It is a horror taboo story with no HEA. It is good, but I felt that somethings were too much and other missing but being pretty short it is normal to put more accent on the horror aspects
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤 📕taboo horror 📕autopsies 📕primal play 📕necrophilia 📕cannibalism
🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤 “I’m coming for you, little sister. Ready out not.”
“A vision of beauty in the middle of chaos.”
“Is any of this even real? I guess we’ll never know.”
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤 This was a delightful read, for those that don’t mind a little taboo with their romance. The relationship between the downright unhinged Ethan and the delicate Alina is full of tension that could be cut with a knife. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, it takes a left then a right turn out of nowhere, which will have you SEATED! After reading Eat Your Heart Out earlier this year from Bamforth, I highly anticipate her next release because I was hooked the entire time I was seated.
*spoilers*
Ethan and Alina are siblings by blood. Their father is extremely intolerant of his own son’s behavior and makes it known strictly that he doesn’t want his freak of a son anywhere near his daughter. But Ethan can’t resist because he’s in awe of her. In more ways than one. Alina, who keeps her deep thoughts to herself, has the same feelings for him in return but knows it’s downright wrong.
Alina’s friend Chloe invites her to a Halloween party, insisting she come in costume. Even giving her a very revealing nun costume for her to wear that’s sure to attract all the boys her way. But once she tries to step out of the house to meet Chloe, Ethan steps out in front of her. She almost allows him to take her, but a moment of reality hits and she shoves him off, declaring that it’s wrong while using the same term he’s grown to hate. Freak.
At the party, she has a single drink and a smoke with a stranger and feels her head spinning. But she’s not able to do much about it because Ethan has arrived with some of his buddies swinging baseball bats at whoever is nearby. With blood splatter and bodies covering the house, Ethan is more preoccupied with his sister in the bathroom. The bathroom where they allow temptations to be expressed. Until Chloe walks in on them and is mortified.
The rest goes downhill… in the best way possible. A brutal accident. A morbid sexual experimentation with a corpse. And lots of bloody fragments of body with an unsuspecting morgue owner. This book swings in a way that you won’t see coming. Just like you’ll never be able to stare at a chicken nugget the same way after reading. Bamforth brings us another straight banger with Formaldehyde.
This is not “dark romance”—this is dark with the lights smashed out and the door locked behind you. J.N Bamforth doesn’t flirt with taboo, she fully commits to it. Incest, obsession, necrophilia… nothing is approached halfway.
And yet—beautifully—it works.
What surprised me most is that beneath all the shock and discomfort is a genuinely heavy exploration of grief, trauma, and what happens when the only person who ever made you feel human is taken away. Ethan is not a character you’re meant to like, and you absolutely shouldn’t… but you understand him. His obsession is all consuming, but it’s rooted in something painfully real: loss, isolation, and a desperate need to hold onto the only thing that ever felt like home and being seen as a human being.
That’s what makes this book linger. It isn’t just crossing lines for the sake of it—it’s showing what can grow in the aftermath of damage, neglect, and love with nowhere safe to exist.
The pacing is fast, the writing is immersive, and the emotional weight hits far harder than you expect from a book that includes… embalming-adjacent intimacy.
And that ending? Rude. Effective, but rude. No comfort, no clean resolution—just something that leaves you sitting there for a moment, quietly re-evaluating everything you just read.
This won’t be for everyone—and it’s not meant to be. But if you like your dark fiction to actually earn its darkness, with emotional depth woven through the chaos, this delivers in a way that’s both disturbing and strangely compelling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3⭐️ - 2🌶 ☆ Erotic horror ☆ No HEA ☆ Siblings ☆ Touch her and die ☆ Frankenstein vibes
ARC Review Thank you to J.N. Bamforth for the free copy.
This was an excellent example of an erotic horror book, the freaky kind, just the way I like it. I was enjoying myself and even considered rating this higher, but that ending brought it down for me. I hate those kinds of endings, they sully the experience. In my opinion, it feels like a cop out, but I know a lot of readers who will enjoy this. Check your triggers, this is real dark and twisted.
Favorite quotes:
> “Gimme that attitude again and I’ll be forced to put that mouth to good use.”
> The mention of my sister has my hackles rising. If anyone is putting her on a leash, it’ll be me. I’ll walk her like a dog and she’ll be begging me to fuck her.
> What a silly little girl. Thinking she can hide from me. Alina will never be free of me, whether it be in this life or the next. She’s clawed her way under my skin and made a home inside of me.
> “I’ll fucking kill anyone who touches you again. I’ll turn their skin into a fucking suit. You hear me?”
> “Eh.. excuse me?” She says with a shocked tone and I smirk like a Cheshire cat. “You’re excused. Now, off you go before I have to come back to collect your body as well.”
> Alina could stab me in the heart and I’d accept it willingly, if it meant that I’d die by her hands. I’d forgive her every day for the rest of my life.
I received this as a ARC copy from the author, this is my honest review for Formaldehyde!!!
One: check your TRIGGER WARNINGS, Two: Wow what a mind spin?
First and foremost if you pick up this book to read please Check your TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️ , because you are in for one hell of a roller coaster 🎢 pushing the boundaries on taboo and pitch black!!!!
This beautifully psychological taboo story follows Ethan and Alina they are blood brother and sister. They both have feelings for each other more on Ethan's side than Alina's I feel. But under the circumstances they live in I truly understand why they were drawn to each other. The possessiveness of Ethan over his sister and Alina trying to hide her darkest feelings for her brother. Then halloween night the worst happens that changes both their lives!! Now I do say that ending made me stop and flip back through and be like what just happened cause i was so caught off guard by it!!!! NO HEA
I read this in one sitting very quick read, 127 pages but boy did those pages pack a lot!!! This book was completely unhinged and depraved but I loved every page, Jordan does not hold back in her writing and I am here for every second of it. Definitely recommend if you want a twisted taboo pitch black book that will mess with your head and maybe even your stomach. (I still can eat chicken nuggets🫣)
Formaldehyde by J. N. Bramforth is one of those books that completely caught me off guard—in the best possible way. Going into it, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but what I got was something far more surprising and thought-provoking than I imagined.
The story explores a very uncomfortable and controversial relationship at its core, but it’s written in a way that keeps you turning the pages. Nothing unfolds the way you think it will. Just when I felt like I had an idea of where the story was heading, it took another unexpected turn. I absolutely loved that constant sense of unpredictability—it made the reading experience intense and hard to put down.
What stood out most to me was how bold the author was in tackling such a difficult subject. The twists, the tension, and the emotional complexity kept me hooked throughout.
This definitely won’t be a book for everyone due to its themes, but if you’re someone who appreciates stories that push boundaries and keep you guessing, it’s well worth the read.
Thank you for the ARC—this is one I won’t forget anytime soon.
First off, thank you so much for this arc! Formaldehyde had a whole menu of trigger warnings and, true to its genre, it was a Taboo Horror. I went into this a little nervous, this was my first *true taboo* read, (stepsibling reader here) and this exceeded expectations. The inner turmoil, and whole life of suffering Ethan went through... it had me in a permanent state of angst and pain. Even writing this... my chest hurts. I wish there were more pages to read in this! It was THAT good. However, sometimes things aren't meant to last and this novella is perfect in respecting Ethan and Alina in exactly that way. This had no HEA, it was quite a shocking twist of an end.
Check your triggers! But if you like:
Taboo/Blood siblings Making your own little dolls (sorry) Necrophilia NO HEA Murder sprees on Halloween nights Morticians Love til death
Once again JN Bamforth has written a disturbing book that you can't help not devour in just one sitting, the writing is just that good. In this morbidly twisted story, we have a big brother who would do anything for his little sister. Including putting her back together again (Frankenstein style) just so her has her in his life again. With a guaranteed no HEA and a first line that you cant help but not laugh at, formaldehyde is a short taboo horror that is strangely good.
“Alina, who’s now just a torso and a head. Even resembling a chicken nugget, she’s still perfect.”
This dark, taboo-heavy story by J N Bamforth had me giggling at multiple points, which feels a bit concerning.
The scene setting is vivid and bizarre in an excellent way, it pulls you straight into the madness. It sits somewhere between splatterpunk and horror, but leans hard into pure shock factor rather than that slow-burn tension, and it fully commits to it.
The ending wasn’t what I expected. I’ll admit I was a little frustrated, but only because I wanted more of this twisted storyline.
Thanks for the ARC!
This book comes with a plethora of trigger warnings. Don’t ignore them!
If you think you’re unshockable… this might be your test.
oh the triggers! and yet here I am, kicking my feet and giggling like a menace
Formaldehyde is depraved, taboo, and wildly uncomfortable but JN Bamforth has this insane talent for pulling you in so deep you forget to breathe.
Ethan isn’t just broken ... he’s shattered, molded by abuse and neglect into something dark and devastating. The only love he’s ever known twists into something forbidden … and yes … it goes exactly as wrong as you think.
WHAT THE HELL energy wrapped in a story that somehow still gives you a twisted version of a happy ending and honestly, I should not have enjoyed this as much as I did
I was lucky enough to recieve this as an ARC and although I've been wanting to read some of this authors work for a while, this was my first Bamforth book.
The MMC, Ethan, is completely obsessed with his sister, and he is willing to do absolutely anything to have her-even unspeakable things…
I went into this book expecting something disturbing and dark, and it did not disappoint! This story is seriously messed up, and if you enjoy completely unhinged, disturbing stories with obsessive MMCs, then this is the horror for you.
I can't say I was a fan of the ending but the author definitely got me-It's not something I saw coming at all.
This book is DARK with themes that may disturb some people. Please check the trigger warnings on this one because it will not be for everyone.
🖤 Taboo - Blood siblings 🖤 No HEA 🖤 Obsessive MMC 🖤 Morally black MMC 🖤 Morticians assistant
Moni’s lil’ spoiler free thoughts: Formaldehyde by J.N. Bamforth
“I’ll protect her from everything this wretched world has to throw at us. She’ll never feel the hurt like I did.”
Thoughts: Wild ride through the psychosis of our MMC and his obsession over his sister. Dark, depraved, disgusting, and heartbreaking - this quick read hits hard. • Key points: Dark and taboo AF. Mortuary workers gone bad. Body horror. HEA🤷🏻♀️? Chicken nugget. • Rating: 5⭐️s - recommend…but please…check your trigger warnings. • *Thank you for the ARC J.N Bamforth and adding me to your little corpses team🖤.
4.5 ⭐️ What was I expecting, I’m not quite sure, but damnnnn I wasn’t expecting that at all! This was such a good read and had me gripping my own sanity… The story of Alina and Ethan had me in a chokehold, I’m still reeling from this and I’m not going to lie, I still don’t know how my brain feels right now! You certainly do need to read the TWs, they aren’t just there for the fun of it! It is very important you are not eating while reading this, in true Bamforth style she does not want us to enjoy our food!
Holy cow . This book has the “ what did I just read “ vibe . But I couldn’t put it down .
Formaldehyde is a pitch black taboo novella that pushes boundaries and should be read if you’re a pitch black dark romance , and not a beginner in that realm.
There was definitely moments I was questioning my morals while reading this , so many moms I just started at a wall blankly questioning all my life choices. J.N did an incredible job writing this one ! I don’t think I’ll ever look at a teddy bear or chicken nugget the same after this.
absolutely devoured this in one go. I purchased this from the author at a book signing. I bought it as I was purchasing other items that were on my wishlist . I am so glad I did. please take the trigger warnings seriously, cause there are parts in this , that makes you question a lot of stuff. not your common love story that's for sure, but if you like it dark, like, pitch black .. you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to the Author for my Advance Reader copy 💚🖤
I actually really loved this book. It's a quick read sitting at 126 pages. Before getting started definitely check your triggers, it can get a little dark in spots. I absolutely love the Frankenstein Vibes it gives. My only complaint is how abrupt the ending is. But it definitely had me shocked wasn't expecting the twist at all. Also if you are looking for a happy ending go elsewhere lol.
This is erotic horror at its absolute finest. A novella jam packed with obsession, unforgiving need, deprived thoughts and actions… what you may think is love or romance, this is far beyond that, it’s no longer love. It’s no longer romance. It’s unhinged and twisted but in all the best ways.
I won’t go into detail with this as I don’t like spoilers but this is soo brilliantly written. It brings out many emotios and makes you question what was going through JN’s head while writing certain scenes but that why we love her!!
Definitely check this out when you can, it’s totally worth it!
Absolutely insane. Ethan is a complete psycho… and somehow I still love him?? Alina—oh my god, poor Alina—I was literally screaming when she finally caved and unleashed her feelings, then yelling at her the next second. This book had me feeling EVERYTHING.
And that ending… WHAAAAAAT????
Overall: absolutely brilliant. But yeah—I will never look at a chicken nugget the same way again 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Just finished this book, and my mind is BLOWN! What in the red beans and rice did you do to my brain, J.N.?! I went through all of that to find out THAT?! You sneaky little turkey! LOL. I loved the book, though. Dark, depraved, unhinged, deplorable, and downright delightful! It's what my little pitch-black soul needed. Highly recommend if you don't mind getting really weird, really quick. 😊
It was so good at first, then it just got worse and worse… I really don’t get why three young guys just went rampant and started killing people at a party, like that’s the normal thing to do on a weekend…
The author just didn’t bother checking any facts, like how a frozen corpse does not bleed so much that you have to cauterise the wounds etc...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A friend and I was lucky enough to ARC read this and we buddy read this in one go. And what an absolute roller coaster. The love he has for is sister is very Taboo so please read your triggers.
Absolutely loved this! Anything that JN Bamforth writes I will read.
I really enjoyed this one a quick fast paced read.
My favourite scene was the house party scene.
Ethan is the MMC who was a “ special bond” with his sister Alina. The books explores some of their feelings and what happens when lines are blurred between siblings.
If you have any trigger warnings this book is not for you. It has all the favourites in there that us unhinged love.