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One More Performance: Novelette
When Ivory steps onto the stage for her first lead performance as Giselle at New York’s prestigious Velour Theater, the spotlight blinds her and the world turns white.
She wakes up back in bed beside her distant boyfriend, Max, convinced the performance was nothing more than a recurring dream. But as the day begins repeating itself, something beneath Ivory’s skin starts to rot. Bruises spread across her body without explanation, blood seeps through her clothing, and an uncontrollable urge to tear at her own flesh slowly consumes her while her paranoia surrounding Max and her obsession with being perfect spiral completely out of control.
Desperate to prove she is still worthy of love, Ivory forces herself through rehearsals even as her body deteriorates beneath layers of makeup, tights, and ballet costumes. But after uncovering Max’s secret, she begins piecing together a horrifying truth surrounding the night of her performance and why every path she takes always seems to lead her back to the stage.
One More Performance is a surreal psychological horror short story blending ballet, body horror, obsession, and tragedy into a haunting descent through perfection, love, and self-destruction.
She wakes up back in bed beside her distant boyfriend, Max, convinced the performance was nothing more than a recurring dream. But as the day begins repeating itself, something beneath Ivory’s skin starts to rot. Bruises spread across her body without explanation, blood seeps through her clothing, and an uncontrollable urge to tear at her own flesh slowly consumes her while her paranoia surrounding Max and her obsession with being perfect spiral completely out of control.
Desperate to prove she is still worthy of love, Ivory forces herself through rehearsals even as her body deteriorates beneath layers of makeup, tights, and ballet costumes. But after uncovering Max’s secret, she begins piecing together a horrifying truth surrounding the night of her performance and why every path she takes always seems to lead her back to the stage.
One More Performance is a surreal psychological horror short story blending ballet, body horror, obsession, and tragedy into a haunting descent through perfection, love, and self-destruction.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 3, 2026
Black Swan meets the Substance with a touch of seriously messed up Ask for Andrea & a big dose of gorey heartaching. Ashley wrote an incredible novella and I would love for it to be expanded at some point🤭 One More Performance is one of those books that’s more than just horror. It’s psychological with a heartbreaking look into mental health done in the most artistic way. Ivory has spent her whole life trying to be the most perfect version for everyone in her life and to be the most perfect ballerina. The demon of perfection and her partner’s expectations are leading her down a path of lethal destruction. As Ivory spirals and decay, we see just how quickly our body and mind can give up on us. One More Performance is full of the most mesmerizing body horror that will make you feel like you are vividly experiencing it with Ivory. This book is dark and could be triggering for readers; but I also believe it could be very healing and cathartic for those of us who relate to our sweet Ivory. Ashley is one of the most amazing writers and I love seeing every new idea that she creates!!
July 20, 2026
This book left me speechless…. Ivory is so relatable for women on so many levels! Also being a picker myself this was almost too real at times. Ivory as all dancers strives for perfection and will go through whatever she has to in order to achieve it…. Even if she’s going through her skin to her muscles…. and even her veins…. I loved the imagery and the raw pov of her brushing it off and pushing through. This book really effed up my morning but I’m so happy it did and can’t wait to tell everyone about it!!
July 12, 2026
I coudn't stop reading!😱
Short and intense; a really dreadful read that kept me on the edge of my sit for most of it
Short and intense; a really dreadful read that kept me on the edge of my sit for most of it
Review of advance copy received from Author
So, I’m going to be honest with this one, I’m not sure how or what to rate this book! It is a short story about self destruction, tragedy and the need for perfection! We follow Ivory- lead ballet dancer- who has secured the prestigious role in the current show. The short story leads us through a few alternate realities of the morning of the show-each getting worse with the body horror and humiliation from her partner. The body horror was skin crawling and well written with vivid descriptions! Would I recommend this? Yes I would do the extreme horror fans that enjoy a psychologically compelling story!
July 17, 2026
I FEAR this has just become one of the best novellas that ive read. EVERRRR
This ATE.
This was so heartbreaking, addictive and completely unforgettable. I already want to reread it knowing what I know now.
AND THAT TWIST.
My jaw was on the floor.
I had so many theories and every single one was wrong. I love when a book completely catches me off guard and this absolutely delivered.
This ATE.
This was so heartbreaking, addictive and completely unforgettable. I already want to reread it knowing what I know now.
AND THAT TWIST.
My jaw was on the floor.
I had so many theories and every single one was wrong. I love when a book completely catches me off guard and this absolutely delivered.
Review of advance copy received from Author
One More Performance - by Ashley Grey
Ivory is a ballet dancer and the days seem to be repeating, something deeper is beneath the surface and her skin begins to rot. She wants to be worthy of love and pushes through returning to the stage only to discover the truth.
The need for perfection can be a tragic thing losing who you are in the mix of it.
The body horror was skin crawling and well written. It was also a story that felt very psychological so keep that in mind if you are a horror lover.
If you have dermatillomania like me, parts of this story may trigger you too.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 Stars
It was a great short read of love, self worth, destruction, and obsession
Thank you to the author
for sending me this ARC to read and review. I see more great things for you in the future and need to read more!
Ivory is a ballet dancer and the days seem to be repeating, something deeper is beneath the surface and her skin begins to rot. She wants to be worthy of love and pushes through returning to the stage only to discover the truth.
The need for perfection can be a tragic thing losing who you are in the mix of it.
The body horror was skin crawling and well written. It was also a story that felt very psychological so keep that in mind if you are a horror lover.
If you have dermatillomania like me, parts of this story may trigger you too.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 Stars
It was a great short read of love, self worth, destruction, and obsession
Thank you to the author
for sending me this ARC to read and review. I see more great things for you in the future and need to read more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review - 4.5 stars
a story of self destruction, tragedy, and the need for perfection. this was a really good short story full of body horror with a twisted sense of reality. and honestly, i’d even say there’s grief mixed in as well ~ watching yourself become unrecognizable and losing your sense of self. while this story was entertaining and quick, it also makes you realize that nothing is more important than taking care of yourself mentally and physically. now, would you realistically go to the lengths that Ivory did? i hope not… but it’s easy to lose yourself in the obsessive need for perfection and to be loved by everyone. moral of the story, i’d recommend this to horror / body horror lovers looking for a quick & enjoyable read!
a story of self destruction, tragedy, and the need for perfection. this was a really good short story full of body horror with a twisted sense of reality. and honestly, i’d even say there’s grief mixed in as well ~ watching yourself become unrecognizable and losing your sense of self. while this story was entertaining and quick, it also makes you realize that nothing is more important than taking care of yourself mentally and physically. now, would you realistically go to the lengths that Ivory did? i hope not… but it’s easy to lose yourself in the obsessive need for perfection and to be loved by everyone. moral of the story, i’d recommend this to horror / body horror lovers looking for a quick & enjoyable read!
July 27, 2026
I don't usually read or like body horror but there was something about the reels about this book that made me so horrified yet intrigued, I couldn't stop thinking about it until I read it lol. It's short and bingeable enough to read in one sitting, and it's terrifying in the best way! I skimmed through the gory parts a bit so can't say too much about that but the psychological horror and the symbolism behind it is so well done, and the ending even brought tears to my eyes. The deeper message of neglecting your mental and physical health for appearances is so real.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Don't let the beautiful ballerina on the cover fool you. Wow, a frightening, realistic short story horror into the mind and body of a ballet dancer as she struggles with her own insecurities, body horror, tragedy. It can be TRIGGERING and is definitely in your face. In this story, Ms. Grey is toiling with perfection and how far someone is willing to go to reach it, whether it is true or psychologically believed.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews