Oooof. Not one to read on your own if you’re easily scared. I was mesmerised by this. It’s very creepy but authentic. Love the feeling of is it paranoia and if not what is going on? I like, GENUINELY liked, the main character so much.
Totally gripping.
Edit: just re-reading as this was so good first time!

This wasn't anything like I was expecting! I had fully expected a psychological thriller, but this was definitely more in the horror genre and very creepy!

Actress Anna and her husband, Dex, have been trying to get pregnant for a long time, so when it finally happens, Anna is over the moon, until she is told she has miscarried. There is still something in there though and its scary as hell!

Appointments start being moved in Anna's calendar, items are moved around in her apartment and she is sure she is being followed. Combine this with hallucinations, pain, weird cravings, conspiracy and strange visions, I lost track of what was real and what was in Anna's head.

Strangely compelling, but not really my thing.

2.5 / 3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I am such a big fan of Delicate Condition. This is the first book I've read since having my own children that really looks at that the genuine fears that can come with a pregnancy. Obviously this idea is taken to the extreme and it's dealt with in a very surreal manner, but it has taken something very real and explored it in a way that fits in with pure horror. It was so successful in blurring the lines between what was real, what was going on in Anna's mind from a psychological point of view, and what could even be supernatural which I loved. I honestly had no idea which way the story was going to go and that was so exciting to read.

There were many points in this story that could be difficult for some people to read. The stress, fear and grief that comes with infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy and motherhood, all mixed in with the frustrating conundrum of how much was really happening to Anna or if there was any gaslighting involved. It was such a disturbing idea and executed brilliantly with a sinister and uncomfortable feeling that stays with you from the very first page.

A masterfully crafted thriller with an unpredictable plot and complex characters. I couldn't put it down

Anna Alcott's overwhelming desire to have a baby is taking over everything but despite her best efforts and putting everything in place, she feels that something is conspiring against her, hiding her medicine, changing appointments, making everything even harder than it already is .
The story morphs into a darker horror, as suspicious elements come into play and Anna is fighting a far greater foe.
Mesmerising story-telling that will keep you up all night.

3.5 stars

This book was crazy! Full of plot twists and turns.

I enjoyed this book but I’m not a massive fan of supernatural and so I think part or the plot was lost on me , oops.

However I loved how everything came together at the end, it was very satisfying.

Ahh this book was sensational!! Dark, twisty and unsettling, this is horror combined with psychological suspense at it's finest!

Once it draws you in, this book will not let you go. The characters are so interesting and complex, they linger on your mind even after finishing.

The themes of fear during pregnancy, IVF and miscarriage are at the fore front of this story.

Highly recommend picking this one up if you're a lover of Rosemary's Baby, eerie, twisty psychological thrills and American Horror Story!

This book was so good! It was intriguing and really drawed me in. I'll be reading more of this authors work.

Oh wow - this book blew me away! I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down.
Creepy, scary, visceral! What a wild ride.

It took some turns that I was not expecting - I love a book that takes you by suprise.

Its perfectly paced - it leaves you thinking just one more page because you need to know what is going to happen next. And just when you think you know - the ending - well I did not see that coming!! Brilliant!

I would definitely recommend this book!

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 4*
Graphic Pregnancy: 10*

Do not take into account the fact this took me 4 weeks to read, I was dabbling here and there and prioritising other things when I should have concentrated on this.
This was on my radar before knowing it was the basis for the new season of American Horror Story:Delicate, one of my favourite shows. And reading the book you can see why it is, its got their traditionally creepy themes throughout, and I could picture it all on screen excellently. Brilliantly written, spooky and thrillery. This has put me off pregnancy TBH!! A word of warning, there is a graphic scene involving a cat!!

I wanted to read Delicate Condition because I'd heard that it was the inspiration behind the latest series of American Horror Story (Delicate). As a fan of the show, I knew I'd like it.

Anna Alcott is an actress who is struggling to conceive. Whilst going through IVF with husband Dex, strange things are happening. Someone is going into her online calendar and changing appointment times, medications that need to be refrigerated are found on the kitchen counter even though Anna knows she put them away. Her husband Dex doesn't quite believe Anna but she knows someone must be trying to stop her from becoming pregnant.

As the story goes on it gets increasingly creepy and sinister. Anna trusts no one and her pregnancy symptoms are exacerbated to the extreme and you can feel her going slightly insane. She believes it isn't a baby inside her, it's a monster.

There are real cult/witchy vibes to this book and the ending was just perfect. I am excited to see how the adaptation compares!

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗜’𝗺 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀….

This book has been everything I hoped, so much more and completely addictive.

This is a book I have devoured in less than 24 hours. I was hooked by this one.

𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞...

Anna is our main protagonist in this one. We meet her during her IVF Journey which is a rollercoaster in itself. However, that is just the start of the weird and wonderful that is about to unravel.

As a reader, it is impossible to predict this one. Especially, as I have not read Rosemary’s baby which I’ve seen this compared with.

Valentine has created a pure gem with this one. This is dark, gripping and incredibly twisty. I have devoured page after page, pulled in as if I was there with Anna.

It becomes tense, I have wondered who is really trustworthy whilst reading this one. However, my jaw has almost hit the floor as I’ve continued this one.

There is just so much to unpick in this book. I’ve loved every moment of reading this. I definitely have a book hangover following this one. I’m even a little annoyed I’ve not picked it up sooner.

This is a gem and a must read. I can’t wait to see what @daniellevalentinebooks has coming next for us.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the book that the latest season of American Horror Story was based off, so immediately I knew I had to read it. I really enjoyed the creepy vibes in this book and going along with Anna on her journey, trying to work out what was happening. So many twists and turns, as well as creepy moments. This book follows actress Anna Alcott as she is going through IVF, however there are moments where she feels she is being watched and has a stalker. I did not like many of the characters in this book because I felt myself not knowing who I could trust. I feel this book was the perfect October spooky season read.

More of a horror book than I had expected. Wasn’t really my cup of tea but kept me reading to the end to find out what happened. Definitely not one to read if you’re pregnant !

I was excited to read Delicate Condition after I saw it was described as the feminist update to Rosemary's Baby as that is one of my favourite books!

Delicate Condition follows Anna who is having IVF treatment after being unable to conceive with her husband Dex. But Anna feels like someone is watching her, and her appointment times keep getting messed up, she's forgetting to take her medication and storing it incorrectly. It feels like someone doesn't want her to have this baby.

Ok so I did enjoy this book, it was really interesting, mysterious, a bit creepy and gross in places. But it was too long and drawn out, there just wasn't enough happening, it felt like the longest pregnancy ever, I just wanted to know what on earth was going on!

I trusted no one in this book, including Anna! It was hard to know what was real and what wasn't! I liked the fact it highlights how women, pregnant women, are treated by medical professionals. Not taken seriously, dismissed and ignored. The bit about painkillers and medication not being researched enough to know what people can and can't take when pregnant in particular struck a chord with me but reading this was the first time I have ever wondered why more effort hasn't been put into discovering it. And why don't doctors know more about miscarriage and other fertility issues? Questions I don't have the answers to, and neither does this book, but it certainly was interesting reading!

Brilliant thriller that will keep you guessing till the end !!! A proper page turner with an end I didn’t see coming ! For all dark thriller lovers you will love this great characters believable and well written which always makes a book more appealing ! Great read overall

Delicate Condition - Danielle Valentine

Plenty of twists and turns throughout and kept me guessing right until the end, which was pleasantly surprising. A smooth read, which flowed really well, and I could easily see this made into a TV series. I found the writing really atmospheric and I could easily picture what was happening and the surrounding scenes. Many thanks Netgalley, Serpent's Tail, Viper and Profile Books for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Oooh I'm glad I never wanted children! Part thriller, part mystery, with a big splash of Rosemary's Baby. This had me trying to guess the guilty party and changing my mind every few pages. I look forward to recommending it to customers.

Delicate Condition offers up a thrilling blend of thriller, psychological suspense and horror. It’s tense, difficult to read in parts and a bit bizarre at points.

The themes explored in this book might be difficult to handle at times. IVF and miscarriage can be sore subjects for lots of people, however I think that’s what adds an extra dimension to this read, as it goes to places that are hard to go and it’s unrelenting in how it builds.

Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of horror/psychological horror. It’s a really captivating read and a perfect pick for spooky season if you can stomach it.

Anna is finally enjoying success as an actress after many years, but what she really wants is a family. Dex ,her husband , and Anna are now having IVF treatment, but all is not as it seems – appointments are changed without her knowledge and medicines are misplaced and things just escalate from here. I’m not generally a horror reader, but this had me on the edge of my seat. What is real, who can Anna trust and what is actually happening with her pregnancy? I’ve seen lots of trigger warnings for this novel and I would agree think carefully before you read this if you are pregnant as it deals with miscarriage and infertility very graphically. Having said that, I just couldn’t put it down and it will not disappoint. I will be looking for the next book from this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.