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What Lies Between: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 5 Jan 27In this stunning debut gothic fantasy, a young woman haunted by the mystery of her sister’s death must infiltrate a deadly banquet, hosted by her former lover, to finally gain the closure she deserves. A reimagining of Poe’s "The Tell-Tale Heart" with a romantic twist that begs the What makes a villain? Ianira Henbane knows that Lucien Blackwood is a murderer. All she needs is proof. Condemned as a madwoman, Ianira spent ten years immured in an asylum for the Tainted—those who gain magic through death, at the cost of their sanity. Now released on probation, she’s desperate to expose her sister’s murderer and reclaim her freedom. But only one man holds the her first love, Lucien Blackwood. Unfortunately, since he’s the prime suspect, things are a bit...complicated between them. After a decade of silence, Lucien is finally re-opening the doors to Blackwood Manor for a once-in-a-lifetime competition. He’s seeking a successor to inherit his family’s magic; a proposal that’s too tempting for the greedy residents of Callidor to resist. It’s also Ianira’s last chance to confront him before he leaves the city for good. The succession takes a deadly turn when Lucien enchants his guests with a slow-acting poison and seals them inside the manor. With only seven days to earn an antidote, Ianira has no choice but to compete if she’s going to expose Lucien’s crimes. As stakes rise and old feelings stir new passion between them, Ianira and Lucien are faced with an impossible die holding on to their demons or live to become something far worse. What Lies Between is a daring debut that’s perfect for fans of lyrical prose and forbidden romance. Death games Second-chance romance Creepy manor Forbidden romance Retelling of a literary classic
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 5, 2027
About the author
C.C. Foster
1 book29 followersC.C. Foster grew up in northern England before moving to the USA in 2019, where she now resides in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and spends most of her days experimenting with story. When she’s not writing spooky fantasy novels, you can find her deep in video games, ignoring her pile of unread books, or crying over The Haunting of Bly Manor.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 17, 20263.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Book provided by NETGALLEY
This story started so strong. I loved the atmosphere, the tension, the lyrical writing and the mystery. But around the 60% mark I just lost a ton of interest. I could tell where the story was headed and guessed the twist and it all just felt a little… lackluster? It felt like there was so much concern about keeping the book short that a lot of important detail and development got left behind. This book would have been SO much more impactful with another 50 pages woven in.
I wanted more emotion, more build up, more mystery and horror! This felt looking at the tip of the iceberg when I was expecting the whole titanic.
This book also didn’t feel “adult” to me. It felt YA/NA crossover at best… Ianira did not feel 28 at any point in the story. And I totally get with her background why she may not be the most… mature, but I just kept imagining all the characters as late teens with their inner monologues and attitudes.
Also I’m really sorry but the bi rep felt forced and unnatural in the story I was disappointed. I did enjoy Willow’s character being a kind of foil for Nira’s but the whole attraction side bit didn’t work for me.
The romance was… both good and not. I just don’t think it resonated with me because it felt like a lot of explaining how they felt and very little showing. Their inner monologues about each other were 95% reflective yearning and angst. I’m just really not into the storyline of the guy being down bad and the girl never admitting she cares… a relationship should be a partnership and tbh they both deserved better than each other 😂 but I guess that was also the point
Some of the big plot details just didn’t resonate with me, but I enjoyed the overall atmosphere, story line and loved the lyrical writing! So many great quotes!
This story started so strong. I loved the atmosphere, the tension, the lyrical writing and the mystery. But around the 60% mark I just lost a ton of interest. I could tell where the story was headed and guessed the twist and it all just felt a little… lackluster? It felt like there was so much concern about keeping the book short that a lot of important detail and development got left behind. This book would have been SO much more impactful with another 50 pages woven in.
I wanted more emotion, more build up, more mystery and horror! This felt looking at the tip of the iceberg when I was expecting the whole titanic.
This book also didn’t feel “adult” to me. It felt YA/NA crossover at best… Ianira did not feel 28 at any point in the story. And I totally get with her background why she may not be the most… mature, but I just kept imagining all the characters as late teens with their inner monologues and attitudes.
Also I’m really sorry but the bi rep felt forced and unnatural in the story I was disappointed. I did enjoy Willow’s character being a kind of foil for Nira’s but the whole attraction side bit didn’t work for me.
The romance was… both good and not. I just don’t think it resonated with me because it felt like a lot of explaining how they felt and very little showing. Their inner monologues about each other were 95% reflective yearning and angst. I’m just really not into the storyline of the guy being down bad and the girl never admitting she cares… a relationship should be a partnership and tbh they both deserved better than each other 😂 but I guess that was also the point
Some of the big plot details just didn’t resonate with me, but I enjoyed the overall atmosphere, story line and loved the lyrical writing! So many great quotes!
Review of advance copy
DNF at 22% (Read Through Chapter 8)
This book was one of my most anticipated reads for 2027, and I’m so bummed that it’s not working for me.
There are things to admire about the book. The author can clearly write well on a line level, and I think a lot of their descriptions were vivid (particularly when it came to the horror elements in the opening chapters). The lore of this world was also really interesting, at first.
However, I think the author may have had too many ideas that they wanted to include, so the world-building started to feel a bit overwhelming and the story started to feel cluttered in that sense. On a similar note, the pacing felt off; it seemed rather slow in the beginning, and then it jumped to laser speed to get the FMC into the manor.
Once the FMC got into the manor, I don’t know why, but that’s when I started to struggle to visualize what was going on. I also had too many questions about how certain elements played out.
All that to say, I don’t think this book is for me, so I’ve decided to put it aside. I’m clearly in the minority though, and I hope this book will continue to find its audience!
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
This book was one of my most anticipated reads for 2027, and I’m so bummed that it’s not working for me.
There are things to admire about the book. The author can clearly write well on a line level, and I think a lot of their descriptions were vivid (particularly when it came to the horror elements in the opening chapters). The lore of this world was also really interesting, at first.
