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Princess Mommy
A chilling tale of innocence, illusion, and the monsters we hide behind bedtime stories.
Five-year-old Lillie sees the world through the lens of fairy tales. In her eyes, her mother is a beautiful princess who sometimes disappears into secret towers, and her father is a brave knight who protects their small kingdom from unseen forces. It’s a magical world, full of make-believe… and it’s the only world Lillie knows.
But behind the sparkle and tales of storybook castles lies something much darker.
Lillie’s father, John, will do anything to shield her from the grim truths of their home life—even if it means rewriting reality itself. Each story he tells is a carefully crafted lie meant to protect his daughter from the horrors lurking just beneath the surface. But some truths are too monstrous to stay hidden forever.
As cracks begin to form in the fantasy John has built, Lillie starts to glimpse the shadows between the lines. And the more she sees, the more the fairytale unravels—revealing something far more disturbing than she could ever imagine.
Princess Mommy is a haunting psychological horror novel that blurs the line between innocence and terror, love and delusion. Perfect for fans of The Push, Room, or Baby Teeth, this gripping novel will burrow under your skin and leave you questioning the stories we tell to survive.
But behind the sparkle and tales of storybook castles lies something much darker.
Lillie’s father, John, will do anything to shield her from the grim truths of their home life—even if it means rewriting reality itself. Each story he tells is a carefully crafted lie meant to protect his daughter from the horrors lurking just beneath the surface. But some truths are too monstrous to stay hidden forever.
As cracks begin to form in the fantasy John has built, Lillie starts to glimpse the shadows between the lines. And the more she sees, the more the fairytale unravels—revealing something far more disturbing than she could ever imagine.
Princess Mommy is a haunting psychological horror novel that blurs the line between innocence and terror, love and delusion. Perfect for fans of The Push, Room, or Baby Teeth, this gripping novel will burrow under your skin and leave you questioning the stories we tell to survive.
- GenresHorror
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2025
22 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Gitte Tamar
17 books24 followersBrigitte, "Gitte," Tamar was born in a small rural Oregon town. Growing up, she was enthralled by scary tales featuring poetic tones and consistently gravitated towards writing darkened narratives. In the different storylines, Brigitte explores the harsh realities of social issues faced by today's generations. This includes the dark outcomes brought on by peer pressure, addiction, homelessness, mental illness, childhood trauma, and abuse. She feels it is essential to share narratives that refrain from sugarcoating the topics society tends to shy away from.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 1, 2026
4 ☆
The terror begins on the first page and does not stop until the very last line of the book! There are moments when the tension lessens only to build up to heart pounding fear.
I received an advance review copy of Princess Mommy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Initially I thought the book would be full of fairytales that were turned on their heads, told to a frightened little girl. I was not expecting what really happened! I thought the book cover being upside-down hinted toward my premise. I was so so wrong. It has been years since I have read a book that had my heart pounding with fear like Princess Mommy.
The terror begins on the first page and does not stop until the very last line of the book! There are moments when the tension lessens only to build up to heart pounding fear.
I received an advance review copy of Princess Mommy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Initially I thought the book would be full of fairytales that were turned on their heads, told to a frightened little girl. I was not expecting what really happened! I thought the book cover being upside-down hinted toward my premise. I was so so wrong. It has been years since I have read a book that had my heart pounding with fear like Princess Mommy.
December 31, 2025
I went into Princess Mommy by Gitte Tamar expecting a story, but this book turned out to be more of a quiet psychological reflection than a narrative — and honestly, that made it hard for me to enjoy.
It’s extremely slow-paced and very abstract. Most of the time, I didn’t really know what was happening, and the book felt like it was drifting from thought to thought rather than moving anywhere. I had to keep reminding myself what I was reading for.
That said, I do understand what the book is trying to explore. It’s about motherhood, emotional enmeshment, and how a parent can love their child deeply while unknowingly placing emotional needs onto them. The idea that “good intentions can still cause harm” is an important one, and I appreciate that angle.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me. The lack of structure and clarity made me feel disconnected instead of reflective. I never fully settled into the book, and by the end, I felt more confused than moved.
I think this might resonate with readers who enjoy very quiet, symbolic, and introspective writing. But if you’re someone who needs a clearer storyline or emotional momentum, this one might be a struggle. Interesting concept — just not an enjoyable read for me.
