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My Lips, Her Voice
Copper City’s bloody history is steeped in ghost stories and whispers of serial killers, but three girls have caught the attention of something far more sinister.
A grandmother tormented by visions tried to warn the town, but no one listened. Now, a haunted inheritance has passed to her granddaughters, Audrey and Mara. When Mara’s body is discovered in the old mine, Audrey fears her grandmother’s premonition is manifesting.
The nightmare begins as Mara’s spirit returns—lurking under Audrey’s skin, hellbent on vengeance and desperate to rekindle things with her former girlfriend, Zadie. Willing to hijack Audrey’s body to get what she wants, Mara drags them both into a deadly pursuit.
When another girl in town goes missing, Audrey, Mara, and Zadie know the killer has struck again. In a fight to solve Mara’s death and uncover the mystery of disappearances in Copper City, the girls soon find themselves at war with each other. How do you survive long enough to hunt a murderer on the loose if the person inside you might kill you first?
A grandmother tormented by visions tried to warn the town, but no one listened. Now, a haunted inheritance has passed to her granddaughters, Audrey and Mara. When Mara’s body is discovered in the old mine, Audrey fears her grandmother’s premonition is manifesting.
The nightmare begins as Mara’s spirit returns—lurking under Audrey’s skin, hellbent on vengeance and desperate to rekindle things with her former girlfriend, Zadie. Willing to hijack Audrey’s body to get what she wants, Mara drags them both into a deadly pursuit.
When another girl in town goes missing, Audrey, Mara, and Zadie know the killer has struck again. In a fight to solve Mara’s death and uncover the mystery of disappearances in Copper City, the girls soon find themselves at war with each other. How do you survive long enough to hunt a murderer on the loose if the person inside you might kill you first?
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2025
29 people are currently reading
5882 people want to read
About the author
L.L. Madrid
4 books45 followersAs a child, L.L. Madrid wasn’t allowed to watch R-rated movies. However, her library visits
were unsupervised, so she spent her summers reading Anne Rice and Stephen King.
Nowadays, she lives in Tucson with her family. When she’s not pretending to be a mild-mannered office worker, she writes dark, moody stories about misfits.
L.L. is the 2021 recipient of the Horror Writers Association’s Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Scholarship. She is a proud member of the Bi+ Book Gang, a Pitch Wars alum, and is in
Odyssey’s class of 2024. Her short stories are scattered across the internet.
She is represented by HG Literary.
MY LIPS, HER VOICE (Creature Publishing, Fall 2025)
were unsupervised, so she spent her summers reading Anne Rice and Stephen King.
Nowadays, she lives in Tucson with her family. When she’s not pretending to be a mild-mannered office worker, she writes dark, moody stories about misfits.
L.L. is the 2021 recipient of the Horror Writers Association’s Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Scholarship. She is a proud member of the Bi+ Book Gang, a Pitch Wars alum, and is in
Odyssey’s class of 2024. Her short stories are scattered across the internet.
She is represented by HG Literary.
MY LIPS, HER VOICE (Creature Publishing, Fall 2025)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
August 28, 2025
"How do you survive long enough to hunt a murderer on the loose if the person inside you might kill you first?"
September 2, 2025
on paper I should have loved this..ghosts/possession, haunted mines, a small town with a dark past, but ultimately it fell flat for me. I liked the idea of the story & the way it attempted to go but the execution was lacking.
the writing was pretty straight forward & easy to follow & I enjoyed the town that this is set in. I think the author did a good job creating the eerie atmosphere surrounding the town & its dark history. learning about the past disappearances & strange things that have happened in Copper City was my favorite part of the whole story which I guess doesn't say much because it's a pretty small portion of the book. oh, Julie was kind of creepy too 👀
my biggest issues were the pacing which seemed to drag about half way through & the relationship(s) between Mara, Rhea & Zadie. i found these parts so cringe & they made the book feel so...ya??
I will say this is definitely not horror, it's more murder mystery/thriller. I'm sad this didn't work for me as much as I expected but I can see why others would like it.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
the writing was pretty straight forward & easy to follow & I enjoyed the town that this is set in. I think the author did a good job creating the eerie atmosphere surrounding the town & its dark history. learning about the past disappearances & strange things that have happened in Copper City was my favorite part of the whole story which I guess doesn't say much because it's a pretty small portion of the book. oh, Julie was kind of creepy too 👀
my biggest issues were the pacing which seemed to drag about half way through & the relationship(s) between Mara, Rhea & Zadie. i found these parts so cringe & they made the book feel so...ya??
I will say this is definitely not horror, it's more murder mystery/thriller. I'm sad this didn't work for me as much as I expected but I can see why others would like it.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
June 25, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Creature Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m at a loss for words as to how much I loved My Lips, Her Voice and how it hit the motherf*king spot. I was looking for something queer (Happy Pride, ya’ll!), creepy, and well written, and this YA/New Adult book went above and beyond those expectations, as it included:
⛏️horror/mystery/thriller elements
🪄sapphic rep
⛏️multiple POVs
🪄dual timelines
⛏️paranormal aspects, including possession, ghosts, and hypnotism
🪄family secrets
I went into this only reading the synopsis (and seeing the awesome cover), so I feel like the less I tell you, the better experience you’ll have reading this book. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and couldn’t book my kindle down. This is definitely going to be one of my favorite reads of 2025, so I highly recommend you check it out if it sounds up your alley!
Read My Lips, Her Voice if you liked: The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould or House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
I’m at a loss for words as to how much I loved My Lips, Her Voice and how it hit the motherf*king spot. I was looking for something queer (Happy Pride, ya’ll!), creepy, and well written, and this YA/New Adult book went above and beyond those expectations, as it included:
⛏️horror/mystery/thriller elements
🪄sapphic rep
⛏️multiple POVs
🪄dual timelines
⛏️paranormal aspects, including possession, ghosts, and hypnotism
🪄family secrets
I went into this only reading the synopsis (and seeing the awesome cover), so I feel like the less I tell you, the better experience you’ll have reading this book. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and couldn’t book my kindle down. This is definitely going to be one of my favorite reads of 2025, so I highly recommend you check it out if it sounds up your alley!
