Something Old

by Lia Rose

Genres: Horror

15 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2026

Reviews

[Holly Knightley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This short story hits hard! ‘Something Old’ is exactly the unsettling feeling I look for when I read. It was as hauntingly dark as it was deep, especially given the length. The prose had style and structure that painted an ethereal yet palpable window into change and loss, giving grief a human-like presence in the story. Excellently executed!

[T.D. Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lia Rose creates a strong horror story that focuses more on atmosphere and tension than jump scares or violence. The writing is excellent and does a great job building a feeling of unease from the very beginning. I found myself wanting to keep reading because something always felt just a little off, and the story keeps that feeling going all the way through.

What I liked most was how much depth there is beneath the horror. The story explores grief, memory, and the things people carry with them long after a loss. The narrator feels real, and the emotional side of the story makes the creepy moments even more effective. It is thoughtful, unsettling, and the kind of story that sticks with you after you finish reading it.

[BookMadLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Toni L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really beautifully written and so much enticing mystery.

[Alex Hartwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story, to be certain, but the prose speaks volumes. The author, Lia Rose, writes a story that upon first glance might seem like a very simple setup: a wife tries to live on beyond a divorce. Using a deceptively direct and unadorned style, she manages to make you question both what the protagonist is saying, and what she is NOT saying. Ultimately, the past, present, and future seem to merge into one heavy breath, like the air rushing in (or was it out?) of the titular "Something Old" that lies at the center of the story.

I don't want to say too much because to do so would risk spoilers, but rest assured there is not one sentence in this story that doesn't contribute to an underlying unsettled feeling. By turning reality itself into a question, this story is a quiet horror that lingers long past closing the book.

I highly recommend this one to horror fans and fans of dark psychological drama. IMO, this is the author's best work yet.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this story. The author definitely captures the feelings of grief and loss. I enjoyed this (I do wish it was a smidge longer, but it really does work for the short length).

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[K D Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something Old, New
A wedding dress. What secrets does it hold? Lia’s writing is totally on point and the atmosphere that builds is deliciously rich. I very much enjoyed this one!

[C Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought Provoking and Melancholy

Nicely written by a talented writer. I especially enjoyed the memories, and (mild spoiler) the insight about how the other people in them are props in the MCs moments.