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Formaldehyde
Ethan isn't afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he's more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
In fact, he's more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
July 20, 2026
Death Comes to Us All
One Way Or Another...
FORMALDEHYDE
by J.N. Bamforth
1 reluctant star. This book cost me a weekend I'll never get back...
Death comes to us all, one way or another. When your time is up, you just have to deal with it...
Ethan's mind had become a dark pit of toxic thoughts recently. He imagines gouging out his dad's eyes...
Among other things...
Like imagining his little sister (she is his) in compromising positions...
But...
Dad is onto Ethan's antics with his sister and will not have it in his house...
Ethan and dad want to kill each other...
Ethan works at Nocternal Mortuary. Being around dead, cold things all day is his dream job...
Mr Wilson, Ethan's boss, reminds him that there's always a space in the fridge when Ethan's dad kicks it...
It's Halloween, and Ethan's sister will be attending a party against Ethan's wishes...
Ethan and some of his loser friends have plans for the party goers that will change the course of everyone's life...
Just no. This book had many problems with technical issues. I'm not going to waste any more time here listing the errors, but the sheer number made this story ridiculous. Stabbed corpses that bleed when almost everyone knows that without a heartbeat, there is no blood circulation. The dodgy reason Ethan did prison time. IJS these things were just for starters.
One Way Or Another...
FORMALDEHYDE
by J.N. Bamforth
1 reluctant star. This book cost me a weekend I'll never get back...
Death comes to us all, one way or another. When your time is up, you just have to deal with it...
Ethan's mind had become a dark pit of toxic thoughts recently. He imagines gouging out his dad's eyes...
Among other things...
Like imagining his little sister (she is his) in compromising positions...
But...
Dad is onto Ethan's antics with his sister and will not have it in his house...
Ethan and dad want to kill each other...
Ethan works at Nocternal Mortuary. Being around dead, cold things all day is his dream job...
Mr Wilson, Ethan's boss, reminds him that there's always a space in the fridge when Ethan's dad kicks it...
It's Halloween, and Ethan's sister will be attending a party against Ethan's wishes...
Ethan and some of his loser friends have plans for the party goers that will change the course of everyone's life...
Just no. This book had many problems with technical issues. I'm not going to waste any more time here listing the errors, but the sheer number made this story ridiculous. Stabbed corpses that bleed when almost everyone knows that without a heartbeat, there is no blood circulation. The dodgy reason Ethan did prison time. IJS these things were just for starters.
April 30, 2026
Loved every second of this except the ending! I needed something juicier
April 13, 2026
If you read my reviews you know I enjoy the ‘out there’ horrors along with all the other books I read 🤣
Ethan and Alina are siblings, their home life is not very desirable at all, a drunken abusive father who tells Ethan he is a ‘wretched boy’ and a ‘freak’ though it pains him he has gotten used to it not only from his own kin but others too. He however, has long loved his sister in a more than brotherly way…don’t get me wrong it is reciprocated but she is afraid of how others would view their relationship. Until on fateful Halloween Party when the worst that could happen does…
𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒽𝑒𝓇, 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽.
I totally read this in one sitting, it’s not that long but I just couldn’t put it down. The macabre element to it was for me delicious but I’m thankful I don’t like chicken nuggets 🤣 The ending was a bit of a WTF all whilst your head is taking steps backwards. I will say if you have any triggers at all do read them.
Ethan and Alina are siblings, their home life is not very desirable at all, a drunken abusive father who tells Ethan he is a ‘wretched boy’ and a ‘freak’ though it pains him he has gotten used to it not only from his own kin but others too. He however, has long loved his sister in a more than brotherly way…don’t get me wrong it is reciprocated but she is afraid of how others would view their relationship. Until on fateful Halloween Party when the worst that could happen does…
𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒽𝑒𝓇, 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽.
I totally read this in one sitting, it’s not that long but I just couldn’t put it down. The macabre element to it was for me delicious but I’m thankful I don’t like chicken nuggets 🤣 The ending was a bit of a WTF all whilst your head is taking steps backwards. I will say if you have any triggers at all do read them.
August 26, 2026
that was definitely taboo. make sure to check the trigger warnings on this one for sure, but i liked it. it was dark, eerie, and uncomfortable at times, but i wish it was longer and we got to see their dynamic a little more. i wanted to know more about Alina and her story and side of things. Ethan just wanted to be loved. 🥹 i think they were twin flames more than soulmates. they just didn’t know how to express it. 🥹❤️🩹
April 28, 2026
Hmmmm this was interesting 🫣 I did not expect that ending whatsoever
May 24, 2026
The book definitely delivered in the gross and taboo departments and I loved it!
September 9, 2026
I feel so wrong for enjoying this as much as I did. LOL. This was also my first read from Bamforth and most definitely will not be my last.
Formaldehyde is a taboo horror that follows siblings Ethan and Alina. They have a rather dysfunctional and immoral family dynamic but they def went through it with their parents and their upbringing. I'm not condoning their behavior but if one were to make sense of it, I can see it. I loved the mortuary aspect to the story. I am always drawn to the macabre and the funeral industry in general so that was super interesting and also pretty gross. IYKYK. Looking forward to diving into more of this authors work.
Formaldehyde is a taboo horror that follows siblings Ethan and Alina. They have a rather dysfunctional and immoral family dynamic but they def went through it with their parents and their upbringing. I'm not condoning their behavior but if one were to make sense of it, I can see it. I loved the mortuary aspect to the story. I am always drawn to the macabre and the funeral industry in general so that was super interesting and also pretty gross. IYKYK. Looking forward to diving into more of this authors work.
June 18, 2026
So this book pissed me off and I say that a lot but no seriously. So firstly this book was far fetched the party first so they go in there and kill all those people with baseball bats so how are limbs everywhere? Baseball bats aren't going to have people's limbs come off. And then he said that after he broke the guys jaw and knocked him out that he stomped on on his face and basically crushed his head brain matter was on his shoe. Which again isn't possible like are you the hulk? So then after sleeping with Alina her best friend comes in the room totally calm despite the bodies in her living room and is only disgusted at the two of them not really at the fact that he killed a bunch of people. Also they acted like she was druged but then she got up and ran??? But what truly made me hale this book was the authors note at the end that said the whole book wasn't real because they never made it out of the party that night. Not only in general do I hate this but it wasn't even wrote into the book she just added it in an authors note. No word of how he died or anything. Complete and utter bullshit I'm not heading anything else by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2026
Bamforth is one sick and twisted individual and I am so here for it!! Every book they release further pushes those taboo boundaries and I am obsessed!! Bamforth not only crosses lines in this book, but they're waaaay behind her!
This book was an absolutely wild ride from the beginning, leaving readers with jaws on the floor by the end. Bamforth has such a wonderful way of making us feel for character's who are not deserving of it. Why am I crying over a man who is definitely a walking red flag??
I loved Formaldehyde so much and cannot recommend this enough to all my fellow girlies who love anything sick, twisted and down right taboo. Please read all the trigger warnings!
Thank you so much to the author for an arc of Formaldehyde! All views and opinions are my own and have been left voluntarily.
This book was an absolutely wild ride from the beginning, leaving readers with jaws on the floor by the end. Bamforth has such a wonderful way of making us feel for character's who are not deserving of it. Why am I crying over a man who is definitely a walking red flag??
I loved Formaldehyde so much and cannot recommend this enough to all my fellow girlies who love anything sick, twisted and down right taboo. Please read all the trigger warnings!
Thank you so much to the author for an arc of Formaldehyde! All views and opinions are my own and have been left voluntarily.
April 22, 2026
oof... spoiler alert:
there is necrophilia on page btw.
there is necrophilia on page btw.
April 16, 2026
Formaldehyde
Firstly I can’t believe I was accepted for this ARC, I screeeeamed 😭 and seeing how it started..first page…yep I devoured it!! This was UNREAL!! 😮💨👏🏼
Ethan has always had a “special” kind of love for his sister, the need to possess & to protect her by any means necessary
Alina adores her brother, she knows it’s wrong but whenever she’s near him that connection is an instant pull, it causes her body to heat & her thighs to clench
They will do anything to protect each other, love has no bounds 👀🫣
Holy 💩 did Bamforth absolutely nail this!! It shook me to my core!! My mind was blown by that ending!! I did NOT predict it at all 😱🤯
This was INCREDIBLE!! The taboo, the spice, the extreme, ugh I loved it! I wish it was longer just so I didn’t have to finish it so soon!
Releasing 20th April. I can’t wait to see the reviews on this one! It’s gonna blow all of your minds!! 🤯 Do check the triggers first as always!
Thank you again to Bamforth, I’m so grateful to of been able to ARC for you! I pre-ordered this one a while ago & can’t wait to have it in my little hands! 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly I can’t believe I was accepted for this ARC, I screeeeamed 😭 and seeing how it started..first page…yep I devoured it!! This was UNREAL!! 😮💨👏🏼
Ethan has always had a “special” kind of love for his sister, the need to possess & to protect her by any means necessary
Alina adores her brother, she knows it’s wrong but whenever she’s near him that connection is an instant pull, it causes her body to heat & her thighs to clench
They will do anything to protect each other, love has no bounds 👀🫣
Holy 💩 did Bamforth absolutely nail this!! It shook me to my core!! My mind was blown by that ending!! I did NOT predict it at all 😱🤯
This was INCREDIBLE!! The taboo, the spice, the extreme, ugh I loved it! I wish it was longer just so I didn’t have to finish it so soon!
Releasing 20th April. I can’t wait to see the reviews on this one! It’s gonna blow all of your minds!! 🤯 Do check the triggers first as always!
Thank you again to Bamforth, I’m so grateful to of been able to ARC for you! I pre-ordered this one a while ago & can’t wait to have it in my little hands! 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 20, 2026
This hurt my feelings🥲😂
April 20, 2026
Check ya triggers on this one
Dark taboo read
So gross but such a good read. Had me chuckling
One part reminded me of a gross version of American pie with the apple pie......
BUT CHECK YA TRIGGERS
Dark taboo read
So gross but such a good read. Had me chuckling
One part reminded me of a gross version of American pie with the apple pie......
BUT CHECK YA TRIGGERS
July 7, 2026
Hands down the most fucked up thing I've read. Wow 👀
October 12, 2026
I would say if you are a dark romance reader that doesn't dip into the horror side of the tracks, then I wouldn't recommend you reading this book. However, if you are a person that likes horror, splatterpunk & dark romance with a disturbing, psychologically vibe that pushes moral boundaries & will leave you unsettled rather than comforted, then make yourself a coffee, grab some snacks & buckle up for a fab reading ride.
You
This book is centred around a family unit:
* The father is a violent, drunken & verbally abusive parent whose hostility & actions shapes both siblings’ lives.
* Ethan (MMC) is a deeply troubled boy labelled a “freak” by his father & many within the local community. He is fixated on his sister and repeatedly crosses boundaries in his obsession.
* Alina the daughter/sister, is the object of Ethan's fixation. Their relationship is the emotional and psychological centre of the book.
The book does explore some pretty extreme psychological, dysfunctional & taboo situations & relationships & in some places I'd recommend not eating whilst reading!! What I did find surprising is how many questions the book provoked, in the 'what if', 'How would that...' etc which I didn't expect going into this book.
Overall, the themes involved in this book are documenting harmful behaviour & I think readers must remember this is a world of fiction & as long as you have that in your mind & you like this genre of books then you will enjoy it, in fact there were parts that I found quite funny / yet gruesome, but that might be a me thing!!
You
This book is centred around a family unit:
* The father is a violent, drunken & verbally abusive parent whose hostility & actions shapes both siblings’ lives.
* Ethan (MMC) is a deeply troubled boy labelled a “freak” by his father & many within the local community. He is fixated on his sister and repeatedly crosses boundaries in his obsession.
* Alina the daughter/sister, is the object of Ethan's fixation. Their relationship is the emotional and psychological centre of the book.
The book does explore some pretty extreme psychological, dysfunctional & taboo situations & relationships & in some places I'd recommend not eating whilst reading!! What I did find surprising is how many questions the book provoked, in the 'what if', 'How would that...' etc which I didn't expect going into this book.
Overall, the themes involved in this book are documenting harmful behaviour & I think readers must remember this is a world of fiction & as long as you have that in your mind & you like this genre of books then you will enjoy it, in fact there were parts that I found quite funny / yet gruesome, but that might be a me thing!!
June 22, 2026
This was a fun and easy read that I finished really quickly 📖✨. It’s definitely not a book for everyone, so make sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand ⚠️. There were a few moments where I was side-eyeing the pages like 👀🤨, but I was still invested enough to keep reading.
The ending was a bit disappointing for me because it felt rushed and not as satisfying as I hoped. Overall, an entertaining book that kept me turning the pages, but nothing particularly special or unforgettable
The ending was a bit disappointing for me because it felt rushed and not as satisfying as I hoped. Overall, an entertaining book that kept me turning the pages, but nothing particularly special or unforgettable
October 22, 2026
Well, errmm, yeah... that was something 🫣😬🤢😁. Not bad, but the ending was a little disappointing for me. I'm still definitely going to check out some more of this author's work. That's it ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
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 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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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
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
April 5, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
0.5/5 🌶️
Was lucky enough to meet JN at my local independent store and purchase this as an early release, and then also be sent the ARC too!
