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Princess Mommy

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A chilling tale of innocence, illusion, and the monsters we hide behind bedtime stories. Five-year-old Lillie sees the world through the lens of fairy tales. In her eyes, her mother is a beautiful princess who sometimes disappears into secret towers, and her father is a brave knight who protects their small kingdom from unseen forces. It’s a magical world, full of make-believe… and it’s the only world Lillie knows.

But behind the sparkle and tales of storybook castles lies something much darker.

Lillie’s father, John, will do anything to shield her from the grim truths of their home life—even if it means rewriting reality itself. Each story he tells is a carefully crafted lie meant to protect his daughter from the horrors lurking just beneath the surface. But some truths are too monstrous to stay hidden forever.

As cracks begin to form in the fantasy John has built, Lillie starts to glimpse the shadows between the lines. And the more she sees, the more the fairytale unravels—revealing something far more disturbing than she could ever imagine.

Princess Mommy is a haunting psychological horror novel that blurs the line between innocence and terror, love and delusion. Perfect for fans of The Push, Room, or Baby Teeth, this gripping novel will burrow under your skin and leave you questioning the stories we tell to survive.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2025

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About the author

Gitte Tamar

18 books24 followers
Brigitte, "Gitte," Tamar was born in a small rural Oregon town. Growing up, she was enthralled by scary tales featuring poetic tones and consistently gravitated towards writing darkened narratives. In the different storylines, Brigitte explores the harsh realities of social issues faced by today's generations. This includes the dark outcomes brought on by peer pressure, addiction, homelessness, mental illness, childhood trauma, and abuse. She feels it is essential to share narratives that refrain from sugarcoating the topics society tends to shy away from.

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5 stars
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17 (28%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Haly Hoards Books.
236 reviews32 followers
January 1, 2026
4 ☆
The terror begins on the first page and does not stop until the very last line of the book! There are moments when the tension lessens only to build up to heart pounding fear.

I received an advance review copy of Princess Mommy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Initially I thought the book would be full of fairytales that were turned on their heads, told to a frightened little girl. I was not expecting what really happened! I thought the book cover being upside-down hinted toward my premise. I was so so wrong. It has been years since I have read a book that had my heart pounding with fear like Princess Mommy.
Profile Image for Sky.
111 reviews16 followers
December 31, 2025
I went into Princess Mommy by Gitte Tamar expecting a story, but this book turned out to be more of a quiet psychological reflection than a narrative — and honestly, that made it hard for me to enjoy.

It’s extremely slow-paced and very abstract. Most of the time, I didn’t really know what was happening, and the book felt like it was drifting from thought to thought rather than moving anywhere. I had to keep reminding myself what I was reading for.

That said, I do understand what the book is trying to explore. It’s about motherhood, emotional enmeshment, and how a parent can love their child deeply while unknowingly placing emotional needs onto them. The idea that “good intentions can still cause harm” is an important one, and I appreciate that angle.

Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me. The lack of structure and clarity made me feel disconnected instead of reflective. I never fully settled into the book, and by the end, I felt more confused than moved.

I think this might resonate with readers who enjoy very quiet, symbolic, and introspective writing. But if you’re someone who needs a clearer storyline or emotional momentum, this one might be a struggle. Interesting concept — just not an enjoyable read for me.
Profile Image for whatemsreadingx.
329 reviews7 followers
December 30, 2025
I fear I didn't quite *get* this book, but I think that's part of it's appeal to readers who like a more vague/open to interpretation story (which I do not, I need things to be wrapped up nicely at the end else I get confused🥲)

All that being said though I did enjoy this one...

Immediately we're thrown into the chaos, following John as he tries to protect Lillie from (to be quite frank) whatever the fuck is going on with her mother.

The chaos was good, it meant that despite the quite lengthy chapters (at times) the story progressed quickly. I think it took place over something like two days????

Plus, the whole vibe of the story and the psychological horror elements (shadows and voices getting under my skin making me question every noise I heard while I was reading) were really good - it was definitely my kinda book!

I did knock a star off because I do like a neatly wrapped up ending, but on the whole this was a really good book.
Profile Image for Laurie Nguyen.
34 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2026
I received this book for free and am leaving a voluntary review.

