wanderinglynn Or at the dog park! 😂 5y
Kappadeemom @wanderinglynn yep! That too! 5y
78 likes2 comments
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BookishTrish
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

An unsettling one-sitting read with a killer cover and great premise. @FantasyChick #n4c

FantasyChick So happy you liked it! 5y
Lizpixie Stacked! 5y
79 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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BookishTrish
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Ho Ho Holy sh*t did you spoil me, Vanessa! I am gobsmacked by how thoughtful and very very me everything you sent is. Even the mug is perfect for me - when my anxious daughter is having a tough time I always prompt her to say “I Got This” ❤️💕❤️💕 #nightmareforChristmas #n4c @FantasyChick @teebe

FantasyChick Yay!! I'm so happy you like everything! It was the best time shopping. Have an awesome Christmas 😘😘 5y
BookishTrish @FantasyChick I love love love every bit of it. Xoxo Happy Christmas 🎄 5y
83 likes2 comments
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howlinglibraries
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely flawless and unsettling as heck, just as I‘ve come to expect from all of Kealan‘s work! #horror

40 likes1 stack add
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m.galehuxley
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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I read this one after unboxing on Halloween. It was such a fun, quick read. It‘d be cool if the author revisited it and put out a longer novel with the same storyline. I definitely want to read more by the author.

Also, I didn‘t mention this in my Halloween post, but I love the Poe pin! Thanks again, @sprainedbrain 🖤🖤

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I love the cover. Creepy. 5y
sprainedbrain That cover, though!! 😱 5y
KrystleTheBookSlayer I read another one of his novellas called Blanky that was super creepy! 😨 5y
29 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
JoScho
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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At first glance, Phil Pendleton and his son Adam are just an ordinary father and son, no different from any other family. Some might say the father is a little too accommodating given the lack of discipline when the child loses his temper in public. What no one knows is that Phil is a prisoner, and that up until a few weeks ago and a chance encounter at a grocery store, he had never seen the child before in his life.
#candy #octoberputaspellonyou

readordierachel That cover is properly unsettling 🙈 6y
vkois88 Sounds good to me! #Stacked 6y
96 likes9 stack adds4 comments
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DimeryRene
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Panpan

Way too predictable and not long enough for any real plot or character development. Love that cover though. :)

BookishTrish I have almost ordered this several times because #coverlove 6y
DimeryRene @BookishTrish That‘s why I got it! :) 6y
15 likes2 comments
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elisebarker
Sour Candy: A Novella | Kealan Patrick Burke
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Pickpick

I‘m kind of on a reading roll this week! This was creepy, but I wish it had been longer!