Plot Summary
Masks and Haunted Places
Simone Washington, a high-achieving, emotionally guarded Black teen in Fairville, Georgia, finds comfort in the third stall of Ozzy's Pizza, where her mother once scrawled a love declaration. Her mother's absence and her parents' divorce haunt her, as do the masks she wears to hide her sadness. Simone's best friend Kira is dating Rich, a boy Simone distrusts, and Simone's own secrets—especially about her friendship with Cory and the tragic death of Trenton—linger beneath the surface. The town is abuzz with the disappearance of Natalie Dawson, and Simone's fascination with the macabre is both a shield and a source of connection to her past.
Ghosts of Friendship Lost
Simone's social circle is tight but fraught with unspoken truths. Her friendship with Cory, once close, is now strained by the death of Trenton, which neither has processed. Simone's Halloween party is legendary, but her relationships are built on secrets and half-truths. The group's dynamic is tested by jealousy, betrayal, and the ever-present specter of loss. Simone's inability to be honest with Kira about Rich's infidelity and her own feelings for Cory creates a web of guilt and longing, setting the stage for the supernatural events to come.
The Doll's Head Legend
Simone stumbles upon Cory's blog detailing the eerie legend of Doll's Head Lake, a place littered with broken toys and haunted by a ghost called Regret. The legend speaks of offerings, deals, and debts owed to the spirit. Inspired, Simone plans her next party at a cabin near the lake, unknowingly intertwining her fate with the legend. The party's location, steeped in local lore and personal connections, becomes the crucible for the group's unraveling, as the boundaries between myth and reality blur.
Party in the Woods
The seniors-only party at the Yearwood family's lakeside cabin is meticulously planned, with Simone and Kira orchestrating scares and surprises. The group's tensions simmer beneath the festivities—Simone's suspicions about Rich, Kira's blind trust, and the presence of Cory, who is drawn back into Simone's orbit. As night falls, the woods become a stage for ghost stories, dares, and the resurfacing of old wounds. The party's atmosphere shifts from playful to ominous, foreshadowing the tragedy to come.
Secrets, Fears, and Betrayals
As the night deepens, Simone's anxieties intensify. She discovers evidence of Rich's infidelity and confronts the reality of her own betrayals. The group's dynamics fracture as secrets are exposed—Shaina's flirtation with Rich, Kira's denial, and Simone's unresolved feelings for Cory. The supernatural presence at the lake grows stronger, manifesting in strange lights, haunting reminders, and a sense of being watched. Simone's fear of losing control—and of hurting those she loves—mounts, setting the stage for disaster.
The Night Everything Changed
In the early morning hours, a confrontation on the dock spirals out of control. Simone, desperate to expose Rich's betrayal, accidentally pushes Kira into the lake. Kira, unable to swim, is pulled from the water too late. Overcome with guilt and terror, Simone encounters Regret, the ghost of the lake, who offers a Faustian bargain: trade another's life for Kira's, and undertake a quest to free Regret's spirit. Simone chooses Rich, setting in motion a chain of events that will haunt her and her friends.
Bargain with Regret
Regret's bargain is sealed—Kira is revived, but Simone must solve the mystery of Regret's curse before the next new moon, or Kira will die again by Simone's hand. The cost of the deal is immediate: Simone's memories are altered, reality is reset, and only she remembers the truth. Haunted by visions, cryptic reminders, and a relentless countdown, Simone is thrust into a race against time. The boundaries between guilt, magic, and fate blur as she seeks answers in the town's history and her own heart.
The Reset and Aftermath
The morning after, Rich is found dead—an apparent accident, but Simone suspects supernatural intervention. The group reels from the loss, and suspicion, grief, and blame ripple through their ranks. Simone is tormented by the knowledge that her choice led to Rich's death, and by the fear that Kira's life still hangs in the balance. The town's response is a mix of mourning and rumor, and Simone's isolation deepens as she struggles to distinguish reality from hallucination.
Death, Guilt, and Blame
As the police investigate Rich's death, secrets surface: drugs, betrayals, and the possibility of foul play. Simone and Kira's friendship fractures under the weight of guilt and suspicion. The supernatural reminders intensify—haunted dolls, cryptic messages, and visions of Regret. Simone's quest to free Regret becomes entwined with her need for redemption, and the lines between victim and perpetrator blur. The group's shared trauma binds them, but also threatens to destroy them.
Haunted by Reminders
Regret's presence manifests in relentless reminders: a haunted doll Gabby Greta counts down the days, visions of the past, and an escalating sense of doom. Simone's mental state deteriorates as she is plagued by intrusive thoughts and violent urges, especially toward Kira. The pressure of the deadline, the weight of her secrets, and the fear of becoming a monster drive Simone to the brink. The supernatural and psychological horror intertwine, forcing Simone to confront the darkest parts of herself.
Searching for Answers
With Cory's help, Simone delves into the history of Doll's Head Lake, uncovering the intertwined fates of Evelyn Young (Regret), Violet Savoie, and the Yearwood family. Interviews with elders, research into church records, and a visit to Mama Dee, the town's centenarian psychic, reveal a story of betrayal, murder, and a curse born of guilt and secrecy. The truth is elusive, complicated by conflicting accounts and the unreliability of memory. Simone's quest becomes a search for both justice and self-forgiveness.
Unraveling the Curse
The investigation reveals that Regret was cursed by her friend Violet to conceal a murder—Dorothy Savoie's—committed to protect family secrets and wealth. The tradition of leaving dolls at the lake is tied to Dorothy's orphaned son, who survived and thrived. The curse can only be broken by confession and forgiveness, but the dead cannot confess, and the living are burdened by their own regrets. Simone realizes that the only way to free Regret—and herself—is through truth, sacrifice, and confronting the past.
Confessions and Confrontations
As the deadline approaches, Simone is forced to confront her own deepest regret: her complicity in the death of Trenton, her silence about her mother's guilt, and her betrayal of Kira. A final confrontation at the lake brings together all the threads—John Yearwood's crimes, the legacy of violence, and the hungry spirits of the lake. Regret demands confessions from all present, and the truth is laid bare. The act of confession, sacrifice, and the destruction of cursed objects finally breaks the cycle.
The Truth About Trenton
Simone's greatest burden is revealed: her mother was responsible for Trenton's death, and Simone's silence allowed the injustice to persist. The parallel between Simone and Violet—both betrayers, both protectors of secrets—becomes clear. Simone's confession is an act of liberation, but also of acceptance: she cannot undo the past, but she can choose honesty and responsibility. The supernatural curse is a metaphor for the psychological weight of regret, and its breaking is both literal and symbolic.
The Final Countdown
On the final day, Simone faces her greatest fears: losing Kira, becoming a monster, and being consumed by regret. The supernatural and real-world dangers converge as John Yearwood's crimes are exposed, and the spirits of the lake demand justice. Simone, Cory, and Kira must work together, confessing their regrets and making sacrifices to free Regret and themselves. The act of dragging John's body to the lake, witnessed by the spirits, is both a literal and figurative cleansing.
The Last Night at the Lake
The curse is broken through confession, sacrifice, and the acknowledgment of truth. Regret is freed, but not without cost—Simone's memories and guilt remain, and the scars of the past linger. The group's bond is forged in trauma and honesty, and the supernatural threat is replaced by the ongoing challenge of living with regret. The story ends with a sense of hope: the possibility of forgiveness, the importance of truth, and the resilience of friendship.
Aftermath and New Beginnings
In the aftermath, the town learns the truth about the lake's dark history, and justice is served for Natalie Dawson and the other victims. Simone, Cory, and Kira begin to heal, their friendship strengthened by honesty and shared experience. Simone's relationship with her mother remains complicated, but she chooses to pursue justice and self-forgiveness. The supernatural is replaced by the everyday challenges of growing up, but the lessons of the past endure. The story closes with a new beginning, as Simone embraces her identity, her friendships, and the possibility of redemption.
Analysis
They Call Her Regret is a masterful blend of supernatural thriller, psychological horror, and coming-of-age drama, using the haunting of Doll's Head Lake as both a literal and metaphorical exploration of guilt, secrecy, and the longing for redemption. At its core, the novel interrogates the cost of silence—how secrets, whether kept out of fear, loyalty, or self-preservation, can fester into curses that span generations. The supernatural bargain with Regret externalizes the internal struggle of living with guilt, while the relentless countdown and haunted reminders mirror the psychological toll of unresolved trauma. The story's resolution—requiring confession, sacrifice, and the breaking of cycles—offers a nuanced meditation on forgiveness: that it is not about erasing the past, but about facing it honestly and choosing to move forward. The novel's diverse cast, Southern Gothic setting, and deft use of folklore ground its fantastical elements in real emotional stakes, making it both a chilling ghost story and a profound reflection on what it means to be human, to hurt, and to heal.
Review Summary
They Call Her Regret receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with readers praising its airtight plot, atmospheric horror, and emotionally resonant characters. Fans particularly highlight the compelling protagonist Simone, the creepy supernatural elements surrounding Doll's Head Lake, and unexpected plot twists. The audiobook narration, especially the voice of Regret, receives frequent acclaim. Many reviewers note the book's thoughtful exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and personal regret alongside its spooky thrills. Minor criticisms include occasional pacing issues and a slightly underwhelming final chapter. Most readers enthusiastically recommend it as an ideal Halloween or spooky-season read.
Characters
Simone Washington
Simone is a high-achieving, emotionally complex Black teenager whose life is shaped by loss, secrecy, and the need to control her narrative. Her mother's abandonment, her father's emotional distance, and the death of her friend Trenton have left her with deep-seated guilt and a compulsion to wear masks—projecting confidence while hiding vulnerability. Simone's relationships are fraught with unspoken truths, especially with Kira (her best friend) and Cory (her former confidant and love interest). Her psychological journey is one of confronting her own capacity for harm, her complicity in tragedy, and her desperate need for redemption. Simone's development is marked by her willingness to face the supernatural and the psychological, ultimately choosing honesty, responsibility, and self-forgiveness.
Kira Davis
Kira is Simone's closest friend, characterized by her warmth, creativity, and tendency to trust too easily. Her relationship with Rich is a source of both joy and pain, as she overlooks his flaws out of love and loyalty. Kira's naivety is balanced by a deep emotional intelligence, but her refusal to see the truth about those she loves leads to betrayal and heartbreak. The events at the lake force Kira to confront her own regrets and complicity, especially regarding her silence about John and her delayed recognition of Rich's faults. Kira's arc is one of awakening, grief, and the painful process of rebuilding trust—with herself and with Simone.
Cory Gooding
Cory is Simone's former close friend and potential love interest, marked by his intelligence, emotional depth, and fascination with the supernatural. His blog about local legends is both a coping mechanism and a means of seeking truth. Cory's relationship with Simone is complicated by shared trauma (Trenton's death) and unspoken feelings. He is one of the few who can see through Simone's masks, offering her both challenge and comfort. Cory's development is defined by his willingness to confront the past, support Simone through her darkest moments, and ultimately choose honesty and vulnerability over avoidance.
Rich Pearson
Rich is the quintessential popular athlete—charming, attractive, and deeply flawed. His relationship with Kira is marked by infidelity, selfishness, and a lack of self-awareness. Rich's actions set in motion much of the novel's conflict, as his betrayals and secrets ripple through the group. His death, the result of Simone's supernatural bargain, is both a punishment and a catalyst for the group's reckoning with guilt and responsibility. Rich's character serves as a mirror for Simone's own capacity for harm and the dangers of unchecked regret.
Regret (Evelyn Young)
Regret is the ghostly presence haunting Doll's Head Lake, born from betrayal, murder, and a curse cast by her former friend Violet. Once Evelyn Young, she is now a being sustained by the regrets of others, offering Faustian bargains to the desperate. Regret's motivations are rooted in her own pain and the injustice done to her, but her methods are ruthless and manipulative. She serves as both a literal and metaphorical embodiment of guilt, forcing characters to confront their darkest secrets. Regret's arc is one of seeking release, justice, and, ultimately, peace.
