📚 Trespass Against Us
🖌️Author: Leon Kemp
📝P.g.: 304
🖋️Publication: @harper360ya
🗂️Genre: YA Fiction

4,5/⭐️

📌Summary:

Two years ago, four friends went into the abandoned religious reform school Dominic House.
Only three came out.
Riley still bears horrific scars from that night. He doesn’t speak to his friends anymore. And he’s haunted by the truth: Riley’s boyfriend, Ethan, didn’t disappear...Something in that house took him.
Now, alongside TV’s most famous ghost hunter, Jordan Jones, Riley is returning, determined to find out what happened to Ethan.
But as the night wears on, Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life—he’s reliving it. And this time, whatever lives in Dominic House will make sure they all stay.

📌Review:
The perfect creepy young adult horror story is here. I was on the edge of my seat while reading the whole book. The author managed to create a haunted atmosphere with loving characters and a very sweet romance.

Totally recommend it to fans of young adult horror

📌I would like to thank @harper360ya or the free copy.

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LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS! It was wonderfully creepy, and I love a haunted house story anyway.

The premise gripped me immediately - 4 teenagers enter a haunted ex-home-for-troubled-kids, and only 3 come out. Two years later, they are offered £25k each to return.

I was gripped the whole way through and even got creeped out enough to sleep with the light on at one point. This gave everything I wanted! Vibes were immaculate.

This is such an impressive debut - massive congrats to Leon!

Trespass Against Us starts with Riley, working his usual shift at the coffee shop, when ghost hunter Jordan Jones pays him a visit, and makes him an offer that’s hard to refuse. We soon learn that Riley was involved in a horrific tragedy, along with 2 of his friends and his boyfriend. Riley’s boyfriend was never found. Immediately this book grips hold of you, and it doesn’t let you go. The need to find out what happened at Dominic House is too great.

Set in two separate timeframes. The now, where Riley, Vee, and Colton return to Dominic House with Jordan and her team, and the before, where the events of their last visit are revealed. I think the changing between the two actually made this book even more intense. The two timeframes bounce off each other perfectly, and the before adds context to the now as they run alongside each other.

The characters are a fantastic bunch. Although the relationships are not always harmonious, the interactions between characters are always enjoyable. When push comes to shove, and they find themselves in dangerous circumstances, despite everything, they do still look out for each other and pull together as a team.

The horror begins to ramp up rather quickly and just keeps increasing throughout. Not many YA horrors unsettle me, but this definitely made me feel uneasy, and I loved that! It culminates in an exciting and terrifying showdown that has you on the edge of your seat, unable to breathe. However, the book actually ends with a beautiful chapter that has you feeling all of the emotion. I am so glad it ended this way, and would love for another book with this group of characters.

This book will send shivers down your spine, and keep you up at night. However, it will also bring you to tears, and warm your heart. A fantastic debut, which has made me extremely excited for what the author brings us in the future. One of the best YA horrors I’ve ever read, and easily in my top 5 books of the year so far!

I adore a good horror or ghost story. I spend a fair bit of time watching ghost hunting shows on Streaming platforms and youtube so I was more than a bit excited to read Trespass Against Us and I can say it did not disappoint.

The first thing I want to say is that Kemp knows how to use a dual timeline. Sometimes I feel that these can get messy, particularly when we are going into almost a flashback and then back to present but Kemp kept the lines clean, matched them will and keeps you engaged.

The second thing I loved was the characters. Ethan is a really interesting protagonist. More so he is extremely human so I found it easy to sympathize with him and want to find out more. This ties in well with the writing. Kemp is brilliant at creating realistic setting and characters. This helps not only draw us in as readers but build a creepy atmosphere on top which just makes it more perfect.

In all Trespass Against Us has everything I need from a haunted house story, it’s creepy and sometimes slower pace helps build atmosphere, dread and tension, the characters are likable, the mystery is well crafted and the horror is just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you love haunted house fiction this one is a definite must read.

As always thank you to Harper360YA and Netgalley for my e-arc. My review is always honest and truthful.

At sixteen, Riley and his friends consider themselves ghost hunters and have explored most of the town's supposedly haunted places. They've visited empty buildings and stayed in cemeteries, but nothing that can't be easily explained has happened. Then, they visit Dominic House. As an old religious reform school, the house has its history of disappearances, and thanks to Riley and his friends, one more name is added to the list of the unexplained missing.

Two years later, Riley has scars from that night. Physical and emotional ones. With frequent nightmares of Ethan, the boyfriend Dominic House stole from him, it's almost an instant no when Jordan, from the famous ghost hunting group Spirit Seekers asks him to return to the house and film an episode with her and her team. With a chance to find out what really happened that night, as well as what happened to Ethan and the other missing people, Riley joins forces with friends Colton and Vee, all wary but determined, as well as terrified to go back to the place that's taken so much from them all.

Wow. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this not only left me shook, but it left me needing more ghost hunting/horror in my life. Told via a dual timeline of Riley's first visit and his return, the story is perfectly woven together and has no disjointedness you can sometimes find in dual timelines. The jump back and forth is neatly sectioned by individual chapters and not just plonked in the middle where you're expected to figure out when the scene is taking place.

It's quite a quick read, with a nicely paced plot, and I found myself finishing this quicker than I'd like. (That's not a bad thing, it's not rushed, I was just enjoying it that much I quickly ate it up.) There's enough character development that's in line with the pacing and the plot, but there's definitely more of a focus on the plot/setting which I liked. There's a creepy, dark and just a little religious trauma vibes that is perfect for anyone looking for an easy step into horror, or is looking for a haunted house read in the YA genre. (Don't sleep on the YA horror books, there's so many good ones!)

I'm hoping for more horror from this author (this is their debut), and more adorable gay MCs!



Did I like the book? Yes!

Did I love it? Yes!

Would I recommend it? I would and I will! A creepy haunted house? Ghost hunters filming an episode of their show, non-believing of ghosts? An eerie and dark vibe throughout? Read it! Add it to your spooky season reading list!

Thank you to the publisher for the earc!

I love YA crime/thriller and lately even horror books, paranormal ones are still not a favorite of mine, so I was a bit unprepared that this book is mainly paranormal.

I loved the setting, a haunted house where many decades ago a few kids and the adult who was supposed to look after them disappeared with no trace. I get why Riley and his friends wanted to explore Dominic House for their ghost hunting channel, it is perfect material. I really enjoyed the dual timeline, after each chapter that happens in the present we go back 2 years and see what the group was doing back then. Not knowing exactly what happened on that night added an extra layer to the suspense.

What I didn’t like so much was the ending. It felt too open for me, and we never really learnt what happened to Ethan.

Overall, if you like ghosts and ghost hunting, this could be a perfect addition to your autumn TBR!

This is an emotional journey for fans of Ghost Adventures and other paranormal ghost hunting shows with a hefty helping of religious trauma.

A ghost hunt turns horrific at Dominic House, the old abandoned religious reform school when four friends go in but only three come out. After two years of being haunted by that night and losing his boyfriend Ethan, Riley is persuaded by a ghost hunting TV star to go back and face his fears. And to maybe find out just what it was that took Ethan.

Told through dual timelines this was creepy and emotional from the get go. I personally felt that I was left wanting slightly more. But I enjoyed it and feel like many would absolutely devour this book and love it just as it is! I will be recommending it to those for sure.

This story was definitely outside of my comfort zone especially because I try to stay away from horror. However, I think this was very well written especially since it was a debut novel and I like how elements of queerness, trauma, and inclusivity were included in this one.

This book was so spooky, I loved it! The setting of the abandoned boarding school and chapel captures the heart of this novel perfectly and the way it was described made it feel so scary and real. I loved the main characters and I think the dual timeline added another layer of horror as you can see what they went through 2 years ago alongside the same horror that they are being put through once again.

I loved the idea of them all going back with a famous ghost hunting crew and you'd think that would perhaps keep the ghosts away but that is definitely not the case! I felt like I was on edge right from the start all the way to the end and when you think it is has gotten to its scariest point, there is still a lot more to come! The scary vibes throughout were incredible and it never once fell off the pace.

This is a fast paced, terrifying read that I wish I could read more of, it was that good!

This was a really strong, compelling read, especially considering it is the author's debut novel! I enjoyed the non-linear storytelling, which wove together Riley's past and the present, which showed the scars Riley was still carrying from that past. Characters were believably drawn and well executed, something especially important to me in queer lit like this. Importantly, Kemp seemed to hit all the marks here - horror, queerness, and religious trauma. Obviously there are some content warnings (like the religious trauma aspect), but I would recommend it this for all readers who are older teens and above.

Super creepy, and hard to put down.

I don't often read horror because I'm a baby and too scared of it, and I definitely was freaking out during parts of this book lol.

I really liked Riley, and I thought the dual timelines worked well to keep both the mystery alive and the pacing on track.

The ending was also really lovely and felt like it fit the book.

Loved Riley and Ethan's relationship. Such a sweet and safe connection. Heartbreaking to learn what happened to him, but I am so happy they decided to go back, all of them *tears*. It was such a great tension and mystery, it made me guess a few times if I understand what is happening.
The cover is gorgeous too and I shall be buying a physical copy to have it in my library.

This book grabbed me from page one. It was genuinely creepy with this slithering sense of horror and unease that grew as the book went on. The mystery kept me entirely engrossed and had twists I genuinely did not see coming. I loved how each character felt so distinctive and like real people. I think this book will easily appeal to both YA and adult readers.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Oooh I enjoyed this. Just the kind of young adult horror I enjoy.

A haunted house, ghost hunting with friends and lots of scary, sinister happenings.

The dual time line worked really well. I liked that both time lines ran kind of parallel with each other. Sometimes I can find this type of structure annoying or confusing, but I was hooked.

