I was excited for this devil wears Prada/ gothic horror. I dunno if this was a high expectations unmet kind of thing… it just felt extremely slow and then very rushed at the end.

It also had an old feel so when the pop culture/ modern day references popped it was quite jarring.

Thanks to netgalley and random house for an eARC

This is a haunting exploration of ambition turned nightmare. Samara, thrilled to land her dream job with legendary designer Antonio Mota, quickly spirals as the pressures of the fashion world intensify. What starts as a glamorous opportunity in California unravels into a chilling descent into madness, with eerie voices and unsettling visions haunting her nights. As she delves deeper, dark secrets about Mota and the city emerge, forcing her to confront external and internal demons. Rivera blends horror with a critique of the fashion industry, making this novel a gripping and unsettling read. Samara's journey is a cautionary tale of the high price of success.

2.5 stars.

I'm really bummed to say that I didn't care for this book despite being very excited about it. I saw it marketed as "for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia" and I think that does the book a disservice because it sets expectations that the book doesn't meet.

The premise is really strong, but I feel like this book is trying to tackle way too many different topics and fails to connect them. There isn't a clear. throughline which makes the book feel messy and disjointed. The book's commentary also feels like the author's voice coming through a character's mouth very strongly. It doesn't feel like it's incorporated smoothly into the book.

Samara is a very passive character despite being supposedly very ambitious. She does little to no investigation and simply reacts to things and moves on. We are also told rather than shown how Samara feels–the phrases "She was so scared" and "She was so afraid" were used constantly. As a result, the story doesn't really unravel in any way, stuff just kind of happens. Some connections that do get drawn are drawn without clear evidence and get dropped out of the story suddenly. Samara also doesn't really form many meaningful relationships with other characters, and the other characters are very flat and interchangeable.

A lot of the scenes feel very repetitive as well. It doesn't seem like anything in either Samara's work or home life (including her alcoholism) develops in any meaningful way. The same things happen over and over and Samara doesn't do anything about them.

There are a handful of things I like. I recognize that this has largely been a negative review, but I want to include a few things that might attract other readers. For one thing, I did really like the relationship between Samara and her grandmother and the way that influenced Samara throughout the story. I also really liked the inclusion of some community-focused scenes with a local artist. Some of the horror in the latter half of the book is very well written and creepy, and I think Samara reacts to things in a very believable, relatable way. This is also a book that strikes me as very of-our-time, and I think that might appeal to a lot of readers.

Overall, this book strikes me as disjointed and messy, and nothing in it feels like it develops in a meaningful way. That said, I think a lot of readers will connect with the character of Samara, and I hope that this book does find its audience.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

A slow burn suspense novel about a woman who goes to work for a prestigious fashion designer. As the pressure mounts, strange things start to happen. Samara doesn't know if it's real or if she is cracking under the pressure.

This one was supposed to be a slow burn, but the first half was slow, no real burn. It just wasn't really suspenseful for me, and I didn't love Samara as a protagonist.

I am absolutely loving the recent uptick in fashion / beauty market horror & thriller books, wow! This was excellent, I loved not knowing exactly what was going on and wondering if the main character was nuts or actually dealing with something sinister. I feel like a few scenes could've gone a bit harder with the creep factor, but that's just personal preference - this was definitely good!

samara, a journalist based in jersey city, travels cross country to vernon, ca to report on the return of a fashion DESIGNER onto the scene. samara is dealing with more than just the “vernon perfume” - which is from the slaughterhouse next door. her grandmother just passed away, shes avoiding her parents, shes waking up Every night at 2AM to strange noises and event some hallucinations. on top of that, she has to worry about staying in her boss’s good graces and figure out why the seamstresses dont talk to her.

as it gets closer to the fashion show the hallucinations get worse until finally samara realizes they arent hallucinations but ghosts who want her to listen to their story and stop the cycle.

this book is such a quick read because you need to know what is happening and you need samara to realize it aSap. the book is incredibly gothic but please checks tws. there are conversations about grief, alcohol misuse, assault, microaggressions, racism, death.

In my opinion, TINY THREADS suffers from having a compelling and intriguing plot but an underwhelming execution.
By reading the synopsis I was expecting a real horror story about this woman who starts to work for a famous designer and creepy things unravel from there.
It wasn't, really. We, the readers, follow the main character, Samara for over half of this book just going to work day by day, meeting new people, socialising with her boss and, eventualy, some eerie events happen when she's alone.
It was interesting (up to a point) because it gave me the unsettling feeling that I wondered if everything was just going on in Samara's head, like a psychological situation.
And the ending did deliver some horror - mostly by social critisicm.
But this a short book. In my opinion, the author spent too much time focusing on Samara's background, life history and daily activities other than focusing on the real horror. In general, this book didn't read as a horror novel - and I was expecting a horror novel.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher Del Rey, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Saprophyte (noun): a plant, fungus, or microorganism that lives on dead or decaying organic matter.

