Stories I Told My Dead Lover

by Jo Paquette

Perfect for fans of Carmen Maria Machado and Kelly Link, Jo Paquette’s Stories I Told My Dead Lover contains eight searing tales of psychological horror that probe the darkest and most deeply buried parts of the human psyche.

A child is forced to grow up too soon.

A woman trusts her doctor too much.

An abandoned woman isn’t as alone as she thinks.

An idyllic holiday masks an unspeakable act of violence.

Driven, desperate, fighting for the power to choose their own fate, Paquette’s characters dare to push back at the walls that hold them in.

Come watch them burn.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult

206 pages, Paperback

Published June 11, 2024

Reviews

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure if I’d like this horror anthology, especially after reading the first story. This ended up being really good, though! Below, my ratings for each story:

Left Turn At The Lost Soul: This was an odd story about a young man running out of gas, seeing a tree and meeting a woman. There was a creepy tone, but this wasn’t for me. 2.5/5

Confidence Game: The story of a woman and her Neep, a robot with living cells that claims to help people talk through their problems. It has an odd instruction manual with rules like a Mogwai, which was fun to read, as was this whole creepy story! 5/5

The Taste of Yellow: Young twins live in a religious commune that has a ready supply of hallucinogenic honey (aka “mad honey). Add it to some moonshine and you’ll have a Mad Night! I wasn’t sure where this was going, but the ending was fantastic, upping the rating. 4.5/5

Ova: A woman wakes up to find her boyfriend is gone and a lump on her abdomen has arrived. I wish this would have been longer… 4/5

My Head Is A Chestnut, And Other Tales From The Crypt: This was an odd story about phrenology, which always makes me think of “Django Unchained”. A general life rule? Stay away from the Jell-O shots! 3/5

Sonata In God Minor: I wasn’t sure what this strange story of a musician was at first, but the ending was fantastic! 3.5/5

In The Shadow Of The Abyss: A unique story of a couple who head to a dark island, in more ways than one. 3.5/5

Stories I Told My Dead Lover: The most beautifully written story in this anthology. 4/5

One For The Demons: A quick little poem. 3/5

I’d definitely be interested in reading more from this author! Overall, I give this short story collection 3.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Jo Paquette and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on June 11, 2024.)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with any short story collection, I definitely enjoyed some more than others in Stories I Told My Dead Lover by Jo Paquette. This is her adult debut and I found it interesting that she decided to go with short stories instead of a full-length novel, but who am I to judge, and it piqued my interest all the same. My favorite story of the bunch was Confidence Game which involved something called a Neep. It was one of the most fully formed stories for me, and I would have loved a full book just on that one.

My opinion is that the audiobook is the way to go here and the full cast: Emily Woo Zeller, Joe Hempel, Vikas Adam, Sophie Amoss, Soneela Nankani, Gabra Zackman, Jenn Lee & the author made these stories for me. Their narration was all spot on and I had zero complaints with any of them; plus, I loved that we were told who the narrator was before each story. Most of the endings were a bit ambiguous for my tastes and some were just plain strange, so this was mostly a miss for me. That being said, I would recommend it if you like short story collections and I would certainly read more from this author.

Thank you to the publishers and Libro.fm for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Natalie Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story collection, quick read, good narration (thank you Libro.fm) but I feel the claim of “psychological horror” was a bit off the mark for me. The Taste of Yellow was easily my favorite story from the bees to the religious themes and the undertones of abuse, it was by far the best executed and the one that got closest to the mark of “psychological horror.” I also enjoyed the My Head is a Chestnut but the rest of them fell flat. Still worth checking out if you’re a short story person. I’m thinking I might not be.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BlackstonwPublishing for the book #StoriesIToldMyDeadLover by #JoPaquette. This book has 8 short stories in it. A mix of psychological thrillers that will haunt you. I read these disturbing stories in one sitting and would recommend it.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

*1.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads scoring system*
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone publishing for my arc in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

"Stories I Told My Dead Lover" by Jo Paquette is a short story collection that is supposed to lean towards psychological horror. This collection has eight stories and like most short story collections, is a mixed bag. Unfortunately for me, I didn't really like any of them nor did I see any of the psychological horror in them. The only one I enjoyed and wanted more of was "The Taste of Yellow" which followed a young boy involved with a bee-centric cult. Other than that, the other stories just felt very half-baked and unfinished. I thought Paquette had some really interesting ideas but the execution needed a lot of editing and fine tuning. Additionally, most of the stories were very abstract rather than psychologically horrific; it felt like Paquette would introduce an interesting and slightly creepy thread just to abandon it in favor of some completely nonsensical thing that adds nothing.

