Formaldehyde

by J.N. Bamforth

Ethan isn’t afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.

Even if she is alive or dead.

Genres: Horror

Published April 20, 2026

Reviews

[Steph's_Creepy _Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved every second of this except the ending! I needed something juicier

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read my reviews you know I enjoy the ‘out there’ horrors along with all the other books I read 🤣

Ethan and Alina are siblings, their home life is not very desirable at all, a drunken abusive father who tells Ethan he is a ‘wretched boy’ and a ‘freak’ though it pains him he has gotten used to it not only from his own kin but others too. He however, has long loved his sister in a more than brotherly way…don’t get me wrong it is reciprocated but she is afraid of how others would view their relationship. Until on fateful Halloween Party when the worst that could happen does…

𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒽𝑒𝓇, 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽.

I totally read this in one sitting, it’s not that long but I just couldn’t put it down. The macabre element to it was for me delicious but I’m thankful I don’t like chicken nuggets 🤣 The ending was a bit of a WTF all whilst your head is taking steps backwards. I will say if you have any triggers at all do read them.

[ChieraRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm this was interesting 🫣 I did not expect that ending whatsoever

[Becki 🤎 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formaldehyde

Firstly I can’t believe I was accepted for this ARC, I screeeeamed 😭 and seeing how it started..first page…yep I devoured it!! This was UNREAL!! 😮‍💨👏🏼

Ethan has always had a “special” kind of love for his sister, the need to possess & to protect her by any means necessary

Alina adores her brother, she knows it’s wrong but whenever she’s near him that connection is an instant pull, it causes her body to heat & her thighs to clench

They will do anything to protect each other, love has no bounds 👀🫣

Holy 💩 did Bamforth absolutely nail this!! It shook me to my core!! My mind was blown by that ending!! I did NOT predict it at all 😱🤯

This was INCREDIBLE!! The taboo, the spice, the extreme, ugh I loved it! I wish it was longer just so I didn’t have to finish it so soon!

Releasing 20th April. I can’t wait to see the reviews on this one! It’s gonna blow all of your minds!! 🤯 Do check the triggers first as always!

Thank you again to Bamforth, I’m so grateful to of been able to ARC for you! I pre-ordered this one a while ago & can’t wait to have it in my little hands! 🤎

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hurt my feelings🥲😂

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bamforth is one sick and twisted individual and I am so here for it!! Every book they release further pushes those taboo boundaries and I am obsessed!! Bamforth not only crosses lines in this book, but they're waaaay behind her!

This book was an absolutely wild ride from the beginning, leaving readers with jaws on the floor by the end. Bamforth has such a wonderful way of making us feel for character's who are not deserving of it. Why am I crying over a man who is definitely a walking red flag??

I loved Formaldehyde so much and cannot recommend this enough to all my fellow girlies who love anything sick, twisted and down right taboo. Please read all the trigger warnings!

Thank you so much to the author for an arc of Formaldehyde! All views and opinions are my own and have been left voluntarily.

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 2 out of 5]

oof... spoiler alert: no happy ending here. both of our protags didn't survive past Chapter 8.

there is necrophilia on page btw.

[Bookdragon85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check ya triggers on this one

Dark taboo read

So gross but such a good read. Had me chuckling

One part reminded me of a gross version of American pie with the apple pie......

BUT CHECK YA TRIGGERS

[T || · Rating 4 out of 5]

*late arc review due to personal reasons*

Rounded up to 4 stars.....
Bamforth, hats of to you for being a top awesome sick individual 👀🤣🤣 (this is a compliment even if it doesnt seem like 1 lol)
Formaldehyde by J.N. Banforth is A Taboo Horror read, with NO HEA. I have fell behind on some arcs due to being ill so this is my late review after getting this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The Blurb:
Ethan isn’t afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.

This read was a super quick read for me with 125 pages, I went into it knowing of No HEA & a shopping list of triggers, I did love that it was set in the UK tho!!
Triggers:
Blood relations, Graphic details, Autopsies, Autopsy instruments, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Possessive MMC, Mentions of alcohol, Drug Use, Primal Play, Murder, Broken Bones, Dub-Con, Spitting, Suicide, Abusive Parent, Grief, Sibling Death, Sick Fantasies, Insects, Mentions of Overdose, Suicidal Thoughts, Hallucinations, Ghostly Mirror Sex, Improper use of a teddy bear, Autopsies and Embalming on living people, Thoughts of Cannibalism, Patchwork Bodies, Necrophillia, Cum Stuffing, Defiling of a Corpse, Body Horror, Removal of Limbs, Cooking human meat, Chicken nuggets (Sorry.), Mental Voices.

You liturally dive right and holy f***. 👀 J.N really held no punches on this book. Well fuck... also is Mr Wilson as twisted as the mmc Ethan?! Lol. I did not expect that twist at the end. Damn.

[danie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNINGS. Do not go into this book without reading the triggers. If you're as f*cked up and enjoy f*cked up things like me, then proceed!


Ha, this was by far, the most insane thing I've ever read and I loved every single second of it. We go into the mind of a, I'm not even sure, a psychopath? But we are in the mind of Ethan, who is absolutely in love with his sister Alina and will kill anyone who threatens or touches her. He eventually follows her to a party, murders everyone, and bangs her right there. Alina, not able to handle being caught and knowing the actions her brother did (and enjoying said actions) end up doing the unthinkable. You'll need to read the rest to find out what happens from here 😉.

Absolute cinema. Extremely taboo. I loved every single second of this deranged book and I would absolutely recommend it to the other freaks out there!

[Lea-Mai Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW COPY*

I feel like I went on a bit of a journey with this book. Despite being siblings (not condoning at all) I actually liked their dynamic and the extreme possessiveness that Ethan felt towards his sister. Given their home situation it made sense as to why they found comfort in each other.

When Alina stepped in front of the car I found it hard to believe that Ethan didn’t realise what she was about to do and that he also only got 4 years for “killing her” but no mention of the other murders from the Halloween party.

His revenge plan on his dad was definitely fitting and I like that it was implied that Mr Wilson most likely knew about it and what was going to happen but didn’t stop Ethan.

Then that ending. What was that? You’ve taken me on a journey of sibling relations, death and murder, revenge, patchwork bodies and necrophilia and for it all to be a lie. I loved it!!

Reading Mr Wilson’s chapter made it all make sense. Why Ethan was hearing and seeing Alina but also knowing how possessive he was off her and that he truly couldn’t live without her, it made sense that he also is no longer with us.

P.S - Thankfully this didn’t ruin chicken nuggets for me but I did have to laugh at that part! And I’m still ok to sleep with my teddy bears!

[Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a few days to wrap my head around this and actually read it twice

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

I am a huge fan of this author so I jumped at the chance for this ARC.

The twist at the end had me raging all up in my feels. And made me want to ask so many questions I needed revenge on a few characters such as the dad.

I was hoping for a lot more spice between the FMC and MMC - the spice they did have was EXTREMELY TABOO and dark

I am a sucker for a non HEA and this will live rent free in my head for a while so I am leaning closer to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

No more chicken nuggets for me 😳
Also what was that ending 🤯

[Holly Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

0.5/5 🌶️

Was lucky enough to meet JN at my local independent store and purchase this as an early release, and then also be sent the ARC too!

Ethan MMC
Alina FMC

I enjoyed this book but for some reason I wanted it to be darker (even though it was already extremely taboo ���) I was shocked at the ending, I thought it would go a different way but I understand why he had the other perspective.


This MMC is cooked. He is not okay mentally. It is a taboo DARK non HEA horror story.
Blood siblings who are attracted to each other (and do consensual acts... to a certain extent)


If you have zero triggers and hold a strong stomach... please dive in. You may enjoy it like I did

[spicy chickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy Jesus Christ! 😳 I’m not sure I hand the words to properly describe this fucked up awesomeness. Taboo and spicy and warped. The triggers are perfectly on point. 100% go read this book!

[Taboo and Tentacles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the ffffff…

I don’t even know where to start! 😅

First of all it’s 5 stars from me, J N Bamforth has done it again, throwing us into a world of depravity, unhinge, disgust & down right madness that I love.

Ethan, is one of the most unhinged MMC’s I’ve probably ever read about. He crossed SO MANY boundaries, he will do anything to make Alina his. And the crazy thing is.. I was routing for him in some ways. Like seriously what is wrong with me.. 🥴

This has got to be up there with one of my favourite novellas. The ending won’t be for everyone, but it all fits together and honestly, this was just a great read for me.

[Megg0na · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’re sick, a freak…
That’s the thought lingering in your mind when reading this- but alas, if you’re reading this author specifically, we know you’re not normal. What is normal anyway?

Ethan is a 19 year old boy with a deep infatuation… for his sister. Blood sister, not step sibling or just a girl he met. But a true, sick undying love for someone he shouldn’t love in the way he does, wanting the things he certainly shouldn’t even have thoughts of. Alina is 17 and also loves her brother. To the same extent as Ethan loves her…. Yeah. And that’s a problem. They both know it’s not right to have the thoughts and feelings towards each other but that isn’t going to stop things.

“You’re sick, Ethan. I don’t feel for you, like how you feel for me. Why can’t you see that? Everyone was right when they said you were a.. freak.”

After Alina begrudgingly screamed that to him, that was the tipping point for Ethan to decide to change their life and what a night to do so. Halloween night, a night others see for evil things and bad decisions disguised as dress up.

Without giving a spoiler, things after that night seal their fate in ways neither wanted. Sadly, it only takes a small but rash decision to change it all. Does Alina finally give in? Does Ethan get what he wants, what he has dreamt of?

This is definitely a sick and twisted taboo horror story that ends without an HEA (depending on your level of what you can consider things- but for me, it was an ending I felt best for their story) but most won’t consider it an HEA by any stretch of imagination. In the end, what happened may not have been as hard to digest once you make it far enough. Did you read it all and scrunch your nose saying “oh… oh?!” Yeah- but once you finish you may not feel as grossed out. This is one of the shorter stories I’ve read with ALL the triggers. Does it have spice? Well- there are definitely some scenes that may damped your netherworld however this isn’t a dark romance but erotic horror to the definition.

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely wasn’t prepared for how much Formaldehyde by J.B. Bamforth would get under my skin 😳💀 This story is dark in every sense—emotionally, psychologically, and morally—and it does not hold your hand through any of it.

At the center are Ethan and Alina Ashcroft, siblings bound together by a childhood shaped by fear, neglect, and a deeply abusive father. Ethan has grown up being called a “freak” and worse, and over time, he’s internalized it… but also stopped caring. Because to him, Alina is everything—his comfort, his anchor, his obsession. And Alina? She feels it too, even if she tries to fight it 😶‍🌫️🔥 That pull between them is constant, intense, and impossible to ignore, no matter how wrong they both know it is.

What makes this story hit so hard is how it blurs the line between love and damage. When your whole world is broken, what even counts as “normal”? 🤯 The bond between Ethan and Alina is disturbing, yes—but it’s also written in a way that feels tragically believable.

Things spiral fast when Halloween night arrives 🎃🕯️ What starts as just another bad situation turns into something irreversible. One impulsive decision changes everything, and from there, the story descends into full-on chaos. No spoilers, but the direction it takes? I did NOT see it coming.

Also worth mentioning—this isn’t just shock value. There’s a strong undercurrent of grief and emotional decay running through it all. The way loss and trauma twist the characters’ minds adds a layer that makes it even more unsettling.

And that ending… wow. It’s not comforting, not clean, and definitely not what most would call “happy,” but somehow it fits perfectly 🖤 It leaves you sitting there like… “what did I just read?”—in the best and worst way at the same time.

If you’re into extreme, boundary-pushing horror with taboo elements and don’t mind feeling deeply uncomfortable, this one absolutely delivers 😈📖

[MorallyDarkReadz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

I don’t even know where to start with this one.

This book is not just dark. It is the kind of dark that settles into your bones and stays there long after you finish the last page. I went in knowing J.N. Bamforth does not hold back, but this still managed to crawl under my skin in a way I was not prepared for. I read most of this with a pit in my stomach, even after checking the trigger warnings first. It didn’t matter. Nothing softens what this story does to you.

The writing is vivid in a way that feels almost invasive. Every scene is sharp, uncomfortable, and impossible to look away from. I kept telling myself I should take a break, that I needed a second to breathe, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to. Some of these moments are going to live in my head for a long time.

This is taboo in its rawest form. Not just surface level shock value, but something deeper and more unhinged. The kind of obsession that feels suffocating. The MMC is completely consumed by the FMC to a level that is intense, disturbing, and honestly a little mesmerizing in the worst way.

The relationship is complicated, wrong, and written in a way that makes you feel every ounce of it. You understand it even when you don’t want to. Especially when you don’t want to.

And that ending… it left me sitting there staring at nothing for a minute. Confused. A little hollow. A little heartbroken. But also knowing it could not have ended any other way. This is not a happily ever after. This is something much darker, something that lingers.

If you are even slightly sensitive to heavy content, read the trigger warnings. Seriously.

But if you like your books pitch black, obsessive, and unforgettable… this one will ruin you in the best way.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formaldehyde is depraved, disgusting, wildly entertaining, and completely unhinged. This book feels like a fever dream soaked in embalming fluid, and somehow I mean that in the best way possible.
At the centre of the chaos is Ethan—a mortician's assistant with zero boundaries, questionable sanity, and an obsession with his younger sister that is as disturbing as it is impossible to look away from. When death shoulo have been the end, Ethan refuses to let go, and what follows is a grotesque spiral into grief, possession, obsession, and acts so vile they'll have you staring at the page in disbelief.
This is extreme horror that fully commits to the bit: body horror, taboo themes, gore, psychological instability, morally black characters, and enough "what the f*ck?" moments to keep your jaw permanently dropped. There's a twisted Frankenstein/Re-Animator energy running through it, mixed with dark humour and scenes that feel almost surreal in their madness.
And yet... Ethan is weirdly compelling. Absolutely reprehensible, deeply broken, terrifyingly possessive, and still somehow one of those characters you can't stop reading about. If you love a villainous MMC who crosses every line and then digs under them, he'll fascinate you.
This is not for casual horror readers or anyone sensitive to heavy taboo content. Check trigger warnings seriously. But if you like your horror nasty, bold, shocking, and memorable, Formaldehyde delivers in full. Gross, fun, and a little traumatic.
*
*
For fans of: extreme horror, body horror, morally black MMCs, chaotic fever-dream reads, books that make you question your life choices.

[Courts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still trying to process this, because that ending completely caught me off guard. It wasn’t what I wanted at all but at the same time, it felt inevitable considering how everything unfolded throughout the pages 😬

This book goes to some seriously dark places. It’s not romantic in the slightest…it’s full on horror. The connections between the characters are intense, obsessive and deeply uncomfortable, pushing far past what you’d expect. It’s disturbing but weirdly impossible to put down. Once you start reading, you simply cannot stop.

I knew what I was going into when I picked this up, but it ended up being far more emotional than I was prepared for. There were moments that genuinely will stay with me and one in particular really hit hard…if you know you know 👀

I read it ridiculously quickly as well as It hooked me straight away and I spent most of it gasping out loud with a hand over my mouth in shock. However, if you know @jnbauthor ‘s writing, they’ve had me doing this with every single book I have read. They are absolutely incredible but definitely push past the boundaries. If you are wanting to read any of their titles, make sure you fully check each trigger.

It’s definitely one of those stories that leaves you staring into space afterwards, wondering what you’ve just experienced but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

A massive thank you to @jnbauthor and @ellie.ann.reads for an advanced copy, I cannot wait to read what’s next!!🖤

#darkromance #taboo #pitchblack #gifted #reading

[TheBookishGothGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a pitch black taboo horror 'romance' with an unconventional HEA so please read the extensive list of trigger warning before you start.

In the infamous words of David Rose, "what in the actual fuck?"
This book had me before I even turned the first page. This is my 3rd ARC for J.N and god damn, she really likes to mess us up.
The story centres around a brother and sister (yes blood related) Ethan and Alina. Ethan has suffered for years by the hand of his father, called a freak by everyone and never really known where he fits in the world. Mr Wilson, the local mortician, takes him under his wing and truly cares for the boy. The only person Ethan cares about is Alina and his love goes beyond that of a doting big brother.

This book gripped me by every emotion, I wanted the HEA regardless, my heart hurt for the 2 kids who's lives suck but they have each other, it broke completely when Ethan continued his story and Jesus Fuck Me Christ it was destroyed by the ending.

J.N's characters are dark, twisted, unhinged and yet deeply beautiful to read, in my humble opinion, I want them to be happy regardless of the actions they may have taken to get there.

The spice in this book is considered disturbing to some, I loved it because who doesn't love teddy bears ;) and a deeply disturbed 6ft something man with dark floppy hair and is covered in tattoos.

I cant say too much more without spoilers, so read the book, seriously!

[Danni · Rating 2 out of 5]

*SPOILER ALERT, OVERLY HONEST REVIEW*

What in the ED Gein was going on here...

Honestly, I expected more and there were plot holes that didn't make sense at all like: How do you beat multiple people to a pulp and then go to prison for 5 years for supposedly killing your sister. Uhhh... Your honor, I think not! There's no way that makes sense because in most cases that would be a sentence of 25 to life depending on where you live. Also, she was hit by a car. How would he be held responsible for murdering her. In theory he's a bystander and it is a suicide because she jumped. He can't legally be responsible for her death.

Also his father hates him...why? There's no clarity on this. With the abrupt turning point at the end it felt very rushed.

Now do not get me wrong I like the idea of this book, but the execution missed its mark in my opinion.
I expected a more immersive experience, more of a back story, more clarity and slightly better pacing.
It's meant to be chaotic, I understand that. I really do, so honestly if you like chaos and you loved the ED Gein series then this book is for you.
If you prefer facts and full immersion, then this won't be for you.

I'm giving it 2 stars for the idea. I think with some tweaking it has the potential of being 5 stars.
I would really like to see a tweaked version and be able to up my rating. There really is a good story hidden inside here.

[Dark Book Girlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
I had the honour to ARC read this book. The author, despite the books she writes, is such a sweetheart.

Going into this book I knew it was taboo horror. What I wasn't expecting, which I should by now with Jordan's writing, was to have an absolute emotional breakdown because of poor Ethan.

So yes you have siblings that have romantic feelings for each other. Morse so Ethan than Alina.
While Alina had those thoughts and feelings she was a lot more hesitant due to the stigma surrounding the issue of incest. Ethan was less bothered and only held back for Alina's sake.

I know we didn't get much of their interactions but from what we did see I just knew that Alina's best friend, Chloe, was not a nice person and most likely was going to set Alina up with one of her male friends to be taken advantage of. Now that isn't what is written that is just the vibe I got from her.

The events that happened after Ethan and Alina got caught at the party was so sad, while I felt for Alina, I think her reaction was a little drastic.

The chapters after this revelation are where it gets unhinged. I will leave what happens for those that want to read a surprise. What I will say is the last chapter and epilogue were not what I was expecting and honestly broke me.

Ethan will hold a special place in my heart. That is the beauty of this book. You expect a filthy taboo horror but it's layered with complex emotions and has you thinking and feeling for characters that in any normal circumstances you wouldn't.

That is the sign of a fantastic write in my opinion.

[Katelyn Bowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not for the faint of heart—seriously. Formaldehyde dives headfirst into taboo horror and does not hold back for a second. From the very first pages, there’s this thick, unsettling atmosphere that just clings to you and refuses to let go.

J.N. Bamforth leans all the way into the grotesque and the disturbing, blending medical horror with psychological unease in a way that feels both fascinating and deeply uncomfortable. The imagery? Vivid. The tension? Constant. You’re not just reading it—you’re kind of enduring it (in the best way if you love messed-up horror).

What really stands out is how unapologetic it is. There’s no softening the edges here. It’s raw, graphic, and pushes boundaries in ways that will absolutely make some readers squirm. If you’re into taboo themes, morally twisted characters, and that “what did I just read” feeling… this delivers.

And the ending? Actually insane. The kind of shocking twist that makes you pause, stare at the wall for a second, and rethink everything you just read. It doesn’t just wrap things up—it hits you, hard.

That said, this is definitely a check-your-trigger-warnings kind of book. It’s extreme, and it knows it.

Overall, Formaldehyde is a dark, disturbing ride that horror lovers—especially those who like their stories gritty and unfiltered—will eat up.

[ɢʀᴇʏッ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
📖Pages: 126
🗓️Released: 04.20.26

🚨 IF ur guts are sensitive, this is 1 of those i suggest u DONT eat before, during, or after😅

💭 my 1st solid 5 of the year coz... what?!? she really did go there!! the morbid vibes was what i initially signed up for, but what i got was so much more that this was an obv INSTANT fave!! it gave 🌶️tabටට (hes her brother but he would rather be her daddy), trauma, 💔grief, necro, sooo many questionable choices, & that ending?!?😱🤯 i still have chills!! i gobbled all that shhht up!! so again... thank fcck for fiction !! this is my 1st from the author but its gonna be hard to juz shake off this book so bare with me if u hear me ravin' bout it for the forseeable future😅 INSANELY entertaining!!

I have my very own living dead doll. A perfect play thing. My pretty dead girl.

horror romance | tabටට (siblings) | frankenstein X reanimator | morally black mortician who crosses all the lines | ott o/p | pierced p33n | vırgın fmc | dubcටn | kıdnappıng | spit/primal play | improper use of 🧸 | mirror play?😅

✨ thankU JN Bamforth for this eARC & am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts
‼️ ur mental health matters. ✔️🆃🆆/🅲🆆

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like if Dr Frankenstein, Ed Gein and Ted Bundy had a baby, yeh I watch a lot of true crime and love spooky stuff so this book was a perfect combination of all those sick and twisted things!

This was my first book read from JN Bamforth and I can see why she’s so popular. I really enjoyed the writing style and parts made me chuckle (which I always appreciate when reading such dark and twisted material.

Ethan is like every psychologist’s wet dream (ahem). He has grown up with an abusive Dad and being branded a “freak” his whole life. His only break from darkness is his little sister Alina. However, the feelings that he harbours are far beyond the usual big brother x little sister relationship. He is extremely possessive.

He is desperate for Alina to confess she feels the same way but she struggles with the shame she feels. Will a Halloween party change their fate forever?

That poor poor teddy bear!

This has a proper twisty end. Oddly enough, or maybe not oddly…I ended up having deep sympathy for Ethan and wonder if the whole nature vs nurture argument would have changed how his life played out but then we wouldn’t have gotten this pitch black erotic horror.

Looking forward to reading more of your books, Jordan 🖤

[Kitty 💋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally devoured this in a sitting! This is absolutely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’ve read most of my reviews by now you’ve probably noticed that I’m all for the ‘out there’ horrors & I love a plot twist, dark & twisty is a fave! 💀🖤

Ethan & Alina are siblings, their home life is difficult, an alcoholic father who calls his son a ‘wretched boy’ and a ‘freak’. Ethan has long loved his biological sister Alina, in a more than a brotherly way. One frightful night at Halloween party changes their lives forever…

“I’m coming for you, little sister. Ready or not.”
“My pretty dead girl.”

Finished this and now I’m sitting wondering what the hell?! I reread it an over again, just to check i didn’t miss anything!

This was a journey, one of taboo sibling relationship, death, murder, revenge & patchwork bodies.
This read has me spiralling, I was mind blown by that ending! What a plot twist! 🤯🤯😮

This was an INCREDIBLE read! The depraved, the taboo, spice and the plot was SO FUCKING GOOD! 😍🖤

Thank you again Bamforth for giving me the chance to ARC read this! I LOVED it! Not sure what that says about me 🤣🤣

Check your triggers kittens! 💋
There are a LOT of triggers, including chicken nuggets… Still not triggered by chicken nuggets 🤣😂

[Miss S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d land this at about a 3.5-star read. It’s dark, messy, and honestly kind of hard to shake once you’re done.

The whole thing leans into the forbidden right away, and it doesn’t pretend otherwise. Ethan is completely unhinged—like, you can see exactly where the line is with him, and he just sprints straight across it. His obsession with Alina is disturbing, but it’s written in a way that almost makes you understand how he got there, which somehow makes it worse. Alina isn’t innocent either, and that push-pull between them adds to the tension.

It’s a quick read, but it feels heavy. There’s this constant sense of dread, like you know something bad is coming and you can’t stop it. When things finally snap (on Halloween, which fits perfectly), it goes full dark and doesn’t hold back.

Some parts feel more about shock than depth, and I do wish there was a bit more time spent building things out. But at the same time, I couldn’t put it down.

And the ending… yeah. Total surprise ending. It just hits and leaves you sitting there like “what did I just read?” Not a happy ending by any stretch, but it fits the story.

Definitely not for everyone, but if you’re okay with taboo and something that really pushes boundaries, it’ll stick with you.

[Alice Zombie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formaldehyde by @jnbauthor_

This was an Arc opportunity that had me screaming!

This is my first book and it will not be my last!
Filled with everything my little black heart called need in a book.

Ethan our MMC tall dark and handsome. Pouring with dark strong possession energy and the dominance that had you screaming no but your thighs screaming yes!
He just loves his little sister and nothing will keep him from protecting her.
He would tear the earth apart for her, carve out his own heart just to make her smile.

Alina is Ethan’s little sister, with a killer curvy body and satin blonde hair that makes the boys melt.
She will do anything to look out for her older brother, but each glance has her burning and clenching her thighs together. It’s so wrong but feels so right. It’s sick? It’s twisted? No!

This is a forbidden, twisted and extreme romance.
Please check your triggers!
It also comes with the most incredible playlist!
If you are a dark romance fan? Or extreme horror this beautiful blends both genres which I am here for and need more desperately.

I would like to thank J.N Bamforth for this incredible experience!