Objectively, this isn’t a bad book. I just really struggled to get into it. Best described as horror comedy, it felt very much like Grady Hendrix's "The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires" except nowhere near as good. There were moments where I knew the writer was trying to be funny and I think that’s the key word: trying. The humor was just a huge miss for me. I wanted more scares and oomph. The entire book was basically just the main character Amy complaining about anything and everything. The group of friends, including Amy, all seemed like they had super interesting backstories and I wish it had been fleshed out more. I also wish we got to see a bit more of Liz before she got possessed because I didn’t really care or feel invested in the group’s friendship before things took a turn. What did I like? Amy made a lot of great horror/pop culture references, Kilmer did great poking fun at motherhood and the suburban lifestyle, and I liked the demon’s backstory. The book has some great early reviews and I feel like this book just wasn’t for me so don’t let my review deter you!

I was highly anticipating this book as it sounded like such a fun time, but unfortunately I didn’t have the best time with it. While I love horror comedy movies/TV shows, I struggle to enjoy these types of stories in the book form. This reminded me of Finlay Donovan is Killing It, which I also didn’t really enjoy.

I never felt like I really connected with the characters or really understood their friendship that mostly seemed driven by the convenience of proximity. While there are some more graphic details in a few scenes, this book remains a very light cozy horror and I was wanting it to really go there at times. It sort of felt like watching a Halloween special of a Disney show, which certainly has its audience but it just didn’t really work for me.

My favorite part was reading about a haunted Roomba attacking the women as it was just SO ridiculous and over the top (a haunted Roomba would make for a GREAT short story).

All in all, this one just wasn’t really for me but I do think people who like this genre would have fun with this one.

Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Suburban Hell was a fun story about a group of 4 friends living in the suburbs and one of the friends becomes possessed by a demon after breaking ground on her She Shed build. I didn't find this story to be scary at all, great book for beginner horror readers or readers who don't like gore and like their horror books more on the PG13 side. This book takes place in late Summer through early Fall and is a perfect read to kick off spooky season. You will definitely feel all the suburbs mom vibes. I loved the loyalty of the friends throughout this book. Parts of this book reminded me of the Tom Hanks movie The Burbs. Great read, I definitely recommend checking it out!

OK, so in all honesty this arc request was due solely to the incredible cover art and I LOVED the title. It reminds me of something that I can't quite put my finger on just yet but I love it all the same.

I was REALLY surprised to find out that this is a DEBUT novel because it was THAT GOOD. Suburban Hell reminded me a lot of Grady Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism.

This book was a TON of fun, had relatable/likeable characters, and I really enjoyed the depth of character of Amy who is unfortunately dealing with the loss of her sister due to addiction. Bleak.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but I will say this story is something that EVERYONE should read as there is at least SOMETHING that anyone can relate to (grief, friendship, motherhood, love and loss, suburban life, the power of forgiveness, etc).

I don't know if the author plans on writing a sequel but I hope they do.

My ONLY complaint is that there was some animal stuff in there that is a major trigger for me so heads up for anyone who might be sensitive to that type of stuff. Solid 4/5 stars.

Im actually not a huge horror fan but desperate housewives meets the exorcist got me and it delivered . While yes there are plenty of horror moments with double jointed occurrences, demented roombas, and demonic dolls, there’s also a big emphasis on community. As the moms of this neighborhood are infiltrated by a demonic spirit they realize that how important they are to their relationships. I was also very fond of lot having to read another mom book where are the husbands are assholes, they’re sometimes clueless but most were actually supportive. It was an extremely fun ride through wine nights, school carnivals and too many life instances that took on an edge in the plot. It was a story of found families and actually an introspective piece on women friendships.

When I applied for this ARC I had envisioned Desperate Housewives meets the Exorcist. That's what I got however it was not as intense as I expected from this book. I think the author might have been going for a lighter and not very detailed horror novel and that's what you get with this book.

I feel like the story was kind of choppy. Maybe that isn't the best word. Anyway, IMO a lot of potentially impossible details were not added which would have obviously extended the length of the book but would have greatly increased the . Again that is just my opinion.

Ꮢ𝖊ɑ𝒹 𝘵һⅈ𝓼 𝘣օօ𝚔 ⅈ𝚏
👹 you don't like super scary books and want something a bit creepy for Halloween season
👹 you enjoy YA novels
👹 you want a book that is an easier read

This was a fun read for anyone looking to read something fitting for spooky season. Nothing in it was too scary, and some things that were meant to be scary actually were goofy. I wouldn't call this a "must read" or a book that "you can't put down" but it was fun to pass the time.

"Moms were the ones who had to fix problems. From small things like a skinned knee, to bigger ones like supernatural forces trying to take over families."

It's Desperate Housewives meets The Exorcist in this fun horror/spoof of the suburban lifestyle.

Things have gotten a little too interesting lately for the ladies of one Chicago bedroom community.

When construction on a She Shed accidentally opens up a whole can of fiendish worms, Amy's next-door-neighbor and friend becomes possessed by something unsavory (not to mention unsanitary). Since an old priest and a young priest seem to be unavailable, it's up to the gals to save their pal, AND the neighborhood.

This one was loads of fun, as the author played things mostly for laughs, (think demonic Roombas), though there are a few chilling moments, mostly involving children in danger - so be warned.

I really need to stop choosing books that have a big mom life theme. It turns out that PTA meetings and organizing school events really hold no interest for me. After reading the author’s note, I understand that this is what she was going for (suburban life drama with a side of horror) but it didn’t work for me as much as I’d hoped. There were definitely some creepy moments, but not too scary (thankfully), but I found my attention wandering. I liked the characters enough, but wish they’d felt a little more well-developed. I think it was just such a mishmash that it lost me a bit. I do believe this is the author’s debut, so would be interested in reading a future publication.

Overall, it was a mostly enjoyable read, but disappointed me in several areas. I would still recommend if the premise sounds interesting to you, just go into it knowing that good portion of it is suburban mom life. I know tons of people love that! Also, the cover is perfection!

This one was super fun and I loved it. A horror comedy about suburban moms who’s friend may or may not be possessed? Sign me up. If you’re like me and love horror books that make you laugh at times, love suburban moms in their thrillers, and just overall want a light and easy horror read- this one is for you. It did feel a little corny at times but that was the point. I think this would be perfect for anyone new to the horror genre or anyone looking for an easy light and entertaining read this fall.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the perfect book to initiate the spooky season!

Amy, Jess, Melissa, and Liz all live in a suburban neighborhood where they became friends. At one of their monthly wine nights, they christen the development of their She Shed when they open a world of demonic possession. Together, they work to save their friend, and neighborhood.

Immediately from the first chapter, I was hooked into Amy’s life. The atmosphere of a picture-perfect suburban neighborhood was humorous backdrop to such a bazaar situation. I loved the friendship dynamic and the writing style. It was like being a part of the group, included in all their decisions. I especially enjoyed the commentary on basic suburban neighborhoods and how they are all the same. Plus, Jess’ character stole the show for me. She was so unapologetically herself in this cookie cutter neighborhood. It was refreshing.

There were some parts where the story was extremely slow. I appreciated the attention to descriptive detail, but this could have been a shorter book. Because the plot was so drawn out, I got bored around the halfway point. The resolution was also extremely cliché. I wish there was a bit more action, but I assume by the ending, that may be followed up in the future.

I would recommend this book to everyone. This is the perfect mix between comedy and a thriller. It is a fun piece for beginners in the genre as well as seasoned readers. This put me in the mood to pull out all my spooky Halloween books on my shelves. I had such a fun time reading this!

A group of suburban moms find themselves smack in the middle of demonic hell in this humorous and spooky read. And they have to band together to save one of their own from the clutches of pure evil.

This book was seriously a fun reading experience. I loved the characters… well I loved the four main women. Their husbands kind of annoyed me, but don’t they all? 😆 I really enjoyed the dynamic in the neighborhood. You have your groups of friends that get along really well, and you have those catty women who exits right on the outskirts of your friend group… the annoying ones who you interact with when you have to. All the kiddos were great too, even as involved as they get in the mess.

Our narrator, Amy takes us on a tour of her cul-de-sac where everyone looks after one another. She is close friends with the other moms in the neighborhood and enjoys her monthly wine nights with them. After this last one, though, things have really changed! When one of the girlies starts building a “she-shed” in her backyard, an old evil is kicked up and the neighborhood will never be the same.

With one of her own friends in the grip of this evil, she and her other friends have to figure out how to save the cul-de-sac… and themselves in the process.

"Years ago, I would have never imagined that I would live in a town that became embroiled in such petty drama so often. Mark and I had vowed we weren’t going to become those suburbanites who talked about mowing their lawn and tree-trimming services. No, we were much better than that—we were city people. Who took our kids to fancy restaurants and walked everywhere. Who shared one car that we barely drove and always knew where to get the best Indian takeout. I was deeply aware of how uncool and boring the suburbs were. And yet I would soon come to find that our suburb was anything but mundane."

This was so fun and also pretty scary! A group of suburban moms accidentally get tangled up with a demon. Common household objects start coming to life and trying to kill them. Creepy dolls scare their children. But these mom's won't go down without a fight. Think of this book as wine mom vs the supernatural.

Thank you netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! As a sarcastic Chicagoan who loves horror, I was instantly drawn to the title and it did not disappoint! I was hooked and flew through this one in two days.

While it was very campy there were some truly horrific scenes that I enjoyed. While it was funny I appreciate that the horror elements were well done and made me take the book seriously. I felt big Grady Hendrix and American Horror Story vibes as I read. It felt modern but not overly so, without excessive pop culture name drops.

Aesthetically, the cover is gorgeous and instantly drew me in, and I liked the drippy numbers on the chapters. As a Chicago native I loved the references (Kilmer even threw in an "ope!") and the clear distinction made that the city and suburbs are very different.

This was meant to be humorous but I enjoyed the few serious elements thrown in, such as grappling with addiction, loss of identity as a mother, and loneliness. I am not usually the person to feel bad for a group of privileged suburban women, but Kilmer wrote them with such humanity that I could relate to them and have empathy for their issues. I also appreciated that no one was perfect yet the husbands were not all bumbling idiots. I am tired of the terrible husband trope and glad there was only one really insufferable husband.

There were a few continuity errors that threw me off (like outfits changing between scenes when it didn't make sense) but nothing that kept me from enjoying the story. I get that it is the suburbs so it is probably accurate, but I would have liked to see more diversity in the characters.

A peaceful neighborhood on the outskirts of Chicago is the perfect location for a backyard She Shed where neighbors Amy, Liz, Jess, and Melissa can unwind once a month, free of the demands of their spouses and children. But as soon as they break ground in Liz’s back yard, it seems a demonic force has taken over suburbia - and possessed Liz!

Wow, this book was ridiculous and I mean that in the best way! I knew from the title and the summary this book wouldn’t take itself too seriously and I enjoyed every moment. It definitely reminded me of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampire - it’s a look at friendship and motherhood told through an unexpected lens of horror, but vamps are traded in for a demonic spirit.

Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Suburban Hell is scheduled for release on August 30, 2022.

Amy, Liz, Jess, and Melissa seem to be living the perfect suburban mom life in a seemingly perfect cul-de-sac. They are four four best friends who enjoy spending their time hiding PTA crowd and having girls nights watching movies and drinking. They decide to build a special she shed to have their fun nights. It’s just too bad that when they christen the groundbreaking of the she shed that they release a demonic force that terrorizes the seemingly perfect neighborhood.

Y’all Suburban Hell is CRAZY. It’s My Best Friend’s Exorcism meets Desperate Housewives and Bad Moms. I absolutely loved this book and I simply devoured this book in one night. This is funny, creepy and somewhat disturbing but definitely a must read. With short chapters, great humor and a fast pace this one will have you reading the whole thing in one setting.

"Whoever said it's best to just rip off a Band-Aid clearly never had to yank a bandage off blistering, infected wound caused by a supernatural force."

SUBURBAN HELL by Maureen Kilmer follows a four-woman friend group in the idyllic suburbs of Chicago. When one of their friends starts acting bizarre, and strange things begin to plague their perfect neighborhood, the rest of the group begins to suspect that demonic possession might be the culprit.

My main gripe with this book is that it's SLOW. The demon that possesses the women's friend, Liz, is all bark and no bite. There are so many threats throughout the book--festering injuries, dangerous weather, misbehaving electrical appliances--and yet not much really comes of them. The horror-suspense of the book therefore suffers, and I never really felt as spooked as I hoped. I expected something more akin to Grady Hendrix's The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, which is a much stronger, slow-burn horror saga also starring suburban moms that, for me, packed a bigger punch.

A sequel is implied in the epilogue, and the setup doesn't make much sense to me--not with the way the "demonic possession" was resolved in the last chapter.

Overall themes of female friendships, suburban housewife life, mom-empowerment, and spots of lightheartedness/humor make this book a horror-chick lit crossover. It's an easy read, just a bit too long, and didn't live up to my horror expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for this eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Maureen Kilmer’s debut horror novel was a winner for me. While I don’t read many horror novels, this one is lite horror with plenty of suspense, some humor, and relatable main characters. When Amy Foster and her family left Chicago for the suburb of Winchester, Illinois, she soon found friends in neighbors Liz, Jess, and Melissa. None of them fit in with the “in” crowd of school moms, but they bonded. During a monthly get-together, the four planned a clubhouse for Liz’s backyard. It would be a space just for them. No spouses or children allowed. However, the home-improvement project doesn’t go well, and a demonic force is released. Burn marks, dying grass, self-moving objects, and horrible smells are only the beginning. Fighting the evil spirit becomes a necessity. But who is stronger?

The story is told from Amy’s point of view. The main characters are well-rounded with traits that develop and change as the story progresses. The author was able to show how each brought something unique to their relationship. They felt like typical suburban moms with typical problems including arranging play dates for the kids, planning community and school events, dealing with neighborhood politics, trying to find some time for themselves, and balancing work, housework, looking for a job, dealing with the homeowner’s association, cleaning house, etc. However, when one of them is in trouble, who will be there for them?

Initially, the story is interesting but a little slow-paced. However, this changes as readers approach the fourth chapter. By then, we’re familiar with the four main families, and have a good sense of the relationships between them and with others in the neighborhood. I felt the emphasis on how a group’s dynamics changes when one person is missing or changes personality was especially understandable. It mixes the mundane with the important and throws in the supernatural to create suspense, danger, and drama. Themes include friendship, isolation, good versus evil, work/life balance, community support, and much more.

Overall, this was a well-plotted, moving, and clever story that built momentum, moved well, created a few startling moments, and built suspense as it moved to its dynamic conclusion and an epilogue that makes one think there will possibly be a second book. I recommend the novel to those that enjoy lite horror, realistic and relatable characters, some suspense, and a side order of snarkiness. It was an amusing and fun read and I can’t wait to see what the author pens next.

PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Maureen Kilmer provided complimentary a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley as well as a paperback copy. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 30, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Suburban Hell visits in the form of this novel. Superficially, it best fits into horror because of the supernatural content and the demonic possession theme that drives the plot. However, it might be best to describe this as women’s fiction for readers that like a touch of woo-woo.

The characters are superficially interesting. You have your stereotypical aloof PTA moms who can’t get their noses high enough into the air. You have the hot stepmom resented by the women loyal to her predecessor, despite the fact that Jess had nothing to do with her partner’s divorce and met him long after the dust had settled. You had a cluster of neighbors only too happy to stick their noses into your affairs.

Which accurately describes hell on earth, so the title fits.

Before I get deeper into this, I want to state that this story moves at a steady pace and it isn’t a long book, so it’s a decent beach read if you’re looking for something light and breezy. Anyone that loves neighborhood drama sprinkled with a little horror may find this book appealing, and it was the right kind of read for me when I picked it up, so I give it. 3.25 stars.

Within the core four women, there are some common character types. Melissa is the Type A personality who’s a professional married to a stay-at-home dad, and is happy to work in the business world. She’s efficient, impersonal, and capable of making the toughest opponents wither with a single glance. Jess is the stepmom with a heart of gold who loves to parade around nude.

Amy, our protagonist, is a bit of a mess. She never seems to have it together, as a parent, partner, or professional. She’s been looking for work for months after taking time off to have her children. She’s supposed to be a social worker, but she’s more of the talker and pusher within her group, trying to get her friends on board with her plans, and one of her growth points in this book is actually discovering she’s taken her friends for granted.

Amy at times felt very real because she’s messy, but at other times her arc felt forced. There were some conversations between the friends that felt like characters had words stuck in their mouths because the author wanted the objection on the page, rather than because it’s what the character would really say. For such a smart, business-savvy woman, Melissa flip flops on her religious position and doesn’t really have a firm anchor for her views. The resistance to the mega-church money grab stuff makes sense, but to outright dismiss any spiritual explanations or activities needed to save their friend is puzzling and reactionary, not logical. Her default is that her friends are asking her to go against her beliefs … yet she wears a cross as a protection item and does say she believes some things she was taught. She doesn’t come across as religiously confused but rather contradictory, and as someone driven by logic who takes a business approach to life, it wasn’t convincing.

At the same time, Amy is also uneven. It’s hard to really buy into imminent danger and possibility of death when that tension’s interrupted for date night or festivities with friends. It was also troubling that Amy knew she needed help and could have received guidance from her mother-in-law, who she seemed to get along with well, but refused to turn to a trusted source for help. Instead, they trusted in the advice of a stranger in a bookstore and read one book about how to handle their situation and, despite Amy’s belief that the situation posed a real risk to her daughter and all three women had suffered unexplained physical injuries, Amy trudged off with a single author’s guidance and didn’t do additional research to back it up. It was hard to take it seriously, and although she meant well, it’s hard to believe Amy’s a capable leader ready to help women fix their problems when she’s barely managing to hold it together during summer vacation with her kids, which raises another point about Amy. She could have removed her children from the community and sent them to her in-laws to ensure their safety. She didn’t, yet was concerned about the safety of Liz’s kids. Given some of the things her daughter was saying and experiencing, it’s hard to believe in someone who thinks there’s a huge threat to her friend, but doesn’t take the threat to her kids seriously.

All in all, a breezy read if you don’t think about it too much and just go with the flow.

What a fun book to read!!

I loved that this pretty dark book is disguised as suburban humor.

The housewives of the neighborhood become exorcists when they realize their friend has been possessed by a demon.

The book is very well-paced and doesn’t try to do too much at once. I like how the demon makes them all realize their own special forms of evil and their weaknesses.

The ending was kind of anti-climactic. I really expected it to be a grander exorcism… it just wasn’t.

Overall, it was a good read!