When did I become someone who reads creepy novellas? What happened? (Not complaining, just wondering.)

I received an advance reader’s copy (ARC) of Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

In Bloom, Rosemary (Ro for short) leads a life filled with routine, never taking risks. However, when she meets Ash at her local farmer’s market, she finds herself enchanted. Ash is everything Ro admires—organized, gorgeous, confident. Her stand at the market is filled with lovely things, from soaps and candles to baked goods and potted plants. She’s basically perfect, and Ro can’t stop herself from going back again and again, drawn to this woman in a way she’s never experienced before. And Ash appears to like her too, against all odds. They start an unconventional courtship, but not all is as it seems… And Ro may have bitten off more than she can chew.

Oh man, the atmosphere in this book. I could practically feel what it was like to walk down the halls of Ash’s house or through the bustling farmer’s market. Everything feels so palpable, from the locations to the food. It’s sumptuous, indulgent. It’s absolutely horrifying when the story takes its unsettling turn, and that’s its own kind of satisfying. Don’t go into this book thinking it’s a cute soft dreamland; there are nightmares here (which luckily is obvious from the description and cover).

The way this is written is so clever, too. Knowing you’re reading a horror novella enables you to pick out the little details that point to not all being as cozy as it seems. There’s a fantastic sense of knowing more than the narrator, who can hardly be faulted for not being aware of what genre she’s in. And yet, the reveal of what Ash is truly like still has such an impact. It’s such a chilling scene, which ramps up to a stunning end.

I also found the two main characters to be fascinating, especially in how their relationship is. It’s a complicated thing, full of sharp angles and unexpected turns, and you’re swept along with Ro in this whirlwind of a person. Ash isn’t exactly likable to me (even disregarding her true nature), but it’s still easy to see why Ro is so drawn to her. Dawson has crafted a fantastic duo here.

I do want to mention, though, that this is definitely an adult horror story. There’s some gore and body horror, torture and violence. It’s not for the squeamish.

But in the end, I liked Bloom a lot. It’s so creepy but in a weirdly delicious way. I think knowing the genre while the protagonist doesn’t has never been more satisfying. The slow revelation of the gross truth is perfectly done, and the buildup of the two women’s relationship has flawless pacing. I don’t know that I liked the ending, but it suited the story and its genre. And for such a short book (barely 200 pages), it packs such a memorable punch! I know it’s past Halloween, but this is a great story to read as the leaves change and the wind has a bite. It’s not for the faint of heart, and won’t be for everyone, but if you like horror, check this one out!

Bloom is available now!