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A Hollow Dream
Meet Georgia.
The moment Georgia caved into the pressure to go on social media, it turned into an obsession, an insatiable craving for validation. When she finds her online presence dwindling, Georgia and her best friend Pia go to a mysterious JUICE party —a place whispered to hold the elusive key to social media stardom. One could be scouted here if you’re lucky enough.
Here, Georgia meets Garret, head of the foremost social media agency, and he wants her. It doesn’t take much for Garret to convince her that he is the answer to all of her problems.
The more she gets entangled in his world, the more she feels the need to claw her way out. With every step she takes, she questions whether she could ever return to her old life… alive.
This is an ero horror novel. Consider this a trigger warning for just about everything. 18+
The moment Georgia caved into the pressure to go on social media, it turned into an obsession, an insatiable craving for validation. When she finds her online presence dwindling, Georgia and her best friend Pia go to a mysterious JUICE party —a place whispered to hold the elusive key to social media stardom. One could be scouted here if you’re lucky enough.
Here, Georgia meets Garret, head of the foremost social media agency, and he wants her. It doesn’t take much for Garret to convince her that he is the answer to all of her problems.
The more she gets entangled in his world, the more she feels the need to claw her way out. With every step she takes, she questions whether she could ever return to her old life… alive.
This is an ero horror novel. Consider this a trigger warning for just about everything. 18+
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2025
9 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Lesley A. Camphouse
25 books313 followersLesley lives secluded in the Netherlands with her husband and five cats. She enjoys writing Extreme Horror, Splatterpunk, and Dark Romantasy.
Besides writing, she likes to read, and those exact categories are the ones she devours.
She's also a hoarder of trinkets and cool things and collects a lot of stuff, from oddities and curiosities to manga, comics, and figurines.
Besides writing, she likes to read, and those exact categories are the ones she devours.
She's also a hoarder of trinkets and cool things and collects a lot of stuff, from oddities and curiosities to manga, comics, and figurines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 8, 2025
(4.5 rounded up)
Lesley’s writing is hypnotic, silky, dark, and dangerously smooth, perfectly matching the tone of this nightmare. A Hollow Dream is her first full-length novel (more to come, yay!), and it feels like being pulled under a current you don’t realize is drowning you until it’s too late.
At its core, this book is about manipulation. About men who mold women into whatever shape benefits them, only to hollow them out and sell what’s left for clicks, content, and profit. Garret doesn’t just run a business; he runs an industry of exploitation, preying on insecurities, vanity, and the craving for validation that social media so cleverly feeds.
Georgia’s descent starts innocently enough, with one “yes” to a JUICE party and one charming promise from the man who claims to have the power to make her famous. From there, it spirals into a psychological and physical trap where sex, fame, and violence intertwine.
Lesley captures that influencer culture beautifully, the way we chase perfection until it consumes us. This isn’t just horror; it’s a mirror held up to the monster we’ve built online.
Lesley’s writing is hypnotic, silky, dark, and dangerously smooth, perfectly matching the tone of this nightmare. A Hollow Dream is her first full-length novel (more to come, yay!), and it feels like being pulled under a current you don’t realize is drowning you until it’s too late.
At its core, this book is about manipulation. About men who mold women into whatever shape benefits them, only to hollow them out and sell what’s left for clicks, content, and profit. Garret doesn’t just run a business; he runs an industry of exploitation, preying on insecurities, vanity, and the craving for validation that social media so cleverly feeds.
Georgia’s descent starts innocently enough, with one “yes” to a JUICE party and one charming promise from the man who claims to have the power to make her famous. From there, it spirals into a psychological and physical trap where sex, fame, and violence intertwine.
Lesley captures that influencer culture beautifully, the way we chase perfection until it consumes us. This isn’t just horror; it’s a mirror held up to the monster we’ve built online.
November 4, 2025
You can see this happening easily in real life.
That’s what’s so shocking with social media today!
The need for being wanted and loved!
That’s what’s so shocking with social media today!
The need for being wanted and loved!
November 8, 2025
I have never hated a fictional man the way I hate Garrett. He’s garbage fuel that preys on women. Even worst, I’m sure this actually happens. Lesley did an amazing job of sucking you in and attaching you deeply to poor Georgia. Her pain just bleeds off the pages. Definitely worth reading!
November 24, 2025
Lesley A. Camphouse never fails to unsettle readers, and 'A Hollow Dream' does just that! This novel follows our beautiful protagonist Georgia as she tries to climb the social media ladder, willing to do anything to gain that fame she itches for. An absolutely miserable read, in the best and most entertaining way.
I went into this novel completely blind, no knowledge of the plot or trigger warnings, nothing but trust that Camphouse will deliver yet another wonderful tale! I was absolutely right. The way this book escalated had my jaw on the floor!
This story broke my soul and ruined any faith I had in men. I was left drained and miserable by the end, which is a true reflection of Lesley's incredible writing as readers are sucked into this intense and extreme story! Camphouse has an incredible way with words, creating the most vivid imagery. I experienced every emotion possible and I have truly never hated a character as much as I did while reading 'A Hollow Dream'.
This was a horrifyingly wonderful read! Heartbreaking, terrifying and soul destroying in every possible way! Yet the scariest part is the truth behind this tale. Somewhere out there, this is someone's reality. Lesley A. Camphouse is a wonderful author with a sick and twisted mind that I am obsessed with! I cannot wait til dive into more of her work.
5/5 smut rating - smutty & fun, until things get dark and twisted!
Thank you so much to the author for an arc of this book, I am extremely grateful! All views and opinions are mine and left voluntarily.
