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Your Beloved Remains
As fascination turns to obsession, two women drag each other into an academic horror of forgery, murder, and rage, destined to be devoured by fans of Plain Bad Heroines and If We Were Villains.
Archivist Celia Kiel has spent her life on the remote campus of Basin College in the Southern Ozarks. Once a jewel of women’s higher education in the South, the school now molders on its mountaintop, its endowment thinly supported by the bequeathed estate of 19th-century writer Beatrice Donahue. Celia guards the legacy of this venerated, yet scandalous author, who has been the object of her illicit desire since childhood.
When the administration announces the college's imminent closure, Celia discovers a manuscript pickled in formaldehyde, and with it, a chance to save the only home she's ever known. She will forge Beatrice's infamous lost work, a spellbinding horror written toward her life's tumultuous end. To do it, she is forced to recruit her professional rival, literature postdoc Joan Harriot, who has both an astounding talent for mimicry and a dark secret of her own. As their world closes in and the ghosts of the Victorian past encroach, their creative collaboration spirals into an obsession more twisted than even their beloved Beatrice could have penned.
A Macmillan Audio production from Pine & Cedar AU
Archivist Celia Kiel has spent her life on the remote campus of Basin College in the Southern Ozarks. Once a jewel of women’s higher education in the South, the school now molders on its mountaintop, its endowment thinly supported by the bequeathed estate of 19th-century writer Beatrice Donahue. Celia guards the legacy of this venerated, yet scandalous author, who has been the object of her illicit desire since childhood.
When the administration announces the college's imminent closure, Celia discovers a manuscript pickled in formaldehyde, and with it, a chance to save the only home she's ever known. She will forge Beatrice's infamous lost work, a spellbinding horror written toward her life's tumultuous end. To do it, she is forced to recruit her professional rival, literature postdoc Joan Harriot, who has both an astounding talent for mimicry and a dark secret of her own. As their world closes in and the ghosts of the Victorian past encroach, their creative collaboration spirals into an obsession more twisted than even their beloved Beatrice could have penned.
A Macmillan Audio production from Pine & Cedar AU
10 pages, Audible Audio
Expected publication October 6, 2026
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March 6, 2026I blurbed this one!
"It's not often I find a novel where I know from the first page that it'll climb in my heart and head and won't ever leave, but Your Beloved Remains is one of them. Dark, transgressive, and beautifully written; a rare and perfect novel."
"It's not often I find a novel where I know from the first page that it'll climb in my heart and head and won't ever leave, but Your Beloved Remains is one of them. Dark, transgressive, and beautifully written; a rare and perfect novel."
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Review: Your Beloved Remains by Quinn Connor
This was a creepy tale with unique characters and some twists and turns. I was interested in the atmosphere, but I was swept up in the story. This one focuses on the story of two women, Celia and Harriot, both academics who find themselves deep in the process of rebuilding an unfinished work of literature by a favorite writer. One of the women is so completely engrossed in the life and relationships of the late author that it makes it difficult for her to find community with others, as they don't quite share in the same zealous appreciation. The way the project plays out becomes a way to explore themes of grief, feminism, queer experiences, friendship, and the ways that academia can shelter and insulate power from the people who are in the midst of the hard work.
Oh! One of the more unique aspects of the narrative is that it is written in the rare second person POV, which switches back and forth between the main characters, Celia and Harriot. While I'm very partial to third person omniscient, I did enjoy stepping out of the normal and experimenting with this kind of perspective. And I think the persuasive, academic, and personal nature of some of the passages lend themselves well to this sort of viewpoint.
I was extremely lucky to receive an advanced reader copy, and I'd like to thank Goodreads, Flatiron Books, and Quinn Connor for being able to read this one early - thank you!
4 out of 5 stars
Read: September 2026
This was a creepy tale with unique characters and some twists and turns. I was interested in the atmosphere, but I was swept up in the story. This one focuses on the story of two women, Celia and Harriot, both academics who find themselves deep in the process of rebuilding an unfinished work of literature by a favorite writer. One of the women is so completely engrossed in the life and relationships of the late author that it makes it difficult for her to find community with others, as they don't quite share in the same zealous appreciation. The way the project plays out becomes a way to explore themes of grief, feminism, queer experiences, friendship, and the ways that academia can shelter and insulate power from the people who are in the midst of the hard work.
Oh! One of the more unique aspects of the narrative is that it is written in the rare second person POV, which switches back and forth between the main characters, Celia and Harriot. While I'm very partial to third person omniscient, I did enjoy stepping out of the normal and experimenting with this kind of perspective. And I think the persuasive, academic, and personal nature of some of the passages lend themselves well to this sort of viewpoint.
I was extremely lucky to receive an advanced reader copy, and I'd like to thank Goodreads, Flatiron Books, and Quinn Connor for being able to read this one early - thank you!
4 out of 5 stars
Read: September 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5
While it isn't a perfect book (so few are) I was engaged with the story throughout and truly was unsure how it would end up to the final page. This is a dark academia novel of obsession, with a slight sapphic storyline (bit of a cliche in which they keep denying the obvious, even after it has occurred), and a very interesting backstory to the fictional author it's all centered around.
Summary:
Celia Kiel has spent her entire life in the Southern Ozarks on the remote campus of Basin College, where she grew up as the College President's daughter and has spent her adult life as the archivist for the Beatrice Donahue collection. Beatrice Donahue was a famous author who started the college as a place for women's higher education and bequeathed her estate to the school upon her death. While Celia lives her life dedicated to Beatrice (or Tris as Celia feels entitled to call her), other remember the author for the scandals surrounding the end of her and her lovers' lives. Celia has loved Beatrice her entire life and sees herself as the rightful and anointed gatekeeper of everything related to the woman.
When rumors of the college's imminent closure begin to reach Celias ears, she finds a possible solution in the form of the lost manuscript of Beatrice Donahue, pickled in formaldehyde. The work is incomplete and parts have disintegrated, but Celia is sure that as the number one fan of Beatrice, she can forge an acceptable version. Her talents only stretch as far as admiration however, and she must recruit Joan Harriot, who she considers her professional rival, in order to achieve her goals. With Harriot's grasp of the written word and past studying Beatrice Donahue's writing paired with Celia's intimate knowledge of the area and Beatrice's life, the two are sure they will succeed. But when the two stay on the remote campus over winter break to complete the work, the isolation may get to them, and they will have to determine what is real, what is imagined, and what really matters in all of this.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
While it isn't a perfect book (so few are) I was engaged with the story throughout and truly was unsure how it would end up to the final page. This is a dark academia novel of obsession, with a slight sapphic storyline (bit of a cliche in which they keep denying the obvious, even after it has occurred), and a very interesting backstory to the fictional author it's all centered around.
Summary:
Celia Kiel has spent her entire life in the Southern Ozarks on the remote campus of Basin College, where she grew up as the College President's daughter and has spent her adult life as the archivist for the Beatrice Donahue collection. Beatrice Donahue was a famous author who started the college as a place for women's higher education and bequeathed her estate to the school upon her death. While Celia lives her life dedicated to Beatrice (or Tris as Celia feels entitled to call her), other remember the author for the scandals surrounding the end of her and her lovers' lives. Celia has loved Beatrice her entire life and sees herself as the rightful and anointed gatekeeper of everything related to the woman.
When rumors of the college's imminent closure begin to reach Celias ears, she finds a possible solution in the form of the lost manuscript of Beatrice Donahue, pickled in formaldehyde. The work is incomplete and parts have disintegrated, but Celia is sure that as the number one fan of Beatrice, she can forge an acceptable version. Her talents only stretch as far as admiration however, and she must recruit Joan Harriot, who she considers her professional rival, in order to achieve her goals. With Harriot's grasp of the written word and past studying Beatrice Donahue's writing paired with Celia's intimate knowledge of the area and Beatrice's life, the two are sure they will succeed. But when the two stay on the remote campus over winter break to complete the work, the isolation may get to them, and they will have to determine what is real, what is imagined, and what really matters in all of this.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced ARC!
This is the perfect read for spooky season. While I wish this was more sapphic, the horror aspect kept me turning pages.
Disturbing in all the right ways.
I'm still reeling after the ending.
This is the perfect read for spooky season. While I wish this was more sapphic, the horror aspect kept me turning pages.
Disturbing in all the right ways.
I'm still reeling after the ending.
September 24, 2026
Dear god, this audiobook was fucking DIVINE. These narrators could literally be talking about a steaming shit and I would STILL get goosebumps. This was a slow burn, atmospheric dark academia story that just consumes you to your core. The balance between both characters and narrators was done so well. On one hand, you can feel yourself falling into madness right along with Celia and could feel how on unhinged she started to become as the story progressed. Then on the other hand, you have Joan who is a bit arrogant, snarky, and just all around so amusing with her quick wit. They were such polar opposites but complimented each other so well. I had so much fun listening to this one and devoured it way faster than I was expecting!
A big thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my alc of Your Beloved Remains 🥰
A big thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my alc of Your Beloved Remains 🥰
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Quinn Connor and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
I can see how the author loves mixing the gothic of the old and the psychological frustrations women express through their writing. I enjoyed the main characters obsession and her intense need to find worth within her work and the world of this past gone author. I enjoyed the creepy vibe.
That being said, most was just to quiet for me. It was a slow build and the payoff was just okay for me.
The narration worked great for the atmosphere the story was trying to convey.
Okay read.
I can see how the author loves mixing the gothic of the old and the psychological frustrations women express through their writing. I enjoyed the main characters obsession and her intense need to find worth within her work and the world of this past gone author. I enjoyed the creepy vibe.
That being said, most was just to quiet for me. It was a slow build and the payoff was just okay for me.
The narration worked great for the atmosphere the story was trying to convey.
Okay read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Quinn Connor for allowing me early access to this audiobook so I can review it honestly.
"As fascination turns to obsession, two women drag each other into an academic horror of forgery, murder, and rage, destined to be devoured by readers of Plain Bad Heroines and If We Were Villains."
Release Date: October 6th, 2026
Story: Our main character, Celia Kiel, has spent her entire life on the campus of Basin College, hidden in the Southern Ozark Mountains. For most of her life she has been obsessed with the late Beatrice Donahue, author and founder of the college.
The story is set in the 80s but still gives the gothic vibes that I love. It is very much a character based story, delving into the minds of 2 very different women, brought together by obsession and desperation.
Writing: The writing was absolutely gorgeous. The way the writing made me feel like I was inside both women's minds, intimately hearing their thoughts was incredible. Everything about the writing was exactly what I love in a book. I felt every emotion they women felt, pictured each scene perfectly.
Characters: Celia was such a sheltered woman, although very intelligent, but quite damaged and shut off. Joan is the complete opposite of Celia but they are drawn together nonetheless. Separately they are such interesting, multi-layered characters. Together they are tumultuous to say the least, but also fascinating and delicious.
Who Would I Recommend This To: If you love the slow, psychological build of gothic horror then you would love this. This story is beautifully told through the characters thoughts and inner monologue, which to some may find slower paced, however this is how gothic horror should be!
Audio Book Notes: Jess Nahikian & Natalie Naudus were 2 of the most ethereal narrators I have ever heard. Very different styles but both were like honey in my ears. I could listen to them narrate anything. They were absolutely PERFECT for this story!
Overall: I LOVED this book so much!!!
"As fascination turns to obsession, two women drag each other into an academic horror of forgery, murder, and rage, destined to be devoured by readers of Plain Bad Heroines and If We Were Villains."
Release Date: October 6th, 2026
Story: Our main character, Celia Kiel, has spent her entire life on the campus of Basin College, hidden in the Southern Ozark Mountains. For most of her life she has been obsessed with the late Beatrice Donahue, author and founder of the college.
The story is set in the 80s but still gives the gothic vibes that I love. It is very much a character based story, delving into the minds of 2 very different women, brought together by obsession and desperation.
Writing: The writing was absolutely gorgeous. The way the writing made me feel like I was inside both women's minds, intimately hearing their thoughts was incredible. Everything about the writing was exactly what I love in a book. I felt every emotion they women felt, pictured each scene perfectly.
Characters: Celia was such a sheltered woman, although very intelligent, but quite damaged and shut off. Joan is the complete opposite of Celia but they are drawn together nonetheless. Separately they are such interesting, multi-layered characters. Together they are tumultuous to say the least, but also fascinating and delicious.
Who Would I Recommend This To: If you love the slow, psychological build of gothic horror then you would love this. This story is beautifully told through the characters thoughts and inner monologue, which to some may find slower paced, however this is how gothic horror should be!
Audio Book Notes: Jess Nahikian & Natalie Naudus were 2 of the most ethereal narrators I have ever heard. Very different styles but both were like honey in my ears. I could listen to them narrate anything. They were absolutely PERFECT for this story!
Overall: I LOVED this book so much!!!
September 22, 2026
Review of advanced reader copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
I wanted to so badly to love this. The premise and setting are everything I look for in a good book but unfortunately it fell very flat for me.
There were things I enjoyed. I thought the prose was beautiful and the atmosphere was entrancing. A secluded college built by an eccentric writer that has a haunting past? Sign me right up! I loved hearing about Donahue and her story and how Celia became fixated on her as a way of coping through her own life. I wish more of that was explored so that we really as the reader got to know Celia.
Sadly the characters really did not do anything for me though. Celia and Harriet do not feel very fleshed out, and they often times feel indistinguishable from each other. Instead of adding suspense to the story by keeping things about them a mystery, it often felt unnecessarily dragged out to keep their secrets from the reader. Which in turn caused a disconnect between identifying with the characters. I also found both of them wholly unlikeable, and not in a fun oh I love to hate them but in an annoying god I can’t stand them way.
Overall, I think the structure was there for a really amazing read but it just didn’t hit for me.
I wanted to so badly to love this. The premise and setting are everything I look for in a good book but unfortunately it fell very flat for me.
There were things I enjoyed. I thought the prose was beautiful and the atmosphere was entrancing. A secluded college built by an eccentric writer that has a haunting past? Sign me right up! I loved hearing about Donahue and her story and how Celia became fixated on her as a way of coping through her own life. I wish more of that was explored so that we really as the reader got to know Celia.
Sadly the characters really did not do anything for me though. Celia and Harriet do not feel very fleshed out, and they often times feel indistinguishable from each other. Instead of adding suspense to the story by keeping things about them a mystery, it often felt unnecessarily dragged out to keep their secrets from the reader. Which in turn caused a disconnect between identifying with the characters. I also found both of them wholly unlikeable, and not in a fun oh I love to hate them but in an annoying god I can’t stand them way.
Overall, I think the structure was there for a really amazing read but it just didn’t hit for me.
September 30, 2026
Got an arc through Libro.fm 4.5/5
A sapphic Folie-a-deux being third wheeled by a long dead author further descends into madness in a fever dream of the highest caliber. I didn't know what to expect going into this but I ended up slamming it in about 36 hours because I was so entrenched in the story. While there were a couple threads I felt didn't tie together as much as I would've liked, this is still perfect if you like women's wrongs and doomed Yuri
A sapphic Folie-a-deux being third wheeled by a long dead author further descends into madness in a fever dream of the highest caliber. I didn't know what to expect going into this but I ended up slamming it in about 36 hours because I was so entrenched in the story. While there were a couple threads I felt didn't tie together as much as I would've liked, this is still perfect if you like women's wrongs and doomed Yuri
Did Not Finish
September 9, 2026Advanced copy received from publisher.
Unfortunately, the style of writing wasn’t for me. It tried to capture an “old world” feel, but came across as convoluted. This book is definitely for someone though! I am going to find it a good home, to someone who will have a better experience.
Unfortunately, the style of writing wasn’t for me. It tried to capture an “old world” feel, but came across as convoluted. This book is definitely for someone though! I am going to find it a good home, to someone who will have a better experience.
September 19, 2026
This story is one that simmers for a bit before erupting into a full rolling boil. You start tiptoeing around in the atmospheric, dark academia world and as you are trying to find your footing, you will suddenly realize you’ve been sucked into its quicksand. By then, you are knee deep in the story and you have to find out how it’s going to end.
To say Celia has an obsession with Beatrice is potentially the understatement of the century. Every single thing she does and interaction she has is dictated by this obsession. The story’s overall vibes were reminiscent of some of my favorite Faulkner works (except with infinitely less dense prose and infinitely more sapphic). I appreciated how the deterioration of Celia’s stability, credibility, friendships, etc is mimicked in the deterioration of the college she works for and Beatrice’s life’s work.
My only critique of the audiobook is that the POV shift for Harriot and Celia are prefaced by their names. But because the audiobook narrator remains the same, it can be a bit difficult to initially register that there are excerpts that are nestled in the FMC’s chapters that are not their POV, and only catch on because there is suddenly prose written in the second person.
Kick off your spooky season reads and grab yourself a copy of this book when it is released on October 6, 2026!
Thank you to Quinn Connor and Macmillan Audio for providing this ALC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
To say Celia has an obsession with Beatrice is potentially the understatement of the century. Every single thing she does and interaction she has is dictated by this obsession. The story’s overall vibes were reminiscent of some of my favorite Faulkner works (except with infinitely less dense prose and infinitely more sapphic). I appreciated how the deterioration of Celia’s stability, credibility, friendships, etc is mimicked in the deterioration of the college she works for and Beatrice’s life’s work.
My only critique of the audiobook is that the POV shift for Harriot and Celia are prefaced by their names. But because the audiobook narrator remains the same, it can be a bit difficult to initially register that there are excerpts that are nestled in the FMC’s chapters that are not their POV, and only catch on because there is suddenly prose written in the second person.
Kick off your spooky season reads and grab yourself a copy of this book when it is released on October 6, 2026!
Thank you to Quinn Connor and Macmillan Audio for providing this ALC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you are looking for a gothic dark academia read that is deeply atmospheric, full of obsession and eerie vibes, Your Beloved Remains delivers completely. The haunting atmosphere grabs you immediately, creating an immersive world where you can’t help but get swept up in the characters' unraveling.
When the closing of a remote Southern college threatens archivist Celia Kiel’s role in protecting the work of a 19th century author, she concocts a desperate plan to forge the author's lost work to bring attention back to the college. Forced to collaborate with her academic rival Joan Harriot, the two women embark on a literary mission. As ghosts and secret pasts encroach, their creative partnership spirals into a dark, obsessive web.
I originally requested this audiobook specifically because Natalie Naudus was on the narration team, and she did not disappoint, though I was thrilled to find that both narrators were absolute powerhouses. Together, they brought every layer of this story to life with perfection. They brilliantly captured the unhinged portrayal of obsession in our lead character, perfectly balanced the tender, understated sapphic yearning, and hit every tone needed to maintain that classic gothic feel.
It’s dark, moody, and driven by incredible performances that make the audio format an absolute must-listen. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced listener copy! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
When the closing of a remote Southern college threatens archivist Celia Kiel’s role in protecting the work of a 19th century author, she concocts a desperate plan to forge the author's lost work to bring attention back to the college. Forced to collaborate with her academic rival Joan Harriot, the two women embark on a literary mission. As ghosts and secret pasts encroach, their creative partnership spirals into a dark, obsessive web.
I originally requested this audiobook specifically because Natalie Naudus was on the narration team, and she did not disappoint, though I was thrilled to find that both narrators were absolute powerhouses. Together, they brought every layer of this story to life with perfection. They brilliantly captured the unhinged portrayal of obsession in our lead character, perfectly balanced the tender, understated sapphic yearning, and hit every tone needed to maintain that classic gothic feel.
It’s dark, moody, and driven by incredible performances that make the audio format an absolute must-listen. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced listener copy! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
September 21, 2026
Disclosure Statement: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Your Beloved Remains is a heartbreaking Gothic horror novel set in the Ozarks in Arkansas, and that continues to be one of my favorite settings in fiction. The book drips with dread for its main characters, Harry and Cece, both of whom are academics just looking for a break. If there's anything this book gets totally, 100% right, it's the cattiness and drama of academia, and it's one of the few books I truly think does dark academia right.
It's a book all about envy and professional jealousy, it's critical about institutions of academia and those who populate it even as it clearly demonstrates its love and its passions for academic study throughout its brief page count. But it's also a book about our desperate desire to be seen and recognized, about how easily collaboration can fall apart when ego is too big and thirsty for recognition. It's a book that is unabashedly queer to its roots, tantalizingly beautiful and abject heartbreak from the outset.
There's just so much I think the book is doing, from its immaculate prose voice to its "bananapants" devolution into madness. It is horny and it is lonely and it is provocative, in all the ways [dark] academia maybe should be. I couldn't put this book down if I wanted to.
Your Beloved Remains is a heartbreaking Gothic horror novel set in the Ozarks in Arkansas, and that continues to be one of my favorite settings in fiction. The book drips with dread for its main characters, Harry and Cece, both of whom are academics just looking for a break. If there's anything this book gets totally, 100% right, it's the cattiness and drama of academia, and it's one of the few books I truly think does dark academia right.
It's a book all about envy and professional jealousy, it's critical about institutions of academia and those who populate it even as it clearly demonstrates its love and its passions for academic study throughout its brief page count. But it's also a book about our desperate desire to be seen and recognized, about how easily collaboration can fall apart when ego is too big and thirsty for recognition. It's a book that is unabashedly queer to its roots, tantalizingly beautiful and abject heartbreak from the outset.
There's just so much I think the book is doing, from its immaculate prose voice to its "bananapants" devolution into madness. It is horny and it is lonely and it is provocative, in all the ways [dark] academia maybe should be. I couldn't put this book down if I wanted to.
September 27, 2026
thank you to Flatiron Books for access to this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
has this ever happened to you?
“my narrators are too reliable!”
well look no further! with Your Beloved Remains, the narrators are unreliable to the MAX! set in the Ozarks, this story follows our two main characters as they attempt to revive the legacy of a long dead author to save the college she founded. it’s creepy, eerie, haunting, uncanny, bizarre, insert any other synonym and it’ll be right at home!
unironically though, this was an absolute rollercoaster of a book in the best of ways. the main characters, Celia and Harriot, are very well constructed and they make for such interesting subjects to follow. the plot itself is driven by these two, as well as the overall setting. if that doesn’t make sense you’ll get it when you read it ; )
highly recommend this for those who enjoy dark(er) academia settings, ghost stories and urban myths, and are able to stomach a little bit of gore. definitely suitable to be read during halloween season too!
has this ever happened to you?
“my narrators are too reliable!”
well look no further! with Your Beloved Remains, the narrators are unreliable to the MAX! set in the Ozarks, this story follows our two main characters as they attempt to revive the legacy of a long dead author to save the college she founded. it’s creepy, eerie, haunting, uncanny, bizarre, insert any other synonym and it’ll be right at home!
unironically though, this was an absolute rollercoaster of a book in the best of ways. the main characters, Celia and Harriot, are very well constructed and they make for such interesting subjects to follow. the plot itself is driven by these two, as well as the overall setting. if that doesn’t make sense you’ll get it when you read it ; )
highly recommend this for those who enjoy dark(er) academia settings, ghost stories and urban myths, and are able to stomach a little bit of gore. definitely suitable to be read during halloween season too!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a toxic, atmospheric, rival type of story. I would not at all consider this romance-so beware if that’s how you’re seeing it spoken about.
We are following Celia who has an actual obsession with this 19th century writer…. And I do mean obsessed 😬 she works/lives in the college than writer did and when the college is going to be closed she must do something about it. In steps Harriot-her academic rival to help her.
Things turn dark and twisty from there. Celia’s obsession affects everything she does. Her perspective on life, how she treats others, and what she is willing to do to get what she wants. Very unlikeable, so of course I found that fascinating.
If you like tragic, dark, sapphic toxic stories-i’d recommend this one.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
We are following Celia who has an actual obsession with this 19th century writer…. And I do mean obsessed 😬 she works/lives in the college than writer did and when the college is going to be closed she must do something about it. In steps Harriot-her academic rival to help her.
Things turn dark and twisty from there. Celia’s obsession affects everything she does. Her perspective on life, how she treats others, and what she is willing to do to get what she wants. Very unlikeable, so of course I found that fascinating.
If you like tragic, dark, sapphic toxic stories-i’d recommend this one.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
October 3, 2026
most gooped and gagged i’ve been reading a book in so long holy shit
September 10, 2026
Firstly, thank you so much to Goodreads and Quinn Connor for hosting this giveaway and allowing me to win this ARC of Your Beloved Remains. The story follows Celia Kiel who has spent her whole life at Basin College. She was born here and her parents worked here. She too works here as an archival, keeping the legacies of the late author, Beatrice Donahue, preserved. Everything she has worked for is soon in trouble as Basin College struggles financially and has no choice but to close the college. Celia uncovers a manuscript, the last Beatrice ever wrote, hidden deep within the mountain and steeping in a jar filled with formaldehyde. Upon her findings, the story is incomplete and she enlists Joan Harriot, professional rival and literature post doc at Basin College, to help her finish the ending.
We first experience Celia and her devotion to her work aka her devotion and connection to Beatrice. What starts out as a deep fascination to Beatrice seemingly turns into a complete obsession to the late author. She has loved her since she was first introduced to her writings as a child. Celia has catered her whole life to the author in rapt attention and uses her to fuel and fulfill her livelihood.
Joan Harriet is new to the college and there are tensions between her and Celia which started through literary disagreements regarding Donahue years ago. She also shares a deep understanding of Donahue and thus also is connected to Celia.
The story slowly descends into darkness, eeriness, and complete obsession and you begin to uncover the secrets so embedded in Basin College and Beatrice Donahue. Secrets that too plaque Celia and Harriet. The authors do such a great job of bringing in these elements and really allow our characters to tell us their part in the story and their connections to the college, to Beatrice, to each other. Some of these elements remind me of the movie, Last night in soho and the book, The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I love our characters and their chemistry with one another. I really enjoyed the style of the writing as well and it adds/ties into our characters with this rich literary style. I was immersively enthralled and enjoyed every single minute of this book! The ending was just so absolute and indelible. Anyone who loves literary horror will definitely have an appreciation for this story and will be able to dive deep into this hauntingly enriching atmosphere. 4.5/5 ⭐️
We first experience Celia and her devotion to her work aka her devotion and connection to Beatrice. What starts out as a deep fascination to Beatrice seemingly turns into a complete obsession to the late author. She has loved her since she was first introduced to her writings as a child. Celia has catered her whole life to the author in rapt attention and uses her to fuel and fulfill her livelihood.
Joan Harriet is new to the college and there are tensions between her and Celia which started through literary disagreements regarding Donahue years ago. She also shares a deep understanding of Donahue and thus also is connected to Celia.
The story slowly descends into darkness, eeriness, and complete obsession and you begin to uncover the secrets so embedded in Basin College and Beatrice Donahue. Secrets that too plaque Celia and Harriet. The authors do such a great job of bringing in these elements and really allow our characters to tell us their part in the story and their connections to the college, to Beatrice, to each other. Some of these elements remind me of the movie, Last night in soho and the book, The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I love our characters and their chemistry with one another. I really enjoyed the style of the writing as well and it adds/ties into our characters with this rich literary style. I was immersively enthralled and enjoyed every single minute of this book! The ending was just so absolute and indelible. Anyone who loves literary horror will definitely have an appreciation for this story and will be able to dive deep into this hauntingly enriching atmosphere. 4.5/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 stars. Dark academia and horror combine in a story about obsession and connection.
Celia Kiel has lived all her life at Basin College located in the Southern Ozarks. Her father had been dean and her mother a professor. The college founded by the flamboyant Beatrice Donahue, a 19th C writer known for her scandalous ways and writings, may soon be closing which Celia feels would be devastating as Celia is obsessed by Beatrice’s works and having finally been named archivist wants her works to live one. When she discovers a preserved manuscript of Beatrice’s Celia believes she’s found something that could revive the college. She calls upon her once rival Joan Heriot to help her. Their partnership becomes sinister and threatening. What had once been an obsession could be deadly.
I’m not sure if I’m a fan of dark academia but it is atmospheric and a bit creepy which is true in this book and is a positive. Celia is weirdly strange and deeply devoid of emotional connection until she and Joan start working together at which point Celia’s obsession with Beatrice takes on new meaning - which added to the book’s atmospheric dark vibe. But the constant shifting between first and third person in the first three parts drive me nuts and confused me. I liked the surprising ending but overall I was not fully engaged in the story.
This book should appeal to readers who like dark academia that focuses on obsession and its dark edges.
My thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for granting me access to this ARC.
Celia Kiel has lived all her life at Basin College located in the Southern Ozarks. Her father had been dean and her mother a professor. The college founded by the flamboyant Beatrice Donahue, a 19th C writer known for her scandalous ways and writings, may soon be closing which Celia feels would be devastating as Celia is obsessed by Beatrice’s works and having finally been named archivist wants her works to live one. When she discovers a preserved manuscript of Beatrice’s Celia believes she’s found something that could revive the college. She calls upon her once rival Joan Heriot to help her. Their partnership becomes sinister and threatening. What had once been an obsession could be deadly.
I’m not sure if I’m a fan of dark academia but it is atmospheric and a bit creepy which is true in this book and is a positive. Celia is weirdly strange and deeply devoid of emotional connection until she and Joan start working together at which point Celia’s obsession with Beatrice takes on new meaning - which added to the book’s atmospheric dark vibe. But the constant shifting between first and third person in the first three parts drive me nuts and confused me. I liked the surprising ending but overall I was not fully engaged in the story.
This book should appeal to readers who like dark academia that focuses on obsession and its dark edges.
My thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy of this book.
Two women at Basin College forge a lost manuscript by Victorian author Beatrice Donahue, leading to an obsessive collaboration that spirals into horror and murder.
This was a bit of a slow start for me, but by the second act, I was fully absorbed by the writing (the second person POV) and the idea the authors were putting out there. (Yes, authors, Quinn Connor is the one name for authors Robyn Barrow and Alex Cronin.) I finished fairly quickly and loved having to have had the opportunity to listen to it.
This was gothic and eerie with all the feminism and dark academia vibes. The obsession was strong and the backstory intriguing. The slowburn was consuming and I was into Celia’s unhinged character trait. Joan could be a little snide but I felt like both females complimented each other well. It was a bit physiological and I loved the partnership formed along the way.
The narration, performed by Natalie Naudus and Jess Nahikian, was perfect. Having two narrators brought life to the partnership intensified the dynamic between the MCs. The obsession was like a voice of its own, but Natalie was super atmospheric and intense while Jess was sharp and great with the dark humor side of the story. Together, they really took me into the dark academia world that the authors created.
Two women at Basin College forge a lost manuscript by Victorian author Beatrice Donahue, leading to an obsessive collaboration that spirals into horror and murder.
This was a bit of a slow start for me, but by the second act, I was fully absorbed by the writing (the second person POV) and the idea the authors were putting out there. (Yes, authors, Quinn Connor is the one name for authors Robyn Barrow and Alex Cronin.) I finished fairly quickly and loved having to have had the opportunity to listen to it.
This was gothic and eerie with all the feminism and dark academia vibes. The obsession was strong and the backstory intriguing. The slowburn was consuming and I was into Celia’s unhinged character trait. Joan could be a little snide but I felt like both females complimented each other well. It was a bit physiological and I loved the partnership formed along the way.
The narration, performed by Natalie Naudus and Jess Nahikian, was perfect. Having two narrators brought life to the partnership intensified the dynamic between the MCs. The obsession was like a voice of its own, but Natalie was super atmospheric and intense while Jess was sharp and great with the dark humor side of the story. Together, they really took me into the dark academia world that the authors created.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was feral about the combination of this premise and Quinn Connor and I was absolutely locked in after the first few chapters. There are so many levels of obsession happening here and I'm invested in all of them and how they lead all these characters to make the worst decisions of their lives.
While I never quite clicked with the fact that the setting is the 1980s, the physicality of the setting itself all but flowed off the page. The mountain setting in particular and all of the caves and valleys perfectly fit the dream-like quality of some of the scenes and some of Celia's imaginings.
Having the story told in two different narrators who are narrating to different people worked so well to set up all the different ways that these women get drawn into their respective obsessions. Celia obsessed with keeping the legacy of Beatrice Donahue alive, Joan obsessed with proving her talents and leaving a legacy, and Beatrice in the background, obsessed with death.
There's such a cool balance between destruction and preservation here and the tipping of that balance in one direction or another, throwing oneself too hard at one side of it and then ultimately slipping into madness because of it.
The whole book is just so creepy and cool and I love it.
While I never quite clicked with the fact that the setting is the 1980s, the physicality of the setting itself all but flowed off the page. The mountain setting in particular and all of the caves and valleys perfectly fit the dream-like quality of some of the scenes and some of Celia's imaginings.
Having the story told in two different narrators who are narrating to different people worked so well to set up all the different ways that these women get drawn into their respective obsessions. Celia obsessed with keeping the legacy of Beatrice Donahue alive, Joan obsessed with proving her talents and leaving a legacy, and Beatrice in the background, obsessed with death.
There's such a cool balance between destruction and preservation here and the tipping of that balance in one direction or another, throwing oneself too hard at one side of it and then ultimately slipping into madness because of it.
The whole book is just so creepy and cool and I love it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Connor has somehow managed to find an authorial voice that echoes Faulkner’s in A Rose for Emily or Gilman’s in The Yellow Wall-Paper. Reality blurs in the isolation of an abandoned campus in the mountains, and I can’t tell how much is real and how much is a swift descent into insanity.
Our two protagonists are different flavors of mad. Celia believes she is the best friend and final protector of a long-deceased author, while Harriot is trying to cover up the sins of her past and stumbles into Celia’s plot, which drags her right back into the depths when Celia begs her to help forge the author’s last, unfinished work. This, of course, leads to an incredibly toxic partnership that evolves (devolves?) into a romance the Brontë sisters would be proud of.
I was swept off my feet by the first page and couldn’t find my footing again until that beautiful, awful finale. If you read R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface and thought “what a great book, but I wish there were more ghosts in it,” you’ll want to pick up Your Beloved Remains.
Connor has somehow managed to find an authorial voice that echoes Faulkner’s in A Rose for Emily or Gilman’s in The Yellow Wall-Paper. Reality blurs in the isolation of an abandoned campus in the mountains, and I can’t tell how much is real and how much is a swift descent into insanity.
Our two protagonists are different flavors of mad. Celia believes she is the best friend and final protector of a long-deceased author, while Harriot is trying to cover up the sins of her past and stumbles into Celia’s plot, which drags her right back into the depths when Celia begs her to help forge the author’s last, unfinished work. This, of course, leads to an incredibly toxic partnership that evolves (devolves?) into a romance the Brontë sisters would be proud of.
I was swept off my feet by the first page and couldn’t find my footing again until that beautiful, awful finale. If you read R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface and thought “what a great book, but I wish there were more ghosts in it,” you’ll want to pick up Your Beloved Remains.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely devoured this tale of all consuming obsession. The atmosphere was rich and the characters were delicious. Such a strong story was only helped by absolutely incredible narration. The performances were amazing; Harriet and Celia were so distinct and their voices were so fitting. The descent they go through is delicious and I would have easily read more of their interactions. Being in both their heads was so fun and vivid, I really enjoyed both of their perspectives.
This book was perfect for the approach of fall and the spooky season. As someone who grew up in a heavily wooded and mountainous region, Basin College was very easy to picture. Celia’s entire life is painted by her infatuation with Beatrice Donahue and I thoroughly enjoyed that world bleeding into her life more and more as she was consumed by trying to save it.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this book.
This book was perfect for the approach of fall and the spooky season. As someone who grew up in a heavily wooded and mountainous region, Basin College was very easy to picture. Celia’s entire life is painted by her infatuation with Beatrice Donahue and I thoroughly enjoyed that world bleeding into her life more and more as she was consumed by trying to save it.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this book.
October 2, 2026
Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A very atmospheric take on dark academia.
Archivist Celia and Professor Harriot are ready for battle over the legacy of writer and university founder Beatrice Donahue. The pair wavers between friends and enemies as they work to capture their idol's last work — and, at the same time, attempt to save Basin College. The story is haunted, literally and figuratively, by specters from both their individual pasts and their shared present.
Creative and engaging. My only issue: it could be slow, especially through the first half of Act IV, where the more physical scenes felt overly drawn out and interrupted the established pace.
Overall, due to these pacing issues, it read as a three-star; however, because of the inspired tale, I have to give it four. Worth the time.
A very atmospheric take on dark academia.
Archivist Celia and Professor Harriot are ready for battle over the legacy of writer and university founder Beatrice Donahue. The pair wavers between friends and enemies as they work to capture their idol's last work — and, at the same time, attempt to save Basin College. The story is haunted, literally and figuratively, by specters from both their individual pasts and their shared present.
Creative and engaging. My only issue: it could be slow, especially through the first half of Act IV, where the more physical scenes felt overly drawn out and interrupted the established pace.
Overall, due to these pacing issues, it read as a three-star; however, because of the inspired tale, I have to give it four. Worth the time.
September 18, 2026
Thank you Goodreads for gifting me an ARC!
This book is an atmospheric and gothic dark academia book. When I first started reading it I asked myself “do I like this book?” About 20 pages in I answered my own question. Yes. I really enjoyed this book! It was haunting. It was spooky. And it was gay.
Celia is OBSESSED with Beatrice Donahue. Like not just tee-hee she went down a rabbit hole and love her work. No no even more than that.
Harriot is a writer who helps Celia after she finds the long lost copy of Beatrice’s final novel. These two are toxic to each other (but in a way that melts your heart? Kinda?).
I don’t want to give too much away but that’s the main ideas. I went into this book not knowing much other than the brief synopsis (I mean duh it hasn’t released yet) and I think that’s the best way to go into this novel.
This book is an atmospheric and gothic dark academia book. When I first started reading it I asked myself “do I like this book?” About 20 pages in I answered my own question. Yes. I really enjoyed this book! It was haunting. It was spooky. And it was gay.
Celia is OBSESSED with Beatrice Donahue. Like not just tee-hee she went down a rabbit hole and love her work. No no even more than that.
Harriot is a writer who helps Celia after she finds the long lost copy of Beatrice’s final novel. These two are toxic to each other (but in a way that melts your heart? Kinda?).
I don’t want to give too much away but that’s the main ideas. I went into this book not knowing much other than the brief synopsis (I mean duh it hasn’t released yet) and I think that’s the best way to go into this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ALC via NetGalley.
Your Beloved Remains is a dark, atmospheric story that follows the slow, eerie descent into obsessive madness of Celia, an archivist who becomes consumed by a poorly preserved manuscript from her idol, Beatrice Donahue. She enlists the help of Harriot, a postdoc tasked with forging the missing pieces.
First, I want to focus on the beautiful prose and writing. This is extremely well written, and I found myself intrigued by the slow descent into the characters’ obsession and fear. The narration was fantastic as well.
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. It is extremely slow, and I found myself realizing around 70% in that hardly any forward plot movement had occurred. The last 10–15% is where most of the action occurs, but even then, the payoff didn’t quite feel worth the buildup to me.
I’m sure readers who have patience and are looking for a slow, dark, atmospheric build will enjoy this novel along with the author’s beautiful prose.
Your Beloved Remains is a dark, atmospheric story that follows the slow, eerie descent into obsessive madness of Celia, an archivist who becomes consumed by a poorly preserved manuscript from her idol, Beatrice Donahue. She enlists the help of Harriot, a postdoc tasked with forging the missing pieces.
First, I want to focus on the beautiful prose and writing. This is extremely well written, and I found myself intrigued by the slow descent into the characters’ obsession and fear. The narration was fantastic as well.
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. It is extremely slow, and I found myself realizing around 70% in that hardly any forward plot movement had occurred. The last 10–15% is where most of the action occurs, but even then, the payoff didn’t quite feel worth the buildup to me.
I’m sure readers who have patience and are looking for a slow, dark, atmospheric build will enjoy this novel along with the author’s beautiful prose.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Quinn Connor for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
"As fascination turns to obsession, two women drag each other into an academic horror of forgery, murder, and rage, destined to be devoured by readers of Plain Bad Heroines and If We Were Villains."
Sapphic, obsessive, toxic, unhinged, and descent into madness??? YES PLEASE and wow did this book deliver. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning, and the narrators were phenomenal! The story was compelling, and the writing was beautiful and descriptive. I cannot wait to see what Quinn Connor writes next! The cover is so beautiful, I think I will need a shelf copy as well, which I will probably re-read and see if I can pick up on some foreshadowing on my second time!
"As fascination turns to obsession, two women drag each other into an academic horror of forgery, murder, and rage, destined to be devoured by readers of Plain Bad Heroines and If We Were Villains."
Sapphic, obsessive, toxic, unhinged, and descent into madness??? YES PLEASE and wow did this book deliver. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning, and the narrators were phenomenal! The story was compelling, and the writing was beautiful and descriptive. I cannot wait to see what Quinn Connor writes next! The cover is so beautiful, I think I will need a shelf copy as well, which I will probably re-read and see if I can pick up on some foreshadowing on my second time!
September 22, 2026
I am confused.
This was strange, unnerving, and definitely not what I expected. There were moments that really pulled me in, but I never knew where the story was going. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. It was just an experience. Probably a 3.5 star experience but the narrators did an amazing job bringing the book to life and because of Jess Nahikian and Natalie Naudus I went with 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my honest review.
This was strange, unnerving, and definitely not what I expected. There were moments that really pulled me in, but I never knew where the story was going. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. It was just an experience. Probably a 3.5 star experience but the narrators did an amazing job bringing the book to life and because of Jess Nahikian and Natalie Naudus I went with 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh boy. This was one of those reads that left me sitting a little stunned by the end, unsure of what exactly I just experienced. Not in a bad way, this creepy tale actually had me enthralled as I consumed the story and found myself invested in what happened next, but in a way that has me unsure of how best to review it.
Set at a fictional liberal arts college in rural Arkansas in the 1980s, Your Beloved Remains revolves around two women scholars dedicated to the study of author Beatrice Donahue. Celia Kiel, the college's resident archivist, grew up reading Donahue's works and forming a consuming fascination with Donahue as a person and as a writer. She meets (and immediately clashes with) the new Donahue Scholar, Joan Harriot, her professional rival with a more critical view of Donahue's works. When Celia makes an important discovery that could impact both women, they decide to work together but as outside pressures mount and egos clash, both women start to rapidly unravel.
This is a blend of Dark Academia and Gothic Horror, with an LGBTQ twist. I loved all these elements, and I have to say the setting and the atmosphere of dread and pervasive decay had me all but checking behind doors for phantoms or traces of rot. I also loved the decision to set this at a remote location during an era where technology was less connected, adding a sense of Victorian isolation and gloom to the novel. Ditto for the academic elements; in a world where the motto is "publish or perish," and in an era where women academics were fewer in number and forced to work twice as hard at times to combat academic and generational biases, this rivalry felt very relatable yet regrettable. The tension in this novel was working hard, heightened by the atmosphere, the rivalry, and the growing obsession Celia and Harriot develop for their work, for each other, and for the long-deceased Beatrice Donahue.
I also love that the writers wove in some elements of doubt. The house is undoubtedly creepy, a living archive filled with a dead woman's every preserved belonging and some truly unsettling stories, but Celia's level of devotion (obsession) leads her to believe she hears the voice of Donahue's deceased lover, Roland. The house is definitely haunted enough to make that a real possibility, but it's never made definitively clear if it's real or imagined and I appreciated that ambiguity.
I don't read many stories of obsession, but I appreciated the way this one wound itself tighter and tighter until everything snapped and unraveled into inevitable disaster. You know going in that this just can't end well, both Celia and Harriot make far too many bad decisions for a happy ending, but it was darkly fascinating to watch it all unfold.
I listened to the audiobook version, and narrators Jess Nahikian and Natalie Naudus did a fantastic job bringing Celia and Harriot to life and making them both distinctly different in voice and tone. If you decide to embark on this dark journey, I definitely recommend the audio version!
*I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of the audio from Macmillan Audio; this review is entirely my own opinion.
Set at a fictional liberal arts college in rural Arkansas in the 1980s, Your Beloved Remains revolves around two women scholars dedicated to the study of author Beatrice Donahue. Celia Kiel, the college's resident archivist, grew up reading Donahue's works and forming a consuming fascination with Donahue as a person and as a writer. She meets (and immediately clashes with) the new Donahue Scholar, Joan Harriot, her professional rival with a more critical view of Donahue's works. When Celia makes an important discovery that could impact both women, they decide to work together but as outside pressures mount and egos clash, both women start to rapidly unravel.
This is a blend of Dark Academia and Gothic Horror, with an LGBTQ twist. I loved all these elements, and I have to say the setting and the atmosphere of dread and pervasive decay had me all but checking behind doors for phantoms or traces of rot. I also loved the decision to set this at a remote location during an era where technology was less connected, adding a sense of Victorian isolation and gloom to the novel. Ditto for the academic elements; in a world where the motto is "publish or perish," and in an era where women academics were fewer in number and forced to work twice as hard at times to combat academic and generational biases, this rivalry felt very relatable yet regrettable. The tension in this novel was working hard, heightened by the atmosphere, the rivalry, and the growing obsession Celia and Harriot develop for their work, for each other, and for the long-deceased Beatrice Donahue.
I also love that the writers wove in some elements of doubt. The house is undoubtedly creepy, a living archive filled with a dead woman's every preserved belonging and some truly unsettling stories, but Celia's level of devotion (obsession) leads her to believe she hears the voice of Donahue's deceased lover, Roland. The house is definitely haunted enough to make that a real possibility, but it's never made definitively clear if it's real or imagined and I appreciated that ambiguity.
I don't read many stories of obsession, but I appreciated the way this one wound itself tighter and tighter until everything snapped and unraveled into inevitable disaster. You know going in that this just can't end well, both Celia and Harriot make far too many bad decisions for a happy ending, but it was darkly fascinating to watch it all unfold.
I listened to the audiobook version, and narrators Jess Nahikian and Natalie Naudus did a fantastic job bringing Celia and Harriot to life and making them both distinctly different in voice and tone. If you decide to embark on this dark journey, I definitely recommend the audio version!
*I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of the audio from Macmillan Audio; this review is entirely my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating 2.5
A dark, atmospheric psychological thriller about grief, obsession, buried secrets, and the devastating consequences of refusing to let the past stay buried.
The premise is strong and had so much potential. The discovery of a lost work and decision to recreate the manuscript immediately caught my attention. I liked the themes of obsession, artistic imitation, identity, and the desire to claim someone else’s work and legacy. There’s a lot of interesting material here.
The atmosphere was probably my favorite part of the book. The remote setting, decaying college, literary history, and underlying sense of unease created a creepy backdrop that worked really well. There were definitely moments when the book felt genuinely eerie and unsettling, and I liked the idea of a mysterious lost manuscript slowly consuming the people who become obsessed with it.
Unfortunately, I had a harder time connecting with the characters, and the shifting perspectives and unusual narration were probably my biggest struggle with the book. I found myself confused more than once about whose perspective I was reading, when the story was taking place, and how the different pieces were supposed to fit together. The second-person narration was an interesting choice, but for me, it often pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me deeper into it. I kept finding myself stopping to think, Wait, who is telling this part? When is this happening? And how does this connect to what I just read? That kind of confusion made it harder for me to stay immersed in the story and fully connect with what was happening.
There were some disturbing and genuinely creepy moments, but unfortunately, the horror didn’t have quite the impact I was hoping for. By the time the story reached some of its more extreme developments, I was already struggling to stay engaged, so those moments didn’t land as strongly as they could have.
Overall, Your Beloved Remains had a lot of interesting ideas, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the concept of the mysterious manuscript. Unfortunately, the shifting perspectives and confusing narration made it difficult for me to stay fully immersed, and I never connected with the characters enough for the darker moments to have the impact I was hoping for. It’s a fascinating premise with a great sense of atmosphere, but ultimately, the execution didn’t quite work for me.
A dark, atmospheric psychological thriller about grief, obsession, buried secrets, and the devastating consequences of refusing to let the past stay buried.
The premise is strong and had so much potential. The discovery of a lost work and decision to recreate the manuscript immediately caught my attention. I liked the themes of obsession, artistic imitation, identity, and the desire to claim someone else’s work and legacy. There’s a lot of interesting material here.
The atmosphere was probably my favorite part of the book. The remote setting, decaying college, literary history, and underlying sense of unease created a creepy backdrop that worked really well. There were definitely moments when the book felt genuinely eerie and unsettling, and I liked the idea of a mysterious lost manuscript slowly consuming the people who become obsessed with it.
Unfortunately, I had a harder time connecting with the characters, and the shifting perspectives and unusual narration were probably my biggest struggle with the book. I found myself confused more than once about whose perspective I was reading, when the story was taking place, and how the different pieces were supposed to fit together. The second-person narration was an interesting choice, but for me, it often pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me deeper into it. I kept finding myself stopping to think, Wait, who is telling this part? When is this happening? And how does this connect to what I just read? That kind of confusion made it harder for me to stay immersed in the story and fully connect with what was happening.
There were some disturbing and genuinely creepy moments, but unfortunately, the horror didn’t have quite the impact I was hoping for. By the time the story reached some of its more extreme developments, I was already struggling to stay engaged, so those moments didn’t land as strongly as they could have.
Overall, Your Beloved Remains had a lot of interesting ideas, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the concept of the mysterious manuscript. Unfortunately, the shifting perspectives and confusing narration made it difficult for me to stay fully immersed, and I never connected with the characters enough for the darker moments to have the impact I was hoping for. It’s a fascinating premise with a great sense of atmosphere, but ultimately, the execution didn’t quite work for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of two academic rivals getting lost in their obsession in the isolated college drew me right in. I expected some excellent vibes, and Connor fully delivered. There was plenty of toxic sapphic love, obsessive research, and general misery. I loved the overall mood. The way the narration is set up made me feel very unbalanced and at times confused, which worked well with Celia’s character as she spirals and descends deeper into madness. Unfortunately for me, I just did not like the narrator that voiced Celia’s perspective. Nothing against her; sometimes it just happens, and I did love the frantic, breathy sentences. On the bright side, I don’t think Celia’s character is meant to be likable, so ironically, my dislike of the narrator actually worked well because it made me dislike Celia even more.
As much as I loved the vibes and the setting, it felt like there was not a lot of substance underneath. What was there was spelled out so plainly that I felt a little disappointed. I feel like with a dark academia setting, the author should trust the reader a little more to come to the right conclusion about characters’ motivations. Yet the inner world of either Celia or Joan isn’t much of a mystery, with the latter doing basically a movie villain monologue at the end explaining everything. It was a huge letdown. At the same time, the world surrounding the characters lacked substance in my opinion. Perhaps it was on purpose since the characters were not particularly anchored to reality by the end anyways. I just really wanted a few more locations with that lush, gothic academic feeling, and perhaps more fleshed-out side characters.
Overall, I thought the book was fine. It had excellent vibes and setting but didn’t blow me away when it came to more in-depth characterization and plot. The most tension, I found, came not from external events but from Celia’s unraveling. I do like a slow descent into madness, but Celia’s was more of a waterpark slide: swift with a big splash at the end. I found the ending fairly predictable but still liked it; it felt fitting to the story and almost predestined in its tragedy.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy dark academia, sapphic obsession, and don’t mind feeling a little unmoored in the story. It’s a good listen for a moody fall day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
As much as I loved the vibes and the setting, it felt like there was not a lot of substance underneath. What was there was spelled out so plainly that I felt a little disappointed. I feel like with a dark academia setting, the author should trust the reader a little more to come to the right conclusion about characters’ motivations. Yet the inner world of either Celia or Joan isn’t much of a mystery, with the latter doing basically a movie villain monologue at the end explaining everything. It was a huge letdown. At the same time, the world surrounding the characters lacked substance in my opinion. Perhaps it was on purpose since the characters were not particularly anchored to reality by the end anyways. I just really wanted a few more locations with that lush, gothic academic feeling, and perhaps more fleshed-out side characters.
Overall, I thought the book was fine. It had excellent vibes and setting but didn’t blow me away when it came to more in-depth characterization and plot. The most tension, I found, came not from external events but from Celia’s unraveling. I do like a slow descent into madness, but Celia’s was more of a waterpark slide: swift with a big splash at the end. I found the ending fairly predictable but still liked it; it felt fitting to the story and almost predestined in its tragedy.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy dark academia, sapphic obsession, and don’t mind feeling a little unmoored in the story. It’s a good listen for a moody fall day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
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