“Someone to Share My Nightmares” Weekend: Special Guest Book Review by Destiny

This was such a fun collection of stories and I couldn't be happier that this was my introduction to Sonora Taylor's writing! I'm a huge fan of the intersection of horror and romance in stories, but it's so rare that I get the opportunity to actually see an author commit to the theme this wholeheartedly, and I loved it.

Some of the stories feature romances gone wrong, while others let us watch relationships form despite harrowing, terrifying scenarios unfolding around the couple — such as one of my favorites in the collection, “The Sharps”, which combines an absolutely horrifying eco-horror plot with a very sweet new pairing. Of course, I can't pass up the opportunity to mention the very fun, festive “Tis Better to Want”, where Sonora wraps up the collection with a very unique look at Krampus.

I love the fact that Sonora Taylor is over here, brave enough to tackle consensual sex in horror when many horror authors won't go there. I could rant for days about the problems I have with much of the horror fandom's general treatment of the romance genre despite their shockingly long list of similarities, so this collection absolutely warmed my heart. This was my first time reading Sonora's work but it definitely won't be my last, and even if she someday decided to craft her entire brand around stories like the gems in Someone to Share My Nightmares, sign me the hell up.

✨ Representation: “Bump in the Night” features a sapphic romance; multiple BIPOC characters; Krampus is pansexual

✨ Content warnings for: violence, murder, skinning/flaying, abuse (physical, mental, emotional), BDSM & whipping (consensual)

Thank you so much to the author for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Destiny runs the Howling Libraries book review site, where she celebrates a variety of media, but finds herself especially drawn to all things spooky and queer (as she's quite spooky and queer, too). In her free time, she loves relaxing with her family, playing video games, and binge watching horror movies every chance she gets. You can find her at www.howlinglibraries.com or over on Twitter at @howlinglibrary.

A band of bloodthirsty sea creatures terrorize a scientist and a journalist trapped in a Carolina cove. The seduction of a plumber making a house call becomes a nightmarish haunting for both parties. A woman transformed for her lover has second thoughts about just how good "together forever" can be. And the one man a woman wants for Christmas is the holiday demon sent to punish the wicked.

Someone to Share My Nightmares is a tapestry of horrors interwoven with sensuality.
Can our deepest fears be vanquished when they’re shared with someone else?
Or is the danger doubled when two people come together?