Haunted October- Nightingale by Amy Lukavics

At seventeen, June Hardie is everything a young woman in 1951 shouldn’t be—independent, rebellious, a dreamer. June longs to travel, to attend college and to write the dark science fiction stories that consume her waking hours. But her parents only care about making June a better young woman. Her mother grooms her to be a perfect little homemaker while her father pushes her to marry his business partner’s domineering son. When June resists, her whole world is shattered—suburbia isn’t the only prison for different women…
June’s parents commit her to Burrow Place Asylum, aka the Institution. With its sickening conditions, terrifying staff and brutal “medical treatments,” the Institution preys on June’s darkest secrets and deepest fears. And she’s not alone. The Institution terrorizes June’s fragile roommate, Eleanor, and the other women locked away within its crumbling walls. Those who dare speak up disappear…or worse. Trapped between a gruesome reality and increasingly sinister hallucinations, June isn’t sure where her nightmares end and real life begins. But she does know one thing: in order to survive, she must destroy the Institution before it finally claims them all

This wasn't my favorite Amy Lukavics novel, but it was still really good. I enjoy how every one of her books is so different from the others.

It doesn't take long for you to figure out the "twist" in this novel if you stop telling yourself, "no way, it can't be xxxxxxx" because it is, it for sure is.

This isn't a ghost story or a monster story. This isn't devils, zombies or a haunted house. This is science fiction horror- there is body horror and this book has gore. It won't be for everyone and if it hadn't been written so well or by this particular author it wouldn't be for me.

The MC June is almost unlikeable and her parents are the worst. The girls she meets at the asylum are interesting and unique, but I wish the author had us spend a little more time with them,

Nurse Joya is truly terrifying and June's "fiancee" Robert is a specific kind of creeper.

There was a surprising LGBTQ+ element to this I really liked.

Trigger warnings for:  physical and mental abuse, gore and body horror.

A great read to add for this time of year.