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Eternal Glow

Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26

Win a free print copy of this book!

4 days and 21:09:43

10 copies available
U.S. only
Rate this book
When a Mormon wife undergoes a new beauty procedure, the cost of perfection proves all too high, in this thriller from the reality TV star and bestselling author.

Celeste built herself up from ridiculed outsider to pillar of the local Mormon mom group. Even among these perfectly polished and affluent women, her life appears utterly flawless, but the competition is stiff and the fall from the top is a long one. When Celeste’s husband is suddenly laid off and her credit cards are maxed out, her pristine façade quickly begins to crumble.

Desperate to conceal her darkening undereye bags and escape the mockery of her past, Celeste is eager for a quick fix. And her prayers are answered when she’s invited to participate in the ultra-exclusive beta testing of a mysterious procedure. Known as the “Eternal Glow,” it’s guaranteed to be the hottest new beauty trend. After agreeing to tell no one about the treatment, Celeste receives the full VIP experience and is completely transformed free of charge.

Now back on the scene with an enviable glow-up, Celeste receives all the admiration she’s been missing. Her husband dotes on her again, and her renewed social standing has earned her the title of chairwoman of an upcoming fundraiser. But then gruesome side effects begin to deform her face, and soon Celeste suspects a shadowy figure of stalking her every move. As she clings to the last vestiges of her dream life, one thing becomes painfully her “quick fix” comes at an unholy cost.

Blending campy body horror with satire and a deliciously unexpected twist, this chilling thriller from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star and New York Times–bestselling author of Bad Mormon is perfect for fans of The Substance and Big Little Lies.

288 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 6, 2026

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About the author

Heather Gay

3 books243 followers
Heather Gay is the New York Times–bestselling author of Bad Mormon and a breakout star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. She is also the founder of Beauty Lab + Laser, an innovative cosmetic medical practice based in Salt Lake City, and the executive producer and host of the docuseries Surviving Mormonism. A graduate of Brigham Young University, Gay lives in Salt Lake City and is the mother of three daughters.

source: Amazon

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5 stars
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9 (45%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for STEPH.
664 reviews73 followers
August 6, 2026
Wow. That was weird, intense, and absolutely nasty. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Perfection and beauty can be such a disease. Some people would kill or do anything—to have both. The perfect life, perfect car, perfect wife or husband, perfect kids… perfect everything. But at what cost? How much perfection do we really need to be happy and content? Are we living in a superficial reality warped by judgment, envy, and false friendships?

I really loved this book. I just felt so moved by Celeste. Her character—so pathetically desperate, spoke to me in ways I didn’t expect. Her desire to be loved, adored, accepted, and to simply belong was both sad and heartbreaking. Watching the crescendo of her success and her inevitable ruin stayed with me.

This is a story about beauty, revenge, envy, vanity, and the price we pay when we don’t love ourselves enough.

Such an amazing read.
Profile Image for Katelyn Spedden.
98 reviews12 followers
June 26, 2026
“You smell like hospital.”
“But that is high-body count hair.”

Alright I have to say going into it I expected a good book but not as good of one as Heather Gay wrote. I haven’t read either of her memoirs but I couldn’t say no to a thriller by a housewife from one of my favorite shows. Heather did an amazing job on this novel, it was twisty and suspenseful and wove everything together so well. The added bits about the Mormon church and their rules on vanity (and shout outs to dirty soda) pulled you in more because I really didn’t know all of the rules. But following Celeste and her transformation and the negatives that came with it? Amazing. I really didn’t see the ending coming and that evidence of a great book.

Also I loved the RHOSL quotes thrown in there, they gave me a giggle. I fully recommend this book and I’m so glad I got an easy copy.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Edelweiss for the advanced copy of this novel.
Profile Image for Hannah Burke.
141 reviews
July 31, 2026
Thank you to Edelweiss and Podium Publishing for an ARC of this book!

A thriller by Heather Gay?! This was a wild ride! I was so excited to read this one. The amount of hilarious quotes she wove into this book from the real housewives franchise was so fun. I felt like a few of the twists you could see coming but it still was an enjoyable story. There were so many aspects of the Utah life and brought to light how cut throat the women can be. Some of the characters had an interesting arc that weren’t quite believable with the shift in their motives. I loved peeling back the layers of Celeste and her family and what made her tick. Celeste was an easy character to feel empathy towards. She has done some messed up things in her past but has also really struggled with her own mental health and motherhood journey. I really hope we will get more books from Heather because this was a really fun read that was hard to put down!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
202 reviews
July 23, 2026
One look at the cover and blurb and I knew I had to read this! This definitely had Secret Lives of Mormon Wives plus Pretty Little Liars vibes. This was fast paced with so many “oh no” moments. I’m torn on the ending though. I get it, but wish it would have went a different way. That’s what ultimately brought my rating from a 4 to a 3.

Celest is busy trying to keep up with her friends but her life is falling apart and she is in desperate need of a visit to the med spa. After her card declines she’s given the opportunity to get in on a new procedure that she can’t tell anyone about and is definitely too good to be true.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Leanne.
1,574 reviews115 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 27, 2026
Eternal Glow is one of those thrillers that hooked me because of its tone as much as its premise. What I liked most was the way it blends glossy, influencer‑style beauty culture with something far darker simmering underneath. Celeste’s world is polished, competitive, and quietly vicious, and the book captures that pressure so sharply that you can almost feel her scrambling to keep her place at the top.

The beauty‑procedure angle was my favourite part. There’s something deliciously unsettling about watching a “quick fix” turn into a nightmare, especially when it starts with that intoxicating glow-up — the kind of transformation that makes everyone suddenly kinder, more attentive, more impressed. The satire is spot‑on: the way admiration shifts, how social standing hinges on appearances, how easily people overlook warning signs when the results look good.

I also loved the campy body horror threaded through the story. It’s grotesque in moments, but in a way that feels intentional and almost playful — a commentary on the extremes people chase in the name of perfection. The creeping dread as Celeste’s face begins to change, paired with the sense that someone might be watching her, gives the book a great momentum. It’s messy, dramatic, and just the right amount of unsettling.

The social dynamics were another highlight. The Mormon mom group, the curated friendships, the quiet competition — all of it felt sharply observed. Celeste’s desperation to maintain her image is both uncomfortable and strangely sympathetic, and that tension kept me turning the pages.

Overall, Eternal Glow is a fun, dark, satirical thriller with a bite. The mix of glamour, horror, and social commentary works really well, and the twist adds a satisfying final jolt. It’s exactly the kind of book that makes you think twice about any beauty trend promising miracles.

With thanks to Heather Gay, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Profile Image for Amy Kaplan.
15 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 8, 2026
WOW! This was incredible.
I have watched Heather Gay on RHOSLC for years and read her two first books, but this is something totally different - fiction. I am so glad I read this.
Eternal Glow is about Celeste, a mormon wife whose life and body are not up to the standards her community demands. When Celeste is offered a medical procedure that will change her face, she jumps at the chance. And it all seems to be working ... until it's not.

This is a thriller and was written so well. It was a quick read because I could not put it down. From the opening to the end, I was hooked. I was really impressed by the book, considering this is the first work of fiction Heather has ever done. The plot was original, the characters were compelling and it kept me wanting more, and perhaps there could be a second book?

The only thing that didn't work for me, were the one-liners that were like inside jokes for RHOSLC viewers. There were several times that famous lines from the show were placed within the dialogue and the show was even alluded to several times. It took me out of the story when I read those things. I was really enjoying reading a novel and when I read those lines it made me think of Heather, and not the story at hand. I'm sure other fans will love those moments, I just wish there were fewer (or none at all).

Overall, a five star read for me and I'd be interested in reading a sequel or other works of fiction by Heather.
Profile Image for Cindy Bokma.
Author 13 books43 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 29, 2026
Yes, I have watched Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, so I was familiar with Heather Gay. Previously, she's written a memoir so I was looking forward to diving into some fiction.

The premise of this book caught my eye immediately, and I couldn't wait to sit and read it from cover to cover.

The author immediately immerses us in the Mormon culture, providing many details about the religion and the cliques existing within it, there are Mean Girls even in religious groups. Everything Celeste, the main character, does is driven by a voice in her head reciting the Mormon rules or how things should be. She has a group of friends who are beautiful and wealthy leaving her feeling less-than. Her friends are botoxed and beautified while she is just normal and natural.


When Celeste has the chance of achieving physical beauty, she grabs it. She's feeling and looking worn out and exhausted; she knows how she looks, and she doesn't like it, even though focusing on her looks is vain.

An opportunity that seems too good to be true presents itself, and there is no turning back. Suddenly Celeste is overflowing with confidence, and everyone notices her newfound glow-up.

But everything comes with a price tag, and the price to pay for Celeste may not have been worth the initial improvement.

What a fun read!
Profile Image for LibraryNinja_Beritk.
96 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 11, 2026
Eternal Glow- Heather Gay 10/6/26

I was thrilled to see Heather Gay from RHOSLC release her first fiction book—it's an absolute stunner! Gay expertly sticks to her theme of Mormon wives and beauty. In this thriller, we follow Celeste, who is on the brink of fitting in with the popular crowd, but her life begins to unravel. Her
husband gets laid off, bills start piling up, and things look increasingly desperate.

Celeste desperately wants to be the keynote speaker at an upcoming convention for women, and like the other cutthroat women around her, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. All of them are obsessed with the next big thing in beauty. However, as with all obsessions, pride goes
before a fall, and new beauty methods can turn disastrous quickly.

Celeste decides to "invest in herself" by trying an unknown product called Eternal Glow. The transformation is remarkable, but remember, vanity is a sin. You'll need to read to discover the unbelievable twist that follows.  Make sure to add this book to your TBR list for the holiday season.

Thank you to the incredible Heather Gay and Podium Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in advance for an honest review.

#HeatherGay #EternalGlow #libraryninja📚
Profile Image for Aletta.
46 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 13, 2026
I went into Eternal Glow by Heather Gay with incredibly low expectations and was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

This twisty thriller follows Celeste, a Mormon wife willing to risk everything in pursuit of beauty, perfection, and the admiration of those around her. She goes to extraordinary lengths to achieve the life she believes she deserves. While that might sound like it would make her difficult to root for, Gay writes Celeste with such compassion and nuance that I found myself cheering her on every step of the way.

Fans of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will appreciate the subtle Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the story. References like “But that is high body count hair” are sure to earn a laugh from those in the know.

Fast-paced and highly entertaining, Eternal Glow is a page-turner that’s well worth picking up if you’re looking for a quick, engaging read that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Profile Image for Ginger.
97 reviews3 followers
August 7, 2026
Not your typical thriller! 🩷💉🩸⛪️

Eternal Glow is heavily influenced by the author’s lived experience of being a Mormon woman in Salt Lake City, Utah. ❄️ It makes the story incredibly compelling and sets it apart as a thriller.

Whilst the setting felt vivid and unique, there were a few plot points that could use a bit more depth. 🤔 A few aspects were predictable and a bit too convenient. But, it redeems itself with an unpredictable and satisfying conclusion. The ending of this book is perfect, subverting expectations brilliantly! 🤫

Morally ambiguous characters ✅
Unhinged motives ✅
A deeply religious setting ✅

An excellent debut! 😊

Profile Image for Sarah Bloomfield.
291 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 7, 2026
Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

I loved this one and found it extremely difficult to put down. This book follows the lives of Celeste and her group of friends who are all Mormon wives striving for the perfect look but how is this achievable for them when vanity is a sin?

I particularly enjoyed the camp body horror vibes in this book and I couldn't help but feel for Celeste at points, I found myself wishing she could just love herself more. I also feel the ending worked really well in this book-I'm sad it's all over now!

I'll definitely recommend this book to others.
Profile Image for Nikki Losin.
69 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 27, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. This was such an interesting read. I went in not really knowing what to expect, and I ended up getting pulled into the mystery straight away. I loved the eerie atmosphere and how the story slowly revealed more about the characters and the secrets they were hiding. It had just the right mix of mystery, emotion and suspense to keep me turning the pages. Definitely one I’d recommend if you’re looking for something a little different with a creepy edge.
Profile Image for Ashley.
117 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 3, 2026
Thank you netgalley and Heather Gay for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Just wow. It was so hard to put this book down! I've definitely never read anything like it. We follow Celeste, a woman who will do anything to fit in. All her friends get Botox, plastic surgery, the works. But her husband lost his job and they just don't have the money for all that. When she gets the opportunity to try this new procedure that's doing free trials on people, what could go wrong?!

This is one that hooks you from the beginning until the end!
Profile Image for A Mysterious Gabe Appears.
237 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 12, 2026
Eternal Glow is not what I expected. It's way better.

I love a book that doesn't hold back punches when it comes to criticisms on religion and its community. It's no suprise how authentic it feels considering that it's written by an ex-mormon.

Let me just say: everyone in this book is an absolute piece of garbage. Petty and vindictive. It's like school yard politics with adults. Everyone is obsessed with perfection and our main character is desperate to keep up appearances.

It's dramatic. It's satirical. It's weird and the plot escalates very quickly. It's super juicy. 5/5
Profile Image for Amanda.
771 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 22, 2026
Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

I was impressed with this first novel from Heather Gay. Her personality and experiences come through in this read, as well as a few housewife phrases that as a fan of RHOSLC you will catch. Very interesting concept of showing what a woman will do to fit in and what she will hide to get what she wants, especially within a strict Mormon community.
Profile Image for jen.
62 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 7, 2026
I was really looking forward to reading this, I found the concept really good, i just really struggled to connect with the characters and found the pacing to be slow at times,
It wont stay with me for a long time but im sure people will enjoy this when it is published.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Nikkie.
138 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 10, 2026
I have read one of Heather's memoirs and really enjoyed it. When I saw this pop up on NG, I knew I HAD to read it. AND. IT. DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT.
This was such a good thriller and it kept me on my toes. I can't wait to read whatever Heather does next!

Thank ou to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Colleen.
84 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2026
3.5 stars, fun read. Flew through in about 2.5 days. Not bad for a housewives book! As a long time unwavering Heather stan I loved the RHOSLC references.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews