“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!