Long review but I have thoughts and this is not an easy read.

This book probably traumatized me. Which, to be fair, was to be expected. First and foremost I will say, as well as the author herself did, that this book is not for the faint of heart, despite the cute cover. It is gruesome and it depicts abuse and violence in a straightforward manner. So, if you feel that these topics are a trigger to you, I would suggest passing on this story.

However, if you have a strong stomach and are ready to be upset and to confront the topic of sexual exploitation and female liberation, then please read this!

The plot is straightforward: Gia is battling between risking homelessness or becoming a sugar baby for a man she doesn't know. Well, there would be another job offer lined up... but the economic security of the sugar baby job is too tempting. After all, she just has to pretend to be a dog for 8 hours a day, and, sure, it's a weird request, but it pays well. What could go wrong?

Except this is a horror book and of course everything goes south pretty quickly. I won't go into the details because it's best not to know what to expect, but I will say that the story moves fast and that I have rarely been as horrified and anxious reading a book as I was reading Shy Girl. Every single time I thought "okay, this can't get any worse"... it did. Somehow, it always did.

Yes, there was body horror and extreme gore, but that was not it. What really got me was the fact that this book plays on the fear that most women have felt in their lives: can we really trust a stranger? Will we be able to get out unscathed if something goes awry? Will people believe us or blame us? Are we truly safe? And it played the game really well. I was on the edge of my seat, my heart beating hard, and I was truly scared. Despite some fantastical elements, this story felt real, because the truth is that it is real for many women, and for that reason this book is also terribly sad. Yes, the ending was satisfactory and I could feel myself basically salivate to see it unfold, but it still left a deep sadness in me, because I had just experienced a woman being dehumanized and losing herself slowly but surely.

So, tough read but I really want everyone to read this. Alright, mostly women because I feel that they will get it, but it could beenfit men too. You will enjoy this book, in the way you can't stop looking at a car crash and wonder what happened and if everyone made it out fine.

To be fair, there was some repetition in the writing style and I could not tell if it was voluntary since Gia has OCD, and it bothered me slightly, but still didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book. What really bothered me was the fact that she could actually get another job, but I get it.

I am utterly speechless, Ballard is a truly remarkable writer and I am genuinely blown away. Horror isn't usually a genre I gravitate towards and I naively assumed that the cute cover would reflect somewhat soft horror, but I was very wrong haha. It was relentlessly grotesque and creepy, with visceral body horror that add to the sheer terror of this book. Definitely not a read for someone who is squeamish or sensitive to body horror descriptions, but that's what trigger warnings are for so I'll delve into my review of this masterpiece. Typically, I will take lots of notes and have quite a few points on books I read, but I was so gripped throughout that I genuinely don't have too many comments to make. Other than the book-long jaw drop and many moments where I re-read sentences because I thought no way is that happening, no way!

This book really plays with the theme of control and obsession at its most extreme end of the spectrum But an interesting thing to note, is the entire plot and each of the characters motivations revolve more centrally around the 'illusion of control' as opposed to actually having it. It brings up interesting questions about the interplay between freedom and control. More specifically how certain aspects of freedom, in Gia's case financial freedom, can come at the price of giving up autonomy and control. The plot progresses with the backdrop of an agreed sugar daddy arrangement which ultimately turns out to be darker and sinister than what's on the label which was a really interesting premise to enter this world from.. Gia, the protagonist has such a strong need for control to regulate her emotions and exist which felt very human and relatable despite how extreme her need for control played out in her life.

Ballard starts the book off with such a poetic writing style and I think it's a testament to her talent that the writing style warps from being poetic and floral to more blunt as we follow Gia through the story. I also noticed that Ballard has an incredible affinity to descriptions ('a knife wrapped in velvet') that once again set up the premise so delicately and definitely lured me into the false sense of security as the descriptions became darker and more disturbing. I was genuinely so enamoured by some of the wording that was used ('she packed a suitcase big enough to hold forever') which definitely makes this book arguably a cross between classic horror and lit fiction which was really fun to read.

I also found it endlessly enjoyable to read Ballard's character descriptions. Early on, we are introduced to some of the guys Gia has become obsessed with and they are described in the most creative and sometimes funny ways. One of my faves was Matt ('he sold weed and talked about golden showers like it was religion'). I felt like I saw every character under an x-ray which is a really brave thing to do because it meant any plot twists did fall in line with what you'd expect from the character but it was made unpredictable by how complex each character felt. Despite Nathan's coldness, he was oddly caring at points and this made some of his kinder reactions still feel genuine because of how many different shades we'd seen to him. Ballard is also very good at describing feelings in an undeniably visceral manner ('it was like finding a scratch on something you thought was smooth, and you can't stop running your finger over it, feeling the jagged edge').

The way Ballard captured the modern human condition effortlessly and Gia's relationship with her phone felt incredibly genuine and relatable ('set the phone down on the table like it might bite me'; 'I unlock the phone with a clumsiness that betrays me'). I think it was a really clever move to root so much of the books beginnings in online dating and technology to make it feel modern before shifting into a setting completely void of anything modern which could've taken place during any era which further emphasises how time feels like it stops./ceases to exist or be important after she goes to Nathan's house.

Gia is such a great character, she is one of those characters who has such a distinctive identity that by the end of the book I feel like I knew her remarkably well. Her OCD comes through the plot in such a subtle yet consistent way and I was a big fan that despite her self awareness, the OCD isn't labelled as such it added to the feeling of Gia being human rather than a list of labels or boxes she was fixed in. Throughout the plot, we see Gia mainly by herself and it did feel immensely lonely a times to read her perspective because she had such a desperate need for connection and I'd even argue for love but was constantly experiencing severe bouts of isolation even before the book took a darker turn. I also respected that her character wasn't written in a self pitying way, there was a real layer of fearlessness and courage written into the DNA of her character which was refreshing to read a female protagonist who wasn't the damsel in distress despite there definitely being an angle where she could've been seen as such. I saw Gia almost as comparable to a porcelain doll, very fragile to both her inner and external world but surprisingly independent and a character who was fiercely independent throughout.

An incredible book that I won't be forgetting any time soon. The only tiny detail that I want to critique, is when Nathan pulls out the wad of $1200 cash, it just felt a little unlikely that he'd have exactly the right amount of cash to pay Gia's rent within reach but that's my only critique!

Well-written and intriguing, but ultimately not for me. I liked Gia—some of her internal dialogues are definitely outstanding—and the depiction of Nathan in the first act. But perhaps because I’ve read many explorations of feminine rage before, I was expecting something much more incisive and tense. Instead, many elements of the narrative felt driven by shock value rather than substance.

A decent and entertaining read, but not groundbreaking. 2.75 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As soon as I finished this, I had to sit in my bed for a couple of minutes and reflect on what I just read….. As disturbing and infuriating as this story was, I think this author’s writing is absolutely beautiful! I was hooked instantly.

I work in a very busy ER as an EMT, so I’m not always able to read things as quickly as I want to, but every ounce of free time I’ve had in the last week, I’ve dedicated to reading this! I definitely want to purchase a physical copy once this releases. The detail, the stomach churning descriptions, raw female anger…. Nicely done!

I was immediately sucked in with this book. I started reading and didn’t set it down until I finished, then needed to stare at the wall to process what the fuck I just read.

This book is HEAVY. Shy Girl is a disturbing and gruesome commentary on issues that are so incredibly topical right now, and it felt like such an important read to me. It centers around bodily autonomy in an absurd way, yet still feels grounded in reality. I could see versions of the situation the FMC, Gia, finds herself in actually happening, and I think that is the most gut-wrenching part of this book.

It’s definitely an uncomfortable to read, but it’s supposed to be. I’m newer to reading horror, but as a lover of horror movies and games, I can genuinely say I’ve never had a piece of horror media make me feel this way.

I had to get up and do a lap around my apartment after some of the body horror I read, but even before I was audibly gasping from that, I was so anxious for Gia. Genuinely from the from the first page, I had a rising sense of doom for her that didn’t subside until the end.

Shy Girl is dark, gruesome, weird and disturbing but I genuinely believe this is such was such an important read and it really resonated with me.

This bitch is fine being a good girl.

Overall I enjoyed it.
The only criticisms are that you have to suspend your disbelief:
Gia didn’t tell ANYONE where she was going? Girl we all sharing our locations with friends when going to a man’s house.
Also only two attempts at escape in 7 years? When he put the mirror in her room I thought she would for sure smash it and slit his throat with a shard.
Also, only $200k for 7 years?!?!

Gia is quirky, jobless, and facing eviction from her apartment. Out of desperation, she signs up for a sugar daddy website. Soon, she connects with Nathan, and they arrange a meet-up. In need of money, Gia agrees to go to Nathan's place.

"That's when I see the cage. It is big, larger than any I've seen before, with thick metal bars painted a dull black."

This book takes you on a journey through the relatable financial and emotional struggles of the average middle-class life—only to make a sharp "wrong turn" into a chilling and brutal reality. It exposes the lurking dangers that prey on the vulnerable, drawing them into a trap. Mia Gallard masterfully explores themes of feminine rage, reclaiming power, and survival instincts. Since her debut novel, Sugar, I’ve been a fan.

Thank you so much netgalley and Victoria Editing Netgalley Co-op for this amazing book!

2.5 rounded up.

There’s potential in this. It’s a fine allegory for abusive relationships, and in the light allegations leveled against a certain famous author, it’s a very timely subject, but there’s too many things that kept me from loving it as much as other readers have.

1. There’s a slow burn that’s confident with its pacing and slow burn that wanders into and lingers on tangential subjects, and here I mean the chapters that delve into the people Gia knows. Her past relationships should tell me more about her, but they don’t add much and she remains something of a blank slate.

2. We’re told she grew up taking on responsibilities beyond her years, and a child savvy enough to figure out how to pay the electric bills would grow up into a canny adult capable of doing some research. I expected her to do her homework before signing up, not because it would save her from the tight spot she finds herself in (no pun), but most people would have done that instead of relying on the potential “client” to tell them what to expect. Instead the research (and practice) comes later when she’s considering the position she’s getting into (again, no pun intended). Why though? What happened to the smart girl who managed to keep the lights on? She’s an accountant in her thirties but she behaves like a naive college student who takes her personal safety for granted. The arrangement raises red flags and would have made other offers appealing in comparison. What made it worse was that she had a well-off friend who might have helped her until she secured her stenographer job, or maybe even work as a freelance accountant. I don’t want to turn this into a “Why didn’t the eagles fly Frodo to Mordor?” argument because I’ll make allowances for human error and I’ll suspend my disbelief enough to get the ball rolling, but there’s “don’t go into the basement” level of ignorance, and then there’s jumping into shark-infested waters with fingers crossed.

3. The writing is fine but tends to be overdone to the point of detriment. Phrases like “the air around him tightening like a coil” or “[she] collapses inward like a dying star” all sound poetic on the surface but they’re too nonsensical to be evocative. When you have several sentences like this in every paragraph it becomes like light pollution blotting out the stars, calling attention to themselves and taking it away from the truly lyrical lines. There’s several iterations of “___ wraps around me like second skin” which is another sign you need to tone down the similes.

4. Plot holes and a convenient ending. I can’t go into details because of spoilers, but I will say this: Magical realism and logic are not exclusive. Take Kafka’s Metamorphosis, for example. The father hurls an apple at Gregor Samsa, resulting in an injury that slowly kills him. Gia, starved and having recently gone through a gruesome experience, is still able to act out her feminine rage towards the end because that’s what the book promised.

I’m obviously in the minority here. A lot of readers loved and seemed to have craved a cathartic story like this, and it’s always great when an author finds their audience. I just happen not to be one of them despite being a fan of horror in general and body horror in particular. The hype-train led me here and the gorgeous cover intrigued me, but the reasons above are why I can’t leave a raving review. But I doubt it matters since this title has the makings of a BookTok darling.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The second book I’ve read by this author and I am blown away! This book was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I don’t want to say too much without giving anything away but this is for sure a book you won’t want to miss if you like horror!

4 🌟

Viscerally upsetting and just horrific (complimentary). I will be thinking about this one for a long, long time. I think I don't really have the words to express how upset this made me, but there a pretty gratifying ending so there's that.

This was fucking crazy and I loved it!

Desperate and financially burdened, Gia resorts to a sugar daddy website as a last-ditch effort to avoid eviction. When she connects with an older, unassuming man, an unconventional offer is put on the table—be his pet for exorbitant compensation, slowly leading ‘Shy Girl’ into a brutal account of control, rage, and revenge.

Something I was so conscious of throughout this was how much I loved the writing. Regardless of whether Mia was describing something mundane or utterly disgusting, it was written like a dream. I genuinely appreciated how much this felt tailored to women too. Honestly, I would read her shopping list after this??

I don’t want to give away too much as I went into this with just a brief synopsis, and it was an EXPERIENCE. However, Mia centres such important themes of how we perform to survive, how abuse can completely transform you, and the grit, resilience, and bite (lol) of a victim.

Also, the OCD rep thankq!!!! Love to see it.

One thing about this book: do not let the cute cover fool you, this book is DISTURBING. I “loved” it. The writing really pulls you into the story, I couldn’t stop reading. I knew pretty early on this would become a five star read.

A few of my favorite quotes:

“I’ve learned to press myself into neat, soft shapes, to smooth over the part that snag or bite.”

“Weird means the world hasn’t gotten too comfortable. Comfortable is dangerous. Comfortable keeps you asleep when the house is on fire.”

“Let him see it, I think. Let him see what he’s created. Let him see me.”


Thank you to netgalley for the e-arc! I definitely added this author her other works to my tbr list.

The premise is every woman’s nightmare, and the horrors of captivity and humiliation quickly give way to a story arc that you would never anticipate. The synopsis really does not do this book justice, but then again it is better that you begin this journey without too much revealed to you. Trust that there will be several twists and the ending will be unpredictable but highly satisfying.

“A house with a lawn so green it borders on satire…” As ever, Ballard’s poetic writing style makes the act of reading itself a beautiful experience. Her prose is rhythmic, pulsing, and powerful. I ended up with so many highlights to revisit that were just downright beautiful. How often does that happen with a horror novel? She expertly builds up a claustrophobic atmosphere that is as thick as peanut butter, but she knows exactly when to cut in and break through.

As an aside, as a seasoned horror reader, I cannot express how important it is to have the perspective of women horror writers. This is a perspective that has been largely missing from the genre for years. Female captivity written by Stephen King (though you know I love him) is an entirely different experience than what you will experience here.

If you enjoyed Ballard’s previous book Sugar, you will love this one. I have seen others compare it to Night Bitch, but I will disagree on that — Shy Girl is far superior.

Thank you NetGalley, Mia Ballard, and Galaxy Press for sending me an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

*Holy wow.* 5/5 stars and a standing ovation. I can’t express just how much I loved this book. Dark, unsettling, and utterly unputdownable, it’s a deliciously disturbing read that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. This book isn’t for everyone (please check trigger warnings!), but if it *is* for you—oh, you’re in for a treat. If you love weird girl lit, horror, and feral feminine rage, this might just be your next obsession.

Mia Ballard delivers a stunning horror novel, blending unnerving tension with gorgeously sharp prose. We follow Gia, a broke, OCD-ridden 30-year-old woman so desperate for financial relief that she agrees to become a sugar baby to a man named Nathan—on the condition that she is his *pet.* But the arrangement quickly spirals into something far more twisted than she ever imagined.

Captivating and deeply thought-provoking, this novel explores themes of bodily autonomy, womanhood, self-identity, and survival, keeping readers on edge with every unsettling twist. It’s the kind of book that seeps into your bones, refusing to let go.

Mia Ballard is now an auto-read author for me, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Galaxy Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Galaxy Press for the E-ARC.

I want all my horror written by Mia Ballard. Period. This was incredible. It was grotesque, horrifying, visceral, and the rage was everything I could ever want.

The premise of the book is terrifying and one that might feel unreal, but yet I assure you similar situations have likely occurred. The main focus is a man deceiving a vulnerable woman to inflict the most horrific kind of abuse imaginable. 7 years. Gia is held captive for 7 years but never quite gives up hope. I loved how she terrified her captor and made sure he regretted ever treating women the way he did.

I loved it. I don't know what else to say.

Shy Girl was one of the most intense, sad, visceral books I've ever read. From start to finish Gia's story took root in my heart and never let up. A fantastical, gory, and powerful take on a real life nightmare, My jaw hit the floor multiple times, and I had to sit and collect myself for quite a while after finishing. Confinement, helplessness, grief, strength, power, revenge. This book will stay with me forever.
Mia is absolutely an auto buy author for me, and I cannot wait for a physical copy of this book for my shelf.

Thank you for this ARC!

I was a huge fan of Mia Ballard's debut novel, Sugar, so when I saw a listing for Shy Girl on NetGalley I SMASHED that request button.

Oh my GOSH! Shy Girl did NOT disappoint!

We focus on a young woman named Gia who, after a string of bad luck, finds herself entering the world of sugar daddies. Gia meets Nathan, an older financier who makes her an interesting and very tempting offer: spend 8 hours a day, every day, as his "pet," and he will pay off her mounting debts. Swallowing her fears and pride, Gia accepts, but soon finds herself stretched beyond her limits when Nathan's sinister nature is revealed.

This was a freaky fantastic GEM with some vicious body horror (the PINWORMS) and a very claustrophobic atmosphere. I was on edge literally the entire time and it only got more uncomfortable with each chapter.
The ending? GOOD FOR HER!

I was also a huge fan of the prose. This terrifying story was electrically written.

Like I said, I was a BIG fan of Sugar, but Ballard's sophomore effort totally knocked it out of the park.

have you ever read anything so unbelievable yet believable at the same time??? this was insane, brutal, sharp, sometimes painful to read but i couldn’t put it down. i was taken aback by the blood and gore that flooded the second half of the book considering how..normal(?) and calm the beginning was. even with the extensive content warning i was truly not prepared. but i thoroughly enjoyed it. i was terrified, but also excited, and rooting for the horrific victory that came at the end

I would like to start by saying this beautiful stunning cover is what caught my attention which is so ironic because this book is far from how the cover makes you feel. This was a bit outside of my comfort zone, but I honestly enjoyed it. It is somewhat scary when you realize how easy it could be to end up in a situation like Gia's. Desperate trying to pay bills and keeping up with life, it can lead you to turn to options you wouldn't typically consider.

Things get progressively darker the more you read and at some point just takes a complete turn. I was definitely shocked to see how animalistic Gia became after all of the torment and abuse that Nathan put her through.

I do wish the book would have ended differently, but there truly was no other way to end the book so it does make sense. Thank you to Netgalley, Galaxy Press, and Mia Ballard for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

Shy Girl is a visceral, twisted masterpiece. Exploring trauma, what we will do for survival, and what if feels like to loose autonomy over your life and body.

Mia Ballard’s writing hooked me from page one and did not let up. We watch as trour main characters life starts to unravel and in order to pay rent she joins a site to meet sugar daddies. She meets Nathan who is calm, calculated, and offers a great amount of money for a slightly odd request, but her first visit takes a quick turn and we find out just how deep Nathan’s fantasies go.

Please check trigger warnings as this book is heavy, dark, and descriptive.


Full video review will be posted on TikTok (@batty_books) one week before the publication date.