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The Gift of You
"It's not a sin if I don't touch you."
Forbidden fruit is the sweetest, and Miriam Everleigh is absolutely scandalous. The heir of Everleigh Manor has almost everything her heart desires, except a future with her best friend. With Cecile's wedding fast approaching, Miriam is willing to go to drastic measures to preserve what they have.
Because Miriam Everleigh always gets what she wants.
Forbidden fruit is the sweetest, and Miriam Everleigh is absolutely scandalous. The heir of Everleigh Manor has almost everything her heart desires, except a future with her best friend. With Cecile's wedding fast approaching, Miriam is willing to go to drastic measures to preserve what they have.
Because Miriam Everleigh always gets what she wants.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 28, 2025
The Gift of You is a short novella that follows Cecile and Miriam. Cecile is engaged to a man, setting up your standard period romance trope. The line writing is very flowery, though some readers might find it heavy and even veering into purple prose in places. I personally found it worked well for the style it was trying to emulate and if I had to peg it to something, I would say it's like an English Christmas ghost story.
My issue is the romance aspect of it. I'm not against dark romance, quite the opposite actually, but there still needs to be romance and it's only implied in this book. I have no idea why Cecile and Miriam are in love. One or both of them could be swapped out for a man and it wouldn't change the story. All of the pining that readers look for in both lesbian and period romances are absent as is the "I shouldn't want this but I do" that you'd expect in dark romances. As a result, it reads more like a cautionary tale you read your daughters to protect them against the evils of lesbianism.
But it's also marketed as "Gay horror" which it very much is. The dolls and the attempted escape are definitely creepy and tick all the right boxes in that regard. I just really wish that the author had left it in that category and I could give it better marks for what it is rather than what it isn't.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My issue is the romance aspect of it. I'm not against dark romance, quite the opposite actually, but there still needs to be romance and it's only implied in this book. I have no idea why Cecile and Miriam are in love. One or both of them could be swapped out for a man and it wouldn't change the story. All of the pining that readers look for in both lesbian and period romances are absent as is the "I shouldn't want this but I do" that you'd expect in dark romances. As a result, it reads more like a cautionary tale you read your daughters to protect them against the evils of lesbianism.
But it's also marketed as "Gay horror" which it very much is. The dolls and the attempted escape are definitely creepy and tick all the right boxes in that regard. I just really wish that the author had left it in that category and I could give it better marks for what it is rather than what it isn't.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 13, 2025
"It's not a sin if I don't touch you."
So much pain and desire captured in such a short phrase. So much story behind it - and yet it's all told in just forty pages, in the form.of a short novelette of Sapphic horror and queer dark fantasy. Chloe York's writing is amazing, both sharp and lyrical, bittersweet and perfectly balanced between subtlety and rage: the rage of not allowing oneself to be seen, to feel, to be - because Mother won't have it, the fiancé won't ever understand, and the world will never approve.
The story is narrated by Cecil, shortly to be married, visiting Miriam, her best friend, who's recently lost her parents and whose wealth she's inherited. It's Christmas, and Miriam has a special gift for Cecil, her "lovely". Cecil trusts her; absolutely. They've been best friends since, well, forever, and Cecil has developed strong feelings for her. But Miriam has secrets; and dolls; and secret powers. What follows is an intensely, though brief, face off between two different attitudes to freedom and life: urban propriety versus powerful nature. With a pile of moaning dolls in the middle as witnesses.
The ending was dark, yet incredibly poignant and deeply satisfying. I can't recommend this fifth Graveside Read highly enough!
So much pain and desire captured in such a short phrase. So much story behind it - and yet it's all told in just forty pages, in the form.of a short novelette of Sapphic horror and queer dark fantasy. Chloe York's writing is amazing, both sharp and lyrical, bittersweet and perfectly balanced between subtlety and rage: the rage of not allowing oneself to be seen, to feel, to be - because Mother won't have it, the fiancé won't ever understand, and the world will never approve.
The story is narrated by Cecil, shortly to be married, visiting Miriam, her best friend, who's recently lost her parents and whose wealth she's inherited. It's Christmas, and Miriam has a special gift for Cecil, her "lovely". Cecil trusts her; absolutely. They've been best friends since, well, forever, and Cecil has developed strong feelings for her. But Miriam has secrets; and dolls; and secret powers. What follows is an intensely, though brief, face off between two different attitudes to freedom and life: urban propriety versus powerful nature. With a pile of moaning dolls in the middle as witnesses.
The ending was dark, yet incredibly poignant and deeply satisfying. I can't recommend this fifth Graveside Read highly enough!
December 4, 2025
Porcelain dolls made so much scarier through historical sapphic dark romance.
It’s a novella but every section packs a punch between the desperation Cecile and Miriam both feel, one to flee and one to possess. The atmosphere is carefully constructed in the sweeping Manor house Miriam inherited, and to which she invites Cecile to give her a very special present. It’s a delightfully spooky read and the romance is devotion and desperation with the historical twist of it being frowned upon.
An excellent read, thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
It’s a novella but every section packs a punch between the desperation Cecile and Miriam both feel, one to flee and one to possess. The atmosphere is carefully constructed in the sweeping Manor house Miriam inherited, and to which she invites Cecile to give her a very special present. It’s a delightfully spooky read and the romance is devotion and desperation with the historical twist of it being frowned upon.
An excellent read, thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
December 3, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions, which made it easy for me to picture the scenes. The story took a sudden turn that caught me completely off guard. However, at one point, there was an abrupt jump in the plot that left me somewhat confused, and the ending didn’t fully make sense to me.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read, though a bit more explanation would have helped.
I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions, which made it easy for me to picture the scenes. The story took a sudden turn that caught me completely off guard. However, at one point, there was an abrupt jump in the plot that left me somewhat confused, and the ending didn’t fully make sense to me.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read, though a bit more explanation would have helped.
December 3, 2025
OH MY GOD!! This book had my flabbers gasted cuz WHAT IN THE WORLD!!?? I totally did not expect it to end like that and wowww!! It was just crazy even though it's such a small book!! I did not think that I would feel so much while reading this book and I have to say, i enjoyed the book!
Totally recommend if you love Paranormal romance an unexpected ending 👀😉
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Totally recommend if you love Paranormal romance an unexpected ending 👀😉
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2025
I went into this one blind and it took some turns I didn’t expect. This was a well paced novella with some action, romance and an overall spooky vibe. The only thing that bothered me was the dialogue at times. Otherwise, a solid quick read for those who enjoy wlw with some dark themes.
Thank you to BookSirens for this free copy to review in exchange for my honest review
Thank you to BookSirens for this free copy to review in exchange for my honest review
December 3, 2025
Ahhhh gorgeous writing, lush atmosphere, sizzling tension. Creepy af and so worth it! Treat yourself and read this little gem.
December 1, 2025
I am not a fan of horror, but this story is so intense and dramatic that I can't help but finished it in one go! Even though I don't like the sad ending, I appreciate the author's imagination and I love her brilliant storytelling. Perfect reading for Halloween!
November 26, 2025
It will never cease to amaze me how certain authors manage to create balanced and complete works in just a short amount of pages. This story has it all: a writing style that is lush and evocative but purposeful, that immediately brings the scenes to life and builds the right atmosphere; a depth of character that manages to give you enough to understand them and their environment, and the right amount of mystery to leave you wanting more...and I definitely want more. It’s a glimpse into a world that promises a lot, and I almost wish it were a full book if it didn’t work so well as a short story.
I received an eARC from BookSirens and this represents my honest opinion.
I received an eARC from BookSirens and this represents my honest opinion.
November 27, 2025
“The Gift Of You” - I best not be getting a doll for Christmas!
★★★★☆ (4,5 but we still don’t get half stars)
First of all thank for the ARC!
This novelette managed to capture desire, darkness and dread in an almost poetic way.
All I can say, it doesn’t take a lot of words to write something tragic and powerful, Chloe York proves that a short story can truly captivate you.
★★★★☆ (4,5 but we still don’t get half stars)
First of all thank for the ARC!
This novelette managed to capture desire, darkness and dread in an almost poetic way.
All I can say, it doesn’t take a lot of words to write something tragic and powerful, Chloe York proves that a short story can truly captivate you.
December 3, 2025
BWAF Score: 6/10
TL;DR: Queer Victorian doll horror with big feelings and bigger red flags. The Gift of You is a lush, fucked-up Christmas tale about loving the person who will absolutely ruin you. Competent, atmospheric, occasionally devastating, but not quite feral enough to hit masterpiece mode. Great if you like your romance with splinters.
Chloe York comes out of the art and oddities world, which tracks hard here. She is an abstract painter and insect taxidermist who runs a small oddities business, and you can feel that museum-of-beautiful-weird-shit vibe in every page. The book fits neatly into that aesthetic: curated strangeness, careful composition, and a fascination with objects that blur the line between pretty and cursed.
Cecile, dutiful daughter and newly engaged good girl, sneaks out in a snowstorm to spend Christmas Eve with her childhood friend Miriam Everleigh, a rich orphan who lives alone in a big manor and collects dolls like red flags. Miriam gifts Cecile a doll made in her exact likeness, and the doll turns out to be magically linked to Cecile’s body and sensations. As the blizzard closes in, Cecile is forced to choose between a safe, boring future with her fiancé and a terrifyingly intense love with Miriam that may cost her flesh, freedom, and humanity.
The big swing here is how York turns the classic “creepy doll” setup into an intimate queer possession story. The early scene where Miriam demonstrates the doll’s sympathetic magic by kissing and touching it is genuinely hot and deeply alarming at the same time, which is a tricky needle to thread. There is a beautiful, fucked tension between Cecile’s horror at what Miriam is doing and the very real desire she has been burying for years. When Miriam escalates from erotic to violent use of the doll, the book flips from “oh shit this is kinky” to “oh shit this is abuse” in a way that lands like a gut punch rather than a cheap twist. The moment Cecile’s porcelain double starts breaking, and her own body answers with clean fractures instead of gore, is a gnarly little piece of body horror that feels both fairytale and clinical.
York’s prose is classical and ornate without being purple. She leans into a Victorian gothic register that feels natural for the setting: lots of sensory detail, candlelight, fabrics, smells of pine and citrus and smoke. The whole thing is told in Cecile’s first person, which gives us a tight focus on her guilt, longing, and repressed anger. The pacing is smart: the first half is slow, cozy, and a little horny; the back half hits the gas once the magic becomes openly violent. Dialogue is clean and often sharp, especially when Miriam starts dropping the polite society mask and speaking with real venom. Occasionally the book repeats beats of Cecile’s internal conflict a little too often, like it does not quite trust us to understand that she is torn between safety and desire, but it never drags enough to be a slog. On a sentence level, it is solid and readable, with enough stylistic flair to feel special but not so much that it trips over itself.
The book is doing a lot with queerness, control, and what “safety” even means. Cecile lives under a cruel, ill mother and a rigid social structure, so of course the person who offers her escape is also the one who literally turns her into an object. Miriam’s love is real, but it is also possessive as hell, and the sympathetic doll magic becomes a metaphor for how abusive relationships overwrite your sense of your own body. There is also a strong undercurrent about class and entitlement: Miriam’s money and magic let her build a private universe where her desires are law, and everyone else becomes decor. The ending feels like swallowing something sweet that has a shard of glass in it. You walk away wondering whether this was a fucked-up happy ending, a beautiful horror story about the price of queer love, or both at once.
Within the current wave of indie queer horror, The Gift of You sits comfortably in the “gothic dollhouse” corner of the room. It feels like a cousin to stories that mix sapphic longing with domestic entrapment, more in conversation with classic haunted-manor fiction than with splatterpunk. As part of Undertaker Books’ Graveside Reads line, it works well as a compact, seasonal read: a Christmas ghost story where the ghost is desire and the house is full of screaming dolls. On a 2025 shelf, it is the kind of book you recommend when someone says, “I want something cozy, spooky, and a little fucked, but not a 500-page epic.”
A good, confidently executed gothic novella with strong vibes and a few killer set pieces that lands solidly, even if it never quite goes as wild or as emotionally deranged as the premise teases.
Read if you like snowed-in, one-night pressure cookers with big melodramatic feelings and a simmering sense of doom..
Skip if you need your romances healthy, communicative, and non-possessive instead of “I love you so much I turned you into a toy, babe.”
TL;DR: Queer Victorian doll horror with big feelings and bigger red flags. The Gift of You is a lush, fucked-up Christmas tale about loving the person who will absolutely ruin you. Competent, atmospheric, occasionally devastating, but not quite feral enough to hit masterpiece mode. Great if you like your romance with splinters.
Chloe York comes out of the art and oddities world, which tracks hard here. She is an abstract painter and insect taxidermist who runs a small oddities business, and you can feel that museum-of-beautiful-weird-shit vibe in every page. The book fits neatly into that aesthetic: curated strangeness, careful composition, and a fascination with objects that blur the line between pretty and cursed.
Cecile, dutiful daughter and newly engaged good girl, sneaks out in a snowstorm to spend Christmas Eve with her childhood friend Miriam Everleigh, a rich orphan who lives alone in a big manor and collects dolls like red flags. Miriam gifts Cecile a doll made in her exact likeness, and the doll turns out to be magically linked to Cecile’s body and sensations. As the blizzard closes in, Cecile is forced to choose between a safe, boring future with her fiancé and a terrifyingly intense love with Miriam that may cost her flesh, freedom, and humanity.
The big swing here is how York turns the classic “creepy doll” setup into an intimate queer possession story. The early scene where Miriam demonstrates the doll’s sympathetic magic by kissing and touching it is genuinely hot and deeply alarming at the same time, which is a tricky needle to thread. There is a beautiful, fucked tension between Cecile’s horror at what Miriam is doing and the very real desire she has been burying for years. When Miriam escalates from erotic to violent use of the doll, the book flips from “oh shit this is kinky” to “oh shit this is abuse” in a way that lands like a gut punch rather than a cheap twist. The moment Cecile’s porcelain double starts breaking, and her own body answers with clean fractures instead of gore, is a gnarly little piece of body horror that feels both fairytale and clinical.
York’s prose is classical and ornate without being purple. She leans into a Victorian gothic register that feels natural for the setting: lots of sensory detail, candlelight, fabrics, smells of pine and citrus and smoke. The whole thing is told in Cecile’s first person, which gives us a tight focus on her guilt, longing, and repressed anger. The pacing is smart: the first half is slow, cozy, and a little horny; the back half hits the gas once the magic becomes openly violent. Dialogue is clean and often sharp, especially when Miriam starts dropping the polite society mask and speaking with real venom. Occasionally the book repeats beats of Cecile’s internal conflict a little too often, like it does not quite trust us to understand that she is torn between safety and desire, but it never drags enough to be a slog. On a sentence level, it is solid and readable, with enough stylistic flair to feel special but not so much that it trips over itself.
The book is doing a lot with queerness, control, and what “safety” even means. Cecile lives under a cruel, ill mother and a rigid social structure, so of course the person who offers her escape is also the one who literally turns her into an object. Miriam’s love is real, but it is also possessive as hell, and the sympathetic doll magic becomes a metaphor for how abusive relationships overwrite your sense of your own body. There is also a strong undercurrent about class and entitlement: Miriam’s money and magic let her build a private universe where her desires are law, and everyone else becomes decor. The ending feels like swallowing something sweet that has a shard of glass in it. You walk away wondering whether this was a fucked-up happy ending, a beautiful horror story about the price of queer love, or both at once.
Within the current wave of indie queer horror, The Gift of You sits comfortably in the “gothic dollhouse” corner of the room. It feels like a cousin to stories that mix sapphic longing with domestic entrapment, more in conversation with classic haunted-manor fiction than with splatterpunk. As part of Undertaker Books’ Graveside Reads line, it works well as a compact, seasonal read: a Christmas ghost story where the ghost is desire and the house is full of screaming dolls. On a 2025 shelf, it is the kind of book you recommend when someone says, “I want something cozy, spooky, and a little fucked, but not a 500-page epic.”
A good, confidently executed gothic novella with strong vibes and a few killer set pieces that lands solidly, even if it never quite goes as wild or as emotionally deranged as the premise teases.
Read if you like snowed-in, one-night pressure cookers with big melodramatic feelings and a simmering sense of doom..
Skip if you need your romances healthy, communicative, and non-possessive instead of “I love you so much I turned you into a toy, babe.”
December 20, 2025
I received this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Gift of You, by Chloe York, is a gothic horror novella about a young woman who refuses to let go of her childhood friend, no matter how many people she tramples over.
Cecile is getting ready to marry Frederick Grayson, a man who will save her from financial ruin. To bury her feelings for a love that could have been, she decides to see her childhood friend, Miriam. What begins as a fond reunion between two friends quickly spins out of control when Cecile realizes just how obsessed Miriam has become with her. And unfortunately, Cecile comes to a gruesome realization; her love is reciprocated, but not the way she intended.
Despite its brevity, York captures Miriam’s ego very well. Though the women clearly love each other, Miriam sees Cecile as nothing more than a toy, a doll that she can play with however she chooses. Should that doll reject her, well, now that isn’t really an option, is it? And who’s to say Miriam won’t get bored with her? After all, it’s not like Cecile has a mind of her own anymore.
York takes dark romance to its logical conclusion. It’s effective and doesn’t waste any time letting readers know what the stakes are. Even though it might not be the happily ever after readers were hoping for, it’s still a realistic one that reminds us what would happen if we’re not careful. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of The Sins on Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin.
The Gift of You, by Chloe York, is a gothic horror novella about a young woman who refuses to let go of her childhood friend, no matter how many people she tramples over.
Cecile is getting ready to marry Frederick Grayson, a man who will save her from financial ruin. To bury her feelings for a love that could have been, she decides to see her childhood friend, Miriam. What begins as a fond reunion between two friends quickly spins out of control when Cecile realizes just how obsessed Miriam has become with her. And unfortunately, Cecile comes to a gruesome realization; her love is reciprocated, but not the way she intended.
Despite its brevity, York captures Miriam’s ego very well. Though the women clearly love each other, Miriam sees Cecile as nothing more than a toy, a doll that she can play with however she chooses. Should that doll reject her, well, now that isn’t really an option, is it? And who’s to say Miriam won’t get bored with her? After all, it’s not like Cecile has a mind of her own anymore.
York takes dark romance to its logical conclusion. It’s effective and doesn’t waste any time letting readers know what the stakes are. Even though it might not be the happily ever after readers were hoping for, it’s still a realistic one that reminds us what would happen if we’re not careful. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of The Sins on Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin.
December 22, 2025
(2.75 stars)
I loved the premise for this, and was intrigued immediately by the prose and descriptions of setting from the start. The author paints a vivid portrait and I was able to understand the backdrop of the story quickly, which is ideal considering the brief length!
I received an advance review copy for free, and sharing my honest review of it voluntarily.
While I was compelled by the girls’ dynamic and enjoyed the horror elements, I do feel things were a bit undeveloped overall. I would have preferred learning more about the girls’ previous relationship and that there had been a longer build up and denouement to the climax in order to fully feel the emotions the story seems it is trying to evoke. While I understood the character motivations on a surface level, I felt there was not enough time to truly delve into further depth with the very small page count. What I did read was fun, but relied on a lot of shorthand narrative beats used commonly in sapphic fiction in order to draw the reader in and move the story forward quickly, rather than doing the work itself.
This read a bit more like a proof of concept than a fully fleshed out story, and I would have enjoyed reading more of it! I also felt the ending was the slightest bit too vague and abrupt to have real punchiness beyond the “shock” of it. I did enjoy how the author did not hold back, and I liked the themes. The horror focused parts did evoke genuine anxiety, and the descriptive writing was lovely. I only wish the pacing was less rushed so I could feel the characters were more entirely realized.
I loved the premise for this, and was intrigued immediately by the prose and descriptions of setting from the start. The author paints a vivid portrait and I was able to understand the backdrop of the story quickly, which is ideal considering the brief length!
I received an advance review copy for free, and sharing my honest review of it voluntarily.
While I was compelled by the girls’ dynamic and enjoyed the horror elements, I do feel things were a bit undeveloped overall. I would have preferred learning more about the girls’ previous relationship and that there had been a longer build up and denouement to the climax in order to fully feel the emotions the story seems it is trying to evoke. While I understood the character motivations on a surface level, I felt there was not enough time to truly delve into further depth with the very small page count. What I did read was fun, but relied on a lot of shorthand narrative beats used commonly in sapphic fiction in order to draw the reader in and move the story forward quickly, rather than doing the work itself.
This read a bit more like a proof of concept than a fully fleshed out story, and I would have enjoyed reading more of it! I also felt the ending was the slightest bit too vague and abrupt to have real punchiness beyond the “shock” of it. I did enjoy how the author did not hold back, and I liked the themes. The horror focused parts did evoke genuine anxiety, and the descriptive writing was lovely. I only wish the pacing was less rushed so I could feel the characters were more entirely realized.
November 29, 2025
Bite-sized sapphic horrormance?? At Christmas???
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, because, I mean: best gift ever.
This book did a blend of things that would have been difficult to balance in a full-sized novel and made it look effortless in 50 pages: it's a period piece, it's a fraught and genuine romance, it's the kind of horror that makes Every hair stand up on the nape of your neck, and it's all cooperating to deliver this tight, taut little story that Will have you squirming in your seat. The historical setting (conveyed in some prose I was ready to find overkill but instead I think was just right to set the mood in only this many words) lends the intense social friction that makes the dark twist able to feel simultaneously so horrific and so romantic: the heart-wrenching little glimpses of their past, the thrill of the chase, the Multiple times you think you know the ending but are about to have your feet pulled out from under you, the unexpected bursts of body horror?? God I loved this.
I have so many praises to sing for stories that dare to end this kind of way, and that's all I'll say on that matter, because even inviting other readers to click on spoilers for it would be a crime. I need more horrormance to be Exactly This.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, because, I mean: best gift ever.
This book did a blend of things that would have been difficult to balance in a full-sized novel and made it look effortless in 50 pages: it's a period piece, it's a fraught and genuine romance, it's the kind of horror that makes Every hair stand up on the nape of your neck, and it's all cooperating to deliver this tight, taut little story that Will have you squirming in your seat. The historical setting (conveyed in some prose I was ready to find overkill but instead I think was just right to set the mood in only this many words) lends the intense social friction that makes the dark twist able to feel simultaneously so horrific and so romantic: the heart-wrenching little glimpses of their past, the thrill of the chase, the Multiple times you think you know the ending but are about to have your feet pulled out from under you, the unexpected bursts of body horror?? God I loved this.
I have so many praises to sing for stories that dare to end this kind of way, and that's all I'll say on that matter, because even inviting other readers to click on spoilers for it would be a crime. I need more horrormance to be Exactly This.
December 21, 2025
"Let me free you, Cecile. Take care of you as when we were children. He cannot make you happy like I will. Frederick is just another cage. Another jailer, just like your mother."
The Gift of You is sapphic horrormance novellette of repressed desire and desperate queer yearning, and a perfect short read for the holiday season.
Miriam and Cecile have been friends since childhood. Miri is the bold one and Cece the reserved one, who both desires Miri and desires to be her, but who is prepared to make the "easy" and socially acceptable choice of marrying a man she might one day love. Maybe. Before that though, she sneaks away to Miriam's home for one last Christmas. And certainly, every Christmas going forward will be forever changed, though not in the way Cece thinks at the start of this stormy eve.
The prose is as purple as the plums Miri enjoys, the color of the bruises she leaves on Cece. Occasionally, the eeriness comes across too heavy-handed. And it wasn't what I thought it would be from the synopsis, but the concept is SO good.
Wouldn't recommend if you have glenophobia. Would absolutely recommend it if you are looking for a short & sapphic read for Christmas that isn't just a Hallmark rehash.
[I received a free review copy through BookSirens. All opinions are my own.]
December 28, 2025
I have loved these Graveside Reads so far from Undertaker Books and I was so excited to see Chloe doing one, plus that cover, I am a sucker for a cover and this one I loved, its simple but gave me almost tarot like vibes. Plus I can’t lie, I am a sucker for pink.
This is one of my favorite novellas this year, we get to hop into the story where Cecil is getting married soon, but visiting her bff who just lost her parents.
I know I shouldn’t have already been suspicious, but I was and was on high alert, this is the kind of visit I would be side eyeing.
Also dolls, dolls always freak me out, I am not going into a house with them if I can help it, so that added a layer of what the fuck to this story that left me unsettled while I read, I just kept thinking about the dolls, which to be fair was probably the least of everyone’s worries.
Love and devotion are a fine but what happens when it turns to a darker obsession?
I personally loved that ending ( trying not to spoil it for you) but wow, this was just so good.
Thank you for letting me check this out early so much in such a short format and had me feeling a lot of different ways, well done.
This is one of my favorite novellas this year, we get to hop into the story where Cecil is getting married soon, but visiting her bff who just lost her parents.
I know I shouldn’t have already been suspicious, but I was and was on high alert, this is the kind of visit I would be side eyeing.
Also dolls, dolls always freak me out, I am not going into a house with them if I can help it, so that added a layer of what the fuck to this story that left me unsettled while I read, I just kept thinking about the dolls, which to be fair was probably the least of everyone’s worries.
Love and devotion are a fine but what happens when it turns to a darker obsession?
I personally loved that ending ( trying not to spoil it for you) but wow, this was just so good.
Thank you for letting me check this out early so much in such a short format and had me feeling a lot of different ways, well done.
December 21, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The novella follows Cecile and Miriam; Cecile is engaged to man during a time when homosexuality is looked down upon and it is described as a "sin". Miriam has invited Cecile to her manor that she inherited upon her parents death. It is in the Manor that Miriam has a Christmas gift for Cecile. The gift being a porcelain doll made in Cecile's image. It is when Miriam places a kiss upon this dolls forehead that cecile is shocked; Cecile is able to feel the kiss. The writing style is very descriptive, and poetic in nature. I like how this novella is paced, I loved all the horror elements in this novella as well.
Book Vibes: childhood best friends to enemies to forced lovers, gothic horror, sapphic, poetic writing style, descriptive scenes, doll horror.
The novella follows Cecile and Miriam; Cecile is engaged to man during a time when homosexuality is looked down upon and it is described as a "sin". Miriam has invited Cecile to her manor that she inherited upon her parents death. It is in the Manor that Miriam has a Christmas gift for Cecile. The gift being a porcelain doll made in Cecile's image. It is when Miriam places a kiss upon this dolls forehead that cecile is shocked; Cecile is able to feel the kiss. The writing style is very descriptive, and poetic in nature. I like how this novella is paced, I loved all the horror elements in this novella as well.
Book Vibes: childhood best friends to enemies to forced lovers, gothic horror, sapphic, poetic writing style, descriptive scenes, doll horror.
December 17, 2025
I really enjoyed the writing style and the vivid picture York painted. If this had been a full length novel, it would have been too much for me, but as a short story, I enjoyed the darkness of this horror romance. I was not expected that twist at the end. It’s less romance and more a tale of how a toxic love will take over you.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 30, 2025
This was a nice short read. Ofc dark and sapphic are right up my alley. This was dark and I'm sad we didn't get more of the spooky, but to be expected with a novella. I think the pacing was really good. I do with the romance was a bit more fleshed out. It felt super random, but overall this was a good read! 3.5/5
November 18, 2025
This book was the perfect read for this time of year! Suspenseful, mixed with longing, mixed with a mystery that unfolds slowly until it all hits you at once and there's no turning back.
November 29, 2025
If you love the old Victorian tradition of telling/reading scary stories around the fire at Christmas, this is perfect. Also, if you didn’t come into it with a fear of dolls, you may develop one…
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