I knocked this novelette out in about an hour, which is part of the problem. I wanted more from the story (at least another 30-40 pages would've made a big difference). I really enjoyed the story, but didn't have enough time to care for the characters as much as I would've liked to. I enjoyed the author's style, and I think there is definitely something here but, as good as it is, it almost feels like the author rushed through it, almost throwing away the suspense, just to get to the end. I would try to read more from this author because I DO see elements that I like in the writing. I just wish this one was a little bit more flushed out.
3.5 Stars, rounded up to 4.

This was a super short horror novella following Lexi and Brandon, a recently split couple trying to rekindle their relationship in a cabin in the woods. I found it was very predictable, and I was expecting some twist at the end but it fell short. I felt the suspense could have been stronger, possibly by making the story a bit longer. The characters didn’t have time to grow on me or develop personalities outside of their toxic relationship. The writing was good and the overall plot was decent, aside from being predictable. I enjoyed the mental aspect of it: Brandon’s gaslighting and Lexi’s previous history with trauma/hallucinations and how it played a role in the story. For it being as short as it is, it was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Blood Bound Books and NetGalley for the review copy! This review is my honest opinion.

What a WEIRD AF read. I’m still not sure if it’s a good or bad kind of weird, but weird it was for sure.
The best part might be the length though, way under an hour of reading time. 35 minutes maybe?
Was it really a horror? I’m not sure. It was uncomfortable, yes. It was also very, very predictable. Yeah, unfortunately, I’m not entirely too sure about this one. Sorry.

This strange book is a very short read, I think it took me 40mins max. Our story jumps right in, read the synopsis and go from there because theres no time to explain things. I found it easy to keep up with but the imagery wasn't as strong as I tend to like for horrors, nonetheless i enjoyed the story. Even I wasn't sure who was right and what was totally happening til the end. I think this could open the door to some strong body horror or twisted imagery, I'd like to read more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for a copy of this book.

[Please note: I don't review with star ratings so I give each author and book 5 stars for the creativity, effort and energy alone, that goes into writing and publishing each book. Stars are a commendation of art]

It was easy to guess the plot within the first couple of pages and I think the sexual nature elements were just added for shock value when really they just made me feel uncomfortable. The storyline itself was a good idea but it could have been executed better

AHH what?! Come on! I need to know more, I am so invested yet strangely confused. This was such a quick, exciting, gross read. Yet I still need more. I have so many questions! A great short story to keep you on edge.

Thank you to Blood Bound Books for providing me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

What should have been a fun weekend gateway quickly turns into something much sinister. The twist might have been a bit easy to guess, but the story is still creepy as hell

I'm not accustomed to reading many novellas, so this 39-page story was outside my comfort zone and didn't allow enough time for me to become truly invested. I would have preferred a more developed storyline concerning the characters' relationship, with additional pages to draw readers into their world. The suspense was minimal, and the plot's direction seemed predictable; it wasn't particularly creepy or scary, just odd, leaving me uncertain about my feelings towards it. Lexi and Brandon's decision to visit a cabin in the woods to rekindle their romance takes a dark turn, and despite Lexi's desire to leave, the woods seem to have other intentions. I appreciated the novella's brisk pace and direct approach, which was occasionally unsettling. I'm open to exploring more works by this author, as my lack of enthusiasm might stem from a general disinterest in novellas. My thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for providing a review copy.

This is a quick, nasty novella that can be read in a single sitting. If you enjoy the body horror of David Cronenberg, this will be right up your alley. S.C. Mendes continues to impress me. 4 stars

Rating: 4/5

This story got under my skin in the best possible way. Breeding Ground starts out with an uneasy weekend reunion between Lexi and her ex-fiancée at a remote cabin, but it quickly shifts into something far more disturbing. The tension rises fast, and before you know it, you’re as trapped and uncertain as Lexi is.

What I loved most is how it plays with reality. Is Lexi just stressed and hallucinating because of her diagnosis, or is something genuinely sinister going on? The atmosphere is claustrophobic, and the author packs a lot of unease into a short read. The ending left me unsettled and thinking about it long after I finished.

I would have liked a bit more backstory on the relationship’s breakdown, just to fully grasp the emotional stakes. Still, for a quick, creepy read that messes with your head, this hits the mark. If you enjoy psychological horror that leaves you guessing, it’s definitely worth a try.

Incredibly well written horror novelette about a young couple on a weekend retreat at a secluded cabin.. Eerie, creepy, and disgusting descriptions will please and thrill those who love gory horror, with the addition of disorienting psychological implications that make you wonder if it's really happening or just the observations of a disturbed mind.

