What a delightful treat to start the year! But Not Too Bold follows Dalia, the new Keeper of the Keys for the mistress of the house, who happens to be a huge humanoid arachnid named Anatema. The previous Keeper was eaten by Anatema, who suspected her of stealing.

Having been raised to be a Keeper, Dalia is nonchalant about her monstrous boss's habits of taking laudanum as well as eating a long line of brides, and her work ethic is impeccable.

As Dalia searches for the real culprit of the stolen items, she grows closer to Anatema, wanting to not just serve but to understand her, and maybe, just maybe, to get Anatema to see her as more than a passing fancy.

The world Dalia and Anatema inhabit is perfectly woven (heh) with every character fully rounded and serving its purpose. I really enjoyed this super short read and look forward to reading more from Hache Pueyo.

I love when a book is quick and to the point. This was such a beautiful story that was well rounded from beginning to end. For how short it is, the author was still able to convey such beautiful imagery throughout the whole book. Now, if you are afraid of spiders, this may not be your cup of poppy tea.
All of the characters were easy to love and hope for. The ending was *chef's kiss*. The perfect length for this kind of story. I'd love to read more by Hache Pueyo now.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an early edition in exchange for an honest review.

Horror romance might be a favorite of mine.

In this little novella we have a mystery of who stole a doll of the owner of the house. The dolls hold memories of the brides the owner killed once they looked at her. Dalia has recently been appointed keeper of the keys and in charge of finding who stole the doll all while a lil romance is brewing.
This short novella really packed a punch, rich descriptions, interesting premise and mysterious plot.
Very enjoyable.

Thanks to netgalley and Tor publishing for an eARC.

My thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an advance copy of this novel about a young woman who is taking over a position of importance, the mystery she has to deal with, the rumors that are beginning and how can she get more of the delicious tarantula leg desserts she enjoys so much.

I never spent much of my reading time, well my entertainment time on stories dealing with love. As an ex-Beatle once sang "You'd think that people would've had enough of silly love songs" books and more. This probably speaks more about me than the books I was forgoing, and I am sure many fine works will never be known to me. As I have gotten older this has changed a bit. Well it might not be just age, but I see that the world is getting far more judgemental on who people can declare their love for. In this time where everything is going wrong, things don't work, including many people, well maybe to quote another ex-Beatle, "All you need is love." Even if that love is a huge spider creature that takes on human form, and likes to eat the one's they love. Nothing can be perfect. However this novella comes pretty close. But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo a story about a young girl placed in a dangerous position, looking for answers, trying to please her new boss, and maybe trying to find her place in the world.

Dália was an orphan, brought to the Lady of the Capricious House⁠, as a servant, but was chosen for something far more. The Lady, better known as Anatema is an enormous spider creature, one with a love for poppies, and eating the brides that are brought to her, brides who Anatema memorialized in almost diorama-like displays kept under lock. Dália is to be the protégé of the keeper of keys, trained to be her replacement when she passes. Dália is informed that the keeper of keys has died, and that she is the new one. Dália attends Anatema, and finds out that Anatema killed the keeper, as something had been stolen. And Anatema does not like to lose memories. Dália begins to investigate and finds that there are many strange things happening in the House, rumors are being spread about Anatema finding a new bride, something Dália fears might be her.

A wonderful story, short but a very complete tale that is weird, different, and really a page turner. Pueyo unfolds the story carefully, sharing the world the strangeness, and the ritual and custom of the house a little bit at a time. As one adjusts something else comes along. The many spiders that fill the mansion. The poppies that don't die, but are used to make tea for the servants, raise money for the house, and drunk in copious amounts by Anatema. One gets used to the fact that a character is a giant spider, and one kind of besotted with Dália at that. The story flows well, and while one wants to know a bit more, the length is perfect for the suspension of belief the story needs. Not only a fantasy story but a love story at that. One that sounds odd, but really does work well. A story hard to explain, but one I quite enjoyed. A place and with characters I would like to know more about.

This was such a weird little book. i really enjoyed the atmosphere and the overall vibe of it. The creature was also interesting, very unique and unsettling. I think the mystery was intriguing and i like the “romantic” element. I do wish we had more time spent with them, but for a short novella that still worked very well. the writing was beautiful too.

