The Scary Book of Valentine's Day Lore

 Sappy romance is a big “no” for me. I like my so-called “love stories” dark and complex and, if possible, tragic. Think of Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre and Jamaica's Inn and whatnot. Needless to say, Valentine's Day is utter BS. However, this little book here is a true treasury of love gone bad.

From myths and legends, historical facts, urban legends and strange customs of intimacy and marriage, Tim Rayborn has you covered. From Orpheus and Eurydice, Irish and Osiris, Zeus' lovers and Hera's revenge, these are myths of rage and lost and immortality.

From Berlioz's obsession to Mary East's secret, from Catherine Howard to Narcissus, you will find stories you weren't aware of even if you had read hundreds of books. I guarantee you that.

This is a book that will narrate the possible origins of Valentine's Day and scare you with Japanese mutilated ghosts and unsolved crimes.

Whether you are a lover of the paranormal or you tend to connect with darkness in your romance, this book deserves a place in your bookcase.

Also, it goes without saying that countries which have forbidden the celebrations of Valentine's Day are either Muslim, populated by terrorists aka.beasts in “humanitarian need” or regimes of eastern origins (Pakistan, Afghanistan and the rest...) But keep calling them civilized, sure...

Many thanks to Cider Mill Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.