Read My Lips, Her Voice if you liked: The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould or House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
June 15, 2025
4.25⭐️
Oooh, I should have read this closer to Halloween...
Alternating between multiple perspectives, we learn the deep, dark history of Copper City - one that is steeped in death, heartache, betrayal, and mystery.
This was so different from what I was expecting, in the best way possible! This definitely brought the spooky vibes, but still had a lot of drama and intriguing relationships that I don't think I've ever seen in any other stories. Also, I absolutely love that this story is basically female-dominate and doesn't really focus on any male characters.
I liked some characters more than others and the plot was fantastically intricate. The big seller for me was the inherent mystery at the heart of the book. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to have the big reveal, and it did NOT disappoint!
Overall, it was a great horror/mystery read, and one that I am so glad to have read.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Amanda Manns for this ARC!
Pub Date: October 14, 2025
Oooh, I should have read this closer to Halloween...
Alternating between multiple perspectives, we learn the deep, dark history of Copper City - one that is steeped in death, heartache, betrayal, and mystery.
This was so different from what I was expecting, in the best way possible! This definitely brought the spooky vibes, but still had a lot of drama and intriguing relationships that I don't think I've ever seen in any other stories. Also, I absolutely love that this story is basically female-dominate and doesn't really focus on any male characters.
I liked some characters more than others and the plot was fantastically intricate. The big seller for me was the inherent mystery at the heart of the book. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to have the big reveal, and it did NOT disappoint!
Overall, it was a great horror/mystery read, and one that I am so glad to have read.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Amanda Manns for this ARC!
Pub Date: October 14, 2025
May 23, 2025
Lately I've been tending toward atmospheric, immersive books, layered with places that later haunt my memory, characters who show up in my dreams...and My Lips, Her Voice did not disappoint. To be clear, this is NOT a horror thriller. It's not a slasher nail-biter or a book that goes bump in the night. It's a bit hard to categorize, kind of quiet but screaming inside if you listen hard enough. I've been telling friends it's "cozy horror."
In the textured Sonoran desert, rife with sagebrush that gives way to pinon, juniper and mountain oak, three young women are at the vortex-center of an ancient evil. This evil is hungry for the best kind of souls—the ones who live with open sweetness, in touch with their child selves, a bit too trusting, a blush psychic or a touch mad or maybe they're just the creative ones, souls still connected to nature's magic, no matter how hard they fight it. But it's not just women and their fear and rage; it's men, too, and their worldly ambitions, their one-track-mindedness. More than that, it's folks who get lost. Lost in their heads. Lost in the woods.
But as the old saying goes, sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself. And these three women are on a quest to do just that. In the face of missing girls, of a bloody legacy, of a town that's given up hope, Audrey, Zadie, and Mara won't stop. They can't stop. Because if they do, they're dead.
Yes, if you like fluffy, light books, or books where you start skimming because the words don't matter and the "who-dun-it" is the only thing keeping you turning pages, then maybe pass on this one. But if you're like me and you love settling into a story that will grip you in ways you can't quite define, if "cozy horror" sounds like a midnight skinny dip in a desert hot spring with only the stars and owls to keep you company, and the occasional crack of a twig, then give this one a go.
In the textured Sonoran desert, rife with sagebrush that gives way to pinon, juniper and mountain oak, three young women are at the vortex-center of an ancient evil. This evil is hungry for the best kind of souls—the ones who live with open sweetness, in touch with their child selves, a bit too trusting, a blush psychic or a touch mad or maybe they're just the creative ones, souls still connected to nature's magic, no matter how hard they fight it. But it's not just women and their fear and rage; it's men, too, and their worldly ambitions, their one-track-mindedness. More than that, it's folks who get lost. Lost in their heads. Lost in the woods.
But as the old saying goes, sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself. And these three women are on a quest to do just that. In the face of missing girls, of a bloody legacy, of a town that's given up hope, Audrey, Zadie, and Mara won't stop. They can't stop. Because if they do, they're dead.
Yes, if you like fluffy, light books, or books where you start skimming because the words don't matter and the "who-dun-it" is the only thing keeping you turning pages, then maybe pass on this one. But if you're like me and you love settling into a story that will grip you in ways you can't quite define, if "cozy horror" sounds like a midnight skinny dip in a desert hot spring with only the stars and owls to keep you company, and the occasional crack of a twig, then give this one a go.
October 7, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC copy in exchange for my honest review. My Lips Her Voicetook me quite a while to get into. The pacing felt slow at the start and it took some time before I felt connected to the story. The premise is definitely unique and the audiobook narration was solid, which helped keep me going. The characters were intriguing but a bit hard to relate to, and some of their choices left me more puzzled than invested. I went in expecting something darker or more horror leaning, but it’s really more of a slow burn mystery then a scary one. Still, I appreciated the tension, emotion, and themes of identity and obsession woven throughout. Overall, an interesting concept that just didn’t quite hit the mark for me unfortunately.
August 25, 2025
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of My Lips, Her Voice from the author and Creature Publishing! 🫶
My Lips, Her Voice is haunting, atmospheric, and I loved every single second I spent reading this book! 🥹🖤 I could not put this book down. I also legit have a notebook where I had five pages written out with my theories and thoughts of how did it happen to what is going to happen next. This book truly is like a bag of Kettle Potato Chips: addicting, savoring, and just can’t get enough! 🫶
From the very first line I was immediately hooked and knew this was going to be exactly my kind of book and it was! 😍 To sum up what is going on in this story what happens is that Audrey’s cousin Mara is ☠️! As a result, Mara’s spirit decides to take residence in Audrey’s mind and body in order to figure out who did this to her! 😳 What could possibly go wrong with that? 😏 You got to read and find out because my lips are sealed! 🤫🤐The multiple POVs from so many different female characters is masterclass level genius level and I had goosebumps going up and down my arms with how LL Madrid seamlessly dives deep into each of the different characters and their perspectives! 💕 There additionally is a character’s POV that takes place in the past while the other characters have POVs take place in the present day and how those storylines tie together is so incredible beyond words that I can’t even convey my thoughts into words. I will say though that this book brought me through the wringer of emotions and I will leave it at that! 😭💔🙊😱😤🥰
If you love multiple timelines, multiple POVs, horror, lots of secrets, spirits, mystery, sapphic reads, and a story that will bring you a haunting ride then be sure to read this book! 🫶
My Lips, Her Voice is haunting, atmospheric, and I loved every single second I spent reading this book! 🥹🖤 I could not put this book down. I also legit have a notebook where I had five pages written out with my theories and thoughts of how did it happen to what is going to happen next. This book truly is like a bag of Kettle Potato Chips: addicting, savoring, and just can’t get enough! 🫶
From the very first line I was immediately hooked and knew this was going to be exactly my kind of book and it was! 😍 To sum up what is going on in this story what happens is that Audrey’s cousin Mara is ☠️! As a result, Mara’s spirit decides to take residence in Audrey’s mind and body in order to figure out who did this to her! 😳 What could possibly go wrong with that? 😏 You got to read and find out because my lips are sealed! 🤫🤐The multiple POVs from so many different female characters is masterclass level genius level and I had goosebumps going up and down my arms with how LL Madrid seamlessly dives deep into each of the different characters and their perspectives! 💕 There additionally is a character’s POV that takes place in the past while the other characters have POVs take place in the present day and how those storylines tie together is so incredible beyond words that I can’t even convey my thoughts into words. I will say though that this book brought me through the wringer of emotions and I will leave it at that! 😭💔🙊😱😤🥰
If you love multiple timelines, multiple POVs, horror, lots of secrets, spirits, mystery, sapphic reads, and a story that will bring you a haunting ride then be sure to read this book! 🫶
November 7, 2025
My Lips, Her Voice isn't just one thing. it's a bit of a ghost story but it's also a serial killer/ murder mystery. I really enjoyed listening to this story and it blended together a handful of my favorite tropes.
I don't know that I would call this horror, but I suppose that's subjective. There really isn't any gore and it's not super dark, honestly it's more heartbreaking than anything. I felt pretty bad for Mara.
There are also some romance elements to the story, sort of a love triangle going on...it was okay but I would have been fine without it. I did like that there is LGBT representation.
The narrator has a lovely voice and I truly enjoyed listening to her.
I don't know that I would call this horror, but I suppose that's subjective. There really isn't any gore and it's not super dark, honestly it's more heartbreaking than anything. I felt pretty bad for Mara.
There are also some romance elements to the story, sort of a love triangle going on...it was okay but I would have been fine without it. I did like that there is LGBT representation.
The narrator has a lovely voice and I truly enjoyed listening to her.
June 13, 2025
What an enjoyable book. It was delightfully creepy and left me on edge, it had all the elements of horror and ghost stories that I crave, and it had characters that were such a wide range of likability that it truly kept me engaged. I didn't quite know what was going to happen next right to the very end but that's all for the best. I was locked in for the last 45% of the book; unable to put it down and found the wrap up of the story incredibly satisfying. LL Madrid is truly a gift to the horror community.
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October 10, 2025dnf at 21%
the premise for this sounded so fun - girl gets possessed by her dead cousin and must team up with her cousin's former girlfriend to solve her murder, all set in a small spooky autumnal town !! - but unfortunately this really doesn't seem to work for me :/ the main reason is that i really don't vibe with the writing - it's very straightforward and heavy on the "tell, don't show" side, and as someone who much prefers it the other way round i'm having a very hard time getting engaged in the story.
example: "she wants me to carry on the family tradition of fortune-telling; she says i have the sight." this on its own might not seem that bad, but it happens A LOT here, at least in the 21% i've read: instead of establishing character dynamics and traits through their interactions, the book just states it like this, which is simply not very interesting to me.
another example: "we were the weird girls, but that didn't matter. we had what we wanted - each other." how were they the weird girls ?? why were they the weird girls ?? never before did anything imply the characters in question were considered the weird girls, it's once again just stated here. it's giving riverdale "i'm weird. i'm a weirdo" monologue but worse ?? at least jughead has his stupid hat! all these characters get are random statements about how they're supposed to be instead of genuine character-building.
similarly, the plot moves in a way that just throws facts at you instead of letting things unfold. there's been absolutely zero build-up so far - things just happen without any tension. there's no real atmosphere despite the promising setting because we just jump from one thing that happens to the next. this on top of the writing and my failure to connect with any of characters made me decide i'd rather spend my time on other books, at least for now. i'm still relatively early into the book tho and maybe it does get better ?? so if the synopsis sounds intriguing to you, it might still be worth a try for you 💗
big thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc!
the premise for this sounded so fun - girl gets possessed by her dead cousin and must team up with her cousin's former girlfriend to solve her murder, all set in a small spooky autumnal town !! - but unfortunately this really doesn't seem to work for me :/ the main reason is that i really don't vibe with the writing - it's very straightforward and heavy on the "tell, don't show" side, and as someone who much prefers it the other way round i'm having a very hard time getting engaged in the story.
example: "she wants me to carry on the family tradition of fortune-telling; she says i have the sight." this on its own might not seem that bad, but it happens A LOT here, at least in the 21% i've read: instead of establishing character dynamics and traits through their interactions, the book just states it like this, which is simply not very interesting to me.
another example: "we were the weird girls, but that didn't matter. we had what we wanted - each other." how were they the weird girls ?? why were they the weird girls ?? never before did anything imply the characters in question were considered the weird girls, it's once again just stated here. it's giving riverdale "i'm weird. i'm a weirdo" monologue but worse ?? at least jughead has his stupid hat! all these characters get are random statements about how they're supposed to be instead of genuine character-building.
similarly, the plot moves in a way that just throws facts at you instead of letting things unfold. there's been absolutely zero build-up so far - things just happen without any tension. there's no real atmosphere despite the promising setting because we just jump from one thing that happens to the next. this on top of the writing and my failure to connect with any of characters made me decide i'd rather spend my time on other books, at least for now. i'm still relatively early into the book tho and maybe it does get better ?? so if the synopsis sounds intriguing to you, it might still be worth a try for you 💗
big thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc!
October 11, 2025
A perfect spooky season read!!!! 👻❤️
This one sucked me in from the start and didn’t let go!! Dual timelines and multiple POVs worked well! I especially loved the dynamic between Audrey and Mara! I also listened to the ALC while following along in the ARC, and the narration was truly excellent!! 🙌
If you’re a fan of stories involving ghosts and serial killers, you need to pick this one up!!! 👏👏
Thank you to NetGalley, Creature Publishing for the eARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!! I cannot wait to read more from L.L. Madrid in the future!!! ❤️
This one sucked me in from the start and didn’t let go!! Dual timelines and multiple POVs worked well! I especially loved the dynamic between Audrey and Mara! I also listened to the ALC while following along in the ARC, and the narration was truly excellent!! 🙌
If you’re a fan of stories involving ghosts and serial killers, you need to pick this one up!!! 👏👏
Thank you to NetGalley, Creature Publishing for the eARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!! I cannot wait to read more from L.L. Madrid in the future!!! ❤️
October 1, 2025
Thank you so much @creaturepublishing for my beautiful, advanced copy.
This novel alternates between three POVs to help us learn about the dark, insidious past of Copper City. The book is steeped in the paranormal while also giving sapphic rep, possessions and even a bit of hypnotism. Crazy right?! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because I really wasn’t sure the way Madrid was going to take it and how all three POVs ended up meshing.
The story also has lots of family dramas, effects of PTSD, feminism and the different ways people cope with grief. There were times when I was SO claustrophic while reading this. The atmosphere was oozing with dread, and I wanted to jump out of my body! I loved that it had heart mixed in with the dark elements and the ending really ramped up to create a tense and emotional finish.
This novel alternates between three POVs to help us learn about the dark, insidious past of Copper City. The book is steeped in the paranormal while also giving sapphic rep, possessions and even a bit of hypnotism. Crazy right?! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because I really wasn’t sure the way Madrid was going to take it and how all three POVs ended up meshing.
The story also has lots of family dramas, effects of PTSD, feminism and the different ways people cope with grief. There were times when I was SO claustrophic while reading this. The atmosphere was oozing with dread, and I wanted to jump out of my body! I loved that it had heart mixed in with the dark elements and the ending really ramped up to create a tense and emotional finish.
October 13, 2025
In the haunted mining town of Copper City, history never stays buried. When Mara is found dead in an abandoned mine, her cousin Audrey is left reeling. She's grieving, angry, and haunted by the cryptic warnings their late grandmother once muttered about the ghosts that never sleep. But grief turns to terror when Mara's spirit doesn't stay dead. Mara returns... not as a whisper or a dream, but inside Audrey's skin. Sharing a body, the cousins are caught in a violent tug of war. Audrey, desperate to hold on to her life, and Mara, determined to use it to settle old scores and rekindle things with her ex-girlfriend Zadie. As another local girl goes missing, the trio uncover a web of buried secrets and long forgotten crimes that tie Copper City's past to its present horrors. But the deeper they dig, the more dangerous the truth becomes... and the thinner the line grows between the living and the dead. Because in Copper City, every ghost has a voice. And some are willing to steal yours to be heard.
My Lips, Her Voice isn't your usual ghost story.. it's a possession that gets under your skin and refuses to leave. L.L. Madrid blends horror, mystery, and heartbreak into something electric and eerie, where grief becomes a haunting and sisterhood turns supernatural. Audrey and Mara's twisted bond feels raw and real, even as it blurs the line between life and death. Add in the cursed history of Copper City, a missing girl, and a love story tangled in revenge, and you've got a book that feels like Jennifer's Body met The Dead Romantics in a haunted mineshaft. Darkly feminist, queer, and beautifully written, this is the kind of story that lingers, like a whisper you can't quite shake.
Thank you so much to L.L. Madrid for having me as a part of your Lip Readers team! Also thank you to NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the eARC! Publication date is October 14th, 2025.
My Lips, Her Voice isn't your usual ghost story.. it's a possession that gets under your skin and refuses to leave. L.L. Madrid blends horror, mystery, and heartbreak into something electric and eerie, where grief becomes a haunting and sisterhood turns supernatural. Audrey and Mara's twisted bond feels raw and real, even as it blurs the line between life and death. Add in the cursed history of Copper City, a missing girl, and a love story tangled in revenge, and you've got a book that feels like Jennifer's Body met The Dead Romantics in a haunted mineshaft. Darkly feminist, queer, and beautifully written, this is the kind of story that lingers, like a whisper you can't quite shake.
Thank you so much to L.L. Madrid for having me as a part of your Lip Readers team! Also thank you to NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the eARC! Publication date is October 14th, 2025.
October 14, 2025
Missing girls and discovered bodies - someone is hurting people in this town.
Audrey has just lost Mara, however, shortly after her body is discovered, Audrey doesn't feel alone anymore. Something is under her skin, something with emotions and ideas that aren't her own. Soon she discovers, Mara has joined her in her body as a spirit. Audrey has always been sensitive, from her grandma, but she never thought something like this could happen - another spirit could join her body. But when another girl go missing, she wants to discover who is taking and killing these girls - and help Mara.
This one took me a minute to get into. I liked discovering the town and the people in it. Audrey does live up to her nickname of "anxiety" but she also grows in the story and comes into her own. Mara pushes her to be braver, speak her mind, and discover who she is and what she wants. The intertwined love stories were interesting to see them juggle and added a nice layer of sweetness and struggle to the story. The mystery was well place and kept me wondering what was going on.
I did this as an audio and I really appreciated the way the narrator really differentiated the voices so you always knew who's perspective you had. A good fall read with a nice spooky theme. I liked this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Audrey has just lost Mara, however, shortly after her body is discovered, Audrey doesn't feel alone anymore. Something is under her skin, something with emotions and ideas that aren't her own. Soon she discovers, Mara has joined her in her body as a spirit. Audrey has always been sensitive, from her grandma, but she never thought something like this could happen - another spirit could join her body. But when another girl go missing, she wants to discover who is taking and killing these girls - and help Mara.
This one took me a minute to get into. I liked discovering the town and the people in it. Audrey does live up to her nickname of "anxiety" but she also grows in the story and comes into her own. Mara pushes her to be braver, speak her mind, and discover who she is and what she wants. The intertwined love stories were interesting to see them juggle and added a nice layer of sweetness and struggle to the story. The mystery was well place and kept me wondering what was going on.
I did this as an audio and I really appreciated the way the narrator really differentiated the voices so you always knew who's perspective you had. A good fall read with a nice spooky theme. I liked this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 19, 2025
Once this book got ahold of me, it did not let me go. I read it all in 24 hours. I just had to know what happened next.
Now that I’ve had a couple days to think about it, I realize Mara personifies Audrey’s shadow self. I want to read it again from that perspective.
Now that I’ve had a couple days to think about it, I realize Mara personifies Audrey’s shadow self. I want to read it again from that perspective.
July 12, 2025
Highly anticipating this debut book! Sounds amazing! So queer! So much mystery! Inject it into my veins!
August 9, 2025
My Lips, Her Voice is creepy, beautiful, and unforgettable. I’m still thinking about it.
October 3, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
I wanted to like this book much more than I did. I was really behind the idea of Mara, the murdered girl, possessing Audrey, her cousin, especially when I realized Mara was a mean girl. I actually really liked this dynamic. Everything else though was kind of underwhelming.
For most of the book, it felt more like a mystery than a horror novel and even then they were kinda running around and talking rather than solving the murders. There were chapters set in the past and I kept waiting for something important to happen in them but in the end they were just there for no reason.
Zadie wasn't a really strong voice as an MC and she seemed more concerned with the love triangle rather than the fact her girlfriend was you know a ghost living inside her cousin.
I did like the writing and the narration (since I read it on audio). I think the author did a good job setting the scene and building suspense and I really enjoyed the ending. I just wish we had spent more time with the town's history and less with Audrey baking.
I wanted to like this book much more than I did. I was really behind the idea of Mara, the murdered girl, possessing Audrey, her cousin, especially when I realized Mara was a mean girl. I actually really liked this dynamic. Everything else though was kind of underwhelming.
For most of the book, it felt more like a mystery than a horror novel and even then they were kinda running around and talking rather than solving the murders. There were chapters set in the past and I kept waiting for something important to happen in them but in the end they were just there for no reason.
Zadie wasn't a really strong voice as an MC and she seemed more concerned with the love triangle rather than the fact her girlfriend was you know a ghost living inside her cousin.
I did like the writing and the narration (since I read it on audio). I think the author did a good job setting the scene and building suspense and I really enjoyed the ending. I just wish we had spent more time with the town's history and less with Audrey baking.
October 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This was just so fun to listen, the atmosphere is eerie, the setting of this super haunted town was very cool and not in an overdone way.
The concept of possession is done in an innovative way (at least considering my experience with the theme), and also the conflict between the host, Audrey, who is super sweet and naive, and Mara, the spirit of a girl murdered horrifically, but who has always been kind of selfish and self centered, and is willing to fight for the control of Audrey’s body.
I just wish the story was more centered in Audrey and was less about Zadie. I’d like to see Audrey grow out of her shell more with this experience, since it was something the narrative kept bringing up, and zadie could be a complementary point of view. But overall, the book was really cool and a fun read for spooky times!
This was just so fun to listen, the atmosphere is eerie, the setting of this super haunted town was very cool and not in an overdone way.
The concept of possession is done in an innovative way (at least considering my experience with the theme), and also the conflict between the host, Audrey, who is super sweet and naive, and Mara, the spirit of a girl murdered horrifically, but who has always been kind of selfish and self centered, and is willing to fight for the control of Audrey’s body.
I just wish the story was more centered in Audrey and was less about Zadie. I’d like to see Audrey grow out of her shell more with this experience, since it was something the narrative kept bringing up, and zadie could be a complementary point of view. But overall, the book was really cool and a fun read for spooky times!
September 19, 2025
A Witchy Take on Possession:
L.L. Madrid has crafted a supernatural tale that feels like a potion with all the best ingredients: a little magic, a dash of blood, premonitions, and plenty of revenge. My Lips, Her Voice is a chilling exploration of possession. Don’t expect heavy gore or traditional horror; the fear here is the invasion of body and mind. The thought of someone having access to your darkest thoughts; or worse, commandeering your body without consent, is enough to leave you claustrophobic and powerless. Now imagine you’re 17. Terrifying, right?
Our story is told through multiple POVs, but Audrey stands as the anchor. She’s just buried her cousin, Mara, and longs for a quiet life in Copper City; graduating high school, baking, and keeping her head down. But Mara isn’t ready to stay buried. She returns with unfinished business: revenge on her killer. Audrey becomes her vessel, pulled into Mara’s mission whether she likes it or not. Alongside them is Zadie, Mara’s ex?girlfriend, and together they must identify the murderer who has struck again and uncover whether the killings tie into Copper City’s long history of eerie happenings.
Normally, I’m wary of books with more than two POVs, but Madrid handles the perspectives and timelines with ease. The use of spirits (mainly one) to thread past and present together is seamless and a masterclass in dual timeline storytelling.
The novel also shines in its exploration of body (and mind) autonomy. The thought of losing control; of your body being used for something you did not consent to. The transitions between Mara and Audrey were smooth yet deeply unsettling; I felt trapped right there with them.
The cast of characters is vibrant, flawed, and believable. Zadie’s choices didn’t always sit well with me, but I loved Shirley who, interestingly, feels like the perfect blend of Audrey and Mara’s polar-opposite personalities. If that was intentional, it’s brilliant.
The pacing lagged slightly after the halfway point, but the ending delivered: a mix of shock, action, and resolution that felt satisfying (if a little too neat for my taste). The romance subplot is a fascinating love triangle and was compelling given the circumstances, I only wished its conclusion carried more bite.
Ultimately, this is more supernatural mystery than outright horror, but the atmosphere Madrid builds in Copper City with its lore, gossip, and sketchy townspeople is haunting enough. While I wouldn’t have minded the spook factor dialed up, the gripping story more than makes up for it.
This is a witchy, atmospheric fall read perfect for those who love their supernatural stories laced with mystery, revenge, and unsettling intimacy. I’ll be picking up L.L. Madrid’s future works! Great for fans of Teen Witch and The Conjuring
Thank you to Creature Publishing and L.L. Madrid for the gifted copy - these opinions are my own.
L.L. Madrid has crafted a supernatural tale that feels like a potion with all the best ingredients: a little magic, a dash of blood, premonitions, and plenty of revenge. My Lips, Her Voice is a chilling exploration of possession. Don’t expect heavy gore or traditional horror; the fear here is the invasion of body and mind. The thought of someone having access to your darkest thoughts; or worse, commandeering your body without consent, is enough to leave you claustrophobic and powerless. Now imagine you’re 17. Terrifying, right?
Our story is told through multiple POVs, but Audrey stands as the anchor. She’s just buried her cousin, Mara, and longs for a quiet life in Copper City; graduating high school, baking, and keeping her head down. But Mara isn’t ready to stay buried. She returns with unfinished business: revenge on her killer. Audrey becomes her vessel, pulled into Mara’s mission whether she likes it or not. Alongside them is Zadie, Mara’s ex?girlfriend, and together they must identify the murderer who has struck again and uncover whether the killings tie into Copper City’s long history of eerie happenings.
Normally, I’m wary of books with more than two POVs, but Madrid handles the perspectives and timelines with ease. The use of spirits (mainly one) to thread past and present together is seamless and a masterclass in dual timeline storytelling.
The novel also shines in its exploration of body (and mind) autonomy. The thought of losing control; of your body being used for something you did not consent to. The transitions between Mara and Audrey were smooth yet deeply unsettling; I felt trapped right there with them.
The cast of characters is vibrant, flawed, and believable. Zadie’s choices didn’t always sit well with me, but I loved Shirley who, interestingly, feels like the perfect blend of Audrey and Mara’s polar-opposite personalities. If that was intentional, it’s brilliant.
The pacing lagged slightly after the halfway point, but the ending delivered: a mix of shock, action, and resolution that felt satisfying (if a little too neat for my taste). The romance subplot is a fascinating love triangle and was compelling given the circumstances, I only wished its conclusion carried more bite.
Ultimately, this is more supernatural mystery than outright horror, but the atmosphere Madrid builds in Copper City with its lore, gossip, and sketchy townspeople is haunting enough. While I wouldn’t have minded the spook factor dialed up, the gripping story more than makes up for it.
This is a witchy, atmospheric fall read perfect for those who love their supernatural stories laced with mystery, revenge, and unsettling intimacy. I’ll be picking up L.L. Madrid’s future works! Great for fans of Teen Witch and The Conjuring
Thank you to Creature Publishing and L.L. Madrid for the gifted copy - these opinions are my own.
October 20, 2025
Wow.
This was so incredibly well written, it’s a 3 person POV, one with a different time frame as the other as it’s set in the past, so I was worried I’d get confused but I didn’t at all.
The characters were great, i absolutely adored Audrey especially as her confidence grew and grew. I also loved how some non main characters were written in so when a final scene happened you understood who they were and their story.
The plot was incredible, with the way it had you constantly guessing what was going to happen next.
Overall it was an incredible book, I highly recommend it
*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
This was so incredibly well written, it’s a 3 person POV, one with a different time frame as the other as it’s set in the past, so I was worried I’d get confused but I didn’t at all.
The characters were great, i absolutely adored Audrey especially as her confidence grew and grew. I also loved how some non main characters were written in so when a final scene happened you understood who they were and their story.
The plot was incredible, with the way it had you constantly guessing what was going to happen next.
Overall it was an incredible book, I highly recommend it
*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
October 14, 2025
Audrey and Mara are cousins, and everyone claims they almost look identical. That make sense because their mothers are twins. Grandma Shirley passed a couple of months ago, and Mara's body was found in Copper City's old mine. Zadie is Mara's girlfriend and Audrey's friend, and she wants to find out who killed Mara. As Audrey begins to be possessed by Mara, new details come to light, and they may lead to the killer. When another girl disappears, Isabel, it becomes a race against time to save her before the killer claims another victim.
The multiple POV really helps move the story forward and explain all about the past that is manifesting again in the present. Julie, the ghost, really helped the girls out. She needed someone to know her story. My favorite was Shirley McBennett's story and how she tried to run away from the ghosts in the forest, but in the end, she had to return. And I was so happy when I didn't guess who the killer was and how Bloody Jasper fit in all of this.
Thank you, Netgalley and Creature Publishing, for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
The multiple POV really helps move the story forward and explain all about the past that is manifesting again in the present. Julie, the ghost, really helped the girls out. She needed someone to know her story. My favorite was Shirley McBennett's story and how she tried to run away from the ghosts in the forest, but in the end, she had to return. And I was so happy when I didn't guess who the killer was and how Bloody Jasper fit in all of this.
Thank you, Netgalley and Creature Publishing, for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
October 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blurb:
In the dusty town of Copper City, grief has teeth. When Mara dies, her cousin Audrey starts hearing her voice whispering from the shadows. But the dead don’t stay buried for long, and soon the line between love, loss, and possession becomes something sharp enough to cut.
Review:
This book was wild. Like, “did I just read an exorcism wrapped in a family reunion from hell” kind of wild. 👀
The dual POV works perfectly. You feel every pulse of fear, every bite of grief, and somehow you understand both women even when they’re doing things that scream “bad idea.” The short chapters make it addictive too, which is probably how I ended up ignoring my responsibilities and finishing it at 2 a.m. while rethinking my relationship with mirrors. 😬📖
It’s got ghosts, trauma, small-town secrets, and that kind of atmospheric weirdness that makes your skin crawl in the best way. I love when horror feels personal, and this one cuts deep. The ending is absolute perfection—disturbing, sad, and so satisfying I had to just sit there for a minute like 🫠.
If you like possession stories that feel more emotional than exorcism-y, or tales where the dead girl finally gets to speak, you need this. It’s queer, creepy, and beautifully unhinged. 👄🩸
Blurb:
In the dusty town of Copper City, grief has teeth. When Mara dies, her cousin Audrey starts hearing her voice whispering from the shadows. But the dead don’t stay buried for long, and soon the line between love, loss, and possession becomes something sharp enough to cut.
Review:
This book was wild. Like, “did I just read an exorcism wrapped in a family reunion from hell” kind of wild. 👀
The dual POV works perfectly. You feel every pulse of fear, every bite of grief, and somehow you understand both women even when they’re doing things that scream “bad idea.” The short chapters make it addictive too, which is probably how I ended up ignoring my responsibilities and finishing it at 2 a.m. while rethinking my relationship with mirrors. 😬📖
It’s got ghosts, trauma, small-town secrets, and that kind of atmospheric weirdness that makes your skin crawl in the best way. I love when horror feels personal, and this one cuts deep. The ending is absolute perfection—disturbing, sad, and so satisfying I had to just sit there for a minute like 🫠.
If you like possession stories that feel more emotional than exorcism-y, or tales where the dead girl finally gets to speak, you need this. It’s queer, creepy, and beautifully unhinged. 👄🩸
October 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Lips Her Voice absolutely grabbed me in the best way. Top ten horror reads of the year, easy. The writing? IMMACULATE. Like, every word was polished with blood and brilliance. The story? A spiderweb… beautiful, terrifying, perfectly connected across decades.
So many characters, so many threads, and somehow it all ties together flawlessly. I’m still sitting here wondering how the author managed to make it that seamless while also emotionally mauling me.
If you’re on the fence, jump. Read it. Suffer with the rest of us.
My Lips Her Voice absolutely grabbed me in the best way. Top ten horror reads of the year, easy. The writing? IMMACULATE. Like, every word was polished with blood and brilliance. The story? A spiderweb… beautiful, terrifying, perfectly connected across decades.
So many characters, so many threads, and somehow it all ties together flawlessly. I’m still sitting here wondering how the author managed to make it that seamless while also emotionally mauling me.
If you’re on the fence, jump. Read it. Suffer with the rest of us.
September 26, 2025
I didn't want to put this down the whole time I was reading it! I had high hopes for this but it even exceeded them.
This gave me strong Twin Peaks vibes in some places, especially in the last few chapters; small town with a malevolent spirit possessing people, I loved it! This was a lot darker and gorier than I expected it to be which isn't a bad thing for me, I was fully gripped from start to end. The writing was brilliant, the mental images I had reading this were so strong thanks to the descriptions, it was such a visceral read which was the biggest reason for my five stars.
I also loved the bi & wlw rep in this among the strong female protagonists, it didn't feel disconnected to the main story, everything seemed to merge well, especially by the end & I ended up really enjoying the romantic subplot in this. There were some parts within the dialogue & the fact the main characters are teens that made the book seem more YA than I'd usually like but it honestly didn't bother me with this book, it sort of reminded me of AGGTM so if you liked that series I'd recommend this for something a little darker & more supernatural.
Overall, this is definitely up there in my fav reads this year. It was eerie, spooky, ghostly & dark— a perfect Halloween read! If you like The Craft, AGGTM and/or Twin Peaks, I'd definitely suggest picking this up. Also obsessed with that cover 😍
Thank you Creature Publishing & Netgalley for my free eARC!
This gave me strong Twin Peaks vibes in some places, especially in the last few chapters; small town with a malevolent spirit possessing people, I loved it! This was a lot darker and gorier than I expected it to be which isn't a bad thing for me, I was fully gripped from start to end. The writing was brilliant, the mental images I had reading this were so strong thanks to the descriptions, it was such a visceral read which was the biggest reason for my five stars.
I also loved the bi & wlw rep in this among the strong female protagonists, it didn't feel disconnected to the main story, everything seemed to merge well, especially by the end & I ended up really enjoying the romantic subplot in this. There were some parts within the dialogue & the fact the main characters are teens that made the book seem more YA than I'd usually like but it honestly didn't bother me with this book, it sort of reminded me of AGGTM so if you liked that series I'd recommend this for something a little darker & more supernatural.
Overall, this is definitely up there in my fav reads this year. It was eerie, spooky, ghostly & dark— a perfect Halloween read! If you like The Craft, AGGTM and/or Twin Peaks, I'd definitely suggest picking this up. Also obsessed with that cover 😍
Thank you Creature Publishing & Netgalley for my free eARC!
September 16, 2025
Do you believe in ghosts? Copper City, a mining town with a mysterious and bloody past, is full of them. The newest is Mara, a rebellious teen girl whose spirit ends up attached to her meek, shy, and very much still living cousin, Audrey. Mara's killer is still lurking out there, and when another girl goes missing, Mara and Audrey team up with Mara's ex-girlfriend, Zadie, to find her before it's too late. Mara is hellbent on revenge, willing to use Audrey's body for her own desires. The complex relationships cause a blurring of lines between where Audrey ends and Mara begins. Struggling for control, they must solve the mystery before time runs out.
Rarely does a book captivate me so much that I find myself reading on into the wee hours of the night, unable to put it down, but My Lips, Her Voice was one of those stories. I found myself identifying strongly with Audrey, an outsider struggling to find her voice and herself in the wake of the tragedy and trauma she's experienced. Tension builds as more is revealed about Copper City's shadowy past through the different POVs, culminating in an explosive climax in their fight for the truth and their lives. Spooky settings and mysterious specters make for a spellbinding, haunting read, just in time for the Halloween season. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers, My Lips, Her Voice is a spine-chilling home run for debut author L.L. Madrid.
Thank you to Creature Publishing for providing me with an eArc for review!
Rarely does a book captivate me so much that I find myself reading on into the wee hours of the night, unable to put it down, but My Lips, Her Voice was one of those stories. I found myself identifying strongly with Audrey, an outsider struggling to find her voice and herself in the wake of the tragedy and trauma she's experienced. Tension builds as more is revealed about Copper City's shadowy past through the different POVs, culminating in an explosive climax in their fight for the truth and their lives. Spooky settings and mysterious specters make for a spellbinding, haunting read, just in time for the Halloween season. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers, My Lips, Her Voice is a spine-chilling home run for debut author L.L. Madrid.
Thank you to Creature Publishing for providing me with an eArc for review!
September 25, 2025
My Lips, Her Voice is the kind of spooky page-turner that will keep you reading through the night.
I love the concept of a possession that isn't by demon but by a family member. L.L. Madrid's descriptions of one mind entwined with another was so captivating and oddly believable. The dual POV's worked so well too. The characters were distinct and engaging so I was never disappointed when the POV changed.
With its witchy vibes and haunted history, the town of Copper City totally immersed me. I'm going to have to find more stories like this one to cure my book hangover!
I love the concept of a possession that isn't by demon but by a family member. L.L. Madrid's descriptions of one mind entwined with another was so captivating and oddly believable. The dual POV's worked so well too. The characters were distinct and engaging so I was never disappointed when the POV changed.
With its witchy vibes and haunted history, the town of Copper City totally immersed me. I'm going to have to find more stories like this one to cure my book hangover!
July 1, 2025
Another WLW horror novel, but in this one, one of the women is a ghost potentially trying to take over her cousin's body, to solve her own murder and get her girlfriend back. Mara may be joining my list of unlikable characters, but in making Audrey such a foil to her, they do them both a disservice. It would be nice to be able to see these characters as individuals, but that's not how this story goes. The more interesting part of the story is the role of gender dynamics in the killings and the Bloody Jasper storyline. I think the ending resolves all of the questions the reader might have and ends in a way I found appropriate for the novel overall. Overall recommend to anyone who likes psychic stories and people who may or may not be able to see the future, and ghosts.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel, I am leaving this review of my own choice.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel, I am leaving this review of my own choice.
June 2, 2025
Received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for honest opinion, thanks!
L.L. Madrid's story follows three girls – one alive, who feels lost, one alive, who looks for a way to escape her town, and one dead, on her way to get revenge. Set in a small town full of still not uncovered secrets from the past, it serves a really nice time. The ideas are there, the execution works, but in my opinion could have been better. I like the message of "even mean girls deserve justice", but it bothered me a bit how much Mara abused (maybe it's a too strong of a word) Audrey during her ghostly afterlife, and how it never got resolved anyhow.
The mystery starts great, narrator plays with the reader with what's real, what's not. It became weaker with the last supernatural twist, that for me felt unnecessary, but overall didn't influence the rating.
Overall, this book is a very interesting piece of YA literature, certainly female-oriented, that could've used a bit more polishing, yet still remains enjoyable.
L.L. Madrid's story follows three girls – one alive, who feels lost, one alive, who looks for a way to escape her town, and one dead, on her way to get revenge. Set in a small town full of still not uncovered secrets from the past, it serves a really nice time. The ideas are there, the execution works, but in my opinion could have been better. I like the message of "even mean girls deserve justice", but it bothered me a bit how much Mara abused (maybe it's a too strong of a word) Audrey during her ghostly afterlife, and how it never got resolved anyhow.
The mystery starts great, narrator plays with the reader with what's real, what's not. It became weaker with the last supernatural twist, that for me felt unnecessary, but overall didn't influence the rating.
Overall, this book is a very interesting piece of YA literature, certainly female-oriented, that could've used a bit more polishing, yet still remains enjoyable.
October 15, 2025
2.25
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This one was unfortunately not for me. From the premise, it sounds very interesting. A girl dies in a haunted town and then takes over her cousin's body to solve her own murder with the help of her (ex)girlfriend? I was intrigued! And to be fair, it was very interesting and I do think the story was entertaining. The writing style and framing of this book was where I struggled. From the beginning, I felt like I dropped a few chapters into a book that had already begun. Feeling like I was jumping late into this story from the start just tainted the experience overall. The relationships, familial and romantic, felt half-baked. I didn't really capture the motives of any character. They felt like plot devices rather than developed characters. The sequences also felt all over the place and muddled, especially with the addition of the past timeline. I think this author probably has some very interesting ideas, the writing style and plot focused storytelling just isn't for me. Overall, I left this book feeling like it was disconnected and underdeveloped, despite my interest in the story.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This one was unfortunately not for me. From the premise, it sounds very interesting. A girl dies in a haunted town and then takes over her cousin's body to solve her own murder with the help of her (ex)girlfriend? I was intrigued! And to be fair, it was very interesting and I do think the story was entertaining. The writing style and framing of this book was where I struggled. From the beginning, I felt like I dropped a few chapters into a book that had already begun. Feeling like I was jumping late into this story from the start just tainted the experience overall. The relationships, familial and romantic, felt half-baked. I didn't really capture the motives of any character. They felt like plot devices rather than developed characters. The sequences also felt all over the place and muddled, especially with the addition of the past timeline. I think this author probably has some very interesting ideas, the writing style and plot focused storytelling just isn't for me. Overall, I left this book feeling like it was disconnected and underdeveloped, despite my interest in the story.
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