I went into this novel completely blind, no knowledge of the plot or trigger warnings, nothing but trust that Camphouse will deliver yet another wonderful tale! I was absolutely right. The way this book escalated had my jaw on the floor!
This story broke my soul and ruined any faith I had in men. I was left drained and miserable by the end, which is a true reflection of Lesley's incredible writing as readers are sucked into this intense and extreme story! Camphouse has an incredible way with words, creating the most vivid imagery. I experienced every emotion possible and I have truly never hated a character as much as I did while reading 'A Hollow Dream'.
This was a horrifyingly wonderful read! Heartbreaking, terrifying and soul destroying in every possible way! Yet the scariest part is the truth behind this tale. Somewhere out there, this is someone's reality. Lesley A. Camphouse is a wonderful author with a sick and twisted mind that I am obsessed with! I cannot wait til dive into more of her work.
5/5 smut rating - smutty & fun, until things get dark and twisted!
Thank you so much to the author for an arc of this book, I am extremely grateful! All views and opinions are mine and left voluntarily.
November 11, 2025
”The thought of breaking her, piece by agonizing piece, is satisfying.“
Georgia and Pia are best friends–same college, same dorm. They also share a dream: to be seen, admired, and followed. When they decide to go to a JUICE event, packed with social media influencers, this feels like their moment. Fame is finally within reach.
How far are you willing to go, to become famous?
Only one of them is noticed. She gets it all–the glamour, the attention, the dangerously magnetic man.
The dream twists into a nightmare. Because when something seems to good to be true, it usually hides something rotten underneath.
What follows is a tale of grooming, control, abuse, and terror. The psychological abuse really got to me in this book.
A Hollow Dream left me staring into space long after the final page. It’s raw, unapologetic, and devastating–a story that crawls under your skin and stays there. Lesley writes with ruthless precision, pulling you into the minds of both victim and abuser. The result? Pure emotional wreckage–and I loved every second of it.
-Vibeke.
Thank you, Lesley, for letting me beta-read this absolute gem 🖤
Georgia and Pia are best friends–same college, same dorm. They also share a dream: to be seen, admired, and followed. When they decide to go to a JUICE event, packed with social media influencers, this feels like their moment. Fame is finally within reach.
How far are you willing to go, to become famous?
Only one of them is noticed. She gets it all–the glamour, the attention, the dangerously magnetic man.
The dream twists into a nightmare. Because when something seems to good to be true, it usually hides something rotten underneath.
What follows is a tale of grooming, control, abuse, and terror. The psychological abuse really got to me in this book.
A Hollow Dream left me staring into space long after the final page. It’s raw, unapologetic, and devastating–a story that crawls under your skin and stays there. Lesley writes with ruthless precision, pulling you into the minds of both victim and abuser. The result? Pure emotional wreckage–and I loved every second of it.
-Vibeke.
Thank you, Lesley, for letting me beta-read this absolute gem 🖤
November 20, 2025
Anxiety trembles through my skin from the prologue alone. Her parents a contradiction no more. Dead. Life changes in an instant for Georgia.
Social media takes over…
Question is how far is Georgia willing to go for fame and fortune? She meets Garrett and this is where this story really opens up! What Georgia thought she wanted… I’ll leave the rest for you to find out.
This story provides themes of sexualisation, coercive control, gaslighting and narcissism.
The progression of this story hit me like a punch to the gut. It is raw, visceral and truly haunting.
Social media takes over…
Question is how far is Georgia willing to go for fame and fortune? She meets Garrett and this is where this story really opens up! What Georgia thought she wanted… I’ll leave the rest for you to find out.
This story provides themes of sexualisation, coercive control, gaslighting and narcissism.
The progression of this story hit me like a punch to the gut. It is raw, visceral and truly haunting.
November 3, 2025
In a desperate bid for fame and popularity, Georgia dives into the world of influencers. She meets Garrett at a party and he promises her everything she’s ever dreamt of: glamorous photoshoots, a social media manager, financial security. Before Georgia knows it, she’s sucked into Garrett’s world, only it’s nothing like what she’d imagined.
Equal parts heartbreaking and horrifying, what starts as a slow-burn, fiery romance, quickly descends into a spiralling nightmare. Georgia is thrown into a world of dark-web depravity as she tries to make sense of the thoughts in both her heart and her head.
A huge thank you to Lesley for letting me edit this one, we definitely need a book two!
Equal parts heartbreaking and horrifying, what starts as a slow-burn, fiery romance, quickly descends into a spiralling nightmare. Georgia is thrown into a world of dark-web depravity as she tries to make sense of the thoughts in both her heart and her head.
A huge thank you to Lesley for letting me edit this one, we definitely need a book two!
November 16, 2025
A Hollow Dream 🤎
I was privileged enough to of Beta read this for Lesley, so I’ve been impatiently sitting on my review until arcs went out…I so want to scream about this from the roof tops!! For a debut in Erotic horror its a definite F YES from me 🙌🏼
Georgia had a rough upbringing, her narcissistic parents brought her up fearing them, the abuse they threw her way would destroy the strongest of children but she still craved their love, any kind of attention is good attention right 😔 At 16 her parents die in a car crash, all emotions sweep through her, relief, sadness & uncertainly as to what’s next.
Time moves on & she goes to college, makes new friends & seems to have put her past and losses behind her. All of her friends are obsessed with a new social media site, she didn’t really see the fuss but thought she’d join anyway, better to be in with the crowd than not!
She soon becomes wrapped up in this world of strangers admiring her, validating her & finally making her feel wanted. She craves the attention & starts doing a little more to get more of a following. When numbers start to go down though she panics and confides in her best friend Pia, who tells her she knows of groups with agents that will help them become big. They just have to do whatever they say & the numbers will soar!
This is where she meets Garret, she falls head over heels instantly, he’s dangerous & exciting, she’s never felt a connection like it. Opportunities start coming & she feels like she’s getting everything she dreamed for and more….that is until the rose tinted specs come off & she see’s Garret for what he is, but can she escape before it’s to late?
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 this was UNREAL, I was so rooting for Georgia, after such a rubbish upbringing all she craved was real love & validation.
Honestly Lesley this was perfection, I didn’t want it to end, i love that this is also your genre now 👏🏼 releasing 24th November, Makesure to get those pre-orders in you don’t want to miss this 🫶🏻🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was privileged enough to of Beta read this for Lesley, so I’ve been impatiently sitting on my review until arcs went out…I so want to scream about this from the roof tops!! For a debut in Erotic horror its a definite F YES from me 🙌🏼
Georgia had a rough upbringing, her narcissistic parents brought her up fearing them, the abuse they threw her way would destroy the strongest of children but she still craved their love, any kind of attention is good attention right 😔 At 16 her parents die in a car crash, all emotions sweep through her, relief, sadness & uncertainly as to what’s next.
Time moves on & she goes to college, makes new friends & seems to have put her past and losses behind her. All of her friends are obsessed with a new social media site, she didn’t really see the fuss but thought she’d join anyway, better to be in with the crowd than not!
She soon becomes wrapped up in this world of strangers admiring her, validating her & finally making her feel wanted. She craves the attention & starts doing a little more to get more of a following. When numbers start to go down though she panics and confides in her best friend Pia, who tells her she knows of groups with agents that will help them become big. They just have to do whatever they say & the numbers will soar!
This is where she meets Garret, she falls head over heels instantly, he’s dangerous & exciting, she’s never felt a connection like it. Opportunities start coming & she feels like she’s getting everything she dreamed for and more….that is until the rose tinted specs come off & she see’s Garret for what he is, but can she escape before it’s to late?
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 this was UNREAL, I was so rooting for Georgia, after such a rubbish upbringing all she craved was real love & validation.
Honestly Lesley this was perfection, I didn’t want it to end, i love that this is also your genre now 👏🏼 releasing 24th November, Makesure to get those pre-orders in you don’t want to miss this 🫶🏻🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 11, 2025
5/5 🍒
Georgia comes from an abusive home, which has altered her brain chemistry. As she grows up she finds that she isn’t like other women and doesn’t care about a lot of the same things. UNTIL she does. She begins a spiral into the world of social media fast and sudden and her friend Pia helps her.
She has now decided she wants to become an influencer, so her friend invites her to a networking party called Juice. They get glamorous and find themselves in a sea with women and men who all look alike. Your stereotypical influencers, BBL’s, injections, plastic surgery, fake eyelashes and fake hair colors. In the sea of women Georgia feels different and begins to feel self conscious.
But a man named Garrett approaches her at the event and gives her his business card. Telling her she is different and special. More beautiful than all these women in the room and he NEEDS her for his company. Garrett’s manipulation starts from the moment he breathes a breath in Georgia’s direction.
Georgia eats his words up and is excited to meet him and become a social media star as he’s promised. Things from her get crazy but at a slow pace. Garrett wants Georgia but not in the way she believes. Will Georgia figure out things aren’t as they seem or will she begin a descent into madness?
This book PISSED ME OFF. I mean that in the most respectful way. This is the first book in a long time where I despised the character so much I was cussing and hollering out loud as I was reading the book. This book is written to hit you in the gut. It does just that. In fact it takes a baseball to both your kneecaps. This book is written fantastically. It’s a slow bleak burn and boy does it burn you up. Lesley is one of my favorite authors right now and I will continue arc reading her books as long as she will let me.
Georgia comes from an abusive home, which has altered her brain chemistry. As she grows up she finds that she isn’t like other women and doesn’t care about a lot of the same things. UNTIL she does. She begins a spiral into the world of social media fast and sudden and her friend Pia helps her.
She has now decided she wants to become an influencer, so her friend invites her to a networking party called Juice. They get glamorous and find themselves in a sea with women and men who all look alike. Your stereotypical influencers, BBL’s, injections, plastic surgery, fake eyelashes and fake hair colors. In the sea of women Georgia feels different and begins to feel self conscious.
But a man named Garrett approaches her at the event and gives her his business card. Telling her she is different and special. More beautiful than all these women in the room and he NEEDS her for his company. Garrett’s manipulation starts from the moment he breathes a breath in Georgia’s direction.
Georgia eats his words up and is excited to meet him and become a social media star as he’s promised. Things from her get crazy but at a slow pace. Garrett wants Georgia but not in the way she believes. Will Georgia figure out things aren’t as they seem or will she begin a descent into madness?
This book PISSED ME OFF. I mean that in the most respectful way. This is the first book in a long time where I despised the character so much I was cussing and hollering out loud as I was reading the book. This book is written to hit you in the gut. It does just that. In fact it takes a baseball to both your kneecaps. This book is written fantastically. It’s a slow bleak burn and boy does it burn you up. Lesley is one of my favorite authors right now and I will continue arc reading her books as long as she will let me.
November 8, 2025
‘I don’t just want your body, but your soul as well’
Just to start I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I’ve become a big fan of Lesley’s work over the past couple months. I’ve been greatly impressed with Lesley’s imagination and splatterpunk series- so to switch up the vibe a bit with this one was new to me- but very welcome. So with that being said, I believe I went in with slightly higher expectations than I should have, and so my review may not be reflective of everyone’s experience.
On a positive note, Lesley’s writing is still easy to consume and takes a slightly different pace in this book compared to her others. Something I felt locked in her splatterpunk books excel here and that’s the world building and character development before we reach the truly gritty and harrowing parts to the story and reality. The characters fluctuate throughout, going from understandable, to unlikeable and pitiable as the pages turn.
This book is overall harrowing and terrifyingly reflective of modern days and future horrors. The depiction of sexual slavery is haunting, but depicted with care and grace. I felt a lot of different emotions as the book went on- something that actual surprised me a lot.
I commend Lesley for her ambition, and I only had one real problem with the whole thing, and this may be the splatterpunk whore in me, but pls don’t shy away from the horror. Sometimes I felt the scenes were only half baked and could’ve gone further (the last scene with Georgia). And the ending wasn’t quite what I expected, but it permeated the true story and harrowing cycle of reality.
All that being said, this was a new venture for me that I enjoyed divulging.
Just to start I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I’ve become a big fan of Lesley’s work over the past couple months. I’ve been greatly impressed with Lesley’s imagination and splatterpunk series- so to switch up the vibe a bit with this one was new to me- but very welcome. So with that being said, I believe I went in with slightly higher expectations than I should have, and so my review may not be reflective of everyone’s experience.
On a positive note, Lesley’s writing is still easy to consume and takes a slightly different pace in this book compared to her others. Something I felt locked in her splatterpunk books excel here and that’s the world building and character development before we reach the truly gritty and harrowing parts to the story and reality. The characters fluctuate throughout, going from understandable, to unlikeable and pitiable as the pages turn.
This book is overall harrowing and terrifyingly reflective of modern days and future horrors. The depiction of sexual slavery is haunting, but depicted with care and grace. I felt a lot of different emotions as the book went on- something that actual surprised me a lot.
I commend Lesley for her ambition, and I only had one real problem with the whole thing, and this may be the splatterpunk whore in me, but pls don’t shy away from the horror. Sometimes I felt the scenes were only half baked and could’ve gone further (the last scene with Georgia). And the ending wasn’t quite what I expected, but it permeated the true story and harrowing cycle of reality.
All that being said, this was a new venture for me that I enjoyed divulging.
November 12, 2025
My mind right now is so f*^ked up and I feel so sad all at the same time. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but damn. That was a lot I read. I can honestly say this book had every trigger you can imagine and then some.
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒾𝓈 𝐻𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝒶𝓇 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑜 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝑒? 𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝓂𝒾𝓉?
This book is about a young woman name Georgia we get a glimpse into her childhood and brace yourself. She is a college student alongside her good friend, Pia. They both decide to take the social media world by storm as content creators. So then there is this exclusive party called Juice, this party can make you famous or forgotten. Georgia meets a man named Garrett. This strategic meeting has severe consequences.
I have never read a book that had so many emotional and manipulative tactics. We would call these “Red Flags” and they all were waving. I never disliked any character as much as Garrett’s. It’s really disturbing how 1. People will go to no ends to become a famous influencer 2. How realistic the basis of this book is 3. How we witness a very slow descent where manipulation meets an opportunists. I’ll say the ending I got was not what I wanted. Please make sure you check your triggers this is a raw emotional rollercoaster.
As always thank you Lesley, for allowing me to read this ARC. I truly appreciate you and the opportunities you have be kind enough to extend to me. I am leaving this review voluntarily all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒾𝓈 𝐻𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝒶𝓇 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑜 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝑒? 𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝓂𝒾𝓉?
This book is about a young woman name Georgia we get a glimpse into her childhood and brace yourself. She is a college student alongside her good friend, Pia. They both decide to take the social media world by storm as content creators. So then there is this exclusive party called Juice, this party can make you famous or forgotten. Georgia meets a man named Garrett. This strategic meeting has severe consequences.
I have never read a book that had so many emotional and manipulative tactics. We would call these “Red Flags” and they all were waving. I never disliked any character as much as Garrett’s. It’s really disturbing how 1. People will go to no ends to become a famous influencer 2. How realistic the basis of this book is 3. How we witness a very slow descent where manipulation meets an opportunists. I’ll say the ending I got was not what I wanted. Please make sure you check your triggers this is a raw emotional rollercoaster.
As always thank you Lesley, for allowing me to read this ARC. I truly appreciate you and the opportunities you have be kind enough to extend to me. I am leaving this review voluntarily all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 - thank you so much Lesley for the
ARC! You are literally the best! 🫶💜
This book hit me harder than l expected! As a part-time TikTok content creator, I instantly related to Georgia's obsession with refreshing likes and comments.
The constant need for validation, the way it slowly consumes your mind... Lesley captures it so accurately that I felt genuinely seen. But Georgia doesn't see it happening to her, and that's where the heartbreak begins.
You start the book thinking you're diving into the horrors of social-media addiction... and then Garret shows up. And honestly? Meeting him is the worst twist of fate for an already fragile young woman. The manipulation, the love bombing, the hot and cold mixed messages, the silent treatment - it's raw, it's ugly, and it feels painfully real. Lesley doesn't shy away from showing the emotional damage piece by piece, and it builds to a tragedy that absolutely gutted me.
I'm not exaggerating when I say this book made me cry.
The emotion runs that deep.
For me, this is Lesley's best standalone story! It's gripping, devastating, and beautifully written. I'm genuinely sad it's over, and I need a hardback edition immediately, because this one deserves a permanent place on my shelf!
Fucking awesome.
ARC! You are literally the best! 🫶💜
This book hit me harder than l expected! As a part-time TikTok content creator, I instantly related to Georgia's obsession with refreshing likes and comments.
The constant need for validation, the way it slowly consumes your mind... Lesley captures it so accurately that I felt genuinely seen. But Georgia doesn't see it happening to her, and that's where the heartbreak begins.