Princess Mommy by Gitte Tamar is a devastating horror about watching the ones you love wasting away and not being able to stop it, despite the best of intentions and all the lies you weave for yourself.

Broken legacies and shattered innocence prevail through John’s stories towards Lillie. Lillie would like to be a princess, just like her mother. Her beautiful, wonderful mother, whom her father, the dashing knight, has saved time and time again. Her mother, a princess who carries a heavy legacy that is hers and hers alone. Her mother, who stalks the shadows and spews vile insults. Then one day, a priest comes in, and suddenly, Lillie realizes that not all princesses find their happily-ever after.

I understand the call to darkness; oftentimes, it’s been romanticized by so many other practitioners, feminists, humanists, and authors alive. That thing inside Delilah wasn’t that call; it was a blaring siren that threatened to murder everyone along the way. The way that Delilah was written reminds me of the cult from the movie Hereditary. But unlike the characters from that movie, what Lillie says at the end, “I don’t want to be a princess,” helps her break the tragedy that would’ve consumed her. It’s a disaster, and the trauma that Delilah puts Lillie through will be carried with her throughout her life.

I can see the conflict between Delilah and Lillie being a metaphor for the intergenerational trauma that haunts women and their legacies. Women carry the hatred of the world, and will do whatever they can to escape it, not realizing that they’re signing up for more hatred. It can be in the form of rape, racism, prejudice, anything at all (even the demonic), and, in very well-documented research, mothers will pass this hatred onto their daughters. There’s a reason why a girl’s first bully tends to be her mother, why some mothers may stand aside and let their girls be raped by the world around them, psychologically, physically, or otherwise.

Speaking of which, although there were some psychological aspects rooted in the horror, the real gem was the supernatural terror that happens at the end of the book. I feel that there were times where some scenes could be more fleshed out; even a charming, fairytale scene can hide dead roses in plain sight. The dread could definitely be played up more in the atmosphere. Regardless, I would give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to fans of the aforementioned movie Hereditary and Midsomer, as well as fans of the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.
Profile Image for Kez.
87 reviews2 followers
December 25, 2025
This book takes place over just two days and wastes absolutely no time throwing you straight into the chaos. It moves fast, bouncing from one unsettling moment to the next, and there’s a constant sense that something is very wrong.

We follow a family of three, with most of the darkness centred around the mother and the secrets she’s carrying. I thought I had a handle on what was happening more than once… and then immediately doubted myself again. The problem is that the story never really settles into an explanation or gives you much clarity, which left me feeling a little lost by the end.

There’s a lot of build-up and tension, and it feels like everything is heading toward a big moment — but when you get there, it doesn’t quite land the way I expected. I would have loved a bit more lore, backstory, or even just a clearer sense of why things were happening.

It’s intense and unsettling, and I can see it working really well for readers who enjoy ambiguity and being dropped into the deep end. For me, though, I finished it wishing for just a little more grounding before the final page.
Profile Image for Katina The Witch’s Bookmark.
32 reviews4 followers
April 23, 2026
Rating: 4.5⭐

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book. Thank you NetGalley, Tamlor & Tomes, and Gitte Tamar for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

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I didn’t enjoy this book… but that’s exactly why it works.

Princess Mommy is a heavy, suffocating psychological horror that never really lets you breathe. The dread is constant, and while there are jump scares and big moments, there is a quiet, relentless sense that something is deeply wrong.

Some scenes do feel repetitive, but rather than weakening the story, it reinforces the tension. The fear doesn’t go away, it lingers, shifts, and builds in different ways.

Reading this as a mother made it hit even harder. Lillie’s fear felt deeply real, and I couldn’t help but imagine my own child in that position. It also made me reflect on how our own trauma can impact our children in ways we don’t always realise.

This isn’t an easy or “enjoyable” read. It’s intense, emotionally draining, and at times overwhelming. But that emotional impact is exactly what makes it so effective.
Profile Image for OooLaLa Reads.
752 reviews47 followers
January 22, 2026
Innocence with a Dark Twist

Ok Besties… this book is quietly disturbing in the most unsettling way. "Princess Mommy" pulls you into a twisted fairytale told through the eyes of 5 year old Lillie, where bedtime stories mask something deeply wrong. Her father, John, casts himself as the heroic knight... buuuuut every page makes you question whether protection can become its own kind of monster.

