Imagine, if you will, being in a relationship with a someone who is needy, possessive, overprotective and sometimes a little bit jealous. Now imagine that it’s a man eating guitar. That is what you get with Baby, a novelette by Cyan LeBlanc.
In the 70’s Dougie Fowley was the manager of rock star Mickie Crash. It wasn’t a bad gig, even if he did have to clean up some questionable things after Mickie’s after parties, and let him indulge in two of life’s big vices, drugs and rock n roll.
Mickie loved life, and love her guitar, Baby. Unfortunately for Mickie, and Dougie, something happens that ends her carrier and his.
Fast forward to the the 80s, and we meet Victoria Shane, who wants to be a rock star. After a falling out with her mom she grabs a bunch of things that used to belong to her step dad (our friend Dougie), and hits the road with her best friend Billy. One of those things…a bright read guitar with the word BABY on it.
It doesn’t take long to realize Baby has the ability to give Vikki talent she’s never had before, but also that Baby is in love with her new master and will do anything to protect her. As Baby helps usher Vikki’s rise to stardom, her human relationships start falling apart, even with her best friend Billy. And when Vikki is unhappy, Baby is unhappy.
This story was absolutely full to the brim with sex. And while working a sentient guitar into such actions was unique enough, it was way more spicy than what I typically read.
There was also one line early in the that someone involved in the first sex scene “might not have been of age” but that didn’t slow anyone down on the action, and that might be a little tone deaf for the current climate, but horror’s gonna do what horror’s gonna do.
If you like Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll, then you’ll Probably enjoy Baby.
(I received an ARC copy of Baby through BookSirens. The release date will be 3/13/26)