I love a gothic novel when the atmosphere and setting are main characters! In Mayra, Nicky Gonzalez creates an evocative debut blurring the lines between memory, reality and horror.

Nicky Gonzalez’s Mayra is a haunting and atmospheric journey into the depths of friendship, regret, and the mysteries that linger in the places we leave behind. Set against the lush, humid backdrop of the Florida Everglades, the novel explores what happens when two former best friends reunite in a setting that seems as alive and unpredictable as the people.

Ingrid hasn’t spoken to Mayra in years. Their childhood friendship, once inseparable, fractured under the weight of time and unspoken betrayals. When Mayra unexpectedly invites Ingrid to a remote house deep in the swamplands, Ingrid can’t resist the pull of nostalgia—or the hope of closure.
But the trip is unsettling from the start. Upon arriving, Ingrid is met not just by Mayra, but also by Benji, Mayra's boyfriend whom she not expect and whose presence and actions disrupts the fragile dynamic. Together, the trio navigates the sprawling, decaying estate—an ancient house that seems to shift and breathe as though it holds its own secrets. Think House Of Leaves!!!

As the days pass, the lines between Ingrid’s memories and her present responsibilities. The house exerts an almost magnetic pull, its maze-like halls and shadowed corners swallow time. When Ingrid discovers a journal that seems to hold the key to the house’s true nature, she begins unraveling a story far larger—and far darker—than her own.

Gonzalez’s prose is richly descriptive, capturing the Everglades’ eerie beauty and the house’s sinister allure. The tension between Ingrid and Mayra is palpable, their shared history slowly peeling back layer by layer. The ending is as unsettling as the journey itself—simultaneously satisfying and filled with lingering questions. Gonzalez masterfully leaves readers in that liminal space where resolution feels both tangible and elusive.

For fans of gothic suspense and atmospheric settings, Mayra is an unforgettable debut. Nicky Gonzalez is a name to watch.

#Mayra #NickyGonzalez #FloridaGothic #RandomHousePublishing

A Dreamlike, Eerie Debut That Will Keep You Guessing

I am so excited to be the first person to review Mayra on Goodreads! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I signed up to read this debut novel by Nicky Gonzalez, but I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful cover (always a win in my book), the gothic atmosphere, and the mysterious swamplands of Florida. Add in some creepy, possessed house vibes, and I was hooked!

The story centers on two former friends, Ingrid and Mayra, who reconnect and dive back into their shared past. At first, I had no idea where this was going—I just knew it would be an exploration of their friendship and how their lives had unfolded. While I wouldn’t call this strictly a horror novel, it definitely has its share of eerie and unsettling moments that kept me on edge.

Initially, I thought it might take a True Blood Season 2 turn, and I even suspected that one character, Benji, might actually be a maenad (I know, I know—he’s a man, so that doesn’t quite work). The elaborate meals, time lapses, and strange happenings in the beginning made me think that might be the direction the story was heading. But when Liz’s journal was introduced, I realized the story was going in a different direction entirely, though I did manage to guess one of the key twists.

As the plot continued, the writing took on a dreamlike quality that completely drew me in. I was transported into a world where the boundaries between reality and nightmare blurred, and the tension really built. The final parts of the book were so vivid, and I couldn’t help but picture everything as if I were in one of my own vivid, surreal dreams.

I loved that the ending was both happy and not happy at the same time—it felt perfectly fitting for the tone of the book. As this is Nicky Gonzalez’s debut, I’m really excited to see what she comes up with next! Her ability to weave tension, mystery, and emotional depth into a story is remarkable, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for her future work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel. If you’re into eerie, atmospheric stories with a strong sense of place and character, Mayra is definitely worth picking up!

Despite getting continuously triggered by this book (very random personal trigger, nothing in the book was a major content issue) I kept wanting to pick it back up. That being said, I think I need to force myself to put this one down for now and purchase physically it in stores next year, as I'll hopefully be in a better spot to read this one.

From the cover to the writing style to the unique plot, this is a wonderful gothic fiction book I heavily recommend. I struggled to put it down and am bummed I have such a random personal trigger with it. Not only is it an easy story line to follow, but the characters are well built-out and the writing is polished and gorgeous.

I am so honored to have received an advanced copy of this book. This is such a genuine treat and I appreciate it heavily. I am leaving this feedback voluntarily.