Set in the world of fashion, Tiny Threads deals with social issues such as racism, violence towards women, misogyny, and sexism. There are the Gothic elements of haunted buildings, female protagonist in distress, ghosts, and suspense. The tension builds slowly and we are gifted with a satisfying climax of good versus evil.

The Saprophyte is a fashion house located in a warehouse next to a slaughterhouse (a very interesting choice). Here, the air is foul, and the street deserted. It is the city of Vernon, California which has been pegged as “The new Los Angeles”. This is where mercurial designer Antonio Moto chooses to prepare his latest line of women’s fashion. Vernon is Antonio’s hometown, and this is a symbolic return to his roots logistically and creatively. His early designs featured themes of violence and beauty. As of late, his style has become main stream, and predictable. It is possible that the juxtaposition of beauty and violence will be his inspiration and return to relevance.

Samara Martin is the new Executive Director, Global Brand Voice at The Saprophyte. She moved to Vernon from New Jersey to work with Antonio. Taking this job will give her a fresh start in a career she sees as the opportunity of a lifetime. Samara is also trying to reinvent herself; to distance herself from the grief and traumatic memories she associates with her family and New Jersey. Stressed, depressed, and having difficulty fitting in, she increasingly turns towards alcohol to get through the days...and the nights. At night she is visited by the grunts and smells of ghost pigs, and the apparition of a tragic, beautiful woman.

Over the course of several months, Samara’s life and touch with reality begin to unravel. Her past makes her vulnerable to the violent history of the area which manifests itself in paranormal events. As her boss’s capricious demands become more and more ludicrous, she sleeps less and drinks more. As it gets closer to presenting Antonio’s fashion line, Samara spirals into supernatural phenomena escapes with increasing frequency and intensity.

I would like to thank Del Rey Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

"Tiny Threads" by Lilliam Rivera is a kind of Gothic "Devil Wears Prada" story. Though I detested all of the characters (though I came around to liking Samara more at the end when I discovered the reasons behind her poor choices), this book was entertaining from the first page until the last. I wouldn't describe it as 'terrifying' but its supernatural moments were definitely spooky and it is the perfect book to pick up as the days get shorter and Halloween approaches. Though the city of Vernon is fictional, sadly the horrific events of its past are entirely realistic. It is difficult to be a woman in a world dominated by men and I couldn't help but cheer for the women in this book who took back their power, even if they did so in chilling ways.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book.

I have to admit that halfway through this book I felt like I was watching a trainwreck in slow motion as Samara began to spiral more and more out of control. But it turns out that she absolutely needed to do so in order to get her to a place where she could both heal and be healed. I don’t know what working in the world of high-power fashion is like, but I imagine as with everything, one does not become famous or make a lot of money without oppressing someone. And despite just how very aware we are of those oppressions in this day and age, we still can’t seem to fix the system. I love the way Rivera uses supernatural suspense to further open Samara’s eyes and the alcohol she consumes to numb those nightmares only serves to break her down instead. An excellent read!

I have never read a book that horrified me so greatly. Literally brought every stressor I’ve felt at work, twisted it, and then brought it to horrifying life. Almost TOO good at emulating real life: I felt like I could barely breathe at times, and that was often more so from the stress than the actual horror?? Hard to rate this one because of it - but ultimately, I quite enjoyed it and absolutely LOVED the final crescendo of plot.

🎬 Read this if you like:
Last Night in Soho
The Devil’s Advocate
⏰ Best time to read:
After binging the new season of your favorite reality fashion show
📝 Themes:
Psychological Thriller, Unreliable Narrator, Horror, Paranormal, Fashion, Sexual Assault, Alcohol Abuse, History, Latinx
👍 What I liked:
I loved the ending to this one, as it offered closure to a very tormented character
❓ Synopsis: Samara is a Jersey girl who moves to Vernon, CA to work for the designer Antonio Mota. Samara is already hanging on by a thread following her abuela’s death. But the stress of the job and strange noises at 2am each night push her to the brink, and Samara copes with alcohol and other unsafe behaviors. To protect her sanity, Samara must confront the traumas that haunt her and generations of Latinas.
📣 Review: This book is not for the faint of heart. Samara’s descent into madness is extreme, and I had a difficult time accepting many of her decisions throughout the book. There are also storylines related to abuse and exploitation that are poignant, yet could overwhelm some readers. I guess, as a horror fan, I wanted there to be a bit more space devoted to supernatural monsters rather than real ones, but I appreciate Rivera’s vision and the book’s purpose.

Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera is a sinister, slow-burn novel of supernatural suspense.
A compelling supernatural horror story it’s a slow-burn build that kept me glued to the pages.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Del Rey for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I wasn't particularly sure where Tiny Threads was going. The female main character, Samara, started off optimistic and driven and then devolved into a cesspool of hot mess. Her blatant disregard for her career and personal safety through what seemed to be a sudden spiral into fulminant alcohol and drug abuse was initially lost on me. Sure, creepy dreams and things that go bump in the night in your new apartment would take a toll on anyone, but Samara seemed too smart for that... at least at first. With the alcohol came acts of childish entitlement, temper tantrums, and frankly rude behavior with a healthy dose of paranoia. Without giving away the actual story (it needs to just unfold), I came to understand that Samara's spiral was really an unraveling due to unacknowledged trauma. Tiny Threads is, in its fullest essence, a feminist horror novel, a horror that women too often bear in secret and shame. Bravo to the author for turning a pretty unlikeable character into a character who deserves compassion and empathy. Set against the fashion industry in a town which, in real life, has some really disturbing history, Tiny Threads makes for a wholly unique read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley & Del Rey Publishing for an eARC ♥️

The story follows Samara, a talented young designer who lands her dream job in Vernon's elite fashion scene. However, beneath the glamour and prestige, Samara discovers a sinister reality - slaughterhouses, eerie visions, and a desperate quest for validation.
As Samara navigates this treacherous world, she must confront her own demons and the industry's dark secrets, including systemic racism and classism.
Samara's character development is incredible - her vulnerability and desperation are heart-wrenching. The pacing is expertly done, mirroring Samara's descent into madness.
Lilliam Rivera tackles tough topics with nuance.
Initially, Samara's need for validation drove me a bit crazy, but her growth throughout the book is remarkable.
Please note that this book contains triggers: substance abuse, anxiety, mental health struggles, graphic violence, and disturbing imagery.
I highly recommend Tiny Threads to fans of psychological suspense and horror, anyone interested in fashion's darker side, and readers who appreciate social commentary.

I didn't really vibe with this story. First of all, I really hope the publisher decides to include some sort of trigger warning, or content warnings, for this book because jesus christ. This is really not a "suspenseful supernatural thriller" more so it is heavy sociopolitical commentary--which is fine, but just not what this book is marketed as. This would be good for those seeking an intense social commentary sort of book, but if you're expecting a supernatural thriller I highly recommend against this one. I really think that this needs some sort of content warning, too, because the description does not prepare the reader for this story.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.


I do think the book needs a trigger warning, however a good read none the less. I wont lie I was frustrated by some of the decisions made by the main character but that to me added to the storyline, The story does move slow which almost made me DNF but I pushed through it to see it through to the ending.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this eARC in exchange for a free and honest review.

In Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera, an ambitious young woman named Samara has gotten the job of her dreams. She has begun a high powered job for legendary fashion designer, Antonio Mota. As pressure from the job grows Samara begins to here mysterious voices that ultimately turn her dreams into pure nightmares. Can Samara solve the mysteries, plaguing her new life before the pressure gets the better of her?

Tiny Threads is a haunting tale of trauma that spans the generations while exploring the dark side of capitalism and expansion. I think Tiny Threads highlights the horrors enacted by the rich and how the true victims are women of color forced into low positions just to get by. It highlights perfectly how isolating these positions and situations truly are while maintaining the importance of community.

Ultimately I find Tiny Threads shines a light on the dark side of Capitalism and who really pays for the growth of those in power. The novel was beautifully written and did an amazing job highlighting the true isolation many face while they are either away from home or just trying to make their way up in our hard world. It truly showed who a person should trust first.

I didn’t know what was happening in this story until it happened. Samara abuses alcohol to help cope, which makes it hard to decipher what is real and what isn’t throughout the story. I kept guessing and just finally quit 😂 There’s a lot of heavy topics throughout the novel, including racism (internalized, microaggressions), sexism, sexual violence against women, workers exploitation, substance abuse, and more. The story is very fast-paced, moving quickly through these topics, so they aren’t explored in-depth. I think this could have explored not only these topics but the horror a little more but I think it did a good job especially with how short it is. I found the ending to be exciting and liked how everything tied together. I’m not a big fashion person, but that didn’t take away from my reading experience. Overall, I think it’d be a great quick horror read for this fall!

The imagery in this book is haunting and horrific in the best way. The character development was scarce but it didn't matter because the writing was so good it propelled the story forward. Highly recommend this book.