You start the book thinking you're diving into the horrors of social-media addiction... and then Garret shows up. And honestly? Meeting him is the worst twist of fate for an already fragile young woman. The manipulation, the love bombing, the hot and cold mixed messages, the silent treatment - it's raw, it's ugly, and it feels painfully real. Lesley doesn't shy away from showing the emotional damage piece by piece, and it builds to a tragedy that absolutely gutted me.
I'm not exaggerating when I say this book made me cry.
The emotion runs that deep.
For me, this is Lesley's best standalone story! It's gripping, devastating, and beautifully written. I'm genuinely sad it's over, and I need a hardback edition immediately, because this one deserves a permanent place on my shelf!
Fucking awesome.
November 15, 2025
Georgia, a college student shaped by a painful past, believes media is the only place she can finally feel loved and seen. When her best friend Pia takes her to an exclusive influencer party, she meets Garret—charming, successful, and seemingly perfect. He promises to make her a star and pulls her into his glamorous world.
But as Georgia rises online, she starts to notice that nothing around Garret is what it seems. The promises come with control, the opportunities have hidden costs, and the glittering influencer life begins to feel like a trap.
Now Georgia must find the strength to break free before she loses herself entirely.
But as Georgia rises online, she starts to notice that nothing around Garret is what it seems. The promises come with control, the opportunities have hidden costs, and the glittering influencer life begins to feel like a trap.
Now Georgia must find the strength to break free before she loses herself entirely.
November 7, 2025
“A Hollow Dream” - Lessons learned, fame comes at a price you might not be willing to pay.
★★★★★
Lesley has done it again! Damn! This novel is what nightmares are made of. I got sucked into this story and the horrors that unravel are so unsettling but I couldn’t look away. For anyone with a heart and sympathy this will be an intense ride and I can’t get over how brilliantly this is written. Lesley has a way with words that makes you feel true horror all the way into your soul. This being my first “Erotic Horror” I went in expecting s*x and violence, what I got was so much darker. So if you are ready to have your soul crushed and not afraid of some really dark stuff this is a must read!
Thank you for letting me be your ARC reader, I leave this review voluntarily.
★★★★★
Lesley has done it again! Damn! This novel is what nightmares are made of. I got sucked into this story and the horrors that unravel are so unsettling but I couldn’t look away. For anyone with a heart and sympathy this will be an intense ride and I can’t get over how brilliantly this is written. Lesley has a way with words that makes you feel true horror all the way into your soul. This being my first “Erotic Horror” I went in expecting s*x and violence, what I got was so much darker. So if you are ready to have your soul crushed and not afraid of some really dark stuff this is a must read!
Thank you for letting me be your ARC reader, I leave this review voluntarily.
December 5, 2025
Georgia wants to become a famous influencer, but at what cost..
A Hollow Dream starts as a romantic dream which spirals quickly into a dark and horrific nightmare and the most scary part is the fact this actually happens in real life. I hate this guy Garrett so much I’m demanding a sequel with legitimate revenge! 🔥
It’s hard to pick a favorite book of Lesley’s work, because they’re all bangers but if I had to choose it would be this one. 🖤 Thank you so much for another murky gem of depravity. I’m eagerly awaiting your next books. 🤩
A Hollow Dream starts as a romantic dream which spirals quickly into a dark and horrific nightmare and the most scary part is the fact this actually happens in real life. I hate this guy Garrett so much I’m demanding a sequel with legitimate revenge! 🔥
It’s hard to pick a favorite book of Lesley’s work, because they’re all bangers but if I had to choose it would be this one. 🖤 Thank you so much for another murky gem of depravity. I’m eagerly awaiting your next books. 🤩
November 10, 2025
This harrowing tale follows Georgia as she aspires to make it big in the influencer world.
When she meets Garrett at an influencer event, she thinks this will be her chance to make a name for herself, but all is not as it seems.
My heart broke for Georgia throughout this whole book. From her awful start in life to the manipulation and horrors she experiences, all because she craves love and validation.
Lesley has created a hauntingly tragic tale that hits hard and has left me staring into the void.
When she meets Garrett at an influencer event, she thinks this will be her chance to make a name for herself, but all is not as it seems.
My heart broke for Georgia throughout this whole book. From her awful start in life to the manipulation and horrors she experiences, all because she craves love and validation.
Lesley has created a hauntingly tragic tale that hits hard and has left me staring into the void.
November 28, 2025
The scariest thing about this book is the terrifying capacity for reality behind the subject matter.
Georgia is trying to rebuild her life and, in the process, develops an addiction to social media and gaining followers. Attending networking events, she gets wrapped up in the glitz and glam, but everything that shines also has the ability to become dark and bleak. Camphouse really captures the darkness of humanity in this book.
This was an incredibly dark read. I skipped the trigger warnings since the book was recommended to me, so I did go in blind!
This is not for the faint of heart!
Smut, horror, harrowing twist filled story all rolled into one!
I am patiently awaiting my next rec from this author!
Georgia is trying to rebuild her life and, in the process, develops an addiction to social media and gaining followers. Attending networking events, she gets wrapped up in the glitz and glam, but everything that shines also has the ability to become dark and bleak. Camphouse really captures the darkness of humanity in this book.
This was an incredibly dark read. I skipped the trigger warnings since the book was recommended to me, so I did go in blind!
This is not for the faint of heart!
Smut, horror, harrowing twist filled story all rolled into one!
I am patiently awaiting my next rec from this author!
November 4, 2025
*ARC Review
A Hollow Dream
Lesley A. Camphouse
Release Date: November 24, 2025
Genre: Erotic Horror - Splatterpunk
This was a slow burn erotic horror whose main focus is the FMC Georgias desire to be seen & loved. Dragged to an influencer party by her bestie she meets a man who promises to increase her number of followers. It will make you question who to trust and how far people will go to satiate their own desires.
The plot is solid and the characters are well developed. You’ll 100% end up despising 1 or 4. Certainly left open for a series.
As with all horror stories check your triggers!
A Hollow Dream
Lesley A. Camphouse
Release Date: November 24, 2025
Genre: Erotic Horror - Splatterpunk
This was a slow burn erotic horror whose main focus is the FMC Georgias desire to be seen & loved. Dragged to an influencer party by her bestie she meets a man who promises to increase her number of followers. It will make you question who to trust and how far people will go to satiate their own desires.
The plot is solid and the characters are well developed. You’ll 100% end up despising 1 or 4. Certainly left open for a series.
As with all horror stories check your triggers!
November 6, 2025
Georgia wants fame. Garret offers it. What she gets is a slow-burn descent into influencer hell. Where desire turns deadly and escape feels impossible.
This erotic horror is sharp, disturbing, and painfully real.
Solid plot, haunting characters, unforgettable descent.
This erotic horror is sharp, disturbing, and painfully real.
Solid plot, haunting characters, unforgettable descent.
December 27, 2025
Lesley A. Camphouse got herself a fan after I read "Eternal Wives". She does extreme horror VERY well and since there's a little sadistic part of me that enjoys that stuff, here we are. I first listened to Vince Midgard's "The Dark Mind Podcast" with Lesley about "A Hollow Dream" and it sounded right up my alley.
Georgia is a college student who dreams of fame. She accompanies her friend Pia to a JUICE party where all the coolest influencers are in the hopes of attracting the attention of a talent scout. Garrett, an Inquisitor, discovers Georgia at the party and draws her into his web of abuse and trauma under the guise of love and improving her social media presence. Slowly but surely, he pushes Georgia's boundaries until she is in deep, having depraved sex and succumbing to horrific violence all to pad Garrett's bank account.
Definitely not a book for the faint of heart as there is a lot of violence, SA, harsh language but an interesting character study on how far people will go for their dreams.
Georgia is a college student who dreams of fame. She accompanies her friend Pia to a JUICE party where all the coolest influencers are in the hopes of attracting the attention of a talent scout. Garrett, an Inquisitor, discovers Georgia at the party and draws her into his web of abuse and trauma under the guise of love and improving her social media presence. Slowly but surely, he pushes Georgia's boundaries until she is in deep, having depraved sex and succumbing to horrific violence all to pad Garrett's bank account.
Definitely not a book for the faint of heart as there is a lot of violence, SA, harsh language but an interesting character study on how far people will go for their dreams.
November 1, 2025
Georga's story was definitely a horrific one. extremely well written. a great tale of sex trafficking and grooming women who think they are getting into modeling to become famous one day and to get more followers online
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2025
What starts as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Georgia, quickly turns sinister.
Georgia finds herself charmed by Garret, who promises her the life she has been looking for. But he has more gruesome intentions.
What follows is an emotionally torturous cycle, seemingly impossible to break. Reaching rock-bottom, and then sinking even lower, Georgia becomes a puppet in Garretts theater of horrors.
An agonizing read that leaves you descending into a pit of misery the further you dive into the hell that Georgia has found herself in.
This slow-burn misery porn will make you feel every single emotion going through Georgia as her faith takes a turn for the worse. We even catch a glimpse into Garretts twisted mind, revealing him to be much more sinister than I initially gave him credit for.
I absolutely cannot wait for book two!
Georgia finds herself charmed by Garret, who promises her the life she has been looking for. But he has more gruesome intentions.
What follows is an emotionally torturous cycle, seemingly impossible to break. Reaching rock-bottom, and then sinking even lower, Georgia becomes a puppet in Garretts theater of horrors.
An agonizing read that leaves you descending into a pit of misery the further you dive into the hell that Georgia has found herself in.
This slow-burn misery porn will make you feel every single emotion going through Georgia as her faith takes a turn for the worse. We even catch a glimpse into Garretts twisted mind, revealing him to be much more sinister than I initially gave him credit for.
I absolutely cannot wait for book two!
January 16, 2026
Many men hide a sinister side beneath the mask of societal expectations, seeing women as nothing more than objects to satisfy their endless desires and warped pleasures. They see women as submissive vessels, told to heed their every command and surrender to their whims without question
I don’t even know how to start this one. I’m still heartbroken.
Georgia, a woman who has lived a hard, painful life since childhood, finds herself joining the most famous social media platform. At first, it’s a way for her to feel like she belongs somewhere; later, she becomes trapped in the threads of social media and its dynamics. One day, she feels the need to go viral, to become famous, to be an influencer. Along with her best friend, Pia, she attends the most exclusive party, hoping to find the chance that will change their lives forever. At that party, Georgia meets Garrett the man who promises her everything she’s ever wanted and more.
Garrett is a sick, manipulative man who runs a shady company whose sole purpose is to provide men with women they can use to fulfill their darkest, dirtiest fantasies. Georgia falls straight into his trap and falls in love with him. That love makes her ignore the red flags and the manipulation; she justifies every horrible thing he does because one day he said, “I love you.” And if he loves her, he wouldn’t be capable of hurting her… right? This book hurts deeply because, despite the differences, Georgia is a deeply relatable character, and her story with Garrett reflects situations that happen in real life every single day.
With every chapter, I found myself yelling at my Kindle, begging Georgia to open her eyes, to see the warning signs and the deception. Garrett is a sweet talker (and sadly, I think every woman knows at least one of those), and he uses that skill to get what he wants, no matter the cost.
Reading Georgia’s downfall was painful, frustrating even. I saw myself in her more times than I’d like to admit. At times, this book feels like a mirror, and that’s another reason why it hurts the way it does. By the end of the book, I was almost in tears and trust me when I say, I don’t cry.
Lesley did it again, and this book is the perfect example of why I absolutely adore her writing.
I don’t even know how to start this one. I’m still heartbroken.
Georgia, a woman who has lived a hard, painful life since childhood, finds herself joining the most famous social media platform. At first, it’s a way for her to feel like she belongs somewhere; later, she becomes trapped in the threads of social media and its dynamics. One day, she feels the need to go viral, to become famous, to be an influencer. Along with her best friend, Pia, she attends the most exclusive party, hoping to find the chance that will change their lives forever. At that party, Georgia meets Garrett the man who promises her everything she’s ever wanted and more.
Garrett is a sick, manipulative man who runs a shady company whose sole purpose is to provide men with women they can use to fulfill their darkest, dirtiest fantasies. Georgia falls straight into his trap and falls in love with him. That love makes her ignore the red flags and the manipulation; she justifies every horrible thing he does because one day he said, “I love you.” And if he loves her, he wouldn’t be capable of hurting her… right? This book hurts deeply because, despite the differences, Georgia is a deeply relatable character, and her story with Garrett reflects situations that happen in real life every single day.
With every chapter, I found myself yelling at my Kindle, begging Georgia to open her eyes, to see the warning signs and the deception. Garrett is a sweet talker (and sadly, I think every woman knows at least one of those), and he uses that skill to get what he wants, no matter the cost.
Reading Georgia’s downfall was painful, frustrating even. I saw myself in her more times than I’d like to admit. At times, this book feels like a mirror, and that’s another reason why it hurts the way it does. By the end of the book, I was almost in tears and trust me when I say, I don’t cry.
Lesley did it again, and this book is the perfect example of why I absolutely adore her writing.
November 22, 2025
Georgia wants to be internet famous. Seeing her content dipping, she attends a party in hopes of finding help. Enter Garrett who promises he and his team can create a package to take her to the top. Georgia is thrust into a world she never knew existed, is exposing her body to uncomfortable situations and puts her self-image, morals and heart on the line. But to Garrett….Georgia is just one of many he recruits to his exclusive underground world and will squeeze every ounce of erotic content out of her before he’s through with her for good. How far would you go to be famous?
Georgia might be one of the dumbest, more naive MCs I’ve ever encountered. She is riddled with insecurity and anxiety and the need for validation. The number of times I rolled my eyes and wanted to shake her or yell at her were endless.
When the second POV comes into play, you really get a taste of the game being played. I think we can all agree that Garrett is awful!
Young women easily manipulated with the promise of stardom. A tale as old as time, only this time is revolves around social media and becoming internet famous. A scary thought given our current society and the fact this probably is happening at this very moment on some scale. The subject matter is shallow and disturbing. I find the whole idea of happiness being based on your social media success or followers or likes just utterly sad. But hey, it can bring in the money.
This is one of the more depressing books I’ve read. Misery porn is such a good way to describe this book. I was expecting more classic extreme horror but what I got was much more psychological. The craving and desperation to be internet famous will make you do things you never thought you’d do, wear clothes you’d never wear, ignore red flags in people, put trust in people you shouldn’t and test your boundaries. It’s an addiction and horrific on a totally different scale. Unlike other works of hers, this is another masterpiece by Camphouse.
Georgia might be one of the dumbest, more naive MCs I’ve ever encountered. She is riddled with insecurity and anxiety and the need for validation. The number of times I rolled my eyes and wanted to shake her or yell at her were endless.
When the second POV comes into play, you really get a taste of the game being played. I think we can all agree that Garrett is awful!
Young women easily manipulated with the promise of stardom. A tale as old as time, only this time is revolves around social media and becoming internet famous. A scary thought given our current society and the fact this probably is happening at this very moment on some scale. The subject matter is shallow and disturbing. I find the whole idea of happiness being based on your social media success or followers or likes just utterly sad. But hey, it can bring in the money.
This is one of the more depressing books I’ve read. Misery porn is such a good way to describe this book. I was expecting more classic extreme horror but what I got was much more psychological. The craving and desperation to be internet famous will make you do things you never thought you’d do, wear clothes you’d never wear, ignore red flags in people, put trust in people you shouldn’t and test your boundaries. It’s an addiction and horrific on a totally different scale. Unlike other works of hers, this is another masterpiece by Camphouse.
November 11, 2025
Now this is something completely different to anything else I've read from Lesley and it proved once again, she is a master at her craft!
Our FMC wants nothing more than prove to her friend that shes just as good as she is, that she deserves to be flirted with and adored just as much as everyone else. In a world where your online presence is all that matter, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
On this journey she meets a man who makes her feels special, who she falls head over heels in love with and this story follows the heartbreaking events of what happens when you fall in love with a psychologically manipulative nutcase, who is utterly hideous with zero redeemable qualities.
Our FMC wants nothing more than prove to her friend that shes just as good as she is, that she deserves to be flirted with and adored just as much as everyone else. In a world where your online presence is all that matter, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
On this journey she meets a man who makes her feels special, who she falls head over heels in love with and this story follows the heartbreaking events of what happens when you fall in love with a psychologically manipulative nutcase, who is utterly hideous with zero redeemable qualities.
November 23, 2025
My brain… my poor brain 😮💨 What am I even supposed to do with all the madness in this book? 😭🤣
Sometimes people disguise cruelty as care, dress up control like love, and sometimes they whisper promises while tightening the leash. You let them inside your heart. You give them your everything. You think it's safe, until the walls close in and by the time you realize the truth, your heart is already tangled in their game 💔
Some desires come with chains. She craved the recognition that would trap her in a cage disguised as applause. She felt the danger creeping, felt it sink in… but the hunger to be noticed swallowed her anyway 💀
A 6☆ read. She wanted the world to see her and the world did. In all the ways she never imagined ☠️
Sometimes people disguise cruelty as care, dress up control like love, and sometimes they whisper promises while tightening the leash. You let them inside your heart. You give them your everything. You think it's safe, until the walls close in and by the time you realize the truth, your heart is already tangled in their game 💔
Some desires come with chains. She craved the recognition that would trap her in a cage disguised as applause. She felt the danger creeping, felt it sink in… but the hunger to be noticed swallowed her anyway 💀
A 6☆ read. She wanted the world to see her and the world did. In all the ways she never imagined ☠️
November 16, 2025
A Hollow Dream where Georgia was neglected and left to fend for herself through her childhood, it all makes sense why she would fall for Garret and believe what he says.
Georgia just wants to be loved and have the fame that everyone else has on social media but what will she do for that cost?
Lesley did such a good job at pulling you in with these characters that I found myself getting frustrated with the main character Georgia. I mean she's smart enough to know better right?
Garret is just a typical man out in the world that you may not even realize you met someone like him until it's too late.
The twist was something I didn't see coming and the ending was just right!
Georgia just wants to be loved and have the fame that everyone else has on social media but what will she do for that cost?
Lesley did such a good job at pulling you in with these characters that I found myself getting frustrated with the main character Georgia. I mean she's smart enough to know better right?
Garret is just a typical man out in the world that you may not even realize you met someone like him until it's too late.
The twist was something I didn't see coming and the ending was just right!
November 25, 2025
A Hollow Dream is a dark, addictive plunge into the dangers of online validation. Georgia hasn’t had an easy start, and when her social media presence begins to fade, she’s drawn to a mysterious JUICE party—where a powerful agency head promises the fame she’s desperate for…at a chilling cost.
Seductive, unsettling, and unflinchingly raw, this ero-horror novel explores obsession, manipulation, and the darkest corners of influencer culture. The scenes are vivid, intense, and often shocking—this book will keep you hooked while also making you want to throw it across the room.
Definitely check the trigger warnings. This story goes all in. 18+ and not for the faint of heart.
Seductive, unsettling, and unflinchingly raw, this ero-horror novel explores obsession, manipulation, and the darkest corners of influencer culture. The scenes are vivid, intense, and often shocking—this book will keep you hooked while also making you want to throw it across the room.
Definitely check the trigger warnings. This story goes all in. 18+ and not for the faint of heart.
November 30, 2025
Like always an amazing book written by Lesley. She really know how to describe the eerie feel of situations.
This book shows the sad and horrible world that a lott of woman live in. They get manipulated by men. And that because the woman just want to be seen. And men think woman are just play things. Even tho this book is extreme . It sadly is something that really is happening. Besides an captivating story it also makes you think.
This book shows the sad and horrible world that a lott of woman live in. They get manipulated by men. And that because the woman just want to be seen. And men think woman are just play things. Even tho this book is extreme . It sadly is something that really is happening. Besides an captivating story it also makes you think.
November 17, 2025
Gripping and crushing, a truly horrifying dive into the vile world of exploitation and coercive abuse.
Wow! Where to start?! The change in perspective between characters caught me off-guard, relaying the experience of predator and prey to a fascinating degree. Constant sense of anxiety and false confidence during Georgia's arc. Manipulation and psychological torture throughout. Coercion with fame dangled as a golden carrot. The premise for how the social media app functions is incredibly well structured and creative. Desperation is used effectively and felt while Georgia seeks to attain the near impossible. Detailed characters and great inner dialogue/humour in places despite the darkness brewing. Masterfully written grooming mindset that feels almost too evil to read.
My only very minor critique would be that the inter-character dialogue sometimes feels slightly clunky in places, but not enough to distract from the main story, more like they are reading script than talking casually. This is a book I wish I'd written, very much in my wheelhouse of horror/ psychological depravity. Each time I started reading, I couldn't stop! Garrett reminds me of a somewhat more grounded Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, still as manipulative but fixated on mental torture rather than physical brutality. The noose Garrett creates tightens with every chapter, Georgia's last grasp onto dignity and self preservation becoming a desperately scarce resource. Brilliant in all the worst ways!
Wow! Where to start?! The change in perspective between characters caught me off-guard, relaying the experience of predator and prey to a fascinating degree. Constant sense of anxiety and false confidence during Georgia's arc. Manipulation and psychological torture throughout. Coercion with fame dangled as a golden carrot. The premise for how the social media app functions is incredibly well structured and creative. Desperation is used effectively and felt while Georgia seeks to attain the near impossible. Detailed characters and great inner dialogue/humour in places despite the darkness brewing. Masterfully written grooming mindset that feels almost too evil to read.
My only very minor critique would be that the inter-character dialogue sometimes feels slightly clunky in places, but not enough to distract from the main story, more like they are reading script than talking casually. This is a book I wish I'd written, very much in my wheelhouse of horror/ psychological depravity. Each time I started reading, I couldn't stop! Garrett reminds me of a somewhat more grounded Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, still as manipulative but fixated on mental torture rather than physical brutality. The noose Garrett creates tightens with every chapter, Georgia's last grasp onto dignity and self preservation becoming a desperately scarce resource. Brilliant in all the worst ways!
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