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Petrify: A Dark Horror Romance
The Pianist
Mallary Doyle wants nothing more than to make it as a professional pianist. When the affluent Beauchene family offers her a position as tutor for their young son, she knows this is her chance. But immediately upon arriving at their manor, things are not what they seem…
The Ghost
Fifteen years spent locked within the walls of Beauchene manor. Faceless. Terrorizing the inhabitants of this house with his rage, reminding the family that he still exists, even when they’ve made every effort to forget. Until she arrives and captivates him with her music.
There is a ghost stalking the halls, stalking her… and soon his obsession will become carnal.
Mallary Doyle wants nothing more than to make it as a professional pianist. When the affluent Beauchene family offers her a position as tutor for their young son, she knows this is her chance. But immediately upon arriving at their manor, things are not what they seem…
The Ghost
Fifteen years spent locked within the walls of Beauchene manor. Faceless. Terrorizing the inhabitants of this house with his rage, reminding the family that he still exists, even when they’ve made every effort to forget. Until she arrives and captivates him with her music.
There is a ghost stalking the halls, stalking her… and soon his obsession will become carnal.
- GenresDark Romance
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2026
About the author
Shaye Madison
3 books10 followersShaye Madison writes dark and stormy romances, and when she isn't lurking around book stores and drinking iced chais, she's conjuring up gothic fantasy worlds she (sometimes) wished she lived in. Based in North Carolina, she lives with her partner and their cat, Phoebe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 31, 2026
Received an e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Shaye Madison is truly such a gifted story teller. I literally fall into her writing, and I am always craving more, more and more.
This is a true gothic story! It’s so dark and so beautiful. I loved the way music played such an integral role into the character’s development and story.
I can’t emphasize enough: this is DARK. Haunting, depressing, and atmospherically evocative. I loved Mallary, I loved our Ghost. They are both so incredibly flawed. They use their trauma to influence their actions, but they remain transcendent. Our Ghost is 1000% a morally black MMC.
I don’t even want to say much because the “vibe” of this story is so important. It’s honestly better to go in a little blind so you can immerse yourself into the same mystery that Mallary finds herself in. Just definitely check the content warnings, but if you truly love dark horror romance: this is the book for you.
No notes. I genuinely can’t wait to read more from Shaye!
Shaye Madison is truly such a gifted story teller. I literally fall into her writing, and I am always craving more, more and more.
This is a true gothic story! It’s so dark and so beautiful. I loved the way music played such an integral role into the character’s development and story.
I can’t emphasize enough: this is DARK. Haunting, depressing, and atmospherically evocative. I loved Mallary, I loved our Ghost. They are both so incredibly flawed. They use their trauma to influence their actions, but they remain transcendent. Our Ghost is 1000% a morally black MMC.
I don’t even want to say much because the “vibe” of this story is so important. It’s honestly better to go in a little blind so you can immerse yourself into the same mystery that Mallary finds herself in. Just definitely check the content warnings, but if you truly love dark horror romance: this is the book for you.
No notes. I genuinely can’t wait to read more from Shaye!
July 31, 2026
I hope you guys enjoy Petrify, my smutty gothic horror romance! Please read through the content warnings, available in the book and on my website.
July 31, 2026
Petrify by Shaye Madison [ARC REVIEW]
★★★★☆
4/5 stars
Release date: July 31st, 2026
Phantom OTO meets The Boy; with spice, intricate character work, and BEAUTIFUL writing.
------------------------------------------------
READ THIS BOOK IF:
→ You watched Phantom of the Opera and wanted to spend more time in the Phantom’s head
and
→ You watched The Boy and wished it was a love story
and
→ You like spice that feeds the characters just as well as it feeds you
------------------------------------------------
≪ Don’t be too intriguing, or you’ll get unwanted attention. Don’t be too boring that they shrug you off. Be pleasant, be pretty, and most of all, become untouchable. Become important, and you can do anything. ≫
------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Character depth | Dread that feels like foreplay | Beautiful writing | Beat-perfect pacing | The music •
From the moment I first heard about Petrify, I knew it would enthrall me. I’ve spent the last couple of months arduously watching Madison’s Threads account for updates, hungry for character art and scene snippets and anything she deigned to give us. I was obsessed long before this ARC landed on my phone, long before I stepped into the Beauchene Mansion at Mallary’s side.
Petrify lives up to my hype, easily; in fact, I’d go so far as to say Petrify met my high expectations within the very first chapter. And that’s because of Mallary.
Mallary Doyle is such a fascinating, complex, psychologically layered FMC that I was instantly on her side. She’s far from a perfect person, but her flaws are encoded so deeply into her psyche and what she’s lived through that I never once found myself annoyed by her selfish or passive moments. Mallary gets to experience the whole gamut of human experience in this book—unapologetically and realistically—and I was rooting for her with every single word. Mallary is self-made, exhausted, and vulnerable to the most dangerous of threats: care. Every decision she makes feels rooted in a real, concrete person: when she holds her ground and when she doesn’t, when she’s kind and when she’s not, when she’s passive and enabling and when she draws a boundary. Her ambition is vibrant and palpable and she fills herself up with affirmations to convince herself that she even deserves to be ambitious at all. I, like Baz, want Mallary to get everything she wants.
And speaking of Baz… Going too deeply into HIS psychology may be more spoiler-y than I want to be in an ARC review, but suffice it to say that every single thing we learn about him lines up along a track that I wish I could untie him from. There were moments where I was genuinely afraid of him, and other moments where I wanted to take my precious baby angel and put him up on a very high shelf so no one could bother him again (but I would put Mallary up there, too, because I value my life).
That fear is important, I think, because at no point does Baz ever stop feeling dangerous, and that leads to a very potent kind of thrill—both for Mallary, and for readers. Madison utilizes the dread brilliantly, blending horror and thriller and lust together in a miasma of confusing but VERY effective emotional and physical moments. It was practically hypnotic, supported by gorgeous prose and the aforementioned character work, to make even the spiciest of scenes feel narratively and emotionally impactful.
It is difficult to write about music, and even more difficult to make it accessible to general audiences while still writing from the perspective of a literal expert. I myself am very well-versed in classical music and theory, so I can’t speak to the layman’s perspective; but as someone with a not-negligible amount of experience in the field, reading Mallary’s thoughts and feelings about music felt like coming home. And even so, I believe that Madison was very careful to maintain Mallary’s expertise without alienating audiences for whom music isn’t such a core component of their being.
And on the topic of music: Madison’s prose is beautifully rhythmic and flows like a song along the page. From the very first chapter I found myself imagining it spoken aloud. This is a book that NEEDS an audio version, in my humble opinion: not just because I want these characters more accessible to wider audiences, but also because I truly believe that Madison’s writing deserves to be heard and not just read. It’s gorgeous, and I think it will (yes: WILL. I’m manifesting) thrive in an audio format.
The pacing is, maybe unsurprisingly, extremely well-managed. The story moves and builds and pulls back at the perfect time, and I can’t recall a single instance of myself wishing a scene had moved quicker or lingered.
Petrify is worth the way I’ve been hyping it up to myself. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish.
------------------------------------------------
≪ Her past, the future she yearns for—I want to know all of it. I want to hear it in her words. I want her to admit everything. I want to know all her thoughts. ≫
------------------------------------------------
WISHLIST:
• Foreshadowing and follow-through •
I can’t go into too much detail here because it’s HEAVY SPOILER territory, but there were two major (to me) instances of “cracks” in the plot that broke my immersion enough to make me flip back and check to see if I had missed something.
One of these plot cracks is barely hinted at save for one scene; but when it’s revealed, it’s treated with significant weight and feels like a massive revelation. However, because the foreshadowing around it was minimal (or maybe it was blended too well with foreshadowing and hints about OTHER things that I personally just missed it), I found myself saying “Okay? And?” and the moment sort of slid past me and left me more confused than surprised or shocked.
The second plot crack is a question that I was asking myself continuously throughout the back half of the book: a major “Why” that I was really looking forward to understanding once it was revealed. I was never given an actual answer to that “Why”, and while the story wraps up very nicely for Baz and Mallary and I can make assumptions, I can’t help but wish that this “Why” had been more directly addressed on the page.
This would have easily been a 5★ read for me if even one of these cracks wasn’t present, but immersion-breaking is my main criteria for deciding between 5 and 4★. These two cracks pulled me out of the story, and they’re the only thing that nags at me in a book that is otherwise something of a masterpiece.
------------------------------------------------
FAVOURITE…
• MAIN CHARACTER? → Mallary, but it’s a practically impossible choice.
• SIDE CHARACTER? → Henri. Precious angel boy.
• CHAPTER? → Chapter 19! “Can I do this?” MELTS me.
• QUOTE? → ≪ [...] I know he wants to plunge inside of me, make a home of my rib cage. He’s right, I can feel it like our viscera and sinew are melting into one. Whatever he is made of, so am I. ≫
------------------------------------------------
*I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the author
★★★★☆
4/5 stars
Release date: July 31st, 2026
Phantom OTO meets The Boy; with spice, intricate character work, and BEAUTIFUL writing.
------------------------------------------------
READ THIS BOOK IF:
→ You watched Phantom of the Opera and wanted to spend more time in the Phantom’s head
and
→ You watched The Boy and wished it was a love story
and
→ You like spice that feeds the characters just as well as it feeds you
------------------------------------------------
≪ Don’t be too intriguing, or you’ll get unwanted attention. Don’t be too boring that they shrug you off. Be pleasant, be pretty, and most of all, become untouchable. Become important, and you can do anything. ≫
------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Character depth | Dread that feels like foreplay | Beautiful writing | Beat-perfect pacing | The music •
From the moment I first heard about Petrify, I knew it would enthrall me. I’ve spent the last couple of months arduously watching Madison’s Threads account for updates, hungry for character art and scene snippets and anything she deigned to give us. I was obsessed long before this ARC landed on my phone, long before I stepped into the Beauchene Mansion at Mallary’s side.
Petrify lives up to my hype, easily; in fact, I’d go so far as to say Petrify met my high expectations within the very first chapter. And that’s because of Mallary.
Mallary Doyle is such a fascinating, complex, psychologically layered FMC that I was instantly on her side. She’s far from a perfect person, but her flaws are encoded so deeply into her psyche and what she’s lived through that I never once found myself annoyed by her selfish or passive moments. Mallary gets to experience the whole gamut of human experience in this book—unapologetically and realistically—and I was rooting for her with every single word. Mallary is self-made, exhausted, and vulnerable to the most dangerous of threats: care. Every decision she makes feels rooted in a real, concrete person: when she holds her ground and when she doesn’t, when she’s kind and when she’s not, when she’s passive and enabling and when she draws a boundary. Her ambition is vibrant and palpable and she fills herself up with affirmations to convince herself that she even deserves to be ambitious at all. I, like Baz, want Mallary to get everything she wants.
And speaking of Baz… Going too deeply into HIS psychology may be more spoiler-y than I want to be in an ARC review, but suffice it to say that every single thing we learn about him lines up along a track that I wish I could untie him from. There were moments where I was genuinely afraid of him, and other moments where I wanted to take my precious baby angel and put him up on a very high shelf so no one could bother him again (but I would put Mallary up there, too, because I value my life).
That fear is important, I think, because at no point does Baz ever stop feeling dangerous, and that leads to a very potent kind of thrill—both for Mallary, and for readers. Madison utilizes the dread brilliantly, blending horror and thriller and lust together in a miasma of confusing but VERY effective emotional and physical moments. It was practically hypnotic, supported by gorgeous prose and the aforementioned character work, to make even the spiciest of scenes feel narratively and emotionally impactful.
It is difficult to write about music, and even more difficult to make it accessible to general audiences while still writing from the perspective of a literal expert. I myself am very well-versed in classical music and theory, so I can’t speak to the layman’s perspective; but as someone with a not-negligible amount of experience in the field, reading Mallary’s thoughts and feelings about music felt like coming home. And even so, I believe that Madison was very careful to maintain Mallary’s expertise without alienating audiences for whom music isn’t such a core component of their being.
And on the topic of music: Madison’s prose is beautifully rhythmic and flows like a song along the page. From the very first chapter I found myself imagining it spoken aloud. This is a book that NEEDS an audio version, in my humble opinion: not just because I want these characters more accessible to wider audiences, but also because I truly believe that Madison’s writing deserves to be heard and not just read. It’s gorgeous, and I think it will (yes: WILL. I’m manifesting) thrive in an audio format.
The pacing is, maybe unsurprisingly, extremely well-managed. The story moves and builds and pulls back at the perfect time, and I can’t recall a single instance of myself wishing a scene had moved quicker or lingered.
Petrify is worth the way I’ve been hyping it up to myself. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish.
------------------------------------------------
≪ Her past, the future she yearns for—I want to know all of it. I want to hear it in her words. I want her to admit everything. I want to know all her thoughts. ≫
------------------------------------------------
WISHLIST:
• Foreshadowing and follow-through •
I can’t go into too much detail here because it’s HEAVY SPOILER territory, but there were two major (to me) instances of “cracks” in the plot that broke my immersion enough to make me flip back and check to see if I had missed something.
One of these plot cracks is barely hinted at save for one scene; but when it’s revealed, it’s treated with significant weight and feels like a massive revelation. However, because the foreshadowing around it was minimal (or maybe it was blended too well with foreshadowing and hints about OTHER things that I personally just missed it), I found myself saying “Okay? And?” and the moment sort of slid past me and left me more confused than surprised or shocked.
The second plot crack is a question that I was asking myself continuously throughout the back half of the book: a major “Why” that I was really looking forward to understanding once it was revealed. I was never given an actual answer to that “Why”, and while the story wraps up very nicely for Baz and Mallary and I can make assumptions, I can’t help but wish that this “Why” had been more directly addressed on the page.
This would have easily been a 5★ read for me if even one of these cracks wasn’t present, but immersion-breaking is my main criteria for deciding between 5 and 4★. These two cracks pulled me out of the story, and they’re the only thing that nags at me in a book that is otherwise something of a masterpiece.
------------------------------------------------
FAVOURITE…
• MAIN CHARACTER? → Mallary, but it’s a practically impossible choice.
• SIDE CHARACTER? → Henri. Precious angel boy.
• CHAPTER? → Chapter 19! “Can I do this?” MELTS me.
• QUOTE? → ≪ [...] I know he wants to plunge inside of me, make a home of my rib cage. He’s right, I can feel it like our viscera and sinew are melting into one. Whatever he is made of, so am I. ≫
------------------------------------------------
*I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the author
July 18, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC. This is my honest review.
I love dark romance, but a gothic vibe end up hitting differently — in the best way possible! I don't want to get into too many details because I believe one of the highlights of Petrify is discovering everything as you read, but what I can say for now is that Shaye Madison delivers the gothic horror atmosphere perfectly.
And a dark romance needs good characters who can draw you in without crossing the line into being too dark, And a dark romance needs good characters who can draw you in without crossing the line into being too dark, and even more so regarding the MMC. Again, I don't want to go into details to keep the suspense, but what I can say is that both Ghost and Mallary are flawed characters who carry past traumas into all their actions, and they complement each other perfectly.
That being said, I think I would have liked to see a bit more of Mallary's past, as well as the person she becomes when she embraces everything that happened. I felt a little like the character remains somewhat hidden from the reader, and I confess it would be amazing to see her embrace who she really is in a more explicit way.
But despite that, I really liked the book, and I am sure that anyone who is a fan of gothic horror dark romance will enjoy it too!
I love dark romance, but a gothic vibe end up hitting differently — in the best way possible! I don't want to get into too many details because I believe one of the highlights of Petrify is discovering everything as you read, but what I can say for now is that Shaye Madison delivers the gothic horror atmosphere perfectly.
And a dark romance needs good characters who can draw you in without crossing the line into being too dark, And a dark romance needs good characters who can draw you in without crossing the line into being too dark, and even more so regarding the MMC. Again, I don't want to go into details to keep the suspense, but what I can say is that both Ghost and Mallary are flawed characters who carry past traumas into all their actions, and they complement each other perfectly.
That being said, I think I would have liked to see a bit more of Mallary's past, as well as the person she becomes when she embraces everything that happened. I felt a little like the character remains somewhat hidden from the reader, and I confess it would be amazing to see her embrace who she really is in a more explicit way.
But despite that, I really liked the book, and I am sure that anyone who is a fan of gothic horror dark romance will enjoy it too!
July 31, 2026
Ummm the way I’ve been looking for a book like this for a hot minute? And Shaye did NOT disappoint🥵If you’ve watched the movie The Boy and thought to yourself, “What if they ended up together instead?” then read Petrify right now!! If not…well, I’ll see myself out🧍🏻♀️
Mallary, a pianist running from a past in hopes
of securing her future finds herself entangled with a wealthy family—one with secrets of their own.
Baz, a walking dead man who’s given up everything for a family who shuns him finds himself enraptured with the one person not afraid of him—his mask.
🖤The Boy x Phantom of the Opera
🖤spooky gothic mansion
🖤familial secrets
🖤touch starved MCs
🖤graveyard spice
WHEN IS IT MY TURN TO HAVE A MAN LIVING IN MY WALLS?! Like he writes her music to
play, is possessive, and somehow kind?? Don’t worry, my therapist will be hearing about this, but if you’re intrigued, well, what are you waiting for? You won’t regret it if you like freaks matching each others freak.
Mallary, a pianist running from a past in hopes
of securing her future finds herself entangled with a wealthy family—one with secrets of their own.
Baz, a walking dead man who’s given up everything for a family who shuns him finds himself enraptured with the one person not afraid of him—his mask.
🖤The Boy x Phantom of the Opera
🖤spooky gothic mansion
🖤familial secrets
🖤touch starved MCs
🖤graveyard spice
WHEN IS IT MY TURN TO HAVE A MAN LIVING IN MY WALLS?! Like he writes her music to
play, is possessive, and somehow kind?? Don’t worry, my therapist will be hearing about this, but if you’re intrigued, well, what are you waiting for? You won’t regret it if you like freaks matching each others freak.
August 1, 2026
First off I want to say thank you to Shaye Madison for the arc, this is definitely one of my top reads for the entire year so far.
This is a book I could not stop thinking about once I started reading. If life hadn’t been busy this past week it’s definitely one I could have easily devoured in one sitting, it has the perfect balance of storyline and smut and the pacing is perfect. And the moment I knew that this was based on The Boy and Phantom of the Opera I was hooked for sure
I loved everything from the old money atmosphere to each of the characters and the chemistry between the MMC and FMC. I loved how the ghost (mmc) challenged and pushed the pianist (fmc) throughout the story and the obsession he had with her? Ugh to die for. He embodies the “touch her and die” trope and I absolutely love it.
I absolutely can not wait to see what else Shaye Madison has in store 🖤
This is a book I could not stop thinking about once I started reading. If life hadn’t been busy this past week it’s definitely one I could have easily devoured in one sitting, it has the perfect balance of storyline and smut and the pacing is perfect. And the moment I knew that this was based on The Boy and Phantom of the Opera I was hooked for sure
I loved everything from the old money atmosphere to each of the characters and the chemistry between the MMC and FMC. I loved how the ghost (mmc) challenged and pushed the pianist (fmc) throughout the story and the obsession he had with her? Ugh to die for. He embodies the “touch her and die” trope and I absolutely love it.
I absolutely can not wait to see what else Shaye Madison has in store 🖤
July 16, 2026
*Review of advanced copy*
I read this book in one sitting. The pacing is perfect to keep you needing to know what’s next.
At night she’s his.
If this were real life the mmc would be red flags but his obsession worked for me and made me a little obsessed with him if I’m honest. I absolutely needed to know how the relationship would progress and I loved how both the mmc and fmc’s backstories were fleshed out so they would work together and the attraction makes sense.
Shaye Madison nailed it with this one and I highly recommend to anyone looking for romance mixed into a gothic horror-esque story.
I read this book in one sitting. The pacing is perfect to keep you needing to know what’s next.
At night she’s his.
If this were real life the mmc would be red flags but his obsession worked for me and made me a little obsessed with him if I’m honest. I absolutely needed to know how the relationship would progress and I loved how both the mmc and fmc’s backstories were fleshed out so they would work together and the attraction makes sense.
Shaye Madison nailed it with this one and I highly recommend to anyone looking for romance mixed into a gothic horror-esque story.
July 30, 2026
Thank you to the author for this ARC!
This book was SOOOOOO good. 😭🖤🎭
I'll be honest, I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to feel going into this one. Dark romance? Phantom of the Opera vibes? It sounded intriguing, but I wasn't convinced it would be for me...
...Yeahhhhhhhh, that concern lasted about five pages.
I was LOCKED IN.
The atmosphere immediately pulled me in, and from there I couldn't stop reading. The chemistry between the characters was incredible, and I loved the constant push and pull between them. They were always testing each other, challenging each other, and playing this delicious little game that had me completely invested.
And maybe this says something about me... but I LOVE a character who's just a little obsessed. 😭
Give me the yearning. Give me the tension. Give me the "I would burn the world down for you" energy. I'll eat it up every single time.
And the spice??
OH YEAH.
This book absolutely delivered.
If you're looking for a dark, atmospheric romance with incredible chemistry, obsessive tension, and Phantom of the Opera-esque vibes, I absolutely recommend picking this one up.
Rating: 💫🌟✨🌟💫
📖 Format: eBook (ARC)
📓🖋️ Favorite Quote: “She’s the only one who dared linger long enough to uncover what was beneath.”
This book was SOOOOOO good. 😭🖤🎭
I'll be honest, I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to feel going into this one. Dark romance? Phantom of the Opera vibes? It sounded intriguing, but I wasn't convinced it would be for me...
...Yeahhhhhhhh, that concern lasted about five pages.
I was LOCKED IN.
The atmosphere immediately pulled me in, and from there I couldn't stop reading. The chemistry between the characters was incredible, and I loved the constant push and pull between them. They were always testing each other, challenging each other, and playing this delicious little game that had me completely invested.
And maybe this says something about me... but I LOVE a character who's just a little obsessed. 😭
Give me the yearning. Give me the tension. Give me the "I would burn the world down for you" energy. I'll eat it up every single time.
And the spice??
OH YEAH.
This book absolutely delivered.
If you're looking for a dark, atmospheric romance with incredible chemistry, obsessive tension, and Phantom of the Opera-esque vibes, I absolutely recommend picking this one up.
Rating: 💫🌟✨🌟💫
📖 Format: eBook (ARC)
📓🖋️ Favorite Quote: “She’s the only one who dared linger long enough to uncover what was beneath.”
July 28, 2026
A massive thank you to the author for trusting me with an arc for this wild ride.
The Boy meets Phantom of the Opera. The gothic vibes of this book were immaculate and I found myself just wondering what the fuck would happen next. I found myself, like Mallary, repulsed and deeply intrigued by Bastien. I wanted to know more about him but also wanted him to get the fuck away from me. It was confusing in the very best way and I so thoroughly enjoyed just how conflicted I felt throughout the whole thing.
The Boy meets Phantom of the Opera. The gothic vibes of this book were immaculate and I found myself just wondering what the fuck would happen next. I found myself, like Mallary, repulsed and deeply intrigued by Bastien. I wanted to know more about him but also wanted him to get the fuck away from me. It was confusing in the very best way and I so thoroughly enjoyed just how conflicted I felt throughout the whole thing.
August 6, 2026
Dark secrets are revealed at every turn, filling up every corner of the Beauchene Mansion, and threatening the lives that move through the cursed corridors.
No one is without secrets, no one is free from sin.
The spice hits hard and fast, but builds like a crescendo of lust and forbidden desire.
It truly makes you wonder, “How does it feel to fuck a ghost?”
10/10 plot + spice + vibes
No one is without secrets, no one is free from sin.
The spice hits hard and fast, but builds like a crescendo of lust and forbidden desire.
It truly makes you wonder, “How does it feel to fuck a ghost?”
10/10 plot + spice + vibes
August 2, 2026
ARC REVIEW
2.5 ⭐️
I genuinely am not sure how to review this. As I kept on, the rating got lower. There’s a lot of inconsistent pieces to the plot and moments that were repetitive. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but it never did.
2.5 ⭐️
I genuinely am not sure how to review this. As I kept on, the rating got lower. There’s a lot of inconsistent pieces to the plot and moments that were repetitive. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but it never did.
July 15, 2026
ADVANCED REDER COPY
this book is an absolute masterpiece of horror and romance and the mmc is a massive red flag but like in a good way because this book was a massive 10/10 for me
this book is an absolute masterpiece of horror and romance and the mmc is a massive red flag but like in a good way because this book was a massive 10/10 for me
July 21, 2026
I thought this was a fun read! There were so many elements: romance, spice, creepy ghostly vibes, everything I enjoy! The storyline was good, the FMC was likable, and the reading was easy. Overall, good book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A young but talented pianist with a shaky past is looking for her chance to finally break into the professional scene, when an extremely rich legacy family plucks her from her stagnant existence in order to tutor their child heir. All the family wants is for the heir to surpass their first son's tragic trajectory in musical prowess, and all Mallary wants is to use their influence to reach greater heights. But as she learns she isn't the only one holding on to secrets in this mansion, she may become too entangled with their ghosts to escape alive.
Unsettling & atmospheric, while grand and intriguing at the same time. Exploring the house, unraveling the family's secrets and true intentions, and getting to know each character's needs and faults gives this story a haunting edge. No one is right, and no one is wrong - but at some point, the tension has to boil over and expose everyone for who they really are.
This novel is high spice but still tasteful, and while there are some plot turns I didn't quite agree with, I still really enjoyed the full-circle expose and composition. Madison created a stunning look into the arguably real-world experience of attempting to break into professional musical performance as a woman, while also exploring a dark Phantom of the Opera-esque character dynamic. As the story comes to its conclusion, it feels as though the ghosts of everyone's pasts can finally be put to rest or live on in haunting absolution.
Unsettling & atmospheric, while grand and intriguing at the same time. Exploring the house, unraveling the family's secrets and true intentions, and getting to know each character's needs and faults gives this story a haunting edge. No one is right, and no one is wrong - but at some point, the tension has to boil over and expose everyone for who they really are.
This novel is high spice but still tasteful, and while there are some plot turns I didn't quite agree with, I still really enjoyed the full-circle expose and composition. Madison created a stunning look into the arguably real-world experience of attempting to break into professional musical performance as a woman, while also exploring a dark Phantom of the Opera-esque character dynamic. As the story comes to its conclusion, it feels as though the ghosts of everyone's pasts can finally be put to rest or live on in haunting absolution.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Shaye Madison for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I don't want to say too much about Petrify because I genuinely think this is a book that's best experienced with as little information as possible.
What immediately stood out to me was the atmosphere. Shaye Madison creates such a haunting, gothic setting that completely pulled me in. The writing is beautiful, immersive and fits the story perfectly. It was one of those books where the vibe is just as important as the plot itself.
I also really enjoyed following Ghost and Mallary. They're both deeply flawed characters whose past continues to shape every decision they make. Their dynamic worked incredibly well for me, although I do wish we'd gotten a little more of Mallary. I kept feeling like there was another layer to her story that I would've loved to explore.
The ending of the story left me satisfied, but overall I still felt like there was just something missing that kept this from becoming a five-star read. I can't even fully explain what it was—it was simply one of those feelings you sometimes have while reading.
I also expected the story to lean a little darker, although that's entirely based on my own expectations rather than the book itself.
Overall, I really enjoyed Petrify and would absolutely recommend it to readers who enjoy gothic horror, dark romance and atmospheric stories. Just check the content warnings beforehand and, if you can, go into this one completely blind.
★★★★☆
I don't want to say too much about Petrify because I genuinely think this is a book that's best experienced with as little information as possible.
What immediately stood out to me was the atmosphere. Shaye Madison creates such a haunting, gothic setting that completely pulled me in. The writing is beautiful, immersive and fits the story perfectly. It was one of those books where the vibe is just as important as the plot itself.
I also really enjoyed following Ghost and Mallary. They're both deeply flawed characters whose past continues to shape every decision they make. Their dynamic worked incredibly well for me, although I do wish we'd gotten a little more of Mallary. I kept feeling like there was another layer to her story that I would've loved to explore.
The ending of the story left me satisfied, but overall I still felt like there was just something missing that kept this from becoming a five-star read. I can't even fully explain what it was—it was simply one of those feelings you sometimes have while reading.
I also expected the story to lean a little darker, although that's entirely based on my own expectations rather than the book itself.
Overall, I really enjoyed Petrify and would absolutely recommend it to readers who enjoy gothic horror, dark romance and atmospheric stories. Just check the content warnings beforehand and, if you can, go into this one completely blind.
★★★★☆
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was impressed by this tale that borrows from the Phantom of the Opera. Make it darker, add in the supernatural aspect and a murder mystery with a serial killer. Count me in, I'm sold.
Mallary is hired out of the blue as a piano tutor for a rich family. She's been stuck as an understudy in her symphony, hoping this will help springboard her future, she takes the position. Henri, is the cutest 8 year old being forced to follow in his late older brothers footsteps and become somewhat of a musical prodigy. This had shades of the haunting at bly manor, where all of the staff know something is off but no one leaves. This Gothic setting is perfect. Also this phantom is no slacker when it comes to his obsession Mallary. I fell into this world with ease and absolutely ate this up. I'm going to go back and read this author's other books. Her style really flowed and there wasn't any bumps to the plot. Also once the plot brings the spice it doesn't stop, so happy for that😉🥵🌶. Red flag, nope just a devoted partner.
Tropes and triggers: captor/captive, first time, hurt/comfort, multi pov, obsession, murder mystery, open door spice, possessive MMC, retelling, serial killer, teacher
I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
Mallary is hired out of the blue as a piano tutor for a rich family. She's been stuck as an understudy in her symphony, hoping this will help springboard her future, she takes the position. Henri, is the cutest 8 year old being forced to follow in his late older brothers footsteps and become somewhat of a musical prodigy. This had shades of the haunting at bly manor, where all of the staff know something is off but no one leaves. This Gothic setting is perfect. Also this phantom is no slacker when it comes to his obsession Mallary. I fell into this world with ease and absolutely ate this up. I'm going to go back and read this author's other books. Her style really flowed and there wasn't any bumps to the plot. Also once the plot brings the spice it doesn't stop, so happy for that😉🥵🌶. Red flag, nope just a devoted partner.
Tropes and triggers: captor/captive, first time, hurt/comfort, multi pov, obsession, murder mystery, open door spice, possessive MMC, retelling, serial killer, teacher
I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Petrify by Shaye Madison completely pulled me in from the very first pages and refused to let go. This is the kind of book that keeps you thinking about it long after you've put it down.
The atmosphere is immersive, the pacing keeps the story moving, and every revelation adds another layer to the mystery. I loved how the tension steadily built throughout the book, making it nearly impossible to stop reading "just one more chapter."
The characters felt believable and engaging, each bringing something unique to the story. Their motivations, flaws, and relationships added depth that made me genuinely invested in what happened to them.
One of my favorite aspects was the way the author balanced suspense with emotional moments. The story delivers twists and surprises while still giving readers characters they can connect with and care about.
If you're looking for a gripping read with strong characters, an engaging plot, and plenty of tension, Petrify is definitely worth picking up.
A captivating and memorable read that earned every one of its five stars.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Petrify by Shaye Madison completely pulled me in from the very first pages and refused to let go. This is the kind of book that keeps you thinking about it long after you've put it down.
The atmosphere is immersive, the pacing keeps the story moving, and every revelation adds another layer to the mystery. I loved how the tension steadily built throughout the book, making it nearly impossible to stop reading "just one more chapter."
The characters felt believable and engaging, each bringing something unique to the story. Their motivations, flaws, and relationships added depth that made me genuinely invested in what happened to them.
One of my favorite aspects was the way the author balanced suspense with emotional moments. The story delivers twists and surprises while still giving readers characters they can connect with and care about.
If you're looking for a gripping read with strong characters, an engaging plot, and plenty of tension, Petrify is definitely worth picking up.
A captivating and memorable read that earned every one of its five stars.
Review of advance copy
I literally cannot stop thinking about this book. I binged the entire thing today, I really just couldn't stop! I then came home and told my partner about the entire book so clearly I think its a good one!
I haven't read a lot of Gothic horror but I do now think I'll have to start. There was a couple cool twists throughout this book that just kept getting me. I wanted the world for little Henri, he was so innocent throughout this and just trying his best. This family is a disaster and I loved every second of the mysteries that kept unraveling in this house.
I also loved the musical part of this story, i loved hearing about them writing/playing music. I know you can't "hear it" but I could hear the music as she played and it really brought me into the book even more.
Thanks so much for the advance copy!!
I haven't read a lot of Gothic horror but I do now think I'll have to start. There was a couple cool twists throughout this book that just kept getting me. I wanted the world for little Henri, he was so innocent throughout this and just trying his best. This family is a disaster and I loved every second of the mysteries that kept unraveling in this house.
I also loved the musical part of this story, i loved hearing about them writing/playing music. I know you can't "hear it" but I could hear the music as she played and it really brought me into the book even more.
Thanks so much for the advance copy!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Petrify is a wonderful retelling blending Phantom of the Opera and The Boy while adding its own unique twists. We have elements of Brahms Heelshire entwined with the musical longing of Phantom. A modern gothic, Petrify presents a horror romance that sucks you in to the mystery of the ghost who haunts the Beauchene Manor.
“I should have left this house the moment the haunting became real.”
I sped through this in a night and didn’t want to put it down!
One thing I always love to see in horror romance is the use of fear as an aphrodisiac. Fear is a base compulsion, and it causes us to make rash decisions, which I find always ups the stakes and the speed in a horror romance. And Petrify absolutely used the fear, terror, and horrors to its advantage! 😈
*Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced copy from the author. However, all thoughts expressed above are my own!
“I should have left this house the moment the haunting became real.”
I sped through this in a night and didn’t want to put it down!
One thing I always love to see in horror romance is the use of fear as an aphrodisiac. Fear is a base compulsion, and it causes us to make rash decisions, which I find always ups the stakes and the speed in a horror romance. And Petrify absolutely used the fear, terror, and horrors to its advantage! 😈
*Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced copy from the author. However, all thoughts expressed above are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Miss Mallary Doyle essentially just got herself a job but isn't honestly sure how. When she receives a call about a job offer that she never applied to, but she'll take it needing to get away. A huge eerie mansion and little Henri who she will tutor.Is it really haunted is the shadow she sees really there?
I couldn't get enough of Petrify it was even better than I hoped it would be.I didnt think the simple question of 'can I do this?' would make me kick my legs in happiness. The way the mmc is obsessed had my heart racing I'd pretend it was a green flag.The haunting suspense of the story was fantastic. And the way it was written kept me hooked the entire read, ive also read it twice already.
I couldn't get enough of Petrify it was even better than I hoped it would be.I didnt think the simple question of 'can I do this?' would make me kick my legs in happiness. The way the mmc is obsessed had my heart racing I'd pretend it was a green flag.The haunting suspense of the story was fantastic. And the way it was written kept me hooked the entire read, ive also read it twice already.
Review of advance copy received from Author
* E-ARC Review*
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy.
This dark gothic romance had me hooked from the first chapter. The story unfolds from the point of view of the pianist and the ghost. The pianist is our FMC and she arrives at Beauchene castle as a piano tutor for little Henri. She immediately feels like she is being watched and she begins to think the castle is haunted, enter our MMC, the ghost.
This fast paced story unravels family drama while developing a connection between the pianist and ghost. Sounds unlikely, right? Wrong! Shaye Madison’s Petrify is twisty, dark, with a fevered romance that I could not put down. If you are a fan of her Red Masquerade duology, then you must read Petrify!
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy.
This dark gothic romance had me hooked from the first chapter. The story unfolds from the point of view of the pianist and the ghost. The pianist is our FMC and she arrives at Beauchene castle as a piano tutor for little Henri. She immediately feels like she is being watched and she begins to think the castle is haunted, enter our MMC, the ghost.
This fast paced story unravels family drama while developing a connection between the pianist and ghost. Sounds unlikely, right? Wrong! Shaye Madison’s Petrify is twisty, dark, with a fevered romance that I could not put down. If you are a fan of her Red Masquerade duology, then you must read Petrify!
July 31, 2026
Mallary comes into this world of money and prestige for one thing - to secure her future as a profession pianist on the laurels of the Beauchene name by teaching their son how to play.
Then she hears about The Ghost.
He's just a story they tell. A rumor haunting their lives.
He can't be real, right?
Shaye Madison will leave you reeling with this haunted dark romance full of anger, malice, hatred, and of course, Good old sex.
Well- written, descriptive, and captivating. You won't want to put it down
Then she hears about The Ghost.
He's just a story they tell. A rumor haunting their lives.
He can't be real, right?
Shaye Madison will leave you reeling with this haunted dark romance full of anger, malice, hatred, and of course, Good old sex.
Well- written, descriptive, and captivating. You won't want to put it down
August 4, 2026
Received an ARC for my review!
When I first heard about this story on Threads I was hooked. I mean who didn’t watch The Boy hoping that it would turn into a dark romance? This book is basically what I wanted to happen between Brahms and Greta with slight differences (and I’m not complaining!).
If you are a fan of dark gothic romances with an MMC that is definitely not sane then this book is perfect! The writing in this book is just captivating that I had to force myself away or else I’d never stop reading. I can’t wait to see what Shaye Madison writes next!
When I first heard about this story on Threads I was hooked. I mean who didn’t watch The Boy hoping that it would turn into a dark romance? This book is basically what I wanted to happen between Brahms and Greta with slight differences (and I’m not complaining!).
If you are a fan of dark gothic romances with an MMC that is definitely not sane then this book is perfect! The writing in this book is just captivating that I had to force myself away or else I’d never stop reading. I can’t wait to see what Shaye Madison writes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so full of red flags, but they’re all beautiful.
Bastien is not at all a good man, and as much as he tries to be her villain, he manages to be perfect for Mallary. Mallary in turn ends up being exactly what Bastien needs in his life. The tension between them is crazy; there’s so much push and pull.
Obviously Bastien is obsessed with Mallary, but what’s really great is seeing her develop an obsession with him.
The setting itself is spectacularly spooky. I love a good Gothic romance, and this is hitting those vibes.
Petrify is a true horror romance, heavy on the horror. I had a wonderful time with it. This is a plot that needs to be experienced; you need to unfold it yourself.
Bastien is not at all a good man, and as much as he tries to be her villain, he manages to be perfect for Mallary. Mallary in turn ends up being exactly what Bastien needs in his life. The tension between them is crazy; there’s so much push and pull.
Obviously Bastien is obsessed with Mallary, but what’s really great is seeing her develop an obsession with him.
The setting itself is spectacularly spooky. I love a good Gothic romance, and this is hitting those vibes.
Petrify is a true horror romance, heavy on the horror. I had a wonderful time with it. This is a plot that needs to be experienced; you need to unfold it yourself.
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the beginning, Petrify pulled me in. The atmosphere Shaye Madison built is top tier. There's a sense of foreboding building in every chapter really adds to that. Bastian is efficient and he's had years to prepare. Mallary is running from her past but she can't seem to run from her present predicament. I wondered when the other shoe would drop.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Shaye for the arc opportunity!
Oh this was a gorgeous read! It was a perfect mix of steamy, dark, and romantic. Mallory was a great FMC with a great story line. The plot was fantastic and the spice was 🤭.
A great dark romance for any reader 😍.
Oh this was a gorgeous read! It was a perfect mix of steamy, dark, and romantic. Mallory was a great FMC with a great story line. The plot was fantastic and the spice was 🤭.
A great dark romance for any reader 😍.
July 31, 2026
Uhhhh... Need a Minute 😳
Ok Besties… what did I just read? Dark, disturbing, and deliciously unhinged. Equal parts terrifying and addictive. Full tea is coming. 📝
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. 🖤
Ok Besties… what did I just read? Dark, disturbing, and deliciously unhinged. Equal parts terrifying and addictive. Full tea is coming. 📝
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. 🖤
Did Not Finish
August 2, 2026@ 15%
i can’t do it anymore. i draw the line at stupid heroine.
based on the glimpses of her relationship with her TA, which was dumb af, i can already tell she’ll do something even dumber later on.
i can’t do it anymore. i draw the line at stupid heroine.
based on the glimpses of her relationship with her TA, which was dumb af, i can already tell she’ll do something even dumber later on.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg
July 31, 2026
I love the phantom of the opera vibes of this book, i'm currently still reading and i love it'n
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