Mommy Issues - An Extreme Horror Novella

by J.N. Bamforth

Be My Baby

With a screaming newborn and a cheating husband, Meredith is left to suffer, feeling isolated in her own home with nowhere to run.

But what happens when that screaming becomes too much?

The only thing Meredith wants is silence, and her little family, together forever.

This is an extreme horror intended for mature audiences only.

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2026

Reviews

[GCR | Book Realm]

If you’re looking for a deep, character-driven horror story, this probably isn’t it. This is the kind of novella you pick up because you want something completely unhinged that isn’t afraid to cross lines and make you question what you’re reading every few pages.

It also touches on postpartum depression, which is a very real and serious subject. The story takes that idea to an extreme, over-the-top place, but it kept the book from feeling like it was relying on shock value alone.

I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy extreme horror, splatterpunk, fast-paced novellas, and stories that fully embrace the chaos.

[Lia's Haunted Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please check your trigger warnings before picking this one up. Bamforth is incredibly open about what to expect without spoiling anything, so do yourself a favor and read them first.

This story follows a woman who has just given birth and is in the grip of postpartum depression and psychosis. We experience the birth, the aftermath, and the slow unraveling of what comes next. What she sees, what she feels, and what she does in that fractured state goes to places that are deeply unsettling and impossible to look away from.

Extreme horror at its most human and most horrifying… That’s truly horrifying.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fucking wild if you
Enjoy gross horror you must read this

[The_5ft_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt a little too real, it's horrifyin, it's graphic it's sad

[Michelle Matejka]

I’m gonna start with this is horror for sure don’t get into it if you don’t do blood, guts, infant death, etc. It’s a lot.

Now to get into it without giving away the entire plot. So let’s just say so much happens in 35 pages. It’s unbelievable. There so so much plot and development in such a short time and I’m shocked and awed. At the same time there are so many questions at the ending still.

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

The author was not kidding with her warning and trigger page!! Wow, this is the epitome of EH!
Descriptive, repulsive, gory, fast, unhinged and brutal. Did I forget brilliant???
Devoured this book in one wee sitting and cannot wait to see what else this author can bring to the extreme side of horror.

[WᴇᴛWʜıʟᴇRᴇᴀᴅıɴɢ ッ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um yes that mommy definitely has issues, what the fuck did I just read 😳

[˗ˋˏ mckenna ˎˊ˗]

i actually feel nauseous 🥴 although i can’t say the author didnt warn me…

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any, and I mean any triggers regarding babies then for the love of all that is holy do not read this one…Jordan has put the triggers on her website so do read those before entering ⛔️

That being said I went in blind cos that’s just me, it’s is a quick horror read maybe a sick horror read depending upon your point of view 😬 I did enjoy it in some morose way, and in a weird way I kind of understood where Jordan’s mind went with this one 😈 I can’t really say more as it’s such a super fast horror, gore read I’d give too much away.

[Staysha Ellinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I’m honestly so proud of the author. She put so much in such a little time. I’m honestly so happy with how this turn out. Great descriptions. I loved the insanity that was happening, the voices… love this.

[Becki 🤎 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy Issues 🤯🫣

Oh wow, well this was 35 pages of 🤯 you know when theirs a second trigger warning page before the next few chapters that it’s going to be EXTREME & OMG 😱🫣

With a screaming newborn and a cheating husband Meredith is left to suffer, feeling isolated in her own home with no where to run.

But what happens when that screaming becomes too much? The only thing Meredith wants is silence & her little family together…FOREVER 👀

Yeah postnatal psychosis is no joke! Sheeesh that was ROUGH & also so grim 🤢💩 that part had me gagging, not surprising considering the second page had me wincing and crossing my legs so hard too 🤣🤣

It was WILD, please do check those triggers before going into it, it’s heavy! Released yesterday & available on KU so go & read this little nastyyyy 👏🏼

Thank you for the ARC, as always it’s an honour 🫶🏻🤎

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ THE TRIGGERS!!!!!!! That's all I can say!!

[Caffs37 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was wild and not for the faint hearted!!… always love me some random craziness though!! Read your triggers because this one could defo get you!!

[Kayla Craske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy definitely has issues 😱🤣

Bloody loved this. Extreme horror so be warned. 👀 I won’t be forgetting this book in a hurry. Horrific story but also heartbreaking. I can’t wait for more extreme horror from J.N.Bamforth. ❤️

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best EH Novella I have read to date! Horrendously graphic, but so much packed into just 35 pages! The author is very clear with the trigger warnings before the first chapter and reminds you again before the graphic scenes. Please please ensure to read these first.

[Shannon's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean.. the author does absolutely warn you multiple times.. please make sure you read the triggers.

I dont even know how to rate this, it's written really well and had me captivated from the start. Its everything you want in an extreme horror, and also covers an extremely important subject.

[Mims · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it bad that i wanted this to be longer ?🤣
I felt like the cheating husband needed abit more suffering.
The post natal psychosis was an interesting concept and was delivered extremely well. The writing was very well done in this too. Highly recommend if youre a fan of extreme horrors/splatter punks or WTF did i just read novellas.

More of these please!

[Leighanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second ARC from this author and it did not disappoint! It was disgusting, diabolical and straight up wrong in so many ways… and yet, I couldn’t put it down. The graphic body horror made my upper lip curl and I actually feel a bit scarred 😂
Morbid curiosity got me here and I’m worried that I could never leave.

[Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very real view inside PTSD and post partum

⭐⭐⭐⭐

CHECK THE TRIGGERS !!!

This one sat with me in a way I didn't expect.

It's a short novella so don't go in expecting a long read, but it packs a lot into a small space like less than 30 pages. It got me so hard in the feels that my heart genuinely ached for her.



It's dark — but honestly not as dark as the warnings had me bracing for. That's not a complaint, just worth knowing going in. Its horror for sure but the gore is to herself and not the child if that helps anyone decide.


What it is, is a really serious and painful look at what birth trauma, postpartum depression, and PTSD can do to a person when they have zero support around them. 

The FMC's psychosis doesn't come out of nowhere — it's the result of a medical team that failed her completely and a husband who was checked out and unfaithful.

She didn't fall apart. She was let down by every single person who should have caught her, supported her or gotten her help. It would have changed everything. 



She deserved so much better. That baby deserved so much better. They were set up for failure. 


It's not a perfect book and the shortness does leave some things underdeveloped, but the emotional core of it is real and it clearly came from somewhere honest. This was probably due to my own personal experience with a rough postpartum recovery but this got me in my feelings.

[J.L.B. Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow what a fucking ride! My bestie said "here's a quick read for your lunch break." - safe to say I couldn't continue eating. It was horrifying... IN THE BEST WAY! Want a book that will make you feel? I wish you luck, is all I can say. Such a delightful little nugget (*screwing my face up at that description because NOTHING was delightful—in the best way lol I just can't articulate myself right now but off I go to read the authors entire backlist!

[Marley Ghostfern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book truly is like a train wreck that you can’t pull your eyes off. What. The. F*ck. If you have any triggers, you should read the warnings before reading this story.
This was unhinged and deeply uncomfortable. The post parfum psychosis and descriptive gore.. Heavy stuff! Very unsettling to read.
So: Good job on writing this horror. It definitely delivered (pun not intended🤐).

[Quiet_one · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wtf did i just read?! .. This was absolutely wild! Completely vile and very unhinged!

[Lesley Camphouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first part hurt me more than I'm willing to admit. IYKYK.
Another reason to stay child-free for me.

This was such a short but effective read. In Mommy Issues, we follow Meredith as she gives birth, and, well, that's all I'm going to say; you have to experience this yourself.

[Megan Mellady · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the f was that????
I am absolutely horrified. I don't think scared was ever the right term. This was gory and brutal. Bodily horror and putrid filth. Thats the best I can do right now. I've got to go touch some grass. In a field of flowers. In the sunshine. For about a month. 🫣🫣🫣

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! That was a messed up ride for first thing this morning!! I loved it!
This is NOT something to read if you are squeamish or have a soft disposition, me however I thought it was amazing!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

❌️ ARC REVIEW ❌️

Mommy Issues by J.N.Bamforth

❌️ RELEASING JUNE 15th ❌️

My Rating: 4☆
Horror Level: 5/5
Extreme Horror
Novella - 35 Pages
Postpartum Psychosis
Distressing Scenes
Read With Caution
Not For The Weak

❌️ READ TRIGGER WARNINGS ❌️
❌️ DO NOT GO IN BLIND ❌️
❌️ READER DISCRETION IS EXTREMELY ADVISED ❌️

AUTHORS NOTE:
Reader discretion is advised. This extreme horror novella has graphic scenes from start to finish, with highly disturbing themes that some readers may find upsetting.

Nah. You WILL find them extremely upsetting unless you LOVE this kind of thing.

But wow. What a mindf*ck. I basically read this in one sitting. I thought I knew what extreme horror was, but this is the MOST DISTURBING novella I've ever read. 5 out of 5. And it's only 35 pages. I got sick to my stomach. I had to pause every few paragraphs just to hyperventilate a little. At one point, I thought I would DNF. I regretted signing up for the ARC. But the weird thing is, I ended up liking this story at the end. The ending was exactly what it needed to be. And it's actually very sad. The more you sit on it and think about the meaning, it's sad.

I don't even remember why I signed up for this ARC. It was most likely curiosity after reading the trigger warnings when I saw it on FB. But even with those warnings, it's still not what I expected. Like the author said, you know you shouldn’t look but you can’t bring yourself to stop. I couldn't DNF. I just had to know the ending.

You HAVE to read trigger warnings. You MUST. You cannot go in blind. You're curious? Not enough. Unless you're ready for extreme horror; unless you can stomach anything; and I mean anything, this is not for you. This is EXTREMELY DISTURBING to the max. There is NO romance. NO HEA. NO erotic anything. It's pure HORROR. I am very glad it is only 35 pages. Not sure I could have handled anything longer. 😅 It's that GRAPHIC.

Regardless how disturbing it is, I'm glad I read this novella. Learned something new about myself as a reader. I can definitely get sick to my stomach. 😅

Thank you for choosing me to ARC read this novella. I would definitely read more by this author. Mommy Issues will be available to read on June 15th.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

35 pages of:
WTF
JEEEZ
OUCH
OMG!
WHAT?!
SHE DIDN’T?!

Spoilers ahead:

Credit where credit is due.. the author knows exactly how to shock you..
I read it early this morning.. I don’t read triggers, I just jump head first into reads - you say they’re dark or twisted, great I’ll read it - BUT, I need YOU reading this and thinking oh let’s go read this book after this review, to double, triple check those triggers. I’m a horror lover so I don’t have any triggers in the genre but I know others do, so please for your own mental health’s sake, read the triggers.

This, even though very short, packs one hell of smack you in the face with the constant wtf moments.
You think you’ve read it all.. yeah think again!
Now of course, the subject to which this book is primarily about is a tough one, but then JN takes that, puts all her ideas into a blender and gives you this book. Never fails to shake things up that’s for sure.
I’ve never had children, but the description at the beginning. Let’s say it like this: you know when men see another guy get injured in the Crown Jewels and squirm in pity and mental agony for their fellow Crown Jewel owners.. I had that kind of moment but as a female. Crossed my legs and everything in the moments reading it. So well described and written excellent enough to make me feel that. - side note: anyone going through that pain riddled torture in child birth, I bow my head to you 💕
Then we have the story after the birth, you know the one where the author actually puts a page in-between to give you a second warning not to go further if you know it’ll trigger you. Yeah that. Wow.
My brain is still reeling from everything. It’s insane (no pun intended), but so well written that you can’t help but carry on.
Okay I’m done, I don’t want to spoil too much.

I will repeat, please check the triggers, please be aware of what’s inside the book before continuing, please take a moment to make sure you’re ready for Mommy Issues.
And if you delve into it upon that knowledge, I hope you enjoy the authors creativity & horrific story telling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Faiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️ Extreme horror readers, consider this your warning. ⚠️

Mommy Issues by J.N. Bramforth may be short at only 35 pages, but don't let the page count fool you. This is one of those stories that manages to crawl under your skin and stay there long after you've finished reading. 😳📖

From the very first page, there's an overwhelming feeling that something is deeply wrong. What begins as a glimpse into a mother's increasingly difficult reality slowly transforms into a nightmare that becomes more disturbing with every chapter. The sense of unease never lets up, and neither does the emotional weight of the story.

😨 Every time I thought I understood where the plot was heading, J.N. Bramforth pushed things even further into darker territory. The tension continues to build until you're left feeling trapped in the same suffocating atmosphere as the characters.

What made this story especially effective for me wasn't just the horror itself—it was the raw emotional pain woven throughout the narrative. Themes of isolation, mental anguish, and a family struggling to hold itself together create an experience that's just as heartbreaking as it is horrifying. 💔

This isn't the kind of horror that relies solely on gore or shock value. Instead, it digs into deeply uncomfortable emotions and situations, making the story feel unsettling on a much more personal level. 😖

That said, please take the trigger warnings seriously. 🚨 They're not there as a suggestion. This book tackles some extremely distressing subject matter that won't be suitable for every reader.

If you're someone who enjoys extreme horror that leaves you feeling unsettled, emotionally drained, and unable to stop thinking about it afterward, Mommy Issues
absolutely delivers. 🖤

Dark. Harrowing. Disturbing. Memorable.

J.N. Bramforth proves that you don't need hundreds of pages to leave a lasting impact—sometimes 35 pages is more than enough. 😵‍💫📚

[Kitty 💋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Erm..
WTF??
NOOO!
SHE PUT WHAT WERE??

This was my second ARC from this JN and she never disappoints!

This was 35 pages of squeezing my thighs together and bracing for impact 🫣🫣
I cannot fathom how so many feelings can be packed into just 35 pages 😳

I went through the wringer of emotions with this one!
I went from feeling sadness and heartbreak, to is that possible? Surely not? Back to disgust and WTF? 🫣
Did not think that was at all possible in 35 pages!

As a mum who experienced PND (during Covid) with my first child, I could relate to the FMC in some ways and feel that with support (and not a cheating piece of 💩husband) in the first stages of motherhood the outcome would have been different for the family. Even though then it wouldn’t be the dark and twisted JN we love so much 🫶🏻
This read made me realise that maybe my lockdown maternity leave could have been worse 😅

Without giving away any spoilers, it’s going to be a while before I get pregnant again!
Someone please tell my husband that the baby machine is out of order until further notice 🤣🤣

As always, JN I adore everything written 🖤

Please please read the triggers before reading this one kittens. It is DARK 🖤
Proceed with caution ⚠️