The contrast between childlike wonder and creeping horror is what makes this such an interesting read. Watching the fantasy crack slowly, had me holding my breath at times. This isn’t fast-paced gore for shock value; it’s psychological horror that seeps into your bones and lingers long after you’re done reading.

Dark, intense, and deeply unsettling, this story explores how love, delusion, and violence can blur until reality is unrecognizable. If you enjoy stories that mess with your head… yeah, add this to your TBR.

My Ratings:  ⭐ 4/5  ▪︎  🥵 0/5

🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
79 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2025
This is a 1.5/5 for me unfortunately.

Princess Mommy explores unsettling themes of motherhood and identity through a surreal, minimalist approach. While the concept was interesting and the author clearly takes creative risks, the ambiguity and the pacing made for me to connect with the characters or feel fully invested in the story. The tension never quite built into a satisfying payoff and the ending felt abrupt rather than unsettling. That said, readers who enjoy abstract horror with religious themes or experimental narratives may appreciate what this book is attempting, even if it didn't resonate with me personally.

Princess Mommy wasn't a book I connected with, but it may still find the right audience among readers who prefer subtle, symbolic horror over traditional storytelling.

Thank you to Net Gallery and Tamlor and Tomes for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Profile Image for Josette Thomas.
1,326 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2026
This book was quite the journey. The story is told through the husband and the daughter’s viewpoint. I really enjoyed reading the different perspectives from a child and an adult. Many of the scenes written were quite disturbing. I swear I was right with each character as they experienced the demon. The father was very good at trying to keep his daughter safe and try to explain what was happening to ‘mommy’. I cannot even begin to imagine the horror the little girl went through trying to understand why her mother was ‘Princess Mommy’. One thing became clear S the story progressed was that little Lillie did not want to be a ‘Princess’ any longer. Her confusion and terror were made very real within this story. Even when trying to explain mommy’s ever changing behavior; we empathize with this small child and her father as they navigate dealing with a possessed loved one. Even the ending of this story is heartbreaking and very emotional. Another great book by this amazing g author.
Profile Image for Cocolici.
256 reviews19 followers
January 11, 2026
I grabbed this book purely for the cover. It is absolutely stunning and promised such a dark, fairytale vibe. Unfortunately, the inside didn’t match the outside for me.

I really wanted to love this, but the writing style just didn’t work. The descriptions felt excessive, I could feel the scene the first time it was described, but then we’d get a whole chapter of describing what was seen and felt, and it just became too much.

There was also a lot of repetitive phrasing, specifically "as if" and the word "malevolence," which pulled me out of the story repeatedly.

The biggest issue for me, though, was the main character, Lillie. She is supposed to be five years old, but she thinks and speaks like a twelve-year-old. Her internal monologue and vocabulary were far too advanced for a preschooler, using words no five-year-old would know! It made the whole narrative feel far-fetched and unbelievable. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to carry on.
Profile Image for The sleepless  savant .
19 reviews
January 17, 2026
John, Delilah, and Lillie make up the perfect family. A big house with a garden. Lillie’s mom, Delilah, is a princess, and she has to live by a very specific set of rules. This is reiterated in Lillie’s bedtime stories. When reality starts fracturing, how will John cover it up, and who will help him?

The book either feels like nothing is happening or everything is happening simultaneously. The descriptions become repetitive after a point; it's just the same thing happening over and over again, just in a different setting. There are a few moments of good symbolism, but I felt like it was spoon-fed at times. Towards the end, I did get sucked into the book. This is slow paced book, something with which u can curl up. The ending was something which i didn't expect at all. I would recommend this book to horror fans and people who enjoy reading slow paced books.
Profile Image for Nupur.
538 reviews15 followers
January 21, 2026
I picked up Princess Mommy expecting something creepy, but it honestly turned out to be way more disturbing in a quiet, psychological way. The story follows Lillie, a five-year-old girl who sees her world through fairy tales, her mom is the “princess,” and her dad is like a brave protector. But as you keep reading, you realize there’s something seriously dark hidden behind that innocent storytelling.
What I liked most is how the book doesn’t rely on cheap horror scenes. Instead, it builds this slow, uneasy tension that keeps getting heavier with every chapter. It’s emotional too, because it shows how far a parent might go to protect their child, even if that protection comes with secrets and lies that eventually start to crack.
Overall, it’s a creepy, intense, and unsettling read, especially if you enjoy psychological horror with a deeper meaning.
Profile Image for Laura.
13 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2026
I was genuinely surprised by how dislikable I found this book.
The premise appealed to my curiosity, and yet from the beginning it was a slog. The language feels at first descriptive but plays out as unnecessarily dense, even to the point of droning. Nothing seemed to quite fit or flow with the cadence of the story and many scenes contained language or dialogue that was repetitive to the point of mild annoyance.
The deliberate obfuscation and gradual reveal didn’t feel particularly interesting, and ultimately my high hopes were quite thoroughly dashed.
It’s true that perhaps this would make for better television or film, as it was written in such a way that the visual inspiration felt palpable despite the less appealing literary presentation.

This is an unpaid and honest review, willingly provided in kind for access to an ebook review copy of this title.
Profile Image for Sue.
2,024 reviews183 followers
December 15, 2025
Fairytales are not supposed to make your stomach twist but this one absolutely did. I was pulled in right away by little Lillie’s sweet voice and the way her world feels magical until you realize how wrong everything really is. I could not stop reading as the story slowly peeled back the lies and showed how terrifying love can become when it turns into control. This book messed with my head in the best way and I loved how it stayed creepy without trying too hard, making me feel like something bad was always lurking just out of sight. If you like horror that sneaks up on you instead of jumping out at you, this one is worth it 🖤👑
Profile Image for Abigail L..
1,988 reviews164 followers
December 18, 2025
Princess Mommy is a deeply unsettling psychological horror novel told through the fragile lens of a child who believes she lives inside a fairytale. Five year old Lillie sees her parents as storybook figures, with her father spinning gentle fantasies to protect her from a home life that is far darker than she can understand. As the cracks in that fantasy widen, the story becomes increasingly disturbing, blending innocence with dread in a way that quietly creeps under your skin. I really enjoyed how the book made me feel constantly uneasy without relying on cheap scares, and how the child’s perspective made everything more haunting and emotionally heavy long after I finished reading
Profile Image for Kayleigh.
21 reviews
December 18, 2025
Thank you to the review and author for this ARC in exchange for a review.

"Princess Mommy" by Gitte Tamar had a very interesting description but the execution left a lot to be desired. The writing reads like a screenplay, in the worst way. I expected to see things through the child's eyes, but not to be explained to me LIKE I was a 5 year old. While I understand that this is a thriller and we aren't supposed to know what is going on, but it felt like half of the writing was just made up of descriptive verbs or adjectives that read like filler.
Profile Image for Ashley Davis.
100 reviews
January 15, 2026
With the foundation of The Exorcist, the creepiness that Clive Barker gives and a hint of fear that is unknown from slew foot this book is the best psychological anything I have read in a very long time. Thriller horror suspense in any category this psychological fun with amazing. From the first sentence to the last. I need more of this. Ms. Tamar's ability to not just give you the creeps but to keep it going is more damaging than a bass drop in some EDM song. This book give me so much more than I expected, in such a great way thank you.
Profile Image for James Marsh.
84 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2026
2.5 *'s

It works because it's pretty sinister and there are moments where the horror is compelling.

However, for me, the writing style just didn't work. The narrative felt thin. I didn't bond with any of the characters - there were no discernable personalities or reasons to vouch for them.

The book was dominated by overly lengthy passages of description that didn't move the story forward - I found myself skimming over for dialogue and forcing myself to the end of chapters.