Sapphic, gothic fantasy, monster romance…what more could you ask for? I read it in one sitting and I loved it! The spice level was zero and focuses more on emotional themes of betrayal, loneliness, and acceptance along with the plot of solving a crime. The writing is wonderful, and I found the balance between horror and romantic tones to be intriguing. The characters are compelling, and I was sitting here sympathizing with a giant, scary spider-lady. This is a great short story and would be an amazing addition to anyone’s Spooky TBR.

A huge thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy, this review is my honest opinion.

A beautiful, atmospheric story of a woman and her employer. I loved the descriptions of the characters and the world, everything was just fleshed out enough for the length of the story. If you're in the mood for a sapphic romance of will they, won't they, where the possibilities are both loving and devouring, this is the story for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the chance to read and review this e-ARC!

This was a really interesting novella - I enjoyed the fantasy element of the vaguely humanoid spider-like being, the Archaic One, Anatema. This was combined with the mystery of determining who stole from her.

Dália becomes the new keeper of the keys after Matilde is killed by Anatema; she has to navigate Anatema's changeable moods to avoid being eaten, while also trying to find out who is the thief. As she does, she must "be bold, but not too bold."

I really liked how Dália got to learn more about herself throughout this process. She was taken in as an orphan and doesn't know anything except for life at the Capricious House. She has to decide what it is that she actually wants out of life, which is a very relatable feeling! She also has fun walking the line of what is bold vs. too bold, which I appreciate.

This was a very quick read, and I was curious to find out how things were going to come together in the end!

This was a really odd little book but I loves it! The story was unique but really beautiful. I loved the imagery and atmosphere of this. It felt very beautiful but also horrific in its own way. This is definitely one i would recommend.

4.25 stars for this very very weird, but very very cool lil monster horror but slightly romance story??!

I don’t think words can properly convey easily just what this story was- but I can tell you about it in vibes: an isolated home and a tucked away staff, a constant threat of being eaten, “look at me and I’ll kill you”, extravagant feasts and gowns, body horror, a desire for love across time (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg)

I kind of just sat with this and absorbed, and then pretty much re-absorbed as I tried to make sense of it explaining it to my husband! Words don’t do this justice; and honestly it’s only a little over 100 pages, just try it out!


Thank you so much to Hache Pueyo and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

If I’m being totally transparent, I read this book just because I loved the cover. And I have to say, I was fully not prepared for what I read! I think I mean that in a good way… I think. This was so different from anything I’ve ever read. A giant spider-like monster thing that kind of talks but kind of spells and eats people but specifically pretty women??? And that’s just the start. There was a lot packed into this short novella. I would’ve loved more, but every single page was action packed and I flew through this book!

Like I said this was completely outside my realm, but I did enjoy it! And gosh dang what a gorgeous cover!!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

Thank you to tordotcompub for my copy of this book. Billed as a mix of Mexican Gothic and The Shape of Water but sapphic, picking up this book was a no brainer for me and my tastes. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the advertising hype for me. Not enough environmental eerieness as Mexican Gothic, or monster loving as Shape of Water, and the central sapphic relationship felt empty. What I did like was learning about the creature and the mystery behind her, but it unfortunately wasn't enough for me to recommend this book to others. Nevertheless, I hope it finds its audience!

Dália is unexpectedly elevated from apprentice to master of keys when her predecessor is devoured by the Lady of the house, an ancient Cthulian spider, in punishment for the theft of a precious item occurring during the old keeper’s watch. The promotion is not without strings: if Dália solves the mystery, she lives. And if not…

This is a bizarre, delightful, genre-bending book that took me entirely by surprise. The setting is lush and atmospheric. Anatema, the lady of the house, is creepy and charming.

People might be tempted to describe this as ‘sapphic fantasy’ and ‘monster romance’, and while there are elements of both here, it’s quite tame. That said, the book is far more than the sum of its parts. Sure, come here for the sapphic fantasy and monster romance, but please stay for the impeccable gothic horror vibes and the locked-room mystery.

One Goodreads reviewer described this as “Imagine The Shape of Water but with Shelob as the love interest.” and I cannot stop giggling.

This book is a perfect creepy and romantic novella. The theme of acceptance and love of the monstrous is so hopeful in this story, and I enjoyed every page. There is a mystery at its surface, of finding who had stolen from the owner of the house, but the deeper plot of seeking understanding and companionship is what drives the book forward. I would recommend this to fans of Sarah Gailey's "Just Like Home," Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water," and Nghi Vo's "Siren Queen."

The best novella I have read this year. I want more. I need more. I have tried to find other books to satisfy a desire to read books like this one, and there isn't one. I am in sorrow that there is not more. Seriously, this was amazing. The detail, the flow, the characterizations, the dialogue. All of it.

4.5⭐

Honestly this was gorgeous.
To me this was the exploration of what it means to be seen in all our flaws and to still be liked/loved despite it all.

It made me reflect on how we might try to present ourselves in a way that may be more pleasing to others, but we aren't seen until we can be our true self.

This is a delightful novella that feels like what would happen if Guillermo del Toro wrote a romance between a giant spider woman and the girl who carries her keys. There's... not really anything else you need to know going into this book. It's wisted, a little gross, and adbsolutely delightful.

When I read the description for this novella, I had really high hopes - a gothic fantasy (!), compared to "The Shape of Water" and "Mexican Gothic"(!!) with a sapphic monster romance (!!!) sounded almost too good to be true. But I am extremely happy to report that this novella is everything it promised to be.

Since the blurb does a really good job describing the story, I won't bother trying to summarize it myself; I'll simply say that if the publisher description is enticing, definitely pick this one up.

Despite the short length, But Not Too Bold was a charming, unsettling, and very satisfying story. Dália, the protagonist, is a very interesting main character; raised in the house after being hand-picked by the previous keeper of the keys, she is no stranger to Anatema, the lady of the house's ways, even if she has never met her. She cares about her fellow servants, enjoys the lavish meals served by the kitchen staff, and truly likes her life in the house.

The mystery of who stole the memory from Anatema was nicely done - I appreciated the clues sprinkled throughout without necessarily being totally obvious (at least, to me). The looming threat of Anatema simply deciding to eat Dália or all the servants to eliminate the traitor for certain also felt very palatable, even as Dália spends more and more time with her and the two bond.

With monster romances, there's often the critique of the monster being TOO human in appearance - but Anatema is truly an unsettling creature, with her more human-like parts being described as looking like the mimicry animals utilize. And I really loved this! I think this really added to both Anatema's character and to her relationship with Dália. The two of them were very cute - in that gothic fantasy sort of way where one of them has murdered countless brides.

The writing flowed well and I felt immediately absorbed when I picked this one up - I think I read it in two sittings (and mostly because I was interrupted during my first one). I loved the little details about the Capricious House: the tarantulas as both adorable pets and delicious food because of their abundance, the copious use of opium due to the eternally growing poppies, the delicious desserts enjoyed by both Anatema and Dália. Although we don't get to know too much, I also was fascinated by the Ancient Ones and what little we learn about Anatema's siblings.

All this to say, I really enjoyed this novella. If this sounds even remotely interesting to you (and you don't have a fear of spiders!), I'd definitely recommend this read.

A "sapphic monster romance novella wrapped in gothic fantasy trappings," But Not Too Bold has the most intriguing premise, and it totally delivers on everything promised.

Perfectly packaged into a novella, the pacing is on point, and you're not left wanting for anything. This is just a weird and wonderful book - the gothic and horror vibes of the house (and the lady of the house) are just enough. The eerie reclusive lifestyle of those in a home owned by a monstrous creature leads to a strange kind of normal.

What we have here is a monster (Anatema) who really just wants to find love, which is kind of hard when you're one of the last Archaic Ones (giant arachnids who can disguise themselves in semi-human form) and tend to eat your human brides when they displease you. Enter Dalia--who just got a promotion to keeper of the keys when her own predecessor was eaten. She is tasked with solving a mystery, and may have the key to unlocking Anatema's happiness as well.

Thank you for the ARC! Review will be posted on my instagram @readwithchrista closer to pub day and linked to this review.

Gothic horror meets sapphic monster romance?! Y'all this was so good!!

I think this one is going to be a big hit. Blending gothic horror with sapphic monster romance and a mystery element, this novella blurs genre lines in a delightful way. But Not Too Bold follows Dália, a young woman becoming the new Keeper of the Keys after her predecessor was eaten by the Lady of Capricious House. But Dália has been raised for this and is not afraid, even after being tasked with uncovering a thief.

It's short so I won't say too much, but the writing in this is fantastic and it seamlessly navigated the line between horror and romance in a way that's hard to do. It's macabre in the best of ways. Hache Pueyo is an author to watch! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.