Poly

by Mia Ballard

INHUMAN ECSTASY FUFILLED!

Marin loves Daniel. Daniel loves Marin. Then Moon moves in across the street. What begins as friendship becomes devotion, then obsession, then something neither love nor language was ever meant to contain.

142 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2026

About the author

Mia Ballard is an American poet and fiction writer. She loves all things horror and is passionate about writing stories focused on feminine rage. She lives with her partner and dog in Northern California.

Reviews

[mood_reading_menace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted weird and I got it

[caroline]

have we learned nothing?

[Strawberry]

Not giving a star rating. I was very excited to read this book and to support the author given the events of the last few months, but it's clear almost immediately this was written by ChatGPT (or some other LLM). Readers will increasingly find themselves stuck between "supporting authors" versus "supporting AI", because I just don't see how you can do both. The whole situation just makes me very sad.

[Nina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another book written by ChatGPT. Girl, can you just go away? We see you. It’s very obvious now everyone’s waking up.

[Jessica]

I wanted weird and got weird for sure - Sam's right on that one.

I decided to purchase and read this to support the author after she faced backlash earlier this year for potential AI usage which no one ever confirmed or denied. Having said that, the premise and vibe of the book is weird (great) but the writing was flat and lack-luster.

The storyline of our 3 characters had me engaged, but the ending felt very rushed and ripped right outta Jessica Gross' "Open Wide".

Kinda unsure how to feel about everything overall. Bummer :(

[Alicia Ceasar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happiness is reading a weird little novella in one sitting and then trying to process what exactly you just read

[Jennifer]

Update: this has sat with me since I read it and I can not in good conscience recommend this to anybody and have taken off my rating. It has been weighing heavily on me because I really want to support her. I love the weirdness and what she was trying to go for. It was soooooo weird and ticked off all my boxes in that regard. Unfortunately the writing style leaves a lot to be desired. It's very robotic in tone. Lots of odd and short clipped sentences😬 I have seen very mixed reviews and I'm bummed overall.

[haunted.kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia, you are INCREDIBLE.

After reading “shy girl” I was yearning for more of Mia’s work. I love everything this author creates and I would read a shopping list, honestly. This book followed Marin and Daniel. They’re in love and married, but one day they meet Moon. The lovely woman from across the street and the things that transpire.. WOW. The obsession, the need and want. UGH, I ate this upppppppp

I could not predict anything within this bite sized, FUN novel which is exactly what I love (and know will happen) when going into a Ballard book! I sat down and read this book within a day and was not prepared for that ending at ALL. Definitely had me staring at the wall like W T F did I just read???? (In the best way ever <3)

I know so many besties that’ll love this one and I’m letting you know that it’s a) worth the hype (it better get LOTS) and b) go into it with no idea about it at all — that’s the best way hehehe!

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Mia’s books but didn’t vibe with this one. It wasn’t steamy or sexy or weird in any good way that I was expecting. It felt more cringy than anything else

[&#x1f5a4; livingdeadgill &#x1f5a4; · Rating 3 out of 5]

That got real weird real quick

[Mae]

no idea how to rate this. did I enjoy it? not really. was it weird and messed up and right for me? absolutely.

[R.J. Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ate it up in a day & boy was it weird

[Emma Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

At no point could I have guessed where this was going

[THE TWISTED REVIEW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poly by Mia Ballard is the kind of strange, fast-paced read that proves a story doesn’t have to be overly complicated to leave an impression. Short, simple, and incredibly entertaining, this book takes a unique concept and setting and turns it into a journey filled with mystery, uncertainty, and plenty of moments that make you question exactly what you’re reading.

One of the strongest aspects of Poly is its setting. There is something unusual about the world Ballard creates that immediately gives the story its own identity. Instead of overwhelming the reader with excessive explanations or complicated world-building, the setting unfolds naturally alongside the story. That simplicity works especially well because it allows the mystery surrounding everything to become part of the experience.

The story itself is relatively straightforward, but it still packs a punch. Ballard understands how to take a simple premise and make it feel increasingly strange and unpredictable. As the story progresses, you begin questioning situations, characters, and even your own interpretation of what is happening. That uncertainty gives the book the mysterious and thrilling quality I look for in this type of read.

The pacing also makes Poly incredibly easy to fly through. There is very little wasted space, and the shorter length keeps the story moving while still taking the reader on a surprisingly memorable journey. It knows what kind of story it wants to tell and embraces its weirdness rather than trying to overcomplicate it.

Poly was weird, mysterious, fast-paced, and genuinely entertaining. It’s a great choice when you want something short and accessible that still gives you plenty to think about. Sometimes the strangest journeys come from the simplest stories, and Poly delivers exactly that.

[Pamela]

(not giving a star rating)

So weird and insane—what the heck did I just read? It started off giving Ingrid Goes West (2017) mixed with Margo’s Got Money Troubles. By the end it was Open Wide and a scene from American Gods.

Before it went crazy, I was really enjoying the throuple relationship. I felt the complicated desires, loneliness, and grief over life situations.

Once the craziness ensues, if you believe what happens is actually happening, then it’s cosmically horrifying and beautiful at the same time. If it’s a metaphor for their polyamorous relationship, obsession, and addiction, then it’s actually tragic and devastating.

As a final note, and I hate to even mention it, but the similes and metaphors had me scratching my head from time to time. Things weren’t always phrased in ways that make sense… not sure what to think.

[Kelly Jane Motamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Omg this ended in a way I could never have imagined! Totally flabbergasted! Kinda wish this book was longer. Was so interesting to read, I really enjoyed it! So sad I've read all of Mia's books, hope she releases another one soon! I couldn't get this on my kindle and read a psychical book for the first time in years, that's how much I wanted to read this and it was worth it!

[Rachel Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book, finished in one afternoon. my girl Mia always thinks of plot lines that will leave you absolutely speechless. Love how she stuck to her horror roots but also kind of explored a different genre

[Megan Gallagher]

That was something

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love mia ballard and it was such a quick lil read that like sure okay but why does lucy have to go?

[Jd Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

We went from “the man in my mouth told me to do it” to “my polycule inside my womb willed me to do it”.

[Sciolist · Rating 0.25 out of 5]

Needless to say this isn't "by" anyone. Congratulations to this scam artist on getting people to bite again