Shelly

by C.J. Riggs

What he wanted, he couldn’t have.

What he dreamed of, didn’t exist.

So instead of waiting any longer, he made it.

Genres: Dark Romance, Horror, Romance, Novella, Dark

38 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 25, 2024

Reviews

[manu · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I’m going to say is that if you know me, I never read this okay? It wasn’t me. It was Patricia 👀

Hands down (lol I think my puns are funny iyk) 5 fucked up stars

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was totally unhinged and I’ve never been more here for it!! Short Frankenstein retelling with some really uncomfortable spice.

It’s fucking Sunday morning 🤣 I think I need to go and touch some grass.

[Mia’s book corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ horror read!

I have loved Riggs books more and more, this again was no exception! - this is a Frankenstein retelling and I ate it up!! I just wish it was longer

The way Riggs writes is like no other author to me, I never really liked horror genre before until I found Riggs and Callie moss (now they are writing a book together coming end of 2025 😏 So excited)

This was a perfect short horror read with spice 👏🏻 if you’re new to horror or want to start definitely read your triggers I would suggest this anyway 😌


Riggs you have out done yourself again and no doubt will continue to do so through out 2025! Well done! 👏🏻👏🏻

[Nikita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was kind of like a super short version of ‘The Skeleton King’ iykyk 👀

[April Benoit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Riggs for letting me ARC read this 🥹

I would like to say I read this twice because the first time I had absolutely NO WORDS because I was feeling mixed of “wtf?” To “OH?” To “OKAY PURRR” LMFAOOO listen my reviews will always be hectic when it comes to her books because she will have you feeling ALL OF THE EMOTIONS!!! Everything I’ve read has been a banger & Shelly is DEFINITELY something to read if you are in a mood for a super quick erotic horror novella!

[nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

no idea wtf i just read

[destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

i came, i devoured, and i reread like 3 times 😮‍💨

riggs never fails to have me by the throat from page mfing one !! thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to arc read 🖤 i seriously will never get over the way your mind works

this was 30 something pages of pure “wtf” moments in the best way. it is an erotic short horror, frankenstein/corpse bride retelling, necro-smut, gore, praise, degradation, throat fucking but with a corpse, and hea 😍 if that alone doesn’t have you running to add this …

reading from the mmc’s pov was EVERYTHING OMG !! i loved every second of this short book. my jaw was on the damn floor the whole time 🤯

[Danyel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know me in real life you know I’m a sucker for the nickname little corpse….and I will not take further questions on that 😅

I loved every second of this and truthfully want more! I loved it. It was depraved and wild.

[Bria Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh 👀 what kind of f**** is this!? (But also absolutely devoured it and loved every second!)

[Natasha Da Fonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atlas is a wrongin! This was fucked but still loved it. My only critism would be I wish it was longer! Great work by riggs as usual

[thequietreader ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

...... what????

[Kieran Hatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t normally read this type of book got it recommended to me by my girlfriend, it’s a fun Frankenstein style story with 🌶️

[Neusitas · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 / 10 ⭐️
Horror erótico.

Atlas no encuentra a la mujer ideal así que decide crearla el mismo.

Es una historia corta.
Mmmm no vale la pena.
El tema dark de él siendo asesino en serie ha estado bien, pero la parte de la monstrua como que no me ha acabado de convencer para nada.

[Flannery Simchuk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrifying and do not recommend

[Cherry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wtf did I just read 💀

[Jaye Winkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Only the best for my Little Corpse”

Riggs’ imagination will never fail to amaze me!!

Atlas is one fucked up man🤣 If you’re looking for a short erotic horror story definitely pick this one up, I only wish it was longer🤭

[Alice Zombie · Rating 5 out of 5]

one to die for

I absolutely devoured this novella!
So much fun I loved this. Shelly she’s perfect just the way atlas wants her and he will stop at nothing to ensure the woman of his dreams has everything or part she requires. Love really knows no limits.

[Kitty Cooper-Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you CJ for the ARC 🫶🏻🥹

This was such a fun little read! Can a book be hot but make you feel a bit sick at the same time? 🤣

Very seriously, check the triggers 🤣🫶🏻

[Eunice Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good morning, Darlings of Darkness!

As a self-proclaimed necro-mance and canni-mance connoisseur (yes, I made those up, and no, I will not be taking questions), this book was a delightfully weird, sweet(?), and oh-so-quick palate cleanser of horror erotica. CJ Riggs has cemented her place as one of my favorite authors—a certified insta-buy, if you will. So, when she announced a Frankenstein/Corpse Bride retelling, you bet your bones I squealed like a banshee.

Now, let me set the stage: our FMC, Shelly, is not exactly alive—technically speaking. But what she is, is utterly unique and deeply in love with her husband, Atlas. And let me tell you, Atlas is the kind of man who’d literally give you a hand in all you do. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

That said, let’s get real: this book isn’t for everyone. Check your triggers before they check you! But if you’re into the deliciously weird and gloriously depraved like yours truly, then I think you’ll enjoy this short and wickedly fun read.

Read it, don’t read it—whatever. I adored it.
Yours in madness,
E

[Kayleigh ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, unsettling erotic horror read that did exactly what it promised. Shelly is eerie, tense, and just twisted enough to keep you hooked without dragging anything out. Frankenstein retelling....but weirdly hot????

I liked how the story dropped me straight into the discomfort no slow build, no wasted pages. Shelly as a character is equal parts fascinating and disturbing, and the author leans into that in all the right ways. The horror elements were sharp, the erotic elements were intentionally uncomfortable, and the whole thing left me with that lingering 'okay, that was messed up… but I LOVED IT' feeling.

For a short story, it delivered atmosphere, creepiness, and a memorable ending. If you enjoy erotic horror that embraces the darker, stranger side of the genre, this one’s worth the read.

[MJ’s || BookMaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

ARC read! 👌🏼 This is a super short dark story… but it packs a punch with gore & pure Riggs craze! 😏
This Frankenstein / Sally retelling is unhinged & disturbingly good. Atlas strives for perfection & he can’t find that perfect someone.. so what does he do? He decides to make his own version of his perfect partner, in the most extreme way possible 🫣
It was such a fun, short, fast paced little gem of horror 😈

⚠️ Please check trigger warnings ⚠️

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Tropes

🧟‍♀️ Erotic Horror Short Story
⛓️ She’s dead… but Alive
🧟‍♀️ Múrder
⛓️ Gore
🧟‍♀️ “Little Corpse”
⛓️ True Love
🧟‍♀️ HEA

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, C. J. Riggs proves why she’s one of my absolute favorites! Her writing is always flawless, immersive, and brimming with emotion. I’ve loved all of her books, but this Frankenstein-inspired novella might just be one of my top picks.
This novella is an incredible blend of twisted romance and sizzling spice, capturing the haunting essence of the original tale while giving it a uniquely seductive twist. My only complaint? It’s a novella! I would have devoured a full-length book based on this story, diving even deeper into the world and characters she’s created. If you’re a fan of retellings, spice, and an MMC willing to do ANYTHING for the one he loves, you need to pick this one up. Highly recommend!

[Teneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

Shelly is a weird, wonderful, smutty little cleanser that I devoured in one sitting. It’s filthy, gruesome, unhinged, and somehow still addictive enough that I’m now questioning what kind of hole I’ve fallen down.

It’s fast, chaotic, and completely unapologetic about being an erotic horror short, and honestly, it works. The concept is wild, the execution hits exactly the tone it promises, and the ending left me both disturbed and impressed.

And let’s be honest: this really is that lonely guy’s dream taken to a whole new, unsettling level.

If you’re in the mood for something dark, deranged, and off-the-rails, this absolutely scratches that itch. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but a fun, feral little read for horror-smut goblins.

[Kata · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Have you ever seen a dead body before?”
“If you would have just stayed quiet, none of this would be happening right now.”
“Only the best for my Little Corpse.”


Short, fast-paced erotic horror Victor Frankenstein & Sally retelling.

I have no words, other than I loved this graphic, smutty, fun, and surprisingly sweet retelling. Both Atlas and Shelly were intriguing characters. Shelly might not have been really alive, but her love and devotion towards Atlas were. Atlas was so sweet towards Shelly and only wanted to get the best parts for her.

I couldn’t put the book down and would love to read more about these characters.

Please check the trigger warnings before reading!

[BrooklynBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting short story

Atlas is a mortician looking for the perfect woman. He’s handsome, physically fit, and women are always attracted to him. He strives for perfection but has always seem to come up empty handed.. until Shelly. Shelly is everything he’s ever wanted and thanks to modern medicine and technology, with the help of his current date’s … parts.. Shelly is PERFECT!!

This short little number popped up on my for you page and I heard Frankenstein reimagining and I was SOLD! This novella is purely one big WTF!! C.J. Riggs really expressed their unique imagination with this short story. Wildly unhinged, smutty af, but a fantastic good time! Finished in one sitting. 5 stars!

[Tracy Booktalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved 🥰 love 💕 this very short novella. C. J. packs everything into her writing exactly like I appreciate. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
It takes a very dark imagination to satisfy my craving for this type of raw WTF did I just read. There is only 1 other author, Tanya Lynn, who can write this genre and keep you laser focused on each page.
At the very least read the content warnings two times. C.J.’s books are NOT for the weak. They are pitch black and very few authors can come close to the gore combined with the eroticism and horror in every one of her books.
Absolutely recommend to those readers who use content warnings as a shopping list.

[Marley Ghostfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

What he wanted, he couldn't have.
What he dreamed of, didn't exist.
So instead of waiting any longer, he made it.

How did I spend my morning you ask?
Reading necro smut in bed of course! 😂
This Frankenstein & Sally retelling was 37 pages of wtf, but you know I love that.
I devoured this short story in one go and it was fun 🤭

In this story you will find:
🖤Erotic horror short story
🖤Necr0-smut
🖤Reanimation..she's dead..but alive
🖤Gore
🖤Mûrder
🖤Rough s3x
🖤"Little corpse"
🖤True love
🖤HEA

[ShetlandBookworm]

One line review - Started as any other dark romance and then left me going WTF am I reading!

It began like any other dark romance, things where a bit weird and taboo, then it became really dark romance... and then Riggs went, lets go for complete darkness and everything taboo and weird.

Whilst I did not gag like when I read dollface, the whole tongue scene for me was too much.

I will continue to read everything Riggs writes because... well I don't know why but Idee Fixe and No for an answer where incredible!

[Siobhan Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

37 pages of pure “wtf” moments, but not in a bad way!! Ma’mm you’ve done it again. When I say I chuckled!! The first few pages your forget what the book is about. & then BAM! Am I mad at what he does? Maybe I should be, but come on, Shelly needs it! (I can’t help I always root for the bad people in books)..
I’m still chuckling to myself.
Please check triggers, it’s not for the weak.
But if you’d like me with zero triggers, then this book will be fun for you too!

[Katie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to CJ Riggs for the opportunity to ARC read “Shelly”.

I feel so honoured to be able to witness this incredible author hone her craft, watching every book get better and better.

The writing in this book was incredible. The story was perfectly executed, the plot was unhinged in typical Riggs style.

This book was such an incredible, quick read. Every horror readers perfect spicy novella.

Riggs, I’m awed by you and your creations every day. Well done.