However, I think the author may have had too many ideas that they wanted to include, so the world-building started to feel a bit overwhelming and the story started to feel cluttered in that sense. On a similar note, the pacing felt off; it seemed rather slow in the beginning, and then it jumped to laser speed to get the FMC into the manor.
Once the FMC got into the manor, I don’t know why, but that’s when I started to struggle to visualize what was going on. I also had too many questions about how certain elements played out.
All that to say, I don’t think this book is for me, so I’ve decided to put it aside. I’m clearly in the minority though, and I hope this book will continue to find its audience!
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon | Harper Voyager for the eARC!
My eternal quest for a book that perfectly melds romance and horror drew me to this book initially. The whole Poe aspect didn’t hurt. I do enjoy some gothic horror. Although this book didn’t quite reach my perfect example of horromance, it did get somewhat close. There are some pretty horrifying things in What Lies Between and some deeply disturbed characters. However, although this is billed as having a romance element (and it is there), I never really got into the romance.
Lucien and Ianira were very, very messed up people with enough trauma to fill an ocean. Their dynamic was a mix of bitter enemies and lost loves. They both had their reasons for being unhinged. This does not make them especially good people. I don’t mind unlikable leads, but wow, they were a lot. I still enjoyed the book because a) gothic vibes, b) disturbing events, and c) super dark.
Overall, I found What Lies Between to be a solid gothic horror/ fantasy. I wanted to keep reading because I had to know wtf was going on. This book was a fun (dark, spooky, etc) journey with good writing, a moody atmosphere and just enough wackiness to be entertaining.
My eternal quest for a book that perfectly melds romance and horror drew me to this book initially. The whole Poe aspect didn’t hurt. I do enjoy some gothic horror. Although this book didn’t quite reach my perfect example of horromance, it did get somewhat close. There are some pretty horrifying things in What Lies Between and some deeply disturbed characters. However, although this is billed as having a romance element (and it is there), I never really got into the romance.
Lucien and Ianira were very, very messed up people with enough trauma to fill an ocean. Their dynamic was a mix of bitter enemies and lost loves. They both had their reasons for being unhinged. This does not make them especially good people. I don’t mind unlikable leads, but wow, they were a lot. I still enjoyed the book because a) gothic vibes, b) disturbing events, and c) super dark.
Overall, I found What Lies Between to be a solid gothic horror/ fantasy. I wanted to keep reading because I had to know wtf was going on. This book was a fun (dark, spooky, etc) journey with good writing, a moody atmosphere and just enough wackiness to be entertaining.
June 22, 2026
Delicious and devastating, I am in love with this brand of horrormance. And if this is Foster’s debut, cannot imagine (and cannot wait for) all she has in store for us in the future
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Idk why this did the audiobook but W/E
This was fantastic give me 14 of them. Besties gather around! Let me tell you about the manhater who is Nira and the man who loves her brand of hate. Oh my gawd are they toxic and "razor sharp" with their love. He said lets get married and she said 'ew, pass' haha. I cant even begin to tell you how fun this book was with the race to survive through these insane trials. Its like Phantasma meets Grave Secrets and the tell tale heart and it was incredible and gorey and revenge motivated. Men know too much peace and boy, did this satisfy my rage about that fact. Thank you HarperCollins publishers and Netgalley for the ARC
This was fantastic give me 14 of them. Besties gather around! Let me tell you about the manhater who is Nira and the man who loves her brand of hate. Oh my gawd are they toxic and "razor sharp" with their love. He said lets get married and she said 'ew, pass' haha. I cant even begin to tell you how fun this book was with the race to survive through these insane trials. Its like Phantasma meets Grave Secrets and the tell tale heart and it was incredible and gorey and revenge motivated. Men know too much peace and boy, did this satisfy my rage about that fact. Thank you HarperCollins publishers and Netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘝𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺!
What Lies Between is hauntingly beautiful and vicious in the same breathe and will cause you to experience a whirlwind of emotions, whether that be devastation or satisfaction. The gothic atmosphere amplifies this tenfold alongside Foster's beautiful, poetic prose, which I'm 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 not over. There's not a twist or turn I could have predicted, with each leaving my jaw on the floor (like my jaw literally hurt from hanging open for so long). And as for Nira and Lucien? They were 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. The tension between them left me biting my nails, screeching, and more. This book isn't for the light-hearted, but for those who can handle a gruesome read, you must give her a go.
What Lies Between is hauntingly beautiful and vicious in the same breathe and will cause you to experience a whirlwind of emotions, whether that be devastation or satisfaction. The gothic atmosphere amplifies this tenfold alongside Foster's beautiful, poetic prose, which I'm 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 not over. There's not a twist or turn I could have predicted, with each leaving my jaw on the floor (like my jaw literally hurt from hanging open for so long). And as for Nira and Lucien? They were 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. The tension between them left me biting my nails, screeching, and more. This book isn't for the light-hearted, but for those who can handle a gruesome read, you must give her a go.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so so thrilled and excited to be approved for this ARC, as I’ve been wanting to read it since it was first announced. Unfortunately, I think my biggest issue with What Lies Between is that I went in expecting the book it was marketed as, rather than the book it actually is.
This is a gothic romantasy, plain and simple. And honestly, I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had approached it that way. I follow the author online, and saw she repeatedly spoke about how it was a gothic fantasy with more literary leaning ambitions, which is how I approached the story going in.
The beginning was a real slog. There’s a lot of exposition, confusing meandering, and random flashbacks before the story finally gives you something to latch onto. It took until around 15% for a genuinely good twist to happen, and that twist was interesting enough to keep me from DNFing.
The chapter introducing the trials at Blackwood Manor was easily one of the strongest parts of the book. It was cinematic, creepy, and actually delivered on the promise of the synopsis. It felt like the scene the author had been imagining for years. Unfortunately, the rest of the book rarely reached that same level, which made the whole thing feel like it was constantly teasing a much better novel.
I really struggled with Ianira. She is an adult woman who has spent ten years in an asylum, and yet she frequently reads as incredibly young, temperamental, impulsive, and naive in a way that didn't feel like the instability and mania I think the book wanted me to see her struggling with. I never really bought into her characterization as someone teetering on the edge of madness. Instead, she often just seemed immature.
And then there’s the dialogue. Everyone talks in quips. Everyone. Every character seems determined to have the most quotable response possible to every situation, to the point where nobody really sounds like an individual person. Even the ghosts, who could have been incredibly creepy and emotionally interesting, mostly speak in vague platitudes. Were these once actual people, or are they just here to dispense thematic fortune cookies?
The worldbuilding was similarly frustrating because there are so many interesting ideas that never get the development they deserve. Death magic! The Tainted! Bloodnames! The Saints! Madness! There is so much here, and yet the book keeps introducing another shiny concept before fully exploring the previous one. Bloodnames in particular are treated like they're enormously significant with pages dedicated to characters speaking about them, only for them to function in practice like a fancy middle name.
I kept waiting for the world to become larger and more interesting, only to realize the book itself didn't seem particularly interested in anything outside Blackwood Manor. This is a gothic, so I expect it to take place within the house, but when the world outside the manor does not make sense, this creates issues for when I am asked to care about secondary characters coming from this world. The story expects the reader to care about the auction house where so many characters converge, but since it is not fleshed out their jobs, relationships to one another, etc all diminish to mere caricature. The setting also has some baffling anachronisms. One minute we're talking about germs and modern concepts, the next we're bloodletting to treat illness. Characters use extremely modern vernacular, which is obviously a stylistic choice, but it repeatedly pulled me out of the supposedly gothic, vaguely historical setting. At one point Lucien describes Ianira as a “miserable homeschooled girl,” which is such a bizarrely modern framing that I had to stop and wonder why, given the timeframe of history the fantasy world seems to fit within and his own wealthy background, he would find being educated at home particularly remarkable.
The mystery was probably where I was most disappointed. Ianira's POV could have given us this fantastic psychological race against time grappling with if Lucien is actually a murderer? Is Ianira losing her mind? Can we trust her version of events? Instead, Lucien's POV comes along and basically starts handing the reader the answers. The mystery is immediately less mysterious because he spends so much time explaining himself, his feelings, and his backstory with Ianira.
I guessed the secondary killer subplot, and the eventual reveal felt like an old-timey cartoon where the villain twirls his mustache and announces that yes, actually, it was me all along! And then there are the grand reveals that haven't really been threaded through the story enough to feel like revelations, followed by a line or two explaining the lore dump and why the character is shocked by them. By the time we get to the biggest reveal about what Ianira has been hiding from herself, I was already expecting it because, once again, Lucien's POV had practically put up a billboard advertising it.
There are moments where the book gestures toward some genuinely interesting themes of greed, rot, beauty as a cover for ugliness, death, madness, but it rarely goes much deeper than the aesthetic. I kept waiting for the gothic elements to actually mean something beyond being pretty scenery for a dark romance. The result was a book that sometimes felt like it had assembled the Pinterest board for a gothic novel without quite figuring out what it wanted to say about any of it.
And that's ultimately why I landed where I did. I don't think this is a terrible romantasy. In fact, I can absolutely see readers who primarily read romance/romantasy having a great time with it. The creepy manor, forbidden romance, death games, dramatic reveals, and dark aesthetic all fit that genre very comfortably.
But if you're picking this up because you're expecting literary, lyrical, psychologically dark gothic fantasy, I would manage those expectations considerably. There’s a good book buried in here somewhere, but it felt like the novel was constantly introducing interesting ideas and then abandoning them for the next one. I feel a bit disappointed, just because I wanted to love this so badly! Read this as a gothic romantasy, not a gothic fantasy, and you’ll probably have a much better time.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
*EDIT: To further clarify, I am primarily a horror and fantasy reader. The darker elements of this book were not a surprise and I honestly expected it more than the average reader. What I did not expect were the romantasy elements. On the author’s instagram she states “WLB is considered a genre blend, in that it combines Gothic Fantasy conventions with Horror… This story is primarily built around gothic and fantasy conventions…” etc. She then goes on to mention with the romance she has also seen it pitched as “Gothic Fantasy with Horrormance”. She also says the book “is not a Romantasy,” which I understand trying to clarify before the book is published since most romantasy readers don’t expect the level of horror this book provides from the genre. With that being said, and with the marketing materials pushing reader expectations towards gothic fantasy, I do feel like this is a misrepresentation with what the book actually is. I also feel that dark romance readers and romantasy readers will enjoy this, truly! Especially if they are looking for a darker tinge and new direction for the genre. However, I stand by the fact that going into this under the assumption that it is a gothic fantasy horror is going to set the reader up for disappointment, like I unfortunately was. The romance is not a subplot. The fantasy plot and the horror elements take a backseat for the romance at numerous points in the story. I am intrigued by genre blends and had high hopes for this one, but it is less a blend and more a just romance with horror/gothic/fantasy set dressing.
This is a gothic romantasy, plain and simple. And honestly, I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had approached it that way. I follow the author online, and saw she repeatedly spoke about how it was a gothic fantasy with more literary leaning ambitions, which is how I approached the story going in.
The beginning was a real slog. There’s a lot of exposition, confusing meandering, and random flashbacks before the story finally gives you something to latch onto. It took until around 15% for a genuinely good twist to happen, and that twist was interesting enough to keep me from DNFing.
The chapter introducing the trials at Blackwood Manor was easily one of the strongest parts of the book. It was cinematic, creepy, and actually delivered on the promise of the synopsis. It felt like the scene the author had been imagining for years. Unfortunately, the rest of the book rarely reached that same level, which made the whole thing feel like it was constantly teasing a much better novel.
I really struggled with Ianira. She is an adult woman who has spent ten years in an asylum, and yet she frequently reads as incredibly young, temperamental, impulsive, and naive in a way that didn't feel like the instability and mania I think the book wanted me to see her struggling with. I never really bought into her characterization as someone teetering on the edge of madness. Instead, she often just seemed immature.
And then there’s the dialogue. Everyone talks in quips. Everyone. Every character seems determined to have the most quotable response possible to every situation, to the point where nobody really sounds like an individual person. Even the ghosts, who could have been incredibly creepy and emotionally interesting, mostly speak in vague platitudes. Were these once actual people, or are they just here to dispense thematic fortune cookies?
The worldbuilding was similarly frustrating because there are so many interesting ideas that never get the development they deserve. Death magic! The Tainted! Bloodnames! The Saints! Madness! There is so much here, and yet the book keeps introducing another shiny concept before fully exploring the previous one. Bloodnames in particular are treated like they're enormously significant with pages dedicated to characters speaking about them, only for them to function in practice like a fancy middle name.
I kept waiting for the world to become larger and more interesting, only to realize the book itself didn't seem particularly interested in anything outside Blackwood Manor. This is a gothic, so I expect it to take place within the house, but when the world outside the manor does not make sense, this creates issues for when I am asked to care about secondary characters coming from this world. The story expects the reader to care about the auction house where so many characters converge, but since it is not fleshed out their jobs, relationships to one another, etc all diminish to mere caricature. The setting also has some baffling anachronisms. One minute we're talking about germs and modern concepts, the next we're bloodletting to treat illness. Characters use extremely modern vernacular, which is obviously a stylistic choice, but it repeatedly pulled me out of the supposedly gothic, vaguely historical setting. At one point Lucien describes Ianira as a “miserable homeschooled girl,” which is such a bizarrely modern framing that I had to stop and wonder why, given the timeframe of history the fantasy world seems to fit within and his own wealthy background, he would find being educated at home particularly remarkable.
The mystery was probably where I was most disappointed. Ianira's POV could have given us this fantastic psychological race against time grappling with if Lucien is actually a murderer? Is Ianira losing her mind? Can we trust her version of events? Instead, Lucien's POV comes along and basically starts handing the reader the answers. The mystery is immediately less mysterious because he spends so much time explaining himself, his feelings, and his backstory with Ianira.
I guessed the secondary killer subplot, and the eventual reveal felt like an old-timey cartoon where the villain twirls his mustache and announces that yes, actually, it was me all along! And then there are the grand reveals that haven't really been threaded through the story enough to feel like revelations, followed by a line or two explaining the lore dump and why the character is shocked by them. By the time we get to the biggest reveal about what Ianira has been hiding from herself, I was already expecting it because, once again, Lucien's POV had practically put up a billboard advertising it.
There are moments where the book gestures toward some genuinely interesting themes of greed, rot, beauty as a cover for ugliness, death, madness, but it rarely goes much deeper than the aesthetic. I kept waiting for the gothic elements to actually mean something beyond being pretty scenery for a dark romance. The result was a book that sometimes felt like it had assembled the Pinterest board for a gothic novel without quite figuring out what it wanted to say about any of it.
And that's ultimately why I landed where I did. I don't think this is a terrible romantasy. In fact, I can absolutely see readers who primarily read romance/romantasy having a great time with it. The creepy manor, forbidden romance, death games, dramatic reveals, and dark aesthetic all fit that genre very comfortably.
But if you're picking this up because you're expecting literary, lyrical, psychologically dark gothic fantasy, I would manage those expectations considerably. There’s a good book buried in here somewhere, but it felt like the novel was constantly introducing interesting ideas and then abandoning them for the next one. I feel a bit disappointed, just because I wanted to love this so badly! Read this as a gothic romantasy, not a gothic fantasy, and you’ll probably have a much better time.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
*EDIT: To further clarify, I am primarily a horror and fantasy reader. The darker elements of this book were not a surprise and I honestly expected it more than the average reader. What I did not expect were the romantasy elements. On the author’s instagram she states “WLB is considered a genre blend, in that it combines Gothic Fantasy conventions with Horror… This story is primarily built around gothic and fantasy conventions…” etc. She then goes on to mention with the romance she has also seen it pitched as “Gothic Fantasy with Horrormance”. She also says the book “is not a Romantasy,” which I understand trying to clarify before the book is published since most romantasy readers don’t expect the level of horror this book provides from the genre. With that being said, and with the marketing materials pushing reader expectations towards gothic fantasy, I do feel like this is a misrepresentation with what the book actually is. I also feel that dark romance readers and romantasy readers will enjoy this, truly! Especially if they are looking for a darker tinge and new direction for the genre. However, I stand by the fact that going into this under the assumption that it is a gothic fantasy horror is going to set the reader up for disappointment, like I unfortunately was. The romance is not a subplot. The fantasy plot and the horror elements take a backseat for the romance at numerous points in the story. I am intrigued by genre blends and had high hopes for this one, but it is less a blend and more a just romance with horror/gothic/fantasy set dressing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you read and loved books like Phantasma and One Dark Window but wished it was way darker and grittier, this book is for you.
I have been friends with the author for years ever since we met in our fandom days, but that friendship has minimal reflection on my review here today. I've watched CC pour years and years of craft research, workshops, writing time, and anything else she could get her hand on into telling stories, so I always knew one day she'd be published. I've read everything from the short stories we wrote as kids to her debut and the books that will come after, and one thing that always stands out is her ability to make every single sentence count.
On the surface this book is about a deadly banquet and a bunch of trials and two people who really probably shouldn't be together. But as you dig a little deeper, you start to realize that the narrative you've been sold isn't the whole story, and that's what makes What Lies Between so profound and intimate and devastating. It's not about the trials or the banquet or any of that. It's about something so much deeper: the fight for autonomy and the monstrous things we'll do for love.
When we first meet Nira, we're slowly introduced to the the life she's living- which isn't really much of a life at all. CC does an incredible job making you fall in love with Nira and yearn for her success before we meet Lucien and the other guests. This book is a love letter to the gothic literature we all know and love. your Frankestein and Dracula and Raven and so on. I was there for every late night as she studied the classics, making endless notes, getting her hands on texts so she could master the art of the slow build opening and the turbulant pacing she'd grown to love. This book is a labour of love for the written craft and it shows in every page. And I know she'll just keep getting better from here.
