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An Affinity for Formaldehyde
Lou, a queer woman, returns to her hometown to stop her grandmother from marrying Lou’s childhood best friend. She hasn’t visited in several years, and she and her best friend have yet to make peace with the death of his sister. When Lou discovers her grandmother’s obsession with taxidermy, she attempts to leave, but her grandmother has a sinister plan in store for Lou. She won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
110 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2024
3 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Spencer
24 books61 followersMinnesota native Chloe Spencer is an award winning writer, indie gamedev, and filmmaker. She enjoys writing sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and romance. In her spare time she enjoys playing video games, trying her best at Pilates, and cuddling with her cats. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Oregon and an MFA in Film and Television from SCAD Atlanta. You can find more about her on www.chloespenceronline.com.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2025
💥 An EXCELLENT short horror novella that packs an unexpected punch. It follows Lou, a queer woman who returns to her hometown to prevent her grandmother from marrying her childhood best friend. Yes, you heard that right—her grandmother is marrying her childhood best friend. Lou’s relationship with her grandmother is already tumultuous and unsettling, and her connection with her estranged friend is strained due to a shared trauma: the death of his little sister, an event they both witnessed long ago. Upon arriving to investigate what the hell is going on with her creepy grandmother and this bizarre engagement, Lou uncovers her grandmother’s deeply unsettling obsession with taxidermy. As her discomfort escalates, Lou tries to leave—but soon discovers her grandmother has other plans. Plans that mean Lou may never be able to leave at all.
Y’all... This book was a surprise in the best and most gut-wrenching way. It’s thrilling because of how gripping the story is, and it’s a gut punch because of the raw, unsettling content. The themes of generational trauma, grief, mourning, ageism, manipulation, narcissism, and emotional abuse are front and center. If you’ve ever dealt with an emotionally immature parent or grandparent, be prepared for how intensely relatable—and deeply disturbing—this story will feel.
Chloe Spencer’s writing is fast-paced and engaging. She beautifully blends horror with dark humor, creating a story that is both profoundly strange and unapologetically disgusting. The absurdity of certain moments had me laughing, even as I recoiled in disgust. Spencer has crafted an absolute page-turner. I appreciated that for this story, her prose isn’t overly descriptive at all times; instead, it embraces a more streamlined efficiency that keeps the plot moving. It worked SO well. This novella is exhilarating, exciting, and impossible to put down. Clocking in at under 100 pages, I was blown away by how much I got out of it.
Considering the brevity, Spencer does a phenomenal job with Lou’s character development. Her personal relationships and past traumas drive so much of the plot, and the dynamics between Lou, her grandmother, and her childhood best friend are rich and complex. Through flashbacks and short and sometimes wordless conversations, Spencer delves into these relationships in a way that feels incredibly deep—despite being done in such small moments. Maybe it resonated so much for me because I could relate to some of the trauma portrayed, but I genuinely believe that there’s enough here for anyone to grasp the layers of pain and manipulation running through these relationships. I will say that I felt that some motivations remained ambiguous, and not everything is fully explored, but for a novella under 100 pages, what Spencer achieved is fantastic.
I do have one critique to share: I wish the settings had been described more vividly. While Minnesota locations like the Twin Cities and Duluth are mentioned, the lack of detail might leave readers unfamiliar with the area wanting more. As someone who knows these places, I could fill in the blanks—but for others, a bit more description would enhance the immersion.
This story is not what you think it will be. It’s fun, it’s a genre-bender, and it’s a fantastic addition to the dark spectrum of horror fiction. Be warned, though: this novella contains graphic content, including detailed gore and violence. Spencer includes trigger warnings both at the beginning of the book and on her website. If you’re concerned about triggers, you might want to look them up (but honestly, if you’re okay with going in blind, avoid potential trigger warning spoilers—they could give away parts of the story. Lastly, if you're a major horror fan, this is likely going to be light gore for you.).
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I’m thrilled it was one of my first reads of the year, and I can’t wait to explore more of Spencer’s work. An Affinity for Formaldehyde is a hellish ride—one that I found to not just be horrifying, but also deeply emotional, bringing moments of introspection and even tears as it unpacked the horrors of being raised by controlling, narcissistic monsters, and the unfair consequences that those who experience this trauma are forced to carry.
It’s weird. It’s silly in parts. But if you pay attention to the dynamics of the relationships, you’ll very easily see this isn’t just a horror story. It’s a brutally honest exploration of the very real and all-too-common horrors of family dysfunction.
READ IT and then please come back here and share your thoughts with me. 🩶🖤
Y’all... This book was a surprise in the best and most gut-wrenching way. It’s thrilling because of how gripping the story is, and it’s a gut punch because of the raw, unsettling content. The themes of generational trauma, grief, mourning, ageism, manipulation, narcissism, and emotional abuse are front and center. If you’ve ever dealt with an emotionally immature parent or grandparent, be prepared for how intensely relatable—and deeply disturbing—this story will feel.
Chloe Spencer’s writing is fast-paced and engaging. She beautifully blends horror with dark humor, creating a story that is both profoundly strange and unapologetically disgusting. The absurdity of certain moments had me laughing, even as I recoiled in disgust. Spencer has crafted an absolute page-turner. I appreciated that for this story, her prose isn’t overly descriptive at all times; instead, it embraces a more streamlined efficiency that keeps the plot moving. It worked SO well. This novella is exhilarating, exciting, and impossible to put down. Clocking in at under 100 pages, I was blown away by how much I got out of it.
Considering the brevity, Spencer does a phenomenal job with Lou’s character development. Her personal relationships and past traumas drive so much of the plot, and the dynamics between Lou, her grandmother, and her childhood best friend are rich and complex. Through flashbacks and short and sometimes wordless conversations, Spencer delves into these relationships in a way that feels incredibly deep—despite being done in such small moments. Maybe it resonated so much for me because I could relate to some of the trauma portrayed, but I genuinely believe that there’s enough here for anyone to grasp the layers of pain and manipulation running through these relationships. I will say that I felt that some motivations remained ambiguous, and not everything is fully explored, but for a novella under 100 pages, what Spencer achieved is fantastic.
I do have one critique to share: I wish the settings had been described more vividly. While Minnesota locations like the Twin Cities and Duluth are mentioned, the lack of detail might leave readers unfamiliar with the area wanting more. As someone who knows these places, I could fill in the blanks—but for others, a bit more description would enhance the immersion.
This story is not what you think it will be. It’s fun, it’s a genre-bender, and it’s a fantastic addition to the dark spectrum of horror fiction. Be warned, though: this novella contains graphic content, including detailed gore and violence. Spencer includes trigger warnings both at the beginning of the book and on her website. If you’re concerned about triggers, you might want to look them up (but honestly, if you’re okay with going in blind, avoid potential trigger warning spoilers—they could give away parts of the story. Lastly, if you're a major horror fan, this is likely going to be light gore for you.).
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I’m thrilled it was one of my first reads of the year, and I can’t wait to explore more of Spencer’s work. An Affinity for Formaldehyde is a hellish ride—one that I found to not just be horrifying, but also deeply emotional, bringing moments of introspection and even tears as it unpacked the horrors of being raised by controlling, narcissistic monsters, and the unfair consequences that those who experience this trauma are forced to carry.
It’s weird. It’s silly in parts. But if you pay attention to the dynamics of the relationships, you’ll very easily see this isn’t just a horror story. It’s a brutally honest exploration of the very real and all-too-common horrors of family dysfunction.
READ IT and then please come back here and share your thoughts with me. 🩶🖤
September 7, 2024
the exact amount of disturbing that I love and the ending almost made me cry!
October 13, 2024
‘Thoroughly enjoyable!’
This quirky, and quite unique, horror story is centred around a wicked grandma that finds romance again late in life and, by hook or by crook, seeks out ‘alternative’ ways of extending life for as long as is humanly possible. However, unfortunately this almost certainly means that the exact opposite is true for her specimens, victims and anyone else that dares to stand in her way of achieving this goal.
A well-written piece of deliberately far-fetched fictional escapism which is dark, disturbing, but most importantly, surprisingly good fun.
Not extreme or gruesomely detailed, but still highly recommended to all fans of horror who want to try something just a little bit different.
Planning to read more from this highly talented young author in future.
Rating: 4.4 sparks of radiant brightness, sent straight to us from far off Planet Frankenstein.
This quirky, and quite unique, horror story is centred around a wicked grandma that finds romance again late in life and, by hook or by crook, seeks out ‘alternative’ ways of extending life for as long as is humanly possible. However, unfortunately this almost certainly means that the exact opposite is true for her specimens, victims and anyone else that dares to stand in her way of achieving this goal.
A well-written piece of deliberately far-fetched fictional escapism which is dark, disturbing, but most importantly, surprisingly good fun.
Not extreme or gruesomely detailed, but still highly recommended to all fans of horror who want to try something just a little bit different.
Planning to read more from this highly talented young author in future.
Rating: 4.4 sparks of radiant brightness, sent straight to us from far off Planet Frankenstein.
May 14, 2024
Quick read. Lots to do with generational trauma, which I actually didn’t mind. The whole time I was asking myself how two healthy adults couldn’t overpower a granny though. Even if she’s crazy, Once the characters lose empathy towards her, which happens way too late, they get their shit together. End didn’t particularly tickle me either. If you walk into someone’s house and it smells like rotting flesh and formaldehyde, run, don’t walk! Plus formaldehyde is a terrible carcinogen… but that’s a whole other issue. Eco-embalming, anyone? I’m going off on a tangent…
April 21, 2025
Like a mash up between Frankenstein x freaky Friday and your local murderess granny
January 7, 2024
Review to come
CW:
- Very graphic detail
- Blood
- Violence
- Gore
- Body horror
- Fire
- Burns
- Cursing
- Vomit
- Torture
- Animal cruelty
- Kidnapping
- Animal death
- Death
- Drug use/drugging
- Emotional abuse
- Excrement
- Medical trauma
- Toxic friendship
- Gaslighting
- Ableism
- Child abuse
- Child death
- Child neglect
- Sickness
- Stalking
- Confinement
- Murder
- Grief
- Medical content
- Mental illness
- Mention of sexual harassment
- Body shaming
- Pregnancy
- Panic attacks/disorders
Rep:
- Lesbian
- Mental health
CW:
- Very graphic detail
- Blood
- Violence
- Gore
- Body horror
- Fire
- Burns
- Cursing
- Vomit
- Torture
- Animal cruelty
- Kidnapping
- Animal death
- Death
- Drug use/drugging
- Emotional abuse
- Excrement
- Medical trauma
- Toxic friendship
- Gaslighting
- Ableism
- Child abuse
- Child death
- Child neglect
- Sickness
- Stalking
- Confinement
- Murder
- Grief
- Medical content
- Mental illness
- Mention of sexual harassment
- Body shaming
- Pregnancy
- Panic attacks/disorders
Rep:
- Lesbian
- Mental health
March 26, 2024
Ever wonder what it would be like to mix House of Wax and TCM? Here it is. Chloe Spencer has this uncanny ability to create fully fleshed out stories and characters no matter what length of book she’s working with. This book clocks in at under 100 pages but feels like someone dropped a copy of The Stand on your stomach from a sky scraper. This feels very much like the Dark Castle movies of the 00’s. Despite how brutal the story is in the subject matter, it has a distinct charmingness to the telling. I have this three book rule where if I read three bangers by the same writer I stop even looking at any other reviews or plot details to get a feel for the book. I go in completely cold because I know it’s going to be damn good no matter the subject. Chloe Spencer is in that tier. K thx.
January 22, 2024
ARC read
This was my first experience reading a book from Chloe having seen it promoted over on the clock app, and I’m quite pleased with it! Chloe’s writing is very succinct, thought out and with great pacing which reminds me of Wendy Dalrymple’s. The great bonus with Chloe though is how she handled the gore in here, which I thought had a very tasteful approach and wasn’t senseless in its portrayal!
This story is fast paced and deals with generational trauma and how just because someone is your blood, doesn’t mean your family. I also liked the struggle Paula clearly had with aging and showed the reluctance that I think we all face with the inevitable changes that come with it. She just chose a very unhinged way to deal with it😅 I will say I’m not 100% sure on the ending but overall I think this is a fair read and I would definitely read more from this author.
Make sure your checking the CW!!
This was my first experience reading a book from Chloe having seen it promoted over on the clock app, and I’m quite pleased with it! Chloe’s writing is very succinct, thought out and with great pacing which reminds me of Wendy Dalrymple’s. The great bonus with Chloe though is how she handled the gore in here, which I thought had a very tasteful approach and wasn’t senseless in its portrayal!
This story is fast paced and deals with generational trauma and how just because someone is your blood, doesn’t mean your family. I also liked the struggle Paula clearly had with aging and showed the reluctance that I think we all face with the inevitable changes that come with it. She just chose a very unhinged way to deal with it😅 I will say I’m not 100% sure on the ending but overall I think this is a fair read and I would definitely read more from this author.
Make sure your checking the CW!!
January 14, 2024
Chloe Spencer just gave me the literal scare of my life!
An Affinity for Formaldehyde - gives the exact opposite to its readers. This book follows Louella as she returns to her hometown at the behest of a wedding invitation. What follows is truly something out the darkest nightmares.
This book is going to grab you by the throat and similarly to some of the plot points, paralyze you until you finish it. I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel, but this was some next level terrifying shit. The amount of unhinged behavior and the uncertainty left me gasping out loud at times as I discovered what was going on. You have no idea how this is going to end and the last little twist had me SCREECHING!
Anyway, check this out and thank me later! And while you're at it, check out the other great books by Grindhouse Press!!
An Affinity for Formaldehyde - gives the exact opposite to its readers. This book follows Louella as she returns to her hometown at the behest of a wedding invitation. What follows is truly something out the darkest nightmares.
This book is going to grab you by the throat and similarly to some of the plot points, paralyze you until you finish it. I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel, but this was some next level terrifying shit. The amount of unhinged behavior and the uncertainty left me gasping out loud at times as I discovered what was going on. You have no idea how this is going to end and the last little twist had me SCREECHING!
Anyway, check this out and thank me later! And while you're at it, check out the other great books by Grindhouse Press!!
January 7, 2024
2.5 stars
This book was well written, but holy smokes…. I was not prepared for all that this book was. There is a whole heap of content and trigger warnings at the bottom of this review. But there were very graphic descriptions of violence, body horror, murder and gore throughout the whole book. Like SO MUCH! I would not have read this had I known how gory and graphic and messed up this story was beforehand. Definitely read with caution. This book, while written extremely well, was NOT my kind of book. I kept reading because I wanted to know how it ended, but I kind of wish I had DNF’d this one.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
CW/TW: Very graphic detail, blood, violence, gore, body horror, animal cruelty/death, kidnapping, confinement, torture, death, murder, emotional abuse, gaslighting, drug use/drugging, medical content/trauma, toxic friendship, physical abuse, child abuse, child death (mentioned, past), grief, mental illness, mention of sexual harassment/violence, fire/fire injury, cursing, vomit/excrement, talk of pregnancy, panic attacks/disorders
This book was well written, but holy smokes…. I was not prepared for all that this book was. There is a whole heap of content and trigger warnings at the bottom of this review. But there were very graphic descriptions of violence, body horror, murder and gore throughout the whole book. Like SO MUCH! I would not have read this had I known how gory and graphic and messed up this story was beforehand. Definitely read with caution. This book, while written extremely well, was NOT my kind of book. I kept reading because I wanted to know how it ended, but I kind of wish I had DNF’d this one.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
CW/TW: Very graphic detail, blood, violence, gore, body horror, animal cruelty/death, kidnapping, confinement, torture, death, murder, emotional abuse, gaslighting, drug use/drugging, medical content/trauma, toxic friendship, physical abuse, child abuse, child death (mentioned, past), grief, mental illness, mention of sexual harassment/violence, fire/fire injury, cursing, vomit/excrement, talk of pregnancy, panic attacks/disorders
July 25, 2024
Holy balllllssss. This story was absolutely INSANE. 🤯 Paula makes my crazy grandmother look like a saint and that’s saying A LOT. Chloe Spencer did a fantastic job writing this story about generational trauma and its aftermath. I’ve never read anything remotely comparable to this one. Let’s dive in shall we? 🤓🤠
Lou returns to her hometown to stop her grandmother, Paula, from marrying her childhood best friend, Max. Lou immediately thinks her grandmother is being taken advantage of, despite her rough upbringing. However, Lou quickly realizes that it’s the exact opposite. When Lou steps inside her grandmothers home, she discovers that Paula had a new morbid hobby she’s taken up. Taxidermy. This is no ordinary taxidermy though, Paula has been experimenting and Lou is her next “project.”
This was my first time reading Chloe Spencer and she really set the bar HIGH with this one. 🤯
I can’t wait to read her other works of HORROR. 😈
Highest of Recommendations! 🙌
Lou returns to her hometown to stop her grandmother, Paula, from marrying her childhood best friend, Max. Lou immediately thinks her grandmother is being taken advantage of, despite her rough upbringing. However, Lou quickly realizes that it’s the exact opposite. When Lou steps inside her grandmothers home, she discovers that Paula had a new morbid hobby she’s taken up. Taxidermy. This is no ordinary taxidermy though, Paula has been experimenting and Lou is her next “project.”
This was my first time reading Chloe Spencer and she really set the bar HIGH with this one. 🤯
I can’t wait to read her other works of HORROR. 😈
Highest of Recommendations! 🙌
June 28, 2025
Disturbing read!
Drawn to this book by the cover and the title, I wasn't prepared for how disturbing it was. A heap of generational trauma, estranged friends, a grandma dabbling in being Frankenstein and I think unintentionally hilarious situations make one heck of a story. I wanted more Frankensteined creatures like Gregor, but the story still entertained me and well, the end had me almost crying.
Drawn to this book by the cover and the title, I wasn't prepared for how disturbing it was. A heap of generational trauma, estranged friends, a grandma dabbling in being Frankenstein and I think unintentionally hilarious situations make one heck of a story. I wanted more Frankensteined creatures like Gregor, but the story still entertained me and well, the end had me almost crying.
January 23, 2024
Absolutely bonkers as I knew it would be! Y'all, this is a Grindhouse Press book, OF COURSE it is extreme!! Cannot wait to read more of Chloe Spencer!
December 22, 2023
This was a great book that brings shock and awe to the reader.
The things that happen to the main character makes you wonder how tight and trusting your own family is.
It has its funny parts and its horrifically insane parts.
Even though it was a short story, the author packed so much into the characters and storyline that it felt like a much longer book which I loved.
I totally recommend reading.
The things that happen to the main character makes you wonder how tight and trusting your own family is.
It has its funny parts and its horrifically insane parts.
Even though it was a short story, the author packed so much into the characters and storyline that it felt like a much longer book which I loved.
I totally recommend reading.
December 11, 2023
If you are looking for a love story you won’t find it here. Here lies a tale on the toxicity of love. How narcissistic love for yourself turns you into a monster. As someone with family like the grandmother it cut a little deep for me. Had to believe the entirety story takes place with the span of about 24 hours with all of the insanity taking place. If you want your mind messed with read this.
December 31, 2023
This story was weird AF! As I am discovering, it seems to me, that Chloe Spencer has a wonderful way of story telling. The story line moves along fast, takes some weird turns, but is a page turner. If you are looking for a horror short story you can't go wrong with this.
I received an advanced copy for my honest review.
I received an advanced copy for my honest review.
February 2, 2024
4 stars. Ooh, this was fucked up. It’s gory and I loved it. Well written, an interesting and entertaining plot with an evil grandmother trying to take over her granddaughter’s body and taxidermy. It was batshit insane and I wish it were longer because this was a wild ride and the open ending left me wanting more. I’ll definitely be picking up something else by Chloe Spencer.
June 5, 2025
the gore was good but i was really underwhelmed by this novella, and felt like the pacing was all over the place.
November 30, 2023
Hello everyone!
This is a horror novella that's quite different from anything I've released so far. For one, it doesn't include a romance (I know, boo, right?) and instead, the B-story centers on a friendship! Like most of my works, Affinity is VERY weird. If you like weird experiments that defy the laws of science, generational trauma, and golden retriever guy-friends (sigh), this one's for you.
This novella will include blood, violence, gore, kidnapping, animal experimentation and death (including a mentioned child death.)
https://www.chloespenceronline.com/af...
This is a horror novella that's quite different from anything I've released so far. For one, it doesn't include a romance (I know, boo, right?) and instead, the B-story centers on a friendship! Like most of my works, Affinity is VERY weird. If you like weird experiments that defy the laws of science, generational trauma, and golden retriever guy-friends (sigh), this one's for you.
This novella will include blood, violence, gore, kidnapping, animal experimentation and death (including a mentioned child death.)
https://www.chloespenceronline.com/af...
December 5, 2024
One of the oddest and goriest books I've read in a while and you can tell that the writer is working out some personal stuff about aging and abusive older relatives through it. The writing is a bit workman-like and the ending wasn't especially satisfying but this is a weird and definitely very original story that I recommend to horror fans.
February 29, 2024
This story centers on the eroded friendship between Lou and Max. The path their story takes, from reconnecting to having honest conversation about a tragedy that happened during their childhood, is genuinely touching and plays out in unexpected ways.
You may think based on that description that you know how this quick read will play out, BUT here are some things I didn't mention:
-Max is marrying Lou's grandmother, Paula
-Paula is completely unhinged and has a sinister plan for Lou bordering on sci-fi body horror
This is my second Chloe Spencer read, and I can confidently say she has a knack for creating strong dialogue and characters. Everyone is distinct and their actions make sense even when the plot get ridiculous.
At around 100 pages, I don't see how you could leave this feeling unsatisfied.
You may think based on that description that you know how this quick read will play out, BUT here are some things I didn't mention:
-Max is marrying Lou's grandmother, Paula
-Paula is completely unhinged and has a sinister plan for Lou bordering on sci-fi body horror
This is my second Chloe Spencer read, and I can confidently say she has a knack for creating strong dialogue and characters. Everyone is distinct and their actions make sense even when the plot get ridiculous.
At around 100 pages, I don't see how you could leave this feeling unsatisfied.
May 28, 2025
Well, that was something and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. It was definitely gory and gruesome and was a wild ride. I'm glad it was a short, fast read because I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews