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Lovely Flesh
The Harrison family is unraveling.
Wesley Harrison’s father vanishes in Wyoming. His marriage is failing. His daughter, Lena, is spiraling toward a second suicide attempt, unable to see any beauty in herself because of a facial deformity.
Amid the family’s collapse, Wesley receives a strange job offer from the Pretty River Preparatory School for Girls in Wyoming. The same state his father went missing. The dream job seems to solve all of their problems: higher pay, free tuition at a private school, and an environment for teenage girls that emphasizes the beauty within, not on the surface.
As the Harrisons draw closer to Pretty River, the town exerts an otherworldly pull. One that defies logic or Earth’s natural laws. A town that shouldn’t exist. They soon realize they must not only confront the fractures in their family, but what it means to be human.
Welcome to Pretty River, where families are reborn in unspeakable ways.
Look to your left and to your right? Is the person next to you really human?
Wesley Harrison’s father vanishes in Wyoming. His marriage is failing. His daughter, Lena, is spiraling toward a second suicide attempt, unable to see any beauty in herself because of a facial deformity.
Amid the family’s collapse, Wesley receives a strange job offer from the Pretty River Preparatory School for Girls in Wyoming. The same state his father went missing. The dream job seems to solve all of their problems: higher pay, free tuition at a private school, and an environment for teenage girls that emphasizes the beauty within, not on the surface.
As the Harrisons draw closer to Pretty River, the town exerts an otherworldly pull. One that defies logic or Earth’s natural laws. A town that shouldn’t exist. They soon realize they must not only confront the fractures in their family, but what it means to be human.
Welcome to Pretty River, where families are reborn in unspeakable ways.
Look to your left and to your right? Is the person next to you really human?
- GenresHorror
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2026
About the author
Michael Stone
8 books81 followersMichael Stone crafts stories of speculative and contemporary fiction. His work can be found in online publications and print anthologies. When he’s not creating post-apocalyptic and supernatural worlds, he’s helping institutionalized veterans transition from service by guiding them through career exploration and self-reflection. Outside of his writing endeavors, he plays fetch with his pups, Maggie and Macy, and spends quality time with his family of six, exploring the vibrant culture of the Windy City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The cover is a self-portrait
July 15, 2026
Sci-fi horror? Yes please! And as a bonus there’s also a beautiful message that I really needed to be reminded of.
The novel is focused around a very imperfect family and a swathe of disappearances, all seemingly around the town of Pretty River, although our protagonist Wesley doesn’t know that.
The novel starts innocuously enough, learning the family dynamics, after we learn that Wesley’s father had disappeared some time before. This event will be the crack in the whole family composed of Wesley, Loretta and their daughter Lena, who also has a birth defect resulting in a face deformity. To add alcohol to fire, she had a rough time at school with bullying by her so called friends, resulting in almost succeeding in unaliving herself.
The plot is then centred around the family’s events after moving to Pretty River for a new job and the promise of a new start to life, and here is where things get really weird! There is a constant unsettling feeling throughout, that unnerved me but also made me so curious and eager to know what was going on. I found the writing style on point as always, hitting the target of eerie and alluring, whilst becoming disgustingly horrific in the third part of the book. The vibes I got were a mix of The Midwich Cuckoos crossed with Invasion of the Body Snatchers but with a lot of body horror and a meaningful social commentary.
One thing I loved was also the later appearance of the dishevelled scientist, truly appealing to my sci-fi nerdiness.
I won’t add any more, because it needs to be experienced, but I’d say that I truly think that imperfection is Nature’s and therefore humanity’s most powerful tool. Uniqueness is a trait to cherish and not to criticise, because it adds variety and stands out from the average sameness that seems to be appreciated more and more in the social media and AI era.
Apart from this, it’s an unsettling story with lots of ‘lovely flesh’ (IYKYK lol) and an ending that screams SEQUEL PLEASE!
Thanks to the author and for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
The novel is focused around a very imperfect family and a swathe of disappearances, all seemingly around the town of Pretty River, although our protagonist Wesley doesn’t know that.
The novel starts innocuously enough, learning the family dynamics, after we learn that Wesley’s father had disappeared some time before. This event will be the crack in the whole family composed of Wesley, Loretta and their daughter Lena, who also has a birth defect resulting in a face deformity. To add alcohol to fire, she had a rough time at school with bullying by her so called friends, resulting in almost succeeding in unaliving herself.
The plot is then centred around the family’s events after moving to Pretty River for a new job and the promise of a new start to life, and here is where things get really weird! There is a constant unsettling feeling throughout, that unnerved me but also made me so curious and eager to know what was going on. I found the writing style on point as always, hitting the target of eerie and alluring, whilst becoming disgustingly horrific in the third part of the book. The vibes I got were a mix of The Midwich Cuckoos crossed with Invasion of the Body Snatchers but with a lot of body horror and a meaningful social commentary.
One thing I loved was also the later appearance of the dishevelled scientist, truly appealing to my sci-fi nerdiness.
I won’t add any more, because it needs to be experienced, but I’d say that I truly think that imperfection is Nature’s and therefore humanity’s most powerful tool. Uniqueness is a trait to cherish and not to criticise, because it adds variety and stands out from the average sameness that seems to be appreciated more and more in the social media and AI era.
Apart from this, it’s an unsettling story with lots of ‘lovely flesh’ (IYKYK lol) and an ending that screams SEQUEL PLEASE!
Thanks to the author and for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
July 21, 2026
4.25! First of all, look at this cover!! I was immediately drawn to this book. It gave me vibes of The Faculty, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Stepford Wives, but still managed to feel completely original and unhinged in the best way.
The creepy atmosphere starts with the new town and the girls’ prep school setting. Every interaction with outside characters not only creeped out the main character, but me as well.
The family dynamics were messy, tense, and really well written. There was great foreshadowing throughout while still keeping plenty of suspense.
The cosmic and body horror elements were absolutely wild. Things got so intense toward the end and I was fully invested. And then…that epilogue. Bleak, ominous, and super satisfying!!
Thank your for the ARC! After finishing The Shimmering and Lovely Flesh, I will be following this author’s works.
The creepy atmosphere starts with the new town and the girls’ prep school setting. Every interaction with outside characters not only creeped out the main character, but me as well.
The family dynamics were messy, tense, and really well written. There was great foreshadowing throughout while still keeping plenty of suspense.
The cosmic and body horror elements were absolutely wild. Things got so intense toward the end and I was fully invested. And then…that epilogue. Bleak, ominous, and super satisfying!!
Thank your for the ARC! After finishing The Shimmering and Lovely Flesh, I will be following this author’s works.
May 4, 2026
Imagine if The Faculty and Wayward Pines had a slightly unhinged book baby. That would be Lovely Flesh. The story drops you off into a place where everybody and everything just seems a bit “off”.
A nice slow burn pace, but when things start to unravel it’s off to the races!
I loved this book a whole lot! It left me suspicious of small towns, private schools, and don’t think I’m not side-eying my neighbors! I HIGHLY recommend you give this one a go!
A nice slow burn pace, but when things start to unravel it’s off to the races!
I loved this book a whole lot! It left me suspicious of small towns, private schools, and don’t think I’m not side-eying my neighbors! I HIGHLY recommend you give this one a go!
July 17, 2026
Love the cover, it fits this story so well!
There's something weird going on in this town, and Wesley is gonna find out. Aside from that, his life is full of chaos. Struggling teenager, his marriage is shattering, he's got a cancer diagnosis and his father went missing.
This was full of suspense and had me going until the very last page.
There's something weird going on in this town, and Wesley is gonna find out. Aside from that, his life is full of chaos. Struggling teenager, his marriage is shattering, he's got a cancer diagnosis and his father went missing.
This was full of suspense and had me going until the very last page.
May 22, 2026
Set in the seemingly idyllic town of Pretty River, Lovely Flesh offers a fresh start for Wesley and his family. In true small-town horror fashion, things lurking beneath the surface are far darker than they first appear. While there are echoes of familiar horror and science-fiction influences throughout, this book is its own beast entirely. It’s unsettling, emotional, and surprisingly compassionate toward its broken characters.
This was my second Michael Stone novel, and his voice is unmistakable. Even when the story turns surreal and terrifying, his prose has this grounded, almost intimate quality that makes every character feel painfully real. They are flawed, messy, selfish, loving, desperate…the kind of people you judge one minute but then sympathize with the next.
Wesley, especially, is a deeply tragic character that I found endearing and easy to connect with. He tries to carry the crushing weight of family responsibility while making impossible choices, and even when he stumbles, you understand why.
Just like the cover of the book, this is a story I won’t forget anytime soon!
This was my second Michael Stone novel, and his voice is unmistakable. Even when the story turns surreal and terrifying, his prose has this grounded, almost intimate quality that makes every character feel painfully real. They are flawed, messy, selfish, loving, desperate…the kind of people you judge one minute but then sympathize with the next.
Wesley, especially, is a deeply tragic character that I found endearing and easy to connect with. He tries to carry the crushing weight of family responsibility while making impossible choices, and even when he stumbles, you understand why.
Just like the cover of the book, this is a story I won’t forget anytime soon!
July 13, 2026
Lovely Flesh is a masterclass in creepy and unsettling storytelling that is definitely up there as one of my top reads of the year. Not only does is it a hell of a horror story, it also contains an important message about the standards of beauty and how it can impact children in a world that constantly emphasizes the importance of looking "good" and how agonizing it can be to witness your child struggle in that world no matter what you do to try and help them.
The balance between family drama and the horror side is achieved with perfection and is not easy to do yet Stone manages it with ease.
The book starts off by telling the story of how Wesley's father goes missing near the town of Pretty River in Wyoming before it shifts his son Wesley who has been trying desperately to find out what happened to him. Wesley and his wife constantly argue about the time he spends away to search for his father while their daughter, Lena struggles with school, bullying and suicidial ideation due to her facial deformity.
As time goes on, and Wesley goes through a couple of life changing events, he gets a job offer from Pretty River Preparatory School for Girls which focuses on the message that beauty comes from within, not the surface. Wesley and his family move there, but almost as soon as they arrive, Wesley notices things are off in the town.
From here, things continue to spiral into the weird territory and I won't spoil anything but there is body horror involved and quite a bit of it.
The best horror stories in my opinion make you feel something, either for the characters involved, the theme or the genuine emotion that is conveyed within. This one has all three and I found myself totally invested in the story, and was locked in for the rollercoaster ride that Wesley and his family go through.
Michael Stone has crafted an incredible story here that deserves to be near the top of everyone's TBR. It has everything a horror fan could want from a book. It has fantastic writing, spot on pacing, an important theme and a story that will chill you to the bone.
Get your hands on this one when its released. You won't regret it.
The balance between family drama and the horror side is achieved with perfection and is not easy to do yet Stone manages it with ease.
The book starts off by telling the story of how Wesley's father goes missing near the town of Pretty River in Wyoming before it shifts his son Wesley who has been trying desperately to find out what happened to him. Wesley and his wife constantly argue about the time he spends away to search for his father while their daughter, Lena struggles with school, bullying and suicidial ideation due to her facial deformity.
As time goes on, and Wesley goes through a couple of life changing events, he gets a job offer from Pretty River Preparatory School for Girls which focuses on the message that beauty comes from within, not the surface. Wesley and his family move there, but almost as soon as they arrive, Wesley notices things are off in the town.
From here, things continue to spiral into the weird territory and I won't spoil anything but there is body horror involved and quite a bit of it.
The best horror stories in my opinion make you feel something, either for the characters involved, the theme or the genuine emotion that is conveyed within. This one has all three and I found myself totally invested in the story, and was locked in for the rollercoaster ride that Wesley and his family go through.
Michael Stone has crafted an incredible story here that deserves to be near the top of everyone's TBR. It has everything a horror fan could want from a book. It has fantastic writing, spot on pacing, an important theme and a story that will chill you to the bone.
Get your hands on this one when its released. You won't regret it.
June 10, 2026
(⭐️6 fucking stars) i have no words. so i shall quote the great Michael Stone himself. “…interstellar cockroaches…?” yes guys. INTERSTELLAR COCKROACHES.
this book made me nauseous, it made me cry, it made me laugh out loud, and all around it was just so amazingly written. The cover alone drew me to this book super quickly. Along with that, Stone’s storytelling really makes you feel like you are in genuine danger, and you feel so deeply for the characters he writes that my heart rate was genuinely through the roof for about 75% of this book.
Every part of this novel was perfection and I couldn’t have asked for a better story. The whole plot is so well thought out and he connects little details into the story so well that I never would’ve imagined they’d have any impact in the overall story until I finished it. and as you can see, it didn’t take me very long to fly through this. It has been so long since I could sit down and read an over 300 page novel in basically one sitting.
I am beyond grateful that Michael Stone chose me for his ARC team, and I will continue to ARC read for him until my dying breaths. I am a hypnotized by this man’s writing…truly.
this book made me nauseous, it made me cry, it made me laugh out loud, and all around it was just so amazingly written. The cover alone drew me to this book super quickly. Along with that, Stone’s storytelling really makes you feel like you are in genuine danger, and you feel so deeply for the characters he writes that my heart rate was genuinely through the roof for about 75% of this book.
Every part of this novel was perfection and I couldn’t have asked for a better story. The whole plot is so well thought out and he connects little details into the story so well that I never would’ve imagined they’d have any impact in the overall story until I finished it. and as you can see, it didn’t take me very long to fly through this. It has been so long since I could sit down and read an over 300 page novel in basically one sitting.
I am beyond grateful that Michael Stone chose me for his ARC team, and I will continue to ARC read for him until my dying breaths. I am a hypnotized by this man’s writing…truly.
June 3, 2026
Wow! This book was absolutely insane.
You go into this book knowing something not right but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. Things are a little TO perfect. But what’s really going on? What happens if you get the chance to give your family everything they need?
This book had me guessing and stressing throughout the entire thing. But the ending?! Wow that ending! Things got WILD.
This book also captures so many different topics, that are hard to talk about, in such a marvelous way. I think Michael did an amazing job capturing real life problems. (Mentally and physically)
With that being said, this was my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last! Pick this up!!
You go into this book knowing something not right but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. Things are a little TO perfect. But what’s really going on? What happens if you get the chance to give your family everything they need?
This book had me guessing and stressing throughout the entire thing. But the ending?! Wow that ending! Things got WILD.
This book also captures so many different topics, that are hard to talk about, in such a marvelous way. I think Michael did an amazing job capturing real life problems. (Mentally and physically)
With that being said, this was my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last! Pick this up!!
May 8, 2026
This is definitely what I would classify as one of my weird girl books. This reminded me so much of The Faculty, which is one of my all time favorite movies. I love how descriptive it was, you could really feel like you were right next to these characters going through it. Overall, I really enjoyed this. It had a (mostly) satisfying conclusion as well that gave you kind of a cliffhanger but kind of an overwhelming sense of dread.
This was my first book by this author and I’ll certainly read whatever he comes out with
This was my first book by this author and I’ll certainly read whatever he comes out with
May 20, 2026
really enjoyed this one. it pulled me in fast and kept me wanting to know what was going on. pretty river had that weird, unsettling atmosphere that made everything feel just slightly off in the best way. the characters felt real, and i liked how it blended personal struggles with the supernatural without feeling forced. definitely recommend 🔥
August 17, 2026
I really had a good time with this. It was a quick, easy read and interesting premise. I went in completely blind and I am glad I did. The ending was a bit rushed but it is a relatively short read. I would definitely read more from this author.
August 10, 2026
This really wasn't for me. What bothered me the most was the mother and daughter had the same first letter of their names, Loretta and Lena, so I kept getting them mixed up. So unnecessary.
July 7, 2026
The Hamilton family is struggling in various ways. They decide to take a too good to be true offer in a small town where things quickly go sideways.
This was excellent, I loved the characters and the writing. I empathised with Wesley and didn’t really enjoy Lorraine but they were both really well done characters. All of them were. I enjoyed this weird horror which had elements of different sub genres across it but the tale kept evolving and I love where it ended up. Great book!
This was excellent, I loved the characters and the writing. I empathised with Wesley and didn’t really enjoy Lorraine but they were both really well done characters. All of them were. I enjoyed this weird horror which had elements of different sub genres across it but the tale kept evolving and I love where it ended up. Great book!
July 1, 2026
Lovely Flesh by Michael Stone
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Release Date: July 15, 2026
I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for Lovely Flesh, and I’m so glad I was! Michael Stone wastes no time grabbing your attention. I was hooked from the first chapter and I immediately wanted to know where the story was headed. As the story unfolds, it steadily builds layers of mystery, atmosphere, and complicated family dynamics that kept me invested. The ending of EVERY chapter will keep pushing you to stay up way past your bedtime! For me, it felt like Desperation by Stephen King collided with Pleasantville.
The ending was surprising, satisfying, and left me thinking about the book long after I finished. Lovely Flesh is a unique, engaging read that proves Michael Stone knows exactly how to keep readers guessing.
Don’t wait to pick this one up!!
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Release Date: July 15, 2026
I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for Lovely Flesh, and I’m so glad I was! Michael Stone wastes no time grabbing your attention. I was hooked from the first chapter and I immediately wanted to know where the story was headed. As the story unfolds, it steadily builds layers of mystery, atmosphere, and complicated family dynamics that kept me invested. The ending of EVERY chapter will keep pushing you to stay up way past your bedtime! For me, it felt like Desperation by Stephen King collided with Pleasantville.
The ending was surprising, satisfying, and left me thinking about the book long after I finished. Lovely Flesh is a unique, engaging read that proves Michael Stone knows exactly how to keep readers guessing.
Don’t wait to pick this one up!!
July 22, 2026
Thank you, Michael Stone for my advanced reader copy
"We offer you Lovely Flesh”
People in desperate situations will do anything to turn their luck around. In Wesley’s case, that is exactly what happened.
Wesley Harrison has a miserable life. His dad, a truck driver, disappeared on a route. Lena, his daughter, has face deformities that affect her self-esteem. Loretta, his wife, is having an affair. Wesley has been diagnosed with Cancer. He feels like he has hit his lowest point until he gets a job offer to teach at a preparatory school that prides itself on a holistic education and does not focus on outer beauty. The offer is too good to be true: paid relocation, paid housing and free education for his daughter. Additionally, he can spend time researching his father’s disappearance. Sounds great!
When they arrive at Pretty River Preparatory School, things seem too perfect almost eerie. Do things get better for Harrison’s? You will have to read it.
Lovely Flesh is a layered Sci-fi/body horror story with a current timeline and a well-woven back story that creates intriguing depth to Pretty River and its Preparatory Academy
Stone builds the setting with vivid descriptions that draw the reader in. I could feel the dark, ominous woods, the magical drive through Pretty River, and the grandeur of the school. He scatters clues to the coming terror through events and character emotions that raise unsettling questions. What begins as a mild story transforms into something horrific with plenty of gore, slimy liquids spilling everywhere, and grotesque tentacles. If I did not have to adult, I would have finished the book in one day
Lovely Flesh is great for fans of body horror, small town horror or sci-fi horror. I really enjoyed it and plan on reading more of Michael Stone’s books
July 25, 2026
I went into this blind and I’m so glad I did. This was such a satisfying story and it starts with a bang. Or should I say disappearance 🤔 I love the concept that keeps resurfacing throughout, which is that beauty is more than what’s on the surface. It’s something that I think needs to be emphasized more to our youth. I also love the show of parental love and loyalty. Any parent worth a 💩 would do anything they could to save their child or to make their life better. I love all of the cosmic elements that play into this story and the ending was superb.
August 7, 2026
A Mothership campaign with all of the camp and body horror associated.
July 15, 2026
***RELEASE DAY!!***
Lovely Flesh by Michael Stone
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
DAMN!! This is a super exciting sci/fi-thriller-horror story!! The story is suspenseful and had me hanging on to each page! I loved the story!!
Wesley decides he wants to move his wife and daughter to a small community where they can hopefully live a better life. His daughter, Lena, was born with a facial deformity and he is tired of the horrible bullying and teasing she has gotten.
When the family gets to their new location, in Pretty River, Wesley’s wife, Loretta, and daughter are acting strange and extremely happy to be there. Wesley is worried that something is going on in the town.
I thought the story was going in one direction, but it had a pivot into an intense wild sci-fi story! There is great imagery and I felt like I was watching a creepy movie!!
It is such a fun and exciting read and I was completely engaged from beginning to end.
I was so lucky to get an arc of this amazing book!! It’s my first read from this author, but I can’t wait to read more from him!
*It’s out now and I highly recommend the read!!*
Lovely Flesh by Michael Stone
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
DAMN!! This is a super exciting sci/fi-thriller-horror story!! The story is suspenseful and had me hanging on to each page! I loved the story!!
Wesley decides he wants to move his wife and daughter to a small community where they can hopefully live a better life. His daughter, Lena, was born with a facial deformity and he is tired of the horrible bullying and teasing she has gotten.
When the family gets to their new location, in Pretty River, Wesley’s wife, Loretta, and daughter are acting strange and extremely happy to be there. Wesley is worried that something is going on in the town.
I thought the story was going in one direction, but it had a pivot into an intense wild sci-fi story! There is great imagery and I felt like I was watching a creepy movie!!
It is such a fun and exciting read and I was completely engaged from beginning to end.
I was so lucky to get an arc of this amazing book!! It’s my first read from this author, but I can’t wait to read more from him!
*It’s out now and I highly recommend the read!!*
May 23, 2026
"...So we took a stand. We decided we needed to educate our students on what beauty really is. It isn’t what’s on the surface. It’s what’s within. Here at PRP, we teach them a deeper truth: beauty is a moment that resonates with the human spirit—authenticity, meaning, connection, and transformation.”
Sigh. I don’t have half a clue where to even start with this book. Incredible. Truly captivating. Over 300 pages and I devoured the entire thing in two sittings. So well written with such an incredible plot with a million different amazing elements. Tone, pacing, dialogue, characters, plot, the entire freaking book is curated to near perfection and will forever be a memorable one. And for me to actually remember characters' names is a big one, lol.
LOVELY FLESH needs to be a series on tv asap. It has that type of plot and vibe. It’s culty. It has family drama. Characters that are relatable. Characters that you cannot even begin to stand. Characters that touch your heart. It’s so well-rounded. This is one of those times where I feel like no words I could ever say could do this book justice.
Naturally, I went in blind. And Michael Stone is a new-to-me author, as far as reading one of his books, and I was blown away. I am ashamed I haven’t read him yet. This book blew me out of the water and reminded me of so many of my favorite books and authors in the genre mashed into one book. Like, I almost want to say it gives Grady Hendrix vibes in the best ways possible. But Stone has a vibe of his own in the best ways possible.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I think it will be talked about A LOT. I think you will see a lot of hype and five stars for this book. And it will absolutely be landing on my top 10 reads of 2026.
Sigh. I don’t have half a clue where to even start with this book. Incredible. Truly captivating. Over 300 pages and I devoured the entire thing in two sittings. So well written with such an incredible plot with a million different amazing elements. Tone, pacing, dialogue, characters, plot, the entire freaking book is curated to near perfection and will forever be a memorable one. And for me to actually remember characters' names is a big one, lol.
LOVELY FLESH needs to be a series on tv asap. It has that type of plot and vibe. It’s culty. It has family drama. Characters that are relatable. Characters that you cannot even begin to stand. Characters that touch your heart. It’s so well-rounded. This is one of those times where I feel like no words I could ever say could do this book justice.
Naturally, I went in blind. And Michael Stone is a new-to-me author, as far as reading one of his books, and I was blown away. I am ashamed I haven’t read him yet. This book blew me out of the water and reminded me of so many of my favorite books and authors in the genre mashed into one book. Like, I almost want to say it gives Grady Hendrix vibes in the best ways possible. But Stone has a vibe of his own in the best ways possible.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I think it will be talked about A LOT. I think you will see a lot of hype and five stars for this book. And it will absolutely be landing on my top 10 reads of 2026.
June 3, 2026
Wesley is juggling getting his PhD, working, a rocky marriage, a struggling teen daughter, a cancer diagnosis, and a missing father. He has been trying to track his missing dad down for months and that is leaving less time for his own stressed out wife and daughter.
Trying to pick up the pieces, Wesley accepts a job offer in Pretty River that could change the fate of his family. He needs to be the father and husband his daughter and wife deserve and it doesn’t hurt this location is close to where his father went missing a year ago.
Stepford wives meets invasion of the body snatchers.
Michael’s writing is just so good. Completely snatched me after the first chapter. He never fails to write characters that are crazy relatable. He was able to tap into my parental feelings and the “raising a teenager” stress. Fearing for their mental health when they deal with horrendously mean teens all while trying to be there for them through their mood swings. And then you have the balancing act of your own personal responsibilities. Bills, work, a partner, life… it’s hard. Are you raising your child right? If you were given an opportunity to be “perfect” would you take it? At what cost? What even is perfect? Perfection is an alien concept we’ve been hardwired to believe is some ultimate goal in life.
This book is packed with a great message and a lot of fun to read.
Trying to pick up the pieces, Wesley accepts a job offer in Pretty River that could change the fate of his family. He needs to be the father and husband his daughter and wife deserve and it doesn’t hurt this location is close to where his father went missing a year ago.
Stepford wives meets invasion of the body snatchers.
Michael’s writing is just so good. Completely snatched me after the first chapter. He never fails to write characters that are crazy relatable. He was able to tap into my parental feelings and the “raising a teenager” stress. Fearing for their mental health when they deal with horrendously mean teens all while trying to be there for them through their mood swings. And then you have the balancing act of your own personal responsibilities. Bills, work, a partner, life… it’s hard. Are you raising your child right? If you were given an opportunity to be “perfect” would you take it? At what cost? What even is perfect? Perfection is an alien concept we’ve been hardwired to believe is some ultimate goal in life.
This book is packed with a great message and a lot of fun to read.
May 4, 2026
When something seems to good to be true; it usually is. Yet time and time again people ignore their instincts and discover they should have followed this gut feelings. This story was no different. A parent has all consuming love for their child and would do anything for the child(ren). Until a person becomes a parent, that person is not part of the special club. The disappearances of many people do not seem to cause much of a concern. If only Wesley had not ignored those eerie feelings here received before entering Pretty River; then the outcome may have been different. As the reader, the warning bells were loudly ringing, along with Wesley. The author did an amazing job of keeping the reader interested enough to continue the journey. There were so many red flags; but as a parent myself you do what you think will help your child. The description of ‘the Mother’ was grotesque. No wonder the ‘Accords’ had to be programmed differently. I can only imagine if I saw the creature in its purest form I would have run the other way, no matter what was promised. The acronym for the ‘Mother’ was really good. The moniker made understanding the urgency of how to deal with the new way of life. If you enjoy speculative fiction then this is the book you want țo read.
May 19, 2026
Oh boy. That was a blast. I enjoyed The Shimmering a lot, and that type of story is generally more my forte, but Lovely Flesh sucked me in from the get go. Being 40 years old and parenting teenage girls that occasionally want nothing to do with me, Wesley was an easily relatable character.
The Stepford Wives meets Slither meets Gattaca in this tragically horrific narrative. Ultimately though, this is a story of survival. It’s a story of the depths we will pursue for those we love, even amidst heartache, pain and various ailments.
And this is exactly why I love horror. The genre is often all-encompassing. It spans so much more than just ‘slasher’ or ‘post apocalyptic’. With horror, there is always a deeper story to be told, an undertone that those without experience with the genre would easily overlook.
Lovely Flesh is the personification of this idea. Michael, or Trevor, or whatever the hell his name will be next month, is an author I’ll be reading more of. Thanks for the ARC opportunity!
5/5
‘Lovely Flesh’ by Michael Stone.
The Stepford Wives meets Slither meets Gattaca in this tragically horrific narrative. Ultimately though, this is a story of survival. It’s a story of the depths we will pursue for those we love, even amidst heartache, pain and various ailments.
And this is exactly why I love horror. The genre is often all-encompassing. It spans so much more than just ‘slasher’ or ‘post apocalyptic’. With horror, there is always a deeper story to be told, an undertone that those without experience with the genre would easily overlook.
Lovely Flesh is the personification of this idea. Michael, or Trevor, or whatever the hell his name will be next month, is an author I’ll be reading more of. Thanks for the ARC opportunity!
5/5
‘Lovely Flesh’ by Michael Stone.
July 17, 2026
We have something glorious to show you... It’s the most wondrous gift.
3 ½ stars rounded up. "Lovely Flesh" by Michael Stone (@mike_stone_author) was a very interesting and entertaining read. I'm not sure how far I would go to call it "horror" per se, but the creepiness factor was definitely off the charts! And Stone definitely takes his cast, namely, the Harrison family and just puts them through the absolute wringer, with disappearances, genetic deformities (hemifacial microsomia), attempted suicides ("You lost your father, but we almost lost our daughter."), deathly illnesses and even infidelity being part of their every day existence. It's no wonder things have been a little tense in their home ("The last year has tested their family’s strength."). Maybe a change of scenery would do them good? Hint: nope!
Don’t go to that place . . . it’s not safe.
My favorite part of this scyfy-leaning weird-as-hell-fest was that the story itself reminded me of Blake Crouch's "Wayward Pines" series with a good dose of "The Faculty" thrown in for good measure. And if a literary and also cinematic reference isn't enough, you can also include a very real parallel with the Borg to round out your viewing pleasure. Only here there is no Queen, it is instead called Mother and The Collective is instead The Accord. But just put them all in a blender and hit frappé and you'll get an idea of what you're in for!
Let’s be honest, you’re just an alien parasite with a philosophy degree.
I mean, the moment the human excrement comes into contact with the rotating blade assembly - and not just the "wee" hints beforehand - it is truly a lot of fun to follow along. The only problems that I really had with the presentation was first of all, things seemed way too rushed. We often make pretty significant jumps without what I would consider enough "connective tissue" putting it into more of a coherent plot ("They smell like babies…"). A lot of this may have resulted from what I considered a choppier than necessary style - short sentences, a lack of varied vocabulary, etc. - but to each their own.
There’s an otherworldly perfection to this place.
Also, and again this is why I didn't really get full horror vibes, there isn't much suspense involved. I really felt like far too much is just told to us in such a way that there are no surprises left ("Younger versions of themselves showed up one morning. Eerily different."). In other words, it's never a question of "if" but rather "when" certain events will happen. I mean, did anyone not guess about the red-haired man? Even things like a simple visit into town for an evening meal doesn't provide any mystery as it's all spelled out for us as it happens ("Pretty River. Manufactured happiness. Lovely, beautiful rot."). And as Wesley finds more and more clues about the previous occupants of their new house - and especially the warnings they left behind - well, again, we just know what's ahead.
A ghostliness clouds everything. Surrounding them.
There's also the occasional hiccup in the flow of things. For example, it's made quite clear that the "transition period" requires three full days of getting each convert ready for their big baptism in the holy cosmos, um, liquid. Yet, there's an important scene where our adulterers meet up, even though one of them has apparently only been on site for not even two full days. Yet, all the requisite "alienness" is fully present in that one's body, including the fun tentacle-y bits as well as the many many teeth waiting to chomp their lover into halfling stew. (Wow, I really hope I formulated all that in a way that I didn't spoil anything.) Let's just say if one character pissed you off like they did me, you won't be terribly sad about this sequence. Then again how Lena knows about it without any input and being off in the woods when it happens is odd, too…
There is only now. Only continued survival.
Still, this was a fun little read. If I had to compare Stone's style to any author I've read before, Debra Castaneda springs to mind which, yes, I do mean as a compliment. And like I've mentioned in a couple of reviews of her books, I wish that Stone would have pushed things a little bit farther, with the potential for carnage (just look at that cover!!!) and terror waiting to be utilized! And again, I think both authors are very inventive in their story-telling, with intelligent plotting and well-formed characters. What I'd really like to see though is Stone reach deep and shock the hell out of me next time. Otherwise, whatever will Mother think? Remember kids: resistance is futile!
3 ½ stars rounded up. "Lovely Flesh" by Michael Stone (@mike_stone_author) was a very interesting and entertaining read. I'm not sure how far I would go to call it "horror" per se, but the creepiness factor was definitely off the charts! And Stone definitely takes his cast, namely, the Harrison family and just puts them through the absolute wringer, with disappearances, genetic deformities (hemifacial microsomia), attempted suicides ("You lost your father, but we almost lost our daughter."), deathly illnesses and even infidelity being part of their every day existence. It's no wonder things have been a little tense in their home ("The last year has tested their family’s strength."). Maybe a change of scenery would do them good? Hint: nope!
Don’t go to that place . . . it’s not safe.
My favorite part of this scyfy-leaning weird-as-hell-fest was that the story itself reminded me of Blake Crouch's "Wayward Pines" series with a good dose of "The Faculty" thrown in for good measure. And if a literary and also cinematic reference isn't enough, you can also include a very real parallel with the Borg to round out your viewing pleasure. Only here there is no Queen, it is instead called Mother and The Collective is instead The Accord. But just put them all in a blender and hit frappé and you'll get an idea of what you're in for!
Let’s be honest, you’re just an alien parasite with a philosophy degree.
I mean, the moment the human excrement comes into contact with the rotating blade assembly - and not just the "wee" hints beforehand - it is truly a lot of fun to follow along. The only problems that I really had with the presentation was first of all, things seemed way too rushed. We often make pretty significant jumps without what I would consider enough "connective tissue" putting it into more of a coherent plot ("They smell like babies…"). A lot of this may have resulted from what I considered a choppier than necessary style - short sentences, a lack of varied vocabulary, etc. - but to each their own.
There’s an otherworldly perfection to this place.
Also, and again this is why I didn't really get full horror vibes, there isn't much suspense involved. I really felt like far too much is just told to us in such a way that there are no surprises left ("Younger versions of themselves showed up one morning. Eerily different."). In other words, it's never a question of "if" but rather "when" certain events will happen. I mean, did anyone not guess about the red-haired man? Even things like a simple visit into town for an evening meal doesn't provide any mystery as it's all spelled out for us as it happens ("Pretty River. Manufactured happiness. Lovely, beautiful rot."). And as Wesley finds more and more clues about the previous occupants of their new house - and especially the warnings they left behind - well, again, we just know what's ahead.
A ghostliness clouds everything. Surrounding them.
There's also the occasional hiccup in the flow of things. For example, it's made quite clear that the "transition period" requires three full days of getting each convert ready for their big baptism in the holy cosmos, um, liquid. Yet, there's an important scene where our adulterers meet up, even though one of them has apparently only been on site for not even two full days. Yet, all the requisite "alienness" is fully present in that one's body, including the fun tentacle-y bits as well as the many many teeth waiting to chomp their lover into halfling stew. (Wow, I really hope I formulated all that in a way that I didn't spoil anything.) Let's just say if one character pissed you off like they did me, you won't be terribly sad about this sequence. Then again how Lena knows about it without any input and being off in the woods when it happens is odd, too…
There is only now. Only continued survival.
Still, this was a fun little read. If I had to compare Stone's style to any author I've read before, Debra Castaneda springs to mind which, yes, I do mean as a compliment. And like I've mentioned in a couple of reviews of her books, I wish that Stone would have pushed things a little bit farther, with the potential for carnage (just look at that cover!!!) and terror waiting to be utilized! And again, I think both authors are very inventive in their story-telling, with intelligent plotting and well-formed characters. What I'd really like to see though is Stone reach deep and shock the hell out of me next time. Otherwise, whatever will Mother think? Remember kids: resistance is futile!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A tense and atmospheric horror/thriller about the lengths a person will go to for their family, the loneliness of being in a one sided relationship, the destructiveness of social media and how desperate people are to feel included/feel like they belong—Lovely Flesh is Michael Stone’s latest and from the first paragraph I knew this was going to be an impossible book to put down. Excellent prose, vivid descriptions, and tension that made my muscles ache; this one needs to go to the top of your TBR this summer.
Wesley, Loretta, and Lena are a family in Oklahoma on the verge of breaking. Lena was born with a facial deformity that attracted bullying for years that eventually led to a suicide attempt. After Wesley’s diagnosis and Loretta’s affair, the family decides to get a fresh start in Pretty Rivers, a small Utah town that promises a better life in all facets, boasting a culture that seems to value inner beauty over external—in other words, a perfect place perfect for Lena. After arriving however, Wesley’s idealistic vision for his family is ripped apart as the transition seems to go a little too smoothly. As he peels back the layers of this inclusive, utopian town, he quickly discovers the true horrors bubbling under the ground of Pretty Rivers.
Wesley’s biggest fear seems to be failing. As a son, a husband, a father, and by the end of the book, a human being. This fear pushes him through his arc and despite not agreeing with a lot of his choices I loved rooting for him to keep finding the next right thing to do even though his entire world was shattering in front of his eyes. One of the most intriguing parts of Wesley to me was his willingness to sacrifice one part of his life for another. It’s not an enjoyable reality we all share, but sometimes you have to leave one person behind to save another, and Wesley (again I don’t agree with all of his choices) was forced time and time again to choose between two bad options and it is impossible not to empathize with such an honest part of the human condition. Much like the Fast and Furious franchise, this story is about family. When you strip away the Stepford Wives and Body Snatcher vibes, you’re left with a tale about a man struggling to navigate his place as a provider, husband, son, father, and teacher. Wesley’s different hats aren’t what make him so relatable though, it’s his ability to fail and keep going—his resilience that is clearly, very deeply rooted in love for his family.
Lovely Flesh is pretty straightforward, though there’s a reveal I wouldn’t necessarily call it a twist, but the intensity builds until all hell breaks loose in the most phenomenal way. It hits a lot of classic horror notes that triggered waves of nostalgia as I moved through the pages. Stone seemed to use classic tropes to help lull the reader into a sense of familiarity before showing them the monstrosity he created. The set up is a perfect precursor to the visceral and absolutely disgusting reveal/climax where Wesley finally gets to prove his worth. In a beautiful merger of horror and sci-fi, Lovely Flesh took one of my favorite tropes—small, idyllic town with something sinister underneath—and infused it with cosmic/eldritch dread and then proceeds to run the reader through a gauntlet of perpetual bad luck for Wesley and his family.
Lovely Flesh releases July 15 and you can find Michael Stone at www.michaelstonebooks.com
Wesley, Loretta, and Lena are a family in Oklahoma on the verge of breaking. Lena was born with a facial deformity that attracted bullying for years that eventually led to a suicide attempt. After Wesley’s diagnosis and Loretta’s affair, the family decides to get a fresh start in Pretty Rivers, a small Utah town that promises a better life in all facets, boasting a culture that seems to value inner beauty over external—in other words, a perfect place perfect for Lena. After arriving however, Wesley’s idealistic vision for his family is ripped apart as the transition seems to go a little too smoothly. As he peels back the layers of this inclusive, utopian town, he quickly discovers the true horrors bubbling under the ground of Pretty Rivers.
Wesley’s biggest fear seems to be failing. As a son, a husband, a father, and by the end of the book, a human being. This fear pushes him through his arc and despite not agreeing with a lot of his choices I loved rooting for him to keep finding the next right thing to do even though his entire world was shattering in front of his eyes. One of the most intriguing parts of Wesley to me was his willingness to sacrifice one part of his life for another. It’s not an enjoyable reality we all share, but sometimes you have to leave one person behind to save another, and Wesley (again I don’t agree with all of his choices) was forced time and time again to choose between two bad options and it is impossible not to empathize with such an honest part of the human condition. Much like the Fast and Furious franchise, this story is about family. When you strip away the Stepford Wives and Body Snatcher vibes, you’re left with a tale about a man struggling to navigate his place as a provider, husband, son, father, and teacher. Wesley’s different hats aren’t what make him so relatable though, it’s his ability to fail and keep going—his resilience that is clearly, very deeply rooted in love for his family.
Lovely Flesh is pretty straightforward, though there’s a reveal I wouldn’t necessarily call it a twist, but the intensity builds until all hell breaks loose in the most phenomenal way. It hits a lot of classic horror notes that triggered waves of nostalgia as I moved through the pages. Stone seemed to use classic tropes to help lull the reader into a sense of familiarity before showing them the monstrosity he created. The set up is a perfect precursor to the visceral and absolutely disgusting reveal/climax where Wesley finally gets to prove his worth. In a beautiful merger of horror and sci-fi, Lovely Flesh took one of my favorite tropes—small, idyllic town with something sinister underneath—and infused it with cosmic/eldritch dread and then proceeds to run the reader through a gauntlet of perpetual bad luck for Wesley and his family.
Lovely Flesh releases July 15 and you can find Michael Stone at www.michaelstonebooks.com
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of Lovely Flesh by Michael Stone to review with my honest opinion. And that opinion is this: this is a flat-out fantastic book and I loved it.
I was instantly sucked in by the prologue which establishes the eerie tone right away and beautifully sets up the mysterious events that follow. I devoured this book in two sittings because each chapter makes you hungry for more. The plot never sags and the momentum just keeps building until the dam finally breaks and slimy secrets and satisfying surprises gush out. You might want to wear a parka.
The story follows Wesley Harrison, his wife Loretta, and their daughter Lena as they navigate some really tough times. Wesley has cancer and his father has gone missing. Loretta is cheating on him and Lena is suicidal due in part from being bullied by other teens about her facial deformity. Now, that sounds pretty bleak, but I guarantee you this isn’t a bleak novel. It takes these troubles and uses them to explore what’s really important in life and how families function through their dysfunction. How families bond through trauma and survive through love.
When Wesley is offered a job at a school in a small town called Pretty River he sees it as a chance to give his family a fresh start and give his daughter a place where she isn’t burdened with the weight of being bullied. But things are immediately strange, before they even arrive. The town isn’t on a map, and they are warned not to go. When they finally arrive, things seem a little too perfect. The townspeople are overly friendly and everything seems just a little off. And what’s that sound in the air…
The word that kept popping in my head to describe the town was ‘uncanny.’ You can feel something strange bubbling just beneath the surface. The tension builds and never backs down. And the reveal is satisfying and earned.
