Masks, Myths, and the Monsters Within
4.25 out of 5 stars
There’s something poetic about an audiobook where the author also narrates their own words, especially when the story itself is about identity, masks, and the dark places people hide.
Eternal Beauty by Andrea Emmes and Ashley Fontainne is a supernatural thriller that dives headfirst into those ideas, weaving Celtic folklore, modern obsession, and personal trauma into a chilling, emotional story that lingers long after the final chapter.
Having listened to plenty of audiobooks narrated by Andrea before, it’s wild (in the best way) hearing her bring life to characters she actually created. You can feel that she knows them deeply. Knowing exactly which inflection, what pauses, and even when and where to throw in a sigh. Pairing her with Marni Penning was a stellar choice, too. Together, they make sure each perspective feels unique and emotionally honest, which is no small feat when the characters share so much thematic overlap.
The story itself plays with familiar tropes: a grieving young girl, a perfection-obsessed assistant, a charismatic influencer. Given that, it never feels stale. Bridget, Claire, and Barbara all have this uneasy humanity that makes you root for and fear them at the same time.
Sure, a few beats felt predictable, but they’re grounded in such emotional authenticity that it worked. I caught myself switching between analyzing the story’s patterns and just sinking into the ride.
The Celtic mythology element adds a strange, misty beauty to it all. Sometimes I found myself wishing it were a little subtler (there are moments where it’s front and center), but the balance worked. It gave the story that eerie, dreamlike tension where you’re never sure what’s real and what’s symbolic.
Honestly, Eternal Beauty surprised me. It’s not just a thriller, it’s a layered reflection on how easily we can lose ourselves chasing beauty, validation, or comfort.
For Andrea’s first novel, it’s bold, haunting, and full of heart. I finished it thinking, “Yeah, that was absolutely her story to tell.”
Book Description:
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 by Ashley Fontainne, Andrea EmmesNarrator: Andrea Emmes, Marni Penning
Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
Published by Spoken Realms on October 27th 2025
Also by this author: Tainted Reality, Tainted Future, Fatal Agreements, Operation DFC
- Fix Audible’s Virtual Voice Fast: Add “-virtual” to Your Search (2025/2026 Working) - November 9, 2025
- Ordinary Soil by Alex Woodard (Narrated by Scott Brick, George Newbern) - November 6, 2025
- Learning to Fall by Peach Morris (Narrated by Zara Hampton-Brown) - November 3, 2025
