Ghost Queen by Bella Masala

Ghost Queen by Bella Masala is implied to be a contemporary new adult but in a few pages it left me not only practicing self care but wishing that it was labelled as Dark Contemporary instead. Triggering, dark, and written in mix styles–Ghost Queen isn’t for the faint of heart.

Genres: Dark Contemporary
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Publication Date: November 29, 2020
Source: Kindle Unlimited / Review Request
Format: e-book

It had been over a year since Bella last spoke to Drew, purposely ghosting him as she did everyone else she knew. Yet as she laid in the bed reminiscing on the good ol’ days, the disturbing news came through. The daunting details of shameful memories creeped in from her mirrored past, of brutal lies, crazed sex, vicious abuse, and betrayal.

But as Bella looked for more desperate ways to bury the truth, she fully realized that it was too late.

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*Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Review requested by Publisher for honest review. Read via Kindle Unlimited

Trigger/Content Warning: Sexual and Emotional abuse, Cheating, and Rape/Child Molestation (off page)

Not really sure how to go about this one. Ghost Queen recounts the past of Bella and the relationships she has had leading up to the present where she has all but ghosted her significant others.

When I was presented this story to read in exchange for my review, I went into this thinking I was getting a romance full of angst and self growth. I got the angst, but there was nothing of romance—just pain. Bella’s memories are daunting and each chapter and each relationship is worse than the other. I distinctly remember wishing on numerous times that the story came with some form of content or trigger warning as the story contains mentions of sexual abuse, emotional abuse, cheating, and rape/child molestation. I had to stop on multiple occasions and practice self care because of how triggering this piece was.

There were certain elements that drew me in immediately but then as the story unfolded something would happen or the author’s writing style would shift in and out prose and I would instantly be drawn out. I did however like when the author was in verse as her words were both lyrical and thought provoking as verse typically leans itself too.

All in all though, I just don’t think this book is for me nor was I in the proper headspace for this type of story when I read it. If you are looking for a angsty reflective contemporary that is short and to the point—this could be your book! Sadly, it wasn’t for me.