Breeding Ground

by S.C. Mendes

Lonely and reeling after a medical diagnosis, Lexi Macomber agrees to a weekend retreat at her ex-fiancée's secluded cabin. No drama. No expectations. Just a fun chance to reconnect.

A promising start quickly unravels as old grudges and buried arguments resurface. After a shower mishap ruins their final attempt at repairing the relationship, Lexi demands to leave.

Unfortunately, leaving the cabin is not going to be easy.

One obstacle leads to another, and Lexi is faced with a dire either she’s hallucinating or her ex is plotting to kill her.

Breeding Ground is a psychological horror novelette; a fever-dream of 12K-words, perfect to listen to in a single sitting.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Dark

Audible Audio

Published February 6, 2025

About the author

S.C. Mendes is the co-owner of Blood Bound Books—an independent publisher whose mission is to spreading hope through dark fiction.

Find more about the mission at www.BloodGutsAndStory.com

Mendes has published dark fiction under various pen names since 2009. The Dawn of the Serpent Girl, the final book in The City series is slated for a Dec. 2024 release. His collaborations with Nikki Noir can be found in the New Adult Occult series.

Reviews

[Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lexi opened the door and screamed. Dismembered body parts littered the floor. Blood soaked into the carpet. Crippling pain returned to her stomach. Dry retching spasms stole her equilibrium. Lexi was unsure if she was standing or falling, and her vision faltered."


💭Lexi just wanted to enjoy their planned weekend and see what happens. No expectations, just fun. She wanted to know if her relationship with Brandon is worth rekindling and be built on something other than kids. Motherhood is really not in her vocabulary and she hates the burden of being pressured to have children (Ugh! Soo relatable.) She doesn't want any to begin with and the main reason why she called off their engagement. Turned out there are other plans in store for them and it's far from delightful.
She should have chosen that homemade sausage instead. 😂😅
This is a mix of body horror / psychological horror and creature feature. Is it all a result of experiencing antenatal psychosis or something else? Though a bit predictable, it is still enjoyable enough and serves as a perfect read to get you out of a reading slump.


Thanks to Blood Bound Books for the arc! 🖤

3.5✨

[Yvonne (the putrid Shelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was fun. Something with the only trigger I have -spolier, it's the creature.

The social commentary regarding how society views infertile women of a certain age. The pressure they are under, from families and friends alike.

3 stars because I'd like it have been longer and more fleshed out.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Campy, grotesque, thrilling body horror novella that gave me the ick (from the male characters to the creature feature).

Seriously, this one will have me inspecting any cabins more thoroughly before I commit to staying in them now…

I felt so bad for Lexi- she’s obviously suffered from some serious trauma in the past. Her weekend reconnecting with her ex fiancé goes from bad to worse as she experiences psychological horror and physical violations. I don’t want to give away too many details- just be prepared to read a nightmare of a tale.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Blood Bound Books for a copy!

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breeding ground states it reads like a fever dream, and I would have to agree. I can honestly say this wasn't at all what I expected.

BREEDING GROUND was kind of body horror, kind of domestic horror, and maybe a splash of psychological thriller. It's honestly the perfect fast-paced F'd up novella if you want something to read in one sitting.

Warning, though....If you don't like bugs... just don't. Because ick!

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Libbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Breeding ground follows Brandon and Lexi, a recently broken up couple as they try and rekindle their relationship in their cabin that they used to frequent. It is a mix of horror and psychological thriller though it doesn't really commit to either genre it plays both and doesn't have any pay off.

The entire twist of the short story is blatantly obvious within the first 5 pages. It could not have been more in your face about what exactly was going to happen. As a result, as a reader it just feels like I'm waiting for the characters to make the same conclusions I did at the beginning of the story and I really dislike stories like this.

The relationship between Brandon and Lexi was extremely toxic and hard to read at times. Brandon's blatant gaslighting and emotional abuse of Lexi was abundant. The story is too short to really get to know either character and I honestly did not care about either of them with the story we got.

