A Taste Of Lace: 'Staying this pretty is a bloody business'

by Katye Tilstone

'Staying this pretty is a bloody business.'
***************************************
Lulu-Belle was the coquette outcast of Oakhaven all silk ribbons, strawberry gloss, vegan and curated perfection wrapped in a bow, but when a invite to the Boathouse party by the high schools varsity football team turns into a botched ritual in pursuit for fame and fortune , Lulu doesn't stay dead. She's reborn...

Back from the dead with a demonic parasitic bone-lace knitting her organs together again, a raging hunger for fresh meat and revenge, Lulu is no longer a girl...she’s a predator. And her best friend Ember? She isn’t running away terrified of her friends new look. Ember is the one holding the scalpel, the one cleaning the spilled blood from Lulu’s skin and the one that falls into a dark, romantic obsession that blurs the line between burning lover and accomplice. One teenage girl is a monster and the other is her willing, lovesick keeper.

***************************************
This is not a fairy-tale. It is a story about the toxic, claustrophobic bond between two girls, Lulu and Ember, and the gruesome reality of what it takes to maintain a façade of perfection in a world that tries to consume you first. The romantic lust of love that meets with a devastating cost, a reality where love has no bounds... even when one of them is a flesh eating monster. Would you kill for your best friend?

134 pages, Paperback

Published April 3, 2026

About the author

Hi I'm Katye Tilstone,

Welcome to my crazy world of macabre and gory books, I make the grotesque look pretty. DO you dare to step into the worlds I create? Where the characters are all on the chopping board? No one is deemed 'safe' within the pages of my novels/novella's... So don't get attached to them to quickly!

Read. Rant. Review. As always my Misfits, cause chaos and remember to have a creepylicious day

Reviews

[chlos_booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Taste of Lace was a joy to be able to read early, I absolutely loved the aesthetics, the storyline was really enjoyable, I love besties that slay together and the horror was a good amount, I actually wish there was a bit more but the imagery was there!

I have to say tho, that I wish it was a longer book so we could have gotten more of a backstory for Lulu and Ember prior to the events that take place as I really loved their relationship and how much love there is between them, and maybe some more information on the Old One and the instances of the Old Ones appearances before Lulu. I feel like the author could definitely make a longer book surrounding the Old One and even add on to A Taste Of Lace as the story is there, it just felt like it was over before it really began, especially when you have a really interesting being like a parasitic lace as the imagery for it was so interesting that I wanted to learn more about it.

I'm definitely excited to see what the author has lined up next as I really loved her world building within the horror genre and would love to see more from her when it comes to a longer book, but I would definitely recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick horror fix especially if they were a fan of Jennifer's Body

Thank you so much again Katye for the ARC of your novella and I wish you all the best with your writing and can't wait to see where you go from here 🖤

[AfterDarkReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer’s Body who… because this was creepy, pink, and unhinged in the best way!!
A Taste of Lace is body horror wrapped in silk ribbons and strawberry gloss, and somehow it works disturbingly well. The premise alone had me hooked - a botched ritual, a girl who doesn’t stay dead, and demonic bone-lace literally knitting her body back together. STFU, I loved it!
Lulu-Belle is such a fun, feral little nightmare of a character. The shift from curated coquette perfection to full predator energy is sharp and satisfying, and the aesthetic contrast (pretty pink vs. visceral horror) is where this novella really shines. It’s creepy, it’s sexy, and it absolutely commits to the bit.

And Ember… listen. The devotion, the willingness, the way their bond slides from friendship into something much darker and more obsessive? That’s the real hook here. This is very much a toxic, claustrophobic sapphic dynamic, not a soft or fluffy romance. It’s messy, hungry, and intentionally uncomfortable in places - which obviously fits the story perfectly!!
The body horror elements are vivid without feeling gratuitous, and the pacing works well for the novella format.
If you love:
- feminine rage
- sapphic obsession
- pretty aesthetics turned grotesque
- body horror with bite
- morally unhinged girl energy
…this will absolutely be your lane.

Dark, stylish, and deliciously disturbing... and yes, I will absolutely be thinking about the writhing lace for a while😘

[Cece Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars.
The story behind this Novella is great. I am a big fan of Good For Her and Revenge Era.

Pros:
Some descriptions of the scenes, especially the brutal ones were really good, it felt like I was right there and I could really visualise what I would see/hear.
The Revenge scenes seemed tailored for each character, which was a nice touch.
Revenge is successful.
Easy to read once you get past the prologue.

Cons:
I think the writing could've been a little deeper. It felt rushed, acknowledging this Is a novella. I think there could've been more focus on the relation between the two FMCS and the need for Lulu-Belle to strive for perfection and aesthetics.
Some of the plot points came out of nowhere like Jackson being in love with Lulu-Belle, and the random intimacy scene between the two FMCS.
The word lace is frequently repeated in inverted commas, along with other random words. Also some editing issues.
The prologue started me off hella confused with the book, I didn't know what I was reading or where I was to start.

[Shannon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is, by far, my favorite among all the ones I have read by Katye Tilstone. Fans of the movie Jennifer's Body will likely find this book appealing, as it explores similar motifs of female anger and retribution, but with greater depth and graphicness. Definitely don’t pass this book up if your a fan of Katye’s work!

[Ashley Hana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine pastel goth as an extreme horror novella, and you get A Taste of Lace. Everything pink, cute and nice doused in gore. And it's sapphic. Could one truly wish for anything more?
I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing itself, but generally it's a very fun story.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎀🔪 A Taste of Lace by Katye Tilstone 🖤🩸

**Overall Rating:** ⭐⭐️⭐️

After a ritual goes wrong, Lulu-Belle is resurrected but her body isn't the same as it was before. Now something darker lives beneath the pink ribbons and lip gloss. Lulu becomes a demon dressed in pink, accompanied by Ember, her fiercely loyal best friend who will do anything to keep her appetite satisfied. Gory and girly in the best way.

**Main Characters:**

🖤Ember - fiercely loyal and totally ride-or-die. She'll do whatever it takes to keep her bestie happy.. just girls supporting girls, even if the choices get a little questionable.

🎀LuluBelle - the ultimate girly girl turned nightmare fuel. Transformed by a demonic parasite into a living doll— still cute, still glam, but now with a serious taste for blood.

💀Jax - pure smug confidence with major Draco Malfoy energy. The one who instigated the ritual that started it all, stirring chaos just to see what happens.

**What I Loved About the Series:**

- I really loved the pink girly vibes of the book mixed with the gory horror elements.
- I enjoyed Lulu-Belles character, she came across so creepy like a living doll!
- The gore and horror was well written - I wouldn’t say it was terrifying but it was definitely creepy.

**What Didn’t Fully Work for Me:**

- The dialogue sometimes felt awkward and unnatural.
- Sometimes chapters ended abruptly with no real explanation. A lot of repetition with phrases but the writing was good!
- Often times a bit confusing to follow but that might help the claustrophobic vibe the book gives.

**Final Thoughts:**

Perfect for the girlies who wished Scream Queens had a little more blood or Jennifer's Body was more pink 🩸🔪
Imagine if Draculaura got possessed by a demonic lace-bone creature and went on a chaotic, blood-soaked rampage 💀✨
Basically Scene Queen energy in book form🎀🖤

⚠️ There was a huge menu of trigger warnings, would say it is on the milder end of extreme horror/splatterpunk genre. But do check these before reading!

Thank you to Katye Tilstone for the ARC. I loved reading the world you built for Lulu! Can’t wait to read more of your books!

[Caitlin Cartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75 ⭐️)
I had the immense privilege of reading the ARC. I absolutely adored the aesthetics of this novella, it was very much Draculaura meets Jennifer's Body (maybe with a touch of Carrie) vibes.

I think this has a lot of potential. It's very creative and the base story is well thought out. However, I do feel like inorder for it to be better it would have to be a full novel. There are some pretty decent gaps in information. I think it would have been beneficial to have more of a backstory for The Old One (how was it created, who was its last host, what's its prerogative, etc). I was also very curious as to what in the ritual went wrong. On that note, I'd like to know what the fuck is fundamentally wrong with Jax for him to be that much of psychotic dickhead.

I found Lulu and Embers relationship fascinating. It was a weird mixture of super toxic and fucked up, yet sweet, and a little hot. Ember, talk about a ride or die chick 😂.