Ethan MMC
Alina FMC
I enjoyed this book but for some reason I wanted it to be darker (even though it was already extremely taboo 🙈) I was shocked at the ending, I thought it would go a different way but I understand why he had the other perspective.
This MMC is cooked. He is not okay mentally. It is a taboo DARK non HEA horror story.
Blood siblings who are attracted to each other (and do consensual acts... to a certain extent)
If you have zero triggers and hold a strong stomach... please dive in. You may enjoy it like I did
0.5/5 🌶️
Was lucky enough to meet JN at my local independent store and purchase this as an early release, and then also be sent the ARC too!
Ethan MMC
Alina FMC
I enjoyed this book but for some reason I wanted it to be darker (even though it was already extremely taboo 🙈) I was shocked at the ending, I thought it would go a different way but I understand why he had the other perspective.
This MMC is cooked. He is not okay mentally. It is a taboo DARK non HEA horror story.
Blood siblings who are attracted to each other (and do consensual acts... to a certain extent)
If you have zero triggers and hold a strong stomach... please dive in. You may enjoy it like I did
July 6, 2026
3 stars because of the ending, I really liked it.
April 27, 2026
*late arc review due to personal reasons*
Rounded up to 4 stars.....
Bamforth, hats of to you for being a top awesome sick individual 👀🤣🤣 (this is a compliment even if it doesnt seem like 1 lol)
Formaldehyde by J.N. Banforth is A Taboo Horror read, with NO HEA. I have fell behind on some arcs due to being ill so this is my late review after getting this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The Blurb:
Ethan isn’t afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
This read was a super quick read for me with 125 pages, I went into it knowing of No HEA & a shopping list of triggers, I did love that it was set in the UK tho!!
Triggers:
Blood relations, Graphic details, Autopsies, Autopsy instruments, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Possessive MMC, Mentions of alcohol, Drug Use, Primal Play, Murder, Broken Bones, Dub-Con, Spitting, Suicide, Abusive Parent, Grief, Sibling Death, Sick Fantasies, Insects, Mentions of Overdose, Suicidal Thoughts, Hallucinations, Ghostly Mirror Sex, Improper use of a teddy bear, Autopsies and Embalming on living people, Thoughts of Cannibalism, Patchwork Bodies, Necrophillia, Cum Stuffing, Defiling of a Corpse, Body Horror, Removal of Limbs, Cooking human meat, Chicken nuggets (Sorry.), Mental Voices.
You liturally dive right and holy f***. 👀 J.N really held no punches on this book. Well fuck... also is Mr Wilson as twisted as the mmc Ethan?! Lol. I did not expect that twist at the end. Damn.
Rounded up to 4 stars.....
Bamforth, hats of to you for being a top awesome sick individual 👀🤣🤣 (this is a compliment even if it doesnt seem like 1 lol)
Formaldehyde by J.N. Banforth is A Taboo Horror read, with NO HEA. I have fell behind on some arcs due to being ill so this is my late review after getting this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The Blurb:
Ethan isn’t afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
This read was a super quick read for me with 125 pages, I went into it knowing of No HEA & a shopping list of triggers, I did love that it was set in the UK tho!!
Triggers:
Blood relations, Graphic details, Autopsies, Autopsy instruments, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Possessive MMC, Mentions of alcohol, Drug Use, Primal Play, Murder, Broken Bones, Dub-Con, Spitting, Suicide, Abusive Parent, Grief, Sibling Death, Sick Fantasies, Insects, Mentions of Overdose, Suicidal Thoughts, Hallucinations, Ghostly Mirror Sex, Improper use of a teddy bear, Autopsies and Embalming on living people, Thoughts of Cannibalism, Patchwork Bodies, Necrophillia, Cum Stuffing, Defiling of a Corpse, Body Horror, Removal of Limbs, Cooking human meat, Chicken nuggets (Sorry.), Mental Voices.
You liturally dive right and holy f***. 👀 J.N really held no punches on this book. Well fuck... also is Mr Wilson as twisted as the mmc Ethan?! Lol. I did not expect that twist at the end. Damn.
September 9, 2026
WHAT DID I JUST READ?!!! I need to cleanse my eyeballs and touch some grass!
This is the most messed up and deranged book I think I have ever read and let me tell you, I’ve read some messed up things but this takes the biscuit by farrrrr!!
This story follows Ethan and Alina (blood siblings) that harbour some ✨complicated✨ feelings for each other… do they act upon said feelings??? Well telling would be ruining things for you!
A lot of and I mean a lot of fucked up things happen in this book but I was so intrigued that I just couldn’t look away I had to know what happened next!
Ethan at one point says that he’s fearful of himself and you know what me too boo me too, Ethan is one scary sick man! But also he was just VERY protective of his dear little sister, we like a protective man🤷🏻♀️
The ending of this book had me shocked!!!! That was not what I expected! The last two chapters didn’t need to be added I’d have been happy ending 10 pages before the end but no, the author had to go and throw the biggest twist at the end!!!!!!!
If you want something that will disturbed you, making you question your taste in books, make you feel physically ill and have you staring at a wall for several hours and avoiding all eye contact with another human then pick this book up!!!
This is the most messed up and deranged book I think I have ever read and let me tell you, I’ve read some messed up things but this takes the biscuit by farrrrr!!
This story follows Ethan and Alina (blood siblings) that harbour some ✨complicated✨ feelings for each other… do they act upon said feelings??? Well telling would be ruining things for you!
A lot of and I mean a lot of fucked up things happen in this book but I was so intrigued that I just couldn’t look away I had to know what happened next!
Ethan at one point says that he’s fearful of himself and you know what me too boo me too, Ethan is one scary sick man! But also he was just VERY protective of his dear little sister, we like a protective man🤷🏻♀️
The ending of this book had me shocked!!!! That was not what I expected! The last two chapters didn’t need to be added I’d have been happy ending 10 pages before the end but no, the author had to go and throw the biggest twist at the end!!!!!!!
If you want something that will disturbed you, making you question your taste in books, make you feel physically ill and have you staring at a wall for several hours and avoiding all eye contact with another human then pick this book up!!!
June 3, 2026
★★★★☆
I picked up Formaldehyde by J.N. Bamforth after seeing people compare it to Dark Descent by Hazel Black and tbh, I don’t think they’re even in the same category.
Yes, the subject matter is taboo, but this book never fully commits to being as dark as it’s marketed. It constantly feels like it’s standing right on the line and then pulling back before it can really go there. I actually wanted it to be darker. (If you know me in real life- no you don’t plz stop reading)
My biggest issue is that everything felt a little rushed. I wish more time had been spent developing the relationship between the main characters because there was so much potential there. Instead, it felt like we skipped over parts of their dynamic that would have made the story hit harder.
And that ending? It felt like a cop-out. Almost like a way to walk back some of the darker aspects of the story instead of fully committing to them.
That being said, I absolutely loved the MMC. He was by far my favorite part of the book and honestly carried a lot of it for me. Overall, this is a 4-star read because I was invested and I can see exactly what the author was trying to do. I just wish it had gone further.
I picked up Formaldehyde by J.N. Bamforth after seeing people compare it to Dark Descent by Hazel Black and tbh, I don’t think they’re even in the same category.
Yes, the subject matter is taboo, but this book never fully commits to being as dark as it’s marketed. It constantly feels like it’s standing right on the line and then pulling back before it can really go there. I actually wanted it to be darker. (If you know me in real life- no you don’t plz stop reading)
My biggest issue is that everything felt a little rushed. I wish more time had been spent developing the relationship between the main characters because there was so much potential there. Instead, it felt like we skipped over parts of their dynamic that would have made the story hit harder.
And that ending? It felt like a cop-out. Almost like a way to walk back some of the darker aspects of the story instead of fully committing to them.
That being said, I absolutely loved the MMC. He was by far my favorite part of the book and honestly carried a lot of it for me. Overall, this is a 4-star read because I was invested and I can see exactly what the author was trying to do. I just wish it had gone further.
April 20, 2026
TRIGGER WARNINGS. Do not go into this book without reading the triggers. If you're as f*cked up and enjoy f*cked up things like me, then proceed!
Ha, this was by far, the most insane thing I've ever read and I loved every single second of it. We go into the mind of a, I'm not even sure, a psychopath? But we are in the mind of Ethan, who is absolutely in love with his sister Alina and will kill anyone who threatens or touches her. He eventually follows her to a party, murders everyone, and bangs her right there. Alina, not able to handle being caught and knowing the actions her brother did (and enjoying said actions) end up doing the unthinkable. You'll need to read the rest to find out what happens from here 😉.
Absolute cinema. Extremely taboo. I loved every single second of this deranged book and I would absolutely recommend it to the other freaks out there!
Ha, this was by far, the most insane thing I've ever read and I loved every single second of it. We go into the mind of a, I'm not even sure, a psychopath? But we are in the mind of Ethan, who is absolutely in love with his sister Alina and will kill anyone who threatens or touches her. He eventually follows her to a party, murders everyone, and bangs her right there. Alina, not able to handle being caught and knowing the actions her brother did (and enjoying said actions) end up doing the unthinkable. You'll need to read the rest to find out what happens from here 😉.
Absolute cinema. Extremely taboo. I loved every single second of this deranged book and I would absolutely recommend it to the other freaks out there!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2026
*ARC REVIEW COPY*
I feel like I went on a bit of a journey with this book. Despite being siblings (not condoning at all) I actually liked their dynamic and the extreme possessiveness that Ethan felt towards his sister. Given their home situation it made sense as to why they found comfort in each other.
When Alina stepped in front of the car I found it hard to believe that Ethan didn’t realise what she was about to do and that he also only got 4 years for “killing her” but no mention of the other murders from the Halloween party.
His revenge plan on his dad was definitely fitting and I like that it was implied that Mr Wilson most likely knew about it and what was going to happen but didn’t stop Ethan.
Then that ending. What was that? You’ve taken me on a journey of sibling relations, death and murder, revenge, patchwork bodies and necrophilia and for it all to be a lie. I loved it!!
Reading Mr Wilson’s chapter made it all make sense. Why Ethan was hearing and seeing Alina but also knowing how possessive he was off her and that he truly couldn’t live without her, it made sense that he also is no longer with us.
P.S - Thankfully this didn’t ruin chicken nuggets for me but I did have to laugh at that part! And I’m still ok to sleep with my teddy bears!
I feel like I went on a bit of a journey with this book. Despite being siblings (not condoning at all) I actually liked their dynamic and the extreme possessiveness that Ethan felt towards his sister. Given their home situation it made sense as to why they found comfort in each other.
When Alina stepped in front of the car I found it hard to believe that Ethan didn’t realise what she was about to do and that he also only got 4 years for “killing her” but no mention of the other murders from the Halloween party.
His revenge plan on his dad was definitely fitting and I like that it was implied that Mr Wilson most likely knew about it and what was going to happen but didn’t stop Ethan.
Then that ending. What was that? You’ve taken me on a journey of sibling relations, death and murder, revenge, patchwork bodies and necrophilia and for it all to be a lie. I loved it!!
Reading Mr Wilson’s chapter made it all make sense. Why Ethan was hearing and seeing Alina but also knowing how possessive he was off her and that he truly couldn’t live without her, it made sense that he also is no longer with us.
P.S - Thankfully this didn’t ruin chicken nuggets for me but I did have to laugh at that part! And I’m still ok to sleep with my teddy bears!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2026
I needed a few days to wrap my head around this and actually read it twice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
I am a huge fan of this author so I jumped at the chance for this ARC.
The twist at the end had me raging all up in my feels. And made me want to ask so many questions I needed revenge on a few characters such as the dad.
I was hoping for a lot more spice between the FMC and MMC - the spice they did have was EXTREMELY TABOO and dark
I am a sucker for a non HEA and this will live rent free in my head for a while so I am leaning closer to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
I am a huge fan of this author so I jumped at the chance for this ARC.
The twist at the end had me raging all up in my feels. And made me want to ask so many questions I needed revenge on a few characters such as the dad.
I was hoping for a lot more spice between the FMC and MMC - the spice they did have was EXTREMELY TABOO and dark
I am a sucker for a non HEA and this will live rent free in my head for a while so I am leaning closer to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2026
1. fett sus slut 2. fråga mig inte ens. 3. älskar folk som klagar på boken, om du inte vill läsa den här typen av böcker? then don’t? it’s not that deep.
every review is acting like the book personally broke into their house and offended their ancestors. my brother in Christ, you picked up the taboo dark romance. what exactly were you expecting???
anyway.
I had a great fucking time.
no further questions🫡
every review is acting like the book personally broke into their house and offended their ancestors. my brother in Christ, you picked up the taboo dark romance. what exactly were you expecting???
anyway.
I had a great fucking time.
no further questions🫡
August 28, 2026
I was waiting for this to be good. It wasn't. Which is a shame. But it was slow and I found it painfully boring. I kept reading in hopes something would make me think oooo this is worth the read. But that wasn't the case.
I love a good erotic horror but this was a snooze fest for me.
I love a good erotic horror but this was a snooze fest for me.
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