As a horror fan, this short story was perfect for a quick read in these dark evenings and it gave me the thrill I needed. I have read and enjoyed a few works by the author and I will definitely be reading more in the future.

3★
Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc of this book.
This was a short story about a broken up couple that goes on a retreat in hopes to reconnect, but something in the cabin has different plans for them.
I really liked the writing in this, it really kept me reading even though you can guess from the beginning what is gonna happen. I think some things could've been more decribed in details, especially some of the body horror. Overall I still really enjoyed it.

A good horror short story will not give away the plot so quickly. Like, it was OBVIOUS what was happening?

I don't know, I think I expect more from horror. I want it to go some place deeper, darker and explore the human condition. Not just a gaslighting and abusive man with his ex.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A short story that was weird to read. I liked it but I find myself wanting more, not just 7 chapters. Interesting idea and it would make a great series if the author wanted to do that. I just want more and more.

I received a free book and is voluntarily writing a review

S.C. Mendes delivers a chilling psychological horror experience with Breeding Ground, a tightly wound novelette that plunges readers into a nightmarish scenario where trust, memory, and reality blur beyond recognition. At just 12,000 words, this story is a compact, relentless ride that grips you from its deceptively mundane opening to its unnerving conclusion.

The story follows Lexi Macomber, a protagonist whose vulnerability is instantly relatable. Reeling from a recent medical diagnosis, she seeks solace and clarity during a weekend retreat at her ex-fiancée’s remote cabin. The setup teases reconciliation, offering the promise of rekindled affection amidst the isolation of nature. But Mendes wastes no time in letting things spiral into chaos, subverting expectations with every twist. The interpersonal tension between Lexi and her ex is raw and believable, slowly simmering until the veneer of civility shatters.

The horror in Breeding Ground is twofold: it is as much psychological as it is visceral. Mendes skillfully explores Lexi’s fragile state of mind, leaving readers questioning whether her perceptions are warped by stress, illness, or something far more sinister. At the same time, the physical danger she faces feels immediate and suffocating, escalating into scenes that are both grotesque and deeply disturbing. Mendes’ descriptions are vivid without being overindulgent, making the horror feel tactile and inescapable.

What sets Breeding Ground apart is its fever-dream quality. The narrative drips with paranoia, trapping readers in Lexi’s fractured perspective. Is her ex-fiancée plotting something malicious, or is Lexi unraveling under the weight of her own fears? This ambiguity drives the tension to its breaking point, making the novelette impossible to put down.

Despite its brevity, the story doesn’t feel rushed. Mendes balances the pacing with precision, using the confined setting of the cabin to amplify the claustrophobia and unease. The characters, though few, are fleshed out enough to make their actions and motivations feel authentic, even as the story dives into surreal territory.

Breeding Ground is a masterclass in minimalist horror, packing a potent punch in a small package. Fans of psychological horror, especially those who appreciate the interplay between human fragility and external threat, will find much to love here. Mendes leaves readers with a lingering sense of unease—and perhaps the urge to reconsider their own relationships.

In short, Breeding Ground is a gripping, unsettling read that’s perfect for a single sitting. If you’re looking for a story that toys with your mind and makes your skin crawl, S.C. Mendes delivers in spades. Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

Proof that you can grab someone's attention and roll out a icky fun, yet disturbing story in 44 pages. I really enjoyed every moment of the story and quite enjoyed being able to read a complete thriller before bed.

Brandon and Lexi are going away for the weekend to see if they can (possibly) give their relationship another go. Some resentment remains and all the stress for Lexi is manifesting itself into some sort of psychosis. Or at least it seems that way…

Mendes is serving a lot of Creepshow vibes in this story. It was short, fast-paced and pretty detailed considering its brevity. I caught onto the foreshadowing pretty quickly, but still enjoyed the twist toward the end. I was very satisfied with how everything unfolded.

I love quick reads like this, especially if I’m in a reading slump or experiencing a book hangover or need something in between a very long read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloodbound Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!

A disturbing and gory little shot of domestic horror. This novelette is a short but compelling story of a couple that is trying to rekindle or at least see if they can get along after a traumatic incident by escaping to the family cabin. To put it mildly, things do not go well. It is hard to go into any detail without spoilers but this builds to a wallop of an ending that I absolutely loved.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BloodBoundBooks for the book #BreedingGround by #SCMendes. This creepy short story was just what was needed and didn’t disappoint. Lexi and Brandon are giving their relationship a second chance after being broken up for five weeks. They are staying at his secluded cabin for the weekend. But things soon spiral out of control and Lexi can’t tell what is real and what isn’t. Is she imaging things or is Brandon trying to kill her?