An unusual mystery that grabbed my attention!
I read The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes as part of Reese's Book Club January Pick. I'm so glad I read this book! It's completely different than I thought it would be. I jumped right into reading without looking at the synopsis, so I didn't know what to expect. The murders occurred in a way that I would have never imagined before. Prepared to be engaged in the author's writing and held in perplexity in trying to figure out the mystery. It's mellower than I expected but riveting and interesting all the same.
Maya struggles with sleeping because of an incident that happened seven years prior. Her friend died right in front of her and she suspects Frank of murder but she can't prove or figure out how he killed her friend. She has taken Klonopin to help her sleep ever since her friend died but she has to go cold turkey because she lost her access to the medication. While dealing with withdrawal symptoms, she sees an online video of Frank with a woman dying right in front of him, all caught on a security camera. Maya immediately assumes Frank caused this woman's death but it just looks like she fell over without him touching her at all. This video causes Maya to want to get to the bottom of her friend's death and stop Frank from ever doing this again. Maya goes down a rabbit hole of past memories and current weirdness. She can't trust her instincts, memories or what she has seen and she needs all the help she can get to stop Frank.

I enjoyed the author's writing and mystery building skills!

As an avid thriller reader, this felt uncomfortably close to too many things that I've read before, even very recently. There wasn't too much here to distinguish it from such a saturated genre. I loved the setting and the atmosphere. Reyes has a knack for building those things up in her writing, which is a skill that I can appreciate. However, when it comes down to the story, I felt like no element truly carried the book over the hump from GOOD to the land of GREAT.

A really intriguing premise; unique and stands out from from typical thriller tropes. The novel immediately grabbed my attention and the writing was good, fast paced but difficult to follow at times. The heroine was difficult to connect with and came axross as an unreliable narrator. Overall it was an entertaining read

The premise of this book and the solution to the puzzle has a ton of promise. The writing is not bad. It was fairly entertaining. But I really disliked Maya whose behavior makes no sense when she's in a committed relationship with a great guy and they have just moved in together. She tells him nothing fundamental about her life and she ditches him because of an article she read so she can go home and see whether a guy she used to date, kinda/sorta may have murdered her best friend after all when they were teenagers. Reyes does create tension and suspense, but nothing Maya does makes sense and only part of it is explained by what trauma she experienced as a teenager. Her mom is an interesting character and the town an interesting character. I did finish it. I'd say that if one is going to have the ending it had, there should have been even more preparation/clues. Also, Maya should have been a more sympathetic character and less weird with Dan. Their love is unconvincing. Sometimes, I hated this book. Mostly, I kept thinking there are people out there who would love this and the writing was good. So, a solid 3 stars.

I found this book super intriguing in the beginning. I was invested in finding out what was going on but I found the main character annoying at times. It's like the flawed logic you see in horror movies. Going to deserted places by yourself knowing a sketchy person is there and not expecting anything bad to happen.

I actually didn't enjoy the ending. I don't think I would recommend this book to any of my friends.

I received a complimentary galley of THE HOUSE IN THE PINES by Ana Reyes for an honest review. Thank you to @DuttonBooks and @Netgalley!

THE HOUSE IN THE PINES follows Maya, a young woman who happens to given into a click bait YouTube suggested video about a woman dying mysteriously on film. She is shocked to recognize the man sitting with the young woman who dies in the clip. Frank is the same man that Maya used to date until he was present when her best friend died out of no where in their senior year of high school. She was always convinced that Frank had something to do with Audrey’s death, but with a second woman’s death she is more sure than ever.

This book had such an interesting premise and it kept me interested and wanting answers. Maya was an interesting character. I wasn’t always her biggest fan as she made some bad decisions along the way, but I was still connected and pulling for her to get the answers she needed. Maya seems to be getting her life together with a job and a steady boyfriend she lives with, but under the surface she is still struggling with her past trauma.

Maya has a lot stacked against her. In addition to some hazy memories around the time of Audrey’s murder, she is currently struggling with alcohol and with withdrawals from the prescription drugs she’s been taking for anxiety and for help sleeping. On top of that, her family has a history of mental illness and her belief in Frank’s guilt has had her mother worried that it is veering on the edge of an unhealthy obsession.

The ending for this one fell a bit flat for me and I was hoping for a bit more to it. Still it was an easily bingeable read! I look forward to more from Ana Reyes in the future!

This was definitely an interesting twist on a thriller, and a storyline I haven't seen before, which was a pleasant surprise. I had mixed feelings about Maya at first - feeling sure that it was a typical case of an unreliable narrator - but I became intrigued by her past story and her determination to find answers. The story moved slowly, but I liked the parallels between her potential unreliability and the unreliability of our memories and experiences. Definitely a thought provoking and smart debut, and one that's grown on me a bit after having some time to think more about it. 3.5 stars rounded up - worth checking out.

A girl returns home in search of answers to a past trauma, in Ana Reyes debut thriller, THE HOUSE IN THE PINES.

We meet Maya, who struggles to kick a drug habit that started seven years prior when her best friend, Aubrey, died unexpectedly, dropping dead while in conversation with her then boyfriend, Frank.

Maya has spiraled in the aftermath of the trauma, unable to both forget and remember exactly what happened. Haziness and lost time shape memories past, but when she sees a video of yet another girl inexplicably dying across a diner table from Frank, she’s convinced there’s a connection.

Chapters alternate between past and present, as we learn more about enigmatic Frank, about their relationship, and about a small cabin in the woods which may hold the secrets she’s desperate to unearth.

THE HOUSE IN THE PINES is wonderfully atmospheric with a captivating premise. An unreliable narrator (Maya) ratchets curiosity for what transpired, propelling me to flip furiously through the last set of pages. The start, however, felt a bit slow, with the narrative culminating in an ending that although surprising and inventive, perhaps could have packed a stronger punch. Nonetheless, this was an impressive debut teeming with tension, misdirection, and menace, and I look forward to reading more from Ana Reyes.

Loved this one!! The hypnotism was a fascinating aspect and I particularly enjoyed the backstory about the main character’s father and his life and experiences in Guatemala.

In the House In The Pines Maya can’t help but uproot her life and risk everything she’s worked for to figure out how two girls, including her best friend, have dropped dead without reason in the presence of her ex boyfriend.

This book reminded me a lot of The House Across The Lake and had a whacky feel for the entire book. Honestly, I cannot tell you whether I liked it or not I’m torn. I had NO clue where this debut was going the entire book but honestly, Y’ALL. I totally should’ve. In a good way. Now don’t get me wrong, I had to reread the pivotal 2 chapters three times because I was so confused but as far as wrapping up whacky books goes, this one delivers.

After making Reese’s Book Clubs January pick as a debut thriller, y’all knew I HAD to read it. Even though I still have no clue how I felt about it I would say it’s absolutely worth the read because colour me intrigued. I’m still mixed feels in a good way?

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I liked this! It had a pretty intriguing premise and solid writing. Points for making the MC Guatemalan and making it feel authentic. This was pretty atmospheric and literally had me guessing the whole way through. At no point in this story did I know where this was going, in the best way possible. When it was revealed what was happening, I was shocked! It was believable and not at all gimmicky, like a lot of these type of stories can be. I will say that it was a pretty slow start, things didn’t start picking up until about halfway through. The first half was slow, but it did have some really cool Guatemalan lore. I really like the whole plot line with her dad and his story and how it all connected. The ending was a little anticlimactic as well. But overall I wasnt disappointed!

Unfortunately, I decided to DNF at about 15%. Although this book is well written and the plot is intriguing, it did not pull me in or keep my attention. I struggled for almost 3 weeks to get into it and I just can’t force myself any longer.


I thank the publishers and Netgalley for the eARC copy and my honest review. I appreciate the chance to read and I’m sorry that the story was just not for me.

An absolute page turner with a wonderfully compelling backstory and beautifully developed characters. Ana Reyes is an author to watch!

I really enjoyed THE HOUSE IN THE PINES. It’s a taut debut, expertly paced and just enough touch of dread to keep the pages flying!

The House in the Pines was on my must-read list since I had seen it on another blog that stated they were looking forward to reading it. So, I was beyond thrilled when I got an email from Penguin House Dutton requesting a review. I couldn’t accept it fast enough. I had planned on reading this book as soon as I got it, but life happens, and it got put on the back burner. I finally read it right after Reese Witherspoon announced it was the book of the month in her book club (and no, it wasn’t because of that). I was let down by it. The House in the Pines didn’t live up to my hype, and I was disappointed.

The House in the Pines is a fast-paced book all over the place. It alternated between past and present without giving the reader a heads-up. I get why the author did it. But it didn’t work for me in this case. It only confused me and made me lose focus on what was going on.

This book mostly takes place in my home state of Massachusetts. Unfortunately, I grew up in coastal eastern MA, not in the west. But, I have been to Pittsfield, which is as pitiful as the book described. I have also been to Amherst (I had friends who went to college there), and I lived a quick 5-minute T ride outside of Boston for years (as well as growing up 25-30 mins east of there).

The characters in The House in the Pines alternated between me liking them and not believing their actions. I know it’s a huge difference there, but that’s how it was with me. The only character that I truly liked was Maya’s mother. She was solid and well-written.

Maya—She annoyed me for 90% of the book. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t tell Dan that she was going cold turkey from Klonopin withdrawal. He seemed like a decent person who would have helped her. Instead, she was sneaky about it. She is sneaky for almost all of the book and is borderline obsessed with finding Frank and confronting him about Aubrey’s death. But, as much as I disliked her, I did feel bad for her. She lived with the horror of seeing her friend drop dead before her and blamed herself for Audrey’s death. Her mother, who I liked, was vigilant about Maya’s mental health. I will not get into it here, but I blame her mother for pushing her down the path that led Maya to abuse Klonopin and become an alcoholic; what Maya needed after that traumatic event was a therapist, not drugs.
Frank—Oh, man, where do I start with him? He was indeed a scumbag, and I believe he targeted Maya because she was innocent. But, at the same time, I think he might have liked her. It was just the vibe I got from their scenes together. I did figure out his deal reasonably early in the book. The video clued me in, as did the book that Frank suggested Audrey read. But I liked seeing Maya’s journey to get to where I did.
Audrey—Even though she is dead, she is a massive part of the book. The author formed Maya’s whole adult identity from Audrey’s death. Maya was obsessed with connecting Frank to Audrey’s death and trying to remember what happened that day. The glimpses of Audrey that I got in the flashback, she was a good kid trying to look out for her friend and got caught up in something much bigger than her.
The House in the Pines was a good fit in the mystery genre. I also have it in the thriller and suspense genres, but they weren’t a good fit. I had everything pegged by the middle of the book. Even the twist didn’t take me by surprise. It fell flat for me.

The central storyline with Maya trying to find Frank, remember what happened that summer, and investigate another mysterious death was interesting. But, as I stated above, I figured everything out by the middle of the book. By the end of the book, I was waiting to see if any justice would be served, and I wasn’t surprised by what happened. But I was happy with what Maya was able to do.

The biggest thing that disappointed me about this book was the lack of closure at the end. Everything was left up in the air. I can’t say anything other than that because I am afraid of spoilers.

The end of The House in the Pines was anticlimactic for me. As I stated above, nothing was resolved. Wait, let me rephrase that. Nothing was resolved with Frank. Maya, on the other hand, was able to get some closure. But for the other stuff, everything still needs to be resolved. It was frustrating to read the end and realize nothing more was happening.

I would recommend The House in the Pines to anyone over 21. There is language, mild violence, and mild sexual situations.

I want to thank Penguin House Dutton, Dutton, and Ana Reyes for allowing me to read and review The House in the Pines. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

I requested this title because it has been picked for the Reece Witherspoon book club. The odd book I’ve read from her picks I have really enjoyed, this I did not. Sure it’s a bit of a page turner but the premise has been done a lot, I will admit with a different reason or outcome but it’s a bit like the whole trapped on an island/in a snow storm scenario and someone dies. I dislike that I didn’t 100% love this book as it is just my opinion and the fact it is a Reece’s pick will help sales.
The story centres around Maya who 7 years ago saw her friend, Aubrey keel over dead. The thing was it happened in front of a guy she fancied, Frank. Maya is sure Frank had something to do with it, after all she has found that when she is in his presence hours vanish that she cannot account for. Her fears are found to have no proof and it is thought that perhaps she needs to see someone and seek help.
Present day, Maya is living with her boyfriend Dan, she has been on a special drug since Aubrey died and since running out of tablets has gone cold turkey which has led to her not functioning correctly. During one of her sleep deprived nights, she sees online a video posted of a girl seemingly dying for no reason and she is with Frank. Maya feels she has to return home and look for Frank and try and uncover the truth.
When the big reveal comes at the end I would be surprised if most people hadn’t worked out what ot was.

This was very good!! I did not see the "twist" coming. I was suspicious of it, but didn't think that could actually be what it was. I hope Ana Reyes writes more because I really enjoyed her writing! What a fun read!

I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, and unpopular opinion, I really was not a fan. The premise was unique -is it a coincidence that 2 women have mysteriously died in front of the same man? Or if not, how is he killing them without moving a muscle?

Considering the interesting premise, the book starts off incredibly slow. If not for my commitment to reviewing it, I may have given up. As with almost all books these days, the chapters are told in alternating timelines - Maya now and Maya as a teen. It was slightly harder than I normally find it to follow the timeline switches.

I did enjoy the history about Guatemala and the Spanish sprinkled in. I also think Maya as a teen was very relatable (hello, quickly becoming obsessed with an inappropriate boy!) But I found the conclusion far-fetched and unrealistic. I also think there were some loose ends - Maya's father's book? What happened to Frank's father?

However, I probably would give this author another try based on her characters and writing skill.

Y'all: this book is a WILD ride. And I have such mixed feelings about it. I adored the writing and characters. I loved how well the author knows Pittsfield, Massachusetts (the hometown of my FIL) and how she weaves Guatemalan history and politics into the narrative. But, the twist? I did not enjoy. At all. It felt deeply unsatisfying. I think this novel is best enjoyed knowing as little as possible. While I didn't love this particular book, it did make a huge fan of the author, and I will absolutely be reading her next book. Also, if you have read it, let's discuss!

This book was a decent thriller, not the best not the worst. I think it will get more hype than it probably deserves now that it was chosen as a Reese's Book Club pick. I enjoyed it towards the end of 2022, but haven't remembered it into 2023.