Title: Ripped Up the Middle in Two
Author: Viggy Parr Hampton
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ripped-Up-Middle-Two-Horror-ebook/dp/B0H2W34VJZ/
Release Date: July 29th, 2026
Summary
A mother is the ultimate feral creature…
New mom Sadie is struggling with the reality of caring for her three-month-old daughter—the loss of identity, autonomy, and selfhood are grinding her down. When a casual stroll with the baby leads to the discovery of a secret trail leading to a miniature door hidden deep in the woods, Sadie’s world unravels even further. Who put the door there? Why does the trail only appear when Sadie is alone? Why is the door surrounded by a clearing full of tiny bones?
And, most terrifying of all: What lives behind that door, and what will it do to her baby?
Claustrophobic, rage-filled, and brimming with the chaos of new parenthood, Ripped Up the Middle in Two is the dark fairy tale you’ve been craving.
My Review
5/5 Stars
Sadie is a new mother just hoping to keep it together after the birth of her baby. While she longs to fit in with the seemingly perfect “Yoga Moms,” she can barely recognize herself, let alone feel normal. Her husband, Cash, offers little support and only adds to her growing frustration. Then, during one of her daily walks, Sadie discovers a mysterious trail and soon realizes a dark presence may be watching both her and her child.
This is my third Viggy Parr Hampton book, and I have to say, the thing I love the most about her style is how viscerally real all the characters feel. Postpartum depression isn’t talked about nearly enough, but this book gets into the real ugliness of it, making it easy to connect to Sadie and understand her struggles. And oh, man, did I hate Cash. He wasn’t technically the villain in the story, but close enough in my opinion. Unfortunately, he represents just another real aspect that mothers face when taking care of their newborns.
The entire premise of this book I thought was so creative. Mixing postpartum depression with the fae? A hell of a combination. I didn’t expect the emotions it would make me feel.
At its heart, this is a powerful story about identity, motherhood, and the ever-shifting dynamics of a growing family.
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