Shelby N. McFadden’s Grove Hollow: Metamorphosis invites readers into a gothic, paranormal romance infused with a haunting, eighties atmosphere. The first in a planned four-book series, we got to sit down with the creative force behind the pages in this exclusive interview. Together, we explored the inspirations behind the character’s journey, the timeless bonds formed, and how McFadden weaves themes of fate, transformation, and emotional intimacy into a story guaranteed to linger.
Along with the divine creative process behind Metamorphosis, she gives us an insight into book two, Grove Hollow: Senescence, expected January 1, 2026.
About Shelby Nicole McFadden
I’ve always had a wild imagination. Growing up in the countryside, my childhood was anything but ordinary. My sisters and I played witches in the woods, brewed potions from leaves, berries, and water from the dog’s bowl, and built forts where we pretended to be foxes exploring the forest. I was always journaling, sketching, and dreaming up stories that felt larger than life. They played out in my head like movies, and I was constantly coming up with ideas for books, comics, and imaginary worlds, especially in my creative writing classes in school.
I also grew up in a haunted house. Not the romantic kind with an attractive Victorian ghost, which I would have preferred, but one haunted by creepy children and a terrifying old woman. That disturbing experience later inspired The Grove Hollow Series. I always knew I would write a story about a girl who falls in love with a ghost.
Influenced by my love for 80s new wave music and the dark, brooding energy of dark academia, my stories are atmospheric, emotionally driven, and rich in visual detail. My debut novel, Metamorphosis, became a bestselling title in multiple Barnes & Noble bookstores and on Amazon. Book two is set to release later this year.
After spending fifteen years working as a graphic designer and illustrator, and now, as a mother of two, I’ve taken everything I’ve learned into building my career as an author. I design and illustrate all of my books, from the covers to the interiors, and I manage all of my marketing. Every part of this journey is fueled by passion, creativity, and a love for romance and storytelling.
Thanks for joining us, Shelby. Let’s get started!
For readers who may not be familiar with your work, would you provide a summary of Grove Hollow Metamorphosis?
Absolutely! Grove Hollow is a four-book series following a young woman on the brink of adulthood as she navigates life’s defining moments of love, grief, friendship, and the unseen magic connecting our world. It’s a story about growing through lessons and mistakes, and discovering a love that transcends the physical and lives instead in emotional connection.
Metamorphosis, the first book in the series, introduces Jade Whitney, a girl abruptly thrust into a new life when she moves to Grove Hollow, a small, atmospheric town with many secrets. She moves into a haunted, gilded mansion owned by her late grandfather’s eccentric twin sister, a family member she never met. At her private school, Jade befriends a group of lovable misfits, learns the social hierarchy ruled by cheerleaders and jocks, and catches the attention of the star rugby captain. Amid navigating identity, self-worth, and the rush of first love (or what she believes to be first love), her world changes one night.
Jade discovers a beetle-shaped locket tied to the Victorian ghost who haunts her home. She vows to help him cross over, only to find herself torn between her growing feelings for someone who isn’t alive and the pull of ancient Egyptian magic that binds their fates together.
The concept of “metamorphosis” in the title suggests change or transformation. Without spoilers, can you tease how that theme plays out in the narrative?
Book one delves into the personal growth we all experience as we step into adulthood: the mistakes we make, the lessons they teach us, and the belief that this journey is the very reason we’re here on earth. Through her connection with Will, a Victorian ghost whose soul is trapped in limbo, Jade begins to understand the deeper meaning of life. This first book is a story of self-discovery, identity, and the truths we uncover when we look beyond what’s in front of us.
The romance in the novel is a central element. What makes the connection between your protagonists, Jade and Will, unique compared to other romances?
Jade and Will share a fated, soulmate bond that transcends time. Their romance develops as a slow burn by design, allowing readers to see the difference between physical attraction and emotional intimacy, and why the latter forms the foundation of a true soul connection. While Jade feels instant butterflies for the handsome rugby captain, she soon realizes that looks don’t define love, but by what runs deeper.
Her promise to help Will cross into the afterlife forges an unbreakable bond between them. Without the possibility of physical touch (him being a ghost) their love grows from a place of pure chemistry, trust, and connection. To me, it’s a beautiful reflection of how love can thrive through the invisible threads that tie two souls together.
The supernatural plays a strong role in the narrative. How did you balance the paranormal aspects with the emotional and romantic threads of the story?
As I mentioned earlier, with the theme of physical versus emotional connection, my background shaped this story a lot. I grew up in a haunted house and have always felt connected on a spiritual level to the other side, and fascinated by the things we can’t fully explain but instinctively know exist (ghosts, ancient magic, and the mysteries that lie between worlds).
Through Will’s character as a ghost, I explored the absence of human connection and the devastation it brings. Invisible, unheard, and untouchable, he offers the reader a glimpse into what happens when every trace of genuine interaction is no longer present and how an individual can feel like they’re slowly fading away.
From a romantic perspective, this absence allows Jade to really know him — not for his appearance or possessions, but for the way he sees the world, the way his mind works, and the intensity with which he feels. That’s the heart of why she falls for him: she falls in love with his soul.
I’m also drawn to the idea of fate and how life guides us to people not by chance, but by plan. Will has walked the earth for a century unseen, and then, out of nowhere, one girl can see and hear him. That alone could give anyone goosebumps. Add to that the story of Osiris and Isis with themes of love, soulmates, and eternal connection, and it becomes a wonderful romantic love.
Beyond the romance and paranormal elements, what deeper themes do you hope readers take away from Grove Hollow Metamorphosis?
It’s important to remember that Jade is young. She’s just turned eighteen and is stepping into an entirely new world. I wanted her to make mistakes because, without them, there would be no transformation, and the book wouldn’t be called Metamorphosis. Growth is born from trial and error, and Jade’s journey reflects that truth. None of us are perfect, and in many ways, that’s the very reason we’re here.
How might the story have changed if it were set in a different decade from the ’80s? Is there another decade you would like to explore in future novels?
Originally, I set the story in modern times, complete with texting and internet access, but I quickly realized it took away from the romance. I’ve always loved the 1980s. It was a decade full of adventure, where technology was advancing but hadn’t yet reached the instant-access world of the ’90s and early 2000s.
Setting the book in the mid-80s allowed me to strip away the conveniences of computers and smartphones, creating a mystery where answers weren’t just a click away. Jade and Will have to work for every clue, piecing together the meaning of their connection and the locket through persistence, intuition, and trust.
I also see it as a movie, and I love the setting and atmosphere of the ’80s alternative era, with bands like The Cure and The Smiths providing the perfect soundtrack. Visually and thematically, the ’80s made the most sense for this story, enhancing the mood and emotional depth in a way that modern times just couldn’t create.
Do you have a favorite quote or passage from Grove Hollow Metamorphosis?
“I’ve never danced with a boy before, let alone waltzed with a Ghost.”
With the Grove Hollow series being a 4-book series, how do you plot out what moments happen in each book?
I have each book fully plotted out in my mind, which is one of the best parts. I really, really know this story inside and out. Because of that, I’m able to incorporate Easter eggs and subtle clues from book one all the way through to book four. It’s like one giant, intricate puzzle, and when you reread the series, you’ll discover details you missed the first time because you didn’t yet know the full picture. Writing it has been such a fun and rewarding experience!
In your teaser for your next novel in the series, Grove Hollow Senescence, there is a mention of Egyptian gods coming into play with the story. How did you decide to incorporate Egyptian mythology into a gothic paranormal romance novel?
From the very beginning, I knew I wanted a locket or some necklace to play a key role in the story. Eventually, I decided to make it a scarab locket. At first, I didn’t realize just how much it would tie into ancient Egypt and the gods, but once I started writing, everything naturally came together that way. Honestly, it almost felt like an accident how connected it became to Osiris and Isis, but really, I think that’s just how I write and channel the story as it develops.
The parallels between their lore and the books become especially clear by the end of the series. I love how this magic links Will and Jade, and how the second book really reflects the story of Osiris and Isis.
I’ve always been fascinated by ancient Egyptian theology. As a kid, my sister had this box set from a Scholastic book fair, and I was obsessed with learning about hieroglyphics and the Egyptian gods. That early curiosity definitely inspired some of the magic incorporated into the story.
Grove Hollow: Metamorphosis is more than just a romance — it’s also about transformation, resilience, and the invisible string that connects us. As Jade’s story continues across the remaining books, one thing is certain: haunted mansions, Victorian ghosts, and a love that defies time — this novel is gothic paranormal romance at its finest.
Check out our article with an exclusive interview with Silvia Moreno-Garcia for more gothic fun.
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