Black River

Ruby Jean Cottle

Preorder
Book cover for Black River
Image for variant 9781250451736
Book cover for Black River
Image for variant 9781250451736

Black River

Black River

Ruby Jean Cottle

View full details

Description

JUST ONE TASTE CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING.

All seventeen-year-old Dusty wants is to escape into books and the Adirondack wilderness that surrounds her small town. But in the dead of night, strange things have been happening in Black River.

Animals are being ravaged by something unnatural. And Dusty wakes up one day with dirt on her feet, changed and starving. When new kid Will arrives, Dusty feels an attraction unlike anything she's felt before. She wants him . . . or she wants his blood. As Dusty realizes she's transforming into something she can't control, she reluctantly
turns to the only person she somehow knows will understand: the annoyingly attractive Eli Blake.

Together, Dusty and Eli must uncover the mystery of their town and their new, insatiable desires. Have they become vampires or some other kind of monster?

Whatever they are, they're not the only ones.

An irresistible blend of suspense and romance, this paranormal small town mystery is perfect for fans of Stephanie Meyers and Tigest Girma.

About the Author

Ruby Jean Cottle is a writer from Sydney, Australia. Growing up, Ruby spent childhood summers in upstate New York, where her passion for writing blossomed as her imagination ran wild in the mountains and forests far from her home. After studying art history at university, Ruby found herself on a winding career path in fashion, digital media and creative direction. After becoming a mother, she decided to return to her first love: writing stories. Black River is her debut novel.

Critical Reviews

"There's something haunting about Black River--the kind of story with chilling twists, a slow-burn romance, and just the right amount of bite. It pulls you into its eerie depths and doesn't let you go--Black River is dark, intoxicating, and impossible to put down. More please!"--Courtney Peppernell, author of Pillow Thoughts

"I felt emotionally invested in Dusty's story, and the high-stakes plot kept me riveted to the page. Ruby's storytelling keeps things hot with a spicy romance and original with turns into the mystical. Black River is an impressive debut, and I'm looking forward to part two."--Becca Fitzpatrick, author of Hush, Hush

"Black River is a smart, sensual, deeply atmospheric debut, brimming with immersive world-building, compelling characters, and all the right kinds of tension. The mystery at its heart keeps you guessing right to the last page, where it becomes clear this is only the beginning of Dusty's story. I sank my teeth in and barely came up for air."--Emma Lord, author of Anomaly

"Atmospheric and suspenseful, this classic YA paranormal tale combines genres skillfully and delivers a brooding monster story that's part family drama, part thriller, part romance and all bite."--Lisa Tirreno, author of Prince of Fortune

Publishing Information

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pub date: 2026-06-09
Length: 432 pages

The Allstora Membership

Membership Perks:

  • Save 30% on all online store purchases
  • Exclusive access to author's content
  • You pay less, but authors still earn double

Membership Terms:

First Month: $0.00
Monthly price: $5.00
  • To access membership discount simply log in and add to cart, discount applied automatically.
  • One month free trial, cancel anytime. Membership renews on the 15th of each month.