I enjoyed the pacing and the way the tension and action slowly built up. I didn’t expect to be as creeped out as I was, but the vibes were excellent. It was so easy to visualise and made me feel so jumpy! 🤣

I did guess a couple of things and I maybe would have liked a little bit more character depth and backstory. But, I think for a creepy young adult ghost story that centres around a haunted house, it was a really good read. I whizzed through it!

When I started reading the book felt like something I was watching rather than reading, but as I went on it just took on a mind of its own. Creepy, suspenseful, and even though it followed some typical horror tropes it had its unique strengths (ie. The characters, dialogue) I loved the author’s language— so descriptive and spine tingling.

Four friends enter, only three friends leave :o
Years later, invited by a ghost hunter, Riley goes back. He's determined to figured out what happened to his boyfriend who went missing in the house. Told in oscillating past and present points of view, the story unfolds and you get to see the haunted house and Riley. Overall, I did like this. I didn't feel fully immersed into the story, but I did still like it. I was really interested in the haunted house as this sort of entity in the story, as well as ghost hunter stuff (love me some ghost hunters). I definitely would love more from this author and I am excited to get our physical copies in here at my library, because that cover is *absolutely* stunning!

Four friends enter into a haunted place... only 3 leave and now two years later Riley is determined to go back and find out what happened to his boyfriend who disappeared. Riley and his friends loved checking out haunted houses... but when they enter into Dominic House something takes Ethan, Riley's boyfriend... and the horrors still scar Riley years later. When he is approached by a famous ghost hunter to return to Dominic House, Riley is determined to find answers and to find out what happened to Ethan! Told from past and present, the story unfolds and shows you the events of the haunted house and Riley's past and present state of being. The book was just alright to me, I really wish I was more interested but unfortunately I just never found myself all that hooked. i do think it would make a fun read for your spooky october tbr though!

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperTeen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Short and Sweet Review
Two years ago Riley, Ethan, Vee, and Colton entered the haunted Dominic House and only three of them left. Riley is eighteen now but ever since that night two years ago he’s been trying to move on but he can’t forget about his boyfriend Ethan. Riley is approached by Jordan Jones who is a ghost chaser and has a pretty popular show Spirit Seekers. Riley really doesn’t want anything to do with Dominic House but he does want answers so he goes back with Colton and Vee. Not only do the three teens have to revisit the past they have to relive it.
When we meet Riley he’s working at a coffee shop he still talks to Vee on occasion but not to Colton. When Jordan Jones asks him to be in an episode of Spirit Seekers he immediately says no, he went through a lot of trauma. Riley is a character who comes across as brash or ornery, but his boyfriend disappeared and he and his friends were attacked by something in that house. We get to see chapters that show us the past and why they even went to Dominic House in the first place, they had a YouTube channel visiting haunted places. After what happened that night we see that the relationship between these friends deteriorated, Colton’s leg broke in three places, people think Vee is crazy, and Riley has a scar. We see even though they really don’t want to go back, they truly want answers about what happened and want to know what they told people happened actually happened and they aren’t lying. I did like the aspect of the ghost hunters and seeing how all of the characters interacted with each other. The glimpses we get of Riley and Ethan’s relationship is really heartwarming and makes your heart ache that Riley didn’t completely know Ethans status. I will say the story is told in a way it makes you feel like you’re watching an episode of ghost hunters, Kemp did a good job at writing horror. I loved that we got to see Dominic House when the teens first visited and their second visit. With their second visit they know their way around but they still don’t know what the house is going to throw at them, and it just makes you want to keep reading to find out what’s next.
Overall, this is probably one of the best horror books I’ve read this year. I can picture reading this during October or maybe just a dreary day to set the mood. I loved everything this book had to offer, the writing is chilling and everything unravels in such a satisfying way. I recommend this book a thousand times over, go buy it ASAP!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars

4 friends enter Dominic House. 3 leave that night. Riley and his friends have never been the same since. Dealing with mental and physical scars, Riley vows to never enter Dominic House again. That is, until a famous ghost hunting show recruits them 2 years later to help them solve the mystery once and for all. Is Dominic house really haunted? And what happened to Riley’s boyfriend Ethan? This story goes back and forth from chapter to chapter and explains in the past and present what actually happened in Dominic House.

The “finding a friend who disappeared in a haunted house” trope is so vast right now and I’m loving all the books that come out of it. In the beginning it was hard for me to connect with the characters. Riley and Colton both seemed like mega jerks but of course they were the ones who suffered the most in the house. They would be the ones the most bitter about going back. I didn’t like Colton at all until the end. He at least got character development. Ethan seemed like such a sweet boyfriend to Riley and I was heartbroken when he was taken. I would want to go save him no matter what too.

The end seemed rushed but I was still happy with the outcome. I went into this book pretty blind and I was disappointed with the outcome. The end had me smiling so hard my face hurt. This was also a super fast read I was able to get through in a few hours so the plot moves forward very quickly. The main story is only told in a few hours with the flashbacks to the past going over one night.