Overall, I was really disappointed with this one.

[Jerney · Rating 3 out of 5]

One word: uncanny valley
Some of the stories where truly writing in a pretty way, really interesting word choices. But I could get over the uncanny valley aspect of it all (it was weirdly a good thing, while also making me confused of my opinion).

First I went on blind and thought it was a could book with short stories someone wanted to tell to their love that has passed way… joke one me. It’s a horror book, truly a new one for me.
Because of the fact I have never read horror, I’m very confused on what to give it, and what I think of it. So a 2.5 ⭐️ a prefect 50/50 would be my rating, I think


🎧 audiobook
Everybody read it amazingly, also very nice to have a different voice by each story to really separate them.

Vikas Adam from It all comes back to you
and
Soneela Nankani from Dating dr. Dil
read both a story and I really like their why of reading

[J R · Rating 4 out of 5]

good horror story set although at points stories got kinda weak. tysm for the arc. would recommend someetimes. strong ones and weak

[Gigi Ropp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this is an enjoyable horror anthology. Collections like this are difficult to rate/review because each story is going to hit different for each reader. While I enjoyed a few stories, however, the rating is an accurate reflection of the anthology as a whole.

[Leah M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This isn’t the genre that I typically gravitate towards, but there was something about the title and the summary that grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. There are multiple narrators, with a different one for each short story, and that is one of my favorite things in a book.

I rarely read short stories, but I either want stories to be longer because they were that good, or it feels like I missed something and I question my intellect. Rating this one was tough for me, because this collection of short stories had both types of stories.

All of the stories are creative, and explore a different facet of psychological horror. From exploring a cult member’s experience to body horror to a touch of the outrageous, somehow Paquette manages to make each of the short stories both quite unsettling and uniquely fascinating. Even the stories that I didn’t quite understand and felt kind of dumb were interesting and difficult to put down. As opposed to when I had to read literature for school many years ago and the teacher had to break it down for us, and it was not a fun time for any of us.

For some of the other stories, they were really interesting. Since they are short stories, it doesn’t give it the full depth and breadth of a novel-length story, which I’m much more used to. These didn’t feel as though the stories were finished, and I was sad that there wasn’t more to them. But … there’s me putting unrealistic expectations on short stories. They can’t be novels, even if I wish some of them were expanded to novel length. And I got the feeling that some of this unfinished feeling was intentional. Sometimes there was an ambiguous ending, and that was what contributed to the horror.

Overall, this had some stories that I vibed with more than others, but I wouldn’t expect anything different. Everyone has different things that gives them the mental heebie jeebies, and that’s what makes this a good collection. It’s got a wide range of horror aspects, but none of them really crossed into the territory of ‘Yikes! Why am I reading this at night, now I’ll be scared.’ That’s a relief because I’m a pretty big chicken, and there’s really only one story that is taking up space in my head, and it wasn’t as much because it was scary, but because of the ending and what it means. This is a good book to discover what types of horror you appreciate more, even if you’re a bit of a chicken like me.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to this audiobook was an intriguing experience. The blend of thriller and horror shorts kept me on edge, with each story offering a fresh perspective and unique twist. The pacing of the narration was spot-on, pulling me into each tale and keeping the suspense alive throughout.

The thriller elements were gripping, with unexpected twists that made me second-guess what was coming next. At the same time, the horror shorts had a chilling atmosphere, creating vivid and unsettling imagery that stayed with me long after the story ended. Each tale was distinct, yet they all carried a sense of tension that tied them together seamlessly.

What I appreciated most was how the stories balanced shock with substance, making the scares feel earned rather than forced. It was an engaging mix of thrills and chills that made the audiobook hard to pause. Overall, it was a fascinating listen that I’d recommend to fans of both genres.

[Markita_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

♡𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
3 🌟
-
DNF @20%, the premise of this billed as eight short stories of psychological horror. I wanted to enjoy this, but it was a mix of good and bad stories, and it just wasn't keeping my attention. I gave it 3 🌟 because the premise behind the stories is psychological horror stories, the fact you get 8 short stories in one book, and the cover art being beautiful.
Will attempt to reread at a different time.
♡𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 June.11♡
-
Thank you, Netgalley, and Blackstone Publishing for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published June 11, 2024.

Billed as “eight stories of psychological horror” like with most short story collections this was a mixed bag. The favorite was “The Taste of Yellow,” a young boy doing the very best he can while mired in a fundamentalist religious cult. My vote for the weakest, “Left Turn at the Lost Soul,” which sounds like it was written by a first year literature student masquerading as a noir detective. There is definitely some promise here though.

[Ciara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m giving this book a 2.5 rating. I’m just starting to get into reading short story collections and I do enjoy them to get a little taste of what the author is giving. This particular book has 8 short stories where they were all pretty chilling and thought-provoking some left me curious and some left me heartbroken. There were a few stories that had biblical references that I didn’t necessarily like, but to each their own.

[رواية · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my type of stories..boring

[Martina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was confused half the time.

[Angela DeMaio · Rating 2 out of 5]

this one unfortunately did not do it for me. the stories did not hold my attention.

[Andi Bazaroff (bazaroffreads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve learned horror is just not my genre. Full RTC, but please don’t let my rating dissuade you.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

If someone gifts you this book they secretly hate you.

[Linz Jogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review.

I am beginning to think that maybe a collaboration of short stories by multiple authors is not my thing…. I find it hard to switch between writing styles that fast and try to keep up at the same time. That being said, I tried not to let that detour my rating too badly.

Most of the stories felt very bland and unremarkable as if they were a beginning thought of a much better book. The theme, too, didn’t quite seam to be continued in every story. The most notable and my favorite was finally the last one. It was because of this, that my guess was why they gave the book this title. To the author that wrote the last story: write more.

[Jxn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Jo Paquette's Stories I Told My Dead Lover, readers are thrust into the lives of characters who are pushed to their limits, forced to confront the harsh realities of life and fight for their autonomy. Paquette's poignant collection of short stories explores the complexities of human relationships, the consequences of blind trust, and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to break free from societal constraints. One of the standout stories, "The Child Who Grew Up Too Soon," paints a heart-wrenching portrait of a young girl forced to shoulder the burdens of adulthood. As she grapples with the loss of her innocence and the weight of responsibility, the reader is left questioning the societal structures that fail to protect the vulnerable. In "The Woman Who Trusted Her Doctor Too Much," Paquette delves into the dangers of misplaced trust. A woman's unwavering faith in her physician leads to devastating consequences, highlighting the importance of skepticism and informed consent in the medical realm. "The Abandoned Woman Who Wasn't Alone" takes a haunting turn as an isolated woman discovers that her solitude is not as complete as she thought. The narrative explores the psychological toll of isolation and the unexpected connections that can emerge in the most dire of circumstances. With "The Idyllic Holiday That Masked an Unspeakable Act of Violence," Paquette weaves a chilling tale of a seemingly idyllic vacation that is shattered by an act of unspeakable violence. The story serves as a stark reminder that even in the most picturesque settings, darkness can lurk beneath the surface. Throughout the collection, Paquette's characters are driven by desperation, fighting to break free from the constraints that hold them captive. They dare to challenge societal norms, defy Erwartungen, and forge their own paths, even in the face of adversity. In "Come Watch Them Burn," Paquette's characters take center stage, embodying resilience and determination. They refuse to be defined by their circumstances, choosing instead to ignite a metaphorical fire and challenge the status quo. Their stories serve as a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere, even in the darkest of times. Stories I Told My Dead Lover is a powerful and thought-provoking collection that delves into the complexities of human nature and the resilience of the human spirit. Paquette's masterful storytelling and unflinching exploration of difficult topics leave a lasting impact on readers, urging them to question societal norms and fight for the power to choose their own fate.

[Catherine Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this to review.

I almost DNF'd this book towards the beginning, but am surprised that I ended up enjoying it more than I was expecting. I enjoyed the overall flow of the writing. A couple of these short stories missed the mark for horror or thriller to me. They felt like they were building up to something then were very anti climatic. There were 8 short stories and a poem.

1. Left Turn At The Lost Soul- This was a complete miss for me. I may have just completely missed the point of this one, but it just didn't make much sense to me. 1/5

2. Confidence Game- This one reminded me of the Gremlins and that creepy childhood toy, the Furby, were mashed together. You have a high tech new companion, the Neep, that comes with a strict set of guidelines. As you read, you have those moments where you're like well this is going to end badly, and sure enough, it did. I liked this idea of what could artificial life turn into,a and who holds the responsibility. I do wish there had been a bit more to the ending. I didn’t love it, but I also didn’t dislike it. 2.5/5

3. The Taste of Yellow- I really enjoyed this short story. Featuring twins who live within a cult that partakes in hallucinogenic honey this story tackled predatory sects and how they use these religious values to prey on the vulnerable, like children.The MC is a child who decides to make a terribly choice to protect those younger. 4/5

4. OVA- So this confused me a bit. It had good bones for a great storyline but the end was too ambiguous for my liking. A girl’s terrible boyfriend disappears and that same day she finds a painful growth. It moves around and instead of getting a doctor she gives birth to it? I’m confused what happened after and I guess it’s meant to be left to interpretation, but there’s more analysis needed for me to enjoy. 2/5

5. My Head is a Chestnut and Other Tales from the Crypt- One of my biggest fears is something to happening to me while under anesthesia/sedatives in a medical environment so this story of medical malpractice and psuedoscience had me worried from the start. The need to have an answer when there is none ends up leading the MC to try seeing a doctor of phrenology, which leads to another tragic ending. 5/5

6. Sonata in God Minor- Love, love, loved this one. A musician who can’t lose herself in her music anymore joins a Blues class to appease her boyfriend who just wants her to find her glow again. She does find her spark but at what cost? 5/5

7. In the Shadow of the Abyss- This story was so sad. Karenna’s on vacation. She can be better for him. She will be better for him. That’s what she tells herself before the inevitable is going to happen. She knew he was dangerous, if only she could be good enough for him to be happy. If only there was a good enough for abusive men. This one was a bit confusing at first but once it clicked, it clicked. 4/5

8. Stories I Told My Dead Lover- This story was a personification of fighting addiction. It was beautifully written and compared addiction to a bad relationship. 4/5

[Katrina Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book of creepy stories, though not in traditional ways. If you are looking for a book of horror stories, this is not it, but the tone of the book is definitely unsettling. The stories run the gamut of bad relationships to bad dreams and everything in between.

Left Turn at the Lost Soul- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love stories like these, where you happen across some place while you are lost. The tie in with Hotel California really made it a great story. The ending as a dream, but not was a wonderful touch.

Confidence Game- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This story came out swinging! It hits really fast with the creepy vibes and keeps them coming as she falls more into a dependent relationship with her AI/furby/gremlin like thing. Making it that it will turn bad like a gremlin if you lie around it was a good way to make a twist that really shows what people go through when they are dealing with dependent/abusive relationships.

The Taste of Yellow- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is not a horror of the supernatural type, but one that is more homegrown. A commune that is centered around hallucinogenic honey is getting ready to bring a set of twin boys into “adulthood”, they are 14. In this case it is SA on a minor and getting to participate in their nightly orgy-like parties. One of the brothers takes revenge on the adults as he said (paraphrased) “those who are chosen got a choice” unlike the children who were forced into this life. This is the horror of what people will do to each other in the name of religion.

Ova- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ good body horror mixed with some trauma and psychological horror. Is the lump real or is it just a metaphor for the loss of her love.

My Head is a Chestnut, and Other Tales From the Crypt- ⭐️⭐️ Probably my least favorite, even though I feel like it has the most promise to be a fully fleshed story. The character was desperate and sought alternative medicine after a receptionist saw that a doctor would not help her. From there they are taken advantage of due to circumstance by a “doctor” without many morals. The delivery was interesting and probably my favorite part of the story.

Sonata in God Minor - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I spent the whole time trying to figure out what was going on in this story, and it didn’t disappoint. The twist was unexpected and weird in a unique way and made for a great short story.

