3.5 stars.

Ingrid hasn’t heard from her childhood best friend, Mayra, in over a decade. Mayra left Hileah, Florida, their hometown, to go to college and has been mostly absent from Ingrid’s life since.

Then Mayra reaches out with an invitation. She’s back in Florida and she asks Ingrid to spend a long weekend with her at the house where she is staying, out in the middle of nowhere. Ingrid is looking forward to reconnecting with Mayra; they had an intense friendship and she’s never found that with anyone else, plus she needs to shake up her colorless life a bit. She’s disappointed when she arrives at the house and finds that Mayra’s boyfriend, Benji, is the actual owner and he is there too. However, he proves to be a wonderful host and Ingrid and Mayra are enjoying their time together.

But the house is isolated and mysterious and Ingrid finds a journal belonging to Elizabeth who appears to have been at the house when she wrote it. What is really going on here?

Dreamy, nicely written tale which, in some ways goes where you might expect and in others, not so much. I liked it.

Mayra is one very odd little book. I went into it expecting a gothic haunted house story, and I guess it is kind of that if you have a very loose definition of the word “haunted.” But mostly it's about a toxic teenage friendship, and then in the final pages it turns into a fever dream.

I didn't mind the first 60% or so. In fact, it was rather enjoyable. There are lots of flashbacks to Ingrid and Mayra's teenage days, and the isolated house in the Florida Everglades makes for a super atmospheric and creepy setting for their present-day reunion. It's a slow burn, but you know it's leading up to something bigger. And then it gets a little repetitive. Yep, they're still in the house. Yep, more flashbacks. Yep, Mayra was kind of a twat as a teenager. Blah, blah, blah. And then there's the ending and it's all WTF is happening and where did this all come from and why is she in a swamp? I have so many mixed feelings about the ending. I mean, the premise is a good one, but I just didn't care for the fever dream-y parts. I don't particularly enjoy prose that makes me feel like I'm on hallucinogenic drugs.

But let's talk about the found journal for a minute. I'm always confounded when (and this is definitely not something that's unique to this book) someone finds an old journal and then proceeds to read it at a snail's pace. Like, oh, the person who wrote this journal is so mysterious … I think I'll read an entry a day. Who does that?? No one, that's who. So there's that, but then also the journal bits just didn't really work for me. I normally love epistolary sections in novels, but whatever-her-name-was (seriously, I don't remember and it's not worth searching the ebook for) is super boring. It's like when I was thirteen and would journal about how so-and-so “sat next to me on the bus today.” Or, rather, she's super boring right up until the end when she shows off her impressively bad decision-making skills. Like … really? How TF was that ever going to end well?

The text is also kind of … jumpy? Especially in the latter chapters when things start to get wonky. One minute they're talking about one thing and then all of a sudden it's later and they're talking about a completely different thing and you have no idea what's led to that conversation. Like, “Oh, it's great here oh f**k we need to escape.” Fast-forwarding the timeline without warning: too confusing, too extreme. (← That is a very Michigan-specific reference but trust me it's hilarious.)

I did enjoy how utterly freaking weird Benji (Mayra's boyfriend) is. He seems *almost* normal but at the same time it's obvious there's something wrong there. The “cleaning the windows” bit (you'll know it when you get to it) is super WTF-worthy and I loved it even if I still don't exactly understand the why.

So, yeah. I enjoyed parts of this novel and parts of it I didn't. I'm sure there are readers who will appreciate the whole of it much more that I did, but unfortunately I'm just not a fan of the whole fever-dream shtick. The premise for this book, however, is outstanding, and I'd definitely be open to reading more by Nicky Gonzalez in the future. My overall rating: 3.25 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is July 22, 2025.