On the more negative side, I do think that at times it seems like it can get a little long winded, there is a lot of grammatical and spelling issues (which is somewhat normal in its stage of publication). The Parasite seems like a mishmash of different creatures and its not done completely smooth, if that makes sense.

My favorite scene was of Leo's demise. The brutality was poetic, and was some serious "out of the box" thinking. It was a fucking masterpiece in my opinion.

My favorite quote from the book is, "Shut the fuck up, your screaming is give me the ick". It had me rolling.

All in all, I enjoyed the reading experience and am looking forward to seeing what else the author puts out there.

[Summer Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste Of Lace: 'Staying this pretty is a bloody business' is an aesthetic fever dream. This review will contain light spoilers but I have tried to avoid spoiling any surprises, especially past the first couple of chapters. If you want to go in completely blind stop here and go buy the book!

The story centers on Lulu-Belle, a small town girl who looks like a sweet nightmare in pink and black gothic lolita attire. And her best friend, Ember, who stays in the shadows of Lulu, in awe of her beauty and so deeply in love with her bestie. When Lulu and Ember are at a party, they are invited to hang out privately in a boathouse by Jax. Ember is apprehensive but Lulu wants to live her life on the edge so despite her reservations, Ember follows the other girl. There they meet 5 boys, Jax, Leo, Billy, Miller, and Jackson. Neither girl has ever drank alcohol and at Lulu's urging timid Ember also takes a shot. Unfortunately Ember is drugged and wakes to find that her best friend no longer smells of strawberry lipgloss but iron. Her skin is no longer that of a porcelain doll but grey. What happens next creates one of the most interesting body transformations I've seen in horror. Lulu is reborn with the help of a lacy demon, ready to take revenge. The boys had conjured the being from a dark web ritual, offering a human sacrifice, instead they gave it a host. And she's hungry.

The story is a tragic romance, a 'good for her' revenge fantasy, and a warning on hubris. Growing up a semi closeted bisexual girl I absolutely understood Ember's yearning and devotion for her best friend, while at the same time, let's be real, I wanted to be Lulu-Belle as a teen. My biggest gripe is length, I wish the story had been twice as long and explored a lot more of the elements. I would read this as a series too. Especially the way the epilogue was laid out. Still, I loved this story.

Thank you to the author for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time having the opportunity to be an ARC reader. It was also my first time diving into the horror genre as a whole. A Taste of Lace is about a high school senior named Lulu-Belle, who happens to be an enjoyer of everything lace and frills. She falls victim to a botched ritual, and her corpse is overtaken by the "Old One", who proceeds to feed on the bodies of her peers. This novella is very heavily inspired by the 2009 movie Jennifer's Body (absolutely love this movie, btw).

Like the movie, I wish there could've been a little more backstory on the history of the rituals, where they started, some lore ya'know? I also found myself having a hard time becoming fully immersed in this novella, I'd like to blame it on the continuity errors that I bumped into.
It would immediately pull me out and make me go “Wait a minute..” and I would have to go back and re-read to make sure I was seeing properly. I would like to also blame the amount of grammatical and spelling errors that I encountered. I understand it’s unpublished, but most books/novellas are edited before being given as ARCs.

I’d also like to say that although this was my first dive into horror, it felt like the author was sometimes trying too hard to be gory and edgy. Could just be a personal preference/opinion, but i was hoping to feel grossed out by the gore and this novella didn’t do that for me. However, I do like the premise and look forward to reading more horror in the future.

[Sammi Mancil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Taste Of Lace by Katye Tilstone
If you are a fan of…
-𝐒𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫
-𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫
-𝐂𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞
-𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫
-𝐓𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
-𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐞
-𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐭
-𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐚
This is your new favorite read! Katye Tilstone is a master of the macabre and crafts a spine chilling atmosphere within her stories. A Taste Of Lace is a bloody good time. Get ready for lore, gore, and a deep desire for revenge. Throw in Jennifer’s Body meets Coquette and you’ve got Lulu-Belle. She is blood-thirsty for her male tormentors and ladies(and gents), she has some style. Chalk it up to the ritual, she becomes possessed in all the right ways. Her bestie for life, Ember, is right by her side.
These two queens are my teen idols.
The author gives you just enough of a background to draw you in but I would love for this to expand into a bigger novel. The characters are well-developed and it gives you a sense of horror, rivaling bigger mainstream books. *Definitely read the trigger warnings!
It reminds me of Carrie in a way because you side with the main character and her lust for revenge.
I found several grammatical errors throughout the book but they didn’t hinder readability. This was such an enjoyable arc to get my hands on and it made me really read the story; keeping me entertained throughout each chapter. Overall, A Taste Of Lace is a four star read. I am “dying” for more… Thank you Katye!

