I was very excited to dive into this book. As a fashion nerd, I was ready for a dark/goth Devil Wears Prada. While there was no shortage of fashion, but personally, I found the story a bit lacking.

It was clear that Samara was running from a dark past/trauma and using alcohol and substances to cope, but it wasn’t made clear what it was until the last 30 pages of the book.

For me, it came down to the pacing of the story. So much was spent on Samara’s struggle with her dark visions and hallucinations, and we don’t know why until it abruptly comes to an end.

The book was definitely dark and full of gore, so I recommend it if you like those in your reads. But I don’t believe I was the target reader for this novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this book which can best be summarized as fashion related employee goes Rosemary's Baby and learns the truth that all men are pigs and will SA you.

Check your trigger warnings especially for SA because its all over the place even from the very opening of this book,, This one wasn't it for me and I will not be discussing on my social media (Tiktok and Youtube).

Devil Wears Prada with horror vibes. We follow the FMC as she slowly unravels… or does she 🤔 The prologue does a great job setting the tone. The book explores class/race hierarchies, prejudice and entitlement, even gentrification, all set against the background of the highly comparative fashion industry.

Samara Martin thought she landed her dream job, working for fashion designer Antonio Mota. While her first day seems like perfection, things quickly go south, as it is clear, something is not right with the town of Vernon, California.
Apparitions involving gruesome scenes.
Mysterious late night noises in her apartment walls.
Toxic fumes from the nearby slaughterhouse.
That is just part of what begins Samara's downward spiral after arriving.

It doesn't help that Samara drinks excessively, even at work. Is the alcohol contributing to her state of mind or is it a necessary vice just to get through the day? Probably both.

This book is a mix of gothic horror and paranormal elements, definitely has a creep factor. Samara was in over her head and I feared for her safety at times. While I thought Samara was a weak heroine for most of the book, I liked how she ultimately played a hero in an unexpected twist.

This book is unlike anything I've read before, and while it may not be for everyone, it is a great read for those looking for an original plotline to fill one's craving for creepiness.

3.5 stars

I LOVE Lilliam Rivera (those of you who haven't caught her short story "Ghosted" should really do a quick search - the full text is online - and devour that short but stellar piece). So, I couldn't wait to crack this adult debut.

Samara, the m.c., gets her dream job in a fashion house, but she spends the entire novel simultaneously working through stress, familial trauma, and her own struggles with various men. This is not a lighthearted read by any means, and readers who are sensitive to content about rape and sexual assault should know that they'll encounter that here.

Samara's journey is interesting enough, but the highest impact element of this novel is its conclusion. I love the way everything came together, though I wish that engagement and pacing could've been matched more consistently throughout the bulk.

Rivera brings an intriguing perspective to YA, and I'm looking forward to more from her for this new audience, too.

I love a good horror or supernatural story, and this book was not. I hated the main character, there was barely any horror moments, and only a touch of fashion. The plot was nothing like the description of the book indicated. It was the same thing over and over, and could have used a boost from going with more details on other characters and situations.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an eARC of Tiny Threads

I was very excited to read this story- high fashion with a dash of horror? What is not to love?
Rivera writes extremely well, and I was constantly picking this back up to try and get an idea of what could possibly be haunting Samara- or was she just going insane? (I will say I wish there had been more detail on the fashion aspect of the story, but it wasn't needed so I digress).

I found that all characters were written in a way that felt real and seem entirely plausible which I do think happens as often as it should. My only gripe was I found the first 3/4ths to be rather drawn out for how quickly the last 1/4 is written. So much happens in the end, horrifying events and a big revelation but none of it is given the time on page to do it justice- in my opinion.

Tiny Threads held my attention, if someone asked me about this I would tell them to read it- but I think it could have had a longer lasting impression if the last portion of the book was given some more time on page.

A slow, heavy, and dark story ... with a purpose?
We follow Samara as she begins to pursue her great new opportunity, working with a renowned designer, to document and tell his story. The city of Vernon has other ideas for Samara's storytelling talent, slowly revealing it's secrets, through sleepless nights and old photographs, The story of Vernon is intertwined with the wealthy businessmen that built it and the seamstresses they employed.

Lilliam does a decent job of exposing the challenges of the minority laborers and their relationships with their employers at the very end of the book but most of the depth was hidden by assuming Samara had a mental disorder or substance abuse problem. At the end, I could finally see the story hitting on the theme of Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle'.

It was a slow read and it felt that most of the story was wasted on cheap scares instead of developing the finale. This could have been so much better but it felt that the end of the book was just created out of thin air but told completely undeveloped. The rest of the book was really hard for me to trudge through.

Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera explores intriguing themes with a delicate touch, offering a reflective narrative. While the book’s quiet charm may resonate with some readers, its subtle approach might not fully capture everyone’s interest.

Tiny Threads is like if Devil Wears Prada had Latinx characters and was produced by A24. It's gothic, haunting, and a fantastic slow-burn psychological horror. Thriller and horror fans should be rejoicing over this book.

Very real horrors of racism are skillfully intertwined with supernatural horrors, and combine for massive chills. This is a must read.

“Tiny Threads” is a gothic horror book by Lilliam Rivera. I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it started off so slowly that it took me days of pushing through the first 50% hoping that it would get better. It did get better - but it took its sweet time and then everything seemed to happen so quickly toward the conclusion. Samara is the main character and she “escapes” to California, from New Jersey. Samara was not an easy character for me to even begin to like - she self-medicates like crazy (lots of references to vodka in her coffee at work, then more self-medicating with wine at night and she pops pills without asking what they are) and she has this overwhelming desire to get constantly praised and be the “favorite golden child.” When she starts hearing voices, I seriously wondered if she was having a breakdown (but this being a gothic horror story, she’s not). I had a minor quibble with Samara’s “I don’t speak Spanish,” yet she understands phrases her mother says in Spanish and words I had to look up on Google translate, but doesn’t know “poco” (small, which I knew - and I don’t speak much Spanish). I know that creatives can be difficult to work with - but Mota seemed to have hired Samara because he could and the friction he causes in the office was disappointing (signs of creative genius or wanting to be a control diva?). I’m not sure I liked any of the characters in this book which was disappointing as usually I like to cheer on someone (sorry Rosa). The ending was satisfying but I felt a bit let down because okay, the supernatural gothic thing happened … now what? Overall, if you like gothic horror with some supernatural aspects and a look into the crazy world that is fashion, this book might be one for you to pick up.

The prologue tells readers that something horrible is going to happen to a beautiful woman. This sets the stage for a complicated heart-wrenching situation.

At 25 years old, Samara was excited for her first full-time job across the country stepping away from the comfort of her parents home to work for a well-known designer, Antonio Mota. It was her dream job as a journalist in the fashion industry not far from Los Angeles.

Samara didn’t know yet she would be working for an arrogant, man with anger issues. She had no idea that she would be walking into a city of racial prejudice against Latinos. She admitted that she had trouble understanding Spanish and yet, simple phases were used periodically. And, while she studied all she could about her new job, it appeared to me that she had no idea of the painful hardships that women endured with this business.

The setting was in a building with 30,000 square feet for 100 employees as designers, seamstresses, a copywriter, a graphic designer, product developers and office assistants. What’s not to like? Well, most of the characters. Samara was insecure and had a problem with alcohol. She was full of excuses and didn’t seem to fit in very well. The head seamstress was not friendly nor helpful. The work environment was tense. The men…they were just creepy. And then Samara was frightened with bizarre visions that she was certain were real.

Samara’s grandmother told her to always pay attention to signs. The first one should have been clear. Antonio’s vision was creating fashion designs with violence and beauty. It just seemed gruesome to me and I wish I could have jumped into the book to take Samara back to New Jersey. This story was relatively short and should have been quick. However, I kept drifting until the second half when the pace of the book picked up. Overall, it speaks to women that are in situations of intimidation and harassment.

My thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of September 24, 2024.

4.25/5 Stars

I didn't quite know what to expect when I picked up "Tiny Threads," I figured I'd be in for a mystery with some haunting elements. What I got was so much more. This novel was a non-stop engaging story that mixed familial and societal pressures, with hauntings from the past, and a beautifully woven tapestry of mystery and what it means to succeed. It asks who defines success and what does success actually mean.

Lilliam Riveras' writing weaved so much mystery and depth into her characters. I loved that this book had so much underlying tension throughout it and you couldn't always tell if our narrator was reliable.

Samara is eager for a fresh start after her grandmother dies. She is also determined to prove her independence to her parents and prove her worth to her bosses and colleagues.She is determined to prove that she can make it in this fast paced fashion world. But things aren't quite what they seem and once she is in California she doesn't sleep and begins to be haunted every night by noises.

If you love fast-pace, beautifully written stories I absolutely recommend you pick this book up. I couldn't put it down and find myself still thinking about it days later. It's a book that sinks into your skin and leaves your mind turning. Absolutely recommend

Samara has her dream job, working at a high fashion designer, Antonio Mota. She has a new home in California, and as the big fashion show approaches, her stress levels rise and she begins to hear voices and see things that no one else seems to see. As her pysche unravels, can she stay sane & alive as she uncovers the secrets and hideous truths lie under the house of Mota......