In the Shadow of The Abyss- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This had the vibe of domestic abuse from the start, but seemed mild and like the wife was going to get her revenge. The abrupt change of scene in the middle was confusing at first but then became super clear that the before was her plan mixed with real life and both versions were her dying in the hands of her angry husband.

Stories I Told My Dead Lover- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ this was not my favorite but it was a interesting take on a deeply dysfunctional relationship with substance abuse and physical/emotional abuse as well.

One For the Demons-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m not much of a poem reader, but I loved this little verse.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I strongly believe that reading short stories makes me a better writer, but they are also consistently hit or miss (often miss) from a reader’s perspective :p

This collection was overall pretty solid, but I wish the stories were ordered differently. The first story (“Left Turn at the Lost Soul”) was hard to get into, which didn’t leave me super interested in reading the rest. I’m glad I did, and after some rereads of “Left Turn” (4 stars) I do like it, it just didn’t make for a great opener. Topic: change, choices, risk

The second story was “Confidence Game” (3 stars), which was not for me. Though skimming the other reviews it looks like it was most people’s favorite. It was the scariest for me, but I struggled to understand what the narrator wanted. Topic: obsession, biotechnology

“Taste of Yellow” (5 stars) was my favorite of the collection. The only one I listened to multiple times because I wanted to, not because I was confused. Topic: religious cults, abuse

“Ova” (2 stars) was just off. I usually get really into stories with unique narration (this was told from a plural perspective, i.e. “we saw her,” “she didn’t tell us,” etc.) but I guess I just didn’t care? Topic: agency, gossip(?)

“My Head is a Chestnut” (3 stars) was fine. I did like how the ending shifted my perspective, but the MC was just. so. dumb. It was better when I stopped trying to think of her as a real human and just embraced the caricature. Topic: pseudo-medicine

Another big miss was “Sonata in God Minor” (2 stars). I guessed the “aha!” moment very early on so I lost interest quickly. Topic: agency, music, identity

“In the Shadow of the Abyss” (5 stars) was my second favorite and one that I need to think on before I reread. Topic: domestic violence

“Stories I Told My Dead Lover” (4 stars) was a little disappointing as the titular story. I think I’d like it more if I could talk it through with someone. This is another one I immediately reread. Topic: toxic/codependent relationships

Not even gonna pretend I have an opinion about that poem at the end. Topics are listed for my own reference, in case I go back to reread some stories and forget which is which.

Thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Adult Fiction debut highlighting 8 tales of psychological horror. Each short story delves into human nature touching on subjects of trust, mistrust, obsession, loss of innocence, adulthood, abuse, boundaries, loneliness & more. As with many anthologies, some stories are stronger than others, however they all held my attention & kept me turning the pages.

In order of likeness:
1. IN THE SHADOW OF THE ABYSS
* Favorite Line: “What if it could be that easy? What if, just like that, all the unpleasantness, all the scenes,all that murky badness could just be in the past? Left behind forever.”
2. THE TASTE OF YELLOW
* Favorite Line: “Sometimes it’s easier to talk when you know no one can hear.”
3. MY HEAD IS A CHESTNUT AND OTHER TALES FROM THE CRYPT
* Favorite Line: “In the ornate mirror, our eyes met for one gothic Ann Rice moment.”
4. SONATA IN GOD MINOR
* Favorite Line: “There is always one spot on any slope that is the point of no return, a moment when the balance tips and what is begun can no longer be undone.”
5. LEFT TURN AT THE LOST SOUL
* Favorite Line: “What good’s it to know when it is, when it was, when it will be?”
6. CONFIDENCE GAME
* Favorite Line: “…how much of a belief is wanting to believe, is framing reality so fully in mental Portrait Mode that everything else blurs to the backdrop?”
7. STORIES I TOLD MY DEAD LOVER
* Favorite Line: “It would be a while before I learned that you can’t hold smoke by grasping it in your hands. You can’t dig the well by wishing. You can only seal up what you’ve kept inside until it settles and becomes a part of you”
8. OVA
* Favorite Line: “Who can say where the mind goes, when the body can’t follow?”

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing & Jo Paquette for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Marcia Honeycutt Roseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Joe Paquette for allowing me to ARC (advanced reader copy) Stories I Told My Dead Lover.

A collection of short stories surrounding the terrifying and mysterious subject of death, dying, and being on the brink. Releasing June 11th (available for pre-order now), eight stories will mystify the mind causing the reader to reflect and sometimes shiver.

In "Left Turn at the Lost Soul" the theme of purgatory is personified in the form of a man running out of gas and ending up at a "speakeasy" style bar by a rotting tree. "The Taste of Yellow" will have you questioning the artificial aspects of A.I. with a dive into relationships, trust, and truth. "My Head is a Chestnut, and Other Tales from the Crypt" will teach you to not put 100% trust in physicians simply for science. Finally, "Sonata in God Minor" provides a provoking moment within a cult mindset.

These are just a few of the stories you will encounter in this fast-paced, mind-bending adventure rollercoaster chartered by Jo Paquette.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, the one positive - I liked the second story, Confidence Game. The instruction manual passages interspersed with what was going down in the house was clever and amusing. There was a lot of "uh oh, she wasn't supposed to do that" going on.

Now, for the rest of it. I feel bad, but I didn't enjoy this book of short stories. I was going to write up a review of each story, but by the third one, I realized my complaints were going to be the same for all of them. The writing style did not work for me at all. It was clunky and kind of flowery in a weird way. Like, in the first story, this is a quote: "But no dice. Now I was bone dry and only moonlight on tumbleweeds to tell the tale." I think all of the ideas were really creative, but I didn't enjoy the execution.

Also, this doesn't factor into my rating, but there was an issue with the kindle delivery. Entire paragraphs were missing. I had to read it in the NetGalley app on my phone, which wasn't ideal.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short volume of dark, creepy tales of horror. These types of collections usually suffer from uneven material, but these are all equally good. Disturbing stories about people, especially women, in extreme circumstances. Sonata in God Minor was my favorite, closely followed by In the Shadow of the Abyss. I liked the complicated characters and the accomplished descriptions of their environments. There is body horror, but the real terror is of the mind. Unlike most of these feminist books, men are not always horrible, or the enemy. There are bad men, but they are not caricatures or extreme stereotypes. These are mostly surreal stories. Pretty even and high quality, beautiful written tales.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Blackstone Publishing.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jo Paquette's Stories I Told My Dead Lover is a book I really wanted to love, but I just didn't click with Paquette's vague style of writing. I feel like I missed the point or "ahha" moment of many of the stories in this collection, and reviewing this book days after finishing it, I find that I can't even remember the plot of half the tales.

Being a book of psychological horror, I expected these stories to be more unsettling and chilling than they actually were. The most impactful stories in this book to me were Confidence Game, in which a woman adopts a futuristic real-live virtual pet to whom she relays her deepest, darkest secrets, and The Taste of Yellow about a twin growing up in an extremist religious community that is hiding a dark and seedy underbelly.

This is a book that needs a bit more polish and shine to connect with most readers.

[Sam Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you say eerie???? Because okay, here… EERIE!

I am so thankful to Blackstone Publishing, Blackstone Audio, Libro.fm, Netgalley, and Jo Paquette for granting me advanced audiobook and digital access to this collection of unsettling (which is an understatement) stories before it’s projected to hit shelves on June 11, 2024.

Like I said, unsettling is an understatement and Jo Paquette nailed the project and understood the assignment. Dark, Moody, and looming – each story brings on a world of mystique and unnerving vibes that kept me glad I listened to this collection during the daytime. There’s something for every horror trope loving reader and I love that about this array of stories. Plus, having a full cast of characters for all 8 of these stories is an added bonus!

[Allison Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

**a note for the publisher**

This eARC downloads incorrectly when viewed on a kindle. Entire paragraphs/excerpts were pieced together out of order throughout each short story and made it a guessing game as to wear each excerpt fit appropriately within the story. Please have someone look at this before it is published.

Due to the misprint in viewing this on kindle, I was not able to read the stories in the correct order and therefore, feel I didn’t get a chance to experience this collection of short stories to their fullest extent, and therefore will not be leaving a true review. I ended up having to DNF at the 63% mark because nothing was making sense. What I could piece together of what I read was enjoyable.