Campfire Stories & Late-Night Reads: Spooky YA Books for Summer Nights
Who says spooky season has to wait until fall? When the sun goes down and the air cools just enough to raise goosebumps, it’s a great time to pull out a chilling YA read to keep you turning pages late into the night. These eerie, twisty YA books are perfect for reading under the stars, around a campfire, or during an evening thunderstorm. Ghosts, secrets, and summer chills await:
🔮 Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
Chill Factor: 😱😱😱 | Best read: On a humid night with a storm rolling in
Set in a mysterious small town deep in the Louisiana bayou, this haunting thriller follows Grey, a girl searching for the truth about her missing best friend. But in a town full of psychics, secrets run deep—and someone is lying.
With lush writing, a strong sense of place, and just enough paranormal tension to make your skin crawl, this is a perfect read for fans of Sharp Objects or The Raven Boys.
👁️ The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Chill Factor: 😱😱 | Best read: During a solo weekend getaway (if you dare)
Dare is a teen skeptic with a popular paranormal debunking podcast, but when she visits an allegedly haunted house for a summer project, she finds more than she bargained for.
It’s a ghost story that blends science, sapphic romance, and old secrets—with creepy lakeside vibes and a strong female lead you’ll root for.
🌙 The Book of Living Secrets by Madeleine Roux
Chill Factor: 😱😱 | Best read: In bed with the lights off
When two best friends magically enter the world of their favorite gothic romance novel, they expect dreamy heroes and corsets—not unspeakable horrors and warped reality. As the story turns darker and more dangerous, they realize the book is alive—and it wants something from them.
Perfect for fans of Stranger Things meets The Hazel Wood, this one is a twisted blend of friendship, horror, and dark fantasy that will have you questioning reality.
🌫️ House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Chill Factor: 😱😱😱 | Best read: With headphones on and eerie music playing softly
The three Hollow sisters vanished as children—and came back changed. Now, years later, one of them disappears again, and Iris must uncover the strange truth behind their past.
This book is beautifully creepy and surreal, with haunting imagery and slow-burning horror that gets under your skin. Think Coraline meets The Secret History, with a YA twist.
🔥 Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Chill Factor: 😱😱 | Best read: Late night with a candle lit and a latte in hand
In 19th-century Sicily, Emilia seeks revenge after her twin sister is murdered—only to find herself entangled with a mysterious prince of Hell named Wrath. Full of dark magic, deadly sins, and forbidden romance, this series starter is equal parts gothic fantasy and slow-burn seduction.
It’s a deliciously wicked escape that balances its spooky aesthetic with a fierce heroine and twisty plot.
🎶 When the Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain
Chill Factor: 😱😱😱 | Best read: Alone at twilight in a dimly lit room
Set deep in the Ozark mountains, hikers are vanishing and only Dovie can feel their bones to find where their bodies lie. Uncovering the town’s buried secrets is the only key to saving her best friend. With atmospheric writing and eerie suspense, this is a must-read for fans of Sadie and The Devouring Gray.
These books are perfect companions for summer nights that stretch a little too long and feel a little too quiet. Grab one (or all six!) and prepare for chills, thrills, and plot twists you won't see coming.
🕯️Which spooky YA read is keeping you up at night? Share your favorites in the comments!