If you’re a fan of high fashion, gripping suspense, and a touch of the supernatural, then Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera is a must-read! From the very first page, I was hooked by the glamorous yet eerie world that Rivera so masterfully creates.

Fashion-obsessed Samara seems to have it all: a dream job with the iconic designer Antonio Mota, a beautiful new home in sunny California, and a captivating romance with Brandon, a wealthy investor. But as Mota’s big fashion show approaches, Samara’s perfect life begins to unravel in the most unexpected ways. The pressure mounts, and she starts experiencing bizarre occurrences that can’t simply be chalked up to stress.

Rivera weaves a thrilling narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat, blending the allure of the fashion industry with spine-chilling mystery. The story delves into the dark secrets lurking behind the glittering façade of the House of Mota, and I found myself racing to uncover the truth alongside Samara. The twists and turns were perfectly paced, and the ending left me utterly satisfied.

Tiny Threads is a brilliant exploration of ambition, deception, and the lengths to which people will go to maintain their illusions. Samara’s journey is both relatable and haunting, making this book impossible to put down. Highly recommend this intriguing and stylish read!

The reason for my 3/5 stars is that this book does contain graphic depictions and/or descriptions of sexual abuse and assault. If you are triggered by such content, do not read this book

Tiny Threads is a compelling, fast paced workplace horror/supernatural suspense read that totally delivers on the Gothic atmosphere, however for me, left me wanting a bit more in the character development aspects. We find our main character, Samara, who has left her hometown of New Jersey and is setting in her new job working for top fashion designer Antonio and new home in Vernon. Right away, there is definitely something rotten going on in Vernon from its rundown look, the closure of many local stores ran people of color, and an unbearable stench waffling from the slaughterhouse.

Tiny Threads had me turning the pages, wanting to figure out if the illusions that Samara were seeing were real or if they were manifested by her alcohol and drug infused state. Rivera captures the toll of causal racism and sexism can have on a woman of color. Some of the images were truly horrifying and gave me goosebumps while I was reading. Though we do get a small glimpse of Samara's previous life in the conclusion, I thought it was rushed and instead of being a "stinger of an ending" felt a bit anticlimactic. If this Samara's history and the history of the city of Vernon was given a bit more attention, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Despite my reservations, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed "The Other Black Girl" by Zakiya Dalila Harris.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an early review copy of this book.

For fans of psychological thrillers with horror elements.
We have a (often irritating) flawed/unreliable narrator

The novel tackles race, the fashion industry, trauma, gentrification, identity, substance abuse, sexual assault

Takeaway: Slow first half, picks up as it goes.
The main character is...A LOT. depending on the reader, this will affect how the overall story is perceived. An interesting take but somehow misses the mark a bit.

I read this so quickly - I really enjoyed it! I thought the overall concept was great and there was enough thrill but not to the point where it was scary. There were so many different concepts in this book that came to light - toxic work environments, alcoholism, self-pressure to be perfect, racism, beauty standards, etc. This kept me interested the whole time and was sad I had to put it down. This was quick paced and told a great story.

*trigger warning - there’s mention of a slaughterhouse and images of animals being killed. Rape and sexual abuse.

Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera is a gripping supernatural thriller set against the backdrop of the high-stakes fashion industry. The story follows Samara, a fashion-obsessed young woman who lands her dream job with legendary designer Antonio Mota in sunny California. Initially, her life seems perfect: a glamorous job, a new home, and a romantic interest in Brandon, a wealthy investor.

However, as Mota’s major fashion show approaches, Samara starts experiencing eerie occurrences. She hears voices in the night and sees inexplicable things, leading her to question her sanity. The pressure of her job and her unsettling experiences reveal that her new life may be built on sinister secrets. Samara must uncover these hidden truths before they consume her entirely.

The novel masterfully blends elements of supernatural suspense with the real horrors of the fashion world, creating a chilling and immersive read. Rivera's portrayal of Samara's unraveling psyche, combined with the eerie atmosphere of her surroundings, keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, Tiny Threads is a haunting and captivating novel that explores the dark side of ambition and the unseen forces that can influence our lives. It's a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers with a supernatural twist.

The cover of Tiny Threads initially caught my attention and then the book's description was so interesting. I was excited to read this book, especially because it was incorporating fashion. The story was an interesting read but was difficult to read because of the main character. I'm all for an strong, independent woman but it was odd to have a character resist assistance from anyone pretty much the whole time and not value anyone else's opinion or perspective.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.