The premise is every woman’s nightmare, and the horrors of captivity and humiliation quickly give way to a story arc that you would never anticipate. The synopsis really does not do this book justice, but then again it is better that you begin this journey without too much revealed to you. Trust that there will be several twists and the ending will be unpredictable but highly satisfying.

“A house with a lawn so green it borders on satire…” As ever, Ballard’s poetic writing style makes the act of reading itself a beautiful experience. Her prose is rhythmic, pulsing, and powerful. I ended up with so many highlights to revisit that were just downright beautiful. How often does that happen with a horror novel? She expertly builds up a claustrophobic atmosphere that is as thick as peanut butter, but she knows exactly when to cut in and break through.

As an aside, as a seasoned horror reader, I cannot express how important it is to have the perspective of women horror writers. This is a perspective that has been largely missing from the genre for years. Female captivity written by Stephen King (though you know I love him) is an entirely different experience than what you will experience here.

If you enjoyed Ballard’s previous book Sugar, you will love this one. I have seen others compare it to Night Bitch, but I will disagree on that — Shy Girl is far superior.

Thank you NetGalley, Mia Ballard, and Galaxy Press for sending me an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

*Holy wow.* 5/5 stars and a standing ovation. I can’t express just how much I loved this book. Dark, unsettling, and utterly unputdownable, it’s a deliciously disturbing read that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. This book isn’t for everyone (please check trigger warnings!), but if it *is* for you—oh, you’re in for a treat. If you love weird girl lit, horror, and feral feminine rage, this might just be your next obsession.

Mia Ballard delivers a stunning horror novel, blending unnerving tension with gorgeously sharp prose. We follow Gia, a broke, OCD-ridden 30-year-old woman so desperate for financial relief that she agrees to become a sugar baby to a man named Nathan—on the condition that she is his *pet.* But the arrangement quickly spirals into something far more twisted than she ever imagined.

Captivating and deeply thought-provoking, this novel explores themes of bodily autonomy, womanhood, self-identity, and survival, keeping readers on edge with every unsettling twist. It’s the kind of book that seeps into your bones, refusing to let go.

Mia Ballard is now an auto-read author for me, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Galaxy Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Galaxy Press for the E-ARC.

I want all my horror written by Mia Ballard. Period. This was incredible. It was grotesque, horrifying, visceral, and the rage was everything I could ever want.

The premise of the book is terrifying and one that might feel unreal, but yet I assure you similar situations have likely occurred. The main focus is a man deceiving a vulnerable woman to inflict the most horrific kind of abuse imaginable. 7 years. Gia is held captive for 7 years but never quite gives up hope. I loved how she terrified her captor and made sure he regretted ever treating women the way he did.

I loved it. I don't know what else to say.

Shy Girl was one of the most intense, sad, visceral books I've ever read. From start to finish Gia's story took root in my heart and never let up. A fantastical, gory, and powerful take on a real life nightmare, My jaw hit the floor multiple times, and I had to sit and collect myself for quite a while after finishing. Confinement, helplessness, grief, strength, power, revenge. This book will stay with me forever.
Mia is absolutely an auto buy author for me, and I cannot wait for a physical copy of this book for my shelf.

Thank you for this ARC!

I was a huge fan of Mia Ballard's debut novel, Sugar, so when I saw a listing for Shy Girl on NetGalley I SMASHED that request button.

Oh my GOSH! Shy Girl did NOT disappoint!

We focus on a young woman named Gia who, after a string of bad luck, finds herself entering the world of sugar daddies. Gia meets Nathan, an older financier who makes her an interesting and very tempting offer: spend 8 hours a day, every day, as his "pet," and he will pay off her mounting debts. Swallowing her fears and pride, Gia accepts, but soon finds herself stretched beyond her limits when Nathan's sinister nature is revealed.

This was a freaky fantastic GEM with some vicious body horror (the PINWORMS) and a very claustrophobic atmosphere. I was on edge literally the entire time and it only got more uncomfortable with each chapter.
The ending? GOOD FOR HER!

I was also a huge fan of the prose. This terrifying story was electrically written.

Like I said, I was a BIG fan of Sugar, but Ballard's sophomore effort totally knocked it out of the park.

have you ever read anything so unbelievable yet believable at the same time??? this was insane, brutal, sharp, sometimes painful to read but i couldn’t put it down. i was taken aback by the blood and gore that flooded the second half of the book considering how..normal(?) and calm the beginning was. even with the extensive content warning i was truly not prepared. but i thoroughly enjoyed it. i was terrified, but also excited, and rooting for the horrific victory that came at the end

I would like to start by saying this beautiful stunning cover is what caught my attention which is so ironic because this book is far from how the cover makes you feel. This was a bit outside of my comfort zone, but I honestly enjoyed it. It is somewhat scary when you realize how easy it could be to end up in a situation like Gia's. Desperate trying to pay bills and keeping up with life, it can lead you to turn to options you wouldn't typically consider.

Things get progressively darker the more you read and at some point just takes a complete turn. I was definitely shocked to see how animalistic Gia became after all of the torment and abuse that Nathan put her through.

I do wish the book would have ended differently, but there truly was no other way to end the book so it does make sense. Thank you to Netgalley, Galaxy Press, and Mia Ballard for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

Shy Girl is a visceral, twisted masterpiece. Exploring trauma, what we will do for survival, and what if feels like to loose autonomy over your life and body.

Mia Ballard’s writing hooked me from page one and did not let up. We watch as trour main characters life starts to unravel and in order to pay rent she joins a site to meet sugar daddies. She meets Nathan who is calm, calculated, and offers a great amount of money for a slightly odd request, but her first visit takes a quick turn and we find out just how deep Nathan’s fantasies go.

Please check trigger warnings as this book is heavy, dark, and descriptive.


Full video review will be posted on TikTok (@batty_books) one week before the publication date.

thank you to netgalley, mia ballard, and the publisher for the arc of this book!!

first of all, gia going crazy? love that for her. this book sucked me in, shocked me, and had me hooked. i almost forgot i was reading a horror until the second half of the book cut in and then it really hit. although gia went through so much, she got her own version of a happy ending, and i love the way mia wrote that for her.

this is the second book i’ve read and had an arc for by mia ballard and it’s safe to say i’ll be picking up whatever she writes in the future!!

Nightbitch walked so that Shy Girl could run!!!! I was OBSESSED with this from the moment I started reading, it is exactly my kind of book. The author’s note states “sometimes justice isn’t quiet or clean; it’s feral and bloody and unapologetic” and I think that sums Shy Girl up exactly.

It is perfectly paced, perfectly written and my jaw was actually dropping by the last few pages. Will definitely be buying this for my bookshelf when it comes out!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Galaxy Press for the ARC - one of my favourite reads so far this year.

Mia says it herself, but I feel it needs to be said again.. do NOT be fooled by the cutesy cover and make sure you read the warning/triggers before going into this story.
With that being said, this was an INSANE read. I don’t even know where to begin or end with my review, as my thoughts and emotions haven’t stopped raging ever since I finished the book. When I started dipping my toes into the Horror genre, THIS is what I was looking for.
Mia Ballard’s writing style is so smooth and flawless, I was quickly obsessed, and already have her other 2 books Sugar and We All Rot Eventually in the cart.
The way she portrays OCD, toxic relationships, the things that women go through on a daily basis, and the pure animalistic female RAGE that comes out of it all.. I couldn’t have been more impressed, seriously. I will think about this book, probably for the rest of my life, and continue to ponder on all of the deeper meanings hidden within it.

Favorite quotes:
• “‘Thank you,’ I say to the waitress reflexively. She widens her eyes at me. Get a load of this guy. I smile and cartoonishly widen my eyes back at her before she leaves the table. I love how we can telepathically converse like that. It was one of the only things women had that men couldn't take away.”
• “Rage. The word cuts through my thoughts like a knife. The sound of his voice, the sight of his face, the casual ease with which he dismisses everything he's done—it fuels the fire inside me until it consumes everything else.”
• “Women have always been cast as caretakers, peacekeepers, and forgivers. We're told to endure, to adapt, to rise above. But sometimes, the only way to heal is to rage. Sometimes, justice isn't quiet or clean; it's feral and bloody and unapologetic.”

Thank you to Mia Ballard for writing this amazing piece of art, and thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read the ARC.

Woof! A wild ride, very intense and splashes of grotesque descriptions. Thought provoking in its approach. This story is about more than just a girl who agrees to an arrangement because money is tight. It tackles themes of control both within ourselves and how other people can abuse it so easily. Tough at times, but so rewarding.

Not really my thing. I didn't see how the OCD was relevant, which is what brought me to read this book. It definitely wasn't a bad book at all; I can certainly see it doing really well and finding its correct audience. Simply put, it's just not to my liking or the type of storytelling that I enjoy. However, I will recommend it.

thank you netgalley for the ARC! this was an extremely tough read about trauma, captivity, and female rage. it was extremely disturbing and difficult to read, but i just kept reading in horror. please check trigger warnings before reading this.

This short horror novel really packs a punch. If you have the stomach for body horror, there are a lot of interesting comments on gender relationships and our economy buried in Shy Girl. The cover art is incredible, and highlights something I think others have overlooked: this story is incredibly sad. Yes, there is redemption, but there is deep loneliness and desperation. Shy Girl ends up painting a very realistic depiction of sex trafficking and should not be picked up without some forefront.

This being said, the novel is propulsive and hard to put down. Thank you to NetGalley and Galaxy Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m glad to have Galaxy Press on my radar in the publishing world!

Wowwww!! I was not expecting this to be such a great read! Feminine rage at its finest!! I love this and everything about.

WOW! Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC! I finished this book in a day. It was Nightbitch (another 5 star for me) on steroids. Everything, from the first page to the last had me hooked! I would recommend to anyone who enjoys feminine rage/weird girl books 🖤

So, when I heard my friend talking about this book and how she was unable to put it down or look away I knew I had to get my hands on it.

As soon as my NetGalley request was accepted I went in and LORD I was not prepared.

What starts off as a relatively normal spirals quickly into madness. And just when you think it can’t get any more disturbing, it does. I could not put this one down or look away from the madness unfolding in front of my eyes. There were scenes where I caught myself clenching my jaw and I had to remind myself that I would mention “not for people with a weak stomach” in my review.

The underlaying message in this book is a strong one and the story is incredible original and well written.
A dark, disturbing and not your everyday “revenge” packed novel which I would recommend picking up and giving a go “Woof!”.

Where to even begin with this book?? Don’t let the beautiful, calm, peaceful cover fool you…this is *not* for the faint of heart.

Having read Mia Ballard’s debut novel Sugar last year, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what I might be getting myself into here. This was backed up by the content warning at the start of Shy Girl. And despite all that…forewarned was definitely *not* forearmed!

The second half of this novel is insane. Violent, bloody, gross, fucked up and satisfying to the point where you want to scream in victory. It is feminine rage, good-for-her stuff but like you’ve never seen it before. There’s a tooth extraction scene that had my toes curled, a set piece with tweezers that actually made me moan with revulsion when I read it, and a finale that makes the elevators in Kubrick’s version of The Shining seem dry as a bone.

So it’s something of a shock at how calm the first half is. Still unpleasant though - the dread that builds and the looming sense of threat as Gia, our desperate main character, meets Nathan from a sugar daddy website in the hope of solving all her financial woes. You sense something bad is on the horizon, but the whole setup is icky and uncomfortable more than anything.

Then it goes off and, wow, it’s quite something. Gia agrees to live as Nathan’s dog for eight hours a day, before realising that this new life arrangement is a lot more permanent. The moment that prompts Nathan to waver does the same for me - disgusting, sickening, brilliant horror…and that’s without mentioning the rat!

As an exploration and examination of control, of trauma, of power, it is fascinating. As a portrait of the resilience of women, of escape, of taking the power back it is stunning.

In two releases, Mia Ballard has established herself as a force of nature and a vital new voice in horror. I am terrified and excited by what might come from her next!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Shy Girl by Mia Ballard initially captivated me with its intriguing premise, and I was drawn in by the character development and emotional depth. I found myself invested in the story and excited to see where it would go. However, as the plot unfolded, I found that the body horror elements, particularly the amount of gore, became too overwhelming for me. While I can see how this would appeal to readers who enjoy intense, graphic body horror, it just wasn’t for me. It’s a shame, as I was really enjoying it up until that point. For those who are fans of body horror, I think this book will definitely find its audience, but personally, it wasn’t a good fit.