Every six years someone disappears from Hollowbrook Catholic College. No one seems alarmed that they could be next. Is it because they already know who’s behind it?
They say the ghosts of the missing haunt the campus grounds. I never believed the stories— until I met one. Now we are drawn together by a force I don’t understand.
There’s something wicked prowling on these grounds. I have to stop it. I have to save them. I have to save her, even if saving her kills me.
this book was everything i needed and more. sapphic, paranormal, second chance, invisible string theory, “right person, terribly wrong time”, a big middle finger to people trying to dictate what love is !! sign. me. up. for. more.
grace and milly are precious angels and i will protect them both with my entire life. i related so so deeply to both of them that it was hard to read at times, but that only made it more beautiful for me to overcome it all with them.
the strength and vulnerability highlighted through these characters was blinding. never once did either of them deny who they were or feel as if it were wrong and it was a beautiful thing to see. so many times we see characters berate themselves for being a certain way and feeling they’re in the wrong for loving who they love, but that did not happen here. throughout the entire story they knew who they were and shouted it with honor and that is the part of this story that will stick with me for the foreseeable future.
this was an absolutely outstanding debut novel and i truly can’t wait to see what this author does next. i will immediately buy and read any and everything she puts out!!
thank you so much for the arc, it’s an honor to have been an early reader for such a meaningful story. 🩶☁️
This book was absolutely unexpected in the best way! If you are looking for something spooky but more along the mysterious side, with spice and love, courage, friendship, and aspects of found family and feminine rage, this is the next book for your TBR!
Author Moxie St. Henry’s debut novel is about a college aged lesbian who is forced to attend a religious university by her professor father and becomes the subject of a radical religious group while also finding love in a beautiful ghost along the way. Now, I am making this summary very basic so that I do not give away the story, because there is so much more to this book than just that basic sentence. This books broaches subjects of bigotry, religious trauma, familial strain, grief, loss, and sacrifice. On the flip side, this story also has themes of sapphic love, acceptance, loyal friendship, deep connection, passion, fate, chemistry, and a plot that is riddled in mystery. The tropes that you will see are dark academia setting, sapphic, age gap, paranormal romance, religious cult, forbidden romance, unconventional HEA, and insta-love.
The author wrote main female characters that are (both) strong, loyal, and courageous while also having vulnerability. They also are accepting of their truths and fierce in their protection of each other (and others). The spicy scenes were well written and were purposefully placed into the story. The pacing was proper, giving air of mystery that continued to move forward with the climax of the story not feeling rushed. I feel that there are still questions to be answered, but that it is intentional because this is the first in a series. This story was unexpected in the best way because it the story has a much deeper subject matter than just a ghost story, and I feel that the subject of religion/religious trauma was addressed well with the adversary/villains of the story being the true evil instead of just religion as a whole. I feel like the author placed a lot of care into how she was going to tell this story, and that her voice came through in the end.
I am definitely looking forward to the next book from Moxie, especially if it is the sequel to this one!
Forced to attend Hollowbrook Catholic College, Grace finds herself wrapped up in both the mystery of the rumored disappearances... and the beautiful ghost that she's inexplicably drawn to.
This book hooked me from the dedication (absolutely too relatable, as someone who is bi & also raised in a religious/catholic household) and I love how that theme was carried so thoughtfully throughout. Hollowbrook is haunted with so many secrets and you are drawn in immediately with Grace, who can't help but explore the grounds. This introduces Mildred - a beautiful apparition that Grace feels an immediate pull to, and can't seem to stay away from.
Each moment they stole together had my heart, I loved the little moments like them sharing their music together (and then big ones - like the reveal of their connection! Such an awesome moment). All while we're drawn into the mystery of the campus and the disappearing girls (and a dark, religious cult) - I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. There were definitely moments that had me gasping (and melting!) and I loved how clever Milly was and Grace's bravery. I was really rooting for them to find a happy ending together.
Immaculate vibes in this book - if you love books dripping with a haunting, sapphic romance, dark academia and hints of the unknown - you are going to love this. 💖 Very much looking forward to more in this series!
Tropes & Tags: 👻 age gap 🥀 forbidden romance 🖤 sapphic paranormal romance 👻 spicy confessionals 🥀 religious cult 🖤 unconventional hea 👻 fated love
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Moxie St. Henry! 📖]
Great sapphic paranormal romance with tropes like insta love, age gap and forbidden love.
I really enjoyed this book. The storyline kept me hooked and I was instantly intrigued by the world of this book. I really enjoyed the mysterious, secretive feel of the story.
Grace and Mildred (Milly) were both interesting characters and I loved learning more about them and their connection throughout the book. They were so cute together and I was rooting for them to get their happy ending.
Great debut novel! I can’t wait to read more!
“Everyone fights their own battles, whether it is addiction or dishonesty. My battle is with my own identity.” “It’s a bit morbid to talk about death. How about we just… get to know one another.” “Your hope is a beautiful thing, my shadow. But don’t squander it on me.” “Two souls torn apart. Two souls longing for each other. Two souls, having endured too much sorrow, finally embracing the feelings once hidden in fractured shadows.”
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.
Fractured Shadows is one of the better-written love stories between two women I have read in a very long time. Sensuality, dynamics, timing, and compatibility are such hard nuances to capture in words alone, so the talent Moxie St. Henry shows here is captivating. The internal struggles and morality battles that Grace fights are clearly conveyed, offering readers a soft enlightenment to a perspective they may not have personally encountered but may know about. Mildred is an utterly lovable, charismatic character. She's a soft light with a cinnamon aroma and wily red curls that portray her as a free spirit with a mischievous side. The dark academia lore and secret society elements are both fantastical and disturbing. Grace's evolution through the book as she discovers more about herself, her school, and her unexpected place there, is both exciting and terrifying. I could not get enough of the shock factor in chapter 21! I reread it so many times; equal parts audacity and the best type of evil, what Mildred did to Jocelyn was priceless! I truly enjoyed this book and would encourage anyone who enjoys dark academia, paranormal love stories to give these pages a try.
𝐌𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐞 𝐒𝐭. 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 — you all better remember that name because she’s about to take the book world by storm! Her debut novel, 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 was a breathtakingly compelling tale with an unconventional HEA that will leave you enthralled until the very end — and what an ending it was…
Grace Gates and Mildred “Milly” Jones stole my soul and dragged me into the dark (and thrilling) depths of their fractured world between the living and the dead. From their first surprising encounter I was obsessed and couldn’t wait to see how everything would play out. Their journey captured my undivided attention, and I found myself completely addicted — inhaling every single moment.
I already cannot wait to get my hands on more of Moxie St. Henry’s words! Her storytelling has its own unique voice, and the characters are one of a kind. Really excited to see what she has coming next!
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: ↠ sapphic paranormal romance ↠ dark academia ↠ forbidden love ↠ religious cults & campus mysteries ↠ ghost x human romance
!!! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 !!!
I was hooked from the dedication alone! Grace is forced to attend a strict catholic college where girls have been disappearing for years… & while trying to figure out what’s really going on, she ends up falling for a literal ghost. The mystery around the campus, the cult vibes, & the paranormal elements kept me biting my nails the whole time. BUT what really stood out was the relationship between the FMCs. Their connection feels instant, intense, & a little impossible, which made every scene between them so good. The book also touches on heavier themes like religious trauma, grief, & identity, but still gives you that haunting sapphic romance at the center of it all. If you like spicy sapphic romances, dark academia, paranormal vibes, & a mystery that slowly unravels, definitely add this to your tbr!
Fractured Shadows completely consumed me. From the first chapter, there is this constant hum of dread under everything, like the walls themselves are watching. The atmosphere is heavy, gothic, and soaked in religious tension that never lets you settle. I loved how the romance feels both inevitable and impossible at the same time. The connection between them is intense, immediate, and laced with something dangerous. It is tender, but it is also desperate.
What really stood out to me was how emotionally layered this story is. Grief, fear, longing, and faith are all tangled together in a way that feels raw and uncomfortable in the best way. The stakes feel real, the haunting feels real, and the love story refuses to be neat or easy.
If you love sapphic paranormal romance with moral messiness, and an ending that lingers long after the final page, this one will absolutely wreck you.
Yep sign me up because this has everything i need. I loved both characters. Grace is living a life that she is constantly feeling as though she is hiding away her true self. The trauma emotionally and mentally that she endured just by being who she is, is a trauma that i feel like in one way or another has touched most of us. Her trauma is deep and rooted into her at a young age so when shes battling through it and hearing her inner monologue is heart breaking. So of course when she meets Milly and feels complete and safe and like she can breathe, as a reader you feel this with her. Their interactions are cute and always put a smile on my face. The love Milly has for her is palpable. This story is an experience and the mystery in it just amplifies the emotion and the setting for me had a gothic old vibe to it.
Thank you so much Moxie St Henry for honoring me with an ARC copy of your debut novel- this did not disappoint!
I finished this book over a week ago, and I am STILL not sure I can accurately explain how much I loved this. There was tension, there was romance, there were secrets and high stakes. It was such an intentional and well crafted story. The romance and plot never overshadowed the other, rather they strengthened each other and the emotional depth of the story. It’s immersive, consuming, and completely unforgettable.
Meant for readers who enjoy age gaps, forbidden desires, shadowy secrets, dark academia, religious cult, and paranormal sapphic romance- this is a delicious blend of tropes that you can’t help but devour.
I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book. Paranormal, religious trauma storytelling and sapphic?! Sign me up. As someone who loves paranormal romance, this book hit every note perfectly. The tension, the connection, and the dark, immersive atmosphere were all beautifully done. What truly stood out was how powerfully she explored religious trauma (specifically those who were taught growing up that same sex love is the biggest sin) weaving it into the story in a way that felt raw, honest, real and deeply emotional. The characters are unforgettable, and their journey together is well told. When I didn’t think ghost sex could be a thing and make sense…. It did. It’s a haunting and intense read that I highly recommend.
I wish I can tell the world everyday how much i loved this book. Let's just say half way through it I had planned a tattoo dedicated to my Moxie girl 💕
Sapphic, paranormal "in this lifetime & the next" vibe is pure perfection. My beautiful ghost girl & vibrant second half - had me yearning for an eternal life/death like theirs.
You may think im being over dramatic- but it changed my life & brought me peace within myself to love who I am as well.
Thank you Moxie baby, you did your big one with this one!!
WOAH. I can’t believe the time has finally come. So incredibly proud of Moxie and her debut novel. I found myself wanting to read another chapter wanting to know how it would end. I’m so excited for everyone to meet Grace & Milly and fall in love with them as much as I have !
5⭐️ I am UNWELL, i need more but in the best ways possible. This is Moxie's debut novel, and it honestly did not disappoint. I felt all the feelings, the spice was SPICING. Truly one of the best Sapphic stories
Grace & Mildred's story was so beautiful. A story of star crossed lovers. The paranormal aspect was amazing. And I loved that they got their happy ending for now.