A supernatural thriller told in first person by three main characters over the course of eleven years, Eternal Beauty explores the lives of Bridget Higgins, a young girl grappling with grief, Claire Foster, a woman seeking physical perfection while battling her own inner demons, and Barbara O’Malley, a charismatic wellness influencer.
Fueled by her trauma of mysteriously losing her loved ones, Bridget connects deeply with Barbara as she devours her online videos looking for her own place in the world.
Claire, Barbara’s assistant, obsessed with physical beauty, seeks revenge for past tragedies, and her misguided actions affect the lives of others in unexpected ways.
The story explores the masks people wear, both online and in real life, blurring the lines between truth and illusion, and the lies we tell ourselves to justify wrong choices. Claire’s pursuit of beauty masks her inner turmoil. Bridget copes with her pain by creating an online alter ego. Barbara’s carefully crafted public persona hides the excruciating pain of past traumatic events.
Elements of Celtic mythology and folklore abound, adding a layer of mystery and otherworldly danger and creating a sense of uneasiness and impending doom, leading to a chilling climax that will leave listeners breathless.
Eternal Beauty is a fast-paced, genre-bending psychological supernatural thriller with elements of dark fantasy and mythology. It’s a story that gets more intricate and addictive as it unfolds, seamlessly weaving themes of beauty, identity, trauma, and obsession against a backdrop of social media culture and ancient myth!
This book is a crossover of YA and adult fiction and is most suitable for older (upper YA to adult) readers, as the authors don’t shy away from difficult subjects in the story. Trauma, body image, mental health, and the negative effects of social media culture are all seamlessly woven into the dialogue and inner monologues of the characters—making them relatable and the story feel extremely contemporary and relevant! There are also scenes involving self-harm ideation, emotional abuse, and graphic violence tied to the book’s supernatural and ritualistic elements that sensitive readers should be aware of—so prepare for an intense, psychologically charged ride! This book is the first collaboration between author Ashley Fontainne and award-winning narrator Andrea Emmes. Together, they have crafted a narrative that feels cinematic and is very immersive—Fontainne’s knack for creating stories packed with psychological tension blends perfectly with Emmes’s sensitivity to emotional nuance and rich character portrayal, creating a story that’s equally emotionally haunting and thrilling!
The story begins with 6-year-old Bridget Higgins, who’s sent to live with her grandmother after the sudden loss of her parents. Seeking comfort, she becomes enthralled by the presence of Barbara O’Malley, a beloved wellness influencer whose videos promise peace, confidence, and renewal. But behind Barbara’s serene online persona are darker truths. She shares dangerous secrets with her devoted assistant, Claire Foster, who suffers from physical and emotional scars after a tragic accident and becomes obsessed with body image. As the years pass, their lives intertwine into a web of manipulation and supernatural danger.
The story is told through the very different POVs of Bridget, Claire, and Barbara—often giving readers more insight into what’s about to unfold than the characters themselves are aware of. The novel’s two timelines—one following Bridget’s present-day obsession with Barbara’s world, and the other tracing Claire and Barbara’s history—dramatically merge in the final act. Bridget’s chapters are emotional and introspective, showing how easily a young, vulnerable person can be pulled into an influencer’s promises. In contrast, Claire’s perspective is dramatic and engrossing. Disfigured by an accident and haunted by her past, Claire’s bitterness and longing for beauty make her the novel’s most complex figure, and readers may have a love-hate relationship with her. Barbara’s chapters are perhaps the most addictive—filled with subtle hints of her true nature and how clever she really is. Through her, readers get a bird’s-eye view of the seductive power of image and influence—and the terrifying lengths someone will go to in order to maintain a perfect facade!
The character arcs are very pronounced in this book—so it’s recommended to reserve judgment on them right up until the very end. Bridget is the emotional heart of this story. She begins as a child reeling from immense loss and evolves into a solitary teen writing horror stories and longing for belonging. Her relationship with her best friend Camille is a heartwarming side story—their dialogue feels very real and becomes very crucial in the climactic scenes. Claire is a flawed, conflicted character whose disfigurement and lifelong insecurities lead her down a darker path. She’s so driven by external beauty standards, resentment, and unresolved trauma that she often doesn’t see the danger that’s right in front of her. Her arc moves from victimhood to proactive planner, but the cost is high. Barbara is a magnetic, highly intelligent character. Even though she presents herself as a polished, virtuous mentor figure (to her online followers), there’s a sense right from the beginning that she’s hiding a much more sinister side underneath the surface. The relationship triangle between the three women gets very complex by the end—so prepare for a wild ride of reveals, surreal twists, and deliciously entertaining confrontations!
The story has fast pacing throughout, but the opening is slower and very atmospheric, allowing readers to get acquainted with the very different POVs of Bridget, Claire, and Barbara in the opening chapters—all while building an unnerving sense of “things aren’t what they seem.” Barbara’s online presence draws Bridget toward it, and Claire, through harrowing events, becomes Barbara’s assistant, bringing an immediate undercurrent of unnerving tension to the story. There are subtle hints, early on, that Barbara’s influence might not be as benevolent as it seems. The mid-section quickens in pace with shocking reveals, shifting alliances, and more details about the characters’ backstories, creating a more intricate and captivating story. Don’t expect to predict the outcome in this book—there are so many surprises and detours, especially with regard to the supernatural phenomena and mythology subplot, that will catch readers by surprise and put them on edge. The ending rapidly shifts from psychological unease to full-blown supernatural horror—and comes with a lot of drama and sequential twists, leaving readers breathless and unanswered questions in its wake. To find it deeply satisfying, readers should be prepared to suspend their disbelief and immerse fully in the metaphoric creeping dread of it all—and the story will linger long after the final page!
Overall, Eternal Beauty is a captivating, intricate thriller that gets more interesting with each chapter. Its multi-perspective storytelling, layered with its modern themes exploring the cost of beauty, obsession with appearances, and digital personas, make it a truly immersive and unique reading experience. Readers who enjoy dark YA and adult-crossover fiction, psychological supernatural thrillers, stories that examine the dark side of online culture, and emotionally intense character-driven narratives will absolutely devour this book—but it’s also a great option for anyone looking for their next fast-paced bingeable thriller! If this all sounds intriguing, grab a copy now!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Eternal Beauty is a thrilling, immersive listen read by award-winning narrators Andrea Emmes and Marni Penning.
Andrea Emmes’s performance as Bridget Higgins is a nuanced portrayal that will keep listeners fully engaged. In the early chapters, Emmes uses a gentler, tentative voice to authentically convey Bridget’s uncertainty and fragility after losing her parents. Bridget’s initial inner dialogue is performed in a way that draws listeners right in as if they’re hearing her thinking aloud, revealing her vulnerability and anxiety—and making it easy to empathize with her. As the story progresses, Emmes shifts her performance to mirror Bridget’s emotional journey, subtly sharpening her tone as the character becomes more obsessed with Barbara. When the tension escalates in the latter chapters, Emmes adds cracks to her voice and a tone of panic and disbelief as the character is faced with some harsh truths—it makes Bridget feel even more real, and listeners will be hanging on to every word! The dialogue between Bridgette and her best friend Camille is a highlight—their strong bond and the contrast between Bridget’s stubbornness and Camille’s grounding presence are beautifully conveyed through Emmes’s nuanced delivery. Overall, Emmes’s performance is equally haunting and heartfelt, and her portrayal of Bridget is the emotional core of the audiobook!
Marni Penning’s dual performance as Claire and Barbara is a masterclass in theatrical, dynamic storytelling. When Claire first wakes up in the hospital, Penning portrays her with an inquisitive, wavering voice to convey the character’s sudden new reality. As the story unfolds, Penning shifts her performance to mirror Claire’s emotional unraveling—when Claire reflects on her scars, both physical and emotional, Penning uses a more vulnerable, quivering voice to show her self-loathing and longing to be beautiful. In contrast, when she’s lashing out or trying to reclaim control, Penning adds tangible anger/resentment to her tone and quickens the pacing. Penning’s portrayal of Barbara is very different—she gives Barbara a smooth, confident voice that oozes charisma but that also has an underlying chill that will make listeners question her sincerity right away. Penning’s control during Barbara’s dialogue is remarkably consistent—she keeps Barbara’s poise intact even as the cracks begin to show. What’s especially impressive about Penning’s performance is how effortlessly she transitions between these two very complex characters without ever breaking immersion for listeners—the true sign of an outstanding and unforgettable performance!
Overall, the combination of Andrea Emmes’s emotionally nuanced portrayals and Marni Penning’s theatrical, engrossing delivery elevates this story and makes the audiobook a true five-star-plus listen! This is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates intricate storytelling, character-driven psychological thrillers, and immersive narrator performances with emotional intensity and theatrical depth!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Eternal Beauty is a thrilling, immersive listen read by award-winning narrators Andrea Emmes and Marni Penning.