Violet Savoie
Violet is Evelyn's former best friend, whose actions—covering up her cousin Dorothy's murder and cursing Evelyn to conceal the crime—set the supernatural events in motion. Violet's motivations are complex: loyalty to family, fear, and self-preservation. Her legacy is one of secrecy and guilt, and her inability to confess or seek forgiveness traps both herself and Evelyn in a cycle of regret. Violet's story parallels Simone's, highlighting the generational consequences of silence and betrayal.
John Yearwood
John is Layla's husband and a member of the influential Yearwood family. Outwardly helpful and supportive, he is revealed to be a drug dealer and the murderer of Natalie Dawson and others. John's actions are driven by greed, desperation, and a willingness to sacrifice others for self-preservation. His crimes are the dark undercurrent of the town's history, and his confrontation with Simone at the lake is the climax of the novel's exploration of guilt, justice, and the supernatural. John's downfall is both a literal and symbolic reckoning.
Layla Yearwood
Layla is Kira's older sister and John's wife, serving as a bridge between the teens and the adult world. She is practical, nurturing, and fiercely protective of her family. Layla's trust in John and her role as chaperone at the party place her at the center of the unfolding tragedy. Her arc is one of disillusionment and resilience, as she grapples with the truth about her husband and the impact of his actions on those she loves.
Mama Dee (Deidra Hightower)
Mama Dee is the town's centenarian psychic, a figure of both skepticism and reverence. Her knowledge of the town's history, her role in the adoption of Dorothy's son, and her magical abilities make her a crucial ally in Simone's quest. Mama Dee's guidance is both practical and mystical, offering insight into the nature of curses, the power of confession, and the importance of truth. She represents the wisdom of experience and the possibility of redemption through understanding.
Trenton Jones
Trenton's death is the original trauma that binds Simone and Cory, shaping their actions and regrets. His absence is a constant presence, a reminder of the consequences of silence, avoidance, and misplaced priorities. Trenton's memory drives Simone's quest for redemption and her willingness to confront the supernatural. He is both a symbol of innocence lost and a catalyst for the group's transformation.
Plot Devices
Supernatural Bargain and Countdown
The central plot device is Simone's bargain with Regret: to save Kira's life, she must trade another's and solve the mystery of Regret's curse before the new moon. This supernatural contract introduces a relentless countdown, manifested in haunted dolls and cryptic reminders, creating urgency and psychological pressure. The bargain blurs the line between fate and free will, forcing Simone to confront her own capacity for harm and the consequences of her choices.
Masks, Secrets, and Confession
The novel's structure is built on layers of secrets—personal, familial, and historical. Characters wear masks to protect themselves and others, but these masks become prisons. The act of confession—whether to friends, family, or supernatural forces—is both a plot mechanism and a thematic core. Only through honesty and vulnerability can the curse be broken, and the cycle of regret ended. The narrative uses confession as both a literal and symbolic act of liberation.
Intertwined Histories and Generational Trauma
The story's mystery is unraveled through research, interviews, and supernatural visions, revealing the interconnectedness of the town's history, the characters' families, and the curse of Doll's Head Lake. Generational trauma—betrayal, violence, and silence—repeats itself until confronted. The narrative structure mirrors this, with past and present converging in the final confrontation. The use of local legend, family secrets, and historical documents grounds the supernatural in the real.
Psychological Horror and Unreliable Reality
The novel employs psychological horror—Simone's intrusive thoughts, violent urges, and fear of becoming a monster—to heighten the supernatural threat. The reliability of memory and perception is constantly questioned, as reality resets, memories are altered, and hallucinations intrude. This device keeps the reader—and Simone—off balance, emphasizing the theme that the greatest horrors are often internal.
Symbolic Objects and Foreshadowing
Objects—dolls, necklaces, vials, and graffiti—serve as symbols and plot devices, carrying the weight of memory, guilt, and supernatural power. The haunted doll Gabby Greta counts down the days, foreshadowing the climax. The recurring motif of masks, both literal and figurative, underscores the theme of hidden truths. Foreshadowing is woven throughout, with legends, blog posts, and ghost stories hinting at the novel's revelations.
