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.

I really enjoyed stepping into the world of fashion from a different perspective than usual. Samara's views on fashion and how she recognized everyone who worked under the main designer was nice since they all work to make the designer's visions come to life.

I liked the air of mystery surrounding the town and how little hints of what happened in the past are sprinkled throughout the book.

Samara was an interesting and frustrating main character. I understood her need to make a change and make this job work no matter what. However, her absolute refusal to deal with anything and trying to do everything at her job herself even though she had a team of people was really frustrating. Especially when it was clearly affecting her, her job, and those around her. I get wanting to ignore things for a small amount of time, but she started to make me frustrated as the book went on.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought it was a good read.

Samara was a difficult character to connect to for me mostly because she needed everyone to like her, she wanted to be the center of attention receiving "gold stars" with every complement, and that's my least favorite type of person. I understand that is a part of fashion industry culture and key to the novel but her anxiety about being liked didn't endear me to her until the very end.

Overall, Tiny Threads was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy psychological horror.

(2.5 ⭐ read)

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for allowing me to read this before release and congratulations to the author for putting their work out in the world!

First, I'll say this book just wasn't for me personally. For such a short book the first 50% was very slow. The first half of the book we follow Samara as she starts her new job writing for a big fashion mogel in California. Samara was not a very likeable character. As soon as she starts the job she expects everyone to fall head over heels in love with her and gets upset when people don't pay attention to her.

The writing was a bit repetitive and once things picked up towards the second half of the book I felt like the horror scenes happened too sudden without any sense of suspense or build up. The ending had some satisfying parts, but it also had some loose ends that would have been nice to tie up.

All in all I thought this was okay, but I'm unsure if I would recommend to others.

TW: Rape, alcohol abuse, addiction, drugs

Our main character Samara moves from New Jersey to a small town about an hour from Los Angeles, California to work for a (crazy) fashion designer who's trying to reinvent himself with a fashion show in 2 months. Her grandmother passed recently and something happened that Samara isn't coping with (besides the loss). Each night, she gets woken up at 2 AM by weeping/groaning noises outside but nothing's there. Then she starts to see things that aren't there. To deal with the mounting pressures, the crazy designer, and the maybe-haunting she starts to drink and take caffeine pills, and things continue to spiral.

The author does a great job with the story's atmosphere. Something is definitely wrong with the city of Vernon but we're not sure what. Likewise, there's an unreliable narrator - is she actually hearing these noises or experiences things or is she just having a psychotic break? It added an interesting element but also took away from the story, since I wasn't sure if all the creepy stuff happening was just because Samara was having a mental breakdown.

I struggled with Samara as a character. She was doing the best that she could with race and family pressures plus the "I don't want to think about what happened" trauma from her grandmother dying - which the author did a great job of illustrating - but when her response to everything was drinking, I wanted to send her to rehab and therapy. This book reminded me a bit of watching <u>Requiem for a Dream</u>. It keeps getting worse the longer you watch/read.

The pacing was slow, especially for the first half or so. Samara goes to work, tries to impressive the white people while trying to connect with the Latin seamstresses, drinks heavily, experiences something creepy, doesn't sleep, and <repeat>. It got very monotonous.

The resolution felt overly preachy about how hard it is to be a Latina and a woman. I'm a white woman so I might be completely off base with this comment but I was repeatedly telling the book "yes, we get it" in the last couple of chapters.

The book had various Spanish sentences and phrases throughout. Samara says she doesn't speak Spanish but her family does. The author generally gave context clues to figure out what people were saying but I imagine for a non-Spanish speaker, that will be a bit of a challenge. I found it strange that Samara understands full sentences of Spanish and can speak specific full sentences, but then doesn't know that "poco" means "a little" (but she knows "sin" = "without"). It was a very minor detail that no bearing on the story, but every time she was speaking Spanish or understanding what her family was saying, I kept coming back to not knowing "poco" when I know so many people who know 3-5 Spanish words and one is "poco". Again, no bearing on the story, just something that weirdly bothered me.

It was a creative idea but the execution was lacking.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy

**Thank you so much Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine | Del Ray for the earc! All words and thoughts in this review are my own honest opinion!**
Posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, and The Storygraph
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2.9 (rounded up to 3) out of 5 stars.

Uhm- I’ve got thoughts. I’ve got a jumble of words in mind for this read that I don’t really know how to untie. I’ll try my best to be coherent, but I have very little yet so much at the same time to say about this read…
Let’s dive in?

I understand the sort of message that Lilliam Rivera was trying to convey here. I kind of hate that the only fashion world reference I knew to help set the scene was ‘Ugly Betty’ because it seriously kicked some of that seriousness out of ‘Tiny Threads’ too, and there was already only so much to work with. I think for me it was the pacing that affected this a lot.
At the beginning, it felt like Rivera was trying to take things easy to help set the scene and let readers get a feel for what was to come, but then realized she was nearing a word cap and rushed all the important plot points back to back before the end. It just felt… messy. There was too much stitched together to fill in gaps left by other ideas, but then more gap arose. I think if the book was a little longer, more time could’ve been given to weave the timeline that Rivera started with.
Something else that bugged me was the way these plot points were intersecting. Once everything is connected, earlier details start to make some more sense, but there were too many stories being told for it to run linearly. I almost wonder if back and forth flashbacks/two time period POVs could’ve helped achieve the ending that ‘Tiny Threads’ came around to? I’m not sure. It just felt like there were too many ideas being used to help elevate the plot and not much was done to help smoothen the bumps in the road.

I have to agree with others in that the love interest isn’t really a love interest. He’s in for a few scenes, but not terribly much as- a love interest. I’m saying that word a lot, it’s losing its meaning. I feel like more could’ve been done to either ascertain that idea that he is a love interest beyond a few awkward meetings, or a different title could’ve been lended to him instead. This personally didn’t bug me all too much, but I figured it’s something worth noting as others found issue with it.

‘Tiny Threads’ attempts to lay down a *strong* and impactful message within its story. It strives to capture attention with its eeriness and by showing the true horrors that lay deeper behind glimmering facades and money-cushioned lives. I just think that the air could’ve been a bit more dramatic, a little less rushed, and a lot sharper. I haven’t read any of Rivera’s previous works, but as one of her firsts in the adult-fiction world, I believe this to be a good starter with which she can only grow from!

I love thrillers and I love insider looks at the fashion world, so I expected to love Tiny Threads. However, a few things put me off. The first was the frequent presence of violence, both literally and as a creative theme. The second was that I found the plot meandering and uninteresting. There was nothing to compel to read long enough for things to pick up. Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me.

At first I was really excited about this book because the prologue had me intrigued. But everything after that was just uninteresting. Even when things started trying to get spooky they just didn’t grab at me. It could be the writing, which I found to be immature and underwhelming. The fashion references were all heavy handed obvious drops to big names that screamed five minutes of google instead of research. When the Big Reveal finally comes, it feels wholly disconnected from the events of the rest of the book. Overall I found this book to be some of the worst descriptors I can think of: unmemorable and dull.