Andrea Emmes’s performance as Bridget Higgins is a nuanced portrayal that will keep listeners fully engaged. In the early chapters, Emmes uses a gentler, tentative voice to authentically convey Bridget’s uncertainty and fragility after losing her parents. Bridget’s initial inner dialogue is performed in a way that draws listeners right in as if they’re hearing her thinking aloud, revealing her vulnerability and anxiety—and making it easy to empathize with her. As the story progresses, Emmes shifts her performance to mirror Bridget’s emotional journey, subtly sharpening her tone as the character becomes more obsessed with Barbara. When the tension escalates in the latter chapters, Emmes adds cracks to her voice and a tone of panic and disbelief as the character is faced with some harsh truths—it makes Bridget feel even more real, and listeners will be hanging on to every word! The dialogue between Bridgette and her best friend Camille is a highlight—their strong bond and the contrast between Bridget’s stubbornness and Camille’s grounding presence are beautifully conveyed through Emmes’s nuanced delivery. Overall, Emmes’s performance is equally haunting and heartfelt, and her portrayal of Bridget is the emotional core of the audiobook!
Marni Penning’s dual performance as Claire and Barbara is a masterclass in theatrical, dynamic storytelling. When Claire first wakes up in the hospital, Penning portrays her with an inquisitive, wavering voice to convey the character’s sudden new reality. As the story unfolds, Penning shifts her performance to mirror Claire’s emotional unraveling—when Claire reflects on her scars, both physical and emotional, Penning uses a more vulnerable, quivering voice to show her self-loathing and longing to be beautiful. In contrast, when she’s lashing out or trying to reclaim control, Penning adds tangible anger/resentment to her tone and quickens the pacing. Penning’s portrayal of Barbara is very different—she gives Barbara a smooth, confident voice that oozes charisma but that also has an underlying chill that will make listeners question her sincerity right away. Penning’s control during Barbara’s dialogue is remarkably consistent—she keeps Barbara’s poise intact even as the cracks begin to show. What’s especially impressive about Penning’s performance is how effortlessly she transitions between these two very complex characters without ever breaking immersion for listeners—the true sign of an outstanding and unforgettable performance!
Overall, the combination of Andrea Emmes’s emotionally nuanced portrayals and Marni Penning’s theatrical, engrossing delivery elevates this story and makes the audiobook a true five-star-plus listen! This is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates intricate storytelling, character-driven psychological thrillers, and immersive narrator performances with emotional intensity and theatrical depth!
The audiobook of Eternal Beauty is a thrilling, immersive listen read by award-winning narrators Andrea Emmes and Marni Penning.
Andrea Emmes’s performance as Bridget Higgins is a nuanced portrayal that will keep listeners fully engaged. In the early chapters, Emmes uses a gentler, tentative voice to authentically convey Bridget’s uncertainty and fragility after losing her parents. Bridget’s initial inner dialogue is performed in a way that draws listeners right in as if they’re hearing her thinking aloud, revealing her vulnerability and anxiety—and making it easy to empathize with her. As the story progresses, Emmes shifts her performance to mirror Bridget’s emotional journey, subtly sharpening her tone as the character becomes more obsessed with Barbara. When the tension escalates in the latter chapters, Emmes adds cracks to her voice and a tone of panic and disbelief as the character is faced with some harsh truths—it makes Bridget feel even more real, and listeners will be hanging on to every word! The dialogue between Bridgette and her best friend Camille is a highlight—their strong bond and the contrast between Bridget’s stubbornness and Camille’s grounding presence are beautifully conveyed through Emmes’s nuanced delivery. Overall, Emmes’s performance is equally haunting and heartfelt, and her portrayal of Bridget is the emotional core of the audiobook!
Marni Penning’s dual performance as Claire and Barbara is a masterclass in theatrical, dynamic storytelling. When Claire first wakes up in the hospital, Penning portrays her with an inquisitive, wavering voice to convey the character’s sudden new reality. As the story unfolds, Penning shifts her performance to mirror Claire’s emotional unraveling—when Claire reflects on her scars, both physical and emotional, Penning uses a more vulnerable, quivering voice to show her self-loathing and longing to be beautiful. In contrast, when she’s lashing out or trying to reclaim control, Penning adds tangible anger/resentment to her tone and quickens the pacing. Penning’s portrayal of Barbara is very different—she gives Barbara a smooth, confident voice that oozes charisma but that also has an underlying chill that will make listeners question her sincerity right away. Penning’s control during Barbara’s dialogue is remarkably consistent—she keeps Barbara’s poise intact even as the cracks begin to show. What’s especially impressive about Penning’s performance is how effortlessly she transitions between these two very complex characters without ever breaking immersion for listeners—the true sign of an outstanding and unforgettable performance!
Overall, the combination of Andrea Emmes’s emotionally nuanced portrayals and Marni Penning’s theatrical, engrossing delivery elevates this story and makes the audiobook a true five-star-plus listen! This is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates intricate storytelling, character-driven psychological thrillers, and immersive narrator performances with emotional intensity and theatrical depth!
