I appreciated the effort and creativity the author put into this book, but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

It’s an Eric LaRocca, of course I read it, and of course I loved it! My favorite of his remains Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, but this one is great as well!

It's always difficult reviewing a short story collection because there are always differences in opinion from one story to the next. For this short story collection I found myself interested and invested in each. Yes, I enjoyed 'Things have gotten worse since we last spoke' the most but I thought each story added their own value to the book.

With an evident overarching theme of companionship, LaRocca explores the lengths a person might go in order to satisfy someone else's wants or needs. Each story had a different layer of disgust, sadness, horror or longing. Each character was well established, interesting and troubled in their own way. I didn't find myself loosing interest and you never really knew what was around the corner!

At times, I found myself needing a break from the story or looking around the room, not because I wanted it but because I needed it. Eerie and spine chilling. An atmosphere well established to ensure I don't like sleep.
When reading Eric LaRocca's stories, you will find yourself gagging from vile depictions or checking that your front door is locked. There isn't much inbetween.
I look forward to reading more from LaRocca in the future when I am needing my horror fix.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with early access to this book.

Things Have Gotten Worse was amazingly weird, creepy, and unsettling…in the best way!! LaRocca does horror that sticks with the reader.

Dark and disturbing, this collection of short stories demonstrates why LaRocca is considered a rising star in horror. The three stories are each unique and leave the reader feeling unsettled.

A late review, but I looooooved this. I've handsold it to a couple of customers - usually I suggest if they like Clive Barker and that immediately gets them interested. It's quick, messy, fun, and gross, and have had some great chats with customers about LaRocca's work. I always look forward to what they're writing next, and I always love it even if I hate it.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. It was definitely different from majority books I tend to read, but if it was a positive difference I can’t say.
The author tried to touch on some of our society problems, like loneliness, gullibility, greed and some more, but it was done very surface level. The issues that author tried to show us were covered in unnecessary gore and cruelty, most of which were used only for shock factor.
None of three stories made an impact or a lasting impression, by the end of the third story I didn’t even remember the names of the main characters from the first one, that’s how forgettable they are.
It is a quick read and if you like gore maybe you should give it a try, however it wasn’t for me.

A creepy, thought provoking read that really impressed me with its ingenuity and originality! I preferred some stories to others, the titular story being my favourite, but overall a fun and singular read. I’ll definitely be reading more from LaRocca.

This collection pulled me in and never quit. I read it in one sitting. Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke made me feel like a voyeur, looking in on something private, intimidate, and grotesque. I couldn’t look away.

The Enchantment’s characters felt so real, so flawed, my reaction to their conflict was visceral. The setting was a sensory experience: desolate and rank with sea life.

You’ll Find it’s Like that All Over made me reflect on my own willingness to experience discomfort out of social nicety.

A killer collection. Beautiful, horrid, immersive. All the things.

I’ve struggled to gather my thoughts on this book, because I am quite a big fan of Eric LaRocca, he’s easily one of the best emerging authors writing horror fiction today. I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few of his books and fallen head over heels in love with his stories. I had been celebrating his recent successes as Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke went viral and LaRocca was picked up by a major publisher. With all the buzz about the story I was excited to finally read what seemed to be his most popular work. That excitement was quickly dashed as I found myself a little frustrated with this collection.

It’s not bad by any means, I can see why the titular story is popular, and I very much liked the themes about human connection that is explored throughout each of these stories. I don’t always read forwards or afterwards in books, but the afterword provided in this novel I found to be essential to help me appreciate what LaRocca was going for, and this really should have been at the front of the book, not the back. I think my major criticism in each is that I found certain aspects to be a little too unbelievable, and I’m not even talking about the supernatural, but I felt that they really pushed my suspension of belief.

♥ Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke: I wrote about this more extensively in my review of the novella, but the short of it is that I just found this story to be too unbelievable and needlessly gruesome at some points.

♥ The Enchantment: This story was wild and it was my least favorite story of the trio. The story centers on an aging married couple on the brink of divorce and their devoutly religious son. The plot deals with themes of grief, bad faith, and the afterlife, it was a surprisingly Christian horror story. I didn’t care for how how back and forth the parents were, and I feel that the message about struggling with faith to be muddled by how obnoxious both of these two characters were.

♥ You’ll Find It’s Like That All Over: This was easily the best story of the entire collection. Equal parts nerve-wracking and viciously funny, this story ended things on a relative high note for me. I liked the way that the central theme of the collection is handled in this story.

Even though this collection was a swing and a miss for me, I still adore LaRocca’s writing and I’ll gladly read anything and everything that he chooses to publish. Although the standalone novella and then later this ARC were the first of his works that I had picked up, I’m glad that I ended up reading a few of LaRocca’s other books before coming back around to this one. I might have missed out on how absolutely spectacular LaRocca’s writing is if this had been my first experience reading his books. I like how his short story collections have a certain feel to them that ties all of the stories together that make for a good overall reading experience, even if the individual stories are not fantastic. I think that collecting these three stories together was a smart move, as the three stories together I think strengths each one’s faults.

This book was really interesting, but I think maybe LaRocca's style isn't exactly my cup of tea. I've read a couple of them now because I really really want to like them, but I struggle with it. The format alone of the title story is super interesting and I was into the idea of it, but it took me a while to get through it. It just didn't hold my attention the way I wanted it to. The concepts of all of these pieces are great, they just aren't quite what I was looking for in it.

A short book full of shocking body-horror and an emotionally exhausting read. You have to go in knowing that and being prepared because this is not for the faint of heart. A well told story for a select few

Super unsettling. I can see why this would cause divide between the readers. It’s 3 stories in here that have a theme but they are super unique. I recommend to go in blind. It’s very dark. Very gory. There is animal abuse. Read at your own risk

"Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes" by Erica LaRocca is a powerful book of short stories that explores the struggles and hardships people face. LaRocca's storytelling is impressive as she captures the sadness and difficulties of life. Each story is carefully crafted, drawing readers into a world where tragedy and disappointment are common. LaRocca's writing is emotive and leaves a strong impact. This collection reminds us of how easily life can take a turn for the worse and the challenges we can encounter.

I've heard so much about this author's work and was anxious to read him. Unfortunately, I think he's not for me.

There are three tales in this book.

The titular novella was the least successful for me. While I completed the story, it was mainly out of curiosity. Unfortunately, I simply didn't like it.

I did enjoy most of the second tale. While not much in it surprised me, and at times it seemed a little try hard edgy, as a tale of grief, it worked.

As for our third, and final, piece. I never once bought into it. I read it with mild curiosity and was disappointed in the end of it.

While I believe the author will absolutely hit for some, this will likely be my last time reading his work.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3. I really enjoyed the title story, although it felt a bit brief and rushed towards the end. While I appreciated the format, I felt that it could have used something more to expand on the two characters to help us connect with them further.

The other two stories were okay, but didn't really land with me. They were fine, just not especially to my taste. I do think that this author shows a lot of promise, and will be looking forward to more from them!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

An very unsettling read and bizarre storyline.
You'll be thinking about it after your done reading.

Eric LaRocca can honestly do no wrong. Such creative and horrifying tales - I’d like to say I’m a well seasoned horror fan, and yet LaRocca is still able to surprise me every time.

This book is sooo weird that I fell uncomfortable in some parts. Did I love it? not really. This is not my kind of book unfortunately.

I just reviewed Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke And Other Misfortunes by Eric LaRocca. The book premise was unsettling the author has explored how a woman desperate to being a mother has spiralled herself into doing unfathomable acts. Suggest having a strong stomach though. #ThingsHaveGottenWorseSinceWeLastSpokeAndOtherMisfortunes #NetGalley
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