DNF at 25%. The book started off with a bang, but quickly petered out. I couldn’t connect with the two narrators enough to care how their seemingly unrelated storylines came together. Very disappointing, especially after Thoman’s debut novel, which I really enjoyed…

Thriller-romance about an individual who goes to a new town and lives in a house with a mysterious past. Some things did work: I liked the introduction of information (hypothetical tweets, e-mails, blog entries, etc.) that dealt with each chapter, and I connected with Madelyn and her attempting to find roots in a new town. There was also at least one twist I didn't see coming, so I applaud the author for that! I did, however, find some of the writing sophomoric and felt the romance aspect was less interesting than the thriller portion, but that might just be my perspective. Additionally, Doug seemed too much like a caricature to be an effective villain, and so his sections strained some credulity. I did appreciate the author's storytelling ability and the genuine empathy the characters had toward each other.

Missing people, mysterious sounds in a house at night. However, the plot took too long to get going and I was confused a few times with the POV and who was who.

I had zero problem with the politics or pronouns in this story - it's not that hard. However, I didn't find the story drawing me in or keeping me hooked. I did like the excerpts at the start of each chapter of social media posts. I did like the mystery once it got going. I found the villain a little too over-the-top and the ending unrealistic.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book was intriguing, but unfortunately the overwrought writing spoiled it for me. I have no problem with non-binary characters - unlike so many who have commented - but I found all the characters lacked depth, the dialogues and plot were clunky and at times soap opera-worthy, the bad guy was cartoonishly and buffoonishly bad, the plot twists were foreseeable and the paranormal element was unnecessary. Sorry, but not a fan - I only finished this due to my hyper-developed sense of obligation, having received an ARC.

Overall a good book and story, loved how the story flowed and you were able to easily follow the different characters throughout the book. Definitely had you thinking of what was actually going on and how everyone was connected. The villain in this story is the worst, I loved the little pieces of information that were added through news stories, interviews, tweets etc. they definitely added a little something extra to the book as you were working through the clues to figure out the story and how it all came together at the end. Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Thoman, and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book.

This was a great contemporary story that definitely kept me interested, particularly in how the POVs in the story were going to connect and how some characters were going to come into play. There's an element of this that's a little speculative, but if you aren't a fan of that, know that it's a minimal part of the story, and is definitely accessible to the average reader.

📚: You Shouldn’t Be Here by Lauren Thoman
⭐️: 4/5

The gist: East Henderson, PA — where first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao arrives with a hidden agenda to find out what happened to her cousin, who disappeared into thin air years ago. This town is also where 16 year old Angie Stewart lives with her father, and starts hearing unexplained noises in her house. A thread tying them together? The ubiquitous local celebrity (and high powered) realtor, Doug Raymond. A man with that much power and that much ego can create complete catastrophe.

The good: Overall, I really liked this read — it hooked me from the prologue (this book starts out with a bang and doesn’t slow down). The dose of mystery is strong, with a few twists along the way that worked well - including one I absolutely didn’t see coming.

The eh: The paranormal angle is one that isn’t my favorite trope, and fell just a bit flat for me.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer (@amazonpublishing) via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. You Shouldn’t Be Here is out now!

I liked this book well enough. There were some parts I really liked - the friendships and how current certain elements of the story felt. I didn't really feel connected with the characters or the plot as a whole though.

The writing's decent enough and I liked how things tied together in the end. The way social media was used was clever at times. All in all, I'd say it was a quick, interesting, timely tale that just felt a bit flat at times.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. i know of thoman's writing from being eternally online, and i love her work. i thought she did the podcast transcript sections really well, and it connected nicely into the story. using media (podcasts, tweets, journal entries, reddit posts) is sometimes difficult to do but this was done well. i think the social and political aspects will divide readers but it didn't bother me.

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.

It is quite dark in places and as the trigger warning mentions, the book does cover some difficult situations, but I think it is handled very well and is needed for the plot to enhance characterisation.
I really enjoyed immersing myself in this world and was a little sad when it ended.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Loved the prologue! Hooked me from the start but slowly started to drag after that. Dual POVs (which is a plus in my book). I always enjoyed when different stories intertwine and mesh together, and this book did it well. The twists were executed well. The romance definitely overpowered the mystery/thriller aspect, which also made it feel more YA in some points of the book. The ending came together a little too well and too fast, almost rushed. I recommend if you enjoy YA and romance with elements of a thriller novel!

This book had an intriguing start but felt a bit odd at the end. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the MC but I liked most of the other characters. The way the story closes sort of made it seem like it wasn’t too difficult to find out the truth and I guess I was hoping it would be more realistic. Still, the mystery was intriguing and I thought it was a solid read. 3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

You Shouldn't Be Here by Lauren Thoman was such a suspenseful story.
The story kept me hooked and had me guessing the entire time.

Lauren Thoman’s “You Shouldn’t Be Here” weaves an intricate web of secrets and eerie occurrences, drawing readers into a world where the mundane collides with the supernatural. Set in the seemingly unremarkable town of East Henderson, Pennsylvania, the story introduces two strangers whose paths intersect in unexpected ways.

Thoman’s narrative style is both evocative and immersive. She skillfully captures the essence of mystery and suspense, allowing readers to feel the chill of unseen forces at play. The mysterious voice that 16-year-old Angie Stewart hears in her house becomes a haunting presence, and Thoman’s prose heightens the tension. The town of East Henderson itself feels like a character, shrouded in secrets and memories that refuse to fade. As readers delve deeper, they’ll appreciate Thoman’s ability to create an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.

The plot unfolds gradually, revealing layers of intrigue. Angie’s quest to understand the enigmatic voice and Madelyn Zhao’s determination to uncover her cousin’s disappearance converge in unexpected ways. Thoman masterfully balances the dual perspectives, allowing readers to piece together the puzzle alongside the characters. The pacing keeps readers engaged, with revelations and twists that maintain the suspense. Angie and Madelyn are well-crafted protagonists, each with their own vulnerabilities and strengths. Their growth throughout the novel adds depth, making their journeys compelling and relatable.

“You Shouldn’t Be Here” delivers on its promise of a thrilling and twisty ride. The interconnected secrets, hidden motives, and the looming danger create a sense of urgency. Thoman’s ability to maintain suspense while gradually revealing the truth is commendable and readers will find themselves eagerly turning pages to unravel the mysteries.

Whether you’re a fan of supernatural elements or simply enjoy a well-crafted mystery, this novel offers a satisfying blend of both. Lauren Thoman’s storytelling prowess shines, leaving readers with a lingering sense of unease and a desire for more.

Told in alternating chapters between Angie and Madelyn (strangers), as they both investigate mysterious happenings.

I think for the plot here, the alternating viewpoints wasn't the best. We didn't get enough intrigue from either character early on to really keep their parts interesting.

This one wasn’t it for me. I prefer my books to not have political aspects and real world issues trying to way one way or the other. This book follows a rich villain, so if rich people aren’t your thing then this book isn’t it. This book also features romance throughout the book, I personally prefer minimal romance in my thrillers. I’m here for the slashing and thrashing not the kissing. Overall, this book without those aspects wouldn’t be too bad. It was kinda of a slow burn.

I enjoyed this. It was engagingly written and there were a lot of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. The book is well-plotted and moves quite quickly; it never felt slow or like it was dragging. There were also some really clever and interesting ideas in it, and the romance element was quite sweet.

Personally, I felt like the ghost aspect could have been worked through better – again, there were some really interesting ideas around it, but I found it a bit muddled. The ending, too, felt a bit disjointed.

But overall I did enjoy reading it – it was something different and I’d definitely consider reading something by this author again in the future. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Violence, murder, blood, gun violence, head injuries, hospital scenes, attempted rape, threats and intimidation, missing persons case, organised crime.

Thank you Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer Publishing for an eARC ♥️

The story follows two strangers, Angie and Madelyn, who find themselves entangled in a web of mysteries and secrets in a small town in Pennsylvania.

Angie, a curious and determined individual, begins to experience strange and unexplainable occurrences in her home, hinting at a supernatural presence. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she becomes increasingly entangled in a world of eerie events and unexplained phenomena.

Meanwhile, Madelyn, a driven and resourceful teacher, is determined to uncover the truth behind her cousin's disappearance, which has left a dark cloud over the town. Her investigation leads her down a rabbit hole of secrets, lies, and deceit, forcing her to confront the town's dark underbelly.

As Angie and Madelyn continue their separate investigations, their paths keep crossing, leading to unexpected revelations and a complex web of connections. The author masterfully weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and the paranormal, creating a intricate and engaging puzzle that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.

The writing is polished, the characters are well-developed and relatable, and the tension builds steadily, culminating in a thrilling conclusion. Lauren Thoman’s use of language is descriptive and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the small town and its inhabitants.🔥

An interesting murder mystery with a touch of paranormal activity and psychological thriller. Really enjoyed the character development throughout this story. Not so much a whodunnit as that part is obvious, but a look at the detective work of multiple individuals in the story.

Teen Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her home but no one else can hear it. Teacher Madelyn Zhao just got a new job and home but is trying to find out what happened to her missing cousin. Two strangers are searching for clues that seem to point towards the same place.

I liked this one because you’re not really sure if it’s a ghost story or thriller or a bit of both. Some of the characters felt interchangeable to me and confused me at times but I got it straight towards the end. There’s definitely some surprises. The bad guy is a very typical evil corporate type which is a cliche I enjoy!

You Shouldn’t Be Here comes out 8/1.