“Haven’t you wished to crack open beside someone and leak into the same pool?”
Mayra is a really solid, impressive gothic debut exploring a toxic friendship between two women. But it’s more than it lets on, set in a house in the Florida swamp that’s slowly eating away at them. I was really looking forward to this because of its setting (I am a sucker for books set in Florida), and it definitely delivered on lush landscapes and an isolated, unsettling atmosphere. Somethings clearly wrong from the beginning, but you can’t really put your finger on it. We follow Ingrid and her childhood friend, Mayra, as they slowly descend into madness fueled by a haunted house and years of thinly veiled resentment. These characters were really compelling, and I really enjoyed peeling the layers of their friendship away as the story went on. It was a great short read that kept me invested the whole time. Would highly recommend to Southern Gothic fans.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I love toxic friendship stories. I went into this based on the reviews, believing that I would love it. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I think there was just something about the writing style that did not work with me. Also, the constant descriptions about Florida. It was so descriptive. I felt at times that I was reading a book about the location rather than the characters. 3 stars.

Wow what a spooky ride it gave me women interrupted vibes but in the best way and this cover is absolutely gorgeous

I love a good second chance at friendship style story but when the duo turned into a trio I wasn’t having it lol

Holy shit. I'm not quite sure what I expected going into MAYRA, but it wasn't ... this? And I'm thrilled? I read this book in an entire sitting (and it's been a while since I've been able to do that with an adult novel). It DEVOURS you, before you even realize you're being devoured. A surreal, heady, suffocating, lyrical trip into one of the most gorgeously horrid hauntings I've encountered in a long time.

Dastardly (complimentary).

The emotions of friendship, yearning, and jealousy are explored with raw honesty, and it’s impossible not to feel swept up in the psychological spiral that slowly unravels Ingrid’s sense of self. The plot keeps you guessing, twisting, and turning with each new revelation. By the end, you’re left questioning how far you’d go to reclaim love or approval, and what you’re willing to lose in the process. Overall, a must read for fan of atmospheric, character-driven stories with an unsettling edge.

I really hoped for some creepy vibes, but at 40% I gotta tap out.

I was expecting some sort of southern gothic, creepy vibe with the girl and her boyfriend road-tripping on down south to see her ex-bff / friend? But nothing was happening. Sure, it had a creepy vibe, but it focused too much on their past friendship and the creepy vibes weren't there. There is a possibility of female obsession, and maybe control? But at nearly 50% I'd expect something more.

Reading this felt like experiencing a surreal yet vivid dream. Gothic horror at its best, made even more impressive by the fact it’s a debut. I’m still not entirely sure what was up with Benji but I was thoroughly unsettled every time he appeared on the page. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

this was a very good book! I love how the story took from these 2 children in a toxic friendship to their older selves and seeing how much they have changed, and still just how similar they still are to their younger selves

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Wow, what a story. I loved how I could relate to the slang and all the culture of this book. The toxic friendship was so well written. I did want more in the end. But all in all such a good read.

4.5 stars!! This book is beutifully written and I almost read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed the decent into madness feeling and getting to see the dynamic between Ingrid and Mayra as teens. So fun, perfect length and great pacing

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC of Mayra.

I'm a big fan of "descent into madness" books so I was super excited to get my hands on this, but honestly it felt more like a free-fall into madness right at the end of the story. While I understand how some backstory on the relationship of the main characters is necessary, I would have preferred a lot more detail and time spent on the ending. To me, the story was just getting good when it ended. All that said, I very much enjoyed the author's beautiful writing style.

3.5 stars rounded down

Mayra was an interesting read revolving around past and present friendships and some strange happenings in s luxurious house in the Everglades. Ultimately this one fell flat for me. I wasn't a huge fan of the characters and I was really excited about the swampy Florida setting but you don't get much description. The story itself was all over the place and the twist was something I could see coming and was definitely a let down.

This book was difficult to put down! I started it during the busy holiday season, so it took longer than anticipated with the limited time to read, but it was worth it! The characters were well developed, and very believable. The "history" behind the Greek/British/Cypriot population was explained well, and truly set the tone for the entire story. Looking forward to reading other works by this author! Highly recommend!

I love a gothic novel when the atmosphere and setting are main characters! In Mayra, Nicky Gonzalez creates an evocative debut blurring the lines between memory, reality and horror.

Nicky Gonzalez’s Mayra is a haunting and atmospheric journey into the depths of friendship, regret, and the mysteries that linger in the places we leave behind. Set against the lush, humid backdrop of the Florida Everglades, the novel explores what happens when two former best friends reunite in a setting that seems as alive and unpredictable as the people.

Ingrid hasn’t spoken to Mayra in years. Their childhood friendship, once inseparable, fractured under the weight of time and unspoken betrayals. When Mayra unexpectedly invites Ingrid to a remote house deep in the swamplands, Ingrid can’t resist the pull of nostalgia—or the hope of closure.
But the trip is unsettling from the start. Upon arriving, Ingrid is met not just by Mayra, but also by Benji, Mayra's boyfriend whom she not expect and whose presence and actions disrupts the fragile dynamic. Together, the trio navigates the sprawling, decaying estate—an ancient house that seems to shift and breathe as though it holds its own secrets. Think House Of Leaves!!!

As the days pass, the lines between Ingrid’s memories and her present responsibilities. The house exerts an almost magnetic pull, its maze-like halls and shadowed corners swallow time. When Ingrid discovers a journal that seems to hold the key to the house’s true nature, she begins unraveling a story far larger—and far darker—than her own.

Gonzalez’s prose is richly descriptive, capturing the Everglades’ eerie beauty and the house’s sinister allure. The tension between Ingrid and Mayra is palpable, their shared history slowly peeling back layer by layer. The ending is as unsettling as the journey itself—simultaneously satisfying and filled with lingering questions. Gonzalez masterfully leaves readers in that liminal space where resolution feels both tangible and elusive.

For fans of gothic suspense and atmospheric settings, Mayra is an unforgettable debut. Nicky Gonzalez is a name to watch.

#Mayra #NickyGonzalez #FloridaGothic #RandomHousePublishing

A Dreamlike, Eerie Debut That Will Keep You Guessing

I am so excited to be the first person to review Mayra on Goodreads! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I signed up to read this debut novel by Nicky Gonzalez, but I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful cover (always a win in my book), the gothic atmosphere, and the mysterious swamplands of Florida. Add in some creepy, possessed house vibes, and I was hooked!

The story centers on two former friends, Ingrid and Mayra, who reconnect and dive back into their shared past. At first, I had no idea where this was going—I just knew it would be an exploration of their friendship and how their lives had unfolded. While I wouldn’t call this strictly a horror novel, it definitely has its share of eerie and unsettling moments that kept me on edge.

Initially, I thought it might take a True Blood Season 2 turn, and I even suspected that one character, Benji, might actually be a maenad (I know, I know—he’s a man, so that doesn’t quite work). The elaborate meals, time lapses, and strange happenings in the beginning made me think that might be the direction the story was heading. But when Liz’s journal was introduced, I realized the story was going in a different direction entirely, though I did manage to guess one of the key twists.

As the plot continued, the writing took on a dreamlike quality that completely drew me in. I was transported into a world where the boundaries between reality and nightmare blurred, and the tension really built. The final parts of the book were so vivid, and I couldn’t help but picture everything as if I were in one of my own vivid, surreal dreams.

I loved that the ending was both happy and not happy at the same time—it felt perfectly fitting for the tone of the book. As this is Nicky Gonzalez’s debut, I’m really excited to see what she comes up with next! Her ability to weave tension, mystery, and emotional depth into a story is remarkable, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for her future work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel. If you’re into eerie, atmospheric stories with a strong sense of place and character, Mayra is definitely worth picking up!

Despite getting continuously triggered by this book (very random personal trigger, nothing in the book was a major content issue) I kept wanting to pick it back up. That being said, I think I need to force myself to put this one down for now and purchase physically it in stores next year, as I'll hopefully be in a better spot to read this one.

From the cover to the writing style to the unique plot, this is a wonderful gothic fiction book I heavily recommend. I struggled to put it down and am bummed I have such a random personal trigger with it. Not only is it an easy story line to follow, but the characters are well built-out and the writing is polished and gorgeous.

I am so honored to have received an advanced copy of this book. This is such a genuine treat and I appreciate it heavily. I am leaving this feedback voluntarily.