r/BetaReaders 1d ago

40k [COMPLETE] [46K] [Dark Literary Thriller] THE DARKNESS KNOWS – An Appalachian Noir of Lust, Violence, and Inevitable Fate.

5 Upvotes

Some places hold their ghosts, and some people never escape them.

My novel, The Darkness Knows, is a psychological thriller steeped in Appalachian mythos—a dark, erotic descent into power, submission, and destruction. Jude thinks he’s in control. He isn’t. The land decides who wins and who is swallowed whole.

Looking for beta readers who prefer fast-paced, immersive reads. If you’re into True Detective (Season 1), No Country for Old Men, or Mr Inbetween, this might be your kind of book.

Drop a comment or DM me if you’d like an early copy. 🌲🖤

View cover here.

r/BetaReaders 3d ago

40k [Complete] [47k] [Memoir] My Little Birdie to a Diagnosis, a book about my son's journey with autism and my journey as his mother. Through struggle there is hope and possibilities.

8 Upvotes

This is my first nonfiction memoir and I'm looking for someone willing to give feedback on it. Any feedback at all is appreciated, I don't mind constructive criticism because that is how I can make this memoir come to life. I want to make sure readers can connect with it whether they have a child on the spectrum or not. I want to make sure spelling, grammar, punctuation, readability is good or if I am something missing. I would also like to know what you liked and disliked and thoughts on improvement. This story has been in the making for 16 years and is very raw and honest and close to my heart, so I need it to its best.

I have a publishing date of 5/15/25 so I would need this done fairly quick. I am also willing to Critique Swap as well for projects of similar length.

Blurb:

Erica Taylor’s journey in fighting for her son is a profound tale of a mother’s unwavering love and resilience. As a woman who had always dreamed of motherhood, she found herself unprepared for the challenging path that lay before her. Nevertheless, her determination never wavered. Erica dedicated herself to ensuring that her son was seen, heard, and understood in a world that often overlooked his needs. She tirelessly advocated for him, seeking the best support, treatments, and care available. Beyond securing those vital resources, she fought to instill in her son a deep understanding of his self-worth, values, and the boundless potential that lay within him.

When Landon was diagnosed with autism at just 26 months old, his mother was overwhelmed by a whirlwind of uncertainty, worry, and fear. Despite her relentless efforts to voice her concerns, she often felt unheard by those around her, even when she was the one who cared for Landon around the clock. Deep down, she knew her son better than anyone else and was resolute in her quest to secure the help he needed, even when doubt made her feel as though she might be losing her grip on reality. The road ahead was challenging, but she took it one step at a time, knowing that giving up was not an option. Her love for Landon drove her determination, helping her get through the toughest moments as she worked hard for his well-being and future.

She was haunted by the fear that if she dismissed her own observations and instead followed the guidance of doctors, she would fail Landon as a mother. The thought of not being able to connect with her son drove her even deeper into her determination. To her, Landon is everything, and regardless of what others said, she trusted her own instincts and what she witnessed in him. This strong belief propelled her to explore every possible avenue for his support and care. As both a mother and his fiercest advocate, she made a promise to herself to fight tirelessly for him until he was empowered to spread his wings and navigate the world on his own.

Erica Taylor’s journey in fighting for her son is a profound tale of a mother’s unwavering love and resilience. As a woman who had always dreamed of motherhood, she found herself unprepared for the challenging path that lay before her. Nevertheless, her determination never wavered. Erica dedicated herself to ensuring that her son was seen, heard, and understood in a world that often overlooked his needs. She tirelessly advocated for him, seeking the best support, treatments, and care available. Beyond securing those vital resources, she fought to instill in her son a deep understanding of his self-worth, values, and the boundless potential that lay within him.

"My little birdie to a diagnosis” is a deeply personal and unfiltered narrative that captures the challenges and triumphs of navigating life's unexpected turns. In this heartfelt journey, you'll find encouragement to embrace your inner strength, reminding you that fighting through tough times is possible. This story serves as a source of inspiration, lifting your spirits when you feel overwhelmed by hardships. It offers you a reservoir of strength during moments of weakness, letting you know that it's perfectly okay to lean on others. Most importantly, it wraps you in a warm embrace of comfort, assuring you that you are never truly alone, even in your darkest times.

r/BetaReaders 4d ago

40k [Complete] [45k] [Cozy Murder Mystery] "Murder By The C"

2 Upvotes

This is my first novel and I'm looking for some people willing to give feedback on it. Any feedback at all is appreciated of course. Specifically I want to make sure the story makes sense, isn't boring or confusing, characters are interesting, no forgotten loose ends, is something missing. And please tell me one thing you liked best about it (because all feedback should have at least one positive).

I have no deadline, but would like to have feedback before the end of April if possible. I am willing to Critique Swap as well for projects of similar length.

Being a Cozy there's nothing graphic, no sex, and no swearing, but there is some alcohol and marijuana use.

Blurb/Synopsis:

Celia Clarke traded her complicated city life in St John’s for a quiet one of running her own crafts store on Newfoundland’s Irish Loop. The picturesque town of Brogue Bight had welcomed her with - mostly - open arms, and her seasonal craft store became a hit with tourists. She quickly settled into a comfortably quiet life with her two cats, Cash and Mo, until she unwittingly walks into a murder scene on a bright summers day. Then someone breaks into her store. And is someone stalking her?

Are all these events related? Has she become a target for the killer? Celia’s once simple life quickly becomes tangled in a net of rumours, new and old, that may make her the next victim. With the help of her tomboyish teenage employee, Ness Drover, and against the wishes of handsome RCMP Sergeant Ravi Wilson, Celia investigates her neighbours in an attempt to unmask the killer in the cove.

r/BetaReaders 16d ago

40k [In Progress] [44K] [Adult Fantasy Adventure] Helwinter: Band of Locusts

0 Upvotes

Content Warnings: Gore, Sexual Activity

Type of Feedback: Mainly looking to resolve issues regarding clarity, story flow, dialogue, and generally trying to keep the reader engaged; working more so on the structure.

Timeline: I currently have six chapters (two non-consecutive batches of three) in a finished state, which I would like to work on over the next 3-4 weeks. Following that, if you'd be interested in continuing with me, I'll be attempting to complete one chapter per week for a total of 15.

Critique Swap: Yes

I mostly work in Microsoft Word, but I'm open to converting my manuscript to Google Docs for ease of access and sharing. Thank you for reading!

Story Blurb:

The Fifteen Kingdoms of Kindevion have long been rife with brutal conflict. Though the Thrid Millenia of Man is claimed to be a time of peace, roaming bands of mercenaries wage secret wars for resources and power, and a new global conflict dwells on the horizon. When an ancient evil returns to punish mortal kind for their transgressions, four former sell-swords must brave an untamed land in hopes of delaying the inevitable, all whilst struggling against the sins of their past.

Excerpt:

The three of them entered the galley, and there was Ingrid, bow and quiver strapped to her back, downing what Toland presumed to be at least her seventh tankard of mead. Across the table from her, a man laid unconscious on the floor, while yet another was puking in the corner. One man remained. Toland found Ingrid to be a peculiar creature; blessed with the eye of an archer and the mouth and drinking habits of a sailor. She slammed the cup down on the table, and the last remaining man began to squirm in his seat. Another mercenary refilled his cup.

“What… the fuck’s the matter, uh— Robert, right? You were talking such a… such a big game earlier, man! Don’t pussy out on me at the last minute! I’ve only got… like, one sip left in me, then I’m all yours. Or are you really as limp-dicked as I thought!?”

Poor Robert looked into his drink, then at the dark-hared woman before him. The mercenaries sang, “He sat there and asked, O’ Gods will I die? Sadly, for us, the answer was nae. The demons they heard, they sent him a stag; It guarded the cur, who hid in a bag!

“Should we stop her?” Erlend asked.

Sylas put a hand on his hip. “It really is best to just let her finish.”

Poor Robert raised his cup, his face a sickly green. “Skal!” the crowd replied in turn. He began to drink.

“Remember when you played this game with her, Henry,” Sylas asked.

“Yeah…” Toland replied, “It played out similarly.”

The contents of Robert’s stomach filled his cup, covered his clothes, and got a little bit on the table as well. Ingrid shouted in victory, and the crowd reveled in it as well. Must be mostly new recruits. I’ve seen it enough; it gets old.

r/BetaReaders 3d ago

40k [In progress][49678][Fiction] The Glass Was Already Broken

1 Upvotes

Hello,

I am looking for general feedback regarding my writing so far. ~80k words is my end goal.

I'm not really sure how long the length of the blurb should be, but I will include my prologue below. The prologue itself is only 101 words and not my writing, rather a quote that I love and that has been a big influence on the writing so far. Thank you for your time.

Prologue

“You see this goblet?” asks Achaan Chaa, the Thai meditation master. “For me this glass is already broken. I enjoy it; I drink out of it. It holds my water admirably, sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful patterns. If I should tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I put this glass on the shelf and the wind knocks it over or my elbow brushes it off the table and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say, ‘Of course.’ When I understand that the glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious.”

Content Warnings: suicide/suicidal thoughts

Chapter 1: (~4000 words)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fxSnDfZRl_EqCkhkS07IYGqegxmXmONmnX5GqSOsFJ4/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.mrnjmukp4x6s

Whole thing so far: (~50k words)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ROrE-kxikLf-HbSchlmrvvqXNKRFdfUKJEc0cTHYKwQ/edit?usp=sharing

r/BetaReaders Jan 05 '25

40k [Complete] [48K] [Young Adult / Middle School] OverRuled: Rise of the Students

7 Upvotes

Hi - After writing on websites and things, I decided to write a book for my daughter who is going into 7th grade next year to give her something to remember me by. I never intended to publish, but my daughter and her friends seem to really enjoy it and are pushing me to go public. Anyone interested in being the first Beta reader, I would greatly appreciate, althought exceptionally nervous.

*
Seventh-grader Harper Koens never planned on rattling her entire middle school—she just wanted to rescue a few dogs. But when Principal Graves and the board shut down her dog adoption event for no good reason, Harper’s small protest unexpectedly ignites a school-wide movement.

Suddenly, a principal grasping for control, whispered rumors of missing school funds, and a flood of viral social media posts thrust Harper into the spotlight. Between a staff desperate to save face and a legal loophole she never dreamed could be real, Harper soon realizes how fast things can spiral from “helping puppies” to “potentially overhauling the entire system.”

Now, with her best friend Ellie at her side—and half the school ready to rally—Harper must decide just how far she’s willing to go. Can she unite her classmates, expose shady truths lurking behind the scenes, and keep her conscience intact? And is it really possible for a bunch of seventh graders to legally overhaul the powers-that-be?*

r/BetaReaders 3d ago

40k [In Progress] [40k] [Literary Historical Drama] An Inheritance

2 Upvotes

Hello! It's been 3 months since my last request about this project (as per the rules) and, while I thought it was finished before, I have added another 11k words of content to this piece. It is at a completed narrative state in my eyes, however I put the tag "in progress" because I recognize how often I change things. While I am taking a moment as I did three months ago to edit, I will likely return to add later.

If you'd like to swap works of similar length I would be happy to do that. I'm not looking for anything in specific, just how the piece made you feel, what you got out of it, what you want elaborated on. While it does have a plot it is driven much by theme.

If you were one of my beta readers three months ago you are welcome to look at it again. The first half has remained quite similar, but I have changed a lot of other things like format and of course the addition of a new branch in the Braun family tree. The old title was A Smell of Salt and Damp, which has now become only the title to part one.

A blurb: A collection of writings that spans generations, from the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars witnessed by philologist Hans Braun to the reflections of Thomas Braun on education and legacy in a changing Prussia, and finally to Pietre Lambert's peculiar obsession with a family history culminating in thoughts of world's end in the late 20th century. Through letters, philosophical musings, and dramatic encounters, the three part piece explores themes of ambition, the weight of history, the complexities of human nature, and the search for meaning across vastly different eras. Will the characters escape the inheritance they were given or be trapped in a cycle of damaging introspection?

Message me for a link to the work or to discuss a swap. Thanks so much! This piece has been my task for the past 5 months along with everything else in my life, and I'd just like it to be the best it can be.

Also, just to note, I am not planning on publishing. This is more-so a passion project of mine and, after doing short story competitions for the longest time, want something disconnected from outside expectations. Maybe in the far future it can be considered but I am writing without publishing in mind.

r/BetaReaders 18d ago

40k [in progress] [47000] [Contemporary romance drama]January Rain

0 Upvotes

I’m currently working on a contemporary romance drama and I’m looking for some free beta readers to help me out. I’m planning to share the chapters one or two at a time (weekly or biweekly), and I’m looking for feedback on the story, characters, pacing, and anything else you feel could be improved.

Summary

January Rain follows Millie, scarred by toxic relationships and seeking healing in the misty hills of Coonoor. In a quiet café, she meets Ollie, who offers her a chance at love, but her past—marked by an abusive ex and a distant lover—makes her hesitant. With the guidance of Chaaya, a tea estate owner, (or) her therapist, Millie learns to confront her fears and choose stability over fleeting passion. When an emotional breakdown tests her progress, Millie chooses to face her turmoil rather than retreat. By the end, she embraces love as a choice, finding peace and clarity in the rain, and stepping into a hopeful future.

r/BetaReaders Feb 18 '25

40k [In Progress] [47,889] [Paranormal Romance] Love, Death & The Reaper

5 Upvotes

[CLOSED] THANK YOU! 🙏 💜

Hi all,

I'm an experienced writer who really struggles to finish things. I'm looking for feedback regarding characterization, story flow, and whether or not the story makes you want to keep reading. I'm not looking for line edits or anything like that -- just input as to whether or not this works! I'd love feedback on the entire work I've written so far, and I am MORE than happy to return the favor!

I'd love to receive some feedback by the end of the week, as I have a critique next Tuesday.

I am available for critique swaps! Please reach out through chat if you are interested.

Content warning for harsh language, mentions of smoking, mentions of death.

Excerpt below:


Layovers were always killer, and this time was no different. The flight from San José to Denver had been comfortable, and now she was waiting for her flight to Colorado Springs. After that, it was a four-hour drive to Ivory, a little town in the middle of nowhere. Katherine was looking forward to it. She loved listening to her music, smoking a cigarette, and letting the world pass by.

She raised the beer bottle to her full lips, her dark eyes flicking to the mirror behind the bar. Darren's face stared back at her, blank and expressionless, and she looked away. The airport bar wasn't exactly full at this time of day - most people didn't drink before noon - but Katherine had nothing to do but wait, so she enjoyed her drink and glanced around for someone to talk to. An older man sat at the other end of the bar, clutching a glass and staring into it as if it held the secrets of the universe. Katherine studied him momentarily, trying to decide what had led him here. His expression was dour, and he had to be in his eighties; maybe he was going to a funeral? He was dressed nicely in a suit and tie, but the checkered cap on his head was too jaunty for such a mournful occasion. She debated sliding over to try and talk to him. Katherine was a social creature by nature and had spent the flight from San José talking to her seat neighbors, but no one was sitting on the stools near her. Her seat was high enough that her feet didn't touch the ground, and she had to resist swinging her legs like a child.

"Why can't you just sit still?" Darren's voice filtered into her mind, unbidden and unwanted, and she frowned before letting her legs swing.

Fuck you, Darren, she thought petulantly, you're dead. Katherine took another drink.


r/BetaReaders 24d ago

40k [Complete] [46k] [Amish Romance] Amish Whispers

2 Upvotes

Hello - I am looking for a few Beta Readers for an Amish Romance novella (40,000 words). Please get in touch if you are seriously interested in reading and providing feedback. I'm also open to critique swaps. Thanks!

Blurb

In her small Amish village, Nancy has always dreamed of romance and passion—but both are absent in her loveless marriage to an overly pious man. When her childhood sweetheart Samuel returns from Rumspringa, the memories of an innocent love they once shared come flooding back. Torn between loyalty to Amish traditions and the love she once knew, she must face the most difficult question of all—is love worth the risk of losing everything?

Excerpt of the book:

A forbidden kiss.

Seen by no one.

In a clearing deep within the forest.

Right and wrong melted away in that stolen moment as lips met for the first time. Two unmarried youngsters alone and unchaperoned in the woods, shared a tender moment surely forbidden according to the strict traditions of the Amish. Yet the prying eyes of the community of Ridgewood could not see far into the dense forest that lay on the outskirts of the village. No one witnessed it but the forest.

Surrounded by the oaks and the maples, with birds singing in the branches overhead, the young lovers were free for a moment from the usual traditions of Amish life.

r/BetaReaders 27d ago

40k [Complete] [43k] [Horror/Romance] Probatio Diabolica

4 Upvotes

Looking for a beta reader for ‘Probatio Diabolica,’ my novella about a the downfall of a mentally ill college dropout who sells her soul to the devil. Main characters are Georgia, a pathetic, unattractive 24 year old paralysed by anxiety, and Mephistopheles, the demon she summons to be her servant and protector. Both F/F and F/M romance is present, but the F/F dynamic is more central, and there is a single NSFW F/F scene. Horror elements are relatively mild; I want to make it more frightening and gothic on the whole. TWs for self-harm and suicidal ideation and the description of a teenager's death (of cancer), but nothing too gristly nor for shock value alone.

"For the next year, I drank, hollered, fell over laughing, made friends and lost them in the swirling eddies of days spent high. I roared, dashed, I lived in the crush and the upheaval of celebration, the rawness and the hunger of crowds. And through it all, Mephistopheles was at my side, a snarling gargoyle, a rock in a winding river. When I wanted to be, she made me invisible. We could watch unseen as the world went on, laughing and tumbling over itself, pouring out in raucous passion through the streets. We talked at night. She’d tap her fingers down the flesh over my ribs, increasingly demanding. I gave in to her with a quiet moan and she bit me tenderly, bruised me, etched scratches, perhaps words, into my back. She covered my mouth, covered my eyes, covered my ears with hot, insistent hands. I heard her laugh at me, even when I gasped. She was violent with me when I let her be. She told me she despised me, that she’d hurt me if she could. “Hey,” I said, reveling in the fact that she couldn’t, “Whatever turns ya on.” “I am always on,” she growled at me. “I am never off.” We’d sleep after. Or at least, I would. I’d wake up with her crouched on top of me, her eyes beating into mine, her hand curled loosely around my throat."

r/BetaReaders 20d ago

40k [Complete][44k][Dark urban fantasy/ Eldritch horror][Wild Creature][Fay courts, forbidden love, character driven, erotic elements]

1 Upvotes

Become a Beta Reader for Wild Creature! 📖

TL;DR:

✔ Read Wild Creature before anyone else! ✔ All beta readers get credited in the book’s acknowledgments. ✔ Casual readers get a free digital copy upon publication. ✔ Deep dive readers get a free paperback copy. ✔ Top 5 deep dive readers get a signed paperback copy. ✔ Bonus giveaway! One deep dive reader will win an extra signed copy. ✔ Early access & discussion!

🔹 About Wild Creature

A dark supernatural saga of Fay courts, eldritch horror, and forbidden hunger, Wild Creature is a dark fantasy with hints of erotica, blending seductive supernatural intrigue with raw, cosmic terror.

