dnf @p100
this story just wasn't for me at all. I liked Thoman's writing and would read more from her, but I didn't really enjoy any of the characters and the supernatural plotline wasn't my thing.

Two strangers search for the truth behind bizarre occurrences no one else dares to discuss—only to discover that they’re connected by secrets that could destroy them both. A thrilling and twisty novel by the acclaimed author of the Mindy’s Book Studio pick I’ll Stop the World.

When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her?

Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is located close to her job, within walking distance of a dog park—and, most importantly, in the town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers.

As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried.

Loved it.

I think that perhaps if I hadn't started reading this book in the midst of a very disappointing election, I could have loved it. The parts I was able to focus on were suspenseful and kept me interested. I wanted to know what happened next. But then life got in the way and I started taking longer and longer gaps between chapters and I just lost interest. I tried going back and rereading to get back into it but I just don't think I was in the right headspace.

I don't blame the book. I think I would still recommend others read. And it's also one that I think I would like to come back to (maybe as an audio) later on.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC!

I was really excited for this book when I read the synopsis and I found it lived up to the excitement! I saw a lot of people say this book was political. However, I really enjoyed how the author incorporated these real world things into the story. Writing and story wise I found this a quick read, and it kept me flipping the pages. The twists were surprising and not what I thought at all.

All in all this book had thrill, mystery, romance, diversity and great characters!

4 stars and will be recommending to friends and family!

This was a hard read. I believe it’s YA, but the writer feels like they might actually be a young adult.
Also, this was yet another Covid book. I feel like it’s just too soon y’all. Why are we placing all of these books in the 2020 timeline? It drives me a little crazy.
That’s really all I have to say about it. Too political, and just lacking in order and direction. This book felt like it was all over the place.

*2.5, rounded up*
When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s excited by the possibility of a ghost in her otherwise dull town of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao moves to town, determined to uncover the truth behind her cousin’s disappearance years earlier. As Angie and Madelyn’s investigations begin to overlap, they find themselves drawn to a dark secret that someone will stop at nothing to keep buried. But by the time they realize the danger, it may already be too late.
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Well, there was quite a bit going on with this book... A little bit too much. There were a lot of threads and plot points to follow, and I'm not sure if it was all needed. I also think the synopsis is semi misleading - if you're looking for more of a 'ghost story', you're not going to find it here. I actually thought that plot point was the one that fell the most flat for me. The book started off strong, lagged a lot in the middle, picked up again towards the end, and then gave a so-so finish. It was just a little bit too all over the place for my liking, unfortunately.

After reading I'll Stop the World, I knew I would become an instant fan of Lauren Thoman and after reading You Shouldn't Be Here, I know I was not wrong!

This book is deliciously evil and I loved every bit of it.

In just under 400 pages, I devoured this book in one sitting. There was no time for bathroom breaks or even a snack, I had to keep going!

Dark, spooky and perfect for thriller lovers favorite "spooky season" .

This book needs to be on everyone's list!

Check out this teaser :

When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her?

Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is located close to her job, within walking distance of a dog park—and, most importantly, in the town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers.

As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I felt bored and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. I also feel like the writing just wasn't the best.

I hope others love this one.

I liked it! The whole book I thought I had the basic ending figured out, but NOPE! Didn’t see that coming! It’s a perfect weekend read, and I was impressed with the author’s easy writing style. A good choice for those who like thriller/mystery with some romance. The ending went a tad too fast for me - it wrapped up so quickly in that last scene when I think it could’ve unraveled a bit more slowly… but I enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy.

The story centres around East Henderson, Pennsylvania and the strange goings on where people just disappear, but no one will talk about it.

Angie has lived here all her life and starts to find life interesting when she hears a ghost, but no one will believe her and she can't figure out what the ghost wants.

Madelyn moves here to start her teaching job, she also hopes to find out what happened to her cousin, who has mysteriously disappeared but in doing so comes across more than she bargains for.

What a brilliant mystery, with some great twists and turns. The characters are adorable, I really loved them and was invested in finding out what was going on with them.

I love the use of articles, emails, clips, etc at the beginning of each chapter to give a little more insight into the plot and the two points of view from Angie and Madelyn and their experiences.

You Shouldn't Be Here, picked up by Netgalley for the name and vibes. We follow Madelyn, new school teacher as she moves into her new home in East Henderson Pennsylvania. Madelyn’s cousin went missing 2 years ago and begins to search to find out what happened.

I found this story to be very YA the MC Madelyn was very annoying and read WAY younger to me. Very slice of life book with a slow pace vibe. Found this to be more of a romance story with the thriller being a subplot. Madelyn’s constant fear of losing her instant love connection with Alex was an eye rolling experience. The story telling was very back and forth with snippets of social media posts and interaction. I didn’t care for the flow of the story and found the inserts to be intrusive on the storyline. I did not connect with Madelyn or care as to the ‘missing person’. I found I was drifting while reading and this book did not hold my attention. Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC Netgalley copy for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
This is the 2nd book I've read from this author and once again I enjoyed the connection from each timeline. My only regret is that I didn't read it during spooky season

This was a rather fun thriller to read. If you liked the book Ask for Andrea then this will be right up your alley. Madelyn moves to town to start a new job, the same town her long lost cousin went missing in 2 years before. What could go wrong? 3.5 stars for me

Not my normal read but it was a good ghost/mystery story. Madelyn does a dna test and finds a cousin that she writes to and they decide to meet up. When Madelyn goes to visit her cousin basically ghosts her, when she does some research she find out that Doug Raymond is a sketchy guy that thinks he owns and runs the town. Angie disappeared ten years ago and her friend Alex/Bas was worried about her because she left without warning and with no communication. Fearing the worst when he meets Madelyn and they learn about their pasts they go researching and weird things happens. Madelyn hears voices in her house which just so happened to be Angie’s house 20 years prior and she heard voices to.

I’d like to say thank you to Lauren Thoman for the wild ride in this what I like to think was a coming of age suspense novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for their he arc copy in exchange for my honest review

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of You Shouldn't Be Here by Lauren Thoman.

I was actually surprised that the GR reviews of this book aren't higher because I really liked this book. I thought it was so fresh, interesting, and fun.

It starts with an attack that immediately has you one edge as the story goes back and forth in time, unraveling the plot a bit at a time. There's romance, mystery, a very clear villain, and a whisper of the supernatural.

I know that some found it to be too political (nonbinary character, loud disdain for one percenters who will stop at nothing to get richer), but I just saw it as a commentary of the world we live in. And it helped to write one heck of a story. So, grab your pearls if you must, but be brave and give this a try!

Slow burn start with a big pay off at the end! I stuck through the somewhat slower start and I’m so glad that I did. I really enjoy Thoman’s writing style and felt drawn in from the very start.

This is okay. I absolutely loved the villain and the setting in the school. I found that relatable as a school employee. I absolutely loved hating Doug. Also the named Potato for a pet is my favorite name. That's what I called my Rooster.
I love Miss Zhao too and how she dealt with people mispronouncing her name.
Can't wait for the next one.

Couldn’t get into this one. I rarely DNF a book but this was one for me.
Have to give this one a one star.

With so many twists, I had no idea which way this book was going to go. I was constantly surprised and appreciated the way the author tackled the mystery element. While the story was slow to start, it did pick up around the 30% mark and I found myself reading the remainder of the book in close to one sitting. I don't usually love a paranormal element but the author wrote this one cleverly. This is my first book by this author and I am now keen to read more.