Delicate Condition

by Danielle Valentine

'The feminist update to Rosemary's Baby we all needed' - ANDREA BARTZ'A timely, terrifying, heartfelt thriller' - CHRIS WHITAKERI wanted this baby so badly.But she may be the death of me...Anna Alcott is desperate to have a family. But as she tries to balance her increasingly public life as an indie actress with a gruelling IVF regime, she starts to suspect that someone is going to great lengths to make sure that never happens. Crucial medicines are lost. Appointments are moved without her knowledge. She's sure she's being followed. And when she finally does get pregnant, someone breaks into her house and steals the ultrasound photograph of her baby. But despite everything she's gone through, not even her husband is willing to believe that someone is playing twisted games with her.Then her doctors tell her she's lost the baby. Despite her grief, Anna ignores the grave-faced men lecturing her - because she can still feel the baby moving, can see the toll it's taking on her weakened body. Isolated in a remote snowbound town, Anna is sure that whoever has been following her is closing in on her and her unborn child. And as her symptoms become more terrifying, she can't help but wonder what exactly is growing inside her... and why no-one will listen when she says that something is horribly wrong.Exploring visceral themes of loss, medical misogyny and female power, The Push meets Behind Her Eyes in this spellbindingly dark thriller.'Perfectly terrifying and terrifyingly perfect' - JANICE HALLETT'A thrilling, visceral read' - HEATHER DARWENT

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Adult

432 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Delicate Condition in preparation for watching American Horror Story season 12, (as it's based on this) and it didn't disappoint. A couple are longing for a baby and undergoing IVF treatment, but, this is horror... I expected Rosemary's Baby vibes and that is what I got. Excellent!

[luv2read · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are drawn into the compelling world of Anna, a renowned actress who longs for nothing more than to have a baby. However, her fame proves to be a double-edged sword, as it attracts the unwanted attention of a relentless stalker determined to shatter Anna's dreams.

From the very first chapter, this book ensnared me, captivating me with its brilliance. The plot is nothing short of mindblowing, taking unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the journey. It is a masterful portrayal of ambition and adversity intertwining in a roller-coaster of emotions. The plot really worked with twists that made my head spin.

The characters in are exquisitely crafted, each one meticulously thought out to bring depth and authenticity to the story. We get an intimate glimpse into the inner world of a woman grappling with the trials and tribulations of her pursuit, making it a relatable and emotional experience.

The narration for this audiobook was brilliant. Danielle showcases her exceptional talent in bringing emotions to life on the page or in this case to audio.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook.

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

If you, or a loved one spent 400+ pages inside of Anna’s head, you may be entitled to compensation.

[Rachel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I start my review, I would like to begin by saying that there was nothing ‘delicate’ about this book. 😬 This was definitely different, and a little strange. But I couldn’t stop reading, because I had to know what happened next and of course how things would end.

This story begins with Anna Victoria Alcott, a recently famous actress who is going through the IVF process to become pregnant. Anna and her husband Dex, feel that a baby would complete their marriage and give them the family they’ve been hoping for.

After months and months of trying, Anna finally conceives. However, during this IVF process, strange things started to occur. Appointments were missed/rescheduled, medications were not being properly stored, and was someone following Anna? Was Anna really becoming forgetful and careless about the most important things in her life?

During this time we also find out that Anna has an online stalker (I mean she is quite famous). Then someone breaks into their NY apartment. This is all too much for Anna and Dex, so they go and stay at a friend’s private beach house. Anna needs to take care of herself and the growing baby inside of her. While at this beach house, Anna starts to crave bizarre foods/meats, she develops a horrible rash on her body, her hair starts to fall out in clumps, she hears noises in the attic and outside her window, the baby moves and gives her sharp pains throughout her body. Nobody believes Anna, and isn’t there anyone out there who can help her?

What a wild ride this was! I will say that some parts were a bit redundant and repetitive, and I was ready for this book to move along- or maybe because I was just so curious as to how this story would end. Either way, I really enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end of the book, which I would even recommend reading before you start reading Delicate Condition. You get an idea as to why the author wrote this book, and where her ideas came from.

I also resonated with how our main character Anna felt at the end, so I will leave you with this quote(s)- “I was tired of pretending I wasn’t in pain. I was tired of being strong just because it made things easier for everyone else. I was tired of calming down.”
(3.5 stars- rounded up)

Trigger warnings- infertility, miscarriage, IVF, pregnancy

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicate Condition is as creepy as the cover suggests.

Anna and her husband, Dex, have been trying to get pregnant for some time now. Between managing IVF treatment and her acting career, it’s a lot to keep track of. Lately, she’s been late for appointments and misplacing crucial medicines, even though she’s usually so meticulous. She begins to suspect someone is trying to interfere with her treatments.

When Anna finally gets pregnant, these interferences escalate but no one, including her husband, believes her. Still, they retreat to the Hamptons, only for things to take a more sinister turn.

This books starts as a psychological thriller but eventually morphs into horror. It’s a heart-pounding read where you’re not sure what’s real and what’s not.

For the most part, it was an addictive read. The dark themes were well-done, though the ending was mildly underwhelming.

It explores doctors and men not believing women, gaslighting, and labelling women as hysterical.

If you are squeamish, prepare yourself because things become downright grisly. However, if you can stomach it, this is well worth a read.

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

https://booksandwheels.com

[Sydney Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really creeped me out at times but I could not put it down!! I had some minor issues with the pacing but overall this was tense and unique and very satisfying.
TW: miscarriage, infertility

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Viktoria Alcott has been striving for success as an actress for over twenty years and now that she has been going through IVF treatments stardom is finally in her reach, but so is motherhood and at thirty-nine she knows her body cannot afford to wait any longer if she wishes to conceive and Anna has already had two unsuccessful attempts with IVF so the time must be now and they are very difficult and painful procedures plus being nerve wracking waiting to see if they work.

Soon, Anna finds someone hacked her phone and calendar disrupting her schedules and doctor appointments, then someone breaks into her apartment moving things around and she also spots someone following her whenever she goes out! Her husband (Dex) downplays her fears and says it's paranoia probably a side effect of the strong hormones she's taking. When Anna finally becomes pregnant she begins to experience bizarre cravings and hallucinations that seem so real she's unsure that they are really visions and not truly happening to her. Also, she has such abnormal, tremendous pain at times and the doctor (one of the US top leading infertility specialists) informs her a little discomfort is normal in pregnancy but she feels like something is tearing her insides apart at times and the doctor just seems to blow her off and tell her to be a good little pregnant woman and eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest (every time she reports her horrid experiences).

Anna feels lost and alone but she will do everything in her power to protect this baby within her and as time goes on she knows that someone doesn't want this baby born. (but who and why?) Anna's symptoms continue to worsen, the visions are getting violent and the cravings are savage and gruesome and she just might be indulging in these cravings so she can't even trust herself anymore! Will she ever make it to the end of her pregnancy? Will she find out who has been stalking her from the beginning? Is her doctor involved in a conspiracy to take her baby? Can she even trust her best friend or publicist anymore? What about her husband? What role does he play in all of this? Regardless, Anna will die before anyone tries to stop her from having her baby even if there is something very, very wrong with this child inside of her because sometimes she thinks it might not be altogether human but it doesn't matter because it is Anna's baby and it will be born!


First, I have to say "I loved This Book"! In many ways some might think this is reminiscent of " Rosemary's Baby" and it does have those vibes at time in a much current, updated version although there are many unique twists to this wonderfully blunt and gruesome (at times) story that are completely unique to the writer "Danielle Valentine". I enjoyed everything about this novel. The storytelling and writing just flowed from one situation to another and the tension of not knowing what was really happening with Anna drove me crazy where I couldn't put the book down. This was a truly frightening story with brutal savagery and eerie, creepiness taking place from beginning to end. The feminist touch was wonderful and I believe many women will be able to relate to many of her experiences as many doctors who have downplayed any of our own troubling symptoms when we felt there was something not right with our pregnancies and symptoms and would just brush us off without giving us anything for our pain or concise answers to our questions. I, for one know well that happened to me with one of my pregnancies and also the birth of my beautiful daughter but I felt I was truly butchered (also gave stitches without any novocaine or anesthesia), Why? and His response: "These things sometimes happen so just do as I say and don't worry about it". The ending also had an exciting and unexpected twist. There was not one dull or boring part to this fantastic book. I can't wait to read more from this author!

While watching AHS " Delicate" I am enthralled so far how the show is following the book although I'm sure it will probably take it's own horrific spin in a few more episodes! I highly recommend not missing out on this crazy, good book!

Warning! If you are pregnant right now or planning to become pregnant this might not be the time to read this horror story because it just might influence your thinking or possibly give you non-stop nightmares!


I want to thank the author " Danielle Valentine", the publisher "Sourcebooks Landmark" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this
fabulous horror story and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given rating of 5 HORRIFYING AND SAVAGE 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did anyone even edit this mess? The typos throughout were embarrassing.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars
As someone who has gone through IVF, I loved this horror thriller. The details of the experience were right on, making me wonder if this was a personal story for the author.

Beyond those elements that hit me on a personal level, this one was simply a solid story. I loved the twists and turns of the plot. This one walks the line between horror and thriller and it's best to go in as blind as possible.

I will give a warning that this story could be very triggering to anyone undergoing fertility treatments or currently pregnant. This story brought back some intense memories and I'm grateful that I'm past years.

I would highly recommend this one to readers who love smart thrillers that plays with the classic themes of Rosemary's Baby.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Bonnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

: /.... idk I think Ira did it better. This was so not what it was promised. It was like a rehash of Rosemary's Baby until it wasn't and was like jk isn't the medical system awful. It was very repetitive,the suspense wasn't there, and the husband was a cliché with a twist that you could see from a mile away, and the ending just was like great ok and what? I suppose I was looking for more of a supernatural/horror aspect and a real gotcha moment against the men and system, but there really wasn't, at least not in like the way I wanted. I wanted more. Maybe if the rest of the characters were fleshed out, I would've cared more.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nearly everyone on this planet was welcomed by the sounds of a woman screaming."

Anna Alcott is an actress who has suddenly hit the bigtime with her latest movie. It's been a major success at the box office and Oscar rumors are swirling. After playing the sidekick her entire life she feels she has finally earned the respect she has so longed for. The only thing in her life that hasn't panned out is motherhood.

She and her husband, Dex, have been going through the IVF process. After several attempts they find themselves still childless. Then it finally happens. Anna becomes pregnant and they couldn't be more delighted. People often say that pregnant women become forgetful and maybe that's why Anna keeps missing appointments and misplacing medication. Her husband thinks she should be more careful but she is certain that she isn't doing these things. Someone is doing this to her.

Then one day a pain so severe seizes her and she see's all the blood. A miscarriage they say, no one knows why. These things just happen. Take some aspirin and you'll be fine.

Utterly devastated and depressed, Anna can barely leave her home, and to top it off she feels as if she's being watched. Her husband thinks she's paranoid but Anna knows these claims she's making are true yet no one will believe her. So when she feels a kick she can't believe it herself so how can she expect others to. Her husband, her doctors, all think she's being hysterical. Turns out, the baby is still alive within her. Vanishing twin syndrome, they say, but Anna isn't so sure about that diagnosis.

Then come the hallucinations and the unusual cravings. What exactly is Anna pregnant with? You'll have to read this to find out.

This is a horrifying and chilling story on pregnancy and I can't warn women enough - If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant I'd probably take a pass on reading this. Anna's experience is an absolute nightmare and I think it could be very triggering for some people to read about. Danielle Valentine mentions that she started writing this when she was seven months pregnant after having a previous miscarriage. She absolutely knows what she's writing about - the fear, the anxiety, the helplessness so many women face. Unless you've been pregnant you can't possibly understand how it feels to have your body all but hijacked by this little life and how demanding and difficult it is. Pregnancy isn't like how you see it on TV or in movies where the women are all glowing with their perfect little bumps. Sure you hear about morning sickness almost like it's an adorable little quirk of pregnancy but no one tells you about the hair loss, the dry skin and cracked nails, the loss of breath, the urine leakage, the hemorrhoids, swollen ankles, bleeding gums, acid reflux - what I'm saying is that being pregnant is no walk in the park and not one pregnant woman should let anyone dismiss their concerns and ailments.

The new season (airing now) of American Horror Story is based on this novel. While I enjoyed this book immensely and am curious of how this will come across on screen my faith in the AHS franchise burned out many crappy seasons ago. If you're watching it and enjoying it, let me know, and I may give it a go.

Comparisons to The Silent Patient and The Push are terribly misleading. This begins as a psychological mindbender that morphs into full blown horror. A real gem if you can handle it. 4 stars!

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the synopsis, I wanted to read this, but I also wondered if it was going to be cheesy. Saying a book is like “The Push” and “The Silent Patient” is a very bold statement to make. In this case, it’s also a very true statement! Add a little bit of “Nightbitch” and “Motherthing”, and we get this crazy, yet somehow beautiful, story…

Anna and her husband, Dex, have been trying to have a baby, but so far, it hasn’t happened for them. Anna is an actress best known for a role from a couple decades ago, but her most recent film appearance has her looking at being an Oscar nominee. With her recently-regained fame, she wants to remain private about her struggles with conceiving.

We start the book with Anna undergoing IVF treatment, in the hopes of having a baby - and keeping her husband. His first marriage was ended because his wife didn’t want children, but Anna really does want this child and is worried that, coming up on 40, she’s quickly running out of time.

Finally, an implantation catches. Anna is pregnant, and ecstatic. Unfortunately, she has a miscarriage and loses the baby in the first trimester. It’s a few weeks later, in a bourbon-fueled state, that she feels something. This is her first pregnancy to make it far enough to feel movement, but she’s pretty sure that she’s feeling kicking.

After it happens again, and again, she KNOWS she is still pregnant - but nobody believes her. Her doctors say it’s impossible; they’ve done ultrasounds to confirm the loss. Even Anna knows that she FELT her body release the child, but it’s still inside of her. Well, at least *something* is…

Whatever is growing inside of her doesn’t feel…right. Anna has a lot of pain, but also weird cravings (and I’m not talking pickles and peanut butter). She’s feeling things she’s never read about in any pregnancy book (is it supposed to feel like something wants to claw their way out of you?) but time after time, her doctors and husband dismiss her. If she’s not feeling and seeing what she thinks she is, then she must be losing her mind.

I don’t want to say what aspect of horror this is for spoiler purposes, but it’s not a horror sub-genre that I usually go for. With this book, I absolutely loved it. This book starts as a thriller, then crescendos into horror as the book goes on. It has really cool little stories from centuries ago interspersed, of women who have also been affected by Anna’s maladies, and that just added to the suspense.

This was a four star book all the way, then the beginning of the ending made that a 4.5. Then the actual ending has me rounding up to five. This is a page-turningly suspenseful, thrilling, horrifying and at times, darkly comedic novel. This book also has very thoughtful dialogue about miscarriages, pregnancy, childbirth, and the way women have been, and still are, treated by the medical profession. The author expounds on this more in the epilogue, and it adds an extra touching note. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the genres…especially mothers who might be a little feral.

(Thank you to SOURCEBOOK Landmark, Danielle Valentine, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on August 1, 2023.)

[Sylvia Hoffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author's note reveals that upon first conceiving of the book, she "could see the entire story in her head" and I imagine that's because the entire story had already been written by Ira Levin in his bestselling 1967 novel Rosemary's Baby.

[R.]

Rumored to be basis for American Horror Story season 12

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one creepy listen! Parts of it gave me goosebumps. Typically I’m not a big horror fan. This had just enough gasp out loud moments I could handle. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, I would definitely wait on reading this. Disturbing, chilling, and entertaining is how I would describe this scary tale. The narration was actually soothing and helped ease my nerves as I navigated toward the chilling conclusion. Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my audiobook.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danielle Valentine's 2022 YA mystery/thriller, How to Survive Your Murder, was a very popular release and many thriller aficionados loved it, so I was really excited for her adult novel release, DELICATE CONDITION. When I first saw the cover, I thought "omg I need to read this", but when I heard it's the basis for Season 12 of American Horror Story, I definitely knew this needed to be prioritized. I usually steer away from stories involving the importance of pregnancy, but I trusted that if this book was good enough to be subject matter for one of my favorite shows, that it would be a fun time.

DELICATE CONDITION is centered around actress Anna Alcott and her struggle with getting pregnant. Her husband Dex and she are trying to get pregnant via IVF after countless struggles, but as Anna's career begins to blossom, she also finds that her journey at the fertility clinic has been a disaster. Her meetings have been cancelled, medicine for IVF procedures lost, Anna feels that someone is trying to sabotage her. When she starts believing that she's being stalked, Anna and Dex go into hiding in the Hamptons. Sadly, Anna suffers a miscarriage but she is convinced that she's still pregnant. In fact, she's beginning to show and is having unorthodox food cravings (to say the least). Anna knows that she's pregnant, but something sinister is also at play. Why won't anyone listen to Anna's concerns?

DELICATE CONDITION was a lot of fun! This slow burn suspense will take you down a windy road of twists and turns. I legit gasped by the end of the novel and was pleasantly surprised by the turn of events. It's hard to stump me, but DELICATE CONDITION did just that! This book needs to be on your summer reading list and it'll be the perfect story for the American Horror Story family. I can't wait to see what readers and AHS will think of this story.

[Bonnie Glaze · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was almost 3 stars until the end.
Except for several inconsistencies in weather, gender, and names, the first half was pretty solid.
You know those children's books and programs where the kids think something evil is happening and from their perspective all the evidence seems legit? That's exactly what this book is for all the women characters involved. But then the end comes and everyone is happy and they have a good laugh because nothing was macabre or evil, it was all for the better if everyone. Ha ha ha silly woman shouldn't have felt afraid.
Stick with Rosemary's Baby.
I don't like that the group involved hide their selfishness under women's desperation for motherhood as well. The book is written to state that men and doctors do nothing but prey and ignore women going through or longing for motherhood, but so do the witches in the end.
They want to live forever so they make deals with the desperate mothers to reincarnate into fetuses so they can live another life. "Oh I felt so sorry for you", "oh I loved you" verbiage used towards the mothers. And all so they can also 'guarantee' a perfectly healthy baby.
They are just as predatory as the depecited men even going as far as to hijake surrogate mothers and thus the hiring parents in tote.
Probably not a good idea to call it a feminist book when the only difference between all the 'bad guys' is one gives you cookies and trys to make everything seem nice.

'Oh, well I planned to reincarnate into your baby, but then you miscarried, so I did a spell to make it live again, but now if I for sure don't reincarnate into the fetus then it will definitely come out "off"'

The AHS adaption will probably be way better too

[Cortney - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read, but as a fan of Rosemary's Baby, this take on it fell a little flat for me.

3.5 stars rounded down because the original was better and I was nowhere near wowed by the "feminist update."

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25-4.5 Stars
What?! AHS (American Horror Story) Season 12 is going to be based on this novel?!

If you're a fan of AHS, then you'll love this novel! It's dark and twisted, just like AHS.

I think it's best to go into the novel blind, but here is a quick rundown for those who are interested:
Anna and her husband are desperate to have a baby. After years of trying, she finally became pregnant. But that's when weird things started to happen. Was she imagining things? Or is there something more sinister going on?

This novel had me on the edge of my seat! I was completely enthralled! I didn't know what direction the story was going to go. Nor did I know who to trust, not even the protagonist.

If you're a fan of AHS or Rosemary's Baby, this is the novel for you!

***Thank you to NetGalley, Danielle Valentine, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

[Meg Steiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
Trying too hard with gender issues

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW, this was one hell of a ride. I could not put this book down for anything and ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting! I can't wait to see what American Horror Story does with the storyline. Full review coming soon!

[Lackof_shelf_control · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️ ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ : ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴs ‼️

•ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ��
ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴀs ᴀ ᴡɪʟᴅ ʀɪᴅᴇ! ɪ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴏɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴀs ᴛʜɪɴɢs ᴜɴғᴏʟᴅᴇᴅ - ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇᴅ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ɴᴏ ᴄʟᴜᴇ. ɪ ғᴇʟᴛ ᴀɴxɪᴇᴛʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ!!! ɪ’ᴠᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴛ ᴏʀ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴀɴɴᴀ’s ɪᴠғ ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ɪs ғᴇᴀʀ ɪɴᴅᴜᴄɪɴɢ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪs ᴡʜʏ ɪ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ɪғ ɪᴛ ᴀғғᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ - ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴏɴʟʏ ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇ ʜᴏᴡ ᴍᴏᴍs ᴏʀ sᴏᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴍᴏᴍs ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ғᴇᴇʟ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪs. ᴅᴀɴɪᴇʟʟᴇ’s ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ɪs ʙʀɪʟʟɪᴀɴᴛ! sʜᴇ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ʏᴏᴜ ғᴇᴇʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ’s ᴇɴᴅᴜʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀs ᴀ ʀᴇsᴜʟᴛ - ɪ sᴛᴀʏᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏᴏ ʟᴀᴛᴇ ᴍᴀɴʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛs ᴀs ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴇᴀɢᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ғɪɢᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ᴏᴜᴛ!!!

ʜɪʟʟᴀʀʏ’s ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪs ᴀʟsᴏ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪғᴜʟʟʏ ᴅᴏɴᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏɴᴇ ᴏғ ʜᴇʀ ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ ᴀᴅᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. ɪ ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴠᴇʀsɪᴏɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ʙᴇ ᴘʀᴇᴘᴀʀᴇᴅ ғᴏʀ sᴏᴍᴇ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ʙᴇᴅ.

📖 ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ @dreamscape_media ᴀɴᴅ @netgalley ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ᴀʀᴄ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴀɴ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ 📖

[Hillary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overall, the writing is poor. The writing is repetitive and reads like YA rather than adult. The author spoon feeds the reader throughout the entirety of the book, and never gives the reader a chance to interpret anything ourselves. The cover claims it is a “feminist update” to Rosemary’s Baby, which is just a disgrace to even compare this book to that masterpiece. Whoever said Rosemary’s Baby wasn’t feminist to begin with? It just didn’t need to explicitly state why it’s “feminist” every page of the book, which apparently we have to do now to stay “relevant”. I never felt challenged or overly compelled to keep reading this book, yet I persisted. It’s also not a horror book in my opinion, but more of suspense. There’s so much more I can say but I already invested more time than I cared to, so I’ll stop here.

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

"a feminist update to Rosemary's Baby"? Yes. It does not disappoint.
* The main character is an actress
* Trigger warnings for subjects/issues relating to pregnancy, infertility treatments, miscarriages (very intense/detailed)
* Marriage/gaslighting
* Social media
* Stalkers
* Conspiracies
* Health crisis/anxiety
* Secrets & Lies
* Female friendships
* Hollywood/Publicity
*Things I can't discuss because they would be spoilers!

There are multiple times I would get to the end of a chapter and get hit with a major turn of events or some huge reveal. Some things I suspected, other things were unexpected. I do think this book was a little too long. Several chapters are short but other chapters feel drawn out. Some repetitive situations slowed the pace, which could have kept the tension going. I think the historical interludes were entertaining but I don't think they were necessary.

More soon! I'm going to write a full review/reading experience for Patreon in a week--but I'm recommending this 100% and it's on Kindle Unlimited which is nice

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this will work well for the next American Horror Story season, but being in Anna's head for 400+ pages wasn't particularly enjoyable.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danielle Valentine's novel was the inspiration for the most recent incarnation of "American Horror Story" -- the season in which Kim Kardashian joins Emma Roberts -- and it's a gem. I should note that I loved, loved, loved that season of "American Horror Story." You think you are reading a re-imagining of "Rosemary's Baby" set in the world of IVF, though in the case the mother herself is the actor who has just gotten a very big break, but Valentine (and the wonderful TV series) explore something very different. Tense, surreal, and awash in surprise, "Delicate Condition" is a fantastic choice for your spooky season selections.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the basis for the newest season of American Horror Story and its clear how this book would fit perfectly into the lore of the series. I haven't watched AHS I'm years...I think Hotel was the last season I watched and I probably won't watch this season either.

Delicate Condition is pitched as Feminist Rosemary's Baby. I haven't watched or read Rosemary's Baby( stay tuned) but given its classic stature I obviously know the basic plot and I think this is a good update. I won't say much about the plot but if you know Rosemary's Baby than you can guess most of the plot.

Delicate Condition is more Horror than Thriller and it has some very gruesome scenes( the cravings yall!!!) It was a bit predictable but I never lost interest. I will say that if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, I would NOT read this book. I have no desire to have children and it was rough reading for even me.

Delicate Condition is terrifying and intense update on a classic story. The story of how women's pain is often ignored or minimized by doctors and the men in their lives. Unfortunately I think this will continue to be a timely read for years to come.

[Emms-hiatus(ish) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

This book is compulsively readable. Beyond that, I just didn’t enjoy it. The first half really sucks you in and then it declines at a fairly fast pace, ultimately ending on an unsatisfying note. No one in the book is likable 🤷‍♀️

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars for this! What a wild ride.. and to acknowledge that this is not too far fetched is the most horrifying aspect. It was a cathartic reading experience for me, not a mom or trying for one. Being dismissed of your pain and told to just relax and calm. Even if you're not a mom, you will relate to this. Do look up the triggers because this is not delicate in any way.

[daniella · Rating 3 out of 5]

i actually read this book specifically to get a sense of what to expect in the new season of ahs