Throughout the book, you really get to care for the characters. They aren’t just cookie cutter props to drive the story. Wesley is a truly loving father and would do anything for his family. He also possesses a level of emotional intelligence that you rarely see in horror, though he’s not always able to act perfectly on it. That makes him human. In fact there is a theme about what makes us human, messy as we are.
The horror is quite well done. There is a creeping sense of dread and some excellent body horror. One thing Michael Stone really does well is giving sensory input with vivid descriptions that never seem pointless or superfluous but that pull you physically into the space and mindset of Wesley. You feel the world along with him.
But on top of everything else, this book is just really fun. It’s a pleasure to read and sometimes feels like you’re watching a great suspense/horror movie. It’s very visual and exciting. Plus Wesley once describes sex as “intermittent dick parlays” which is just chef’s kiss.
There are several times when I was reading that I literally said out loud “God, this is good.” And I have to mention the cover art too. It’s incredible as you can see. I can’t recommend this enough.
I was instantly sucked in by the prologue which establishes the eerie tone right away and beautifully sets up the mysterious events that follow. I devoured this book in two sittings because each chapter makes you hungry for more. The plot never sags and the momentum just keeps building until the dam finally breaks and slimy secrets and satisfying surprises gush out. You might want to wear a parka.
The story follows Wesley Harrison, his wife Loretta, and their daughter Lena as they navigate some really tough times. Wesley has cancer and his father has gone missing. Loretta is cheating on him and Lena is suicidal due in part from being bullied by other teens about her facial deformity. Now, that sounds pretty bleak, but I guarantee you this isn’t a bleak novel. It takes these troubles and uses them to explore what’s really important in life and how families function through their dysfunction. How families bond through trauma and survive through love.
When Wesley is offered a job at a school in a small town called Pretty River he sees it as a chance to give his family a fresh start and give his daughter a place where she isn’t burdened with the weight of being bullied. But things are immediately strange, before they even arrive. The town isn’t on a map, and they are warned not to go. When they finally arrive, things seem a little too perfect. The townspeople are overly friendly and everything seems just a little off. And what’s that sound in the air…
The word that kept popping in my head to describe the town was ‘uncanny.’ You can feel something strange bubbling just beneath the surface. The tension builds and never backs down. And the reveal is satisfying and earned.
Throughout the book, you really get to care for the characters. They aren’t just cookie cutter props to drive the story. Wesley is a truly loving father and would do anything for his family. He also possesses a level of emotional intelligence that you rarely see in horror, though he’s not always able to act perfectly on it. That makes him human. In fact there is a theme about what makes us human, messy as we are.
The horror is quite well done. There is a creeping sense of dread and some excellent body horror. One thing Michael Stone really does well is giving sensory input with vivid descriptions that never seem pointless or superfluous but that pull you physically into the space and mindset of Wesley. You feel the world along with him.
But on top of everything else, this book is just really fun. It’s a pleasure to read and sometimes feels like you’re watching a great suspense/horror movie. It’s very visual and exciting. Plus Wesley once describes sex as “intermittent dick parlays” which is just chef’s kiss.
There are several times when I was reading that I literally said out loud “God, this is good.” And I have to mention the cover art too. It’s incredible as you can see. I can’t recommend this enough.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 4.25
A private school, missing people, and cosmic horror? Oh yes! Michael Stone absolutely leans into it with no restraint.
If you’re hoping for a cozy small-town mystery, consider this your Jedi mind trick moment: this is not that story. Instead, it’s a brutal, emotionally charged descent into the corrosive effects of social media, identity, and the desperate lengths a family will go to for a second chance.
We follow the Harrison family, who are, to put it mildly, barely holding together. Wesley is trying to salvage both his marriage and his teenage daughter Lena, who is unraveling under severe mental health strain following a traumatic facial deformity. When he’s offered a job at Pretty River Preparatory School in Wyoming, it feels like salvation: better pay, free tuition, and a town obsessed with “inner beauty.”
But Pretty River is wrong in a way that’s hard to name at first. The rules of reality feel loose here. The deeper the Harrisons become entangled in the school’s culture and “curriculum,” the more the story shifts into unsettling body horror and cosmic dread. Stone uses the setting to explore disturbing questions about self-image, conformity, and what we’re willing to erase or reshape in ourselves to belong.
The atmosphere is thick with that persistent sense of unease with the unmistakable feeling that something is fundamentally off. Stone’s prose is dense and tactile, you don’t just read it, you feel it. Everything is described with a kind of raw closeness that can be both hypnotic and deeply uncomfortable. There’s very little distance between the reader and the protagonist’s inner world, which makes the descent feel claustrophobic.
Overall, Lovely Flesh is an intensely heavy read. It confronts suicide attempts, severe mental health challenges, and graphic body horror head-on, weaving them into a blend of psychological and cosmic horror that feels deeply unsettling. At its core, it’s held together by a fractured family dynamic that’s as compelling as it is bleak.
A private school, missing people, and cosmic horror? Oh yes! Michael Stone absolutely leans into it with no restraint.
If you’re hoping for a cozy small-town mystery, consider this your Jedi mind trick moment: this is not that story. Instead, it’s a brutal, emotionally charged descent into the corrosive effects of social media, identity, and the desperate lengths a family will go to for a second chance.
We follow the Harrison family, who are, to put it mildly, barely holding together. Wesley is trying to salvage both his marriage and his teenage daughter Lena, who is unraveling under severe mental health strain following a traumatic facial deformity. When he’s offered a job at Pretty River Preparatory School in Wyoming, it feels like salvation: better pay, free tuition, and a town obsessed with “inner beauty.”
But Pretty River is wrong in a way that’s hard to name at first. The rules of reality feel loose here. The deeper the Harrisons become entangled in the school’s culture and “curriculum,” the more the story shifts into unsettling body horror and cosmic dread. Stone uses the setting to explore disturbing questions about self-image, conformity, and what we’re willing to erase or reshape in ourselves to belong.
The atmosphere is thick with that persistent sense of unease with the unmistakable feeling that something is fundamentally off. Stone’s prose is dense and tactile, you don’t just read it, you feel it. Everything is described with a kind of raw closeness that can be both hypnotic and deeply uncomfortable. There’s very little distance between the reader and the protagonist’s inner world, which makes the descent feel claustrophobic.
Overall, Lovely Flesh is an intensely heavy read. It confronts suicide attempts, severe mental health challenges, and graphic body horror head-on, weaving them into a blend of psychological and cosmic horror that feels deeply unsettling. At its core, it’s held together by a fractured family dynamic that’s as compelling as it is bleak.
Review of advance copy received from Book of the Month
Super stoked to have finally jumped on the Michael Stone train. I definitely need to grab The Shimmering asap as this was a fun, bizarre read. Plenty of freaky ass body horror and just that constant unwavering feeling of unease. Lovely Flesh follows the Harrison family trio. Lena, the teenaged daughter, has hemifacial microsomia which results in her face being underdeveloped in places. Lena attempts suicide which leaves her parents constantly worried about her mental wellbeing. Additionally, Lena’s grandfather, Virgil, disappears which causes significant stress emotional (and often physical) distance within the small family. Lena’s parents, Wesley and Loretta, have come to a difficult place in their marriage. An opportunity for the family to start afresh presents itself and Wesley is intent on taking it and correcting the family’s asynchronous trajectory. Unfortunately things get pretty weird as soon as they arrive in their new home. Lena and Loretta seem completely at peace, yet Wesley feels something is wrong. Everything seems perfect but just like life, beauty lies in the imperfections and when there aren’t any, things are off.
There is significant body horror in this one and if you’re a visual reader then good luck 😬. I really enjoyed Lovely Flesh. It was something new and the general sense of discomfort was very compelling. The writing is accessible yet vivid. Things amp up very quickly when the Harrisons arrive in Pretty River and I would have loved some additional build up with the town and how it functions on a daily level. The characters were well written but also prone to aggravating decision making as one often finds in horror. If you appreciate body horror with a Stepford Wives vibe then I’d definitely give this one a read. The ending is left a bit ambiguous which always gives my mind some room to wander which I appreciate. I don’t know where all these dope indie horror authors are popping up from but I hope the trend continues because I’ll never run out of new authors to check out. Recommended.
There is significant body horror in this one and if you’re a visual reader then good luck 😬. I really enjoyed Lovely Flesh. It was something new and the general sense of discomfort was very compelling. The writing is accessible yet vivid. Things amp up very quickly when the Harrisons arrive in Pretty River and I would have loved some additional build up with the town and how it functions on a daily level. The characters were well written but also prone to aggravating decision making as one often finds in horror. If you appreciate body horror with a Stepford Wives vibe then I’d definitely give this one a read. The ending is left a bit ambiguous which always gives my mind some room to wander which I appreciate. I don’t know where all these dope indie horror authors are popping up from but I hope the trend continues because I’ll never run out of new authors to check out. Recommended.
Review of advance copy
”misty, we offer you lovely flesh.”
so weird girl core! ⋆˚౨ৎ ⋆.˚ 🧠🩷
unique skin rupturing cosmic horror that hauls you in and will offer you the loveliest of flesh?
consider this your cue!
this story follows a man, wesley.
he has a lot going on in his rough life.
family dynamics, his father gone missing, he’s diagnosed with cancer, his daughter is getting bullied for her condition & his wife is having an affair with their therapist
”her features melt like playdough being reshaped into a new form, her head isn’t breaking… it’s transforming. the fracture splits into two flaps, dividing her head into two wings. a flower slowly blooming, revealing its nectar inside.”
his daughter lena has a facial deformity condition called hemifacial microsomia.
she gets accepted to pretty river preparatory.
a private school for girls that commits to their inner beauty. shrouded by a sense of subtle unease that bubbles beneath the surface and ominous mystery, it begins to unravel. you just wait..
i love the emotional intelligence each character brought to the table.
a very chill weave through fractured household dynamics x otherworldly body horror leading to an intense ending
lovely flesh intended to paint an entire structured movie in my mind.
my first arc from booksirens!
i saw this and the beautiful self portrait cover immediately attracted me! :)
”i don’t think you really understand our species, or what makes us human. it’s not perfection that’s beautiful, it’s suffering. it’s what shapes us. the strength to live through it. the imperfections, the pain, the hurt… that’s where the beauty is, even if it takes some of us a lifetime to see it. suffering is what makes us who we are. that’s what’s beautiful.”
thank you booksirens for the arc in exchange for my honest review!~
so weird girl core! ⋆˚౨ৎ ⋆.˚ 🧠🩷
unique skin rupturing cosmic horror that hauls you in and will offer you the loveliest of flesh?
consider this your cue!
this story follows a man, wesley.
he has a lot going on in his rough life.
family dynamics, his father gone missing, he’s diagnosed with cancer, his daughter is getting bullied for her condition & his wife is having an affair with their therapist
”her features melt like playdough being reshaped into a new form, her head isn’t breaking… it’s transforming. the fracture splits into two flaps, dividing her head into two wings. a flower slowly blooming, revealing its nectar inside.”
his daughter lena has a facial deformity condition called hemifacial microsomia.
she gets accepted to pretty river preparatory.
a private school for girls that commits to their inner beauty. shrouded by a sense of subtle unease that bubbles beneath the surface and ominous mystery, it begins to unravel. you just wait..
i love the emotional intelligence each character brought to the table.
a very chill weave through fractured household dynamics x otherworldly body horror leading to an intense ending
lovely flesh intended to paint an entire structured movie in my mind.
my first arc from booksirens!
i saw this and the beautiful self portrait cover immediately attracted me! :)
”i don’t think you really understand our species, or what makes us human. it’s not perfection that’s beautiful, it’s suffering. it’s what shapes us. the strength to live through it. the imperfections, the pain, the hurt… that’s where the beauty is, even if it takes some of us a lifetime to see it. suffering is what makes us who we are. that’s what’s beautiful.”
thank you booksirens for the arc in exchange for my honest review!~
Review of advance copy received from Author
A masterclass in small town paranoia, unnerving body horror, and powerful family drama! "Lovely Flesh" takes the familiar horror trope of "perfect town harboring sinister secrets", and gives it a dazzling science fictional spin: Wesley's dysfunctional family is shaken up even further when Wesley's father disappears; trying to salvage his marriage and his daughter's mental health, he takes the job of teacher in the small town of Pretty River; and he only lasts a day before realizing what a huge mistake he's made: Pretty River doesn't officially exist; every student in the all-girls school he's teaching in, effortlessly aces her test without a single mistake; and everybody looks young, healthy, and beautiful! What kind of a nightmare is this?
I especially liked how Wesley was portrayed as both a good father and a deeply flawed husband. Although not easy to relate to, I appreciated his effort to rise to the occasion, doing his best despite being overwhelmed by bad luck and huge moral dilemmas no one should be faced with. Complementary to this, I hated his wife and had very little patience for her excuses. Others will probably feel the reverse - a testament to Stone's extraordinary skill of creating believable, complex, and realistic characters. Indeed, I'd claim that characterization is the book's strongest suit, the sci-fi horror elements placing second.
The ending left me wondering if there's a sequel in the works. Certain outstanding questions remained, though they were posed clearly in the last third of the book. Considering how fast-paced that part turned out to be, the lack of full answers made perfect sense to me!
Either way, if you enjoy well-crafted tales that keep you guessing till the very last page, "Lovely Flesh" is a must-read!
I especially liked how Wesley was portrayed as both a good father and a deeply flawed husband. Although not easy to relate to, I appreciated his effort to rise to the occasion, doing his best despite being overwhelmed by bad luck and huge moral dilemmas no one should be faced with. Complementary to this, I hated his wife and had very little patience for her excuses. Others will probably feel the reverse - a testament to Stone's extraordinary skill of creating believable, complex, and realistic characters. Indeed, I'd claim that characterization is the book's strongest suit, the sci-fi horror elements placing second.
The ending left me wondering if there's a sequel in the works. Certain outstanding questions remained, though they were posed clearly in the last third of the book. Considering how fast-paced that part turned out to be, the lack of full answers made perfect sense to me!
Either way, if you enjoy well-crafted tales that keep you guessing till the very last page, "Lovely Flesh" is a must-read!
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