The novella opens with a "Content Warning: Sexual Assault, Violence, Body Horror, Strong Language. Reader discretion advised." The book's opening pages must be read and appreciated in the order provided for the depth of thoughtfulness that encompasses the story.

Harley has found the perfect boyfriend in Aiden. He loves practical jokes, and Harley has the ideal practical joke to play on Aiden to surprise him for his birthday. What could be more perfect?

Do you know how you will respond to a sexual assault?
Do you know how you will respond to sexual violence?
Fight?
Flight?
Freeze?
You think you know how you'll respond. You do not.
You will not know until you are in a moment of fear.
You think you know the individual that might have this experience in their lifetime. You do not.

This gripping and page-turning story tells of horror, but if that is all you read, you have missed the importance of the storytelling, the well-written, and crafted novella. It is a powerful story. It is a powerful presentation of fewer than 100 pages. Highly recommended.

I was invited to read the novella by the author. I shared with the author that I was undecided, and my response was graciously accepted. Several nights later, I decided to download the novella. I read it in one sitting. The views expressed in the review are my own. ( )

Poor Harley! I loved her but I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and give her a good shake. Sure we've all had a bad relationship or two but Harley takes the cake (literally!) when it comes to choosing the wrong guy. Her too trusting and generous nature has led her down the wrong path before, and sadly she has not learned from her past. This time the lesson may finally sink in, but is it already too late?
When Harley decides to surprise her boyfriend for his birthday she is the one who is in for a shock.
I felt almost like I was in the room yet powerless to help as I bore witness to this date from hell. I may have even yelled out loud once or twice but Harley paid me no mind. The content warning doesn't mention claustrophobia because Harley doesn't suffer it, though it may it raise your anxiety level in a particular cramped space scene in the book. There's more to this clever story than just a creep of a boyfriend but far be it from me to spoil it for you. Read it for yourself to find out.
This was a short but shocking read with an original and creative plot. You'll never guess where it's going until you get there.

I received a complimentary copy for review ( )

Video review: https://youtu.be/gMe7UM3cRtI

This review first appeared on scifiandscary.com

https://www.scifiandscary.com/petrified-women-review/

I was very pleasantly (or maybe unpleasantly) surprised by ‘Petrified Women’. It’s a neatly compact suspense story that reminded me a little of the EC horror comics or the classic Karen Black segment from ‘Trilogy of Terror’, only with modern sensibilities. Full disclosure, the author offered it to me free in return for a review, I normally turn down offers like that, but the concept and reviews of this one intrigued me enough to that I took the plunge. I’m glad I did.
The concept is simple but clever. Protagonist Harley has a boyfriend who is a bit of a dick who likes playing pranks on her. She decides to get him back by hiding in his apartment to prank him back. It turns out he has dark secrets. Like way dark.
Author Jeremy Ray takes that set up and milks it for all it’s worth. Remember the tension of Jamie Lee Curtis hiding I the closet in ‘Halloween’? Or James Stewart helplessly watching Grace Kelly across the courtyard in ‘Rear Window? Ray wrings that level of suspense out of the events here and I really was well and truly gripped. Add to that a genuine sensitivity around the impacts of sexual assault and a talent for creating convincing characters and ‘Petrified Women’ ends up being a winner.
Novellas can be hard to pull off, given that that can’t have achieve the depth of a novel, but equally can’t just coast on one good idea like a short story can. ‘Petrified Women’ manages to trade that trick middle path. It’s a quick read, but one that keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of their seat. Harley is a convincing lead and boyfriend Aiden is makes an enjoyably creepy villain. There’s also an equally creepy ending, which is very well set up rather than feeling tacked on. It’s a book I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to, and one that has made me want to read more from the author. ( )

3.5⭐️ ( )

Be prepared to have your mind mentally f**cked! From the author that brought you The Houseplant, Jeremy Ray will give you nightmares. I dare you to get a good night's sleep after reading this book. Horror fans will want to treat themselves to a copy of this book.

I knew that I would like this book even before reading it as I loved The Houseplant but I was not prepared for the dark, twisted tale I was about to embark on as I started reading this book.

Aiden is super into pranks. There is the mention of Scare Tactics but think about four times more on the scare level. Harley starts getting into the pranks trying to best Aiden at his own game. What she finds in store for herself when she hides in Aiden's closet is more than she bargained for. Seriously, this book will have you tripping asking yourself what did I just read (in a good way). ( )