It’s extremely slow-paced and very abstract. Most of the time, I didn’t really know what was happening, and the book felt like it was drifting from thought to thought rather than moving anywhere. I had to keep reminding myself what I was reading for.
That said, I do understand what the book is trying to explore. It’s about motherhood, emotional enmeshment, and how a parent can love their child deeply while unknowingly placing emotional needs onto them. The idea that “good intentions can still cause harm” is an important one, and I appreciate that angle.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me. The lack of structure and clarity made me feel disconnected instead of reflective. I never fully settled into the book, and by the end, I felt more confused than moved.
I think this might resonate with readers who enjoy very quiet, symbolic, and introspective writing. But if you’re someone who needs a clearer storyline or emotional momentum, this one might be a struggle. Interesting concept — just not an enjoyable read for me.
December 30, 2025
I fear I didn't quite *get* this book, but I think that's part of it's appeal to readers who like a more vague/open to interpretation story (which I do not, I need things to be wrapped up nicely at the end else I get confused🥲)
All that being said though I did enjoy this one...
Immediately we're thrown into the chaos, following John as he tries to protect Lillie from (to be quite frank) whatever the fuck is going on with her mother.
The chaos was good, it meant that despite the quite lengthy chapters (at times) the story progressed quickly. I think it took place over something like two days????
Plus, the whole vibe of the story and the psychological horror elements (shadows and voices getting under my skin making me question every noise I heard while I was reading) were really good - it was definitely my kinda book!
I did knock a star off because I do like a neatly wrapped up ending, but on the whole this was a really good book.
All that being said though I did enjoy this one...
Immediately we're thrown into the chaos, following John as he tries to protect Lillie from (to be quite frank) whatever the fuck is going on with her mother.
The chaos was good, it meant that despite the quite lengthy chapters (at times) the story progressed quickly. I think it took place over something like two days????
Plus, the whole vibe of the story and the psychological horror elements (shadows and voices getting under my skin making me question every noise I heard while I was reading) were really good - it was definitely my kinda book!
I did knock a star off because I do like a neatly wrapped up ending, but on the whole this was a really good book.
December 25, 2025
This book takes place over just two days and wastes absolutely no time throwing you straight into the chaos. It moves fast, bouncing from one unsettling moment to the next, and there’s a constant sense that something is very wrong.
We follow a family of three, with most of the darkness centred around the mother and the secrets she’s carrying. I thought I had a handle on what was happening more than once… and then immediately doubted myself again. The problem is that the story never really settles into an explanation or gives you much clarity, which left me feeling a little lost by the end.
There’s a lot of build-up and tension, and it feels like everything is heading toward a big moment — but when you get there, it doesn’t quite land the way I expected. I would have loved a bit more lore, backstory, or even just a clearer sense of why things were happening.
It’s intense and unsettling, and I can see it working really well for readers who enjoy ambiguity and being dropped into the deep end. For me, though, I finished it wishing for just a little more grounding before the final page.
We follow a family of three, with most of the darkness centred around the mother and the secrets she’s carrying. I thought I had a handle on what was happening more than once… and then immediately doubted myself again. The problem is that the story never really settles into an explanation or gives you much clarity, which left me feeling a little lost by the end.
There’s a lot of build-up and tension, and it feels like everything is heading toward a big moment — but when you get there, it doesn’t quite land the way I expected. I would have loved a bit more lore, backstory, or even just a clearer sense of why things were happening.
It’s intense and unsettling, and I can see it working really well for readers who enjoy ambiguity and being dropped into the deep end. For me, though, I finished it wishing for just a little more grounding before the final page.
December 26, 2025
This is a 1.5/5 for me unfortunately.
Princess Mommy explores unsettling themes of motherhood and identity through a surreal, minimalist approach. While the concept was interesting and the author clearly takes creative risks, the ambiguity and the pacing made for me to connect with the characters or feel fully invested in the story. The tension never quite built into a satisfying payoff and the ending felt abrupt rather than unsettling. That said, readers who enjoy abstract horror with religious themes or experimental narratives may appreciate what this book is attempting, even if it didn't resonate with me personally.
Princess Mommy wasn't a book I connected with, but it may still find the right audience among readers who prefer subtle, symbolic horror over traditional storytelling.
Thank you to Net Gallery and Tamlor and Tomes for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Princess Mommy explores unsettling themes of motherhood and identity through a surreal, minimalist approach. While the concept was interesting and the author clearly takes creative risks, the ambiguity and the pacing made for me to connect with the characters or feel fully invested in the story. The tension never quite built into a satisfying payoff and the ending felt abrupt rather than unsettling. That said, readers who enjoy abstract horror with religious themes or experimental narratives may appreciate what this book is attempting, even if it didn't resonate with me personally.
Princess Mommy wasn't a book I connected with, but it may still find the right audience among readers who prefer subtle, symbolic horror over traditional storytelling.
Thank you to Net Gallery and Tamlor and Tomes for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
January 8, 2026
This book was quite the journey. The story is told through the husband and the daughter’s viewpoint. I really enjoyed reading the different perspectives from a child and an adult. Many of the scenes written were quite disturbing. I swear I was right with each character as they experienced the demon. The father was very good at trying to keep his daughter safe and try to explain what was happening to ‘mommy’. I cannot even begin to imagine the horror the little girl went through trying to understand why her mother was ‘Princess Mommy’. One thing became clear S the story progressed was that little Lillie did not want to be a ‘Princess’ any longer. Her confusion and terror were made very real within this story. Even when trying to explain mommy’s ever changing behavior; we empathize with this small child and her father as they navigate dealing with a possessed loved one. Even the ending of this story is heartbreaking and very emotional. Another great book by this amazing g author.
January 11, 2026
I grabbed this book purely for the cover. It is absolutely stunning and promised such a dark, fairytale vibe. Unfortunately, the inside didn’t match the outside for me.
I really wanted to love this, but the writing style just didn’t work. The descriptions felt excessive, I could feel the scene the first time it was described, but then we’d get a whole chapter of describing what was seen and felt, and it just became too much.
There was also a lot of repetitive phrasing, specifically "as if" and the word "malevolence," which pulled me out of the story repeatedly.
The biggest issue for me, though, was the main character, Lillie. She is supposed to be five years old, but she thinks and speaks like a twelve-year-old. Her internal monologue and vocabulary were far too advanced for a preschooler, using words no five-year-old would know! It made the whole narrative feel far-fetched and unbelievable. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to carry on.
I really wanted to love this, but the writing style just didn’t work. The descriptions felt excessive, I could feel the scene the first time it was described, but then we’d get a whole chapter of describing what was seen and felt, and it just became too much.
There was also a lot of repetitive phrasing, specifically "as if" and the word "malevolence," which pulled me out of the story repeatedly.
The biggest issue for me, though, was the main character, Lillie. She is supposed to be five years old, but she thinks and speaks like a twelve-year-old. Her internal monologue and vocabulary were far too advanced for a preschooler, using words no five-year-old would know! It made the whole narrative feel far-fetched and unbelievable. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to carry on.
January 17, 2026
John, Delilah, and Lillie make up the perfect family. A big house with a garden. Lillie’s mom, Delilah, is a princess, and she has to live by a very specific set of rules. This is reiterated in Lillie’s bedtime stories. When reality starts fracturing, how will John cover it up, and who will help him?
The book either feels like nothing is happening or everything is happening simultaneously. The descriptions become repetitive after a point; it's just the same thing happening over and over again, just in a different setting. There are a few moments of good symbolism, but I felt like it was spoon-fed at times. Towards the end, I did get sucked into the book. This is slow paced book, something with which u can curl up. The ending was something which i didn't expect at all. I would recommend this book to horror fans and people who enjoy reading slow paced books.
The book either feels like nothing is happening or everything is happening simultaneously. The descriptions become repetitive after a point; it's just the same thing happening over and over again, just in a different setting. There are a few moments of good symbolism, but I felt like it was spoon-fed at times. Towards the end, I did get sucked into the book. This is slow paced book, something with which u can curl up. The ending was something which i didn't expect at all. I would recommend this book to horror fans and people who enjoy reading slow paced books.
December 15, 2025
Fairytales are not supposed to make your stomach twist but this one absolutely did. I was pulled in right away by little Lillie’s sweet voice and the way her world feels magical until you realize how wrong everything really is. I could not stop reading as the story slowly peeled back the lies and showed how terrifying love can become when it turns into control. This book messed with my head in the best way and I loved how it stayed creepy without trying too hard, making me feel like something bad was always lurking just out of sight. If you like horror that sneaks up on you instead of jumping out at you, this one is worth it 🖤👑
December 18, 2025
Princess Mommy is a deeply unsettling psychological horror novel told through the fragile lens of a child who believes she lives inside a fairytale. Five year old Lillie sees her parents as storybook figures, with her father spinning gentle fantasies to protect her from a home life that is far darker than she can understand. As the cracks in that fantasy widen, the story becomes increasingly disturbing, blending innocence with dread in a way that quietly creeps under your skin. I really enjoyed how the book made me feel constantly uneasy without relying on cheap scares, and how the child’s perspective made everything more haunting and emotionally heavy long after I finished reading
December 18, 2025
Thank you to the review and author for this ARC in exchange for a review.
"Princess Mommy" by Gitte Tamar had a very interesting description but the execution left a lot to be desired. The writing reads like a screenplay, in the worst way. I expected to see things through the child's eyes, but not to be explained to me LIKE I was a 5 year old. While I understand that this is a thriller and we aren't supposed to know what is going on, but it felt like half of the writing was just made up of descriptive verbs or adjectives that read like filler.
"Princess Mommy" by Gitte Tamar had a very interesting description but the execution left a lot to be desired. The writing reads like a screenplay, in the worst way. I expected to see things through the child's eyes, but not to be explained to me LIKE I was a 5 year old. While I understand that this is a thriller and we aren't supposed to know what is going on, but it felt like half of the writing was just made up of descriptive verbs or adjectives that read like filler.
January 15, 2026
With the foundation of The Exorcist, the creepiness that Clive Barker gives and a hint of fear that is unknown from slew foot this book is the best psychological anything I have read in a very long time. Thriller horror suspense in any category this psychological fun with amazing. From the first sentence to the last. I need more of this. Ms. Tamar's ability to not just give you the creeps but to keep it going is more damaging than a bass drop in some EDM song. This book give me so much more than I expected, in such a great way thank you.
December 20, 2025
The premise is interesting, though it went in more of a direction that’s not as original as I thought it would. From the start it felt overwhelmed with descriptions to the point that I started to skim. It didn’t get to the meat of the story for quite a while. It felt to me like it could’ve been much shorter and tighter. I got tired of repeated descriptors. I think it could’ve have had more story and less description.
December 27, 2025
the premise and plot were there but the first 40% of the book doesn't explain anything, you're basically having to figure it out on your own which I was able to do so but some history, stories, explanation would have been a nice touch and added some spook.
I don't quite understand the "princess" part. Is this the dad's way of explaining demon possession to a child? Seems like something you'd want to explain to your kid especially if you're concerned they're having their own "visions."
The first half of the book is a bit overly repetitive but the author seems to have found their rhythm in the second half.
I don't understand the bag. You have it at the beginning and the end. What is the importance of the bag? Why did you pick it back up at the beginning if you already knew? Why are we doing it again?
Last note: She's possessed by Baal, the demon of fertility who is now after Lillie. Did they make a deal with Baal to conceive Lillie and that's why the demon is now after both of them?
there's so much unanswered, I wish the book did a bit more explaining.
I don't quite understand the "princess" part. Is this the dad's way of explaining demon possession to a child? Seems like something you'd want to explain to your kid especially if you're concerned they're having their own "visions."
The first half of the book is a bit overly repetitive but the author seems to have found their rhythm in the second half.
I don't understand the bag. You have it at the beginning and the end. What is the importance of the bag? Why did you pick it back up at the beginning if you already knew? Why are we doing it again?
Last note: She's possessed by Baal, the demon of fertility who is now after Lillie. Did they make a deal with Baal to conceive Lillie and that's why the demon is now after both of them?
there's so much unanswered, I wish the book did a bit more explaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
This book made me uncomfortable in the best possible way. This book is a slow, psychological horror that plays with memory, grief, and the stories we tell to survive. The child’s voice feels eerily authentic, which only heightened the unease as the story unfolds. Nothing is rushed and the tension grows very nicely, until you realize how deep the darkness actually runs.
A haunting read for anyone who enjoys subtle horror that goes deep under your skin and stays there for awhile.
A haunting read for anyone who enjoys subtle horror that goes deep under your skin and stays there for awhile.
December 20, 2025
Little Lillie misses her mom, when she and her dad find a trash bag with something twitching inside, it seems to be her mother. The whole atmosphere is scary and mystic. The little girl is scared and her father seems to be under a lot of distress.
This book is definitely a teen thriller meant to creep the kids. Yet, it is written quite lengthy and I quickly lost patience while reading it.
This book is definitely a teen thriller meant to creep the kids. Yet, it is written quite lengthy and I quickly lost patience while reading it.
December 23, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ **4 Stars**
*Princess Mommy* by Gitte Tamar is an interesting and engaging story that quickly sucks you in. The writing keeps you turning pages, and I found myself wanting to see how everything would unfold. The ending was especially satisfying and wrapped things up in a way I really liked.
Thank you to Tamlor & Tomea and BookBuzz.net for providing the ARC.
*Princess Mommy* by Gitte Tamar is an interesting and engaging story that quickly sucks you in. The writing keeps you turning pages, and I found myself wanting to see how everything would unfold. The ending was especially satisfying and wrapped things up in a way I really liked.
Thank you to Tamlor & Tomea and BookBuzz.net for providing the ARC.
December 28, 2025
Ok so, I'm giving this two stars rather than one because it had some VERY creepy descriptions. The problem was, that's pretty much all it had...descriptions. Another review mentioned that it felt like a screenplay, and I 100% agree. It probably could make a very creepy movie (as long as there was a bit more of a story line) but it just didn't work as a book.
January 18, 2026
I like the concept of this book, but the pacing wasn’t for me. I felt like I was missing any form of context which took away from the horror vibe. I could tell it was meant to be scary, but I didn’t have any clue WHY it was scary. A good read, but books left for interpretation aren’t for me when the story doesn’t provide enough context to interpret.
December 28, 2025
✨ARC Review✨
A haunting psychological thriller/horror that you will not be able to put down.
This was a detail story about possession, and boy did it get spooky! The depth and detail the author had put into words is amazing, this was exactly like a horror movie playing out in my mind. ☠️
A haunting psychological thriller/horror that you will not be able to put down.
This was a detail story about possession, and boy did it get spooky! The depth and detail the author had put into words is amazing, this was exactly like a horror movie playing out in my mind. ☠️
January 2, 2026
I received this ARC from NetGalley and BookBuzz.net
I liked the story, but found it dragged on in the narration. I get trying to draw the pictures for us so we can follow along, but to me it felt like too much.
I did enjoy the creepiness with The Exorcist vibes. It was worth the read.
I liked the story, but found it dragged on in the narration. I get trying to draw the pictures for us so we can follow along, but to me it felt like too much.
I did enjoy the creepiness with The Exorcist vibes. It was worth the read.
January 17, 2026
Accurate Allegory
I think this book is an allegory for drug and alcohol addiction. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is it seemed to have a lot of repetition with characters calling out to each other one after the other.
I think this book is an allegory for drug and alcohol addiction. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is it seemed to have a lot of repetition with characters calling out to each other one after the other.
December 23, 2025
When Fairytales Go Very, Very Wrong
Princess Mommy looks like a bedtime story but reads like a slow-burn nightmare that creeps into your brain and refuses to leave.
Princess Mommy looks like a bedtime story but reads like a slow-burn nightmare that creeps into your brain and refuses to leave.
December 29, 2025
haunting and unsettling but ambiguous, which mostly works but leaves some parts not quite effectively resolved. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
January 7, 2026
A strange and interesting read. I really enjoyed it.
January 13, 2026
Fairy tales told by a father to a daughter. But they are scary than any reality.
A great read from start to finish. The characters are very well thought out and fleshed out.
A great read from start to finish. The characters are very well thought out and fleshed out.
January 16, 2026
I read this book as part of an ARC program. This book was very easy to keep reading and I enjoyed it. Would recommend if you enjoy paranormal physiological thrillers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews