how fast I read this! And how much packed into such a short novella- enough to form connections with the characters and enough to make me cry.

This story follows violet on her journey with writing an exposé article about an artists’ ‘retreat’ type place in Provincetown. Along the way we see her struggles with her own identity, her relationships with others, and her grief. To be able to Jam Pack so much into one short book is no small feat. I found the characters so easy to read, and easy to sympathise with, even when perhaps they don’t deserve it.

It also brings attention to the important topic of AIDS at its peak, and the tragedies it caused- but also, the tragedies caused by ignorance to it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would recommend to anyone!

4.5/5⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Regal House for the opportunity to read The Bayrose Files by Diane Wald. I would have given it 5 stars except I think my my version did not include the final chapter.

Journalist Violet Maris wants to write an expose about the nearby Provincetown artist colony (The Home). Scheming with her older gay friend, Spencer Bayrose (who has been writing short stories his entire life), Violet applies to the colony, claiming Spencer's short stories as her own. When accepted, she packs up her Selectric typewriter and settles in, pretending to be a creative writer. Soon after, Spencer is diagnosed with AIDS.

Set in the early 1980s, The Bayrose File is a fast-paced novella that follows Violet, a flawed yet likable character eager to make her mark despite poor choices at every turn. The quirky Provincetown setting adds charm, while Spencer's illness highlights the importance of friendship and time. Though the narrative feels sparse, limiting deeper exploration of themes and characters, the story is compelling and authentic.

Thank you to Diane Wald and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an early review of this story. Opinions are completely my own.

The Bayrose Files was a quick, entertaining escape, one of those rare reads you can devour in a single sitting and still feel completely satisfied. It struck the perfect balance: just enough intrigue to keep my mind racing, just enough heart to leave me smiling.

There’s a quiet suspense that pulses beneath the surface of this novel. It doesn’t scream for attention but rather simmers, drawing you in chapter by chapter. The tension never overwhelms, but it’s always there, like a whisper you can’t quite ignore. It made for a cozy yet thrilling read before bed, exactly the kind of story that keeps you flipping pages while the rest of the world goes still.

What I loved most was the friendship between Violet and Spence. It felt effortlessly real, warm, familiar, and reminiscent of a connection I hold dear in my own life. Their bond carried the story with a charm that softened the darker edges.

Diane Wald’s restraint was refreshing. She never veered into over-explaining or dense backstory. Instead, she trusted the reader, painting her characters and relationships with just enough detail to spark understanding, while leaving space for imagination to do the rest.

The only thing that left me wanting was the ending. It felt slightly abrupt as though we were on the brink of something more. It made me wonder if there’s another chapter waiting to be told, another unraveling just out of sight.

If you’re in the mood for a short, suspense-laced story with heart, a touch of sauciness, and a lingering sense that the story isn’t quite over, The Bayrose Files is a lovely little read to wind down your evening with.

Telling someone you’re a liar upon first meeting them doesn’t exactly make trust part of the first impression (ironically enough!), but maybe it makes for an honest one?

As Violet Maris, the main character and narrator of the story, bares herself and her lies to us, I found myself circling through my full arsenal of emotions: I was annoyed with her, I was sorry for her, happy for her, angry at her, and then angry for her. By the end, I had come to feel deeply for her.

For some time while reading this, I felt there was a forced emotional distance between the reader and the story. At first, I attributed this to an emotional distance between the narrator and the events themselves, but as the story progressed, Violet’s not so carefully, but very diligently, built wall around herself broke down and revealed itself to be the actual cause. When it finally crumbled around her, I found myself fully immersed right alongside her, dabbing away at my own misty eyes.

This honest-feeling story was not at all what I expected upon first meeting this self-admitted lying Stella Maris, living a decade before I was even born, in a place I’ve never been. This one will stay with me for a good while.

An undercover journalist in an artists colony in Provincetown during the early AIDS epidemic sounded like a fascinating premise for a novel, but this one fell flat to me.

There isn’t very much narrative tension - the novel begins by saying how she’s done a terrible thing, then it follows with some anecdotes about the artists and her friend back home, and then the issue is resolved and the book is over. The writing also felt dry and repetitive to me (and this was a really short book!).

I’ll give an extra star for the portrayal of her friend, Spencer, who was depicted with a kindness and love that radiated through. At the end of the book, the author acknowledges that this book was in memory of a friend who died of AIDS, which was touching.

Kudos to NetGalley and the publisher for offering me a digital review copy of this novella in exchange for my feedback.

I found this to be a very compelling novella. Set in the 80s at the height of the AIDS crisis, Violet takes a place at an artist's retreat in Provincetown by passing off her mentor's writing as her own (with his encouragement) intending to ultimately write an expose on the community. The story follows her time in P-Town, the eccentric characters affiliated with the retreat, and her mentor's struggle with HIV and later AIDS. The story was well written and engaging, I just found the ending somewhat anti-climactic. We spent the whole story anxious for Violet's deception to be revealed, but then it came to a head and was resolved in just a few pages which was kind of disappointing. I was expecting there to be more ramifications for her. I did at least find the ending satisfactory and overall enjoyed the story.

Thank you Diane Wald, Regal House Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for review consideration.

I think this novella was wonderfully written. Diane Wald masterfully crafter a story that was succinct yet lush. The length of The Bayrose Files was perfect, as it allowed just enough time for the author to create in her reader's an attachment tot the characters, but it did leave me wanting for more. The place and time in which the story was set were fun and interesting, and overall, I don't have anything negative to say! I typically don't rate novellas, but it should suffice to say that this was quite enjoyable! If I had to give a review, I would say 4 stars! This star rating is reflective of how I'd rate other general fiction novellas of this quality.

I genuinely could not put this book down. The short chapters and great story line was amazing! I felt like I heard so much in such a condensed novella.

Violet goes to a residency for writers and artists to expose the truth about what is truly going on since it seems so secretive to the outside world. She learns about herself and the people around her along the way. Her relationship with Spencer is special and cherished throughout the story. At the end of the book, I had many questions about what happened to everyone and I’m not sure I particularly liked Violet as a person, but her story is one to read.

This book and the story within the pages, was just phenomenal. I loved the characters, and the heartfelt moments it brought. The location was superb. Wonderfully done!