The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
sissix_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was captivated by Roos, Ruth and Agnes from start to finish.Â
My Darling Dreadful thing is a tale woven from the perspective of Roos, our troubled first person narrator, and notes from the doctor tasked with ascertaining her mental state - because she’s been accused of a gruesome murder.Â
The clever combination of the two means you’re constantly on edge: chasing more details to put together the story, left wondering what the truth is, and feeling like you’re always a step away from finding it out but not quite close enough.
Roos’ voice is compelling and at times deeply unnerving. Her animalistic descriptions of her spirit companion Ruth are both horrifying and (grossly) delightful. There was never a moment in reading this book that I wanted to put it down - although there were points where I had to so I could digest what I’d just read.Â
If you like queer (specifically sapphic) gothic horror you absolutely need to read this book.
My Darling Dreadful thing is a tale woven from the perspective of Roos, our troubled first person narrator, and notes from the doctor tasked with ascertaining her mental state - because she’s been accused of a gruesome murder.Â
The clever combination of the two means you’re constantly on edge: chasing more details to put together the story, left wondering what the truth is, and feeling like you’re always a step away from finding it out but not quite close enough.
Roos’ voice is compelling and at times deeply unnerving. Her animalistic descriptions of her spirit companion Ruth are both horrifying and (grossly) delightful. There was never a moment in reading this book that I wanted to put it down - although there were points where I had to so I could digest what I’d just read.Â
If you like queer (specifically sapphic) gothic horror you absolutely need to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Gore
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Death, Incest, Sexual assault, and Self harm
gothbaby's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I can’t explain the ache I felt upon finishing My Darling Dreadful Thing. I can’t explain the grief I felt or the tears I shed.
I am enamoured and awed and completely, utterly devoted to this story. I wanted to be explicit in my review and provide a thorough deconstruction of my thoughts but I simply don’t think I can. This book was nearly perfect—so nearly perfect—and is, in a way, my own darling dreadful thing. Two things I wish had been better executed: the passage of time was a mystery to me, and I felt a disconnect between the year(s) this story takes places versus when it felt like it should be taking place (late 1800s, in my opinion!).
I loved Ruth with my whole heart. Her attachment to Roos felt so sacred and fragile; I sobbed and sobbed on chapter 32 until I remembered I had a few more chapters to go.
The writing was sublime and I yearned for more of Ruth and Roos’s interactions. I adored Agnes, please don’t get me wrong, but something about Ruth shifted something in me.Â
I cannot wait to read this as a finished work as I know it will be a favourite again. Thank you to the author, Johanna van Veen, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I am enamoured and awed and completely, utterly devoted to this story. I wanted to be explicit in my review and provide a thorough deconstruction of my thoughts but I simply don’t think I can. This book was nearly perfect—so nearly perfect—and is, in a way, my own darling dreadful thing. Two things I wish had been better executed: the passage of time was a mystery to me, and I felt a disconnect between the year(s) this story takes places versus when it felt like it should be taking place (late 1800s, in my opinion!).
I loved Ruth with my whole heart. Her attachment to Roos felt so sacred and fragile; I sobbed and sobbed on chapter 32 until I remembered I had a few more chapters to go.
The writing was sublime and I yearned for more of Ruth and Roos’s interactions. I adored Agnes, please don’t get me wrong, but something about Ruth shifted something in me.Â
I cannot wait to read this as a finished work as I know it will be a favourite again. Thank you to the author, Johanna van Veen, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Gore, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Racism, and Incest
mcbell_writes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
So, on the first page, we meet our main character, a young woman with quite a unique friend – a bestie who can actually possess her body. They, along with Mama, use this talent to hold fake seances for grieving clients. But things take an unexpected turn during one of their sessions, and suddenly, they find themselves in a decrepit mansion with more than just secrets to uncover.
I absolutely loved the hybrid first person and epistolary narration in this book. We get to uncover the chilling details of a horrific incident involving our main character through a clever blend of first person accounts and tantalizing doctor's reports filled with dialogue. The constant doubt cast by the doctor's sections adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already unreliable narrator. I was left questioning everything, never sure what to believe. It's a brilliantly sharp, witty, and edgy storytelling technique that kept me hooked from start to finish.
The author's reverence for the Gothic genre is palpable, evident in the exquisitely crafted descriptions of eerie and dilapidated settings, the lingering influence of the past on every character, and the use of paranormal elements.Â
It's dark, it's gothic, it's sapphic, and I absolutely adored every single moment devouring this!.
I absolutely loved the hybrid first person and epistolary narration in this book. We get to uncover the chilling details of a horrific incident involving our main character through a clever blend of first person accounts and tantalizing doctor's reports filled with dialogue. The constant doubt cast by the doctor's sections adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already unreliable narrator. I was left questioning everything, never sure what to believe. It's a brilliantly sharp, witty, and edgy storytelling technique that kept me hooked from start to finish.
The author's reverence for the Gothic genre is palpable, evident in the exquisitely crafted descriptions of eerie and dilapidated settings, the lingering influence of the past on every character, and the use of paranormal elements.Â
It's dark, it's gothic, it's sapphic, and I absolutely adored every single moment devouring this!.
illiteracywithasory's review against another edition
3.0
⋆ARC REVIEW⋆
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How else does one show the strength and sincerity of one’s love if not through suffering and sacrifice?
When I first laid eyes on the cover, I was genuinely drawn to dive into this read. However, I must admit that this novel didn't quite resonate with me. Despite being a commendable sapphic gothic horror with vivid depictions of both psychological and physical terror, it somehow fell short for my taste.
The initial pace was a bit slow for my liking, and I struggled to establish a meaningful connection with the characters as I had initially hoped. Some chapters leaned heavily into descriptions, while others seemed dominated by dialogue. It wasn't until the middle that the narrative found a harmonious balance, capturing my attention more effectively.
Surprisingly, the ending managed to captivate me to the extent that my rating increased by a star.
Despite my general opinion, I do think it's a worthwhile read. So, don't let my review discourage you from picking it up!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How else does one show the strength and sincerity of one’s love if not through suffering and sacrifice?
When I first laid eyes on the cover, I was genuinely drawn to dive into this read. However, I must admit that this novel didn't quite resonate with me. Despite being a commendable sapphic gothic horror with vivid depictions of both psychological and physical terror, it somehow fell short for my taste.
The initial pace was a bit slow for my liking, and I struggled to establish a meaningful connection with the characters as I had initially hoped. Some chapters leaned heavily into descriptions, while others seemed dominated by dialogue. It wasn't until the middle that the narrative found a harmonious balance, capturing my attention more effectively.
Surprisingly, the ending managed to captivate me to the extent that my rating increased by a star.
Despite my general opinion, I do think it's a worthwhile read. So, don't let my review discourage you from picking it up!
readupstate's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
4.0
thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC!
a delicious, captivating, visceral gothic love story. such beautiful and engaging writing - I couldn’t put it down.Â
a delicious, captivating, visceral gothic love story. such beautiful and engaging writing - I couldn’t put it down.Â
kerasalwaysreading's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully dark debut!
From a young age, Roos and Mama have been performing seances, rigged to give unwitting customers what they desire, speaking once again to their deceased loved ones. While these are falsehoods, Roos does have a spirit who has latched onto her. Ruth is a long dead girl and the two have a somewhat symbiotic relationship, finding comfort and companionship in one another.
A widow named Agnes Knoop attends a seance and soon requests for Roos to come and live with her in the estate left to her by her late husband. The attraction between Roos and Agnes is quickly evident, and the two seem to have a lot in common. But, a brutal death occurs in the house and Roos is blamed.
Told between transcripts between Roos and her psychologist, and the story that has happened, how Roos unfolds it, not sparing a single detail, we learn of Roos’s life, her hardships, and her time with Agnes. In order to see if she can stand trial, Dr. Montague seeks clues and answers to the question of Roos’s sanity.
This was a dark and intelligent read. I find that horror can be so subjective to an individual, with people not always finding fear in the same books dubbed as horror. This one is truly enthralling, with great visual and psychological horror intertwined. I suggest if blood is something that makes you squeamish, this might not be the book for you, as it talks a lot about it, as it is an integral part of the story.
From a young age, Roos and Mama have been performing seances, rigged to give unwitting customers what they desire, speaking once again to their deceased loved ones. While these are falsehoods, Roos does have a spirit who has latched onto her. Ruth is a long dead girl and the two have a somewhat symbiotic relationship, finding comfort and companionship in one another.
A widow named Agnes Knoop attends a seance and soon requests for Roos to come and live with her in the estate left to her by her late husband. The attraction between Roos and Agnes is quickly evident, and the two seem to have a lot in common. But, a brutal death occurs in the house and Roos is blamed.
Told between transcripts between Roos and her psychologist, and the story that has happened, how Roos unfolds it, not sparing a single detail, we learn of Roos’s life, her hardships, and her time with Agnes. In order to see if she can stand trial, Dr. Montague seeks clues and answers to the question of Roos’s sanity.
This was a dark and intelligent read. I find that horror can be so subjective to an individual, with people not always finding fear in the same books dubbed as horror. This one is truly enthralling, with great visual and psychological horror intertwined. I suggest if blood is something that makes you squeamish, this might not be the book for you, as it talks a lot about it, as it is an integral part of the story.
_prei_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurenslovelylittlelife's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicole_1003's review
5.0
Thank you NetGalley and Johanna van Veen for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my review
Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure where horror meets love in "My Darling Dreadful Thing" by Johanna van Veen.Â
It's a sapphic gothic horror with a potent blend of visual and psychological terror.
From a young age, Roos and her mother have been staging fake séances to help people pretend they're speaking to their dead loved ones. But Roos has a real connection to a spirit, a long-dead girl named Ruth. They share an unusual and comforting bond.
Things take a dark turn when a widow named Agnes Knoop attends one of their séances and invites Roos to live with her in a creepy old estate in the Netherlands. The attraction between Roos and Agnes is evident, but a gruesome death occurs, and Roos is accused.
The story unfolds through conversations between Roos and her psychologist, Dr. Montague, and the narrative of what actually happened. The psychologist tries to figure out if Roos is mentally sound while investigating the chilling events.Â
As I journeyed through the book's dark corridors, I marveled at Johanna van Veen's ability to create a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. "My Darling Dreadful Thing" is a chilling literary voyage that will captivate and haunt your thoughts, evoking the mysteries of the unseen and the terrifying power of love. Don't miss out on this chillingly beautiful experience.
Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure where horror meets love in "My Darling Dreadful Thing" by Johanna van Veen.Â
It's a sapphic gothic horror with a potent blend of visual and psychological terror.
From a young age, Roos and her mother have been staging fake séances to help people pretend they're speaking to their dead loved ones. But Roos has a real connection to a spirit, a long-dead girl named Ruth. They share an unusual and comforting bond.
Things take a dark turn when a widow named Agnes Knoop attends one of their séances and invites Roos to live with her in a creepy old estate in the Netherlands. The attraction between Roos and Agnes is evident, but a gruesome death occurs, and Roos is accused.
The story unfolds through conversations between Roos and her psychologist, Dr. Montague, and the narrative of what actually happened. The psychologist tries to figure out if Roos is mentally sound while investigating the chilling events.Â
As I journeyed through the book's dark corridors, I marveled at Johanna van Veen's ability to create a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. "My Darling Dreadful Thing" is a chilling literary voyage that will captivate and haunt your thoughts, evoking the mysteries of the unseen and the terrifying power of love. Don't miss out on this chillingly beautiful experience.
ashley__reads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a beautifully written work of art. I was hooked on this sapphic horror romance from page one. I had no idea this was a debut novel until I googled the author looking for other books to read after finishing this one. The love between our two main characters is tragically stunning, the story playing out in a way I didn’t expect (but absolutely loved). Roos storyline will break your heart, and keep you so intrigued, especially whenever Agnes and that backstory comes into play. The way you really don’t know what happened with Roos because she is such an unreliable narrator is delicious and it’s something that I love in my books. Amazing. Five stars.Â
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!Â
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!Â
More...