The middle section of the book once the priest arrives was the best part for me.
Profile Image for Anne.
385 reviews20 followers
December 20, 2025
The premise is interesting, though it went in more of a direction that’s not as original as I thought it would. From the start it felt overwhelmed with descriptions to the point that I started to skim. It didn’t get to the meat of the story for quite a while. It felt to me like it could’ve been much shorter and tighter. I got tired of repeated descriptors. I think it could’ve have had more story and less description.
Profile Image for Catherine Frendt.
Author 4 books5 followers
December 27, 2025
the premise and plot were there but the first 40% of the book doesn't explain anything, you're basically having to figure it out on your own which I was able to do so but some history, stories, explanation would have been a nice touch and added some spook.
I don't quite understand the "princess" part. Is this the dad's way of explaining demon possession to a child? Seems like something you'd want to explain to your kid especially if you're concerned they're having their own "visions."
The first half of the book is a bit overly repetitive but the author seems to have found their rhythm in the second half.
I don't understand the bag. You have it at the beginning and the end. What is the importance of the bag? Why did you pick it back up at the beginning if you already knew? Why are we doing it again?
Last note: She's possessed by Baal, the demon of fertility who is now after Lillie. Did they make a deal with Baal to conceive Lillie and that's why the demon is now after both of them?


there's so much unanswered, I wish the book did a bit more explaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
10 reviews
January 17, 2026
This book made me uncomfortable in the best possible way. This book is a slow, psychological horror that plays with memory, grief, and the stories we tell to survive. The child’s voice feels eerily authentic, which only heightened the unease as the story unfolds. Nothing is rushed and the tension grows very nicely, until you realize how deep the darkness actually runs.

A haunting read for anyone who enjoys subtle horror that goes deep under your skin and stays there for awhile.
Profile Image for Daniela.
218 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2025
Little Lillie misses her mom, when she and her dad find a trash bag with something twitching inside, it seems to be her mother. The whole atmosphere is scary and mystic. The little girl is scared and her father seems to be under a lot of distress.
This book is definitely a teen thriller meant to creep the kids. Yet, it is written quite lengthy and I quickly lost patience while reading it.
8 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ **4 Stars**

*Princess Mommy* by Gitte Tamar is an interesting and engaging story that quickly sucks you in. The writing keeps you turning pages, and I found myself wanting to see how everything would unfold. The ending was especially satisfying and wrapped things up in a way I really liked.

Thank you to Tamlor & Tomea and BookBuzz.net for providing the ARC.
Profile Image for Maya J. Lujan.
154 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2025
Ok so, I'm giving this two stars rather than one because it had some VERY creepy descriptions. The problem was, that's pretty much all it had...descriptions. Another review mentioned that it felt like a screenplay, and I 100% agree. It probably could make a very creepy movie (as long as there was a bit more of a story line) but it just didn't work as a book.
Profile Image for Caitlin Van Dette.
63 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2026
I like the concept of this book, but the pacing wasn’t for me. I felt like I was missing any form of context which took away from the horror vibe. I could tell it was meant to be scary, but I didn’t have any clue WHY it was scary. A good read, but books left for interpretation aren’t for me when the story doesn’t provide enough context to interpret.

Profile Image for Haley Gibson.
13 reviews
January 21, 2026
I thought this was a good book however there were parts of the story I had trouble following due to the descriptiveness of the scenes. It did start off creepy and kept that vibe throughout the story which I enjoyed! I did receive an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for mic.
8 reviews4 followers
February 13, 2026
okay so maybe i shouldn’t rate this because i DNF’d but here goes.

from the beginning i was very confused as to what was going on. i got 27% in and was still very confused lol. the concept is interesting but it just didn’t meet me expectations, i guess? i couldn’t get past the writing style either but that’s just me.
Profile Image for Amanda Elizabeth Myers.
306 reviews9 followers
April 1, 2026
The concept of this story was great but it left me more confused than anything. The chapters jumped back and forth between the characters and I had to reread to remind myself whose point of view it was. The chapters were very long and sometimes they seemed to drag. I really wanted to like it but it just fell short for me.
Profile Image for •mikaela• :).
387 reviews14 followers
December 28, 2025
✨ARC Review✨

A haunting psychological thriller/horror that you will not be able to put down.

This was a detail story about possession, and boy did it get spooky! The depth and detail the author had put into words is amazing, this was exactly like a horror movie playing out in my mind. ☠️
Profile Image for Enid.
557 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2026
I received this ARC from NetGalley and BookBuzz.net

I liked the story, but found it dragged on in the narration. I get trying to draw the pictures for us so we can follow along, but to me it felt like too much.
I did enjoy the creepiness with The Exorcist vibes. It was worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews