The year is 1985, and seventeen-year-old Jade Whitney is about to discover that her family holds a dark secret that will change her life forever. Sent to live with her great-aunt Ruth, Jade moves into Blythe House, her family’s sprawling gilded mansion—but picturesque Grove Hollow, New York, is anything but welcoming.
Author Shelby Nicole has carefully curated an ’80s playlist perfect for your listening alongside your read of Metamorphosis.
Explore the playlist and then scroll down to hear from author Shelby Nicole herself on how this music inspired her while writing the book.
From Author Shelby Nicole
Music plays a huge role in the Grove Hollow series. In many ways, it’s where the entire story began. Before the book ever existed on paper, I would lie awake at night listening to music and watching scenes unfold in my imagination like a movie. I couldn’t write intuitively without listening to music!
Many of the characters were inspired by specific songs that helped create their personalities, motivations, and storylines:
—Jade was influenced by Stevie Nicks’s “Edge of Seventeen” (a seventeen-year-old girl whose world is on the verge of being turned upside down).
—Will’s story, a railroad heir turned ghost who longs for love and human connection, was inspired by The Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now?” From the train horn-like guitar opening to the song’s themes of loneliness and belonging and his longing for human connection—which is far more valuable than any inheritance.
—Brad’s character often reminds me of Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels.” The song reflects Jade’s pursuit of validation through Brad’s admiration built on attraction, physical desire, and lust. Through that relationship, Jade is forced to confront how empty that validation feels when it isn’t supported by genuine emotional connection, vulnerability, trust, and someone showing up for her.
Also, several chapters and scenes throughout Metamorphosis were very inspired by Duran Duran, particularly songs from Rio and Seven and the Ragged Tiger. Throughout the series, I’ve hidden many symbolic esoteric Easter eggs. From the name Grove Hollow itself— meaning “as above, so below” (the spiritual and physical realms mirror each other)—to the pocket watch, the scarab locket, the green orbs, Jade’s name, and the Gilded Age setting —every detail was intentionally chosen, even the music!! The influences of David Bowie’s themes of authenticity and cosmic wonder, along with The Cure’s balance of darkness and light, The Simple Minds cassette they play while finishing painting the wall in Artist’s Alley, etc. can be found throughout the story.
