my lips, her voice was an unexpected find of a book for me, but a great read.

the complexities of the characters and the character relationships really pushed the plot along - and the plot, in itself, was very gripping.

the premise of shy audrey housing her headstrong cousin's ghost, her cousin who had been missing and brutally murdered, was such a complicated and emotional one.

many of the characters had strong growth arcs, in their own ways, some more fickle than others but all still intrinsic to the plot.

absolutely loved the supernatural elements to the story.

I really enjoyed this book until the very end, with a - what I thought was unnecessary - supernatural twist that didn’t add much value to the story. Without the twist, it would have easily been a 4.5 rating…

If you like the paranormal, this is the book for you!

L.L. Madrid's story follows three girls – one alive, who feels lost, one alive, who looks for a way to escape her town, and one dead, on her way to get revenge. Set in a small town full of still not uncovered secrets from the past, it serves a really nice time. The ideas are there, the execution works, but in my opinion could have been better. I like the message of "even mean girls deserve justice", but it bothered me a bit how much Mara abused (maybe it's a too strong of a word) Audrey during her ghostly afterlife, and how it never got resolved anyhow.
The mystery starts great, narrator plays with the reader with what's real, what's not. It became weaker with the last supernatural twist, that for me felt unnecessary, but overall didn't influence the rating.

Overall, this book is a very interesting piece of YA literature, certainly female-oriented, that could've used a bit more polishing, yet still remains enjoyable.

Where do I even start with this? The plot isn't just good, it's GREAT. If you think you know where this is going, you don't. The number of twists and turns in this book will leave you breathless. A truly great story for any fan of the horror genre, especially those who love to watch those murder documentaries on Netflix (you know who you are, and there is no judgement here). You will not regret picking this one up!

A haunted town, mutilated miners and missing girls. Of course I was intrigued.

Three POV’s and multiple generations that are interconnected. Audrey who has inherited visions from her grandmother. Mara, Audrey’s cousin who was murdered and has come back wanting revenge. Zadie who was Maras girlfriend and is now Audrey’s friend. We have generational supernatural abilities and traumas with a murder to solve. It gives gothic haunting vibes with the excitement of a mystery. The set up is fast and we are almost immediately immersed in the story.

Possession and Vengeance are kind of the main themes taken place giving a supernatural thriller feel. Its the love story between Zadie and Mara that continues after Mara’s death that makes this story take such a dark atmospheric turn and I appreciated that. Another theme is finding ones voice and speaking up. Audrey has to learn that the hard way once Mara begins to possess her. Overall this was a fun read that kept me interested throughout and will have you questioning if you really want to get those ghostly visits form your loved ones after they have passed. I do wish it leaned a bit more into the horror aspects but still a good read.

Lately I've been tending toward atmospheric, immersive books, layered with places that later haunt my memory, characters who show up in my dreams...and My Lips, Her Voice did not disappoint. To be clear, this is NOT a horror thriller. It's not a slasher nail-biter or a book that goes bump in the night. It's a bit hard to categorize, kind of quiet but screaming inside if you listen hard enough. I've been telling friends it's "cozy horror."

In the textured Sonoran desert, rife with sagebrush that gives way to pinon, juniper and mountain oak, three young women are at the vortex-center of an ancient evil. This evil is hungry for the best kind of souls—the ones who live with open sweetness, in touch with their child selves, a bit too trusting, a blush psychic or a touch mad or maybe they're just the creative ones, souls still connected to nature's magic, no matter how hard they fight it. But it's not just women and their fear and rage; it's men, too, and their worldly ambitions, their one-track-mindedness. More than that, it's folks who get lost. Lost in their heads. Lost in the woods.

But as the old saying goes, sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself. And these three women are on a quest to do just that. In the face of missing girls, of a bloody legacy, of a town that's given up hope, Audrey, Zadie, and Mara won't stop. They can't stop. Because if they do, they're dead.

Yes, if you like fluffy, light books, or books where you start skimming because the words don't matter and the "who-dun-it" is the only thing keeping you turning pages, then maybe pass on this one. But if you're like me and you love settling into a story that will grip you in ways you can't quite define, if "cozy horror" sounds like a midnight skinny dip in a desert hot spring with only the stars and owls to keep you company, and the occasional crack of a twig, then give this one a go.

I came to My Lips, Her Voice expecting a slow-burning, atmospheric story, and for the most part, it delivered. The writing is quietly evocative, capturing Copper City’s unsettling ambiance in a way that lingered with me well after I finished. There’s a palpable sense of loss threaded through the narrative — Audrey’s grief over her sister Mara feels raw and unvarnished, which helped anchor the supernatural elements in something genuinely human.

The story’s strength lies in its character dynamics. Audrey, Mara, and Zadie aren’t just vessels for plot; they are flawed, complex people grappling with trauma, guilt, and unresolved tensions. Their interactions felt lived-in and fraught, though occasionally the narrative drifted into moments of slow introspection that tested my patience.

I appreciated how the mystery unfolded without resorting to cheap thrills. Instead, the book cultivates a steady unease, a quiet suspense that feels more psychological than overtly frightening. The conclusion didn’t tie up every thread neatly, but it felt honest and true to the emotional journey.

My Lips, Her Voice offers a thoughtful exploration of grief and identity within a dark, supernatural frame. It’s a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys character-driven, atmospheric stories that ask more questions than they answer.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

3.25⭐️ My Lips, Her Voice takes place in Copper City. A place known for its haunted atmosphere.
One day, Mara disappears and is later found dead. Soon after, another girl goes missing. Audrey, Zadie, and Mara’s spirit are determined to find her before it’s too late.

Right from the start, Copper City feels eerie. There are supernatural tours that take place and spirits that appear out of nowhere. I love a haunted story, so this instantly drew me in.

The book is told through multiple pov's. Some in the present, some in the past. Audrey’s chapters were the most compelling to me, but the others definitely didn’t disappoint. Especially the past chapters grew more and more interesting as the story progressed.

Even though it’s marketed as a horror novel, it didn’t really scare me. At its core, to me, it felt more like a mystery with horror elements. Just enough to create a haunted, eerie feeling without being truly frightening. Which somewhat makes sense, considering it’s a young adult book.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. I personally prefer books that lean more into the horror aspect, but this was a fun change of pace. Definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for something atmospheric and haunting, but not too scary.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley, Creature Publishing, and the author L.L. Madrid for the opportunity to review the ARC of My Lips, Her Voice.
This book was a fascinating mix of paranormal elements, crime, and mystery. Set in a spooky old town, the story offers a glimpse into the lives of long-time residents, weaving together the town’s eerie past with its present-day secrets. The story takes place in an old-school cowboy mining town complete with settings like a brothel and a mysterious mine that add depth and intrigue to the narrative.
I especially enjoyed how some characters possessed unique gifts passed down through generations. These supernatural abilities played a crucial role in the unfolding of the plot, which includes a series of chilling events like murders and strange accidents.
The writing was strong overall, though I found that some character dialogue felt overly long, and at times I lost track of which point of view I was reading. Still,, this was a fun and original read, perfect for fans of genre-blending stories with a haunting twist.

My lips, her voice is a story that paints a beautiful picture of a small mining town that has always ignored the decay and darkness at its heart. The girls at the center of the story are trying to find the secret of it’s tragic past and how it is tied to there present nightmare. They are a beautiful example of the bravery and the ignorance of youth, and how that duality can fix what adults have given up on.

*My Lips, Her Voice* by L.L. Madrid is a gripping and eerie read set in the haunted desert town of Copper City, where generations of women face down ghosts—both literal and emotional. It blends horror, queer romance, and some seriously sharp feminist themes in a way that feels fresh and totally absorbing. The characters stick with you, and the whole thing has this moody, unforgettable vibe that makes it hard to put down.

A haunting and atmospheric novella that blends horror with psychological suspense. L. L. Madrid delivers a tightly woven narrative about obsession, grief, and the uncanny power of voice. With sharp prose and a chilling tone, this is a compelling read that lingers long after the final page. Perfect for fans of unsettling, character-driven horror.

I loved this ghost story/murder mystery that interwove the stories of four very different women, uniting them against an enduring force of evil.

The setting was established so effortlessly and quickly - just a couple chapters in, I felt like Audrey, looking around corners, expecting a rattlesnake or a spirit to pop out at me. I could feel the dusty heat of late spring and hear the background chatter of tourists heading out for a ghost tour with Zadie. I really enjoy intergenerational stories about women, and I loved watching the past and present unravel from Shirley, Audrey, and Mara’s perspectives. Each character was distinct with her own voice, dreams, strengths, and weaknesses.

Did I spot a little reference to The Heathers in there?

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

The concept of this book really interessted me. I loved Audrey as the FMC of this book. The other "side" characters were less likable.
There were different POV's in the story 3 to be exact and I felt like we could have done fine with 2. I felt bored reading the past POV.
The story was really fast paced and I didn't see the plot twists coming especially at the the end.
There was a time during the middle of the book where it got too repetitive and i was just bored and also kind of confused.

I liked the ending of the book but still had some unanswered questions. Overall this was a really fun and quick read.

This book completely blew me away. My Lips Her Voice is dark, intense, and deeply atmospheric—exactly the kind of horror I didn’t know I was craving. L.L. Madrid weaves a story that’s part ghost story, part murder mystery, and part queer love story, and somehow it all works. The writing is sharp and immersive, and the emotional depth of the characters makes the horror hit even harder.
Audrey, Mara, and Zadie are unforgettable. The tension between grief, love, and rage is so well done, especially with Mara’s haunting presence literally under Audrey’s skin. I loved how the supernatural elements blended with real-world trauma and small-town secrets. This book is unsettling in the best way and kept me hooked from the first page to the last. If you like your horror smart, emotional, and beautifully twisted, don’t miss this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC. 

This book has such a great concept. The idea of being possessed by a ghost who's slowly pushing you out and taking over your life while doing things to your body that feel violating to you is terrifying. The ghost doing all this being your cousin you love is infinitely more terrifying. I was really enjoying this storyline, but I don't think the author quite committed to it in the end, which is why this isn't a 5 star read. 

This book was classified as new adult, but it felt more young adult to me. 

I did love the setting of Copper City, always love a mining town as a setting for a ghost story. 

This book didn't end the way I wish it did, but overall it was still a greatly enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a queer YA ghost story.