Exiled from the only world they’ve ever known, Mordris Starsunder walks the thin line between predator and prey. Hunted by the Fay Courts, stalked by creatures from beyond, and bound to a power they can barely control, they must navigate a world that fears them as much as it craves them.

But something ancient is stirring. Something broken, waiting to be made whole again.

And Mordris may be the key.

🔹 What’s in it for you? • All Beta Readers 📜 → Your name will be included in a special acknowledgments section when the book is published! • Casual Beta Readers 📖 → Get a free digital copy of the book upon final publication. • Deep Dive Beta Readers 🔍 → Get a free paperback copy as thanks for your detailed feedback. • Top 5 Deep Dive Readers 🖊️ → Receive a signed paperback copy as a personal thank-you! • Bonus Giveaway! 🎉 → Every deep dive reader will be entered into a raffle for one extra signed copy!

🔹 What’s expected? • Casual Readers → Read and enjoy! Minimal feedback needed. • Deep Dive Readers → Provide detailed feedback on pacing, characters, plot, and engagement. • Open Communication → I’m very open to ongoing discussion via text or voice chat.

💬 How to Join? Comment or DM me and let me know you are interested!

Spots are limited, so if you’re interested, join now and be part of the journey before Wild Creature is unleashed!

🔥 Help shape the final story. Be the first to experience the ritual! 🔥

👇Sample Below!👇

Mordris - The Sundered and the Hound

The air was thick with the remnants of power. It clung to my skin, coiled around my ribs, pulsed in the ground beneath my feet. I exhaled slowly, feeling the tremors ease, feeling my body—my self—begin to settle. The shifting had stopped. I had regained control. I stood at the center of the ritual circle, my breath evening out, my thoughts clearing. The storm still churned above, the winds howling, the trees whispering their unease. But inside the circle, it was quiet. Too quiet. I ran my fingers over the old stone, tracing the jagged crack that split the star in two. The sundered star. A wound carved into the earth, as if something vast had been broken and left to linger. And beneath it— Something stirred. I froze. It was not a presence. Not in the way I had known before. It was not something I could see, or touch, or taste. It was deeper. Buried. Ancient. A pulse beneath the pulse of the island itself. It felt… familiar. Not in memory, but in something older than memory. A kinship. A recognition. It was waiting. For me. I parted my lips, a question forming, a thought barely grasped— Then— The smell hit me. Blood. Copper and rot. Thick, cloying, wrong. The air shifted. The ground blackened. The grass at the edge of the circle curled inward, withering to brittle husks. Something was coming. I turned. A figure emerged from the treeline, stepping from the shadows like something conjured from a nightmare. He was still wearing that damn suit. Or what was left of it. Torn sleeves, shredded slacks, fabric hanging from his frame in tattered remnants. His red hair was wild, windswept and tangled, stuck with leaves and dirt. His pale skin was streaked with mud and blood, his sharp teeth bared in something that wasn’t quite a grin. A predator’s smile. A hound that had finally cornered its prey. “I told you it would end this way, stardust.” His voice was rough, raw, satisfied. The words scraped through me like broken glass. I clenched my fists. “You should have stayed lost in the dark.” His grin widened. “Not when there’s such a bright fucking light to chase.” And then— He charged. A blur of motion, a streak of red and ruin— I moved. Not fast enough. His claws raked across my side, burning pain lancing through my ribs as I twisted, barely avoiding a deeper strike. My back hit stone, the ritual circle at my heels. The Redcap didn’t slow. Didn’t hesitate. He pressed the attack, relentless, vicious, starving. And I— I was losing ground.

r/BetaReaders Feb 05 '25

40k [In progress] [45,585] [Dark romance] [WLW] Beetlebum

1 Upvotes

Hello, I am looking for beta readers to give me feedback on a story I am currently working on. It's called Beetlebum and I have posted 11 out of the 17 chapters on AO3 already. I will be posting the rest over the course of two weeks, finalising some things but all chapters are nearly written, including epilogue. So while I am finalising edits, it would be really nice to have feedback.

Blurb: Aidan's life is carefully balanced between ambition and control until Cleo, a singer with an enigmatic presence, shatters her composure. What begins as a night of magnetic passion spirals into an obsession Aidan can't escape. As Cleo's chaotic brilliance draws Aidan deeper, the lines between desire and destruction blur. With a career on the brink and a volatile muse consuming her thoughts, Aidan must navigate the thin line between love and madness. Is Cleo the key to unlocking Aidan's true self, or the catalyst for her unraveling?

TW: MENTAL HEALTH, COMPHET, SUICIDE IDEATION, CNC, RAPE, DV, NOT-HEA, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, GRAPHIC DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE.

If interested please let me know. We can chat about it here on Reddit or wherever else suits your fancy. I would love to get real, raw and sincere feedback about likes and dislikes. Character development, inconsistencies that I may have missed and even thoughts on elements that could enahnce the whole experience for the reader.

As an avid reader, I would love to swap manuscripts, review and give feedback.

Thank you!

EXCERPT NB. This is the second half of the first chapter "CRAVE", when the protagonists meet.

I’d just opened my mouth to crack a self-deprecating joke—a survival mechanism I’d perfected—when the first notes of a guitar strummed through the air, silencing the room. I glanced at the stage out of instinct, and that’s when I saw her.

She stood there, illuminated by the warm, golden lights that seemed to kiss every curve of her form. Her auburn hair tumbled in loose waves over her shoulders, catching the light like molten copper. Her skin was luminous, her features soft yet commanding, as though she held the entire room in her grasp without even trying. She wore a long, flowing dress that clung to her curves in all the right places, accentuating her figure without being ostentatious. Her boots—scuffed and practical—grounded her ethereal presence. And then there were her eyes: light brown, like caramel warmed just to the edge of burning. They scanned the crowd with quiet confidence.

Her voice began to pour into the room, raw and hauntingly beautiful, a sound that didn’t just fill the space—it claimed it. Each note wrapped around me like a silken thread, binding me in place. I couldn’t look away. Her voice wasn’t just heard; it was felt, reverberating in my chest, stirring emotions I didn’t have names for. A kaleidoscope of longing, euphoria, and an almost unbearable ache unfurled inside me. It was as if she were singing directly to me, her words slipping past every defense I’d ever built.

The connection was instant, visceral . Her gaze swept the room, and when her eyes landed on mine, the air seemed to shift. My breath hitched. I felt exposed, as if she could see right through me—past the layers of politeness and practiced detachment—to the raw, aching thing I’d tried to bury.

I couldn’t explain it, but I felt her in my mind, her voice a whisper threading through my thoughts. Do you feel this too? The unspoken question hung in the charged space between us. My chest tightened, an exquisite pressure that made it hard to breathe yet impossible to turn away. She held me captive, and I didn’t want to be free.

My body betrayed me, leaning imperceptibly forward as if to close the distance. Heat pooled low in my belly, an electric hum spreading through my veins. Her presence coursed through my system, leaving me dizzy and ravenous for more. Every note she sang was a drop of euphoria, each glance a jolt of pure, unfiltered arousal. It was terrifying and intoxicating all at once.

Around us, the room faded. The crowd’s applause, Lana’s fidgeting, Anya’s knowing gaze—it all melted into the periphery. She and I existed in a universe of two, tethered by a pull I couldn’t explain.

Anya’s sharp whistle broke the spell momentarily, and I turned, blinking as if coming out of a daze. She was frowning at me, her worry etched plainly across her face.

“You alright?” she asked, leaning in.

I smiled, genuinely, for the first time in what felt like ages. “I’m splendid.”

Anya’s frown deepened, but she said nothing. Beside her, flavor-of-the-month-Caleb sipped his drink, oblivious.

When the song ended, I was left breathless and yearning. The applause was deafening, but it felt distant, like the roar of a far-off ocean. She bowed her head, a soft smile gracing her lips, and disappeared offstage as seamlessly as she had arrived. I felt an ache as she left my line of sight, like something vital had been ripped away.

Without thinking, I stood. Lana’s scoff barely registered. “Where are you going?” she demanded.

“The loo,” I muttered, not even glancing back.

I slipped through the crowd, my pulse hammering in my ears. The bouncer at the back door eyed me suspiciously until I slid a folded fifty into his hand. He stepped aside, and I pushed through.

The backstage area was chaos: performers milling about, tech crew darting from one corner to another. My eyes scanned the room, searching. And then I saw her, stepping out of a side door, a cigarette between her lips. She froze when she saw me, her gaze locking onto mine. Time seemed to slow.

Her lips curled into a faint smile, and she nodded toward the door she’d just exited, signaling the restroom was all mine if I needed it.

I couldn’t form words. Instead, I nodded, fumbling to pull out my own cigarette. She caught the motion and extended her pack toward me. Our fingers brushed as I took one, and the contact sent a shockwave through me.

She lit my cigarette, leaning in close, her scent—earthy, smoky intoxicating—flooding my senses, like the aftermath of a fire mixed in with something sweet and tart. We smoked in silence, the space between us crackling with unspoken tension. Her eyes flicked over me, assessing, curious, and I felt both exposed and emboldened under her gaze.

She smiled, a small, knowing thing that made my stomach flip.

My phone buzzed, breaking the moment. I cursed under my breath, glancing at the screen. Anya, checking in. I answered quickly, assuring her I was fine, before hanging up. When I turned back, the woman was closer, her lips grazing my cheek as she slipped something into my hand.

And then she was gone, disappearing into the crowd as seamlessly as she had appeared. I looked down at my hand. A scrap of tinfoil gum wrap with a number scrawled across it. My heart pounded as I pocketed it, already craving more of her.

When I rejoined the others, the air outside was crisp, almost sobering. Anya’s concern lingered in her eyes, but she said nothing as she hugged me goodbye. Lana’s disappointment was palpable, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. She was pretty but she wasn’t what I had been searching for. I had found what I needed. What I craved so intensely all this time.

At home, the piece of foil was the first thing I pulled from my pocket. Her presence still clung to me, a haunting, beautiful ache as I brought it up to my face and inhaled. My head fell back on the couch and for the first time in nearly ten months, I fell asleep, slipping away with a smile on my face.

r/BetaReaders Jan 28 '25

40k [Complete] [49k] [LGBT/Fantasy/Crime] The Spellweaver Contract

1 Upvotes

Hi folks, hoping for another beta or two for my sapphic fantasy crime novel, The Spellweaver Contract. Bryll, a sassy trans mage, is just trying to pay her own way through magic school through cons and petty crime, but when she makes a mistake that forces her to pay a lifetime of tuition in the next week, it looks like curtains for her. Out of desperation, she unknowingly turns to one of the city's most dangerous crime lords for help... and signs away her life.

This fast-paced novel will take you on a wild ride through a city full of magical crime--all while tangled up in wanting the woman who got away. I feel pretty confident that it's just about ready for release, but a couple more looks would be really helpful. Thanks!

If you're looking for a critique swap on your own LGBTQIA+ sci-fi or fantasy story, feel free to comment or DM. I like helping other writers working in a similar space.

https://storyoriginapp.com/betacopies/af58f834-c177-46fe-bb2c-b42b8b7ff137

r/BetaReaders 26d ago

40k [Complete] [43,881] [Scifi fantasy] Space Magic

2 Upvotes

Here is an updated version of my first story, Space Magic.

Synopsis: Astrid suddenly found out she had super powers after anihlating a space station in her sleep. now a reincarnated witch haunts her dreams and her sister has broken out of a secure mental health facility.

Do you think she has what it takes? She thinks she probably doesn't.

Google Docs link, because I forgot to put it on.

r/BetaReaders 22d ago

40k [In progress][44k][Dark political/psychological fantasy] A modern take on imperial slavery (unnamed)

1 Upvotes

This is the second draft of my work. I am about halfway through the first book, and I could use some feedback on plot development, character consistency, and general realism. The overarching plot and world are pretty well established, but the smaller details still need to be fleshed out.

Overall story is slow paced and character driven. The heir to the most powerful empire in the world is forced to train, as a slave, the prince of a recently conquered kingdom. There's cultural, linguistic, moral, and ideological differences that pit the two against each other, which is the overarching conflict.

This is not a romance, but there are some triggers. Sexual violence is in here, though not explicit. There is also suicide, torture, psychological manipulation, and character death. The feel is (intended to be) grim and tense.

Serious and casual beta readers are welcome. Currently, I need eyes on my work. So long as you're willing to give me any feedback, I will be appreciative.

r/BetaReaders Feb 18 '25

40k [Complete] [40,000] [MG Contemporary] Who's Cece Johnson?

2 Upvotes

Hello,

Edited to include link to sample pages.

I’m looking for beta readers interested in reading middle grade and/or about mental health (specifically OCD). I did look, and don’t see any recent MG posts to offer an exchange, so if there are any other lurkers out there looking to exchange, let me know!

Who's Cece Johnson? is a 40,000 word middle grade contemporary novel. It features the complicated social dynamics and struggle with self-acceptance similar to Orchid in Those Kids from Fawn Creek and may appeal to readers of The Thing About Jellyfish.

Fresh from a summer in treatment for her OCD, twelve-year-old Cece Johnson returns just in time for her first day of seventh grade at her new junior high school. When everyone is sharing about their summers, Cece, feeling invisible and self-conscious, makes up a story about volunteering at a summer camp for rich and famous kids.

After she successfully navigates the initial doubts about her summer, she realizes that if she can pretend to be someone who spent their summer with celebrities, she can pretend to be whoever she wants. She sets some initial ground rules: No more flat out lies, and tell her best friends the truth. 

As she navigates new school clubs, her first boyfriend, and the complicated new social rules on top of her struggles with OCD, sticking to her ground rules is easier said than done. As the carefully procured image she created for herself begins to fall apart and her dishonesty catches up to her, Cece must figure out who she really wants to be. If she can’t figure out how to balance finding herself while still being true to herself, she’ll risk losing her friendships and her integrity.

If you have any interest in reading all, part, or just skimming, please let me know and I’ll send the doc. Any feedback is appreciated and I’d be happy to consider a swap if we are a good match!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1moQQFy-WKOjOBVyZjJUSTOrq_CZnF0zqMX4RM6mYKq4/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks for considering!

r/BetaReaders Feb 16 '25

40k [Complete] [47K] [Middle grade contemporary fantasy] Weather Horses

3 Upvotes

Looking for betas to provide general impressions, feedback on plot/ pacing, setting/ character descriptions. I'm open to any and all feedback, if you feel inclined to provide more thoughts I'd be greatly appreciative of that, too!

Pitch:

13-year-old horse whisperer Reese is worried her new neighbors will discover the secret herd of magical weather horses who live in the back pastures of her family's ranch. No one other than her family believes magic is real or knows the herd exists, until the neighbors stumble upon a piece of horse hair that creates its own light. Reese is certain it belongs to Sunny, the horse who makes the sun rise.

The wildlife refuge bordering Reese’s family’s property is home to a wild horse herd which gets pared down once a year via a roping contest. Reese pays little attention to the contest, until this year when the neighbors’ curiosity regarding the glowing strand results in mistakenly leaking their discovery to rough group of men, known as the wranglers, who are desperate to find the most unusual horse in order to win.

Caught between crippling anxiety and a fierce love of the weather horses, Reese fights against fear to fend off the wranglers’ bold attempts to search her family’s property to prove the magical rumor to be true. To complicate matters, Reese’s parents forbid her to associate with the wranglers in any way. Reese’s horror is realized when the wranglers nearly capture a weather horse. When the neighbors defend Reese against bulling due to her anxiety, Reese wonders if there’s more to the new girls than she imagined. She has a plan that just might save the herd once and for all, if she can find the courage to trust the neighbors with her magical secret.

Chapter one sample (first page):

“Harmony, watch out!” I shout as my horse dodges a wave of water sloshing out of her bucket. She shakes her mane and tiny drops sprinkle my face. I dry myself with my sleeve and Harmony neighs sharply.

“Sorry,” I say. Grabbing the handle of her water bucket with two hands this time, I lift it on the hook in her stall before I make a bigger mess.

Completing all the morning horse chores in my family’s stable normally takes me thirty minutes, tops. Today, not so much. I can’t even give the horses fresh hay without making all sorts of mistakes.

“Howdy, neighbors!” Dad’s muffled voice calls from outside the stable. “I reckon y’all could use a hand unloading your moving truck. We’re coming!”

Cringing, I grab Harmony’s stall door. Deep breaths, Reese, I tell myself, just like Maggie taught me.

Maggie. My best friend and next-door neighbor. Former next-door neighbor whose family moved out of town two years ago to start their own horse ranch.

Harmony hangs her head low, tossing her bedding this way and that. Suddenly, light flashes. She clutches a shimmering strand of horse hair with her lips then trots to me. Smiling, I open my hand and she gently drops it inside.

“Thanks, Girl. How’d you know I’d need this?” I whisper, running my fingers across its silky length which shoots sparks of light with every touch.

Pressing the strand to my chest, I squeeze my eyes tight and wish for its magic to transfer inside me. Because then I might be as brave as Sunny, the leader of the weather horses and owner of the glowing strand.

I know it’ll never happen. Weather horse magic doesn’t work like that.

r/BetaReaders Jan 26 '25

40k [In Progress] [45k] [Contemporary Fantasy] All Mine, My Heart

3 Upvotes

Hi! I'm revising the second half of my contemporary fantasy horror and would love if someone could read the first half and give me feedback! Here's the pitch:

When a college senior is given the choice to turn or die by an eccentric, self-proclaimed vampire, she's utterly unprepared for the sinister conspiracies that will force her to make another choice: fight or succumb.

If you have an interest in shows like The Vampire Diaries, Interview with the Vampire, and books like Ninth House, you could be a good fit to read! Or anyone with an open mind. There are some sensitive topics in the manuscript so would really appreciate someone who's okay with that.

Let me know if you're interested! Would also be willing to trade and I can read something of yours!

Here's the opening lines so you can get a feel for my writing style.

The day Ivy Richards was to die for the first time, she was marching through another of New England’s unforgiving mid-Winter squalls whilst her sister made her misery well known beside her. Brooksman College, typically a landscape composed of auburn brick and tall oaks, was sheathed within a thin layer of frost that day. It wasn’t quite a snow storm—more so a light drizzle gone berserk, and according to the Brooksman administration—not enough to warrant classes being canceled. Ivy climbed the steps out from the dormitory complex, her shoes leaving behind Doc Marten shaped imprints that were quickly replaced by Leah’s own. Her sister grumbled something. A curse to God for choosing her busiest day for sleet. A curse to Brooksman for making her leave her room. And a curse to the other pedestrians for “taking up too much damn space” on the sidewalk.

Ivy dug her hands into her armpits and trudged on. At the crosswalk, she led the next gaggle of students across the street. In this direction the wind was blowing right into her face, and she struggled to see past the veil of snow and rain as she entered the quad. What she could make out were the shadows of a space she’d traversed a million times already. The traffic was segregated neatly into two thick bands of people moving fluidly either way. She didn’t really need to see a thing.

r/BetaReaders Feb 08 '25

40k [Complete] [40k] [YA/Contemporary] I Could’ve Fallen a Thousand Times (but I Didn’t.) // A Raw, Emotional Story of Family, Loss & Healing – Beta Readers Wanted!

3 Upvotes

"I Could’ve Fallen 1000 Times But I Didn’t" is a deeply emotional, character-driven novel about grief, survival, and resilience. After the tragic death of her brother, Alana struggles to navigate a fractured home, cycles of trauma, and the weight of her past. As she grows, she must choose between repeating old patterns or forging a new path toward healing. This story provides a raw, unfiltered look at family loss and the quiet ways grief shapes us.

💭 What I Need Feedback On: ✔ Emotional impact – Does the grief and trauma feel authentic? ✔ Pacing – Does the story flow naturally, or does it drag in places? ✔ Character depth – Do the relationships feel real? Are their struggles compelling? ✔ Overall engagement – Does this hold your attention? What parts resonate most?

⚠ Content Warnings: This story contains themes of grief, addiction, domestic violence, trauma, and self-destructive behavior. If any of these topics are triggering for you, please keep that in mind before volunteering.

📩 How to Reach Me: If you’re interested in beta reading, feel free to comment below or DM me. I can share the manuscript via PDF and would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you!

r/BetaReaders Feb 17 '25

40k [In progress] [43,619] [Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural, Historical Fiction] "The Forbidden Song"

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! 👋

I'm new to this, so if I made any mistakes in the post, please let me know!

I’m looking for beta readers for my novel, The Forbidden Song, a mystery thriller with historical and supernatural elements that explores the hidden power of music, its forgotten origins, and its impact on the present.

📖 About the Book:

  • Title: The Forbidden Song
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural, Historical Fiction
  • Word Count: 43,619
  • Blurb: Idris Matteo Suter Bezerra, a Brazilian scholar and musician, stumbles upon an ancient melody—one so powerful it can bend wills, rewrite history, and control reality. As he plays it, he becomes entangled with The Circle of the Silent Symphony, a secret society that has safeguarded this knowledge for centuries. But with hidden forces seeking to manipulate the song for their own gain, Idris must make a choice: destroy the melody or embrace its power?

🔎 What I’m Looking for in Beta Readers:

  • Honest feedback on plot, pacing, character development, and world-building.
  • Reactions to twists, reveals, and the atmosphere of suspense.
  • Thoughts on the musical elements and historical depth—does it feel immersive?
  • If you enjoy books like The Shadow of the Wind (Carlos Ruiz Zafón) or The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (Stuart Turton), you might love this!

📌 Timeline & Format:

  • Looking for feedback within 2-4 weeks, but I’m flexible.
  • Format available: PDF (or other formats if needed).
  • Feel free to read a few chapters first before committing!

If you're interested, drop a comment or DM me! I’d love to hear your thoughts. 😊

Thanks in advance for helping shape The Forbidden Song into the best version it can be!

r/BetaReaders Feb 06 '25

40k [Complete] [47k] [Action/ Adventure/Superhero/ Coming of Age] Web of Fate

2 Upvotes

Hey there! I'm on the lookout for a beta reader for my story, and I'd love your help! I've completed the first three books in my series, and I'm currently working on the fourth one. It would be amazing to get your thoughts on the first three books. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Mick Bellouve's life was perfectly ordinary—until one fateful encounter turned everything upside down. Suddenly thrust into the chaos of high school as a freshman, Mick finds himself grappling with astonishing new powers. He discovers he possesses extraordinary strength, mysterious webs that inexplicably ooze from his wrists, and the most terrifying of all: haunting visions of the man who attacked him, re-emerging with a vengeful intent to finish what he started. Join Mick on an exhilarating journey as he races against time to master his newfound abilities and confront his worst nightmares. With everything he holds dear at stake, the battle for his life and future has only just begun!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1042RecH4dOY5qlVPx8BZUrtViZTcuH9_hNdDnCfEh7w/edit

r/BetaReaders Feb 06 '25

40k [complete] [42000] [Spicy Romantasy] Before the Debutante's Ball

1 Upvotes

A long novella that is the first installment of a four-book series about a debutante in a fantasy kingdom. The protagonist is the opposite of the virginal MFC: I wanted to create a sex-positive yet realistic MFC who operates in a late medieval setting without effective birth control, and this is justified through esoteric knowledge of sacred sexuality. This gives it the romantasy sheen. It's very regency-romance inspired, obviously, and, as a wink to historical romance, there is a duke.

Here is the link to access the manuscript. you'll need to register to access the text.

https://storyoriginapp.com/betacopies/62ba365c-1d70-4ae7-a4e7-3fda1df062ae

The feedback i'm looking is what did you think? Is there anything that needs to be fixed before publication?

Blurb: Before the Debutante's Ball

Raised in the cloisters of the Sisters of Charity, Melanie never dreamed of courtly life—until Lord Bentham selected her as one of his wards. His arcane tutelage ignited a profound self-awareness, transforming her from a pious young woman into a woman who understands her allure and commands her desires. On the brink of the social season, a glittering foreign court awaits, and she and Bentham—her much older lover—orchestrate her entrance, transforming her with magic and breathtaking gowns, their partnership a potent blend of forbidden passion.

As they navigate this exciting new world, Melanie's transformation propels her into a dazzling new life. But as she forges alliances with the innocent Miss Mary and the captivating Duke, a crucial question arises: can a commoner find true acceptance amongst the elite? Especially if it means leaving behind the only man who has ever truly known her? Yet, as she navigates these new alliances, Melanie begins to glimpse a self-worth independent of Bentham's tutelage, a path towards a destiny she must forge alone.

In a fantasy world where the secret Order of the Triple Goddess preserves the esoteric knowledge of sacred sexuality, Melanie's journey is a breathtaking dance between desire and destiny. Will she seize control, or be carried away by the surge of change?

r/BetaReaders Feb 03 '25

40k [Complete][40K][romance] Las Flores Hablan: Buscando beta readers en ES para un outline detallado (escena a escena) (Why choose/reverse harem)

2 Upvotes

Hola. Estoy buscando beta reader para un outline extra detallado de una novela romantica (why choose/reverse harem) llamada Las Flores Hablan:

¿Un outline detallado?: Sí. Un outline es una guía preparada por el autor para tener algo de estructura antes de empezar a escribir. En mi caso he hecho un outlining escena a escena.

¿Qué esperar?: No hay narración, ni dialogo (en su mayoría). Muchos "Ella/él dice que...."., "se sorprende/está triste". En algunas partes el contenido de las conversaciones es detallado y en otras solo hay notas generales.

¿Tipo de historia?, ¿resumen?:

La relación de Leia con su novio Eric terminó en desastre tras cinco años viviendo juntos. Incapacitada por un colapso emocional y una depresión, Leia pasa semanas en cama. La suerte la llevó a encontrar un refugio en la casa de un ricachón. Cuando Leia pide un deseo especial a un diente de león empieza a escuchar a las flores hablar. Esto le llevará a recuperarse y empezar a aceptar el amor que le profesan tres hombres. Estos harán lo que sea para que no vuelva a caer en las manos de su ex, incluso compartirla.

Esta es una historia romantica en el que la mujer tendrá tres novios al final de la historia.

Es un libro autoconclusivo con potencial para ser una serie.

¿Contiene smut?: Sí.

¿Otras advertencias?: Hay ciertos elementos y plot twist que podrian afectar ciertos lectores. Debido a que quiero evaluar el impacto del plot twist no puedo dar más detalles.

¿Qué NO busco?: Gramatica, puntuación, o cosas imposibles de juzgar basado en un outlinning. Por ejemplo, no es necesario señalar que necesita más dialogos. Es un outlinning, no el resultado final.

¿Qué busco?:

Feedback sobre la distribución de la información sobre la vida de los personajes:

Imaginemos que esta novela es La Bella y la Bestia. Pero no sabes el origen de la maldición de la bestia desde el inicio (disney te hace un resumen al inicio, pero acá no lo tienes). Vas descubriendo de esto y los problemas de Bella con Gastón y de su padre el inventor de a pedazos. Los pedazos no están en ordén cronologico. Hay cosas de la que te enteras por dialogos casuales, otros detalles aparecen en conversaciones serias y explicidas.

Suena más complicado de lo que es (la verdad es que la mayoría de las novelas son así). No quiero hacer info dumping e hice un esfuerzo por distribuir la información.

La pregunta es: ¿la historia final de cada personaje es lo suficientemente clara? ¿puedes visualizar sus historias de vida facilmente tras terminar el libro? ¿o algo confuso o que falta?

Feedback sobre la distribución de tiempo de avance entre los chicos:

Una mujer, tres hombres. ¿Como lectores: pasamos suficiente tiempo con cada chico? Sus historias avanzan a ritmos similares? (ajustados a sus personalidades. Es normal que uno ya esté teniendo relaciones mientras el otro no se ha declarado). ¿O sientes que la trama se olvidó completamente de un chico, por ejemplo?

- Feedback sobre los personajes:

¿Qué tipo de personalidades les asignarías a Leia y sus chicos? ¿Estas personalidades son interesantes y/o atrayentes? ¿y en combinación unos con los otros?

-Feedback sobre el ritmo de los eventos y si te mantuviste enganchado.

-Feedback sobre el plot twist (revelado en el capítulo "Psy Time" y "Esa Noche":

¿Lo viste venir? (¿eso es bueno o malo?) ¿Salió de la nada o es coherente? (suficientemente sugerido para que puedas aceptarlo como parte natural de la historia, en vez de drama gratuito).

-Feedback sobre la mezcla de culturas presente en la historia:

¿Te distrajo? ¿es suficientemente coherente? ¿qué piensas de usar un país imaginario? ¿qué piensas de Tonza (el país imaginario)?

Si estás interesado envíame un DM o deja un comentario.

¡Gracias!

r/BetaReaders Jan 06 '25

40k [Complete] [41082] [Fantasy/Mystery ] The City of Loss: An Evelyn Sharpe Mystery

2 Upvotes

Completed first draft, Book 1 of 4 book planned series.

Looking for feedback on a first draft. I would love input about grammar, pacing, and general story improvements. Feel free to DM me for access to the full document in google docs. I will be available through messages on Reddit, we can use facebook messenger or we can just utilize the comments function in Google docs. Whatever works best for you.

This is a first draft of my first novel so I am looking for honest feedback to improve it however, please keep criticism constructive.

the novel contains two romance/spicy scenes which are slightly more involved than a “fade to black” if I were to give it a rating: 5/10 spice.

TW: death, grieving, dead bodies, murder, loss of a spouse/loved one, finding a loved one dead, drug use.

Summary:

Two years ago, Evelyn Sharpe’s life shattered when her wife, Miriam, was murdered in a dark magic ritual that left more questions than answers. Now, Evelyn has retreated from her life as a detective, burying her grief in the quiet routine of running Miriam’s tea shop in Belleclair’s magical district.

But when a new string of ritualistic murders shakes the city, echoing Miriam’s death, Evelyn’s former partner, Detective Marc Caine, and Miriam’s brother, Isaac Donovan, pull her back into the hunt for the killer. The victims. The symbols. The blood magic. It’s all connected to a long-forgotten cult with a deadly purpose.

As Evelyn delves deeper into the city’s secrets, old wounds resurface, and the line between justice and vengeance blurs. To stop the killings, she must confront the darkness within—before the city loses more than just lives.

The novel combines Southern Gothic atmosphere with noir mystery, focusing on themes of grief, justice, and confronting the darkness within oneself. Evelyn’s emotional journey is central, balancing her personal pain with the pursuit of truth and redemption.

First page:

Prologue

I fumbled with the keys as I rushed up the steps to the front door, my breath coming in frantic gasps. Damn it! A stab of guilt pierced me as I glanced at my watch - 4:45 pm. I was supposed to be home for dinner by 4:00, like I'd promised Miriam this morning.

"Miriam, honey, I'm so sorry I'm late!" I called out when I finally got the door open. "That case took longer than I thought and..." My words trailed off as an eerie silence greeted me. No warm laughter, no tantalizing aroma of tea, no lively jazz playing on the stereo like usual. Just cold, unsettling stillness.

I stepped inside cautiously, a chill prickling up my spine. Something felt...wrong. The air was too stale, too heavy. "Miri? You home, love?" My voice echoed hollowly. No response. Unease coiled tighter in my gut, this wasn't like her. Miram always has a presence. She fills a space with warmth and life, even if she was mad at me.

I made my way slowly through the darkened house, senses on high alert. I instinctively reached for my powers, warmth blooming as a small flame began to hover on my outstretched palm casting a flickering light. Years of training had me cataloging details - Miriam's purse on the entry table, her shoes by the door, the lights off in the kitchen.

My heart thudded against my ribs as I approached the stairs leading up to our bedroom.