The horror itself wasn't scary or even gross. I believe the author mostly writes splatterpunk so that is somewhat surprising. It didn't pull in a more eerie or atmospheric horror either. It just felt like a story I read.

Thank you to NetGalley and blood bound books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Ash’s reading corner ✨🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing a free copy of the novella in exchange for an honest review.

This novella kept its promise : I read it in one sitting and it felt like a fever dream.

I found the dynamic between the MC’s interesting and the topic the author explored of motherhood and choice of having kids was interesting and well done.

However, this novella was 92 pages long but everything happened in the last 10 pages. I’m still not sure I know what I read, It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either.

Also, if you don’t like insects ; don’t read this.

PS: don’t let the title of the book misguide you, there’s no spice in this.

[Chris Carelse · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUCK YES!!!!!!!!

Everything I could possibly say would inadvertently turn into a spoiler, so ALL I’m gonna say is:

Clint Howard

(There are very few people who will get this reference, even after reading this, and all I can say to that is, “for shame”…)

[dessie*₊⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little obvious about where it was going, but dang was it gross. This was a fun one sitting read. 3.75 stars rounded up.

[Coffee&Cliffhangers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not accustomed to reading many novellas, so this 39-page story was outside my comfort zone and didn't allow enough time for me to become truly invested. I would have preferred a more developed storyline concerning the characters' relationship, with additional pages to draw readers into their world. The suspense was minimal, and the plot's direction seemed predictable; it wasn't particularly creepy or scary, just odd, leaving me uncertain about my feelings towards it. Lexi and Brandon's decision to visit a cabin in the woods to rekindle their romance takes a dark turn, and despite Lexi's desire to leave, the woods seem to have other intentions. I appreciated the novella's brisk pace and direct approach, which was occasionally unsettling. I'm open to exploring more works by this author, as my lack of enthusiasm might stem from a general disinterest in novellas.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young woman is convinced to meet up with her ex-fiancé for a weekend of fun. Whatever makes her believe this is a good idea, she finds out right away—it wasn’t.

A very short story; nothing groundbreaking here but entertaining enough to see it through.

[Ky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breeding Ground is a tiny little story that packs a big punch!

Lexi and Brandon are out in the forest to reconnect after a tumultuous time in their relationship. Some good food, wine, sex… everything a couple needs to feel closer together. Brandon starts to act… strange. Is it just cabin fever? Regrets? Or something a bit more sinister?

This novella is a nice psychological thriller/horror mixup, it reads super quick and I felt the story was well crafted. It’s left me feeling itchy and icky… so that’s a win in my books!!

Thank you to S.C. Mendes for allowing me to beta read this back in September, and for NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read the finished work! My review is happily volunteered.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A separated couple take a weekend trip to a cabin in the woods in an attempt to maybe rekindle their romance. It is…not likely…but maybe they can enjoy the weekend together before going their separate ways. Having read my share of cabin in the woods gone wrong stories, and given the title of this book, I expected the ex-fiancé to lock her up and attempt to force breed her. Pregnancy and birthing stuff. Basically my worst nightmare. It was this, but it was also something unexpected. I don’t want to give it all away. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but I do wish it was longer. I would have liked a little more suspense building and detail.

[DA · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid, my brother and I found one of those walking stick bugs. My brother was holding it and I leaned down to get a better look and it jumped onto my face. I freaked out, I screamed. For the rest of that day all I could think about was how it probably laid eggs in my mouth. So yeah, childhood trauma unlocked! Thanks for that! When a book can make you flash back like that though know it's good!
So yeah, this book is about bugs. It's creepy, not necessarily because of the bugs, but because it's actually psychological type horror mixed with bug horror. Highly recommend, unless you have a deep phobia of bugs.

[OutsideOfTheTrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another genre checked off the list—body horror!

This one definitely gave me all the creepy icks, which, to be fair, is exactly what it was supposed to do. I just wish there had been a bit more backstory and world-building; I didn’t fully grasp the context until well into the story, and then suddenly—it got weird, and then it was over.

The narrator did a great job conveying emotion in the audiobook, which definitely added to the eerie atmosphere!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dion Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little story is creepy and icky, and I loved it.

There are a lot of layers to this story with a great mix of body horror, psychological trauma, and creepy bugs.
I loved the eerie atmosphere and the constant feeling that something is not quite right, it kept me immersed and on the edge of my seat, all the while trying to figure out where the story is going to end.
If you are looking for something short, dark and creepy, then you will love this.

[Darrell Grotenhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book, the only downside is its length. I would have enjoyed another page of 50-100.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for providing a review copy.

This is a quick, nasty novella that can be read in a single sitting. If you enjoy the body horror of David Cronenberg, this will be right up your alley. S.C. Mendes continues to impress me. 4 stars

[Logan Gisick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for sending me an advanced reader copy. S.C. Mendes’ Breeding Ground is a masterful blend of psychological thriller and poignant relationship drama with a sinister edge. The story follows Lexi, a deeply relatable protagonist who navigates the turbulent waters of love, trust, and betrayal. Mendes captures the raw essence of human relationships with unflinching honesty, summed up perfectly by the quote, “This is what relationships really look like.” Through Lexi’s journey, the narrative explores the fragility of intimacy and the emotional toll of fractured connections, drawing readers into a world that feels both achingly familiar and unnervingly suspenseful.

Though short, the story is incredibly impactful, delivering its emotional punches with precision. As the plot takes a dark and unexpected turn, the thriller elements escalate, leaving readers on edge. Lexi’s whirlwind of complex emotions—ranging from hope to despair—makes her a sympathetic and multidimensional character. Mendes doesn’t just tell a story; he crafts an experience, one that transitions from heart-wrenching realism to jaw-dropping horror.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Ebook


Nice! This was a quick novella, it was like under 50 pages or so.

It sort of read like an episode of the Twilight Zone and I loooooooove that show.

The beginning of the book is a “couple” hiking 🥾 to a cabin somewhere in the woods. When I say couple I don’t mean as present tense and they broke up and are well lonely so trying to reconnect but not really. It’s a weird vibe.

The MC Lexi is about sick to death of her ex finance going on and on about bugs and being especially fascinated by the poor caterpillar that fell prey to the Trichogramma wasp.

It eventually all comes full circle but let’s just say these 2 have issues and it goes from bad to worse.

Make sure you check trigger warnings for this one before reading.

Also, a lot of the people who didn’t like it said they figured it out early on and apparently that was a bad thing!?! I call this foreshadowing and I believe the author did it with intention and thought it worked well for this book for before deciding not to read it because of its lackluster GR rating…it’s short so I say what do you have to lose?

[LX · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to review!

2.75 rounded up to a 3!!

Straight off the bat I knew what I was in for and how things would go a few pages in, and it didn't disappoint in that aspect. But, weirdly enough, I wanted it to be pushed further. I felt the body horror could have been more and more described along with the horror of what was happening. It feels like it would make one hell of an opening story to a main or longer story. Like introducing the reader to the horrors the people within the main story will come across and then us as the reader can then keep an eye out for any clues or hints to what was happening or if anything had happened to anyone.

Really intrigued with this story and glad to have read it, and honestly, can't wait to read more.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading another novel from this author I had high expectations for this novelette, but I have to admit that sadly it did not meet them.

I listened to the audiobook, and I don’t know if it was a mix of the narrator’s performance (which I didn’t enjoy), or the length of the story, or a mix of both, but I ended up not liking either of the main characters, and I was left with an unsatisfactory feeling.

I mean, the writing is good and I loved the premise (especially if you love small critters), but I think there was either too much crammed in such a short story, or not enough, which was also due to the length of a novelette. I definitely wish it was longer and that the story was more fleshed out with more time to build up true tension and dread.

I feel I didn’t have the time to build up the images and the creepiness in my mind to fully enjoy this novelette.

BUT, I loved the other book I read by this author and I’ll definitely read more. Also, this is my personal opinion and how I felt could be different for others, so give it a go.

Thanks to the author for the audiobook and this is my honest opinion.

[Shandi York · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a true one-sitting novella, but I wasn’t completely captivated by it. The end was where all the of the action was, the first like 75% was just this build up of a toxic relationship and at times it felt painfully slow. All in all, it was decent once we got to the main guts of the story and was bizarre which worked for me. Thanks to Blood Bound Books for my digital review copy.

[Carly Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

TL;DR:
Breeding Ground blends horror and thriller in a tense, fast-paced escape. Toxic relationship dynamics collide with body horror in a secluded cabin. The motherhood twist adds real stakes. It’s gross, intense, and oddly compelling. Keep reading for the full review.

Synopsis:
Lexi Macomber, feeling vulnerable after a medical diagnosis, agrees to spend a weekend at her ex-fiancé’s remote cabin. She hopes for no drama and maybe a chance to reconnect. Soon old resentments bubble up and a shower accident ends any attempt at fixing things. Lexi decides to leave. Yet something in the woods won’t let her. Alone with mistrust and trauma, she must discover whether the stalking force is real or a terrifying hallucination. This body horror novelette is a vivid fever dream exploring trust, desire, and fear in just 12 000 words.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
This was horror meets thriller and exactly my kind of read. Brandon and Lexi’s relationship is so toxic it almost feels like another character. The motherhood subplot made the stakes feel real and gritty. It was gross in all the best ways and the pacing kept me hooked. I did guess a few turns sooner than I expected, but it didn’t hurt the tension. Breeding Ground is a compact horror thriller that turns a cabin retreat into a visceral nightmare. Thank you to S.C. Mendes, Blood Bound Books, and Booksprout for the audiobook copy and the opportunity to provide this candid review!

The Vibes It Brings:
😬 Toxic ex-fiancé drama in the woods
🌲 Cabin isolation with creeping dread
🤰 Motherhood fears and survival stakes
🤢 Body horror elements that hit hard
🎢 Fast‑paced novelette with fever‑dream energy

Narration:
I struggled with the narrator Terra Hicks. I couldn’t find the right speed to feel comfortable. The tone sometimes pulled me out of the story rather than draw me in. Despite that, the voice felt earnest even if it didn’t sync with me.

Final Thoughts:
Breeding Ground packs a serious punch in a compact package. The toxic relationship and body horror merge into a disturbing psychological ride. Even with some predictability, it keeps you flipping pages. A small but bold novelette that sticks with you.

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella left me wondering exactly WTAF I had just read. The story is very strange and in parts oddly written. I can swear like a sailor, but I thought some of the word choices here were inappropriate and detracted from the horror of the story.

The story is that this couple, who everyone around them deemed the IT couple, go to a remote cabin in the woods (horror cliche I know) to rekindle their relationship and decide if they want to stay together. Apparently, their entire future planning revolved around having kids and when that fell apart they had nothing left, or so it seems.

The story is only 39 pages so you don't get a lot of time to invest in either character. They are fairly dysfunctional at baseline and honestly, neither is particularly sympathetic.

I am the first one to tout many horror books falling prey to being too long but I think this one is just too short to really establish anything. I recalled the description of the story, which made me want to read it in the first place, but when I actually got into the story itself I realized that the summary was misleading. The summary has more meat to it than the actual story.

This was a miss for me. I think this is the end of a story that needs more to flesh it out (pun intended) in order to be good.

Thanks to Blood Bound Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Catia Araujo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big thanks to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Breeding Ground follows Brandon and Lexi, a couple trying to reconnect after a breakup in a cabin they once frequented. It mixes elements of horror and psychological thriller, but unfortunately doesn’t fully commit to either genre, leaving both threads underdeveloped.

The twist is glaringly obvious within the first few pages, which made the entire experience feel like I was just waiting for the characters to catch up to the obvious conclusion. It’s frustrating when a story feels predictable from the start.

The dynamic between Brandon and Lexi was uncomfortable and toxic, with Brandon’s gaslighting and emotional manipulation making the relationship hard to endure. The short length left little room for character development, and by the end, I found it hard to care about either of them.

As for the horror, it wasn’t scary or even unsettling. Given that the author is known for writing splatterpunk, I was expecting more visceral horror, but instead, it lacked the eerie atmosphere I was hoping for.

Overall, Breeding Ground didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

Breeding Ground is the story of Lexi and Brandon visiting a cabin in the woods after having broken up a month ago. Not only is Lexi hesitant to get back together with Brandon, a few hours into the trip she gets attacked by something out of her nightmares.

"Always give a scared animal a route to escape."

What I most enjoyed about this story was the interpersonal relationship aspect. It was interesting to learn more about Lexi and Brandon's relationship in the past as well as the present. I would like to read more from this author in a different genre.

The horror aspect of this was alright. It was clear from the start where the story would go, and It occassionally veered into some weird territory. But it did come full circle in the end.

Thank you Blood Bound Books and S.C. Mendes for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sweet Suriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super short horror novella following Lexi and Brandon, a recently split couple trying to rekindle their relationship in a cabin in the woods. I found it was very predictable, and I was expecting some twist at the end but it fell short. I felt the suspense could have been stronger, possibly by making the story a bit longer. The characters didn’t have time to grow on me or develop personalities outside of their toxic relationship. The writing was good and the overall plot was decent, aside from being predictable. I enjoyed the mental aspect of it: Brandon’s gaslighting and Lexi’s previous history with trauma/hallucinations and how it played a role in the story. For it being as short as it is, it was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Blood Bound Books and NetGalley for the review copy! This review is my honest opinion.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breeding Ground by S.C. Mendes is a twisted, unsettling novella that reads like a bad fever dream or a trip gone horribly wrong. The line between reality and hallucination is so blurred that I found myself questioning what was real alongside the FMC, Lexi.

What intrigued me most was the commentary on women’s roles and societal expectations, particularly the pressure to bring children into the world. Lexi’s refusal to conform made for a thought-provoking narrative, but her relationship with Brandon was hard to stomach. His gaslighting and disregard for her health were deeply frustrating, especially given their supposed connection.

That said, this book delivers for fans of body horror and psychological horror looking for a strange and fast-paced read. However, a fair warning: this isn’t for anyone with an insect phobia.

While this book left me feeling conflicted, I enjoyed the ride and am still thinking about it. If you’re looking for something bizarre, give this one a try.

Thank you to Blood Bound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story: Lexi thought a weekend at the cabin with her ex-fiancé, Brandon, might bring closure—or at least some answers. Their relationship had crumbled after her diagnosis shattered their plans for a family. Now, she’s unsure if they’re rekindling what they had or just making peace with what’s lost. But something is wrong. Strange plants, parasitic wasps, and Brandon’s unsettling behavior put her on edge. Then, after a horrifying encounter, Lexi’s body begins to betray her—bloating, nausea, crippling pain. Brandon insists she’s imagining things. As Lexi fights to escape, she uncovers the gruesome truth about what's really going on with her body. She's carrying something's young. And they’re ready to tear their way out

Audio: Narrator Terra Hicks does a good job with the story. The audio quality is good and there were no issues.

[Quynh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher Blood Bound Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

And to be honest, I'm not exactly sure what I just read. Lol.

Lexi and Brandon are on a weekend getaway at his family cabin to try and salvage what's left of their relationship. What they found instead was not something you would want to experience. There was a bit of foreshadowing right from chapter 1, and it didn't take long to see where the story was headed. What I thought felt short was the building up of the body horror, I didn't have that sense of dread or anxiety I tend to get with horror stories. The writing has potential in the beginning, though it the end, it felt a bit flat.