[Rae Hofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something deeply unsettling about A Taste of Lace, and I mean that as a compliment. Thank you Katlyn for the opportunity to read your work!

This isn’t just horror, it’s obsession dressed in pink ribbons and pretty lies. Lulu-Belle leans hard into body horror and doesn’t blink. It’s graphic, visceral, and at times downright uncomfortable, but underneath all the gore is a sharp exploration of control, beauty, and the cost of being “perfect.
You don’t just read this story, you experience it, sometimes whether you want to or not. There were moments that made me pause, not because they were confusing, but because they were intense.

Lulu-Belle is the kind of character you can’t look away from. She’s porcelain doll and predator, and that carries the story. The dynamic between Lulu and Ember is where things really sink their claws in. It’s toxic, intimate, and emotionally warped in a way that feels disturbingly real.

That said, this won’t be for everyone.
The pacing can feel overwhelming, and the horror may overshadow the emotional beats for some readers. If you’re not into graphic content, you should pass!
But if you like your horror dark, feminine, and a little unhinged, this one delivers.

Final thought: Beautiful, grotesque, and unapologetically bold. This story doesn’t ask for your comfort, it demands your attention.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advance copy received from the author

🎀 𝐒𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫, 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫, 𝐓𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐭 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐚 🎀

Guys so I was lucky enough to get an arc from Katie tilatone and…wow. That’s all I can say. I’ve been a huge fan of erotic horror, and this is my first sapphic erotic horror and you can definitely say I will be adding more of these to my tbr !

The way that Tilstone wrote about the friendship of Lulu and Ember and then the romance that they formed. My first thought was just girls supporting girls and how I loved how the revenge was delivered. It genuinely felt so deserved and how there wasn’t any remorse for the who committed the violent act against Lulu and Ember. But man did I feel bad for Jackson..and Oakhaven.

I was hooked the entire time. I really loved how committed Ember was to Lulu the entire time and just went along with it and accepted what happened to Lulu because, hey, that’s her best friend ! And the way Lulu also looks out for Ember, especially if she’s threatened in any way, and Tilstone describes the scenes in a way that are visceral which I love. This book comes out April 3 and I very much recommend it 😌🎀

[Maria Candela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am thankful for the opportunity I received to be an ARC reader for this story.
This book contains tropes such as 𝐒𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫, 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫, 𝐓𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐭 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐚. All which could make really interesting story.
My respect to the author as I can see her vision, but the execution is not exactly there. I really love the premise of the book. It has promise. From the beginning the gramatical errors and some continuity issues made it very hard to enjoy and keep track. I can see what the author tries to do by making it very descriptive, but certain areas come off as repetitive or filler. With a better editor this story definitely has potential.

I would have loved more background on the ritual? Why was she chosen, just because of her innocence? Where did the ritual originate from?

The gore is okay. It’s not something i would classify as true horror.

The story has promise, I think it’s great for those beginning to get into the adult genres and horror.

I would read another book by this author to compare her work, and I look forward to seeing her work in the future as well.

[Luci Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.R.C. Review! All thoughts and opinions are my own, book given to me in return for my honest review.

Wow… This book not only delivers with the body horror and sapphic horror, but also the intense emotion between Ember and Lulu-Belle! Tilstone creates the atmosphere of beauty wrapped in bloody bows and I am 👏HERE👏FOR👏IT👏

Beauty is only skin deep, but with Lulu-Belle it’s more than skin, it’s the demonic lace keeping her sacrificed body together. Feeding her need for revenge as well as her desire for Ember. They’re not just best friends, but lovers and I am so impressed with the way Katye creates the relationship between the two FMC’s. If you are a Jennifer’s Body fan, Autopsy of Jane Doe or any feminine body horror film you will DEVOUR this!

Tilstone has outdone herself with this one and I am so impressed with how she’s improving her writing style! Creating a connection between character and reader, it’s intoxicating and hard to resist. Thank you for allowing me to dive into, yet another amazing piece of work early! Make sure to add this one to your TBR, you won’t regret it 🖤🎀

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every single second of this book.

This is not a slow burn—it’s a full-on spiral, and I mean that in the best way possible. From the jump, it pulls you into a tense, nail-biting ride that just keeps escalating. I kept telling myself “one more chapter”… and suddenly I was done.

Lulu-Belle? Oh she did not come to play. Watching her step into vengeance and fully embrace who she is—unapologetically, violently, beautifully—was so satisfying. This is feminine rage with teeth, and it doesn’t hold back.

There’s something so addictive about the way the story balances pretty aesthetics with straight-up horror. It’s cute, it’s disturbing, it’s chaotic—and it works. The transformation, the hunger, the energy of it all? Yeah… I was locked in.

This is 100% going into my reread rotation.

If you like your stories a little bloody, a little unhinged, and full of characters who stop asking for permission… you’re going to eat this up too.

[Melodi Cobler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!

A Taste of Lace by Katye Tilstone-Mayworm was a quick, gory little novella that was awesome! It gave me strong Jennifer’s Body vibes in the best way possible—dark, messy, a little unhinged, and very satisfying if you enjoy a good revenge story.

The story follows Lulu-Belle and her friend Ember, and I loved the dynamic between them. I love me some revenge 👏👏.

This is definitely on the shorter side, but it never felt rushed. It’s a fast read that leans into the gore and chaos while still delivering a really awesome ride. If you like horror with a bit of attitude and a revenge-driven plot, this one is worth picking up.

Overall, this was a super fun read for me and exactly the kind of quick horror novella I love. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author!

[Stacey Smith]

This is a fantastic Novella which will have you shuddering with the amazingly written Body Horror and the extreme gore. Not to mention rooting for our FMC as she tries to get revenge with her toxic bestie. With some amazing imagery within this Novella with both the gore and the pretty. I never thought I needed a book where the lace wasn't the dainty thing you think it is. I 100% recommend this to horror and gore lovers, especially of you are a fan of Jennifers Body, you will love this. The ending is just as good as the begining and I am thrilled to see what the author has in store for us next. If you like Body horror, Sapphic horror, Coquette core, Good for her, Toxic Besties, Extreme Gore, Lace and Rot and Revenge Era this it the novella for you. It will leave you wanting more.

[BrewedBookDragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release Date: April 3, 2026

Katye wrote this novella to explore the intersection of hyper-femininity and visceral monstrosity and she did not disappoint. This Extreme Horror novella is a work of art in gore, horror, and the personification of high school cliques. The love between the two friends in this story is not healthy but it is extreme, palpable, and heart wrenching. The nod to the "femme-fatale" horror genre is wonderfully executed.

If I had one critique it would be that I would've liked a bit more knowledge on the "old one" but given this is a novella, I also understand the faster pacing.

Please read the trigger warnings before diving in, this might only be 83 pages but there is a lot packed in here. If you are good with all of them then .......

"Remember, even the prettiest of pinks can be deadly; Lulu-Belle is waiting to meet you, and she is a heartbreaker. Literally"

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: A Taste of Lace

This story follows Lula Belle and Ember, and things take a wild turn when a ritual goes terribly wrong and Lula Belle ends up turning into a cutesy demon. From there, everything spirals into chaos in the best way.

This was definitely giving Jennifer’s Body vibes and I am 100% here for it. The gore and overall storyline were top tier like always, and it kept me hooked the whole time.

The only thing I wanted more of was some background on the Old One I feel like that could’ve added even more depth to the story. But who knows, maybe we’ll get that later 👀

Overall, I loved this 83-page horror novella. It was quick, messy, and exactly what I wanted from a dark cutesy gory read.

[Katherine Elley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extreme horror
Graphic
Best friends
Lovers

Love story between Lulu-Belle and Ember that is wrapped in black bile and calcified bone.

Lulu-Belle is an outcast at Oakhaven High. An invitation to the Boathouse along with the football team turns into a ritual. With Ember’s drink spiked the football team get to work in a brutal way.
But Lulu doesn’t stay dead. She is reborn into a predator and wants her revenge with Ember by her side helping her.
Best friends to the end.
Lots of gore and I really enjoyed the storyline.
Katye is a new author to me and will carry on reading her books in the future.

[LeighAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, and while it was very different from the author’s previous work that I’ve read, it was just as good. The story felt fresh and unexpected, blending demonic elements with unsettling body horror in a way that kept me hooked from start to finish. The pacing was fast and intense, making it an easy read that still delivered plenty of shocks. It’s a unique kind of scary story that stands out from the usual horror tropes, and I really enjoyed the ride. Definitely recommended for readers looking for something new and disturbing.

[Raye Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so much fun! The girls are so adorable, and the bone lace was a fascinating concept. I loved the gruesome and the hyper-feminine being mixed and crave more of it. While some of the decisions or actions of characters didn't make a lot of sense outside of a "high school horror movie" plot line, it was easy to follow and has so much potential to be a full-length novel if Katye ever decides to revisit the story. I can't wait to get a physical copy of this book.
If it were made into a movie, I would go to the theater to watch it.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brought my Jennifer’s Body obsession back in full force. I adored this, like truly adored this.

Lulu and Ember truly have a toxic codependent relationship, and it blurs the lines of friendship, romance and…accomplices?

I love the coquette, silky, strawberry vibes of this!! Lulu is the perfect embodiment of a pure soul tainted with a darkness. Ember is her perfect other half who would do ANYTHING for her…and it’s a little scary.

I only wish I had more of it to read. I’m obsessed and will be rereading.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is incredible in the most horrifying ways. A Taste of Lace by Kayte Tilstone delivers an expertly written story centered around power, love, and beauty. I was hooked by the captivating imagery that made me feel like I was there. I stayed for the incredible story of bloody revenge. The characters felt so real. This novel was hard to put down and I devoured it. I highly recommend for fans of body horror and splatter punk!


Many thanks for the ARC!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feminine rage is always a personal favorite of mine.
A taste of lace managed to be delicate and brutal and quite disgusting, all in the very best way.
The book started a little stuttered to me but it definitely picked itself up. If you watch Terrifier in comfort and loved Jennifer’s body but wished they were more “lesbi-honest”,then this book needs to be on your tbr.

𝐒𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫
𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫
𝐂𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞
𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫
𝐓𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐞
𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐭
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐚

[Sedona · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Taste of Lace" was a fun and short read. I enjoyed the details surrounding the grotesque body horror elements. You can definitely tell the author has a knack for the horror aspects of this book. I am rating this a 5-star because the writing was very engaging and I was sucked in at the first page. That being said my one and only complaint was the ending felt a little more rushed than id have like and I feel like I lost some of those amazing details that were present through most of the book.

[Shellie Prak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit. I love it. Dark, disgusting, and absolutely addicting. It is heavily Jennifer’s Body and Ibitsu coded with its own twists which is beautifully described. I could absolutely see this as an animated horror like the ones they do for Junji Ito. The underlying relationship is amazing as well and truly understanding just from a small quote to get the feel “you’re perfect, Lu” Ember whispered, stepping more toward the gore.” 15 out of 10 would recommend. I loved every gore filled moment.

[DJJarvisReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Taste of Lace by Katye Tilstone is “a mix of beauty amidst the horror.” I really liked the “possession” aspect of this story. The bone-lace was really unique and really elevated the “beauty” of this horror story. I don’t think I have ever read a story that was like this one! It’s very much a feminine rage, revenge story. Her revenge is very well deserved. I definitely recommend this story to any horror fans who want to read something a little different from the every day horror!

[Kanati Adebayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 5 star read for me. The horror, the gore, the obsession all wove together to create an unforgettable story. This story is not for the weak! Make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading. If you're a fan of the movie Jennifer's Body, you will love this! The descriptiveness is intense and made me gasp at every turn. I felt like I was a bystander watching the story unfold.
I highly recommend for fans of bloody horror!

[Wicked · Rating 4 out of 5]

if your squeamish do not read. please check the triggers. this is a gory horror demon romancish. if you liked Jennifer's body, or audition then this is for you.
lulubelle and ember best friends and lovers take on revenge of a group of high school boys who thought they murdered lulu for a sacrifice. but she comes back demon Lace parasites and all and makes them all pretty as she grows stronger.