A review by howlinglibraries
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
"It's a dangerous thing, to try and give someone everything. One day, you might find you've given away things you should've kept."

This was one of the most beautifully haunting books I've read in quite a while and has easily, instantly found its way onto the 'best books of 2024' list in my mind. My Darling Dreadful Thing is precisely what I want from a gothic horror novel: dark, romantic, claustrophobic, and downright chilling. Scenes of horrific imagery and even worse traumas take place against an immersive and poetic backdrop filled with forbidden love, and I adored it. It broke my heart more than once. I can't wait to read more of Johanna's works. ♥

“. . . there’s something missing from my life, something dreadful, something darling.”

✨ Representation: sapphic romance, queer MC, Indonesian and bi/pan love interest 
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