CC's prose is luscious and sharp and as deadly as the characters in this book. No matter what decisions Nira makes you just cannot help rooting for her, and that is a feat we don't see often in stories. It's not easy to take an unreliable narrator and someone with such a volatile nature and make her so lovable but CC did just that.
i'm astounded by her ability to make descriptions that feel like you're pulled deep into the story. If you love gorgeous prose, lyrical descriptions, this book is absolutely for you. The prose, the raw emotion, the tension between the characters that just jumps off the page. All of it is so well tied in together. Also the STEAM. Every time Lucien and Nira are on the page together I find myself screaming and holding my breath waiting for the tension to catch fire!
The first time I read the plot twists in this book I called out of work the next day because I couldn't stop reading. Every time I thought no there's no way she's going there she absolutely did! It's been years since I read a book where everything was laid out so perfectly and i Still never saw it coming. We regularly joke that she debuted on hard mode because this book was both a challenge and a feat. I'm so glad she never gave up on her dream because now I get to scream about this book with so many readers! And I may become addicted to goodreads in the process!
She's incredibly good at layering foreshadowing to the point that every story you read makes you want to go back to the beginning so you can find all of those crumbs. There are things I'm still finding after my fourth and fifth read throughs that continue to boggle my mind. Every detail matters. Even the ones you'd never think to latch onto. This book is so so layered and every time you peel back a new piece of the story you find yourself gasping for breath.
It's a beautiful and monstrously haunting tale and it's also propulsive and exciting and terrifying and gritty in the best way. When she sat down and said she wanted to write something unconventional that tied horror and fantasy together and felt like a villain story, she didn't shy away from that task. If you want a book that will knock your socks off and leave you breathless and maybe a little grossed out, this is the one.
I have been friends with the author for years ever since we met in our fandom days, but that friendship has minimal reflection on my review here today. I've watched CC pour years and years of craft research, workshops, writing time, and anything else she could get her hand on into telling stories, so I always knew one day she'd be published. I've read everything from the short stories we wrote as kids to her debut and the books that will come after, and one thing that always stands out is her ability to make every single sentence count.
On the surface this book is about a deadly banquet and a bunch of trials and two people who really probably shouldn't be together. But as you dig a little deeper, you start to realize that the narrative you've been sold isn't the whole story, and that's what makes What Lies Between so profound and intimate and devastating. It's not about the trials or the banquet or any of that. It's about something so much deeper: the fight for autonomy and the monstrous things we'll do for love.
When we first meet Nira, we're slowly introduced to the the life she's living- which isn't really much of a life at all. CC does an incredible job making you fall in love with Nira and yearn for her success before we meet Lucien and the other guests. This book is a love letter to the gothic literature we all know and love. your Frankestein and Dracula and Raven and so on. I was there for every late night as she studied the classics, making endless notes, getting her hands on texts so she could master the art of the slow build opening and the turbulant pacing she'd grown to love. This book is a labour of love for the written craft and it shows in every page. And I know she'll just keep getting better from here.
CC's prose is luscious and sharp and as deadly as the characters in this book. No matter what decisions Nira makes you just cannot help rooting for her, and that is a feat we don't see often in stories. It's not easy to take an unreliable narrator and someone with such a volatile nature and make her so lovable but CC did just that.
i'm astounded by her ability to make descriptions that feel like you're pulled deep into the story. If you love gorgeous prose, lyrical descriptions, this book is absolutely for you. The prose, the raw emotion, the tension between the characters that just jumps off the page. All of it is so well tied in together. Also the STEAM. Every time Lucien and Nira are on the page together I find myself screaming and holding my breath waiting for the tension to catch fire!
The first time I read the plot twists in this book I called out of work the next day because I couldn't stop reading. Every time I thought no there's no way she's going there she absolutely did! It's been years since I read a book where everything was laid out so perfectly and i Still never saw it coming. We regularly joke that she debuted on hard mode because this book was both a challenge and a feat. I'm so glad she never gave up on her dream because now I get to scream about this book with so many readers! And I may become addicted to goodreads in the process!
She's incredibly good at layering foreshadowing to the point that every story you read makes you want to go back to the beginning so you can find all of those crumbs. There are things I'm still finding after my fourth and fifth read throughs that continue to boggle my mind. Every detail matters. Even the ones you'd never think to latch onto. This book is so so layered and every time you peel back a new piece of the story you find yourself gasping for breath.
It's a beautiful and monstrously haunting tale and it's also propulsive and exciting and terrifying and gritty in the best way. When she sat down and said she wanted to write something unconventional that tied horror and fantasy together and felt like a villain story, she didn't shy away from that task. If you want a book that will knock your socks off and leave you breathless and maybe a little grossed out, this is the one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*ARC READER*
Spoiler Free Summary:
Enchantra meets the Conjuring with a touch of Haunting of Hill House
Vibes
When I first started reading this, I honestly thought I was in for a knockoff of [book|217182344]. There are definitely SOME similarities, but the author quickly proves that she has taken the concept and completely made it her own. And honestly? This book was absolutely PHENOMENAL! I will 100% be buying a physical copy when it’s released because this is a book I want to have on my shelf—and I want to support this author!
First off, I LOVE the gory twist! The author managed to give us just enough detail to paint a vivid picture without going completely overboard and turning it into gore for the sake of gore. It was perfectly balanced and added such a great darker element to the story.
I also really appreciated the way the author weaved emotional intelligence and deeper underlying messages throughout the story. There are some great subliminal themes here that actually make you stop and think while you're reading, rather than simply being thrown into another paranormal story with no substance behind it.
This book keeps you guessing and constantly on your toes. I genuinely had a hard time predicting where the story was going, and every time I thought I had something figured out, the book managed to throw another curveball at me. I especially loved the ghost/demon storyline and how the author incorporated family curses into the plot. Those elements added so much depth and really helped set this story apart.
And FINALLY—the romance! 👏 Tastefully done. The romance was saved more for the end, which I actually loved because it never overshadowed the main storyline. There was enough romantic tension and development to satisfy the romantasy lover in me without turning the entire book into a romance with a paranormal plot happening in the background.
Overall, this was such a pleasant surprise. What I initially thought was going to be a knockoff ended up being a completely unique and incredibly enjoyable story. The twists, the gore, the ghosts, the demons, the family curses, the underlying messages, AND the romance all came together so well.
Absolutely phenomenal. I cannot wait to see what this author does next!
Romance/Spice level: 3/5
*Main couple and focus are FM. There is an FF hookup within the book.
Spoiler Free Summary:
Enchantra meets the Conjuring with a touch of Haunting of Hill House
Vibes
When I first started reading this, I honestly thought I was in for a knockoff of [book|217182344]. There are definitely SOME similarities, but the author quickly proves that she has taken the concept and completely made it her own. And honestly? This book was absolutely PHENOMENAL! I will 100% be buying a physical copy when it’s released because this is a book I want to have on my shelf—and I want to support this author!
First off, I LOVE the gory twist! The author managed to give us just enough detail to paint a vivid picture without going completely overboard and turning it into gore for the sake of gore. It was perfectly balanced and added such a great darker element to the story.
I also really appreciated the way the author weaved emotional intelligence and deeper underlying messages throughout the story. There are some great subliminal themes here that actually make you stop and think while you're reading, rather than simply being thrown into another paranormal story with no substance behind it.
This book keeps you guessing and constantly on your toes. I genuinely had a hard time predicting where the story was going, and every time I thought I had something figured out, the book managed to throw another curveball at me. I especially loved the ghost/demon storyline and how the author incorporated family curses into the plot. Those elements added so much depth and really helped set this story apart.
And FINALLY—the romance! 👏 Tastefully done. The romance was saved more for the end, which I actually loved because it never overshadowed the main storyline. There was enough romantic tension and development to satisfy the romantasy lover in me without turning the entire book into a romance with a paranormal plot happening in the background.
Overall, this was such a pleasant surprise. What I initially thought was going to be a knockoff ended up being a completely unique and incredibly enjoyable story. The twists, the gore, the ghosts, the demons, the family curses, the underlying messages, AND the romance all came together so well.
Absolutely phenomenal. I cannot wait to see what this author does next!
Romance/Spice level: 3/5
*Main couple and focus are FM. There is an FF hookup within the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If the horror film, Saw, had fantasy elements to it, it would be this book. I really enjoyed the horror aspects of the book. I feel like a lot of authors don't actually deliver when they mention the book has horror elements to it, but this one delivered.
However, I hate finished the last 30% of the book. Almost the entire book I found myself asking a thousand questions. Why did no one remember Eleanora? Why does Lucien refuse to tell Ianira anything, most of all what happened to her sister? What does Zoran gain by marrying Ianira? Why didn't Lucien answer any of Ianira's letters? Not a single of these questions is answered until the very later portions of the book, and boy do they get answered in rapid succession. I would have preferred finding some things out along the way instead of shoving all the answers into the last portion of the book. Overall, I felt the pacing was off.
If you're reading for a classic HEA, this is not the book for you. If you're reading this book for a dark romantasy, this is also not for you. Someone else mentioned horrormance, and I guess that's the most true description I could use for whatever is between Ianira and Lucien. I love dark romantasy, and I love horror, but this book could not marry the two together in a convincing way.
Ianira is supposedly 28, but I couldn't find anything about her behavior that led me to think she was the least bit mature. A scene that really left me questioning her maturity was in the library with Willow. One page Ianira mentions she's pretty, and the next they're rounding second base while Ianira is hoping Lucien is watching. It read as desperate and jealous without adding to the plot in any meaningful way. The twist with Eleanora was my favorite part, and I was way more interested in her story line than Ianira's.
However, I hate finished the last 30% of the book. Almost the entire book I found myself asking a thousand questions. Why did no one remember Eleanora? Why does Lucien refuse to tell Ianira anything, most of all what happened to her sister? What does Zoran gain by marrying Ianira? Why didn't Lucien answer any of Ianira's letters? Not a single of these questions is answered until the very later portions of the book, and boy do they get answered in rapid succession. I would have preferred finding some things out along the way instead of shoving all the answers into the last portion of the book. Overall, I felt the pacing was off.
If you're reading for a classic HEA, this is not the book for you. If you're reading this book for a dark romantasy, this is also not for you. Someone else mentioned horrormance, and I guess that's the most true description I could use for whatever is between Ianira and Lucien. I love dark romantasy, and I love horror, but this book could not marry the two together in a convincing way.
Ianira is supposedly 28, but I couldn't find anything about her behavior that led me to think she was the least bit mature. A scene that really left me questioning her maturity was in the library with Willow. One page Ianira mentions she's pretty, and the next they're rounding second base while Ianira is hoping Lucien is watching. It read as desperate and jealous without adding to the plot in any meaningful way. The twist with Eleanora was my favorite part, and I was way more interested in her story line than Ianira's.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What Lies Between is one of the most well-crafted and original books I have read in a long time. A true gothic tale of ruinous obsession and deadly secrets, it’s the kind of story that you immediately want to recommend to everyone as it continues to linger on your mind for weeks after you reach the end.
There are so many things I adored, but here are the aspects that really stood out to me as a fan of twisty, unapologetically dark stories:
- The characters! Ianira is officially my new problematic fave, making some questionable choices (that truly befit the gothic genre) while remaining deeply sympathetic in her grief and quest for autonomy. Her voice and personality sank their teeth into me right from the first page, and NOTHING could have prepared me for the chemistry she shares with both Lucien and the rest of the cast.
- The plot and twists. I won’t say much here to avoid any spoilers, but I WILL say there were multiple instances of me staying up past 2am because I simply couldn't go to sleep until I had my many questions answered! This book excels in setting up mysteries and subverting expectations.
- The prose! C.C. Foster’s writing style is ideal for readers who gravitate towards lush, imaginative and literary-leaning prose with big emotions and sensory depth. I must applaud the way in which the fast-paced plot (see above) is balanced with atmosphere and Nira/Lucien’s complex internality.
TDLR: if I could rate What Lies Between six stars, I would do so in a heartbeat. Thank you so much to C.C. Foster for trusting me as an early reader!
There are so many things I adored, but here are the aspects that really stood out to me as a fan of twisty, unapologetically dark stories:
- The characters! Ianira is officially my new problematic fave, making some questionable choices (that truly befit the gothic genre) while remaining deeply sympathetic in her grief and quest for autonomy. Her voice and personality sank their teeth into me right from the first page, and NOTHING could have prepared me for the chemistry she shares with both Lucien and the rest of the cast.
- The plot and twists. I won’t say much here to avoid any spoilers, but I WILL say there were multiple instances of me staying up past 2am because I simply couldn't go to sleep until I had my many questions answered! This book excels in setting up mysteries and subverting expectations.
- The prose! C.C. Foster’s writing style is ideal for readers who gravitate towards lush, imaginative and literary-leaning prose with big emotions and sensory depth. I must applaud the way in which the fast-paced plot (see above) is balanced with atmosphere and Nira/Lucien’s complex internality.
TDLR: if I could rate What Lies Between six stars, I would do so in a heartbeat. Thank you so much to C.C. Foster for trusting me as an early reader!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC!
Truly, this book was stunning. It lived up to every expectation the author set in the description as well as her posts on social media.
That being said, absolutely check the trigger warnings before reading! They're there for a reason!
The Edgar Allen Poe inspiration for this book is clear but not so heavy handed that I felt like I needed to roll my eyes. It was balanced in a way that spoke to a true love of the horror genre as well as a passion for the authors who came before. The violence and gore was perfectly tuned for the genre and always served a narrative purpose. There were no cheap shots for shock value which is usually relevant when it comes to horror.
The characters are fleshed out but still delightfully flawed. If you enjoy the "we make each other worse" trope, this is absolutely the book for you. Lucien and Ianira should not be together, but they definitely shouldn't be with other people. It's delightful and toxic and I loved every single moment of it. This isn't everyone's cup of tea, but boy oh boy, it sure is mine.
One of the things I really enjoyed about What Lies Between is the fact that the clues to the big twist are sprinkled in, but I personally, didn't not line them up until it was revealed. It made perfect sense and was just subtle enough that I didn't see it coming.
All in all, this was a perfect spooky read for me. My only regret is that I wish I'd waited until October to read it so I could really be in the spooky mood!
Truly, this book was stunning. It lived up to every expectation the author set in the description as well as her posts on social media.
That being said, absolutely check the trigger warnings before reading! They're there for a reason!
The Edgar Allen Poe inspiration for this book is clear but not so heavy handed that I felt like I needed to roll my eyes. It was balanced in a way that spoke to a true love of the horror genre as well as a passion for the authors who came before. The violence and gore was perfectly tuned for the genre and always served a narrative purpose. There were no cheap shots for shock value which is usually relevant when it comes to horror.
The characters are fleshed out but still delightfully flawed. If you enjoy the "we make each other worse" trope, this is absolutely the book for you. Lucien and Ianira should not be together, but they definitely shouldn't be with other people. It's delightful and toxic and I loved every single moment of it. This isn't everyone's cup of tea, but boy oh boy, it sure is mine.
One of the things I really enjoyed about What Lies Between is the fact that the clues to the big twist are sprinkled in, but I personally, didn't not line them up until it was revealed. It made perfect sense and was just subtle enough that I didn't see it coming.
All in all, this was a perfect spooky read for me. My only regret is that I wish I'd waited until October to read it so I could really be in the spooky mood!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a wonderfully dark read this was!
There is so much to love about this novel. It was so well crafted and unique. I’m a big fan of gothic tales, and this one delivered on so many fronts—from the ruinous obsession, to the unexpected plot twists, to the eerie atmosphere, to the deadly secrets. And the writing was absolutely lush and lovely.
Nira was such an intriguing main character to follow along with. While she makes some questionable choices, you can’t help but root for her. I appreciate how the exposition really tied into her personality and view-point, a well-done detail on the author’s part.
I liked Nira and Lucien’s relationship overall. They definitely had chemistry, which was fun to explore. I will say that some aspects of Lucien’s character didn’t fully land for me, but I appreciate what the author was attempting by portraying him as rather chaotic.
I thought the pacing was a bit inconsistent at places—in the beginning for example. But it wasn’t anything that was too distracting, and I can see a lot of readers not minding that at all.
I think lovers of gothic horror will absolutely love this debut novel!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Harper Voyager for allowing me to read the eARC!
There is so much to love about this novel. It was so well crafted and unique. I’m a big fan of gothic tales, and this one delivered on so many fronts—from the ruinous obsession, to the unexpected plot twists, to the eerie atmosphere, to the deadly secrets. And the writing was absolutely lush and lovely.
Nira was such an intriguing main character to follow along with. While she makes some questionable choices, you can’t help but root for her. I appreciate how the exposition really tied into her personality and view-point, a well-done detail on the author’s part.
I liked Nira and Lucien’s relationship overall. They definitely had chemistry, which was fun to explore. I will say that some aspects of Lucien’s character didn’t fully land for me, but I appreciate what the author was attempting by portraying him as rather chaotic.
I thought the pacing was a bit inconsistent at places—in the beginning for example. But it wasn’t anything that was too distracting, and I can see a lot of readers not minding that at all.
I think lovers of gothic horror will absolutely love this debut novel!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Harper Voyager for allowing me to read the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was one of the most hauntingly poetic books I've read in a long time and I loved it so deeply.
The atmosphere the author created was artful, the imagery was so immersive. I really felt like I was transported to a macabre place that was as beautiful as it was unsettling. (Dolls, that's all I'll say lol. Dolls).
As for the romance, it was beautiful in a morbid and heartbreaking sort of way that I think only readers that enjoy dark romances can appreciate. There is a really niche aspect I love in books that was used in this one which is "show me how much you hate me." SO MUCH angst, obsession, visceral passion, I could go on lol.
Also so many twists, you will never see where this book is taking you. "There was no way out but The End".
Thank you so much NetGalley & Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC.
The atmosphere the author created was artful, the imagery was so immersive. I really felt like I was transported to a macabre place that was as beautiful as it was unsettling. (Dolls, that's all I'll say lol. Dolls).
As for the romance, it was beautiful in a morbid and heartbreaking sort of way that I think only readers that enjoy dark romances can appreciate. There is a really niche aspect I love in books that was used in this one which is "show me how much you hate me." SO MUCH angst, obsession, visceral passion, I could go on lol.
Also so many twists, you will never see where this book is taking you. "There was no way out but The End".
Thank you so much NetGalley & Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I got my copy from NetGalley
A magical gothic horrormance that'll keep your heart beating.
This book is dark. This book is gory. The writing is poetically addicting. It's the perfect read for people who love their characters morally destructive and a little toxic.
The writing and the atmosphere C.C. Foster creates are addictive. You get sucked into the trials all whilst you're trying to solve the mystery... and when things start falling into place, the story unravels so perfectly. So many twists that I wasn't expecting... I just craved to know more! It was such a fun, dark, and twisted story. The twist was so unexpected... I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about it for a while.
My advice: If you aren't a fan of gore, sadly I wouldn't recommend this. Definitely check your trigger warnings.
A magical gothic horrormance that'll keep your heart beating.
This book is dark. This book is gory. The writing is poetically addicting. It's the perfect read for people who love their characters morally destructive and a little toxic.
The writing and the atmosphere C.C. Foster creates are addictive. You get sucked into the trials all whilst you're trying to solve the mystery... and when things start falling into place, the story unravels so perfectly. So many twists that I wasn't expecting... I just craved to know more! It was such a fun, dark, and twisted story. The twist was so unexpected... I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about it for a while.
My advice: If you aren't a fan of gore, sadly I wouldn't recommend this. Definitely check your trigger warnings.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My goodness.
This book boasted darkness, and baby it delivered. "What Lies Between" is a gothic horrormance featuring a lyrical prose that makes you swoon a la "Guillermo Del Toro". It follows Nira, a poor woman who has become a victim of life, burdened by her parents, an ill sister, and the feeling of not belonging. She is the embodiment of so many dreadful human experiences and although she is morally BLACK (not gray), she is so relatable and gives us all the female rage we love to read.
This book reminds me of "Phantasma", but 50 shades darker. I rarely give out 5 stars but C.C. Foster poured her heart into this debut and I can feel it with my whole body. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You won't regret it!
This book boasted darkness, and baby it delivered. "What Lies Between" is a gothic horrormance featuring a lyrical prose that makes you swoon a la "Guillermo Del Toro". It follows Nira, a poor woman who has become a victim of life, burdened by her parents, an ill sister, and the feeling of not belonging. She is the embodiment of so many dreadful human experiences and although she is morally BLACK (not gray), she is so relatable and gives us all the female rage we love to read.
This book reminds me of "Phantasma", but 50 shades darker. I rarely give out 5 stars but C.C. Foster poured her heart into this debut and I can feel it with my whole body. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You won't regret it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was fantastic give me 14 of them. Besties gather around! Let me tell you about the manhater who is Nira and the man who loves her brand of hate. Oh my gawd are they toxic and "razor sharp" with their love. He said lets get married and she said 'ew, pass' haha. I cant even begin to tell you how fun this book was with the race to survive through these insane trials. Its like Phantasma meets Grave Secrets and the tell tale heart and it was incredible and gorey and revenge motivated. Men know too much peace and boy, did this satisfy my rage about that fact. Thank you HarperCollins publishers and Netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really adore this novel because it blends the deadly games and psychological horror of Saw and Squid Game with fascinating fantasy elements. Ianira was especially meaningful to me; her struggles with her mental health felt deeply personal and reminded me of my own experiences living with BPD/EUPD (borderline personality disorder). It made her feel painfully real and gave me a connection to the story beyond its exciting plot. She is far from perfect and that’s what makes her so impactful. Though she is an adult at 28 years old, the last ten years were stripped away from her and it really shows in her actions and behaviour. It feels very authentic! I can relate all too well :’)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What Lies Between was a dark, gothic, and intriguing read. I really enjoyed the eerie atmosphere, mystery, twists, and darker romance. The story kept me curious, and I loved how unpredictable things could become.
The pacing was a little uneven in places, and some parts took me longer to get into, but overall, there was plenty here that I enjoyed. A haunting and twisted read with a great atmosphere!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
The pacing was a little uneven in places, and some parts took me longer to get into, but overall, there was plenty here that I enjoyed. A haunting and twisted read with a great atmosphere!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Gruesome, gorgeous, and utterly unputdownable, What Lies Between is a stunning love letter to Poe inked in blood. Foster weaves together fantasy, horror, and unhinged romance so masterfully, readers are in for an unforgettable treat. Not to mention the perfectly monstrous Lucien and Nira--I'm officially a fan for life!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC! A wonderfully bleak and dark setting completely envelops you as you read this novel. Gothic themes to the max on every page and a very complex magic system drive every page of this book. Not for anyone who dislikes blood and gore, and a must read for Edgar Allan Poe fans.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received Free Copy from NG. Post Read coming soon. Absolutely Phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved this book! It's like if phantasma and the tell-tale heart had a baby, trust. Deadly games, big gothic haunted mansion, ghosts etc all you need and want 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is a refreshing mix of horror and romance I didn't know I needed. I can't wait for more from C.C. Foster! Nira is pure cathartic chaos. Be crazy. Do crimes. Become the villain.
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